OCCUPATION: Head of Creative, Oscar de la Renta
MY STYLE: I have often been teased for my love of lace and frills. At heart, I’m a born romantic, and I guess I’m lucky to work for Oscar, who loves lace (he’s the best at it, after all). I live by the rules of mixing and matching—the highs and lows. I may wear some slouchy denim on the weekend paired with a lace top and playful jewels. As for the apartment, mid-century modern with splashes of rich color currently sounds like a dream…
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: I used to think the love of my life was Paris, and then I moved to New York. The diverse cultural offerings are my favorite part… We can celebrate Bastille Day in Brooklyn, Dragon Boat Festivals in Queens, and have an all-American BBQ fest in Madison Square Park. I love that my kids can watch Looney Tunes on the bigscreen in Bryant Park, wear tutus with converse, and splash around the Westside Highway Playgrounds. Space is tight at times, but it keeps our little family efficient, cozy, and close.
Barnes & Noble
One of the city’s major hubs for book tours, author readings and events, the Union Square branch of Barnes & Noble also appeals to those too young for novels and non-fiction. “It’s amazing how much time one can spend in a bookstore when you have children,” says Marissa Kraxberger. “Each aisle offers new adventures for their imagination. I have always made it a point to read to them, so they could naturally develop a love for books.”
Storm King Arts Center
“An amazing day trip,” says Marissa Kraxberger of this artistic mecca in Mountainsville, New York. “We’ll jet off for the day with a picnic lunch and roam the 500 acres of nature merged with art.” In addition to running around the expansive property, many of the large-scale sculptures are interactive in themselves. Be sure to check out the bold, accessible works by Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, and Andy Goldsworthy.
Bar Pitti
Like Da Silvano next door, Bar Pitti is a West Village favorite for some veal meatballs or a bowl of tagliatelle. Plenty of other delectable options can be found on the chalkboard, which goes nicely with the mirrored wall and casual elegance of the place. There are also simple wooden tables, which fill and turn quickly. It’s not uncommon to see a small crowd waiting outside for something to open up, even in the winter months. Long accustomed to the pace, the waiters can strike some customers as a bit brisk, but not Jennifer Fisher. “The staff is great with kids, and we believe it’s the best Italian food in the city,” she says.
The Standard
“Standard” is hardly the first word that comes to mind when describing this hip Meatpacking hotel—comprised of two slabs of concrete and glass that straddle the high line at a height equivalent to 57 stories (though there are only 18, the building is on stilts). The impressive structure is much more than just a pretty façade—it’s also home to some of the area’s hottest spots, like The Standard Grill, the outdoor Biergarten and the Boom Boom Room—a throwback to ’70s-era decadence with very modern guests like Karolina Kurkova and the Olsen twins.
Hudson River Park
From beach volleyball to boat building to dog runs and sun-basking, there’s plenty to do along the NYC stretch of the Hudson River. But for those looking for a little R&R, there are options for that, too. “One of our favorite things to do on a beautiful day is pull up to the Westside Highway, by the George Washington Bridge, and have a picnic. It’s peaceful, with a lot of open space. We’ll pack a bottle of wine and cheese for us, goldfish and sippy cups for the little ones,” says Marissa Kraxberger.