Q & A with Pavia Rosati
Paris, Les Editeurs cafe
Pavia Rosati is the founder of the amazing new travel website Fathom (www.fathomaway.com), the kind of site that will inspire you to plan five trips in dreamy destinations around the world the second you see it. She was also the executive editor of Daily Candy since it was just a baby and directed all of us to all things fabulous. As you would expect from someone so stylish, Pavia is that friend that knows exactly where to go and what to do before it becomes chic. Luckily for us, Pavia shares some tips with reCrib. Now after you are done reading this, get online and book that next trip and stop dreaming…
What is your favorite place to visit?
City – Paris. I lived there in college and it’s like visiting an old friend.
Island – Lo Scoglio in Marina del Cantone. Okay, it’s technically not an island. But I feel so remote when I’m there, and it’s surrounded by water, so can you blame me for my confusion?
Adventure destination – Utah. Does climbing up and down state park mountains count as “adventure”?
What’s the one thing you won’t travel without?
A camera. Good moisturizer. And it doesn’t always happen, but I love traveling with my husband.
What do you most miss about home when you travel?
Cooking in my kitchen.
What is New York City’s (your hometown) best kept secret?
That we’re a village of connected and friendly locals.
Best destination with kids?
I don’t have kids, but I love watching my friends’ kids go crazy on the beach.
Best destination without kids?
A four-hour lunch at Le Meurice.
Favorite hotel?
The Connaught is pretty perfect. And though I only spent one night there five years ago, I’ve never been able to get Il Convento di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli in Puglia out of my head. I could move in for a few months.
After I land in Naples, my first meal is at Pizzeria Brand.
Top three destinations or hotels you want to visit?
1. Hong Kong.
2. Tierra del Fuego, Chile.
3. I’ve spent a quarter of my life in Italy, but I can’t believe I’ve never been to Sicily or Pantelleria.
Besides Fathom, what are your favorite travel blogs or resources?
Alastair Sawday finds the most charming small hotels, and Jonglez Publishing’s Secret/Unusual books unearth excellent quirk. Cool Hunting has impeccable taste. And since I have a fierce practical streak, I’m crazy about Michelle Wiggins in NYT, Wendy Perrin in Conde Nast Traveler, and Christopher Elliott in National Geographic Traveler.
Favorite vacation reads?
I like books set in the place I’m visiting. Reading Paul Bowles’ short stories in Morocco added a petrifying, atmospheric tone to my time in Marrakech. I don’t think we were kidnapped by bedouins on our trip, but I sometimes wonder.
Any travel secrets?
Pack half the things you think you need; you’ll never regret traveling light. Go see the thing you’re too tired to visit; you’ll never regret having seen too much.
Best thing about starting your own business?
Well, I had this idea about what a travel website should look like…
Hardest thing about starting your own business?
It’s really tough to blame the boss.
Q & A with Marc Murphy
Marc Murphy is one of NYC’s best known and loved chefs (and we feel lucky to call him one of our close friends). In addition to cooking the classic, comforting and flavorful food at Landmarc and Ditch Plains, he also serves as an ardent supporter of hunger relief organization City Harvest. On top of that he is a judge on Food Network’s hit show, “Chopped.” Oh, and did we mention he is a Super Dad to his 8 and 4 year old kiddies, a consummate entertainer at home, surfer, ballet aficionado, and the list goes on…Can you say Renaissance Man?
Favorite thing to cook for your kids?
I love to cook anything that I can cook WITH them. Scrambled eggs with parmesan has become one of our favorite breakfasts because my daughter can now make them almost entirely by herself. We also make a lot of pastas and salads – anything they can help chop, clean and cook!
Favorite thing to cook for yourself?
A big bowl of pasta
Any tricks for getting kids to eat foods other than pizza and chicken fingers?
Getting kids interested in cooking really helps – if the kids work with me in the kitchen, they are way more excited to try what we’ve made. I also always have them at least taste whatever I’m eating. Our rule about food is to say yes before you say no and to at least try everything. You’d be surprised how many things kids will eat – we don;t give them enough credit!
Is there anything your kids eat that makes you cringe?
Chicken fingers.
What are 5 ingredients busy parents should always have in their refrigerator?
Parmesan Cheese, Milk, watermelon, cooked pasta, sliced turkey
Favorite restaurant other than your own (feel free to share as many as you’d like)?
ABC kitchen, Extra Virgin, Crispo, Locanda Verde
Your three favorite kitchen tools?
Vitamix, japanese mandolin, side towel
Is there anyone you would really like to cook for?
I would love to cook a state dinner at the white house.
When you’re not working, what’s your favorite thing to do?
I love to travel with my family (eating is always a big part of these trips!) but when we’re home I love to surf and really the best way to spend time is just hanging with family and friends.
Favorite thing to do in NYC with your kids?
New York is such an amazing place to raise kids – there are so many amazing activities all of the time and truthfully, I love doing anything with them when they’re having fun and taking advantage of the city. Taking them to see things – museums, ballets, musicals – that’s pretty cool. It gets them thinking about things outside their world and it’s amazing to see everything through their eyes.
Favorite travel destination?
Italy and France
Place you haven’t been to that you’d most like to go?
Japan and China
What would your last meal be?
spaghetti carbonara
When you have dinner parties, who are your two very favorite guests?
Daniel and Michelle, of course!
Our favorite sheets…
are hands down by our friends over at DwellStudio. So…after you save money buying your dream crib on www.recrib.com, head to www.dwellstudio.com and put the money you saved towards sheets that will help your kids dream.
our favorite - Transportation crib set
Q & A with Christiane Lemieux, Founder of Dwell Studio
Super mom, career woman extraordinaire, taste-maker, bon vivant, renaissance woman, Christiane, is the founder and creative force behind DwellStudio, and a dear friend who inspires us every day. She is an incredible person, and obviously incredibly talented. For those of you who are into design and haven’t read her book, Undecorate, I highly recommend getting it. Enjoy our Q & A with Christiane, and see how one mom tries to do it all.
Why you love living in NYC?
I think that New York is the most amazing place. You can walk everywhere so you have a small town experience in your neighborhood AND live in one of the most dynamic cities… Plus – who knew that the most gorgeous beaches you could imagine are such a short distance away? Before moving to New York – I had no idea!
What you most love about your home?
The open space – I can cook dinner and interact with my family. It just flows so well.
Favorite part of your kids’ rooms?
The bedding and decore :)
Top three tips for decorating a kids room or nursery:
Black out shades – get them...they will save your life and sleep...
storage, storage storage...you can’t even conceive how much you will need it !
Don’t go crazy...you will be switching it up all the time...that is why reCrib is such a great idea...
What inspires you?
Travel, museums, flea markets.... in new and exotic locations.
Define your personal style:
eclectic, modern luxe.
You've said before that fashion, art and travel inspire your designs for dwellstudio. Who are three people (one in each category) inspiring you right now?
Fashion – I am loving Dries Van Noten lately. I love his mix of textiles. Amazing, worldly and inspiring.
Art – I just saw the De Kooning show at the MOMA and fell in love with his amazing pinks, oranges and greens. Fabulous.
Travel – Who does it better than Angelina and Brad? How can I get my kiddies to Cambodia for the week?
I know you love mixing modern with vintage. What is your favorite source for vintage items?
3 Favorite sources are 1st Dibs, Ebay and V&M.
How do you balance your busy schedule with being a mom to two amazing kids?
Hmmmm – I am not sure that balance is a good word for my life. Just today, I was late for a meeting because my son had a school interview. It’s a constant push pull. I need balancing tips! I am constantly canvassing my mom friends for ideas. A recent one – put your kids clothes AND yours out the night before when you are not harried during the morning rush.
Favorite hotel for family traveling? for design? for getting away from it all?
Family Hotel – We LOVE the Round Hill in Jamaica. We have been going for years and know the staff. It is the one place my kids can roam free. That is amazing for city kids.
For design - I am dying to try the new “ La Maison des Centraliens” by Martin Margiela in Paris!
http://yatzer.com/La-Maison-des-Centraliens-by-Martin-Margiela
Getting away from it all...
The Six Senses in Vietnam - http://www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao/
Top three destinations on your must-visit list?
Burma
Bhutan
Uruguay
Three dinner guests?
Right this minute I would like to invite -
Sheryl Sandberg
Martha Stewart
Anna Wintour
I think that would be fun and I could do a lot of brain picking. This changes daily though.
Last meal before you die?
Baguette, Many Delicious Perfectly Ripe Cheeses and a perfect Burgundy (maybe from the DRC) - I am French afterall...
Favorite recent restaurant experience?
I just had Omakase at Sushi of Gari for the first time...wow..it was amazing.
What's it like to work with your husband? Best and worst part?
Best – Flexibility – for example we never have issues with travel – we can pick up and go as a family. Or school function – we can be be there....it’s pretty great!
Worst – taking work home – unavoidable and draining.
Companies or brands that inspire you right now?
Google – for constant innovation – wow. I want to be part of the Beta of what ever they are doing.
What's next for DwellStudio?
Shhhh – looks like a store.
You accomplished so much as a professional and as a mom. What is something you still hope to do, see or accomplish in your life?
I would love to go to medical school and become a Doctor – crazy right?
Thank you, Christiane. I bet we'll be making that Dr. appointment to see you one day!
moving on
Today we moved from our SoHo loft, where both of our kids were born (not literally). We are really excited about our new apartment and neighborhood (also downtown), but also quite nostalgic. It seems like yesterday that we brought them home from the hospital, the little nuggets tucked snuggly in their car seats (now they beg me to sit in the driver’s seat – not happening of course). It’s been an incredibly special and memorable five years filled with lots of exciting events and many firsts. As we were packing, pouring over each and every belonging (keep, sell, throw out, donate?), we couldn’t help reflect over all the memories. Our son sleeping soundly in his crib that first night (and us checking every moment we could), our daughter happily eating mashed peas in her high chair, the two of them crawling around in their cute little clothes. Parting with some of these things is hard. So it felt good to know that the owners of our old apartment would be using some of this loved and gently used baby gear for their own children. As our family has grown out of these items, now it’s their turn to create their own memories. It may sound cliche but it all goes so fast – it feels good to take a moment and reflect..
