Lyss Stern’s Top Picks for a FabuLyss Valentine’s Day

purple and grey board game

The most romantic day of the year is here! Yes, this month brings us Valentine’s Day, and it isn’t just for the the moms and dads. I love celebrating this day with my three kids and showering them with lots of love on this day (and every day). I have a few of my fabULyssfinds for both the moms, dads, and kids for Valentine’s Day and the month of February. I must admit, I do love chocolate and roses.

Looking for a unique and fabULyss Valentine’s Day gift for your husband?

I love Bundle, a personalized board game company that brings people together for life’s most celebrated moments. This is a one-of-a-kind gift that is part sentimental, part quirky — and a whole lot of fun. You can get your family to unplug and play a fun game that will engage them and bring a smile to their faces. The game was created by sisters Jacklyn and Cassie when they were looking to give their parents a unique gift but couldn’t find anything in the stores. They designed a board game from scratch, crafted with their own memories and family traditions—and now you can too! Visit thebundlegame.com to start building your personalized board game.

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There are two new shows that everyone is buzzing about.

Colin Quinn’s new off-Broadway standup show, “Colin Quinn: Red State Blue State,” is skewering both sides of the political divide. Don’t miss this timely show by the “Saturday Night Live” alum—it’s a limited run until March 3. “Colin Quinn: Red State Blue State” at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, between 6th Avenue & Macdougal Street, colinquinnshow.com). For teens, “Be More Chill” is a must see! Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, it is the story of Jeremy Heere, your average, nothing-special teenager. That is, until the day he finds out about a tiny supercomputer that can change his whole life. I took both my boys to see the show when it was off-Broadway, and look forward to taking them again now that it’s on Broadway. “Be More Chill” at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street etween Broadway & 6th Avenue, bemorechillmusical.com).

If you are looking for a delysscious, romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day, one of my favorites is Tocqueville Restaurant.

This jewel box of a restaurant delights all who venture in. The kitchen turns out sophisticated French-American cuisine while a smart staff personalizes your service. As you enter, the cozy bar lures you in to admire its collection of rare and fine spirits. Tocqueville Restaurant [1 East 15th Street between 5th Avenue & Union Square West, (212) 647-1515, tocquevillerestaurant.com]. Another to try is The Factory 380, a new restaurant and speakeasy lounge in Gramercy that pays tribute to Warhol’s Union Square studio with decor inspired by the storied New Yorker’s pop art era. By day it’s a place to relax and eat great food in an artistic environment, and by night somewhere to sample the creative food menu and craft beers while sipping on cocktails and socializing. The Factory 380 [380 3rd Avenue between
East 27th & East 28th Streets, (212) 686-6380, thefactory380.com].

Moms are always looking for glowing, younger-looking skin.

Well, try the Augustinus Bader cream, which activates regeneration of the body’s own stem cells. It comes from more than 30 years of research in the field of the body’s innate capacity to self-heal from a world-leading expert in regenerative medicine. Visit augustinusbader.com.

Looking to pamper yourself or a friend this Valentine’s Day?

The Naturopathica Chelsea Healing Arts Center and Spa is the place to go. They believe in a whole-body approach to skin health and well-being; the treatments and services are customized to each guest’s unique concerns. Nirvana Stress Relief Massage and the Blue Eucalyptus Energizing Massage are both favorites. Naturopathica Chelsea [127 West 26th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues, (646) 979-3960, naturopathica.com].

There’s a new mind-body destination that opened Midtown East, called Clean Market.

It’s a great place for moms to unwind, chill out, and find healthy alternatives. The infrared saunas are very popular, as well as the cryotherapy. Clean Market [240 East 54th Street between 3rd & 2nd Avenues, (646) 850-6300, cleanmarket.com].

Beauty is wellness, and I love the Cap Beauty bundles.

The bundles let you gift with ease and save while you’re at it. Share the power of naturals with the ones you love. Cap Beauty [238 West 10th Street between Hudson & Bleeker Streets, (212) 227-1088, capbeauty.com].

Lyss Stern is the founder of Divamoms.com, bestselling author Motherhood Is A B#tch and If You Give A Mom A Martini, and a mom-of-three. Follow Lyss on Instagram @diva_moms.

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Dedimus Potestatem

<p>Dedimus Potestatem provides fun, engaging, academically challenging programs to students in primary, middle, and high school. Programs include Leadership, Debate, Model United Nations, Computer Programming, Financial Literacy, Filmmaking, Philosophy, Model Congress, Mock Trial, Etiquette, Bioethics, Stem and Bioethics, and more. We currently offer both virtual and in-person private, semi-private, and group sessions and after-school programs. Contact us to bring us to your school today!</p> <p>Sessions</p> <p>We currently offer both virtual and in-person private, semi-private, and group sessions as well as after-school programs. To register, visit <a href="https://www.potestatem.co/bookclassesnow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.potestatem.co/bookclassesnow </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:info@potestatem.co?subject=REGISTER" target="_blank" rel="noopener">info@potestatem.co</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.potestatem.co/leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leadership: Middle School ages 10-13, High School ages 14-18</a></p> <p>This is a unique leadership course that gives students the skills they need to succeed in life. Using an activity-based syllabus centered around character traits most sought and admired in leaders (initiative, honesty, self-control, adaptability, empathy, persuasiveness, resourcefulness, diligence, tolerance, determination, generosity, punctuality, courage, reliability, endurance, deference, creativity and integrity) students learn how to deal with situations they encounter in life. These building blocks will ensure they grow to become the leaders so sought after by our burgeoning society. Our grading rubric was adapted with the permission of Neil Mercer, the Director of research and Head of Faculty at The University of Cambridge.</p> <p><a href="https://www.potestatem.co/little-leaders-prek-and-kindergarten" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Leaders: Primary School Ages 6-9</a></p> <p>Developed by former pre-school and elementary teachers, this ethics-centered program utilizes a play-based method to encourage students to explore and apply soft skills in their daily lives. While cultivating the skills they will need to build strong, successful relationships, they will learn how to find their voice and showcase themselves in the best way. Students will learn to communicate and negotiate so they can be better team leaders and team players. 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Debate builds literacy and multi-media research skills, fosters critical thinking and expanded perspectives, enhances public speaking skills, increases confidence, trains students to listen effectively, supports diverse learners and strengthens civil engagement and discourse. </p> <p><a href="https://www.potestatem.co/model-un" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Model United Nations (Ages 11-18)</a></p> <p>Model UN simulates the six major organs of the United Nations. Students role play as delegates from a country of their choosing and learn to write and present resolutions based on topics they are passionate about-just as if they were representing member states of the United Nations. We utilize materials from National Model UN and video tutorials to teach students how to write and present position papers, working papers, and draft resolutions. Students use debate and negotiation to enlist the support of other delegates for their resolution. 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Academics West

<p>Academics West is an accredited high-support college preparatory school designed to meet the academic and social-emotional goals of its students. Our unique model allows for each student to benefit from a customized educational experience to ensure they are acquiring the skills necessary to navigate their post-secondary lives whether they attend college or pursue another path to future success. Students can select different tracks to construct the most beneficial program to suit their needs and goals. Unlike conventional education, this innovative model enables students to prepare for an ever-changing world that requires young people to have advanced executive functioning, interpersonal and leadership skills to become independent and resilient adults.  </p>