Found a cool kids’ store – Torly Kid

I’ve had a couple of days to get my head around the US election results, and have been looking about me a bit more than usual to see how New York has reacted. On Friday my eye was caught by this particularly timely and inspirational sandwich board on the street, quoting Hillary Clinton: “Diversity is a strength, not a weakness. If we lift each other up, we can make each other stronger.” It was outside Torly Kid, a tiny kids’ boutique on Hudson & Duane Street in Tribeca, and I decided to pop in.

I’m so glad I did.

The sandwich board that first caught my eye

Torly Kid’s inspirational window display

Torly Kid is a really good place to have discovered. It describes itself as catering for ‘Tots to Tweens’, and stocks lovely, unusual clothing, toys and kit such as cool school bags. I was struck by the community aspect to the store – there’s a monthly book club for older kids, and a seasonal candy and coat drive.

Fun seasonal baby clothes at Torly Kid

Fun backpacks and lunch bags

Torly Kid’s book club

The owner, Carol Faber-Adams, was in, and we immediately chatted about her choice of sandwich board quote and the election results. I’m still struck by how readily New Yorkers will start up a conversation with strangers. It’s so unbelievably un-English, where people may actually recoil if you make eye contact, let alone smile at them. Carol told me she also runs a travel company, Torly Travels, which helps plan holiday itineraries for busy families. Good to know – the US is so overwhelmingly enormous, it can be hard to work out where to go.

Torly Kid owner Carol Faber-Adams and my lovely chops

Torly Kid on Hudson & Duane Streets in Tribeca

Fall wordcloud blackboard

Definitely worth popping in if you’re in the Tribeca area and fancy a spot of good quality shopping for your kids.

This week’s Highs & Lows:

Highs:

• Taking T to see the Tour of USA Gymnastics Champions at the  Barclay Center in Brooklyn. It was brilliant to see this year’s US Olympic gold medalists, especially as the young women are such great role models for T
• Am amused by the decidedly potty-themed tone B’s budding literacy is taking. Check out this drawing – if you look closely, you can see she started off by carefully writing ‘Poo’, before turning it into a creature. Nice
• Having a v lovely visit from an old London friend, out to do her part for the elections. We’ve been here over two years now, and have made some wonderful friends, but it’s still such a treat to spend a couple of days catching up with someone you’ve known for almost a decade
• And last but not least, T has lost her v first milk tooth. It’s been a major focus for her this past week or so
  

  Olympic gymnasts at the Barclay Center

  

  Impressive arm muscles in the US Olympic Gymnastics team’s display, Barclay Center

  

  My lovely friend CC

  

  Look carefully – B’s written ‘Poo’, then turned it into a creature

Lows:

• The election results. I’m still a bit dazed, and don’t feel ready to write any more about that just yet
• Begrudgingly deciding it’s time to ditch the maternity jeans with the fabulous elasticated waistbands that reach up to your belly button. I’ve been in those for 15 months, and it’s v disagreeable to be back to buttons, zips and unyeilding waistbands. Huh

New York – so stylish, the autumnal leaves match the taxis

T looses her first milk tooth

Author: Alex

Hello. Toddling Round New York is my own little blog of our family's experience of moving young kids from London to New York... And of having a baby out here. They are my own baby steps of exploring this incredible city. I lived in five countries in four continents growing up, so you'd think I'd be good at this by now. Here you'll find stories and photographs of our adventures, the highs and the lows of expat parenthood, and some ideas I hope you'll find useful if you're in New York with young kids. View all posts by Alex