Castle Hunting and Finding Whimsy
This is week 3 of mulling over the “how” and the “why” of slowing down.
When you hear "city moms," what comes to mind? I’m really asking. Because for me, it’s words like: ambitious, busy, stressed, rushed, high-achieving, anxious, serious, competitive. Basically, a woman power-walking in sneakers and a shoulder-padded blazer, coffee in one hand, stroller in the other, probably applying for preschools while crossing the street.
Right now, I’m deep in public school applications for my son, which—if you haven’t experienced this yet—feels like high stakes scavenger hunt that you have to play in the dark. The city can feel like a lot. Fast-paced, overwhelming, a never-ending to-do list. But then, there are moments that remind me why we live here.
The other night, we took an evening stroll around Harlem. The weather was finally tolerable enough that we weren’t just complaining about how cold we were. We passed church after church, big stone structures nestled between brownstones and apartments, and my son gasped. "Look at that castle! That’s where princesses live!" (I immediately felt a flood of gratitude for getting to live in New York, “How lucky are we to see all this right outside our door!”)
And just like that, a walk through the neighborhood turned into a castle hunt. Every time we passed another one, we pointed and marveled. The next day, he asked when we could go on another castle hunt.
My son looking out over Harlem from a high perch on a recent walk.
That moment—the magic of seeing the city through his eyes—made me pause. This is why we live here. The history, the architecture, the tiny discoveries on everyday walks. And it made me realize: every walk could be a little scavenger hunt.
So here’s a list (kid optional!):
Find public art—murals, sculptures, street performances.
Look for unexpected color combos—a bright door, painted shutters, graffiti that pops.
Notice spaces to return to—community gardens, cozy bookstores, new playgrounds.
Spot nature—flower boxes, scrappy trees, even a pigeon with personality.
Count things—how many taxis, how many blocks, how many people walking dogs.
This little shift—choosing to find magic instead of stress—got my wheels churning. I want to bring that same playful NYC energy into kids' spaces, so I started designing new city-inspired patterns for nurseries and kids' rooms. Yellow cabs, pigeons, skyscrapers, brownstones—the stuff that makes growing up here so special. Most of my patterns are still in-progress but you can see some new designs and items here!
Hope this brings a little whimsy into your day. And if spring ever decides to stick around, maybe take a deep breath and go on a little hunt of your own.
xx,
Molly
P.S. I really do love to hear from you. How do you keep the places you live feeling magical? How do you incorporate play and creativity into what might be another sluggish walk home from school? Email me!
