| | November 3rd is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey | | ||||||||||||||
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| | | On one night, New Jersey stands united for Alzheimer’s disease,
one light at a time
...leading our state in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease.
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Join us on November 3rd from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at one of the following sites: Morristown - Paramus - Princeton - Raritan Tinton Falls - Wayne - Whiting - Woodbridge
Contact Leena Shah for details at 609.275.1180 or leena.shah@alznj.org | ||||||||||||||||
Samantha is retiring
Soon, Samantha will be retiring to the American Girl Archives. Click the link below to share your memories with the first "Pleasant Company" doll.
Not So Blind Item
Question: What recently-upgraded-to-the-fashion-pages-employee of a high-end company was spotted canoodling with her new friend/boss's hubby?
Question: What Oscar nominated actress was just spotted coming out of the ladies room with the Oscar winner for Best Director?
The answer to both questions can be found in the pages of two very fun and hilarious looks into the lives of the rich, famous and those who want to be included.
Wolves in Chic Clothing by Carrie Karasyov follows the escapades of Julia Pearce, an employee for a high-end jewelry company who has been invited to the in-crowd of the boss's daughter and becomes the "it-girl" of the socialite circuit. But as things rise they must fall. Follow her Gossip Girl for the twenty-somethings journey.
Celebutantes is the debut novel by Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Khalighi Hopper. It follows the up and coming celebrity stylist, Lola Santisi, who is also the daughter of an Oscar winning and currently nominated director. She, along with her Best Actress Friend (BAF) and Best Gay Friend (BGF)-who is also her boss- tries to make it in Hollywood but not without her share of actors, parties, therapy sessions and way too high-maintenance actresses.
Contaminated Bottled Water?
If you buy bottled water from Walmart and Giant, you'll want to read this!
Cartoonize yourself
I recently became a guest poster on the Homework Help Today blog and when I viewed my profile picture I noticed that the site administrator had cartoonized my photo. When I asked how she did that, she directed me to befunky.com for the free service of converting photos to color and black & white cartoons and avatars. It's really very cool! Check it out for yourself!
Alzheimer's Memory Walk in Princeton
Since its launch in 1989, the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk has raised more than $230 million towards research, care and support. The Greater NJ Chapter, which holds walks at Point Pleasant (9/27), Princeton(10/12) and Paramus(10/26) has raised over $400,00.
This past Sunday, my siblings joined Rob, Maddy and me at the 20th annual Memory Walk at the ETS campus in Princeton, NJ. It was a perfect Fall day, though it felt like late summer. There was a plethora of team t-shirts floating around the stage waiting for the official launch of the walk. Among a sea of colorful custom-made shirts were families walking for loved ones and coworkers walking for a friend. There were walkers of all ages including babies in strollers (like Maddy!). To cheer on the walkers, the Rider University and Trenton Thunder mascots gave out high-fives at the start-gate. At the conclusion of the walk, participants received door prize tickets for chances to win prizes ranging from gourmet food baskets to Stress Factory tickets for 10. It was a great way to honor my grandmother and spend time with my family.
The ETS campus sits on a sprawling 370 acres of beautifully preserved Green Acres open space. It is also the location of the Chauncey Conference Center which is used for corporate retreats and weddings. And for those who live locally, look for the LHT (Lawrence Hopewell Trail) signs near the entrance.
If you would like to volunteer for a local chapter and help with next year's walk, click here for more details. If your company would like to form a national team, click here for details. 
Weight Watchers Challenge: The Weigh In
I've reached my first plateau. I've been stuck on the same weight for about 3 weeks now. And it sucks! I need to break out of this minor "rut". I think I know how I'm slightly sabotaging my weight loss:
- Every Friday, my weight-in day, I would not count points and essentially treat myself for the day. However, the past couple Fridays I have gone a little overboard with extra glasses of wine or extra carb loading and my counting-free day turns into a counting free Saturday as well. Solution #1: Continue counting points on my weigh-in day and through the weekend.
- Lately, I haven't really exercised as much as I could. Some nights I'm too tired to hit the gym and I just do an Exercise TV workout, but even then I'm too tired to do a good one. I also have not been walking outside as much with Maddy. Solution #2: Start working out during the day like taking walk/runs with Maddy; take Maddy to the gym with me and put her in the 'babysitting room'; get my butt in gear and just go to the gym at night-even if I feel too tired. Usually when I get to the gym, I feel re-energized.
- Some days, I don't make my points by a little bit. I usually eat small-point lunches which makes it difficult to fill the points at the end of the day. Solution #3: My daily points is 22; maybe I should try and have 6 point meals and 2 points each snacks. I'll see how that works out!
Found! Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling
There was a 2-year period after I graduated college and started working where I frequented the restaurant/bar scene in Morristown with my girls. Although I enjoyed the pub atmosphere of the Famished Frog and the dancing at the Funky Monkey, nothing compared to the Mediterranean style and New York City chic of The Muse.
Aside from the blue lights strung along the bar and the smooth jazz music, the food and beverages were killer! From the red pepper hummus to the Almond Joy martinis and the secret recipe Baklava Shot (which we had to do with the owner), I couldn't spend a night out in Morristown without stopping there. When I wasn't rocking a different flavored martini, I was sipping on my usual favorite glass of Riesling. I only knew what it was because of the black cat on the label. I didn't know the name and for the longest time was in search of it at the liquor stores near my home. I need to search no more! I finally found the wine an it was a great reunion!
The mystery Riesling with the black cat label is P.J. Valckenberg, Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling, 2006. I like Riesling that is light, fruity and crispy. This label is right up there with my all-time favorite: Schmitt Sohne. In addition to drinking it, I love cooking with it too. The best, if you like sweet sauces, is to add Riesling to a tomato sauce and throw in some shrimp. Delish!
P.J. Valckenberg Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling can usually be found for under $10 at most liquor stores.
Download and Donate: Breast Cancer Toolbar
Those of you with Facebook accounts may have received an invitation to join the Breast Cancer Awareness group and download the Susan G Komen toolbar. I hope you did, because it's the easiest way to raise money towards the cause.
The Susan G. Komen toolbar is available for free and works with most operating systems and Internet browsers. From now until December 31, 2008, $.15 will go towards Breast Cancer research each time you use the toolbar. It's very simple. Here's how it works:
- If you have Facebook, click here to view the Breast Cancer group. Once you join and download the toolbar, you can invite other people to download as well and earn points/money.
- If you do not have Facebook, download the free toolbar online. It should install automatically on your browser window.
- To raise money, do a simple search either on the toolbar itself or in your browser address bar. For example, if I typed "Facebook" in the address bar, I am taken to a yahoo search results page and in the top right corner, I am told how much money I have raised thus far. (Click the image below for larger view)
Like I said, this is one of the easiest ways to earn money to help find a cure for Breast Cancer. Here are some other events in the New Jersey area this month:
- Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure-Philly
- The Jersey Guys Tour for a Cure
- LAGOS Jewelry Cocktail Party-Philly
- Flyers vs. Canadians: Hometown Hero Night-Philly
- Style for the Cure-Short Hills Mall
- Breast Cancer Walk-Parsippany
- Bunco for Breast Cancer-Landing
Cost of gas not what it seems
Exxon gas has gone sdrawkcab Greek in Mt Laurel
Regular for: Three Sigma Five
Plus for: Sigma Four Nine
Premium for: Sigma Five Nine
Regular for: Three Sigma Five
Plus for: Sigma Four Nine
Premium for: Sigma Five Nine
Mt. Laurel Exxon, Creek Rd & Centerton Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJJust so happens, this station among others in NJ were cited for
"inaccurate pump calibration."
New SIDS Statistics
Running a fan while your baby sleeps reduces SIDS by 72%! Read the story at US News.
Mrs Mo's Pretty Picks: Celebrity Look-for-Less
I love trying to recreate a celebrity look for much much less. Here is one from the Lauren Conrad Collection done for the general population with a dress from Alloy.com. *Alloy.com is geared more towards teenagers...be wary of sizing if you have hips!
Celebrity (Left): Jennie Skirt($180) with Ilene Top($170) from Lauren Conrad
Reality (Right): Mixed Media Tank Dress ($39.50-$41.50) from Alloy.com
Pair either outfit with a pair of heels (black, nude, yellow) and minimal jewelry. No need to layer. Want options? Go with bangles (shown in left image) or a fun cocktail ring!
What's happening in Bergen County?
My friend Karen lives up in Bergen County and although I rarely get to see her, I hear about the fun things she does with her 2 little girls. Having spent 1 year teaching in Glen Rock, I got to know the neighboring towns like Ridgewood, Wyckoff and Hawthorne pretty well to say that they are nice places to spend the day. Here's what Karen had to suggest for highlights:
Abma's [Farm] is great for apple picking, pumpking picking, hayrides, donuts, petting zoo, etc. It is located in Wyckoff, NJ. Which is also one of my favorite NJ towns. Beautiful old homes with porches and lots of property.
[Country] Pancake House in Ridgewood is a great place for breakfast. 100 pancake recipes at least.
Best bagels are at Andy's Corner in Hawthorne.
Best pizza is hands down, Puzo's Family Restaurant in Hawthorne and in Ridgewood, NJ.
Paramus is the best place for retail shopping. Huge mall, but [because of] blue laws, not open on Sunday.
Opening October 14th: City Creamery, Hawthorne
An accident waiting to happen
I saw two behaviors by drivers today that made me thankful that I'm not doing my 100 mile daily commute anymore from Morristown to Princeton.
I was on my drive back from Maddy's GI specialist at Robert Wood Johnson today when I spotted what looked like an Audi GT Coupe from the 80s swerving into my center lane from the left. Then it went back to its lane. Then it swerved again. I didn't want to get caught in it's swerving behavior so I sped up enough to pass it and get back to my safe driving. As I drove by, I noticed a young woman texting! When I finally passed her and looked in my rear view mirror, she was still swerving a bit and the cars behind her were passing her too! Dangerous!
Then, just ahead of me, I spotted a more modern sedan do a weave that I think the last time I did was with construction paper in an art project. What good is it to weave from the right lane to the middle lane to the left lane and back again, but this time going in front of the cars when you don't gain much distance? The same car ended up making a right hand turn from the lane it was in to begin with. What is the point? I mean seriously!
All I'm saying is that the next time you go to text while driving in the fast lane or decide to drive horizontally, just remember that there are moms driving with babies and children who do not need a side-swipe or an car accident to add to their busy day!
Give support for an Alzheimer's cure
On Sunday October 12, 2008, my sister and I will be participating in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk to help find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. It's a terrible and heart-breaking disease that we have a personal connection with. If you cannot join us on that day, please give our team, Bobbie's Bunch, your support. You can donate online by clicking the image shown below or on the right side of the page.
Yummy Magazine: Edible Jersey
During my quest for natural and organic food, I stopped in at the Griggstown Farm Market and picked up a free copy of a great magazine called Edible Jersey. People who appreciate locally grown food and enjoy partaking in the festivals and events throughout the state will enjoy this magazine.
The Fall 2008 issue features a 3 page directory of Pick-Your-Own farms throughout the state, a spotlight on Steve & Cookie's By the Bay in Margate that uses local seafood and product, tips on picking good wine, a lesson about the Cranberry harvest and a history of New Jersey, the dairy capital. Like many state-centered magazines, Edible Jersey includes events listings, an advertiser directory and plenty of ads promoting the abundance of natural and organic businesses around the state.
In case you missed it, here is a brief list of business you'll find in the issue:
- Hoboken Farms: fresh Mozzarella, Bread, Gourmet Ravioli, Natural Poultry, and more!
- Sickles Market: Produce, Cheese, Garden and Gift Shop in Little Silver
- Muirhead: Chutneys, Jellies from NJ wine, Fruit butters in Ringoes
- Fresh & Wholesome Market: "60 feet of local and organic produce" in Berkeley Heights
- Teaneck Farmers' Market: Every Thursday through October 30th
- 3rLiving: Future Friendly Products in Maplewood
- Alba Vineyard: 2008 NJ Winery of the Year
- New Jersey Craft Brewers Guild: NJ Microbreweries
Edible Jersey is published quarterly and is available for $28 annually. Advertising inquiries, call 973-763-6691 or email info@ediblejersey.com.
Jersey Guys at a mall near you!
The Jersey Guys do a lot of good (more than people might think) and this month, they are on a Breast Cancer Tour to 4 different malls in Central Jersey. Check out locations and dates below. Click the image to donate to the cause. I'm heading up to the Bridgewater Mall tomorrow!
Katy Perry: Hot N Cold
Check out Katy Perry's video for Hot N Cold
The video is so 80s-Tastic..I love it!
(click below)
(click below)
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Michael's New Jersey Locations
Princeton
Bridgewater
East Hanover
Mays Landing
Parsippany
Moorestown
Rio Grande
Woodbury
Ramsey
Sicklerville
Clifton
Wayne
Howell
Click here for more NJ locations
Princeton
Bridgewater
East Hanover
Mays Landing
Parsippany
Moorestown
Rio Grande
Woodbury
Ramsey
Sicklerville
Clifton
Wayne
Howell
Click here for more NJ locations
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