Carry your jewels in style with this Giraffe-print travel case! I can't take credit for finding this gem of a travel accessory on my own (I received it as a gift). However, I can guide you to TossDesigns.com for more Giraffe print accessories and other stylish women things.
Toss Designs started as a shoe/handbag company in 2004 for the "life-on-the-go" gal. It has expanded to include travel and pet accessories. You can even get an animal print Domino set. No savvy girl wants to be left behind without her coordinating travel games!
Those of us who prefer certain prints (ehem-Vera girls!), you can search by collection. Prints include: Dots, Houndstooth, Argyle, Paisley, Turtle, Giraffe, Zebra, and Moc Croc.
You can find Toss Designs merchandise at Morning 'til Night in Warren, NJ (that's where my gift came from).
A Fab-Mo Find!
LUXURYous Shoes for LESS!
Luxury Shoes, the sister site of Shoes.com, has a new discount to announce!
35% discount on sale items!
Use Code: DESIGNERSALE
Additional 35% Off luxury styles already on sale
Not valid on regularly priced items
Ends 6/11/07
Not valid on Shoes.com, only on LuxuryShoes.com
No brand exclusions
How to pass your child's final exam review
This week is final exam week at my school (I teach at a private school which has waaay less than 180 days of school). Regardless of the length of school year, a final exam is a final exam. My 7th graders have been preparing non-stop for their Pre-Algebra exam. Sure, they're extremely scared and nervous. I'm trying my best to make sure they are prepared so they don't have to cram the night before. In addition to teacher support and student-led studying, parents can help their child or children get ready for the test.
Here are some of the tips offered by the Internet (and from my own experience with my students)
- Know your child's material: review their homework or look at their textbook. Ask them questions or at least help quiz them. If you know what they are working on, you can better help them prepare. If you think it is too late, because you haven't done this the whole year, it is never too late to start now.
- Ask your children to be truthful and open up about what test(s) they're are most nervous about and what they feel comfortable with. First, check if their comfort matches their grades. Some kids have unrealistic views of their abilities. Secondly, if they express more apprehension about math, for example, ask them to itemize what areas of math they need most help with. That way you can help them organize and structure their study time.
- Your child should also make their own outline of the topics from the year. They should use their memory and their textbooks/notes to refer back to previous topics.
- Ask your child to explain to you what they have learned. Ask them to "teach" you how to do something. If they can teach it, then they know it.
- Restrict TV, Computer and Video Game use. Don't take it away completely. Children need an outlet to vent off studying steam or to relax. Give them blocks of time to study and blocks to take a break. If your children need structure in their day, 30 minute studying with 5 minute breaks are useful schedules to create.
- With about 2 weeks left before the exams, have your child do an extra 10 minutes of review each night. If math is their weak subject, they can do 20 minutes. Examples of extra practice: if the teacher assigns the odds, have your child do the evens; there are always chapter pages in the back of the book for extra work; the chapter tests are also good places to review.
- Create a good study environment. If your child never once did their homework at the kitchen table, start now! You need to monitor how they do the work. If there are siblings sharing a room, give them their own quiet space either in the family room or in a spare bedroom. Offer healthy snacks: veggies and dip, cold Popsicle, yogurt with fruit, pitas with hummus.
- Even with the extra practice in your child's textbook, you can access tests and worksheets for any subject. Some sites are free where others require a year membership but full access to a myriad of handouts. Some good examples are:
- www.edhelper.com (starting at $19.99 for a year)
- www.teach-nology.com
- www.tlsbooks.com (Pre-K through 5th grade)
- www.abcteach.com (starting at $35 for a year)
- www.familyeducation.com
The morning of the exams, your child should have a fulfilling and healthy breakfast. Foods that are LOW on the Glycemic Index. Stay away from caffeine! Some good brain food are: apples, oatmeal, eggs, banana, peanut butter on toast, and milk or juice. Click here to read more on the subject.
Good luck parents and kids! Summer is near!
Wine Tasting Wrap-Up
On May 20th, I held a Bucknell Club of Princeton event for 2 good purposes: wine tasting and mingling. I'm always looking for easy, low cost ways to bring alumni together. One evening, as I was strolling into the Lawrenceville Shop Rite, I found a business card for the Traveling Vineyard and knew I had my next event.
The Traveling Vineyard is exactly what it sounds like: Wine tasting that comes to you. Just like a Tupperware or a jewelery party, the wine consultant brings an assortment of wine and wine accessories to the party. Attendants learn the history of the wine, how to drink it to appreciate it, and the best food pairings. At the end of the party, you have the option to order the wine and any products from the company catalog. The wine is either delivered to you or to the party host. And...depending on how much is purchased, the host gets a discount! Here's a wrap-up of my party. **I'm no wine expert. I wouldn't rely solely on my impressions of the wine. I was brought up on White Zin and now my favorite is Riesling. I am a sweet wine drinker and the others have been growing on my taste buds.
Host name: Penni Kiefer
Email: pennik@verizon.net
www.myttv.com/penni10953
Wine 1: Mira Luna '05(Chardonnay)
Price: $17.99
Would I Buy It: Yes
Comments: Though it stings a bit (high oak flavor I think), it is fresh and a good pairing with vegetables.
Wine 2: Paradis Cask Reserve '02 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Price: $15.99
Would I Buy It: Yes
Comments: I'm not a red wine lover. I prefer subtle and soft. This red is nice and smooth. Mellow.
Wine 3: Paseo Reserve '04 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Price: $11.99
Would I Buy It: No (but Yes if I was having a party)
Comments: This one was actually a big hit among the seasoned red wine drinkers. Of course, I didn't like it. Not as smooth. BUT, a friend of mine LOVED it. I trust her palette for good wine. She said that the night before she and her husband had been looking in their wine cellar for a wine to pair with Pork. They didn't find a good one, but after sampling the Paseo, she said that this would have been perfect. Another good food pairing: Dark Chocolate.
Wine 4: Stone Briar '02 (Old Vine Zinfandel)
Price: $11.99
Would I Buy It: Yes
Comments: Sweet and Smooth. Recommended as a great Pizza wine. Why not! Just because your dinner is casual doesn't mean your drink should be.
Wine 5: Meda Margherita, Moscato d'Asti '05
Price: $14.99
Would I Buy It: Yes!
Comments: Bubbly, sweet, soft, and delicious! Like I said, I'm a sweet wine drinker. This is like a sugary warm dessert. I loved it! Have it with lunch, dinner, or just after a long day. Sit on the porch and play some Jazz. I loved it!
Nineties heartthrob lives in Princeton!
I'm back from my posting hiatus to bring to you some exciting celebrity news. I was heading into Wild Oats Market for some dinner and saw on the cover of US-1 (a free Princeton publication) the name and face of one of my favorite Monday night FOX channel actors. None other than Billy Campbell aka Andrew Shue is a Princeton resident and has is coming out with a movie called "Gracie" that is based on his sister, Elizabeth's(Adventure's in Babysitting, Leaving Las Vegas, The Saint) soccer experience and their brother's death.
Shue-soccer star, philanthropist, and father-had his start on the FOX hit Melrose Place as the 
sexy roommate of Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith). Slightly aloof, completely a hottie, Billy started as Amanda's boy toy but, in classic Aaron Spelling drama, developed an affair with Alison. He stayed with the show even as it got campy and a little ridiculous.
After MP, Shue had a stint as a LA Galaxy soccer player. Over time, he used his celebrity status for noble causes-starting a community service organization for school-aged kids in 1993 called Dosomething.org and a social network called Clubmom.
Currently, he is still working with Clubmom and producing his movie. On May 31, 2007 at 7 pm, there will be a special screening of the movie held at Market Fair on US-1. Tickets cost $50. Proceeds of this event go to Princeton Youth Achievers, a program for low to moderate-income families to help improve academic performance.
According to a Jane magazine blog, Shue has been known to pop in to Small World Coffee at times. His kids go to school in the area and his wife own a flower company on Nassau St. He's a regular family man who has used his Hollywood connection to do good. If you get the chance, read more about him. He comes from an amazing family and has been thinking of others since childhood.
Sorry for the dwindling posts...
My apologies, dearest readers, for my dwindling attendance at the post platform. This past week and weekend have been busy with softball coaching and test giving at school and fun, yet time consuming, weekend activities.
I promise to write again soon! I do have stuff to blog about, but just hang in there. Time has not been on my side.
Coming Soon:
- Traveling Vineyard Wine Tasting Wrap-Up (It was great!!)
- Some very interesting finds at the Renaissance Fair in West Windsor (my husband is a member of the Lion's Club and they help sponsor the even)
- Final Exam study tips and treats
- Memorial Weekend at LBI (and the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club Dance)
- Graduation tips for students and parents
Plan your wedding with me!
Finally! I finished my wedding day referral post!
If you are going through the wedding planning process or have kids going through it, here are the vendors we used. Half are from the Princeton area and half are from North Jersey. Fun for everyone!
My Dress: David's Bridal.
Bridesmaid Dresses: Nonchalance, Morristown. I ordered a Dessy dress in Merlot.
Hair: Sandra Kubacki with LaJolie Salon, Princeton. The best hair stylist I have ever had. She got my hair right with the first consulation. I will never go to anyone else again (unless I move out of the state).
Rings: Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton. My rings were part of the 1912 collection. Ask for Lauren Tischler. She is awesome!
Ceremony: First Presbyterian, Cranbury, NJ. Talk about picture book wedding.
Reception: The Nassau Inn, Princeton (Palmer Square). We chose the Prince William ballroom and had another room used during the cocktail hour. We also got a reduced rate for the guest rooms and the honeymoon suite included.
Cake: Swiss Bakery, Lawrenceville. I designed my own using ideas found in various wedding magazines.
DJ: Gemini Productions, Wayne We had so many compliments on the wedding because of them.
Photography: Kramer Photography , Florham Park. David Kramer is an alum of my high school and where I currently work (Morristown-Beard). I could think of no one else to capture my wedding. His photos were absolutely fabulous!
Invitation: Chelsea Paper. I got Vera Wang invites at a fraction of the price than if you went through Papyrus, Blue Tulip, or other stationary companies. Well worth it!!
From Stockbroker to Gluten-Free Culinary Champion!
Mahwah, NJ company, Foods by George, offers a variety of foods for different dietary needs: Wheat/Gluten-Free, Lactose/Casein-Free, Corn-Free, Soy-Free. Since it's start in 1991, Foods by George products are popping up in health stores across the country. Just look for the product label wherever you shop.
Partial Product List: English Muffins (G-F, C-F, L/C-F, S-F), Biscotti(L/C-F), Blueberry & Corn Muffins(S-F), Pizza Crust (GF, L/C-F, S-F, C-F), Pound Cake (GF)
April Showers Bring May Savings
From now until Sunday, the 20th of May, any Restaurant.com dining gift certificate has been discounted by 50% off the already-low price. Our $25 value dining certificates that normally sell for $10 are now just $5. Use the savings code "RAINBOW" at check-out to recalculate the total.
Plus, the $15 De La Flowers Gift Certificate has been extended to May 24th!
Customers will receive an additional $15 gift certificate to De La Flowers for FREE with every Restaurant.com order! There is no code necessary, the link to redeem the bonus gift certificate will automatically appear on every order confirmation page.
More information on this second promotion is available here:
http://www.restaurant.com/pop
Get a FREE $15 De La Flowers gift certificate with every Restaurant.com order. A link will be on the confirmation page. Exp 5/24/07.
BlogCatalog Mass Buzz
I am a member at both the Blog Catalog and MyBlogLog. I like them both for different reasons. What I do like about Blog Catalog are the following:
- Layout: The aesthetics are a bit better. The graphics are big and there is a good use of white space.
- Featured Blogs: I like how you see a different featured blog with every refreshed page and little thumbnails of the different blog users.
- Tags: On the main page, you can also click on various tags to take you directly to the blogs featuring that topic.
- New and Recent: You also get to see newly added blogs in addition to the most popular blogs for that day.
- Neighbors: Similar to a blog roll, you can check out blogs like your own on your profile page. They are called "Neighbors".
Start blogging today!!!
Shout Out!
Cool Steals and Deals: Authored by Michele84, this Blog is your go-to place for bargains on anything: Flowers, KitchenAid, Digital Cameras, Apparel, and more! In addition to website sales, she posts special offers with promotional codes. They are only for a limited amount of time, but she gives you expiration dates and last minute chance posts. She also has a link section of Freebies. Check it out!
The Weekender for Central/South Jersey: 5/12-5/13
Mother's Day Victorian Tea: Paaulsdale, Mt Laurel
Jazz Brunch: American Grill & Sushi, Yardville
Soledad O'Brien, Smart Talk Women's Lecture Series: State Theater, New Brunswick
Spring Plant Expo: Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Hopewell
String Nation: Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts
Live Blues: Red Hot & Blue, Cherry Hill
Wild Food And Ecology Tours: Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Beautiful Butterflies, Birds & Cinco De Mayo: Camden Children's Garden
Camden Riversharks Baseball Game:Campbell's Field. Camden
The Weekender for North Jersey: 5/12-5/13
Mother's Day Get-a-Way: Hampton Inn Fairfield(contact 973-575-7700 x269)
Mother's Day Breakfast: St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Teaneck
Mother's Day Celebration: Alba Vineyard, Milford
Fine Arts and Gifts Gallery Mother's Day Sale: Orange
Play Ball!:Tenafly Public Library
The Red Shoes: Clifton Main Memorial Library
Schoolhouse Rock Live!: Two River Theater, Red Bank
Seven Samurai: Landmark Lowe's Jersey Theatre, Jersey City
Spring Wine Tasting: Hunterdon Museum of Art, Clinton
Tony n' Tina's Wedding: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
Christian Rock Concert: Pascack Reformed Church, Park Ridge
The Fab Faux: Wyckoff Family YMCA
The Cameos: Waterloo Sue's, Hackensack
Reader Review: The Pluckemin Inn
Sharon of Morristown submitted her review of the Pluckemin Inn-359 Route 202/206 South & Pluckemin Way, Bedminster NJ 07921, 908.658.9292
Casual yet elegant In addition to the eating areas & very attractive bar, there's an outside patio.
Extensive wine list. The wine cellar is built into the center of the building in a glass room that rises up between both floors.
- Excellent & beautifully presented dinner. The service was great! The waitress was very knowledgeable. An assortment of rolls & other goodies was offered throughout the dinner. There was a choice of tap or bottled water.
- Appetizer: [My husband] had the salad : Arugula, Treviso, Oregon Blue cheese, Rosemary scented cherries, hazelnut & Balsamic. A very healthy serving. I tasted it - it was great. I had a Smoked Salmon "Purse" stuffed with avocado, king crab, chipotle & cilantro. Excellent!
- Dinner: both of us had Sea Scallops with a Squash Blossom stuffed with King Crab. Basil cream sauce on the side. No room for dessert.
- The menu consisted of 4 types of foods: Raw, Salads & Hors D'oeuvres, Fish & Meats. There is also a tasting menu - with or without the accompanying wines.
If you would like to submit a review of a restaurant, store, event, or town, send an email to hmorris0506@gmail.com.
Derby Pics Coming Soon!
This has been a long week and I haven't been able to put a lot of time into my personal posts. I will soon! Here's a taste of the Derby action:
(Street Sense crossing the finish line)
Mother and Daughter Spa Treat
Daughters, this Mother's Day, treat you and your mother to a day at the Georgette Klinger Spa at The Mall at Short Hills.
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT PACKAGES (thru 5/13)
Mom's Moment: $165: Cosmedicine Advanced Facial followed by a complimentary Classic Manicure.
Like Mother, Like Daughter: $426 ($213 per person): Classic Manicure, Classic Pedicure, Body Scrub, choice of Cosmedicine Introductory Facial or Aromatherapy Massage with complimentary lunch for two (value up to $50).
Instead of Flowers for Mother's Day...
Here are some fun gift ideas for all categories of moms out there:
**For all moms: My favorite gift to give is a magazine subscription. My mom recently told me about this recipe that she saw on "Everyday Italian" on the Food Network. So...I got her a subscription to "la Cucina Italiana" magazine. Magazines are easy to order online at Amazon.com
For the fit mom:
Lulemon: Velocity Gym Bag
Retail available in Bernardsville, Englewood and Scotch Plains
Nike + iPod Sports Kit
For the Chefess:
Wrapables.com:
Dancing Martini Apron 
Kimono Linen Collection
Stainless Steel and Silicone Tongs
For the Garden Mom:
Garden Planner
Outdoor Garden Tote (personalize it!)
Mom the Movie Buff:
Personalized Popcorn Bowl
Fandango Movie Tickets
Pet Lover Moms:
Stylish Pet Carrier
Pet Picture Frames
Quirky/Trendy Moms:
Recycled Rubber Purse
Record Cuff Bracelet
Betsy Johnson Laptop Sleeve
Victoria Secret Satin Pajamas
Use Craig Carton for Mother's Day!
Ok, I know he's hard to love sometimes, but I'm addicted to the show(The Jersey Guys).
Though he is known as a "shock jock" by various media outlets, I know Craig Carton of 101.5 is a softy. That's why he's offering listeners a special discount through Pro-Flowers for Mother's Day!
** Log into the Pro Flowers site and click on the top right corner on the microphone. Type "Craig" for your discount.
LBI? Spring Lake? What's your favorite Jersey Shore Town?
Last month I posted about 94.5 WPST's "Best of 2007" contest for the Best Hot Dogs.
This month, listeners can vote for their favorite Jersey Shore town. Whether you have fond memories jamming with The Nerds at Point Pleasant or like a quiet stroll along Spring Lake or if you're a regular at Howard's at LBI, everyone has a favorite.
Or you're just not a True Jerseyan(see #14)!
Click here to vote!
Pandora Trunk Show!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Charmed by Claire
Anniversary Road Trip!
Hey readers! To celebrate our 1-year anniversary(May6), Rob and I are driving to the Kentucky Derby! We're leaving Thursday night, taking a pit stop in Washington, PA (home of Washington & Jefferson College)and then arriving early afternoon Friday. I won't be posting (to my hubby's delight) at all for 4 days. But upon my return, I will have lots to share!
We'll be in "Millionaire's Row" scouting out the Queen and Larry Birkhead...among others.
Singles Night at the Ballpark
Are you single? Do you like baseball? This is the event for you!
Join host Michele Pilenza of 101.5 FM's After Hours Show and other singles for a night of baseball and networking as the Somerset Patriots take on the Newark Bears.
The event kicks off on Saturday May 5th at the Commerce Bank Ballpark with food at 6pm and the first pitch at 7:05. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by phone or online. Click here for more information.
Vera Bradley Event in Cranbury!
Buy a piece of Frank Sinatra
This Thursday, May 3rd, Sands Casino is having a giant liquidation sale featuring many items owned by Frank Sinatra.
In addition to the casino's chandelier, marble bar, and leather chairs that are all up for sale, fans of "Ol' Blue Eyes" can get their hands on his dressing room mirror.
Don't shy away from this sale thinking that there is only high priced merchandise. Prices range from $1 to $10,000.
When everything is sold off, the Sands will be demolished and replaced with a new billion-dollar casino.
The sale begins at 10am on Thursday and will continue for 30-45 days until everything is gone! Act now for your own piece of New Jersey history!
