Pike Run Village and Meadows

Crafting In A Day: Five Simple But Cool Crafts

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:25:11 +0000

Whether you need a last minute gift or an activity for yourself or the kids, these quick and easy crafts will produce great results in just a couple of hours:

Cut and sew small fabric scraps and stuff to make a simple pincushion. Mix some catnip into the stuffing and you’ll have an irresistible cat toy, or stuff with lavender or potpourri for a fragrant sachet.
Place colorful paper in a picture frame and let it serve as a backdrop for a favorite photo or a photo collage. Just a little time and effort will net you a keepsake photo you will treasure.
Pick up some decoupage medium and cover a vase with any kind of paper you have – origami paper, wrapping paper, even the comics page.
Make a cool custom t-shirt by cutting out a cardboard stencil, putting it on a dark-colored t-shirt, and spraying the shirt with a 50/50 bleach/water mix. Be sure to have a tub of water ready to dunk the shirt into as soon as the color is where you want it, and always wear safety goggles and gloves when using bleach.
Make a sweet stand for cakes and snacks by using a dishwasher-safe glue to stick a saucer or small plate on top of a teacup.

Donna Toscana Artisan Chocolates & Lounge: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:29:17 +0000

Inspired by artisan chocolate makers in Florence, Italy, Donna Toscana offers some of the most unique confectionary creations found in New Jersey. The restaurant’s lounge provides an elegant and upscale setting for enjoying finely crafted beverages and chocolates that use local and organic ingredients whenever and as often as possible. All of this is the masterwork of chocolatier Diane Pinder, whose chocolates have appeared on the NBC Today Show, the Style Network and in an array of newspapers and magazines. All chocolate is crafted on premises at Donna Toscana and guests can choose from truffles, chocolate fondue, cheesecake, and crepes. Decadent drinks are also available to sip and savor, including one called the “Bicerin,” Donna Toscana’s take on a traditional layered beverage from Turin, made from dark drinking chocolate, espresso and whipped cream. Reservations are strongly recommended for this one-of-a-kind dessert experience.

Donna Toscana Artisan Chocolates & Lounge
19 Eastman Street
Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 272-4380
www.shopdonna.com/donnatoscana.htm

Trip Idea: Milwaukee

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:39:48 +0000

Milwaukee is a great American city. Set on Lake Michigan, it boasts a great mixture of natural wonder and urban vigor, sprinkled with an open-hearted Wisconsin welcom. Here are some highlights:

Miller Park – Catch a ballgame at Miller Park, one of the most beloved ballparks in the country and the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium combines an aura of baseball’s romantic past with a state-of-the-art modern flair. Visit the website: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mil/ballpark/index.jsp

Harley-Davidson Museum – This popular attraction makes Harley enthusiasts buzz but its appeal extends well beyond the motorcycle world. People of every stripe find it fascinating to learn about American history and culture through the lens of America’s most iconic motorcycle company. Click here for more: http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/Museum.jsp

Pabst Mansion – Visit the castle-like mansion built by Milwaukee sea captain and beer baron Frederick Pabst in 1892. You’ll love learning about Pabst’s adventurous history while taking in the mansion’s beautifully designed interiors, original 1890’s furnishings, rare art, and stunning ironwork features. Visit the website: http://pabstmansion.com/

Segway of Wisconsin – Segway offers memorable tours of Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront. You’ll enjoy gliding on a single-person-operated segway vehicle as you embark on a tour that spans a wide range of Milwauke attractions, including Pier Wisconsin, the historic Veteran’s Park, the War Memorial, and the Summerfest grounds. Click here for more information: http://www.segwayofwisconsin.com/what-we-do

Kettle Moraine State Forest – This is an ideal place in which to relish Milwaukee’s famed fall foliage, enjoy a picnic, have a camping getaway, go on a hike while enjoying lake views, take a scenic drive, and much more. Visit here to learn more: http://www.stateparks.com/kettle_moraine.html

Amber Lion Antiques: Lion’s Hunt

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:30:12 +0000

Tucked away behind a bus strop, Amber Lion Antiques appeals to people willing to search a little bit for a good find. In business for over 23 years, the antique store has had plenty of time to acquire a wide range of one-of-a-kind vintage furniture, interior decorations, clothing, and more. Within the slightly cramped and musty interior, you can wander through gems such as animal hair upholstered furniture, vintage hats, dark wooden spindles, classic books, and old collections of stamps, and preserved butterflies.

The selection may be geared towards an older clientele, with homes to decorate and specific taste, but younger crowds can sift through vintage clothes and rock n’ roll records. Prices vary depending on the item’s age and rarity. Amber Lion is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and offers free, walk-in appraisals.

Amber Lion Antiques
356 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 214-9090

New Jersey Nets: Ready to Surprise

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:33:09 +0000

The New Jersey Nets have one more year to make a splash in Newark before heading to Brooklyn. There's still plenty of time to say goodbye in style, though, and head coach Avery Johnson intends to put some excitement into the Prudential Center. Last season may have had its disappointments, but Johnson is more than capable of helping his team win, as his time with the Dallas Mavericks made abundantly clear. With the start of his sophomore season with the Nets, he's got talent to make that happen. Deron Williams is a two time all-star, and the recent acquisitions of veterans Shelden Williams and Mehmet Okur will add some serious and needed depth to the Nets' frontcourt game. This adds, of course, to a roster already featuring the skills of players like Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and Sundiata Gaines. A number of people will tell you that this is a year of rebuilding to get ready for the team's move into the Barclays Center for the 2012-13 season. Those folks, though, are ignoring a lot of talent already on the roster, and a coach well acquainted with success. With all of the strength in Jersey this season, the Nets may just surprise the naysayers who think that the team is only building for Brooklyn. Stick around, because these guys aren't done with Jersey just yet.

For all of your Nets needs, including schedules, merchandise, and tickets, visit http://www.nba.com/nets

Bangkok Garden: Taste of Thailand

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:31:41 +0000

Nothing beats the exotic spiciness of authentically prepared Thai food. That’s what’s cookin’ at Bangkok Garden, a haven for people who crave the great cuisine of the region. Gang Ped-Yarng – roasted duck sautéed in red curry and coconut milk and festooned with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes – is a favorite of diners for the perfect melding of sweet and savory flavors. Noodle-lovers get to choose from a wide selection of dishes prepared in a variety of ways – with meat, fish, chicken, and vegetarian. Choose your spiciness level from inferno to mild with any of their entrees. A nice, comfy environment and easy parking make this a great spot for an informal lunch or dinner.

Bangkok Garden
261 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-2620

Dress To Impress: Five Classic Wardrobe Pieces for Men

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:36:27 +0000

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good. Stars and normal folks agree that having a selection of essential wardrobe classics to base an outfit around gives you a lot more options. Whether you’re dressing for a business lunch or a night out on the town, these essentials should be the core of your closet.

Every man should own a great, well-fitting suit. You can have one custom tailored, but a less expensive option is to buy a suit off the rack and have it altered to fit perfectly. This is not as costly as you might think, and a well-fitting suit is always a winner.
A white button-down shirt is an essential part of any wardrobe. You need it for your suit, but you can also wear it over jeans for a more casual look. Opt for cotton over synthetic fibers, and make sure to iron it before you wear it.
Fitted jeans are key. Avoid baggy jeans – they don’t do anybody any favors. A pair of well-fitted jeans will help smooth and straighten your silhouette, and they’re remarkably versatile.
Sunglasses are essential for a number of purposes. Protecting your eyes from UV rays will help preserve your vision, and they’re also a great fashion accessory. Opt for classic styles like Ray-Ban Wayfarers over trendy looks.
A pair of casual sneakers is essential. Avoid puffy running shoes or sports shoes and go with something with a classic profile, such as the timeless Converse All-Star or a pair of Vans low-tops.

Rutgers Garden: A Garden Oasis in New Jersey

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:15:11 +0000

Students may already be in on this secret oasis but even townies are welcome to stroll through Rutgers Garden. With free admission and open 365 days a year, Rutgers Garden provides a wooded sanctuary from city life from 8:30 a.m. until dusk. Rutgers Garden features over ten areas to meander through, have a picnic in, or enjoy time with your family. One particularly unique area lets you wonder through a Bamboo Forest where evergreen bamboo towers above your head. Other areas include the Rhododendron and Azalea, the Shade Tree Collection, and American Hollies. The Rain Garden, featuring plentiful fountains, highlights the Garden’s commitment to conscience horticulture while creating a tranquil environment. Rutgers Gardens holds educational programming including gardening classes for adults and field trips for youths. Throughout the year, the Gardens also hosts events such as season-long farmers’ markets, wine tastings, and festivals for families.

Rutgers Garden
112 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 932-8451

Save On: Making And Keeping A Personal Budget

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:10:02 +0000

In this economy, more people have realized the benefits of becoming more careful with their finances. It’s vitally important to understand your income and spending, both so you can plan for the future and so you can set up saving and investments for retirement. If you have been putting off assembling a personal budget, here are some tips for making one and sticking to it.

- Be honest about your income. The first step to any budget is to collect all of the money that is coming into your house. If you receive a regular paycheck where taxes are deducted, make sure to use the net, or take-home pay. This is money that you have control over.

- Understand your expenditures. This is one of the biggest problems many people have when it comes time to create a budget. Every single penny you spend needs to be accounted for – housing, utilities, gas, food, and more. The best way to get a clear picture of this is by using bank statements from the last 6 months and creating a monthly average.

- Find your wiggle room. Once you have compared those two numbers, you will have the disposable income that your household has access to. The idea now is to increase that number by cutting costs and investing or saving as much of it as possible.

- Don’t sweat the unexpected. Medical crises, family emergencies, or other events can cause even the most tightly-structured budgets to fall apart. If that happens, take a day to rework your plans and make a schedule to get back on track for saving when you’ve dealt with the unexpected expenditures.

Enjoy a Night of Delicious Food and Entertainment at Arirang Hibachi Grill

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:18:37 +0000

The Japanese cooking method known as hibachi has been one of the most popular culinary exports from that country, and for good reason. The theatrical quality of the chefs preparing your meal tableside is exciting and produces delicious food. Arirang has been New Jersey’s prime destination for Japanese grilling for many years now, and regulars rave that the service and food is exceptional. The hibachi chefs are top of the line, preparing meats and vegetables right before your eyes and happily accommodating special orders. Every diner gets free soup and salad included with their meal, but the portion sizes are so generous you won’t really need them! If you feel like sushi, Arirang is very capable in that department as well, with plenty of options for both nigiri and rolls. Regulars recommend the coconut eel roll and the Arirang super roll. The place can get pretty crowded on evenings and weekends, so call ahead to put your name on the list before you go.

Arirang Hibachi Grill
986 US Highway 9
Parlin, NJ 08859
(732) 525-3551 ‎
www.partyonthegrill.com