We’ve found a brand of jeans that fit like butt-er. Know what we mean?
Not Citizens, or Joes, or Sevens. Try on a pair of Red Engine Jeans (www.redenginejeans.com) if you can find them.
The California-made denims are softer and stretchier, and somewhat low-rise, but not in a hurtful way. They’ll wrap your behind into a juicy bundle, pack in your post-partum pouch, and slim your thighs into legs you won’t recognize as your own.
You see, unlike some of the other high-end designer jeans for the severely food deprived, Red Engines are forgiving of our mortal sins. You won’t have to stuff yourself into the package. The jeans mold to your shape.
Oprah put Cambios (www.cambioamerica.com) on the map . She was right, except those flattering high-waisted jeans put comfort before style. No teenage daughter would not be caught dead in Cambios. Not so, with our little Engines that could.
You will have to search for your new jeans, and pay the usual designer price. ($175+ a pair). They were not in a sea of designer denim at Neiman Marcus. The clerks at Nordstrom had never heard of them. None of our other favorite department stores carry them.
We found our Red Engines at Finishing Touches in Denville, a great boutique where they always know what fits. With a twenty percent discount to boot. There is a list of other local retailers carrying the brand on the company’s website.
At Neiman Marcus (www.neimanmarcus.com) in Short Hills this past weekend, mothers and daughters gathered in a primordial ritual of female bonding, otherwise known as a “Prom Event.”
The pressure is on this year, because basic prom fashion—solid colors, long lengths and breast foot forward—are no longer a given.
Virtually any style, any length, any color is fine. It’s all left to the imagination of anxious mothers and daughters, each with a set of different ideas.
“Do you like this dress?” asked one mother anxiously. Her daughter barely glanced up.
“I’m not going to a communion!”
A hired DJ pumped out a rock beat and helpers dished out chocolate flowers as the various generations ogled the bewildering array of styles, ranging from the traditional goddess gowns to short, strapless and high-waisted dresses with trapeze skirts and all manner of patterns, belts, and bows.
Our fashionable friend and occasional business partner Maria Cucciniello (www.thehipevent.com), who was running the show for N-M, offered a roadmap, saying jewel tones are hot. Wearing a short dress for the prom is acceptable… because “it’s more fun.”
When finally “I don’t like it!” became “I like it,” the teens grabbed armfuls of brightly colored dresses in eye-popping patterns with a multitude of necklines and patterns, then marched to the dressing rooms, moms left to scout the aisles and console each other.
They will, we know, eventually find the dress. And since anything goes, they can hardly go wrong. The teens will find their own style… with a little help from mom.
“This is too low cut? Why don’t you just wear pajamas?”
Bring your greetings to Asbury Park on Saturday, and help celebrate the seaside resort’s 110th anniversary with Taste of Asbury Park, a food and wine festival featuring dishes from 15 top restaurants in town plus wines from seven local wineries. It’s at Convention Hall, 1-4 p.m. Tickets $25 in advance or $35 at the door. (732) 502-9310, www.cityofasburypark.com.
Westfall Winery in Montague celebrates five years on the vine by pairing appetizers to its new 2006 whites and its 2005 Cab. Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 p.m., and it’s free. (973) 293-3428, www.westfallwinery.com.
Or, try the British Beer Tasting Dinner at Cape May’s historic Mad Batter Restaurant. Four courses, four different brews, $55. Friday at 7:30 p.m. 609-884-5970, www.madbatter.com.
And now, for some non-gustatory kinds of taste, like…
…in music. One of the world’s great classical violinists, Itzhak Perlman is in concert at the Bergen Performing Arts Center Sunday in Englewood, 3 p.m. Tickets $35–$125. (201) 227-1030, or go to www.bergenpac.org.
…in antiques. Get ye valuable (ye hope) olde thinges to the antique appraisal fair at Old Lafayette Village (www.lafayettevillageshops.com), Lafayette. It runs Sunday 1-4 p.m. Pre-registration is required, (973) 579-2382.
…in wood sculpture. Saturday is the last day for a Wood Turner’s Exhibition, highlighting artists that take the craft of working the lathe to the level of fine art. Perkins Center for the Arts, Collingswood. (800) 387-5226, www.perkinscenter.org.
…in, uh, sneakers? Well, your teens will know. Mischa Barton, formerly of The O.C., comes to Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com) at Garden State Plaza Saturday 1-3 p.m. to autograph no-longer-dowdy, newly-hip and always comfortable Keds casual shoes. (201) 843-1122.
Call us crazy, but when you go out to dinner, isn’t somebody else supposed to cook?
The Melting Pot, (www.themeltingpot.com) the trendy fondue place that is packing them in and opening new franchises across our state, doesn’t think so. We think this may be the most interesting eating experience you will have in a while.
Personal injury attorneys will love this place. You sit at a table full of sharp objects in front of pots with boiling oil and broth and reach over the pots and each other to spear your raw meat, chicken and seafood.
Your waitress provides skewers with different color tips to help you track your dinner. An armada of servers brings every course, (there are at least three) and multiple sauces to mix, and did we mention the platter of raw meat, fish, shrimp, chicken. Plus, veggies and potatoes that you throw in alongside the main course.
You’ll get elaborate cooking instructions and a “rescue” spoon (careful, it gets hot too!) to fish strays from the bottom of the cookery. Don’t wear anything valuable. Your dry cleaner will benefit as well.
There is a great wine list, but you may want to moderate just so you can keep accurate track of everything that is cooking.
Oh, and did we mention there is a cheese fondue as well as a chocolate dessert? They both seem like an afterthought when you get finished cooking, dipping, tasting and testing the main event.
We had fun. and the food tasted great, once you understand the process. It’s an evening out with friends you won’t soon forget. Leave the little ones at home or be prepared to stand watch like a bodyguard.
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take something you’ve written and read it out loud. When the written word becomes the spoken word, a transformation occurs.
That’s the idea behind Women Reading Aloud (www.womenreadingaloud.org), the burgeoning group of women writers that gathers to take turns reading to each other, and listening.
On April 21 they will gather at a sumptuous home in New Vernon. In a room filled with art and light, surrounded by a labyrinth of garden, there will be a chance to talk, lunch, and finally, to break off in small groups and read out loud.
There are a few slots left for women who’ve written something—not necessarily published—to join. The day’s guest speaker is writer Jacqueline Sheehan, whose new novel, Lost and Found, (pre-order at www.amazon.com) is about to be released.
Organizer Julie Maloney believes that settings can be inspirational. She has written a book (still unpublished) using the chairs, couches, and seating in each stage of her life as benchmarks—literally. If you check out her on-line stationary store (www.mangopress.net) you’ll see some of this illustrated in living color.
Women Reading Aloud is a full-day event. A chance to enjoy the art of others, and share their stories. A rare day of single-media, in a multi-media world. Ear candy, to be devoured by wordsmiths who usually compose in silence.
Listen for a minute. You might hear something you like. It might even be something you wrote.
…that you will be glad you read this column. You probably didn't know that nestled between the Knights of Lyndhurst (aka Medieval Times), assorted landfills and warehouses, is one of today's great bargains.
You won't need to joust for a parking space. Acres of parking, and a small sign announces the outlet shop and ongoing sample sale at Theory (165 Polito Ave., Lyndhurst, 201-728-5755).
You ask, what makes this little outlet different from all the others in the area?
Shopaholics know Theory (www.theory.com) is the trendy clothier of the basic black suit, and strettttchy shirtings. They also know Theory's delicate cashmere is among the softest, thinnest, and most desirable. It is year-round wearable.
All of these are on mega sale at the warehouse store. Listen to this: $29 netted us a black cashmere v-neck originally priced at $225. Another $29 grabbed a navy cashmere sweater jacket marked down from $355. $49 for a sharp year-round Theory blazer, first tagged $385. $49 for a perfectly fitted button-down laced with Lycra—store price: $185.
Spring colors are on sale too. $29 for ultra fine cashmere sweaters— pale lavender, mint green and hot yellow.
Theory's spring line is just starting to come in at 40% off. White linen pants, sailor pea jackets, classic white shirts and tees. There are halter tops, peasant tees, Capri pants and shorts.
We priced everything against our favorite department store websites, and found huge savings. What makes this little outlet different is real value on desirable clothing, not seconds or thirds.
Stock up on the classic clothes of Theory. Then go next door and get a ringside seat for the Knights of Lyndhurst. You'll be the one dressed like royalty. On a peasant's clothing allowance.
We’ve found a brand of jeans that fit like butt-er. Know what we mean?
Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to take something you’ve written and read it out loud. When the written word becomes the spoken word, a transformation occurs.
…that you will be glad you read this column. You probably didn't know that nestled between the Knights of Lyndhurst (aka Medieval Times), assorted landfills and warehouses, is one of today's great bargains.
