For some kids, back-to-school shopping means pencils, paper, and a book bag. For others, it means tracking the latest fashion trends and planning at back-to-school wardrobe.

In my 6 years of teaching middle school, I could have easily told you what was “hot” and “so last year” for the tween to teen crowd, but now I have to seek out the experts for the inside scoop on what’s hot for Fall.

Basking Ridge sisters Rehana and Shaila Saifee explained that middle school fashion was relaxed and casual but still trendy and chic.

“Skinny jeans, neon Sugar Lips tank tops,  gladiator sandals, converse sneakers, and high wasted skirts are trendy,” said Rehanna who is in 8th grade. “So Low sweatpants are also popular.”

Shaila, who is in 5th grade, described her personal style as “t-shirt and jeans with converse” and was most likely going to wear a plaid skirt and collared shirt for the first day of school.

Livingston resident and high school Junior Jaynie Siegel sees trends constantly in motion with the seasons and “many girls may look the same, and wear the same pants and tops, but the difference is always something like their hair style, jewelry, or shoes.”

The wise-beyond-her-peers fashionista also likes to mix styles and seasons because “I can show that once a trend is over, you can still wear what you like.”

Mixing seasons is also a good way to be fashionable and budget conscious at the same time.  Felicia Pollaro, Marketing Manager of the Deptford Mall has shared a keep-toss-buy list for 2010 where all items are available in major retail chains around New Jersey.

Keep It : plaid shirts, anything with faux fur, boyfriend blazer (but with a twist), over-the-knee boots, 60’s inspired silhouettes

Toss It : sequined leggings, neon, super-exaggerated shoulders, vampire-esque makeup

Buy It : animal print accessories, nail polish in greige (a grey/beige), lace-up booties, a camel coat, rose gold jewelry, military-inspired jacket

NJ My Way Managing Editor Hilary Morris wrote this article.

Photos of recent Deptford Mall fashion show-featuring performances by Kingsway Regional HS, Glassboro HS and Williamstown HS

Silvert’s Furniture in Freehold has been in the same location since it opened its doors 81 years ago. But a few weeks ago, Larry Iserson, Silvert’s owner, announced that they are going out of business.

“My wife’s grandfather Isidore Silvert started the store in 1929, right before the Great Depression. It maybe wasn’t the best timing to open a business. But he was able to make it through and eventually passed the store on to his son Harry,” Iserson says.

Harry Silvert turned the store into a thriving business and worked into his eighties before passing away in 2004. “I’ve worked here for most of my adult life as well,” Iserson said.

The store has been virtually a landmark in Freehold, expanding to what’s now almost an entire city block. A mainstay of the towns’ growth and history, Silvert’s sits on South Street diagonally across from the childhood home of Freehold’s (and arguably New Jersey’s) most famous resident, Bruce Springsteen. The store was possibly the view from his bedroom window.

So, why is Silvert’s closing?

“I was looking to lease out part of the building and a business came to me and wanted to lease out the whole store. My children have their own careers and none of them were going to take over the business. It seemed like the right time,” says Iserson.

Silvert’s has now begun its going out of business sale. They are selling everything in their 40,000 square foot showroom. “With a huge inventory, we are offering great bargains,” Iserson said.

Silvert’s Furniture is located at 45 South Street in Freehold. You still have time to support a small town family business before it—like many others– disappears.

Author Mike Kivowitz – whose father-in-law is Silvert’s owner- founded Leafygreen.info and Bergenation.com , does freelance consulting for IT and social media work around New Jersey and NYC. Check him out at m1k3k.com .

Beginning in one week, the greatest in golf descend on one of Northern New Jersey’s world class courses as part of the PGA tour playoffs.

The Barclays, at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, takes center stage.

At NJ My Way , we salute the pros, and we offer our help and some advice to En Jay’s spectators and would-be pro players.

No matter how you slice it, this may be the biggest bargain around for golfers. We’ve got a partnership with the newly launched Oregon based www.golfclubs.com for an additional 15% discount on their already low prices for premiere golf and golf equipment. Plus, no sales tax, free shipping on orders over $99! And a team of golf nuts to help you choose your dream stuff.

***You’ll need to join our VIP club for a mere $12.99, to get access to the www.golfclubs.com shopping code. Click here to Sign Up for NJ My Way VIP Club and take advantage of the fantastic savings. We’ll have more special offers from the Golf Clubs website for our VIPs every month.

In the spirit of the Barclays, we found golf fashions from the conservative to the outrageous. Like Loudmouth Golf where you can never be un-noticed, or Ame and LuLu where couture influences the sporting sensibility. And for class with a twist of Hollywood, there’s Clint Eastwood’s Tehama collection.

If you’d rather watch from the club with a good drink and a great meal, the Lakeside Grille at Ramsey Golf and Country Club is open to the public, though we’re advised it’s always best to call head. The club’s Abbey Restaurant is fancier, though often booked for special events.

Finally, don’t forget that En Jay is home to the official USGA Museum in Far Hills. The golf obsessed will find the foremost collection of historic golf memorabilia, and an archive of the sports finest moments.

We can’t help improve your swing. But at least you’ll be wearing some of the hottest golf clothing around and carrying the greatest (and best priced) clubs. The rest is up to you!

North Brunswick’s Jenna Lonczak is bound for Syracuse University this fall, as a freshman. But Jenna’s practical education began in high school, where she learned to combine her love of art with business, leading to the launch of her own line of jewelry.

The Centipede Style jewelry launch was announced a few weeks back, with 18 year old Jenna explaining that she was inspired to move beyond traditional message jewelry bearing the words “love”, “hope”, and “dream”.

“The inspiration for the collection was more about girls/women being able to represent themselves, through the pendants, rather than anything that I had seen. This led to “an updated line of text message and emoticon jewelry that would have a touch of humor, whimsy and imagination,” writes Jenna.

You can wear your text message (“LOL”, “OMG”) front and center in a variety of pastel enamel drops which the entrepreneurial Jenna has arranged to import through a Roseland firm.

The idea, according to Jenna, is that women like to multi-task even through their jewelry, and the clever texts evoke emotion, humor and stimulate the imagination.

If you buy one of Jenna’s creations, you’ll be helping her live her dream, and even pay her college tuition. She also hopes to donate a portion of the proceeds to the US Olympic Bobsled team. Pretty impressive. Now what did you do on your summer vacation?

Shopaholics heading to southern En Jay : there are new shops to mine along some of your favorite beats—Sorry, they’re so new we couldn’t find websites!

Splash (Carpenters Lane) from the owners of long-time Cape May Mall favorite Whale’s Tale, specializes in better artisan jewelry and crafts. You’ll love the small sea glass drop necklaces laced with sterling.

Miss Demeanor (223 Jackson Street) takes the location left open by Bath Time’s move to the downtown mall. Scarce of inventory, but promising, with organic duds geared to a stylish night out at the Shore.

People People of Stone Harbor opens a second store in what looks to be an old garage along Broadway in West Cape May. You’ll find Tory, Lilly, and plenty of other designer goodies. Pick up that designer tunic for your afternoon at the pool.

New for Foodies:

Stone Harbor’s legacy ice cream joint Springers (www.springersicecream.com) opens a new crepe/ice cream/coffee place around the corner on 96th street.

More crepes at Crepe May which took over for fast food pretzels in the Carpenter Square Mall in Cape May.

Much buzz about Positively Fourth Street (web.mac.com/laurelbay400/cafe-home.html ) the hip coffee house serving lunch and dinner too… named for a Bob Dylan song, in its second season in Ocean City.

Cape May’s Lucky Bones (www.luckybonesgrille.com) which now seems to surpass the Lobster House in traffic and wait time, introduces curbside delivery.

Got a shore shopping or food tip to share? Click on the Write The Editor link below and we’ll check it out!

They’re calling it the ultimate baby shower this Wednesday night at L’Affaire in Mountainside.

Teatime and Tiaras (www.teatimeandtiaras.com), a local special events company, and Westfield Momstown, (westfieldmomstown.com) an online resource for moms, are pairing up for the party. They’re co- hosting a free Spring Baby Shower Bash for moms-to-be, and new moms.

Local boutiques, spas, and eateries are putting out the spread and hoping the ladies will bite. attendees can get a massage, get waxed, or inhale some restorative oxygen, while sponsors demonstrate the latest kid-friendly products.

The folks at Momstown have lofty goals for the evening: “They can exchange ideas, resources, and support, and find deals from local businesses. We encourage each woman to live the most inspired life she can imagine…” 

We think you’ll just be pampered. In fact, one of the lead sponsors is Montclair-based Diapers.com, (here’s our recent article about them: www.njmyway.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=1809&Itemid=53.

Other participants include Chic Mama, (www.chicmamadiapercakes.com) where you can buy a cake in the shape of a diaper, and childcare providers like Summit’s Zadie’s Nuturing Den (www.zadiesden.com).

Teatime and Tiaras focuses on special events for parents and young children, and moms-to-be. You need to register for the evening, even though it won’t cost you anything. Follow the instructions on the www.teatimeandtiaras.com website.

Tell them you heard about it at NJ My Way. We think it sounds like a fun gals night out, in a place where you are the center of attention.

What girl wouldn’t want to cover a shoe event at Nordstrom?

We arrived a little early, which allowed me time to browse through the Sam Edelman collection before meeting the man himself. I may have drooled a bit. Customers were buzzing as they checked out the hot new designs and trends by the famed shoe designer. His designs are incredible. It’s no wonder he is considered one of the best shoe designers of our time.

Sam was immaculately dressed as you could expect, and nicer than I could ever imagine. Before I chatted with him, he walked around introducing himself to customers, helping them find the perfect shoe for them. He took photos with people and signed customer’s shoe boxes. He opened each box to see what each person selected and commented on each pair. He really made everyone’s purchase personal.

Sam Edelman has a long history in foot fashion. He held executive positions at Candie’s Corporation. He helped found Kenneth Cole. He became President of Footwear for ESPRIT in 1984. He and his beautiful wife Libby Edelman, (they’ve been married nearly 30 years) founded the Sam & Libby shoe brand which they sold in 1996. About a year and a half ago, Sam Edelman shoes was developed. Libby now has her own line as well.

Did he always want to be a shoe designer? “That’s the best question anyone has ever asked me. I always grew up knowing I wanted to be in the leather business, or shoe business or something like that, because my parents were in the leather business.”

Where does he get the inspiration for his creative designs? “Our inspiration comes from almost anywhere. It can come from the bazaars in Morocco or it could come from vintage jewelry. We specialize in trying to understand the trends and what’s really going on. So I would say, inspiration comes from the streets of Europe and it always comes from fashion.”

Libby Edelman’s line is available on HSN, in Lord & Taylor and some independent stores across the United States. They are currently working on selling Nordstrom’s, Dillard’s and a number of others.

I asked her how her shoe line differs from Sam’s. She said “we shop together and use the same inspiration, but mine are more affordable, they are half the price. We are gearing it towards a different customer”.

I asked Libby what she thinks is the biggest style trend for shoes this season. She talked about a lot of organics, such as, stone and metallics. And of course, bling. “Anything that’s very different whether its stones or bling, a lot of gladiators. We have a lot of beading. A lot of wedges which goes forward to next year, lots of cork details lots of espadrilles. Those are things that are very strong now and get even stronger”.

Why do women love shoes so much? Libby motioned to my husband Nicholas. “Here’s a piece of advice and Sam would say the same thing, it’s much cheaper to let her buy shoes than to get a divorce.”

Katie DeVito is a freelance writer living in Mercer County, NJ with her husband. Her journey to find full time employment is currently being documented for Parade Magazine. Follow her blog at http://www.kkdevito.wordpress.com and on Twitter @kdevito.

Check out great bargains available to our VIP Club members by joining the NJ My Way VIP Club NOW

Mother’s Day is this weekend. We’re all about supporting local En Jay businesses– they’ve got a great selection for your mom, grandmother, wife or sister.

Editor’s tip: You can take advantage of some awesome gifts for Mom by joining the NJ My Way VIP Club NOW!

Give mom a break from cleaning the house with a gift of service from Clean Green Company (www.cleangreenco.com). This “green” Scotch Plains company uses natural cleaning products and organic essential oils to keep your home sparkling clean.

Does your mom dream of being the next Food Network cake designer but she doesn’t know all the tricks? A private baking lesson with Sweet Samantha (www.sweet-samantha.com) would be the perfect gift. The Springfield baker is also our latest addition to the NJ My Way VIP Club offering a free host coupon for her 3-hour partihes.

A kid-sized shopping experience awaits at Wee Can Shop in Hawthorne (www.weecanshop.com/aboutus.asp). Dad waits while the kids shop, mini shopping carts and all. If mom likes skin care and cosmetics, then the make-your-own lip-gloss, lotions and sugar scrubs will make a great gift (and fun craft project).

Mom will definitely crave the jewelry at Objects of Desire in Chester (www.objectsofdesireboutique.com). The Main Street boutique features pieces from talented artisans and designers like the mesh and metal bracelets by Erica Zap, one of our favorites.

If you think mom could use a night of pampering while you hold down the fort, then give her a gift of an overnight at The W Hoboken (http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/W_Hoboken/so.htm) complete with a beauty and manicure gift package. This special Mother’s Day package is available through May 31st.

The aroma of Hawaiian flowers and Gardenia will have mom dreaming of the tropics with Kai Fragrance from Juli Mei in Spring Lake. (http://julimei.com) The product line, which has developed a cult following, includes a popular body glow lotion and roll-on perfume oil.

It’s only May, but it feels like July and that means it’s sandal weather. Lime Boutique in Lambertville (http://www.shopatlime.com/index.html) has a new shoe boutique featuring Havaiana and Dolce Vita sandals. They also carry Bond No. 9 fragrance, which is only carried in a few New Jersey locations; so if mom is a fan of the spring fresh scent, pick up a refill without the need to pay shipping.

These cool ideas courtesy of NJ My Way Managing Editor Hilary Morris, proud Mom and blogger. (www.mrsmonj.com).

En Jay gals admit it. We love shoes – lots of shoes – especially those that show-off our manicured toes. If only our closet could hold them all…

Don’t fret. We found a novel idea that will not only save space, but will also add some whimsical fun to your step this spring – SwitchFlops, the Cedar Knolls-based line of interchangeable flip flops, ballet flats and espadrilles that evolved from a high school art project by the vivacious 25-year-old Lindsay Phillips (www.switchflops.com).

It’s one of those, “I wish I thought of it” ideas. The patented design includes a base sandal-style which, you “re-design” by adding a new strap or snap.

You can go from beach casual to dramatic gem to whimsical fun to classic formal and back again in a matter of seconds. And every accessory has a name like a new best friend. Check out the demo here: (www.switchflops.com/demo.php)

You’ll love the website, too, since you can pick your shoe, add the strap or snap and see how it all comes together.

We recently caught up with Lindsay to find out the scoop on her designs and what’s hot for spring.

“Espadrilles,” Lindsay gushed, showcasing her new line of Evie Espadrilles with interchangeable snaps that range from billowy flowers to jeweled buttons to big gems to geometric shapes.

She let us in on colors, too. “Metallics are a must have. Our buyers love the animal patterns, too. While pastels are big in the spring, come summer, the bolder, more dramatic and bright colors are hot.”

The choices seem endless with seven shoe styles and more than 100 strap designs and snaps. The most popular style for summer is the Jordi flip flop. Lindsay told us for every sole, they sell two or more straps. It’s no wonder since prices start at $24 for the flip flop and $12 for the straps.

Lindsay feels the key to the Jordi success is the V. “You all know the V on the flip flop has to fit just right,” she explained. And she is right – her styles have a soft, fabric or plastic V that is very comfortable.

So, we had to know how this En Jay-based company evolved. The creative art history student turned entrepreneur told us her idea began as a simple art project – ceramic flip flops with interchangeable buttons. “Everyone who saw them, wanted to try them on,” she laughed. “And I thought, there must be some way to make real ones.” After years of tweaking, lots of glue, travels around the world to develop distinctive fabrics and snaps, and finally realizing Velcro was the key, Lindsay designed what has become the SwitchFlop phenomenon.

“My philosophy is simple – versatility and value,” Lindsay told us.

This year, Lindsay introduced a new line of handbags and scarves with the same fun designs and changeable twists. “My tote offers a roomy interior lined with our signature moiré floral pattern and includes a shoe bag for your SwitchFlops,” Lindsay smiled. “They have dual straps, so you can carry it by hand or shoulder. The Boho Chic design is reversible for two looks in one and features a removable flower pin.”

We have to admit, we found the classic Cocoa clutch with removable wrist strap wrapped in a bow the ideal little accessory.

SwitchFlops also offers a kid’s line, perfect for that blooming fashionista.

SwitchFlops are available at numerous independent retailers and via its website.

And just think, with the room you’ll save in your closet, you may just give some space to your significant other – or maybe buy another pair, a new handbag…

If you know of a cool, unique En Jay company or product, we’d like to hear about it. - editor@njmyway.com.

Guest contributor Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab of PNA Associates Inc authored this article.

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On St. Patrick’s Day, there are those that don a small shamrock pin, a green tie or maybe even a green cardigan.

The practice of wearing green from head-to-toe and the “Kiss me I’m Irish” pin is typically reserved for young kids who get extra credit for their efforts or the older party hopping crowd–they dress crazy, drink green beer, and have a good time.

Where do you fit in?

Fashionistas will have no problem finding trendy green tops; the color is one of the “must-haves” for spring wardrobe renewal. Green tones from Jade to ocean hues are popular.

As for the teens and tweens: “Teens can still have fun with the Irish-themed tees and accessories,” says Jennifer Davidson, NJ mom and cofounder of StyleBakery.com and StyleBakeryTeen.com. “I recommend choosing just one piece and mixing it in with other pieces in their wardrobe. An Irish tee and boyfriend blazer with skinny jeans would be cute, or the tee with boyfriend jeans and a cardigan.”

At www.buckle.com, which has stores in Mays Landing, Cherry Hill and a Deptford location opening in April, we found a spectrum of graphic tees and accessories from brands like Junk Food, Hurley, BKE, Free People and more.

Following Jennifer’s 15+ years in fashion advice, girls can pair the Junk Food Kiss Me T-shirt ($21) for a feminine look when paired with a boyfriend blazer and skinny jeans. The blazer look is quite popular with guys too. They can wear the distressed BC Ethic Ireland shirt ($28) with a blazer, zip-up sweater or alone with jeans.

The convenient “Shop by Color” option at Buckle makes it easier to find a shade that’s right for you.

May the luck of the Irish bring good fashion sense. And some clothes that will fit right in no matter what day it is.

This NJ My Way article was written by Managing Editor Hilary Morris of www.mrsmonj.com.