This Full House Reviews

Disney On Ice "Celebrations" New Jersey Discount Tickets & Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA RESNICK (#15) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!]

My family and I are very excited to be able to experience the magic of Disney on Ice, for the very first time, as they present "Celebrations" playing at the IZOD Center and Prudential Center in New Jersey, courtesy of Mom Central!

Here's the really good part!

As a Tri-State Area Feld Family Activator (say that five times, real fast, I double-dog dare you!) I have the pleasure of sharing our experience and A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU, TOO!

• Get 4 tickets for $44 Monday-Friday matinee (or) $4 off Friday night and weekend tickets by entering the code “MOM” in the MC promotion code box on Ticketmaster.
• Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.
• Offer not valid on Rinkside or VIP seating. Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges & handling fees will apply.

Here's the really, really good part -- want to go?

Suave Mom's Night Out: Jersey Style!

  

Style by Lukaro, dorkified by Liz@thisfullhouse for Glamour Reel Moments 2008 and Suave!

So, you know, my friend, Luke O'Connor (no, really, I swear, he said I could say that!) he owns this super swanky salon and is, in my opinion, the most awesome hair stylist in Beverly Hills (okay, so, like, he's the only one I know, in Beverly Hills, or on the west coast, but, who cares) Luke is, without a doubt, the sweetest, most down-to-earth and famous-type person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, IRL.

The Modern Bob by Luke O'Connor and Suave

Recently, he got this great gig and used Suave Professionals to style actress and Emmy presenter, Kate Walsh (Addison on Private Practice/Grey's Anatomy) and, well, red carpets are meant to be walked by people who, you know, look like her.

Aaaaanyway.

 

This is my hairdresser, IRL.  Her name is Lorrie and she owns Salon Soleil & Nail Spa and, along with her awesome salon team, the woman actually enjoys making moms (like me) happy, by performing little miracles, with hair, every day.

Recently, she got this really great gig and used Suave Professionals to style a bunch of us suburban moms and, well, there wasn't any red carpet, or anything, but we had lots of fun, eating together, laughing at the silly things husbands do (like, you know, agreeing to pretty much anything, just so they could watch football) also, we talked about really annoying people, like, the ones who hog the carpool lanes and stuff.

So, why would Suave want me to host a party like this and did I mention, there was a margarita machine?

Will Blog for Hunger: Food Drive October 24th - 25th at Best Buy in Eatontown, NJ

Last year, I had the pleasure of participating in the Blogging Out Hunger Campaign and (thanks to my good friend, Deb at JerseyBites.com) over 100 New Jersey Bloggers joined together in the fight against hunger.

The kind folks at Stop & Shop jumped on the bandwagon (or, is it blogwagon?) by helping me to continue to spread the word about the desperate need that The Community Food Bank of New Jersey is in due to the increased demands being put on New Jersey food pantries and agreed to help promote our blogging efforts, by offering a donation of their own.

So, how did it all work out?

Well, with the help of readers, the kind folks at 360 PR and a few good blogging friends, we helped to raise over $700.00 in the fight against hunger.

The power of blogging, baby!

So, in effort to exercise my pledge to blog with integrity, I'm reaching out to the blogging community, once more, by sharing with you yet another opportunity to give hunger and poverty a big, old-fashioned, hearty bitch-slap, right here in Jersey!

Quick and Real Simple Lemonade or Iced Tea With a Sugar Free Twist

 

Real Simple Lemonade Pitchers via RealSimple.com

I remember the first time I ever tasted water that had stuff floating around in it, on purpose.  May, 2007.  My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I attended a dear friend's big fat Greek wedding in Cape May.  On the way home, we stopped in Atlantic City and indulged in a little mommy/daddy private time.

A couples' massage at the Blue Mercury Spa.

[heavy sigh]

Besides the fact that we are WAY passed due (I don't know of a parent who, you know, couldn't use a security guard, or an fully-armed sentinel, at their bedroom door) not to mention, it's where I fell in love with the scent of gingerlily (just went out and gifted myself, for our 19th wedding anniversary, next week, thanks Honey!!!) they also served the most refreshing pitcher of water, laced with lemons, oranges and some basil.  I think.  It's been a while, you know?

Long story, short (I know, too late) I was inspired to create a similar recipe, to jazz up one of our favorite summertime drinks, while coming up with a quick sugar free version, for my diabetic parents, using the Crystal Light they already had in their cupboard, as well.

Crystal Light and Juicy Lemonade or Iced Tea

[makes 2 quarts]

Ingredients:

• 1 tub (via 32 oz. box) of Crystal Light Lemonade or Iced Tea
• filtered water
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange

Directions:

• Fill 2 quart pitcher with filtered water and mix in Crystal Light Lemonade.
• Wash/scrub lemon and orange (real good, since we're keeping the skin on) and cut up into slices.
• Add fruit slices to pitcher
• Garnish with spearmint, optional

There you have it -- real simple, really refreshing and, well, my folks really seem to enjoy it -- me, too!

[No payment was received for this post - just adding some more yummy stuff to file into my recipe book, or whenever I come up with a few good recipes, of my own, too!!!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved

Spotlight on New Jersey: Cozy Petal Home Spa Products - Gifts for Brides-to-Be to Mommy & Me!

Ellen Y. Lau runs an eBoutique, Cozy Petal in New Jersey that offers a unique collection of spa & bath products, lounge wear and mommy & me gift-sets.

Her extensive experience in the apparel industries along with her degree in fashion design from New York Parsons School of Design (you know, the Project Runway people) allows her to combine her passion for fashion with her love for luxury relaxation.

"With the daily stress of women, my company offers them a guilt-free way to relax with the home-spa experience. Cozy Petal also focuses on wellness lifestyle by offering natural and organic products."

Amen, sistah!  So, are you from Jersey? 

Check out Cozy Petal's Flip Flop Store!

FIND IT HERE:  http://www.cozypetal.com

GET 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE HERE:  Now until March 31, 2009 - This Full House readers receive a special treat of 20% OFF when shopping at CozyPetal.com and entering this coupon code at checkout:  PamperMommy

[Spotlight on New Jersey:  Please, clean off a chair and sit down, feel free to stop by every Tuesday, as I share information on some of the really great stuff you can find...right here in Jersey!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

[No payment has been received for this blog post]

Spotlight on New Jersey: Liberty Science Center - Go and Get Your Geek On!

 
I've been to the Liberty Science Center, before -- yes, it's in Jersey! -- but, that was 2 kids ago and I've heard it's changed, since then.  So, along with a few dozen other families from the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia Moms blogs, I was very happy to have been invited for the day and see what's new at LSC!

Spotlight on New Jersey: Costa Verde - Specializing in Portuguese Food

 

Costa Verde in Sayreville, NJ

New Jersey has a large Portuguese population and one of my best friends in high school introduced me to the wonderfulness that is saffron and green wine!  Ana's mother was a phenomenal cook (owned a restaurant/pub in my hometown) and Ana's father coached a soccer team for the Portuguese Club in Elizabeth, NJ.

Hence, my 20+ year love affair with Portuguese food.

So, on the way home from the European Deli in Woodbridge, NJ (yes, you can go home, especially for some awesome Hungarian sausage) and crossing over the Route 9 bridge into Sayreville (hometown of Jersey's own, Jon Bon Jovi) my husband Garth (not his real name) suggested we stop for some Paella, well, what's a Jersey Girl to do?

Costa Verde is a hidden gem -- doesn't look like much from the highway -- but, once inside, take a good long sniff and order a pitcher of sangria, 'cause (even on a busy weekend) pretty soon, you'll be dipping bread into something wonderful and you're gonna want to stay for dessert!

My favorite?

MARISCADA (Costa Verde Style), Specialty of the House:  A seafood stew served over saffron rice -- also offered in a green, or marinara sauce.

So, get your Port-A-Gee on, head over to Costa Verde and remember to leave room for dessert!
FIND IT HERE:  Costa Verde, Rt. 9 & 35 South in Sayreville, NJ

[Spotlight on New Jersey:  Please, clean off a chair and sit down, feel free to stop by every Tuesday and I'll be more than happy to share information on some of the really great stuff you can find, from right here in Jersey!]

© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Spotlight on New Jersey: EdibleGiftsPlus.com

 

Let us be your source for unique and delicious edibles ---- for your special occasions, corporate gifts, fundraisers, and upcoming events of all kinds - have a sweet day! ~ Margo, Edible Gifts Plus

I hate to be the one to tell you guys -- although, you probably already know -- that Thanksgiving is only, like, two weeks away and I'm very, very, very happy that my twin brother (and his gorgeous wife) have offered to have it at their house, this year!

Seeing as, they DO have more room and all 4 of my kids like their house, better, anyway.

Yes, for the first time in...ummm...how old is my oldest...uhhh, anyway...this will be the first year that we're NOT hosting Thanksgiving dinner and, I must say, it's a new tradition that feels pretty gosh-darned liberating.

All I have to do is, you know, find something really nice to bring, that everyone will like, even my pickiest of picky eaters, oh and festive, maybe even a little fun, yeah, fun is good, but, what to bring?

EdibleGiftsPlus.com has lots of fun ideas and yummy creations for, well, every holiday, or occasion anyone could think of, really.

Like, their Thanksgiving Box of Questions (pictured above) I think, is pretty much a good choice to kick-off conversations, like:

"What is a special memory of a family member that only you can tell?"

Okay, it's NOT edible -- although, I guess, if a person's hungry enough...uh...nevermind -- but, it sure sounds like a lot of fun and thanks for giving us that, Margo!

Oh, for the rest of you (not from Jersey) just so you know, don't judge us by the Sopranos (not to mention, 30 second sound bites of nothing but steel and concrete) there are LOTS of prettiful things to see in New Jersey!

FIND IT HERE:  EdibleGiftsPlus.com (http://www.ediblegiftsplus.com/)

[Spotlight on New Jersey:  Please, clean off a chair and sit down, feel free to stop by every Tuesday and I'll be more than happy to share information on some of the really great stuff you can find, from right here in Jersey!]

© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Spotlight on New Jersey: Nicole Hymowitz Photography - A Mom Who's Ready to Share Her Eye and Art, With You!

"I hope you enjoy what you see in my portfolios. I truly love working with people and creating art with them."  ~ Nicole Hymowitz

Every year, one of the elementary schools in our district hosts a craft fair and my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I took a few minutes to ourselves (I don't know how that happened, either!) to stop by and visit with some of the local crafters.

I really enjoy holiday shopping at these types of events and picked up a gorgeous pair of hand painted, uh...um...I really can't tell you, because Mini-me's Godparents might be reading this.

Not only do we get the chance to show our support for local vendors - seriously, small business owners could really use the help - I always manage to find a little surprise around every corner and you really never know who you'll bump into.

Though, I don't personally know Nicole Hymowitz -- I'm sorry, but school parking lots are just not conducive to conversation, you know -- my middle girl (she's 12) is friends with her oldest girl.

So, I checked out her website and, you know what?  Her mom really has a good eye and, just like me, Nicole has worked long (and hard) on finally creating her own brand.

"I can produce anything from traditional portraiture to the wildly imaginative art photo. But most important of all, I can create a beautiful and lasting image for you and your family to treasure for generations to come."

You go, girl!

Oh, and just so you know, don't judge us by the Sopranos (not to mention, 30 second sound bites of nothing but steel and concrete) there are a lot of prettiful things to see in New Jersey!

FIND IT HERE:  Nicole Hymowitz Photography

 {http://www.artofphotographybynicole.com/index.html)

[Spotlight on New Jersey:  Please, clean off a chair and sit down, feel free to stop by every Tuesday and I'll be more than happy to share information on some of the really great stuff you can find, from right here in Jersey!]

© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Spotlight on New Jersey: Pittsgrove Farms - Get the Dirt on Planting Irises, Peonies and Daylillies!

"A love of gardening doesn’t start in one day – it’s cultivated over time. For more than 30 years our family has cultivated our love of gardening one plant at a time." ~ Pittsgrove Farms

 

I come from a long line of agriculturists -- my father was a landscaper, my grandfather and both my great-grandfathers were master gardeners to noble families in Europe -- and I often tell my children that gardening is in their blood.

"Ewww, get it out!"

My 7-year-old daughter has this habit of taking the things I say literally, lately.

Pittsgrove Farms is owned and run by very close family friends (Mini-me's Godparents, actually) and they are a premier grower of irises, peonies, daylilies and select varieties of perennials, from right here in New Jersey.

"Our goal is to provide the highest quality perennials and inspire a love of gardening."

Looking ahead to next spring, the fall (okay, and even the looooong winter) is the best time to start planning for next year's garden and Pittsgrove Farm has some really great tips on the planting and care of irises, peonies and daylillies.

FIND IT HERE:  PittsgroveFarms.com

[Spotlight on New Jersey is a new feature where I share information on some of the really great stuff you can find, from right here in Jersey!]

© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.