Inside this issue: June 2010

Years ago I drove my two young children to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. And frankly, I was disappointed. The kids had fun making faces at the monkeys and petting every critter in the farm. But the next time I took them to a zoo, we headed for the Bronx. That was then...

Inside this issue: May 2010

On one of those unexpectedly warm April days I pulled some summer clothes from the back of my closet. Shorts, a few T-shirts, and a summer skirt in case the mood hit. Well, the only mood that hit was one of panic. I couldn’t zip the shorts, the T-shirts were tight, and the skirt was snug...

Inside this issue: April 2010

Lounging in a chaise beneath a weeping cherry blossom, you sip a cool drink. Thee day’s worries slip away with the water cascading over smooth stones in a nearby brook. Your yes follow a butterfly as she alights upon a brilliant palette of roses, daffodils and lilies. Suddenly the scent of dinner sizzling on the grill deliciously wafts over...

Inside this issue: March 2010

I admit it. I’m addicted to watching designers on TV trans-form shabby or downright ugly houses into stunners—and do it all on a tight budget and even tighter deadline. But when I look around at my own home, I’m stymied. Are the bedroom curtains sweetly nostalgic—or shabbily old-fashioned? Is there a floor that’s cat-and-college-student-friendly… to replace the once gorgeous, ivory, wall-to-wall family/living room carpet?...

Inside this issue: February 2010

A month after my son began high school, the parents of 9th graders were asked to attend a talk on how their students could impress colleges. The lecture didn’t seem premature to me. After all, a Manhattan friend had hired a tutor to ensure that her two-year-old daughter aced a nursery school interview.

Inside this issue: Winter 2009

My children are only a few years out of their teens, so I understand why parents find relief even in the mildest of jokes, such as, "Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree." If I hadn’t laughed, I couldn’t have survived those roller-coaster years either—when one day I was my daughter’s best friend and the next I was— and this is an exact quote—"the worst horrible mother, EVER..."

Inside this issue: November 2009

We’ve all heard the jokes about New Jersey—where potholes are as common as mosquitoes and everyone can name all the flavors of saltwater taffy... yada, yada, yada. Let them laugh. Those of us who live here enjoy the open spaces and cosmopolitan atmosphere, the proximity to Manhattan and the culture in our own towns...

Inside this issue: October 2009

A chilly morning breeze through the window, the quieting of cicadas at night... like the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet, they all herald fall’s arrival. And despite a flicker of sadness at summer’s end, I’m grateful to live where the seasons change, igniting the feeling that new beginnings are always possible.

Inside this issue: September 2009

Think back to your school years. How would you describe them? I doubt the word "formative" came to mind. Although accurate, the adjective is too stiff, too bland to capture the emotions that school memories ignite.

Inside this issue: Summer 2009

Ah, summer... that ice cream-flavored, suntan-lotion scented time when worries drift away in pretty white puffs. But wait... those worries are still hanging around, and those puffs look more like the heavy gray clouds of winter. It's time to chase them away—and that's what this special issue of Suburban Essex Magazine is all about...

Inside this issue: June 2009

When was the last time you went an entire day without thinking about money? If you can’t recall, you’re not alone. The recession is taking a toll on our national psyche—creating stress-related illnesses and sleepless nights. We’re anxious and fearful. Our optimism has waned...

Inside this issue: May 2009

My favorite boutique is just a 10-minute walk from my home, right downtown. It’s pricey, but I love to browse—and rarely leave without a little mood boost in the shape of, say, a Theory T-shirt. The saleswomen are always friendly. Still it surprised me when one day they told me they’d set aside a purple cashmere sweater they’d noticed I’d loved. "It’s going on sale, so we put it aside for you in case...

Inside this issue: April 2009

April 15 usually conjures up one image—and it doesn't come in glorious colors or heavenly scents. But I still think of April 15 as the exact date that my parents' magnolia tree blossomed, its intoxicating perfume wafting through our windows...

Inside this issue: March 2009

Feeling overwhelemed by a massive to-do list? You’re not alone. According to an annual survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), more Americans reported stress-related fatigue, feelings of irritability or anger, and sleep deprivation in 2008 than in 2007.

Inside this issue: February 2009

Even before our first child was out of diapers, we started researching schools. Obsessive? Perhaps. But we weren’t alone. Education is so vital that many parents willingly relocate, put off vacations, and even puzzle over algebra (again), after a long day at work. Why? It’s simple—we want the best for our children. And luckily for parents in the Suburban Essex area, the “best” is all around; local schools consistently rank among the top in statewide surveys. There’s just one little problem with having such a rich cluster of fine schools available. With so many good choices—public, private, and independent—how do you choose?

Inside this issue: Winter 2008

My first ferry ride to Manhattan was on a bleak, drizzly afternoon, and I was as jittery as a gerbil, worried about my first day on a new job. But as the boat set off from Weehawken and began to glide across the water, I was suddenly mesmerized, staring like a wide-eyed Texan at a city that appeared as glamorous as a Tiffany’s window.

Inside this issue: November 2008

Recently, a friend asked me to write a letter she could sent out in an effort to inspire donations to an African orphanage. I’m ashamed to admit it, but my first thought was: I’m too busy! Luckily, the words that came out of my mouth were: "Sure, I’d be happy to."

Inside this issue: October 2008

We can all claim bragging rights to the world’s best theater. After all, in less than an hour we can roar with the crowd at a 42nd Street musical, marvel as Ralph Fiennes inhabits Shakespeare’s Hamlet, or seek the existential meaning of an innovative play. But how often do we actually take in a NYC show? Twice a year, three times, tops?

Inside this issue: September 2008

I'm a decorating addict. Though far from an expert, like many of us, I can't resist a design magazine. We imagine the possibilities—that soft yellow chair in the living room, that sky-blue paint for the bedroom. Some dream of their perfect home, and are always in the process of creating it. As you’ll see in our feature on Home Makeovers, dreams can become reality.