Friday Finds: News, Views and tips...from you!

By Kathy Shaskan

We just made the acquaintance of Cedar Grove resident Christina Deyo, a supervising producer on the Emmy award-winning Martha Stewart Show. Why is she our “Friday Find?” Because we found out she juggles this demanding job while being a wife and mother of FIVE CHILDREN - and they’re all under the age of ten! Just for fun, we asked Deyo to describe a typical day:

5:00 am - Wake up...get dressed...get the girls' school uniforms out of the dryer. Make school lunches.
5:45 am - Hide treasure hunt treats for youngest girls so later when I'm at work I call them and lead them on a fun chase to find the treats. Some mornings prepare breakfast for girls--otherwise it's cereal.
6:00 am – Marinate steak or chicken for dinner (leave in fridge)
6:15 am - Leave for work
7:30 am - Morning meeting
7:45 am - Call kids...make sure they're picked up for school
8:00 am - Go to studio for morning rehearsals
8:30 am (on Wednesdays only) - Call in to Sirius and chat about ‘The Martha Stewart Show’
9:00 am - Morning meeting with Martha
10:00 am - Tape ‘The Martha Stewart Show’
11:15 am - Call home and play treasure hunt with Pauline, Gemma and Rebecca
11:30 am - Lunch
12:00 pm - Production meeting for next days show
12:30 pm - Rehearsals for afternoon show
1:00 pm - Meeting with Martha
2:00 pm - Tape ‘The Martha Stewart Show’
3:00 pm - Finish show...begin reading scripts for next day's shows
4:00 pm - Kids home from school (chat by phone....listen to school day)
6:30 pm - Arrive home...start dinner
7:00 pm - Dinner with family
7:30 pm - Homework with the kids
8:30 pm - Watch TV with kids/and or read with kids
9:00 pm - Prep any school activities (sign reports/projects/etc); Tuck Grace, Caroline, Pauline and Gemma into bed.
9:30 pm - Spend time with Rebecca (she's the 1 year-old daughter); Put her to bed
10:30 pm - Lights out....good night!

Wow…Christina, we are humbled!

Book Beat: Historic Photos of Jersey Shore

By Jenniah Caldwell

There is no denying that winter is here. The skies are gray, the wind is frigid, and snow is no longer just a vague threat. During the dreary days of the season, the minds of many New Jerseyans will fast forward to the upcoming dog days of summer and of time that will be spent "down the shore" at one of our state's many beach towns.

Instead of daydreaming of summers yet to come, NJL recommends curling up beside the fire with Historic Photos of Jersey Shore. Over 200 rare black and white photographs, culled from national and local archives, showcase over 100 years of the storied history of NJ's beach resorts. The book covers a large range of topics, highlighting images from Victorian Cape May, the golden era of AC's steel pier, cranberry harvests in the 30's, New Jersey's WWII effort, to the Civil Rights struggle.

The author Joe Czachowski, an adjunct History professor at Kean University, uses his vast knowledge of New Jersey history to breathe new life into some of The Shore's forgotten moments. Pick up your copy for $39.95 at Turner Publishing.

Fashion Forward: Dress It Up

By Leigh Boriskin

Between holiday gatherings and upcoming New Year’s Eve bashes, there is plenty of need for one (or three) PLD’s (Perfect Little Dresses), but not much time to shop! From floor-length showstoppers to sexy, little minis, slip into a frock that will make you look and feel fabulous without stepping out of the comfort of your home.

Mix in a bit of style to your office holiday party attire when donning Ella Moss’ Bianca Tiered Dress, (shown above) available at Nordstrom.

On Christmas Eve, deck yourself out in the Flutter Sleeve Tunic by Max Studio that will keep you both chic and comfortable for a night of mixing, mingling, and eating!

Ring in 2008 with a white-hot bang as you sip champagne and smooch your honey while wearing this Alice + Olivia Tania Beaded Halter Dress. Romance and sophisticated edge is rolled into one look straight out from the racks at Bloomingdales.

New & Noteworthy: Sweet Avenue Cupcakes

By Kathy Shaskan

Sweet Avenue began life as a mail order and catering bakery, specializing in weddings and showers. With the opening of their first retail location in Rutherford, Sweet Avenue has become one of the only cupcakeries in the country specializing in vegan (dairy and egg free) baked goods. Sweet Avenue offers over 25 varieties of cupcakes at any given time on a rotating basis, with more being added almost every week. Everything sold there is made from scratch in small batches. More info here.

The Monday Muse: Kayt Hester Lent

By Kimberly Baldwin

Jersey City's "it" girl has had quite a year. Her work was featured in many prominent city places, such as the Hudson County Courthouse and the 58 Gallery, and she was even called in to create a special masking tape installation for the Jersey City Museum's front windows.

Kayt Hester Lent's latest works are images of Jackie Kennedy made from hand-torn masking tape. Why Jackie O.? Lent says she, "chose Mrs. Kennedy because she was such a beautiful woman who lived an incredible life." Lent is right, and her gorgeous masking tape recreations tell a magnificent life story in big bold pictures.

See Lent's work alongside Hiroshi Kumagai, another JC mainstay, in Sticky Fingers, an exhibit at the Grassroots Arts Facility, 43 Christopher Columbus Drive, 3rd Floor, Jersey City. The show runs through January 19, 2008.