I mean, who has pedicure chairs that look THIS cute?

The adorable pedicure chairs at the V-Spot!

Located at 159 14th Street, the salon is so adorable, relaxing, and clean — totally a step above a lot of the regular nail salons “run-of-the-mill” nail salons in town. For a pedicure, you sit on a beautiful sofa chair and put your feet in a silver tub with warm water. So so soothing. And there are chandeliers on the ceiling!

When your feet need to be rinsed, the water comes from a white pitcher poured on top of your legs, not from the water below being splashed up. Quite refreshing!

Love this! (Pardon my pale legs – I think it’s time for a spray tan again)

Afterwards, your legs are exfoliated and massaged with a hot stone + honey + aloe. So soothing – and different from the norm. I loved it!

As far as staff — they are so nice. The salon’s owner, Vivian is so friendly as well – I had such a lovely time chatting with her; she makes you feel comfortable and welcome! She even helped me pick out a blazin’ turquoise for my polish color – I’m wearing it proudly with no post mani/pedi color-regrets (you TOTALLY know what I’m talking about):

Turquoise on hands and feet…after all, it IS spring.

 My mani and pedi were flawless, and my polish is STILL doing well (at least 4 days later – impressive for a regular manicure). But I mean…don’t take my word for it. The V Spot is rated 5 stars by 31 people on Yelp so far! It’s definitely not just me giving Vivian and her ladies the ups. Vivian also does color gels, but no acrylic at this time.

Make sure to check out The V Spot on 14th Street. She’s open Wednesday – Sunday. Have you been? How did you like it? 

This giveaway is back by popular demand…another 2 hours of FREE house cleaning from the fantastic (Rated #1 on Yelp in Hoboken) cleaning service, Clean Popo! Right in time for summer, helping you finish up your spring cleaning. There will be 3 prizes given away — see below for details on the goodies and how to enter.

The beautiful job Clean Popo did on my old apartment…can’t wait for them to clean my new one

Check out my “Before and After” post of my apartment from last year- they did such an awesome job.

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There will be THREE lucky winners in Hoboken/Hudson County — No strings attached or purchase necessary. Loves it.

FIRST PRIZE: 2 Hours Free Cleaning

SECOND PRIZE: $50 Gift Certificate towards a Clean Popo cleaning

THIRD PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate towards a Clean Popo cleaning

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 Rules for entering the giveaway:

1. Like Clean Popo on Facebook (or Follow Twitter!)

2. Like Hoboken Girl on Facebook (or Follow on Twitter)

3. Share this post (on Facebook and/or Twitter)

4. Comment below with your name and how you entered (via FB or Twitter) by May 28th!

*No purchase necessary. To qualify, you must reside in Hudson County.

…that’s it.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the best part about Clean Popo’s cleaning service is they regularly have a supervisor come and do a before and after surveillance of the apartment to make sure everything is sparkling clean and to the highest standards.

To schedule an estimate with Clean Popo, visitwww.cleanpopo.com or call (201) 690-7030. Make sure to like them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter for some fun Hoboken updates as well as cleaning tips!

Good luck!

Giveaway ends at 11:59 on Tuesday, May 28th. Winner will be announced soon after on Facebook and Twitter.

The adorable Jennifer Iserloh, Skinny Chef

As the Skinny Chef, Jennifer takes dishes that are known to be extremely rich and turns them into healthy (but still delicious) options for everyday cooking and eating. Things like pulled pork, tacos, rice and beans, flank steak aren’t “no-no’s” in this fabulous woman’s world — they’re modified and made with less fattening ingredients, all while still keeping the scrumptious taste. Besides being a writer of many cook books including 50 Shades of Kale and Secrets of a Skinny Chef, she has JUST debuted a new superfood sauce line – which are all-natural, gluten-free, low in calories, salt and fat, but bursting with serious flavor.

The new Skinny Chef Superfood Sauces

So what’d we eat? Well, here are a few of the amazing dishes Jennifer cooked up for me at her house using her delicious sauces (and gluten free/dairy free recipes per my request!):

Pomegranate Coconut Shrimp: Ground Coconut, Flax, and GF oats = YUM!

Deviled Eggs: with Cherry Chipotle Sauce & Fresh Cilantro

Mesclun Greens, Toasted Pecans, Raspberries + Blazin’ Blueberry Sauce mixed with 1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Flank Steak: Marinated with Cherry Chipotle Sauce + Sauteed Mushrooms: Cooked with Truffle Salt, Canola, and the Goji Espresso Sauce

Fruit Salad Drizzled with
Pomegranate Cayenne Sauce, fresh mint and fresh tarragon from Jennifer’s fire escape garden!

View from the Skinny Chef’s Apartment

Hanging with Chester & Milo…they are the cutest!

For those of you who want to taste test some of these delicious sauces — you can join Jennifer in celebrating her brand new line of Skinny Chef Superfood Sauces on May 25th:

Stop by Aaraa’s (408 6th Street, Hoboken NJ) on Saturday, May 25th (1-7pm) for free hors d’oeuvres, Skinny Chef Superfood Sauce samples, wine, and cocktails. Plus get a generous 15% discount on Aaraa fashion jewelry and accessories (not including items already on sale) to accent your summer wardrobe.

You’ll be able to nosh on a variety of skinny treats made with all four flavors that contain superfruits, superspices, and chilies — Goji Espresso (mild, subtly sweet, slightly smoky),Pomegranate Cayenne (sweet and sour, tangy onion), Cherry Chipotle (spicy, smoky, hint of sweet cherries) and Blazin’ Blueberry (very spicy, real blueberries, hint of rosemary).

I have one word for my evening with the Skinny Chef: deeeeelicious! 

I am still dreaming about those mushrooms, toasted pecans, and coconut shrimp…and I really cannot say enough about how lovely Jennifer is. It was so wonderful spending time with her and her family! Make sure to check out her new line of sauces and fabulous website for cooking tips and lots more.

Why, you might ask? 

Nico Apparel donates $5 from each item sold directly to charities, organizations, and causes including donations to Operation Smile, National Autism Association, and SGK for the Cure. Just to prove it, Nico Apparel posts the checks that they send to these charities on their Facebook page.

Custom-made Autism Awarness T-shirt

Operation Smile donation t-shirts… anyone catch the biggie reference?

Marriage Equality Tees

Now I have the marriage equality tee, but also my favorite, which you probably guessed, is below:

My Fave: the Hoboken Streets shirt!

How cool is this? If you look carefully, the H is made out of all of the streets in Hoboken put together. Such a fun concept! Not to mention, the shirts are extremely comfortable (100% cotton), and super cute. I wear mine to the gym and on casual days. Love it!

Nico Apparel recently started selling our shirts in small boutiques. If you are a retailer who is interested in selling items in your store, make sure to contact them. To buy a t-shirt from Nico Apparel, visit their online store here. Makes such a great gift or present to yourself (with a little charity thrown in!).

What do you think of Nico Apparel’s tees? More designs can be found here.

Besides finding these unique pieces in The Factory Boutique and on Etsy, we are hosting a Hoboken Girl/GrandeStrands jewelry giveaway on the blog!

If you haven’t seen Grande Strands – a few bracelet examples to get you started:

How adorable are they? Erin can customize the charm and the color bracelet to any color you’d like so that you can tailor it to exactly the arm candy look you want!

You can enter the  HobokenGirl giveaway for a piece of jewelry of YOUR choice right now! Erin will custom-design a piece based on your color and charm preferences!

Here are the rules:

Enter in one of the following ways – via Facebook or Twitter (and then comment in the comments section of this post with your name and how you entered)!

OPTION 1:

FACEBOOK

1. Share this post on Facebook and “Like” the GrandeStrands and Hoboken Girl facebook pages

2. Comment in the comment section of this post with your name and how you entered

OPTION 2:

TWITTER

1. Tweet @hobokengirlblog and @grandestrands that you entered the giveaway with hashtags #hobokengirlblog and #grandestrands

2. Comment in the comment section of this post with your name and how you entered

THAT’S IT! Winner announced next Tuesday.

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If you can’t wait for the giveaway winner – check out some beautiful GrandeStrands at The Factory Boutique at 1st and Park in Hoboken!

1. TEAK is hosting a Glam Session with Chic Rattle Roll : 5-9pm

Sponsored by Moet, styled by Chic Rattle Roll, glamified by the Moxie Twins. Open to the public!

2. Be in Full Bloom Workshop: Saturday, from 1:00–3:00pm

An afternoon to be empowered, inspired, and become fearless. Experience essential oils, resonance repatterning and handcraft your intentions in a soy candle. Sign-up Zentouch.org Kristen Mangione. Refreshments by our Healthy Hoboken Girl Lynda Layng Tama – you might recognize Lynda HERE!

3. Later on, head to Willie McBrides in Hoboken, NJ for Battle of the Brews 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm! You will see a head to head battle of 15 home brewers.

For info email: brewbattle13@gmail.com
For tickets: brewbattle13.brownpapertickets.com
Cost: $20 online, $25 at the door

http://902brewing.com

4. Hoboken Green Fair, Sunday, May 19th from 11am-5pm, Pier A Park

Located on the Hoboken waterfront, it will feature live music and organic food vendors. Its purpose is to introduce sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, raise awareness regarding environmental concerns, and demonstrate how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services, reducing energy consumption, conserving water and limiting their dependence on fossil fuels.

A compost bin will be on-site and residents are encouraged to bring any compostable materials (coffee grounds, grass clippings, peanut shells, etc.) they may be storing at home. Such a fabulous fair!

5. Hoboken Artists Studio Tour: Sunday, May 19th from 12-6pm

Occurring on the third Sunday of each month from 2 to 6 pm (this month – May 19th!), ten galleries and art spaces around Hoboken will hold special events and receptions in a coordinated tour de force. 3rd Sundays will highlight the work of local, regional and international artists. You will find a wealth of fantastic art in spaces whose atmospheres range from sophisticated to funky. Whatever your taste in fine art, you are sure to find something you love.

6. Art on the Fence: An Outdoor Mural Project

This is a ribbon cutting ceremony for Art on the Fence: An Outdoor Mural Project Featuring the work of 20 local artists! Takes place on 11th St. from Hudson St., heading east along Sinatra Drive, and Washington St. bet. 14th & 15th St. Ribbon cutting, Sun. May 19th at 2pm Meet & Greet with the artists from 2pm to 4pm.

Such an awesome, chock-full weekend. Make it a great one! xo

I mean when you’re driving and see your legs are THIS pale, it’s time for a spray.

Dina’s hours are in the afternoon/evenings – so make sure you check her schedule and call ahead; she books up fast!

Here’s what my spray tan looked like:

Natural looking tan – no streaks! Wearing a necklace from Aaraa Boutique in Hoboken – it’s my new favorite.

With the beautiful bride in her Shoshana dress – feeling tan but not orange, always a good thing!

While waiting for Dina to finish up her bridal consultation/makeup trial (she does those too – and I’m telling you, the bride’s makeup looked amazing), I was looking around her adorable little shop. It’s chock full of makeup and cute jewelry – plus this fun perfume: United Scents of America.

Light and Fresh NY or Beachy Buttery Popcorn from NJ – which to get?

Now it’s day 5 of my spray tan and I’m still feeling tan — the color is fading but definitely not peeling or looking patchy which is a NECESSITY when it comes to faux tans. I’d say my legs look paler because of exfoliation while shaving, but what can you do! No orange as you can tell from the photos as well.

Safe to say – Dina’s Kiss & Makeup is a perfect place to go for an airbrush tan…and for $25, you really can’t beat it!

Have you been to Dina’s Kiss and Makeup to get a spray tan? How was it?

]]> http://hobokengirl.com/the-spray-tan-chronicles-air-brush-tan-at-dkm-cosmetics/feed/ 2 http://hobokengirl.com/hoboken-style-series-white-hot-before-memorial-day/ http://hobokengirl.com/hoboken-style-series-white-hot-before-memorial-day/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 00:08:04 +0000 Hoboken Girl http://hobokengirl.com/?p=7454 HobokenGirl.com {and Jennifer Casson Photography} teamed up with amazing Hoboken wardrobe stylist Tiffany Pinero to create some amazing spring and summer looks with all locally bought accessories and clothing. Welcome to Part One of our local style series: WHITE HOT.

After all, who says you can’t wear white before Memorial Day?

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A new season of dressing is here and lucky us, we got to shop some of the best boutiques in Hoboken. Not only did we see the hottest items in store, but we also created looks with these boutiques that will turn up the style when the heat is on. Our lovely models (and fellow Hoboken girls) Ashley of Rebellations Hair Salon, Jillian of Sprinkle Massacre and Lynda of Healthy Hoboken Girl show the many ways Hoboken girls can channel a look of utter refinement in monochromatic white fashions.

From left to right: Ashley, Jillian, & Lynda. What beauties!

It’s true Memorial Day is just an earshot away, and it is said to be the time of year when one can unveil their arsenal of awesome and per an old rule, that includes all those white items. Slap some cuffs on me and call me a rebel, but I believe you most certainly do not have to wait for a particular date on the calendar to breakout those pristine pieces. When the weather is right, a head to toe look that lacks color will bring a surplus of chic. If you plan to keep it casual, get down to business, or you fall somewhere in the middle the keys to nailing a fresh look like these in our story are all about clean shapes and a good fit.

On Ashley:

Striped Sweater by Joie soft from Sweet Nicholas, Crochet Shorts from Bella Ro, Chanel bag and YSL wedge sandals from Midtown Authentic, Grande Strands bracelets from The Factory Boutique. 

For those day events that you don’t have to be dressed to the nines but you still want to look good, I suggest an outfit like Ashley’s. The light textures of the fine gage sweater and the crochet shorts have an easy fit, falling perfectly into the category of not being too tight, while also not being too oversized. This casual fit sets the tone for the look and neutral accessories add a bit of personality while being careful to not steal the attention. {Okay, we’d be kidding if we said that Chanel bag didn’t have all of our attention!}

On Jillian:

White Shirt Amanda Uprichard from Sweet Nicholas, White Skinny Denim James Jeans from Sweet Nicholas, Louis Vuitton bag and Stuart Weitzman sandals from Midtown Authentic, Bracelets from Maxwell’s 9.13.34 

Get some extra miles out of the perfect pair of white denim by going full on blizzard and pairing them with a white top. Even before you see the show stopping Louis Vuitton bag, this outfit looks like luxury due to the double dose of this elegant hue. Adding in a touch of exotic by way of metallic or skin in the shoe department is a great way to keep things fashion forward.

On Lynda:

Little White Dress from Sweet Nicholas, White Blazer from Factory Boutique, Vintage Donna Karan belt and peep toe shoes from Midtown Authentic, ornate ring from Maxwell’s 9.13.34

The little white dress {LWD} is a summer sensation and with some help from a blazer in the same color story this is an unstoppable look for endless style situations. Add in some interest with a belt that makes some noise {as in you’ll get a lot of compliments, while simultaneously defining your shape} and a pair of sleek nude peep toe shoes.

*In case you aren’t versed in the magic of nude footwear, their neutral shade will complete countless outfits in an understated way while also elongating the legs. So basically what I am trying to say is, every wardrobe needs a pair.

 How amazing do these beautiful Hoboken women look? 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our spring/summer fashion series coming SOON to HobokenGirl!

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For more style tips and wardrobe consulting, visit: Tiffany Pinero Style

Photography by Jennifer Casson Photography

]]> http://hobokengirl.com/hoboken-style-series-white-hot-before-memorial-day/feed/ 11 http://hobokengirl.com/hoboken-bike-share-coming-in-june/ http://hobokengirl.com/hoboken-bike-share-coming-in-june/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 01:55:19 +0000 Hoboken Girl http://hobokengirl.com/?p=7448 With all of its parking woes, Hoboken has decided to follow in the footsteps of a bike sharing program currently gaining major popularity in Manhattan. Currently, Hoboken has a score of 76 out of 100 as being a quite bike-able city. Pretty good, if you ask me.

Image via Gabby Dizon

In June, Hoboken will be emulating a bike-sharing program that is happening in NYC at the moment. For a fee, you will be able to rent a bike, ride it around the city, and park it. All bikes will be securable anywhere in the city of Hoboken — using smart locks. Meaning no locking and chaining bikes to trees, racks, etc. I don’t really understand how this works – but I’m assuming it’s pretty easy to catch on to since it’s quite popular in the city. The program will start small – about 50 bikes will be used in Hoboken over the next 6 months to see how it goes.

Rentals cost $10/hour or $34/day. Prices sound steep – but if you sign up and pay $25 for the month or $75 for the 6 months, you get the first hour free and the rest for $10/hour. I still think it’s a little pricy which may deter some consumers, but here’s to trying!

Although not an avid biker myself, I am definitely a fan of bicycling around our beautiful little city in the spring and summertime. One thing I will say to cyclists, however, is make sure you obey the traffic laws and pedestrian crosswalks! There’s nothing scarier than driving down a street with the right of way and having a biker come flying through a stop sign without stopping. Other than that concern – it seems like a fantastic idea to reduce (even if on a small scale) carbon emissions and potentially some extra cars parked around town. Excited to see where this goes!

For more information on cycling in general in Hoboken, visit: Bike Hoboken.

Would you be interested in the bike sharing program? What are your thoughts?

The Stewed Cow is a new restaurant/bar that recently opened at 4th and Adams (in place of the old Gaslight). With a long, high bar + some Western decor (skulls, a mechanical bull, and mostly rock/country music), it’s a nice break from the usual sports bars in Hoboken. The redesign looks really great – dimly lit and a cozy, rugged feel.

Open space with nice, dim lighting. Great upgrade from Gaslight’s decor!

 We sat at a high top table and here are some of the yummy things we ordered:

Tater Tots covered in Cheese – SO GOOD!

Fish Tacos – also scrumptious.

Chicken Quesadillas – can’t go wrong here.

Buffalo Calamari – ahhh so good.

Mac & Cheese – again, awesome.

Braised Ribs – my friend Amanda’s dish. She enjoyed!

Peppered Salmon – tasty, tasty! Salmon was a little well done + spicy, but it was still very enjoyable.

All apps were quite good. The menu is chock full of fun, All-American fare with a little twist (think: buffalo calamari with blue cheese sprinkled on top. Ah-mazing). Their truffle fries were also delectable – I seriously didn’t think chips could ever taste that good. While there were a good portion of meat entrees and ‘tizers – a few vegetarian dishes were mixed in as well.

As far as whiskey selection goes, I’d say the Stewed Cow is easily making their mark as the “Whiskey spot” in Hoboken – with over 70 types of whiskey for the tasting. My favorite drink tested was the 6 Shot Sour – a sweet beverage  (in a mason jar – of course) that was a little bit dangerous, since you can barely taste the booze!

6 – Shot Sour: Sooo YUM

I was here previously on a weekend (just HAD to try riding the bull = major fail, which you can see on my Instagram here), and it was packed! Weeknights are a bit better as far as crowds go – we walked right in and had plenty of room to sit. On weekend days there is also a $20 brunch menu – similar to Gaslight’s brunch which consisted of 2 morning cocktails, entree, + fruit and pastries. Not a bad deal, especially for a large crowd!

Overall – I loved the Stewed Cow. It is a fantastic local, neighborhood bar with some All-American flavor + a Western twist, making it quite the unique lower midtown Hoboken spot. Prices were very reasonable, and the food was extremely good. I’ll definitely be back very soon!

ALSO: they’re naming the bull and the winner gets a night out at the Stewed Cow with friends – make sure to enter here!

Have you been to Stewed Cow? What was your experience like?