An Abundant Life - A True Beauty

I met Maria Afonso at AaRaa Accessories in Hoboken, New Jersey, one of my favorite stores that I've written about in these pages before, when she arrived looking gorgeous as always for one of the lovely events there. I'm always a bit intimidated by fashion mavens, but Maria is so warm that I gravitated toward her light and life like a moth to a flame and found that rather than being burned I was lit up by not only her beautiful looks, but because what is in her is so beautiful it radiates outward and onto everything around her. I love great fashion, but sometimes fashion people can have a way of pushing their own personalities onto other people - they do it out of kindness thinking they are helping that shy wallflower to become a brazen beauty or the brazen beauty to become less vibrant, but sometimes that wallflower just needs to learn how to shine in her own quiet and beautiful way and the bright light of a more outspoken beauty can be gorgeous and divine. Maria has her own style sense and honors the individuality of others, sharing her refreshing vision to encourage all of us to find our own.

Spending time with Maria is liberating and enlightening and encouraging and just plain fun. She knows the fashion and beauty rules but also knows they can be broken, and that nothing is written in stone where the malleable world of individual personalities are concerned. She's not afraid to take risks, but she won't push someone to do something just because it's the new thing. If you're looking for a wardrobe or fashion consultant, someone to help you dress up or dress down or accessorize your accessories, call on Maria. She'll let you do the talking while she does the listening and you'll find that you might just have everything you need at your fingertips. And if there are changes you want to make but you just don't know how how to make them, she can steer you in a direction that will work for you. She has her own favorite things and she's happy to share her ideas about them, but she also wants to make sure that people are comfortable in the fashion choices they make for themselves. Her knowledge is extensive and she'll gladly help you find what really works for you.

The Gorgeous Maria Afonso Shares Some Style Tips
At Grand Vin In Hoboken, New Jersey
www.fashionshoelover.blogspot.com
www.grandvinhoboken.com

Over A Meal As Stylish And Beautiful As It Is Delicious

Our Beautiful Server

 

A Perfect Evening

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - My Neighbor's House

I've written in these pages before about some of the wonderful people I know who sell vintage items and used furniture and clothing, the thrift stores and vintage shops and store owners who help add abundance and beauty to my life. This week, to celebrate Labor Day, I'm going to talk a bit about the wonderful tradition of yard sales and garage sales and gate sales that add so much to the life of our communities. Every place has them, although they may be called something different in another part of the world or another neighborhood. In my neighborhood and the surrounding ones they are mostly called gate sales, but we have our share of yard sales and garage sales too. You can never know what you might find when you follow the signs that are posted, sometimes a week in advance but sometimes the day before, the night before, or even the day of the sale. Some treasures, some useful objects, and always good conversation, and the possibility of finding something at a fraction of the cost you would pay even at a good thrift store. Just inside the gate of the house at 44 Manhattan Avenue in Jersey City Heights, you'll find not only some beautiful glassware and cut crystal, but there are fishing rods and home decor items - years of history going back to other generations. All lovingly kept and stored, the owner of the house is clearing out space, sharing time and memories in the front yard on Saturdays through the fall when there is good weather. I've found some gorgeous pieces already, but there are still more to find - I can't buy everything even though I'd like to. Stop by when you can - there will be more and different pieces as time goes by.

Yard Sale

44 Manhattan Avenue

Just East Of Central Avenue

Jersey City Heights, New Jersey

Saturdays From 12-4 When The Weather Is Fine

Occasional Sundays

A Few Of My Finds Mingle With Other Treasures

Treasures Abound On A Sunny Day

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - In The Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places I know. It's beautiful because of it's own natural beauty, but also because of where it is. Often called an oasis in New York City, it is just that - a break from the harsher city outside of its gates that brings peace, tranquility, beauty and fresh air to an otherwise congested and noisy area. A friend gave me a beautiful gift of a trip there the other day - a day pass is an affordable luxury, but it was made all the sweeter because it was a gift from a friend who I enjoy spending time with. The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden was in full bloom, and there was an exhibit of Impressionist paintings with garden and floral themes - both things that made the sweetness of the adventure even sweeter and more delightful on one of the most beautiful days we have had this summer.

The New York Botanical Garden

2900 Bedford Park Boulevard

Bronx, New York

www.nybg.org 

 

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Music All Around

The weather has been very hot for many days, and I needed to go food shopping for a few things that are perishable, so one evening I set out, hoping that the slightly cooler temperatures of the evening would keep me and my purchases fresh enough until I got home again. Weather like this makes me feel a little delirious - I don't have air conditioning, so I feel like I'm moving through water the whole time - not cool refreshing water, but that heavy hot and tired feeling that the high temperatures and humidity of the dog days can bring when everything we do seems exhausting. The route I took to the supermarket I needed to go to took me to an area where there is a light rail station, and as I entered the place where there is an elevator that commuters and walkers like me can use to go from one area to the next, I saw one of my favorite musicians braving the heat to give us an evening concert. I'd seen Jeremy Freire in that place before, and though I'd always smiled as I walked by I never had taken the time to introduce myself so that night I did. He's always such a great presence, and I wanted to find out more about him because it's rare these days to see someone performing with such dedication and originality for passers by. His band is No Damnation, and as he says, that kind of says it all in what they are trying to do and share with the world. I like that message - it reminds me of one of my favorite scripture passages - "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) It's a message I love and one that I love to share, and however and wherever I hear it, it has a way of lifting me up and out of the every day. As I continued on my way I felt uplifted, and was able to enjoy the evening's warmth and moments of beauty with a lighter head and heart.

Jeremy Freire

Facebook Jeremy K. Freire Cieole

A Few Of The Evening's Views Seen Through Lighter Eyes

The Monroe Center, Hoboken NJ

View From Riverview Park, Jersey City NJ

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - The Best Taste

Oscar Wilde had a way with words, and his quote "My tastes are simple, I simply like the best," is something I've always appreciated. When it comes to making choices in things I am going to buy, places where I shop and people who I spend time with, I like to feel like I'm making a good investment with my time and money. I don't eat a lot of sweets although I like them, because I know that the foundation of my diet needs to be healthier well balanced meals, so when I do choose to have something that doesn't fall into the category of whole grains or fresh fruit and vegetables, I want to make sure that I'm choosing something that is truly excellent. There's a concept in nutrition education about discretionary calories - those foods that don't fall into the "healthy food choice" category - we are allowed to have some, but it's advised to choose wisely. In my opinion, if I'm going to have discretionary calories, they've got to be something special - I don't like sweets just for sweet's sake.


When I saw that there was a gelato shop opening up in Jersey City Heights, I wanted to try it. The weather has been so hot that anything cold is appetizing. The day before their grand opening they were giving sample tastes, and when I tasted a few things I was delighted. I stopped by and spoke to the owner the other day, such a generous man who gave me his time and showed me the process of making gelato - something that is a dream come true for me because I love everything cooking and kitchen and food related, especially when I don't have to do the dishes.


Maestro Kenneth Jordon has been a resident of Jersey City Heights for 39 years, and he's had his eye on his new space since he was 7. A trained pastry chef and baker since the 8th grade, he's attended Middlesex County College and the Gelato Pastry Institute to enhance his skills. He's serving gelato and sorbet in cones and cups, gelato on home made Belgian waffles, gelato pops coated with the most amazingly delicious coconut or chocolate crunch coatings, gelato cakes, gelato filled cookies, and something I'd never heard of before called Affogatto, a shot of espresso with gelato. Regular flavors include pistachio, hazelnut, tiramisu, kookies & caramel, chocolate and cheesecake, and there will be more sweets and more delectable creations, seasonal choices and special flavors. He thinks the way I do about how to make delicious things even more delicious, and the ingredients he uses are simply the best. After eating a Belgian Waffle with two scoops of gelato - my choices were pistachio and chocolate - complete with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, I didn't have any feeling of sugar overload or heaviness, just a deep feeling of satisfaction and happiness in the choice I had made. His kitchen is spotless, his ingredients the best, his knowledge the deepest and his passion for excellence the icing on the gelato cakes he makes. I'm going to have to rename it a lot of gelato, because I know I'll be going back for more.

A Little Gelato

280 Central Avenue

Jersey City, NJ

Open Daily From 10am-10pm

www.alittlegelato.com

www.facebook.com/alittlegelato​

Maestro Kenneth Jordon Making Gelato

And Making A Home Made Belgian Waffle

Blessings,

Jannie Susan