August 2016 archive

The Ultimate Summer Packing List: Ladies Now Let’s Get (on) VACATE-TION

Packing Jersey City Gal

It’s time for our last summer hurrahs Jersey City. If you’re like me and have chosen air-conditioning and money-making over humidity so you could be a baller during September/October and tail it everywhere when most people go back to work…oh wait, you’re not me.

Anyway, now that I’m planning for two months of adventure, I thought it high time to share my quick checklist of packing needs for most of you who are last-minute shove-in-the-suitcase peeps. These are my summer necessities, but the list is adaptable.

If you leave your house, it’s “phone, wallet, keys.” But traveling for a weekend or a week requires more preparation.

The Gal’s Guide to Traveling Light:

In your purse/carry-on tote (Besides phone, wallet WITH CASH, keys):

*ID/Passport

*WaterWipes. The “world’s purest baby wipes” will save your life at the airport, on a boat, at the pool, on the beach and taking your makeup off at night. I always carry these in my purse, but they are especially essential during travel. Most hand sanitizers and wipes have a lot of alcohol and other harsh chemicals that ruin my skin. WaterWipes are 99.9% purified water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. So gentle.

*Lotion that works for face and hands because…dryness. I like Aveeno.

*Light makeup: Your basics. I like to keep blush & a brush to quickly freshen my pale look.

*Something to read. While we’re all connected to interesting soundbites of info via the Internet every day, vacation allows us the time to disconnect (please disconnect!) and get into a story, a journal, or a good magazine. So be prepared. Here are Jersey City’s Summer Reading Picks.

In Your Suitcase:

*Toiletrees: toothbrush, toothpaste, razor(s), shampoo, conditioner, detangling spray, hair pick (hello beach waves! and tangles!), soap, Advil, Neosporin, Visine, Aquaphor, Banana Boat Aloe Vera After Sun Gel & Repel 100 for insects. The generic versions of most of these products are just as good.

*Sun care: Sunscreen!!! After surviving melanoma, I use Neutrogena SPF 70, but I also use Walgreens watermelon SPF 50. For some color on my legs, I use the best: Bain de Soleil Orange Gelèe SPF 4 and for my stomach, Hawaiian Tropic SPF 8. Do not forget UV 400+ sunglasses and a good hat (some have SPF material built in…like these beauts here).

*Bathing suits: Bring 3 for a quick weekend and 5 for a week-long stay. You can always mix & match! (Or buy a new one, yaaas!)

*3-5 Cover-ups that can be scarves, shirts, skirts or dresses.

*2 going out outfits, max. Because you’ve got the above to work with.

*Shorts/tees/tanks: PJs that can double as beach coverups/lounge wear and can triple as workout gear.

*A hoodie, zip-up or jacket because there are cold beach/ lake nights and/or blasting indoor ACs.

*Shoes: Flip flops, sneakers, going out shoes. I’ve found that shoes take up the most space. So if you are strictly going to a beachy or tropical place, only pack flip flops and fancy flip flops. If you’re attending a wedding, event, or a  chi-chi nightclub, you’ll need your strappy heels. If you plan on exercising or know you’ll be doing a lot of walking (especially on cobblestone streets or any rough terrain), bring your sneaks. Otherwise, save your suitcase space and just bring your flips. Great for getting through the airport security line quickly, too.

*Undies, bras, socks (<—-if you’re bringing sneaks or you like to sleep in foot-covers, like me).

*Hardware: Chargers, laptop (only if you need it; as a constant writer with multiple projects, I often do), “real” camera (if you want better than phone-quality photos).

*Accessories: earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, head scarves that can double as belts, all of which should coordinate with your shizzaz. Since most accessories don’t take up space, you should maximize here to minimize your outfits. Accessories change your look. Period. (Emphasis on punctuation here needed.)

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The Barrow Mansion: Wedding Edition

barrow mansion jersey city wedding

Wedding season 2016 is still in full swing here in Jersey City, so I’m sharing a beautiful wedding inspiration shoot that took place in Jersey City’s very own Barrow Mansion.

Shot by Jen Chanyi of Cyrience Creative Studios for wedding inspiration, shared on Junebug Weddings.

It’s only making me plan for next year, when I have an entirely new slew of weddings to attend. That said, please check out the Barrow Mansion’s revamped website, where I did all of the writing!

X to the O,
JCG

Liberty Science Center: Dancing With Drones

LSC_DancingWithDrones

In what I can only call wild, Liberty Science Center presents its newest nighttime adventureDancing with Drones,” kicking off on August 18th and will continue as an ongoing event on the third Thursday of every month.  

Think: A 21+ crowd only
          Cocktails
          Food
          Music
          Entry to ALL general-admission exhibits
          An all-Prince laser show in the IMAX dome theater
          Drone races
          “Dronie” photos
          More themed activities (surprise!)
          Dancing (Yes! the only thing I need to hear to go anywhere!)

     ALL of the above for $15!

Brought to you by Lynn Hazan, perhaps better known as Chicpea JC, who has enlisted DJ Stadium Status (Transmission, Dullboy, Porta) for beats and Haytham Elgawly (owner of brand Eye Create and The Clearport boutique) as the MC.

 

Drone used to be such a dull word,
JCG

Groove on Grove. Because, Jersey City.

grooveongrovesjerseycity

Groove on Grove is that awesome live music event that happens every Wednesday during the warm season at Grove Street Plaza. Different bands and musical acts are featured each week.

I used to go religiously, but this year has been hyper busy. Anyway, a shout out for their event tonight (8/17):

The Lineup:
Walter Parks
The Bottomless Mimosas
Bible Gun

Beyond the music this Wednesday, the Artist & Maker Market is back!

Let’s just hope the rain is minimally invasive;)

Get your groove on Grove,
JCG

Surf City: Movies On The Beach

Surf City movies

As if the popularity of Jersey City didn’t expand our summer movies program enough, mega beach bar Surf City has started their own “Movies on the Beach” program to celebrate the last three weeks of the summer season. Enjoy these cult classics the next three Wednesdays!

August 17: Taxi Driver

August 24: Blade Runner

August 31: Men in Black

Get cozy in the sand!
JCG

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