Name That Mother’s Day Cocktail

BY  |  Friday, May 09, 2014 5:30pm  |  COMMENTS (14)

orange cocktail open1 When I head down the path to Cocktail-Mixinville (and yes, there is such a place)  my first step is always thinking about the flavors that might be associated with that particular libation’s holiday or theme. The flavors associated with motherhood can be a rancid, revolting group. Here are a few drinks that did not make the cut: Continue Reading

Ask Holly: Shrunken Heads Craft

BY  |  Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

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There is something about Shrunken Heads that are so gross and morbid, yet so fun and old fashioned. Much like Laura Olsher’s creepy narration in Disney’s classic Chilling Thrilling Sound of the Haunted House. Both are essential parts of my childhood. My mother always had fun crafts to do and this album would blare from our garage on Halloween night playing on my old crappy red, white and blue record player from Sears.

Make this Shrunken Heads Craft now to hang up for Halloween and let your kids watch the progress as they shrink and wrinkle up. You can always speed up the process by using your oven, if you’re short on time. The pin heads for eyeballs and dried pasta make then even more gruesome.


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A Beautiful Night For A Wedding

BY  |  Tuesday, Oct 22, 2013 3:15pm  |  COMMENTS (6)

DSC_0210Sundy night at a bit after 8 p.m. I received word that two men that are near and dear in my life were going to get married at midnight. For next few hours texts and e-mails were flying in and out. At one insane point I was trying to convince my friend Jen to come over and help me make hundreds of origami flowers to create a chuppah. I came back down to earth and remembered that these two men have been together for 22 years. This was not about presents, flowers, rice, dresses, cakes, invitations or cards. It was about commitment, equality and — LOVE.

At 11:30 p.m., the First Congregational Church in Montclair was filled with candlelight, close friends, family and hope. Together at midnight with their twins these partners of 22 years spoke of memories together, remembered loved ones past and then said their vows. I sat in awe of these two remarkable men and cried. This is not the normal cry one has when a new couple embarks on a fresh relationship together. These tears were for my friends who had been for so long denied the rights that so many of us take for granted.

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Luna Stage Rises With The High Water Mark

BY  |  Monday, Oct 21, 2013 4:03pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

“High_Water Mark_2In vino veritas. There’s truth in wine.”
“Then what’s there in vodka?”
“…trouble.”

When my husband told me he got us tickets to go see a comedy, my first thought was, “Greeeaatt — this is going to suck.” I have a rather twisted sense of humor, so sometimes, while others are laughing, I can be found scoping the theater for all available exits.

Well, about 10 minutes into Luna Stage’s production of The High Water Mark, I found myself tearing up, laughing (I may have even snorted). And when the character Lily pulls out the side mirror from her Jaguar and claims it is a funky compact, I was done for. Continue Reading

Ask Holly: 8 Ways to Use Halloween Spider, Bat and Skull Rings

BY  |  Wednesday, Oct 16, 2013 1:00pm

8 Ways to Use Halloween Spider, Bat and Skull Rings

There you are sitting at your desk a  few days before Halloween and an -mail like this comes in:

Reminder- You have signed up to bring in the class craft, treat, drink or fill the blank thing you totally forgot about.

First you freak out. Then, you curse out the class mom for existing, the colors black and orange, and whatever random druid/ancient culture this holiday originated from—damn them all to hell!  Calm sets in as you tell yourself you will just stop at the party store and grab something awesome and save yourself. You head to the store only to find, what was once an orange and black aisle, is now gone and replaced with a red and green “holiday” aisle. With your fist in the air you shout out, “DAMN YOU HALLOWEEN!”,  because clearly it is the holiday’s fault, not your lack of planning (I know I have been there, way-way too often).

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Halloween Party Playlist: Songs to Get the Little Monsters Dancing

BY ,  |  Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013 10:00am

Throwing a Halloween party this year? Besides treats, spooky decorations, and games, you need some great music.

Holly Korus and I put together  our picks 2013 for your Halloween Party Playlist:

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Ask Holly: Quick and Easy (and Spooky) Halloween Jack-o-Lantern

BY  |  Wednesday, Oct 09, 2013 2:00pm

A Quick and Easy (and Spooky) Halloween Jack-o-Lantern

Pumpkins and power tools—they’re not just for breakfast anymore. Seriously though, what could be more awesome than zipping through your pumpkin carving in ten minutes? Throw in some creepy rubber eyeballs and a blinking lights and you have a cool, unique Jack O’ Lantern in no time.

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Ask Holly: A No-Sew Phoenix Costume

BY  |  Thursday, Oct 03, 2013 2:00pm  |  COMMENTS (8)

A No-Sew Phoenix Costume

The Phoenix – a long-lived bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor. 

When my daughter first came home from school asking to be a Phoenix I said, “Sure!” When I started drawing out the costume, I thought it would be easy, but trying to create a Phoenix costume so that it was recognizable was trickier than I thought. But I figured it out and came up with a DIY no-sew Phoenix Costume.

I started with this super easy tulle skirt that, I swear, ONLY TOOK ME 20 MINUTES TO MAKE when I found pre-cut rolled of sparky tulle at the craft store.  Finding  a plain bright orange shirt and leggings was trickier, so I just bought easy to find plain white clothing and dyed them. The rest was just cutting and gluing felt. Continue Reading

Ask Holly: A No-Sew Chameleon Costume

BY  |  Thursday, Sep 26, 2013 3:00pm  |  COMMENTS (2)

No-Sew Chameleon Costume

This year my seven year old son had his heart set on being a chameleon for Halloween. Being a good mother of the ’80s, I pulled up the video of Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon to get in the mood to create. This left me with many questions that seemingly didn’t bother me 30+ years ago: Why are they on a riverboat?, What are those two small children stuffing into that big basket?, Was “Good dancers need not apply” posted during auditions?, and What is under the tarp upon which is Boy George singing?

Anyway, I came up with a Chameleon Costume. It’s  fun and original—and requires NO SEWING! There is loads of cutting and gluing, but the results are fantastic! So start cutting out your red, gold and green…red, gold and greeeeennn. Continue Reading

Ask Holly: Ooh-la-la Locker Decor

BY  |  Wednesday, Sep 18, 2013 10:00am

Locker Decor

Yes. You are not losing your mind—I said locker decor. Decorating school lockers is now the “it” thing to do and if it hasn’t hit your household yet—just give it time—it will.  Just don’t shoot the messenger here, as I recently had a mother forbid me from writing about this subject while buying supplies.

The good news is I was able to fancy up my child’s locker for about $20 and we can use the same decor and or change it up a bit for next year by adding a new pattern of duct tape. Most of the cost was locker chandelier light I found at Staples for $12. Everything else was a $1 here and there. I have even figured out how to incorporate our miles of Rainbow Loom creations into the locker decorations into the locker business. Continue Reading

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