Gift Idea: Moroccan Oil and Conditioner from Moxie Beauty Hub

It's Christmas Eve - do you know what you got your mother yet? The Moroccan Oil is a known hair staple among Beaconites, and it's sold at Moxie Hair Salon and Beauty Hub. It's not only a staple, it's a miracle hair treatment. And Josh, the founder of Moxie, has your prescription.

You may not want to give this gift to someone lightly, because it could be an implication that their hair needs help by way of serious moisturizing. But after you use this set of products, you'll realize that most women's hair is - in need of help.

I highlight and color my hair regularly. Looking at it every day, I can't tell when it starts to look freakish. Until I saw a quick morning video my husband took of our daughter, and I was in the frame. I looked like that Munster lady, but with dreads and limping frizz. Yes, limping. My hair was limping along down my head, dreading in my hoodies if rubbed against something for too long.

I went straight to Josh. I'd just gotten a hair cut, but that wasn't enough. My hair was spazzing out. I booked a bang trim (after doing it myself despite him having done it), and stated: "Josh: I need a hair intervention. Something's wrong."

Not being a pushy sales guy, he replied: "Haven't I pushed the Moroccan oil yet?"
"No," I replied, "but everyone, even my babysitter, raves about it. Give it to me. All of it. Tell me how it works."

Josh gave me my prescription:

• Use a glob of the moroccan conditioner mask after shampooing with your shampoo (I use Aveda, which he approved of). I also added a dose of my own Aveda conditioner after that, just to get the scent and texture that I'm used to.
• Spray the protein spray on your wet hair. Do this for 2 weeks when you wash your hair, but then lay off the spray, because you could over-protein and have broomstick hair. Josh says that the protein spray is "the vehicle" for the oil and conditioner to work.
• On damp hair, spread one pump of the moroccan oil.

Note: at this point, I also spread on some Aveda Smoothing Fluid or other smoothing gell stuff. Then blow dry and style. If your hair is looking dry and thirsty, add another pump of the Moroccan oil and lightly dab it around your hair. This isn't part of Josh's official directions, but it's what I do and seems to give my hair that watch-out-Jennifer-Aniston-I'm-closing-in-on-your-hair-secrets look.

So. This 3-pack is a great gift. If not for the holidays, but for you, or a friend in need.

Gift Idea: MouseTrap Cheese Board at Play

For the cheese lovers in your life, the mousetrap cheese cutter board. The metal part is the cheese cutter, and the packaging says it is very sharp ;) Available at Play.

Gift Idea: Blown Glass Globe Ornaments at Hudson Beach Glass

Someone on my gift list is getting a deep blue, blown glass globe ornament from Hudson Beach Glass. I went in to buy one of the pumpkins, but poof! They were gone. I learned that they are also being sold on Etsy, so that's fun but I needed a gift now.

I found a blue ornament with what looks like green peacock feathers melted on top. So pretty.

Breakfast at Quinn's with Live Christmas Music

We stopped in for a Sunday breakfast at Quinn's, where they are having a live saxophonist playing Christmas music. This picture is of the bar because it's so bright and pretty looking, but really, everyone is sitting in the booths. Lots of families here, grandparents. Reminds me of a diner I grew up on in OH.

The thing to order for breakfast: the stack if homemade French toast with eggs. Personally, I double up my protein intake and make those eggs an omelet with Swiss cheese, spinach and mushroom. Tip: you can bring your own maple syrup, bc they, like mist resteraunts (except for Vintage Cafe and Homespun), serve corn syrup (aka Aunt Jemimah (sp?) or something). So bring syrup from home or swing by Key Foods or Homespuns new store, who both sell 100% maple syrup.

Omg, the Mast Brothers Chocolate

Oh my goodness. And Katie told me they switched to the Hudson Valley whipped cream. I'm not sure what hit me first, the cream or the smooth yet textured chocolate. Mast Brothers hot chocolate with whipped cream. Available at Bank Square Coffee. That is all.

Gift Idea: Custom Designed T-shirts at Mixture

I feel like there is this secret underground of t-shirt producers in Beacon, but maybe that's just because they aren't secret, and are getting their unique designs from Mixture. I know I've got one on hold there - a baby onsie that will say "baby-preneur". It was supposed to help celebrate our launch, but Ruby kept growing and life went on, so here we are almost a year later, and I need to finish that design for a onsie, and see if others want it too!

Gift Idea: Mast Brothers Chocolate Bars, imported from Brooklyn

It's a hefty chocolate bar, tempting you at the counter at Bank Square every time you order a coffee or latte. You long for the chocolate bar, but get the cinimin scone instead. That's why if you haven't gotten one before, you will now, as a stocking stuffer. Make sure it stays in the family do that you can have a bite. :)

Juliana's Music Classes for a Holiday Class

Juliana's Music Together music and movement class is a having special 1-time only Holiday Class tomorrow, Friday and Monday at her Fishkill, New Windsor and Harriman locations. This is a program that my daughter and I have done for some time now, and are big fans. Her latest email says she still has space for some of the classes. If you're in Beacon, the Thursday class at the Fishkill location is the most convenient, but you've got options! I think the New Windsor location is near Adams for some grocery shopping after.

HOLIDAY CLASS SCHEDULE:

Thursday:  10am in Fishkill (Hudson River Performing Arts Center, 29 Elm Street Suite 205)
Friday: 10am New Windsor (Strictly Ballroom, 153 Temple Hill Road)
Monday:  10:45am Harriman (Terpisichore Dance School, 160 Route 17M)

To sign up, the class is $10 and you'll need to email her to save your spot: Juliana Bender music2gether@hvc.rr.com

Then in January, her regular semester for her Music Together program starts up. Click here for details.

Ella's Bellas is Back and Delicious!

I knew these cookies from her days at Bank Square when we first moved here, and was so sad when the lemon bars and other treats went away. Little did I know then they would be opening up in a storefront all their own down the street on Main Street! If you're walking Main Street, headed towards the mountain, Ella's Bellas will be on you left, just before the antique shops and galleries begin. Stop in for a sea salt cookie (get a glass of milk), peanut butter cookie, lemon bar, other goodies, or a whole lunch! I was only in for a moment so did not read the menu, but saw fresh, yummy salads and soup. Yummmm.

If you've been there and tried things, please tell us your favorites in the comments below!

Gift List: Elephants on Parade at Echo Boutique

If your little one is into elephants at moment, this elephant stuffed animal  at Echo Boutique is a definite add to your collection. The pink corduroy ears and soft brown stripe make this elephant unforgettable and huggable. This criss-cross top stitching on the legs is adorable, and able to be loved for a long time.

Gift List: Baby arm chair at Trendy Tots

On Ruby's wish list this year is an arm chair all her own. We spotted such a chair in the window of Trendy Tots Take Two, and with this cute bear! The size is a smaller tot sized, so not the oversized kind. We weren't able to check out the price, but it looks new enough to be delivered fresh from any catalogue. There are two here. Get it first!

Gift List: Socks! Hip socks at Dream in Plastic

Dream in Plastic has the best socks. Super cute, bold colors, perfect for accenting under a dark outfit or jeans. Target is also selling cute socks, and I shortcut my todo list and bought a pair there because most of my socks finally have holes so big in the heel, it can no longer be ignored.

Mistake. The Target socks made a hole in the heel after day 1! Dream in Plastic, however, is still cute and snuggly after last years stocking stuffer unwrapping.

So whether an elf is stuffing your stocking, or if maybe you are "helping", these socks are a must-stuff.

And we're back! Prepare for Main Street shopping gift ideas!!

Testing Photo Uploader

> My phone got disconnected from this blog, which puts a damper on this roving blogger! Let's see it I fixed it..., because I've got some holiday gift ideas to post...

Beacon NY's Black Friday Shopping Weekend - 2011

Thanksgiving weekend, you're going to need to strategically plot out where you're going to be shopping on Main Street, and where you're going to break for lunch. Several of the shops are having Black Friday Sales (Friday, November 26), and some of the restaurants too! If you know you're hitting up a store that is not listed here, please include it in the comments below and add it to the list! There is also a Beacon Shopping Facebook page, from which this info came, that you can "like" and get ongoing updates from Beacon shops as to when they are having events, etc. Huge props to Karen at Echo and Ms. Vickey who put that page together with this latest Black Friday info.


GIFTS & SHOPPING

BOUTIQUES
Echo Women's Boutique and Toystore is offering 20% off ALL items in store except the new lingerie section between the hours of 11-3
470 Main, Beacon, NY
845.440.0047
Mon– Sat: 10:00 am–7:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am–6:00 pm

Jacqueline is also offering 20% off all items from 11-3

Lauren and Riley will be offering 10% off all weekend
462 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
(845)831-3862 phone
(845)831-3808 fax
kimking@laurenrileyco.com

Clay Wood and Cotton will be starting their

extended holiday hours on Black Friday,

Open till 8pm Fridays and Saturdays for the season

149 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508

(845) 481-0149

FUN & SPECIALTY STORES 

Dream in Plastic will be open 12-7pm

and offering 30% off selected items

177 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508

(845) 632-3383

Notions-N-Potions will be open from 12-7pm

And offering a 10% discount

175 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508-2705

(845) 765-2410

Paper Presence will be offering

20% off all items

between the hours of 10-2 on both Fri and Sat

30% off all items

Between the hours of 6-9 on both Fri and Sat

133 Main St.

Beacon, NY 12508-3201

ACTIVE & OUTFITTER SHOPS

Mountain Tops is having a 20% off sale,

and buy 3 get 1 free socks

144 Main Street

Beacon

(845) 831-1997

Peoples Bicycle
In spirit of Small Business Saturday, spend $25 at Peoples Bicycle and get a free t-shirt! Valid all weekend, starting Friday. Our $25 Roller Tuneup will get you ready to ride, as well as a free t-shirt!
8 S. Chestnut Street, Beacon NY 12508


SALONS

Moxie Salon & Beauty Hub is having 50% off our Clip-In Animal Print Hair Extensions!!! 10am-8pm

544 Main Street #1
Beacon, NY 12508

845.440.6653

CHRISTMAS SHOPS
Kringles Christmas Shop will be open from 10am - 9pm
and offering 20% off everything
163 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508-2705
(845) 849-3030



ARTISAN SHOPS
Hudson Beach Glass will be starting their
"make your own ornaments"
162 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 440-0068

RiverWinds Gallery is offering a book signing Sunday, from 2-4, by Marika Blossfeldt, of her new cookbook. Based on recipes developed on her Estonian farm, Marika will be discussing how to cook delicious healthy meals.

172 Main St, Beacon 845-838-2880



FOOD

Poppy's Burgers and Fries deal of the day...

Buy 2 burgers, and get fries 1/2 price

184 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508

(845) 765-2121

Homespun Foods will be open

From 11-4pm and offering 10% all

their imported and local cheeses

232 Main St  Beacon, NY 12508-2764

(845) 831-5096

Artisan Wine Shop will be hosting

A wine tasting from 4-7pm

180 Main Street  Beacon, NY 12508-2726

(845) 440-6923

Uh-Oh, I stumped you! Contest still open for Orange Light

The latest Where Is This contest is still open - we do not have a winner yet. I did a drive-by just to be sure the picture taken was still there, and it is. However, it wasn't lit up. Maybe they only light it up on the weekend (but it's so cool...I vote for it being lit up all the time!) Sooo...I'll give you a few more hints.

• Karen of echo boutique and Charlotte and Claire of Gatehouse Realty should know where this is. Especially Karen, since echo is open until 6pm most nights, so the chances of her walking by are good.
• Look closely at the picture. Notice the details. This will help you form what the light could be mounted on, which would be a great help.
• Or, just drive down Main Street at night, and maybe on a weekend night, since on a Thursday night it was not lit up.
• Click here to return to the contest photo and enter your guess in those comments.

Good luck! The prize for this contest is 12 bagels and 1lb of cream cheese from The Beacon Bagel. Don't make me take those home to my freezer!

Where Is This? Hint: It's orange

Ok Beaconites, where is this picture taken? I've given you the most unhelpful hint because you are too good! This week's winner will pick up one dozen yummy bagels and 1lb of cream cheese to spread on them from The Beacon Bagel. Visit our Prize Bag for sponsor details, and for contest rules, and start guessing! First correct answer wins!

UPDATE 10-7-11:

I've stumped you, so here are more hints:

• Karen of echo boutique and Charlotte and Claire of Gatehouse Realty should know where this is. Especially Karen, since echo is open until 6pm most nights, so the chances of her walking by are good.
• Look closely at the picture. Notice the details. This will help you form what the light could be mounted on, which would be a great help.
• Or, just drive down Main Street at night, and maybe on a weekend night, since on a Thursday night it was not lit up.

Just Donated to Electric Projected the Reboot

I got the email from Kelly of The Beacon Citizen, telling me (well, telling her entire BCN people of which, I am just one) about the donation efforts of the Electric Projected project. The project was supposed to light up on August 6th, but after a massive downpour that would not stop, the event was sadly canceled. Some die-hard viewers actually congregated elsewhere to view something viewable from a small-screen, but otherwise, it was a bust.

About The Electric Projected: 
Electric Projected is a FREE outdoor art and music festival that will be held in Beacon NY on the evening of October 1st 201. The focus of the festival are 24 original animations that will be projected onto the side of a vacant 19th century factory building in Beacon NY. Each animation is inspired by and designed to "interact" with artwork that is currently installed in the large windows of the factory as part of the Electric Windows project. It is because of the Electric Windows project that you see murals painted by street artists in each window of the building on the corner of Main Street and East Main, across from what is now known as The Roundhouse. Just the other night, I was walking past that building, looking at the juxtaposition of the hard art, created live in 2010 by dedicated street artists who do paint murals as a profession all over the world. And some of their expression is here in Beacon. The event brought together people, kids, food, vendors, a great community spirit. This continuation of that project will bring more goodness to all involved, from the artists to the viewers (be they locals or visitors) to the shops located around the event.

Enter "The Reboot"! For Version 1 of this project, the producers lost their investment to camera rental, etc. So to have it again, they need to raise $20,000. That's a lot of cash, but guess what? They are doing it on Kickstarter, and already have $10,946! A Little Beacon Blog was their 130th backer.

Click here to get to their donation page at Kickstarter. It's nearing the end of the year, so make sure you've got a nice handful of donations to hand in with your taxes!

You too can get a badge that looks like this!

Where Is This? Hint: It's stuck

Where is this, Beaconites? Bonus points if you can also guess *what* this is, but namely, to win the prize, we need to know *where* this picture was taken.

This week's prize from the official A Little Beacon Blog's Prize Bag is from Seed to Fruit. Nicole, the owner and head gardener, tells me that she has fresh roses in, and you win one of them! You'll need to pick it up during her open hours, which are Thursday-Saturday. See the Prize Bag page for more details.

Cupcake Competition and Classes at First Presbyterian Church

Yes, you read that right - a Cupcake Competition is coming to Beacon, and they are offering classes the day before! All profits will be donated to the First Presbyterian Church of Beacon NY, who has a new minister in town, Ben Larson-Wolbrink, who is looking to step up the involvement of his church in the community. You may have seen him give the dog blessing at this year's Beacon Barks Parade (2011).

The Cupcake Competition is on September 17th, 2011 from 9am-5pm at 60 Liberty Street, Beacon NY. Tickets are on sale now at www.shavkin.com and are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 4-13. You can also buy tickets at the door the day of the event, at which point they are $7 for adults, and $4 for ages 4-13. To view special demonstrations, you may buy a ticket for $10. Details are here.

You will see amazing displays of cupcakes, and designs you never thought possible. This is a professional cupcake competition with real "sugar artists". Over at 'PRENEUR, I suppose we'd call them sugar-preneurs.

Classes are available. The coordinator of this event is Diane Shavkin. For questions about the classes, email her at dshavkin@optionline.net, and see her website here.

Have fun!

Augie's Cheese Fries with Bacon

Miss Vicki tipped me off to the cheese fries with bacon at Augie's on Main Street across from Willow Street, and I'm glad I went in and tried them. You have a choice between waffle fries and regular, and I went with waffle. Sprinkled with cajon (I think), these fries are very good.

Alice in Wonderland Coloring Book and More in Paper Presence

Cute kids books for sale right now in Paper Presence...Great for gifts or your own little ones.

What is This? The Beacon App Bar Code

Ok tech savvy people, what are these bar codes and what do they do? I have a confession: I've never participated in one of these bar code things namely because I don't know where to send them or what happens once I do send one. Does it wrangle my phone and text to it forever? Does it find out my email and send it countless newsletters? I don't know!

I was in Moxie getting a bang trim and a prescription of hair therapy from Josh's special collection of Moroccan hair stuff, and he asked me what the bar codes do, and I'm embarrassed to say: I don't know.

So I bring it to you, savvy Beaconites - what is this?

Love the idea of an app. I'm guessing it's to help find local businesses. I'm going to try it!

Ella's Bellas Coming to Main Street!

So excited!! Ella's Bellas is opening on Main Street this month! I can once again get her chocolate chip cookies!! I miss them from her Bank Square days. This gives cookie anchors at both ends: Crumb on West, and Ella's on East. Several options exist though: Bank Square (c/o Natures Pantry), Homespun, The Coffee House, and I haven't tried All You Knead yet...

Beacon Falls Are Pretty Full!

Stay tuned as I try to upload video I took of the falls, but they are pretty swollen and moving fast! Coming out to see them is turning into quite an event. There's almost no parking left, and a taxi pulled up in front of me (but maybe it's a father/son team and not an eager passenger).

I'm off to drive home to test my video skills.

Juliana's Music Together - Great Mommy & Me Class

NOTICE: If you are looking for Mommy and Me Classes in Beacon for your baby or toddler, see our Kids Classes Guide here at A Little Beacon Blog! It has over 50 classes from Beacon to Poughkeepsie. The music teacher featured below is included in that lineup!

UPDATE: Juliana continues to offer Music Together, as well as her own program at Juliana's Music Box.

I was introduced to the Music Together program by my babysitter who had gone through the classes with another family she sat for in Boston, MA, and she loved it. I'd heard of moms taking music classes early on with their babies when I lived in Manhattan, so I was ready to sign up.

Music Together is a franchised music program for babies, toddlers and kids, that is a "research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement," according to their description on their website. The teachers who teach it have invested in it as their business, and the one local to Beacon is Juliana's Music Together. Each class semester is based around one of the nine music collections Music Together has produced, and the only way that you can buy the CD is by taking a class. Each collection is based around a special instrument. With your registration, you get a CD of the collection, and a song book with notes in case you wanted to play on the piano or guitar. Juliana brings loads of instruments and other props to interact with each song, and there is never a dull moment.

After listening to the first CD we got (over and over and over), I can tell you that these songs are special. Ruby listens to them for breakfast, on road trips, and during emergency stroller meltdowns. She knows that they live in my iPhone, and now at 15months, will let me know she wants to listen to the songs by doing a version of singing "bababa" and pointing to the music-making phone. If we only sing the first "Hello..." from the first greeting song that is on every album, Ruby starts swaying her hips.

Juliana has classes all during the year, and they include all ages. Ruby started at 7 months, and was enthralled with the older kids, and with Julianna herself, as she is animated and expressionate during her teachings of rhythm to the parents, and while singing and dancing. It's really neat bringing Ruby as she grows, as she couldn't crawl at the beginning of her first semester, and by the end, was crawling. During the next set of classes, Ruby was going through the walking stage. When we sign up for this fall semester, Ruby is running, and I wonder how she will interact with the other kids, how she will get her own instruments, and how the scarf games will be different.

Elisa's on Rt 52 - Get this summertime smell

My favorite smell of the summer: fried food and milkshakes. Ok, so you can't smell a milkshake, but you can the fries, and where there are fries and bright colors, there are milkshakes.

Elisa's truly has one of the best milkshakes around. The chocolate milkshake is good and chalky, and the vanilla is as it should be. Strawberry is good too.

The menu offers a lot of chicken or eggplant parmesan, linguini dishes, grilled cheese, and more. No deli sandwiches, these folks prefer to cook.

So pull over while it's still summer! But they are open all winter, so you've got options.

Free Concert Tonight at Long Doc - Ska + Reggae

Commuters - catch the early train back from the City and have your significant others order food or make a picnic for the concert tonight at the Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park. There are four concerts in this series, dubbed Rhythm on the Riverfront, and last week for the first concert, 200 people came out for a beautiful night of music, food and neighbors.  Last week featured The Wiyos,  this week will be reggae/ska sounds of GRASS—the Gowanus Reggae and Ska Society—on Thursday, Aug. 18, and a spoken word performance by ReadNex Poetry Squad on Thursday, Aug. 25.

There are vendors with popup tents that you can buy from along the way, like Crumb (my favorite chocolate chip cookie on Main Street), but come prepared with your own water and drinks. Not sure on if there is a beer policy. ;) If you walk down, go on the ramp that is how you would get to Dia. Don't go via the train station, or you will be doing an extra lot of walking. Walk past the red barn, and you'll see it! Just follow the music.

Picnic options for you could be this:

• Vintage Cafe: this little known but very delicious cafe is on the East End of Main Street, and they not only have regular menu items, but want to prepare you an entire dinner, from salad to dessert (pie, peanut butter cookies, etc). Especially popular is their lobster macaroni and cheese. Order early and pack it up!
• BJs: Our soul food favorite for fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
• Chicken salad of your own making, with maybe a side of corn bread? Not sure. This is what I might make if I don't do BJs

See you there!

Sewing Camp for Kids - with Runway Show at Homespun

Holy Guacamole! How did I miss this? Must read the Events section more often at Beaconcitizen. Sewing camp for kids from Needle Arts Guild of Historical Hudson Valley, organized by Mary Ann Kronk (here is her direct blog). It's already started, but she's offering additional end of summer sessions. From the event posting:

"This summer camp is like no other camp being offered this summer!  You will learn to take proper measurements to determine your size/alter a pattern to fit you/read and understand a pattern/lay out a dress, jacket or shirt and put it all together. "

And, they are taking breaks for swimming. Perfect!

Shopping Party in Brooklyn for Business Owners

A little short notice, but I'm notorious for promoting other things rather than my own. ;) We at 'PRENEUR, the showcase and resource for independent brands, small business and entrepreneurs, are hosting our first shopping/networking party in Brooklyn's Goldy & Mac boutique. And you are invited! Even if you're in Beacon, if you have friends in Brooklyn, pass the word! It's tonight from 6-8pm, and you'll enjoy wine, a raffle for a $100 gift certificate, and if you're a member of 'PRENEUR, 20% off the entire store all night.

Please come if you're a business owner who wants to mingle with others, exchange ideas and talk shop. See you there!

Details and RSVP:

http://www.preneur.net/preneur-party-shopping-and-networking-event

Mama and Baby Kitchenaids Courtesy Trendy Tots Take Two

Ruby and I went "walking into town" today as my neighbor calls it (we practically live in Beacon Barkery's back yard) to accompany my neighbor and her daughter on a shoe purchasing expedition at Trendy Tots Take Two, located midway down Main Street.

I tried to exhibit restraint, as I don't have particular clothing needs in mind, and I'm on a hunt for a toy with buckles on it (Ruby's quite into understanding her stroller and carseat buckles and how to clip them). But then I saw this teal wooden mixer from Honeybake and just...couldn't not apply some consignment credit to it! Maybe I got it more for me, but I did test it on her, and she carried it around for a minute before returning to the popcorn walker thing. For $14.99, how could you not have a matching set? It compliments Ruby's pink wooden stove, also from Trendy Tots. The mixing bowl was not included, and is the small bowl in a set of Martha Stewart stainless steel flat bottom mixing bowls.

I also randomly got Ruby a black and pink baseball glove because...it is black and pink, was $4.99, and is left handed. I'm manifesting this hand upon her...

View from The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls on the Patio

We late-lunched with our Cold Spring friends yesterday at The Roundhouse patio at Beacon Falls, and yes, the view is that great, and the sound of the waterfall transports you to yet another side of Beacon. Don't let those empty tables in the picture fool you - it was quite packed while we were eating, and our party and those around us have finished and aren't sitting there anymore.

Yesterday was a most ideal Saturday: started at Crumb for an early chicken sandwich lunch on their back garden patio while I did a little mom-preneur work while my husband watched Ruby. Then moseyed on down to Bank Square for a lovely iced vanilla latte to cruise through the rest of my work, then received a text from hubby that we were all meeting at The Roundhouse and that he was already in the parking lot to pick me up, followed by a quick stop at Vintage Cafe for a delicious grilled cheese and fruit cup for young Ruby whose daddy thought she could order off the sophisticated menu at The Roundhouse, followed by a trip back to Vintage for pie because it looked so good when I was picking up the grilled cheese.

But I digress, as you want to read about The Roundhouse! Very Manhattan and minimalist - so far. The views are amazing. No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, you will gaze at something pleasing. Either the Beacon Falls, or the bar which is a dark brown wood (very modern and clean looking), or the sloping side of Main Street since the restaurant is nestled into the river bed, or the rugged construction look of work being done to round out the old building structure for the real future restaurant.

The waitress was apologetic while setting our table with paper and plastic dining tools, explaining that they aren't the real deal yet, with their "makeshift" kitchen in the back, you can see as you walk down the steps descending onto the patio. It might be the best makeshift kitchen around, as it churns out scallops with a touch of bacon in a cream sauce, fried pig (this had a fancier name I cannot remember). I get the feeling from their Facebook page, that the menu changes weekly, or at least from time to time with fresh, seasonal specials. They offer craft beers and artisanal cocktails, yet we went with an easy bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I didn't get to gaze at the drink menu, as I was arms full with Ruby.

So far, The Roundhouse is kid friendly (although you'd want to go there to relax and enjoy the view) in that Ruby could run up and down the steps, yet wanted desperately into that kitchen. I saw two mom-friends, with kids, meeting friends and family. Menu-wise, it's pretty sophisticated (or, the version at 2:30pm is). Even the fries had an upscale cheese squiggle on them, and were delicious. There is a cheeseburger, but we haven't tried it yet. I had the scallops, and my friend the tuna ceviche and fresh tomatoes.

Our takeaway was that The Roundhouse was definitely going to be an "it" place to be, where you'll need reservations. They don't take reservations yet and are very accommodating. Their Facebook page already has 1200 fans who are very involved with the page. Another good sign. This is absolutely a place you want to come to relax and enjoy a cold drink or bottle of wine with friends in serenity.

Second Saturday Tonight - Gallery Openings and Windows

Lots going on tonight for Beacon's Second Saturday:

• Gallery opening at Hudson Valley Beach Glass
• Gallery opening at Beacon Artist Union on 161 Main St featuring Perfectly Imperfect
• Windows on Main Street - start at Chill Wine Bar for the opening reception, and cruise down Main Street to window shop and admire the different artists on display in each storefront's window.

Have fun! I may be attending, juggling two babies.

Where Is This? Hint: it's vintage

Hey Beaconites and Hudson Valley enthusiasts! This week's contest prize is brought to you by Blackbird Attic, one of Beacons coolest consignment shops for mens and women's fashion (and jeans...lots of jeans). You win 20% off your purchase on already great savings, good for one month. The prize in and of itself correlates with the hint of where is picture is and what it's taken of.
This location is not in Beacon, but is a short day trip away. I have more hints lined up just in case this is an extra hard one. But one of you may get it in an instant! Put your answer in the comments below!

Where Is This? Pink and Yellow

Where is this, Beaconites? Where have you seen these colors, and what are they? This entry is possibly very easy for most of you, so it's off to the races!

This week's prize is a 20% discount from echo boutique, to be used one week from the moment you win the contest! Start guessing...

The "Where Is This in Beacon" Contest is Back!

Put your thinking caps on, Beaconites! The "Where is This in Beacon" contest is back for Wednesday afternoons! The pictures are going to get trickier because the prize bag just grew. That's what I was doing - making a proper logo page for those Beacon businesses who are providing prizes. The prizes are great, and the visual challenges even better, as I see how long I can stump you with an obscure picture of something you look at all the time here in Beacon - or around the Hudson Valley where you may have day tripped. So get your RSS feeds ready! First correct answer in the comments section of each picture wins the prize for that week.

I'm debating which picture I'm going to put up next - a Beacon one, or one from a day trip. Trying to decide how hard I want to make the first one for you... :)

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade at Echo

While the lemons aren't being squeezed in echo's storefront, they could be squeezed at your house! Super cute, wooden lemonade stand and ice-cream cone set on sake now at echo boutique.

'e ko logic is Upstate New York's Most Individual Designer

'e ko logic has been on my radar for quite some time now (was it from Daily Candy a really long time ago?), and now that we moved up to Beacon from Manhattan, I'm even closer to them! Working from their studio in Troy, NY, 'e ko logic has been ahead of the green movement, and will always be desirable because of their resourceful, delightful, and creative designs of dresses, hats, fingerless gloves, and whatever else they want to make into something wearable and extremely funky.


'e ko logic designs high quality clothing out of recycled clothing, but not just any clothing: fine fabric clothing. Cashmere, cotton, everything you want in something against your skin. I have a two-tone dress from them that made it through my maternity stage, and then just the other day in this hot weather, atop a little jersey skirt from echo boutique.

Get on their mailing list, because sometimes they have sales, like today, where select accessories are 30% off (like their cashmere hats!! who cares that it's a heat wave! i buy all of my winter items in spring/summer). You can buy from their store, and now they have an Etsy store where they sell cotton and cashmere scraps! And some clothing.

Prize Bag for the "Where Is This in Beacon?" Picture Contest

Winners of the "Where Is This in Beacon?" picture contest can win one of these lucky local prizes! Each Wednesday, we post an obscure picture of some little corner of Beacon you have most likely seen several times. The first person to identify in the Comment section of that blog post wins the designated prize that is described there! If a winning answer is not given by the following Wednesday, the contest remains open and more clues will be given. This is the prize bag so that you can see all of the participating stores. To include your store or service in this list, or to learn the rules of the contest, please see below.

	ECHO BOUTIQUE Echo is a delightful boutique for women and a toy store for kids on the east end of Main Street. Owner Karen is known for her keen eye and fills the store with exactly what you desire, from wallets to shirts to dresses to notebooks to shoes to Melissa & Doug galore. Prize: 20% off any purchase good for one week after winning the contest. www.echobeacon.com
	BLACKBIRD ATTIC Blackbird Attic is Beacon's vintage consignment store on the east end of Main Street, with a little bit of fashion for everyone. Known for their jeans selections, vintage Penguin collection, and extremely affordable consignment prices on designer labels and quality clothing. Prize: 20% off any purchase, good for one month after winning the contest. www.blackbirdattic.com
	THE BEACON BAGEL The Beacon Bagel is your source for bagel sandwiches, lox, buttered bagels, and most any bagel combo you could want. Prize: One dozen plain bagels with 1lb of cream cheese. The Beacon Bagel 466 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 www.thebeaconbagel.com UTENSIL Utensil is a practical, affordable kitchenware shop that has classic style and a modern sensibility. Find what you need from pots & pans to french presses. Prize: Jar of Jeni's fudge sauce Utensil 480 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 http://www.utensilkitchenware.com/ SALLYEANDER SOAPS SallyeAnder is a family owned and operated soap company located here in Beacon. Every product is always homemade, using natural, uncompromising, quality products, and always made with care. Prize: Summer Basket of goodies, including Sallye Sunshine Soap, Gardener's Hand Soap, No Bite Me Cream, No Bite Me Bar, and Lakeshore Soap SallyeAnder 18 West Main Street Beacon, NY 12508 http://www.sallyeander.com/

RULES
- If you are a winner, you can redeem the prize that was assigned on that particular contest. You will be sent directions via email as to how to redeem.
- Sorry, no trade-ins at this time. You need to stick with the prize you won (if it's too girly for you, maybe buy your lady friend a present!).
- You must redeem your prize within the stated deadline from each store, otherwise, you will forfeit it.

TO OFFER A PRIZE
Contact Katie at katie@alittlebeaconblog.com to submit a prize suggestion. Click here to see which businesses are in the Prize Bag now.

SPONSOR THE CONTEST
Your business can sponsor the entire contest. This gets your logo linked to your website on the contest page you sponsor, where people will see it as they search the archives. Click here to book your spot.

Sweet Mamas is Soul Food in the Raw

Sweet Mama's serves raw, vegan and organic living desserts and savories to NYC and the Hudson Valley. Their non-dairy, gluten-free cheesecakes, brownies, pies, lasagnas, pizzas and other edibles are made with the finest ingredients and attention to the principles of raw food preparation. You can find the woman behind Sweet Mama's, Katherine Key, walking around Beacon, usually going to or from her friend, Marla's Kale Kitchen, on Verplank (the house you see with the garden of a variety of luscious leaves growing in front).

I'm on Sweet Mama's email list, which means I get tempted with her affordable raw meals at least once a week. I'm not a vegan, and prefer butter whenever possible, and am a total carnivore, but these raw meals sound too good to resist! And are very affordable.


SAMPLE SWEET MAMA'S RAW MEAL PLAN
Soup:  Vegetable Bisque.......$3/8oz
Lunch: Pest or Marinara Pizza with sprouted buckwheat crust, walnut cheese, red peppers, onions and black olives..........$6
Salad: Sprouted Quinoa Mixed Greens Salad with Critrus Vinaigrette...........$4
Dinner: Ginger "Stir Fry" with Cauliflower Almond "Fried Rice".............$8
Snack: Sour Cream n Onion Kale Chips........$5
Dessert: Cran-Rasberry Cheesecake (dairy free)...............$4


WHERE TO FIND SWEET MAMA'S:
(this list does not include all of her locations, and she does deliver)

• The Juice Spot @ 33 Garden St carries Sweet Mama's savories & cakes and their own house-made specials.
• Poughkeepsie Farmer's Market! It's at the entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson, Fridays 3-7pm. Sweet Mama's will be there each week selling slices of raw & vegan Fruit-Topped Cheesecakes, Walnut & Sprouted Lentil Burgers, Sweet Root Rosemary Flax Crackers, Fruit Leather and MORE!
• Integral Yoga Natural Foods, Live Live and Life Thyme in NYC is carrying Sweet Mama's raw organic desserts, cookies, crackers and more.

Contact Katherine at Sweet Mama for details, to order a delivery, or to get her newsletter: sweetmamasny@gmail.com.

Alphabet Letters at Paper Presence

And they are really cute. Magnets for your fridge, these alphabet letters have patterns on them for a modern, funky, yet brightly colored look. Available at Paper Presence on the West End of Main Street.

Vest Sale: Marmot and Patagonia Plaid at Mountain Tops

Spotted on the sidewalk! Select Winter vests, 50% off at Mountain Tops. Plaid Patagonia and fur lined Marmot.

Bi-Polar Explorer on Display in my Chronogram Magazine

So this worly eyed guy has been staring at me this week from the Ikea butcher block island in our kitchen as I feed Ruby one of several meals and snacks. I don't read much anymore because 1. I'm a 'preneur so am consumed with working on my business, and 2. I'm a new mom, so can barely shower.

Tonight, we're having date night at home, so hubby cooks steaks (I whisked a lemon sauce for asperigas), and I've got the radio on WFUV. Yes, the radio, because I really do love it more than iPods on shuffle or repeat sometimes.

Before date night started, hubby took a walk while I put Ruby to bed, so when I came down, I had a few quiet moments to drink a beer, wipe down the highchair, and fall into a Saturday night place I haven't been in a while. In my single days, I'd listen to Garrison Keillor in my apartment, followed by TV of British comedies on Thirteen, followed by my music while I worked on projects, any project. Drawing for an FIT assignment, blogging for my old blog, cleaning, anything. It was awesome.

So I checked my email quick to email my business partners (didn't have business partners or a baby or a husband in those days), and picked up the Chronogram to finish reading about the home-based bread baker with an awesome kitchen. But I've gotten so far as to learning about who this man is on the cover: he's a misfit explorer from the early 20th-century, who "never got anywhere or found anything." He is now part of a photography exhibit by Allison Leach titled Bi-Polar Explorer, and it's on display at Davis Orton Gallery in Hudson through July 31, 2011. Allison did something neat with the negative and Polaroid.

And now my steak is done, date night has started. Let's all go to the exhibit!

Popsicle Molds Galore at Play

Get your fresh fruit Popsicle making skills on with Popsicle molds at Play! They have about four varieties that I could see from my window shopping. Purple grape, yum!

Kids Eat Free in Beacon: Summer Meals

This just in from some people trying to spread the word about a lunch program that feeds any child in Beacon, and doesn't seem to ask for paperwork. All kids & teens 18 and younger can receive a nutritious lunch for free during the summer! Lunch time is an hour, so you need to get there and be prompt!

• It’s Free: Kids eat free meals and families save money.
• It’s Easy: No residency or citizenship rules, no registration, and no forms to fill out!
• Any kid can receive a free meal this summer.
• It’s Fun: There will be occasional events and activities at the lunch site.
• It’s Good Food: A nutritious meal is served.

Meals served at:
Beacon Community Center
23 West Center Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Lunch (11:30am – 12:30pm)

Springfield Baptist Church
8 Church Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Lunch (11:30am – 12:30pm)

Efforts for this program are brought to you by the Nutrition Advisory Committee of Dutchess County. For more info information visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County at www.ccedutchess.org or call 677-8223.

CCEDC provides equal programs and employment opportunities. The program provided by this agency is partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.

Working from Bank Square is Cool

Literally, cool as I sit under one of the window air conditioners in the back. My home office is sunny and beautiful, but so far un-airconditioned. But being a working squatter in Bank Square Coffee House is really pleasant, especially on a day like today when it's threatening to storm, and about five of us laptop workers are quietly and respectfully working. Feels like we're in a study hall or something. Eventually, I suppose I'll have to upgrade to the BeaHive, but I've always loved working from coffee shops. Not just for the freshly ground coffee aroma, or the quick access to iced vanilla lattes, but the fast movement, the "ching!" of the door as a new customer walks in.

Beacon Riverfest 2011: Gato Loco on Stage and Others

Reporting in from Beacon Riverfest 2011, where the weather finally broke and the grass is dry to laying on and listening to Gato Loco Coconino! Except that there is no lounging during these crazy cats, with their funk and ska sound.

Bands that played earlier to our arrival were Rock Band Boot Camp (love that name!), Milton and Jack Grace Band. To follow Gato is Readnex Poetry Squad, and Tao Seeger Band.

Vendor tents in attendance are all of the delicious usual suspects: Poppy's (with their sloppy Joe and pulled pork), Crumb (with their signature lemonade, cookies, and sandwiches), a talapia stand, jumbo pretzels, Tas Cafe, WFUV, The Coffee Shop, and lots of others.

I have to find out how the Art Guitars did...

Fun!

NY Daily News Highlights Beacon as Day Trip to Escape City

My partner at 'PRENEUR just sent me a picture of this article in the New York Daily News, which recommends Beacon as a scenic, easy destination to breath fresh mountain air in a cool artsy town. Destination? Dia:Beacon via the Metro North, with a stroll up Main Street to hit a few galleries.

So if you're going to do this, I recommend that you pack a picnic and enjoy it on the lawn of Dia (if you're allowed...I've done it, but not sure if it was acceptable or not). If you're driving, pick up your picnic at Homespun or Crumb. Each will give you a delicious selection of sandwiches, quiche, and soup. Homespun also offers a peppy selection of cheeses.

If you want to go simple but good deli sandwiches, stop at Suppa's Deli for friendly, fast service and drinks and chips. If you need picnic food, just up a few blocks is Key Foods which pretty much has everything you might need.

Then...after your walk through Dia:Beacon, come back to Main St and browse the shops! Pick up a trinket at Dreams in Plastic, shop a collection of Etsy designers at Clay Wood and Cotton, browse designers of jewelry and home goods at Global, get a cute yoga top from Mountain Tops, and this is just the beginning. There are more shops on thus end of town, and then more on the East end, near the mountain. Be sure to hit Echo (boutique and toy store), and her neighbor, a hat shop.

This is one day trip. Looks like you'll have more day trips up here to Beacon that will all be different!

Summer S'Mores Without a Campfire

This is a delicious S'mores recipe - without lifting or burning a finger. It's the no-work s'more that even a small kid could make.

Ingredients:
- 1 graham cracker
- chocolate chips
- sun on an 85 degree day

Take out your graham cracker. Sprinkle the desired amount of chocolate chips on it in a position in which they can melt. Unless you have central air conditioning, chances are your chips are already soft, unless you keep them in the fridge.

Place loaded graham cracker in direct sunlight outside on a porch or other surface, and wait. Check on the chips after 5 minutes. They may not look melted, but try to spread it. Once the chips are soft and warm, you have a nice little s'more waiting to be eaten!

Pairs well with a chilled glass of Pinot Gris. :)