The 70% off Clearance Sale is ON at Cracker Barrel!

The Cracker Barrel on Rt 9 is having their annual 70% off sale in their oh so cute store (WHO are the buyers for this place? Geniuses!).

This lamp was $49.99 and is $15.99 in the sale. Last year I found a sock monkey rocking horse in the sale. And the sock monkey collection has only grown since then, if you are a sock monkey junkie.

Plus the other country stuff in the store, like this sign for the garage.

Hand Designed Fabric at Reservoir and Wood

When I asked Erin Murphy, owner of Reservoir and Wood on the east end of Main Street, where she found her fabric for her own line {em} Reservoir, she said simply, "I design it."

Dream!! This sequence piece here is of fabric Erin designed. She does find fabric elsewhere from her secret sources, but what we have here is an amazing local designer.

What the...? Santa's at Poppy's!

Santa is stopping in for a burger at Poppy's! The Bike Holiday/Christmas tree is lighting tonight just down the block on Main Street with plenty of music and jingles.

Second Saturday Jewelry Sale at CherryBomb PopUp Shop: "The Fellowship of the Bling" (Spotlight!)

This Second Saturday, December 14, 2013, from 10am to 9pm,  "The Fellowship of the Bling" is happening at the CherryBomb PopUp Shop at 201 Main Street, usually known as Zora Dora in the summer. "The Fellowship of the Bling" is a store-wide sale where you can save 5% on all jewelry marked $30 or more. Each necklace, earring, ring and other bling is handcrafted by an artist in Beacon, so you will be gifting something very special and unique. And this bling comes in many forms - metal, fabric, pearls, stones. And even Barbie boobs. Stop in the shop and see if you can find them! Once you pick the perfect piece, ask for the Katie James jewelry pouch! That's what I'm selling there ;)

Featured artists include Kit Burk-Smith, Martha P. Huphreys,
and Caiming Chung, who are talented metalsmiths and gifted at sculpting
and designing wearable pieces of art.

Kit Burk-Smith Jewelry is featured in the wooden tray, and Caiming Cheung and
Martha P. Humphreys are featured in the secret book box above.

Vibrant artist Goldy Safirstein is the bead artist here, paired with
Margaux Lange's one of a kind jewelry sculptures.

Shop these artists at CherryBomb and save on holiday shipping costs!
Being local, you can buy direct instead of on the designer's websites.

Fabric jewelry is hot, and these leather earrings are one of a
kind and perfect for the funky kitten on your list.

This post is a Spotlight! article.

Beacon Flair Necklaces and Charms at Echo

Looking for Beacon NY paraphernalia? Walk right into Echo Boutique on the east end of Main Street, and at the sales counter are these funky little Beacon charms! I may get one for my mother who loves Beacon.

Karen, founder of Echo, had so many requests for Beacon postcards and other flair, that she called up the San Francisco based designer kathy lo rocks, who specializes in making custom keepsakes and city charms, to order a custom collection just for Beacon NY fans. The necklace you see here in this picture says "Beacon NY exit 11" - a popular phrase for flair collectors! In the necklace next to the circular one in the picture, it's a square with Beacon's area code, 845, in big red numbers.  Other styles are available at Echo, so stop in!

Winter and Holiday Time are Here! Light the Lights

Winter and holiday time are officially here! The seasons changed on the lampposts, where the street dresser guys were hanging wreaths and lights today on Main Street. Driving around town in Beacon at night is so warm thanks to the holiday cheer everyone is hanging.

Cherry Bomb, Beacon's Most Awesome Holiday Pop-Up Shop is Back!

Walking to BJ's to pick up a lunch of fried chicken, Mac and cheese and cake, I passed Zora Dora's, which had its shop door open. Now, in the Fall this unusual because Zora Dora's sells popsicles and is usually closed. But if its door is open that means only one thing...Cherry Bomb! (and here is their Facebook page) The holiday pop-up shop of awesome is going to be open this year to offer shoppers unique and beautifully made artisanal gifts from local designers. And this year, bakers too.

What you see here is the requirement sheet for selling your stuff in this pop-up shop. I'll be posting it on the site later, but get ready. Shopping is coming...

Beacon Halloween Festivities 2013

Being a newbie in Beacon, I was unaware of all of the festivities that go on here the weekend before Halloween. That's how last year found us at the The Roundhouse eating a kid-friendly lunch with friends, while every kid but my own were dressed in costume and trick-or-treating at stores on Main Street, just days before the actual night of real trick-or-treating.

When those friends asked me this year "What is going on this weekend in Beacon for Halloween?" I stared at the computer screen blankly. I didn't know! But I do now. A quick grocery run at Keyfoods exposed me to a full schedule printed on the front page of the Beacon Free Press! Hurrah! So for any of you looking online for 2013, here's what's in store, courtesy of the tireless organizers of the official movement, "A Very Beacon Halloween" (go see their Facebook page).


NOTE: As for the actual night of Halloween Trick or Treating, I'm seeking confirmation on those hours, but in the past, little kids have started at 5pm, and older kids come out until about 8pm.


FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
4:00pm
Pumpkin Hunt along Main Street at designated participating stores (free)
Starts at the Beacon Creamery 445 Main Street maps available there that day

7:00pm
Pumpkin Glow with a performance by the Rivertown Kids
Carved Pumpkin Contest winners ceremony near the Visitors Center on 9D and Main Street

8:00pm
Dinema Theatre (dinner and free movie) at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

SATURDAY, October 26, 2013
2:00pm
Children's Story time and music at Echo 380 Main Street

4:00pm
Ghost and Cemetery Walks on Main Street (free)

6:00pm
Halloween Movies at the Beacon Theater 445 Main Street

7:00pm
Guess who's Coming to Dinner/ Group Reading at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

8:00pm
Howland Cultural Center an Evening with Edgar Allen Poe

9:00pm
Max's on Main Annual Halloween Costume Party 246 Main

10:00pm
Rocky Horror Picture Show Beacon Theater 445 Main St

SUNDAY, October 27, 2013
12:30pm
Line up for Hocus Pocus Parade at The Visitor's Center on 9D and Main St.

1:00pm
Hocus Pocus Parade down Main Street from 9D to the Roundhouse (free)
followed by trick or treating at designated participating stores displaying orange and black balloons.

2:00pm line up for the 8th Annual Howl-a-Ween Costume Contest for dogs
Registration $8- free treat bag for all registered dogs

Ongoing:
Backroom Gallery antique handmade Halloween gift wrapping exhibit (free)
475 Main Street

THURSDAY, October 31, 2013
Trick or Treat! Still waiting on word and a website update from City Hall as to official Trick or Treating hours, but generally, 5-8pm is a safe bet.

Car Show Today in Beacon 2013

A glorious autumn day for Beacon's car show which once again delivered an amazing collection of classic, modern and muscle cars. We're out and about this Sunday, indulging in Beacon's Main Street. It's finally a sunny AND crisp fall day! After a confusing summers end weather-wise, the cars have brought in true Fall.

Kids and Toddler Craft Classes at Howland Public Library

This summer, the kids classes at the Howland Public Library have been so great! We took a mini break from daycare, so I wanted to keep somewhat of a schedule, and involve a craft or project at least once a week (I'd love to say once a day, but lets be realistic here, Katie...we have laundry to fold, grass seed to sow, and work to squeeze in).

On Monday morning of my first week without daycare, we did meet some other shell shocked parents at the library whose kids were usually in school, and now needed an activity. That's where we heard about the Infant class on Tuesdays. Then on Wednesdays we did have on the calendar to attend the Toddler class, which involves a craft, like this blue rainbow fish you see here. The craft matches the story that the amazingly crafty librarian, Ginny Figlia, reads to us. Then on Fridays, there is the Dive Into Reading class that also involves a series of themed books, dancing, and a project in the big back room! This week it was ants.

And then of course, are the free DVD rentals after the class that we can quickly browse, that help get me through a newsletter production, website analysis, article outline, or other worky work.

So as a great childcare alternative or enhancement (for those of you with sitters who can take the kids in your place), the library has been a dependable hit this summer.

Calamari (and bacon rolled scallops) Have Arrived in Beacon at Culture Cafe Bar

For those NYCers who are used to a fresh, crispy, Asian flared calamari, your wish has come true in Beacon. Culture, on Main Street's West End, is serving calamari on its menu with two sauces: a sweet and spicy yet creamy red sauce, or a bold and jolting ginger sauce. Omg, the calamari hit the spot on a hot, muggy Tuesday evening with a glass of dry yet crisp white wine.

And the scallops. Usually these are a gamble on the menu because they leave you wanting more of them. This night, we had three jumbo scallops wrapped in bacon, drenched in some kind of wonderful something sauce with blue cheese, raisins and fennel, and oh my goodness was it good. Be sure to ask for a side of bread to dip into the scallop sauce because you won't want to waste one drip.

Not pictured here is the cold glass of crisp white wine I enjoyed, while my friend enjoyed a Dogfish beer.  All enjoyed on Culture's back patio. Perfection.

In Case You Were a Ball-er...(Basketball Player)

The Universe just sealed the deal on me entering this 2 on 2 basketball tournament in Memorial Park August 17th to benefit cancer.

I'd just been wishing to myself that there was an intermural basketball league in Beacon (I suppose I could play with people at All Sports courts). So I think that I'm going to enter this basketball event with my husband, and I have no idea what will happen next. I haven't played in over a decade! Time to practice in the driveway...

Nutella Banana Pancakes at Culture

Watch out West End of Main Street...there's a new coffee house in town, with a full breakfast menu. And lunch menu, and dinner menu. But I'm here for my morning coffee (which I just upgraded to a vanilla latte), to which I added an order of banana Nutella pancakes, because I'm working on a class plan for tomorrow's SEO class I'm teaching for Tin Shingle, and I'm worth it.

To tempt you with lunch consider this:

Camarone Press:
Grilled shrimp...mango...roasted Poblano peppers...avocado...queso...fresco cream cheese...red onion...tomato

To tempt you with dinner:
Roasted Scottish Salmon...Brown sugar peppered bacon Gorgonzola gratinee...Celery root herbed goat cheese purée.

And to tempt you with my latte...it just arrived to my seat in their quite back patio garden, and the latte smells heavenly and I feel like I'm back in Tuscany.

Mary Kelly's Restaurant and Bar

Mary Kelly's Restaurant and Bar is the Irish pub you've been looking for in Beacon. Located on Rt. 9 just past the bridge going over I-84, Mary Kelly's is a comfortable night of relaxing for couples and families. Take your pick of deep, circular booths or sit at the bar or dining tables. Even more of a reason to come here for date night is that you can start dinner at 9pm, as they are open until 11pm! We love their cheesecake, which is imported from Brooklyn-based Juniors. And if you drink too many pints, Mary Kelly's will call you a cab - on the house.

Mary Kelly's Restaurant and Bar has a beautiful room upstairs for events and parties. Also call them to learn about their catering menu and options!

www.marykellysny.com

845-765-8874

Visit Mary Kelly's on Facebook

Rainy Days Need Tulip Headbands from Phea Jean

Rain rain...I'm glad you're here, but geeez, don't you make for a dreary day! What's my motto for a dreary day? Especially if you work from a home office and need to have your game-brain on to kick butt with good ideas?

"Looking good is feeling good."

This tulip headband is from the adorable shop on the East End of Main Street, The Tailored Mermaid when I stumbled down its rabbit hole a few weeks ago. It's designed by one of the designers they carry, phea jean.

What else is an outfit pick-me-up? A glossy green plastic cuff bracelet and Jag jeans from Echo, and a green pair of pumps from Aerosoles because they have a peep toe and are sooo comfortable. But, I need to get me some shoes from Lauren and Riley, also on the East End, because she has a collection that Betsy Johnson would swoon for!

Coconut Oil + Moroccan Oil Saves Dry Hair

My hair is a little schitzo. One day with a blow dry and a brush, it looks normal. Other days, without that tender loving care, it looks like a monster mash. I've been getting my hair done with Josh at The Green Room (formerly Moxie), and he would say "It just needs some attention." Which is true.

So I got the Moroccan oil and conditioner, and things were looking up. But then my second pregnancy happened, and my skin and hair went out the window. After the pregnancy, my skin made a recovery, but my hair was still unknown to me, like some untamed thing that I didn't know how to work with anymore. Even after getting it cut, it would look split and frayed.

And then my sister-in-law visited for the weekend, and was evangelizing coconut oil as the source to fix all problems: moisturizer, hair treatment, cooking oil for chicken or popcorn. She was coocoo for coco. As a gift, she bought us a jar from Beacon Natural Market on Main Street.

I put it on my hair that night, sleeping in it. The next morning I washed it out with my usual Aveda Color Conserve shampoo and conditioner, as well as the Moroccan oil conditioning mask.

What a difference!! I had tips again! My hair was smooth, and looked happy and less frizzy.

So my new routine is this: I put the coconut oil in my hair twice a week before I jog. That way, it gets anywhere from 20mins to 1 hour to work its magic before I wash and condition it.

If you have any hair tips, do share. Otherwise, pick up the coconut and Moroccan oils in town! Beacon Natural Market for coconut oil, and The Green Room (formerly Moxie) for the Moroccan line.

The Tailored Mermaid Opens on Main Street!

Watch out Brooklyn, Beacon is totally cool for boutique shopping!!

My mom and I were walking to echo boutique to shop, and we parked extra far away because shopping has gotten tricky now that Beacon is so hoppin' with shoppers and eaters. So we walked by this mermaid logo and it looked so familiar to me, but I wasn't sure why, and as we were studying it, the red polka dot coat caught my eye and I realized - BAM - there is a shop in there (you never know, since new stores are popping up all the time now so sometimes aren't ready yet)!

The designer and store co-owner Sarah Maria is well know in fairs and the Etsy Hudson Valley Team. She is the designer behind Meerwiibli, and she's made The Tailored Mermaid the brick and mortar home of her designs, and those of her friends!

They will participate in Second Saturday's, making June 8th their official grand opening party! Follow them on Facebook for more breaking news.

Take a peek inside!

The most unusually shaped dresses you've seen in a while. And the color contrast on them is amazing. You can thank designer and co-owner of The Tailored Mermaid Sarah Maria for this rack.

Admire the display birch.

The Tailored Mermaid includes dresses, clothing and jewelry from other designers. I tried on the dress on the right, and it was a perfect summer strappy dress that you can wear like a house dress, but looks sexy outside. The red and white dress on the left is CUUUTe. Why? Because designer Sarah Maria added her signature oval-in-a-square pockets on the front.

Bam, cute jewelry that is easy to look perfect and fresh. And do note the display price tags - it's on tree bark with chalkboard paint. Made by an Etsy display artist.

The designer's husband and co-owner Brian James is the author in residence here! He also has childrens' books over in the kids nook.

The convenient nook for kids to color while Mom shops. And they can add their drawing to the collection of other drawings in the window!

Sittin' on the Doc of the Hudson

This is why I love Beacon. Because I can sit on the dock of the bay after a day of commuting to the city for a meeting, which is thrilling, and return home to relax to lapping water and singing birds. And my shoes from Echo Boutique were a HIT. Even by city standards.

Reservoir & Wood: A New High End Fashion Boutique in Town

Reservoir and Wood is Beacon's newest high end fashion boutique, and if you take a look at their blog of the designer {EM} Reservoir, you'd know that NYC fashion came to Main Street in the Hudson Valley. Yet, {EM} Reservoir the clothing line, named after founder and designer Erin Murphy, is a religion of city and country for a fashionable yet functional wardrobe, which you would not suspect from their blog, which tumbles with big style outlets like The Emerging Designer, @ShowRoomNewYork, StyleCartel, and the Hudson Valley's own Chronogram.

But take a look at the bio of {EM}'s founder, and you'll get the drift: "Erin often describes {EM} Reservoir as 'a brand for those that pot and pick their own strawberries before tossing them into a glass of champagne.' A perfect representation of her own lifestyle AND wardrobe."

I knew something was different about Reservoir & Wood when Ruby, Cole and I stopped into her shop and saw the fly-fishing inspired earrings on the wall, right across from delicate yet rustic wooden kitchen stools and jars of candles. You'll find {EM} Reservoir designs in the store, as well as collections of purses, clothing and home goods from designers she loves. There is even a line of men's clothing.

When I asked store owner and designer Erin Murphy for her card, she handed me her clothing design card, yet planted a disclaimer that her business cards for the store were being made - out of wood. Yep, Erin is a Michigander, and loves her wood. Which hooked me in even more, because she got her cards from cardsofwood.com, which is where I was looking to have our cards made at Tin Shingle.

And that's not all, Reservoir & Wood is having a 15% off sale for Mother's Day, with a sale on the many purses you can find throughout the store. Stop in! They are on the East End of Main Street next door to The Hop. Just take the family, plant your hubby and kids at Hop, and shop!

Spring! butter LONDON Nail Polish in Happy Colors at Echo

Was stopping into Echo Boutique to treat my kids to play dough and fire trucks on a Friday night,  what did dazzle my eye at the counter but all of these happy shades of butter LONDON nail polish! I have a deep eggplant purple (although it's really named after the deep, dark center of a bone....woa!) that went perfect with my sister's wedding colors. Now I think I'll try the coral pink for spring, and the yellow just for fun. I love looking at the polish colors, like the mint, but I'm a traditional color kind of gal. But man do they mix a good shade...

Thank you Echo Boutique for making this available!

High Speed Police Car Chase Ends in Crash on Verplank and Cross

This morning police cars were zooming up and down Main Street and all around surrounding neighborhood blocks. One police car flashed his lights at me to move over as I drove on Main Street at about 10am.

At 11:00am i was working in my home office near Verplank Avenue Avenue and I heard several police sirens, followed by two big booms, one or two pops, and then nothing. My cats and I ran to the basement, and my dog wanted to come inside. People were walking around the neighborhood as they usually do on a sunny day, mail being delivered, while I freaked for a moment.

I ran to my windows, but saw nothing. I made some phone calls and later visited the scene, and gathered this:

A car was driving down Main Street at super fast speed, and police cars were also driving around super fast. The driver of the car, a man, eventually turned Verplank Avenue at high speed, and hit a Lowe's delivery truck at Verplank and Cross, sending the Lowe's truck 5ft into the air. When the truck came down, it landed on the car, smashing it. The truck also hit a telephone pole, splitting the pole in half. The electrical unit on the pole fell onto the truck. Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. cut the power to the area at 11:30am, and restored it at 2:40pm.

The driver of the truck was reportedly ok, and the driver of the car was removed from the car and taken by ambulance to Memorial Park, at which point a helicopter flew him to a hospital. The driver's family rushed to the scene of the crash, visibly devastated.

Prayers are with everyone.

Ken Fox Rocks as Beacon's Handyman for Hire!

Handyman Rock and Roller Ken Fox of The Fleshtones just hung my chandelier and trash pick shelf!

The chandelier is an iron floral bouquet that is my grandmother's and I've adored since childhood, and reminds me of her. The cabinet in the foreground is a trash pick from Main Street (at least, I hope it was!! If this is yours, let me know), and I'm going to put our art supplies in it, because the art projects are currently taking over my kitchen. Which I love, but needs some organization.

Ken had a cool green ad (seen below) on the Beacon Citizen, and I called him, and he's been so handy ever since! Hanging heavy things, electrical things, pretty much anything. But really, he's a rockin roller who plays guitar in the band The Fleshtones and he just got back from touring Europe.

Here's his ad that has his number!

And here is Ken on stage as a Fleshtone. I think he's the one with the guitar cheering on the other guitarist in the air jumping. Yay for double-lives of people who pursue their passions!

60% off Sale at Cracker Barrel Happening Now

The shopping experience at the Cracker Barrel restaurants is a guilty pleasure of mine that started on road trips, and has blossomed now that we live within regular driving distance of one (oh look, you can shop online, but in-store is better)!!

If you don't know, or have driven by blindly, our Cracker Barrel for Beaconites, Fish Kill and Wappingers Falls folks is on Rt 9 next to the Panera/Starbucks/Verizon plaza right off 84 headed north to Poughkeepsie.

Cracker Barrel's annual 60% off sale is happening right now (didn't know they had one! I always hit 'em up post seasons...hint for glittery holiday decorations at 75% off), and you know I snapped up that stuffed monkey rocking chair for little Cole's first birthday, down from $69.99 to $24.99 or some such. I also snagged two couch pillows for $12 each. So yeah.

Need some birthday presents? Flower tattoo stickers? Bulldozers? Baby cloths with tutus? Yup. Inside of Cracker Barrel. And then you can slide on over to the restaurant for pancakes! (Note: I don't recommend them for dinner...a little flour-y and bland....but still good for kids if you're in a pinch).

Thank You ISAMU for Sushi and Wine

Sometimes a girl just needs to have some sushi like a lady at a table with a glass of wine in a resteraunt. And when that girl is a mom with two kids to have the flu (thank gawd not the stomach flu but the sad head a chest and fever one), a girl needs to get out and sit with adults and use chop sticks and read a magazine.

Tonight I treated myself to such a fresh sushi dinner at Isamu dinner because I was supposed to have been in the City speaking on a panel for Young Female Entrepreneurs about branding your company online, but I pulled out because of the flu and opted to Skype in instead. But the darn wifi password at the panel location could not be found! I'd curled my hair and dressed my office space for the occasion, but alas, not to be.

So? Sushi!  :)