Archive for September, 2009
September 25th, 2009
Good Looking Decor
If your daughter is a budding fashionista, emerging clothing designer or simply a “girlie girl,” then she might like the style of these adorable decor items created by Party Art in North Caldwell, NJ. Party Art is a full-service party planning company that not only coordinates your entire party but we also custom design and create all of your party decor – everything from placecards to party favors. Check out some of their samples here…
We love it!
On each “boutique” there are small individual dresses hanging on tiny hangers. Each one serves as a place card.
This ladies’ room amenities basket carried out the theme of the affair
Like what you see? Feel free to contact the talented Party Art team by phone (973-228-3822) or email partyart4you@aol.com. Tell them the Mitzvah Market sent you!
September 25th, 2009
Don’t have access to a Hollywood stylist? Do not worry! We’d like to introduce you to sylist and designer Melony Mazzeo.
Listening to Melony Mazzeo of East Williston, NY, tell her story is like taking a walk down fashion’s memory lane. She has had her hand in many trends over the years – from oversized earrings in the 80s to embellished sweater sets in the 90s. But in the last decade, Melony has found her real calling – designing gowns, dresses, jackets, tops and other women’s apparel.
After selling her unique gowns under her label “Melony New York” in different upscale boutiques, Melony decided to switch gears. She removed all of her gowns from the stores and created her own custom showroom in her home. By allowing clients to shop in her showroom, she removed the middle-man retailer and has created a win/win for her and her fans.
Example of a Melony creation!
“I ultimately save my clients a lot of time and money,” Melony says. “When they are in my showroom, I can really work with them to find that dress.” Melony also says she enjoys collaborating with her clients. “If they don’t like a certain strap, well then, we take care of that right there and then,” she says.
If you are in the market for a dress, whether you are going to be the hostess, a guest or the guest of honor, be sure and give Melony a call at 516-742-4679. She sees clients by appointment, so call for her availability. Tell her Mitzvah Moms sent you! Melony will open her home and her heart to help you find the perfect dress for your occassion.
See more photos of Melony’s dresses and her showroom on our blog.
September 25th, 2009
Let’s Hear it for the Boys
Boys’ fashion choices are often few and far between. If you have a son and a daughter, you know first-hand that the boys’ section of any department store is a fraction of the size of the girls’ section. And when it comes time to do the Mitzvah circuit, your son ends up wearing the same shirts over and over to his friends’ Mitzvahs. At least this is what Jami Leen Weisman and Andrea Brody Gillman of CUT By 2 Blondes found. They decided to do something about it.
“We have four sons between us, and we got tired of them going to an event and seeing half the boys there wearing the same striped shirt,” Jami says. “So we thought we’d do something about it.” And they did. About a year and a half ago, they created CUT By 2 Blondes, a company that creates cool, hip, button-down shirts for boys. Their “big CUT” line carries shirts in sizes 8 to 22, and their “little CUT” shirts are sizes 2 to 8. The shirts start at $65 for the little CUT and $85 for the big CUT. Both lines are carried in boutiques and stores around the country, including Lester’s.
A Cut By 2 Blondes creation!
In addition to making “effortless, comfortable, cool and hip” shirts for boys, they also will design and create a completely custom and one-of-a-kind shirt for a special occasion, such as a Bar Mitzvah. With as little as six week’s notice, the two blondes can work with a young man to create a shirt that fits him – in size and personality – to help make his special day even more special.
To find out more about CUT By 2 Blondes, be sure and visit their Website.
September 25th, 2009
Tammy, a Mitzvah Mail reader, sent in some “new” Jewish words and their meanings. They made us laugh out loud, so we thought we’d pass along the giggle. Thanks for writing in, Tammy!
Jewbilation: (n.) Pride in finding out that one’s favorite celebrity is Jewish or that your offspring is marrying a Jewish person.
Torahfied: (n.) Inability to remember one’s lines when called to read frm the Torah at one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Hebort: (v.) To forget all the Hebrew one ever learned immediately after one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
September 25th, 2009
Baseball is upon us! If you are a fan and/or a player and are looking for Mitzvah Project ideas, you could always take your love for baseball and turn it into a Mitzvah Project. We recently heard about an organization called, Gear Up! Foundation that could be a part of your Project.
Gear Up! Foundation was established to provide baseball equipment to underprivileged kids in the NY tri-state area. Many kids never get a chance to play the game many of us love, and they miss out on the experiences associated with playing baseball, because of a lack of resources. By collecting both funds as well as new and used equipment, Gear Up! is trying to change all that! Even better – Gear Up! will arrange to have the equipment you want to donate picked up! Play ball!
September 25th, 2009
We want to thank a Mitzvah Market Mail reader for writing in to let us know about another worthwhile consignment store. Since we wrote about Jade Formals based in Roslyn, NY, and Best Dressed Secret in Livingston, NJ, we wanted to mention MINT. According to our reader, MINT is a consignment store in Greenwhich, CT, which specializes in clothing for teen girls. If you live in the area, be sure and check it out. You can also visit their Website.
September 25th, 2009
We want to thank Sheryl April of Livingston, NJ, for writing to us in response to our story on the consignment store Jade Formals. The article caught Sheryl’s eye because about a month ago, she started a children’s consignment store in her hometown. Sheryl came up with the concept because her daughter Marni was going to two or three Bar/Bat Mitzvahs a weekend, and Sheryl wanted to find a store where she could resell all the dresses Marni wore. Since Sheryl couldn’t find an appropriate consignment store, she started one and named it Best Dressed Secret. (We love a true problem solver!) To learn more about Sheryl’s store, call her at 973-992-0035 or email her at MASBSiegel@aol.com.
www.bestdressedsecret.com
September 25th, 2009
When Denise Resnick’s daughter was invited to more than 100 Bar and Bat Mitzvahs the year of her own Bat Mitzvah, Denise had some serious shopping to do. She did not want her daughter to have to wear the same thing over and over, but who wants to buy a different dress for each affair? The dilemma ultimately led to her and friend Jacki Stern creating Jade Formals.
Jade Formals is a consignment boutique based in Roslyn, NY, that sells formalwear for women, teens and children. They have more than 1,000 dresses in stock, sizes 2-22 for adults and 2-16 for girls.
The clothing that comes in (sometimes with the tag still on) sells for a fraction of the original price. Gowns, dresses, suits and temple clothes by Badgley Mischka, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, Reem Acra and others sell for $20 to $800. The seller receives 40% of what the item sells for. If the clothing does not sell, Jade will donate the items to a charity, with the owners’ permission. “If at any time the owner would like to claim her item back, she is free to do so,” Denise explains.
Denise and Jacki work out of their homes and meet with clients by appointment only. They tend to meet with a client for about 30 minutes to assess what she is looking for. If they do not have the right item in stock, but see something come in soon after that they feel the client would like, they will follow up with the client to let her know of the new arrival. Jade does not offer alteration services, but will make recommendations.
To learn more about buying or selling, or to set up an appointment with the Jade team, call 516-707-2636 or 516-641-1083.
September 25th, 2009
Cake Toppers
The cake toppers made by Lily Tsai of Lily’s Design are – in a word – fun. With your photo, she can create a 3-D cake topper that blows you away. Whether you want “cutesy” or more realistic, she can do it all. Each cake topper is about 6 to 6.5 inches high and is completely custom-made. Prices vary, depending on what you’re looking for. She says to allow at least four weeks for your order.
If you choose to have a unique cake topper made for your child’s Mitzvah, it will certainly be a great source of discussion during the event. Even better, you can keep it forever to remember the affair.
September 25th, 2009
Hebrew Help Is Here
For many kids, Hebrew classes are just one of the many activities they have scheduled throughout the week. To help reinforce the lessons taught in Hebrew school, sometimes one-on-one attention is just what is needed. Meet Wendy Marx of Jericho, NY. Wendy is a Hebrew tutor for our over-scheduled Mitzvah Kids who might need a little extra help in preparing for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. She also specialize in students with special needs.
Additionally, Wendy refers to herself as a “mentor,” often acting as a go-between, helping parents communicate with their clergy. If there are questions that parents are shy to ask, Wendy can often answer the question, thanks to her experience. Or she will step in and ask the clergy on their behalf. If your child could use some extra help, contact Wendy directly at xmarxts@aol.com or 516-933-7448.
