Princeton WannaBe
If You Want the Dream Life .....
You gotta dream BIG! Thank God I got promotions to be "Steve O's wife" and "Stosh's mom".......otherwise, I would have missed out on everything!
Here's my two guys snugglin' in for books and bed. Steve O is re-visiting The Sun Also Rises and Stosh is checking out Diary of a Wimpy Kid ......
Sadly, the ugly doll is the only witness to moments like this .....
Okay, so We're NOT Social Media Experts ......
and we don't have super human powers but .......
DUMB LIL' US FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET 1,063 TWITTER FOLLOWERS!
Now we're taking on a facebook Fan Page!
WHY?
We have no idea but since everyone else is we figure we better be in the same sandbox!
You can Become our Fan EASY! Scroll to the bottom of this page and click Become a Fan! (wow, that IS easy ..... we just did it!)
(MANY THANKS TO ANNE HEWITT, our JUGTOWN TOURGUIDE FOR SETTING UP THE FANPAGE!)
(For Twitter people .... you can click that HUGE twitter button to the right of this post ...... here's our twitter bio: Princeton Paparazzi dishes about famous people, places & things in Princeton, NJ - we tweet about academic celebs, townie celebs and, well, hollywood celebs there first! Dr. Miles of Princeton University likes the steamed asparagus at Triumph Brewery? What stationary store was preferred by Toni Morrison? You get it, it's the blog only they shut us up at 140 characters)
And I Thought Shug and Steve O Were Kings of "Bromance"
Okay, it's an understatement to say that Grover was a "guys guy" ......
He was a bachelor when he became Prez ........ his best bud, Oscar Folsom moved to DC. (He later married Oscar's daughter but it's too long of a story - we cover it on the tours if you get desperate)
After his Presidency, Grover moved to Princeton because his OTHER best bud, Andrew West, convinced him it was a great place to live. Andrew was Dean of the Princeton University Graduate School. (Grover named his cool house "Westland" after his bud - he also used his political clout to help Andy get the grad school located where it is today.......anyhoo.....)
So everyone knows Grover Cleveland lived at 15 Hodge but did you know Andrew West lived in the yellow house directly behind him? Yep! At 2 Cleveland Street ......... (a super smart University guy lives there now and his wife, Andrea, is REALLY into the Arts Council.)
If you wanna meet people who live in cool houses you should go to the Dining by Design event later this Fall! http://www.artscouncilofprinceton.org/HTML/DEVELOPMENT/DxD09/dxd09about.html It's a super fun event - last year I met Michael Graves, the internationally famous architect!
WANT TO TREAT YOUR BROMANCER TO A COOL EVENT? TAKE ONE OF OUR SUDS & MUSKETS TOUR THIS MONTH! http://www.princetontourcompany.com/polCalendarEvent.cfm?Program_Code=95
"Honey, She's Like a Fart in a Windstorm...."
I've decided living in Princeton is fabulous but, frankly, you guys could use some southern one-liners to keep the humor at an all time high ......
This saying: "Honey, she's a fart in a windstorm" .......... now that's what you say to console a friend who's been the victim of some gossip ......
"Do you want to meet Jesus or are you just crazy?" normally this is only said to misbehavin' children and done around other southern moms with iced tea and playing cards. There's a bit of showing off and laughter ...... still, southern kids KNOW to COOL IT when the invitations for eternal life start coming out!
Next week I'll let you guys know the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption!
(Now for anyone creating a windstorm .... southern sayings are CRITICAL to anyone wanting to understand Princeton! At the time of the Civil War, 55% of the Princeton students were from the South ...... that's why they were called the southern most northern town ......)
1 comment - Last on 08/31/2009
If You Get A Chance to Meet A Historian ......
you really should!
if you get a chance to have a conversation with people who part of the the history ........
well,
you may want to reschedule with the historian!
Here's a story about a 92 year old guy who sold beer minutes after Prohibition ended .....
http://www.gnn.com/article/cheers-prohibition-era-bartender-retires/644371
Wanna hear stories from Princetonians who remember Prohibition? Einstein?, Oppenheimer?, Brown vs. Board of Education? Head over to Carousel Diner any weekday morning ...... by 7am ....... you'll see Lou, Billy, Jay and all the gang eating breakfast. Just politely ask to join the group ..... you can say I sent you but you really don't need an invitation.
The Carousel living history table is the best kept secret in Princeton ......
ENJOY!
(that's the place with the Carousel horse in the window ..... across from T Sweets on Nassau Street ........ near CVS .......got it?!)
Meet the REAL over achievers in Princeton, New Jersey!
If you haven't read something by Princeton University's Chang Rae Lee, I HIGHLY recommend Native Speaker ...
Mr. Lee, who immigrated here at the age of 3, is the perfect voice to describe the cultural isolation of coming to America ....... his character's description of being "westernized" while trying to maintain a native heritage is more than an interesting read .....
it'll make your heart swell with pride for our Princeton neighbors......especially the immigrants who live on Witherspoon Street or those who study at Princeton University, Westminster Choir College or the Seminary.
O.K. ....it just ain't right it's her initials!
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I take personal issue with the fact that my incredibly talented ghost tour guide, Olivia Kang (Princeton University '09), has the initials O.K. .....
Why? There's nothing "okay" about a tourguide that can speak five languages ....... graduated with honors from the world's best school ....... oh, and just so there's NO WAY you miss the point ...... she sings opera and landed her first gig in NYC this fall ......
Last night a group of 14 yr old girls booked "O.K." for a birthday gig ....... ALL had a great time......xcept for the three girls that just couldn't make it to the finish line ........ "I was worried I wouldn't make it to the cemetary" ....... "Olivia is so convincing ..... I didn't believe in ghosts before but, now, I really DO!"
Wanna book a "O.K. is short for AWESOME" ghost tour ? ...... I think you know what to do by now.......
(Hey girls! Hope some of you got some sleep last night!)
says famed Reiki Master sister, Alice Fink .......
when hearing about the details of Phillip Garrido's ability to control sound with his mind .......
(you gotta admit she can paint a picture with just one line of words!)
As Headlines .........on August 28th, in 1917 ...... history books calmly explain Woodrow Wilson was picketed by angry suffragists:
"According to the Library of Congress’ American Memory archives, Wilson rode out of the White House gates on the morning of August 28 with his wife at his side and tipped his hat toward the protestors as usual. By this time, though, the suffragists had become increasingly disruptive and brandished anti-World War I slogans on their placards in addition to pleas for the vote and later that day the protestors and outraged bystanders who supported the war clashed. Many of the women were arrested and placed n jail. Some of the jailed suffragists went on a hunger strike and were force-fed by their captors."
What would today's headlines say about this event?
FOX NEWS: Women RIOT in response to well-mannered President Wilson
CNN NEWS: Women "Go All Monkey" on President Wilson for Treating Them Like Animals Who Can't Think Enough to Vote
TMZ: Ellen Has HAD IT With ALL Woody's Women!
Don't know about Woodrow's women?
(People actually speculated about his first wife's death .......I'm not saying he would have kept one in the backyard but, well, he had ideas about where women belonged for sure!)
You really gotta take a President's Tour with Warren ...... He'll break down what happened before, during and after Woodrow's 25 years in Princeton, New Jersey!
http://www.princetontourcompany.com/polCalendarEvent.cfm?Program_Code=61
Of course, there's today's headline: John Mayer Offered $25,000 for Police Mug Shot ........(but I think that was his PR firm trying to keep in the news since he isn't dating any hot women in Hollywood right now.......maybe the "bad guy" image will help?????? http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0827091mayer1.html
Well, 112 Mercer Street was actually his second house in Princeton, New Jersey.
The house was part of the sweet package Einstein received as the first lifetime faculty member at the Institute for Advanced Studies.
Einstein's house is distinguished in being the only home in the world that has housed three Nobel Prize Winners .....
Wanna see who lives in Einstein's House now? Visit Princeton on Halloween night ..... the current genius, Dr. Erik Maskin dresses up like Einstein and gives treats out to Princeton kids. Sound too good to be true? I KNOW!
Y'know, in Paris, They Like Dogs More Than Kids.....
Since launching the Doggie Day Out Tours with dog freak dog lover Jennifer Hawkes, I'm starting to see why ...... people who love dogs ......
they don't just love dogs .....
THEY LOVE DOGS!!!!!!
Jennifer's Doggie Day Out Tours cover everything about the history of Princeton as well as crazy stories about the richest dog in the world, a seeing eye dog that worked at Princeton University ....... JFK had 15 pets? Anyhoo ...... you get it, she's into this dog thang.
Well, here's an AWESOME source for finding all the pet friendly places around the globe: http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/. Here in Princeton I know the Nassau Inn is cool with pets ....... hmmmmm ......... tour mogul mind considers Doggie Day Out Walking Tour Package to go with our Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour packages ..........
Wanna Sell Stuff to PRINCETON FROSH? Here's Your Chance!
ME TOO! (More likely their parents will take a tour......anyhoo.....)
These two students from Westminster Choir College are seeking New Student Orientation items for their raffle! (You can see Hoagie Haven thought it was a wonderful idea and I'm sorry, the guys at Haven "get it" so I take alot of my marketing cues from the streetwise Jugtown crowd....)
Wanna get in on the TOTALLY TARGETED incredible opportunity to reach new frosh? Contact Ryan LaBoy, pictured to the left, at 609-921-7100 X8110
(You don't even have to tell'm we sent you ...... that's not our hustle .........we're hoping the frosh will want to lose their parents for 2 hours.......)
If You Like 'Um Small & Fiesty ...
or large and cuddly......
You'll LOVE shopping in Princeton!
I KNOW a Princeton business will stand the test of time because it doesn't rely on one merchant type ......
if you like small-n-customized - we got it.........you like a bit larger-n-recognized - we got that too.
In Princeton, they get it ........it's a town for everyone ....... be on the watch out for more reasons to think shopping in Princeton is, well, a smarty pants move!
Why this video? Because, to me, it symbolizes the worn out warfare of local vs. chain businesses when the real battle is to win the hearts and minds of people who fall in love with our one of a kind Ivy League town! http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=18745837
(We got phone calls on this video! Here's an example of what I'm saying: Britney is a mix of wholesome and sexy - pair up JCrew jeans with a sexy top from Zoe's........PINK is rock-n-roll - pair up an edgy tee from DECKED with your old jeans and go vinyl diggin' at PREX.......Beyonce has that soulful grace vibe......head to Nick Hilton's for a one-of-a-kind piece from Jennifer and anything you put with it from Banana Republic will stand out from the pack.....)
Come shop in Princeton, New Jersey! Our diverse mix of merchants will ROCK YOU!
http://www.shopzoeonline.com/shop/index.php
http://www.nickhilton.com/blog/
Just When I Was Starting To Dig The Dink Lifestyle
Loyal readers will be shocked and (a bit angered) to learn Stosh has taken a vaca from Princeton for the past 12 days ......
Well, give a girl a break - I held back the news because I'm frantically trying to "mogul out" while Steve O's mini-me is catching rays, swimming, camping out, seeing See Rock City ...... (ME wonders if there is a real Rock City or just cute bird houses......hmmmm.....surely there is something to actually DO there .......See? Stosh's AWAYcation is distracting to my mogul mind!)
For now, I'll keep workin' the late hours in a quiet house with no one yelling, "Mom, try not to burn dinner okay?"
Planning a Wedding in Princeton?
I don't care who you are or where you come from, planning a wedding can be stressful.
As this photo proves, YOUR FAMILY NEEDS SOMETHING INTERESTING TO DO ON YOUR BIG DAY!
Consider booking a Princeton Wedding Tour - we adjust our most popular tour to include stops at your first date, first kiss .... maybe even when you both just "knew".
Chris Brown .... You are NOT HIRED as my chauffeur!
So, the police report from Chris Brown's fuss with Rihanna is out ........ we can't afford don't seem to need a full time PR person but gosh knows Chris should probably should budget for one!
Here's the lowdown on a really low point for Chris: http://www.tmz.com
I gotta tell you, I can't imagine a night like that - Chris and Rihanna are kids and I hope everyone let's them find their way.
We're Plannin' on Going All Hollywood on You Guys!
Yep! We ARE! (hey, F. Scott did so why not us?)
Be on the lookout for our Hollywood Tour ..... oh, here's the link: http://www.princetontourcompany.com/polCalendarEvent.cfm?Program_Code=92
or our F. Scott birthday tour ........ oh here's the link to that too!: http://www.princetontourcompany.com/polCalendarEvent.cfm?Program_Code=90
Giving all these tours has let us know what Steve O calls our "target market" .... people who want to get just enough history to feel knowledgeable and just enough BRAVO info to feel like a Princeton insider!
Can you tell we're having fun at this? WE ARE!
No Free Lunch In Princeton? Oh Yes There IS!!!!!!
So you know that statue outside of the kiosk? The one by J. Seward Johnson, Jr.?
He's reading a book called No Free Lunch .... Anyhoo, we beg to differ with the famous artist ......
There's plenty of ways to save on your lunch in Princeton ...... Lahiere's has a prix fix lunch, Nassau Inn is 50% off until Labor Day and I know Massimos has a $5 sub with fries .......
No matter what your budget, there are plenty of ways to feel like your getting a free lunch in Princeton!
Wanna fall in love with J. Seward Johnson, Jr.? Check out his cool self in this TIME article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926575,00.html
How can you not love a guy that's OK with getting fired by his uncle?
1 comment - Last on 08/25/2009
Meet Willow .... & Her Entourage!
Willow enjoyed the Doggie Day Out Walking Tour yesterday!
Tourguide Jennifer Hawkes - who grew up here in Princeton - strolled Willow & Company throughout the most beautiful areas of Princeton!
Along with our delightfully entertaining route info, Jennifer melded in doggie trivia ..... did you know Jasna, of the J&J fortune, loved dachsunds? What famous general loved hunting dogs - so much that he had over 100? A University student had over 150 pets? One named streaker?
This September, Doggie Day Out Tours go out every Sunday! It's the perfect meet-n-greet for everyone!
"Hmmmmm, I Don't Have Breast Implants ..... How Would They Identify My Body?"
Recent tour guide hire looks up from her laptop ....... "What?"
"I don't have any serial numbers imbedded anywhere. I don't even have tattoo! If someone takes me out, how will they know it's me?"
Recent Hire: "Mimi, they wouldn't even need DNA to find you......"
I look over .......
Recent Hire Destined to Be Fired: "Your dead body would be the only one with the mouth that won't shut."
1 comment - Last on 08/25/2009
Princeton Tour Company Customer Service ROCKS!
Meet Mike ..... Mike Scott ...... Mr. Mike to Stosh ....... Mr. Scott to his mailman. He's runs the Starbucks at 100 Nassau Street!
Here's a pic of Mike finding out if walking tours go out rain or shine - Why does he care? Yesterday, PTC Architectural Tour customers were SO EXCITED but were worried we'd cancel due to weather ..... Mike overheard them talking and simply ran over to find out! (Now THAT'S a a dude commited to customer service!)
Us? Cancel a tour? Please. We're running this tour company like we gotta make rent!
(Customers can always opt to cancel due to weather but most out of towners really want to see the town. We have umbrellas for shade or the occasional drizzle so you know you're always covered!)
Like Sand Through The Hour Glass ...
So are the days of our lives!
See the back of this guy? He's Justin ....... okay, he's FAMOUS JUSTIN! He was on Days of Our Lives for, like, FOREVER!
Now, he's a serious writer/actor and bartends at The Ivy on Nassau Street ...... across from Jays Cycles, next to Small(er) World and Blue Point Grill ......yep, the only bar in Princeton with an Au Pair Karaoke Night ..... and a pool table ...... darts .... the works ....
FAMOUS JUSTIN can juggle glasses, slide beer bottles down the bar and, well, he's got just the right amount of charm for a guy who has a serious physical genetic advantage ..... he's absolutely darling.
What the heck were Steve O and I doing at The Ivy last night? Having a great time meeting the guy who reads the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Seminary, talking to a screenwriter, an honest plumber and, well, getting ready for the Jugtown Pub Crawl ....... coming this Fall.
Yep, now we have our classic Princeton Greats Pub Crawl, our Suds & Muskets Pub Crawl and, coming soon, the Jugtown Pub Crawl. What's a Princeton Pub Crawl? Use Your Imagination Honey!
Happy Birthday Christopher Robin!
1 comment - Last on 08/22/2009
Second Place Really Is First Loser!
Huffington Post Top 20 List Came Out today:
1. Harvard 1. Princeton
(phone calls to Huff Post said that H comes before P as pathetic rationale for order ....)
3. Yale
4. Caltech
4. MIT
4. Stanford
4. UPenn
8. Columbia
8. Chicago
10. Duke
11. Dartmouth
12. Northwestern
12. Washu
14. Hopkins
15. Cornell
16. Brown
17. Emory
!7. Rice
17. Vanderbilt
20. Notre Dame
Congrats to Princeton University! When YOU thrive the TOWN thrives - it's been true since 1756!
We don't get the two-way, three way and four way ties either but, who cares?
PRINCETON WON!
1 comment - Last on 08/22/2009
“Are You Seriously That Eccentric or Is That REALLY Your Full-time Job?"
2 comments - Last on 08/22/2009
Famed Reiki Master Sister weighing in--- You need me. Handicaps and all. Period. End of story. (Besides, I know all your secrets incase the Inquirer hunts me down at the trailer park.)
Hoagie Haven Just Got Yummier!
Meet Costa ..... he's one of the owners of Haven ..... (I KNOW! He's as smart as he is cute!)
This September .......There'll be another reason to crave something HOT (or cold, for that matter) at Hoagie Haven!
This photo is deceiving because it LOOKS like Costa is trying to keep our secret but, really.....well, he's blowing me a kiss. Can't see it? Look closer ...... ok, don't look closer .....
Interested? Go by Haven in September!
Do you know why it's called Hoagie Haven instead of Hoagie Heaven? WE DO!
"salt-pepper-ketchup neeeeeeeext! Next in line please!"
1 comment - Last on 08/22/2009
Mimi, you work it, girl! Work it! 
Hey Princeton, No Whining From the Yacht!
1 comment - Last on 08/22/2009
Just When You Thought Palmer Square Was Kind of Stiff ....
The gang at Palmer Square and lululemon are planning a freaky (but peaceful) YOGA event where we're all supposed to show up at Palmer Square, put yoga mats in a circle and then bend around 108 times representing some super sacred yoga tradition.....I forget the name of the tradition but it's a REALLY BIG DEAL.
TRUE STORY: I actually took out a New Yorker whose company sells fabric to lululemon and she said that the name ..... lululemon was chosen because Asian languages don't have the "L" sound ..... supposedly, the uber-smarty pants founder capitalized on the beloved sound and created ...... lululemon ...... that's like, THREE L's in ONE WORD! ....... I Like, Like, Like a smart business move and, if she was right, way to go! If not, phone lines are open and we'll connect you up with other vicitims of oral history....)
Anyhoo, Amy Feeney, Assistant Manager and Community Leader at lululemon explains “The event is open to the public and is suitable for everyone…you don’t need to be an advanced yogi. We want people to come, learn, enjoy themselves, and just have fun.”
Saturday, September 19 from 10:00am-12:30pm (rain or shine) - this is free but the goal is to raise some moolah for a non-profit Off the Mat Into the World for their humanitarian work in Uganda.
You can count on Princeton Tour Company to wreck ANY and ALL press releases regarding events so send'um our way and if we think it's something we'd cancel a tour to attend, we'll let folks know half the story!
Between this event and September 17th, where we get to meet Lilith from Cheers, we'll be hittin' Palmer Square pretty hard in September!
OK, I would ROCK as a DOUBLE AGENT!!!
This working mom thing is SO ME!
One minute I'm a tour mogul - pictured here, booking tours and getting pics for the blog - (pls notice my fashionable camping skirt - ESSENTIAL for this Fall's catwalk riverwalk!)
The next minute I'm teaching Steve O and Stosh how to catch some delicious, tasty Bass out of our secret Princeton waterin' hole - (for my stalkers ..... it's over by Johnson Park Elementary School - I LIVE to be recognized!)
And to complete my spectacular display of talents ...... I pace the intellectual development of my men with my beginners chess set:
1 comment - Last on 08/19/2009
Mimi Ann, unless your bloggers are SUPER gullible, they KNOW good and well, you never touched that fish! I can swear on my life that little fish... smelly, sticky and slightly slimy...never touched your manicured hands.
Make Money! Move to Princeton! Here's How ...
I should have guessed a Princeton University graduate would figure out a way to provide meaningful employment opportunities during the recession:
http://consumer-weekly.com/article2.php?sub=CWDSO08BREITx
THANKS GOOGLE !
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Was Written in Princeton?
TRUE!
We're DONE being fascinated by Princeton!
Be on the lookout for our Princeton Movie Tour - we'll take you to sets of Beautiful Mind, I.Q., House, Scent of a Woman, Transformers 2 and many more .... Available this Fall .....
1 comment - Last on 08/16/2009
It's just a regular Disney Land up there... where is the Dumbo ride?
Bob Dylan ..... Class of 1970!
Alot of folks are surprised to hear that Bob Dylan was awarded an honorary degree in 1970. The day he got the diploma a din of cicadas descended on the campus, an event Dylan later described in his song, Day of the Locust :
|
Oh, the benches were stained with tears and perspiration, |
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I Have A Lot of Questions for the Folks at Harvard ....
Here's a collage of Harvard info that should make you scratch your head ........
Princeton was recently ranked #2 ....... Harvard? #5 ........Yale? (+4 to Harvard's poor score .......)
Speaking of poor Harvard....... Harvard is so broke they are starting a clothing line? They've partnered with the Wearwolf Group to come up with something no one will admit to wearing ........ (or will laugh that they did by the the time the 10 year licensing deal is over ........) I can just hear it, "Honey, grab me my Harvard WannaBe socks and matching Harvard WannaBe suspenders!"
And my final rant ....... Ashley Judd has been accepted to Harvard? Now THERE'S a revenue makin' idea ....... HIRE ACCEPT sisters of real celebrities to attend you school!
2 comments - Last on 08/15/2009
Whatever happened to silence? All these stories. All this chaos. I miss silence. It's hard to get it anymore. Where can you find that in Princeton?
Definitely NOT at Princeton Tour Company! We LOVE to jabber away!
It's lovely at the Princeton Public Library if you're looking for quiet contemplation or the Yoga classes at Holsome off Witherspoon!
Michael Vick Headed Our Way ?!
Michael Vick has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles ......
I bet he uses his Xtra time to REALLY make a change for animals in need.
Let's look for the best in our sports heroes!
(Hey Mike, did you know Jasna Polana was a HUGE animal lover? JFK had over 15 pets! One was named Streaker! Take one of our Doggie Day Out Tours and learn all about Princeton BIG personalities who found all sorts of companionship with pets!)
THIS JUST IN ABOUT KATE & JOHN....... Pennsylvania is becoming a haven for drama: http://www.usmagazine.com/news/kate-gosselin-in-tears-after-fight-with-jon-2009148
1 comment - Last on 08/15/2009
Such Drama Rama Obama Lama craziness. CALGON take me away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................
Lilith from Cheers is From Princeton ???!!!!
Well, here's your chance to meet her! (and her super talented hubby!)
Bebe Neuwirth (that's Lilith.....that's her to the left.....I KNOW! I'll keep my coat on during the opening .....)
Anyhoo, she and her hubby took a ton of photos with one camera, then, each put their own style on the photo ..... that's why the event is called, "One Camera, Four Eyes"........
I don't know what I'm more excited about ....... meeting another Princeton Great or seeing how ANY couple could survive this kind of collaboration ......
When & Where: FREE Opening reception will take place on Thursday, September 17 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Cranbury Station Art Gallery located in Palmer Square, downtown Princeton - next to the Soup Man - across from Jazams ......
What to do before: have a drink at a locals-favorite bar, silly! Within walking distance is Teresa's, Yankee Doodle Tap Room, Mediterra, Witherspoon Grill, Lahiere's, Triumph, Sotto's and Winberries - all have colorful characters and plenty of stuff to help you feel at home at a Four Eyes event!
What to do after: have another drink at a locals-favorite bar, silly! For the late night set, it's Ivy Inn - down on Nassau next to Hoagie Haven, Pool tables, dart boards and pin ball machines. The owner, Richey, is the nephew of the original owner of the bar. Can't get more Townie than that! (Come to think of it, I think this event is the same night as The Ivy's Au Pair Kareoke Night ......)
You Miss the Magic if You Don't Know the Whole Story ....
See this bracelet? Take a good look .......
Now read this:
It's cloisonné enameling, an ancient metalworking technique, and a multi-step enamel process first developed in the Near East, then spreading to Byzantine Empire and onto China. The artist, Nancy Troske, takes this ancient technique, mostly known for traditional motifs, and presents it in a contemporary, graphic & organic style. Nancy has, like, a billion degrees in Fine Arts and has traveled the globe for inspiration and authenticity.
Look back at the bracelet ...... does it look the same? I KNOW! Once you know the story on someone or something, it never looks the same! Nancy lives in Princeton and adores the town so I just had to share this with ya'll!
Want to see more pieces? Hit the Arts Council or go to www.nancytroske.com!
Hey Hillary, My Thoughts on the "Meltdown" ....
Look, if people want to call Hillary's reaction a "melt down" ..... well, they haven't seen a southern woman's MELTDOWN!
When southern women meltdown, the planet jerks ..... babies don't cry ...... bee hives go silent ........ seriously ...... when we mean it, honey, there ain't no room for debating if it happened or not ....
Yesterday's correction to the young student looked like a simple correction to me
To Hillary (if you read the blog): you're visiting a place that has upheld the mutilation of women, you're probably jet lagged and, between you and me girl, I think dudes in general get on your nerves. Note to self for the next Q&A ...... You've found your stride in this role so just GO! GO! GO!
1 comment - Last on 08/15/2009
Nothing like a bad day with eye-witnesses... reminds me of the day I screamed like a nutjob at my husband infront of all my father -n law's neighbors... the home health care provider ( Anita, the SLUG ) sat eating Cheetos while I changed my mother-in-law's Depends ( dignity for diapers... whatever).. I decided to FIRE HER on the spot and got SHOT DOWN by Sammy ...claiming it wasn't my "place"--crazy times make for crazy responses. Hilary, sometimes enough is enough.. I get girl.
How I Stay in the Center Lane with this Mom Thing ....
I KNOW!!! It's organized ......all the stuff they list is FREE .......the activities attract alot of "like-minded_ moms so you're sure to make some new buddies ....the owner is really nice ....... (and a stickler for details so you know the info is right!)
Whether you have kids or not, this is your #1 event source for cool things to do with anyone 60 inches and shorter!
Now for adults ....... well, there's a TON of great stuff out there but, for kids, this one is dialed in ......
I Know My Readers Aren't the Commenting Type ....but.....if they were ....
Princeton Tour Company would be as HOT as the Three Wolf and Moon tee shirt .......
Haven't heard of it? On Amazon.com it's the HOTTEST SENSATION!
This shirt has over 13,000 comments AND GROWING! They are hysterical!
EXAMPLE: "This item has wolves on it which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth 5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic happened. After checking to ensure that the shirt would properly cover my girth, I walked from my trailer to Wal-mart with the shirt on and was immediately approached by women. The women knew from the wolves on my shirt that I, like a wolf, am a mysterious loner who knows how to 'howl at the moon' from time to time (if you catch my drift!). The women that approached me wanted to know if I would be their boyfriend and/or give them money for something they called mehth. I told them no, because they didn't have enough teeth, and frankly a man with a wolf-shirt shouldn't settle for the first thing that comes to him.
I arrived at Wal-mart, mounted my courtesy-scooter (walking is such a drag!) sitting side saddle so that my wolves would show. While I was browsing tube socks, I could hear aroused asthmatic breathing behind me. I turned around to see a slightly sweaty dream in sweatpants and flip-flops standing there. She told me she liked the wolves on my shirt, I told her I wanted to howl at her moon. She offered me a swig from her mountain dew, and I drove my scooter, with her shuffling along side out the door and into the rest of our lives. Thank you wolf shirt.
Pros: Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women
Cons: Only 3 wolves (could probably use a few more on the 'guns'), cannot see wolves when sitting with arms crossed, wolves would have been better if they glowed in the dark
ANOTHER EXAMPLE: “If you are planning on spending exactly $9.14 on yourself this year, this better be the purchase.”
Want the Three Moon Shirt? Here's your quickest way - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HJ377A/ref=amb_link_84533911_3?ie=UTF8&redirect=true
Want to Know How This Whole Mess Got Started? - http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/may/20/business/chi-talk_3wolfmoonmay20
(I know, it's shopping outside of Princeton but no local vendors are carrying this)
4 comments - Last on 08/12/2009
Sign up for a tour a get your free shirt NOW!
No, No Alice. No free tee shirt! Tour customers get a FREE tall hot or iced Starbucks coffee but we can't swing a free tee shirt with it!
Starbucks is a better give-away but....thinking of all your customers sporting the wolf shirt around town does make me giggle. I am sure the local Princeton vendors would have to pinch themselves to keep from laughing.
I'm getting Shug the wolf shirt for the holiday season ....... SHHHHHH! IT'S TOO GOOD!
The First Step Is Admitting You've Had a Bottom ....
No, wait ..... admitting you have a problem .......
Either way, this is my "bottom" as a working mom .......
Kid Cuisine .......
R they serioius? Cuisine? I think they should rename this, "American Working Mom Picking Their Battles" Dinner .... now THAT would sell ALOT more carcinogen-filled meals!
Hey, here's another nugget about these guys - it's NOT easy to cook - take it from one who doesn't - you have to peel this and stir that - ANYTHING that makes me open the microwave door more than once is, like, a hassle.....
At this point with Kid Cuisine, I might as well make a souffle from scratch .... like, in the dark ... over an open flame .......
2 comments - Last on 08/10/2009
Don't hurt yourself, Mimi. Keep the manicure as long as you can.
THAT is one NASTY looking encilada...
Meeting Planners .... STOP SEARCHING FOR FUN THINGS TO DO IN PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY!
Plan your meetings and events in a place you KNOW your clients will FALL IN LOVE -
Princeton, New Jersey!
All meeting planners rely on Meetings Magazine for their destination needs - Princeton Tour Company got alotta love in the most recent issue!:
http://meetingsfocus.com/tabid/141/ArticleID/12482/Default.aspx
How'd we get THIS press? Princeton Regional CVB - Their people called my people and the whole mess of 'um got Princeton a 2 page spread in the world's most popular meeting planner source! www.visitprinceton.org if you want the inside track to becoming a member to the world's hardest workin' Chamber .....
I KNOW!!!!
"Hello? Please Hold For the Secretary of Bill Gates ....."
That's how the conversation started ...... (it ended in booking a tour in November!)
BILL GATES' OFFICE JUST CALLED! BILL GATES' OFFICE JUST CALLED!
HE WANTS TO BOOK TOURS WHEN MICROSOFT COMES TO RECRUIT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE FALL!
THE LADY ON THE PHONE SAID HE FELL IN LOVE WITH PRINCETON WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE UNIVERSITY A WHILE BACK AGO!
OMG! BILL GATES' OFFICE JUST CALLED!
MICROSOFT (AND BILL) ARE SO DREAMY!
1 comment - Last on 08/10/2009
Name dropper.
I Forgive You Will Ferrell .... Even For This ....
I admit it, I am a Will Ferrell junkie ..... To keep the comedic vibe in me alive, I watch his movies like its the first time whenever I can .......
If you've pretty much seen everything Will Ferrell has to offer, I'm happy to serve up more .....
Here's Will giving the 2003 Class Day speech for the brats at Harvard ...... Surprisingly, I think they got most of the jokes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH3hEpEPHY&NR=1
Here's other good stuff you may have missed .......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoXLu9Rz70g&feature=related
wait, this is good too ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4mYjc7g-so&feature=related
okay, one more but after this, you have to surf for your own ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XbmIntWn8&feature=related
2 comments - Last on 08/10/2009
MIMI ANN! I can SEE his dig a ling! You better hope and pray Nana doesn't read the blog today...your grandmother gonna whip your tail-- for sure! You bad, bad girl. Shame on you.
If you enlarge the photo you can see it's covered up with a brown leaf - I PROMISE!!! Plus, Nana called me and said it was funny! SO THERE!
So NOW I Get Why Dads Golf With Kids .....
It's like traveling with your very own cheerleading squad!
The whole time, Stosh was yelling, "Dad, you're, like, a PROFESSIONAL!"
By the end of my "Mommy's coming this time?" shift, even I was ready to sponsor Steve O for the PGA!
Now that Tiger Woods has won 70 PGA tourneys I think there's room for Steve O!
Perez Hilton Spotted in Princeton ??!!
We hope so!
I'm hoping this guy quits his gig at Target and gets work in Princeton!
He would ROCK the new Fall line at Ralph Lauren on Nassau!
At the very least head over to downtown Princeton with your friends and pick up some vinyl at PREX and some ice cream!
1 comment - Last on 08/09/2009
Pink hair disturbs me.
Sonia Sotomayor .... pls call .... You Made the PRINCETON GIRL POWER tour!
There's a GIRL POWA MOMENT going on at our house ths AM..... While Princeton's Sonia Sotomayor is celebrating her big day, I'm reminded of the cool women in my life!
My Nana was the first female real estate broker in NashVegas .......mom went back to Vanderbilt after it made any real sense ...... Aunt Suzanne became a hardcore attorney and none of it would have been possible without Granny Kirby ...... who made caring for everyone look like a dream job.
Steve O can bond with any guy that havin' a chick in your orbit with some ideas is tough to defend ..... or, like him, you give in and applaud it. Thanks to Grandaddy for NOT caring what the golf circuit thought of Nana wanting an identity, thanks to Shug for funding all our educations, including sending Bella to "hear peoples' stories" and ......
Granny Kirby? Like Sonia's mom, she carried it alone, like alotta moms out there who are the real heroes this morning!
Who's in your orbit that made your opportunities endless?
If you're a woman with a chance, whose universe are you expanding?
Here's some great references about Sotomayor: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/08/08/sotomayor_and_woodrow_wilsons_vision/ and http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/08/sotomayor/index.htmlnd
Think Hodge Road Doesn't Have a Sense of Humor? CLICK HERE FOR EXHIBIT A IN THEIR DEFENSE ...
Okay, next door to Grover Cleveland's house and just around the corner from Woodrow Wilson's abode this little doggie gets to live ..... on rainy days doggie wears a rain cap, doggie shows off a scarf for windy days and, well..........
Today was doggie's first "theme day" I've seen since giving the tours!
Other Princeton Greats who lived nearby were Robert Wood Johnson, Thomas Mann, Jon von Neumann, Svetlana Stalin and Tennessee Williams!
It's stuff like this that puts the brakes on people making assumptions about the people in Princeton! They're alot more approachable than they get credit for!
1 comment - Last on 08/09/2009
Does that shirt come in a human size M? I qualify.
Me? On The Board of the Princeton Chapter DAR ??!!
I KNOW!! I was surprised as you! If you keep up with this blog, you know I'm not your stereotypical Daughter ....Guess what? Neither are the Daughters in Princeton! (Come to think of it, all of them are rebels WITH a cause for historic preservation and education!)
If you think you have ancestors who fought or served in the Revolutionary War, you should check into it! I've had more fun learning about my ancestors who fought (and hid) during the Revolutionary War. One poor ancestor never recovered from his time in battle and slept in a tree trunk ...... for the rest of his days! Now THAT's an ancestor worth remembering!
Curious about your heritage? Check it out at http://www.dar.org/natsociety/ or call me at 609-902-3637. I'll point you in the right direction!
1 comment - Last on 08/09/2009
Hiding in a tree trunk?! NOW I UNDERSTAND my desperate need to hide in bed and not face the world when it gets too scary. .. I inherited this "habit"
All Families Need a Healthy Dose of Neglect ....
and spoiling!
Here's proof that 
a I CAN cook but only Southern food. Here's a mess of Fried Green Tomatoes from Steve O's garden down on John Street. (He's the guy you see down there in business clothes with surgical shoe covers over his fancy shoes weeding, watering and HARVESTING!)
Here's my super secret way of frying up green tomatoes: Get alotta green tomatoes - cut in 3 inch slices - sprinkle with black pepper and salt and let sit for 15 minutes - (about as much time it takes to beat your kid at Clue Jr.) In this order put a bowl of milk (alotta pros use buttermilk but the smell of it makes me ill so I just use real milk), a bowl of flour, a bowl with 2 scambled eggs and a bowl with bread crumbs. Take the rested tomatoes and generously dunk each one into each bowl. Lay flat on a dish. Do enough that will fill a skillet. (You don't want to do a million of these and let them sit around while you're frying up the rest of the stuff - they get schmooshy) Put about 2 cups olive oil in your iron skillet - (enough to have the oil come up to about 1/4 of the outside of your 'mater) - get it hot and then balance it at around 6 on the stovetop. (If you sliced some thinner you may want to adjust the heat or the time in the skillet) Fry each side about 4 minutes. When done, put on plate to rest - they can go in the warming drawer (or oven at 170 degrees) and be fine until everyone is ready to eat them!
If you haven't tasted fried green tomatoes, let this be a taste on the wild side!
1 comment - Last on 08/06/2009
Mimi, those look FANTASTIC! I bet Steve O. was SHOCKED when he got home... the kitchen was in use and smelly. Not here in Hotlanta. Sammy and I split a side of cow and I had one DELICIOUS dirty martini. How WAS the skateboard lesson? Loyal readers are on pins and needles ....
Is Anyone Saving This For the "Tell-All" Book?
Don't smile at this picture ....... this woman could be dangerous ........not me, silly, the one to the right ..... my left in the picture ...... your right when you're looking at the picture ...... oh WHATEVER ...... you can tell I'm trying to sound rattled but the truth is
Yesterday, I was THRILLED to have my first BLOG FAN stop me on Nassau Street! This is NOT a paid model! She admits to reading the blog! The best part? She lives in Rocky Hill but shops in Princeton!
(She claimed to be hitting the Talbots Sale yesterday but I think I saw her crouched down in her car waiting for us.......y'know, dirty laundry in the back, fast food bags on the floorboard -like the pros outside the clubs in LA ......)
Stosh was with me and Pat knew all about the Reunion and his skateboard lessons! Like me, he was thrilled to offer autographs, photo ops and invites to get together ......... I think she thought that was a little wierd so Stosh and I worked on our "please, NOT now" poses ....... after about 5 minutes of practice and hysterical laughter we decided
WE DIG OUR FANS!
(Pat, next time you're headed to Princeton, call me, we'll do some damage together!)
(Laura Ling and Euna Lee, once you get back from North Korea, feel free to call me about writing the "tell all" book! Fans are waiting!)
1 comment - Last on 08/05/2009
Pat looks like fun! I read the blog too! It's hysterical!
My friends and I are taking bets on how soon Princeton runs this girl out of town -
I hope not, it's funny!
Four Car Garage and We're Still Buildin' On.....
Princeton, New Jersey doesn't get enough credit for simple livin' .........
(Yesterday, on our errands, every single shop person asked us how our summer was going - one lady had to finish up a phone call before she could ring up our order ...... a portion of her conversation here:
"Yep, I can take care of your cat, you just make sure you bring me back some fish from your vacation!"
Some people would say that's poor service but, to Stosh and I, it feels like a 5 STAR service!
If the gang at Wegman's and Walmart don't know what grade you're kid is going in ....... maybe it's worth the extra nickel to shop close by and introduce your kid to real livin' ....... and a real community.
It's what we said we wanted when we moved here, right?
Here's ROSS at NASSAU SEAFOOD making sure I have what I need to fake a homemade meal tonight!
Here's a take on Hank's classic to get you in the vibe ...... I'll share it with you if you PROMISE to yell out Princeton, New Jersey where they sing the city and state.......promise?
"If you had one place on earth you would wish for, one place you would want to go ......"
LOVE IT! CLICK ON!
(Listen to the WHOLE song - hear what Kenny says about somethng real - THAT'S THE REAL PRINCETON VIBE!)
Sense of Adventure or Death Wish?
STOSH IS CONVINCED THAT HE IS READY FOR SKATEBOARDING .......
I hesitated for a bit but then I went into DECKED on Witherspoon - across from the Princeton Public Library. The sales guy was really nice (and just the right about of cool) and the place had some middle schoolers hanging out and talking about skating.
WE SIGNED UP FOR A LESSON ON WEDNESDAY SO STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO ON THAT ADVENTURE! (It should be kinda cool - the teachers at DECKED are in their 20's - super into safety and making sure the kids have a positive experience. Who knows? Maybe I'll take a lesson on my own someday!
If biking on the street gets you flippy, maybe skateboarding to school is the first step to gettin' your kid off the gas and onto the street for this coming school year!
1 comment - Last on 08/05/2009
I hope your Momma bought you knee pads, elbow pads, and a back pack DECKED with band aids. BE CAREFUL, Stosh. You make your Aunt Alice nervous.
"Honey, You're on the Cover of the Trentonian....."
Not really ...... but we made Page Three!!!! Check out Jeff Edelstein's summary of our chat! http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2009/08/03/news/doc4a7653f584a7a962458420.txt
(I like this Jeff Edelstein guy ...... if he moved to Princeton, home values would continue to SOAR!)
What?!!
Not a Trentonian fan?
Hey, like Princeton homeboy Paul Tulane, I'd rather laugh with the sinners than die with the saints!!!
Shout out to Ferrell Vaughan on Page Six! Tennessee girls DOMINATE the Trentonian today!
1 comment - Last on 08/03/2009
Mimi, get your face on the front of THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER. Your family SECRETLY reads'em. Congrats!!!! We love you.
The Only Thing Missing in Princeton ...
Is more family ...... it's the only thing I'd change about Princeton! We just got back from seeing a million generations honoring my Nana and Grandaddy. Bike riding, fishing, boating, singin-n-sharin', swimming, taking trapeze lessons (??? I know, if I knew how to upload video you'd be choking it was so funny) ......and simply wanting to be together.
Oh I know you're wondering if there was drama at the reunion ........ Hello?!! We're Southern ........ picking fights and holding our ground (even when it's flawed) is kind of in the genetic code. Still, with us, infighting has never been our deal ....... maybe we need each other more than the average group!
(Here's a shot of one of the AWESOME antique stores we visited out in Georgia ...... the clock purse .......a MUST for any gal lookin' to make a bold fashion statement. It's still there if you want to buy it. We passed on that lil' treasure. Below is my bro' Steven ....... people say Steven looks like Tim McGraw with a splash of Zac Effron ...... mull that over ........ now look at him again ....... I KNOW!!! Isn't he fabo?)
We're done blogging about the Reunion 2009 ...... we're back in mogul mode, in fact, on the flight home I designed the Grub Crawl brochure ............ Grub Crawls in Princeton??? Oh yeah, baby!
Sound crazy? Be on the lookout for our Snuggie Pub Crawl coming up in October!
Girlfriend is BACK from VACA and READY to SHOW OFF HER HOMETOWN!
Day Three of Family Excommunication, ahem, Family Reunion is Underway ....
I'm teasing ...... loyal readers will know I am from the South, which, to me - not only gives me genetic advantage over any competition but also a unique brand of humor only available to those of us raised by Southern mothers ........Some quotes heard from the Southern mothers at the 2009 Ross Family Reunion:
Question: "Is Uncle Sam really investing in a topless cleaning service?"
Southern Mother's Answer: "Yes, honey, he is ..... that's why Aunt Alice is out buyin' her a new funeral dress."
Question: "Why would someone want to drink something that cleans wounds?"
Southern Mother's Answer (In unison): "You better watch it child or I'll knock you into next week so hard you'll meet Jesus up close and personal."
Question: "Hey! There's a free circus down the street!"
Southern Mother's Answer: "Honey, it's all Cash, Grass or Ass in this world......ain't nobody ridin' for free." (I thought hard about including that but everyone keeps saying the success of a blog is the truth behind it ....... I swear all this is true ........ you gotta admit, this stuff is SLAP YO' MOMMA GOOD!)
This antique dealer's Rule of Thumb kind of says it best .........
I Think Most of You Know We Like Working A Ground Game, But It's the Hail Mary's We're Known For ...
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Tiger is my favorite! LOVE HIM!!!!!!