Monthly Archives: June 2010

Jun 28 2010
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La Splenda Vita, My Life in Hoboken

How’d They Do That?

I so frequently meet people my age that are already doing such interesting things with their lives that makes the nosy/curious/journalist in me want to know: HOW DO YOU DO THAT? How can I do that…why can’t I do that?

For TheBokenOnline, I interviewed Hoboken resident Andrea Maiolano, who runs her own business of hand-made handbags and accessories out of her own apartment, a hobby-turned career, for full time! Amazing. Here’s the article:

Meet Hoboken’s Andrea Maiolano- Hand Bag Designer

In an apartment somewhere between Bloomfield St. and NYC’s Fashion Avenue, Hoboken resident Andrea Maiolano aims to speak the same visual language of her design idols Kate Spade, Diane von Furstenberg, and Tory Burch by creating one-of-a-kind handbags and accessories in eye-catching colors, interesting prints, and beautiful fabrics.

“Back in 2005, I used to carry a plain, little, hot pink bag around the city and literally got stopped EVERYWHERE I went,” Andrea says. “People were constantly asking me what designer it was and where I got it. I thought it was the weirdest thing since I got it as a free gift with a purchase.

“One day, in a bakery in Bayonne, the girl behind the counter (yet again) told me how adorable my little pink canvas bag was. For some reason it hit me then and there—I knew that making fun, colorful, attention-grabbing bags would be my newest venture.”

Excited, though not entirely sure what would result from a bunch of fabrics she purchased in the NYC Garment District, after a year of sewing lessons from her mom and the transformation of a dining room into a studio (her work was only moved for major holidays), Andrea found a way to turn the vibrant prints she’s always loved into something other girls would covet.

With the help of friends and family spreading the word and hosting amarie/Mary Kay shopping parties to support her new venture, in 2008, “amarie by andrea maiolano” became an official company.

When Andrea’s not in her studio or at peeking into the clothing store Townhouse on her way to the post office, she’s on the road traveling to shopping events all across NJ and NY. But, no matter where she is, her thoughts are never too far from her sketchbook.“I love seeing a design element on a dress like flowers, overlays, or draping, and trying to apply that inspiration to a bag,” she says. “I have so many more ideas and inspirations in my head and sketchbook, hopefully I will soon be able to use them all, made into something new.”

Amarie bags can be found at the Koru Wedding Shoppe on Fourth and Washington, and through her Etsy site. Andrea also encourages Hobokenites to stop by for an appointment, since she also takes custom orders.

website: www.loveamarie.etsy.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/amariebags

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Jun 14 2010
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La Splenda Vita

Did I Really Just Cheer For Philadelphia?

From the June 18th addition of Hoboken Progress…

Here’s a fact that is probably surprising to no one: I was never an athlete. I was always of the art class and dance persuasion. Simply put, when a ball comes at me, I prefer to run away.

As far as sports goes, I suppose you would call me easily impressionable. While I am tied to NYC teams, watching sports has always been more of a social event for me. Sunday football is a great excuse to have a few beers and greasy food and pretend that it’s still Saturday with friends.

So, how is it that for the past nine months, I’ve betrayed my NYC roots to root for a Philadelphia team? Bait, my friends, bait of the big blue-eyed, 6’4’’ tall kind. Simply put, the boyfriend is a Flyers fan.

I feel as though I may come off as a sort of “fair-weather” sports fan—but it’s not about just following who’s winning, or me just being a follower. I don’t see this as the case. There are million reasons how teams hook fans. For me, it was an incredibly cute guy who switched on the hockey games in my living room.

Empire State? Marco? Polo??

I will admit, that in my past dating lives, I’ve shown an improved interest in the Mets or the Giants. But, those were easy. Those were New York. I’ve never crossed over the Delaware River before, or have left the turf for a rink.

Something is different here. Whether it’s the game itself that’s a novelty to me, or that it feels secretly rebellious to root against New York, after a while I found that I wasn’t just watching to be supportive of the “real” fan—I got into it. After an episode of silently willing at the television screen for the Flyers to win, I realized that I actually cared if the Flyers won or lost. Now, at the end of my first official season as a hockey spectator, I can name at least 10 Flyers players, am tagged on Facebook wearing a Flyers jersey, and I am now able to throw around terms like “Power Play” and “Shoot from the point!”

When the Flyers were down by two games in the final series against the Chicago Blackhawks, my dad, aware of my newfound hobby, commented that the Flyers better not go 0-3. In my response email, I explained how hopeful I was, using the term “home team advantage” and further illustrating my belief of a win by explaining how the team was once down by two games in another series and still pulled ahead. “I can’t believe you know that” he emailed back. Neither did I.

I don’t think Hoboken will ever forgive me for this one—but if there are a few bars in the “mile square” that allow Eagles fans to wear their team colors, surely I will be able to find a local Flyers outlet. If not, sitting in my living room with the boyfriend is fine for me.

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Jun 04 2010
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My Life in Hoboken

An Unexpected Scene

One of the few things that irks me about the city today is that there are no “scenes,” at least, the way in which I’ve heard about them when my parents were my age in New York. Since information travels much differently than it did, say in the ‘60s and ‘70s, people no longer devote evenings to an art or music venue to just hang around and see new talent. Today, it seems as if everyone seeks to get in and out due to tight schedules.

I’ll blame my frustration with this loss of a culture on my father’s vinyl collection. Growing up with the display of records as the main focus of our family room, just as a fireplace may be for other families, for years I heard stories about how my father’s hearing was blown out from a Grand Funk Railroad show, or how sick it was to see a new band called the Clash perform in the East Village. Having been born in the ‘80s, not quite understanding that these records were from another era, I remember asking my dad if the Beatles’ “Help” Album was a new release when I was six years old.

As a daughter of the digital age, I sometimes feel as though I don’t always have a deep appreciation for the streamlined, fast-paced times that we live in.

I suffer from what’s called “we always want what we don’t have” syndrome. As if the replica rotary phone, typewriter in my room, or my current obsession with finding a pair of saddle shoes doesn’t represent my yearning for a nostalgia that’s not even my own, I’m severely jealous of my dad’s memories for all the rock shows he saw back in the day.

So, imagine my delight/surprise that I can now give my dad a run for his money after my commute on the PATH this morning, since I witnessed a LIVE performance of Abbey Road. The performer’s name may not have been John, Paul, George, or even Ringo, but he wore socks with sandals and was rockin’ it out at 9:30 AM.

Sitting directly across from me, I got the full spectrum. I didn’t even pretend not to stare, even though my sunglasses helped. It was a one-man show, with an umbrella tapping against the rail as percussion to his “hushed” yet perfectly audible vocals. I was witness to this from “Here Comes the Sun” to “Polythene Pam.”

Although my ears may not ring from this free show, nor did I discover any new or raw talent, sometimes I feel that the PATH has become a scene for me, simply because it has given me so many stories, most of which I’ve written about here. Because of this man’s lack of self-awareness and love for Abbey Road, I have yet another first-hand, ridiculous account that I can share with my family one day, as just another installation in my tales of commuting under the Hudson on a little train called the PATH.

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Jun 02 2010
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Awesome Finds: Deals, Freebies, Etc.

Freebie Wednesday

Not only is it a four day week, but today was also a morning for free-loaders:

Peeking out my my bag, to be demolished as a 3 PM pick-me-up snack, are the NEW pretzel M&Ms, which were being handed out in Herald Square.

Though I usually climb out of the PATH station on 34th St. slightly perturbed by the NY Metro guys shoving newspapers in my face, my frown melted away as I heard, “Free M&Ms!” “Free sample!” I immediately looked up and scrambled over the people in blue tee shirts and large messenger bags filled with the chocolately treats, and held out my hand. Gimme. Mine.

Score!