South Jersey's Sober Party Girl

Before the full summer madness officially takes over the Jersey Shore, I wanted one more peaceful drive through Ocean City . I love living near the shore, but once summer arrives, everything changes fast. The boardwalks become packed, parking turns into a competitive sport, and every street suddenly feels like it’s hosting a parade. Don’t get me wrong, the energy is part of the magic. Shore towns thrive this time of year, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. But there’s something special about sneaking in those quiet local moments before the chaos officially begins. And let’s be real, it’s not just Ocean City . Every boardwalk town in South Jersey transforms once the temperatures rise. Ironically, I’ll be spending plenty of Saturday nights in Wildwood this summer helping with events, so I’m basically trading one crowded boardwalk for another. Here’s hoping for decent parking, fun crowds, and a safe summer season for everyone. A Nostalgic Ice Cream Stop in Ocean City Even wit...

  After weeks of newscasters warning about drought conditions and New Jersey hinting at water restrictions, the rain finally showed up right on cue. April showers are officially here… now if only they could revive the flowers I forgot to plant (and are currently fighting for their lives on my patio). Mexican Madness in Atlantic City 🌮 This week kicked off with one of the most delicious events of the season, Mexican Madness in Atlantic City. Local restaurants went head-to-head, serving up their best Mexican-inspired bites in hopes of claiming the top spot. Now, after my fourth birria quesadilla (no regrets), I couldn’t tell you who officially won, but I can tell you who stole the show for me: Kings Pub came in strong with a fresh tuna tostada that was unexpectedly incredible . Crunchy, salty, fresh; this one lived rent-free in my head for days. JV’s in Pleasantville fueled my birria obsession. I devoured multiple in under two minutes (a personal record), and their staff was jus...

Let me paint the scene: the cars are covered in a thick dusting of yellow pollen, my eyes are watering, my nose is somehow stuffy and running at the same time, and I am down yet another box of Benadryl. Are allergies kicking anyone else’s butt right now? Because I don’t think I’ve seen a day this week where I haven’t coughed up a lung. How many of those do I have again? Either way, I coughed them all up. GROSS. 🤧🌼 So what’s the best way to treat yourself and escape the pollen for a bit? A brunch trip, of course. After many people read about my recent brunch adventures, I kept hearing the same thing: “You have to try Queen Bean!” Located in Vassar Square in Ventnor City, this cozy bistro focuses on fresh, local ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a full barista setup, it’s a BYOB spot (always a win), and according to their website, the heart of the kitchen is Chef Sal, who prioritizes high-quality local ingredients to create wholesome dishes with a little extra...