South Jersey's Sober Party Girl

  I can feel it… summer at the Jersey Shore is officially creeping in. The pollen is attacking, my car has probably gone through its 100th wash already, and suddenly every errand feels like a race against beach season. But somewhere between vacuuming out the car and mentally planning my first full beach day, I stumbled into what might just be my new favorite South Jersey hidden gem. If you love vintage finds, furniture treasures, and the thrill of uncovering something amazing, you need to check out The Red Door Thrift Store in Linwood NJ, part of the Cancer Support Community (formerly Gilda’s Club). The Best Thrift Store Find Yet The moment I walked into The Red Door Thrift Store, I knew I was in trouble. Ihe good kind of trouble. Every corner was packed with beautiful furniture, vintage décor, old writing desks, dining room sets, and enough quirky knickknacks to keep me wandering for hours. I wanted to buy half the store and photograph the other half. Then I spotted the couch. My ...

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...