MiraBest

Q&A with Powerhouse Studios!

Get to know the amazing services that our sponsor Powerhouse Studios offers!

1. How long has Powerhouse been in the party business? 

Powerhouse Entertainment, our off site entertainment company has been in business for over 30 years. 

2. How many locations are there and how did it grow over the years?

We currently have two locations in East Hanover (opened 2001) & Paramus, NJ (opened 2004), plus a traveling off-site division that sends entertainment all over the United States. We opened Powerhouse Studios because there was a need for an alternative event space and both locations have been an over the top success. Our off site company, is extremely busy as well and our entertainers are creating wonderful memories for families all over the tri-state area.

3. What kinds of parties do you specialize in? What kinds of parties can we hire you for?

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Sweet 16’s are two of our top markets, but we host all types of events: First Birthdays, Corporate Events, Reunions, Fundraisers, School Events, Children’s Birthday Parties & many other types of social events. Our off site, entertainers are well versed in running all types of events. 

4. What off-site entertainment options do you offer? 

DJ entertainment & Interactive Game Shows are two of our most popular offerings. Next is arcade and game systems, video screen rentals & photo favors. However, we have hundreds of options to choose from, and most are listed on our website at www.powerhousestudios.tv , for both in house and off site events.

4. Who are your DJ's and what are they known for? 

Our company is known for reliability and for having the know-how to run a party. From playing the right music to interacting with the crowd, our entertainers and staff are experts in the party industry and know how to create the atmosphere for a successful event. All of our DJs, Emcees and Dancers are super high energy, personable and very interactive. We make the guests the focus of the party so they have the time of their lives. 

5. How do I pick an emcee for my party?

As far as our Emcees go, it’s really a personal choice who a client likes best. You may have seen one of our Emcees in person at someone else’s party, or you can attend one of our LIVE PARTY SHOWCASES**. Our next showcase will be Sunday, January 29^th from 12-3 pm at our Paramus location with a live performance of our emcees and dancers at 1 pm. If either of those options do not work, we have live videos and interviews with our emcees on our website at www.powerhousestudios.tv and click on the Party Channel link or the Bar/Bat Mitzvah link.

7. What's the background of your dancers? Why should I hire dancers for my party?

Most of our dancers come from a professional dance background. Many of our dancers have either studied dance, teach dance at dance schools, have toured in musicals and productions, performed in off Broadway plays or are just really great dancers with super party personalities. We also have quite a few Break Dancers / Motivators that have been in music videos, commercials and toured for major sponsors. To see photos and other info on our dancers you can go to our website at www.powerhousestudios.tv and click on the Dance Channel link.

8. What photographers/videographers do you work with? What are their backgrounds and why should I use them?

We have our own in-house video and photography division. Our photographers & videographers have been in the industry for over 20 years, and we offer top quality at affordable prices. 

9. I need favors for my party. What options do you have?

When it comes to favors, there are many different options. Photo favors are the most popular, with airbrushed t-shirts coming in second, and the list goes on. There are endless choices. Visit our website at www.powerhousestudios.tv and click on the Entertainment Channel link to see videos and photos of many of the different options available. 

10. What's "hot" in terms of parties these days? What can I add to my party to make it memorable and fun?

All inclusive packages are the trend today, where it’s made easy & affordable for the customer. Clients today are really busy and have hectic lives. We can offer packages that can included venue, catering, entertainment, video, photography, favors and more for a one-stop-shopping experience with top quality offerings at reasonable all inclusive packages prices. We can also put together all inclusive packages for our off-site clients with many of the offerings listed above as well.  

There are many ways to keep up to date with Powerhouse Studios & Entertainments events and specials:

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/powerhousestudios.tv 

TWITTER:  @tweetpowerhouse

WEBSITE:  www.powerhousestudios.tv 

OFFSITE INFO: 1-800-287-4613

East Hanover location call 973-560-9560

Paramus location call 201-265-9060.

 

**DETAILS FOR THE LIVE PARTY SHOWCASE on Sunday, January 29th...

What better way to experience Powerhouse Studios firsthand than through a visit to the space and viewing a live performance of the emcees and dancers (1pm). At 1:30 will be a live performance by the band REVERSE ORDER. There will also be delicious food, videography & photography specials, favor & entertainment options and much more! This event is free and open to the public. 

Powerhouse Studios is located at 49 E. Midland Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652 
We are located in the back of the building behind to Monster Golf. 

 

Mom-owned Business: Tutu Spoiled

Looking for some cute clothes for your little one? Well, what better way to dress your cutie-pie than with clothes from local momma's new web site? In the interview below, find out all about a mompreneur who is bringing posh fashion to Bergen County. 

 When did you start the site? What inspired you to start it? 

My name is Jessica and I have been a South Bergen County resident the majority of my life. I stepped into the world of Bows, Bling and Tutus after becoming a mommy to my two amazing little girls.  I would spend endless hours searching for that perfect outfit and accessories.  It was then that I began to see the need for a one-stop shop. Soon after, in 2010, Tutu Spoiled was born.

Why should moms shop on your site? 

Little Girls, Big Style..is the motto I’ve been following lately. I’m absolutely addicted to my site and keeping it up-to-date with the latest trends and seasonal items for girls. I'm constantly looking for ways to expand, and I take great pride in stocking top quality merchandise. I like to help all of my customers achieve their goal of transforming an ordinary outfit into that “Wow, that’s so cute!” reaction.

What are your top-selling products? 

Aside from some of our best selling seasonal items, our top sellers are “The Princess has Arrived” – a newborn take home outfit, “Sweet to Be Birthday Pettiskirt Set” – for birthdays and all hair bows especially custom matched for  an outfit. Another popular item is our Bow of The Month Club – it is a subscription program in which all members receive one bow a month.

I'm looking for cute Valentine's day clothes...what should I buy? 

We currently have a Valentine Heart Skirt Set that's just adorable, and you can select a bow (any size) to match. Or if you really really want to stand out - we have vintage lace rompers and a lace headband that would make any picture look perfect!

Do you have any local hot tips? Favorite restaurant? Valentine's dinner spot? Kids Activity?

With a toddler and soon to be 1 year old I am always looking for different activities and new places to keep them occupied. Our recent finds are, The Craft Clique in Secaucus  which  has arts and crafts and The Geyer Family YMCA  in Montclair. They both have a wide range of classes from ages 2 and up. Our new favorite spots are also the Chuck E Cheese on Rt 4 and Kidz Village.

If we're looking for a nice dinner we always like to go to Cuban Pete’s in Montclair, it is BYOB and nice atmosphere. But be prepared to wait during there peak times!

************

By visiting www.tutuspoiled.com moms will find products ranging from beautiful gift ideas, everyday wear, birthday outfits, bows of all sizes, and tutus of all colors. Use coupon code: MIRABEST to get 10% off purchase.

 

North Jersey Gym Deals 2012

Below, I've updated a list I made of gyms in the area. This is the time of year they are luring you in with specials, promotions, and hot deals. They know we have major "holiday eating regret," so like gerbils to the wheel we step back on the treadmill to burn those extra pounds. I love how they have child care these days--and for relatively cheap! The Gym in Englewood wins for the best child care facilities around. They set the bar very high! 

Cando Fitness, Edgewater. www.candofitness.com 201-313-3300. This is a popular gym with moms. Their child care facilities are nice and you can view your child on monitors while you are working out.

• $0 enrollment fee and save $240 on monthly dues. Monthly fees can be from $69 to $89 per month. 
• Child care included in membership fees
• What's New: They are replacing all their cardio equipment with new ones, including Precor machines. New blade spinning bikes, too. 
• They also have locations in Princeton and Short Hills. 

The Gym, Englewood. www.gettothegym.com/englewood 201-567-9399. Very modern gym, nice locker rooms and awesome child care facilities.

• New Year, New You: No registration fee (normally $150 for annual membership and $200 for month to month) 
• Monthly memberships range from $80 to $130. Child care included. 
• What's New: Zumba and a whole new class schedule coming soon!
• Also, see if you qualify for one of their discounts, i.e., for military families, educators, students, etc.  

24 Hour Fitness. www.24hourfitness.com 201-727-1179. As they promise in their name, the Hasbrouck Heights location is open 24 hours. So, it's great if you like to exercise at night. There are no cancellation fees or yearly commitments required.

• Month to month membership only
• $59.99 registration fee and $54.99/month
• Three 50 minute personal training sessions for $100 (usually $130)
• The Paramus location is new and has open layout but is closed on Sundays. 
• Child care: $39/month or $5/visit. 
• The kids area looks really fun and there are lap pools, too!

Volt Fitness http://www.voltfitnessusa.com/ Glen Rock. They allow you to work out as a family--with lots of options for kids. It seems more like fun than fitness! 

• Suburbanmomma has a deal right now for $60 for three personal training sessions (30 mins each) or $75 for three weeks of group training (twice a week for three weeks) Both include fitness assessment. Link here. 

WOW (Work Out World). www.wowhealthclubs.com/fairview (Fairview) 201-941-8845. With some of the lowest monthly fees around this is one gym to check out!

• $50 enrollment fee
• $29/month
• They have 40+ classes and you can go in for a free trial. 
• Child care: $2/child and $1/additional child. 

Gold's Gym. http://www.goldsgym.com/paramusnj 201-265-7722. This gym was voted Best Gym in NJ by nj.com. You can do a one week free pass to check it out!

• At the end of this week you can sign up to try the gym for 30 days for only $19.99. Bring a friend and it's only $14.99/pp. Bring the whole family or more than 3 ppl and it's only $9.99/pp. 
• Some plans include child care but if you have to pay it's $2/visit for up to 2 kids. 
• You get access to 14 days free at any Gold's Gym in their travel program. 

NYSC. www.mysportsclubs.com. Englewood, Hoboken, Mahwah, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Westwood and more. A new location in Bayonne just opened. 

• $0 Enrollment fee with one year membership.
• January dues are waived
• Offer expires 1/9/2012
• Also: 30 days for $30.
• 10 day guarantee or your money back

Bally's. www.ballyfitness.com Englewood Cliffs, North Bergen and Saddle Brook locations.

• $0 enrollment fee and $24.99 per month (restrictions apply, so check with your local center). $29 card fee due at signing. 
• You can sign up for a free 7 day pass on their web site.

WOMEN ONLY GYMS

American Woman Fitness Centers. www.americanwomanfitness.com They have two locations: Oakland and Westwood.

• $40/month or you can buy a ten pack of classes for $50. 
•  They do have a pool and offer aquatic classes
• There is also child care for $3 for 1.5 hours and $1 for each extra child. Child must be 2months or older. 
• 60 classes per week and lessons for kids as well
• What's New: new hardwood floor, Core bar class (from Sweden), Zumba, yoga and more!

Ethos Fitness. http://www.ethosfitness.com. Midland Park. I did a free trial last summer at this gym and I just loved the ambiance. It feels like a spa (and you can get treatments here) with a nice number of exercise equipment and fun classes. It's the perfect size--not too large--and makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as they work out. 

• 8 Day Open House: January 7 to 14th. $0 enrollment fee and no dues till 2/1/2012. 

 

Disney on Ice Dare to Dream Giveaway!

Disney On Ice Dare to Dream produced by Feld Entertainment will be coming to NY and NJ in November.

MiraBest has a Family 4 Pack of tickets to your choice of opening night show at either Prudential Center (Nov. 16th) or IZOD Center (Nov. 22nd) both shows are at 7:30pm. 

NY New Parents Expo Roundup

Recently, I attended the New Parents Expo in NY to check out the newest offerings in baby products and services. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Hold-on Handles ($19.99) If you're the type of mom that goes crazy in the mall or parking lot and you have multiple kids to keep an eye on then you need this product. They are handles that attach to your stroller by way of carabiner clip. It was created by a mom who wanted an easy way to keep her kids by the stroller in the mall or supermarket. You can find them at Buy Buy Baby, Amazon.com, Diapers.com, etc. See http://www.greaterthanonekids.com for a complete list. 

2. Baby Hobo ($79.99). Another mom-invented product (see a theme here?) This is one of those products I know all nursing moms have wanted to have. I remember visiting family and wishing I didn't have to pack that huge boppy pillow for nursing. And, when you're on a plane a boppy isn't the easiest thing to carry in to overhead compartment. Well, this mom invented a bag that has the nursing pillow in it--so it's a diaper bag and nursing pillow all in one! You can go to their site: http://www.warmmilk.com to see how it works, including a video! 

3. Magnificent Baby clothes. (around $39.99) This is another product that is something I'm sure every  mom has wished for. If you've ever been frustrated by the snap closures on baby clothes then you'll love this line which uses magnets instead of snaps. The prices are higher than you would pay for a regular outfit but I guarantee if you have these around you'll want to use them instead of your old baby clothes. Check out their site for local retailers: http://magnificentbaby.myshopify.com/

4. Tegu. ($70) They had these magnetic blocks on a playmat for the kid to play with. I kid you not, my two eldest were entertained for at least an hour with just these blocks. They are beautiful and allow for kid's creativity to truly run wild. Think about it for an early Christmas gift! http://www.tegu.com/store/

 5. Buggy Bubbles. This new company does to your stroller or car seat what a car wash does for your car. You know your baby gear is expensive. You also know that it services the messiest people on the planet: babies. I'm sure many of you would rather buy a new stroller than thoroughly take apart and clean the one you have. Well, now there's a service that will pick it up for you and do all the dirty work--Buggy Bubbles. Started by a mom who needed side income it quickly spread into a booming business on the west coast. Allison Leale is heading up the company's expansion into Brooklyn and the East Coast. Contact her at allison@buggybubbles.com if you want to spiffy up your stroller. http://buggybubbles.com/ They also have franchise opportunities...if you're interested tell them MiraBest sent you!

Sugar and Plumm, Purveyors of Yumm

If you've ever visited Dylan's Candy Bar in NYC and wondered (like I have)--Why can't we have something like this in NJ?--then your wish has come true! Last night I went to the official launch party of the Sugar and Plumm store in Bergen Towne Center, Paramus. Now, you have even more reason to go outlet shopping (with Whole Foods, Target and Bobby Flay's you can spend the whole day here!)

It was a truly Wonka-like affair with a man in a purple suit and top hat greeting us at the red-roped entrance. I had my three kids in tow as we navigated a swanky crowd and stuffed as much sweets as our bodies could hold. I felt like Lucille Ball on the chocolate assembly line! I'm sure my insulin levels were through the roof. 

The menu ranges from salads, sandwiches and delicious entrees that are carefully executed by Executive Chef Steven Ferdinand (Le Cirque, MGM Grand Las Vegas). It was interesting to have a waffle topped with goat cheese and balsamic vinegar--the mixture was surprising and unexpected. 

Visitors can also choose from multiple stations offering crepes and waffles (sweet and savory), house-made ice cream, sorbets, sundaes, root beer floats, a coffee bar, cakes, tarts and handcrafted chocolates. All pastries and sweets are created by Executive Pastry Chef Franck Labasse (Wynn Las Vegas), whose exquisite sugar and chocolate art pieces are the centerpieces of striking window displays. 

The ice cream was amazing--we all were able to sample them in mini cones. I wasn't able to try every treat (oh, the shame!) but they all looked gorgeous! I tried the little strawberry mousse with champagne cups--so pretty and just a hit of champagne (not enough, IMO). The homemade French macarons were so light and beautifully colored. We loved the pumpkin, chocolate and licorice flavor. I tried to take the licorice one from my 18 month old but he wouldn't give it up, and I mean he had the baby death grip on it! 

The buckwheat crepe wasn't my favorite of all the dishes--it was a bit papery tasting and messy. I didn't get to try the sweet crepes--my hope is that they are as good as the ones I've had in France. 

I was near to bursting but I decided to try one of the chocolates since I had heard they were pretty pricey--around $1.50 per piece. It was amazing! I dare say it's worth the money--especially if you are a chocolate lover. 

This "Department Store of Yumm" also offers a well-curated selection of toys, gifts, bulk candy, and nostalgic candy. I liked that they focus on items that are unusual and that you can't find in normal toy stores. My daughter found a cute key chain that she just had to have (apparently key chains are THE thing to have among 1st graders these days!).

They are not quite ready to host birthday parties yet. But I know moms are chomping at the bit to have their kids parties there (from a quick glance at their Facebook page). It will definitely be a hot party spot once they start offering that option.

For now, us big kids will just be happy to wander the aisles of candy and press our faces against the glass to see magic in the making. It's fitting that they have clouds on the ceiling--you will feel you are in heaven...a candy coated one that Homer Simpson only dreams about!

A Day at the Ballpark featuring Super Why!

When: Sunday, August 14th (this Sunday!) 11am to 3pm. Game starts at 1pm. 

Where: Newark Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ

The Newark Bears are one of the most successful minor league teams in baseball history! Kids Club 13 members enter free of charge and sit in a reserved box along the baseline. Watch them take on the Quebec Capitals and get members-only access to the Newark Bears "Kidz Zone," with inflatables and arcade games for kids. Arrive early and meet Super Why! and enjoy Super WHY sports themed activities. 

SCHEDULE:

11am to 1pm: Activities in the Member Zone

1pm: Newark Bears vs. Quebec Capitals game. Access to the Kidz Zone between innings

3pm: Player and Mascot meet-and-greet. 

I am the "Mayor" of this event so I hope to see you there! You must join Kids Club 13 to attend this event. See all the details here:  http://kids.thirteen.org/2011/06/22/kids-club-thirteen-day/

**************************************************************************

AND...they've given me an access pass for one family to this event! It is good for two adults and up to 3 children. I will pick the winner on Thursday, August 11th at 3pm. So, to enter just answer this question:

What's been your favorite moment this summer? 

I look forward to hearing your answers!