Fitness

Strong From the Inside Out

How Alyssa Kievit of Expecting Well PT Is Changing the Conversation Around Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery Article and Photography by Carly Mac Manus For generations, women have been told some version of the same message after childbirth: You had a baby. What do you expect? Leak when you laugh. Accept back pain. Assume your core will never feel the same. Alyssa Kievit, founder of Expecting Well PT, is working to change that narrative. “Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s...

Shopping

Hooked on Handbags

Upper Saddle River’s Ada Liberant finds balance through the art of crocheting designer-inspired handbags. Article by Allison K. Lim | Photography by Carly Mac Manus Meet Dr. Ada Liberant. Forensic psychologist by day, handbag crocheter by night. Born in Moldova, Ada recalls a childhood where imagination often took the place of toys. At age 10, her fourth grade teacher, who felt more like a close friend, taught her how to crochet an intricate doily. It took months to complete, and Ada still...

Wellness

The ADHD Gap

Why many women are diagnosed later in life and what they can do to regain control of their health, focus and daily routines. Article by Patti Zielinski | Photography by Megan Curren Dr. Jessica McCarthy, founder of Elements Psychological Services, with offices in Montvale and Chatham, wants women to feel comfortable talking to health care providers and to feel heard. Over the years, McCarthy has noticed how often women bring their children to be evaluated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity...

Arts + Culture

Threading Hope

How Michelle Fleischer Turned Heartache Into Community With Embroidery Babes Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Ivy Dash Photography Michelle Fleischer did not start Embroidery Babes with a five-year plan—she started it with a needle, a rainbow and a broken heart. “I’m a control freak,” she says candidly. “The idea of wanting something so badly and not being able to have it—and realizing there was nothing I could control—was a huge struggle for me.” Six years ago, Fleischer was...

Entertainment

Learning the Game Everyone Loves

From girls’ nights to luxury retreats, the classic tile game is bringing a new generation together. Article and Photography by Allison K. Lim In Bergen County, Mah Jongg Is Having a Moment For the past two months, my group of four friends has been learning the game with instructor Carole Blancato. What once felt like a pastime of an older generation is now showing up everywhere—from living rooms to social gatherings. Today, Mah Jongg feels less like a niche hobby and more like a social...

Food + Beverage

Spicy Mango Margarita

A bright, tropical cocktail perfect for spring entertaining. Article and Photography by Carly Mac Manus Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse to gather with friends, enjoy vibrant flavors and celebrate the start of warmer days. With Mother’s Day arriving just after, it is also a lovely time to raise a glass to the women who make life sweeter, stronger and a lot more fun. Here in New Jersey, May signals the return of patio season, from backyard barbecues to breezy evenings down the Jersey Shore. ...

Local Services

Invest in Your Community

Start a Garden! Article by Allison K. Lim | Photography by Allison K. Lim, Rich Silivanch With warmer weather comes more time outdoors. Skis and snow boots give way to shorts, T-shirts and gardening gloves as residents return to nature with renewed energy. Longer days mark the start of backyard gatherings—barbecues with neighbors, long conversations and s’mores by the fire. The seasonal shift also creates an opportunity to reconnect with personal spaces and the broader community. While many...

Food + Beverage

The Art of Tartare

A refined balance of richness, brightness, and texture at Covo. Article and Photography by Felix Gonzalez Covo Beef Tartare A refined take on a classic, Covo’s Beef Tartare balances richness and brightness in every bite. Hand-diced beef is layered with charred red onion marmalade and horseradish crema, then finished with fresh chives, fried capers, cured egg yolk, and pickled mustard seeds for texture and depth. Ingredients (Per Serving) 2½ ounces hand-diced beef 1 teaspoon...

Fitness

Bounce Smarter

Why Bungee Fitness Is a High-Energy, Low-Impact Investment in Your Health Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Carly Mac Manus + Flyte Bungee When people think about investing in their health, they often picture long hours on treadmills or high-impact workouts that can be tough on joints. A newer training style—bungee fitness—offers a different approach: high energy, science-backed movement with reduced impact and a serious fun factor. Bungee fitness combines cardio, resistance...

Professional Services

When It Matters Most

For fifty years, Seigel Law has prepared for the day its clients hope never comes. Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Maria Rogers - Tiny Hearts Photography Five decades in the courtroom are not built on chance. They are built on preparation, discipline and an unwavering commitment to those who entrust you with their future. In January, Ridgewood-based Seigel Law marked its 50th anniversary—half a century of trial advocacy founded by Jan K. Seigel and now carried forward alongside his...