Brunner Bash 2011

"NEWS.”The word itself triggers thoughts of severe weather alerts, crime warnings, terrorism, famine, and war. All issues that seem to have a black-cloud over them and induce the “ugh again?” when you sit wide eyed watching the news or reading the newspaper.

But despite all that “NEWS” there is the one coveted section that escapes the hold of the depressing dark cloud. A section entitled “It wasn’t all bad…” A section that reminds the readers of the world that there is some good going on alongside the “NEWS.”


Some people criticize this section calling it “flowery” or “warm and fuzzy.” Those people may be right, but in the wake of the oh-so depressing breaking news that….

• Runs across the ticker tape at the bottom of CNN
• Interrupts our “regularly schedules programs” and
• Flashes an alert on our cell phone
  

I think we’re all entitled to a little good news every once in a while.This good news steams from the tenacity of today’s youth. Many people label the youth of America as “Techy’s” and “Gamers.” While this may be true for some, there are still some wholesome go-getters out there. Some kids who aren’t afraid to get out from behind their computer screens and T.V’s to start a revolution… A Dance revolution that is…

On February 11, E.T.Richardson M.S. in Springfield, held its first ever Brunner Bash Dance-A-Thon from 3- 9pm.  The committee of students including; Shannon Flaherty, Taylor Cutcliff, Justin Miller, Alex McCormack, David Eckard, Emma Shields, Lauren Bruinsma, Karma Penater, Evelyn Kampmeyer  and Sarah Reilly worked for six months to put the event together.  Each year, Springfield High School holds an annual Dance-A-Thon, but this is the first time the Middle School has organized one.

Middle School student Lauren Bruinsma initiated the idea for the event when she asked her principal if her school, E.T.R., could host its own Dance-A-Thon in memory of Mr. Glen Brunner.   Brunner was a 4th grade teacher at Sabold Elementary School who tragically passed away from cancer, in May 2010.


Justin Miller, an eighth grade student and member of the Brunner Bash committee explains the inspiration for the event.  “My friends and I were really motivated to take part in the event because of what a great teacher Mr. Brunner was.  He made all his students feel special… and his favorite saying was ‘If you can believe it, then you can achieve it’." So they did.

Throughout the evening, more than 176 students from E.T.R. participated in dancing and various events including dodge-ball and “Minute to Win It.”  The event raised $10,475.57 for the Four Diamonds Fund which benefits childhood cancer.

xoxo
Lana

Food For Thought: This is my story...what's yours?

My Story

I am from noisy dinner tables, comforting warm hugs, overly excited weekend bags packed and heavy sighs of relief upon returning home.
I am from calloused hard working hands and long beautiful words.
I am from footprints in the sand, ladybugs and a bushel and a peck.

I am from burnt bread, Chinese noodle cookies, blueberry pancakes and half eaten broccoli slipped under the table to the dog.
I am from stifling uniforms and fancy jazz shoes.
I am from camp fires, board games, decks of cards and countless wonder years.

The pictures of my life tell a surface story, but the lessons lurk behind the smiles. The scars of wisdom leave imprints on my heart, marks of what lies deeper.
I have danced through days and survived lonely nights.
I have battled heavy legal books and filled empty computer screens with lovely words.

I have been a punching bag, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to bend; just as often as I’ve needed the bag, the shoulder and the ear.
I have been absolutely certain and I have been utterly lost.
I have felt the praise of highest honors and the desperation of not making the cut.

I have lived scary beginnings, confident middles, and bittersweet endings. Peppered with self doubt, over-zealous mistakes, content memories and pure happiness; all imperfectly scattered through my life.

I have neatly fold wisdom, hope, questions, uncertainly and fear into piles, and gingerly packed them into the baggage of my life.

This is where I am from.
This is what I have carried.
This is my story.


xoxo
Lana

PA Nails- Average Prices & ABOVE Average Experience

The snow is a distant memory and Summer is just around the corner. So for us 20something’s this means flip-flops, open toed shoes and inevitably pedicures. The downfall of this is having to frequent a grimy, sub-par nail salon. You know the ones I’m talking about…. 

You sit on folding chair while in the waiting area. In the back of the joint, people are getting their eyebrows waxed in open forum in a corner without any privacy. The paint is peeling on the walls and the TV displays a fuzzy picture. You decide to pick your color while you wait, but notice names like Revlon and Maybelline. Hmmm… you wanted to use a grade-A salon quality, like OPI or China Glaze (I mean you’re paying right?) So, you reach for a polish, in what looks like a professional looking bottle, only to find it’s old, clumping and multi-colored. Even the strongest shake of that bottle won’t blend that polish around. At this point they have called your name, so you grab a color that doesn’t look too old (you hope). You sit in a dusty chair, looking down at dirty tools and mismatched equipment. Hey its only $15 for a manicure, you think. What’s worse is when you sit down and they bring a bucket with water (which is supposed to be a pedicure) or they have a chair you think will be a spa chair and you discover it doesn’t work.

This kind of experience makes you want to save your money and do your nails at home!

But DONT!

Do not deprive yourself of the relaxing experience. Treat yourself and go to a salon where you can get your monies worth. With the wide-variety of nail salon’s that saturate the Delco Area, (many of which evoke the terrible experience I’ve described above) I decided to let everyone in on my favorite place. One that is NOTHING like those other grimy places. It’s called PA Nails in Aston.

It is clean, professional, trendy and provides a rejuvenating experience. The owners play relaxing music throughout the salon and have the best spa pedicure chairs in the area. PA Nails is located in The Dutton Mill Shopping Center (right off of Pennell Road/ Route 452). It is a far cry from the run-of-the-mill nail salons that come and go with the passing months. Rather PA Nails has been in business for years. I was getting my nails done for Prom’s here.

Even better, in the past year they have revamped the entire salon. You sit in the tiled waiting area on plush leather couches. You chose your color from top products like Esse, OPI and China Glaze nail polish. If you want to have your eyebrows done, you go into one of the two private rooms in the back. You lie on a professional lounge-type chair, close your eyes and enjoy the classical music. The staff is nice and professional. The environment is chic and pristine.

The best part…. the prices!!! Hot Oil Manicures $12. Pedicures $25, Full Sets $25 and Refills $15. Standard prices for ABOVE standard service. Trust me, no matter what service you chose, you won’t be disappointed.

In addition to nails, waxing and pedicures, PA Nails is now offering a new addition to their pedicure services. If you want to really treat your tootsies spend $38 and get a Deluxe Spa Pedicure. This includes; Royal Petal Bath, Lavender Sea Salt Soak, Exfoliation Honey Sea Salt Soak, Peppermint Foot & Leg Mask, Hot Towel Wrap, Extended Massage with Lavender Oil and a Hydrating Cucumber Heel Therapy.

So, don’t let those other places break your spirit…keep treating yourself and get the services you deserve. To make an appointment at PA Nails call (610) 485-2670. I’ll see you there!

 xoxo

Lana

Show R-E-S-P-E-C-T

NO, I’m not yelling at you…. this is NOT some rant! I’m literally talking about the live play-musical journey- show that is going on right now at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia called “Respect”.

I’ve lived in Delco all of my life, where we are only minutes from the city of Philadelphia, but we avoid going “in-town” because of

• The parking
• The traffic
• The hustle/bustle
• The prices

Well my fellow Delaware Conuntians (yes I am aware that is not a word) I advise, that you, especially you women, make the “oh-so-long” 20 minute trek in town. Trust me, this show is worth it.

I went last weekend with my Mom, Aunt and Sister. Tickets are between $40-$45 but if you snag one of the shows coupons that comes in the Clipper Magazine (you know that book of coupons that gets delivered to your house?) Well if you use that, then tickets are buy one get one half off. We used the coupons and only paid a fraction of the cost!

We arrived to the city early to get dinner before the show and pick up our tickets at will-call. The employee’s at Society Hill Playhouse recommended a restaurant right around the corner called “La Forno.” They told us that if we informed the restaurant that we were going to see a play at SHP we would receive a discount on our bill.

We walked around the corner, onto South Street, and upon arrival at La Forno we were greeted by the owner of the restaurant. Our waitress was wonderful, the food was INCREDIBLE (the brick-oven-pizza made me feel like I was back in Italy!) They knew we were on a schedule so everything came out in a timely fashion. The food was exceptional but reasonably prices ($$) and we did receive a discount on our bill because of the SHP. With full bellies, and after polishing off a bottle of wine, the four of us headed over to see the show.

WHAT A SHOW IT WAS!!! It’s like a musical, entertaining, hysterical, history lesson of how women and people have changed since the 1900’s. What’s amazing is that all of this change, is marked by our music. Things we subconsciously listen to, sing along with and hum to ourselves. Yet, unless you know the context of the music and the generation whom it was released for, you chance missing its impact.

For instance…

In the early 1900’s when women were typically obedient house wives they hummed along to “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked A Cake” or “Que Sera Sera.” By WWII it was “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “My Man” into the 1960’s and 1970’s it evolved into “I Am Woman” and “I Will Survive”

We women have come a long way baby! We have evolved from “I Will Follow Him” “As Long As He Needs Me” and “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” to “You Don’t Own Me”, “These Boots Are Made For Walking” and “New Attitude.”

It amazing to see how we women, people and our music has evolved with time! The play showcases a four piece band with all live music and four women who magically belt-out all 40 songs with absolute perfection. I couldn’t decide which one had the better voice because I was awed by all of them.

Convinced you should go yet? Well hurry up, because they extended the show only until May 30th! So get your tails down there. The Show plays at Society Hill Playhouse Wednesday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm .

I Give It.....

xoxo

Lana

I'm letting the secret out...Styler’s Garden Café

Since this the first official entry (not the intro) I figured I would let you guys in on a Delco restaurant that has been under the radar for too long. So I’m going to spread the word and fill you in on how cool Styler’s Garden Café is.

Styler’s Garden Café is located in Glen Mills inside Terrain. Terrain reminds me of a “main-line-Linville Orchards-for adults.” It has plants, books, skin care items and oh yea did I mention the amazing food from the café? The café is actually a greenhouse restaurant tucked away inside Terrain. From the outside it looks like a landscaping nursery, but trusts me, take a moment and walk around the grounds; It offers unique merchandise and great food.

The Styler’s café has received rave reviews from places like Philly Mag, and Yelp. Its aesthetically beautiful and creates a nice out-doorsy ambiance while you eat your brunch/lunch sitting among various types of plants and flowers. Like I said, your eating in a green house so even though it was cold today (which I wasn’t happy about) we felt like we were eating lunch in a tropical island because of the warmth and the sunshine pouring in.

I personally love places where you get the “outside” feel even if you’re not technically outside. And don’t worry in the summer they have the green house air-conditioned so you won’t have to worry about melting away.

One of the more unique attributes of the café is that drink menu. No not cocktails (sorry to disappoint) but the variety of teas and coffee’s put’s many other coffee shops to shame. With lunch I had iced honey and lavender tea. It was made with real honey and had lavender in a mini tea strainer sitting inside my cup. Well actually it wasn’t a cup, all cold drinks are served in jar’s (you know the canning jars) which also adds a cool twist.

The best part is you don’t have to drive out of Delco to have a truly unique meal. The menu has great prices! For two people you can get sandwiches, salads and drinks for under $25 total. Terrain only serves food until 2:30pm during the week and 3:00pm on the weekends for brunch/lunch, however, the coffee bar does operate until 6:00pm daily so you can get coffee/tea or a pastry. But, I recommend having lunch and make a reservation because space is limited. Oh and when you go try one of many distinctive tea’s listed.

xoxo
Lana

First Bite

Today is the first day... first bite, of my “Food for Thought” section. I decided to go with "Food For Thought" because my blog sounds like it implies cocktails (which is does NOT) so why not have this section sound like it involved Food (even when it does NOT). Its a little backwards...but I think it works!

I am writing this section because I know that people are multi-tasking...

updating, checking, following, downloading, emailing, messaging, texting and still trying to maintain relationships, responsibilities and just life in general.

Whew! I’m tired just thinking about all the stuff we have to do.

So don’t worry….I get it! Sometimes you just don’t have time to sit down and read something long. This is why I only update my blog once a week. I don’t want to be another check on the daily “to-do list" of life.

So if you only want to read a little, or you love my work and just can’t get enough….(I’m hoping it’s the latter) this section of my page will focus on local tid-bits and will be updated more often than once a week.

So keep checking back and remember…Friday is the big day! Not just TGIF because it’s...

• The start of the weekend
• We can go out
• Grab a drink after work
• Take a break
• Know we can sleep in the following day  

But because its also the day new posts are published on my blogs homepage DUH! Okay maybe not the highlight of your weekend...but a girl can dream... :)

xoxo 

Lana