Morris, NJ September 2023

Style and Hottest Trends

HOME + DESIGN CREATE A HOME THAT'S SMART

BEAUTY

ENRICH AND RENEW YOUR FACE AND BODY

ARTS + CULTURE

FRUITFUL ENDEAVORS

September 2023, Style and Hottest Trends

Dear Reader,

I hope this letter finds you in high spirits and full of creative energy.

Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate and explore the fascinating world of style. Style is not limited to the clothes we wear or the way we adorn ourselves; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. From the way we decorate our homes to the music we listen to, from the books we read to the way we carry ourselves in conversations, style permeates every facet of our existence. It is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives.

Style is deeply personal, and it evolves as we celebrating our quirks, our passions, and our desires. Style is a form of self-expression that communicates who we are, how we perceive the world, and what we value. In this way, style becomes a powerful tool for connection, as it enables us to find common ground with others who share our aesthetic sensibilities.

As individuals, we have the freedom to embrace established styles, blend them together, or forge entirely new paths, becoming trendsetters ourselves. We hope this issue inspires you to forge new paths or perhaps explore familiar ones. There is so much here in our local neighborhoods to uplift our spirits, boost your productivity and ignite your creativity.

What I've found is that the best style is an authentic expression of who you really are. And that’s something no one on earth can duplicate.

We hope you enjoy our featured stories. May they inspire your sense of creativity and style!

Here’s to being uniquely you!

If you have interesting, fun, and meaningful stories to share or are a business looking to grow within our community and the surrounding area, we would love to hear from you. Contact John.Meyer@citylifestyle.com for advertising opportunities and Ana.Meyer@citylifestyle.com for editorials or call us at 973-944-1440.

We look forward to seeing you around town!

September 2023

PUBLISHERS

Ana Meyer | ana.meyer@citylifestyle.com

John Meyer | john.meyer@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Ana Meyer | ana.meyer@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Kaitlyn Keane

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Courtney Franks

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sue Baldani

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chris Jorda Photography, Carol Fisher Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

“This is the second time in 3 years that I have used Kim as my Real Estate Professional. She is not just my realtor...she has become a friend. She is insightful, witty, fun, and kind. She is all about the client, and that makes the experience of working with Kim easy. She knows the business and she is always willing to go the extra mile to get the deal done....simply the best!”

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A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Welcome Enriched Aesthetics to our Morris City Lifestyle Family!

At Enriched Aesthetics our mission is valuing our commitment to quality care. We strive to provide an enriching experience, which will enhance and compliment your natural beauty, inspiring you to become the best version of yourself. We use the latest innovative technologies, enriched with the highest quality care, while promoting teamwork and creative thinking among colleagues, making us the premier destination for your aesthetic needs.  https://enrichedaesthetics.com/

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The Delaney Delivers

We think you’ll agree: The Delaney at The Green delivers exclusive experiences for a signature lifestyle that’s as unique as you are. Discover the delights that await at The Delaney in Florham Park.

Endeavors

Telling stories through art

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Art is truly subjective. Some people will love your work, and some won’t. For international top-selling artist Michael Godard, that’s okay.

“Being an artist, or being any type of creator, you have people who don’t understand what you’re doing or don’t like what you’re doing, and that might be a good sign that you’re really onto something,” he says. “I think it was Picasso who said, ‘If you’re not getting criticism, you’re playing it way too safe.’ When you’re passionate, genuine, transparent and honest about what you’re doing, you have to stick to that as your mantra because that’s at your very core.”

His method is working, and working well. Godard’s paintings are now selling for half a million dollars each and rising all the time. He’s on television shows like Bar Rescue, Mind Freak and Counting Cars, and good friends with Ozzy Osbourne and many other well-known people.

“When I started to create different types of art, I was only thinking about how

I was going to paint, draw, and doodle all day and still be able to pay my rent,” he says. “That was my only goal.”

He’s obviously well exceeded that goal. “When I started painting my silly little olives, it was more about me and expressing my life and my perspective. With my art, I’m just a storyteller.”

His paintings are thought provoking and full of enigmatic illusion. They show pain, love, conflict, and success; making people smile, laugh, reminisce and exclaim, “Oh My God..ard!”

Olives entered the picture when Godard was struggling through his daughter Paige’s illness, spending long hours in the hospital when she was in a coma. Desperate for some cheerful element to keep him afloat emotionally, he started a new series of paintings, bringing olives to life in humorous scenarios, rendering them in bright colors against a dramatic black background.

Godard’s latest series is the Safari Series. This specially created Safari Series is a

collection of 7 unique Godard images that celebrate their visit to Africa.  Each character enjoys a cocktail in a tavern off the beaten path.  The collection includes:

• 2 Hyenas Walk into a Bar – These two hyenas are enjoying some laughs after outwitting the lions earlier – I even gave one a silly straw.

• Rhino Wine – What could be nicer than enjoying his favorite cocktail and cigar? This rhinoceros often thinks about skin care products, but he enjoys his tough look.

• Don’t Drink the Water – How many times are we warned not to drink the water when visiting foreign lands?  Well, as one elephant explains to the other, “Look what happened to me?  Don’t do it!”

• King of Beers – Two lions relax in a tavern off the beaten path discussing their successful day of hunting over a few beers.

• Long Tall Drink – The giraffe enjoys a cocktail while awaiting his blind date.

• He wears his nicest African scarf that he ordered on Amazon.

• The Tourist – The tiger, not a native to Africa, enjoys a nice martini while on holiday.  He’s the only one in the series that is not a permanent resident, though he is contemplating a condo.

• Zebra-tini – This blue-eyed zebra enjoys a martini while reflecting on life in the wild after a long day of grazing.

One of Godard’s favorite paintings is called “Love My Heals.” “When LeeAnn [his wife] and I were dating, I said I wanted to paint something fun, and was looking to paint a sexy pair of shoes.” He found the perfect pair - black and glossy with solid red bottoms. He told her he was going to buy her a pair. “She said, ‘You’re going to buy me Christian Louboutin’s?!’ And I thought, uh oh, what the hell is a Christian Louboutin?

“Wow, were they expensive! So in the painting, my wife is a strawberry hugging the heel and there are hearts emanating up above her, and there’s me as an olive standing next to her pulling out my pockets because I’m broke. Once I explain these depictions to fans, they start looking for those stories, and then they find one that resonates with their life.”

Not long ago, he also became the art curator for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he resides. “I gathered 100 or so artists from the community and their works are now hanging inside the new $2 million stadium,” he says. “It’s the talk of the NFL -  I call it the Las Vegas Louvre.”

His path to success hasn’t always been easy. He grew up poor, had many highs and lows in his various careers, but the darkest time in his life was in 2006, when he lost his 16-year-old daughter Paige to brain cancer. What helped

him get through it was turning his grief into philanthropy. He started the Paige Godard Foundation and works closely with St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Make a Wish, and other cancer organizations.

“At 3:00 in the morning, when I’m thinking about the things I’ve done and things that I still want to do, it’s what I’ve done as a human being to make the world a better place that really matters, not selling a painting for a million dollars. I’ve done a lot of philanthropy and those are the things I’m going to remember when I’m 92 and on my deathbed.”

Godard says he’s just an ordinary guy who happens to draw and paint. “I might have just sold a painting for some astronomical amount the day before, but when I get home, my wife still wants me to pick up my dirty socks.”

He credits LeeAnn for not only keeping him grounded, but also for keeping him on schedule. “After I met her, I started showing up to art shows on time. The first time I arrived at the scheduled time, no one was there. I thought my career was over! But my fans were used to me arriving late, so in they came about an hour later.”

The things he says make him happy right now are his wife, his dog, date nights, becoming a grandfather, and spending time with his children. “At the end of the day, I’m just doing my doodles and trying to stay out of trouble with my wife.”

Godard will be appearing in person with his full collection of art at Wentworth Gallery in Short Hills on Saturday, September 23rd, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Contact the gallery to preview and to RSVP for the show.  Shorthills@wentworthgallery.com 973-564-9776

"I THINK IT WAS PICASSO WHO SAID, ‘IF YOU’RE NOT GETTING CRITICISM, YOU’RE PLAYING IT WAY TOO SAFE.'"

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Create a Home That’s Smart

Old school family values meets modern technological advancements

There are many reasons why the fourth generation family-owned-and-operated General Plumbing Supply (GPS) is still going strong and opening new stores after being in business for over 110 years. With its 20 stores in New Jersey (including Bayonne, which opened in 1910, Morris Plains, and Green Brook), and two in New York, consumers, contractors, builders and developers all over the area take advantage of what it has to offer.

“We do kitchen and baths, including cabinetry and vanities, plumbing fixtures, and lighting,” says Brian Maffia, its director of showrooms. “I like to say that we provide the jewelry of the home.”

The high-quality products and personalized customer service is something you can’t get at your average big box store, or find on the internet, where some of the products shipped from other countries may not even meet code in NJ.

“People want to see and touch the items and feel the weight of the products,” he says. “That’s where our showrooms really stand out. People can come in and have knowledgeable salespeople help select the right product for themselves, their families, or whoever it might be.”

The number of brands and products available can be overwhelming for a consumer when trying to make

the best choice. “We do weekly trainings and in-depth monthly trainings because new products come out all the time,” says Brian. “We try to be ahead of it so when these products do hit the street, our employees are already experts on them.”

Especially with the advent of Smart technology, trainings are even more critical. “This generation is more wired and connected than we have ever been, and  kitchen and bath automation is huge,” he says. “An example would be a steam shower. Normally you would go to a spa for this, but now people want to do it in their own homes. When it’s ready for use, it lets you know. And, when you go in there, it knows that you requested this experience and your music starts playing.”

Some of the most basic fixtures, such as faucets, are also going high tech. “The Kohler touch faucets connect through the Kohler Connect app to Google, Alexa, or whatever platform you might be using. You can actually say, ‘dispense a cup of water,’ and then just put the pot in the sink and it dispenses one cup of water. There’s no need for a measuring cup. You can also have it turn the water on and off and ask for warm, cold, or hot water, or more pressure or less pressure.”

Something else that is trending now as far as color is more natural wood tones in kitchens and bathrooms. “For the longest time, it’s been white and gray, but now that’s changing,” says Brian. “As far as

fixtures, black as well as brushed gold are very popular.”

In addition to Kohler, other brands offered include Delta®, Moen®, ROHL®, and Wellborn Cabinet®.  “We really scrutinize our vendors and I like to say we only play with the NIKE’s® and Adidases® of the world.”

To ensure there is a vast inventory on hand, GPS has a 300,000 square foot warehouse. “We really need to have a lot of product at our fingertips either for next day delivery or within a couple of days,” he says. “We make sure we have every size needed so that when the contractor is coming to your house, it’s ready.”

If you have a project in mind or already underway, visit one of General Plumbing Supply locations and be confident that you’ll get exactly what you need at a fair price.

“Some manufacturers make lower quality products and use less costly materials, but just like anything else, you get what you pay for and it’s going to break down quicker,” says Brian. “We want our products to last. In kitchens, for example, we want to make sure a faucet has all brass fittings and ceramic disc cartridges. In bathrooms we require solid wood vanities - we don’t want particle board or press board. We want our clients to love their bathrooms for many years to come. These things matter.”

ShopGPS.com

“We do weekly trainings and in-depth monthly trainings because new products come out all the time,” says Brian. “We try to be ahead of it so when these products do hit the street, our employees are already experts on them.”

Enrich and Renew Your Face and Body

Expert care in a lovely, relaxed and luxurious setting

Having been an emergency room nurse for over 30 years and a nurse practitioner since 2018, caring for others was second nature for Cris Morin. In the spring of 2022, she and her husband, Tom, opened their own business where she could use her skills to help people in a different way. In 2023, Cris attained a third Board Certification specific to the field of aesthetics.

“In 2018, after completing my Master’s degree, becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse, I had the opportunity to work in regenerative medicine, which opened my eyes to the world of aesthetic medicine,” says Cris.

“Now, with this passion for aesthetic medicine and opening my own spa, I can ensure my clients are treated in a way which provides the best care possible.”  Also, as a medical professional, she takes privacy seriously and will ensure full HIPPA compliance.

Enriched Aesthetics, located in Morristown, delivers this high standard of care in a luxurious environment. “When you walk in the door, you’ll be transported into a very relaxed setting that will appeal to all your senses. There are candles burning with a mild and pleasing aroma, and you’ll be offered bottled flat or sparkling water. We have a lounge instead of the traditional ‘waiting room,’ which invites our clients into a non-clinical and comfortable environment, in preparation for their treatment.”

Before  treatment is initiated,  Cris offers a complimentary one-hour consultation, which includes a tour of the facility. She then sits down to learn each person’s goals in order to address any skin concerns or questions they may have. “I have a commitment to quality care,” she says. “Taking care of a

person as a whole is my priority, so my consultations reflect that. I ensure they receive a comprehensive treatment plan in a private, relaxed environment.  The private consultation lounge is free of all clinical chairs and equipment.”

Enriched Aesthetics offers a broad range of treatments. “Some of the most requested treatments are Botox which relax wrinkles and dermal fillers to improve on volume loss.  Microneedling is another sought after treatment for building collagen and reducing fine lines, wrinkles and scars.

Laser hair removal is also in the top five. “We offer the gold standard in laser hair removal which treats all skin types from the fairest to the darkest, safely and with no pain,” says Cris.”

An additional service offered is her popular Enriched weight loss program. Included with this is Cris’s clinical guidance and advice on reaching a healthy weight. Custom Body Sculpting treatments are also available which reduce fat and tone muscle during one’s weight loss journey.

All retail products offered at Enriched Aesthetics  have been researched and are proven to work. “I chose SkinMedica products as my line of medical grade skincare because of the science behind them,” she says. “I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to research and making sure that everything I offer is evidence-based. As a nurse practitioner, evidence-based practices are a key component of what drives my treatment plans and care.”

The spa caters to both men and women. “Men should feel very comfortable coming to Enriched Aesthetics, which is decorated in blues and grays so they won’t feel intimidated by, say, a girly kind of environment. Men come in for laser hair removal; we also have quite a few doing weight loss treatments and Botox.”

Enriched Aesthetics, says Cris, is not just a name. “Our mission is to enhance, nurture, renew, improve, complement and heal … ENRICH. We’re not going to change the way you look – we’re only going to enhance it. After treatment, your natural beauty will shine through and you’ll walk taller with more confidence and feel like you can tackle your day.”

To enrich yourself, go to EnrichedAesthetics.com

PERSONALIZED

THE little BLACK DRESS

Most of us can say we have that one staple black dress that can be worn at any occasion, and the classic look is not only popular but is elegant and timeless. It is one of the most versatile items we own, never goes out of style and looks good on anyone. But how did this classic look originate?

Prior to the 1920’s, black was reserved for funeral wear, but when Coco Channel made the bold move to print a short, black dress on the cover of Vogue in 1926, all of that changed. The popularity of the black dress skyrocketed, and it became one of the most influential pieces of clothing. Because of its affordability, black remained a popular choice during The Great Depression. The black dress had another boom in popularity when “Breakfast at Tiffany’s’’ debuted, and Audrey Hepburn showcased her iconic black dress with long, black gloves.

We enlisted the help of stylist, Amani Skalacki, to show us how versatile the little black dress can be. “We usually think of the little black dress as a piece you wear to an event. However, because black is so flattering on all body types and skin tones, women have multiple black dresses from casual to evening,” Amani says.

“A sequin dress can be dressed up with heels, or that same dress can be transformed into a casual outfit with the addition of tennis shoes and an oversized blazer or a denim jacket. Transform that strappy dress you have been wearing all summer into an outfit that is perfect for chilly fall temperatures. Add a narrow scarf, a leather jacket and sandals or a tall pointy boot, and you have a whole new look for an evening out,” Amani adds.

If you have a dress in the back of your closet that you haven’t worn in years, don’t be afraid to dust it off and give it new life.

Are you looking for the best cut or style of dress that works best for your body type?

HOURGLASS FIGURE:

• V-necklines

• Cinched-in waistlines

• Tailored/fitted dresses

PEAR OR TRIANGLE

FIGURE:

• Tailored dresses

• Off the shoulder

ATHLETIC FIGURE:

• Embellished

• Ruffles

• Empire waist

• Volume is your friend

APPLE FIGURE:

• Drop waist

• A-line

The dress that all body types can’t go wrong with is a wrap dress of any length.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

STYLIST: AMANI SKALACKI