Celebrity Parents Magazine

Just Jennifer: My Jersey-Shore Lovin' Mid-Life Crisis

It’s official. I’m having a mid-life crisis.

I know this not because of the usual signs: I’m not dressing like I’m 20 (although I would TOTALLY rock 80’s fashions again in a heartbeat). I’m not cheating on the hubby (although there’s a guy on the MetroNorth who’s to-die-for yummy). No, there is one unequivocal sign that I am having the Big MLC.

I’ve started watching Jersey Shore.

It started with my niece, Bree, who came to stay with us for a few months. She loved Jersey Shore, and like any proper mom with two smallish kids, I poo-pooed the idea of her watching it, saying how stupid it was, blah blah blah.

Until one day I sat down and watched it with her.  And then, I was hooked.

Originally, I would watch it with Bree, and we would have a blast laughing at The Situation and the gang’s antics. But then Bree went back to school, and I was without a JS-watching partner. So I did what any self-respecting person would do.

I started watching it in secret.

I would turn the sound down low so the hubby couldn’t hear, and I would watch the cast go out and drink, fall down, smush with someone.  And repeat. The problem was, I would laugh loudly and finally Hubby caught me watching it.

I felt sooooo guilty.

So now, fully embracing and accepting my MLC, I unabashedly watch Jersey Shore. Thursday nights on TV are super fun again! It is one hour of pure stupidity (yes, even though I love it, I still think it’s one of the dumbest shows on TV), but it makes me laugh and forget about everything. It’s pure silliness and I love it.

Yeah, Buddy! :)

Until next week, 

Jennifer

Music & Cuisine: Manhattan

Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday this year, and for those who can't find a babysitter during the week--or worse, are too tired to go out after work/kids--vamp on your V-Day at home with Music & Cuisine: Manhattan. The CD features fun and flirty cocktail music, plus more than 20 recipes for a delish dinner to prepare with your sweetie. Listen to tunes such as "Manhattan by Night" as you sip your Big Appletini and dine on Crab-Stuffed Snow Peas and New York Cheesecake Squares. All the best of a romantic NYC night...right in your home ($14.00, amazon.com).

CELEBRITY music: Frances England's Mind of My Own

Frances England's third album, Mind of My Own, is a darling little CD, full of sweet songs. The award-winning independent children's recording artist scores big points for its acoustic, indie-folk feel that is happy, joyful and kind.

The entire CD paints portraits of different parts of childhood that is relatable to both kids and their parents. We loved the track "Bicycle" and "Cookies and Milk." There's even a tune for the great Jacques Cousteau.

It's the kind of music you'd want as the soundtrack to your childhood.

Click below to hear Frances sing "Daddy-O." You'll be hooked.

 

Celebrity Parents Cover: Artisan Chocolatier Norman Love

 

COVER	NORMAN LOVE
MOMS WE LOVE	NANCY VARDALOS GIANAKES (NIA'S SISTER)
AUTHOR'S CORNER	ANDREA SYRTASH
BOOK BAG	CHEAT ON YOUR HUSBAND WITH YOUR HUSBAND
YUM EATS	ARTISAN CHOCOLATES
HEALTH	NEW NEWS ON VITAMIN D
MONEY	SWEET CHARITY--KIDS AND DONATIONS
PETS	HEART HEALTHY TREATS
HOMESTYLE	NYIGF PICKS
FASHION	OFFICE AFFAIRS
BEAUTY	PERFECT RED POUT
CRAFTS	V DAY CRAFT
MODEL MOM	KIM ALLEY
TAKE ME TO THE 80'S	FERRIS BUELLER COMMERCIAL
MUSIC	FRANCES ENGLAND'S MIND OF MY OWN
RELATIONSHIPS	THREE TIPS FROM ANDREA
JUST JENNIFER	KEEPING CALM AND CARRYING ON -- CAR ACCIDENT
GIVEAWAY	FRETZELS BY JILL
DVD	I HEART MINNIE
BABY/KIDS	DISNEY BABY
PREGNANCY	CLEARBLUE
PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY	THE WURLITZERS
COOKING WITH THE KIDDOS	FONDUE IT! PERSONALIZATION MALL
WORKLIFE	GETTING OVER SUNDAY NIGHT STRESS
TECHTIME	APPS TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK
BLOGARIFIC	MOMASTERY

 

On The Cover: Secret Millionaire Dani Johnson

From Homeless to Secret Millionaire: Dani Johnson

It seems like a movie of the week. A young girl, broke and homeless, launches a business out of her car—and becomes a millionaire in less than two years. Dani Johnson overcame insurmountable odds (a horrific childhood, poverty, and even living out of her car) to create a multi-million dollar empire. The mom of five (and recent grandma!) spoke exclusively with Celebrity Parents about her childhood, the keys to her success as a mom, and what wealth truly means.

Photos: Gabbeli Photography

A Sneak Peek At This Week's Cover Celeb

It's children's musician Ben Rudnick, of Ben Rudnick & Friends! Look for Ben's cover story this week in Celebrity Parents Magazine.

 

Take Me Back to the 80's With...80's iPhone Case

As technology advances and makes electronics itty bitty, there's something to be said for their clunkier, chunkier prehistoric relatives. That's why we're loving the new 80's iPhone case from Thumbs Up. Back in the 80's this was THE ultimate status symbol. So have the best of both worlds--simply slip your iPhone into the custom-make holder, put on your best Don Johnson/Miami Vice threads, and gab away.

 

CELEBRITY health: Overweight Women Make Less Money

Busy parents are always fighting a losing battle against time. And unfortunately one of those casualties is the nightly family dinner, as more and more moms hit the drive-thru to feed their families.

But did you know that all those "#5 with a Coke" is costing you...literally. In a recent study, it showed that obese Americans make less than their svelte counterparts, and this is especially true for women.

In 2004, obese women made $8,666 less than their more svelte colleagues, according to the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Obese dudes made $4,772 less than males of normal weight. And those numbers don't improve: In 2008, heavier women earned $5,826 less than normal-weight females-- a whopping 15 percent.

The study's authors say that the earnings gap might stem from weight-related social stigmas.

So what should stressed-out parents do? Slowly incorporating a healthier lifestyle (hitting the stairs instead of taking the elevator) and taking a walk during lunch hour could help you lose a few inches from your waistline--and gain more in your paycheck.

Celebrity Parents Cover: Dani Johnson

COVER	DANI JOHNSON
MOMS WE LOVE	LINE ROTHMAN
AUTHOR'S CORNER	BECKY BEAUPRE GILLESPIE
BOOK BAG	GOOD ENOUGH IS THE NEW PERFECT
YUM EATS	DANI JOHNSON'S RECIPE
HEALTH	CHOLESTEROL AND YOU
MONEY	OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE MAKE LESS MONEY
PETS	DOG IS GOOD
HOMESTYLE	TOP THREE TIPS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR DIGS
FASHION	BROTHERLY LOVE
BEAUTY	TWEEZE AWAY
CRAFTS	SNOWFLAKE STICKS
MODEL MOM	VIDA DOMINGUEZ
TAKE ME TO THE 80'S	80'S RETRO IPHONE CASE
MUSIC	RECESS MONKEY BIG BULLY
RELATIONSHIPS	RESOLUTION FOR YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP
JUST JENNIFER	DAYCARE DOESN'T SUCK
GIVEAWAY	FASHION FORWARD MATERNITY
GAMING	ZUMBA FITNESS RUSH
BABY/KIDS	COLOR BLIND: DRESSING KIDS IN OPPOSITE SEX COLORS
PREGNANCY	CAN YOU LOVE A SECOND CHILD AS MUCH AS THE FIRST?
PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY	THE WEBERS
COOKING WITH THE KIDDOS	EASY BEEF STEW
WORKLIFE	WHERE DOES MOMMY GO?
TECHTIME	WHY WE HEART INSTAGRAM
BLOGARIFIC	THE MEAN MOMMY

On The Cover: Caroline Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey

 

Photos: Gabbeli Photography