Elegant Lifestyles Magazine February-March 2017
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EELSELS Elegant Lifestyles Magazine February-March 2017 What’s Inside: BRIDAL RECIPES GARDEN STATE WINERIES LANDSCAPING/ HOME IMPROVEMENT MANSION IN MAY AROUND TOWN and more! A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP Go Online to view this section! www.newjerseyhills.com LongLong HillHill AutoAuto ServiceService YOU CAN’T BUY PEACE OF MIND, BUT WE’LL THROW IT IN FOR FREE Long Hill Auto Serving the Community with Excellence since 1986 Complete Auto Repair • Light Duty Truck Repair Tire Sales & Repair • Digital Wheel Alignment • State Inspection 1905 Long Hill Road • Millington, NJ www.longhillauto.com • 908-647-7984 Our Staff includes 4 Full-time ASE Certified Technicians Page 2 New Jersey Hills Media Group, February 23, 2017 ELS Letter from the Editor Elegant Lifestyles Dear Readers, Magazine ELS We are two months into 2017 and I find myself pondering the oft-repeated "New Year – New You!" mantra. With so many radical changes and shifts going on in our country right now, I have been seeking comfort in my regular routines, core group of friends, and treasured Eis published by hobbies. And I plan to focus on my passions and develop them further in 2017. New Jersey Hills Media Group 17-19 Morristown Road Don't get me wrong – I'm always up for a new adventure. But I'm reminding myself to Bernardsville, NJ 07924 examine my past experiences and focus on what truly brings me joy. In the past, I have enjoyed (908) 766-3900 crafting things with my hands – crochet and quilt making are among my favorite activities. Yet, they have fallen by the wayside as the pace of life picks up. This year I plan to revive those hobbies. Maybe I'll swing by Bluebird Farm in Far Hills, featured in this issue, and pick up some CO-PUBLISHERS luxurious alpaca yarn. Stephen W. Parker and Elizabeth K. Parker Good food shared with good friends is another important entry on my 2017 to-do list. With her lovely High Tea creations, Elegant Lifestyles recipe columnist Claire Nines has given me the Elizabeth K. Parker perfect way to host my friends for an afternoon gathering. Executive Editor Paging through this month's issue are myriad reminders to myself, and hopefully to you, our Stephen W. Parker readers, to focus on what gives us joy and makes life a little more elegant. Enjoy! Business Manager - Roberta Burkhart, Editor Jerry O’Donnell V.P. Sales & Marketing Toni Codd Art Director / Designer In this issue: special features Sally Harris Assistant Advertising Designer Bluebird Farm: Landscaping/ Account Executives Raising Alpacas in New Jersey 4 Home Improvement: Spring Home Renewal 18 Norma Abrunzo Pete Farrell Bridal: Madea Landscaping: Mary Gilroy Outdoor Rooms - Indoor The Best Spring Bridal Trends Renee Illan Comfort Outside 21 Regina Onorati of 2017 6 Lance Osborn Mansion in May: Jennifer Ward Recipes: Reviving Elegance of CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Reward Yourself with a Morris Township’s Royal Treat: High Tea 14 Alnwick Hall 22 Roberta Burkhart Around Town: Nita Crighton Wineries: 16th Anniversary at Nicholas Crown Viniculture in the Studio 7 Fine Art Garden State 16 Claire Nines Gallery 28 Restaurant Review: EDITOR Roberta Burkhart Red Oak Grill 13 ELSELS FebruaryFebruary 23, 23, 2017 2017 New New Jersey Jersey Hills Hills Media Media Group Group PagePage 3 3 Bluebird Farm Bluebird Raising Farm cares for 15 alpacas Alpacas in in Peapack. New Jersey By Nita Crighton n the summer of 2015, when Stacie Miller answered a help wanted ad for Ian animal lover with experience in ed- ucational program development, social media, marketing and retail, the former school psychologist never dreamed she would soon be spending her days sur- rounded by a group of curious, leggy co- workers. As farm coordinator for Bluebird Farm Al- pacas, an 11-acre Huacaya (wah-KI-ah) al- tains no lanolin, a type of oil found in eat mainly grass and hay and have two sets paca breeding, boarding and sales facility sheep’s wool. Products made from alpaca of teeth. The rear molars are used to in Peapack, Miller helps care for the farm’s fiber aren’t scratchy, don’t pill and possess process food, while the front of the mouth 15 alpacas. In addition, she develops and excellent moisture wicking abilities. sports only lower teeth with tough dental hosts educational and recreational events, pads on top. manages the on-site gift store and juggles The 15 alpacas residing at Bluebird Farms an array of other responsibilities. account for just a small number of the Unlike sheep that often use their long nearly 6,000 registered in the state of New tongues to pull plants from the roots, al- What began as a hobby for Bluebird own- Jersey, according to statistics from the Na- pacas are gentle grazers that merely nibble ers, Nick and Marta Villa and their two tional Alpaca Owners Association. Com- the tops of grasses and plants. This means daughters, has now grown into a thriving mercial importation of alpacas to the U.S. less damage to pastures. business. began in 1984 but was halted in 1998 to refine the American herd. Alpacas are resilient herd animals and “The goal in opening the farm to the pub- thrive in a variety of climates. They are lic was to share the owners’ love of al- Alpacas are often confused with llamas, cleaner than most livestock and share pacas as well as the end products. We also and, while both are members of the communal dung piles, making cleanup wanted to provide an agri-educational ex- camelid family, there are distinct differ- much easier. Alpaca gestation is 11.5 perience for children and adults in the ences between the two. Alpacas are much months and most babies, or cria, are born community,” says Miller. smaller and more timid than llamas. They without intervention. Cria typically weigh are also valuable fiber producers while lla- between 15 and 19 pounds and nurse for The lovable alpacas are bred for correct mas are used primarily as pack animals. the first six months. confirmation and their high-quality fleece. “Our alpacas are shorn yearly with one There are two breeds of alpaca: huacaya Bluebird Farm hosts a variety of programs adult yielding from eight to 10 pounds of and suri (soo-ree). Ninety percent of al- throughout the year for adults and chil- fiber. Nine pounds of fiber yields 420 pacas are the fluffy, teddy bear-like hua- dren of all ages. The onsite gift shop car- skeins of yarn,” explains Miller. cayas. The rare suri breed is recognized for ries a number of alpaca products; many their long silky fleece that falls in pencil produced from the fiber of the farm’s own Alpaca fiber is strong, lightweight and curls resembling dreadlocks. alpaca herd. very water resistant. It is used in high qual- ity winter wear, blankets and other prod- Both breeds have two toes on each foot “We work with local knitters to provide ucts. The fleece is also considered and instead of hooves, the bottom of the them with yarn and they, in turn, create relatively hypoallergenic becaue it con- foot has pads – much like a dog. Alpacas beautiful handmade items for the shop,” Page 4 New Jersey Hills Media Group, February 23, 2017 ELS Stacie Miller explains that alpacas are shorn yearly with one adult yielding from eight to 10 pounds of fiber. Local knitters, using the alpaca yarn, create beautiful hand- made items for the Bluebird Farm gift shop. says Miller. isitors are welcome at Bluebird Farm for special events, or by reservation. Guests can browse at their leisure, often V Since the farm is not open daily, with the assistance of friendly herd interested parties are asked to make members who wander freely in and out arrangements in advance. of the store through doors opening into an adjacent pen. For more information on Bluebird Farm Alpacas and a listing of farm events, visit: Bluebirdfarmalpacas.com. ELS February 23, 2017 New Jersey Hills Media Group Page 5 Bridal By Nita Crighton The Best Spring Bridal Trends of 2017 very bride wants to look her “We’ve seen a big increase in interest in best on her special day, but rose gold among the younger crowd,” transforming your bridal beauty says Edward Shapiro, jeweler and owner dreams into wedding reality of Diamond Dream Jewelry and Apparel Etakes effort, planning and a little help in Bernardsville. from the professionals. Combining yellow gold and a copper alloy gives rose gold that pinkish hue ro- mantic types can’t seem to resist. The metal is beautiful on its own or when paired with white gold. Shapiro says he also sees a trend devel- oping for oval cut diamonds as well as colored gemstones. Since sapphires come in a wide color range, he finds they are a popular diamond alternative. Engaging Designs Recently, he designed a ring with a rare One of the hottest engagement ring 4-carat peach sapphire in a cushion cut trends for 2017 is rose gold. flanked by white diamonds in a rose gold setting. Ines Di Santo Cont. on page 10 Page 6 New Jersey Hills Media Group, February 23, 2017 ELS What is your Diamond Dream?... FROM A DREAM TO DESIGN TO FAMILY HEIRLOOM 12 MINE BROOK ROAD, BERNARDSVILLE 908-766-4700 WWW.DIAMONDDREAMJEWELERS.COM ELS February 23, 2017 New Jersey Hills Media Group Page 7 Your Vision • Your Style • Your Day Emanating contemporary elegance and chic sophistication, Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel offers a uniuqe Morris County setting for your special day. Let us bring your vision to life in our elegant ballroom, temperature controlled pavilion or garden terrace.