Services – Page 3 – Rockland NY Mom

Have you seen Basic Invite??

Posted on August 10, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Party, Photo Obsessed, Reviews, RNYM's Picks, Services, Uncategorized, We're Having a Party .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.

I am such a control freak when it comes to my parties, and quite a snob when it comes to stationery. I know this is my own problem. But everyone who knows me expects it, they have even mentioned getting excited when they receive mail from me, as they never know what to expect when it arrives. As of late, I have given up on pre-made cards and was creating my own, from scratch. I will admit that it is fun, to a point. It all started when (E) was born and I needed to choose a birth announcement. It had to be just perfect, and I didn’t see anything I liked, either the shape was off or the color, even just the color of one flower was making me crazy. So I made my own. I have been making my own since, and she just turned 4.

I just made it through both birthday parties and the amount of work that went into designing, printing, cutting and sending invitations really makes my head spin. I was thinking “there has to be a better way!” Well it turns out we just learned of a great website (similar to some of the popular ones we see out there) called www.basicinvite.com. Contrary to its name, its actually so much more than basic. It covers your “basic” stationery needs, but in a very detailed and precise way.

I decided to take a look- right where my problem started Birth Announcements. Basic invite makes it possible for you to choose a basic design (there are quite a few), and then add all your own personal touches. Design options include:

modern birth announcements

baby boy birth announcements

baby girl birth announcements

traditional birth announcements

You can add photos, change wording, shape and the fonts just like I have seen before. But then, something I hadn’t seen… I could change the colors of the invite, I could change the colors of the INDIVIDUAL flowers on the announcement I had chosen. This is the new level of personalization that I have been looking for. I chose an announcement with a floral ring around the photo. Not only was it able to make all of these great changes, I could see and play with the combinations right on the site, and easily. It’s easy to use for ANYONE.

So many great choices

My choice (I wanted to see how much I could change)

The original colors- click on each element and choose your own colors.

My new color choices (I went crazy to make a point)

My new and improved Birth Announcement.

You can then go on to customize not only the front, but the back, the envelope and the envelope liner. Once you have had your fun there it gets down to the nitty gritty. Will your foil be flat or raised? What type of paper do you want? Yeah this may be one of the happiest parts for me. I like stationery to be on nice thick paper and I am intrigued Luxe Velvet.

Unsure if it’s actually going to meet expectations? They allow you to order a sample. Now, the sample does cost some money, but with this company when you order a sample its NOT just a sample of the invite they had left over. Its YOUR actual sample. You can get one to make sure you LOVE IT. If you aren’t pleased, send it back for a refund or they will fix it for free. This sample route doesn’t work great if you are a last minute type of family, but for planners like myself, its AMAZING. If you are in need of ideas you can also check out their Pinterest page for some goodies.

You have the ability to save and come back to your design, so that you can work on it another day or order more if necessary (I always end up having to order more Christmas Cards). Oh yeah AND free address collection. You simply share a link with friends and family, collect the addresses and basic invite has free envelope printing!!! That will save HOURS every time you have a party, send holiday cards, etc.

Basic Invite doesn’t end with birth announcements, they cover all your stationery needs, even providing 2 pages of FREE PRINTABLES (click here) for people to check out and use. I am slightly obsessed with the ugly sweater gift tags for Christmas gifts.

If you are looking for more information you can find Basic invite on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well.

A Visit to Sparkle Up

Posted on August 8, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Birthdays, Day Trips, Day Trips, Out and about..., Party, Reviews, Services, Things to Do! .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Two months ago the person who had been cutting little (E)’s hair stopped returning my calls. We are VERY particular about her hair, she has a great head of fine hair, with a great little curl at the bottoms. No joke- I would kill for my kids hair. I reached out to friends who are WAAAAY more fashionable than I am. They recommended to me Sparkle Up in New City. I had heard of it, but had never been there myself. So we went. For one low price (E) received a great haircut, braids and painted nails. Deborah took us for a tour and little (E)’s heart leapt for joy. She loved it so much that we have made it our new haircut spot.

This past week was our second trip and this time was even more important for her hair to be amazing because she was going to be the flower girl in her uncle’s wedding. In fact, the day that we went was the rehearsal dinner, and I figured that since the cut came with a braid, I would have Deborah braid it and leave it for the rehearsal.

BEFORE

Our appointment was at 1:30 and we arrived a little early, Deborah was of course already there and ready for us. (E) and I said hi and they got straight to work. I explained the importance of the cut (not that I had to, its always great) and we got started. The cut was great and when done Deborah asked if we wanted a braid and we said yes please for the special occasion.

She said she knew just what to do. Well, she more than surpassed our expectations and did the cutest little up-do for (E) even topping it off with the perfect amount of glitter.

Next since we had some extra time Deborah asked if (E) wanted to dress up. Boy did she ever!!! Well, at first I was nervous because I had her big brother with us and I was afraid he was going to feel left out. In fact, on the way into Sparkle Up he said “ugh this place is for girls right”? I told him to wait and see. There’s actually a second dress up closet with “boys” items in it. For the brothers and cousins and friends that attend play dates and parties. When I said I was impressed Deborah mentioned that she does of course also cut boys hair, and sometimes they choose to have some color added (which I plan to let (E) do next time). Both kiddos picked something to dress in and walk the runway.

Once dressed (E) wanted to paint her nails, hot pink, with sparkles. She got to sit at the special little table choose her color and have them painted (happy girl).

All throughout the fun Deborah and I are chatting it up, and at one point she asked me what I was doing with my hair for the evening. I said probably blowing it straight, and she told me to sit in her chair. In under 10 minutes she had braided my hair back into a beautiful chignon and I no longer had to worry about my hair for the night. I felt so pretty.

I learned that Deborah doesn’t just do kids’ hair, she also does grown ups and does makeup applications, from dance recitals, to prom, to family portraits and weddings. She even does lessons for teens, tweens, and adults. She is also a great destination for kids birthday parties, and girl scout troops! There is so much to do there!!!

We really enjoyed our time at Sparkle Up and neither kid can wait to go back. (A) wants a cut with some spray color, and to try a few more boys costumes on, while (E) wants the works, again. Loved it so much in fact that we will be working with Deborah for some great events coming up this year!!! To book a haircut, play date, party, etc contact Deborah at 845-634-0140 or email her at Sparkleup@me.com she is really quick to respond to both. Of course, we always appreciate you mentioning you heard about them here <3.

There’s a Bully in my Brain- Book Review

Posted on July 26, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Items, Reviews, Services, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love how many talented women (and men) we have in Rockland. As you know, we love to support our local people and businesses. Kristin O’Rourke is no exception. Not only is she a successful local business woman as the owner of In Home LCSW, PLLC, she has now added to her repertoire children’s author. Kristin is a successful LCSW, and that’s no surprise because she is sweet, honest, and really the kind of person you would love to talk to about anything.

She has just published her first (and I say first because I don’t see her stopping here) children’s book “There’s a Bully in my Brain“, Mascot Books, which was written to help children deal with anxiety. Kristin sent us over a book to read and review.

During our book walk we found that, the book is attractive, with unintimidating photos that (A) quickly related to. He noted that some pages had more words than others, but that it would be easy for him to read because the font was easy to read. As he is now a reader, he is sometimes saddened when he can’t read a book because they have used a fancy font that he can’t decipher. This made the chosen font for “There’s a Bully in my Brain” a major plus for him.

We read the book together and he didn’t squirm the way he does when a book is too lengthy or doesn’t hold his attention. He stopped me to identify who the players were on the pages and made a few comments. As we often read books and then discuss them to work on comprehension skills, this made a great opportunity to discuss the books content, and open up the door to speak about any anxiety he might be facing. It also allowed me to get a feel for his opinion of the book.

First we discussed if there was a real person in the child’s head. He understood that the “bully” was not a real person but the child’s inner dialogue, his doubts and fears. We discussed our own inner dialogues.

One of the things that I really like about Kristin’s book is that the counselor who he speaks to gives him REAL advice for “Bullies” both in the brain as well as physical people. (A) made the connection which I was very impressed with. He said that standing up to bullies was the best way to deal with them no matter whether they are in your brain or presenting as real people who are trying to hold you back. We had a great conversation about how standing up to our “bullies” makes us strong, and takes back the power from them.

See (A)’s Summary: Bully in my Brain Summary

As a parent, I must say, it was nice to be reminded of all of the stressful situations our children go through in a day. It reminded me that many of the experiences that we take for granted as “normal” and “daily” are actually quite new, and nerve-wracking for our kids. It also helped me to think about how to best handle conversations if my children (both in school and at home) should share with me some anxiety. I have heard so many people give the advice “to ignore” which is REALLY hard to do, impossible even, and doesn’t deal with the worry.

We have a LOT of books in our home, and I couldn’t be happier to add this one to our collection. My (A) is a worrier, he’s sensitive, tends to be more passive, and senses so much that goes on around him. It was good to have those conversations with him, as I am sure we will again. This book would be a good addition to ANY family’s library. I highly recommend it to parents, grandparents, school counselors, and anyone else who works with children. Not only did we learn and discuss valuable information, but he enjoyed it, he has read it 3 times since and we didn’t need to talk about it every time. He has read it to his little sister, (E) as well. As a part of our normal reading routine it is the perfect vessel to speak about important issues without sitting and just having a “conversation”. This discussion was comfortable and fluid, and (A) was happy to open up as he made “text-to-self” connections.

I cannot wait to see what Kristin’s follow up to “There’s a Bully in my Brain” is, as I know it will also be relevant, well written, and helpful. So glad she shared this with us.

Kristin’s book is available at many different outlets the easiest of which I always find AMAZON (link here). She is available for author visits, book talks and of course as a counselor through her company In Home LCSW, PLLC.

JCC Rockland “Smart Start” Program

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Health and Wellness, Reviews, Services .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post

Since having baby H back in August, I have been eager to return to my pre-pregnancy active self. When our friends at the JCC Rockland offered us to try their “Smart Start” program I was super excited!

The “Smart Start” program is offered to all new members free of charge – it includes a complimentary fitness consultation with a fitness manager, 2 one-hour sessions with a personal trainer, and a consultation with their nutritionist.

My Smart Start began with a consultation over the phone with Jacob – one of the fitness managers. He asked basic health questions – height, weight, ultimate fitness goals, what exercise I most enjoy, best time for me to work out, etc. From this information he would match me with a trainer who he thought could help me reach my goals and keep me motivated. My perfect match – Chaya.

I was both excited and nervous for my first session with Chaya. We began our first session with a brief conversation to help her get to know my strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, health considerations, and personal goals. From there we did a simple ‘fit test’ to help assess my fitness level, which led into an introductory stretch and work out. I expressed I tend to work out mainly with free weights and body weight, not on machines, so we went into the Cross fit room to get started. The work out included work with a kettle bell, medicine ball, battle ropes, and then a circuit on a rowing machine (Which I am now obsessed with and need to start taking rowing classes) and the dreaded burpee.

A week later I came back for round two. Second session we hit the ground running. Remembering how much I loved the Row circuit from the first session – she began with warming up in the rowing room, and then we headed into the TRX studio for a more intense cardio work out. TRX jump squats, battle rope, kettle bell, and a jump rope circuit got my blood pumping. I had a bit of a respiratory cold I was battling, and she could see I was struggling a bit, so she slowed the pace and adapted the intensity to fit my needs, without skipping a beat.

Chaya was amazing. I instantly felt comfortable with her. She explained what each exercise was for and how to modify if needed. Chaya knew just how to motivate me when I was feeling nervous to push a little harder and when it was time to take it down a notch. I could tell she took the time to prepare and review notes from session to session. That this wasn’t just a generic throw together routine she uses with everyone.

I finished each session with Chaya feeling like I got my butt kicked – but in a good way! It also helped me determine (realistically) my current fitness level. (‘Cause in my head I am still fighting weight and think I can Kickbox 5 days a week like I was pre-pregnancy)

Next was my consult with the Nutritionist. First step was a quick online questionnaire asking about my eating, sleep, and exercise habits. From there we had a brief conversation via email (you can also meet in person or speak over the phone). Since I am still nursing baby H, I am limited on changes I can make right now, but she gave me advice on the best foods to eat and some to avoid. I plan to reach out again after I wean him.

I also tried out a group Zumba class – way way way out of my comfort zone – and it was so fun! All age groups mixed together just having fun and dancing away the pounds. Read about our experience here!

This Smart Start program is a great way to help you start off on the right track and feel comfortable and confident when beginning your new fitness adventure. I was shocked when I was told just how reasonable it is for a membership.

The JCC has so much to offer! It really has EVERYTHING you need at a gym; cardio machines, weight machines, studio for free weights, cross fit studio, womens only studio, trx studio, spin studio, rowing studio, pilates studio, aqua fitness, racquetball court, basketball court, yoga (I am sure I am forgetting something), and over 100 group classes offered each week! They also have babysitting available in an adorable playroom right across from the fitness center (send Lauren an email to find out more about pricing and a special deal on babysitting for RNYM readers!)

I highly suggest taking full advantage of their 7 day free pass
to see what it is all about.

JCC is also currently running a special 90 Day Jump Start for an unbeatable rate!

Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry!

Posted on February 14, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Health and Wellness, Reviews, Services, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

If we have been asked once, we have been asked a million times about a pediatric dentist. We try to be on top of all of the new children’s groups in the area. When Smith’s Little Smiles opened up we asked for a private tour. WOW! Boy was I impressed. Dr. Smith couldn’t be sweeter. She was so happy to answer all of my questions. Little (E) jumped right up onto the DINOSAUR chair and was happy to show her teeth. But I am getting ahead of myself.

The office is SUPER CLEAN, and totally geared toward children. Dr. Smith said that she designed the whole thing with her own children in mind. We could tell. (E) was really amusing herself. Dr. Smith herself is a doll. You can tell she really cares about her patients. She came out and introduced herself and invited (E) into the back. (E) was happy to join her.

She was led into a room with, yes, a dinosaur chair. The chair comes equipped with a seatbelt if needed and (E) had a good time putting it on. If the dinosaur chair, or Dr. Smiths demeanor doesn’t put all children right at ease, then the numerous televisions that they can watch will. There is one on the wall where they can see, and also one mounted on the ceiling to look at while being examined.

Let’s get down to the questions all parents want to know.

WHAT INSURANCE DOES SHE TAKE?

She works with ALL insurances. She has a deep rooted belief that dental care should and can be affordable for ALL children.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT?

There are ALWAYS emergency appointments available, for new clients it takes a week or less to get in and see the Dr.

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD WE START SEEING DR. SMITH?

At the age of one- here’s some more great information about that… http://www.smithslittlesmiles.com/age-one/

WHAT AGES DOES DR. SMITH WORK WITH?

From one year all the way up to 20 years of age!!

CAN SHE TAKE X-RAY ON PREMISES?

Yes- her awesome machine moves around the standing child (so fun).

WILL MY CHILD BE COMFORTABLE THERE?

You bet- not only is the office totally geared towards kids, but as a mother of two youngsters, she makes you feel RIGHT AT HOME. She had (E) up in the chair getting a quick once over in no time, (E) was more than happy to oblige. EVERYTHING about this practice is geared toward kiddos.

After a successful appointment Dr.Smith does so many neat things for the kids to make them feel at ease. You receive a gold coin to use in her huge bubble gum (prize) machine.

If you have had no cavities- you get a certificate and a balloon and you get your photo taken to put on Facebook. The kids love being recognized for good dental hygiene.

Photo Credit: Smith’s Little Smiles Facebook Page

Speaking of Facebook if you take a moment to follow Smith’s Little Smiles you will see all these great achievers as well as get some awesome tips for dental hygiene at home.

HOW DO I CONTACT SMITH’S LITTLE SMILES??

Phone: (845) 414- 9626

Address: 5c Medical Park Drive Pomona NY

Email: drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

Website: http://www.smithslittlesmiles.com/

It is so so important to be able to get your kiddos off on the right path to dental hygiene since it is a life long journey. Dr. Smith is dedicated to making this process easy, and effective. She has an amazing bedside manner and great office. I have already spoken to lots of friends who have gone and ADORE her. If you are in the market for a pediatric dentist, or have a little one who is nervous- this place is SO for you. As always- we love a mention if you choose to see her because of us- your mentions help us to continue to bring you the best local kid info. :o)

Dancing the Pounds Away- JCC Rockland Fitness Center

Posted on January 11, 2017 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Health and Wellness, Reviews, RNYM Savings!, Services .

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post- all opinions expressed are my own.

The girls and I are always on the lookout for fun ways to shed some lbs, and right after the holidays its more on the forefront of our minds than ever. We were asked to look into the Fitness Center at JCC Rockland and so we did. There will be an ongoing series of posts describing our experiences there- this one is about the Zumba class we attended as a trio last week.

We were asked to take a class together, looked at the schedule (click here) we were amazed at how many options there were- different classes at all sorts of times to meet the needs of the many people who take advantage of the center.

Only one of us had ever taken ZUMBA so we thought that would be fun, Wednesday evening at 6:30. So we spandexed up and went.

Well, we were so right, its a blast, but what I personally didn’t know is; it is one heck of a workout. My legs were burning and I was sweating hard, we all were. We laughed through it and were even told by the regulars that we weren’t half bad.

At first, it was a little difficult to do the moves with all the mirrors, but eventually I relaxed and was able to find my groove (sort of). In my “momness” it seems I am a bit less limber than I used to be, BUT I don’t think that will last if I keep at it.

img_4799

Essentially I went dancing with my girls, just like I used to. It was a fabulous time. Though, I don’t remember my legs burning like that. I highly recommend you all give it a try too. Working out can seem daunting when you think of it this way, but with a group of friends, dancing to upbeat music- its different.

JCC Rockland has two new fabulous opportunities coming up for you to take advantage of their unbelievable facilities. First is their new 10 week challenge group called “Commit to Fit” http://jccrockland.org/commit-to-fit/

10-week comprehensive program with a certified personal trainer
Menus and nutritional guidance
Chance to win group and individual prizes
Free full-body composition assessment ($60 value)
Full JCC Rockland fitness membership privileges ($185 value)

If you aren’t quite ready to “Commit” there is a free Fit Fest you can take advantage of. http://jccrockland.org/fitfest/ Make sure to register- and you too can dance the lbs off (in addition to a slew of other activities).

Members of the Rocklandnymom community who sign up at the JCC Rockland Fitness Center will also receive a 10 pack of babysitting FREE when you join (no excuses parents).

Sabrina’s Murals and the Nursery of my Dreams!

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Crafts and More Crafts, In the Home, Reviews, RNYM's Picks, Services, Specialty Items, Uncategorized .

Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.

-Ashley Carmichael

3^rd baby, and finally the nursery of my dreams!

When I had my first son, we were living in a one bedroom apartment and I used an alcove as the nursery. When I was expecting my 2^nd son we were living with my parents, so we used an extra room for his crib and dresser, never really making much of it. Now, as I am expecting my 3^rd (and my last), I had the urge to have a ‘perfect’ nursery. In doing so, my goal was to keep the baby room as budget friendly as possible. To accomplish this feat I planned to try to DIY, and recycle as much as I could.

Paint the room.

While my husband and I were debating on colors to paint the walls of the baby room, I stumbled upon posts from Sabrina’s Murals on Facebook. WOW. I was instantly in love with her work! So naturally, I jumped on Pinterest for ideas. I sent Sabrina a message and set up a time for her to come see the room and talk out ideas.

Sabrina is the sweetest, a total breeze to work with, she is always smiling! I explained loosely with some ideas I found online that I was looking to do trees, stars, and a moon – like a forest scene. She was very honest about design concepts, color schemes and how to make it work in the room. Since the room is small, and the design I wanted was complicated, we decided only to do a small portion of the room to not over do it.

Her ideas were so spot on, I couldn’t resist booking her!

A few weeks later, she emailed me a sketch of the mural and I melted! It was exactly what we had discussed. She arrived the next morning at 9am. Sabrina told me to come in through out the day to see the progress, but I wanted to wait for the big reveal! She finished around 4:30pm – seems like a long day to have someone in your house – but I honestly didn’t even know she was there!

The mural is PERFECT! I am so in love with the colors – exactly what I wanted. And the peaceful ambiance it brings to the room – is also exactly what I wanted. She even offered to come back after we had the baby and paint the babies name on the wall.

Sabrina with her masterpiece.

I find myself just sitting in the nursery when I need a few minutes of peace from the crazy chaos. I just love it.

Alphabet Frame

RNYM has this adorable alphabet on the wall in her playroom that I just love! (http://rocklandnymom.com/category/playroom-project/) So again I found myself on Pinterest working off this idea and found an idea for an alphabet that I thought would work. I ordered the wooden letters off of Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMonogramCompanySE?ref=l2-shopheader-name – letters arrived quickly!) and Sabrina left me the paint samples of the teal colors from the mural so I was able to match the color of the letters to the trees in the mural.

It was important to me to include the boys in the projects for the baby’s room to
help them feel included. They loved picking the letters to paint – and we worked on letter recognition in the process.

I happened to have a large framed mirror lying around that was intended for a different project, but it was the perfect size to frame the letters. I matched the grey colors to the trees of the mural and painted the frame. I relaxed in the rocking chair and let hubby do the hanging – using small poster size command strips to hang the wooden letters.

Making sure his spacing was even.

Blanket Ladder
I love blanket ladders. So much easier than folding the hundreds of baby blankets you have, plus it doubles as decoration.

RNYM again to the rescue with a ladder she found on the side of the road. We (and by we I mean my wonderful Husband) sawed it in half, power washed, and sanded it down. I had left over paint from the walls and mural – easy! And it looks perfect in the room. Just by coincidence, the majority of my gender neutral blankets from my boys are teal and grey – perfect match.

My boys hard at work.

Closet Organization
Since the room is a bit small, we decided not to buy a dresser/armoire. I had hanging shoe organizers, and found baskets at the dollar store that fit perfectly in the slots. Great for holding onesies, burp clothes, tiny baby socks. The baskets even fit great on the changing table.

Sonogram Photos
Photobarn.com was having a special promotion on free wooden photo prints (they do this often so if you are a photo junkie go sign up), and I was looking for some more wall decor…I couldn’t resist! I ordered 2, used my sonogram photos, and they look adorable!

The perfect gift from an amazing friend!
I knew she was up to something, she always is 😉 She had been asking me for a pair of jammies from when each of the boys were infants. I found a pair for each, that reminded me of when they were tiny and cuddly.

A few weeks later she surprised me with these amazing ELEPHANTS (which I happen to love)! This wonderful Etsy Shop – (https://www.etsy.com/listing/291624967/memory-elephant-handmade-elephant) took the boys jammies and sewed them into stuffed elephants! Even embroidered their names on the feet. This gift could not be more perfect! Looking forward to having a matching one made for #3 as a keepsake.

The nursery turned out better than I imagined, I can’t wait for baby 3 to arrive!

Empty wall perfect for a newborn photo.

Duluc Auto Center- Review!

Posted on July 25, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, RNYM Savings!, Services .

Disclosure: This is an usponsored post, sometimes you just gotta write. All opinions expressed are my own.

I should start by saying I love my husband. That being said, sometimes he puts things off until the very last moment, and then he is out of time. The car maintenance is no exception. He desperately needed an inspection but kept putting it off because he knew that he was going to need some other work as well. Then there is the part where you have to juggle because we both work full time and need our vehicles. The time for the car to be inspected was approaching rapidly. I didn’t know where to go for quick and honest service, and was afraid that knowing the car needed some work that if I couldn’t trust the shop they would try to sell me services I didn’t need (yes this has happened before, luckily my husband knew better).

That’s when someone told me about Duluc Auto Center on 303. I decided to give them a try and called Jeff to make an appointment. He was very accomodating as far as timing was concerned, completely understanding that we needed both cars for work. RNYD went in the next day to have the car inspected and to find out what else Jeff determined to be necessary for the upkeep of the car.

Duluc Auto Center on Route 303 is one of 3 family owned shops in Rockland, they have been in business over 40 years.

He called RNYD back and let him know that we needed some break work done (apparently RNYD knew this prior to the appointment). I was super nervous that it was going to be really expensive and that we wouldn’t be able to get the car back quickly enough for our insane lifestyle. The car was completed by the end of the day. We were able to pick it up immediately and it didn’t cost us an arm and a leg (his pricing was very reasonable). It turns out that because we had just replaced the battery in the car, it actually failed inspection and we had to go back a few days later to have it re-run (you apparentley have to clock a few miles on a new battery before it will pass). When Jeff was explaining that it failed he must have been able to see the terror on my face as he explained that we needed to drive it (legally with an inspection extension) for a few days and bring it back to be re-run.

Jeff was a pleasure to deal with throughout the entire transaction. He was honest, curteous and timely. Any questions I had he was able to answer with ease and compassion. I was so impressed with his services that I HAD to write about him for everyone else to know about. When I asked his permission to recount our interaction for the site he was happy to oblige.

Meet Jeff.

Not only did Jeff agree to let me tell my story, he also offered all readers of RNYM a coupon to use if you need work done on your car and might be putting it off. I enjoyed our encounter so much that when RNYD told me I needed new tires I knew just who I was going to call. It turns out that he also just became an exclusive dealer for Hercules tires too. He can still get you any kind of tire (if you have a preference), but I have no loyalty to a tire company- I just want safe, reliable, and a good value. Jeff understood my stance, and was happy to help me out. He showed me the tires, and did have great pricing. My appointment for tires is next week, and I look forward to it.

To make an appointment with Jeff call 834-398-2009. As always we appreciate it if you mention you heard about them here! Oh yeah, you have to print the coupon and bring it in to redeem it.

Make it Personal- Selling your Home

Posted on July 18, 2016 by RocklandNYMom Posted in Reviews, Services .

Disclosure: This s a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Selling your home is personal. No matter what the reason you are leaving your special place (upgrade, downgrade, relocation, etc) you are allowing someone to speak for and sell your home. THIS IS A BIG DECISION. And let’s face it, there are so many choices that you can go with. Many of the names you have seen for years, and seen EVERYWHERE! Does that make them better?

Another option is to go with a smaller, local, boutique agency. Sohn Real Estate is one such agency.

Sheri (the owner) has been a SUCCESSFUL real estate broker in both New York and Florida for OVER 25 years. While Sheri’s office can offer all of the bonuses of any larger real estate agency, she also offers one thing that others sometimes do not. That personal touch. Personal attention. A smooth transaction that feels more like fun and family than a transaction, it would be nice to have someone there that you can trust is working in your best interest.

Aside from the personal attention that you receive at Sheri’s Agency, here are a few more reasons it is important to look into a boutique agency like SOHN.

Benefits of smaller agency include (but are not limited to):

Flexibility in making a deal work
One on one personal support
Family atmosphere
Flexibility in method of Advertising (video, social media, print, fliers, and more)

Sheri recently helped me with my home as well. My husband and I were trying to figure out what to do with our home since we had “outgrown” it. Our family has grown and we are in need of another bedroom and bath. She counseled me on what our house would be worth (these quotes are free of charge). From there we took a look at other homes that might meet our criteria.

Unfortunately, we were not super impressed with what we had seen, and so we decided to look into making our current house work for us. When we were worried that the changes we wanted to make might not be wise investments, she was able to help us to see what would and wouldn’t have a good ROI (return on investment). It was great to have that perspective.

Sheri brings this same professionalism and vision to each home you look at– always with a critical eye making suggestions as to how to make it your dream home. This same talent and vision helps her to sell your home. As she shows your home to potential buyers she assesses their individualized needs and helps them to see how your home can be their dream home.

These are some of the reasons that Sheri has been so successful over the past 25 years. A glance at her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SOHN-Real-Estate-302602943262111/ shows you some of her most current listings and sales.

To contact Sheri to list your home, receive a free valuation, or have her find your perfect home, you can message her through her facebook page, email: getitsoldwithsohn@aol.com or Phone: 845-639-HOME (4663).

Baby-To-Go Car Seat Consultation

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Ashley Carmichael Posted in Reviews, Services, Uncategorized .

As a Mom, my main concern is the safety of my children. With a new baby on the way, I wanted to make sure I was up to date on the new car seat laws and to be sure my seats were installed correctly.

I set up an appointment for a Car Seat Consultation with Sarah Ludwig of Baby to Go a SafeKids Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Sarah came to my home, and the consultation began with a short quiz about basic car seat safety, and I honestly didn’t know all the answers! Some of them were shocking. For example she explained how 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed correctly even when parents think they are. Scary!

Sarah went through the New York State Laws regarding car seats in addition to what she refers to as “Best Practices.” For example: there are no NY state laws stating how long a child should remain rear facing, but there are no car seats on the market that will allow a child to forward face until age 1. As well as the AAP and the NHTSA recommend a child remains rear-facing until age 2. Another thing to keep in mind is that we live so close to New Jersey that their law is to rear-face until age 2 (which we must follow when we drive through the state). So many factors to take into consideration.

We headed outside so she could help show us how to install our seats correctly. Sarah began by asking my ideal location for the seats, and she instantly saw a problem! According to the manufacturer of our harness boosters, I couldn’t have one of the boys in the middle seat because the booster was overhanging the seat slightly! Sarah emphasized the importance of reading both the car manual, as well as the car seat manual to be sure everything is installed correctly.

We began with Sarah installing the 1^st harness booster seat, as I watched and she explained each step. She then removed the seat, and watched as I installed it to be sure I could do it correctly.

We moved on to the baby seat. Sarah pointed our seat is stamped with the expiration date – which also matched the expiration date on the base. Thankfully, the installation is the same as when I had my last little one, so it was a quick refresher! Not all brands stamp their seat with the expiration date, but there will always be a sticker with the date of manufacture and you can consult your manual for expiration date, and some seats have the expiration listed right on the sticker. All depends on the manufacturer.

Sarah then asked me to install the final harness booster seat to finish it off, and I passed the ‘test!’ We finished up with discussing proper belting of the children.

I wanted to be sure and ask Sarah the most popular questions all Moms see the most on the Facebook posts.

“What seat is the best car seat ?”
— There is no BEST seat. It depends on the child and the car.

“What do I do if I am in a car accident? Do I have to get a new seat?”
— For replacement after a car accident, some brands require replacement after any collision, while others follow NHTSA guidelines. NHTSA guidelines include the point of impact, but that’s not the only criterion, and ALL must be met for the seat to be deemed usable.

“Is my child old enough for a high back booster without a harness?”
— Giving a child the freedom of a seatbelt depends greatly on the maturity of the child. If the child is wiggling out of the proper position during a crash, they could sustain serious injury.

“When can I turn my child front facing?”
— American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children now remain rear facing until age 2. However, best practice would be to keep your child rear facing as long as you can.

I learned a ton from the consultation, but what stands out the most is not to rush the car seat milestones, and be sure to read your car seat manual as well as your car manual to be sure your seats are installed correctly.

Sarah is not only a SafeKids Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, she is also a trained Doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and a Babywearing Educator!

Sarah is an amazing resource for Moms To Be and New Moms. Be sure to check out her website for her class offerings and services.

www.Baby-to-go.com
facebook.com/BabyToGo
Sarah@baby-to-go.com
914-999-BABY

Sarah is offering a $5 off a single car seat consultation when you mention RNYMOM!

Need more?! Sarah is giving away one free consultation to a lucky reader!!! Random name to be drawn on Wednesday 5/11/16!! Like, comment and share to enter!!! Remember to tag a friend who may need this!!!

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