Local Business — BLOG — HudsonCounty60

My day at AMT Vintage was basically a fashion fantasy. I think it may be as close to that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie gets to try on clothes in the Vogue closest as I'll ever get. A staple in Jersey City for 12 years, and having been at 2 previous locations, AMT Vintage is one of the best known Jersey City businesses. It's no wonder why, either. Owner Meika Franz has spent years making relationships with collections, owners and attends vintage trade shows regularly.

The store is a huge 2 story space, that's beautifully organized, making finding the perfect vintage piece easy. They sell mens, womens and children's clothing, along with records and accessories (cufflinks, glasses, patches, scarves, cigarette holders, etc.). There are Victorian lace dresses, 1940's gowns, 1950's rompers, leather bombers, and even 1990's Levi's.

When you meet Meika, a woman who's whole life is about vintage clothing, I expect to meet a cheeky, Bette Page pinup looking vintage aficionado. Instead, it's clear that she wears vintage, but in a classic and everyday way. I immediately knew that I was going to the right person to learn how to incorporate vintage into my everyday look. I myself, have been wearing vintage t-shirts for years, and also went through a phase in high school where I wore a lot of 50's cocktail dresses. But I wanted to expand my horizons. I tried on a gorgeous 1980's silk Chanel blouse, a pair of high waisted Chloe slacks, and a men's Hawaiian print button-down-- all things I would HAPPILY wear in my everyday life.

But for our next episode I really lived my dreams. With Meika's help, we pulled all kinds of fashion fantasies. The kinds of pieces that make you wish you lived in certain time periods. I tried on a pristine The Who t-shirt, a red 1960's cocktail dress that may have been made for me, and a 1950's prom dress. But the piece that has long been a dream was an ivory robe with feather trim-- a piece I have long fantasized about wearing as an older woman living in a 1930's Manhattan penthouse, with lots of perfectly groomed poodles, all sitting with me on a velvet chaise lounge, as I eat bon-bons and drink vodka martinis. Too specifc?

AMT Vintage has pieces for whatever you're looking for. They'll have whatever you need for a costume party, an AMAZING selection of vintage wedding dresses for the bride looking for something a little different, but don't forget all the amazing pieces you can wear everyday!

Make sure to follow along with their Instagram, as they post new pieces weekly. Plus they's offering 10% off of purchases for HudsonCounty60 viewers.

Happy shopping!

When I started thinking about what businesses to reach out to for HudsonCounty60, I immediately thought of Elements Truffles, a business I had been following on Instagram for some time. They're a micro-batch, Ayurvedic chocolate company, that operates out of Kearny Point in Kearny, NJ.

Walking into Kearny Point is like walking into what I imagine Google HQ Lite would be like. It's a beautiful, modern building with coworking spaces, designated ride share parking spots, cafes, etc. Walking the halls of the techy building, it's hardly a place I'd imagine you could make 800 chocolate bars a day in, but Alak Vasa and her small team make it work, and they make it work WELL.

A former Wall Street trader, Alak found comfort in her daily chocolate. Naturally, when she decided to leave her career she decided to pursue the art of chocolate making. Drawing on Ayurvedic principles, she decided to make chocolates that not only tasted delicious and decadent, but are good for you as well. She's infused multiple flavors with Turmeric, a spice known for its anti-inflimation properties, as well as local NJ honey and raw organic chocolate, making it dairy, soy, preservatives, GMO, chemicals, sugar and gluten FREE.

Alak agreed to teach me what goes into make each bar of her chocolates and I was blown away by the amount of love and care that goes into them. The process begins with a meditation, to ensure that the chocolates are filled with love and intention. She mixes local NJ honey, organic raw cacao butter, organic raw cacao powder, edible grade essential oils and Himalayan sea salt. Everything is mixed by hand and then put into a machine to temper the chocolate and bring it to the proper temperature. The chocolate is then hand poured into molds, cooled and hand wrapped. Can you believe that this process allows for them to make 800 bars in a day? Not to mention their beautiful packaging is HAND STITCHED by women in India. And if that STILL doesn't sell you on them, 25% of profits goes towards the education of under-privileged children in India.

Flavors include Raspberry with Beet Root Infusion, Rose with Cardamon Infusion, Peppermint with Lavender Infusion, Sea Salt with Turmeric Infusion, Orange Quinoa with Turmeric Infusion, and Ginger with Black Pepper Infusion. And each is equally delicious. They can be purchased here, at select Whole Foods Markets, and at stores closer to home that can be located here.

Keep checking our Instagram this week for your chance to win a collection of ALL flavors! In the meantime, follow along with Elements Truffles on their Instagram or their website!