Jersey City Business: Another Man's Treasure Vintage

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!

Jersey City Business: The Cliff

The Cliff in Jersey City Heights, is my favorite neighborhood restaurant. Not only is it everything I want from a restaurant aesthetically (I think the youths call it "Instagramable"), but the food is fresh, flavorful and healthy. You won't find any meat on the restaurants menu, and you can taste the clean simplicity in every bite. The shelves inside are stocked with perfectly curated local products, like Parabotanica skincare products, Oh Honey honey, and Silly Chilly Hot Sauce. The Cliff overall is exactly the kind of business that inspired me to start HudsonCounty60, so needless to say it was one of the very first businesses I reached out to.

Eva and her husband Gary, own the restaurant which they opened a little over a year ago. It's a beautiful, small space that is full almost every time I'm there. It's no wonder why it's a neighborhood staple either-- talk to anyone in Jersey City/Hoboken and they all say, "Oh! I LOVE The Cliff". In our first episode, Eva taught me how to make the best biscuits I've ever had (no joke). The biscuits are offered on their Grab and Go breakfast menu-- a small selection of items for commuters catching the bus a half block away on Palisades Avenue, or the Light Rail a block away. The flaky crust sandwiches fluffy eggs and mozzarella cheese, and is perfection in every bite. Pair it with their locally roasted, house blend coffee, and it's the breakfast of champions.

New to the restaurant is their Dinner and a Movie night every Thursday in July, and select nights in August. The menu features a lobster roll, a selection of perfectly made seasonal vegetables and their Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad. In our second video, Eva teaches me how to make the salad that is so clean but doesn't lack an ounce of flavor. It's the kind of dish that you eat and wonder why you can't make it every day, but when you try it's just not the same. 

Everything about The Cliff, the menu and Eva seems like that perfectly curated Instagram page that you follow and think to yourself, "how do I make my life so perfectly beautiful like that?". And if you're wondering, yes, they make Avocado Toast and IT. IS. AMAZING. Plus, did I mention the restaurant is B.Y.O.B.? For a limited time, HudCo60 followers can stop into The Cliff for the Grab and Go breakfast and get a free cup of coffee!

Don't forget to follow The Cliff here, and make sure to keep following HudsonCounty60 for more post throughout the week!

Hoboken Business: The Hoboken Mary

There's nothing better with brunch (or lunch, or dinner, or after dinner) than a good Bloody Mary, amiright? I have been on the constant pursuit for the perfect Bloody Mary recipe for years, and then in walked The Hoboken Mary. This mix has everything you need for the perfect Bloody except the alcohol and accoutrements of your dreams. No longer do you need to have 489,902 ingredients at hand.

The mix, created by Hoboken's Christine Dodd, is gluten free, low calorie, fat free, all natural, and has less sodium. Sign me up, right? It's also made from Jersey tomatoes, got a nice kick to it and comes in a reusable mason jar. Plus you honestly don't have to add a damn thing to it if you don't want to. 

Over the course of Christine's visit to the HudsonCounty60 Kitchen, she showed me how to make 3 amazing things with one simple mix. Firstly she taught me how to make a signature Jersey Bloody Mary, using Jerry's Vodka, another Jersey local business, and garnished with every NJ natives favorite meat, Pork Roll/Taylor Ham. Also garnished with some beautiful and ripe Jersey tomatoes stuffed with cream cheese.

Next we made a simple Mussels Marinara with a remoulade for dipping with 3 INGREDIENTS! All you need for this simple recipe is some fresh mussels, mayonnaise and Hoboken Mary mix. Simply add your cleaned mussels to your pot and cover with HM mix. Once the mussels have opened, they're done. For your remoulade mix add 1 tablespoon of HM mix to 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and voila! You have created the quickest meal with 3 easy ingredients, and in about 20 minutes. If you're so inclined, your remoulade now also makes an incredible dipping sauce for shrimp cocktail, and even Popeyes Chicken.

Lastly, and this is really the piece de resistance, we made an oyster shooter. Once again 3 ingredients and E-A-S-Y. In a large shot glass add one fresh, raw oyster, cover with Vodka of choice (we used NJ's Jerry's Vodka) and a splash of HM mix. Shoot that sucker and LIVE YO LIFE. If you're feeling like starting trouble that day, substitute vodka with tequila and really start your party.

To order The Hoboken Mary, click here, OR here to find it at a location near you. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook. And don't forget to keep checking HudsonCounty60, because this week we're giving away a bottle of The Hoboken Mary mix and branded products, plus a bottle of Jerry's Vodka!