SOMA NJ 3D Printer Alliance: Two Teachers are #SOMAWESOME {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ}

These two South Orange Middle School (SOMS) teachers are #SOMAWESOME. #SOMAWESOME means super amazing, charitable humans in the Maplewood/South Orange community.

They are going above and beyond to make sure our front line workers are protected. 

Jake Ezzo (Chorus Director) and Brandon Hillman (Language Arts) are middle school educators by day, 3D face shield printers by night. They have single-handedly organized hundreds of local volunteers to print, assemble, and deliver over 12,000 face shields to physicians, nurses, and medical staff during this global pandemic.

Many of the volunteers are Ezzo and Hillman's SOMS students and families, as well as their friends and neighbors throughout Maplewood and South Orange. They are printing visor pieces on 3D printers (each piece takes one hour). Then they are assembling the visors with elastic and clasps, and then making sure they get into the right hands at medical facilities across NJ, NY, and PA. 

Watch video —>

When Ezzo and Hillman are not organizing this massive face shield effort, they are writing and composing songs (check this new one out!) to keep their students spirits up during this time.

Please take a minute to check out the links here and thank these teachers for being such incredible role models and citizens.

Join their Facebook group to help with assembly.
Follow their efforts on Instagram!

Donations greatly appreciated.

FLAG of SOMA - Nourishment for Healthcare Workers {Maplewood + South Orange, NJ}

What a privilege! Thank you to FLAG of SOMA founders Ava Martin, Barbara Santoro and Roshni Patel for taking the time to talk to me about FLAG today. These three are simply amazing. The amount of love, energy, and time they are devoting to this cause is extraordinary.

So, what is FLAG? You’ll have to watch the video to find out. ;) In a nutshell, FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group) of South Orange and Maplewood is a group dedicated to feeding front line healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, while also keeping SOMA local restaurants in business.

This video tells you how FLAG of SOMA started, why this initiative is so important, how restaurants can get involved, and more!

Donations are greatly appreciated - thank you for your support!

Join their Facebook group and follow them on Instagram!

After Much Thought

March 29, 2020

After much, much, MUCH consideration I’ve decided to not carry out any professional photo sessions for the next who-knows-how-many weeks. I struggled with this decision a lot.

It’s my instinct to want to celebrate and find joy in dark times. I believe photo sessions can bring happiness and light. When there’s stress in a family, letting loose together can be therapeutic. When we are faced with negative messages and images, cheerful photos of children and babies can make us smile and forget our troubles. When we’ve been in sweats and messy hair for weeks it feels good to put on makeup and feel glamorous for an hour.

And yes, I can try and do all of this at a safe 6 foot distance. But here’s the thing - it wouldn’t be my best work. It wouldn’t be fair to you or me. I believe it would still be putting us at risk - it is simply not worth it. I have been trying to flatten the curve as much as possible. My family and I have been home for over two weeks with no social interaction and it seems irresponsible and silly to change that now.

I hope you understand, I hope you stick with me when this is all over. I can’t wait to take your pictures again, to run and play with your kids in the park, to capture your beauty and confidence, to make even more memories together.

For now, stay safe, be well, and appreciate your health and togetherness as best as you can. And if you need to hide in the bathroom and scream that’s totally fine too!

With love,
Jamie

PS - Please check out my daily photo journal - thank you.

Day by Day Photo Journal - March- April 2020

Not going to sugar coat it - this is a personal project to prevent going completely bat-sh*t crazy.

Documenting our days at home while are social distancing and quarantining to "flatten the curve" and keep ourselves and others safe and healthy. This is one wild ride.

There’s lots of basketball, chalk art, movies, school work, walking, neighbors over the fence, hide and seek, drawing, writing, community food drive, and thank goodness for the flowers blooming. Trying to wrap my head around what's happening, this photo project is my therapy.

View my “Day by Day” Photo Journal here.

In This Together, April 5, 2020

In This Together, April 5, 2020

HOLIDAZE in Maplewood + South Orange, NJ

Dickens Village, Maplewood, NJ

Dickens Village, Maplewood, NJ

The Holidaze are HERE!✨

Here’s your weekend - you might want to save this.

SATURDAY 12/7:

🎅🏽 Dickens Village, Maplewood

🤶 Hometown Holiday Celebration, South Orange

✨ Festive as Folk Maker’s Market, South Orange

🎼 Songs of SOMA Release party, Maplewood

SUNDAY 12/8:

❄️ Winter Farmer’s Market, Maplewood

🎉 Springfield Ave Holiday Celebration, Maplewood

🎤 Holiday Concert w/ Broadway Stars, Maplewood

BOTH:

🎄 Christmas Trees for sale, Maplewood

🎁 Local shopping + events @generalstorecooperative , Maplewood & @southorangeholidayshop, South Orange

🛍 Endless options to eat & shop in our amazing two towns

Have an awesome weekend and post your pics with #livelovemaplewood

Holiday Shopping with @livelovemaplewood {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ, NJ Photographer, Live Love Maplewood}


I’m SUPER excited to share my #livelovemaplewood photo shop with you this holiday season.

You can find shiny metallic magnets, 2020 calendars, and vibrant wall art at the cool and unique @southorangeholidayshop (14 S. Orange Ave) - there are one-hundred local businesses under one roof….yes, 100! This shop is open Wed through Sun, through Dec 24th (including 12/24 - a Monday).

My 2020 calendars are also available at the General Store Cooperative (1875 SpringfieldAvenue, Maplewood, NJ) - open year round Wed-Sun.

And, you can now order the calendar online!

I can order just about anything for you if you can’t get to the shop- local delivery options and shipping within the US...the possibilities are endless, just email me.

I am so proud of these photos and have YOU to thank for supporting me along the way! 🙏

Morphmom Conference - Nov 11th - Maplewood, NJ

I'M ON A PANEL!

Join me on Monday, November 11th!

I'm on a panel at the Morphmom conference, "What's Next".
Tickets available here! (Use code SPEAKER for $20 off!)

Monday, November 11th
9:00AM to 2:30PM
The Woodland: 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, NJ

Morphmom conference, Nov 11, 2019

Morphmom conference, Nov 11, 2019

Experience a day of inspiration, guidance and community.

A day where speakers share their journeys and the steps they took to get where they are today. A day where you will meet other like-minded women and immediately feel part of a community, a movement devoted to helping others discover and pursue their next step. A day where panelists share not just the positive experiences, but the challenges, failures and obstacles they faced along the way. Be empowered to go beyond your comfort zone and find “What’s Next!”

#MAPSOSCARY Halloween {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ}

Halloween in Maplewood, NJ + South Orange, NJ is SPIRITED, SPOOKY, AND SCARY! There are lots of amazing homes that stand out from the rest for their creative, creepy, and crafty decorations. Here they are! Use #MAPSOSCARY to share your Halloween pics with our community on Instagram!



Fall Foliage in Maplewood + South Orange NJ!

The fall colors in northern New Jersey are finally showing themselves! So much beauty and they’re coming out more and more each day. If you walk or ride around Maplewood and South Orange, NJ you will be lucky to see lots of big old trees that are bursting with reds, yellows, and oranges!

#BACKTOSCHOOLSOMA Giveaway - Maplewood, NJ

It's back! We are so excited for our #backtoschoolsoma 2019 giveaway! 

Some of our 2018 entries! SO cute!

Some of our 2018 entries! SO cute!

If you followed us last year you might remember how fun this was! This year we are partnering with four amazing #Maplewood businesses for an epic "back-to-school" giveaway: Baker Street Yoga, Brave Floral, City Workshop and Toy Division, all on Baker Street in Maplewood Village. 

Here's how it works:

Rules:

  1. Your IG account must be public for the duration of the contest.

  2. Follow AND tag the five businesses collaborating.

  3. Entries must in by 12pm Sept 8th.

  4. Winner must be able pick up gift certificates in stores by Sept 15th

Winner will be chosen at random Sunday, Sept 8th, 2019 by 8PM EST.

This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by Instagram.


Summer is HERE! Memorial Day Weekend {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ, NJ Photographer}

Summer is HERE in Maplewood + South Orange, NJ! Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer - personally one of my favorite times of the year. This year we were lucky to have one of the best MDW yet - beautiful blue skies! Bright sunshine! It wasn’t too cool or rainy - which is kind of unusual these days. We had the opening of the Maplewood Pool, the South Orange pool, and the infamous Duck Race. The duck race raises money for the YMCA in Maplewood, NJ - hundreds of families came out to cheer on rubber ducks that travel through our picturesque Memorial Park stream. It’s an iconic and timeless gathering that puts a smile on everyone’s face. Here’s to an amazing summer -more sunshine, more community, more FUN.

Pop Up Kids Shop - General Store Cooperative {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ,}

When it comes down to it, it’s not about the merchandise. It’s about the collaborations and the community. ⚡️ There are over 75 local artists, makers, and small businesses represented in between these four walls and it’s truly a beautiful thing. 💕 This is the “Pop Up Kids Shop” brought to you by @somageneralstore - (not just kids stuff - homewares, artwork, beauty, and more). 🎉🍭🍉🌈🌻 It’s located at 1875 Springfield Ave in #Maplewood (@springfieldave) and it’s wall-to-wall goodness. 🙌🏽 Not only a shop but an interactive space with nonstop activities throughout the next few weeks until it closes up on May 19th. You have three more weeks to take it all in. ⚡️ Some of my spring photos are for sale and I’ll be doing a fun photo booth on Sat May 4th! More to come!  #livelovemaplewood#somageneralstore 

Pop Up Kids Shop, 1875 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ

Pop Up Kids Shop, 1875 Springfield Ave, Maplewood, NJ

Pictured above are just some of the vendors and goodies you’ll see at the Pop Up Kids Shop.

Very excited to have my own photo artwork on display, featuring a “Spring in Maplewood” photograph I took in Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ just a few weeks ago!

OMG SPRING! {Maplewood, NJ, South Orange, NJ, NJ Photographer}

The colors and blooms have been crazy gorgeous this season!! I feel like this is the most colorful/long-lasting spring in years! The cherry blossoms are the most fluffy pink, the dogwoods delicate and soft, the tulips bright and bold.

Maplewood and South Orange, NJ are bursting with color and spring…

Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ

Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ

Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ

Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ

Tulips, South Orange, NJ

Tulips, South Orange, NJ

All the Colors | Maplewood, NJ

All the Colors | Maplewood, NJ

More tulips! South Orange, NJ

More tulips! South Orange, NJ

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MAPSO SUPPLY IS #SOMAWESOME

We’re back tonight with #SOMAWESOME! 🙌🏽 This one goes to three young entrepreneurs in our community:


“A lot of people may know us for the “MAPSO” sweatshirts - and we’re currently sampling a new collection that will go on sale soon too. We recently launched "The Market" which gives locals the chance to sell their clothing through us. This is exciting as it keeps quality product (and money) in the community instead of with bigger companies,” says Ethan Pidgeon, Thomas Dandino, and Adam Krakower, all seniors at Columbia High School, and the founders of @mapsosupply.

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So, what exactly is Mapso Supply? Mapso Supply began as a class project, but soon grew into entrepreneurship for the three founders. Established in 2015, Ethan, Thomas, and Adam have grown Mapso Supply tremendously, now bringing quality vintage clothing to you for the best price, through their website and Instagram.

They’ve organized two flea markets at CHS - the second time they raised funds with the CHS Environmental Club, and as they work on the third one, they’re planning a clothing drive for those in need.

mapso supply


And they’re not stopping there…they’re making Earth Day t-shirts, donating 100% of profits to the South Mountain Conservancy in hopes of protecting outdoor spaces in our community. Look for the T’s in the coming week - check @mapsosupply for details.


In addition to running Mapso Supply, Ethan was a captain of the CHS soccer team, Tom is a captain of the CHS lacrosse team, and Adam plays ultimate frisbee at CHS. Adam + Ethan were former presidents of Future Business Leaders of America at CHS, and ran the school store. This fall, they’re all headed to college: Ethan to Northeastern University, Tom to Haverford College, and Adam to Indiana University. All three will be studying business in some form (congrats, guys!!).

“People may be surprised that it’s not about the money for us. We try to be strategic, 100% of our profits are reinvested.”

Thanks to @mapsosupply - @livelovemaplewood followers get a discount code 15% off online: LIVELOVEMAPSO on mapsosupply.com through Sunday April 14! 

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SOMA in Bloom!

April is HERE 🙌🏽 and spring is happening! 🌼 This is #5 in my #liveloveforty series (40 things I love about MAPSO/SOMA). This past weekend was *mostly* beautiful. ☀️ Hope you enjoyed it and are as excited to see these blooms as I am! All throughout Maplewood and South Orange, NJ are beautiful buds popping up everywhere: crocus, daffodils, and magnolia and cherry blossom trees. We are officially IN BLOOM and I could not be happier!

Delicate Daffodils

Delicate Daffodils

Magnolia tree about to burst!

Magnolia tree about to burst!

Beautiful crocus

Beautiful crocus

Single and happy ;)

Single and happy ;)

The Gorgeous Homes of Montrose, South Orange, NJ

Number 4️⃣ in my #liveloveforty series: the beautiful historic homes in the #Montrose neighborhood of #SouthOrange, New Jersey. We are lucky to have absolutely incredible architecture and design in our towns. Old, historic homes that are full of stories and memories, most date back to turn-of-the-19th early 20th-century! Check out the Historic Montrose site for more info.

A Victorian beauty

A Victorian beauty

The architecture, colors, multiple floors, wrap around porches - each one is unique and gorgeous, many dating back to the 1800s. These beauties are what real estate dreams are made of (at least in my dreams! 💭)  #livelovemaplewood

And another Victorian! *Drool*

And another Victorian! *Drool*

A gorgeous sprawling Tudor

A gorgeous sprawling Tudor

Serious porch goals!

Serious porch goals!

Columbia High School Musical sensation: Mary Poppins!

Practically PERFECT in 👏🏽every 👏🏼way 👏! #3 in my #liveloveforty series: the absolutely mind-blowing musicals at Columbia High School ➡️ @chsmusicals. 🌟

Mary Poppins at Columbia High School

Mary Poppins at Columbia High School

Mary Poppins was off the charts INCREDIBLE. We have been very lucky to see several phenomenal productions on that stage over the years: Cats, Ragtime, How to Succeed in Business, Beauty & The Beast, Hairspray, and now #MaryPoppins. One is more amazing than the next: the acting and choreography, set, costumes, all-student live orchestra, and the professionalism.

The incredible cast of Mary Poppins! Check out those COSTUMES.

The incredible cast of Mary Poppins! Check out those COSTUMES.

The CHS musicals are truly a masterpiece each year and the fact that they are high school shows seems impossible! But when they take place in the town “where Broadway sleeps” it’s not too crazy. Congrats to the cast, crew, and directors on another tremendous accomplishment! ☂️🎭🌂🎶 #livelovemaplewood#columbiahighschool

Congrats to the cast and crew!

Congrats to the cast and crew!

Little Free Libraries in Maplewood + South Orange, NJ

Who doesn’t love a #littlefreelibrary attached to a tree stump?! Nobody! ❤️ What exactly is a Little Free Library, you ask? All info can found here. We have several Little Free Libraries in Maplewood and South Orange, NJ for kids and families to visit any time they wish.

This particular location (@maplewood_littlefreelibrary) - corner of Richmond & Baldwin in #Maplewood is the sweetest thing EVER.

A little reader choosing books on a snow day at the corner of Richmond + Baldwin in Maplewood

A little reader choosing books on a snow day at the corner of Richmond + Baldwin in Maplewood

There are many others around Maplewood + South Orange, NJ! According to our Instagram followers, look for one at these other locations around town:

  • South Orange Country Day School on Vose/Montrose (South Orange)

  • Marshall School (South Orange)

  • Charlton Ave near Irving Avenue (South Orange)

  • Irving Avenue off Center Street (South Orange)

  • Girl Scout Troop 22856 put one up at @prospectmaplewood (Maplewood)

  • Arcularius Terrace near Headley Place (Maplewood)

  • Maplewood Ave between Durand and Beach (Maplewood)

  • Valley Street - at the first house as you pass the gas station heading towards SO.

    Thanks to all who put them up and maintain all of these Little Free Libraries!

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CHS Prom Shop Creators are #SOMAWESOME

We’re back with #SOMAWESOME tonight and I’m so excited about this incredible group of women. 🙌🏽 They had an amazing idea and ran with it two years ago: Jill Abramson, Rhea Mokund Beck, Susan Bergin, Heidi Davis, Amy Forman, and Jane Perry (Rhea & Jane pictured here), all from Maplewood and South Orange. 🌟These selfless women started The Prom Shop at Columbia High School two years ago so all students could have access to beautiful prom dresses. 💃🏿

Rhea Mokund Beck + Jane Perry, CHS Prom Shop Volunteers

Rhea Mokund Beck + Jane Perry, CHS Prom Shop Volunteers

The shop began as a small collection of shoes and accessories and has grown into a beautiful boutique with hundreds of new and very gently used gowns, tuxes, suits, shoes, and jewelry. 👗 Students “shop” for free for the perfect look for the prom, and are aided by volunteer “stylists.” 👛 Last year the Prom Shop gave away over 130 dresses- in January over 200 dresses were “sold” at the sneak peak shop!! 👠

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These amazing women solicited donations and recruited an awesome team of volunteers to set up and assist the shop. Everything in the shop was free, and included new handbags and cosmetics too.

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Local donors included @perchhome@retailtherapy_maplewood@colemanstuxedos @lesliesfinds, and @bobbibrown#Gleasonscleaners provided free dry cleaning and a drop off spot for locations, and many of YOU donated items as well. 👗 The CHS Prom Shop is part of SOMA Justice's COUGAR CARES program at CHS in partnership with The Parenting Center, CHS HSA and @soma_action, which provides financial assistance to students to pay for school events such as prom, and help address food insecurity.  Last year, Cougar Cares raised over $9,000 enabling 90 students to go to prom and installed snack stations throughout CHS.

For more information, please contact chscougarcares@gmail.com