Karen Latimer, MD By profession, I am a Family Physician. By a comedy of errors, I am the mom of five. About a year ago, in a desperate attempt to dust off the stay-at-home cobwebs, I started writing an easy to read medical website. I quickly realized there was so much more I wanted to talk about, but I lacked both the knowledge base and the appropriate venue. Medicine can, of course, make you feel better, but true healthy living is the result of balance. Introducing Tips From Town. In addition to more serious sides of life like family and fitness, we offer fun, food and fashion. Combine all this with lots of great deals, and we have the site of my dreams. Meet the great women who make it happen. Please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for all the local latest.
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AND FINDS EDITOR – Amy Nidds
My family and friends all know me as someone who loves helping others and passing along a great tip or two, sometimes in just one day! I am thrilled to be sharing all of those tips and finds with you now. For me, moving to Ridgewood more than then ten years ago with my family was the natural next step. I had lived in Manhattan for years, working at Prudential Securities in Fixed Income Sales. I left my job to stay home with my young family. I had the good fortune of having three sisters-in-law who all lived in Ridgewood. After visiting several times and seeing what Ridgewood had to offer, we decided this was the right place for us. Being someone who cannot be idle for very long, I quickly joined Ridgewood Newcomers. I served on the board and then became President. I have served on Ridge Elementary School’s HSA board and volunteered for numerous (too many to mention) other charities and organizations over the years. What I enjoy most is finding great discounts or something very unique that is a must have. Then, I have to tell everyone I know about it — I can’t help it! I am looking forward to sharing all my great finds with you. You can contact me anytime at finds@tipsfromtown.com.
CURATOR for TIPS FROM TOWN RIDGEWOOD – Jennifer Hamlet
Basically, the moment my husband and I realized we were having twins we high-tailed it out of Manhattan to the suburbs. An overreaction? Possibly, but I’m glad we did. Ridgewood, in my view, is the ideal place to raise kids. You can’t find a more caring community, one that takes pride in its schools and takes care of its own. We’re a family of 5 now and those twins are teenagers (gulp!). As for me, when I’m not missing my Wall St. career, and the wardrobe it required, I’m busy volunteering at our great schools and trying to burn a few more calories than I consume by playing mediocre tennis and running the occasional mile. I’m also happily embracing my new role as curator of this info-packed site. If you have any questions or suggestions about what we do, please contact me at jenniferhamlet@tipsfromtown.com
FORT and FUN EDITOR – Erin Pruitt
I thought writing for a website would be more interesting than doing laundry (which is what I should be doing right now). I am a former television commercial producer turned chronic volunteer with a penchant for decorating, I am capable of organizing a fundraiser, a girls’ weekend, or a camping trip for 50. As a mother of three boys, if my house is clean, and they have consumed one fruit or vegetable in the last 24 hours, it was a good day. Stay at home moms need to talk. I love having a group of women in my corner that I can go to, unload with, and share our daily life, because all the best stuff is passed along … take my word for it! Born and bred in Bergen County, I will be sharing insider “tips” for your home, and fun ideas for your free time. You can contact me with suggestions and comments atfort@tipsfromtown.com or fun@tipsfromtown.com.
FAMILY EDITOR — Ellen Seaver
I’m the mom of two little ones, but I certainly can’t call them little anymore. How quickly that seems to have happened and how much life has changed! Pre-motherhood, I worked in the training and international recruiting departments of McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. Wanting to focus more on my growing family, I left there and started as a reporter for one of Ridgewood’s local newspapers, The Village Gazette. Additionally and for the better part of the last decade, I have worked as a copywriter and account manager for Caryl Communications, a public relations firm based in Paramus. During the 12+ years we’ve lived in Ridgewood, I have loved finding out about all this unique town has to offer — for kids and families alike. That’s just what you will see in my FAMILY category. I am a big fan of learning from great resources, like magazine articles and web sites on parenting. I will be sharing these with you. Let’s not forget there are hiccups that pop up along our parenting journey – lots of that is here too. You can contact me with suggestions and comments at family@tipsfromtown.com
FITNESS EDITOR – Tammy Juco BSc. (MLS), HFS
After many years working in the medical field and witnessing the effects of poor lifestyle choices, I decided to take a more proactive role in healthcare. I gave up my career in Lab Medicine and earned my diploma in Fitness and Lifestyle Management – and I’ve never looked back. Through my business, sol fitness, I train privately one on one, small group sessions, and instruct a variety of fitness classes. Besides working with a wide variety of clients, I continue to learn about everything from Pre and Postnatal fitness; to nutrition; to proper fitness and health assessments, and most recently I obtained the Health Fitness Specialist certification through ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine). As a busy working mother of two I look for creative ways to stay fit and healthy and I love to share what I’ve learned with anyone who’ll listen. Fitness and health are my passions and being able to inspire, educate, motivate and support people to make better lifestyle choices is my mission, so I’m thrilled to be a part of Tips From Town where I can share this information with you. You can contact me at fitness@tipsfromtown.com.
FASHION EDITOR – Karin Stephan
Makeup and fashion are obsessions of mine — odd, I know, for a college field hockey player — but, after my first professional makeup lesson, I was hooked. While working for Trish McEvoy for over a decade, I was able to travel to lots of great shopping spots. Back at home, I could jet into NYC for a new outfit at a moments notice. Then, I had two kids — goodbye free time. Like all new moms, I was lucky if I could find a minute to wash my hair. Of course, I adore my children, and I cherish being able to stay home with them. I would be lying, though, if I didn’t admit that when they finally started school full day, I loved the time to regain a little of my old self.
Finding the best white t-shirt, a new wash of my favorite jeans, or a great pair of shoes — especially the shoes — lifted my spirits on an otherwise hectic and over-scheduled day. When the Amex bill arrived, I did what any responsible woman would do…I got a job — as a personal shopper at Anthropologie … helloooo employee discount!
For me, the makeup counters are a kid’s candy store. The new bronzer, the latest lip gloss or the miracle anti-aging cream draw me in. Friends often tell me they hate the pressure to buy, hate navigating the vast selection and then, after all that, toss their new purchase, forgotten, in a drawer. Let me help you narrow down the best for you, saving you money and time — be it boots, earrings or eye shadow.
Whether you are fashion forward, edgy or conservative, the Fashion pages will have something for you. Don’t we all need a little retail therapy? xoxo
You can contact me anytime at fashion@tipsfromtown.com
FOOD EDITOR – Emily Doscher
Writing about myself is extremely trying, exhausting and somewhat sad… making me realize how fast the years have passed … booking a chemical peel, fillers and Botox appointment as I write. My journey to Food Editor has been less than direct. I graduated from Philadelphia University with a BS in Fashion Design. Initially, I designed uniform neckwear – oh, how I miss the fabulous and exciting world of fashion. I made the move to a fabric showroom. Inspired by the throw-aways, I began making pillows and then, hats – hand-sewn hats that sold! At one time, I designed a line for Urban Outfitters. What do hats have to do with food? Well, speaking of hats, I wear many for my family – chauffeur, maid, therapist and, most enjoyably, chef.
I love food. I love finding or inventing new recipes. I love eating the fruits of my labor, and sharing them with family and friends. Given the shortage of time, I still order in too often, but in my ideal world, I’ll spend more time in the kitchen. I am waiting for the 48 hour day. Oh well, at least we have cocktails!! Don’t miss my Happy Hour section and please contact me at food@tipsfromtown.com.