Blog relocating to new site!

Starting Tuesday April 29 you can find me at MyCentralJersey.com/lsquire

see you there! Laurie

Shopping for...squirrel-proof bird feeder

The expert: John Hadidian, Ph.D., director of urban wildlife for The Humane Society of the United States, primary author of new book, “Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife.”

The product: squirrel-proof bird feeder

What I want: Something aesthetic that works.

I must have: Affordable. And doesn’t hurt the squirrels; we’ve seen some really barbaric homemade devices out there,
What I hate: People who think nothing of trapping and relocating dozens of squirrels every winter because they do not tolerate them at the bird feeder, not realizing that this is a death sentence to an animal that spends the fall storing food to carry it through the lean times.

Savvy shopper: Squirrels can chew their way through both wood and plastic so a feeder made out of these materials has to be protected by either a device that doesn’t allow squirrels to climb onto it (a baffler on a pole) or that protectively surrounds it (with a metal wire cage device). There are also metal feeders that close the access door to seed when an animal as heavy as a squirrel sits on them.

My pick: Custom-made metal cage around an old favorite, the Droll Yankee tube feeder. ($54.99, Sears). Pick up any Duncraft, Droll Yankee or most garden supply catalogues or visit a local wild bird center and you’ll see tons of good ideas about how to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder and co-exist with them peacefully.

Next best thing: Oh sigh….a vacation in a place where squirrels are not to be found—the Bahamas, perhaps. Most wild bird stores sell things for squirrels to eat too and a simple chain with a hook that attaches to an ear of dried corn can provide hours of entertainment as squirrels try fantastic leaps onto this irresistible food source (which also distracts them from your bird feeder!).

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for...energy-efficient lightbulbs part II

The expert: Maiara Walsh, who stars as “Meena Paroom” on Disney Channel’s Original Series, Cory in the House. Maiara has been a guest DJ on Radio Disney to promote “green” tips for kids and has made her studio set more eco-friendly.

The product: energy-efficient lightbulbs

What I want: Lightbulbs that will last and provide good lighting.

I must have: Economical and, of course, be environmentally friendly!

What I hate: There’s such a wide variety to choose from now and telling the differences between different brands can be confusing. For some reason I didn’t think fluorescent lightbulbs would be bright enough or give off nice lighting, but I found that it gives my room the exact, if not better, quality of light I want.

Savvy shopper: Have an idea of what kind of wattage you are looking for. Before you go shopping know what room you are going to use these bulbs in so you can gauge the intensity of light you are interested in. CFLs are great because they use 75% less energy than regular lightbulbs and last about 10x longer, they’re safer to operate and you save about $30 per lightbulb over its life.

My pick: General Electric CFL Lightbulbs, 13w (60w equivalent). I bought them at Wal-Mart for $9.88 and they came in a six pack.

Next best thing: I’m pretty sure that my pick was the best deal economically, so if you are looking for more watts then I’d go with the GE CFL Lightbulbs, 26w (100w equivalent) for $15.16 at Wal-Mart (they come in a six pack as well).

Shopping for...energy efficient lightbulbs

The expert: Danny Seo, JCPenney's official Green Living Partner, championing their eco-friendly product designation program called "Simply Green," and host of HGTV's new eco-design show, "Red Hot & Green." Danny just launched the Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo bedding collection and has also partnered with Method Home cleaning products.

The product: energy efficient lightbulbs

What I want: We all know that those funny-looking compact fluorescent lightbulbs are good for the environment since they use around 1/10th the energy and last up to 8X longer.

I must have: Price, brand names I trust; I look at the lumen rating (measurement of illumination), size and shape of bulbs.

What I hate: It's too bad you can't test bulbs in the store to see what the light color is. Even though many of the CFL bulbs look the same, they can each give off totally different color outputs. Some are super bright white (these make a room feel like you're in a hospital ward), others give a nice yellow-y glow and mimic a reading light. Compare the lumens rating on your favorite old-fashioned incandescent bulbs (usually around 1000 lumens) and look for a CFL bulb that's the same color.

Savvy shopper: Buy the value packs of CFL bulbs and try to get them on sale. Use exposed CFL bulbs in little used areas like basements and laundry rooms to save money on electricity. Those yellow-coated CFL outdoor lights are great for summertime use as the yellow coating helps detract insects like mosquitoes from bothering you.

My pick: GE's dimmable CFL bulbs. Even though it doesn't do a very good job dimming (I have yet to find a CFL bulb that dims well), the color output is really fantastic: I have people come over to my house and express surprise that I don't use CFL bulbs in my lamps, but when they peek under the lampshade they're flabbergasted that my bulbs really are CFLs (12 pack of 13w bulbs--60 watt equivalent, $19.76, Wal-Mart).

Next best thing: If you can't find the GE dimmables or if you're stuck with harsh, bright white bulbs that you've already bought, consider swapping out a light-colored lampshade for something darker to help diffuse the light better.

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for butter

The expert: Ruth Reichl, Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet and host of Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie, which airs on WNET/Channel 13. This week’s episode: Bovine Rhapsody.

The product: butter. “Why do I love butter so much? I keep thinking about my poor father, whose idea of heaven was a slice of fresh rye bread with cold, sweet butter on top. But he had cholesterol issues and was forced to give up butter for margarine. It seemed like a bad cosmic joke when the pundits discovered that butter was better for you after all. I could have told them that.

What I want: Unsalted. Salt is used as a preservative in butter. It does make it last longer but also changes the flavor.

I must have: High fat because it’s better to bake with. Higher fat content also means that the butter tastes better and melts more evenly. Wrapped in foil—Butter picks up any flavor that it comes in contact with very quickly. I HATE butter that’s been left unopened in the refrigerator. It just tastes disgusting.

Savvy shopper: If you like the taste of salt, buy unsalted butter and sprinkle the salt on yourself. Buy butter in a store with quick turnover. Even the finest, imported handmade butters taste terrible if they’ve been languishing on the shelf. Take it home, wrap whatever you won’t be using in the next day or two in foil and stick it in the freezer. Butter defrosts quickly and you’re better off with frozen butter than off-flavored stuff.

My pick: Plugra, an American butter that has the 82% fat content of European butters. When you open it up the sweet creamy smell just leaps out of the package but you have to buy the more expensive half pound size because the pound size isn’t wrapped in foil and I’ve often found that it has picked up off-flavors (about $3/lb., area supermarkets).

Next best thing: Good old reliable Land o’ Lakes. They’ve stopped wrapping their sweet butter in foil, which is distressing, but it usually turns over so fast that it doesn’t have time to pick up off-flavors (8oz. box, $1.99, area supermarkets).

photo: Andy Ryan

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for...alarm clock

The expert: Dan Taylor, morning drive host at 101.1 WCBS-FM. Dan’s been a radio professional literally since he graduated high school. You also hear his voice on many radio and TV commercials across the US and Canada.

The product: alarm clock

What I want: Battery back-up, two alarm settings and large numbers.

I must have: Easy to use; setting an alarm clock shouldn’t be as convoluted as reading the instruction manual for a new digital camera. And an adjustable volume control (I have to wake up Very Early in order to be on the air at 6AM so needless to say I want something that effectively wakes me but not at a BLARING level).

What I hate: Buying online and finding it’s not as described, cheapness so there’s no longevity. You “wind up” looking again in a year.

Savvy shopper: Make sure there’s a return guarantee, read reviews from other buyers. Always have that battery back-up at the ready (meaning loaded with batteries) in case of a power failure. I actually have two alarms, one on the other side of the room (the one by my bed has all the dents in it!).

My pick: Brookstone SmartSet Radio Alarm Clock. It automatically sets correct time and date even after a power outage (there’s also battery back-up). Programmable dual alarms, 20 station presets, adjustable dimmer, snooze bar and nap timer ($59.95, Brookstone shops).

Next best thing: Sony ICF-C492 Clock Radio has extra large numbers, adjustable brightness, is very easy to set, has battery back-up. You can wake up to your favorite station (101.1 WCBS-FM, of course!) or a gentle buzz ($26.94, J&R Music World, NYC and online).

as told to Laurie Squire

reader comment

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Shopping for..."anti aging" skin cleanser

The expert: Dr. Alicia D. Zalka, on staff at Danbury and New Milford Hospitals in CT and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University. She is also in private practice.

The product: “anti aging” skin cleanser

What I want: A gentle soap-free cleanser which leaves my face feeling both clean and smooth without dryness or irritation. My needs may vary from season to season.

I must have: Mild or no fragrance, granules for exfoliation; or an active ingredient like salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help slough the “old” skin cells while leaving the “new” cells smooth and, to use a cliché, “radiant.”

What I hate: Slimy-feeling cleansers, thick cleansers that you can’t squeeze out of the bottle or tube easily, and products that cost too much and don’t deliver.

Savvy shopper: Being a dermatologist I have tried literally every cleanser on the market. I recommend not spending a lot of money on a face cleanser—remember it is on your skin for at most one to three minutes and it then gets rinsed right down the drain! Look for a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated you must avoid alcohol, benzoyl peroxide and acids in your cleanser. The expectation of a cleanser for skin rejuvenation is two-fold: on a daily basis it should remove dull skin, leave the newer layer of cells intact and leave it protected. Take your time, ask for samples and don’t be pressured into buying a costly cleanser unless you are sure you want it or have tried it.

My pick: Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser ($33.50, Bloomingdales).

Next best thing: Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub ($7.99, CVS).

as told to Laurie Squire

reader comment

Thank you, Joe, who wrote:

"Here's a link to that organizer Cooper mentioned. Day
Runner Designer Classic Organizer
Same price as staples."

Shopping for…daily planner/organizer

The expert: Cooper Lawrence, host of her own nationally syndicated radio show (aptly named The Cooper Lawrence Show, from Dial Global, airing weeknights 7-10pm). Author of four books, her latest is The Cult of Perfection: Make Peace with Your Inner Overachiever, published by The Globe Pequot Press.

The product: daily planner/organizer

What I want: Stylish and portable, but also durable since I am pretty hard on my stuff.

I must have: Each day set up by hour since, like most women, I have a tight schedule to keep and like to see what lies ahead in my day so I can budget my time accordingly or be prepared if something unexpected arises. Daily planners are the next best things to hiring a personal assistant and they are much cheaper!

What I hate: They make me feel untech-savvy and while I like a Blackberry, if it goes down or something gets accidentally deleted I’m in big trouble, so while a planner makes me feel like I’m in the dark ages, I find it very satisfying to write it down.

Savvy shopper: Planners are very individual so when shopping for one you need to decide ahead of time what its most important feature is for you –small so you can carry it in your overstuffed bag…a well placed address section so you can have quick and easy access to your contacts...the months laid out week-by-week or day-by-day depending on how your life is structured.

My pick: The Kate Spade “Anne” canvas personal organizer is 7.5” x 7.7” and includes a weekly and monthly calendar, tabbed sections, storage pouch and pockets ($95, www.katespade.com).

Next best thing: Day Runner Designer Classic Organizer because you can easily refill and tear out pages and go if you can’t lug around your planner. It’s 5.5” X 8.5”, features tabbed sections including undated monthly and weekly calendars and an A-Z telephone directory ($44.39, Staples).

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for...instant coffee

The expert: Sandra Lee, host of Semi-Homemade Cooking on the Food Network. Sandra’s series of Semi-Homemade Cookbooks, based on her 70/30 philosophy (70% ready-made and 30% fresh ingredients) have made her a New York Times best-selling author. In April, Sandra releases the newest addition to her cookbook series, Semi-Homemade Grilling 2.

The product: instant coffee

What I want: convenience—as the name says, instant coffee!

I must have: a nice full-bodied flavor, aroma (coffee really does smell as good as it tastes), versatility. And a dark brown color generally indicates a more robust product.

What I hate: Although it is a convenience product it’s no more convenient than scooping ground coffee in a coffeemaker unless, of course, you are camping or someplace where there is no coffeemaker. The flavor really isn’t as satisfying as brewed coffee.

Savvy shopper: It’s a personal preference—taste a few types and then figure out the cost per cup. A bitter taste indicates a lesser grade of coffee beans was used; denser-looking coffee indicates a higher grade.

My pick: Best overall for drinking I’d say is Kava with a smooth pleasant taste, 90% reduced acidity. A nice cup of coffee (12 cents per cup). Best overall for cooking and baking would be Folgers. A stronger full taste which can lead to bitter if too much is used (9 cents per cup).

Next best thing: Nescafe Classico is very smooth, has a great aroma. Pleasant (11 cents per cup). Pricing comparisons on other popular instants: Maxwell House (6 cents), Yuban (7 cents), Tasters Choice Gourmet Roast (9 cents), Tasters Choice Original (13 cents). All available at local supermarkets everywhere.

as told to Laurie Squire

Shopping for…hairspray

The expert: Eva Scrivo, acclaimed hair and makeup artist (high profile clients range from Martha Stewart to Jon Bon Jovi to Howard Stern) and host of “Beauty Talk with Eva Scrivo” on Sirius Satellite Radio.

The product: hairspray

What I want: Hair should feel touchable and still soft, but with more texture.

I must have: I look for hairspray with an unscented lightweight formula. The lightweight formula allows hair to be easily restyled without washing.

What I hate: Hairsprays that are heavy and stiff, making the hair feel dirty the next day.Hairsprays should be light and powdery and not leave that lacquered finish like the sprays of our mothers’ generation.

Savvy Shopper: Spend the extra few dollars to purchase high quality, professional hairsprays that are sold in salons. Not only will you get a much better result, but you will use less product since the sprays are high quality, more concentrated, and are dispersed in a finer mist which gives you more control during application. You’ll spend more money upfront, but you’ll be happier and the product will last twice as long since you’ll use half as much to get the result you want.

My pick: Elnett hairspray by L’Oreal. It’s not widely distributed in the U.S. and is pricey but very popular in Europe and with many editorial stylists ($24 for 200 ml at our salons--632 Hudson St., NYC-- and other select salons and apothecaries).

Next best thing: Does It All by Bumble & bumble. It is more widely distributed throughout fine salons in the U.S. (including The Vanity Room in Bernardsville) than Elnett and more moderately priced ($24 for 10 oz.) for a professional product. Good rule of thumb: keep your cleaning and household supplies separate from your beauty products. My mother once sprayed Raid (roach killer) all over her hair thinking she had grabbed the AquaNet.

as told to Laurie Squire

re: Shopping for Children's DVDs

San just wrote, "also check out www.erockforkids.com, also on cdbaby a big band for children"

SHOPPING FOR...Children's DVDs

The expert: Rick Gitelson, executive producer of Disney Channel’s “Handy Manny” and co-executive producer of Disney’s upcoming new musical preschool series, “Imagination Movers.”

The product: children’s DVDs

What I want: Something that will add value to my children’s lives. It’s a lofty goal but there are so many great DVDs out there I think it is attainable. I also try to find DVDs that we can enjoy watching together.

I must have: Educational value, cultural value or even personal inspiration. They’ll likely be watching this DVD many times over and I’d like to feel that they’ll take something enhancing away from the experience.

What I hate: So many DVDs are loaded with previews and commercials that are difficult if not impossible to click past—they feel like marketing tools for merchandise. I hate to see kids manipulated into buying products. They’re typically not savvy enough to separate the entertainment from the sales pitch.

Savvy shopper: I read what other parents and children have to say about the DVDs I am considering. For example, Amazon.com does a great job of presenting a nice balance of good and bad reviews. The IMBD.com message boards and comment pages are also a good source of information.

My pick: I’m proud of “Imagination Movers: Stir It Up”. The four musicians from New Orleans have a great sound that even gets parents bopping and singing along to their music videos but the messages in the songs are clearly geared to kids, reminding them to clean their room, take their medicine and always say please and thank you ($14.99, Amazon.com).

Next best thing: I love sharing with my kids the things that entertained me as a child. “Schoolhouse Rock” was a favorite and the latest 30^th Anniversary Edition DVD is a compilation of all the classic shorts ($14.99, Borders in Bridgewater, Flemington, Livingston, Watchung, Woodbridge).

as told to Laurie Squire

Clean Conversation

Environmentally-friendly dry cleaning has finally come to Central Jersey! The perc-free dry cleaning process that we've been reading about for some time is now at Martinsville Cleaners, 1990 Washington Valley Road, Martinsville. And it's not any more expensive than more traditional dry cleaners, points out June Lee, owner and resident tailor. In addition, a state-of-the-cleaning-art soap eliminates odors, repels insects, removes allergens and reduces static electricity. All work is done on premises; pick-up and delivery available. O brave new dry cleaning world!

And speaking of new...starting next weekend a new look for Shopping...Shopping for!

Re gifting

Once again thank you Wildsnowflake for writing, "You're right... "mom and pop stores" are the perfect place to get gifts that aren't at the bigbox places. Plus you actually get customer service, a rarity in mall stores. Other cute stores are Weeping Willow in Warren, Heidi's Cottage in Dunellen, and the Brass Lantern in Metuchen. I also love the downtowns of Somerville, Cranford and Red Bank. Used to like Westfield, but it's turned into another Bridgewater Commons!"

I am familiar with Weeping Willow but now of course will have to try the other places wsnowflake mentioned. These downtowns remind me of my childhood shopping streets, where every block had on its sidewalk either a riding pony or a gumball machine (for a penny...a penny!!)

"Please sir may I have some more"*

Happy New Year!

Some entries ago I made reference to More than Meals, a meals assembly service located in downtown Martinsville. Andy Potter wrote that "More than Meals is one of ~1500 of these 'meal assembly kitchens' across the country. If you are outside of NJ, you can search for similar kitchens in your area at www.mealassembly.net." Truly a godsend for people who can honestly claim "juggler" as their secondary occupation!

*take out that scratched up old LP (LP? what's that?!) of the cast recording of Oliver! and listen to the opening words