Sarah Greiff Mitzvah Project

Below is the list of things Sarah Greiff is collecting for her Mitzvah project benefiting Sloane Kettering Hospital. All items need to be dropped off or sent to Sarah by Sunday June 14. Her contact information is:
c/o Great Neck Podiatry Associates
29 Barstow Road
Great Neck, NY 11021
516-829-1028

GIFT CERTIFICATES
In no greater than $20 denominations:
Gap, Best Buy, Border’s, Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Sephora, iTunes, Target, McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, Phone Cards, CVS, Duane Reade, Toys-R-Us, Express, Limited, The Body Shop, Bath & Body Works, American Express, Foot Locker

ELECTRONICS (These can be gently used, except for the headphones)
*DVD movies (new releases, non-violent themes)
*Games for the following game systems (rated “E” or “T”): Nintendo Game Cube, Playstation 2 and 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS gameboys

Headphones (No earbuds)
*TOYS/BOOKS (Unused please)
*LEGOS
*Craft Kits (“Creativity for Kids” all ages)
*Crib toys (mirrors, mobiles, puzzle floor mats)
*Thomas the Tank Engine trains
*Pop up toys
*Play doh and play doh tools
*Fisher Price Medical Kits
*Baby dolls
*Hot Wheels cars
*Board books, sound books
*Kaleidoscopes, magic wands, Light up toys, “I spy” find it toys – for distraction
*Toys for the visually impaired (big letters, musical instruments, and toys that make sounds, have interesting textures, or that light up)
*Books on CD
*Board & card games (Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Backgammon, Uno, playing cards, Life, Battleship, etc.)

ART SUPPLIES
*Elmer’s Glue (small containers)
*Markers – washable
*Crayons
*Construction Paper
*Coloring Books
*Watercolor paints and watercolor paper

FOR TEENS
*Gift Cards (see above)
*Makeup Kits (nail polish, lipstick, lip gloss, eyeshadow)
*Back packs
*Purses/Wallets
*Watches
*Overnight kits (toiletries)
*Journals

REMINDER
They only accept new toys and because of germs please do not donate stuffed animals.

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Jersey Street Furniture on the Style Network

We want to congratulate Mitzvah Vendor Jersey Street Furniture on being showcased on the Style Network. Just this week, an episode of "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" aired that featured the work of our friends at Jersey Street Furniture. The wedding took place in Morristown, NJ, and is the "Samantha Goldberg" episode.

The show is airing all week; catch it tomorrow (Friday) on the Style Network at 8 pm and Saturday at 11 am and Sunday at 4 pm.

Want to learn more about Jersey Street Furniture? Visit their Unique Vendor Directory Profile on MitzvahMarket.com!

EJ The DJ Makes An Offer!

From the cocktail hour to the dance floor, the music at your event will come to life using the outstanding, professional Entertainers, bands, disc jockeys, and specialty acts that EJ The DJ has to offer.

EJ The DJ Inc. utilizes its worldwide resources to customize entertainment for your affair. They continuously explore and expand what is upcoming and available in the industry to provide you with the cutting edge innovations in entertainment services. The result is a unique event to remember, which could not be made possible by any other company.

TIP: Ed Jacobs, the Owner/CEO since the company was founded in 1985, suggests that your DJ/entertainers should arrive at least 1 hour prior to your cocktail hour. Additionally, your DJ/MC should do a final meeting (in person or over the phone) to get to know the family and assure you that every detail will be carried out to perfection.

OFFER: For new customers only, book your DJ package by June 30, 2009, and receive 10% off. Just tell EJ The DJ that the Mitzvah Moms sent you!

EJ The DJ can be reached at 1-800-ejthedj.

Visit the EJ The DJ Vendor Profile to see what past clients have said, to see photos of the EJ the DJ Crew and to learn more!

Wear Today, Gone Tomorrow

In last Thursday's Mitzvah Mail, we featured a revolutionary company called Wear Today, Gone Tomorrow. Here's the scoop:

Save 90% on Designer Dresses!
Why buy when you can borrow? We just learned about Wear Today, Gone Tomorrow, which allows you to borrow designer dresses at an absolute fraction of what you would purchase them for! We think this is a totally Mitzvah-worthy idea, especially the year of your child's Mitzvah, when you might have 30 events to attend!

Mitzvah Experts Needed!

Free PR Opportunity - Mitzvah Experts/Vendors Needed!

You are the experts; we are the moms delivering clever, useful and entertaining ideas to our MM readers in an upbeat, conversational tone through our weekly e-newsletters, Mitzvah Mail. We need you to help us pass along your expert Tips, Ideas, Rewards and everything else Mitzvah-related!

In past newsletters, we have had "guest columnists." These guests have penned articles for us on Caterer Considerations and Branding Your Mitzvah. Those newsletters proved to be two of our most popular articles to date!

If you would like to serve as a Mitzvah Expert and offer something as simple as an Expert Tip or even write a guest column, we would love to hear from you! It can be a Q & A format or a few paragraphs written by you.

Please email mitzvahmail@gmail.com and let us know your area of expertise and we can schedule your content into an upcoming newsletter!

Who Knew?

Turns out our Mitzvah Mail story and blog post on Sand Scultping intrigued the Mitzvah Mail readership! We know it piqued our curiousity!

We found a very interesting resource that might be of interest ... the World Sand Sculpting Academy (WSSA). There are competitions all over the world - in fact, one is underway in Tottori right now!

Learn more on the WSSA Website.

Red Hots Spa

Whether you are looking to get ready for a weekend at the beach, or a weekend Mitzvah, consider taking advantage of the services at Red Hots Spa. With airbursh tanning, massages, manis/pedis, body treatments and other select services, you can get all your personal needs taken care of. And here's what Red Hots Spa is offering our MM readers:

Airbrush tan, Manicure and Pedicure $70
Makeup application $50
Airbrush Makeup $75

So get glowing!

Red Hots Spa
1512 Old Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY 11576
516-484-8267

Help Us Help You!

On the top right of our blog, we have a one-question poll. And we would LOVE for you to vote! Please tell us what you think, so we can gauge how we're doing. Today is the last day to vote for the current poll! So hop to and vote!:)

Sand Castle Spectacles

So, here's what we're wondering: we commission artists to create ice scultures. Why not commission an artist to create a sand castle? Let us know if you've ever seen one at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah! We'd love to get the sandy scoop!

Great Notations with a Great Tip

Great Notations is an invitation and stationery studio that specializes in the finest collection of papers for every occasion and time in your life.

Whether you want something from their everyday collection or something more sophisticated from their letterpress and engraved lines, Great Notations offers a brilliant selection that will reflect your specail flair and taste.

TIP: Owner Angela DiRenzo has this advice for our Mitzvah Mail readers, "If you're going with custom-made invites, aim to order your invitations when your guest list is final (about three to four months before the party.) Don't order the exact number of invites you'll need - order approximately 25% more. There are always additional guests that need to be invited and the calligrapher will request a certain percentage of extras."

Great Notations can be reached at 917-699-5999. Please tell Angela the Mitzvah Moms sent you!

AFFAIRS Event Services

AFFAIRS Event Services is a professional event management firm with over 14 years experience producing fabulous and successful events. Their portfolio consists of corporate, social and non-profit events and they offer a creative, in-house design team to provide ancillary services for their clients. They are a dynamic company, with big ideas, who pride themselves on boutique services and a high-touch, hands-on approach to event coordination. They are a company that honors a Mitzvah -- where celebration meets tradition!

TIP: Think outside the box! Never let a Catering Facility dictate what kind of event they think you should have because it suits their needs. Celebrate your individuality, express it in your event...and never forget what this tradition means to your family!

AFFAIRS Event Services can be reached at 973-248-6505 or at Kristina@trustaffairs.com.

Be sure and check out the AFFAIRS Event Services Vendor Profile!

High-End Designer Remembers Her Mitzvah Days

Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer is featured on NY Magazine's Website. We couldn't resist her homage to her Mitzvah days. Here's one of her quotes from the article:

What’s the first designer item you ever bought?
A Vivienne Tam dress when I was 12 years old. It was very nineties, with a Mandarin collar. I thought I was really cool. I grew up on Long Island, so I’m positive I wore it to a bat mitzvah.

To read the article in full, visit NYMag.com!

Link Your Past to the Present

We recently featured two Mitzvah Finds that have something in common: linking your past to your present for your child's Mitzvah. Here are the cliff notes:

DreamAKippah.com is a Website with what we think is a great idea! The team behind the site can make customized, handmade and heirloom quality kippahs, tallit clips, necklaces, earrings and bracelets by incoprorating a special piece of jewelry that you provide them with. Together, you can create a product with a special link to the past. Check out the full story!

Greenpurse is a unique Website. The owner/designer Tina Wick creates one-of-a-kind handbags and accessories by recylcing pre-used fabric. All of her creations are just unique and innovative. You can purchase handbags from her Website or you can special order The Custom Bag....

Tina will create a custom handbag using fabric from your heirloom clothing such as a wedding dress or a favorite sweater. By creating a handbag out of an existing treasure (that would otherwise hang in the back of your closet or sit in a box in your attic), Tina is allowing you to carry a handbag that is "current" with a story all its own. We think that there is some Mitzvah potential to a custom Greenpurse creation! Check out the Greenpurse Website, and we think you will be inspired! Check out the full story!

Make It Snappy!

One of the most popular forms of "live entertainment" at a Mitzvah is airbrushing.
And believe it or not, it is one of the most affordable. For as little at $750, you can have cutting-edge artists at your party, wowing your guests with customized creations,made right on the spot.

If you're thinking about airbrushing (or Can Art, photo favors or bottle cap jewelry), reach out to Make It Snappy! Make It Snappy! sets itself apart from the competition by hiring the best airbrush artists in the area. No stencils are ever used, so each design is completely unique.

Want to learn more? Here's how:

VIDEO: Check out this video from Mitzvah TV's Vendor Video Series where Mitzvah Mom In Training Erica got to sit down with Sol of Make It Snappy! to talk shop.

VENDOR DIRECTORY: You can also visit the Make It Snappy! Vendor Directory profile page.

WEBSITE: Or visit Make It Snappy's Website.

PHONE: Give Sol and his team a call at 888-7-SNAPPY.

EMAIL: Or email them at mispartycentral@aol.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

We want to wish all of our Mitzvah Mom readers a very happy Mother's Day! We hope you have a wonderful weekend and get the chance to enjoy your children. We know we are looking forward to spending time with our kids and celebrating our favorite role of all - being a Mom!

Enjoy!

Sheri & Erica

PRIMADONA Cosmetics

Create your perfect look from natural to glamorous with PrimaDona Cosmetics. Licensed, professional, friendly makeup artists will help you look and feel your best! PrimaDona has the finest makeup and skin care products including lipsticks, glosses, foundations and bronzers. PrimaDona also has a separate accessories and a bag boutique for some fun fabulous extras!

REWARD: 13 is the perfect age for girls to learn how to apply makeup. Once your date is set, call PrimaDona Cosmetics for a complimentary makeup demo for the Bat Mitzvah girl and mom. Learn which colors are right for you and some tips from the pros! Just tell them the Mitzvah Moms sent you!


Visit one of their 5 locations:

Plainview: In the LA Color & Day Spa 516-938-4893

Roslyn: In the DeFranco Spagnolo Salon 516-484-9444

Great Neck: In the DeFranco Spagnolo Salon 516-482-8848

Commack: In Cactus Salon 631-543-5411

New location! Boca Raton, Florida: In the Donna Pascoe Salon 561-368-1433

Their private label line can be shipped anywhere! Call the stores above
or email primadonac@aol.com.

Centerpieces for Sale!

Beautiful Mitzvah Centerpieces For Sale

The Levy family celebrated their daughter Erica's Bat Mitzvah 2 weeks ago and had a very creative theme, "Smiles Across Am'erica.'" Their 9 handcrafted centerpieces represented 9 states in the US.

The party was great and now those unique centerpieces are all over the living room. "They are beautiful, but I don't know what to do with them," Mitzvah Mom Robyn tells MitzvahMarket.com. "Nothing would make me happier than to find another family who could make use of them."

Here are the nine states represented by the pictures above:
1. Hollywood, California
2. Disney World in Florida
3. The White House in Washington D.C.
4. Gambling in Las Vegas (Erica's picture can easily be removed)
5. Mardi Gras in Louisiana
6. The Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania
7. Skiing in Vermont
8. Sightseeing in New York City
9. Sunny Hawaii

She also has a huge "Smiles Across Am'erica'" light-up sign. Maybe you have a daughter named Erica or even a son named Eric! (the "a" can be removed). She also has an adorable replica of a suitcase that was used to hold her daughter's sign-in book.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the above items, please contact Robyn Levy directly at 516-330-2556 or at RobynL@optonline.net. She lives on LI.

Happy Shopping!

New Feature: Family Spotlight

Just as you might look through magazines for inspiration for a new hairstyle, we think looking through other Mitzvah family's party photos might inspire you for your own Mitzvahs!

We are excited to introduce a new feature to our Website. Check out our first Mitzvah Family Spotlight: The Cohens. We hope their "candy-themed" party will give you ideas and inspiration! If you want us to profile your family, please email us at mitzvahmail@gmail.com.

StartUpNation.com Winner

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sheri Lapidus
516-445-2394
info@mitzvahmarket.com

MITZVAHMARKET.COM VOTED ONE OF TOP 200 LEADING MOMS IN BUSINESS IN STARTUPNATION COMPETITION

Jericho, N.Y. – May 4, 2009 – MitzvahMarket.com announced today that it has been recognized as one of the top 200 mom-owned businesses in StartupNation’s 2009 Leading Moms In Business Competition (http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-2009). The competition, sponsored by VerticalResponse, recognizes the achievements of mothers across the country who run outstanding businesses.

MitzvahMarket.com is an online resource for all Bar/Bat Mitzvah planning moms and families in the tri-state area. They deliver clever, useful and entertaining ideas on a weekly basis along with profiling a Mitzvah Kid and their Mitzvah Projects through their weekly email newsletters called, Mitzvah Mail.

"Moms across America were honored in this year’s ranking, showing that they’re capable of starting and running successful businesses while managing to balance family, career, home and self," said Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation."Well over 600,000 votes were cast in support of several thousand contestants. What an incredible achievement to be named a winner, and what an inspiration for anyone looking to start their own business.”

"It’s challenging for anyone to start and run a successful business – particularly in this economy. These women are setting the standard for innovation and creativity," said Janine Popick, founder and CEO of VerticalResponse.

StartupNation (www.startupnation.com) launched the first annual Leading Moms in Business Competition in January with the support of VerticalResponse (www.verticalresponse.com) to recognize the achievements of mom entrepreneurs across the US. Winners were selected and ranked according to public votes accumulated from January through March, 2009. The elite 200 win bragging rights, promotional support, and digital winner’s emblems recognizing their achievements as the Leading Moms in Business.

MitzvahMarket.com launched in November 2008 and is fast becoming a must visit online destination for anyone in Bar/Bat Mitzvah planning mode. The Website archives the Mitzvah Mail newsletter ideas, projects and sponsors for all Mitzvah Moms. It also includes a unique Vendor Directory to help shop for Mitzvah related vendors. A Mitzvah Mom is a busy multi-tasking woman who (among other things) is in the midst of planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah for one or several of her children. The process is tedious and exciting, and takes a few years per child, so the Mitzvah Mom is a captive audience hungry for help.

Ethan Niles

Ethan Niles makes shopping for all things personalized and all things camp a snap! You don't need to run around and check out a million places, just visit the Ethan Niles Website and browse at your convenience. They have autograph pillows, personalized jewelry and stationery, signing towels and much, much more.

Ethan Niles gave one of our lucky Mitzvah Mail readers a signing pizza pillow. If you didn't win, but you like it, be sure and check out the Ethan Niles site. The pizza pillow is currently on sale!