Last Fairs of the Season this Weekend

It's hard to believe the Season of Merriment is upon us. It's even harder to believe we're at the last weekend of our fair and festival season.

We've got two great events this weekend. Stop by and find out all about the wonderful ways to take care of your skin - sugar scrubs, lotion bars, body butters, toners, face masks and so much more.

Make sure to sign up for our newsletter or like us on Facebook. Because if you can't get to these shows, you'll still be able to order through our website. We'll even have some specials and new items coming next week!

Ringing in the Halloween Season at the Witches Ball

We're so excited to be a part of this magical, festive 

and merry event! Join us at

Saturday, October 13

6 pm to 11 pm

Come in costume or just enjoy the show. There will be lots of music, vendors, whimsy and wonders abounding.

We'll even have some special new skin moisturizing treats just for the occasion. You'll be able to find us in the Bizarre Bazaar area. Let's welcome in the Halloween season right! Don't miss The Witches Ball.

Celebrate the Heart of Summer in the Garden....................................... Rutgers Gardens that is

Colorful flowers, butterfly's, shade trees, wine tasting, yoga demonstrations, food, shopping and tours. What a marvelous way to celebrate the heart of the summer season.

We hope you'll join us this Saturday, July 28th at the Rutgers Gardens Annual Open House and Wine Tasting.

Admission is $5 per person. Children under 17 are free, as are Rutgers Garden members. To partake in the wine tasting is an additional $10. 

Personally, I can't wait for the Yoga Demonstration from Inner Light Yoga Center, and the Aromatherapy for Your Senses seminar by Gwenn Fried. The tours are always so informative and there are plenty of experts around to help solve some of your pesky garden problems. 

Cindy and I will be spending time at our booth as well! We'll have lots of Gardeners Salve and Dó Gréine Sunburn Spray on hand, and maybe even a few new surprises.

Mention this Rutgers Garden Blog post and we'll take 10% off your order of $5 or more.

The Best Blues are at the Whitesbog Annual Blueberry Festival

The Blueberry is the state fruit of New Jersey. With good reason - the domesticated blueberry that we all enjoy and cherish as a super fruit was born right here. In fact, it was born in Whitesbog, by Browns Mills. To celebrate this magnificent little dynamo, join us at

This event is so much fun, with lots of crafters, artists, music, food and of course - blueberries. We'll have some extra blueberry treats, including Blueberry Blossom Linen Spray and Blueberry Lip Balm. We'll even have a few extra surprises.

So stop by for a wonderful family outing in celebration of the blues!

Let's Celebrate the Bay at the 14th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival

Memorial Day is wonderful preparation for the summer, and this year we certainly had spectacular weather. But for me - the real pre-summer kick off is the Annual Barnegat Bay Festival.

14th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival
Sunday, June 5 - 10 am to 4 pm
Free Admission
Wanamaker Complex, Island Heights NJ

Celtic Chairde Creations has been a part of this festival for many years now. It's always a terrific day filled with laughter, fun, learning ... and shopping!

The Barnegat Bay is not just the place to water ski and fish in the summer, it is an important part of the ecosystem of the shore area - and it's been in trouble for a while now. The folks at the Barnegat Bay Partnership have put together a terrific selection of speakers and displays to help everyone learn about the bay and how we are all responsible for keeping it healthy.

There are workshops and lectures on Saturday, and full on festival fun on Sunday. Please see the website of the 14th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival for more details.

Stop by our booth and mention this blog post - and we'll give you a free gift!

It's Beach Plum Festival Time!!!!

13th Annual Beach Plum Festival
Sunday Sept 12th 9am-4pm
Island Beach State Park
Ocean Beach Bathing Area #1

This is probably one of the best festivals that we attend each year. It may not be the biggest, but it seems to be one of the friendliest.

Run by Friends of Island Beach, this festival is a wonderful wrap up to the summer. Guests can shop among the many vendors (like Celtic Chairde Creations), learn about the beautiful park and wetlands are home to a wide variety of birds and animals, go swimming on one of the nicest beaches in New Jersey, and even go Beach Plum picking. There will be children's activities, seine netting demonstrations, nature walks and beach plum ice cream! It is the perfect way to wind down to the final days of summer.

Join us at the 13th Annual Beach Plum festival. We've made it a regular part of our summer calendar. Once you see the natural beauty of the park and enjoy the friendly and festive atmosphere (and taste a beach plum or two!), we know you'll make it part of yours, too.

March Forth! on March Fourth

Even though it is National Procrastinators Week (more on that another time), today is March Forth - Do Something Day!

Today is the day to look at your goals,whatever they may be. Have you been putting something off? Are there too many steps to get you there? Well, today is the day to take a step and do something to get you there.

Let's say your goal is to clean up the garage. If your garage looks like mine, that can seem an insurmountable task. But if you just take 15 minutes and pick one spot to work on, you've started. And maybe you'll be inspired to continue more. Fly Lady is a pro an inspiring and breaking things down into simple steps.

Or maybe travel is your target, but funds are short right now. Make a bank (Cool old jar, soda bottle, whatever) to throw your change into and start saving. just do something to help you get there.

Trying to get in shape? Take 10 minutes to do some exercise. Or make a really healthy meal.

Want to start a business? Write out the steps you need to take, or sign up for a class.

Sometimes, all it takes is that first step to get you moving towards your goals and dreams. They aren't impossible to reach. Make today the day you just March Forth and Do Something!

What can you do on a Snowy Day - Bake for Family Fun!

Snowy days tend to keep us bundled up inside - except when we're out playing! There is something wonderful and hearth warming about coming in from the cold to some home baked goodies. After all - it is Bake for Family Fun Month!

And baking can be done by the entire family. Even the youngest children can help ice a cupcake or decorate a cookie. If you're afraid that you'll eat all of those yummy treats, then save some to share or take part in the Great American Bake Sale!

Just to get you started, here are a couple of my favorite recipes that are quick and easy and perfect for a snowy day:


Better Box Brownies
Whenever I make brownies using a packaged mix, I substitute applesauce (plain unsweetened) for the oil required. For a little something extra, I'll also add some dried cherries. Just bake as usual - yummy!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Cookies
1 box chocolate cake mix
1/3 cup water
2 eggs
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup mashed ripe banana

• Heat the oven to 375°.
• Mix 1/2 package of the chocolate cake mix with the eggs, peanut butter, mashed banana and water until well blended.
• Add the other 1/2 package of cake mix and mix thoroughly.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Dip a fork in some flour and press lightly onto the top of each dough ball to make a little criss cross pattern.
• Bake or 10 minutes until lightly browned.
• Remove from oven and let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes.
• Remove to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Don't worry about the snow. Gather the family and bake up some fun!

Mark Your Calenders - March is Marvelous

March has always been a special month for me. First - well, my birthday is in March. And my dear old Gram's birthday was in March. March 17th to be exact. Yep, Catherine Bridget Dalton Papp was born on St. Patrick's Day. March also welcomes in the first day of spring. What a great month!

Ah - but March is so much more!

Besides being Irish American Heritage Month, it is also International Mirth Month. What could be more mirthful than a festive St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Laughter is the best medicine, but being optimist can help you achieve better health and prosperity. So celebrate Optimism Month and help yourself become more successful. Seems

perfectly appropriate since March is also International Expect Success Month! If you expect success, and then work like that is the only option, you can be successful!

And what do you need to be successful? Well, it all starts with an idea. And during International Ideas Month, take some time to celebrate the good ideas that make things happen for you and for everyone.

If you like being a little more hands on, then March is for you with National Craft Month. Pick up an old craft project or start a new one. You may have to do some reading, so you'll also be a part of National March Into Literacy Month. Part of the Toys for Tots campaign, this month long celebration promotes the love of reading, especially among children. Reading is a fundamental skill needed for success.

With all this activity in March, you'll probably need a good nights rest. Luckily, it's also National Sleep Awareness Month. But getting to sleep shouldn't be a problem, if you realize it's also National Caffeine Awareness Month.

As you can see, there's a lot to celebrate in March. Whether you're sharing ideas with an eye towards success, or reading a humorous book, investigating Irish Heritage or getting a good nights sleep, March is one marvelous month. And you can always feel safe, because it also happens to be American Red Cross Month. This amazing organization provides first aid and CPR training and aid to those in the midst of disaster. I'm fairly fond of the Red Cross. My grandmother was a volunteer there for years.

Nollag Márta! Happy March!

A Hug and some Hot Tea

Cindy and I are busy planning out the events will be attending this year. In the meantime,I thought I'd share some other key events we should all take part in.

January and February are certainly some bone chilling months. Icy winds and snow bring us all inside for warmth and company. Why not share a pot of nice hot tea? After all, January is National Hot Tea Month. Whether your preference is green, black, Earl, herbal, or fruity, tea provides soothing warmth and friendship. Tea is also healthy and healing.

For me, tea has always been an i-have-a-cold drink, at least until recently. I'm trying to cut back on my soda habit and I've found tea - both hot and cold - to be a tasty and soothing alternative. Our favorite teas are from Ducky Life Tea. A local company, these teas are beautifully crafted to be full of flavor.

Tea is a part of life all over the world. Part of our own history in the US was created over the unfair taxation of this vital drink. There is a wonderful documentary, The Meaning of Tea, that explores the romance, mystery and meaning of this international beverage. You can also find more about reading tea leaves, tea tours and benefits at the Tea Association of the US. And the American Botanical Council has wonderful health information about tea. So grab yourself a cup of your favorite (I'm drinking Ducky Life's Kathi's White Tip with Peach Tea right now - yum!) and celebrate the drink of the planet and the drink of the month - Hot Tea.

And if tea makes you feel so good you just can't contain yourself - on Wednesday, January 21st, you can celebrate National Hugging Day TM. ! Of course, you should always ask first, but hugs are another essential of life.

But don't hug while your drinking the tea, that could be rather messy! Happy Hot Tea Month and National Hug Day!