By AML Publisher
Photography Courtesy of Bernadette Uzcategui, BUP Photography

Mathews’ success as one of America’s most popular mom bloggers is no accident. Jana completed an undergraduate degree at BYU in two years and holds a PhD from Duke.

Know a mom blogger? We do too. Except Jana Mathews is a bit special. Mathews has one of the most prolific and popular mom blogs in the country. So what? Well, consider the crowd she is standing out in. There are millions of mom blogs on the world wide web. But there is only one ‘Meanest Mom.’

In the spring of 2008, The Meanest Mom Blog (themeanestmom.blogspot.com) began with Mathews, 33, a Los Angeles native who now resides in the Philly burbs, jotting down her daily experiences with her four young children. Her posts were cleverly presented and purposefully humorous. Mathews sent the link to a close knit group of friends on a whim. “For the first couple of months it just built very gradually. I literally sent the blog out to five friends. They passed it on to their friends and within a few weeks I had a few hundred people reading it,” said Mathews.
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By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Laura Kicey

Terror Behind the Walls was ranked the No. 1 Haunted House in America by AOL City Guide.

Nathan Edmondson has never seen any strange activity in his last year as the Theatrical Director for Eastern State Penitentiary’s very popular Halloween adventure, Terror Behind The Walls. But, he does admit that the place gives him the creeps. “Part of my job at the end of the night is that I walk by myself through all the sections to brief the actors and congratulate them. Then, it’s my job to close the rooms down. Pretty much anywhere I walk, even with all the lights on, I get full body chills. Let’s just say it is a very, creepy place,” explained Edmondson.

As early as the 1940s, officers and inmates reported mysterious visions and eerie experiences in the ancient prison. With the growing interest in paranormal investigation, Eastern State Penitentiary may now be the most carefully studied building in the United States. Dozens of teams visit to explore the site each year. The historic site’s website, www.EasternState.org/ghosts, features extensive television, video, and website links that document real paranormal investigations inside the 179-year old prison.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Jason Varney

In addition to their current workshops, Beautiful Blooms’ Northern Liberties shop can be rented out for bridal and baby showers and private parties.

Donna O’Brien of Northern Liberties’ based Beautiful Blooms is not one to rest on her laurels. Her successful floral design business keeps her busy year round with Philly and Main Line brides, batmizvahs, galas, and more. In addition, O’Brien has established quite a business with her friend, event aficionado Kendall Brown of Eclatante Designs. Together, O’Brien and Brown are known in social circles as the ‘A Team’ of Philly party planning.

So, it seemed natural for O’Brien to share that wealth of knowledge, design expertise and love of beautiful floral arrangements (that have wowed thousands across the region) with a fun series of fall workshops. Main Liners can do their best ‘Martha’ imitation this holiday season with the hands-on advice and expert guidance O’Brien offers. “The workshops are going so well, we have had the best time with our groups! We have such a great variety of different workshops to offer everyone, many of our early students have already signed up for their second or third class. And, what we really want everyone to walk away with is the skill and enthusiasm to design beautiful centerpieces from flowers they pick up at their local market or grocery store. Certainly they can purchase flowers from Beautiful Blooms but it’s really about empowering and teaching great floral design for the holiday season,” explained O’ Brien.
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By Garrison Weaver
AML Guest Co-Ed Columnist
Photos courtesy of Garrison Weaver

Hitting the Books Early! Weaver, who was a star student at Devon Prep, studies Econ in his dorm room at Marsh Hall during his first week of classes.

It’s funny to think that only one year ago I was getting ready to start my senior year of high school. The only things I had to worry about were golf practice every day and trying to stay interested in my summer reading that was only about half done. I had almost no idea that I would be sitting in a dorm room in Richmond typing away about life. Now that it is here, the surreal feeling sets in. Last year I didn’t know where I was going to apply. It was almost a helpless feeling knowing that I would be judged by a group of institutions that had no idea who I was and convincing them that I would be a positive contribution to their group. Now that I am here, it is the greatest feeling in the world. All of my hard work over four years has landed me in Marsh Hall, Room 0132 as a student pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics.

I left my summer cottage in Mt. Gretna, a small town near Hershey, at around 9AM on August 16th to make the journey to Virginia, my home for the next four academic years. I drove a suburban filled to the brim with my clothes, books, personal items, basically my life packed into an 18 foot gas guzzler. With my mom in the passenger seat I wound down the Turnpike to US-15 and turned south to get to I-95 south, the straightaway that leads right into Richmond. We seldom stopped in order to get to the University by 2PM, my appointed check-in time, but did manage to get a “last-supper” at a Wawa somewhere in Virginia (I definitely recommend the pepperoni and provolone bagel melt). I think I should mention that I was involved in a pre-orientation program called the Outdoor Challenge. It was an excuse to move in early and avoid the sea of parents and tears that usually accompany move-ins, and get my foot in the door to both campus and a group of 15 other guys that would be some of my closest friends here.
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By AML Publisher
Photos by Jubilee Photography

Pell Gardens is a popular setting for brides and grooms to hold an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony.

Chesapeake City is one of the Main Line’s best kept daycation secrets. Just over an hour from downtown Wayne (with no traffic on 95), this quaint slice of Cecil County, Maryland is a seaside getaway not to miss. My family has dined many a Mother’s Day at the wonderful Bayard House Restaurant—delighting in their award-winning crab soup, tournedos Baltimore and a most delicious Bloody Mary…or two. The Bayard House looks out onto the famous Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), one of only two vital sea-level canals in the United States. The C&D Canal is an international waterway and the third busiest canal in the world!

Travel & Leisure Magazine named Chesapeake City “A Top 10 crowd-free weekend getaway near America’s largest cities.” The town was formerly known as “The Village of Bohemia,” since Chesapeake City was a dream of Augustine Herman. The First Lord of Bohemia Manor, Herman (1621-1686) was a Czech explorer, merchant, and cartographer who lived in New Amsterdam and Cecil County. In 1764 a canal route was marked and the actual project started in 1824.
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By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Respective Vendors
Featured Homepage Photo Courtesy of Tuyet Wong

Shipley Shops is a popular tradition that brings together premier retailers and artists from throughout the United States and attracts customers from within and well beyond the Shipley community. Pictured are stockings from Shops’ vendor Boxwood Linens.

It’s shop till you drop at the Main Line’s premier holiday shopping event, nine weeks before the hectic holiday season descends upon us. And locals don’t have to brave the crowd at nearby malls to find a gift for every person on their list! Shipley Shops, now in its 49th year, kicks off next Wednesday evening with a preview party and runs through Saturday October 24th. The annual popular fundraiser for the school offers Main Liners one fantastic variety of beautiful retail products with vendors from across the Delaware Valley-and across the country.

Shipley Shops features perennial favorites like Bella Casa (fine home accessories), Jacques Ferber’s (luxurious furs and outerwear), Jane Roth (vintage jewelry), Occhio Bags (one-of-a-kind handbags), and Tuyet Jewelry (handcrafted custom jewelry). Some new vendors include The Belted Cow (handcrafted belts designed by artists), Boxwood Linen (fine linen home accessories), KEP Designs (fun and feminine jewelry), The Pink Mink (select collection of personal accessories and home goods), and Sea Bags (custom totes crafted from recycled sails, recently featured in Martha Stewart Living).
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By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Jubilee Photography

The Camphill Special School nurtures the minds, bodies and spirits of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education and therapy in an extended family living environment.

Driving down an excluded remote road in picturesque Chester County horse country, you may pass by the small, garnet sign with gold lettering without much pause. It is the entrance to the Camphill Special School. The nondescript wooded drive that leads to the school’s campus wouldn’t necessarily catch your eye. But, the incredible work and environment of this community of children and on campus caretakers and professionals is most noteworthy. Camphill is reshaping the lives of families across the Delaware Valley, and the country, who have challenged children.

Dr. Karl Koenig, an Austrian pediatrician who fled the Nazis and settled in Scotland in 1939, founded what is known across the world today as the “Camphill Movement.” Camphill is based on the principles of anthroposophy, the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner that seeks to integrate spirit, body, and soul. Steiner formulated the concept of curative education, which includes the arts as healing and educational forces, and his influence is felt in Camphill Special School’s adapted Waldorf curriculum.
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By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Bernadette Uzcategui & April Ziegler

The Boathouse in Wayne will be rockin’ October 22nd as AML celebrates our first birthday!

It’s our first birthday! One year ago on, Sept 30 2008, I launched Philly’s first emagazine. It has been one awesome experience. AML has grown so much in its inaugural year and I am proud to say we now have one of the top Facebook Fan Pages in the Delaware Valley. In addition, 1200 followers on Twitter are keeping up to date with AML daily!

Yet, AML is not about one person behind a business as I, myself, am the ePublisher…AML is about the people across the Delaware Valley who have created this great community, sisterhood, friendship, business connection and more through AML. I have seen AML work its magic in so many INCREDIBLE ways-connecting great, talented and inspirational people through our events, articles, Facebook, Twitter and more.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Fall Apple Picking in the Delaware Valley

AML sent staff photographer Heather Berkenstock of Belle Vie Photography on an apple-picking assignment at Linvilla Orchards, a Delaware Valley fall family tradition for the region. The goal: take her daughters and one of her best friends (and her kiddos) along for a wonderful afternoon filled with hay rides, apple cider, a hay bale maze, apple slinging, cider donuts and most importantly, an adventure in apple picking. “I definitely felt like we needed a whole day there. There is so much to do at Linvillla- my girls loved it. They have everything so well organized with all the activities. We will be going back to pick out our pumpkins,” enthused Berkenstock.

Want to plan a fun fall day out with family and friends? Check out AML’s apple picking guide 2009 below. It’s a great time of year to enjoy all the wonderful orchards and farms the Delaware Valley has to offer and support our fine local businesses that enrich our community.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Pearl Stationery

Pearl Stationery’s charming line of trick or treat favor boxes, ideal for your chic Halloween party.

Philadelphia native Stephanie H. was invited to a card making class about a year ago with her cousin. It seemed to awaken her child within. Stephanie had a passion for scrapbooking, crafting and paper projects as a little girl—spending hours working her way through stationery kits and playing with stamps, construction paper and embellishments. And, thus, a few weeks after her class, Pearl Stationery-her popular line of high-end custom stationery-was born.

Now thriving on Etsy.com, an online store for artisans, collectors and hand crafters, Stephanie finds inspiration abounds from just her daily life. “I was riding the train into work one day this summer and noticed all the men in their business shirts that looked so crisp-white with the pinstripes. I thought the designs were very intricate and clean and summery, so my mind started thinking. A few weeks later, I put together a set of cards from that one thought. Inspiration can come from anywhere and with stationery, you can really go in so many directions-have fun, be creative,” enthused the young designer.
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