Jennaphr_Frederick's Blog

In a world where SURI CRUISE wears $300 shoes and the JENNIFER LOPEZ twins are wrapped in FUR baby blankets it's hard to feel good about my little guy in an OLD NAVY T-shirt and TARGET khaki shorts....

  So I head to H&M kids ( franklin mills mall) .   They have little skull t-shirts... cute argyle vests for $14.99 that look like the pricey JCREW style sweater vests and jeans galore.  I also head to all of the TJMAXX, MARSHALLS "type" stores because I've found TOMMY HILFILGER, RALPH LAUREN and more for cheap cheap cheap ! 

  When I have the little man in an argyle vest and skinny dark jeans he looks like the son of a rockstar.... and I feel like one too!

 ( even if I am in an OLD NAVY  t-shirt and TARGET shorts myself heeheehee)

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR KIDDOS LOOK SPECIAL? I'D LOVE HEAR YOUR SECRETS !  

It's summertime and many of my friends are looking for a little romance.  However, it can be diffucult finding the right person... finding the right thing to say ... finding time to fit a "love search" into an already hectic schedule.

Well... WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP.  There is is this great guy who is known among his friends as the guy to "go to" for relationship advice.  He's smart ... studying medicine and delivers real life skills that have proven successful to his pals. 

Here's where you come in...

Do you need some advice..? Do you have questions you'd love to ask him?  Well,, leave them below or email them to me privately and we'll have him answer them for you in a week or two.   The Inquirer wrote an article about him... he's way cooler on the phone .. but, at least it will give you a good idea of the process.

Happy love searching.... hoping to hear from you all soon.

 www.jennaphr.frederick@foxtv.com

Meet Steve Dingley, Philly's own love guru / By A.D. Amorosi

For The Inquirer

You can forget VH1's The Pick Up Artist, with its fuzzy-hatted host Mystery and his scary bedroom eyes.

You can burn your copies of Neil Strauss' cheeky and lurid book The Game.

You may even be able to hold off seeing a shaggy Mike Myers play that Deepak Chopra wannabe in The Love Guru, at least until it's out on DVD.

Philadelphia has its own love guru, Stephen Dingley, a man who specializes in teaching people how to warm to the ways of l'amour without seeming like a creep.

From the posters on telephone polls and kiosks, Dingley, 22, comes on as Shag-a-delic as one of Myers' characters. The text reads:

With that are tabs featuring the phone number and e-mail address for the 6-foot-1 West Philly native, waiter at the Continental, and biology student at the University of Pennsylvania who spends his days doing bio-chem research at Children's Hospital.

You also get to see that the dark-haired Dingley, a former lifeguard, isn't afraid to don a Speedo to sell himself.

"I think it spreads my word-of-mouth cause quicker than it might have otherwise," Dingley says, laughing, when the poster is mentioned. "And wearing the Speedo shows I have nothing to hide."

Having nothing to hide doesn't mean Dingley did this on purpose.

The story goes that college friends of Dingley - a ladies' man of sorts - made up the poster in September while he was studying for his MCAT exam. But what started out as a joke on him got serious when Dingley received phone calls from fellow Penn students who weren't kidding about their need to develop social skills.

"Rolling with a new crowd made me a little uncomfortable," says Eric Morris, a 19-year-old student at the Wharton School. Morris, who is 5-foot-9 with curly brown hair, was a confident high school student in Boston, but when he came to Philly he found it hard to get to know people, women in particular. So along with working out to get in shape for his sophomore year, he answered Dingley's ad in October and became "The Love Doctor's" first student.

"Seriously, when I saw that poster, my pals back home thought it was a joke," Morris says. "But I had nothing to lose."

Neither did Dingley.

He'd been good with people since kindergarten. Had good relationships with girlfriends, steady ones and short involvements, and believed that his brand of confident conversational largesse, swagger and sartorial and tonsorial style could be taught.

"I just wanted to help these guys meet girls, make them more appealing," Dingley says. "Not by necessarily changing who they are, but helping to accent their positive characteristics. A lot of the guys I come in contact with are the real academic type. They've got a lot going for them, but when it comes to interacting with girls it just doesn't go well at all."

Dingley also encourages his students to push the less attractive attributes (Morris' Thursday night Dungeons and Dragons session) into the background.

There was and is no classroom for Dingley. Instead, his students (a dozen so far) think of him as a brotherly sort and his schooling as a brand of experiential learning where each $40 session occurs at a restaurant, a bar or a fraternity party.

Morris' first time happened at Cavanaugh's, during lunch.

"I had him go up to girls and start conversations while I stood to the side, listened, and then gave him tips after. Then I decided to have him go up to a girl I'm friends with and flirt. He wound up hanging out with the girl the rest of the night. That's how I knew it would work."

Adam Rapport, 22, a Penn graduate in the Wharton School's real estate/finance department, had his first session at Smokey Joe's. The Minnesota native had never had problems meeting women. "I had lots of girl friends but no girlfriends," says the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Rapport.

He and Morris say Dingley doesn't really teach. "He just figures out what your best qualities are and finds a way for you to lead with those and enhance yourself around them," Morris says.

"That's the whole point of what I do," Dingley says. "You've seen that VH1 show with Mystery - such a total tool - that focuses on changing guys. I focus on accenting the positive characteristics they already have going for them. One student, Adam, was a bit on the heavy side but had a great sense of humor. I helped him become comfortable enough around girls to really bring that out."

Rapport, who also went with Dingley to Cuba Libre and Plough & the Stars, has a girlfriend.

"I knew all along what to do but he pushed me in the right direction," says Rapport, who just moved to New York. "I learned by being close to him, working off him like I would a pal or a big brother. Strange, as we're the same age, but his experience seems years older and wiser."

"Even if I didn't learn - which I did - he always bought me dinner," says Morris who, after three months of weekly lessons, still attends Dingley's "class" twice a month. "Steve's definitely Philly's own love guru."

As for Dingley himself . . . he doesn't have a girlfriend, and hasn't yet attracted any female students. "But I'm looking," he says.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU??

THAT WAS THE QUESTION ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS ASKED ME LAST NIGHT AT DINNER.  WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AN EVENT THAT WILL SUPPORT A CHARITY I'M FOND OF...MOMMY'S LIGHT ( MORE ON THAT IN A MOMENT) AND I WAS LIKE ... THERE IS REALLY NOTHING "IN IT" FOR ME EXCEPT FOR A FEELING THAT I AM A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN MY OWN PERSONAL DAILY DRAMA CALLED LIFE. ( baby - work - avoiding donuts - laundry.. i have A LOT going on)

THE MOMMY'S LIGHT LIVES ON FUND WAS STARTED BY SOME WOMEN WHO MISSED THEIR FRIEND... MARY MURPHY.  ( MORE BELOW)  ANYONE WHO HAS A MOM ( WE ALL DO) SHOULD AT LEAST "KNOW ABOUT" MOMMY'S LIGHT.  GO TO THEIR WEBSITE AND LEARN MORE...

http://www.mommyslight.org/mllo/page.php?16

 THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO GET INVOLVED.  BUY A LIPSTICK - GO TO A PARTY - OR JUST WRITE A CHECK TO KEEP THIS AMAZING TRADITION RUNNING FOR MANY LIFETIMES TO COME.  OR JUST PASS THE WORD ALONG.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME ???  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING...and absolutely everything.

from the website:

 In November 1996 Mary Murphy was diagnosed with cancer. By August 1997 it was evident that the disease had progressed too far for her to expect a remission.  Mary talked with her ten-year-old son Bryan to prepare him for life without her.  Together they came up with the idea of Bryan continuing their tradition of making butter cookies at Christmastime.  They felt that repeating an activity they had enjoyed together for many years would comfort and support Bryan during his grieving process.  With vision and courage, Mary realized that all children whose mothers had died could benefit from continuing the traditions and simple pleasures they once shared.  She incorporated Mommy's Light Lives On Fund in October 1997 to help facilitate traditions for maternally grieving children, teens and their families.  Mary died two and a half months later. 

I would like to welcome all of you MOMS to our first official MOM SQUAD BLOG.  We are launching a new segment on Friday... the Mom Squad.  We want young moms, moms who are young at heart, suburban moms and city moms to join our segments on Good Day and here on WWW.MYFOXPHILLY.COM.  We'll talk everything from back-to-school fashion to inexpensive wine to ....well, hair products that promise to tame the summer frizzies! Our Mom Squad team (you) will also get regular tips and insider advice from experts ... and fellow moms.  Blog with us - send us your story ideas and family pictures - we want to know who you are and what you are about !!

Friday's segment is all about the hair.  Our Moms are Steffanie .. 3 kids .. works fulltime for a PAZZO... a shoe wholesaler.. still she finds time to stay fabulous.  Katye also has 3 kids and new store in Haverford called KATYEK BOUTIQUE.   They will undergo a DRAMATIC hair transformation at the hands of Harry Josh..a hair guru who has worked with everyone from Gisele to Hillary Swank. 

These are some tips from Harry Josh.. a paid spokesperson for JOHN FRIDA HAIR PRODUCTS

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Run a dime size amount of John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Serum through hair while in the shower after you shampoo and condition to give hair shine but keep it from getting greasy

• For gorgeous curls, twist sections of your hair with your fingers while blow drying and then use a 1"-barrel curling iron and curl small sections in ringlets all around the head.
• Apply a bit of dry shampoo or baby powder to your roots to soak up grease
• When using a curling iron, pin each piece of hair into a twist after you curl it and let it stay for 5-10 min, then shake it out.
• To give bed head some volume, take top sections of hair, spray with John Frieda Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster and roll with Velcro rollers. Leave them in for 5 minutes.
• After showering, tie hair into a loose bun for bed to wake up with gorgeous natural waves.
• For intensely damaged and dry hair, try applying John Frieda Frizz-Ease Overnight Style Sealant Cream before bed to ends of hair.
• When doing an up-do, spray a toothbrush with a light hairspray like John Frieda Sheer Blonde Crystal Clear Hairspray and comb down fly aways.
• To define curls, spray curly hair with John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Spray and then blow dry with a diffuser.
• For extra fullness, blow dry hair upside down, then use a brush on the roots once it’s dry.
• Comb tangles out of your hair before you wash it so the tangles won’t worsen and it will wash easily.
• For ultra sleek bangs, blow dry with a paddle brush then wrap around a Velcro roller and leave in while you do your makeup.
• For added shine when you don’t have time or money to go to a salon, use John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine in the shower once a week.

 see ya friday !!!  7-9 am !!! GOOO MOM SQUAD !!!

Many you have called or emailed to ask about the dress I wore to the premiere of the new movie THE HAPPENING . It was designed by ALICE & OLIVIA and it was soooo comfortable even in the 300 degree heat

The lovely and very helpful Jimmy Contreas from KIMBERLY Boutique on 16th street put the look together for me ... earrings too! Jimmy's fine work was recognized by John Leguizano... please see this clip.

p.s. you know someone else put the look together .. because it looked sooo good !!

jimmy contreas / 123 s. 16th st. 215 564 1066 www.kimberlyboutique.com

So... I have been working on my annual flower garden and it isn't going well. My beautiful dahlias and gerber daises are UNDER ATTACK. Squirrels and bunnies are digging into my magical mulch and destroying my enchanting summer view.

I have asked the experts about preventing these violent and unwelcome attacks. Some have suggested red pepper - black pepper and one expert even said I sould lay a plastic black snack in the flower bed to scare the flower killa's away.

Please review this video and email me your suggestions... looking forward to hearing some great ideas !!

VIDEO: Jenn's Tips for Keeping Plant-Hatin' Critters Out of the Garden

So.. ladies ( and men) the Superbowl of fashion is just days away.  The SEX AND THE CITY MOVIE is set to be the most exciting and most copied piece of fashion film since the DEVIL WEARS PRADA.    I've seen the film and thought the outfits provided plenty of inspiration to the fashion challenged.  If you've been living on another planet... you may not know the movie will arrive at a theatre near you this friday.. the 30th. Bottom line.. be there or be soooo last season. ( just kidding.. i'm writing this wearing OLD NAVY flip flops)

Seriously... I WILL be looking foward to hearing your thoughts... wondering which one of the killa' looks you'll be rockin' this summer.  We'll also accept any cute photos of girls / guys who dress up and head out to the film.. I know many of you will be hosting SATC girls nights.

PEACE LOVE AND LIPGLOSS...

So today on GDP we had the Chef from Barclay Prime James LoCasio and he delivered some great tips for summer grilling.

- never put cold meat on a hot grill

- don't let the kids even see you turn on the grill... the Chef says they might want to play with it when you are not paying attention  DANGEROUS

- the Chef advised AGAINST pulling the lid down.  he says it will shorten your cooking time so incredibly that you are bound to burn anything you are cooking

- and finally... here's a DO.  he says DO take anything and everything out of your garden .. mint parsley.. all the herbs you can find and use them for a marinade.  and then take the marinade off the meat / fish / chicken etc so that you don't create flames you can't control.

HAPPY GRILLING... FEEL FREE TO SEND IN YOUR TIPS / TRICKS !!

Hey Ladies

I have seen the movie and each and every one of you will LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

The fashion - great.

The storyline - believable... but.. because it's all secret I can't say too much more until later this month.  We've interviewed ALL OF THE LADIES and those segments are coming soon.  For now... here's a tease of the fun to come. 

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sideba
r_video.jsp?contentId=6464747&version=1&locale=EN-US>

I don't usually promote other websites but here goes http://shine.yahoo.com/ is a GREAT WEBSITE FOR GIRLS.

Some guy at work told me Kerri Lee already covered this site ... check it out !!

So.. we are starting a new segment this week. FIREHOUSE FRIDAYS.   How can you help ??? We want your suggestions for the BEST FIREHOUSES in the region.... yes Jersey, Delaware and the PA Counties.. Philly too!

And speaking of suggestions... remember our MYFOXPHILLY.COM Hot List???

Well... it's time for the SHORE EDITION.  Where do you eat pizza? Who has the best mani/pedi.. the best post beach happy hour... how abour your favorite place to buy a cute tank top???   Send your ideas into the HOT LIST PAGE.

Make them REALLY good.. and I'll see you there ON LOCATION - LIVE - ON GDP!

See ya soon... let's get some suggestions in peeps!!   

So.. I am telling you about this store against my best instincts.  It's called KATYE K .. it's in Haverford, PA .. it's new ... and it's AWESOME !!  The chick is from NYC so her stuff has all of these great stories.  Plus, the owner is a stylst so she has all of the things you'LL need pull off the look.. bra inserts .. etc.   BOTTOM LINE this shop is awesome because it has everything you need .. and everything that the other stores fail to stock.  It's like the best of KITSON and the groovy stuff from BARNEY'S without the attitude.

- the sweatshirt you need.. the one you'll actually wear out and about

- the beach cover-up that you WILL wear from the pool to the posh post pool party

- the bag all of your friends will covet  ( no, it's not a marc jacobs.. cuter / less expensive)

- the baby gift that the girl's will love - the one the mommy will adore - LOVE IT !!

  Wrap all of it up with a glass of wine and shop owner who will help.. not push.  I'm sure this place will be sooo crazy soon.  Just remember where you heard about it first.

 www.katyek.com

So .. we've all gone through the drill..

you need a car - you are NOT  millionaire - so - you are looking for a deal

On Friday'S Good Day Philadelphia we will travel to WEST GERMAN BMW and talk to the sales mgr. there.. Jonathon Goldberg.  "JG" as I refer to him is PROMISING  to give us the real deal when it comes to car buying.  Here's a tease..

DO go the dealer at the beginning of the month.. sales people are bored.. you'll get more attention.  MOST PEOPLE THINK THE END OF THE MONTH IS BETTER..not so..

DO  ask about the 'money factor' in the lease.. apparently many details ARE NOT disclosed in Lease paperwork.. you have to ask. I'LL ASK HIM LIVE ON T-V.

DO NOT  buy a car without watching our GDP segments. 7:10 7:45 and 8:45 am FRIDAY