Shari Simpson

Shari Simpson

Shari Simpson has Anna Fader and Mommy Poppins to thank for learning to appreciate her own state. Before she started editing Mommy Poppins NJ, Shari dragged her spawn into NYC for any type of "culture"; now she knows all the good stuff to be had in New Jersey and is not so fast to hop on that PATH train. In her other life, Shari is a comedic playwright ("Maybe Baby, It's You", Dramatic Publishing, Inc.), a humor blogger ("Earth Mother just means I'm dusty"), and a freelance writer. She is mother to four (two human, two pug) and resides in Hoboken, where she can be found jogging along the waterfront or dragging her Brownie troop of 30 crazy little girls around town.
You can also follow Shari on Google+.

Latest posts by Shari

Fun Holiday Activities in New Jersey: The Mommy Poppins Guide

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 12:17pm

It's that time again, New Jersey! Although it seems like Halloween was five minutes ago, we are knee-deep in turkeys, Christmas trees, menorahs, Nutcracker-ing and all the other fun (and hopefully only mildly stressful) things that say "holidays in NJ". Take a peek at our Holiday Guide and find out everything that our state has to offer to max out your holiday spirit. And Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, NJ!

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend October 26-27: Halloween Hocus Pocus, Crafts Festival & More!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Wed, 10/23/2013 - 8:10am

'Tis the weekend before the main event and every ghost and goblin will be out in NJ, so grab your last chance at a pumpkin festival or do some Creepy Crawly Worm Dissection. And if you're aching for some non-spooky fun, try a overnight campout at a lovely arboretum or an enormous crafts festival with special activities for your junior craftsmen. Remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar and whatever you do, don't miss a chance to enter our great Giveaway to win $150 of Target Boys and Girls clothes and a $100 Target gift card. Happy Halloween!

Go to NYC in style and comfort on NY Waterway

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Tue, 07/30/2013 - 11:58am

When I'm shlepping myself and two kids to NYC, I gird my loins for a hot descent into the PATH, a motion-sickness-inducing ride on the bus or mind-numbing traffic in the tunnel. But recently I met a friend to take the NY Waterway ferry to mid-town Manhattan and the experience was as different as, well... the difference between a nauseating bus ride and a lovely, fresh-air boat journey. Read on for the wonders of NY Waterway and their Summer Special for travel out of Port Imperial in Weehawken.

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend July 13-14: Fairy Festival, Thomas the Tank Engine Ride, and More!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Wed, 07/10/2013 - 6:00am

Now that Independence Day is over, it's time to get back to plain ol' mid-July hot-weather fun, air conditioning not included. So if you're up for the great (toasty) outdoors, you have the choice of a Fairy Festival, a Butterfly Release, a ride with Thomas or some Shakespeare under the stars, here are our picks for this coming weekend. And remember, you can always find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

The Mommy Poppins App: Help Us Launch in NJ and Win Fun Rewards!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Fri, 05/31/2013 - 8:51am

Thanks for all your love for the Mommy Poppins NJ website these past two years--we're always so happy to point you to where you can do cool things with your kids! And we have great news--besides having access to everything family-friendly on the website when you’re at your computer, soon you can have an app for your phone when you’re on the go! We’re working on developing an app for NYC to launch in June, and with your help, we could have New Jersey content following almost immediately. Read on to find out answers to your questions about the app, how you can help make it happen, and the super-fun incentives you can get for helping.

"Listen To Your Mother": A Great Way to Celebrate Mother's Day

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 2:35am

As New Jersey editor, I am very excited to tell you about something that I'm doing--in New York City. If you're looking for a wonderful and unusual way to spend Mother's Day, consider coming out to the "Listen To Your Mother" reading series at Symphony Space! Showcasing moving, socially relevant and hilarious stories about motherhood from moms, non-moms and even a couple of dudes, "Listen To Your Mother" will be a memory-making end to the day that honors mothers everywhere. (Which means New Jersey, too, as there are five NJ writer/performers in the show!) Read on for all the exciting details about this Mommy Poppins-sponsored show.

April GO List: The Best Things To Do With NJ Kids This Month

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Thu, 03/28/2013 - 3:19pm

Our monthly GO! List has quickly become one of Mommy Poppins NJ's most popular features, probably because wise New Jersey parents like to plan ahead. We carefully choose 8 to 10 of our absolute faves for the upcoming month, and April is full of festivals, special shows, one of our favorite exhibits that's drawing to a close, and flowers, flowers everywhere. Happy Spring and GO, New Jersey!

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend March 23-24: KidFest, Geocaching, Earth Hour and all things Easter!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Wed, 03/20/2013 - 6:00am

I'm glancing out my back door at the snow as I write--Happy First Weekend of Spring! Take heart, NJ, this wacky weather can't last forever. Hopefully this weekend as we hunt for eggs, celebrate Earth Hour, decorate cookies or geocache, the sun will be shining and winter will be a distant memory. Um, hopefully. Read on for our top picks for the weekend of March 23-24 and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.