Candle making workshop in Monmouth County, NJ

Brighter Days Co. is offering candle-making workshops in their new studio space.

Diana is the owner and candle maker behind Brighter Days. She founded the business in 2016 right out of her apartment kitchen, which quickly expanded into the studio/warehouse she is in today.

Photo Courtesy of Brighter Days Company

As Diana popped up at different markets and craft shows, she found that there was a desire and demand for a fun new DIY experience.

Their candle-making workshops were first tested out at wineries and house parties, before opening up their workshops in Marlboro in March 2020. They now offer weekly workshops and a space for private parties.

Diana will lead you with detailed instructions and help you make your very own soy wax candle.

Each person gets to make two wooden wick soy candles, from start to finish. You get to pick your own fragrances from about 25-30 scent choices. Then you will build your wicks, measure, pour, and design your labels.

Photo Courtesy of Brighter Days Company

Whether you are going for a relaxing and fun workshop or looking to learn the skill of candle making, you can ask owner Diana and her staff whatever questions you have. Also BYOB is welcome and encouraged.

In their open workshops, they are able to seat 24 people and they can fill 32 seats for private parties. On average, they have about 12-18 people in each class.

They also sell their candles; they are all handmade and poured in NJ. They are vegan and non-toxic and made with 100% natural soy wax and fragrances that are free of harmful chemicals.

Photo Courtesy of Brighter Days Company

The workshop ticket costs $40, and Includes two 8 oz. hand-poured scented wooden wick soy candles that you will create. You can buy tickets HERE.

You can stop by Brighter Days Co. at 87 S Main St, Marlboro, NJ 07746, and follow along with them on Instagram.

Best coffee shops & cafes near NJ beaches

When it comes to food, New Jersey is known for many things such as pizza and pork roll. Don't count us out when it comes to coffee.

With all the hustle and bustle involved in the average New Jersey resident's day, coffee is essential. It doesn't matter whether you're living in the cities of North Jersey or the vacation spots at the shore.

In fact, as the former owner of two Jersey shore coffee houses, Coffee Dot Comedy in Sea Isle City and the Daily Grind in Ocean Grove, I know firsthand how much people at the Jersey shore love their coffee.

With respect to that, I asked my social media following where the best coffee houses at the Jersey Shore were, especially since my two places no longer exist.

Below is what they came up with. (And see this other article for their coffee shop and cafe recommendations for Central Jersey.)

The Ultimate Guide to New Jersey Brewpubs

From the website that gave you the "Friendliest bars" and places to watch the game, comes the ultimate guide to New Jersey brewpubs.

So what's a "brew pub"?

According to Thompson Island's Article on the differences between a craft brewery, microbrewery, brewpub & gastropub, it says:

"A brewpub is a hybrid between a restaurant and a brewery. It sells at least 25% of its beer on-site in combination with significant food services. At a brewpub, the beer is primarily brewed for sale inside the restaurant or bar. Where it's legally allowed, brewpubs may sell beer to go or distribute it to some offsite destinations."

New Jersey has tons of Brewpubs, some of which have been around for years and some that have just opened in the past year.

Here is a full list of the 21 brewpubs in New Jersey according to New Jersey Craft Beer: