Lauren Payne

2 months ago | njmonthly.com | Lauren Payne

Deb Belfatto makes things happen. The New Jersey native is an unabashed doer who admits her best ideas tend to come during downtime, when she’s prone on the sofa. Case in point: While recovering from her second bout with breast cancer, she hatched a bold plan after nearly 35 years advocating for women’s health and wellness issues. “I had a brain burst while just lying there recovering,” Belfatto says now.

Dec 16, 2024 | acidstag.com | Lauren Payne

To be perfectly honest, for me this has been one of the best years for music in a really long time! Since 2019, at the beginning of each year I create a new playlist and whenever I hear a new track I like, I add it to the playlist. It not only helps me keep track of all the amazing new music that’s come out that year, but it also helps me create lists like this (and helps me influence my Spotify Wrapped a little bit more).

Oct 28, 2024 | acidstag.com | Lauren Payne

It’s been a while since we’ve heard new music from The Kite String Tangle. There’s been a few collaborations here and there but now, the producer has released a brand new single called ‘Need U Here’ that reminds us all why we feel in love with his intricate production style. ‘Need U Here’ is full of energy and feels almost bombastic thanks to the heavy synths that hum alongside whirring samples and deep tones.

Jul 10, 2024 | njmonthly.com | Lauren Payne

Creative couple Mike Considine and his wife, Olivia Apt, launched their refillable-candle venture during the pandemic. Photo: Laura MossMike Considine was deep into a career as a finish carpenter when lightning struck. Not literally, of course; he had what he describes as an aha moment. Why not create a refillable candle, something that would be reusable, environmentally friendly, toxin-free and sustainable? Fortunately, his wife, Olivia Apt, was game.

Jul 10, 2024 | njmonthly.com | Lauren Payne |Deborah Carter

Creative couple Mike Considine and his wife, Olivia Apt, launched their refillable-candle venture during the pandemic. Photo: Laura MossMike Considine was deep into a career as a finish carpenter when lightning struck. Not literally, of course; he had what he describes as an aha moment. Why not create a refillable candle, something that would be reusable, environmentally friendly, toxin-free and sustainable? Fortunately, his wife, Olivia Apt, was game.