Day one of 366 Days in Montclair

You should always start a new endeavor on the 1st of the year, right? But usually you''re too tired, or too unfocused, just not ready, not sure how to pull together an effort that will sustain you and reward people who choose to stop by and check out what you have to say.

I'm truly in love with Montclair, and all the crazy parts of it that make it home for me. Every time I think I've got a definitive list of all those parts, great new things start to happen.

So, I'm committing to be hear now, 1 day at a time, to share the best of my home town. Shops, shows, restaurants, events and I'm happy to take suggestions, too. Gal can't know everything!

So -- how to sum up Day 1, January 1, 2012? Warm out. Late breakfast at, of course, Raymonds. Thank you for hiring a real-life latte maker with foam that can step up and take a bow.

Then later, the quintessential New Year's Day decision, what new film to see. Decided on Rooney Mara in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- Mr. Fincher at his best, though what the oil coated lead-in credits really have to do with the story, I'm not so sure. Ok, it's the only misstep. Loved all 2 1/2 hours of it. Can already so the fashion ripple effect -- girls cutting their bangs flat and short short short. Oh to be so fierce and so young.

'Nough said. Turns out Stephen Webster designed most of Rooney's jewelry but a quick look through his website shows stuff with a lot more frou frou than what I liked in the film. That's ok, I'm off to the John Hardy Workshop in Bali later this month. Need to keep my neck and wrists a little hungry in anticipation.