The 2019 Cherokee continues to provide the off-road performance and rugged style you expect from Jeep. This powerful SUV comes in a number of different trim levels to accommodate as many drivers as possible. If you’re in the market for a new Cherokee, use this guide to decide between the different trim options.

Latitude

Just because the Latitude is the base trim of the 2019 Cherokee, doesn’t mean it disappoints. It comes with a choice of six neutral and earthy colors as well as 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. Inside the car, you’ll enjoy using the 7-inch touch screen that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you looking to buy a 2018 Jeep Renegade soon? This five-seat vehicle is an SUV at heart with the look of a classic jeep and is available in six trims: Sport, Upland, Latitude, Altitude, Trailhawk, and Limited. Here’s all you need to know before you decide which model suits your preferences.

Exterior Design and Styling

As a buyer, it doesn’t matter what’s under the hood if you can’t picture yourself driving that car every day. Luckily, Jeep understands that drivers buy the whole package and pay as much importance to appearance as they do to other aspects of a vehicle.

Available eye-candy features include deep-tinted glass windows, a wraparound black roof, and a removable panel sunroof. On the Latitude, Altitude, and Limited, the exterior mirrors are painted in the same monotone paint as the body. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s an indisputable fact that Asbury Park has one of the best beaches in the state of New Jersey. But there’s more to do in this town than surf and play in the sun. Take a break from the waves, and go shopping at one of these top five eclectic boutiques.

Surf Equipment and Art at Lightly Salted

If you think the combination of art and surf is unlikely, then you’ll be surprised at Lightly Salted. Although surf rules this shop’s atmosphere, you don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy it. Browse the shop for coastal art pieces and surf-style fashion and accessories, and if you’re inclined to give it a go at riding the waves, you can sign up for some surf lessons.

For longtime surfers, drop by to order your custom-made surfboard.

Unique Outfits at Interwoven

Fashion trends are overrated. What’s the fun of looking like everyone else? Interwoven, a clothes and accessories shop, sets its path in the fashion industry by supporting a lot of unknown brands and introducing them to their customers. The owner’s rule of thumb is if a piece catches her eye and sparks happiness, it finds its way into the collection.

If you prefer established fashion designers, you’ll also find more familiar pieces that the owner carefully selected.

Vintage is Always In at Rebel Supply Co

Rebel Supply Co. is the perfect vintage shop for indecisive buyers or anyone who loves to browse. It doesn’t matter if you have a particular style or are obsessed with a specific brand’s collection from two seasons ago, rest assured that here you will find what you’re looking for. Keep an eye on Rebel Supply Co.’s Instagram page for Outfit of the Day suggestions and daily deals.

Artisanal Goodies at Big Spoon Little Spoon

This mom-and-pop shop is the perfect blend of the founder’s skills and expertise. Matt’s creative genius and Amy’s knowledge in herbs and art come together every day at Big Spoon Little Spoon to make the best all-natural handcrafted products.

Sourcing local, organic, and responsible ingredients as much as possible, the shop has a variety of plant-based soaps, body butters, and aloe vera lotions to choose from. The Soap Box gift set is a great way to introduce the brand to a friend or to buy for yourself as a pampering gift.

Quirky Decor at Shelter Home Fun House

Adding a fun piece here and there to your home decor is like wearing a colorful pair of socks with your suit. It’s just adventurous enough to stay within the limits of your comfort zone. Well, at Shelter Home Fun House, you’ll find those types of pieces. Even if you don’t feel like changing anything in your house, a colorful kitchen accessory makes a great gift.

A branch of the main store, the Shelter Home Fun House also has a collection of T-shirts and hoodies made in collaboration with local artists.

By shopping at any of these boutiques, you’ll support local businesses while finding unique pieces.

Image by kezee is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Drivers looking to buy the 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk probably already fell in love with this SUV with the heart of a sports car. But there are more great features to uncover. Find out the five reasons why this is the ideal car to drive around Asbury Park in summer and winter.

Top-Notch Engine Power, Rain or Shine

Maybe you don’t need an SUV with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 707 horsepower, but you certainly can want one. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk has it, and the performance is no less than impressive. If you’ve wondered if an SUV can go from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds, now you don’t have to anymore. And the beauty of this vehicle is that it maintains the same performance on wet pavement and even when it’s freezing outside.  Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re looking for something old fashioned or trendy in Asbury Park, these are the top five coffee shops where you can grab a cup of joe. Our suggestions are all about excellent service for both early birds and late risers.

Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking

Sometimes all you want is a steamy-hot cup of coffee in the morning and maybe a pastry on the side to kickstart the day. Well, Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking keeps it that simple. The staff roasts coffee beans and bakes the pastries on location, in front of the customers.

Drip coffee and espressos are all made with beans from around the world. If you’re not sure what to choose, they’ll gladly point you in the right direction. Neon is a favorite drink with four shots of espresso mixed with 4 oz of steamed milk.   Read the rest of this entry »

man fishingDeal Lake is a man-made lake that runs through several New Jersey towns. It is the largest freshwater lake in the coastal area, and it features several shallow ponds and channels that are fun to explore. Many private homes surround the lake, and there are several boat launches and some great fishing spots. Here are some of the ways to have fun on Deal Lake this fall.

Fishing

The shallow waters combined with the many lily pads and fallen trees attract many different species of fish. Since most of the lake is only 3-4 feet deep, the conditions are ideal for bass, carp, and even largemouth bass. Deal Lake is also very close to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and it has several areas where it drains into the ocean. This allows for many saltwater fish and species to make their way to the lake, so you can find oysters, clams, and blueback herring, along with many others.

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cup of coffeeWe have all been there, rushing around throughout the day with no time to sit down and eat. Because we are often on the go, the only time we can find to eat is on the road. However, eating when you are driving is a form of distracted driving, and it can be dangerous. Here are some reasons why you should never eat behind the wheel.

It Slows Our Reaction Times

If your hands are off the wheel to hold onto a drink or a sandwich, then you won’t be able to react as fast if something happens. This is especially true if you are eating something that needs unwrapping or something that is difficult to hold onto. Some people even take both hands off the wheel to eat their food, which is even more dangerous.

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front of carIn Jeep’s lineup, the Compass sits right above the compact Renegade and offers more space and some impressive off-road capabilities. This SUV received a significant refresh partway through the 2017 model year, and the 2018 model carries over with just these changes. One thing you can always count on is its value. Here are some of the reasons the 2018 Jeep Compass is a great bargain buy.

The Options

Jeep offers the Compass in four different trims. The base is the Sport, which comes with 16-inch black painted wheels, remote keyless entry, and power-adjustable heated side mirrors. A step up to the Latitude will get you 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, while the Limited model comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels and more tech and safety features. If you want to head out to some rougher terrain, the Trailhawk is the off-road themed model. This has 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an off-road suspension, skid plates, and red tow hooks.

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Chicken MealMonmouth County has a variety of great Asian restaurants serving up some of your favorite dishes. Whether you’re craving a classic Chinese meal or traditional Japanese sushi, you’ll find some excellent food to savor when you dine at one of these best Asian restaurants in Monmouth County.

Spring House Chinese Restaurant

Spring House Chinese Restaurant is conveniently located in Ocean Township and offers a nice variety of authentic Chinese cuisine. The restaurant has dine-in, take-out, and delivery options. Chef’s specialties at the restaurant include lemon chicken, sesame shrimp, crispy orange beef, and pineapple chicken. Vegetarian dishes include broccoli with bean curd, eggplant with garlic sauce, and mixed vegetables. You’ll also find chow mein, lo mein, fried rice, soups, appetizers, and lunch items on the menu.

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Tire tracks in the mudJeep released an all-new version of its popular off-roading vehicle, the Wrangler, for 2018. This model is called the JL, while the outgoing model is called the JK. Outdoor enthusiasts love the new and improved features on the JL Wrangler, designed to handle just about any type of terrain.

Increased Size

One of the biggest changes comes to the size of the new Wrangler. This model is taller, wider, and longer. If you choose the two-door model, the wheelbase is an inch longer and the length is 3.5 inches longer. With the four-door model, the increases are 2.5 inches in the wheelbase and 3.5 inches in length. It’s also slightly heavier, but most drivers won’t notice that change when they’re behind the wheel. Other exterior differences include A-pillars that are now fixed to a header bar, available with 33-inch tires, rugged steel skid plates, and stronger axle tubes.

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