January is like the Monday of months, so let’s end the month on a high note with our Babes of JC. Meet our four local hotties.

Next month, we would like to highlight Babes of JC – the Couples Edition. Nominate your favorite local couples on Instagram!

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Tas Aleeah – @tasaleeah

Tas Aleeah is a mom, creative & 25 year resident of Jersey City. She is an advocate for mental illness and promotes an all-natural holistic lifestyle.

What do you currently do for a living?

I own and run a hippie-based company that formulates & develops products for other brands looking for sustainable, eco-friendly, organic and vegan solutions.

What is your dream job?

Honestly, what I’m doing now is pretty much a dream come true. Anything that helps cultivate the betterment of humans and Mother Earth is dreamy to me.

What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?

Oh man, definitely Batello. They have amazing quality food, great wine, cozy atmosphere/scenery, FREE PARKING and fantastic prices! Did I mention FREE Parking?!

How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?

Weird but positively flattered. I mean Chicpea is kind of a big deal in this city, right?

What are 3 random facts about yourself?

I secretly LOVE a proper grilled cheese sandwich.

I sweat on my nose & upper lip even when its below freezing  degrees out.

I am a hardcore lover of the broken: things and humans.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?

The craziest thing might be me quitting my corporate job with a guarantee paycheck to experience life in a way I felt promotes more internal happiness.

What do you love most about Jersey City?

The people. Jersey city gets a bad rap for being dangerous but I’ve lived in Jersey City since I came from Guyana in 1995 and for sure, the different types of people and energies in this city are astoundingly beautiful. The folks I’ve come across in the years past helped mold me to be more empathetic and understanding of humans we might ordinarily ignore or scoff at.

 

Paul Gerard – @chefpaulgerard2

Paul Gerard is a Brooklyn born chef, and restaurateur. He is a partner at Antique Bar & Bakery, and Antique Loft (among others). He came up as a musician and writer in NY in 80’s, and spent many years living in New Orleans. He has traveled the world cooking, worked on a show with Anthony Bourdain, and Tom Colicchio, and is writing the cookbook for ABB with partner, filmmaker, Joe Castelo: “Burn This Book.”

What do you currently do for a living?

Antique Bar & Bakery in Hoboken is my baby,. By trade I’m a chef, restaurateur, concept-creator, designer, consultant, writer…or as I like to boil it down: a bard & bootlegger.

What is your dream job?

It would be a toss up between iconic rockstar, and poet in a romantically rundown room with a swinging lightbulb.

What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?

When it’s nice, I’ll always be by the water. As for food, we all know the hotspots, but I really dig Hooked. My buddy Jamison AKA DJ Prestige took me there a while back, because he knew it would stoke the New Orleans fires in me, which it did, and it also made me think of my family that were dockworkers on this side of the Hudson. I could see my grandfather eating there. Brooklyn, Hoboken, JC, New Orleans…I love port cities!

How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?

I’m flattered! And frankly, I’m amazed that my scars, grays, and hands that look like they were carved out of wood still make the grade!

What are 3 random facts about yourself?

I adore my kids.

I’m 12 years sober.

I once told Anthony Bourdain “when I write my book, it’ll make your hook look like it was written by Rachel Ray.” (He laughed…kinda)

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?

That’s a tough question. I used up 8 lives by 19, and ducked and dodged death for a few decades more. I have a tattoo on my arm that says “the war is over,” so my view of crazy may be quite different than most. Crazy was my briar patch, however, the war is definitely over. There was a psychic change, my adventures come from a different place now, and they take me beyond my wildest dreams. Y’know what would be crazy for me? To grow old, meeting millions of amazing people over plates of great food, laughing everyday, telling my stories, watching my family grow, and living until my last day surrounded by a legacy of love. Crazy huh?

What do you love most about Jersey City?

The view of New York.

 

Megan Ixim – @msgigggles

Megan Ixim is a 28 year old North Jersey native with a panache for fashion, and a love for activism. She graduated from Rutgers University, and Ramapo University concentrating in International Business, and Marketing and now focuses her time on Entrepreneurship. In her spare time she is either reading, writing, eating, or cruising the dog park for some new dog friends. One of her passion projects includes helping to create Fat Babes of Jersey City, a size inclusive organization that focuses on creating safe spaces for marginalized bodies.

What do you currently do for a living?

I own and operate a Dog Walking/Pet Sitting business here in Jersey City. I also develop and manage Content Creation for small businesses both locally and internationally. I’m currently developing advocacy programs and talks through my personal instagram along with a future Podcast. Having the opportunity to not only be my own boss, but to diversify my interests has been an immense blessing, and soon I’ll be announcing some other projects!

What is your dream job?

I currently have my dream job, but one of my future dream businesses will be to begin a plus-size consignment shop locally, or a stylist. Along with maybe being a full-time travel blogger (a girl can dream).

What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?

I’m an insane foodie and dine out more than i’d like to admit, but some of my go-to’s are: Low Fidelity, Pet Shop and Madame Claude’s.

How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?

Feels a little weird, but I’m excited to represent a city I’ve fallen in love with again and again.

What are 3 random facts about yourself?

One of my goals is to visit 30 countries by the time I reach 30. I’m currently at 29

Pizza is basically an aphrodisiac for me

Double jointed in my hips and can still do a split

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?

I’ve done some crazy things, but I think breaking my date out of a strip club backroom (two very large bouncers were trying to steal his wallet) in Lisbon would be up there. Or scuba with sharks, sure.

What do you love most about Jersey City?

I have so much love for this city. I’ve lived here for about three years and in that time i’ve found: love, a career, and a community that has supported me in ways I never thought possible.

 

Gustavo Rivera – @__goose2

Gustavo Rivera better known as Goose was born and raise in central Jersey. He is the owner of unique barbershop that offers high quality grooming for men, in the heart of Jersey City. Goose’s charismatic personality and loyalty to his work has enabled him to manifest his art through many individuals.

What do you currently do for a living?

I’m a full time barber/owner at ETIKET.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to reach my highest potential as a barber while helping others feel good about themselves.

What is your favorite place to hang out or eat in Jersey City?

My favorite place to eat in Jersey City is The Little Sandwich Shop.

How does it feel to be nominated as a JC babe?

I feel honored to be nominated as one of JC babes considering I’m not from the area, yet am being recognized for my art.

What are 3 random facts about yourself?

I’m the oldest of 6 siblings.
I have a bachelors degree in Science with a concentration in Physical Education.
I’m a Lakers and 49ers fan.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done or wanted to do?

Craziest thing I’ve done is jump out of a plane.

What do you love most about Jersey City?

I admire Jersey City for being such a unique city. I enjoy seeing the amount of diverse individuals the city attracts. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the city’s growth throughout my time in ETIKET.