Today, Sheri shares tips for easing back to school transition jitters:

“Remember back to the night before your first day at a new job. You couldn’t sleep because your mind was racing and your stomach was doing flips with all of the excitement, nervousness, and thoughts of what the new adventure would bring. These feelings are no different than what your child is feeling before school starts, and even throughout the first full month of a new school year. It is normal and should not be cause for worry. Here are some things you can do to help make the transition to a new school year a smooth one for everyone:

SCHEDULES

Keeping a school year schedule is essential for everyone’s sanity. During the first month of school, keep extracurricular activities to a minimum while your child gets adjusted to a new grade, new teacher, new expectations, and new friends. Parents often over schedule their children at the beginning of the school year in an effort to socialize them more or due to pressures of classes enrolling and possibly filling up. Give it four weeks of getting used to the school routine and pre- and post-school schedule before you add activities in. Your child will adjust to school faster and will be less stressed. Instead, try to arrange play dates at the park with new faces in your child’s class or reconnect with those who are no longer in class with your child.

ROUTINES

Routines should be created for those times of the day that can make or break a good day. These times are before school, after school, homework, and bedtime. It is so important to have an established routine for each of these key areas. Creating a routine will provide consistency and can lessen those difficult and challenging times of the day when everyone is tired.

Before school. Before school routines should include getting dressed and ready, eating breakfast, and checking that backpacks have all that they need for the day. Teaching younger children the importance of these simple routines will make mornings easier and help you get to school on time. Using a checklist system can really improve your child’s ownership of getting these things done independently. Posting the checklist near the door you exit makes it simple to be sure your child is prepared for their day. Start of the day consistency can set up your child for successful school days, since they will feel less frazzled or rushed walking into school. For those with kids who are not morning people, pack the backpack together the night before as part of the bedtime routine. Also lay out clothes for the following day ahead of time.

After school. After school routines may vary but should include time to discuss what your child did during the school day. With my son we play a game called high and low. This game involves my son giving me one highlight of his day and one low. It is quick and easy and fills me in on what my son is enjoying or finding frustrating at school. You will never get every detail of their day so if you can find our what sticks out for them it helps open the discussion. Establish a family calendar that shows the afternoon upcoming events weekly and previews the week ahead with your child each Sunday evening.

Homework. Homework routines are essential for all students from grades K through high school. It provides the expectation that homework is important (whether you believe it fully or not, homework is going to be a part of daily life for years to come). I often suggest that parents give their children a 30-60 minute break after school before homework begins. This allows the child to unwind and burn off some energy, making their mind work better for the homework to come. Homework is a loaded topic of great debate among teachers and parents and deserves a much deeper discussion. I will be covering homework myths and misconceptions in depth in the near future. Stay tuned.

Bedtime. Sticking to a routine at the day’s end also helps reduce the likelihood of battles since your child knows what to expect. Have your child help you clean up the toys, pack the backpack, and lay out clothes for the next morning then get dressed and cleaned up for bedtime. Experts recommend that kids need 10-12 hours (preschool age) or 9-10 hours (school age) so make sure that children are in bed at a reasonable time. Enjoy the last moments of the day with your child with a story or two.

It truly takes between 4-6 weeks for students to feel set into the new routines of the new school year. Making the transition easier with a bit of consistency and a lot of organization will benefit your child throughout the rest of the school year. Be patient, be consistent, and allow your child to be a part of the creation of the routines and schedule intricacies. They will take more ownership being a part of the process. A few months from now your week will seem impossibly smooth and your child will be happier and more productive in school as a result.”

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

One reason I've never purchased a traditional mother's ring or necklace (such as the seven-stone mother’s ring my siblings and I gifted my mom on her 60th birthday, when she was definitely done) is the permanence factor. And this is why I dig the chic flexibility of locally owned Heart & Stone Jewelry. Offering personalized necklaces and rings handcrafted from recycled silver, Heart & Stone’s necklaces allow you to expand your collection of personalized charms and gems infinitely, whether you'd like to symbolize your growing family, beloved pets, momentous dates, or favored symbols and gems. And for our 3rd birthday party Heart & Stone Jewelry is offering one lucky winner a Custom Organic Charm Necklace ($280 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, September 1).

Rules:

Despite my attempts to simplify and streamline life, I still have plenty of errands to run. And the other week, when I couldn’t rally Laurel to get excited about the pile of returns I needed to take back to Target (tantalizing, I know...), I queried on Twitter, “How can I get Laurel to think an errand to Target this morning will be fun and exciting (other than offering to buy her the entire store)?”

I adore the fluidity of conversation on Twitter; within minutes I had several suggestions, my favorite coming from the lovely Sarah of Real Life. Sarah suggested turning the errand into a scavenger hunt, and the minute I suggested a scavenger hunt to Laurel, lame errand turned into fun adventure. Here’s what I did to keep the outing budget friendly, fun, and functional:

One of my favorite things about running Boston Mamas is learning about talented local mamapreneurs such as Christine Crowley, co-founder of Sugabettens Baking. Offering an array of rich brownie flavors and ultra-decadent signature layered bars (all originating from secret family recipes), Sugabettens Baking's gourmet goodies make for lovely family or business gifts or conversation stopping party fare. And for our 3rd birthday party Sugabettens Baking is offering two lucky winners a 6pk of Sugabettens Bars ($36 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, August 29).

Rules:

Today, Jennifer recommends a couple of spots in Acton to enjoy a girl’s morning out:

“I recently rediscovered one of my favorite little local spots for bargain shopping: Tables to Teapots in West Acton. It’s a well-organized home furnishings consignment shop with antiques, retro décor, some newer yet gently used items, and one-of-a-kind finds…including the great vintage cuff bracelet I just picked up for a mere $8.

Tables to Teapots is a great place to check out if you’re in need of a quick spruce up for home or for your jewelry box. And, as luck would have it, there’s a fantastic bakery and café -- Sweet Bites -- mere steps away. Fantastic sandwiches, pastries, and coffees…could a girl ask for a better combo for a much needed morning out?”

Tables to Teapots, 240 Arlington Street (Route 111), Acton; 978-266-1115 & Sweet Bites, 5A Spruce Street, Acton; 978-263-2233

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local; Retail
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Sometimes when I buckle Laurel into her booster seat I stand amazed that my six siblings and I made it out of childhood (i.e., the pre-car seat regulation era) unscathed. And the technology and styling continues to evolve in cool ways, such as with Safety 1st’s new Air Protect car seat. These stylish seats offer conveniences such as easy harness adjustment, a one-click LATCH system, and an adjustable headrest, in addition to innovative side impact technology that shields the head and reduces side impact forces in the event of an accident. For our 3rd birthday party Safety 1st is offering one lucky winner their Air Protect car seat ($250 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, August 28).

Rules:

Laurel starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks but I haven’t been sweating the preparations due to a minimalist approach on the material side (the emotional preparation is another story...). In my latest monthly column as Minimalist Mama at Shoestring Magazine, I share back to school on a budget tips to keep stress to a minimum and prioritize the allocation of your hard-earned dollars. Enjoy!

Image credit: Vincent’s HAMPUS shoe.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones; Gear; Home; Solutions
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Though Laurel is a great walking buddy, sometimes I really miss our babywearing days. Not only did I treasure the ease and coziness of slinging Laurel, but our limitless loops around the block (it was the only sure-fire way to get her to settle) proved beneficial for both my body and soul. And the gorgeous slings by locally owned Sakura Bloom only serve to enhance my longing. I’ve shared praise for these luxurious slings before, and Sakura recently debuted a lovely collection of double-layered, reversible, nature-inspired slings handcrafted from Irish linens. For our 3rd birthday party Sakura Bloom is offering one lucky winner an Artisan Linen Sling ($298 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, August 27).

Rules:

Hello folks, apologies for being a couple of days late in posting this notice. In case you were wondering, I'm not trapped under something heavy; instead, similar to last summer, in my quest for better balance, I'm taking a short Internet vacation. My person, family, and sore eyeballs and forearms need the R & R, and I’ll be back posting lots of fabulous content and continuing the Boston Mamas 3rd birthday giveaway series on Wednesday. Meanwhile, if you need your Boston Mamas fix, scroll down to peruse over 1600 posts in the archived topics in the left column. Enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Back in May, Boston Mamas was nominated by Nickelodeon/Parents Connect as Best Local (Parenting) Blog in Boston. And while initially I thought this was pretty awesome, I soon had some misgivings: Did I have the stomach to pester people daily for the two-month daily voting window (no)? Did I want to be responsible for the social fallout/discomfort between other contenders and mutual friends (absolutely not)? Wouldn’t it be more valuable to the user if a top picks list was created editorially instead of by vote (in my opinion, yes; see for example, Jennifer James’s recent 25 influential moms in the Twitterverse post)?

Once I engaged in the vote, however, it was hard not to finish what I had started. Plus, I believed that Boston Mamas should win. So I did what I could; putting out a weekly ask on Twitter and Facebook for friends and readers to vote (with my tail between my legs) and generally feeling troubled by the whole thing. I felt immense relief when the voting period was over; relentless self-promotion just isn't my thing.

On Monday I learned (via Twitter of all places) that Boston Mamas won the vote. And while at one level I was happy because I believed the site should win based on content and design, the feeling that resonated more strongly was one of gratitude. I felt grateful that people I’ve never met took the time out of their busy days to vote. I felt grateful that time-pressed bloggers such as Christy (More Than Mommy), Jennifer (Mom Bloggers Club), Melissa (Shoestring Magazine), Elizabeth (Busy Mom), Jackie (The Silver Whining), Danielle (That Danielle), Liz (Mom-101), Paige (Mudroom Boston), Lisa (Lisa Johnson Fitness), Amanda (Oh Amanda), April (Wicked Tasty Harvest), Carol (iRelaunch), and many, many others took the time to tweet the vote on Twitter...sometimes repeatedly. I felt grateful for countless friends and family who voted regularly and also shared the link on Facebook and asked their friends and families to vote via e-mail (especially my brother Jason, who went above and beyond the call of duty to remind people to vote).

In short, I felt grateful for my community. In the grand scheme of things, this contest is not a big deal; it's not achieving world peace or ceasing world hunger and there's no material gain to the accolade (in the way of cash or some other prize; I would have disclosed that at the outset if that were the case!). But the contest did serve as a conduit through which I saw the generosity and kindness of my community rise strongly. And that moved me.

This all may seem a tad long winded, but in these days where kind and generous acts often are overlooked or assumed, I wanted to take the time to say thank you again for your readership, friendship, and support. We rocked the vote together...there was no other way!

Finally, along with my congratulations to all of the other category winners, I wanted to call out in particular the well-deserved wins of my friends Sheri and Eli at Magic Beans, talented photographer, friend, and Boston Mamas contributing writer Kristin of Kristin Chalmers Photography, and the employment of my youth, Rancatore's Ice Cream.

And yes, I voted for all of these people regularly.

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (11) | Filed in Web (Admin)
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I admit that after years of rolling my eyes during my mom’s lectures about skin care, I finally get it. It’s important to take care of your skin, whether you’re concerned about wrinkles or simply need a reason to carve out some you time. And for those looking for gentle yet effective plant-based skin treatments, consider Kinerase. For our 3rd birthday party, Kinerase is offering one lucky winner their restorative and hydrating C8 Peptide + HydraBoost intensive treatments ($173 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, August 20).

Rules:

Yesterday I had the pleasure and honor of being interviewed by NPR Tell Me More host Michel Martin -- alongside Kelly Wickham (Mocha Momma), Jamila Bey (Washington Examiner), and Catherine Sabonis-Bradley (What Matters) -- about the issue of commercial interests tainting the mommy blogosphere. Unfortunately, Tell Me More doesn’t broadcast in Massachusetts (check for other stations by state here), but the audio will be available online at approximately 12 pm.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Web (Admin)
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

On mornings where Laurel resists waking up, one foolproof way to get her to roll over and open her eyes is to read aloud. She adores books and I love reading them to her, especially when they are as beautifully crafted as those by Simply Read Books, an award winning publisher committed to well crafted words, beautiful artwork, and quality production. And for our 3rd birthday party, Simply Read Books is offering three lucky winners a baby (0-3) or toddler/elementary school (3-8) book set (title details below; value of $24-67 depending on set). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Wednesday, August 19).

Rules:

For parents looking for some end of summer fun, consider tomorrow's ParkARTS Boston Children’s Festival at The Playstead in Franklin Park (10:30 am – 1:30 pm). Suitable for kids 15 and under, programming will include storytelling, animal and nature education, arts workshops and projects, face painting, live performance, and refreshments. For further information, call 617-635-4505.

Image credit: Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Whether a woman's delivery mirrors her birth plan to the letter, or is the complete opposite of what was envisioned (as was the case for me), postpartum recovery can be challenging; self care is hugely important but often takes a back seat to caring for baby. And the folks at The Recovery Kit want to help women focus on healing; their stylish kits include pretty totes or diaper bags filled with accessories, teas, balms, and healing remedies to help women along the path to restoration. For our 3rd birthday party, The Recovery Kit is offering one lucky winner their Childbirth MINI kit ($125 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, August 18).

Rules:

Summer is winding down quickly, but there's plenty of fun to be had. This weekend, consider these free family friendly festivals. On Saturday: Southeast Asian Water Festival (Lowell), West End Children’s Festival (Boston); on Sunday: August Moon Festival (Boston), Arts on the Shore (Quincy); and through the weekend: Gloucester Waterfront Festival (Gloucester).

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Given Laurel’s volume of clothing and my distaste for ironing, the fabulous no-iron clothing and shoe labels from Mabel's Labels have saved my sanity countless times over the past couple of years. And just in time for back to school season, for a limited time Mabel’s is offering their ultra convenient Ultimate Back-to-School Combo Pack, which includes an assortment of laundry, dishwasher, and microwave safe labels for clothes, shoes, bags, and lunch gear. For our 3rd birthday party, Mabel’s is offering two lucky winners a back-to-school combo pack ($39 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, August 15).

Rules:

Today Tracy shares a recommendation for a book that can help couples reconnect in times of discontent:

“In my practice as a clinical psychologist, my clients often asked for book recommendations. It’s a rare book that is accessible enough and/or leaves me comfortable enough with the message it sends that I’m happy to recommend it to clients. Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love is different, however.

Written by Dr. Sue Johnson, the pioneer in the field of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), this book is meant to help couples understand themselves, each other, and their interactions better so that they can have a fulfilling, life-long partnership that is gratifying, satisfying, and secure.

Dr. Johnson’s work is centered on the theory of attachment. Long thought of as an issue between babies and children and their parents, Dr. Johnson had a stunning realization during a conversation with a colleague: adult love relationships are about attachment, too. In much the same way a 9-month-old baby experiences distress when disconnected from a primary caregiver (a.k.a. “separation anxiety”), adults also feel anxiety, and even panic, when they feel their needs for connection are not being met in their relationship with romantic partners. In essence, what we are asking our lovers is, “Are you there for me?”

Hold Me Tight is a book I don’t hesitate to recommend to my clients who feel they need to work on their relationships because it is written in such a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Dr. Johnson manages to explain in easy to understand language -- free of almost any hint of jargon -- how to get to the heart of your relationship struggles. Full of examples from her years of clinical work and bolstered by scientific evidence from her research, this book can help couples to see past the “fight” to the underlying issues that keep them from feeling truly safe, truly loved, and truly present in their relationship. Dr. Johnson discusses the “demon dialogues” that get couples stuck, ways to work through them, and how to maintain the enormously rewarding connection you can establish by reading this book.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Family Issues; For Grownups
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I’ll admit that in the early, particularly weary parenting days, the prospect of sleep often won out over skin care at the day’s end. But as the years have passed, I’ve become more vigilant about taking good care of my skin. And for those looking to revive their skin care regimen, check out Arbonne’s fresh science FC5 line, which hydrates, cleanses, exfoliates, moisturizes, and protects the skin with the inclusion of a yummy cocktail of natural ingredients such as kiwi, strawberry, mango, carrot, and pumpkin. For our 3rd birthday party, regional Arbonne VP Michelle Lenaghan is offering one lucky winner an Arbonne FC5 Complexion Revitalizing Set ($95 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, August 14).

Rules:

Every time I visit Coolidge Corner I let out a sigh of appreciation for the variety of shops, restaurants, amenities, and T access (even if it is that pokey green line) that truly makes it one of Boston’s ideal car-free neighborhoods. And now I’ve discovered another reason to frequent Coolidge Corner – Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa. Read on to learn more about Rosaline's services (which include expertise in treating the skin of women of color), and enjoy a special offer for Boston Mamas readers.

So here’s the thing. While certain personal care products may be applied universally (e.g., toothpaste, nail polish), when it comes to skin and hair care, race and ethnicity matter. If you don’t believe me, ask the poor Great Cuts newbie (back during my college days) who wasn't trained on how to handle Asian hair and thus was so terrified about making a mistake with my super straight, thick mane that she literally took almost two hours to do a simple trim. I can't remember what I tipped her, but surely it wasn't enough.

But back to skin care. I recently visited Grenada-born esthetican Rosaline Lowe after learning that her spa not only offers wonderful treatment in general (the gamut of facials – including organic – plus massage, spa therapy treatments, and waxing), but that Rosaline specializes in treating women of color. Because the truth is, there is palpable comfort that comes from being treated by someone who understands (and lives the fact) that diverse skin has diverse needs. Though she looks remarkably young for someone who honed her skills for 5 years on Newbury Street before running her own business for almost 25 years (genetics probably, plus a testament to her craft...), Rosaline brings utter calm, confidence, and skill to her work; I felt completely safe in her hands.

When I booked my appointment, I didn’t ask for a specific treatment; instead asking that Rosaline assess my skin when I got there. Rosaline said my skin actually looked pretty good; a bit dry and a surprising number of freckles for an Asian, but otherwise smooth and generally problem-free. At my request, she first waxed my brows to perfection; creating lovely, flattering, tapered arches that – strangely enough – other estheticans have told me aren’t possible with my facial structure (perhaps this was fear due to inexperience), then proceeded with a basic hydrating facial that was nourishing and literally left me glowing.

If I hadn’t been so curious to talk to Rosaline about her work, I would have fallen asleep it was so relaxing (the neck massage part was particularly awesome). Rosaline is smart, passionate about what she does, and despite her tenure in the business, she's motivated to keep learning about new techniques, skin needs, and products. Rosaline even is willing to share some of her knowledge (learning seminars at her spa are forthcoming) because she wants to help women learn how to take care of themselves and make self care a priority.

Though trust me, you will want to get on her table. And mama, you deserve it.

AWESOME DEAL! Rosaline kindly is offering a discount to Boston Mamas readers. Simply mention Boston Mamas when you book your appointment to receive a 10% discount on any service. Enjoy!

Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa, 1426 Beacon Street, Brookline; 617-739-2392

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Some people just have a knack for assembling gifts artfully, and if you’re Liz White, you take that creativity to a professional level. At locally owned Mason & Madison (which offers a brick and mortar presence in addition to an online shop) Liz’s gorgeous gift sets abound, whether they’re for baby, business, or a (male or female) BFF. And for our 3rd birthday party, Mason & Madison is gifting two lucky winners; one with their Pig in a Blanket gift set ($45 value) and one with their Mother Goose gift set ($50 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, August 13).

Rules:

Today, Sarah shares an environmental epiphany (and an apology to her mom):

“My mother was an environmentalist before environmentalism was cool. She reused paper and plastic bags (embarrassment: lunch in a reused vegetable bag!), left the heat off until the first frost, and to this day does not own a dryer. Seriously. She hangs her laundry outside in the summer and on dry winter days, and inside in front of a heater vent in inclement weather.

The absence of a dryer was the source of much agony growing up: picture me running next door to dry my favorite jeans before the big dance, ironing a shirt to get it dry before school, or taking my dirty laundry back to campus with me after winter break. I was so thrilled to get a dryer in my first house; I did laundry almost daily, drunk with the joy of how easy it was. I even was known to run downstairs to heat up the comforter in the dryer before bedtime.

But the other week I had an epiphany. I was in the laundry room (i.e., basement) on the first sunny, dry day in what felt like months (okay, it was months), wondering why I was about to chuck the wet clothes into the dryer when they’d probably finish faster outside. And I was startled to find myself arranging the kids’ clothes on the drying rack on the back deck five minutes later. More startling still was the calm, Zen-like meditation of shaking out the wrinkles, laying out the laundry on the rack, actually checking whether the stains had come out before setting them in with the dryer, revisiting memories of when my older son had fit into my younger son’s hand-me-downs. (It didn’t hurt that there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the dog was peacefully chewing a stick and not chasing neighbors, and both boys were at camp.) And when the whole load of clothes was dry an hour later without using a drop of electricity or natural gas, I was understandably smug.

So along with my fresh, environmentally responsible clean laundry, I’m having a double-helping of crow. And I owe mom an apology: even though we hated having to hang out the wash on the line, and air-dried jeans are still totally the pits, I get it now. Along with so many other things, I guess you were right after all.”

Image credit: Honey-Can-Do Chrome Drying Rack from Amazon

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (8) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Solutions
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Oh, Crate & Barrel, source of the lovely items from my wedding registry nine years ago (thank you generous friends and family) and designer of the gorgeous Kingston Media Console we recently purchased without a shred of regret, despite it not being the best financial juncture to do so. For good reason, Crate & Barrel has long been a reliable stop for kitchen goods, home furnishings, and décor, and for our 3rd birthday party the menu planning mavens over at Relish! kindly are offering one lucky winner a $75 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Wednesday, August 12).

Rules:

Pursuant to my report on treasure hunting at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, here’s my report on shopping at AJWright. Having never stepped into an AJWright prior to the blogger tour and shopping event, I didn’t have the same experienced eye for layout and inventory as I did walking into the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls event. Even so, it was interesting to learn about a business that has been right under my nose but off my radar for so many years...not to mention fun to discover a few treasures along the way.

Who are they? AJWright is a division of The TJX Companies, alongside T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. But unlike Marshalls, which was acquired by TJX following many years as a separate entity, AJWright always has been under the TJX umbrella, similar in concept to what Old Navy is to brand siblings Gap and Banana Republic.

What’s new? Apparently, AJWright has garnered a reputation for feeling like a bargain warehouse (in a bad way). Following extensive consumer research, AJWright recently remodeled the Methuen and Somerville locations (I visited Methuen) and next month will remodel the Dorchester, Lowell, and East Boston locations then proceed to other market makeovers (141 stores in 20 states…who knew?). I would say that in general – again, based on my experience with this one remodeled store – the feel is warehouse-y in the same way Old Navy is (large, lots of racks, no frills, etc… not necessarily a bad thing) and with the same general organization of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls (items organized by department then size…not a boutique approach).

What’s in store? AJWright carries the basic departments: ladies, juniors, men, kids, toys, accessories, shoes, housewares, and seasonal (plus random rotating items such as DVDs and fitness accesories). They offer school uniforms, a considerable plus size collection, popular urban brands (e.g., this whole Ed Hardy thing I keep hearing about…), and licensed items (e.g., Disney, Red Sox). However, on the day I visited, the brand availability in the women’s department didn’t come close to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls; the Liz Claiborne, Anne Klein, and Calvin Klein pieces I saw were exceptions to the rule.

Though I tend to be a brand loyalist, I combed the women's apparel racks with an open mind and regretfully did not find anything that suited my (admittedly picky) taste. However, I did find an adorable tote (which I’ve been carrying regularly since; click on thumbnail above to enlarge), a full-sized Little Miss Matched sheet set (Laurel went berserk over the colors and patterns!), a 3-piece baby layette set (for a friend), and a set of fabric-covered hangers (for holding silky blouses in place) -- all for a mere $50. Bargain!

Doing good. As I mentioned in my T.J. Maxx/Marshalls post, I'm always interested to learn how companies are doing good and was pleased to find out that AJWright makes a donation to the Boys & Girls Club of America for each store opening (they open approximately 15 stores per year).

In sum, given that I didn’t find my style vibe in the women’s clothing department, I’ll likely stick to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls (and my other tried and true stores) on that front; however, if an AJWright is convenient to you, the housewares, accessories, and kids sections are worth a visit for basics and birthday presents. That said, it wouldn't hurt to take a peek throughout the store -- you never know what will turn up on a treasure hunt.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Fashion; For Little Ones; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

As an eco-geek who truly believes that every little environmental effort counts, I also can’t help but stand in awe and admiration of those who take eco-activism to a new level of awesomeness. And as you outfit your family for fall footwear, consider supporting Simple Shoes. Committed to making 100% sustainable shoes and bags for the whole family, Simple’s kids shoes are particularly adorable while including mindful construction elements such as organic cotton lining, natural rubber soles, and 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms. For our 3rd birthday party Simple Shoes is offering one lucky winner a pair of kids shoes of their choice + a feedbag (chocolate style) ($112 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, August 11).

Rules:

Oh how I adore local talent, and tomorrow (10am – 4pm) you can get your fill at the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival at the Elm Bank Horticulture Center in Wellesley. The festival will feature over 60 vendors offering food, crafts, and gifts -- all sprouting from local fields, farms, gardens, and kitchens.

At Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street (Route 16), Wellesley

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Domestics; Fun Outdoors; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

When it comes to toys, I always opt for wood over plastic, both for eco reasons and because I admire those who do woodcraft on any scale. And if you’re looking for unique wooden baby toys, consider Tactile Baby, a Boston-based maker of baby goods, including lovingly handcrafted wooden toys. For our 3rd birthday party Tactile Baby is offering one lucky winner their oak number set (hand sanded and sealed with food grade oil) + fish puzzle (poplar hardwood finished with non-toxic paint and sealer) ($75 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, August 8).

Rules:

For Boston families who long for waterfront summer fun but can’t get as far south as the Cape or as far north as Maine, fear not, the solution is just south of the city this weekend. On Saturday, enjoy the Dorchester Beach Festival at Savin Hill & Malibu Beaches (11am – 4pm) and on Sunday, the Beach Bash Kite Fest at Pageant Field in Quincy (10 am – 3pm). Both events are free and family friendly.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

There’s something to be said for paying for an experience; say, first class airline tickets, a meal at a chic restaurant that will stow luggage while you shop (as did Stephanie’s on Newbury, where I took a visiting friend yesterday), or spa services that create a truly calming environment (compared to the bargain nail salon where I bang away on my Blackberry so I can work while getting a pedicure). But when it comes to clothing and accessories, generally speaking, I’m all about getting the best bargain. And that’s why I was intrigued to learn about treasure hunting at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and AJWright last week. I’ll address T.J. Maxx and Marshalls here and AJWright in a follow up post, given that these were separate events.

Historically, I’ve always liked the budget-friendly aspect of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, but I tend to get overwhelmed in these stores. I often do not have the patience for sifting through racks; instead, preferring the boutique experience of going to a limited number of racks (each containing one style) and just poking through to find my size. However, I’m also not wild about big department stores, where in many cases you shop by brand not department (e.g., hunting for jeans in 10 different locations within a department store vs. just going to a single denim section). If I don’t hit the department stores, I tend to go for the general reliability of brands such as J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic. But then there’s the issue of having to take the time to visit all of these different stores and the distinct possibility that you’ll show up to your next event wearing the same outfit as someone else. So in that sense, I like the variety that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls offer.

With the exception of relocating for my and then my husband’s grad school stints, I’ve lived in Boston my whole life and the T.J. Maxx I visit now is the same one I visited periodically as a kid. So I assumed I knew everything I needed to know about T.J. Maxx (and Marshalls by association). But last week at a T.J. Maxx/Marshalls blogger event, I picked up all sorts of interesting nuggets of information that have convinced me that it's worth dosing up on the coffee and heading out for a treasure hunt (or two or three...):

Why are T.J. Maxx and Marshalls often in close proximity to one another? TJX acquired Marshalls some time ago, and since the stores had been functioning relatively well as competition, TJX decided to keep Marshalls in place and stock it with mostly different inventory (more on that below).

What’s the deal? T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are off-price retailers; meaning, they sell at 20-60% less than suggested retail. They can do this because they: 1) skip the frills (mannequins, fixtures, etc.); and 2) can negotiate better prices with designers because they have a “we buy it, we own it” policy where they take responsibility for all inventory purchased (compared to the risk associated with department stores that return stock if it doesn’t sell). Because of this model, they also don’t bother with coupons or special sales; instead focusing on delivering low prices all the time.

What’s new? According to TJX, department stores buy seasonally 6-8 times a year, whereas the TJX team buys weekly. This allows them to be flexible, on trend, and delivering new inventory to stores 3-4 times per week (this shot down my theory that maybe Friday - right before the weekend - was the best day to shop). The stores also are willing to shift their floor layouts to accommodate trends.

What’s in store? What really surprised me was learning that TJX buyers acquire items from designers at the SAME TIME as department stores. Their stock is 85% current season (i.e., same as department store offerings) with less than 15% being non-trend driven items (e.g., hosiery, white towels); 95% of inventory is first quality, with less than 5% being irregular (which is marked as such and typically not noticeably irregular to the consumer, e.g., the original model has 3 ornamental buttons, and the irregular version has 2 ornamental buttons).

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls share the same buying team but do not have a lot of overlap stock; instead focusing on different specialties. T.J. Maxx's specialties include The Runway couture collection (my favorite section to prowl!), beauty and jewelry departments, and more plus size options. Marshalls offers the shoe megashop (a huge collection of family footwear; T.J. Maxx only offers women’s shoes), more men’s options (e.g., suits, coats), and The Cube (a contemporary labels collection).

Both stores offer toys, books, and home items. Food items must follow the same regulations as grocery stores (I've always wondered about the packaged biscotti...). No maternity is currently available.

So the trade off is that you don’t know what T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are going to have in stock (compared to department stores where you can get a general sense of their inventory online) but if you find something you love, you're probably going to get it for considerably less than what you pay for the same item on racks at the department stores.

Doing good. I tend to be drawn towards organizations that are philanthropic and was really pleased to learn that T.J. Maxx just launched a campaign where for every 99 cent reusable bag purchased they will donate one item (e.g., socks, underwear, backpack) to Save The Children. If you don’t need/want a bag, shoppers also can opt to donate $1 to the campaign on checkout.

In addition to all of the above nitty gritty learning, there were a lot of terrific interactive components, such as meeting the children’s merchant team (in addition to fall fashion they showed us a ridiculously cute assortment of Halloween costumes), seeing a family fashion show (click image above to enlarge) where the outfits assembled reflected looks available at T.J. Maxx/Marshalls and department stores, but with serious price differences, touring the handbag and shoe buyer area (overwhelming in a good way), and test shopping both stores. Being something of a brand shopper, it was great to see the wealth of brands that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls offered. Also, having not stepped into a Marshalls for some time, I was truly impressed by the shoe megashop – they had labels such as Michael Kors, Cole Haan, etc. at ridiculously good prices (sometimes around $30-40!). I left T.J. Maxx with a fabulous Nine West cardigan with petal detailing, a deliciously soft long-sleeved Seven For All Mankind tissue tee, and a no-name but very fabulous orange faux croc handbag -- all for about $80. (After a short night of sleep and a busy day I was too exhausted to shop at Marshalls but I plan on visiting the shoe megashop very, very soon!)

As you can gather, this event was extremely eye opening. In particular, now knowing how current their inventory is and how frequently it is replenished, I’m more inclined to get my treasure hunting mojo on and score some serious bargains.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Fashion; For Little Ones; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gifts & Paper; Home
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I’m forgetful about plenty of things these days, but one thing I’m reliably mindful about is recycling and toting my reusable bags to market. And if you need to stock up on eco-wares, check out ECOBAGS, a one-stop source for eco-friendly totes, string bags, produce bags, lunch bags, and water bottles. And for our 3rd birthday party ECOBAGS is offering one lucky winner a lovely summer getaway gift pack ($91 value) that includes their Sunny Tulips tote, Kleen Kanteen bottle (27 oz., orange), classic string bags (fiesta), To-Go Ware bamboo utensils (agave), and canvas lunch bag. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, August 7).

Rules:

Today, Paige offers fabulous tips for avoiding toy takeover:

“Before I (or any of my friends) had children, I remember walking into the houses of those who did and being horrified…blocks in a tumbled-down heap on the kitchen floor, dress-up clothes strewn all over the couch, cars under the toilet. My house will never look like this, I thought. But just a few years and a couple of kids later, I realized that toys creeping out from the requisite toy box is inevitable, and takes a huge amount of energy to combat.

Since that moment of realization, my husband and I have tried a slew of products meant specifically for organizing toys, but it was only recently that we faced the truth. It’s not the product but the process that can free you from having toys take over your home. Here are some tips for avoiding toy takeover:

1. Purge, divide, and conquer. Take a good hard look at the toys in your home. Does your four-year-old use the Fisher-Price farm set? Do you have two-dozen puzzles? Too much stuff can be really overwhelming for kids, not to mention the adults who have to live among it. Once your child has finished playing for the day and is asleep, spend an evening dedicated to purging the toy collection and organizing what’s left based on the way your child plays (dolls and clothes together, trains and tracks together, Legos separate from Duplos, etc.). If there are items you can’t make a decision about without the child’s input, make a pile and review in the morning. Donate or sell the rest.

2. Choose a home. You don’t have to have a playroom to have a “primary residence” for toys. Dedicate a corner of the living room, your child’s room, or a room in the house that’s not used very often. Depending on how your home is laid out, you may want to select one more “vacation home.” This allows for distribution of different types of toys, particularly if your child plays on two different floors. For example, the majority of our sons’ toys are kept in our sunroom on the first floor, but we keep big trucks and the bowling and ring toss sets in the basement.

3. Store based on your décor. Where you store your child’s toys doesn’t have to be plastic and primary-colored, but it does need to be child-accessible or else you’re going to be called to action whenever your child wants the Duplo blocks. Consider where in your house you’ve chosen to store toys. Go vertical with shelving and baskets if you have enough wall space. A console with sliding doors works nicely in a room that isn’t just for toys. A storage ottoman is terrific for a living room.

4. A place for everything and everything in its place. In our house, we use IKEA shelving with a combination of plastic beverage tubs (to hold chunky toys like bristle blocks and train tracks), plastic lidded boxes (to hold toys that have smaller pieces like Legos and Playmobil), and built in rattan baskets for puzzles, games, and dress-up clothes. Once you’ve selected your storage system, explain where everything “lives” to your child (if he or she is old enough) – this will go a long way in both playing and cleaning up. If you have the time and inclination, take pictures of the contents of each container, then laminate and affix them as labels for pre-readers (even better, include the word and the picture).

5. Collect in key areas. It’s inevitable – toys will make their way from where they’re stored to other areas of the house. Figure out where those areas are (for us, it’s the kitchen and the car) and create runaway toy collection spots.

6. Get on a schedule. This is the key step, because the first five steps won’t mean a thing if you don’t get into a regular clean-up schedule. Whether it’s every night or the end of every week, you and your child can work as a team to clean up – return the runaway toys to their homes and pick up the main play area. If the system is working, and every toy truly has a place, this part shouldn’t take much more than a few minutes each night or 15-30 minutes once a week.”

Image credit: Oval Nested Woven Nylon Bins from The Container Store

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Home; Solutions
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

Few baby tasks see as much action as diapering so why not have a changing pad that's easy on the parental eye while offering a comfy surface for baby? The Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad fits the bill perfectly; these machine washable changing pads roll up for compact toting and are constructed of pretty fabrics and a memory foam surface that brings coziness (and maybe even a little less squirming) to diaper changes on the go. And for our 3rd birthday party Ah Goo Baby is offering three lucky winners a Plush Pad of their choice ($30 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, Aug. 6).

Rules:

A couple of weeks ago I attended a Super WHY! media event at WGBH and three things struck me as remarkable. First, parents clearly feel TV stigma, even in a room full of other parents who are on the same page as them. Second, few academic theses result in something as directly impacting as Super WHY! (I feel at liberty to say this, having written what I consider to be a quality Ph.D. thesis that was read by about 6 people, tops). And third, experiencing Super WHY! over the last couple of weeks has led me to: a) conclude that the characters work both in TV and print form; and b) loosen up on my data-obsessed analytic tendencies.

Treating each of these issues in turn:

1. TV stigma. The confessions and widespread nods of agreement in the WGBH conference room made clear the reality that many parents use TV to occupy their kids while they get other stuff done (e.g., dinner, tidying, work emails), yet feel kind of guilty about it. The good news, however, is that Super WHY! is researched in impressive fashion for educational value (see next point), so -- assuming TV is being consumed in moderation -- I think it’s pretty safe to drop the guilt when your kids tune into Super WHY! programming.

2. The best thesis ever. That’s sort of a joke and sort of not. Super WHY! was inspired by the developmental psychology master’s thesis of Angela Santomero (creator, executive producer, and head writer of the show). The show is crafted to build literacy skills while drawing from familiar elements of classic fairy tales. I was impressed to see how an academic thesis could grow into something so powerful and pedagogical, and also learn how much research and development goes into each episode. Episodes are tested for appeal, attention, comprehension, etc., in two stages: by reading stories/scripts to kids and by showing early (no music, little animation) black and white versions of episodes. Furthermore, a third party research group also has demonstrated that kids who watched Super WHY! (test group) outperformed kids who watched other non-literacy based educational programming (control group) on pre/post standardized literacy tests (e.g., letter naming and identification, word decoding and encoding, reading).

3. The show in practice. We’ve watched Super WHY! in the past and Laurel has always enjoyed it (though not in a clamoring, “Can I turn on the TV and watch Super WHY!?” sort of way) and Jon and I like the show as well, particularly for its calm pace. Prior to the meeting, however, we hadn’t watched Super WHY! in a long time, primarily because we like the convenience and commercial-free nature of On Demand PBS Sprout programming. Laurel – who actually sat on my lap the whole meeting – did immediately recognize the characters when they were projected on screen, and while I felt geared up to watch Super WHY! after this meeting, admittedly, we still didn’t get around to it. Instead, we read Jack and the Beanstalk repeatedly, Laurel burned through all of the activity pages she received at the meeting, and she also made popsicle stick puppets with the character mask cutouts.

Then at a recent bookstore outing, Laurel immediately picked out the Super WHY! Little Red Riding Hood and Princess and the Pea books. And every time we’ve read the books since, I’ve been amazed by her ability to follow the trajectory of the TV show through the book -- identifying red super letters and interacting at every opportunity; for example, giving a thumbs up, taking a bow, and even singing the “Hip, hip, hooray” song at the end (she even does the little hand motions).

Typically, the nit picky academic in me would be more skeptical of the data, seeking the details of the methodology and scrutinizing the general applicability of the measures (and in fact, I was the uber nerd at the meeting who got her knickers in a twist over the lack of standard error bars on the bar graphs). But learning what I learned, then seeing Super WHY! in action with Laurel made it clear that whether it’s via TV or book, there’s something powerful here; the programming is catchy, fun, and educational for kids, plus, it’s nice that the twists on fairy tales get away from the typical princess-rescued-by-a-prince nonsense. In short, if you need to use the TV to get the dishes done or dinner on the table, consider Super WHY! as a solid choice that’s engaging and educational for your kids. And if you’re anti-TV, the books are an excellent option.

My dad used to tell me, “A book is your only friend.” I always found that statement absurd and extreme, but like many lessons he taught me, I now see some truth in it. I still don't share his extremist viewpoint, but reading with, to, and in front of your kids is enormously beneficial both for bonding and learning. And there’s something about those sweet, giant-headed Super WHY! characters that kids really love. Clearly, Angela and her colleagues have done their homework, and then some.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Aug 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
Share: Facebook   kirtsy   StumbleUpon   Delicious

I love the comfort of cotton but often times want something with a little more pop than a basic tee. And if you dig fine prints with a touch of urban edginess, check out Shirin NYC, where artist Shirin Roubeni takes tees couture by hand screenprinting her art with water-based inks on comfy garments for women and kids (including an organics collection). And for our 3rd birthday party Shirin NYC is offering one lucky winner a Mommy & Me couture set ($75-140 value depending on style). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Wednesday, August 5).

Rules:

Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to daughters about menstruation, including advice especially for dads:

“If your daughter is approaching menstruation, you can make the whole process easier and more comfortable for her (and you) by talking to her openly about what it means to have your "period." It's very important to begin to teach girls about the changes their bodies will go through during puberty - and especially menstruation - before they get their first period. But it is never too late to start!

Girls often begin to menstruate between the ages of 9 and 16, with the average age being around 12. You can help your daughter understand what is happening before it happens. While it's important to know about the biology behind menstruation, don't let that be the only thing you talk about. Use language that your daughter can relate to and remember that many girls have concerns about all the little details such as: Will I still be able to swim and do sports? Will it hurt? What do I do about the blood? Why haven't I gotten my period yet when all my friends have it? As well as how starting their period might change their lives and their relationships.

To get you started with your conversations, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Start early. We often think of blood as a sign of something awful. So if your daughter doesn't know what to expect, her first period could be a very frightening experience. Start talking about the changes that take place in a woman's body (using language that is age appropriate) as she matures as normal and healthy.

Take care of the basics. Teach her about what menstruation is and how it fits into the reproductive cycle. You can start with simple concepts (many children are already familiar with the concept of a cycle - such as the water cycle, the cycle of the seasons, a butterfly). Then you can add more information as your daughter grows and asks questions.

Be concrete. While girls need to know why their bodies are changing and what to expect, talking about menstruation as "a passage into womanhood" may be a bit too abstract. Mothers can model what it is like having your period by talking about it when they have theirs (while respecting privacy). Give concrete tips. Your daughter will want to know how to get rid of used pads, how often to change a pad or tampon, what to do if her period comes when she is at school, what to do if she has cramps and how to take care of her clothes if she has a leak. Make sure she understands the importance of changing her tampon or pad regularly. It is also an important time to stress cleanliness and personal hygiene.

Be positive. Menstruation is a part of being a woman. Your positive values and attitude towards menstruation as a normal bodily function can affect her own feelings about getting her period. If your daughter knows that you think it is an important step in growing up, she will have a more positive attitude towards menstruation and will probably be more willing to talk to you about any problems or questions she has. In addition, educating our sons about menstruation can help to develop their positive attitudes about the natural and normal reproductive cycle as well as to let them know that you are a good resource for information about sexual health.

Listen. Your daughter may have some of her facts wrong. There are a lot of myths and negative ideas out there about menstruation. If you listen to what your daughter is telling you, and ask her what she has already learned from her peers, you can help her separate fact from fiction. Peers are an important influence during adolescence. If she gets her period ahead of her peers, or if most of her peers get their periods before her, she may need reassurance that she is fine, that everyone is different and that her time will come.

Help her listen to her body. Your daughter may have a different experience than you did with her period. You can teach her to notice the signs that mean her period is coming and how to deal with any pain or discomfort. You can also help her keep track of her cycle (while you track your own) on the calendar.

Just For Dads

Dads, don't despair! You have an important role to play as well, either as a single dad and the primary parent, or as a partner in guiding your daughter through puberty and adolescence. Menstruation is not just women's business! Whether you like it or not, it's your business too!

I'm still a tad in denial that we've hit August, primarily because it means we’re marching ever closer to the school year and Laurel's first day of kindergarten. And whether your child is a newbie or a big kid, one way to commemorate the turn of the season is a fresh new lunch bag or backpack. Four Peas specializes in these "high traffic" items, offering a cute collection of lunch bags, backpacks, and duffel bags for kids, and for our 3rd birthday party Four Peas is offering three lucky readers a school backpack of their choice ($35 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, August 4).

Rules: