I met Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant this past summer at the T.J. Maxx/Marshalls event; she’s one of these people who exudes a lot of wonderfully happy mojo, whether it’s in person, through her blog posts, or via Twitter and Facebook. As a blogger, I particularly love Allison’s keen eye for style and her desire to offer ideas for a range of budgets. I’m subsequently thrilled that today, for the sixth installment of my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, Allison shares simple guidelines and great ideas for easy accessorizing.

From Allison:

Accessorizing for the holidays can be loads of fun; there's stuff in the stores you just don't see year-round and there are bright and bold colors you might not wear any other time of year. Plus, there’s all of those scarves, mittens, and cable knit hats…what's not to love? Being a stylish mama is a piece of cake during the holidays if you follow a few simple guidelines:

1. Stick to your style. Are you more of a J. Crew girl than a thrift store bohemian? Then go with simple accessories, only glammed up a little. Don't try to be something you're not just because you're getting a little extra dressed up for a holiday party. For example, here are some great J. Crew pieces to kick conservative looks up a notch for the holidays:

2. Don't overdo it with accessories. Unless your signature style is piling it on, don't wear the cute hat and the scarf, plus the 5 necklaces, bracelets, big earrings, huge belt, massive bag, and ultra-tall riding boots. Girlfriend, it's too much. If you add one, maybe two statement pieces to an outfit, that is plenty and there will be more of you to look at, which is the whole point of accessorizing anyway. Here's an example of some inexpensive boho options from Forever 21; you don't need more than one or two of these strong pieces to finish your cool look:

3. Stay within your color palette. Accessories come in a range of colors that may tempt you to go a bit crazy, but don't buy something that doesn't look good on you just because it looks great on the mannequin in the store. If you stay true to the colors you already have in your closet, you really can't go wrong. Even basic color palettes can render swoon-worthy accessories, as with this mix of examples from Gap.com.

Now, with these simple guidelines in mind, go forth and conquer all those PTA teas, company holiday parties, and family gatherings! And have fun while you do it…these are the holidays after all.

Allison Czarnecki is the founder and editor of Petit Elefant, where she writes about traveling with kids, fashion & style for women, recipes and crafts, home & garden…all on a realistic budget. Allison also is the mastermind behind the ultra cool SocialLuxe Lounge. You can follow Allison on Twitter at @petit_elefant.

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Holidays; Winter

It's been so fantastic to meet aspiring and established small business owners and entrepreneurs through Kirtsy/Microsoft Office Live's Boston Hands On Small Business sessions. And the good news? Extra sessions have been added to this free, nationwide business development series and Angela and I will teach one more Boston installment tomorrow, December 1, in Cambridge. So register and come enjoy coffee and good company while you learn about cool free tools to help your business grow.

Also, Angela recently shared some terrific HOSB photos and an interview with local attendee and mamapreneur Susan Callahan.

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Mama in the Workplace; Web (Admin)

I first connected with Michelle Stern of What's Cooking two years ago, when she approached me about contributing to Boston Mamas. Though Michelle is based on the West Coast, I adore her hands on approach to cooking with kids and we walk the same green path; the geographical disparity quickly became an afterthought. It was such a pleasure to finally meet Michelle this summer, when we happened to film our segments for The Juice back to back. Just as lovely in person as she is over e-mail, though Michelle is a regular contributor to this site, given that she is one of my favorite eco-foodies, I wanted to feature her in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series. Today, Michelle shares a few simple yet meaningful ideas for mindful holidays gifts.

From Michelle:

It’s nearly impossible to avoid the madness that is the holiday season. Billboards, transit advertising, mailers, and festive to-go cups are all telling us that we need to spend, spend, spend during the holidays. I love a thoughtful gift as much as the next person. And my children are already about to burst with enthusiasm for Chanu-mas (Chanukkah + Christmas). But I can’t help but think that we need to try to carve out another message. How about a few alternatives to traditional store-bought gifts this year? Each of these ideas brings the season of giving to a new level – they help the planet, teach kindness, and help those who may need a little lift, all while spending quality time with your kids.

Cook from the Heart:

Everyone associates the holiday season with tasty goodness. For some of us that means chocolate, for others it means hot cocoa with little marshmallows or perhaps a jar of homemade seasonal chutney. Excellent gifts can be made, not just purchased. How about making some fabulous gifts from the kitchen this year? Ask your kids what floats their boat. Leaf through the pages of your favorite cookbook together, go on a grocery shopping adventure, and then blast some holiday tunes as you all cook for your loved ones. It’s a win-win situation – you get to play with your kids and make your gifts at the same time! (Plus, you will probably save some money, too…but nobody needs to know!)

My daughter and I made these BBQ spice rubs (pictured above) for holiday gifts. Pick up the spices, small glass jars, ribbon, hang tags, and a spoon if you want to fancy it up. The mixture is simple (I offer ratios since amount will depend on your number of jars):

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares some tips for staying healthy during the flu season:

“Expecting mothers or moms of young children have more than just themselves to worry about this flu season, particularly with the added threat of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Pregnant women and young children are particularly susceptible to complications related to the flu.

We are learning more every day from experts who are studying these viruses. Here are some of the latest recommendations from the CDC to help protect yourself and your children.

I first met the lovely Isabel Kallman of Alpha Mom at the inaugural Pampers mom blogger meeting in Cincinnati and have since adored being in her company at every turn (most notably while interviewing Salma Hayek, talking all things blogging, and while wearing paper bags on our heads). Isabel is a smart entrepreneur, a kind friend, and always is thinking towards personal improvement, community building, and outreach to those in need. Fittingly, for the fourth in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series – Isabel shares easy ideas for reconnecting with the spirit of the holidays through giving.

From Isabel:

It feels better to give than receive.

And yet, our kids haven’t figured that out. It’s our responsibility to help them understand that adage.

I always remember the episode of Friends where Phoebe is struggling with whether to become a surrogate for her brother and sister-in-law. Phoebe’s mom steps in to help her in the decision-making process by giving her a puppy to care for for a week or so, with the caveat that Phoebe must give back the puppy soon after. Right about when a sad Phoebe is about to return the puppy, her brother falls in love with it and Phoebes spontaneously decides to gift it to him. She declares that as hard as it may be, it feels better to make another person happy with a treasured gift. (Of course, the requisite punch line is that the puppy wasn’t hers -- but her mother’s -- to give away.)

You get the point.

Developmentally, young children are selfish. It’s just who they are. As parents, we need to help them learn firsthand about the gift of giving and the joy it brings to others. And to oneself.

As adults, we too, often forget -- especially in the craziness of shopping and wish lists.

Here are some things you can do by yourself, and with your children, to donate your time, goods, and services during the holidays, hopefully to reconnect with -- as cliché as it may sound -- the spirit of the holidays.

1. Begin the holiday season on Thanksgiving Day, not Black Friday. Thanksgiving is perhaps the best day of the year to model charitable giving. Local schools, shelters, and houses of worship throughout the country are already organized to feed the needy. We all are busy, but taking time out of your day to feed the less fortunate is a priceless gift you can give to your family and others.

2. Online shopping can help you give without costing you a cent. Ever heard of iGive.com or iBakeSale.com? These sites connect shoppers, retailers, and charitable organizations. There you can holiday shop your favorite retailers (like, almost all of them) and assign a percentage of your purchases to be donated in your name to your favorite charities. This is all without having to pay extra for your purchase. You pay the retail price of the goods, but the retailer pays the referral fee to the charity. Huzzah!

3. Donate your earned points. That is, the shopping points you earn and accumulate through your credit card companies and the frequent flier miles earned through the airlines. See, your loyalty is valuable.

4. Remember those not at home for the holidays. The holidays are associated with home and family. But as you know, for many that is not their current reality. Perhaps pay special attention to charitable organizations focusing on the military (e.g., Adopt a US Soldier) and hospitalized children (e.g., Toys for Tots).

5. Clean out your closet ahead of the season. You’re going to need the extra space to hide gifts and store new ones, right? So, kill two birds with one stone and clean out your closet and take your gently-used goods to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Isabel Kallman is the founder and chief cook at Alpha Mom, a lifestyle parenting and marketing research company. She loves stilettos, comfort food, and reading books with her 6-year-old son. You can follow Alpha Mom on Twitter at @alphamom.

Image credit: Power of Giving

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Good Deeds; Holidays; Winter

Today, Kristin shares a review of the M. Lekkakos Spa in Wenham:

“When I lived in LA, I found that what most people consider life’s little luxuries back East were a necessity out West. For example, I always managed to find time for mani/pedis, I bought expensive sunglasses because they were not just a fashion accessory but mandatory eye protection (that I wore every day without fail), and with all the smog, I always found the time and money for regular facials. Facials are my favorite thing, but as a working mother of two boys, I find it near impossible to get them done these days. Plus, finding a good aesthetician is no small task.

I’ve experienced dozens of facials over my lifetime, and I have to say that hands down, M. Lekkakos Spa, located on the North Shore in Wenham, is the BEST OF THE BEST, in my book.

When I first arrived at the spa, after a 35-minute drive from my home in Arlington, I was taken aback by how discrete it was. Housed in what I can only describe as a small cottage, I entered the spa and was greeted by a very attractive and friendly receptionist. Throughout the spa there were a variety of skin care and makeup lines that I had never heard of but was eager to try. I made myself comfy in their waiting area and was soon greeted by owner and master aesthetician, Maria Lekkakos. The first thing I noticed about her was that she was not only beautiful, but completely organic in appearance. No heavy makeup, and her skin was glowing and radiant. Obviously, this was someone I wanted handling my face! Maria was full of energy and made me feel at ease immediately. She led me back to her room, where I was instructed to wrap myself in a warm towel, lay face up on the table, and get comfy under the blankets (which smelled great…don’t ask me why, but I notice those things). When Maria returned, she got straight to work giving me an ultrasound facial.

Maria’s ultrasound facial is her own creation. She explained that it is the perfectly balanced treatment for dehydrated, mature (crap, I’m in that category now?), eczema, rosacea, and acne prone skin. The facial lasted 90 minutes and in that time, I was massaged, cleansed, extracted, masked, steamed, and moisturized.

I think what I liked most about Maria’s approach was that she was not dedicated to just one line of products. She mixed two different lines of skin care: Thalgo (a line based out of Australia) and Sundari (a collection co-created by model Christy Turlington; I had heard a lot about this line but had yet to try it). These skin care lines are organic, bear minimal fragrance, and offer maximum results. My skin actually felt and looked plumped up from all the moisture contained in these products. I literally was glowing when I left, and that has never happened to me before. I actually refused to put any makeup on my face for two days afterward in order to maintain the feeling she gave me. Maria also was generous enough to give me some samples of the products she used so I could keep it up for a few days. I did breakout a bit a few days after, but to me, that’s a sign of a great facial because your skin is purging itself.

The spa prices at M. Lekkakos are comparable, if not a bit less, to what you would pay for a spa in downtown Boston. Winner of Best of Boston (2007) and Best of North Shore (2008, 2009), Maria is in demand; so much so that even celebrities who come into town for film shoots seek her out. Needless to say, she’s a busy woman, so book ahead. The spa offers everything from waxing and massage, to full hair care, makeup applications, nail care, and body care. My suggestion is to find the time, have your partner take care of the kids or arrange a sitter, and make the trip. The experience and results are absolutely worth it...and you deserve it!”

M. Lekkakos Spa | Salon | Boutique at 154 Main Street, Wenham; 978-468-9540

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Local; Retail

Today, Paige shares easy ideas for creating holiday tabletops with a twist:

“With just four days left until Thanksgiving, the holiday excitement (and stress) is beginning to set in around my house. I enjoy cooking, but truthfully, my favorite part of hosting Thanksgiving (or any party for that matter) is creating fun, beautiful, and sometimes unexpected tabletops. So with just days to go until the beginning of this year’s holiday season, here are some last-minute, easy ideas that will help kick your tabletop up a notch. Use one idea or combine a couple...and have fun!

Nix the fancy tablecloth. Instead of spending a ton of money on a tablecloth, consider throwing a yard of home décor-weight fabric across a basic, inexpensive white banquet cloth (available everywhere from Target to Costco). Finish the edges of the fabric with fusible webbing to create instant clean edges with an iron. Check your local fabric store’s remnant section – you might walk out with a yard for under $10.

Arrange flowers with ease. For a super easy arrangement of flowers, stop by the grocery store and purchase a mixed bouquet (or two, depending on the size of your party). Unwrap the flowers and sort by type (mums in one pile, greenery in another, etc.). For each pile, trim the stem ends to the right height for its own vase (or glass or bottle). Use vessels in different heights and sizes and cluster them in the center of your table.

Use perfect poms. Not only are pomegranates super healthy, they’re perfect tabletop décor because of their great color and shape. Buy a bunch at the grocery store and place them on your table in a glass bowl. Break them open at the end of dinner for a light and sweet dessert option. Perfectly simple (and delicious).

Bring in the kid stuff. Rather than sending the children off to the requisite kids’ table, incorporate a “kid” activity directly onto your tabletop. Cover your table with art paper (roll paper works nicely), then place markers, crayons, and colored pencils in harvest colors in glasses down the center of the table or at each place setting. Then doodle away as you rest between courses.

Make it a family affair. Consider using family pictures to decorate your table (with frames and all). Place a small stack of paper and a pen at each place setting and encourage your family to record memories and the things for which they are thankful. Gather the slips of paper in a bowl and read them aloud at the end of the night as the tryptophan coma sets in!

Happy Thanksgiving!”

For more décor related awesomeness from Paige, check out Mudroom Boston. You can also follow Paige on Twitter at @mudroomboston.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Home; Thanksgiving

I admittedly have a bit of a weak spot for creative and colorful educational toys (especially those under $10), so this weekend when Laurel and I picked up sticky mosaics (my go-to gift for elementary school aged kids) for a birthday party, I couldn’t help but say yes when she asked if we could buy this Orb Factory Mosaica toy. Produced by the same folks who make the awesome sticky mosaics, this compact tin includes 64 two-tone magnetic squares and an insert with suggested patterns (build right inside the tin to keep the tiles in place). Awesome for travel and also for encouraging spatial skills and quiet time at home, Laurel spent hours with this toy this weekend (Jon and I also couldn’t resist building a few patterns...), which allowed me to get to some much needed cleaning and organization in advance of hosting Thanksgiving.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Travel

Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations is one of these women who is insanely busy and has a bajillion people in her life, but when you’re with her, you know you have her warm and loving undivided attention; she's a wonderful friend and I feel so fortunate that we overlap with some regularity at blogger events (I'm also sort of hoping Laurel marries one of her lovely sons someday...). Audrey’s charisma and keen eye for style have transformed her into a top fashion blogger, and I’m thrilled that today – for the third in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series – Audrey shares ideas for getting the most mileage out of your favorite little black dress.

From Audrey:

Holiday dressing is here! Invitations to parties and events and socials will start pouring in soon, so it’s a good time to get ready for the "What am I going to wear?" question. Most women automatically think they must run out and buy a bunch of new outfits, but ladies, I'm here to tell you to STOP. Put the outfits down. That's right...put them down.

I want to show you how you can take a basic black dress, otherwise known as the Little Black Dress (or LBD) and multi-task it. A simple, well cut black sheath serves as an excellent base (my pick is a DKNY Black Sheath Dress), and I'm going to show you how to rock the same LBD from a holiday gala, to a holiday work party, to a neighborhood holiday party, to a holiday party at your kids' school, to a night on the town with your partner or special friends.

Holiday Gala

Here's the DKNY LBD heading to a gala. Toss on something glittery and sparkling with it; I recommend a fabulous sequined shrug or blazer. Pair it with a stunning pair of high black heels and silver jewelry that picks up the sequins in the blazer. Then have some holiday fun with a festive bag, such as an adorable ruffled clutch.

Holiday Work Party

Now, let's wear the same LBD to a holiday work function:

Find a fabulous velvet blazer; I chose a maroon one because it looks very festive. High tall black boots keep the look feminine and dressy. And I decided to go with gold-colored jewelry; nothing too fancy, mix and match what you want... I chose a gold cuff, coin drop earrings, and a gold hoop necklace. (Note, all of this jewelry can be found at H & M and Torrid.com.) I found this beautiful black leather tote from Piperlime.com; it’s a functional work bag and classic tote for a mom.

Neighborhood Holiday Party

Stopping next door for a more casually chic neighborhood holiday party:

For a neighborhood holiday party, you want to look good but be comfortable. I suggest a mid-heel; something a little bit more functional for a neighborhood holiday party. And on top? Well, I went with my staple piece, a DKNY sweater wrap. There's nothing more cozy than a sweater wrap and you'll be able to twist and tie and turn it as you see fit. Jewelry-wise, nothing is more classic than pearls, which add to the casual festiveness of this outfit. A simple black leather hobo is all you need because, after all, you won’t be far from home!

School Holiday Party

Heading on over to your children's school:

I wanted to keep this outfit for a school holiday party classic looking. If you're heading to a school event for your child, it's most likely a holiday concert or a class party. I started by adding simple black ballet flat from Payless to my LBD. The cardigan shawl gives the ensemble an academic look and feel. Hip, chic, and elegant. Gold-colored jewelry works very well with the beige sweater, and the handbag is the same as that from the holiday work party ensemble. It’s a perfect bag for mom to toss everything (and anything for the kids) into.

Night On The Town

Bringing you over to a night on the town with the special partner or friends in your life:

OK, now you're "allowed" to be sexy! In my opinion, there is nothing more chic than the combination of black and brown. Find some fabulous high brown boots and a delicious sheer black blouse. A sheer blouse over the DKNY LBD adds such a fun dimension to the outfit, and then pair it with an amazing beige kimono wrap for a stunning finish. All eyes will be on you, believe me. The diamond studs are the perfect addition to this outfit; nothing flashy, just that statement piece. And for your handbag, carry a simple brown leather clutch.

Keep these different styles in mind as you're getting ready for the holiday party circuit, and work with what you've got -- it will save both your stress and your budget! Add on, layer up, feel beautiful...and work that LBD over and over and over again.

Audrey McClelland is the founder/editor of Mom Generations, where she uses her fashion background to offer moms online fast and easy fashion advice and beauty tips. Audrey also is the Beauty/Style editor on Lifetime Moms and the co-founder of Daily Dose of Style. You can follow Audrey on Twitter at @AudreyMcClellan.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be

Though I’m not worried about aging per se, at some point during the last decade I started listening to my mother’s advice to stop sunning and start taking better care of my skin. I’ve heard a lot of people extol the virtues of Arbonne (including a few girlfriends with lovely, creamy skin...), but it wasn’t until late in the summer that I started using Arbonne FC5 products, thanks to Michelle Lenaghan. Read on for my thoughts about Arbonne’s FC5 facial care products, as well as for information on how to get free samples and a great shopping discount.

As a foodie and eco-enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by a facial care collection that’s infused with fruit and vegetable extracts. (Arbonne’s FC5 collection also includes fruit and veggie infused body cleansers, body moisturizers, shampoo, and conditioner.) Really, in another life, I’d like to be the person who knows how to make homemade fruit and veggie scrubs and skin treatments from scratch.

I’ve been using the Arbonne FC5 normal/dry skin care system, which includes a hydrating cleanser + freshener infused with strawberry cell extracts, SPF20 day lotion infused with kiwi cell extracts, and moisturizing night crème infused with mango cell extracts. The cleanser is very gentle (no eye irritation!) and somewhat lotion-like in consistency. The day lotion and night crème both apply smoothly and absorb well with no greasy residue, and I especially love how soft my skin feels after applying the night crème. And all of the products smell yummy; when chatting with fellow beauty obsessed friends, I’ve described FC5 as fruit salad for your face.

As I mentioned above, these products feel very gentle, and when I first started testing them out in the late summer, I actually thought that they were unremarkable, in the sense that I wasn't seeing major changes in my skin. However, I did like the composition of the products so I kept using them. Then, as the weather has grown colder it dawned on me that my skin has not been drying out like it usually does when the temperature drops. It made me think back to my summer facial at Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa, during which Rosaline said my skin looked normal and in good shape but that I probably would want to come back once the weather got cold and I started drying out. At that time I nodded in agreement; my skin always dries out and gets flaky when it gets cold. And this fall, for comparison, when it's been cold, I have experienced this dryness in my hands and lips, but not on my face. Sweet!

Also excellent: Arbonne products are vegan certified and formulated without PABA, petroleum based ingredients, animal products or animal by-products, or formaldehyde donating preservatives. They also are committed to green production and packaging. (Further green details can be found here and here.)

In a nutshell, I love how well FC5 is keeping my face hydrated and free of dry flakiness. Now I just need to look into similarly hydrating products for my poor hands and lips...

Michelle Lenaghan is happy to provide FC5 samples to you fabulous readers. Simply e-mail your mailing address to her at michellelenaghan@verizon.net and tell her I sent you. And if you want to shop Arbonne, Michelle is offering a 20% discount on products when you mention Boston Mamas. Again, e-mail her to redeem this offer.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Eco Living

A few weeks ago I experienced a rather unusual night of party hopping that included seeing John Ondrasik (aka. Five for Fighting) live at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. In addition to being utterly moved by the musical experience itself, I also was touched by John’s clear love for his family (exemplified when he explained the inspiration for various songs). Thanks to the lovely Barbara Jones, I met John after the show, at which time he kindly offered to pen a guest blog post on Boston Mamas. In particular, I was curious about John’s best strategies for staying connected with his family while on the road; an issue I discuss with many parents who travel for work. Read on for John's advice on this topic:

From John Ondrasik:

I have the two best jobs in the world. Around 8pm every night I realize my childhood dream as a touring singer/songwriter. The gig takes me to venues across the country and allows me to share a common experience with old fans and new. When it works, there's nothing better. Well, there's one thing better, and that's my other job...Daddy.

As a father to a nine-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter, I'm smack in the parental golden age and I know it! And here's the rub: with two amazing, inquisitive, competitive, and (mostly) innocent no longer babies, it's rough being on the road, again.

Many families face this reality, especially our troops, who are away from home for months on end. We mom’s and dad’s learn to treasure every car pool wait line, soccer net take down, and late night burger run. I was asked if I have any tips for my fellow parental road warriors. Here are a few:

1. Believe the Skype! Video conferencing is as crucial to the traveling parent as the babysitter is to the work-at-homer. Being able to see as well as talk to Daddy is huge for my kids’ psyches. I try to call around the same time each night and spend both group and one-on-one time. My daughter enjoys a tour of my hotel room and my son digs the up close eyeball-in-the-camera gag. Skype also is free once you have an Internet connection, so set up the monopoly board and buy some houses!

2. Pen Pals. Exchange the written word! I get more insight into my children’s lives through their letters than any conversation. It’s cathartic for both sides and sneaky bonus writing practice. E-mails are fine but throw in some handwritten letters as well. They can be re-read when needed, and age better than your favorite Amarone.

3. Stay Engaged. When I’m out for weeks at a time I have my wife send me the kids’ homework and art projects. With technology I can get same day video files of the kids’ games and recitals. Though it’s not the same as being there it brings me closer to home and helps them focus on times tables and piano practice.

4. Bring ‘Em! On short trips sometimes I’ll bring one of my kids, even pulling them out of school if it’s just a day jaunt. Not only do they get a sense of Daddy’s job and see a bit of the world, it’s an adventure and treasured alone time. (And make sure Mommy gets her turn too!)

Whatever the tech or the trick, there’s no perfect answer for road dogs with puppies. We’re like anyone else and just miss our kids! For me, I don’t tour as much these days. I’m lucky to have that choice, because these golden ages are only gold, once.

John Ondrasik is the singer/songwriter behind the multi-platinum Five for Fighting. His new album Slice is good for kids of all ages.

I am grateful to Barbara Jones for coordinating this guest blog and to friend and fellow concert attendee Jodi Grundig for providing the photo of me and John.

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Family Issues; Home; Solutions; Travel

I’ve always been a fan of the diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, and if you share that aesthetic, you’ll no doubt dig the modern simplicity of baby star’s Rock the Tote diaper bag. Available in a cool collection of metallics (with pretty patterned contrast lining) and prints, these bags offer a simple silhouette and a functional interior including three storage pockets (one zipped) plus a coordinating changing pad and BPA-free wipe case. Both bag styles are formaldehyde- and azo-free. And for our Giveaway Goodness series, baby star kindly is offering one lucky reader a Rock The tote diaper bag! Simply check out the rules below and enter to win by midnight, November 22.

Rules:

Jennifer James is one of the first bloggers I met in real life, through the inaugural Disney mom bloggers mixer. She since has become a dear friend and a trusted professional confidante; someone I admire for her kindness, good karma, smart insights, and astute perspective as a long time blogger (among her many projects, she’s best known as the founder of the Mom Bloggers Club). The second in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, today Jennifer shares a collection of wonderful ideas for everyday philanthropy where you can make a difference from the comfort of your home.

From Jennifer:

It's the season of giving and there is no shortage of requests for donations to charitable causes both in our local areas and nationwide. While someone, somewhere is in dire need of help, it seems as though the demand is higher than ever before. Many people less fortunate than us desperately need a helping hand. The sheer numbers are overwhelming to be sure, but there is a lot we can do that does not always entail writing a check.

A new book, How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist, has hit book stores just in the nick of time for the giving season. With brilliant strategies and thorough research, Nicole Boles lists a plethora of charities in which you can donate your time and talents and that will make a measurable difference in the lives of those in need.

Reading through How to be an Everyday Philanthropist I was shocked, but delighted, by the types of charities you can volunteer your time to from home. As a busy mom, these are the types of charities that piqued my interest first and may pique your interest as well:

Read This to Me: I bet you didn’t know you could read documents to the blind and all that’s required is a fax machine and a working phone. Now this is a volunteer job we could conceivably do every day to help the blind. Read more on page 9.

Guide Dogs for the Blind: Guide dogs are amazing animals. They are expertly trained and wholly devoted to their master, but did you know that as puppies they are first raised and loved in the homes of everyday families like yours and mine? I didn’t either. Essentially you and your family raise a guide dog until they have to go to training school. What a great charity to give to! Read more on pages 33 and 34.

Look Pink: If you are a hardcore digital mom like me you probably spend your fair share of time on search engines. The next time you need to look up a recipe for dinner or want to do a search for mom blogs, for example, use LookPink.com. Each search you perform automatically raises money to help fight breast cancer. Read more on page 47.

Hang Proud: It's tough being a young girl these days. Although we felt inordinate pressure to be stick thin and take cream puff courses in college, the expectation of girls to be sexy at younger ages is mind-boggling and girls still are underrepresented in science and math. That is why it is vital to mentor girls to become strong young women who are confident and love their bodies. And you guessed it, you can mentor a girl from the comfort of your own home. Through Hang Proud, you can become an e-mentor to a girl who is in desperate need of direction and a friend. Learn more on page 47.

Warm Up America: If you can crochet or knit you can help families stay warm during the bitterly cold winter months. Volunteers around the country knit everything from shawls to blankets to give to people who could genuinely use a handmade gesture to brighten their day and also keep them warm. Since 1992 volunteers have been keeping people around the world warm, from babies to women in battered shelters. Read more on page 63.

Giving to charitable causes does not always mean giving money, especially as the economy continues to do scary things to our savings accounts and discretionary income. But there are always ways of giving that utilize our skills and talents that really make a difference in the lives of others and that you can even do at home.

Learn more about charities that can benefit from your skills and devotion in How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist by Nicole Boles.

Jennifer James is the founder of the Mom Bloggers Club and the The Mom Salon and writes about social media and mom blogging on her Tumblr blog. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter at @mombloggersclub.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Family Issues; For Grownups; Good Deeds

Whether her nails are exposed during summer or concealed by socks and mittens during winter, Laurel loves having her nails painted; she typically wants at least four colors in one sitting. Subsequently, I only use non-toxic products and am a fan of Piggy Paint’s natural, odorless nail products. Available in a cool palette of colors, the polishes apply smoothly and are bright on application. And Piggy Paint's nail polish remover is blissfully free of stinky solvents. It takes a smidgen more time for polish to come off with the non-toxic remover (compared to the chemical-laden stuff), but those seconds are well worth it, knowing that Laurel's nails are in good hands.

Now, want to win a gift card to Piggy Paint? Here’s how:

I adore Melissa Massello, not only because she’s super creative and fun (plus, we share bonds over figure skating, fashion, shredding, and all things writerly), but because I’ve seen her jump from traditional employment to fulfilling her dream of launching the online magazine Shoestring Magazine, which focuses on tips for achieving the good life for less. As the first in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, today Melissa shares a strategy for prioritizing and planning holiday gifting that can result in major bargains, meaningful finds, and less stress.

From Melisssa:

As much as it pains me to see the displays on store shelves, the white snowflakes printed on red Starbucks cups, and the wintry wonderland of Overstock.com TV commercials in late October/early November, the truth is, I've always done my holiday shopping before Thanksgiving. The hard part is keeping my finds a secret until December.

Why? Well, for a bunch of reasons, some of which might only make sense to me, but they save me time, money, and most of all, stress -- that is, when I can contain my enthusiasm for my finds. Here’s how I go about my shopping:

The Bucket List

Whether due to being sentimental or simply caught up in the spirit of the season, I tend to completely overdo it this time of year. That is, unless I make a concerted effort to distance myself, setting realistic expectations about events and making an objective, uber-organized list for gift-giving -- which I review at least three or four times over a period of weeks. I use a practice my dad calls Rocks in a Jar:

Put the Rocks (family members) in first, the Pebbles (friends, close colleagues, extended family) in second, and the Sand in last (co-workers, obligatory nice gestures). If you take the hour or two to do this, you'll absolutely have room for everything -- both financially and emotionally -- no matter your budget or busy schedule. Assign realistic dollar values for each of the three buckets and then make each of those dollars count.

A wise editor friend in NYC once told me to actually take out the cash for my entire holiday shopping budget, then stash a few notes for each present in separate, labeled envelopes, then spend no more than that amount – for example, one envelope marked Mom with $50, one for Husband with $100, etc. This tactic works incredibly well for mall shopping, but for online shopping or a combination of resources, my secret weapon is a $1 iPhone app called Better Christmas List. A good, old-fashioned list (in whatever form lists work best for you) will do, too.

If you start early enough, you can focus on finding one or two "perfect" presents each week until the holidays, as well as hunt down the best deals and best value products through a combination of sales, customer reviews, and retail coupons. It all feels a lot less overwhelming mentally, and a much smaller burden on the weekly paycheck, to break it up over time. You might even find, as I do, that you ENJOY it and get to share in the magic of the season, not just the materialism of it. You might even find you have time to bake cookies and pet treats from scratch, the byproduct of being organized that I found most memorable last year -- and which make great, cost-effective gifts for the people on your list in any Bucket.

Melissa Massello is co-founder and Stealfinder-in-Chief at Shoestring Magazine, where she brings bargainista tips with new media tricks to the masses online. You can follow Shoestring on Twitter at @shoestring or fan Shoestring on Facebook.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Holidays; Home; Solutions; Winter

Since launching Boston Mamas in 2006, I’ve made truly incredible friends in the blogging community; some who regrettably remain at laptop’s reach, and others who I’ve had the immense fun of meeting in person. And I’m especially lucky that a group of my talented friends have agreed to share their expertise on Boston Mamas in a guest blog series I’m calling Simplifying the Holidays; editorial focused on interesting, stylish, crafty, philanthropic, and/or time saving solutions to help your holidays be fun, meaningful, and less stressful. As the series progresses, I’ll link each guest blog to this post for easy referencing. Now, off to launch the first guest post in the series...

Guest post #1. Melissa Massello of Shoestring Magazine: a strategy for prioritizing and planning holiday gifting that can result in major bargains, meaningful finds, and less stress.

Guest post #2. Jennifer James of the Mom Bloggers Club: everyday philanthropy where you can make a difference from the comfort of your home.

Guest post #3. Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations: ideas for getting the most mileage out of your favorite little black dress.

Guest post #4. Isabel Kallman of Alpha Mom: ideas for reconnecting with the spirit of the holidays through giving.

Guest post #5. Michelle Stern of What's Cooking: simple yet meaningful ideas for mindful holidays gifts.

Guest post #6. Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant: simple guidelines and great ideas for easy accessorizing.

Guest post #7. Marie LeBaron of Make and Takes: easy yet engaging holiday crafts to enjoy with your kids.

Guest post #8. Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks: favorite holiday hacks.

Guest post #9. Roxanna of Miguelina: a wicked easy makeup routine so you can spend less time fussing in the bathroom and more time enjoying time with family and friends.

Guest post #10. Amie Adams of Mamma Loves...: easy and fabulous tips for capturing gorgeous photos this holiday season.

Guest post #11. April Paffrath of Wicked Tasty Harvest: a primer on local foods and CSAs, as well as a fantastic guide to CSAs in the Boston area.

Guest post #12. Kristin Brandt of Manic Mommies: an important lesson she learned from her mom, plus a series of holiday tips that have served Kristin well as a full-time working mom.

Guest post #13. Liz Gumbinner and Kristen Chase of Cool Mom Picks: last minute holiday shopping tips.

Guest post #14. Stephanie Precourt of Adventures in Babywearing: the nothing and everything of the holidays.

Guest post #15. Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom: three fast tips for creating instant holiday mojo at home.

And also, check out my tips on how to enjoy minimalist and mindful holidays.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)

I have long been a fan of Seventh Generation (even more so after learning that they – unlike most household and personal care companies – disclose all of the ingredients in their products) and right now they’re rocking a Million Baby Crawl grassroots educational campaign about keeping homes and the environment toxin-free. The Crawl To Action campaign comes to Boston (or more accurately, the Burlington Mall) tomorrow, November 18 (10am-2pm), during which kids can enjoy the play area and live entertainment while grownups learn about safe products and pick up Seventh Generation samples.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Eco Living; Local; Outreach

If you have questions about influenza/H1N1, the Boston Public Library and the Boston Public Health Commission are hosting a series of information sessions across the city, starting today. Topics will include flu prevention, care, myths and facts, and information on free flu clinics. All sessions are free and open to the public; no registration required.

Image credit: Boston Public Health Commission

UPDATE (11/29/09): The two flu information sessions scheduled for Thursday, December 3 at the East Boston and Codman Square (Dorchester) branch libraries have been canceled.

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Local; Outreach

Today, Paige shares a review of locally based IdeaPaint, a brilliant solution for inspiring creativity in the vertical direction, whether at home, work, or school. Read on for Paige’s review, as well as to learn how to win an IdeaPaint kit (entry closes November 19):

From Paige:

“This summer, in a classic public radio “driveway moment,” I found myself totally engrossed in an interview with children’s author and cartoonist Mo Willems. The crux of the interview was that although we all start out as artists, somewhere along the way, we (grown-ups) lose interest in drawing and doodling because we decide we’re not any good at it (sing it, Mo…that’s me). Mo went on to say that many kids stop drawing, or just never pick it up to begin with, because they don’t see Mom and Dad draw. One solution? The Willems family painted their dining room walls with chalkboard paint, inspiring “group draws” with family and friends.

Brilliant! Off I went to the hardware store, returning home with a big can of chalkboard paint and the drive of a mother not wanting her kids to grow up creatively-challenged.

And then I thought about what this chalkboard paint scenario really meant -- chalk, dust, and worst of all, nails down a chalkboard. Needless to say, the chalkboard paint is still sitting in my hall cabinet.

So when I received the opportunity to test IdeaPaint, the brilliant invention of three Babson undergrads, I was thrilled. With this dry-erase paint, I could turn a kitchen wall into a space for raw creativity, minus the bone-chilling squeak.

According the directions, it looked like application would be a cinch (not for nothin’, IdeaPaint’s packaging is totally clever and fun to read). Two coats of primer, a pour of this into that, mix, and apply within an hour. Easy peasy. (Note: as a devotee of latex paint, I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming stink-fest that ensued, but within four hours or so, the smell had pretty much disappeared.)

After applying, we had to wait for seven days for the paint to cure (no small task for my five-year-old who couldn’t wait to draw on the wall). And then, on day eight, we had at it. With dry-erase markers we had on hand, we started drawing (him) and writing to-dos (me) and generally reveling in the experience of writing all over our kitchen wall (it felt so naughty!). However, a swipe of the eraser to start again, and…whoops…what’s this? Ghosting. Everywhere. Everything we had just written and drawn was still there -- at about a 10% shade of its former self, but still there. Hoping it was a fluke, and that the paint just didn’t like my old markers (even though we use them with no problem on our two other whiteboards), I bought a new set and tried again. This time, it was perfect…the markers erased with no ghosting, and I was able to get rid of the other ghosting with some dry-erase board cleaner.

The paint is pricey ($99 to cover 25 square feet and $175 to cover 50 square feet), but worth it. We’re going to be painting our kids’ rooms in the next couple of months, and I’m considering using IdeaPaint on a wall or two in these rooms as well. ‘Cause no kid of mine is going to grow up creatively-challenged.”

Now, want to win an IdeaPaint kit? Here’s how:

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and this year Bloggers Unite is partnering with the March of Dimes in support of the Fight for Preemies. The goal of the campaign is to have 500 bloggers post about a baby they love on or before Prematurity Awareness Day (November 17) to create awareness of the ongoing need for prematurity research funding. Today, in support of the campaign and in my role as a March of Dimes mom, I’m sharing the story of my niece Alyssa, with heartfelt gratitude to her parents for their candor and willingness to have me write this post.

My brother George and his wife Estelle were the first in our family to get pregnant. It was not an easy course (multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization were required) but there was so much joy when we all learned that they were expecting twins. But then there was heartache. Estelle’s pregnancy progressed well up to week 20; healthy heartbeats were detected at her 20 week ultrasound. However, at the 21 week ultrasound, only one heartbeat was present: Twin B (Alyssa). The heartbeat for Twin A (Phoebe) could not be detected and at that stage, there was nothing to do but continue to carry both babies to delivery.

At 29 weeks, Estelle’s water broke in Phoebe's sac and labor started. Estelle was admitted to the hospital and the medical team attempted to hold off Alyssa’s delivery. At 30 weeks Phoebe was delivered stillborn vaginally and Alyssa was delivered via C-section. Alyssa weighed 3 lbs, 8 oz and was 15 inches in length. She remained in the NICU for 5 weeks. While in the NICU, Alyssa was on CPAP, had apnea and jaundice, required a blood transfusion, and caught a staph infection. She was discharged healthy but later required Early Intervention to cope with delays in physical and receptive language skills. The cause of Phoebe’s death was unknown.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget my visit to see Alyssa at the NICU. At the time, I really hadn’t been around many babies, much less tiny and frail ones. I was both eager to see her and also scared and uncertain. I didn’t want to do anything that could possibly hurt or infect her so as I crouched next to her isolette, overwhelmed by both the site of her and the stress and sadness George and Estelle both carried, I did the only thing a music and brain scientist could think to do: I sang. Softly, melodically, and with tears in my eyes.

That brief yet powerful moment in time will never leave me. It shaped my work when I was in academia (I helped launch a research program to evaluate the effects of music to help soothe stress responses of premature babies during medical procedures) and it has shaped my commitment to causes via Boston Mamas (such as raising funds for the March for Babies and becoming a March of Dimes mom). I felt such gratitude – and perhaps a little guilt too – when I sailed to term (actually, beyond term: 42 weeks) with Laurel. I cried during my delivery because I had been planning on and hoping for a natural delivery and instead underwent an emergency C-section. But I kept reminding myself that I was enormously lucky. My girl was coming out and she was fine. Estelle had to face delivering a premature and a stillborn baby. My heart aches just thinking about her experience.

Alyssa is now 6 years old. She is thriving (actually, maybe more than thriving; I can barely keep up with her…) and rarely gets sick. She’s developmentally totally on track (she actually skipped a grade) and runs, jumps, plays, and pirouettes with the best of them. And with the love and dedication of her parents, I don’t think she will ever forget Phoebe, or the fact that a lot of people have worked very hard to ensure her health, development, and happiness.

Estelle related to me that at the time of Alyssa’s birth, the March of Dimes did not have a large presence at their NICU. Since then, the MoD has developed a large presence through the work of a program called CNAC (Chapter-NICU Action Committee) in conjunction with their NICU Family Support program. Many changes have been implemented to make the NICU more family centered; bereavement support also now is offered. And while all of this change no doubt leads to some longing and bittersweet emotions, instead of lingering on wishing for things that could have been when Alyssa was in the NICU, Estelle has become active with this MoD program to help it continue to grow and thrive. And George is the driving force behind raising funds for their annual March for Babies walk.

I have so much love and admiration for George, Estelle, and Alyssa (and for little Phoebe, who I wish we all could have seen grow up alongside Alyssa). I am honored to tell their story here and I hope you will consider sharing it, and/or your own, in support of the Fight for Preemies.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues; Pregnancy & Postpartum

Today, fashion addict Sarah shares the first post in a series focusing on denim. Perfect for those of us who love and live in jeans (um, that’s all of us, right?), Sarah offers tips on finding the right denim to fit your shape, as well as what to wear once you’ve found your perfect pair of jeans.

From Sarah:

We’re moms, and it’s fall. Which means we’re wearing jeans. For me, it’s pretty much jeans-and-a-tee-and-a-sweater -- or some variation thereof -- every day until shorts weather comes around again. And even on the rare occasions I have to dress up, barring a family celebration (grandmothers don’t understand dungarees) or a black-tie affair (I wish), I’m still wearing jeans. But decidedly different jeans than the ones I skulk around the ‘burbs in all week.

Confused? You’re not alone. Even a savvy group like the Boston Mamas needs help in the denim department, judging from what I see around town of a weekday morning. But never fear, help is here. I’ll give you the hot scoop on which pair to wear no matter your figure type, budget, or destination.

Fit Your Shape

Before you decide on a trend that you like, make sure it’s one that’s the right cut for your …um, assets. There is absolutely no point in latching onto the skinny trend if you’re bootylicious, or adopting the wide-leg silhouette if you’re five-foot-one. Remember, it’s not chic if it looks horrible on you.

Petite: Select a slim, pencil, cigarette, or cropped jean with a shorter inseam to make your legs look long. A wide-leg jean will make you look as if you borrowed your mommy’s clothes for dress-up. Skinnies can lengthen the appearance of your lower body, whether with a ballet flat or a heeled bootie, although I recommend steering clear of the tucked-into-boots look. Straight trouser jeans are a great way to put together a more sophisticated outfit, especially with tailored toppers like a great jacket or a cardigan with a belt (but please keep any hemline hip-height or shorter so you don’t look like you’re standing in a bucket!).

Curvy: Your goal is to emphasize your curves without knocking people over. There are many cuts designed to hug your hips without gapping at the waist; look for a contoured waistband that rises a little higher in the back to avoid the dreaded whale-tail when you bend over! Straight-leg jeans will work much better with your figure than skinny cuts, which highlight the contrast between a slender ankle and a full thigh. Shy away from cuts that flare too wildly at the hem; you want to add length to your legs, and that is best done with a slight boot-cut that doesn’t cling too tightly to your thighs. Some stretch will caress your curves; too much will make you look like ten pounds of sausage in a five-pound bag. Some distressing can contour your thighs, but not too much! When pairing tops with your jeans, make sure to accentuate your waist with a nipped jacket, empire top, or wide belt. Do NOT wear high boots with jeans tucked in.

Apple-shaped: Latch onto the current look of an a-line top over slim jeans; this will skim your problem areas and highlight your narrow limbs. Please note, large-busted ladies, that full tops could lead to “Oooh, when are you due?” awkwardness; check yourself out in the mirror before buying and choose tops that just graze your ribcage – no gathers!

Tall: Lucky ducks. With legs that go on for miles, your sole focus is on finding hemlines long enough to accommodate your heels, too. Old Navy and the Gap have jeans in longer lengths, as do many of the designer brands (Nordstrom.com’s selection is encyclopedic). You can even out your proportions with tunic tops, boyfriend blazers or long, belted cardigans; feel free to stuff stovepipes into a pair of high boots. But too-tight tapered jeans will make you look stork-ish; choose a straight, wide-leg or slight boot-cut to balance the length of your stems.

Booty-free: Pockets. Focus on the rear pockets. Flaps are your best friends, and the higher the pockets are situated on your bum, the more they will lift it. (And that tip works for all bums!) Trouser jeans may not be your best choice, unless they are equipped with buttoned flaps; wear a top with a cinched waist and some fullness below to add volume to a flat tusche.

Coming Soon: The right pair for the right place: work the trends and shine, anywhere!

Image credit: from the Gap denim collection.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be

Last week I attended a media event hosted by Stop & Shop and similar to last year, where I came away with lovely ideas for easy and green holiday décor, I left with some good ideas related to holiday gifting and decor. Specifically, I was reminded of the beauty and ease of prettily packaged food gifts and was introduced to a couple of floral tricks that no doubt will come in handy when I host Thanksgiving later this month.

Food Gifts:

Given my minimalist mantra, I refuse to give random stuff during the holidays; instead opting for the usable and edible, such as lovely handmade soaps, yummy food, etc. In the past I have made layered cookie and muffin mixes in glass jars with ribbon and paper labels, and Stop & Shop reminded me of this idea (with a chocolate chip cookie jar recipe) and also planted the seed to take the idea to a savory level (with a country soup jar recipe). I didn’t assemble a soup jar, but I did assemble and take home a cookie jar (which, by the way, is blissfully easy even if you don’t consider yourself crafty) and Laurel and I ended up using it this week in the midst of a bad mojo emergency. Though I love baking from scratch with Laurel (she adores all of the steps of measuring and adding ingredients), I must say that given our moods, it was pretty excellent to have a fast project with quick rewards. Simply dump the dry ingredients in a bowl, add a few wet ingredients, and bake; the end result is delicious.

Floral Tricks:

Regretfully, I didn’t manage to snap pictures of the flower arrangement I created, but I came away with two terrific takeaway tips that will make a basic arrangement (mine was of mums, gerbers, and alstromeria) look super special. First, add an unusual adornment, such as a few stems of wheat or cattail (procure from floral department or craft store). Second, add fresh cranberries to the water for an awesome visual and to keep the stems in place while you arrange the flowers. Even my mom complimented my arrangement (and she's actually taken flower arranging courses).

On a total aside, this event took place at Upstairs on the Square, where a truly spectacular caramel apple bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream dessert was served. If anyone has the capability to procure this recipe – or one like it – for me, I will forever be indebted to you.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Home; Recipes; Solutions

Despite my clean approach to food, I still periodically long for – but abstain from – classic (i.e., preservative laden) childhood confections. So I was more than a little intrigued to learn about Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows. And more than a little happy that these pretty little puffs deliver. They’re all natural (you can, in fact, pronounce the entire ingredient list) and they hit the spot, whether squished inside a s’more, used as a surprising sundae topping (Laurel went berserk over this), or dropped into a steaming mug of hot cocoa (my favorite). To the latter effect, I'm thinking Plush Puffs paired with quality hot chocolate will make for excellent holiday hostess gifts this season.

Now, want to win goodies from Plush Puffs? Here's how:

Today, Jennifer shares a great local lead to get a jump on holiday shopping while supporting independent artists and crafters. Read on to learn more about next week's juried Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival, as well as to learn how to win a pair of premier shopping tickets to the event (entry closes at noon, Friday, November 13):

From Jennifer:

“Every year my super fun and sassy friend Sami and I attend the Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival organized by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club. Timed perfectly for holiday gift shopping, it's held this year on Saturday, November 21 at the Wellesley Middle School from 10am – 4pm (with "premier shopping" from 9 – 10am). The 115 juried exhibitors are very cool and very crafty...most offer handmade items. Our purchases in the past have included gourmet chocolate sauce (which make GREAT holiday hostess gifts), scarves, beaded handbags, earrings, hand-painted flower pots, hand-sewn hats and toys for kids, and dried flower topiaries, just to name a few.

A few tips for shoppers: the event gets crowded, so arrive early, leave your coat in the car, and bring a reusable grocery bag to consolidate purchases. They also serve drinks and snacks if you need a shopping recharge.

Oh, and no strollers allowed. Which is all the more reason to make it a girl's day out!”

Now, want to win a pair of premier shopping tickets to the Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival? Simple email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Wellesley Marketplace’ in the subject) by noon, Friday, November 13. The premier tickets provide for early shopper admission at 9am on the day of the event.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Retail

Davis Square’s bargain retail profile recently kicked it up a notch with the addition of Buffalo Exchange (on the same block as Poor Little Rich Girl and Good Will). Giving national chain a good name, Buffalo Exchange allows for direct sale or trade of used clothing and accessories, and carries both classic pieces (such as the J. Crew print dress I scored for $23.50...sweet!) and quirkier ones. The two-level store currently offers more goods for women (including rows upon rows of shoes downstairs), though there are some racks for men. Laurel loves treasure hunting with me in Davis; she only requests that this and other stores start carrying used kid’s clothing.

Buffalo Exchange, 238 Elm Street, Somerville; 617-629-5383

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Eco Living; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Local; Retail

Like most parents, I periodically lament over packing lunch and snack, especially when we’re low on fresh produce. Having a stash of Revolution Foods snacks on hand subsequently has bailed me out on more than one occasion. These organic snacks and sandwich fixings are happily free of trans fats, high fructose syrup, and other nasties, and Laurel especially digs the Grammy Sammy (whole grains + yogurt) and Jammy Sammy (whole grains + fruit spread) snack squares and squeezable fruit Mashups. And I love how easily these pieces can round out her lunchbox; both items make for an excellent snack or seem treat-like enough to pass for dessert (though admittedly, we’re those parents who don’t include dessert at lunch time), and there’s no need for utensils. Extra cool: Revolution Foods donates 3% of purchases to help feed kids in under-served schools.

Now, want to be one of three winners to receive a Revolution Foods Lunchbox Simplicity Sampler? Here's how:

Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth shares key lessons from motherhood:

“Could I write an essay -- under 1000 words -- about motherhood? What an absorbing assignment. In the recently released movie Motherhood -- which includes great actors, great Manhattan scenes, and too many New York tears shed over a life that looks terrific -- Uma Thurman attempts this very project for a magazine contest. Inspired by this task, here I share a few key lessons from the alphabet stew of motherhood, in less than 650 words.

A is for Ambivalence, a naughty word when it comes to motherhood, but a real one. How can one not feel some loss when one thinks back to our before-children freedoms and identities? But how can we not also feel enormous swelling in our hearts when we look at our babies' gorgeous faces, their plump little hands and toes, when we feel their warmth and smell their lovely sweet baby smell? I felt my ambivalence before I even had children: I had no idea if I even wanted babies. I aired my ambivalence -- even my daughters know this now -- and my ambivalence evaporated. That's what happens with negative feelings once we express them and they get acknowledged; they often disappear. I'm all for motherhood ambivalence -- it's not going to go away unless we address it.

B is for Brain Enhancing. It's counterintuitive to think of motherhood as brain enhancing, but it is and there's research to prove it. Yes, initially, moms don't feel smarter. Initially there's no time for newspapers, news, or novels. We're sleep deprived and our brains are totally absorbed with the newness of caring for an infant. But think on the totality of motherhood, instead. Katherine Ellison authored a book on this subject called, The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter. She writes that motherhood requires "efficiency, resiliency, motivation, and emotional intelligence." True, and these qualities massage the brain magnificently. Motherhood also requires diplomacy, doctoring, dietary sense, and a whole lot more. That's even more massage for the brain. Honestly, I feel smarter since raising my daughters.

H is for Humbling. Many of the edicts I proudly pronounced pre-children flew out the window before I even managed to mail my birth announcements. I remember an extended family dinner when I was in my self-absorbed college years. I actually felt annoyed at the space my young nephews were absorbing and thought to myself, I would never allow that. Then I gave birth to my two daughters and my attitude sure changed. Before children (B.C.) we liked to say that our children would not watch TV, play with Barbie, eat sugar, and that we would never ever yell at them. After children (A.C.), real life happens and we feel bad about our pronouncements. We needn't: motherhood is humbling.

W is for all those Worries that loom so large in our mothering minds. With my younger daughter, I worried endlessly about lead poisoning, probably because we were renovating our old house when she was three and possibly licking the windowsills. Now both daughters are grown (lead free, I presume) and I worry about them living in Baltimore and New York City, riding subways late at night, driving, and whatever else I can conjure up. I hear from my friends whose children are married and have children of their own that the worries never cease. Years ago I got some advice from a wise woman: give your worries a good workout every day, maybe 15-20 minutes. Then work to let them go, consciously if necessary. It’s good advice that I still use.

Z is for the Zen of mothering: Oh, to be a Zen Mother. Zen and mothering can go together like a baby in a baby carriage. Oh, to take the time to watch and feel the autumn rain with two small children without thought of what else could be accomplished at that moment (this scene actually takes place in the movie Motherhood and it's one of the better scenes)! Oh, to never covet the successes of a friend's children. Zen Mother love isn't jealous or possessive and accepts our children for who they are. Zen Mothers love without expecting gratitude or anything in return. Zen and mothering can go together like hugs and kisses. Om.”

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues

Today, Kate and April share their thoughts on a couple of winning games from local children’s game company Gamewright. Read on for Kate and April’s reviews, as well as to learn how to win a signed copy of Gamewright’s popular Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game (entry closes November 11).

From Kate:

“My daughter is just getting to the age where she can understand and enjoy simple board games, and we've introduced a few as a way to teach her about following the rules, playing with others, and adhering to the basic concepts of sportsmanship. We started with Candy Land, which she loved for its bright colors and vivid drawings, and have since sampled a few others. I have to confess that she will often stack the deck (literally) in her favor, but we have a lot of fun and I believe that she's learning good lessons about logic and collaboration.

Gamewright Games of Newton, Massachusetts offers a range of beautifully-made games for kids of all ages, and we've recently discovered one that is just the right age and skill level for my daughter. Go Away Monster! encourages little kids to recognize and match shapes, while also helping them to deal with any monster-oriented anxieties by figuratively casting out monsters (funny, not scary) from under the bed. My daughter understood the concept of the game after just a few moments of explanation, and has been enjoying it ever since. Gamewright Games is a good option for families who are looking for games that aren't flashy or jarring but that offer fun in thoughtfully-designed packages.”

From April:

“Play at our home rarely involves an actual game. Puppets, dancing, and coloring are the usual activities with occasional dramatic reenactments of Little Bear stories. Recently, I've been wishing for a few games to keep our 3 1/2-year-old daughter engaged and playing with us, but perhaps a bit calmer than 40 pirouettes. I want a couple of very quiet evening activities we can share together before we do our bedtime routine, or to take up a quiet block of weekend time.

Up until now we haven't found any games that are interesting, nice, and sweet enough for her (and our) tastes. We've tried several but the rules often go out the window and she uses the cards or pieces as props in a massive architectural build or an elaborate puppet show. Or, worse, she shows no interest at all.

Recently, though, we tried out Feed the Kitty from Gamewright. Instantly she was intrigued because it involves mice and a theoretical cat. We opened the box and she was immediately involved in the entire potential story contained in the pieces. It comes with a green food bowl (belonging to the cat), 20 purple wooden mice, and two simple dice that set the play in motion.

The idea is that everyone gets a certain number of mice. The dice that you roll tell you whether to put a mouse in the kitty bowl, take one out, give one to your neighbor, or do nothing (because the kitty's sleeping). The directions on the dice are pictorial, so once our daughter learned what each image meant to the game, she could keep track of the action and figure out what happens at every play. She got a real thrill telling us how to interpret the dice rolls.

The subtext is that some mice wind up in the bowl and become kitty food, but that would not play well with our little naturalist/animal lover. We asked her what she thought was happening and she said the mice were sneaking into the bowl to snack on the kitty's food—a much kinder read for the younger or more sensitive set, although older kids or those that understand that cats actually chase mice and eat them wouldn't be fazed. Our daughter didn't even consider that you want to keep the mice out of the kitty bowl—just that they don't want to get caught there—and yet the game still works perfectly!

The game lasts about 20-25 minutes the way we play (which is with a lot of talking). If you wanted to do a fast game before bed, you could easily speed up the rolls. The last player with mice is the winner. The game is recommended for kids age 4 and up, although our 3 1/2-year-old started playing it as if she'd had it for ages already. It's a sweet game with cute pieces and a new favorite for us when we need a quiet but involved family activity.”

Now, want to win a signed copy of Gamewright’s popular Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game? Here's how:

I recently wrote over at my personal blog about how moving in real life events are for me, particularly as a person who spends an absurd amount of time interfacing with people digitally. I’m thus pleased to welcome you all out to an IRL (i.e., that's tech talk for in real life) get together this Sunday, November 8, from 10am – 2pm. The Bellaziza Trunk Show and brunch will take place at Kenzie Kids in Wellesley in partnership with Boston Mamas and Magic Beans. Come eat, mingle, shop (mention Boston Mamas and get 20% off at checkout), and enjoy some swag. This event is free and open to anyone who digs cute kid stuff. Hope to see you there!

At Kenzie Kids, 200 Linden Street, Wellesley; 781-237-3666

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Retail

It’s the season of giving and I hope you will participate in the Big Boston Warm-up. This coat campaign is hinged to an art installation at Boylston Plaza at Prudential Center. The installation comprises 768 figures, each representing 10 of Boston’s homeless men, women, and children. Simply donate a gently used coat to a local Lands’ Ends at Sears (you’ll receive 20% off a new Lands’ End coat) and a red heart will be added to each installation figure for every 10 coats donated. Also, as part of the campaign, tomorrow, November 7 (10:30am-12pm; 1-2:30pm), at the Burlington Mall Lands’ End/Sears, families can enjoy a meet and greet, reading, and book signing with Carol McCloud, author of Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids. The concept of “bucket filling” is all about encouraging positive acts, such as helping those less fortunate.

The Big Boston Warm-up runs now through November 30. Collected coats will be distributed via the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Good Deeds; Local; Outreach

Last month I guest posted about baby activities in Boston for the lovely ladies behind Rookie Moms. And today I’m thrilled to share some clever craft ideas from Rookie Moms co-founder Whitney Moss. Whitney offers three easy ideas to help you reinvent stained, outgrown, or simply worn out t-shirts. These solutions are perfect for breathing new life into old faves. Make it work.

1. Make a Quick Newborn Hat

This is a great, fast project, well suited to novice sewers. Select a soft solid or striped t-shirt. Fold shirt in half length-wise. Outline then cut out half of a bunny head shape along the fold, using the bottom hem of the shirt as the hem of your hat. Pin the right sides of the two pieces together and sew along the outline (except for the hat opening). Turn inside out and tie the “ears” together in a top knot. See step by step with photos here.

2. Stretch the Life of a Favorite Toddler T-Shirt Motif

A well-loved kid’s t-shirt doesn’t last forever, but if your child can’t bear to part with the shirt’s motif – whether it’s a Star Wars logo or a quirky kitty cat -- perform a transplant surgery and preserve the design on a larger shirt. Simply cut out the desired image from the outgrown t-shirt, cut a matching sized piece of fusible webbing, iron your image to the fusible webbing and let it cool, then peel off the paper backing of the fusible webbing and iron the image to your t-shirt. See step by step with photos here.

3. Embellish Shirt with Shapes and Colors

Felt, contrasting thread, and buttons can transform a plain (or stained) shirt into a charming, personalized shirt. You don’t have to do anything intricate; simply cut desired shapes and sew on with contrasting embroidery thread to create a purposely handmade aesthetic with visible stitching. Try three circles of different colors, each with a button in the center (use a sippy cup held upside down to trace the circle shapes). For a preschooler, the child’s first initial or age is always a hit. When laundering, turn the garment inside out to reduce pilling of the felt.

For more fun ideas from the Rookie Moms, check out their book, The Rookie Mom's Handbook. And you can read about why I loved this book here.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Fashion; For Little Ones; Home; Solutions

Though I still can’t stomach the concept of holiday in terms of retail displays in early November, I’m willing to make exceptions for the performing arts and independent artisans. And from November 6 – 8 you can access the wares of 300 fine artists at the Boston Christmas Festival at the Seaport World Trade Center. Also, given my obsession with gingerbread last year (and, admittedly, cake competitions on cable), the gingerbread house competition (of which this Fenway Park replica was a winner) seems particularly intriguing. Tickets are $12 for adults (discount available); kids under 14 are admitted free.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Holidays; Local; Retail; Winter

Back in high school, audition jitters aside, I adored being on the competitive orchestra circuit. The long rehearsals led to beautiful music and amazing friendships. And if you want to learn about a local arts group that creates music, friendships, and unity across cultural and social gaps, check out the Boston Children’s Chorus tomorrow, November 5 (6-7pm), at the Boston Public Library. The BCC -- which uses music to unify Boston’s diverse communities, inspire social change, and provide kids with music education and performance opportunities -- will preview a documentary about its recent tour to Jordan and celebrate the release of their This is the Sound of Harmony CD.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare & Education; Fun Indoors; Local

If you're like us, you're overrun with Halloween candy. I subsequently was thrilled to read Fairly Odd Mother's post about ways to put the candy to good use; namely, by donating the loot to troops overseas. Check out the leads Christina culled, as well as those by Cool Mom Picks. And if you're looking for local drop offs, bring your Halloween candy to Magic Beans (all 3 locations) through November 10 and trade it for 25% off a toy, or to Wellesley Dental Group where they'll buy back paper lunch bags full of candy for $1 then donate the candy to the troops (through November 13).

Laurel is totally on board with this plan and already has set aside candy for donation and made a card (pictured below) to include. I also offered to the other families in Laurel's kindergarten class to coordinate a shipment from the class, such that I'll be collecting candy and cards from families this week and will ship it all out over the weekend.

Image credits: 1 (Wellesley Dental Group); 2 (Christine Koh)

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Halloween; Holidays; Home; Local; Retail; Solutions

Are you on the (seemingly elusive) hunt for music that the whole family will enjoy? Today, Jennifer recommends Mary Kaye’s latest album Music Box. Read on for Jennifer’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Music Box (entry closes at midnight, November 5):

“I knew Mary Kaye’s Music Box was special 20 seconds into the first song, when my son Gabriel came running from the other room and immediately started dancing. The first track, ‘Under the Moon,’ is an invitation, as animals of all sorts -- including children -- lend their sounds to Mary Kaye's lyrical rendition of a walk through the night. With Kaye's deep, rich vocals (think Natalie Merchant) and a diverse blend of acoustic and electric accompaniment that evokes all the magical noise of childhood, listeners are drawn into a world that is decidedly kid, but where adults feel at home as well.

Rare is the children's CD that comes into our house and isn't loathed by the grown-ups after a week or two of kid-demanded repeated play. But Mary Kaye masterfully layers her songs, and adults will appreciate the underlying messages of love and compassion that are relevant to people of all ages. Music Box stands out in its consistent ability to tap into the everyday realities of childhood -- bugs in the house, hot chocolate, the love of a favorite toy -- and illuminate those experiences without condescension or preachiness. When Mary Kaye sings about how much she loves that plastic turtle, you believe it. Her deep respect and perspicacity are no more evident than in ‘Family,’ where a mundane task like buying groceries -- when seen through a child's eyes -- is so much more: ‘That's when I see we are a family / You are the whole wheat bread / I'm a tomato red / You are the blueberries / And we get picked up / And we get squeezed / And we are riding in the cart with our free cookie and our slice of cheese.’

Music Box is now in heavy rotation here, enjoyed equally by all 4 of my kids. Not only have I had no urge to toss, hide, or otherwise lose the CD, but yesterday I absentmindedly put it on while I was out doing errands, and found myself singing along, with no kids in the car.”

Now, want to be one of two winners to receive Mary Kaye’s Music Box CD? Here's how:

Now that we've hit November, the concept of holiday is slowly creeping onto my radar. I'm still ignoring holiday retail displays, but I'm all for securing tickets to Boston’s fabulous arts scene at a budget in celebration of the season. In addition to discounted arts tickets, the Mayor’s Holiday Special site features shopping, dining, and lodging deals and is open now through January 18, 2010.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Fun Indoors; Local; Retail

Calling all small business owners and budding entrepreneurs! There are just two Kirtsy/Microsoft Office Live Hands On Small Business sessions remaining in Boston. HOSB is a series of 100 fun, FREE gatherings in 20 cities across the US and Canada, and covers free online and social media solutions to help entrepreneurs and small businesses build and promote their business. I’m teaching the Boston sessions with Angela from Mommy Bytes. The remaining two sessions are this Thursday, November 5 (7-9pm) and Wednesday, November 11 (1-3pm). Click here to register and hope to meet you soon!

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Nov 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Mama in the Workplace; Web (Admin)