Strollers and car seats are the bread and butter of gear for parents, and finding a system that is easy to use and offers features that benefit both baby and grownups -- while being in an affordable ballpark -- can be challenging. I subsequently was impressed to learn about Safety 1st's AeroLite LX Deluxe Travel System. Stylishly designed and competitively priced, the stroller features important basics such as a 5-point harness, multi-position recline, and one-hand folding, and handy features such as an all-weather canopy, storage basket, snack tray, and cup holders. The infant car seat, which features Safety 1st's special side impact technology, attaches quickly, making those repeated transitions from car to stroller and back a breeze. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Safety 1st generously is gifting one lucky winner with the AeroLite LX Deluxe Travel System ($279.99 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Monday, August 2, to enter to win.

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Even though we've been in our home for two years, we're still not completely settled, and one area of the house that troubled me for a long time was our dining room. We have one big wall and I had no idea what to do with it. A single sideboard seemed pricey while not filling the space and what I really needed was a lot of storage to accommodate the contents of Laurel's open bookcase (that was exploding with art supplies), and other platters and vases and things. I recently hit on the perfect storage solution and several visitors have since asked me for the specifics about our setup so I thought I would share it here.

What I especially love about this solution is that it's kid-friendly (perfect height, perfect depth!) but not kid-specific. I admittedly drag my heels when it comes to investing in furniture and have resisted buying Laurel kid-specific storage because I didn't like the permanence factor. So this system works beautifully because it is grown-up furniture that will last us but Laurel loves it because her stuff can live in a central, easy to access space. The height is perfect to create a sideboard/buffet space for when you're entertaining (and it proved the perfect area to lay out jewelry for Paige's Stella & Dot party) and otherwise we currently have a super minimal gallery type effect with one of my amazingly talented friend Heather's oil paintings at the center flanked by Laurel's art. (At some point we may put some pottery and/or framed pictures on top of the cabinets but I love how clean it is right now.) And the storage is the perfect depth to accommodate books, crafts, toys, vases, serving platters, etc.

For each two-door unit, you will need:

Though our backyard is small, it gets a lot of action (I've become an expert at pitching our tent for Laurel and her friends) and apparently offers an endless source of nature treasures for kids. Whether your little one enjoys searching for skeleton leaves and unusual rocks (as Laurel does) or snails and slugs (as Laurel's friend Sam does), it all spells awesome summer fun. And if you'd like to outfit your kid for scientific exploration, check out Backyard Safari Outfitters. Offering gear to help kids get in exploratory character and observe little critters, as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Backyard Safari Outfitters generously is gifting one lucky winner with an adventure prize pack including a bug vacuum, cargo vest, mega view periscope, and field binoculars ($75 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 30, to enter to win.

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Well my friends, I have some big news to share with you today. Regretfully, it's not that I have figured out a way to achieve world peace or halt man-made ecological disasters, but it's big news in my corner of the universe all the same. I am pregnant. Hang on while I type that again because admittedly, I'm still sitting here in a state of shock: I am pregnant.

For the past three and a half years, Jon and I have been open to expanding our family and it just wasn't happening. Despite the fact that Laurel was conceived pretty much instantly once we decided we were ready for kids. Despite the fact that I did a career 180 so I actually am really happy most of the time (compared to how miserable I was professionally when Laurel was conceived). Despite the fact that I live an uber green lifestyle. Despite the fact that I have made self care a priority in the last year and half and have been in great shape for a while now.

Internally, Jon and I definitely tend away from medical intervention; we don't even own aspirin (for real). So when I didn't get pregnant after a couple of years, I went the route of vitamins and (allegedly) fertile foods and witches brews and therapy (I figured something mental was blocking something physical). At various points, friends and family suggested that I consider various procedures. And while I'm completely fine with people opting for medical intervention when it comes to fertility, it just wasn't the way I wanted things to happen.

So we continued on with life. And as more and more time passed, Jon remained confident that I was fine and it would happen in its own time, while I became increasingly convinced that I was broken. In April, I was feeling pretty low about all of this and after writing a lengthy, extremely detailed post about the topic that I knew I never would publish, I "came out" about my infertility in one sentence.

The response -- both on and offline -- was overwhelming. I cried when I wrote that Sisters post and cried as my community rallied around me in so many ways with support. At the risk of sounding trite, writing that post and feeling the support following was cathartic. And as timing had it, after writing that post, for the first time ever I eagerly awaited my period, given that Eat. Blog. Run. was fast approaching and I didn't want to cancel out on my team (which would have been lame anyway, because I later learned that my teammate Carrie -- who ran about 25 miles of that race to cover her miles + those of an injured teammate -- was around three months pregnant at the time, unbeknownst to the rest of us!).

And miraculously -- following that cathartic post and the seeming liberation of hoping for my period for the first time in years -- I finally felt that I had made my peace on the matter (compared to just saying I had made my peace while secretly hoping that that would trick my body into getting pregnant). All signs seemed to point to the fact that I was done: After years of begging for a sibling, Laurel told me she was OK not having a baby brother or sister. I donated a boatload of my wee baby things to Room to Grow at our Hebrew National picnic drive. Client work and fun projects kept cropping up left and right with little effort on my part. I truly relaxed into the idea that we'd cruise through the rest of life as a three person family. I was totally cool with it. Finally.

And now here we are. I learned that I was pregnant a couple of weeks ago, amidst a flurry of family visits and events that meant that Jon and I didn't even have a chance to talk about the fact that I was pregnant until a couple of days later. It was craziness.

So, details. I'm about 8 weeks along and I'm due in March. Mostly I feel great, with the exception of a little fatigue in the late afternoon (just as I experienced with Laurel), and while I'm not experiencing morning sickness (just as I didn't experience with Laurel), my tummy definitely is a little more picky about what it finds appetizing this go round. When I was pregnant with Laurel I was extremely superstitious and we didn't share the news publicly until after I heard the heartbeat at 12 weeks. But this time is different. Admittedly, Jon, Laurel, and I are still in a state of shock (there has been no jumping up and down for joy, mostly sitting here scratching our heads with our mouths hanging open), but we know how lucky we are to be given this unexpected gift since we felt the absence acutely. And I found so much peace and strength in sharing my struggles back in April that I wanted to share now, even though it's early. Because however this pregnancy goes -- up, down, or sideways -- I have a feeling that I will need your support and love throughout.

Finally, some may be wondering whether a new baby will change things here at Boston Mamas. And the answer is: I'm not going anywhere. You probably will see a little more pregnancy/wee baby coverage, I may be a tad more sporadic in posting (or I hope I can rely on my contributors more than I have to date), and I most definitely will continue to be well behind on my e-mail, but otherwise, yes, I want to keep living this journey with all of you.

Thanks for reading. I heart you all.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (98) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Normally I'm not an offer to host a trunk show type of gal, but after seeing some of the products from my friend (and BM contributor) Paige's Stella & Dot stylist gig, I totally wanted to see more. So I recently hosted a trunk show for Paige, and it was an utterly lovely morning that involved chilling with friends, enjoying yummy food and drink, and ogling beautiful trays of jewelry (in a boutique shopping, totally non-pushy sales way). Stella & Dot covers a mix of styles, including looks that range from classic to edgy to girly to elegant; these earrings and this ring are totally making their way into my shopping cart this week (also note: the earrings I purchased as teacher gifts at the end of the school year were a huge hit). And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Paige generously is gifting one lucky winner with their choice of Stella & Dot goods up $100 in value. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Wednesday, July 28, to enter to win.

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Through my role here and as Minimalist Mama, I recently filmed an interview with Financially Fit TV as part of a segment on financially frugal females. It's now live if you want to check it out. In the interview, I chat with host Nichole Kelly about a few money saving tips for parents, including action items regarding saving money on clothes, food, childcare, and vacations. Enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues
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Oh, bottles. How I wish I had introduced you earlier to Laurel (we didn't get around to it until she was three months old, by which point she was set in her nursing ways and refused other feeding options). And thus, to new mom friends, I recommend that bottles are introduced once baby has the hang of breastfeeding, in order to allow mom the occasional walk or haircut without panicking about baby's hunger level. Not surprisingly, I always recommend BPA-free plastic or glass bottles (silicone sleeves enable easy usage with glass), and you can pick up these and other eco-friendly baby goods such as sippy and straw cups, pacifiers, and teethers at BornFree. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, BornFree generously is gifting two lucky winners each with a glass bottle gift set ($44.99 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 27, to enter to win.

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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Nan in Minnesota via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, Growing up in the suburb of Belmont, I recall entertaining myself by hopping the bus to Harvard Square, eating copious amounts of Ranc's ice cream, skinny dipping in Walden Pond, and stealing traffic cones. As I sit pondering a visit back to Massachusetts later this month with my almost 2-year old daughter, I certainly hope to let her enjoy two of those activities, but am looking for some ideas on what else we can do. Thoughts and ideas on fun activities for a youngster in and around Boston would be appreciated!

Dear Nan,

Thanks for writing in; I'm glad you're returning to offer your daughter (some of) the fun experiences of your youth in the Boston area!

First, check out a previous Dear Boston Mamas column on enjoying summer in Boston with kids. In this column I share some of my favorite activities to enjoy with kids in the city, and also cover a few specifics such as ice cream (though you already have that covered), toy stores, and baseball (off a Red Sox budget). This post is an excellent place to get started.

Aside from that, I have a few other things I wanted to mention, specifically because you will have a toddler in tow and given your former tie to the town of Belmont:

1. Not surprisingly, Boston Common and the Public Garden are among my favorite Boston spots, and this is especially the case when you have toddlers in tow. To start, you probably should snap some photos of your daughter hanging onto the Make Way For Duckling statues (they're at the corner entrance close to Charles Street). And then the other elements that make this spot great for toddlers (aside from the soft grass to land on) is the playground, spray pond, carousel, and Swan Boats. And if your daughter decides to take a nap, you can settle her in the stroller and browse Charles, Newbury, and Boylston. Extra bonus: the parking garage is right under the Common so if you really need to run back to the car to get something, it's not an onerous task.

2. I'm also really fond of the area down by the Aquarium for similar reasons. A visit to the Aquarium itself is a bit spendy, but is a worthy splurge if you don't have a good aquarium at home. Also, see if you can get admission passes via a local library (if you are staying with people who have a library card). Or simply wander by the outside tank to show your daughter the sea critters then head over to the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway and enjoy a carousel ride or head over to Christopher Columbus Park to enjoy the playground and water play. And if your daughter can tolerate a restaurant visit, I'd recommend Sel de la Terre, which is right next by. It's a lovely spot for grownups and they even have a kids menu.

3. Finally, if you decide to visit Belmont, it has changed considerably in the last 20 years. First, Ranc's, which you mentioned, recently moved to Belmont Center. And though there's been a lot of retail turnover (you'll notice empty storefronts), Belmont Center remains home to several excellent restaurants, including options for Indian, Italian, Thai, and Japanese/Korean food, as well as Stone Hearth Pizza Company, which sources organic and local and is super kid friendly. There's also a very good toy store in Belmont Center that your daughter likely would love, and some cute women's boutiques (again, if your daughter falls asleep or is patient while you browse).

I hope this information is helpful. Enjoy your visit back to Boston!

Image credit: Friends of the Public Garden

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Dear Boston Mamas; Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local; Web (Admin)
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Last month I served as a practice dummy for Bliss Boston, and given that the Bliss team was able to deliver the awesome in a temporary, not so fancy training space, I cannot wait to go back once the 5,000 square foot spa opens for real this summer at the W Boston. Offering a full range of spa services such as facials, body treatments, massage, waxing, and mani/pedis, Maureen skillfully infused new life into my face with the triple oxygen treatment and Leanne executed what is possibly the most awesome body treatment ever: a carrot and sesame body buff that involves being rubbed in carrot mulch, drizzled in warm milk and honey, and scrubbed with sesame and sea salt. AMAZING. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Bliss Boston generously is gifting two lucky winners each with a $100 gift certificate to the Boston spa. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Monday, July 26, to enter to win.

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I have always advocated for the airline mantra, "Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others" when it comes to parenting, and expecting and newly delivered moms are especially in need of some time to put themselves first. Whether you want to get some self care goodies for yourself or a mom friend, check out Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics. Offering a range of natural self care products to cover the various stages of care that expecting and newly delivered moms need, I especially like the ease and assembly of their gift sets. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics generously is gifting two lucky winners with their choice of either the pregnancy pampering, breastfeeding support, C-section healing, or postpartum recovery kit ($39.95-$49.95 each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Sunday, July 25, to enter to win.

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Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Cirque du Soleil, last night I brought a few of my fabulous contributing writers and their families to the preview of OVO. And oh my goodness did the show deliver. Housed under a big, cheerful blue and yellow tent at Fan Pier, the bug-inspired costumes and set pieces were fantastic, and the acrobatics were stunningly super human and gravity defying. I highly recommend seeing OVO (the show opens today and runs into August); it's definitely a family-friendly event (we had three 4-5 year olds with us and they loved it), though I recommend an afternoon performance with little ones in tow. Given Laurel's sensitivity, I wondered whether the experience would be too much for her, but she was enthralled, clapping and cheering the whole time. She was so emboldened that she even dragged me over to meet Mayor Menino during intermission to tell him about her letter to the Boston police.

Now, want to win a pair of tickets to see OVO? Here's how:

Simply e-mail contests@bostonmamas.com with "OVO" in the subject by midnight Sunday, July 25.

*Two lucky winners (drawn via Random.org) will each receive a pair of tickets to see OVO at Fan Pier on August 4 at 8pm.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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In line with my preference for non-tchotchke gifting, I've always found food to be a much appreciated and happily consumed gift. But if you lack time or ability in the kitchen, worry not: Harvard Sweet Boutique can hook you up. Offering lovingly assembled sweet arrangements made from scratch with all natural ingredients in Harvard, MA, you can order toffees, cookies, brownies and bars -- whether packaged on their own or as part of centerpieces, party favors, or even in a package (signed baseball included) to benefit Kevin Youkilis's Hits for Kids charity. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Harvard Sweet Boutique generously is gifting one lucky winner with their Thinking of You Tower ($80 value)! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Thursday, July 22, to enter to win.

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The other week we received some zucchini from our CSA share and I immediately wanted to make these fritter-like zucchini rounds my mom used to make. I called my mom and she recommended using savory pancake batter instead of an egg wash (my original guess). I used my tried and true scallion pancake recipe and it worked amazingly; the centers of the zucchini became deliciously creamy while the edges remained firm -- a fine contrast to the salty deliciousness of the batter. I didn't think Laurel would touch these zucchini rounds because of her stance that zucchini is "disgusting!" but she gobbled about six rounds right off the griddle and came back for more later. Here's the easy how-to:

1. Wash two medium zucchini and slice into rounds about a ¼ inch thick. Discard ends.

2. Make this scallion pancake batter, but skip the scallions and cut the recipe in half. (Some other time, make the scallion pancakes as is; you will adore them.)

3. Heat up a skillet or griddle (the latter is fantastic because you can cook a lot at once; our griddle basically never leaves our stove top) with a light coating of canola oil. Dip the zucchini rounds in the batter to coat generously then place on the skillet or griddle. Fry until golden brown on each side.

Enjoy them while they last!

Image credit: Wikipedia zucchini entry

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Home; Recipes
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I love gifting my new (or not so new) mom friends with slings. They're one of those products that might not make traditional registry lists, but they proved essential in calming Laurel, and also allowed me to have my hands free and get a few things done while Laurel snoozed or cuddled happily against me. And when you're next in the market for a sling, consider Chic Papoose. In addition to being great for bonding and assuaging cranky babies, these slings are easy to use, compact, well constructed, comfortable, and practical (washable!). Also awesome? They're made of gorgeous fabrics -- ranging from classic to edgy to exotic -- on one side and a coordinating solid on the reverse so you can switch up your look depending on your mood or outfit. I especially love the Johanna sling -- the Asian-inspired pattern is funky, the colorways are gorgeous, and the combination of said pattern and colorways hides inevitable stains.

Now, want to win a sling from Chic Papoose? Here's how:

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After falling off my fitness wagon for a few weeks (amid injury, dreadful heat, and end of school year chaos), I recently found a way to get on a summer fitness regimen. And if I can do it, you can too -- and why not rock a new routine in some of Marika's new "miraculous" fitness gear? This collection of fitness basics was designed to wick away moisture while supporting, slimming, and contouring so you can look your best while you're, well, working on looking your best. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Marika generously is gifting one lucky winner with a pair of miracle capris + a miracle sport bra ($75 value)! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 20, to enter to win.

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Today, Heather shares a roundup of beach gear favorites that made vacationing with four kids a breeze:

We recently returned from our annual family weekend at the Cape. We love Ridgevale Beach in Chatham. The large, sandy oceanfront beach typically is warm and calm, which makes it ideal for swimming, plus they have a lifeguard on duty. Also, tucked behind the main beach are several large tidal pools that are terrific for younger kids. In my opinion, Ridgevale provides all the amenities a family with young children needs: parking very close to the beach, bathrooms, snack bar, lifeguard.

Given that we were a little uncertain about how to keep three busy three-year-olds + one seven-year-old happy and occupied for three full days at the beach, we spent a bit more time planning and gearing up than we did in previous years. And our research (plus the perfect weather) paid off; my husband and I agreed that it was one of the best weekends away with the kids ever. Here's a round up of our beach gear favorites:

The first challenge always is getting the four kids and all our stuff from the parking lot to the beach. The process typically requires several trips and strong deodorant, but not this year! I purchased the Deluxe Wonder Wheeler Cooler & Beach Chair Cart and it was a lifesaver. We easily made it to the beach in one trip with 4 kids, 2 beach chairs, 1 cooler, 4 boogie boards, 6 beach towels, 1 beach umbrella, changes of clothes for the kids, loads of sunscreen, and 2 baskets full of beach toys. Impressive! This cart rocks!

We hit Christmas Tree Shops and stocked up on beach toys that provided hours upon hours of fun. Boogie boards were a big hit this year. All four kids were able to paddle around the tidal pools, pull each other around, and pretend to surf. Goggles were also a big hit; the kids loved diving underwater looking for dive toys and shells. Nets were a must have his year; the kids spent hours scooping up hermit crabs, snails, and tidal pool creatures. The kids also thought it was hilarious to soak each other (and us) with their water guns and super soakers. Of course, the usual shovel and pails cannot be forgotten either.

I hope these beach recommendations gear are helpful to you. Now that we're suitably geared up, we can't wait to go back!

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Fun Outdoors; Local; Travel
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Oh the irony of sleep: parents love it and long for more and kids resist it. Either way, pretty bedding helps create a welcoming environment (and yes, I've used cool bedding to make Laurel's bed more enticing for sleep). Whether you're looking for bedding sets, or need a top to bottom room makeover (furniture, décor, etc.), check out Artistic Sensations. Offering a wide variety of themes and styles to outfit kids' rooms, I'm especially drawn towards their organic bedding, which includes sweetly patterned and cozy looking options that make me feel happily sleepy just looking at them online. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Artistic Sensations generously is gifting one lucky winner with a $250 gift certificate towards bedding! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Monday, July 19, to enter to win.

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It's going to be a hot one this weekend but don't let that deter you from some local fun. Slather on the sunscreen and head out to enjoy: fantastic local artists and performers at ArtBeat 2010 in Davis Square, cultural celebration at the First Annual African Festival of Boston and Festival Betances in the South End, seriously impressive sandcastles at the Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival, and urban gardening 101 via the Bicycle Tour of Community Gardens in Boston.

Image credit: ArtBeat

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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In the last few years, it's been fantastic to watch the evolution of cloth diapering (we cloth diapered Laurel in her first six months with traditional diapers, liners, and covers that were a tad challenging to keep in place with our squirmy one). And it's especially fantastic that there are stores such as Somerville-based Diaper Lab that are committed to educating parents about the ease and green goodness of modern cloth diapering via free in-store workshops and an online shop replete with diapering products as well as slings, diaper bags, nursing products, and other goodies. As part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Diaper Lab generously is gifting one lucky winner with a GroVia diapering set that includes the GroVia Experience Package + BioSoakers ($83 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 16, to enter to win.

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It was a pretty remarkable day when I moved from my big (way overpacked) diaper bag to cute, compact bags that -- save the occasional snack cup or activity book -- primarily held my stuff. And whether you've been in that zone for a while or are approaching it, this chic Paris Bucket Bag ($165 value) would likely serve you well. Kindly gifted by Charlestown-based brick and mortar (and online) indie boutique Olivia Browning as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, this bag is punchy in color, lined with a washable interior and handy pockets, and features gold hardware to up the fancy factor; you'll no doubt feel happy carrying this bag, whether or not the bottom is lined with a few Cheerios. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Thursday, July 15, to enter to win.

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One of the things that is so sweet about Laurel is that she is so people focused. When she was a toddler, if a friend at day care was crying, she would toddle over and pat them on the back to try to make them feel better. On Sunday she wrote a letter to the Boston Police because she was concerned about people trying to steal the Make Way for Ducklings statues (which I guess makes her duck and people focused). And yesterday, she offered to wash our car just to do something nice for us (she did a great job by the way). It was almost as if Laurel knew that tomorrow, 77 mom bloggers in 11 cities around the country would be inspiring kids to do good. Here's the scoop on what's going down tomorrow:

The 77kids Do Good Day is a national campaign sponsored by 77kids by american eagle (makers of super cute baby and kids clothing, such as this bright funky tutu that Laurel would fah-reak over) and coordinated by the talented ladies over at TheMotherhood. In Boston, my teammates Angela, Audrey, Christy, Jennifer, Jodi, Lynette, Niri, and I have decided to go with a current craze in an effort to help kids see the fun and good of sharing with friends.

Tomorrow from about 10:30 - noon, Team Boston will roam the Aquarium/Rose F. Kennedy Greenway/Christopher Columbus Park areas handing out Silly Bandz and other pay it forward tokens to kids, with the encouraged messaging being to share with others -- and how good that feels. It's a simple and powerful concept that -- through simple acts of kindness -- we hope to inspire kids and parents to think about and discuss; I hope you'll come say hello if you're in the Aquarium area tomorrow!

And for you awesome non-local readers: in addition to Boston, Do Good Day events will be running tomorrow in New York City, Chicago, Danbury, CT, D.C., L.A., Minnesota, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse. You can check out details for each location at TheMotherhood Do Good Day circle.

Hope to see you tomorrow! And here's to paying it forward not just tomorrow, but every day.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues; Fun Outdoors; Good Deeds; Local
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Few household chores overwhelm parents like laundry; indeed, I will confess to poor folding practices (I hang everything or toss clothes haphazardly in drawers) and ironing (I avoid it at all costs). And whether you need dry cleaning services, or want to treat yourself to or make wash and fold services part of your routine, check out Clevergreen Cleaners. Offering standard clothing care services with awesome green practices, you'll feel good getting this household chore done in eco-friendly fashion via Clevergreen's locations in Boston, Medford, and Cambridge. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Clevergreen generously is gifting one lucky winner with a $75 gift certificate! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 13, to enter to win.

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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Victoria in Chicago via e-mail:

Dear Christine, I live in Chicago and I am planning my best friend's baby shower in the Boston area. She lives in Newburyport. Any suggestions for places in Boston or Newburyport?

Dear Victoria,

Thanks for writing in -- this is a great question! I don't know what your budget is, but first let me start with some general recommendations regarding venue that will impact budget.

General Baby Shower Venue Options

At-home baby shower. Obviously, you are coming from out of town so hosting the shower at your home is not an option. But if you are looking to save on the expense and potential logistical restrictions of booking a facility, consider a shower at someone's home. Perhaps your best friend has a local friend or family member who would be willing to co-host? Or you could even opt to host it at your best friend's house if she was amenable. I hosted a baby shower for one of my dear girlfriends -- she actually asked that it be at her home given that she has plenty of space, was very pregnant, and it was easiest for her so she didn't have to schlep anywhere or transport gifts from another venue to home. I took care of all of the details (invitations, food, decorations, favors, etc.) so that even though the event was in her home, she didn't have to lift a finger and it still felt special to her.

At-church baby shower. If your friend belongs to a church, another option might be hosting the shower there. It would be a modest yet out-of-home location for a shower and also probably less expensive than a formal venue. I have friends who have hosted wedding shower type events at their churches, and when me future mother-in-law coordinated a party for my future husband back when he graduated from college, she did it at a church function room and it was really lovely.

Restaurant baby shower. A restaurant shower probably will be your most expensive of options, given that you will have to rely on them entirely for the catering. That said, given that you are coming out of town, it might be nice to leave that major part of the organization -- not to mention the cleanup -- to the professionals. If you book a restaurant, see if there is a small private room or patio or area of the restaurant you can sequester to make things more cozy.

Hotel/Inn baby shower. If you are going to outsource the venue on the shower, I would recommend exploring a bed and breakfast or inn. My baby shower was held at a bed and breakfast and it was beautiful, chic, and cozy and my shower organizers were able to bring all the food in on their own so they didn't need to use an in-house caterer.

Specific Baby Shower Venue Options

Now, on to the specifics. Newburyport is about 45 minutes to an hour north of the city depending on point of origin/destination in Boston. And depending on how pregnant your friend is at the time of the shower, and where the majority of the guests are coming from, it might make the most sense to plan around Newburyport. Personally, given that your best friend is local to Newburyport, I think you'd do beautifully planning a baby shower in the Newburyport area because you've got the beautiful beaches right there, a lively downtown community, and you probably wouldn't need to fight with parking the way you might in Boston.

I took a look at the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce dining page and hands down, my first pick simply from online browsing would be to investigate Seaglass Restaurant and Lounge (Salisbury Beach...just minutes from Newburyport). The location looks beautiful, the menu looks yummy, and they appear to be experienced in hosting functions small and large. From that list, depending on your friend's taste, Agavé, Capri, and Plum Island Grille also might be potential restaurant options. (Agavé got several recommendations when I asked on on Twitter about favorite Newburyport restaurants.)

For inns and hotels in the Newburyport area, check out the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce lodging page. There are a host of really cute looking options, ranging from basic inns to an inn with spa services if you want to make the shower really fancy. Also, when I queried about inns and restaurants in Newburyport on Twitter, @emilymnichols recommended the Garrison Inn.

Also related to Newburyport, @emilymnichols also recommended Eat Cake! for their amazing cupcakes. Any shower -- regardless of location -- will be super awesome with amazing cupcakes.

Conclusion

I recommend starting with Newburyport options. If you open the search to include Boston, there are countless restaurants and hotels, the scope of which warrants a separate post (which I'm happy to explore if you are interested). However, I will say that my baby shower was held at the Taylor House Bed & Breakfast in Jamaica Plain (one of Boston's neighborhoods) and it was utterly lovely. The Taylor House is where Jon and I spent the night of our wedding before heading up to Montreal so it was really special to have the baby shower there. My sister said the booking fee was extremely reasonable.

I hope this information is helpful. Enjoy planning the baby shower Victoria!

Image credit: Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Dear Boston Mamas; Food & Drink; Local; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Web (Admin)
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I love when I visit a new website that is easy to navigate and loaded with cool eco-finds and learn that it is based locally. Such was the case with Jute and Jackfruit, an organic and socially conscious women's e-boutique based in Arlington that sources primarily from budding female designers and women's artisan groups and cooperatives from around the world. While some of their clothing includes bold pattern-blocking, I think a look composed of some of their soft hued pieces paired with a punchy recycled material clutch or fair trade, hand-loomed scarf would make for an awesome head to toe eco-look. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Jute and Jackfruit generously is gifting one lucky winner with a $75 gift certificate! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Monday, July 12, to enter to win.

Rules:

I've got my fingers crossed (and I'm attempting to will sun into existence with the title of this post) that the rain projected for this weekend holds off for these fun events: Mashpee Commons Sand Sculpting Festival, Chinatown Main Street Festival, Lowell Puerto Rican Cultural Festival, Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival. And luckily the skies look clear for Tanglewood's opening night this evening. One of these days I want to get myself back to Tanglewood and pull up a lawn seat!

Image credit: Mashpee Commons Sand Sculpting Festival

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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I love fine chocolate and I love all things local so I was thrilled to learn about vianne chocolat, a new Boston-based source for handmade artisan chocolates. Passionate about sourcing local whenever possible, chocolatier Valerie Conyngham uses cream, butter, and jams from New England farms, and spices from independent local spice purveyors to create a delightful variety of chocolates for gifting, home parties, special occasions, and corporate events. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, vianne chocolat generously is gifting one lucky winner with a vianne chocolat canvas tote + assortment of 50 chocolates! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 9, to enter to win.

Rules:

I loved being pregnant with Laurel (I was one of those annoying people who experienced a blissfully smooth pregnancy), but I wasn't wild about the limited fashion options at that time. Luckily, maternity style now is a cinch, thanks to collections such as those by Moody Mamas. Including a range of apparel options, I'm particularly keen on the ease of dresses (maternity or not), and Moody Mamas offers both a budget line via Target and a collection of day and night dresses through a partnership with Project Runway phenom Christian Siriano; the cowl neck jersey dress (pictured) is one of my faves. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Moody Mamas generously is gifting one lucky winner with a $100 gift certificate! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Thursday, July 8, to enter to win.

Rules:

If you've ever lamented over the quality of your family photos, or the fact that you're almost never in them (since you're the one busy snapping), hire a professional. And if you're local, consider Kate McKenna of Crabapple Photography. Whether you want wedding, maternity, or family photos, Kate can hook you up with beautiful shots that might just convince you that your kids are never, ever cranky. For the first in my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Crabapple Photography generously is gifting one lucky winner with a photography session + print credit valued at $300! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Wednesday, July 7, to enter to win.

Rules:

Well hello there. I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend! As you may have noticed, I went radio silent. I originally had planned on working during our vacation weekend (I realize this completely defeats the purpose of vacation), but at the last minute, I decided to take an internet break, and it was marvelous. And now here I am, refreshed and ready to get back to things. My first order of business is kicking off the celebration for the fourth birthday of Boston Mamas. Read on to learn more about the party.

So much has happened since I launched Boston Mamas in July 2006 and I am immensely proud of what I have built here, and the amazing community the site has fostered, whether directly on the site or via Facebook or local events or in other ways. Thank you all for sharing in this journey with me! I am so passionate about community building and I love providing awesomely useful, fun, and clever information -- please don't hesitate to write in if you have a question or fantastic tip; I also love reading your comments on posts.

Now, on to the celebration. I have created a tradition of celebrating the birthday of this site by sharing goodies with all of you, and this year is no different. I have assembled a wonderful group of companies -- including many independent and local companies -- to help with the party. Here's who is involved:

Artistic Sensations
Backyard Safari Outfitters
Barefoot Books
Bliss Boston
BornFree
Clevergreen Cleaners
Crabapple Photography
Diaper Lab
Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics
Equal Exchange
Harvard Sweet Boutique
hushamok
Jute and Jackfruit
Mabel's Labels
Marika
Moody Mamas
Olivia Browning
Safety 1st
Stella & Dot - Paige Lewin
Telefora
vianne chocolat

Check out the Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday giveaway page for details about what these companies are gifting over the next several weeks. And now, in a separate post, let me get on to announcing the first birthday giveaway.

Thank you all for being part of the community!

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Thanks to an invitation from Electrolux (who kindly handled my travel and accommodations), earlier this week I had the pleasure of traveling with Laurel to New York City for an event to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. With the incredibly gracious and down to earth Kelly Ripa as hostess, and Serendipity 3's Stephen Bruce as banana split master, the kids got to go nuts in the kitchen (Laurel left no topping unturned) while the grownups learned about a sweet new virtual campaign.

So here's the scoop: now through September 7, 2010, for each day you create a virtual banana split, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (up to $40K, which is part of a $750K commitment to the cause). After you make your banana split, you also can opt in to enter to win other goodies (including a stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux...it's a split unit...get it?).

What I dig about this campaign (similar to the Bread Art Project) is that it makes it super easy for people to contribute to a cause while having a little creative fun along the way. I built my banana split (pictured) in honor of contributing writer and friend Sarah (who is currently kicking ovarian cancer to the curb), and it only took a few seconds and was free (both in cost and fat). It was an honor to be present for the launch of this terrific campaign, and I hope you'll take a few seconds to build a banana split for a loved one or the cause in general.

Finally, I have to say that Kelly Ripa totally won me over. Prior to the event I didn't feel strongly about her positively or negatively, but she was incredibly kind and generous in making the rounds to talk to each and every child and parent. After the group photos she marveled over how amazingly cute and well behaved our kids were. She complimented Laurel's necklaces and her big balloon princess hat, and when I told Kelly how much Laurel and I adored her shoes (towering Brian Atwood nude pumps), she immediately credited someone else in the room for finding them for her. I'm glad the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund has her in their corner this summer.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Good Deeds
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