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We're thrilled to announce that our fabulous new featured contest is in partnership with Britax, makers of top notch car seats. Britax generously will provide one lucky winner with a Diplomat Convertible Car Seat in the style of the winner's choice (retail value $259.99). CLICK HERE to enter to win the Britax giveaway. This contest closes at midnight, EST Friday, June 6, 2008 and is open to entrants in the US and Canada. Good luck!
Given my belief in karma, last week I was left to wonder whether I had wronged someone when, without warning, our hosting provider pulled the plug on my ability to publish. Despite the stress and frustration of the last several days, I’m happy to report that we’re up and running again with a different, decidedly more friendly host. Thanks for your patience while we work out the final kinks of moving the site to a new home.
Congratulations to Brandy from Hanover, NH, the winner of our featured March contest in partnership with Chittypulga! Brandy won a Fleurville diaper bag + $100 gift certificate from Chittypulga. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and also to our friends at Chittypulga for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their online boutique if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win our featured March contest in partnership with Chittypulga. One lucky winner will receive a Fleurville Re-Run Messenger diaper bag, PLUS a $100 gift certificate to fill up the Fleurville with fabulous finds from the Chittypulga store! This contest closes at midnight, EST March 31, 2008 and is open to entrants worldwide.
Dear Readers: Apologies for the unusual radio silence; after attempting to fight off a bug early in the week, I took a dramatic turn for the worse following my Wednesday morning post and spent the next 36 hours shivering in the fetal position, drifting in and out of Law & Order re-runs. It seemed a bit dramatic to get flattened by the flu on the last day of winter, but it hasn’t dampened my excitement about spring’s official arrival one bit.
Hope you are healthy, and it's back to business today!
Yes, it’s a day before March, but the weekend is fast approaching so I wanted to go ahead and announce our fabulous featured March contest in partnership with Chittypulga. One lucky winner will receive the newest Fleurville Re-Run Messenger diaper bag (Spring Ogo), PLUS a $100 gift certificate to fill up the Fleurville with fabulous finds from the Chittypulga store! Click here to enter to win. This contest closes at midnight, EST March 31, 2008 and is open to entrants worldwide. Good luck!
If you haven’t yet headed out to vote, there’s still time (the polls close at 8pm). And if you don’t know where to go, just pop your address into the handy Secretary of the Commonwealth poll locator. I hadn’t thought of it until I voted today, but polling locations – particularly those located in school gyms – can be pleasantly stroller friendly! I was proud to see mamas heading to the polls with babies in tow.
Since founding this site I've been fortunate to learn of lots of local "mamapreneurs." I’ve subsequently been thinking about creating a business directory that both showcases local talent and makes it easy for users to support local businesswomen (whether or not they have a brick and mortar presence). I'm thrilled to report that the directory is underway! If you’re a Massachusetts mamapreneur, click here to learn how to get listed in the free directory. Otherwise, spread the word to any Massachusetts mom businesswomen you know, and of course please check out the directory, which includes the inaugural group of fabulously talented local mamapreneurs.
Dear Readers: Lest you think I’m trapped under something heavy (I can’t even remember the last non-holiday Monday I haven’t posted!), I wanted to let you know that I’ve just returned from a trip to semi-sunny California and will be back to business tomorrow. Per usual, lots of great content and goodies in the pipeline so stay tuned! And hope you all had an equally fabulous weekend.
The turn of the year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on the past, present, and future, and I will never, ever take for granted the creative, chaotic, and imperfect life that has emerged in the face of mamahood and my (later, semi-related) abandonment of the professor track. And I am grateful to all of you for your interest, inspiration, and virtual camaraderie.
As a Happy New Year wish to you, please read on for a collection of resolutions and intentions from me and the fabulous women who guest contribute to this site. I hope these ideas will provide food for thought as you reflect on how to take care of yourself, enjoy time with others, and work towards personal and/or professional goals this year.
Congratulations to Alexandra from Chestnut Hill, MA, the winner of our featured December contest. Alexandra won a $100 gift certificate to Tiny Prints, purveyor of fine baby and family stationery. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!
We also would like to thank our friends at Tiny Prints for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their paper goods collection if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.
In addition to a seemingly limitless supply of cookies, one nice byproduct of this week’s holiday slowdown has been the ability to attack a few projects long sitting on my to-do list. So in this vein, two bits of housekeeping: First, I just designed a series of “cute as a button” (as one mama I know called them) Make Way for Ducklings-inspired buttons for public use. So if you dig reading these pages and have a site of your own, please consider grabbing a button for your site! And second, if you are a mama operating a business in Mass. and have a website, email info@bostonmamas.com to learn more about a new project to be unveiled on the site in the coming weeks.
And otherwise, keep enjoying those holiday cookies!
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win our featured December contest in partnership with Tiny Prints. One lucky winner will receive a $100 Tiny Prints gift certificate. This contest closes at midnight, EST Dec. 31, 2007.
Dear Readers (and potential writers!): I am looking to expand my merry band of contributing writers to include one or more mamas who can provide insight in the realm of useful general and local resources (e.g., gear, books, programs, etc.) for kids with developmental delays and disorders. If interested, please email me at editor@bostonmamas.com for more information.
Welcome to our featured December contest in partnership with Tiny Prints, purveyor of fine baby and family stationery and holiday cards. One lucky winner will receive a $100 Tiny Prints gift certificate. Click here to enter to win. This contest closes at midnight, EST Dec. 31, 2007.
Congratulations to Julie from Brookline, MA, the winner of our featured November contest. Julie won Marimekko bedding from our contest partner Skimbaco. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and to Skimbaco for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their fab online boutique if you haven't yet had a chance to do so!
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win our featured November contest in partnership with Skimbaco. One lucky winner will receive fabulous Marimekko bedding. This contest closes at midnight, EST November 30, 2007. Good luck!
The closest I’ve come to a panic attack was when I was trapped like a sardine at London’s Tate Modern, shortly after the gallery’s opening in 2000. Not surprisingly then, aside from supporting our little local shops, I’ll be opting for online shopping over mall mobs this holiday season. For those who similarly dread crowds, our bargains page has lots of exclusive shopping codes from independent retailers, as well as deals from our shopping affiliates. Some of the latter are running great limited time holiday offers (some expire today); we’ve created a special section for these deals and will update the listings as we hear of more special offers. Enjoy!
November's fabulous featured contest is in partnership with Skimbaco. One lucky winner will receive a Marimekko Unikko OR Bo Boo duvet + pillow case set from Skimbaco (winner chooses style)! Click here to enter to win. This contest closes at midnight, EST November 30, 2007 and is open to entrants worldwide. Good luck!
Congratulations to Amanda from Gainesville, FL, the winner of our October featured contest. Amanda won the vibrant 8" x 10" giclee reproduction "Blue House" from The Pepper Kids. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and to our friends at The Pepper Kids for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their online boutique if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.
It’s hard to believe we’re a week out from November. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win our October contest in partnership with The Pepper Kids. One lucky winner will receive the vibrant 8" x 10" giclee reproduction "Blue House" (shown; valued at $129)! This contest is open to US residents (non US entrants may enter if they are willing to pay for shipping of the prize) and closes at midnight, EST October 31, 2007. Good luck!
Our October featured contest is in partnership with our new friends at The Pepper Kids. One lucky winner will receive the vibrant 8" x 10" giclee reproduction "Blue House" (shown; valued at $129)! This item will soon be unveiled on their website; meanwhile, feel free to check out their amazing collection of artwork for boys and girls. Click here to enter to win. This contest is open to US residents (non US entrants may enter if they are willing to pay for shipping of the prize) and closes at midnight, EST October 31, 2007. Good luck!
Congratulations to Kathleen from South Boston, the winner of our September contest. Kathleen won the amazing Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest, and to our friends at Shaklee for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out this terrific line of environmentally friendly household products if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.
Last month, we wrote about how much we love the eco-minded, efficient, and economically oriented Get Clean Starter Kit (see our review), so we're thrilled to report that Shaklee - our September featured contest partner - is giving away one of these amazing cleaning kits (valued at over $150) to one lucky entrant! Click here to enter to win. This contest closes at midnight on September 30, 2007, and is open to US residents. Good luck!
You can never, ever have enough bibs and burp cloths, and for today’s birthday contest, one lucky winner (US & Canada entrants eligible) will receive a fabulously patterned bib and burp cloth set from Mostess Creations. The winner will specify whether the gift is for a boy or girl, and Mostess Creations will select the fabric. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Fri., Aug. 31) the answer to the following question: In addition to bibs and burp cloths, what’s another type of product that Mostess Creations carries?
Some storage accessories are so pretty that they inspire order. Moonrock Paper’s products fit that bill, and with tree-free, eco-friendly construction at that. For today’s birthday contest, one lucky winner (US entrants eligible) will receive a ribbon tied storage box from the Moonrock Cosmopolitan Dots collection (photo shows style, but specific product is not shown); the winner may choose either green with pink dots, brown with pink dots, or blue with brown dots. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Thurs., Aug. 30) the answer to the following question: Name a location where you can buy Moonrock products.
There’s no better way to spruce a room than with color, and Cheeky Monkey's lovely murals and painted pieces are sure to transform (see our review). For today’s birthday contest, one lucky local winner will receive a custom painted child’s rocker (example shown) OR a $300 gift certificate to Cheeky Monkey Murals. Entrants must live within the 495 belt to be eligible for this draw. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Weds., Aug. 29) the answer to the following question: Name one of the many amazing mural jobs in Cheeky Monkey's portfolio (also indicate the town you live in so we can verify correct entry).
Little people have big imaginations, and Little Capers's cool, non-commercial superhero tees with detachable capes no doubt will inspire hours of imaginative play (see our review). For today’s birthday contest, one lucky winner (US entrants welcome) will choose a superhero tee/cape from the Little Capers collection. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Tues., Aug. 28) the answer to the following question: Which Little Capers design best suits your little hero at home (if you have more than one kid, just choose one)?
You can never have enough great books for kids, so we’re thrilled that today’s birthday contest features our culturally- and eco-minded friends at Barefoot Books (see our review). One lucky winner (US entrants welcome) will receive a fabulous Barefoot Books gift basket including a collection of books and puzzles for 0-5 years ($150 value). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Mon., Aug. 27) the answer to the following question: Name one of the many award winning titles available at Barefoot Books.
We love that Poopasnuffas encourages creativity via a collaboration between its cute cast of characters and the children who dream up and submit stories about them (see our review). For today’s birthday contest one lucky winner (worldwide entrants welcome) will receive a baby onesie + matching bib OR a kid's tee (winner chooses character). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Fri., Aug. 24) the answer to the following question: What is Poopasnuffas’s current submit-a-story theme?
Today’s birthday contest is for gift givers who would love to get their greeting down pat (literally), quick and easy. One lucky winner (US & Canada entrants eligible) will receive 24 Card Stix – 4 x 5 inch whimsically designed self-adhesive greeting cards that can be affixed to presents, gift bags, or baskets (winner chooses from the baby, kid, or tween birthday collections). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Thurs., Aug. 23) the answer to the following question: Who are the Syracuse pals behind Card Stix?
Ever wish you could have one of those Oprah days where a stylist swoops in and tells you how to make your living room rock? Well, we’re not landing on anyone’s doorstep with a camera crew, but for today’s birthday contest, one lucky local winner will receive a free interior styling consult (includes a furniture and accessories redesign, interior decorating tips, and the down low on how to make the most of your existing furnishings) from MakeReady. This prize is valued at $300-450 and the winner gets to pick which room they would like redesigned. Entrants must reside in Boston or the surrounding T-accessible neighborhoods (e.g., Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, etc.). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Weds., Aug. 22) the answer to the following question: Who is the talented interior and product stylist behind MakeReady?
I’m a huge fan of pretty, clutter-free consumable gifts (e.g., food, soaps), and you can’t go wrong with Summerhouse Baking’s divinely prepared cookie gifts (see our review). For today’s birthday contest, one lucky winner (US entrants welcome) will receive Summerhouse's 25-cookie gift sampler box. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Tues., Aug. 21) the answer to the following question: What’s the name of Summerhouse’s current mouthwatering seasonal cookie?
If you love music but the household kid tunes are driving you bonkers, today’s birthday contest is for you. Three lucky winners (worldwide entrants welcome) will receive a copy of Renee & Jeremy’s soothing, great-for-kids-and-grownups It’s A Big World (see our review). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Mon., Aug. 20) the answer to the following question: Amazingly, where did Renee and Jeremy record It’s A Big World?
If your kid tears through shoes anywhere near as fast as Laurel, today’s birthday contest is for you. One lucky winner (US & Canada entrants welcome) will choose a pair of hand painted sneakers or Mary Janes with a matching canvas tote from Snanimals. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Fri., Aug. 17) the answer to the following question: In honor of their daughter Emma, to what organization does Snanimals donate 5% of their sales?
If you’re looking for cool back to school clothes, you’ll do well at Skimbaco. And for today’s birthday contest, this stylish outfitter will gift one lucky winner with a Riiminka cat, princess, or heart dress, and a second lucky winner with a Myself Belt. This contest is open to entrants worldwide and winners will pick from available styles and sizes. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Thursday, Aug. 16) the answer to the following question: Name another chic brand that Skimbaco carries (other than Riiminka and Myself Belts).
To date, all of our birthday contests have gifted mamas or babes so we’re happy to present today’s birthday contest for the daddys. Our partners at Abbeville Press generously are gifting eight lucky winners (worldwide entrants welcome!) with one Armin Brott fathering book (we'll draw 2 winners per book): The Expectant Father, The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year, Fathering Your Toddler, and Fathering Your School-Age Child. To enter to win, click on the links above to learn more about Brott's books, then email us (by midnight EST tonight, Wednesday, August 15) and let us know which book(s) would you like to win.
I love how coordinated clothing sets both simplify the getting ready routine and offer a finished look. For today’s birthday contest, Pumpkin Noodle will gift one lucky winner with their chic Sweet Pea Ribbon Tank & Pants Set (12-18 months; shown). To enter to win (US entrants eligible), email us (by midnight EST tonight, Tuesday, August 14) the answer to the following question: In addition to girls and boys clothing, what’s another type of product that Pumpkin Noodle carries?
It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down, but fall brings lots of happy transition, including a new semester of fun with Music Together. For today’s birthday contest, Music Together generously is offering one lucky local winner a free semester of classes. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Mon., Aug. 13) the answer to the following question: Name the location where would you and your babe like to make music with Music Together this fall.
Today’s birthday contest allows your babe to wear their personality on their sleeve, as it were. Two lucky winners (US entrants eligible) each will get to create one infant or kid tee from Logan & Blue, where you can customize kids’ and women’s (including maternity) clothing via embroidered images, sayings, or monograms. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Friday, August 10) the answer to the following question: What’s a Logan & Blue saying that seems particularly appropriate for you or your babe right now?
Both parents and little readers will love The Gifted Grasshopper, purveyor of beautifully trimmed book gift totes (see our review). For today’s birthday contest, one lucky winner (US entrants eligible) will receive a Gifted Grasshopper Small Gift Set 2 in their choice of age group. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Thursday, Aug. 9) the answer to the following question: Name one of the new Barefoot Books gift tote styles available at The Gifted Grasshopper.
You can never have enough comfy cotton kids clothes, and today’s birthday contest will help enhance your little character's wardrobe. One lucky winner (US & Canada entrants eligible) will choose from either a new baby gift set (1 bodysuit and pair of pants in 3-6 or 6-12 months + 1 burp cloth) OR 2 t-shirts in any size from Emily Allyn. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 8) the answer to the following question: Which Emily Allyn design best characterizes your kid (if you have more than one kid, just pick one!)?
Often times nothing seems good enough for your baby's perfect, delicate skin, but the luxurious skin care products by The Thymes offer an excellent candidate (see our review). For today’s birthday contest one lucky winner (US entrants eligible) will receive The Thymes Sweetleaf Baby Gift Set (shown). To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Tuesday, August 7) the answer to the following question: Name another product in the Sweetleaf Baby collection.
The folks at Danger Rangers believe in safety first (see our review), and for today’s birthday contest DR is offering 10 lucky winners (US entrants eligible) a Water Works DVD and membership to the Danger Rangers Kids Club. To enter to win, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Monday, August 6) the answer to the following question: In your opinion, who's the cutest Danger Rangers character?
We believe in the “kindness matters” mantra of the online gift shop Kind Living Designs, and today KLD extends a little kindness to Boston Mamas as our birthday contest partner. To enter to win a $50 gift certificate to KLD, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Friday, August 3) the answer to the following question: What is one of the types of gift items you can purchase at Kind Living Designs?
To celebrate the manic mommy in all of us, our friends at Manic Mommies are providing today’s birthday contest prize: a gift basket including Manic Mommies products (t-shirt, CD, buttons, stickers), Yes to Carrots skin care products, and the book Writing Motherhood
In this digital age it's a palpable treat to receive personal mail; today’s birthday contest will help you connect to loved ones via paper. Couture Invito – an online custom invitation and stationery shop - is offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner (redeemable for products excluding custom-labeled wine, photo jewelry, and MomAgenda). To enter to win this prize, email us (by midnight EST tonight, Wednesday, August 1) the answer to the following question: Over 10 and 20 new designs just arrived into which two Couture Invito collections?
Both positive and negative feedback is important; particularly when your babe’s care is at stake. For today’s birthday contest, HowsMyNanny.com - a stroller tag/web service that allows passersby to report good and bad childcare incidents t