I typically am all about do-it-yourself crafts, but to artfully frame photos, I’ve experienced considerable frustration in the process of printing images, then finding frames that are the right style, have appropriately sized windows for your printed photos (sometimes resizing and reprinting photos is necessary), and aren’t dinged up from excessive handling at the store. Luckily, I now have a great solution. Read on for a review of the online framing service Imagekind, and also to learn how to win a $100 Imagekind gift card.I typically am all about do-it-yourself crafts, but to artfully frame photos, I’ve experienced considerable frustration in the process of printing images, then finding frames that are the right style, have appropriately sized windows for your printed photos (sometimes resizing and reprinting photos is necessary), and aren’t dinged up from excessive handling at the store. Luckily, I now have a great solution. Read on for a review of the online framing service Imagekind, and also to learn how to win a $100 Imagekind gift card.
Today, Kate reports on a clever way for kids to learn to skate, in the comfort of their own shoes:
“I grew up ice skating at the Metropolitan District Commission rink in Brighton, and I can still remember the clamor of the lobby/changing area, the sense of unlimited possibility found by stepping gingerly onto the ice, and the taste of the watery hot chocolate (mini-marshmallows and all) sold at the snack bar.
Whether or not you've seen The Business of Being Born, if you are expecting – or interested in maternal rights in general – consider heading to Being Born in Massachusetts: Pushing for More Midwives this Wednesday (Feb. 27). During this panel, women’s health authors, midwives, and public health/OB-GYN specialists will discuss how the issues raised in Business relate to birthing practices in Massachusetts. Those interested in learning more about pending legislation for a state licensing board for midwifery should click here.
Today, Kate reports on a local purveyor of glass treasures:
“With the holidays long gone and as the grey of winter persists, finding ways to keep shine and brightness in life becomes all the more important. Colorful accessories can add sparkle and happiness, and a small store in the Back Bay offers a beautiful selection of vibrant glass jewelry - rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair ornaments - that is both fun and elegant without being overly expensive. Lalo Treasures is a treat for the eyes: the cozy store is bright, welcoming, and colorful. Not to mention that Lalo's blend of materials makes for unusually durable jewelry (customers are encouraged to try on anything they want), making it terrific for moms with babes equally drawn to pretty baubles.”
Lalo Treasures, 255 Newbury Street, Boston; Tel: 617.437.6666
Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a guide to first foods for baby:
“What food is ‘allowed’ at 6 months? Within the limits of age appropriateness, what actually works? And what about the weirder vegetables like rutabaga? Here I present the basics on introducing veggies, fruits, protein, and spices - drawn from external resources, my experience in the baby food industry, not to mention having fed my own four babies!
Given our love for Zen Shorts, we ordered Zen Ties as soon as it was released and the book does not disappoint. Jon Muth crafts another gorgeous book, in which sage panda Stillwater teaches his children friends and nephew Koo about empathy and the unexpected ties that people have to one another. I especially love that this book weaves in multigenerational connections; the elderly Miss Whitaker is Laurel’s favorite character. Now I’m just trying to mentally will Muth into creating a poster version of the fabulous kung fu panda stances from the inside cover.
Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers a handy guide on BPA and baby bottles:
“BPA (Bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical found in polycarbonate plastic. These plastics are used in many baby products including bottles. The latest research links BPA to possible health problems in humans. Those most vulnerable to the negative effects are infants and young children.
If your family is tired of looking out the window and seeing the sparse drab of winter, consider trying Klutz Window Art to brighten your outlook. The kit includes a book of illustrations, 3 plastic sleeves, and 6 bottles of paint. Just slip a sleeve over a page, trace the illustrations with paint, let the paint dry for 24 hours, then peel and stick your kiddo’s colorful creations right on a window. I bought two more 18-bottle fanatic packs of paint from Klutz since Laurel was so focused on the project that she used all the kit paints in one (impressively long!) sitting. The project also apparently appeals to grownups (including - to date - mom, aunt, and grandma...).
Ironically, the reason Laurel broke from her homebody stance yesterday (see Buggy Bundle post) was because visiting the local library was the fastest way for us to get our hands on more Toot & Puddle books. Beautifully and cleverly illustrated by Massachusetts artist Holly Hobbie, Toot & Puddle is one of our favorites, detailing the loving friendship and parallel adventures of world traveling Toot and homebody Puddle.
More Toot & Puddle titles are shown on the back cover and Laurel wants to read every single one of them.
I remember being devastated in 1st grade when I learned that one of my best friends was allergic to chocolate and peanut butter. After missing out on all those classroom birthday cupcakes (always with an accepting smile), I can only hope that wherever he is, he knows about Divvies, purveyor of treats to be enjoyed by those with (or without!) life threatening allergies. Read on for Tracy’s review, and also to learn how to be one of 2 winners to receive a gift box assortment of Divvies gourmet popcorn, cookies, and candy!
Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a guide for involving kids in the kitchen:
“Since I teach cooking classes for children, people ask me all the time about what their kids can really do in the kitchen. They find it hard to believe that their toddler can actually help, without causing complete chaos. The following guide highlights some of the age-appropriate cooking skills that children typically can handle. Of course, use your discretion depending on how much experience your child has had experimenting in the kitchen.
Today, I’m pleased to introduce new content partner Nataly Kogan, a Boston mama and co-founder of Work It, Mom! Nataly will contribute cross-posts that are relevant to working moms and life/work balance. Welcome, Nataly! And here are her 5 tips for better Mondays:
Today, Kate takes us on a walk down memory lane…with Judy Blume.
For girls of a certain generation - mine, and those directly before and after - the experience of reading the novels of Judy Blume was a double-layered rite of adolescent passage: the books themselves were sacred texts, and the universal stories they told - of being teased, of being not the prettiest, of being kissed, of having your parents split up, of loving and being loved, and of losing (love, virginity, friendship, your lunch in public) - were the stories we were all living, vividly and in real time and with an empathy that our parents couldn't come close to.
We’ve been on the go a lot these days, and waiting anywhere got a whole lot easier once I started toting Laurel’s Ultimate Wipe Off 123 book. I have given this and the ABC book as gifts to several of Laurel’s pals and they’re always a big hit. The books offer a fun way for kids to learn to draw and write letters and numbers, and an erasable marker is included so all you need is a napkin or tissue to reset the doodle dial.
We received word about the Boston University Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, which recently launched a new website offering resources for parents of adolescents with panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. The center offers cognitive behavioral therapy treatment (i.e., no medication) with free treatment for qualifying families. I’m grateful to guest contributor Amy Cody, who canvassed some colleagues for feedback about the clinic. Here’s what they had to say:
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.