I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Jen. A Boston mama, prosecutor turned writer, and avid reader, today Jen reviews Meg Wolitzer’s new parenting novel The Ten-Year Nap. Read on for Jen's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Ten-Year Nap!I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Jen. A Boston mama, prosecutor turned writer, and avid reader, today Jen reviews Meg Wolitzer’s new parenting novel The Ten-Year Nap. Read on for Jen's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Ten-Year Nap!
If you feel as if technology is taking over your life, you’re not alone. Today, Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom! shares her concerns about the role that technology plays in her family’s life, and offers suggestions for making small – but meaningful – changes to stem the tech tide.
Whether you love the messy, tactile nature of art, kitchen, and garden projects with kids, or need a little inspiration to say yes to mess, check out Beansoup’s amazing aprons. Offered in a variety of beautifully patterned, machine washable styles to suit toddlers and kids (and soon, grownups too!), I’m especially crazy about the Cobbler’s Aprons. These 40’s inspired smocks are both functional – featuring 3 generous front pockets perfect for little tools – and chic. When the apron's not busy protecting your kid’s clothes, it's cute enough to double as part of their outfit.
Want to win a kid’s Beansoup apron*? Here’s how:
Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking (and What’s Cooking Weekly), offers inspiration for introducing ethnic food to kids (beyond typical favorites like Chinese and Mexican), including a recipe for Slow Cooker Indian Braised Chicken and tips to get your kids involved in the kitchen.
While generally I believe in investing in key wardrobe pieces, one area that challenges me is bags. I love having a variety of styles to go with different outfits, and I just can’t stomach the idea of picking a single bag to drop a fortune on. And then when one of Laurel’s milk cups exploded inside the one designer tote I do own (a gift from a very generous friend…), I decided to look for alternatives.
Today, Kate reports on a local space where function and beauty intersect:
“We live our lives in spaces, most of them interior: offices, houses, schools, stores. The buildings in which we spend our days - some beautiful, many bland - each serve a purpose, keeping us warm and dry, allowing us to collaborate with our colleagues, sleep safely at night, shop, eat, reflect, communicate. Most buildings today are preoccupied with function, but every once in a while one finds a building in which some combination of architect, sponsor, and magic come together to create a space that is about nothing so much as whimsy, beauty, and the joy of being alive.
Today, Jules offers creative ideas for livening up leftovers:
“My husband and I recently realized we were in a food crisis. I love to cook and he loves to eat, but neither of us is too hot on leftovers; we were wasting too much. I just have this thing about them - I don’t enjoy them and am marginally freaked out by them. In reality, I know that anything I cook or eat fresh is good for another 3 days (beyond that, leftovers really do begin to collect bacteria). So I decided that what I needed to do was come up with creative ways to use leftovers for another entire meal. It turns out I do like leftovers…so long as they’re served in a totally different way than the night before.
Today, Tracy shares a book recommendation:
“As I progress in my pregnancy with our third child, I find myself wishing for a connection with mamas in the same situation. I’m finding that the further away from the “first baby” club I move, the more difficult it is to find those all important connections with moms who are dealing with the same anxieties, concerns, and joys that I am. Expecting the first time is nothing like doing it the second and subsequent time(s).
When you’re on the go, sometimes you just want to carry a little piece of home with you. And you can do just that for baby thanks to the clever and cuddly Snuggle Bug Baby Blankets. Part of Tilly Jane’s indie artisan boutique for women and children, each Snuggle Bug set includes a large blanket (35" x 27") for cuddling at home, and a coordinating lovey-sized blanket (16" x 20") for travel. Blankets are constructed of a deliciously soft, white “marshmallow” fabric trimmed and backed with designer cotton prints; we especially love the vibrant warmth of the Amelia blanket.
Want to win an item from Tilly Jane*? Here’s how:
To help get your ducks lined up for next week, today, Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom! shares five tips to help working moms achieve a little more calm going into - and during - the work week. My favorite is #5 (the ultimate goal being to reduce the number of dreaded to-dos).
Today, Kate reports on two local spots to get your comic fill:
“Reading the comics has always been one of my pleasures. Comic strips and comic books were my introduction to newspapers and to independent reading, as my father quickly discovered that a stack of comic books - he still had some Walt Disney classics left over from his own childhood - could keep me happily occupied on weekend mornings and allow him several extra hours of sleep.
There’s a lot of cool indie kid’s clothing out there, but Hand Picked Pumpkin’s designs (for 3 - 24 month-olds) are destined to rise to the top of your laundry pile. Choose from ready made clothing or build from scratch; simply select a garment style and size, then decide on fabulous fabric options using HPP's garment design tool. And if you can just pick one item, grab a hoodie. This piece is constructed of snugly, solid contrasting cottons for the body and lining, then accented smartly with patterned fabrics on the pocket, hood, and hood liner. The hoodie isn’t meant to be reversible, but it very well could be; it’s gorgeous whether right side or inside out.
Want to win a HPP hoodie*? Here’s how:
Few things characterize the tween/teen years like puberty; or more specifically, who has hit it, and who hasn’t. And if you were in the same boat as me and my peers back in the day, your parents didn't prep you for what to expect and when. Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody offers tips to help you talk to your kids about puberty:
I’d venture to guess that for most of us, photos from childhood make it clear that soothing color palettes and stylish lines in kid’s fashion are a thing of the present (yes, I have photo evidence of a particularly woeful chartreuse floral shirt/blue plaid shorts combo, circa 1979). And little uni is decidedly part of this present. Their chic graphic appliqués come in a variety of favorite shapes set on soft cotton baby tees and one-pieces. Each design features a defining word, or you can personalize your favorite appliqué with your babe’s name.
Today, Sharon offers a fabulous local find for all things shiny and beautiful, plus a couple of suggestions for fueling and refueling, before and after your shopping adventure:
“Sometimes I feel like a raccoon; I instantly gravitate towards things shiny and colorful. And during some recent adventures through Somerville, I was happy to rediscover Blue Cloud Gallery.
Few things get Laurel’s attention like stories, brainteasers, and crafts, so it’s no wonder that she’s totally been digging Highlights High Five. From the folks who produce the well known Highlights magazine, High Five is geared towards the 2-6 year-old crowd, and I’m reviewing the publication today in conjunction with The Parent Bloggers Network. Read on for the review, as well as to learn how to win a subscription to Highlights or High Five via The Parent Bloggers Network.
Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking (and What’s Cooking Weekly), offers up a great way to warm up winter – both through the soup itself, and by getting your kids moving in the kitchen:
“This winter, try this delicious Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Bean Soup) recipe. And don’t forget – kids make great helpers! See the Call The Kids section towards the bottom of the recipe to guide you on what your kids can do to help.