Every time I visit Coolidge Corner I let out a sigh of appreciation for the variety of shops, restaurants, amenities, and T access (even if it is that pokey green line) that truly makes it one of Boston’s ideal car-free neighborhoods. And now I’ve discovered another reason to frequent Coolidge Corner – Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa. Read on to learn more about Rosaline's services (which include expertise in treating the skin of women of color), and enjoy a special offer for Boston Mamas readers.Every time I visit Coolidge Corner I let out a sigh of appreciation for the variety of shops, restaurants, amenities, and T access (even if it is that pokey green line) that truly makes it one of Boston’s ideal car-free neighborhoods. And now I’ve discovered another reason to frequent Coolidge Corner – Rosaline’s Skin Care & Spa. Read on to learn more about Rosaline's services (which include expertise in treating the skin of women of color), and enjoy a special offer for Boston Mamas readers.
Today, Sarah shares an environmental epiphany (and an apology to her mom):
“My mother was an environmentalist before environmentalism was cool. She reused paper and plastic bags (embarrassment: lunch in a reused vegetable bag!), left the heat off until the first frost, and to this day does not own a dryer. Seriously. She hangs her laundry outside in the summer and on dry winter days, and inside in front of a heater vent in inclement weather.
Pursuant to my report on treasure hunting at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, here’s my report on shopping at AJWright. Having never stepped into an AJWright prior to the blogger tour and shopping event, I didn’t have the same experienced eye for layout and inventory as I did walking into the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls event. Even so, it was interesting to learn about a business that has been right under my nose but off my radar for so many years...not to mention fun to discover a few treasures along the way.
There’s something to be said for paying for an experience; say, first class airline tickets, a meal at a chic restaurant that will stow luggage while you shop (as did Stephanie’s on Newbury, where I took a visiting friend yesterday), or spa services that create a truly calming environment (compared to the bargain nail salon where I bang away on my Blackberry so I can work while getting a pedicure). But when it comes to clothing and accessories, generally speaking, I’m all about getting the best bargain. And that’s why I was intrigued to learn about treasure hunting at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and AJWright last week. I’ll address T.J. Maxx and Marshalls here and AJWright in a follow up post, given that these were separate events.
A couple of weeks ago I attended a Super WHY! media event at WGBH and three things struck me as remarkable. First, parents clearly feel TV stigma, even in a room full of other parents who are on the same page as them. Second, few academic theses result in something as directly impacting as Super WHY! (I feel at liberty to say this, having written what I consider to be a quality Ph.D. thesis that was read by about 6 people, tops). And third, experiencing Super WHY! over the last couple of weeks has led me to: a) conclude that the characters work both in TV and print form; and b) loosen up on my data-obsessed analytic tendencies.
Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares tips for talking to daughters about menstruation, including advice especially for dads:
“If your daughter is approaching menstruation, you can make the whole process easier and more comfortable for her (and you) by talking to her openly about what it means to have your "period." It's very important to begin to teach girls about the changes their bodies will go through during puberty - and especially menstruation - before they get their first period. But it is never too late to start!
It’s hard for me to believe that BlogHer was just a week ago. I have had a million thoughts racing through my head following the meeting, most of which I have posted about over at my personal blog Pop Discourse. I still have one more post forthcoming re: BlogHer programming; meanwhile, my fingers are worn to the nub so I will simply redirect you to plenty of engaging reading per my posts on the age of mommy blogger discontent, marketing to women of color, why I’ll be heading to BlogHer NYC in 2010, and ideas for how bloggers and sponsors can co-exist in harmony.
Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips for introducing carrots to your baby:
"Carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A and are abundant at the farmer’s markets right now. Babies obviously need their carrots cooked and mushed up (I recommend steaming over boiling, to retain more vitamins) and once they get their teeth, most young children prefer carrots raw, either plain or dipped in hummus or yogurt based dips.
Today, Kate recommends revisiting Maurice Sendak:
“When I was a girl, my father often read to me before bed, using voices, accents, and enthusiasm that I can only endeavor to imitate now that the years have passed and I am reading to my daughter myself. One of my favorite books to read with my father was Maurice Sendak's Higglety Pigglety Pop!, a chapter book about the existential searchings of a fluffy dog named Jennie. Even as a child I recognized that the book had a sadness to it, a poignancy, and that it spoke to its young readers in a way that was subtler and more complex than a lot of the other fare available for my age group.
I’m thrilled to soon be on my way to Chicago for BlogHer, where I hope folks will cast away the social baggage in favor of engaging in a lot of awesome programming and rocking some really spectacular parties. If you’re heading to the meeting, I hope to meet you there! Feel free to @ me on Twitter or drop me an e-mail during the event if you’d like to connect.
My friend Nooshi is truly impressive when it comes to hosting parties (whether they’re for grownups or kids) and her birthday parties for her son always are amazing. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, or simply want to glean a few of the basic ideas, check out the below write up of her son’s recent Outer Space Party. It is -- not surprisingly -- out of this world.
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Tori Stuart, mother of two and founder of locally based natural food company Zoe Foods. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous local mama!
Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth shares parenting points gleaned from the movie Away We Go:
"When I heard about Away We Go, a film about parenting, I asked my husband to join me to see the movie. Bob, a good critic, said, "I liked the movie. I liked the characters too, but I didn't see much point." I, on the other hand, thought the movie offered good acting but also heart, comedy, and romance. The New Yorker said the movie has a "ruminative" tone and I agree. After seeing the film I began to ruminate on several fine points of parenting the movie raised.
Today, Jennifer recommends the Brockton Rox for a budget and family friendly baseball experience:
“Nothing says summer like America's favorite pastime, and there is unique pleasure in a leisurely afternoon at the ball park. Something about the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and a bag of peanuts has brought families together for generations. My husband and I love the history and tradition of baseball, but attending Major League games costs major money, and with four kids -- none of whom are guaranteed to last more than a few innings -- we've been keen to find a budget and family friendly alternative.
My writing has taken me down memory lane recently, and I wanted to share two external posts that are relevant for parents, regarding the lessons we learn and pass on to our kids. I guest posted today at the Daily Grommet blog about lessons learned from summer vacations of past and present, and yesterday I posted at Pop Discourse (my personal blog) about ways to cope with the mounting stress I have observed in relation to BlogHer. Whether or not you’ll be in Chicago next week, the post speaks to the importance of shedding adolescent baggage and modeling behavior for your kids that is kind and accepting, not cruel and excluding.
This past weekend our friend Rhoda introduced us to a dessert that impressively satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth while accommodating her lactose intolerance. Admittedly, though I adore tofu (it’s in the genes), as an avid classic baker I was a tad skeptical about tofu dessert, but this Easy Chocolate Tofu Pie truly surprised me. Essentially a chocolate pudding pie, the filling was smooth, rich, and chocolate-y, and the graham cracker crust offered a classic contrast; I also served strawberries on the side. Even Laurel – who consumed tofu by the handfuls as a toddler but no longer will touch it in cube form – gobbled her serving (even knowing it was tofu based).
Today, Kate shares the benefits that have come from following her daughter’s itch to walk:
“When I was pregnant, I spent many happy hours considering which stroller to buy. I read reviews, talked to friends, discreetly checked out the latest models on the sidewalks of my neighborhood, and weighed cost against style, durability, and fabulousness. In retrospect, I'll admit that I put more emphasis on the look of the thing than on its actual operation, but it was my first pregnancy and I had no real idea what it would mean to transport a newborn and then baby and then toddler on four wheels and in all seasons.
I’m always striving for simplicity in life and this approach definitely translates to how I operate in the kitchen. For my second monthly column as Minimalist Mama at Shoestring Magazine, I share a super easy "six or less" summer menu (dishes each comprising six or less ingredients) that will satisfy kids and grownups throughout the summer. Enjoy!