Pursuant to my last post, I'm thrilled to kick off my first Friday Find! So, you know how every now and then you buy a piece of clothing that prompts people to ask, Where did you get those?? That would be my J. Crew Factory skinny utility pants. I scored a pair of the tuscan olive on super sale and love them so much I went back for the vintage pewter. They're comfortable, flattering, have awesome style lines and edgy little zipper pockets, and go with everything. I wear them constantly. And people keep asking me about them.

Image credits: J. Crew Factory

I mentioned last week that I had more editorial plans up my sleeve and today I’m excited to share the launch of Friday Find. Context = my tendency is to go deep with resources for you all, but I’ve experienced many moments lately where I’ve wanted to share something awesome but didn’t have the time to share the awesome find within the context of a longer roundup post.

So, Friday Find is going to be all about one simple, awesome find. It could be a book, tool (yes, tool), tutorial, lipstick, parenting tactic, recipe...WHATEVER. And I will deliver it concisely, because as my brilliant editor friend Jess says (thank you for the nudge to launch this series, Jess!), sometimes you need a small snack, not a gigantic meal, when it comes to editorial! I hope you enjoy the series!

Image credit: heart bird feeder, via Pinterest

Happy Friday everyone! Today is the Lunar New Year (check out these ideas for how to celebrate with your kids!) and this weekend there's football, groundhogs, a 5-miler I'm running on Sunday, and lots more! Enjoy perusing these 17 weekend picks, lovingly curated for your consideration. Also, stay tuned to this space; a fun new series is coming shortly!

1. Free evening at the museum for families with children on the autism spectrum. (Acton)

2. Raise your spirits and have a fun day outdoors. (Andover)

3. Kindie rock band Rolie Polie Guacamole. (Arlington, Brookline)

4. Help our fine feathered friends celebrate National Bird Feeding month. (Attleboro, Marshfield)

5. Mothers Out Front kick off the Campaign for Clean Energy. (Boston)

6. Final weekend for Rumpelstiltskin, or All That Glitters. (Boston)

7. Pinkalicious closes out. (Boston)

8. Create beautiful prints of the city we love. (Boston)

9. Lawn chairs, baseball bats and guitars? Whatever happened to juggling oranges? (Brookline)

10. The Great Red Ball Rescue puppet show. (Brookline)

11. Who needs the Super Bowl when you can go see Ben Rudnick? (Franklin)

12. Groundhog Day extravaganza! (Ipswich)

13. Will Ms. G the groundhog see her shadow? (Lincoln)

14. Snowshoe tour of the sculpture park. (Lincoln)

15. Schedule a playdate with nature. (Mattapan)

16. Experimazing: Fun indoor and outdoor experiments. (Mattapan)

17. Lion dances and sword play? What a way to kick off the year of the horse. (Salem)

Image credit: Mass Audubon

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Today, contributing writer Hillary of Mass Audubon shares some helpful (groundhog, not football) trivia for Sunday:

There's no shortage of nature-related folklore out there, but one that has particularly captured the hearts and minds of kids and adults (thanks or no thanks to Bill Murray) is Groundhog Day. Every year on February 2, people across the country wait attentively to find out if this small furry little animal sees his or her shadow. As legend has it, shadow means six more weeks of winter, but if not, spring is on the way.

So just how did this tradition get started, and what is a groundhog anyway? Amaze friends and family with this groundhog trivia:

• The groundhog belongs to the marmot family, and goes by many names, including woodchuck and whistle pig due to the sound they make through their large teeth to warn one another of danger.
• They nest in burrows that can be up to six feet below ground. These burrows sometimes have as many as five entry points, consisting of an intricate network of tunnels that often total up to 40 feet in length.
• While hibernating, a groundhog’s body temperature drops from 90°F to 40°F, and its heartbeat drops from 100 beats per minute to 4 beats per minute!
• February 2 is the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
• Upon coming to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, German settlers brought a longstanding tradition known as Candlemas Day, which included a badger checking its shadow to forecast the weather. Since there were no badgers in Pennsylvania at that time, the settlers looked for the next best thing and chose the groundhog.

Celebrating Groundhog Day

While the award for the most famous groundhog in America goes to Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania, here in Massachusetts we have our own celebrity. Ms. G has been “forecasting” the weather at Drumlin Farm since 2008. In fact, there’s a petition and an official bill to make Ms. G the official groundhog of the Commonwealth.

Looking for ways to celebrate? Here are a few:

1. Come see Ms. G make her official forecast on February 2 at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. In addition to her reading, there will be snacks, crafts, stories, and the chance to meet WBZ-TV meteorologist Danielle Niles.
2. Ipswich River in Topsfield will also be hosting a Groundhog Day Extravaganza on February 2, including nature hikes, snow sculptures, a groundhog obstacle course, crafts, refreshments, and more.
3. Pick up a copy of Groundhog Weather School or Go To Sleep Groundhogs, two fun illustrated books that will entertain and teach at the same time. Both are available at the Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm.

So what do you think? Shadow or no shadow?

Image credits: Mass Audubon

Friends, from the response to the Medford feature, you're clearly digging the new Local Gems series! I'm so thrilled! This week I'm featuring the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. These 15 gems come courtesy of my lovely and finance-savvy friend Sandra Gilpatrick. Sandra has lived on Beacon Hill for over a decade, has an adorable son, and, as a certified financial planner, is professionally passionate about helping women find their financial confidence (AWESOME). Thanks for sharing these gems, Sandra!

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It goes without saying that Beacon Hill is amazing for its immediate access to Boston Common and the Public Garden. Here are 15 gems I hope you'll love as much as I do!

1. Tip Tap Room. Always a happening place, even in snow storms. The tap selections are impressive. Chef Brian Poe treats locals like royalty. If you are tired of the same old meat selections, this is the place to go for more adventure. Care for antelope meatloaf?

 

2. Kate & Theo Home. New kid on the block. However, they know what they are doing. They understand clever furniture for small Boston apartments. And yes, they can do a beautiful upholstery job for that antique chair you've had on your "to do" list.

 

3. Townhouse Beauty Bar. My six-year-old was having one of those bad behavior days you dread as a mother during his haircut. The staff went out of their way to be kind to him and miraculously, he managed to walk away with even bangs. The owner is a mother of young ones, so she gets it and makes you feel welcome. You can even take care of yourself there should you have a minute to breathe.

 

4. K M Hudson Bra. Do you want the best fitting bra ever? Tucked away on a second floor entrance on Charles street, this store is a hidden gem. Even having a young child to go home to, devoted owner Katherine Hudson stayed open an extra hour just for me to make sure I was hooked up with the best bra I've owned yet.

 

5. Good. Yes, it is. I nearly tripped walking by on the bricks while gazing at the precious child's outfit in the window last week. Worth a look inside at the varied and interesting goods.

 

6. Café Vanille. The only café outdoor space on Charles Street, and your kids will delight in the colorful treats. Pain au chocolate? Mais bien sur!

 

7. LaLaRoh. Who knew? Good Persian food that is family friendly. They even have crayons on hand. My son doesn't leave without the saffron ice cream. There's a tiny three-person bar should you make it out on date night.

 

8. Leather Clothiers Designers. Don't let the name throw you. With cute hats and unique accessories, you're bound to find something that catches your eye. Little known fact: they do purse repair.

 

9. Paramount. A neighborhood staple for many years. Casual eats that are predictably delicious. Expect a line for brunch, but there is a reason why.

 

10. Holiday. Stylish, timeless, and feminine. I have never walked out without uttering,"oooh, I like that dress" at least once.

 

11. Blackstone's of Beacon Hill. If I ever need a gift on the run, this is the place I've gone to for years. The owners are regularly in the store and welcome you like family.

 

12. 20th Century Ltd. Don't forget to look down at this ever changing pretty bejeweled window. If you are looking for costume jewelry, this is THE place to go.

 

13. Beacon Hill Chocolates. Fancy locally made boxes with splendid scenes of Boston make this chocolatier special. You'll want to keep the box after the delicious chocolate quickly vanishes.

 

14. Top Shelf. Need a bottle of wine, some plants for your window box, and groceries on the go? The owner is a peach and we thank him for this super convenient store.

 

15. 75 Chestnut. I do miss the old bar renovated years ago, but 75 Chestnut still is a place locals come to gather. Benevolent owner Thomas Kershaw is so generous to the community.

 

Do you want to share local gems for your town? Contact Christine for editorial openings!

Image credit: all images via featured websites or associated Facebook pages

Do you want to share local gems for your town? Contact me for editorial openings!

Image credit: thumbnail via Tenoch; compilation graphic by Christine Koh, including images via featured websites

- See more at: http://www.bostonmamas.com/blog/2014/1/22/local-gems-medford.html#sthash.llNMbeKA.dpuf

Do you want to share local gems for your town? Contact me for editorial openings! - See more at: http://www.bostonmamas.com/blog/2014/1/22/local-gems-medford.html#sthash.llNMbeKA.dpuf

Beloved and I got gift cards for Christmas from my parents. I dragged Beloved and the little angel into Old Navy at the mall last weekend to see if I could get a pair of skinny jeans that didn't make me look like sausage links (found some, thank you sweetheart cut). Beloved was shocked I would even try to put something from Old Navy on my body because y'all, we are old. Then Beloved insisted we go mall-walking, because the only time we go in the mall is to take the little angel to blow all her Hoggin Craft money on her burgeoning Build-a-Bear collection. 

Around the mall we went, peering in store windows. Finally, we walked out through Sears. We always park by Sears. Nobody is ever in Sears.

"What is with all this slim-fit men's clothing?" Beloved finally said. "Straight pants, slim-fit shirts? What the hell?"

I stopped walking and looked at him. He was totally serious. He was PUT OUT by the slim-fit.

I started laughing. 

BECAUSE NOW HE KNOWS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A WOMAN IN ANY STORE, EVER.

Thanks to yesterday's Weekly Blueprint, I learned that tomorrow (January 29) is National Puzzle Day. Yay for puzzles! Laurel has always loved puzzles (as have I) and Violet is following suit with freakish focus. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share some of our favorite puzzles across stages. We love working on big puzzles as a family, but I admittedly still find it satisfying to snap together a 30-piecer! Here are 14 awesome options:

1. Melissa & Doug rules when it comes to chunky puzzles such as this farm animals puzzle. It's perfect for toddler paws that are just starting to strive for motor control greatness.

2. The little four-piece puzzles in this Mother Goose set were a favorite of Vi's. 

3. I love the illustrations in eeBoo products and this baby animals puzzle pairs set is no exception. Laurel loved it as a toddler, and so did Vi. The only thing Vi didn't like was the mismatched pairs (babies separated from their mamas), a function of us losing various pieces over the years.

4. This 12-piece Very Hungry Caterpillar puzzle is a great option for fans of the book (isn't that everyone?). Also, the sturdy pieces and carry pouch are perfect for (sometimes destructive) toddlers.

5. Jon bought this 30 piece barnyard floor puzzle for Violet last Christmas and it has received lots of action. The pieces are nice and sturdy, the animals are beautifully illustrated, and the unusual shape is a nice alternative.

6. On more than one occasion, Vi has sung the Animal Boogie song while working on this 36-piece Animal Boogie puzzle.

7. This multisided Melissa & Doug pets cube puzzle is a little trickier, but definitely offers a lot of bang for your buck (6 puzzles!) once your child is ready for it.

8. Laurel and I have done this Around the World 100-piece puzzle about a million times. I love it and can't wait for when Vi is ready for it!

9. Ravensburger makes great puzzles and this 200-piece castle fantasy puzzle includes a good mix of elements to hunt down.

10. Introduce your kids to fine art (and a family challenge) with this Starry Night 500-piece puzzle.

11. We have a different configuration of this 8-in-1 Disney puzzle assortment and Laurel and I did all 8 puzzle options many, many times. The multipack is nice in that you can choose puzzle size (150, 300, 500 pieces) depending on your mood and ambition.

12. When your family is ready to tackle 1,000 pieces, this balloon bonaza puzzle is a fun option. We've done it several times!

13. Not surprisingly, Laurel loves this candy galore puzzle. The unusually shaped pieces make for a fun challenge.

14. Aside from the fun of assembling this 1,000-piece cupcake puzzle, Laurel and Violet both like talking about the cupcakes. The mini-poster that comes with this puzzle became Violet's "menu."

Image credits: all images credited to linked sources above.

Happy Monday everyone, can you believe this is the last week of January? And that it's 45 degrees out right now? (I must admit, I'm totally ready for spring...) I hope you have a great week ahead! I've been doing a lot of Boston Mamas brainstorming and will have some fun announcements coming soon; meanwhile, enjoy this roundup of fun events in the Weekly Blueprint:

January 27: Creative movement with Erica Sigal. (Boston)

January 27: Busca Arte! Multi-cultural art and seek. (Canton)

January 28: Free night of skating for our local heroes. (Cambridge)

January 28: It’s National Kazoo Day. (Dorchester)

January 29: Exercise your mind on National Puzzle Day. (Acton)

January 29: Little Explorers Ground Hog Day celebration...a few days early. (Topsfield)

January 30: Prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year. (Acton)

January 30: Meet the star of Groundhog day before her big day. (Lincoln)

January 31: KidsJam family dance party. (Boston)

January 31: We do not recommend you attend this Opposite Day storytime. (Cambridge)

January 31: Winter stories and crafts with Miss Maija. (Dorchester)

January 31: Time to celebrate the year of the horse. (Easton)

January 31: On the rise! Make your bread and butter. (Lincoln)

Image credit: metallic kazoos via Amazon

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you've been enjoying a great week and are staying warm. I find this weather so challenging personally (not being able to run) and as a parent (hello, cabin fever). If you're going somewhat crazy, these posts include lots of indoor activity ideas for your kids and indoor fitness ideas for you. And to fuel your weekend, here are 19 event ideas to consider:

1. Magic and Beyond, a one-man illusion show. (Arlington)

2. Try your hand at original origami. (Acton)

3. Join actors from BCA and act out your favorite fairy tales. (Boston)

4. Join the fight against extreme poverty. (Boston)

5. Homemade musical instruments with Adam Schutzman. (Boston)

6. Be a veterinarian. (Boston)

7. Pinkalicious the musical. (Boston)

8. Some of your fairy tale favorites really get into character. (Brookline)

9. The final weekend of Robin Hood. (Brookline)

10. The legendary Harvard Square Chocolate Festival. (Cambridge)

11. Step inside a story. (Concord)

12. Get into the spirit of Chinese New Year. (Concord)

13. Free admission to the Concord Museum. (Concord)

14. Your backyard is for the birds! (Milton)

15. Stacey Peasley concert and grand opening of jam time. (Natick)

16. Ben Rudnick and Friends. (Natick)

17. Final weekend of Future Beauty: Avant-Garde Japanese Fashion. (Salem)

18. A summer camp fair. (Sudbury)

19. It’s the perfect weekend to snowshoe with your family. (Worcester)

Image credit: HarvardSquare.com

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.