My friend Nooshi is amazing at identifying a cool party theme then really running with it. A couple of weekends ago she threw a marvelous Messy Party for her son’s third birthday and the party was unbelievably fun and beautifully creative. Here’s a run down of how she made it all happen:
If your little one loves alien play - or simply enjoys squishing and sculpting - now you can provide the goods to create an alien army! Today, Hasbro contributes to our online birthday party with their Martian Matter Alien Maker. This spaceship play set includes the mix, molds, and tools so kids can create nearly 100 different colorful alien combinations. Simply check out the rules after the jump and leave a comment on this kit (or any other Hasbro item) to enter to win.
Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers breastfeeding basics for baby’s first two weeks:
“Many women read several breastfeeding books and take at least one breastfeeding class during their pregnancy. However, once baby arrives many women forget some important basic information, especially as it relates to the newborn’s first two weeks of life. Here are breastfeeding basics to keep in mind during the first two weeks.
When it comes to cloth diaper services, there’s a real supply and demand problem in the Boston area. But now there’s good news for parents who live south of the city. Sweet Pea Diaper Service is live as of this month and will swap out your soiled diapers for fresh ones for $21 - 26 per week depending on your diaper plan. Serving families in Norfolk and Bristol counties (plus parts of Rhode Island), we’re thrilled to welcome this new business as it meets both local and global needs.
Want to win a Sweet Pea Diaper Service starter plan*? Here’s how:
Welcome to the 3rd installment of Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents (e.g., community theatre, juggling, what have you…), authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Lauren Bellon, professional fundraiser turned yoga teacher, postpartum doula, and founder of Namaste Baby. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!
Nothing says summer like juicy beach reads and July fireworks, so we’ll start our online birthday party off with a bang with Hachette Book Group. Five winners each will receive a generous Hachette "Summer Reads" collection, including 14 books collectively valued at $272! Simply check out the title list and rules after the jump and leave a comment on this prize to enter to win.
It’s hard to believe that Boston Mamas turns 2 in July, and that - over 1100 posts later - there’s still so much in my mental queue. I'm grateful to all of you who tune in to and tell your pals about this independently operated site; your dedication has helped put this niche blog on the map, both locally and nationally.
And since I love a good party, I’ve rounded up a fabulous line up of small and large companies to help celebrate our birthday. On random days through July and August, we’ll be giving away the cool stuff seen here (with even more items to be added shortly!). Check back daily starting tomorrow; each birthday draw will close at midnight the day of launch.
I have this thing about wall fixings. If I’m going to commit with nail and hammer, the item must be cool, meaningful, and/or relatively timeless; or even better, it’s multifunctional. And for parents looking for wall décor off the beaten path, Crib Rock Couture recently launched Metal Mania, a collection of steel graphic wall panels, wall décor inspired by their nursery rock tees, and – my favorite – wall hooks. These pieces are coated with lead free paint, and the hooks – such as the green octopus – will last well beyond the baby years while providing a way to get backpacks, jackets, tubby towels, or other high traffic items off the floor.
Want to win a Metal Mania wall décor or hook? Here’s how:
Pursuant to yesterday’s broadcast of my NECN interview on cool kitchen gadgets for parents, you now can see the video at NECN or on our press page. Meanwhile, here are specifics on the gadgets I chatted about with host Beth Shelburne, including a few we didn’t have time to discuss.
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Coochicoos features a great new nursery inspired by elements from nature. And you could win: a Bugaboo Frog from Car & Caboodle, a LeapFrog Tag Reading system from MomFinds, a Twisted Silver bracelet from One Chic Mama, and one of four Boppy nursing pillows from The Nest Baby.
Summer invariably makes me think about being very pregnant, then in a persistent state of swelter during Laurel’s infancy, during which she wanted to be swaddled, cuddled, and slung constantly but was prone to overheating. If only we had know about the awesome cotton muslin wraps by aden + anais. Forty-seven inches square to ensure a snug wrap, yet deliciously soft and light, these open weave Australian wraps offer a breathable, naturally temperature-regulating solution for summer swaddling. And lucky for winter babes, double layered winter warmth wraps also are available.
Want to win a 4-pack of aden + anais wraps? Here’s how:
Today, Kate reports on an indoor spot for kids to stretch their legs:
“For those of us raising kids in the city, we all know that space – space to play, space to spread out, space just to run – is precious. Playgrounds and parks are great, but are often crowded, and the weather doesn't always cooperate. For those days when you need an alternative, check out IMAJINEthat in Lawrence.
Wish me luck, folks! This afternoon I’m off to tape my first TV interview, with New England Cable News’s New England Dream House program. I’ll be chatting with NECN about cool kitchen gadgets for parents. The episode will air this Sunday, June 29 at 10am and 7pm, and will repeat at 3:30pm on June 30, July 3, July 8, July 11, and July 16. The segment will be on their website starting June 29.
Not into the tactile tasks associated with traditional scrapbooking? Today, Evadne reviews How Fast They Grow's digital scrapbooking service. Read on for Evadne’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a $25 gift card to How Fast They Grow!
For the past year we’ve been sharing in our neighbor’s slow and lazy composting method, but we now want to move to a more contained, easy to rotate system. I immediately e-mailed my friend Braden, who has urban composted everywhere from NYC to Tokyo. She writes, “I love that when you think of rotting food you think of me! We use the EnviroCycle Composter [available at Planet Natural and Amazon], a rotating composting bin with a fairly small footprint. Indoor composting or vermiculture are other urban options but I really cannot imagine most urbanites taking up that challenge.”
Today, Jules and Heather review Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too, a book that seeks to motivate moms to give themselves the time-outs they need and deserve. Read on for their reviews, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too:
I’m not sure whether it’s coincidence or consequence that June-born Jon loves cherries, but every year he’d rather have cherry pie than cake. The year Laurel was born, in my sleep deprived, frantically trying-to-bake-while-on-a-conference-call state, I dropped my fully assembled pie as I tried to put it in the oven. I thus was too traumatized last year to try again, but when Bon Appétit’s June 2008 issue featured this Classic Sour Cherry Pie With Lattice Crust recipe, I knew it was time to give cherry pie another go. Plus, Laurel was sure to keep reminding me to use both hands when putting the pie in the oven.
One pragmatic plus of having a daughter is dresses, which create a cute look instantly and make frequent changes a cinch. And if you share my love for simple, elegant, comfy, and good for the planet, check out the chic offerings at green boutique Go Natural Baby. Offering a clothing collection crafted from 100% certified organic cotton and low impact dyes, I love the sweet simplicity of Little Rosie’s Dress. Prettily constructed in dual pink tones and contrast trim at the neck and arms, this empire silhouette looks great on its own or paired with pants.
Want to win Little Rosie’s Dress*? Here’s how:
Hip Baby Stationery & Announcements
Beaucoup Baby Party & Wedding Favors
Use code Summertime08 for 15% off all IsaBooties through 6/31
