Happy Sunday everyone! It was a gorgeous morning for the 5-miler I ran in Cambridge (so fun to run the whole way with friends, btw!) and now I'm cozied up at home while Violet naps and Laurel is off at a playdate. If you're looking to catch up on some web reading, there was so much great content on the site last month. Enjoy this compilation of the best of January 2014:

At Home

- 30 things to do when school is cancelled

- 7 ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year with kids

Books & Entertainment

- Civil rights movement books for kids

- 14 awesome puzzles for babies, kids, and grownups

Critter Love

- For the love of penguins

- Groundhog Day trivia and celebration

Fashion

- The ridiculously awesome pants everyone keeps asking me about

Food & Fitness

- Meals made easy: warm winter salad

- Jeannie's apple crumble pie

- 16 sources of totally doable fitness and nutrition inspiration

Local

- A great spot for budding thespians

- Local Gems: Beacon Hill, Boston

- Local Gems: Medford

Personal/Professional

- Inspiration to help you be even more awesome in 2014

Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome

- Volume 1

- Volume 2

Image credit: blood orange loaf cake 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.

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!

+ + + + +

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

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.

I'm so excited to kick off the Local Gems series this morning and am doing so with ten local gems in Medford. This town is fast on the rise given its strong community, lightning fast access to Boston, and various amenities (including commuter rail access and visions of Green Line expansion). If you have other favorite Medford gems, feel free to share in the comments below!

1. Bestsellers Café. This bookstore/café is a true indie gem. While it looks deceptively small from the storefront, the property opens up into a larger space in the back, including lovely café seating that overlooks the Mystic River.

2. Art in 2 Shades. I signed Laurel up for mini art camps for the first time last summer and she adores this place! The women who run this studio are quirky and friendly and Laurel created some wonderful work through the program.

3. Emiliano’Z. This Mexican restaurant is run by the sweetest family. I pretty much eat here every week. If ordering out, I usually get the primavera or Emiliano'Z favorite burrito. If dining in, the tilapia dinner plate. Also, the sangria.

4. Tenoch. In Medford Center proper, there's another great Mexican offering. If you go to Tenoch, get the chicken sandwich (torta). O.M.G. They're clearly doing well, with a North End location in the works.

5. Mystic Coffee Roaster. Fresh roasted coffee right in town. Doesn’t get better than that.

6. Chung Ki Wa. This is where my mom wants to go when I take her out to lunch (good sign, given that we're Korean!). Order the okdol bi bim bap. Also, the pajon (Korean pancakes) are delicious.

7. Bistro 5. Bistro 5 is a surprisingly fancy find right near the commuter rail stop in West Medford. Their gnocchi is insanely good or it’s a nice stop for a drink at the small bar. They recently installed windows along the front of the restaurant, making this spot even more appealing.

8. Blue Fuji. It's not hard for us to rack up a bill at this organic Asian restaurant. The sushi is great, as are basics such as the lo mein noodles and tofu with vegetables (one of my favorites!). Blue Fuji also has a gluten-free menu.

9. Danish Pastry House. Fine coffee. Killer kringle (and countless other treats). A sunny and bright corner location. You can't go wrong at DPH.

*10. Finally, Medford is remarkable not only for its quick access to the city, but also to nature. Pretty (and sometimes wooded) paths run along the Mystic River, and The Fells is a remarkable 3,400 acre reservation offering a welcome nature escape. Your kids will love exploring Panther's Cave.

*Updated and added 1/22/14

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

I have several editorial series that I've been planning on launching for oh, say, the last year (seriously!) and other things just keep getting in the way. But today I'm finally kicking off Local Gems, through which I'll feature awesome and sometimes lesser known gems in different communities in and around Boston. Putting a spotlight on local businesses feels even more important to me right now given the recent closing of Isis Parenting.

I have several of other towns and neighborhoods zipped up already, but feel free to contact me if you are interested in submitting picks for your town and I'll let you know if there's space. Otherwise, you can always share additional recommendations in the comments of a given post.

Now, let's do this thing! First stop: MEDFORD.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy Sunday everyone! I'm dropping the Weekly Blueprint early in case you're looking to shore up plans for the day off tomorrow. This roundup includes lots of wonderful events and service opportunities in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. (also, check out these civil rights movement books for kids for reading inspiration). Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

January 20: Celebrate the lives of MLK and Nelson Mandela through music and dance. (Boston)

January 20: Help create a community art mobile to commemorate the life and legacy of MLK Jr. (Easton)

January 20: Add your dreams to the MLK Dream Tree. (Acton)

January 20: Pay tribute to MLK by learning more about those who fought to abolish slavery in the 19th century. (Sturbridge)

January 20: 13 ways to make MLK Day a day ON by volunteering. (Various locations)

January 20: More MLK Day service opportunities at three MA Audubon locations. (Various locations)

January 20: Special guests from Disney on Ice celebrate the day off at the Frog Pond. (Boston)

January 20: Skate for a cause in Kendall Square. (Cambridge)

January 20: Live performances from the Mamadou West African Band. (Boston)

January 20: Be the Drumlin Farm caretaker for a day. (Lincoln)

January 20: You don’t even have to get out of your jammies for this SteveSongs concert. (Lexington)

January 20: Jason Bishop magic show. (Newton)

January 20: The final day of the world family film festival. (Belmont)

January 21: A nutty celebration for squirrel appreciation day. (Marshfield)

January 22: Artfull play. (Lincoln)

January 23: Old McDrumlin had a farm. (Lincoln)

January 24: The legendary Harvard Square Chocolate Festival kicks off. (Cambridge)

January 24: Storytime at the Curious George store. (Cambridge)

January 24: Family autism night at the museum. (Easton)

Image credit: Martin Luther King quote via Digital Things on Etsy 

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 get out and enjoy some sunshine today! I just returned from a (day early) 4-mile run in honor of Meg's Miles (feel free to join in) and am getting ready to dive into the day. Enjoy this roundup of 16 events in the Weekend Roundup. Also, as many of you know, this was a sad week for the Isis Parenting community; you can read/hear my thoughts on the topic via Boston.com and NPR's Radio Boston.

1. Interactive magic with Matt Roberts. (Arlington)

2. World family film festival continues. (Belmont)

3. Ben Rudnick supports the Pajama Project. (Boston)

4. It’s Critter Day. (Boston)

5. Get your favorite furry friend and become a veterinarian for a day. (Boston)

6. Oshogatsu! Celebrate the Japanese New Year. (Boston)

7. O-shogatu concert by Chorus Boston. (Boston)

8. Pinkalicious the musical opens. (Boston)

9. Step inside a story. (Concord)

10. Unfold the story of nature’s tracks and signs. (Mattapan)

11. Super cool ice sculpting demonstrations. (Salem)

12. Thread, embroidery, and silk worm cocoons. (Salem)

13. Gorgeous avant-garde Japanese fashion. (Salem)

14. SteveSongs family show. (Somerville)

15. Kids are free every weekend through March 30. (Sturbridge)

16. Family day at the children’s theater. (Watertown)

Image credit: Museum of Fine Arts

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.