I recently wrote over at my personal blog about how moving in real life events are for me, particularly as a person who spends an absurd amount of time interfacing with people digitally. I’m thus pleased to welcome you all out to an IRL (i.e., that's tech talk for in real life) get together this Sunday, November 8, from 10am – 2pm. The Bellaziza Trunk Show and brunch will take place at Kenzie Kids in Wellesley in partnership with Boston Mamas and Magic Beans. Come eat, mingle, shop (mention Boston Mamas and get 20% off at checkout), and enjoy some swag. This event is free and open to anyone who digs cute kid stuff. Hope to see you there!

At Kenzie Kids, 200 Linden Street, Wellesley; 781-237-3666

Though I still can’t stomach the concept of holiday in terms of retail displays in early November, I’m willing to make exceptions for the performing arts and independent artisans. And from November 6 – 8 you can access the wares of 300 fine artists at the Boston Christmas Festival at the Seaport World Trade Center. Also, given my obsession with gingerbread last year (and, admittedly, cake competitions on cable), the gingerbread house competition (of which this Fenway Park replica was a winner) seems particularly intriguing. Tickets are $12 for adults (discount available); kids under 14 are admitted free.

If you're like us, you're overrun with Halloween candy. I subsequently was thrilled to read Fairly Odd Mother's post about ways to put the candy to good use; namely, by donating the loot to troops overseas. Check out the leads Christina culled, as well as those by Cool Mom Picks. And if you're looking for local drop offs, bring your Halloween candy to Magic Beans (all 3 locations) through November 10 and trade it for 25% off a toy, or to Wellesley Dental Group where they'll buy back paper lunch bags full of candy for $1 then donate the candy to the troops (through November 13).
Laurel is totally on board with this plan and already has set aside candy for donation and made a card (pictured below) to include. I also offered to the other families in Laurel's kindergarten class to coordinate a shipment from the class, such that I'll be collecting candy and cards from families this week and will ship it all out over the weekend.

Image credits: 1 (Wellesley Dental Group); 2 (Christine Koh)

Now that we've hit November, the concept of holiday is slowly creeping onto my radar. I'm still ignoring holiday retail displays, but I'm all for securing tickets to Boston’s fabulous arts scene at a budget in celebration of the season. In addition to discounted arts tickets, the Mayor’s Holiday Special site features shopping, dining, and lodging deals and is open now through January 18, 2010.

Why yes, there are things happening this weekend that don’t relate to Halloween. Two cool picks that piqued my interest? The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival (Saturday & Sunday) will assemble natural food providers, speakers, chefs, and exhibitors offering food samples, demos, learning opportunities, and a children's activity center. And on Sunday, Design Hive is calling all vintage vixens to Cambridge to stock up on vintage clothing, accessories, and home furnishings from local sellers.

Poor customer service is perplexing, frustrating, and amazingly rampant in the retail industry, so I’m always thrilled to discover a store – such as Marathon Sports – that does it right. In need of a new pair of running shoes in advance of the Gobble, Gobble, Gobble run, I visited Marathon Sports with Laurel on Sunday. I was approached immediately (in a good way) by a friendly staffer, and after observing my feet and walking gait (in socks, pants rolled up) and asking about brand preferences, the staffer made easy work of the sea of sneaker options on the wall and pulled his two top recommendations, the second of which fit beautifully and felt great as I test trotted around the store.
I have walked by the flagship Cambridge location countless times, but this was my first time visiting the store (they also have locations in Boston, Brookline, Melrose, Norwell, and Wellesley). Remarkably, Laurel and I were in and out of Marathon Sports in 10 minutes (a major bonus since it’s not always easy doing errands like this with kids in tow). I’m still amazed that in that short time, the staff was able to put their knowledge and experience to excellent use, while offering personal attention and support as I prepare for my first race.

Yesterday, I hit the 30 minute run mark for the first time in my new sneakers. I have a feeling I'll be logging a lot more miles in these (and future) shoes from Marathon Sports.

I feel blessed to know many artistic souls, and last week I had the fabulous opportunity to work with Kristin Chalmers on professional headshots. Kristin is a creative tour de force via her photography business, her role as the host, coordinator, and producer of Baby Loves Disco Boston, and, given her passion for helping new moms, I recently convinced her that she has time to write for this site (debut forthcoming). But let me get back to her photography prowess, because she rocked.

As a mother of two, these days Kristin is particularly attuned to photographing children and families; everything from pregnancy photos to newborns to high school portraits that actually look cool. She also shoots weddings, and for business or other personal needs (such as the headshots I needed), and in the past has shot everything from rappers to restaurants.

I’m typically completely comfortable in front of a camera, but I have to admit that given the fact that lately I’ve been feeling rather tired in face and body, I started to fret a little as I readied myself for the shoot. I stared at my skin (regretting every single minute I used to suntan in high school and college), and wondered whether I should have attempted a home teeth-whitening kit the night before.

But luckily, Kristin’s demeanor and talent quickly helped me forget those concerns. She’s fun, lighthearted yet professional, never condescending, and - particularly good for families - she shoots up a storm while working quickly, chatting to keep the subject(s) engaged and at ease between shots, and offering positioning corrections in a relaxed way. She also stopped periodically to show me shots on her camera, as well as edits to improve various shots. The results were so fabulous and the shoot so fun, I could have had her snap away all day.

We shot in a variety of ways - out at a park, in a café, with and without glasses, and while I haven’t seen the whole series, I’m already having trouble deciding between the preliminary favorites she has sent. But truly, it’s an embarrassment of riches to have to decide between shots where she has transformed a tired mama into one who looks alternately hot, young, hip, stylish, fully rested, etc.

Kristin shoots on location digitally (although she’ll shoot with film for traditionalists) – and she uses a local photography lab so it’s easy to get prints without dealing with exorbitant shipping costs. Definitely contact Kristin the next time you or your family want a photo pro who will put you at ease and make you look fabulous.

We love local mamapreneurs, and thus were thrilled to receive this tip from Aimee of Arlington: “I just checked out the new Twinkle Star baby boutique in Ball Square, Somerville. It’s a cute shop and great play space for kids. I also met with Salina of Diaper Lab (she rents space at Twinkle Star) for cloth diaper ideas for my new little guy. She has a supply and sample of every cloth diaper available - what a great resource!”
Click here for a coupon for $5 off purchases of $75+ at Twinkle Star Boutique.

Twinkle Star Boutique & Diaper Lab, 703 Broadway, Somerville; Tel: 617-776-2340

Kids move fast, so if you want to catch precious fleeting moments (and perhaps even be in a photo for once), call a pro equipped with both an eye for composition and super fast shutter speed. Lucky for local mamas, today Mariah M Photography contributes to our online birthday party with an on-location portrait session + $100 print credit (value = $300!). This complimentary session can take place at your home or other favorite spot, provided it’s within a 20-mile radius of Newburyport (otherwise Mariah serves New England & beyond). Simply check out the rules after the jump and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Nicola!
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Rules:

Include your name and email in the appropriate fields so we can contact you if you win (your name but NOT your email will be published with your comment. Including just first name or first name + last initial is OK.)

One comment permitted per person; local entrants welcome. **Whether you win this for yourself or a loved one, the photo shoot must take place within a 20-mile radius of Newburyport, MA.

Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded.

Entry period closes tonight at midnight EST, Tuesday, July 15, 2008.