Today, Jennifer recommends a visit to Barefoot Books for more than books:

Given the variable nature of New England weather (cue today's monsoon...), it's always good to have some indoor activity ideas in your back pocket. My kids and I recently enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the Barefoot Books pottery studio in Concord. Our mission was to try out their newish paint-your-own pottery studio (it was added to the store's offerings this past spring), and oh, did we have a grand ol' time.
If you haven't been to the store before, it's a whimsical experience for sure. From the minute you approach the brightly-colored building with patio seating outside (hello perfect snack time venue), you know you're in a kid-centric place. Even the bathroom is crazy cool. We browsed the books for a bit and checked out the story time area and main art room before heading to the back pottery studio. We chose to paint a small castle (my 6 year old daughter) and a toucan (my 8 year old son). I even decided to join in the fun and painted a travel mug as a gift for my dad -- you're never too old to give the gift of hand-painted pottery, right? They offer dozens of items to paint and a beautiful palette of colors; pieces are ready for pick up about a week after your visit and the store calls you to let you know when your items are ready.

I thought our outing would be about an hour, max, but with the lovely and relaxing atmosphere (did I mention the cool music and wonderfully friendly staff?) we ended up staying 2 hours. After we finished painting, my daughter drew a few pictures at the big table in the art room while I looked over their impressively packed events calendar. We'll be heading back soon!

One fun by-product of parenting is reliving games of my childhood with Laurel (oddly enough, I’m also looking forward to a second pass at learning math and history when Laurel hits high school…). And often times it’s the simplest and least expensive games and activities that offer so much fodder for fun and creativity.
Yesterday Laurel and I picked up a set of Schylling pick-up sticks at Henry Bear’s Park. Easy on the wallet at $5.99, these wooden sticks come in a wooden box with a sliding lid; great for neat storage and travel. The kit doesn’t come with the rules (which I couldn’t remember, other than trying not to move other sticks when you pick up one) and though we looked them up later, it proved fun to simply wing it and see Laurel make up her own rules, such as trying to get all of one color first (hard) or have us alternate color pairs on our turns (doable but still challenging). Oh, and if you play by the original points system, the game serves as a math exercise.

And then of course there was the fun of not picking up the sticks and instead making name, star burst, and other geometric patterns with the sticks. We pretty much spent most of the afternoon and evening goofing around with these simple little sticks.

So simple, so inexpensive, inspiring so much creativity. I love it.

Pursuant to last week’s local and indie awesomeness post, if you want to shop local and support artists and crafters this weekend, there will be plenty of crafty awesomeness to be had at the SoWa Holiday Market in the South End, CraftBoston at the Cyclorama, and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education Holly Fair in Harvard Square. Enjoy!

Image credit: Made in Lowell, showing at SoWa Holiday Market

Today, Jennifer shares some indie gems in Concord :

“Between this season’s mountain of catalogs filling my mailbox, the incessant ads for Black Friday door-buster deals (2 am, really?), and the stream of online price-slashing deals, I have found myself craving a good old-fashioned stroll-down-Main-Street-non-mall-shopping experience. So last week a girlfriend and I perused the independent shops in Concord Center and it was...AWESOME. I'm a huge fan of the convenience of big retailers and online shopping, but you've just gotta love the independent businesses that are passionate about what they have to offer. And it feels great to support them.
We loved Thoreauly Antiques (25 Walden Street, 978-371-0100, no website), a "fun and affordable antique shop" with beautiful collectibles, jewelry, prints, and unique decor items. Steps away we poked around in The Toy Shop of Concord and found some great stocking stuffers for the kids. I'm particularly fond of their fully-stocked arts and crafts and doll sections. Around the corner is The Dotted I with lovely note cards, stationery, and invites (I picked up a great hostess gift there). And my favorite, favorite book shop just down the block is The Concord Bookshop. This independent bookstore (open since 1940) is so inviting and is obviously run by major book lovers. It showcases local writers and has a great kids reading area in the back.

And finally, you can't leave Concord Center without a stop in The Concord Cheese Shop. This gourmet wine and cheese shop is a little slice of food heaven. In fact, it was so crowded with shoppers our visit there was short. That's always a good sign.

Also, if you're an antique fan, there's an upcoming event that's a perfect excuse to head to Concord for holiday shopping -- the Antiques & Vintage Holiday Gift Show -- December 12-13 at the Concord Armory.”

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Image credit: The Concord Bookshop

Though we tend to go minimal and handmade for the holidays (column on this topic forthcoming), when we do buy gifts, we shop local and/or indie as much as possible. And oh how the local and indie awesomeness abounds in Boston! Worth checking out this weekend: the Boston Bazaar Bizarre (Sunday, December 6) at the Cyclorama, Boston Handmade’s retail gallery featuring 30+ local artisans and crafters at Downtown Crossing (open now through December 24), and the Harvard Square Holiday Fair (open now through December 23).

Image credit: locally operated Murdock Design (showing at the Boston Bazaar Bizarre on Sunday).

Today, Kristin shares a review of the M. Lekkakos Spa in Wenham:

“When I lived in LA, I found that what most people consider life’s little luxuries back East were a necessity out West. For example, I always managed to find time for mani/pedis, I bought expensive sunglasses because they were not just a fashion accessory but mandatory eye protection (that I wore every day without fail), and with all the smog, I always found the time and money for regular facials. Facials are my favorite thing, but as a working mother of two boys, I find it near impossible to get them done these days. Plus, finding a good aesthetician is no small task.
I’ve experienced dozens of facials over my lifetime, and I have to say that hands down, M. Lekkakos Spa, located on the North Shore in Wenham, is the BEST OF THE BEST, in my book.

When I first arrived at the spa, after a 35-minute drive from my home in Arlington, I was taken aback by how discrete it was. Housed in what I can only describe as a small cottage, I entered the spa and was greeted by a very attractive and friendly receptionist. Throughout the spa there were a variety of skin care and makeup lines that I had never heard of but was eager to try. I made myself comfy in their waiting area and was soon greeted by owner and master aesthetician, Maria Lekkakos. The first thing I noticed about her was that she was not only beautiful, but completely organic in appearance. No heavy makeup, and her skin was glowing and radiant. Obviously, this was someone I wanted handling my face! Maria was full of energy and made me feel at ease immediately. She led me back to her room, where I was instructed to wrap myself in a warm towel, lay face up on the table, and get comfy under the blankets (which smelled great…don’t ask me why, but I notice those things). When Maria returned, she got straight to work giving me an ultrasound facial.

Maria’s ultrasound facial is her own creation. She explained that it is the perfectly balanced treatment for dehydrated, mature (crap, I’m in that category now?), eczema, rosacea, and acne prone skin. The facial lasted 90 minutes and in that time, I was massaged, cleansed, extracted, masked, steamed, and moisturized.

I think what I liked most about Maria’s approach was that she was not dedicated to just one line of products. She mixed two different lines of skin care: Thalgo (a line based out of Australia) and Sundari (a collection co-created by model Christy Turlington; I had heard a lot about this line but had yet to try it). These skin care lines are organic, bear minimal fragrance, and offer maximum results. My skin actually felt and looked plumped up from all the moisture contained in these products. I literally was glowing when I left, and that has never happened to me before. I actually refused to put any makeup on my face for two days afterward in order to maintain the feeling she gave me. Maria also was generous enough to give me some samples of the products she used so I could keep it up for a few days. I did breakout a bit a few days after, but to me, that’s a sign of a great facial because your skin is purging itself.

The spa prices at M. Lekkakos are comparable, if not a bit less, to what you would pay for a spa in downtown Boston. Winner of Best of Boston (2007) and Best of North Shore (2008, 2009), Maria is in demand; so much so that even celebrities who come into town for film shoots seek her out. Needless to say, she’s a busy woman, so book ahead. The spa offers everything from waxing and massage, to full hair care, makeup applications, nail care, and body care. My suggestion is to find the time, have your partner take care of the kids or arrange a sitter, and make the trip. The experience and results are absolutely worth it...and you deserve it!”

M. Lekkakos Spa | Salon | Boutique at 154 Main Street, Wenham; 978-468-9540

Today, Jennifer shares a great local lead to get a jump on holiday shopping while supporting independent artists and crafters. Read on to learn more about next week's juried Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival, as well as to learn how to win a pair of premier shopping tickets to the event (entry closes at noon, Friday, November 13):
From Jennifer:

“Every year my super fun and sassy friend Sami and I attend the Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival organized by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club. Timed perfectly for holiday gift shopping, it's held this year on Saturday, November 21 at the Wellesley Middle School from 10am – 4pm (with "premier shopping" from 9 – 10am). The 115 juried exhibitors are very cool and very crafty...most offer handmade items. Our purchases in the past have included gourmet chocolate sauce (which make GREAT holiday hostess gifts), scarves, beaded handbags, earrings, hand-painted flower pots, hand-sewn hats and toys for kids, and dried flower topiaries, just to name a few.

A few tips for shoppers: the event gets crowded, so arrive early, leave your coat in the car, and bring a reusable grocery bag to consolidate purchases. They also serve drinks and snacks if you need a shopping recharge.

Oh, and no strollers allowed. Which is all the more reason to make it a girl's day out!”

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Sharon!
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Now, want to win a pair of premier shopping tickets to the Wellesley Marketplace Craft Festival? Simple email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Wellesley Marketplace’ in the subject) by noon, Friday, November 13. The premier tickets provide for early shopper admission at 9am on the day of the event.

Davis Square’s bargain retail profile recently kicked it up a notch with the addition of Buffalo Exchange (on the same block as Poor Little Rich Girl and Good Will). Giving national chain a good name, Buffalo Exchange allows for direct sale or trade of used clothing and accessories, and carries both classic pieces (such as the J. Crew print dress I scored for $23.50...sweet!) and quirkier ones. The two-level store currently offers more goods for women (including rows upon rows of shoes downstairs), though there are some racks for men. Laurel loves treasure hunting with me in Davis; she only requests that this and other stores start carrying used kid’s clothing.

Buffalo Exchange, 238 Elm Street, Somerville; 617-629-5383

Today, Kate and April share their thoughts on a couple of winning games from local children’s game company Gamewright. Read on for Kate and April’s reviews, as well as to learn how to win a signed copy of Gamewright’s popular Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game (entry closes November 11).

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From Kate:

“My daughter is just getting to the age where she can understand and enjoy simple board games, and we've introduced a few as a way to teach her about following the rules, playing with others, and adhering to the basic concepts of sportsmanship. We started with Candy Land, which she loved for its bright colors and vivid drawings, and have since sampled a few others. I have to confess that she will often stack the deck (literally) in her favor, but we have a lot of fun and I believe that she's learning good lessons about logic and collaboration.

Gamewright Games of Newton, Massachusetts offers a range of beautifully-made games for kids of all ages, and we've recently discovered one that is just the right age and skill level for my daughter. Go Away Monster! encourages little kids to recognize and match shapes, while also helping them to deal with any monster-oriented anxieties by figuratively casting out monsters (funny, not scary) from under the bed. My daughter understood the concept of the game after just a few moments of explanation, and has been enjoying it ever since. Gamewright Games is a good option for families who are looking for games that aren't flashy or jarring but that offer fun in thoughtfully-designed packages.”

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From April:

“Play at our home rarely involves an actual game. Puppets, dancing, and coloring are the usual activities with occasional dramatic reenactments of Little Bear stories. Recently, I've been wishing for a few games to keep our 3 1/2-year-old daughter engaged and playing with us, but perhaps a bit calmer than 40 pirouettes. I want a couple of very quiet evening activities we can share together before we do our bedtime routine, or to take up a quiet block of weekend time.

Up until now we haven't found any games that are interesting, nice, and sweet enough for her (and our) tastes. We've tried several but the rules often go out the window and she uses the cards or pieces as props in a massive architectural build or an elaborate puppet show. Or, worse, she shows no interest at all.

Recently, though, we tried out Feed the Kitty from Gamewright. Instantly she was intrigued because it involves mice and a theoretical cat. We opened the box and she was immediately involved in the entire potential story contained in the pieces. It comes with a green food bowl (belonging to the cat), 20 purple wooden mice, and two simple dice that set the play in motion.

The idea is that everyone gets a certain number of mice. The dice that you roll tell you whether to put a mouse in the kitty bowl, take one out, give one to your neighbor, or do nothing (because the kitty's sleeping). The directions on the dice are pictorial, so once our daughter learned what each image meant to the game, she could keep track of the action and figure out what happens at every play. She got a real thrill telling us how to interpret the dice rolls.

The subtext is that some mice wind up in the bowl and become kitty food, but that would not play well with our little naturalist/animal lover. We asked her what she thought was happening and she said the mice were sneaking into the bowl to snack on the kitty's food—a much kinder read for the younger or more sensitive set, although older kids or those that understand that cats actually chase mice and eat them wouldn't be fazed. Our daughter didn't even consider that you want to keep the mice out of the kitty bowl—just that they don't want to get caught there—and yet the game still works perfectly!

The game lasts about 20-25 minutes the way we play (which is with a lot of talking). If you wanted to do a fast game before bed, you could easily speed up the rolls. The last player with mice is the winner. The game is recommended for kids age 4 and up, although our 3 1/2-year-old started playing it as if she'd had it for ages already. It's a sweet game with cute pieces and a new favorite for us when we need a quiet but involved family activity.”

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Lynn!
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Now, want to win a signed copy of Gamewright’s popular Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game? Here's how:

Visit the Gamewright store locator page, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Gamewright’ in the subject), and name a store where you can purchase Gamewright games.

One entry permitted per person; US residents welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, November 11, 2009.

*One lucky winner (drawn using Random.org) will receive a signed copy of Gamewright's Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game.

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Image credits: 1 (Gamewright); 2 (April Paffrath)