Every holiday season since becoming a designer, I feel guilty when the holiday cards start rolling in because I'm too busy with design work to tend to my own cards. One year I embraced this reality and sent out cards in March; otherwise, I don't get around to it. However, this year, thanks to a kind offer from the folks at Minted (where I have had some designs represented), I actually will send out holiday cards this month! Read on to check out my thoughts on Minted's holiday cards, as well as to learn how to win a $150 gift certificate to Minted!
Minted is a paper goods site built largely on the talents of indie designers -- most of the collection is generated from design competitions. Bizarrely, just before Minted reached out to me, I was thinking of how nice it would be to design a holiday timeline card (if I had time, that is). So when I looked at the site and realized they have something similar, I figured it was fate. Even though it wouldn't be my design going out as our holiday greeting, it would be awesome to simply get it done. Because I love the reconnection that happens around holiday cards.

As you will see from a quick peek, Minted has a ton of options. I recommend rounding up your candidate photos prior to browsing so you can narrow down your search by number of photos to include and orientation. Here's how my process went.

Since I wanted a timeline approach, I started by selecting the Yearline Card collection. This rendered 216 options -- an unwieldy number for someone who likes to peruse all the options, but my process was then narrowed down a lot because the family photo I wanted to use was vertical in orientation and most of the Yearline cards require horizontally oriented photos. I clicked View All and did a quick first pass to identify vertically oriented candidates, ruling out anything that looked too Christmas-y (I prefer non-denominational cards) or didn't fit my style. Here were my final candidates -- all lovely, but I share my narrowing down process below.

Wish Banner

I love how simple and modern this Wish Banner card is. I also love that you can include four photos on the front -- I definitely had enough photo candidates to utilize this layout. However, I've been noticing this font around a lot lately in both personal and commercial work so I ruled this one out. (Note: you can change font styles and sizes but I wanted to land on a design quickly and not have to make a lot of stylistic edits.

Bowtie

This Bowtie card is classic and pretty, with a little whimsy added via the bird. However, six photo windows on the front meant more time obsessing over photo choices, plus I didn't think my vertically oriented family photo would fit well in any of the boxes.

A Big Hello

The minimalism of this Big Hello design appealed to me. After all, I designed a pair of cards inspired by the word Hello earlier this year! However, the red and green colorway was too Christmas-y for me and even though there are two blue colorway options that are lovely, after looking at the red/green, I kept thinking Christmas even when looking at the blue options.

Float + Joy

This Float + Joy design is really lovely and elegant. However, I ruled it out because I wanted more color pop, plus the photo window was too narrow for my family photo.

Joyful Modern Wreath

This Joyful Modern Wreath design is pretty and basically fit my parameters, but I wasn't struck by the must send response I was looking for.

Mod Joy

Ultimately, I chose Mod Joy! I don't know if it's the unconventional colorway (I am obsessed with yellow right now), the fun family photo in the example, or the fact that JOY is such a representative word for us this year, but I saw this design and it felt like the perfect one. And I love the pop of the color on the interior and the fact that the color is called sunshine, which is perfect given that the family photo I wanted to use was from our trip to California.

Once I settled on Mod Joy, I selected the quantity, paper options, and format and inserted photos and text. I bypassed the options to upgrade the envelopes, include envelope liners, and print return labels (all good options to have though), and asked in the comments whether they would consider adjusting the JOY text box slightly so the word JOY ran in full down the center of the section. And that was it, within an hour, my cards were done and ordered!

Within 24 hours I received my proof (and they took care of my design edit to the JOY box -- yay!) and approved it and my cards are expected to arrive early next week. Totally awesome! In short, the experience was great. While yes, in an ideal world, I would love to design my own holiday cards, when that isn't an option, truly, the next best thing for me is to support another indie designer.

And now, you can enter to win a gift certificate and get your cards out too! Minted kindly offered to match the $150 credit they offered me (I needed to order 150 cards so this helped defray my order total by almost half...thank you, Minted!) to you. Pretty cool, no? Here's how to enter to win:

+ + + + +
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Tara!
+ + + + +

Rules:

Simply leave a comment below about this fantastic giveaway. (If you're so inclined I'd love to hear what you think about my design options or anything else you love from the Minted site!)

US entrants welcome to enter.

One comment per person (please do not leave comments from multiple e-mail addresses). Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be removed. Note that your e-mail address will not be published or shared! Leaving just your first name or first name + initial in the name field is perfectly fine.

Entry period closes at noon EST, Monday, December 12, 2011.

+ + + + +

*One lucky winner (selected using Random.org) will receive a $150 Minted gift certificate! Sweet!

I'm part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation so I've been thinking a lot about mealtime (even more than usual!). Recent conversation on the program's Facebook page has focused on dinnertime mojo and quick meals, and these conversation threads have reminded me that meals are decidedly un-Zen for so many families. Indeed, with two busy parents, a chatty 7-year-old, and a sippy cup banging 8-month-old at our table, meals are not always the most relaxed. This all got me thinking about some of the typical stumbling blocks we face and how we try to address them. I hope the below thoughts are helpful, and I'd love to hear if you have other challenges at the dinner table and what you do to mitigate them!
1. Slowing down the horses.

Stumbling Block: By the time we get to the table, one or more of us typically is famished. Subsequently, there's a tendency to strap on the feedbag, as it were, and go.

Solution: We have taken to pausing to start our meals with an expression of gratitude -- for each other, for the food in front of us, and anything else that is top of mind. It only takes a moment, but has been a really effective way to slow down our pace.

2. Speedy, yet monochromatic meals.

Stumbling Block: If we're rushing with food prep, sometimes meals can end up, well, rather monochromatic (e.g., pasta, corn, etc.).

Solution: Our typical quick meals include quesadillas, breakfast for dinner, pasta, etc., and we try to resolve monochrome syndrome with quick additions such as baby spinach in the quesadillas, or cucumbers, carrot sticks, or grape tomato halves on the side. And fruit, always fruit.

3. Interrupting.

Stumbling Block: We are, er, a rather verbal family and Laurel has a tendency to start a conversation thread while another is in progress.

Solution: While it's sometimes just easier to let interruptions happen, we're trying to help Laurel get in a more mindful habit by stopping and reminding her that someone else needs to finish their thought before she jumps in. She's actually started raising her hand lately, to get in the queue, which is pretty cute.

4. Up and down, up and down.

Stumbling Block: This is something we struggle with, whether it's Laurel getting up and down when she realizes she has something in her backpack she wants to show us, or Jon or I fetching something we forgot for the meal. And it contributes to a general sense of mealtime chaos.

Solution: We now tell Laurel that whatever she wants to show us can wait, and unless it's something major, we do without whatever we've forgotten at the table. Alternatively, we limit our get ups (meaning, we wait until we've thought of a few things we forgot to get and take care of it all at once). It's amazing how much these small tweaks change the pace for the better.

5. General disaster zone.

Stumbling Block: This might be my own personal peeve, but I really, really dislike sitting down to a meal with the kitchen in a completely disastrous state.

Solution: I've tried to work on this one by chipping away at the build up that tends to start well before dinner -- for example, asking Laurel to wash out her lunch containers, chipping away at random dishes while items are cooking, and so forth.

Those are the major stumbling blocks for us. It's pretty much a work in progress! I'd love to hear what you're wrestling with, either here in the comments or at the Mom's the Word on Dinner Facebook page.

Image credit: Stoonn via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to the 2011 Surrender, Dorothy Blogger Book Gift Guide! This year, I've linked all the books to their spot on the shelf at the Bookstore That Gives (remember that rockstar high school intern?). A portion of your purchase price can be designated to go to the school of your choice.

Some of these authors have more than one book, so I've put my favorite one in this gift guide. *This list is, of course, not complete ... I limited it this year to people I've met via blogging. If I've left you off, please let me know! I'm getting old.

Sleep Is for the Weak

Edited by ... moi! I know, you're shocked. Get the original mommyblogger anthology with 25 bloggers who have gone on to greatness. Buy here.

Let's Panic About Babies

By Alice Bradley and Eden Marriott Kennedy

Eden and Alice have always been hilarious, but this book takes it to a new level. Buy here.

The Beauty of Different

By Karen Walrond

I bought one for me and one for my daughter. May she always feel beautiful. Buy here.

It Sucked and Then I Cried

by Heather B. Armstrong

How her blog readers saved her from postpartum depression. Buy here.

The Pioneer Woman

By Ree Drummond

I read part of Ree's love story on her blog, and that's what made me fall in love with her as a person. Here's the whole thing in book form. Buy here.

PunditMom's Mothers of Intention

by Joanne Bamberger

Mothers and political activism so totally go together. Buy here.

Professional Blogging for Dummies

By Susan Getgood

Susan's really smart about this stuff. Also, she quoted me in her book. HA! Buy here.

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

By Risa Green

I've enjoyed all of Risa's books, but my favorite is this young adult mystery. Buy here.

Falling Apart in One Piece

by Stacy Morrison

A heartbreakingly beautiful memoir about what matters in life. Buy here.

What I Would Tell Her

by Andrea N. Richesin

Nicki is the anthologist to end all anthologists -- my favorite is the one with the stories of dads for their daughters. Kleenex alert. Buy here.

Mommy Doesn't Drink Here Anymore

by Rachael Brownell

An honest, raw and well written story of sobriety. Buy here.

Rockabye

by Rebecca Woolf

A baby and a husband and an armful of tattoos so young -- and so right. Buy here.

Make It Fast, Cook It Slow

by Stephanie O'Dea

I have made a bunch of these crockpot recipes. They are good. Buy here.

The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published

by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry

The best book on the publishing business I've read yet, and I've read a lot of them. Buy here.

Insatiable

by Erica Rivera

Erica's first memoir on her struggles with eating disorders -- I couldn't rip my eyes away from the pages. Buy here.

Hollywood Car Wash

by Lori Culwell

Lori self-published this novel and then sold so many copies it was bought by Simon & Schuster. Buy here.

Kirtsy Takes a Bow

Edited by Laura Mayes

Laura's collection is beautiful and insightful. Full disclosure: I also have a piece in it! Buy here.

Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety

by Judith Warner

I interviewed Judith about her second book for BlogHer, but I really loved her first one best. Buy here.

The Happiness Project

by Gretchen Rubin

I met Gretchen when I interviewed her about happiness in marriage for a series on BlogHer. Loved her comments, loved her book. Buy here.

Life From Scratch

by Melissa Ford

A novel about a blogger. What's not to love? Buy here.

The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex

by Kristen Chase

After a few years writing a sex column and four kids -- um, I believe her. Buy here.

As the holiday giving season/tax year draws to a close, please keep in mind you can also give a tax-deductible donation DIRECTLY TO YOUR SCHOOL. Just ask at the school office. 

Reading is awesome. Writing is awesome. Schools teach both. Please support your schools, whether or not you have kids.

Happy Monday everyone! Here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

December 6: Bring a new, unwrapped toy (to be donated to the Home for Little Wanderers) to Frog Pond between 3-4pm and receive a free ticket voucher to Disney On Ice's Treasure Trove at TD Garden, December 26-29. *UPDATE: This event has been relocated to DCR Steriti Memorial Rink, 561 Commercial Street, Boston.
December 7: It's National Cotton Candy Day (who knew?) and these local restaurants will celebrate with complimentary post-meal confections: BOKX 109 American Prime at Hotel Indigo (Newton) is offering apple, strawberry, and blueberry flavors, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar (Boston) is serving sour apple cotton candy laced with cherry pop rocks, and The MET Bar & Grill (Dedham) is offering watermelon and cherry flavored cotton candy to all parties with kids in tow. Also, Towne Stove and Spirits (Boston) is serving maple cotton candy as a compliment to some of their desserts.

December 8: Revel in a starry night in New Bedford.

December 8: Celebrate Bodhi Day at Barefoot Books.

December 8-11: Support indie crafters at the Brookline Arts Center's Artist Marketplace.

December 9-11: And you can do the same at the Craftboston Holiday Show.

By early this week Enter to win tickets to the Spirit of Boston Santa Lunch Cruise (by noon December 6) and/or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (by noon December 8).

At your leisure: Consider seeing Peter Pan this month. I took Laurel yesterday and it was really impressive, particularly the 360 degree theatre set! You can look for half price tickets here.

At your leisure: Is your teen in a band? Perhaps they want to consider competing to rock out to help sick kids at Children's Hospital.

At your leisure: Start a fitness program. Here are 11 easy tips to get you going.

At your leisure: Chip away at procuring holiday items -- start by shopping local!

At your leisure: If you're sending holiday cards, pull together photos (I'm doing this right now!). I figure it's OK if they arrive anytime before next winter! (Also, stay tuned, I have a fantastic giveaway lined up to help you in this department!)

At your leisure: In advance of all of those holiday photos, book a hair appointment. I was psyched that I remembered to book a hair cut this past weekend with my friend (and fabulous cut and colorist) Honey Jo this past weekend given that the next couples of weeks are totally packed.

Image credit: Cotton candy necklace by FatallyFeminine via Etsy

If the number of hours I used to spend polishing musical theatre dance numbers and color guard routines is an indication, I clearly have a thing for organized spectacle. And it arguably doesn't get more organized or spectacular than a blinged out kick line. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes recently debuted their new show in Boston and runs through December 28. And how cool is this? The kind folks at Citi Performing Arts Center offered me a 4-pack of Christmas Spectacular tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

+ + + + +
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Holly!
+ + + + +

Rules*:

Email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Rockettes" in the subject by noon EST, Thursday, December 8, 2011, and include your mailing address in your e-mail to expedite the process. (I have the tickets sitting here on my desk and will drop them in the mail as soon as I draw the winner!)

Local entrants welcome.

One entry per person (please do not enter off multiple e-mail accounts).

+ + + + +

*One lucky winner (drawn randomly via Random.org) will receive four (4) tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show in Boston on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 7:30pm. The winner will be notified directly via e-mail, then listed back at this post using first name only.

I hope you all have a fantastic first weekend of December! Here are 12 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. Oh the craftasticness that awaits at the Bazaar Bizarre! (Boston)

2. Warm up those lungs...help break the world record for the most carolers in one place. (Boston)

3. If you're looking for fine art this holiday season, head to the Gorse Mill Studios Holiday Open Studios. (Needham)
4. Drop off donations at the Room to Grow Holiday Toy Drive then enjoy a stroll about downtown. (Boston)

5. You can visit with Santa and/or make a gingerbread house this weekend at Verrill Farm. (Concord)

6. Enchanted trolley tours await! (Boston)

7. Get your glow on. (Medford)

8. Celebrate native arts and culture. (Cambridge)

9. Enjoy a farm inspired open house. (Lexington)

10. Show your Bank of America card for free admission to six Massachusetts museums. (Boston, Cambridge, Dennis, Lincoln, North Adams, Worcester)

11. An island Christmas stroll sounds just lovely to me. (Nantucket)

12. Christmas in Salem kicks off this evening. (Salem)

Image credit: Bazaar Bizarre

I can hardly believe I'm writing this, but Happy December everyone! There's so much great stuff on tap home and work-wise this month; I hope you're finding the same! Meanwhile, if you're looking for a Santa adventure that extends beyond the local mall, the kind folks at Spirit of Boston offered me a 4-pack of Santa Lunch Cruise tickets to share with one of you lucky readers. Setting sail Saturday, December 10, enjoy lunch, entertainment, goodie bags, cookie decorating, and photos with Santa against the lovely backdrop of the Boston Harbor. Fun, no? Here's how to enter to win:

+ + + + +
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Erin!
+ + + + +

Rules*:

Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with "Santa Cruise" in the subject by noon EST, Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Local entrants welcome.

One entry per person (please do not enter off multiple e-mail accounts).

+ + + + +

*One lucky winner (drawn randomly via Random.org) will receive four (4) tickets (approximately $120 value!) to the Spirit of Boston Santa cruise on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The winner will be notified directly via e-mail, then listed back at this post using first name only.

Also: Bring a new toy to the Santa cruise (to benefit Christmas in the City) and receive a voucher for your child (12 and under) to cruise for free one time (of their choice) in 2012. Toys can be brought to the ticket booth at the Spirit of Boston. Voucher can only be used on the Spirit of Boston.

Lately I've been on a tear for truth. I've been reading a lot of novels. I've been thinking about the economy, about thankfulness, about the fragility and magnificence of all I hold dear.

The books I love most are the ones that reveal truths about us as a people. Gulliver's Travels, a political satire that -- to me -- identifies so completely the difference between humans and completely rational creatures. Completely rational creatures wouldn't fight for truth; they'd only fight for resources. Completely rational creatures, actually, would probably never fight at all. It's such a waste of energy. They probably wouldn't love, either, because love is a risk for which there is no algorithm and no bonded guarantee. 

At night, I've been reading novel after novel trying to identify exactly what it is I want to write about next. With every passing day, I grow more frustrated with our leaders' inability to agree. Our collective inability to do the things that serve the greater good. The struggle between protecting ourselves from each other and protecting each other from ourselves. 

We read history to avoid repeating it, but inevitably history is only one side of the story. The maddening thing about humanity is that our egos make it so difficult to be compassionate, to see the other person's side. It is deeply painful to truly hear another's negative perception of yourself. It takes an act of faith to open yourself up to the criticism of your actions without defensiveness -- but if you can, it's a gift. How then, do we balance that insight with the belief we can succeed despite our many and obvious flaws? How do we pick ourselves up and change and make the world a better place?

It gets dark early these days, and so, after my daughter goes to bed, I turn to more and more novels, searching for the veracity buried there. And I think about what I want to write. And how in order to do so, I have to be willing to accept that not everyone will see what I see, and that's okay because we are not -- will never be -- completely rational creatures with one collective definition of truth.

And there is so much value in that. 

We see our own truth in glimpses on days that are truly horrible or truly fantastic, and the rest of the time we we seek that understanding of the world. Maybe understanding, even if the world is not what we wanted it to be, is happiness. 

I go into this winter seeking that feeling and trying to write a little faster to capture it before I walk into a crowd and forget all about it.

Like many people, I periodically fall off the fitness and eating well wagon, typically due to stress and sometimes due to injury. And though I happily resumed exercise once I received my 6-week postpartum clearance, this fall, self-care fell to the wayside due to new home and work commitments. And it's taken it's toll. Not only do I feel a little squishy around the edges, but more troubling, I've felt tired, tense, and well in need of a vantage point beyond my laptop.

Like many moms, it often feels impossible to carve out time. But despite my current scenario -- starting this week I have even less childcare hours in which to run multiple businesses -- I am committed to making this happen. I've been jotting down inspiration points over the past week; here are 11 easy ways to get back to fitness -- all of them have helped motivate me at one time or another!

1. Chat with a fitness-enthused friend. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I saw my friend Andrew, a couch (computer?) potato turned marathon runner. His energy is utterly infectious and after talking with him about his training, I felt eager to lace up my sneakers. Also, when he says stuff like, "I went for a 15 mile run this morning" I figure I can make the time to run 15 minutes.

2. Rally via social media. I credit social media (particularly, my friends behind The Shredheads) for getting me back on the fitness wagon a couple of years ago. There's something oddly motivating about putting out there that you are waffling about a run and then having a bunch of people tweet or Facebook you, barking at you to get your butt out the door. And just the other day, I posted that I took a 15 minute midday break to stretch and encouraged other people to do the same -- even if they got weird looks at the office -- and people responded, thanking me for the inspiration and telling me they stretched. So fun!

3. Pick up a fitness magazine. The other day I bought a running magazine -- there's something about the glossy photos featuring happy people working out that helps me forget (temporarily at least!) how labored I sometimes feel when I'm out on the pavement. Plus, I usually pick up some good tips for nutrition or short workouts.

4. Remember that 10-20 minutes is still awesome. Pursuant to the above point, I once read in a running magazine that 10 minutes of running is better than no running, and I completely agree. If you can do more, fantastic, but my point is, just do something and don't be hindered by the idea that if you can''t do a full 45-60 minute workout it isn't worth it (which is what used to hang me up).

5. Multitask. Since I've been short on time lately, the best way I have found to fit exercise in is via multitasking. I'll run to the post office and back. I've even run to meetings and back (thankfully, my business partner doesn't mind if I show up sweaty). Just yesterday I broke out the jogging stroller for the first time and took Violet out for a zoom to pick a few things up at Whole Foods. She loved it!

6. Set small, achievable goals. Although I think it's great to put big things (e.g., marathon) on your life list, they can be daunting in the now if you're just trying to get back to things. Set smaller goals, such as "run 15 minutes" or "run a 5K" or "do 5 push-ups." I highly recommend Couch to 5K if you want to experiment with running -- this is the plan that helped convert me from a non-runner to someone who could participate in a 200-mile relay race.

7. Exercise with friends. Meet up with friends for a run, walk, or Zumba class. Sign up for a race together. Other people will help hold you accountable.

8. Put it in your calendar. If you're like me and live and breathe by your to-do lists, put exercise on your to-do list or calendar. I'm getting in the habit of mapping out my fitness plan as I review the week ahead every Sunday.

9. Track data. If tracking data renders a sense of accomplishment and motivates you, sign up with something like Daily Mile. It's basically Facebook for fitness. You'll get reports about mileage covered and can interface with your friends (or complete strangers) and motivate one another.

10. Gear up. One thing that can set you up for failure is not having gear that fits or works. If your yoga gear is ill fitting or threadbare you will not feel comfortable downward dogging. Or if your running shoes are old and worn out, you will hurt more the day following and will not want to run again. Gear up so you can get moving safely and comfortably.

11. Try something new. Getting bored makes it easy to fall off the wagon. I've being doing my running/yoga mix for a long time now and though I'm enjoying it since I'm just getting back into it again, I'm also thinking about investigating something new, like ballet. (Cue image of Olivia the pig envisioning herself on stage.)

I hope these tips are helpful -- if you have others to share, I've love to read them in the comments below!

Image credit: photostock via FreeDigitalPhotos.net