Despite being a designer and a very visual person, hanging wall art has been a point of paralysis. My general assumptions of uniformity (e.g., frame type) and centered hanging have left me with walls that haven’t felt quite right. Over the last year while we’ve been redesigning our home, I’ve been studying and collecting nuggets of wisdom regarding gallery walls. I’m thrilled today to partner with Minted -- where I’ve recently procured some gorgeous art -- to share some tips and inspiration to cozy up your home via art.

To back up briefly, you may already know about Minted's beautiful holiday cards. Minted features the work of independent designers (I've been honored to have a few designs represented in their collection) and over the summer they rolled out their art marketplace. SO. BRILLIANT. The marketplace offers a wide range of styles (close to 1,800 pieces!) with a variety of frame options (hanging hardware pre-installed -- HOORAY!). Here are 8 tips for creating a beautiful gallery wall that will feel truly yours, including some of my favorite picks from Minted. 

1. Evaluate what you have (and what you don't). Walk around your home and collect favorite existing art, photos, and small wall hangings so you can map out a wall and identify what you need. If you have frames that are due for a fresh image, grab those too. I ended up having a lot of frames with photos that were ready to swap out; I ordered several pieces of Minted art unframed, which makes for very affordable procurement!

2. Anchor your wall. Use 2-4 pieces to anchor the center of your gallery. We have a vibrant Heather Pilchard landscape as one of our anchors. Something like this gorgeous Summering Forever piece by Emily Jeffords or Lindsay Megahed’s Summer Clouds (which I ordered for our reading nook) would make for gorgeous, vibrant anchors.

3. Vary frames. I used to think everything needed to be in a black matte frame. Not so! Mixing black and white frames creates a modern, minimal aesthetic. We're adding gold or natural frames in to a largely black and white mix to add warmth. To make for a more eclectic collection, include vintage or weathered frames.

4. Mix frame/art elements. Add visual interest by mixing paintings, photos, frame styles, and sizes. I love Minted's recommendation of contrasting within pieces; meaning, pair vintage frames with modern art or photography and modern frames for old oils or high art pieces. For example, pair this Hello Zebra! print with a distressed frame or Almond Milk with a natural French farmhouse frame.

5. Create harmony via color. One way to create harmony with a gallery wall (while still mixing elements) is via color. For our wall, I'm creating harmony with neutrals and then adding pops of color. I like the double impact of neutral and nature, such as through this Leaf print by Anna Yarm and Serene Forest by Hooray Creative. I ordered both of these pieces and they are so soothing!

6. Create a story. Be sure to include items that have meaning to you; for example, art collected on a vacation or favorite family photos. For personal photos Minted recommends including candid, non-staged photography for a more elevated look. I ordered this African drum print given that I wanted a musical element in our gallery and also as a nod to my trip to Ethiopia.

7. Don’t worry about exact linearity! Gallery walls can be a little intimidating if you’re trying to make everything matchy matchy and lined up perfectly. The good news? It will look more artful if it's not matchy matchy and lined up perfectly! You can plan it out easily in advance by using paper templates (and find plenty of inspiration for arrangement on Pinterest). Break up lines with 3D or nonlinear objects. Or incorporate round art such as R Studio's Surround Me, Paper Dahlia's Sunrise Sunset, or Kelly Ventura's Soma.

8. Avoid overwhelm by narrowing your search. As I mentioned, the Minted art collection is huge, with nearly 1,800 items. As you evaluate what you have (tip #1), narrow your search to balance out your collection. For example, we have a lot of landscape pieces and so I narrowed my search for abstract neutral pieces (such as The Rapids) to counterbalance. I’m also hoping that at some point Minted builds in the ability to search artists by state so I can support local designers!

So gorgeous right? I hope you have fun browsing the Minted collection and sprucing up your walls!

Image credits: Minted

Today’s Dear Boston Mamas query comes from reader Jenn:

"Christine, how did you handle Halloween with Laurel and Violet? Specifically, when did you allow them to start going door to door and how did you curb their candy intake? My husband thinks Halloween candy is the gateway to disaster and serious addictions to junk food/candy afterwards."

+ + + + +

Dear Jenn,

Thanks for writing in! My view on candy is like many things: in moderation and with some general guidelines it is totally fine. I think the real problem comes when you restrict completely. I've seen this happen with other families and also am speaking from personal experience...my parents were super restrictive with sweets and I became a lunatic driven to shoplifting Swedish fish. I truly wish the convenience store from which I procured my Swedish fish was still there so I could pay them back.

First, regarding age, babies obviously won't collect/eat candy. Laurel wasn't interested in going door to door until she was 3 but last Halloween Violet (at 2 years old) wanted to go out with her sister and it was more about the acquisition than anything else. In fact, last week we discovered her pumpkin bucket in the closet, still full of candy!

Now, here are my 8 tips for handling the Halloween candy craze. Both Laurel and Violet love sweet treats, but we have been able to establish a decent balance by keeping to the below guidelines.

1. Real food first. A good rule of thumb is that real food consumption – ideally including fruits and vegetables – must precede sugar. The whole, “everyone who eats a good dinner can have a treat afterwards” thing does work.

2. Teach moderation. Kids do naturally self-regulate, but as they get older (and their eyes get bigger than their stomach) you may need to remind them about moderation. We’ve always encouraged the girls to listen to their stomachs and in the face of something richer than usual, offer a reminder such as, "Is your tummy starting to hurt? Don't eat until you get sick." (If your kid had an experience in the past where they ate treats until they got a stomach ache, this is a good time to remind them of that feeling.) This approach has worked really well.

3. Set firm limits. Decide on a fixed limit for consumption. For example, allow 1-2 pieces of candy after a meal, no negotiations.

4. Be consistent. Whatever rule you set up in #3, BE CONSISTENT. This is the key to almost everything with parenting. The less consistent you are, the more your (clever) children will realize they can beg and whine until you cave in. Less begging and whining = good! BE CONSISTENT!

5. Limit the drama. Kids feed off our emotions. Like 100% restriction, the bigger a deal you make of it, the more they will want it. Just be matter of fact about your decisions and limit the drama.

6. Make teeth brushing contingent on eating candy. It’s amazing how the nuisance of teeth brushing (not at the typical teeth brushing times) will kill the desire for eating candy. But even if it doesn’t, it’s a good thing to follow candy consumption with teeth brushing.

7. Teach about consequences. If candy consumption really becomes a difficult issue, teach your kids about consequences. Give it away via a local buy back or donation to the troops. Trust me, they will remember next year.

8. Change the giving rules in your home. If you want to model less candy, try passing out Halloween candy alternatives. It will show them that there can be other ways to celebrate.

Do you have other effective ways to handle the Halloween candy crazy at home? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Image credit: candy corns via Pixabay.com

I'm in the writing valley right now, shopping some projects to agents, wondering what will happen next. I've been in this place of a different sort of work for about a month now, grinding along, sending out queries, sticking my nose weekly into my color-coded Google doc of victory and rejection. I haven't been writing at all except very sporadically here and of course for my day job. I've been reading and training for a half-marathon and watching the World Series and lying in my hammock soaking up the last rays of this unseasonably warm October. 

A few nights ago, I had one of those television dreams accompanied by smell and sound and touch. When I woke up, I had the seed of a new story. I wrote the elevator pitch in my writing notebook. I write ideas for books in there all the time, but this time was different. This wasn't just a phrase or a scene -- it was a story.

I haven't done any plotting yet. I haven't written down anything but those three sentences. I'm not ready. My head is still in the projects I'm querying.

When my agent was shopping THE OBVIOUS GAME, I forced myself to start THE BIRTHRIGHT OF PARKER CLEAVES to distract myself from the waiting and watching and panic attacks, not because I really knew where I was going with it. PARKER CLEAVES started as a feeling I wanted to capture, and I hope my story wove around the feeling well enough to do its job as a vehicle. THE OBVIOUS GAME started as a series of stand-alone scenes I wanted to link together in a meaningful way to shed light on anorexia and bring hope for recovery. My process felt sort of Rubiksonian each time.

This story idea ... this is new. 

Since it happened, I've walked around remembering that I have something to be excited about the way I did when I first got engaged, first got pregnant. 

I have a story in my head! Will this keep happening? This is AWESOME.

My visit to the fashionABLE factory in Ethiopia two years ago changed my life, and I continue to be inspired by Barrett Ward's infectious enthusiasm and determination to help women elevate their lives. Barrett is truly amazing and it was fantastic to see him in Washington last week at the #AYASummit. Meanwhile, it's fashionABLE's 4th birthday this week so I thought it would be fun to share 5 of my favorite picks from their collection. Go shop! Everything is on sale this week and your dollars will make a difference!

1. I love white scarves (they immediately brighten up your face!), and the Aster scarf adds punch with a colorful chevron pattern. I just ordered one this morning!

2. This incredible Tizita bracelet trio is made from bullet casings and scrap metal by farmers in the Entoto mountains, a community of healing for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

3. I adore the Mehari blanket, which would serve gorgeously indoors or outdoors. I've been meaning to order this blanket ever since it was released; I did so this morning and can't wait to cozy up under the Mehari on the couch with the girls!

4. The gorgeous Mamuye leather tote comes in three colors; the cognac is perfection.

5. Stack up the awesome with these leather and thread Teshome bracelets.

Image credits: fashionABLE

Hello everyone, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! My mind and heart are incredibly full after everything I learned and experienced at #AYASummit last week. I'll have more to share soon, but meanwhile, if you agree that girls and women around the world deserve equality and growth, please join the ONE Girls & Women community! And after you do that, check out this week's roundup of weekday events via the Weekly Blueprint. Enjoy!

October 28: Yo Gabba Gabba live. (Boston)

October 28 - 31: An entire week of Halloween activities. (Easton)

October 29: Use a little spooky science to create some strange substances. (Acton)

October 29: Paul Czajak hosts a Halloween party to introduce his new book, Monster Needs a Costume. (Wellesley)

October 30: Tech/fitness awesomeness at Microsoft at the Pru! (Boston)

October 30: Halloween story time and parade.  (Boston)

October 30: Live indie-rock music performance. (Boston)

October 30: Go trick or treating at Fenway. (Boston)

October 30: Kiddos can trick or treat and you can shop! (Cambridge)

October 30: Take home first prize at this kids costume contest. (Lexington)

October 31: It’s not too late for last minute costumes. (Acton)

October 31: An entire day of Halloween fun. (Boston)

October 31: Monster Mash KidsJam. (Boston)

October 31: Halloween storytime with Curious George. (Cambridge)

October 31: Trick or Treat at Fruitlands Museum. (Harvard)

October 31: Frightful Friday ghost stories at the mansion. (Waltham)

October 31: Take a stroll through this wicked scary haunted forest. (Wareham)

Image credit: Children’s Museum in Easton

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! I've been in Washington, DC the last couple of days soaking up incredible programming via the ONE Girls & Women #AYASummit. I urge you to follow the hashtag on Twitter to learn more; my mind has simply been swimming. Meanwhile, I did want to leave you with a wonderful roundup of 32 events for the weekend. Enjoy this weekend's curation and have a great one!

1. A Diwali celebration. (Boston)

2. All access pass to lots of wine. (Boston)

3. A food festival just for vegetarians! (Boston)

4. Trick or treat and hear the zoo howl. (Boston)

5. Celebrate the power of words at the Boston Book Festival. (Boston)

6. Even dogs love Halloween. Dress them up and let them strut their stuff. (Boston)

7. Mix and mingle with fellow owners and their pups...costumes and all. (Boston)

8. Halloween pet parade. (Boston)

9. A spooktacular day of Halloween fun at the Pru. (Boston)

10. Creative play date sculpting with fiber. (Boston)

11. Magic show with BJ Hickman. (Brookline)

12. Inside the Haunted House puppet show. (Brookline)

13. The pumpkins are all aglow. (Carver)

14. Monuments: fall concert from the Concord Band. (Concord)

15. Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. (Concord)

16. Pumpkins in the park carving contest. (East Walpole)

17. Guided walk along our Halloween trail. (Ipswich)

18. Pumpkin decorating at Wilson Farm. (Lexington)

19. Bring your family together to make a change in your community. (New Bedford)

20. Halloween family free for all. (Newburyport)

21. Ben Rudnick and Friends. (Newburyport)

22. Final weekend of The Farm Festival. (North Andover)

23. Halloween night hike and hayride. (Princeton)

24. BBQ fest at Wachusett Mountain. (Princeton)

25. Celebrate the season with a grand tasting of fine wine, mead and the best craft beer around! (Salem)

26. Fun and non-scary Halloween prowl. (Sharon)

27. No tricks, just treats around The Row. (Somerville)

28. Bring a canned good to J. Crew and receive 20% off. (Somerville)

29. Be enchanted and surprised by the wacky, magical characters you'll meet at The Haunting Gardens of Naumkeag. (Stockbridge)

30. Trunk or treat with Mr. Vic. (Sudbury)

31. Halloween hay rides. (Waltham)

32. It’s the great pumpkin fest. (Worcester)

Image credit: The Trustees of Reservations

Around this time of year, pears seem to sit in the shadows of their apple cousin. But this delicious fruit is in season from September to mid-November in Massachusetts and is amenable to all sorts of creative usage, aside from raw snack form. Today's Eat Seasonal feature offers 11 ways to incorporate your market or orchard pear bounty. Like my recent apple recipe roundup, I wanted to share recipes a bit further off the beaten path. Enjoy!

Click through the below links for recipes and more beautiful images from these creative bloggers!

1. This honey pear bread would make for a yummy breakfast treat or snack during the day.

2. Further fueling my love for Brussels sprouts is this pear and blue cheese roasted Brussels sprouts dish.

3. I shall be busting out my sandwich press for this bacon, cheddar, and pear panini.

4. This caramelized pear and gorgonzola flatbread would work equally well for brunch or dinner.

5. Whoa. The presentation of these honey pears in puff pastry is simply awesome.

6. I don't normally think of pairing chocolate and pears, but this stunning chocolate pear loaf cake is making me change that tune.

7. These mini pies with pear and blue cheese are so cute (and tasty sounding) that I'm ready to make the metric conversion.

8. These caramel dipped pears would give caramel apples a run for their money.

9. I think I'm going to try this salted caramel pear butter for holiday gifts. NOM.

10. Another amazing holiday gift (for those who enjoy libations): spiced pear vodka.

11. And you can use your spiced pear vodka for this Asian pear and ginger sparkler.

Image credits: pears via FreeDigitalPhotos.net; all others via linked sites above

I know that knowledge is power, but as I confessed before Mixfest, I have largely remained in denial (and subsequently in the dark) when it comes to college savings for Laurel and Violet. And via casual conversations with other parents, I know I’m not alone! So today -- as part of my work with MEFA/Fidelity -- I want to share 5 (totally not scary) ways to get college savings savvy. These resources have been so helpful -- and easy to process! -- for me.

1. Get a handle on the overall basics. I found this Make College a Reality slideshow super helpful, particularly regarding dispelling some of the myths related to college savings; for example, that saving for college means no financial aid or that it’s not worth saving if you can’t save at all. This is a really compact and streamlined (read: not an overwhelming amount of financial lingo) primer in just 19 slides!

2. Figure out what you need to do now. I find it less overwhelming to identify what I need to tackle right now (or in a year or two window) vs. thinking about a 15-year span. Check out this categorical grade planning breakdown, ranging from pre-K to graduate school, to help you figure out immediate action items.

3. Identify savings options. This savings guide identifies the differences between the U.Plan and U.Fund and offers helpful tips for saving for college.

4. Learn the MEFA U.Fund basics. I imagine most people would lean towards the more geographically flexible U.Fund. MEFA is a non-profit state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable, and the Massachusetts 529 college investing plan is a tax-advantaged college savings plan professionally managed by Fidelity. This 529 overview offers a nice, concise outline for the tax advantages and basic financial details.

5. Get free advice. I will admit that reading about important, financial matters is not my forte! If you feel similarly, MEFA offers free seminars and webinars to help families learn about planning, saving, and paying for college. There are lots of time/location options, just in October alone.

Totally not scary, right? I hope these resources prove as helpful to you as they've been to me!

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Fidelity & MEFA for this post in support of the U.Fund Dreams Tour. All thoughts and opinions are -- of course -- my own.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

OK you guys. After posting that roundup of no-sew Halloween costumes, I said to myself, man, if someone can make a no-sew UNICORN, surely I can handle Laurel's request to be an M & M! So on Friday I decided to give it a try since we were heading to Boo at the Zoo Saturday. This was the first time in craft history that I made up a project on the fly that turned out just as easy as I had hoped in my mind! Here's the DIY:

For supplies, you will need:

• Craft paper
• Two yards of felt (M & M color), for a max 36" diameter M & M
• One 8.5 x 11 sheet of white felt
• Fabric scissors
• Glue gun + glue sticks
• Pins
• Batting (totally optional)

1. Make paper templates. For the M & M, I taped together two large sheets of craft paper (I have a big roll in my office) and had Laurel lie down so I could figure out a size that would have impact but not be overwhelming; for Laurel's 10-year old body this was about 32 inches. I measured out a circle old school style, by taping a string to two pens, holding one pen in the center, and tracing out the circle with the other pen. Then I cut out the circle. While I was doing this, Laurel freehand drew the "M" and cut out that paper template.

2. Cut fabric. With your M & M color felt folded in two, lay paper template on top and cut out circles. If you use a sharp pair of fabric scissors you'll have no problem cutting both pieces at the same time. Do the same for the "M" (lay paper template on top and cut out).

3. Pin glue zones. Pin areas shown be red marks in the below image to guide your glue zones. You want the head, arm, and leg holes to be big enough to get in and out of easily while being closed enough so the M & M holds it's circle shape.

4. Glue pieces. Glue "M" to front of circle. Remove pins (I just in pins to mark the end of each zone to help guide me, then removed) and glue seams shut. Wait for glue to cool then test fit on your kid and glue openings a little more shut if necessary. Again, the more you can close the seams, the better the M & M will hold shape.

And you are DONE! This took about a half hour! I did buy batting thinking we might need to stuff the M & M, but we didn't need it. And no stuffing made the costume easier for Laurel to negotiate (and easier to fold up and put in my bag!). If you want, you can have your kid wear white pants, shirt, and gloves but we didn't have any of that. And it didn't matter -- based on the number of comments and excited squeals Laurel received at the zoo from other parents and kids, the costume clearly translated! 

The only hitch with this costume (which Laurel and I discussed before starting) is that it's obviously not comfortable to have your arms sticking straight out the sides. So, she had her arms inside the costume, holding her treat bag, and she'd just reach a free hand to get a treat when it was time. If you want to avoid this problem, you could make a peanut M & M, which is a more oval shape. If Violet had been interested, it would have been cute to make her a peanut M & M companion for Laurel!

Images: Christine Koh