Category: Events

It has been a while since I went to a concert. Clearly, as everyone was waving their smart phone lights instead of bic lighters! Things have changed a lot.  My husband and I took our girls ages 8 and 11 to the @Kiss108 concert and we saw lots of kids without parents. The majority were tween girls ages 14-18 wearing very little shorts and t-shirts! yikes! Luckily our kids still like to spend time with us (sometimes for the 11 year old)

When I was young we were not allowed to go to a concert with friends. My sister took me to see Rick Springfield when I was 13. (she is a lot older than me so more like a mom) Here are the things I was most surprised about.

1. The line to get in the actual parking lot (and to leave) – I just don’t remember this stress when I was young. My husband had this great idea of tailgating but the traffic was so bad we had a few lemonades, a handful of chips and ran to the entrance.

2. This was a LONG concert – especially for the eight year old – but I was surprised to see kids even younger than her there and without ear plus. Am I the only one with ear plugs?

3.  The attire. Oh gosh…I am not looking forward to the teenage years. The rule should be if you can see the pockets hanging out of the front of your jean shorts then….they are too SHORT – same is true if you can SEE your butt cheeks…….  Also, why wear a tank top if the sides are open or see through?

4. The parking spaces are not marked not even a letter to remember what isle you parked in. So REMEMBER where you parked your car.  Our goals was to leave as the last performer took the stage and watch/listen to her first song as we headed toward the exit, that way we would avoid the foot traffic and the car traffic exiting. But we both really did not pay attention to where we parked and ended up running around and panicking while swarms of people were exiting and we were just looking for our car!

5.  The cost of the additional items – Be prepared to buy the t-shirt, the water, the snack, the pizza etc.,  So bring LOTS of money. Or have them drink lots of water before you go in. The price of bottled water was almost $5.00! Ouch. The two t-shirts were $50.  But ahhhhhhh…. the memories they will have!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. A few companies sent me products to review for the blog and my TV segment. Here are some of the fun ideas for gifts!

According to Wayfair.com, the online store for hundreds of home items, on their Mother’s day survey 68% of women would rather receive a practical household gift over flowers, chocolates, and even jewelry this year. While I do love a good blender, (I have been eyeballing the kitchen aid mixer for years (hint, hint), for a practical gift I love this creation: the SHOULDIT

• A scarf is always a nice gift AND this one is functional! SHOLDIT.com looks like a traditional infinity scarf or wrap. But look closer and you’ll find two spacious zippered pockets perfectly sized to carry mom’s essentials – such as credit cards, keys, cash, cell phone, etc. — so she can leave the handbag at home. Perfect for the new mom! Starts at $49.00

If mom is more traditional think jewelry, chocolate, flowers and here are a few ideas:

• Jewelry is the best gift. Tiffany & Co.  Alex and Ani and David Yurman are my favorites. Even a handmade bracelet is nice!
• Of course chocolate is a treat!  Anytime I walk down the chocolate isle at Whole Food it is like a dream seeing all the organic chocolate in all yummy flavors. Dad: grab a variety and put it in a nice bag, it’s that easy.
• Flowers:  Have the kids make you flowers as they last! These felt flower bouquet from  kiwicrate.com lasts and dad can involve the kids in an activity while mom sleeps in. $12.95
• We love the gift ideas from calendars.com.  Make Your Own Stepping Stones Kit is so cute.  If Mom loves being in the garden, then this kit is perfect! These make great keepsakes for years to come and Mom will smile every time she steps outside. The kit includes press-in numbers, letters, and punctuation marks, but a handprint is always a personal touch.https://www.calendars.com/Gardening-Gifts-for-Mom/Make-Your-Own-Stepping-Stones-Kit/prod201100014064 
• Also from calendars.com  the Just Between Us Book is a nice keepsake for moms and daughters. This beautiful keepsake journal is a must for any teenage girl and her mother. Advice, guidelines, and prompts by author Meredith Jacobs and her thirteen-year-old daughter Sofie pave the way to discussing everything from friends and school to crushes and growing up. With plenty of free space to write about whatever’s on their minds and fun pages for drawing pictures and making lists, this journal will open the lines of communication and help moms and daughters create memories that will last a lifetime https://www.calendars.com/Inspirational-Gifts-for-Mom/Just-Between-Us-Book/prod201300018490/

Technology:

• Moms love convenience and technology and I love my ipad. There are so many fun cases for the ipad which makes a nice gift:  BuiltNY.com cases are just great. They are made from NEOPRENE (like the wet suit material) Great protection and Florals are in this season!  $29.99
• And if mom loves her Technology but is worried about cell phone radiation:   Bodywellchip.com  -  The Bodywell Chip is scientifically-proven to curb up to 80% of cell phone radiation without interfering with your phone’s signal.  Research shows cell phones do emit electromagnetic radiation which can be processed into the body at a specific absorption rate (SAR), which could negatively affect health, possibly causing brain tumors, headaches, fatigue, loss of sleep, and more.  $29.99

Disclosure: the above companies sent me the products to review. All opinions are my own.

This weekend I attended the Blog Better Boston Style Summit at The Boston.com headquarters.  It was so much fun and nice to meet so many talented and stylish bloggers from around Boston.

Thanks to Alana @goodgrlgoneblog and Amy @ImAmyAllen for hosting this wonderful event.

There were lots of great sponsors for this event including @citysports @bostoninsights @luxbondgreen @miniluxe @bostondotcom

We received some nice goodies in the gift bag! But most importantly I learned a lot about ways to improve your blog, how to connect with your readers and tools for success. It was also fun to see the fashions. Of utmost importance there were simple tips from bloggers:

@luvfromafar “”blog posts should not take more than three minutes to read, IF this is the case write separate posts””

 @BosFashionista working with brands: “know your voice”

@OrchardGrey was all about not sweating the small stuff!    amen!

This weekend I attended the Blog Better Boston Style Summit at The Boston.com headquarters.  It was so much fun and nice to meet so many talented and stylish bloggers from around Boston.

Thanks to Alana @goodgrlgoneblog and Amy @ImAmyAllen for hosting this wonderful event.

There were lots of great sponsors for this event including @citysports @bostoninsights @luxbondgreen @miniluxe @bostondotcom

We received some nice goodies in the gift bag! But most importantly I learned a lot about ways to improve your blog, how to connect with your readers and tools for success. It was also fun to see the fashions. Of utmost importance there were simple tips from bloggers:

@luvfromafar “”blog posts should not take more than three minutes to read, IF this is the case write separate posts””

 @BosFashionista working with brands: “know your voice”

@OrchardGrey was all about not sweating the small stuff!    amen!

I just haven’t had the heart to write anything about the Boston Marathon bombings. It took me a few days to process it all and I am still in shock.   Having grown up in Mass and marrying someone who grew up in Boston, this just hits too close to home. When I think about saying on Monday mid-morning, “how about we drive into Boston for the Marathon?” and my husband said no and my kids had other plans (like changing their rooms around!) I really tried to push the issue, but am glad I did not.  We love to visit the city for every big occasion – We went in on New Years’ Day to view the ice sculptures, the parade a few years back for the Stanley Cup and World Series parade and especially on July 4th we love to walk around and view the festivities before the big crowds gather for the esplanade celebration. It is after all on July 4th on a rooftop building on the corner of Mass Ave. and Beacon that I met my husband 19 years ago.  Ever since I can remember going to the marathon was a big event for families, then in college it was a fun event to meet up with friends and over the years we cheered on friends who actually completed the race! So many people running for a cause or in memory of someone. WHY did something like this happen in Boston?  So many people have asked as a parent what do you say about it? Here is what most experts say is the best course of action if you have young kids.

• Make sure your kids hear the news from you.  I remember I did not tell my 8 year old about the CT shootings and the next day at the swim meet they said a moment of silence. She was so upset with me. My 11 year old heard from friends and then came to me.  But keep the information big picture and do not go into the details.

 

• Tell your kids that they are safe and bad things like this are rare. 

 

• Don’t watch the television news coverage in front of your kids. The images can be too disturbing.

 

• Let your kids know there are good people out there willing to help and talk about the heroes.  So many people were running to the scene of the bombings to help.

My heart is breaking for all those who have been directly affected by this horrible act of violence.  To help the people most effected, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. Log on for more information.   https://www.theonefundboston.org

What a fun time at the Nixi Expo at the Westin Hotel in Waltham yesterday.  The folk there sent me a ticket to check out all the baby products and services that a new mom would need to help her out a bit!  They also had massages and nail care on hand as well.  I loved especially seeing the at home care services – like those that help after you take the baby home from the hospital. It is a stressful time those first few days, especially if it is your first child.  Nutrition, skin care and baby products lined the room so new moms and moms-to-be had a chance to sample and see what they really need!

I especially liked:

•  Milk and Cookies  – A  lactation consultant as well as a first aid & CPR instructor that would come to you home for sessions.
• My It Works.com – A nutrition and detox system and products to help get your body in shape.
• Juice Plus -  The next best thing to fruits & vegetables. Juice Plus+^® is whole food based nutrition, including juice powder concentrates from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains.

If you missed this one don’t worry as there will be another event in the fall. For more information check out their web site here.

Disclosure: I was given a free ticket, massage and a swag bag to attend and write about the expo. All opinions are my own.