ML Interest Tag: community-space

9 Creative Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Boston Moms

by Allison Sutcliffe

While we know one day is hardly enough to celebrate all that moms do, we’ve scoured the city in search of unique Mother’s Day gifts that will make Mom feel extra special on her day (hint: breakfast in bed or a glorious spring hike are always a hit, too.) Whether you’re looking for a special mom, grandma, aunt or other mother figure in your life (or just dropping hints to your own family), these gifts will surely make her smile. We’ve done the hard part, now it’s up to you to grab one of these great gifts from a local Boston shop.

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For moms who aim for zero waste

You won’t find any plastic at either of these shops, but what you will find are earth-friendly, sustainable products. It’s like giving two Mother’s Day gifts this year. Whatever makes her smile—soaps, face serum, wool dryer balls—you get the picture, Uvida has it and more. And if she needs a refill on any shampoos, gels or lotions, you can top off her favorites when you shop.

North Boston
28 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA

East Boston
24 Porter St.
Boston, MA

Online: uvidashop.com

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For moms who may (or may not) have a green thumb

Green thumb or not, you can help mom add green to her décor at Wesleaf Designs & Décor. You’ll find everything you need for a Mother’s Day gift that connects mom to nature, from hanging house plants to succulents and framed mosses. But what we love the most are the plant consultations with shop owner, Weslie Etienne Pierre, who’s always willing to lend her expertise to budding green thumbs.

Wesleaf Designs & Decor
1020 Great Plain Ave.
Needham, MA
857-327-7009
Online: wesleafdesignsanddecor.com

 

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For moms who are the world's best

While there are lots of amazing Mother’s Day gift options at this popular gift store that highlights local makers (and gives back too), we’re eyeing the World’s Best Mom Gift Box this year. Rest and relaxation is the theme of this box filled with bath salts, sweet treats and candle and more. Pick one up at the shop, or ship one to the mother figure in your life.

Olives & Grace
623 Tremont St.
Boston, MA
Online: olivesandgrace.com

let your kids be part of your at-home workouts
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For moms who want peace and quiet

Help mom find her zen at this studio focused on holistic wellness. Yoga classes are a great place to start, and they’ve got lots of classes and pricing options so you can pick that just-right combo for your Mother’s Day gift. Massage is another option offered here. Breathe deep and make a trip to this studio in Dorchester.

4 Corners Yoga + Wellness
336 Washington St.
Dorchester, MA
Online: 4cornersyogawellness.com

Gustavo Fring via pexels

For moms who have everything

If Mom’s got everything under the sun, and isn’t looking to add to her clutt…er…collection, why not give the gift of being a polli-neighbor? You can help the local pollinators thrive when you sponsor a butterfly, bird or bee through the Greenway. Not only will mom support the environment, but she’ll get a few tangible perks too. We’re talking cards, stickers and maybe even honey. Psst.. The Greenway Artisan Market returns on May 7, just in time for some last-minute Mother’s Day shopping.

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For moms who want to get (or stay) fit

Whatever mom's fitness goals, she can count on Tina Ramos, owner and founder of CrossFit Boston Iron & Grit, to get her there. This Harvard-educated teacher brings her experience and her passion for fitness to work each day, helping folks meet (and exceed) their fitness goals. After an initial assessment, she’ll be on her way.

CrossFit Boston Iron & Grit
1230 VFW Parkway
Boston, MA
617-637-8900
Online: crossfitbostonirongrit.com

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For moms with sensitive skin

Brown and Coconut skin care is crafted with distinct blends of powerful plants, botanical extracts and clays that work in harmony to support mom’s skin’s delicate balance. Founded by two Boston-based sisters who have suffered from acne and eczema, Brown and Coconut skin care is gentle on your skin, effective in tackling your skin concerns and simply delightful to use.

Online: brownandcoconut.com

For moms who need a good beach read

If mom likes to curl up with a good book (beach or not), you’ll find her next great read at this family-owned bookstore in Roxbury. Built with a passion and infused with a desire to “Change Minds One Book at a Time,” it’s a community space that has inspired many readers. Not sure what mom wants to read? Get a rec from one of the experts that works there.

Frugal Bookstore
57 Warren St.
Roxbury, MA
Online: frugalbookstore.net

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For moms with a sweet tooth

Candy for mom is a classic Mother's Day gift for a reason. But you’ll find more than your run-of-the-mill chocolates here. Inventive, eye-catching chocolates are what owner Paula Barth seeks out when she travels the globe in search of the finest, rarest confections to fill the display case at Beacon Hill Chocolates. Mix and match the perfect box for mom this year.

Beacon Hill Chocolates
91 Charles St.
Boston, MA
617-725-1900

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This Dad Left His Marketing Job to Sell Popsicles

by Tinybeans Team

“Wow. I really wish I could spend more time with my kids,” said no parent during the pandemic, ever. Except for Jesse Reilly, a New Orleans dad who left his marketing job of 15 years to make popsicles and spend—you guessed it—more time with his kids as the proprietor of the sweetest speakeasy in NOLA.

Realizing he wanted to make a career change that would allow him to spend more time with his three kids (all under the age of five), he started making popsicles with local Ingredients and intriguing flavor combinations to share with his Bywater neighbors. As his business grew, he had to get creative about how to sell Big O’s Pops while taking care of his kids. Enter the Popsicle Doorbell at 1201 St. Roch St., Reilly’s home. Surrounded by chalk drawings of popsicles and other preschool-aged illustrations, the mystical doorbell intrigued passersby and friends alike—could you really pass up ringing a bell with a sign over it that says “Popsicle Doorbell?”—who would stop for a sweet treat while out for a walk or a ride.

“The doorbell idea really came out of convenience and then COVID happened,” he told VeryLocal.com. “It became a way to sell pops while practicing social distancing.” The popsicles are individually packaged and purchased outdoors via Venmo for $3-$4 a pop (pup pops for your pooches are $2 each). The whole operation allowed the neighborhood to stay connected safely, at a distance. And though his popsicle domination strategy slowed, as did all business concepts during the pandemic, the doorbell allowed his pops to gain some serious street cred. It became the neighborhood’s own quirky secret—remaining secret as only something can during an age of social media: about 5 minutes.

Now, you can catch him selling his popsicles around the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans out of the cooler of a custom adult tricycle, catering events and popping up at events and festivals around town. You’ll soon find him as one of the first vendors in the funky and kid-friendly community space Krewe of Red Beans, which is dedicated to New Orleans and the city’s unique, vibrant culture. If it’s a culture of dads looking for ways to spend more time with their kids, popsicle doorbells and adult bikes with frozen treats in the custom attached cooler, we can see why it needs a dedicated space.

Big O’s Original Pops is scaling up, so don’t be surprised if you recognize them somewhere in your neck of the woods one day. Using local ingredients and popsicle molds in his freezer at first, Reilly now employs a “professional machine that freezes them quickly.” And while his business has grown, he still sources as many ingredients as he can from local farms and businesses. For instance, his blood orange pops are made with fruit from Isabelle’s Orange Orchard in Algiers.

It’s no surprise that the man who gave up a career to dive into something new says that he’s always open to ideas and up for a challenge. “Coming up with new popsicle flavors is part of the fun,” he says. Indeed it is.

—Shelley Massey
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5 Adorable Animals You May Meet on a Trip to Annenberg PetSpace

by Nora Buchholtz
Partner Content

Anyone who’s ever loved an animal knows just how special the bond between person and pet can be. The long walks in the park, the endless games of fetch and the sweet, curled-up cuddles after a long day make up some of life’s best memories for both people and their pets.  

If you have an animal lover in your family, you’ll be thrilled to hear about the work that Annenberg PetSpace is doing across Southern California. Annenberg PetSpace is focused on the benefits that animals and people receive from loving and caring for each other and is a unique community space that includes an education center, a leadership institute, and, best of all for people who are looking to add a new (four-legged) family member, an adoption center. 

Annenberg PetSpace is open to the public and committed to fostering a love of animals in the next generation. On a visit, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a Pet Encounter with an adoptable animal, explore the Critter Corner and enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of how pets are received and prepared for adoption. Interested in adding to your family? Annenberg PetSpace lets you schedule an appointment for a meet-and-greet with a potential pet and gives the option to take them home the same day!

 

If you’re interested in adding someone special to your family, check out these friendly pets who are currently living at Annenberg PetSpace as they wait for their forever home:

Heidi

Heidi is two years old and 62 lbs of bouncy, full-of-life fun. With her perky ears and soft tan and black fur, she’s a picture-perfect pup who’s looking for a family to call her own. Heidi can be shy when she meets new people for the first time but loves to play and cuddle once she’s gotten to know you!

Zorro

Zorro is the perfect mid-sized pup for an experienced pet parent who’s ready to build a loving, trusting relationship with a dog who has lots of love to give! Zorro had a leg injury, received surgery and is working hard to regain his strength in physical therapy. At just two years old, this playful guy is ready for a lifetime full of love!

Clifford

Clifford might not be quite as big or quite as red as the Big Red Dog, but he’s got a heart just as sweet and can’t wait to be a part of a family! Clifford can be a little nervous meeting new people (who isn’t?), but it doesn’t take much to get his tail wagging.

Cheesy Mac

Cheesy Mac is a laid-back kitty who likes things quiet and relaxed, but who gets playful quickly when someone brings out his favorite toys. Cheesy Mac is looking for a home where he can snuggle up and relax in calm and tranquility with a helpful human there to make sure he gets all the snuggles he needs!

Sadie

Sadie is a four-year-old pup who is ready for a loving, trusting family. She's timid and takes a little while to trust people, but once you get to know this 76-pound doggo she's sure to be a furever friend. 

If your family is looking for a new pet and wants to explore options other than dogs or cats, a visit to the Annenberg PetSpace Critter Corner is a must-do! The Critter Corner, home to a variety of small animals, is designed to help potential families learn about all the pet options available to them and determine what sort of animal might be the best fit for their family! 

With a playful box turtle, a California kingsnake, a cockatiel, a domestic rabbit, a guinea pig, a hamster and a leopard gecko, the Annenberg PetSpace Critter Corner has something for everyone. As you move through the Critter Corner you’ll have a chance to learn about what sort of care each animal needs, what makes them feel happy and fulfilled and what you’ll need to do if you want to bring one into their home. 

This summer, whether your family is on the lookout for a new pet or not, an afternoon spent at the Annenberg PetSpace is an afternoon well spent!

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The Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Empire Is about to Expand, Again

by Erica Loop

It’s very possible Chip and Joanna Gaines are about to take over the world. Not only is the couple launching a multi-platform media mini-empire (including their own TV network), but now they’re adding a major expansion to their Waco, Texas Magnolia Market space.

According to recent reports, the Magnolia Market expansion will add several blocks to the existing area at the Silos development in downtown Waco. It will also include a Magnolia Home Furniture store and a coffee shop.

The $10.4 million expansion will include moving an empty historic church (the Second Presbyterian Church) to Gaines’ property. The church will hold additional shops and an event space. And for the sporty/outdoorsy types, it will have an adjoining garden area and whiffle ball field.

Waco-based architect Sterling Thompson, who previously owned the church, told the Waco Tribune-Herald, “Whether they have to dissect the building or not, it’s a big job.” Thompson also added, “But moving a structure that big can be done.”

So when will this major expansion happen? John Marsicano, a spokesman for Magnolia, told the Dallas Morning News, “We’re still in the final stages of solidifying our master plan for the area, but we expect the entire project to be complete by the end of the year.” Marsicano went on to add, “Additional construction details and site plan information will be available in the coming weeks, but our hope with this project is to create an active and beautiful community space for Wacoans and visitors alike.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Joanna Gaines via Instagram

 

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Inside Recess Urban Recreation with the Totally Awesome Awards 2016

by writerredtri

Recess Urban Recreation just won a Totally Awesome Award for Ideal Indoor Play Spaces in San Francisco. We recently spoke to them about their experience as a business owner, the best advice they’ve ever received and more. Hear what they have to say below!

 

Red Tricycle: Your community recently voted you “Ideal Indoor Play Spaces” – what do your customers value most about your business?
Recess Urban Recreation: With play spaces popping up on every corner, parents appreciate Recess’ uniquely inclusive community and expansive layout targeted to support the development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. It’s a sanity saver to have so much space — particularly when that space acknowledges families thrive in a thoughtfully curated, unpretentious environment where you can hang out with other adults while enjoying time with your child.

RT: What do you want people to know about your business that they don’t already know?
RUR: Recess’ team is a diverse group: child development experts, educators, artists and wellness professionals. Not only do we work together to provide great the great kids classes and parties folks have come to know, but we also have pilates & yoga, on site parent support, and even a co-working space with childcare! Recess is intentionally set up to help every caregiver navigate the sometimes difficult job of raising a child in the city. We support the needs of the whole family — everyone from kids & moms, to dads, grandparents and nannies. Of course, a little coffee, humor and great music go a long way too.

RT: How did your business get started and what was the motivation?
RUR: My background is with children with special needs and, particularly in that work, the importance of play in developing social skills was undeniable. Recess started back in 2008 out of a conversation that there needed to be a place you could take your kids, any time of day, to socialize and be free your child explore. We decided that it had to be a really well designed space, where kids could stay engaged and follow their interests of the day. It might be cooking in the play kitchen one day, boogying to live music the next and creating a masterpiece in the art space even later in the week. Engaged kids make for happy grownups, and they learn so much (not to mention nap so much better)!

RT: Tell us, what do you start your morning with: 1. coffee 2. tea 3. mimosa 4. water 5. all of the above.
RUR: Coffee all the time, a mimosa some of the time.

RT: What is the most awesome thing a customer has ever done for you?
RUR: We’ve had incredible members volunteer their talents to help Recess continue to evolve over the years…everything from playing music for families, doing story time, contributing artwork, and lending design expertise. It truly makes Recess a living, breathing community space!

RT: What is your biggest pet peeve as a business owner?
RUR: The assumption some have that a super small business like ours is simply operating for profit, versus existing out of passion.

RT: How do you keep your stress levels down?
RUR: Play! Going for a walk, heading down to the beach with my dogs, and hanging out with my family are all great stress relievers. It’s amazing how getting down on the floor to play with legos or look at books with the baby forces time to slow down and stress to evaporate.

RT: What’s your secret superhero power as a business owner?
RUR: Patience…and the ability to adapt.

RT: Tell us, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received (as a parent or business owner)?
RUR: Everything is temporary – so true both in parenting and business. We really do have to continue to evolve and grow–and enjoy the positives in any particular phase. They’ll be gone before you know it.

RT: How about the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
RUR: If you want it done right, do it yourself. When the team of experts is assembled, magic happens.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?
RUR: 10% off an annual membership or Birthday Party Package!

 

Check out their website here! 

 

Photo credit: Recess – urban recreation

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