Holidays – Page 2 – Leah's Life: Pearls and Oysters

Weekend Guide: Santa Brunches & Beyond

Sparklefest is in full swing in Harvard Square. Artisan and craft fairs and holiday pop up shops are popping up rapidly like the bubbles in that New Year’s eve glass of Champagne. And, the kids might be seeing double, triple and quadruple as Santa finds his way all over town. This weekend is the weekend…

Gift Guide: Shopping Local

If you’re sitting by your computer shopping online, there may be someone bringing you a cocktail, and good cheer, but I bet it’s much easier to find by bundling up and skipping out your door to head to some of the local craft fairs, holiday strolls and some of my favorite little boutiques. We use Amazon.com…

Gift Guide: The Gift of Health & Beauty

It is true that for the holidays (or let’s face it any time) no one wants a gym membership or a gift basket of aluminum-free deodorant because it might be interpreted the wrong way. On the other hand, so many people have too much stuff they don’t really need or use, so gifts that help…

Chocolate Lovers Guide to Boston: The Langham Boston Chocolate Bar

The Langham Boston’s Chocolate Bar is an annual outing for some and others save it for special milestones. I’ve brought pregnant friends out for this chocolate feast. I’ve come for a mother-daughter outing with my 7 year old. This year, I brought the whole family. When we have guests in town who are true chocolate…

Hosting for The Holidays (Sponsored by ShoeBuy)

Over the years I’ve hosted cookie swaps, dinner parties, cocktail parties, and holiday brunches. I enjoy hosting and I like to take the creativity and methodical ways of Martha Stewart, some recipes and the joie de vivre of Ina Garten, design and style from the world around me, my mother’s clever approach of making nothing…

Lyndell’s Love: A Somerville Bakery With ‘Old School’ Charm

The thing about becoming a teacher or parent of a school aged child in the area is that you learn about all the important things. Important things such as which playground has the best shade on a sunny morning or sun on a cool fall afternoon. Important things such as which lunch box is sturdy…

Spring 2014: A little if this & a little of that

It is spring in Boston and we all still have our shovels and ice scrapers at the ready lest we jinx the season. We smell the damp spring air. We see the crocuses in bloom, and our hearts sing just a little. Spring is also Easter and Passover, and perhaps even more festive the marathon,…

Beacon Hill Bistro’s Chef Josh Lewin: Passover, Beets & Bourbon

Do you say Pesach with a Southern twang? Apparently Josh Lewin does because his seder has bourbon. On Sunday, April 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Chef Lewin will be doing a demonstration and tasting at the Cambridge School of Culinary arts. His topic is: A Southern Style Passover. Inspired by ingredients from the traditional…

Keeping Kosher for the Holidays: Stationery Quandries

I love stationery. I always have. I think it is a tradition that got passed down from my aunt Kathie. She has beautiful stationery and even better tiny, perfect handwriting. I probably have every letter and card she’s sent me stashed away in various places. “So what?” you think. “What does stationery have to do…

Join the Club: Pining for Wine

Just because beer options have become incredible doesn’t mean that wine disappears in the shadows. There are beer lovers and there are wine lovers and there are those who are smart enough to appreciate it all. This one is for those who appreciate wine. From cocktail hour to night caps there are all sorts of…

30 Days of Comfort and Joy: December Dining in Boston (1-10)

Comfort and joy comes in many shapes, forms, sizes and packages Here is my selection of places to find comfort and joy one bite at a time this month. The crispy Denver lamb rib with mint pesto at the Biltmore Bar and Grille, a hidden gem in Newton, is perfect. I don’t usually like mint…