JUNKDRAWERS
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
Send HEARTS For HAITI
After seeing images of the earthquake in Haiti on TV, twin 7-year-old girls, Kate and Emma, collected coins and dollars from piggy banks and tiny purses and asked their mom to text a donation. They then began drawing pictures of smiles and hearts, and asked if they could be mailed to some of the orphans in Haiti.
Inspired by what they created, Kate and Emma’s mother explained that money wasn’t the only way they could help. After more drawing and brainstorming, Art Hearts took form. The Central MA sisters are now asking children and adults to join them by creating a unique heart from the heart.
“We both love art. It makes us feel good,” said the girls, “We hope that the hearts we collect and send will make the children and people of Haiti feel good too.”
The girls encourage others to write a special message on, around, or in your heart to the children of Haiti.
Once your creation(s) is complete, mail it to: Art Hearts for Haiti, c/o Let’s Gogh Art, P.O. Box 664, Lunenburg, MA 01462. There is no deadline for your participation, and submissions will be posted on letsgoghart.com/art-hearts.html.
Westborough Mom Invents THE BRAJAMA®
As seen on CBS’ “The Doctors”
Could you stay in your pajamas all day? Silly question, we know.
Claire Chapin, a Westborough mom of three, was on vacation a few years ago lounging in her pajamas when she thought it would be so convenient if her pajama top just had a built-in bra.
So the inspired stay-at-home mom went home, bought materials, and began safety pinning bras into her PJs, trying to figure out how to create a pajama top that incorporated the support of a soft bra. She ran to fabric stores, experimented with Velcro, and tried on tops until she had her prototype.
She then hired a local woman to sew while she searched for manufacturers. Her family joined in the effort as her then 9-year-old daughter, Brittany, created the Brajama®
logo, and her husband’s law firm helped her to secure a trademark and name. She worked on field testing her new product, talking to everyone she could, “It’s amazing how helpful people are,” she says.
Through her research, Claire created several loungewear styles including the Brittany and Brenna, button-down Brajamas with a front bra hook.
“Most new moms wear a bra to bed for a while whether they’re nursing or not,” says Claire, “They are also nice to wear when people come over in the morning.”
The Brajama recently made its debut on the CBS daytime show, “The Doctors,” after Claire contacted them upon hearing that Dr. Kim Masterson slept in a bra every night.
So whether you like to sleep in a bra, need one in your jammies for group vacations, or would just be more comfortable during the first weeks of new babyhood when company stops by, visit thebrajama.com for all of the details.
BOSTON BABY: A Field Guide for Urban Parents
Boston freelance writer and mom, Kim Foley MacKinnon, has written the book that she wishes she had had in her hands 11 years ago when her daughter was born: Boston Baby.
This resource guide will be a mom’s GPS to the coolest toy stores, indoor spaces and playscapes, spray decks and wading pools, preschools, museums, and so many eateries and kid-friendly hang-outs, that she’ll see Boston with new eyes.
Boston Baby retails for $17.95. For more information or to order a copy, visit unionparkpress.com. Also check out Kim’s March book signings and events in baystateparent’s calendar on March 5 at Boston’s family-friendly Aura Restaurant and March 11 at The Blue Bunny in Dedham.
Curves of Millbury: 2009 FRANCHISE of the YEAR!
When Elaine Solomon’s youngest daughter announced that she was getting married, the Central Mass mother and grandmother thought, “I am going to look horrible in a dress!”
But this was not the case after her daughter threw her a curve and signed her up for a gym that she knew her mother would love, Curves Fitness Club in Millbury.
A year, a Curve member, and a wedding later, Elaine is now the proud owner of the gym.
Elaine encourages women to try her 30-minute program from 5:45 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 8 a.m. until Noon on Saturday and Sunday. “How can mom take care of anyone else if she doesn’t take care of herself?” she says.
Elaine is particularly excited to invite moms in as her Millbury business just won Curves’ Franchise of the Year for 2009.
Curves is located on 47-A River Street in Millbury and can be reached at 508-865-4700.
Junkdrawers strives to highlight the products, people and places of Massachusetts. Have an idea? E-mail editor@baystateparent.com.
