How to get into the MFA for FREE!

Having our lovely meal at Bravo.

Last Saturday Nicholas, my wonderful and most romantic husband, took me on a surprise adventure for our 10 year anniversary of being together. We had the baby in tow but thankfully my energetic 3 year old was with his Memérè in Maine. 

The day began with a brunch reservation at Bravo, a restaurant in Boston within the MFA. It is known for being relatively pricey but with gourmet offerings. When we arrived there were few parking spaces and a line out the door of the entrance. Already being 15 minutes late for our reservation we were a bit anxious we botched our day before it even began. With baby on we cut the line and walked into the museum to speak with a staff person in hopes of receiving their mercy. We explained we had reservations and they rushed us past the extensive queue and to the next open cashier. They took our name and gave us two tickets that read, "free admission to all galleries." We were told to proceed to the restaurant. We gave the ticket scanner our tickets and silently walked past. 

This piece reminded me of a Macro of BR lobsters.

We were both shocked we had not been charged the $25 per person to enter the museum. $50 saved just for planning to dine in the restaurant within the museum. Brunch was lovely and without the previous discussed circumstances would have seemed rather expensive at $33 per person. This included coffee, a basket of bread and muffins and a brunch entree. As I am sure you can do the math, with free admission it was as if the cost was $8 for a gourmet brunch. This was phenomenal especially since our plans were to continue wandering the museum for the afternoon. Nick's romantic day was just $50 cheaper than expected. I am sure we would have spent more if we paid for admission and ate at the sub par cafeteria. 

Alexander McQueen

It was wonderful to then explore the museum with full bellies and discuss the art with Harper strapped to my chest in my very special Pavo, size 3 BR Lobsters, my first ever woven wrap purchase. She surprisingly appeared to really enjoy the art and most drawn in by the impressionist pieces. She seemed to enjoy my explanations and her facial expressions changed with each piece. I was excited to see the special "tech style" exhibit which did not disappoint. The side by side showings of some of Picasso's classics was also intriguing. The statue from Palmyra Syria where every ancient statue was recently destroyed was humbling. Nick and I were also able to take the time to discuss our favorites and the emotions or ideas they elicited. These moments were so precious since there is so little time as parents and Nick a business owner to review such things. It was all the better to experience this all for free!

Friends, Mimosas and Shopping

Friends, Mimosas and Shopping all from the comfort of my own home. Well as comfortable as one can be preparing their house for a large group of guests. I always want my house to look magazine ready before a party, err, or as close as possible with a house full of toys.

Yesterday I invited all my friends over and had my first in house pop up boutique by Lula Roe consultant Bethany Cote. I had actually booked it to further satiate my LuLa Roe obsession and didn't learn of my actual rewards for hosting until she arrived. I also always love to have an excuse to get all my friends together for a party and why not party on a Sunday morning? 

Bethany arrived an hour early. She and I hauled about 500 pieces of clothing into my house. I was of course wearing Harper in Pavo XOXO during this feat since she was more than done with independent play for the morning. For the next 45 minutes Bethany set up the boutique with rolling racks in my entryway donning adult and children's dresses and shirts and leggings on the dining table. I finished preparing for the party. 

Friends began arriving and mimosas were consumed. All my beautiful friends and I caught up on recent life events and what woven wraps my baby wearing friends were rocking that day. Once things settled Bethany took the opportunity to explain the products and deals of the day. I had not realized that specials happen in house but not online, another perk of hosting in person. Everyone began shopping and trying things on. 

At the end of the party I had earned a dress, a pair of exercise leggings, a pair of regular leggings but best of all some great memories with friends. Once everyone left Bethany checked all the rooms to be sure nothing was left behind. I helped her load up her car and since the party was short my house came out of the event with very little disarray. Bethany was sweet and friendly. I would most definitely host again if not just for the mimosas and company!

    

Glasses sticker added due to scary eyes.

Entering Hippie Glam Mommy

What does a woman do when her mind has been prepared to care for her community but her heart has become tied to her own children through the wonder of motherhood? My name is Erin, and this blog is the window into the perspective of life through my eyes. Fashion? Parenthood? Fitness? Join me as I navigate and analyze the complex world and take you along for the ride!

Before motherhood I was a clinical social worker with a specialty in treating trauma. After the birth of my son, I had planned to return to work 4 days a week. Once he was born and I held him in my arms I had a feeling at that moment that it would be impossible to leave him. While pregnant, I had promised myself and others that there was no way I would leave social work as it was such a huge part of my identity. I had also worked hard to get my masters degree and an advanced certificate in the complex treatment of trauma at Simmons School of Social Work. This was something that I had always known I had wanted to do. In the fall of 2002, as a freshman in college I began working in the field as a volunteer in one of the resource rooms at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. It didn't last as long as I would have liked since college was a lot of work and I seemed to be getting sick every other week trying to juggle becoming an independent adult with school, a social life and volunteering. In the end these experiences had a huge impact on my life and solidified my drive to help people therapeutically. Ten years later, after several positions, unique encounters, and stressful experiences I gave birth to my son. The moment I held my brand new baby in my arms I knew this identity defined solely through social work did not matter anymore. Instantly, I took on a new identity as mommy.

Obviously those years impacted me and helped to shape the way I parent. Now as mother of two with a 3 year old son and 5 month old daughter, I still have no regrets leaving social work. The identity crisis as I was sure I would have after leaving my occupation, never came. As a matter of fact being a stay at home mom has been incredibly fulfilling. I don't feel like I have lost my personal identity, more so that I have developed my identity further.  I am a multi-faceted woman who completely identifies as "mommy" and still feels as though I am whole. I love all things fashion, food and physical fitness. Baby wearing is a huge part of my life since I have a 5 month old daughter. It really blends fashion, attachment parenting theory and mothering nicely. This blog will focus on these passions from the perspective of an formal social worker who has evolved into a mother. Please come on this journey with me to explore fashion, fitness, baby wearing and so much more!

For more in depth woven wrap reviews please follow me on Tumblr too.

http://hippieglammommy.tumblr.com/