What to Do Today: Feb. 1

DALLAS
Parents and their creative kids will want to check out Mommy and Me Krafty Kids from 10-10:45am today at Dallas' Fretz Recreation Center. Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their caregivers will get to try their hand at crafts, games and lots more fun! $1.


FORT WORTH
Bring your little ones to Storytime for Tots at 10:30am today at the Mansfield Public Library. Aimed at children ages birth to 3 years old, the weekly storytime is led by volunteer moms! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Dig your swimsuit out of storage and head to Morning Splash Time from 11am-12pm today at The Colony Aquatic Park. Parents and kids will dive into the heated indoor pool for a bit of playtime. Children younger than 7 must be accompanied by a swimming adult. $3 ages 7 and older; $2 ages 6 and younger.

Kiss Me...I'm (La Mer)!

There will be lots of hugs and kisses going around this month, especially nearing the 14th when St. Valentine has his day to shine. If you're lips are as chapped as mine in this crazy Texas weather - I have the solution: La Mer Lip Balm. Yes, it's $45 - a bit pricey for lip balm. And maybe the way it tastes (minty fresh) doesn't quite qualify its double-digit price tag, but the results will. You'll have softer and chap-free, moisturized lips after a few (albeit often) applications.

La Mer Lip Balm

$45 at lamer.com

Neiman Marcus - NorthPark and Downtown

Saks Fifth Avenue - Galleria

What to Do Today: Jan. 29

DALLAS
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will take music lovers on a trip to Bohemia with Smetana: M Vlast (My Fatherland) at 7:30pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The orchestra will perform composer Bedrich Smetana's poetic pieces written about his homeland. Pinchas Steinberg will guest conduct. Tickets start at $17.


FORT WORTH
Hear a story and have some fun at Preschool Storytime at 10:30am today at Fort Worth's Meadowbrook Branch Library. Tots will enjoy books, songs and crafts designed just for them. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Have you ever heard marimba music? You'll get your chance with Noriko Tsukagoshi in Concert at 7:30pm today at Flower Mound's Trinity Presbyterian Church. This talented Japanese musician is now a student at the University of North Texas, and her marimba concert will include variations on Japanese children's songs that your kids will love! Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 28

DALLAS
Expose your kids to some fascinating culture by seeing the exhibit Seizing the New World: Recent Paintings by Yang Jin Long from 10am-9pm today at Dallas Crow Collection of Asian Art. The paintings in traditional Chinese style include depictions of the Chinese zodiac in honor of 2010, the Year of the Tiger! Free.


FORT WORTH
See some silliness on stage with the production The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 premiering at 7:30pm today at Theatre Arlington. The mystery-comedy show involves a snow storm, a mysterious "slasher" and a whole lot of hilarity! Tickets start at $9.50.


NORTH TEXAS
The Marcus High School theater department will stage the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof debuting at 7:30pm today in the Flower Mound school's auditorium. The show brings together history and tradition with familiar tunes like "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Matchmaker." $12-$5.

What to Do Today: Jan. 27

DALLAS
Feeling blue? Check out The Blue Show at 10:30am today at Bookmarks at Dallas' NorthPark Center. Presenter Debbie Day will teach preschoolers all about the color blue. It's sure to cheer you up! Free.


FORT WORTH
Babies love books too! So treat them to the Bouncing Babies Storytime at 11:15am today at the Southeast Branch Arlington Library. Little ones ages birth-2 years will love the stories, songs and rhymes, and caregivers will get plenty of opportunities for one-on-one interaction. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Hear a great story or two at Preschool Storytime at 10:45am today at the Grapevine Public Library. This weekly storytime is geared toward children ages 3-5. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 26

DALLAS
Groove along to the Swing, Swing, Swing! concert at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The Dallas Wind Symphony Swing Band will perform upbeat classic tunes like "I'll Be Seeing You" and "It Had to Be You." Tickets start at $16.


FORT WORTH
See the inspiring musical The Color Purple: A Musical About Love premiering at 7:30pm today at Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall. The stage show, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, includes jazz, gospel and blues music. Tickets start at $30.


NORTH TEXAS
Bring your little one to Mother Goose Time at 9:30am today at Denton's South Branch Library. Babies ages birth to 18 months and their caregivers will love stories and activities just for them. Free.

Celebrating Kids Who Give Back

More than two thirds of schools nationwide offer service opportunities for students (according to Corporation for National & Community Service). Is your son or daughter one of the millions of children who give back to his or her community?

If so, take a second to recognize your enthusiastic volunteer's good work: nominate him as a Huggable Hero, a recognition award offered by Build-A-Bear Workshop. Kids age 8-18 (who have notably contributed to their local communities) may be nominated online here through Feb. 26.

Ten winners will be selected nationwide, and the winners will each receive $7,500 in the form of an educational scholarship as well as $2,500 to be donated to the charity of each Huggable Hero's choice.

—Gretchen

What to Do Today: Jan. 25

DALLAS
Solve a mystery (and laugh a lot too!) at a performance of Nate the Great at 10am and 12pm today at Dallas' Majestic Theatre. Kids in kindergarten through fourth grade will love this show about a budding young detective you must help his neighbor find a missing treasure. $10-$8.


FORT WORTH
Show off your mad gamer skills at Plugged In! Gaming at 6pm today at Fort Worth's East Regional Branch Library. Older kids will challenge each other at games like Guitar Hero and Super Smash Brothers on the library's Playstation and Wii systems. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
School-age kids will face off at Fun and Games at 3:30pm today at the Coppell Public Library. Children ages 5 and older are invited to participate, and games like checkers and chess will be on offer. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 22

DALLAS
Enrich your kids with an evening of beautiful classical music at Beethoven and Shostakovich at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform classical masterpieces, and Concertmaster Emanuel Borok will perform a violin solo. Tickets start at $17.


FORT WORTH
Treat your kids to some playtime while learning valuable parenting tips at the class Relating to Your Child Through Play from 10am-12pm today at The Parenting Center in Fort Worth. Parents and their children ages 2-5 will learn how to build their relationship through play. $15.


NORTH TEXAS
Make a splash at Dive-In Movies at 8pm today at Flower Mound's Community Activity Center pool. Children will splash around in the heated indoor pool while watching a kid-friendly movie during this monthly program. This month's scheduled movie is Meet the Robinsons. $8-$4.

What to Do Today: Jan. 21

DALLAS
Explore nature at no cost with the Free Third Thursday event from 9am-9pm today at Dallas' Trinity River Audubon Center. Families will enjoy guided hikes, crafts, amphibian watches and more. Free.


FORT WORTH
Enjoy an evening of family fun at Starlight Storytime at 7pm today at Fort Worth's Summerglen Library. Kids of all ages will be treated to crafts, songs and more—and they can even wear their pajamas! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Gather up your little ones and head to Toddler Time at 10 and 11am today at the Flower Mound Public Library. Children ages 8 months-36 months and their caregivers will love stories, songs and more in the library's children's area. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 20

DALLAS
Drop in for some kid-friendly fun at Hand in Hand: Warm and Fuzzy at 10am today at Dallas' Museum of Nature and Science. Preschoolers and their caregivers will hear the story We're Going on a Bear Hunt and enjoy some cool activities! $8.75 adults; $7.75 seniors and children ages 12-17; $5.50 children ages 3-11.


FORT WORTH
Get in tune with the Music, Music, It's All About Music! storytime at 11:30am today at Arlington at the Parks Mall's Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Local Kindermusik representatives will be on hand to share musical fun with babies and toddlers. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Got a toddler? Got some time? Then head to Toddler Time at 10:30am today at the Lewisville Public Library. Little ones ages 15 months-36 months and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, a craft and more. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 19

DALLAS
Put fun in your sights at the Kids Vision Fest from 10am-5pm today at Dallas' J. Erik Jonnson Central Library. Children of all ages will receive free vision screenings plus stories, games, entertainment and more. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa will even be on hand! Free.


FORT WORTH
Artistic animal lovers won't want to miss the Winter Treat Garland craft from 4-4:45pm today at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens Educational Pavilion. Kids ages 3-6 will hear a story, learn about birds' winter habits and make a natural treat to attract birds to their backyards at home! $5.


NORTH TEXAS
Wouldn't your favorite teddy bear like to have an adventure? Then check out the Stuffed Animal Sleepover at 7pm today at Denton's North Branch Library. Kids ages 1-6 will bring their cuddly critters to the library for stories and songs; then the stuffed animals will spend the night there, to be picked up by their owners the next day. Call to pre-register.

What to Do Today: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Edition!

DALLAS
Today's the day we as a nation celebrate the amazing legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Adults and students with an interest in history will have a chance to learn more about King's achievements at the Fifth-Annual MLK Symposium Presented by The Dallas Institute from 6-8:45pm today at Dallas' Winspear Opera House. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will present "I Have a Dream: The Promissory Note" at 7pm, with a reception and light buffet starting at 6pm. $20 adults; $10 students and teachers; reservations required.

Do You Know a Notable Mom?

The Women's Museum in Dallas is in search of a Dallas-area woman who's given back to the Dallas community; the museum needs your help!

If you know of a woman in the greater Dallas area who has contributed to women and children in the community, nominate her for The Maura Award, one of the highest honors given in Dallas for women helping women. The award is a tribute to the passion, spirit and commitment of The Women's Museum to women's issues.

To nominate a fellow Dallas female, go here and fill out a short survey. Voting ends Feb. 1 and the 2010 recipients of the award will be announced on May 20 at the museum's annual celebration.

—Gretchen

Face Time

When was the last time you treated yourself to a facial? If you had to stop and think, it's been too long! Why not check out the New Year, New You Relax and Unwrinkle event from 12-5pm Sunday at facelogic spa in Murphy. You'll be pampered with a free Peter Thomas Roth mini facial (appointment required) plus mimosas, hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and consultations with a PTR skincare expert.

In addition to posh facials, facelogic offers chemical peels, microdermabrasion, massage and more. You can also get high-end skincare products and cosmetics, and as a bonus on Saturday, you'll get 15 percent off any retail purchase. What a treat!

facelogic spa
223 E. FM544, Suite 805, Murphy
972/424-3223; www.facelogicspa.com/plano

What to Do Today: Jan. 15

DALLAS
You know your kids are creative (those masterpieces on the living room walls are proof of that). So let them have all the artistic fun they can handle at Toddler Art from 11am-12pm today at the Dallas Museum of Art. Children ages 2-3 and their caregivers will look at works in the museum galleries and then enjoy some play time in Arturo's Nest. $10 adults; children younger than 12 free.


FORT WORTH
Don't miss the Western-style fun as the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo kicks off at 8am today at the Fort Worth Stock Show Grounds. You'll get livestock exhibitions, exciting rodeo action, live music and more at this annual event. Tonight, giddy-up to the 'Best of the West' Ranch Rodeo at 7:30pm. Yee haw! $8 adults; $4 children ages 6-16; children younger than 6 free; rodeo tickets extra.


NORTH TEXAS
Little astronauts in training will love Space Days: The Moon at 4pm today at Denton's South Branch Library. Kids ages 8-12 will learn about the beautiful orb and the astronauts who have traveled to its surface! Free.

Boost Waning Winter Hair

Is your hair color fading as the wintertime clouds fade to gray? Or are you just tired of your hair style and ready for a (small!) change? Here are some quick tips from Amy Kott-Hovland (on the right in the photo) of Von Anthony Salon in Frisco for boosting your hair's color and shine:

1. If your hair is colored, look youthful by incorporating three colors so it doesn't look harsh. One color is boring and two colors can look stripy. Think of the dimension you see in a child's hair color.

2. If your hair is blonde, remember it's not how light you are, but how bright and shiny you can look. If your color is too ashy, it will absorb light and look flat. It it's golden, it will reflect the light and look healthy and super shiny.

3. Don't get trapped in your hair color. Don't be afraid to add warmth, sparkle and shine. (Chocolate for brunettes and honey for blonds.)

4. Bangs: If they are too short, it can age you. Don't use your fringe (bangs) to hide the wrinkles on your forehead. It's best to wear a fringe open in the temple area. Wearing your fringe curved in toward your cheeks will make your face look wider and shorter. Go more often for a complimentary bang trim.

5. Old styling habits are hard to change. Some people get into the habit of round brushing, when they should be using a paddle brush. Round brushes are good to add volume to the crown area. Imagine wearing a headband. Volume should happen behind the headband. Paddle brushes smooth, provide control and straighten your hair. Don't use a round brush on your fringe (bangs). Too much volume in the fringe is not a current style and can age you.

Thanks for the tips, Amy!

—Gretchen

What to Do Today: Jan. 14

DALLAS
Hear some beautiful classical music as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Pianist Jon Kimura Parker will join the orchestra for the stirring performance. Tickets start at $17.


FORT WORTH
Take an ocean voyage with Symphony Arlington: Wind in the Sails at 8pm today at Arlington's MetroCenter. The symphony will perform Claude Debussy's La Mer as well as other classical pieces. Tickets start at $15.


NORTH TEXAS
Have some fun—and learn a lot!—at Mad Science: Snow and Ice at 7pm today at the Grapevine Public Library. Budding scientists of all ages will learn about the seasons through cool science experiments. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 13

DALLAS
Have some cold-weather fun at Hand in Hand: Snow Days, Fun Days at 10am today at Dallas' Museum of Nature and Science. Preschoolers and their caregivers will hear Ezra Jack Keats' book The Snowy Day and enjoy fun activities in the museum. $8.75 adults; $7.75 seniors and children ages 12-17; $5.50 children ages 3-11.


FORT WORTH
Channel your inner Picasso at Wonderful Wednesdays from 4-4:45pm today at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. This month, learn about the works of Larry Bell and Lucas Samaras through gallery tours and art activities. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Treat your little one to Ones Upon a Time at 11:15am today at the Coppell Public Library. Designed with 1-year-olds in mind, this fun storytime includes songs, stories and more. Admission tickets will be available at the Information Desk. Free.

Test Your Resolutions

Have you vowed to amp up your fitness routine this year? Test out your new dedication to good health at Addison's Rotary Resolution Run this Saturday!

There's still time to register for $25 in either the 1K Fun Run/Walk, the 5K or 10K race. The 1K race starts at 8:10am Jan 16, with the 5K and 10K starting at 8:30.

After the race, join other families in the Addison Convention Center for food, lots of kid-friendly fun (like bounce houses, face-paint artists and more) and fitness experts who will share tips for continuing your resolutions throughout 2010.

—Gretchen

What to Do Today: Jan. 12

DALLAS
Got a cranky, cooped-up toddler? Check out the Moms and Tots Open Gym from 11am-1pm today at the McKinney Community Center. Children younger than 5 and their caregivers are invited to play with the gym's kid-friendly equipment, tricycles, balls and more. $1.


FORT WORTH
Bundle up in your best footed jammies for Pajama Time at 7pm today at the Lake Arlington Branch Library in Arlington. Kids of all ages will love hearing a story or two while decked out in their good-night gear! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Have trouble making it to daytime story hours? Then check out Twilight Toddler Time at 6:30pm today at Denton's Emily Fowler Branch Library. Toddlers and their caregivers will gather for stories, songs and more. Free.

What to Do Today: Jan. 11

DALLAS
Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Year of the Tiger: Annual Exhibition of Paintings and Flowers from 9am-5pm today at the Irving Arts Center. The exhibit, which opened Sunday, features beautiful artwork and flower arrangements by local masters and celebrates the new Year of the Tiger. Continues daily through Jan. 24. Free.


FORT WORTH
Show off your mad video-gaming skills at Plugged In! Gaming at 6pm today at Fort Worth's East Regional Branch Library. Families will come together to face off on games like Guitar Hero and Super Smash Brothers on the library's Wii and Playstation systems. Free.

NORTH TEXAS
Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will love Prime Time at 4pm today at the Lewisville Public Library. The weekly event includes stories, music, crafts and more. Free.