Kermit the Frog famously lamented: “It’s not easy bein’ green. It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.” But with so many extraordinary items featuring spectacular shades of the hue (including “Greenery,” Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017) currently gracing fashion runways, and store shelves in and around the intersection of Routes 1, 128 and 129, you are sure to stand out in crowds this spring.

The inspiration: Tory Burch RTW Spring Summer 2017. Model: Faretta. Photo: Sipa via AP Images.

By MEAGHAN CASEY

The Maine coast is home to some of the most picturesque spots in New England, and fortunately for residents off of Rt. 1, it’s just a short ride up 95 North. While it may still be too early in the season to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, it’s never too early for a daytrip to Portland for some lobster rolls, shopping and sightseeing. And if the traditional clam shacks don’t motivate you to hit the road, maybe the rest of the culinary scene will. In recent years, Bon Appetit named Portland the “foodiest” small town and in February, nine Portland chefs, restaurants, bakers and brewmasters were named semifinalists for the prestigious 2017 James Beard Awards.

By BETH BRESNAHAN

A sun-kissed glow is one fashion that never seems to go out of style. However, exactly how to acquire the look has varied and evolved over the years. It is believed that in 1923 iconic fashion designer and quintessential trendsetter Coco Chanel made bronzed skin chic after catching a bit too much sun while on her yacht in Cannes, France. She later admitted that her look was accidental and she simply stayed in the sun a bit too long. But that didn’t stop tanned skin from becoming an international trend or from becoming a symbol of affluence — a way of displaying leisure time spent vacationing, by the pool or on the ski slopes.

The view from a suite balcony at the Opal Sands Resortin Clearwater Beach, Florida.

By STACEY MARCUS

Looking to plan a great getaway this spring? We assembled a list of four great spots to visit to celebrate the end of another New England winter and the dawn of the seasons of renewal.

Your child has received several college acceptances and is close to picking the school of their dreams. Now comes the big question: How are you going to pay for it?

By TRACEY MILLER GEARY

There are a variety of financial aid tools available to students to help pay for college, including scholarships, need-based awards, work-study employment and student loans. According to The National Center for Education Statistics, nearly two-thirds of today’s full-time college students receive some form of need-based aid. Need-based financial aid eligibility is based on two calculations – the total cost of education and the family’s ability to pay. While the cost of education can vary significantly from institution to institution, these calculations include all reasonable costs (tuition, room, board and living expenses) of attendance.

Sisters Kamilah and Kiana share a hug with Tuck, a cuddly teddy bear who helped launch the #sharethebear campaign. | Photo: Reba Saldanha

As the holiday season approaches, a special energy fills the air with people looking forward to sharing holiday joy with family and friends. Images of excited children being tucked in bed, tossing and turning with anticipation, make us smile as we imagine their sugar plum-filled dreams. Yet, for the one in seven children living in poverty in Massachusetts, dreams are not always filled with sugar plums.

Fluff celebrated by many, but it’s only made in one place
By David Liscio

When talk turns to Marshmallow Fluff, it’s not unusual to hear enthusiastic opinions from pre-teens, Baby Boomers and those enjoying their golden years.

After all, the beloved white goop has been around for decades, with nearly every ounce produced at the Durkee Mower factory in Lynn.

Beccia’s illustrations of Josephine Baker and Madonna (along with a fashion sketch) appear in her most recent book, “Fashion Rebels.”

Lynnfield storyteller has a way with words — and art.
By Stacey Marcus

Lynnfield author and illustrator Carlyn Beccia.

Award-winning author and illustrator Carlyn Beccia reflects on her younger years growing up in Lynnfield with a little laugh.

“I was a child that ran away a lot,” she says, noting that she never got very far, but her parents treasure the photo they shot of her donning a Hollie Hobbie nightgown and slippers, suitcase in tow, attempting to escape in the snow. “I was a very rebellious child always horrifying my mother with stuff I wore and trying to push her buttons.”

The wild child earned a full four-year scholarship to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated in 1995. Her first foray into the work world was with Kronos selling time and attendance systems.

“I would advise everyone to go into sales because it’s an aspect of everything you do in business,” she says.

She then spent the next decade-and-a-half working in graphic design and art direction at advertising agencies.

By Steve Krause

According to Jay Sartori, baseball analytics has no hard and fast definition. It may not be a case of “if I told what I did, I’d have to kill you,” but it may be close.

“It’s not easy to do,” said Sartori. “Essentially, at its simplest level, what we’re doing is taking any and all information that we can get our hands on and, through the use of various tools—and a lot of them happen to be technical computer tools—we can improve our decision making.”