The 5 Hidden Gems of Maryland

Looking for that perfect Mother's Day gift to give your mom or any mother in your life this year? How about some jewelry? You can't go wrong when you give that special mom something that sparkles to open on Mother's Day. If you're not sure where to go in the Washington, D.C., area to shop for jewelry, we've put together a list of some of the best places to shop. Read on for a look at some local jewelry shops where you can find the perfect Mother's Day gift. more Tiny Jewel Box Tiny Jewel Box on Connecticut Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C., is a family-owned jeweler that specializes in custom jewelry. They design pieces in a range of styles from vintage to contemporary. You can work with the designers at Tiny Jewel Box to create a piece that will perfectly reflect your mom's personality and individual taste. All the gems that Tiny Jewel Box use are ethically sourced. You can even bring your own stones, and the designers will create a piece using them. The entire process takes between three and five weeks, so you'll need to plan ahead if you want it to be ready for Mother's Day. You'll start by discussing your budget and ideas with the designer. They will make sketches, then a wax model, and finally the actual piece that you can take home. Secrète Jewelry Secrète Jewelry sits on Connecticut Avenue Northwest in the district's Dupont Circle. This shop specializes in custom-made jewelry, but they also have a great selection of watches, pendants, rings, and bracelets, so you are sure to find something that suits any taste. The staff at Secrète Jewelry will work with you to create a unique piece for mom. They begin by forming a wax mold that's based on a combination of your ideas and visions and the designer's expertise. Bensons Jewelers Bensons Jewelers is a family-owned jewelry shop on F Street Northwest in Washington, D.C. The store has a wide selection of jewelry and gifts from around the globe. The buyers constantly scour the world to find unique and original jewelry, so they always have something new to offer. It's a great place to shop because the inventory continually changes. The services at Bensons Jewelers include a diamond concierge, stone remounting, and more. Bensons has a large selection of Washington, D.C., charms available that would make a nice gift for a mom, and they can special order any charm you would like to give. They also have birthstones for every month, so you can find a bracelet, necklace, or earrings with your mother's birthstone. A piece with the birthstones of her children always makes a nice gift, too. Ann Hand Ann Hand first opened in 2001 in Washington, D.C., offering brooches, bracelets, lapel pins, and more. Some of her designs have been worn by influential women around the nation, and because of this, some refer to her as the “the Nation's jeweler.” You can shop for American flag-themed brooches, the Liberty Eagle pin, and the Eagle of Hope pin. Her designs also include eagle bangle bracelets and the Mother and Child cameo necklace. Some of her bestselling earrings include gold and crystal earrings and her Glory earrings with the colors of the flag styled in a ribbon above a pearl. Charles Schwartz & Son Stop by Charles Schwartz & Son for a selection of bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and watches. This store is a staple in the district. It first opened in 1888 and is the area's oldest jeweler. Whether you want to find the perfect gift or refurbish a family heirloom, the experienced and professional staff has the knowledge to help you get exactly what you want. The store recently expanded from its Washington, D.C., location to Chevy Chase, Maryland, where you can visit them in the Barlow Building on Wisconsin Avenue. Stop by to take a look at the selection of designer jewelry, vintage pieces, and more. Robert Laurence Jewelers Robert Laurence Jewelers on G Street has a selection of affordable custom jewelry. They also sell watches and offer fine jewelry, including rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. If you'd like to create a custom piece for mom, you can select a mounting and an image or sketch that represents the type of piece you want the designer to make. They will then start the design process using computer-aided design software to create a visual for you to look at. If you have a stone you want to use, the designer will incorporate it into the piece. Alternatively, the shop can provide a stone for you. Diament Jewelry Diament Jewelry is a gift shop and jewelry store that opened in 2018 at The Wharf in Washington, D.C. It's packed with fun gift items and lots of jewelry. You can find the Diament line of vintage and handmade jewelry with a mix of styles that will appeal to a wide range of people. Diament also carries old stock vintage jewelry that is over 30 years old and unworn. The handmade pieces use sterling silver and gold-filled materials, and most of the vintage pieces are brass, gold, or silver plated. Stop by Diament Jewelry to find a wide selection of items for mom. They have simple pieces for under $20 and more elaborate pieces that are still affordable. There are gemstone necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, along with bright and fun pieces, such as candy resin stud earrings and blue and silver unicorn stud earrings. Diament also carries vintage hair clips, vintage name necklaces, and a variety of rings in gold and silver. These are some of the shops and jewelry stores we will head to when we want to find a Mother's Day gift. Do you have a go-to jeweler in the Washington, D.C., area that we missed? Stop by Koons Clarksville Chevrolet GMC and tell us about it. We can stop by to check it out and maybe even find the perfect gift for our mom.

Each year, approximately 885,000 tons of sugar are refined at the Domino Sugar Refinery in Baltimore. Beyond Domino Sugar itself, Charm City's sweet side also comes through in the desserts found on restaurant menus and in bakeries and other food establishments across the city. When you're looking for something sweet to celebrate a special occasion, you can take your taste buds on a journey of discovery as you explore the best Baltimore eateries for sugar cravings. Berger Cookies From its location in Lexington Market, Berger Cookies continues to satisfy the Baltimore community's sugar cravings. The bakery traces its origins to 1835, when German immigrant Henry Berger opened his first bakery in East Baltimore. Baltimoreans by birth can identify Berger's signature treat in a heartbeat: the soft, cake-like cookies hand-dipped into a lusciously rich fudge frosting. The bakery team creates these cookies using the same homemade recipe from the 1800s with only a few minor adjustments. Cookies aren't the only Berger's baked goods you can enjoy. Cakes are also a popular treat. Berger's cakes come in two varieties. The Berger's Original Half Cake features freshly baked layers of pound cake covered with Berger Cookies fudge frosting. The Coconut Half Cake contains delicious pound cakes covered with vanilla frosting and fluffy flakes of coconut. Location: 2900 Waterview Ave., Baltimore. Telephone: 800-398-2236 Dangerously Delicious Pies Founded more than 15 years ago by Rodney "The Pie Man" Henry, Dangerously Delicious Pies puts a rock-and-roll spin on a bakery favorite. As the frontman to Baltimore's "Glenmont Popes," Rodney Henry knew an excellent pie when he tasted one. While touring with Glenmont Popes, he slung pies at merchandise tables and traded slices of pie for lodging. Today, Dangerously Delicious Pies offers a complete line of quiches and sweet and savory pies for dine-in at its Canton Square retail shop, carryout, and delivery. Each pie is handmade from scratch. You'll find cream pies such as coconut cream and banana cream, fruit pies with apple and blueberry, as well as specialty pies, such as the Baltimore Bomb. Location: 2839 O'Donnell St., Baltimore. Telephone: 410-552-PIES (7437), option 1. Harmony Bakery As Baltimore's gluten-free, vegan bakery, Harmony Bakery creates delectable treats using fresh, organic ingredients from local farmers. The Harmony Bakery team mixes all the flour used in the bakery in house, resulting in crunchy crusts and delicious cakes and cookies. Discover delicious after-dinner desserts or choose from vegan cupcakes, luscious brownies, and delicate tarts that will perfectly accompany your breakfast cup of coffee or tea. Children will adore Harmony Bakery's cookie options, which include chocolate chip and oatmeal cream pies. A specialty doughnut of the day always brings big smiles from regular customers. Harmony Bakery offers convenient online ordering for its bakery products. Location: 3446 Chestnut Ave., Baltimore. Telephone: 410-235-3870. Pure Chocolate by Jinji Fresh off its 10th anniversary, Pure Chocolate by Jinji remains dedicated to sharing the gift of exceptional quality chocolate with others. Founded by Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy, Pure Chocolate by Jinji's retail shop in Baltimore's historic Belvedere Square Market will introduce you to the flavor nuances of some of the highest-quality chocolate you'll ever taste. "Each chocolate we create tells a story," Jinji describes on the company's website. "We begin by focusing on a specific memory, an event, or an emotion, and we work with that moment until we can taste it. Then, the crafting of our next piece of chocolate starts." Products available at the retail shop include barks, bean-to-bar chocolate, drinking chocolate, fudge, truffles, and more. Look for Jinji chocolates in limited supply at cafes, grocers, and restaurants in the Baltimore area. Location: 529 E. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore. Telephone: 410-394-9901. Sacré Sucré Pastry Studio With its headquarters in downtown Baltimore, the Sacré Sucré Pastry Studio is a charming French-inspired bakery with plenty of character. If you're a fan of macarons, you must taste these delicacies from Sacré Sucré. Flavors vary based on holidays and seasons. Beyond macarons, Sacré Sucré also prepares fabulous gâuteaus featuring tahini, caramel, Earl Grey-infused mousse, and almond ganache. Flaky croissants, luscious pain au chocolat, apple turnovers, and salted caramel marshmallows make perfect breakfast or after-dinner treats. Pair your favorite bites with a beverage: espresso drinks, loose-leaf teas, and matcha are among some of the cups of comfort awaiting you at Sacré Sucré. Convenient online ordering is available for pickup at its Fleet Street location. Location: 2001 Fleet St., Baltimore. Telephone: 443-873-0020 The Charmery Dishing out happiness through ice cream, The Charmery offers handcrafted, exceptional-quality ice cream from four Baltimore-area locations. An ever-changing menu of seasonal ice cream flavors, specialty sundaes, milkshakes, and floats delight customers young and old. Established by David and Laura Alima, The Charmery values creativity and community — two elements you'll find in every scoop you savor. The Charmery takes inspiration for its frosty creations from local agriculture and maker communities. You can taste real fruit and high-quality dairy products in the ice cream. Customer favorite flavors include Mint Mountain, Tell Tale Chocolate, Old Bay Caramel, and Malty Vanilla Chip. Vegan offerings are available and follow the seasons. Locations: 801 W. 36th St., Baltimore; 6807 York Road, Baltimore; 6000 Merriweather Drive, #185B, Columbia; 1700 W. 41st St., #400, Baltimore. Telephone: 410-814-0493 (801 W. 36th St.); 443-275-2859 (6807 York Road); 443-546-3359 (Columbia location); 443-759-4905 (1700 W. 41st St.). The next time your sugar cravings strike, explore the above destinations for mouth-watering sweets you can't resist. Now it's your turn to share your favorites. Tell us what y o u think about our suggestions. Did we overlook one of your favorite Baltimore establishments? Write to us and let us know so we can add your recommendations to this list. Make the Most of Your Sweet Discoveries in a New Vehicle From Koons Clarksville Chevrolet GMC Take your taste buds out for a sweet journey through Baltimore behind the wheel of a new vehicle from Koons Clarksville Chevrolet GMC. Discover why we're the top dealership in the area with one of the largest inventories of new and pre-owned vehicles. Get a Koons offer for your current vehicle in minutes. Visit our showroom or go online today.

Families in Columbia, Maryland, have a lot of options for entertaining their kids. One of the local favorites is tot lots, where children can spend hours and hours enjoying playgrounds with slides, swings, sandlots, and a ton of other activities. We put together a list of some of the best tot lots in the area and what they have to offer to make your choice for a weekend or afternoon of family fun even easier. Most of the parks in the area are maintained and safety checked by the Columbia Association, guaranteeing they'll be a safe, fun time for your kids. Check out the tot lots below and figure out which one is best for you and your family, then take your children there to meet other kids and parents and have a grand old time. Vantage Point Park Small, charming, and surrounded by scenic parkland, Vantage Point Park contains a great tot lot for younger children. Take your kids to the toddler-appropriate swing set in the park, or let them play on the slide and jungle gym nearby while you take a seat on one of the available benches and supervise. There's a gorgeous forest vista behind the play area and a gazebo further down where you can spend a quiet Sunday afternoon. The park is located on Vantage Point Road in the town center, making it easily accessible for most families in Columbia. Wyndham Park Wyndham Park has some swings suitable for toddlers and younger children, but it's also a great park to bring elementary-age children because there are more "grown-up" swings available, as well as a bigger slide that older kids will appreciate. You'll find Wyndham Park on the corner of Little Patuxent Parkway and Broken Land Parkway. Just like Vantage Point Park, Wyndham is also surrounded by lush green woodlands, making it a very relaxing destination for the whole family. Banneker Park Walk a little further down from Wyndham Park, and you'll come across Banneker Park, also located in Columbia's’ town center. In addition to the swings, slide, and jungle gym offered at the previous tot lots, this park also has mechanical horses and seahorses for younger children to ride, as well as a small tunnel to play in. Columbia Association Tot Lot OM9 Located at 9563 Wandering Way, Columbia, this tot lot is beloved by parents of younger children thanks to the playground horses and sandbox that provide hours of fun for young minds. Visit this tot lot in the spring and let your children enjoy the warmer weather playing outside in the sand, even if it's’ not quite summer beach weather yet. Columbia Association Tot Lot OB8 You'll find tot lot OB8 at 6564 Seedling Lane in Columbia. Do your young children have a fascination with cars and can't’ wait to grow up and be old enough to get their own? Well, take them here, where they can ride mechanical stationary cars meant for toddler-age children. If the woodland around some of the tot lots in the area makes you nervous for your kids, Tot Lot OB8 is located in a more residential area with less forested land around it, so you can easily keep an eye on your kids at all times and not have them slip into the woods. Wilde Lake Park Tot Lot Sometimes you want to head to a playground where the kids can have fun while, as parents, you can also enjoy the nature that surrounds you. If this is the fun weekend activity you're looking for, head out to Wilde Lake Park Tot Lot and enjoy the serene grounds of the park and 22-acre artificial lake while marveling at the trees starting to enter full bloom in the spring season. Next to one of the park's most visible landmarks, the barn, you'll find a tot lot for children that includes plenty of fun activities to keep them occupied. After the kids are done playing, take a stroll with them around the 1.5-mile path around the lake, and try to spot some of the birds that have started migrating back to the area, as well as other small wildlife that can be found in the park. Wilde Lake Park is located north of the town center at 10002 Hyla Brook Road. Dorsey Hall Pool Tot Lot Perhaps your family loves to combine a day of swimming with a day out in the park. If your child has already started lessons or just can't get enough of the water, Dorsey Hall Pool Tot Lot is the place for you. The hall has an eight-lane pool, as well as a wading pool (with a beach entry to make it easier to get in the water). Your children will love the water features and the water slide. Adjacent to the pool areas, you'll find a well-equipped tot lot that most Columbia area kids absolutely love, as well as basketball courts and sand volleyball courts if you have older athletic children that would like to join in on a day of family fun. To get to Dorsey Hall Pool Tot Lot, you'll have to venture slightly further, as the hall is located at 4649 Columbia Road in Ellicott City. However, trust us that the extra drive is definitely worth it, as Dorsey Hall tends to be an absolute favorite for local families. We know that every family is different, as is their preferred way of spending a sunny spring afternoon or brisk weekend day. Whether you have toddlers who like to swing all day or lots of children of different ages and interests and you'd like to spend a day together as a family, the Columbia area has the perfect tot lot to offer you and your family. If you visit a tot lot you love that we left out, please contact us at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet GMC in Clarksville, Maryland, and let us know, as we'd love to include it in a future post.