reversible tote + email your kids.

i finally got around to using this reversible bag i ordered during christmas. it came in a bunch of bright colors, but i opted for this black/blood red one for ultimate versatility. i like that it is nondescript and doesn't have any pronounced hardware. i'm wearing my JustFab skinny denim with this super comfy trapeze tank. it's perfect for humid summers because it doesn't cling to your body. they are super cheap from a local store, so i always grab them whenever i see them. of course, i had to have the leopard one.

i came across an idea for kids recently; i heard about it years ago but it appealed to me this time around. the idea is to create an email account and reserve a (personalized) email address for your child...the thought being that many email addresses will be taken by the time they are old enough to have an account. throughout the years, email them. a note here and there, pictures from school, play dates, vacations, or random candids, and give them the password to the account when they're 18 years of age (or whenever you choose). 

while i'm not concerned about saving them an email address, i do love the idea of creating somewhat of a virtual scrapbook or journal that you can give them when they are older. i can't even tell you how many scrapbooks and decorative papers and die-cuts and paper punches i have bought with the intention of creating scrapbooks for my kids. i've never completed one. but email? i can do. right from my phone. at the moment. after all, this is the age of technology.

if you're a parent, is this an idea you would consider?

how do you document your child's memories and milestones?

some sample emails to your child...

it's a great way to keep those photos safe throughout the years, plus it doesn't take up storage space!

(JustFab denim (buy); Lulu's shoes;

ShopLately necklace; Happy Wahine bag)

an [oomph] review. kiwi crate.

i was provided one kiwi crate to share with mini-he.

all opinions are 100% his. and mine!

if you have kids in your life, whether your own, or nieces and nephews, or your friends' kids, you'll want to read on. subscription boxes have been popping up like crazy, and this is one you will want to subscribe to. it's called Kiwi Crate.

kiwi crate was created as a way to 'celebrate kids' natural creativity and curiosity'. each crate contains 2-3 age-appropriate projects with all the necessary materials.

your child provides the imagination!

the theme of our Kiwi Crate was Wonders of Water,

and the activities included:

Floating Sailboat.

assemble a colorful sailboat, then learn to steer it

in the tub or pool

Watercolor Animals.

created vibrant sea creature art with color diffusing paper

and your own spray bottle

Water Experiments.

investigate surface tension and buoyancy with

included bonus materials

here's mini-he making watercolor animals.

our plant was perfect for drying our animals!

view this on you tube here.
check out the second part of this activity here.

our thoughts:

we absolutely loved this.

the best part was that the crate included all the necessary materials needed to do each project. (sometimes we were asked to provide water or pennies, things anyone would have at home.) the graphics were cute and simple, and the instructions were easy to follow. my son loved the two activities we did so far, and coincidentally, the water experiments lined up perfectly with
the science he was learning in school! 

crates start as low at $16.95/month.
you can buy 6-12 month subscriptions or purchase single crates; these would make great kids' gifts.

visit their website for more information.

have you tried kiwi crate?
if you have kids, would you consider kiwi crate?

randomness.

my thoughts are all over the place today, so just some random bits...a simple outfit with a skirt found in the motherload and a top that i never wear, a fun project for the minis,

and a cute movie i saw this week.

ice sculptures

have kids sprinkle ice with salt, then squeeze drops of

food coloring on it. it was cool how the salt created

these fizzures in the ice.

thanks to maya at soccer mom style for this fun idea.

photo: random google search

four theater and film majors, who believe they will live like movies stars, are faced with reality after graduation. although they are seemingly living it up and enjoying life, each has their own personal struggles and worries after graduation. the girls have a chemistry that i might mildly compare to the girls of SATC...differrent personalities, supportive of each other, jealous of each other, etc. overall a cute movie.