10 Ideas to Get Your Kids Outside this Summer

After years and years of working part time and dropping my kids off at daycare I finally have the summer off! Well, sort of. If you are a work from home or stay at home mom, you know you really never stop working. But this year instead of watching my productivity, I'm creating it! Because, let's face it. If I don't plan anything fun my kids are going to drive me crazy!

Deciding not to work means I also have to do a lot less spending.

We did sign up for free summer bowling, and will likely hit the dollar theater. And I've got a whole other list of free activities. But number 4 is really big on naps, and I think it's pretty grand when he takes one. And really, the best way to save money is to stay home. 

Bottom line, my kids need to play outside. We had this great idea last year that we would invest in a playset and the kids would spend hours outdoors. Turns out they bore easily. Getting them out there requires a little bit of creativity and planning, but once you get them out there you are golden. If you are looking for a few ideas, I've put together a list of what's working for me and a few new things to try. I'd love to hear your ideas, too! Don't my kids look excited? Let's do this!

1. Water Balloon Target Practice

I think I know what you are thinking: That means I have to fill and tie a million water balloons! If there's one thing you should invest in this summer, it's this amazing water balloon apparatus!

Click on the picture to find it on Amazon

My sister and my mom both have these, they are a totally genius design. Any kid over 5 can use it without any help. Our 4 year old hasn't gotten the hang of it yet, but big brother is happy to fill up balloons for everyone.

All you need to make targets is some dollar store chalk, which you can use for other things as well! Trust me on this one, make targets. Otherwise your kids will throw them at each other which often results in tears. If they get tired of targets, throw them at a bucket, or a small swimming pool.

This activity is kid approved.

2. Backyard Scavenger Hunt

A few weeks ago my kids were restless and I had this brilliant idea. I googled "backyard scavenger hunt" and found this cute little checklist with easy to find yard stuff. My 6 year old could read a little, but I drew little objects next to the words to help him and the 4 year old out. It probably only took them about 15 minutes to find everything, but they ended up playing outside for a long time looking for other things and exploring. You know you've found a worthwhile project when it sparks creativity and exploration. This is a keeper. Here's a picture of my sons making their own checklists after they finished the scavenger hunt I gave them.

I decided to create a scavenger hunt checklist with visuals for next time and thought I'd share it with you! I left a few empty spots at the end so you or your child can add a few things that are unique to your yard or were found along the way.

Click on the image to go to the download page

3. Build Your Own Obstacle Course

So I mentioned the playset we got last summer and how my kids don't want to play on it? There's one exception, a challenge. At least once a week I take my kids in the backyard and we create an obstacle course. We use our playset, but you can easily do it with outdoor furniture and toys. Our tiny trampoline seems to always be the starting point, and some sort of trail of toys to wind around. My son made this cute little finish line with paper, string and tape. He was so proud of himself.

I'm thinking with the weather warming up we might try and incorporate a sprinkler into the course. To draw out this activity, have the kids count to 10 or 20 for several of the stations. For instance, 20 jumps on the trampoline, 5 times around the basketball hoop, and 20 swings.

If you have a gaggle of kids like I do, DO NOT send them on the course at the same time. Time them with your phone or do it follow-the-leader style, with each child taking turns building the course or leading the way. As with any activity, you will likely have to show them how to do it, but once they get the idea they can do it on their own.

4. Paint Pine cones and Rocks

Sometimes it too hot to run around, and my kids just want to sit in the shade. A few weeks ago I got out some pine cones I'd saved from a trip to Big Bear and let the kids paint them. These are a centerpiece on our patio table now. If you don't have pine cones, let your kids paint rocks, sticks or leaves. I may take it a step further this summer and cut up fruit to use like stamps. That reminds me, I need to buy more paint. I just pinned some DIY sidewalk chalk paint, I wonder if that would work as well?

5. Dinosaur Dig

I haven't done this in awhile so I know the kids are going to be excited, especially the little one. I usually get new sand in the summer and this time I'm going to throw some plastic dinosaurs and eggs in the bottom of the sandbox and sand/water table before filling them up. Who doesn't love a dinosaur dig?! We got these a few years back at Muzeo and they are just perfect for this activity. You can buy them on Amazon here.

Click on the picture to find these on Amazon

Digging for dinosaurs has that "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" affect. Suddenly digging is a brilliant idea.

On a side note, sometimes the boys don't want to go outside because it's hot. Today I threw a sport-brella over their digging area and they played for a long while.

6. Grow Your Own Garden

Okay, maybe your first inclination was...I'll just scroll right past this one. Ain't nobody got time for that! But I'm not talking about some huge project, unless you're into that. I personally have 2 brown thumbs.

For Easter my friend gave our kids these cute little grass planters and my kids just loved them! A month later, our sons Kindergarten teacher sent home a 2 liter container with a sunflower plant growing (you can see it in the picture of the sport-brella). If you can't get your kids to take that first step to getting outside, send them out to water! You don't necessarily have to plant something new, they can water flowers or trees in your yard, but they really do enjoy watching those plants grow! I haven't decided what else we will plant, but we are definitely going to do more gardening this summer.

7. Photo Journal

I know my kids are going to love this project! If you have a smartphone and your dumb like me and let your kids play with it, chances are you have a file full of pictures of the backs of people's heads and selfies of your kids. Kids LOVE to take pictures. This summer I'm sending them out into the yard to take pictures. I'll probably give them a couple of old cell phones.

This is a project that can be stretched out all summer. They can take photos of the garden as it grows, fruits as they get bigger on trees, the pine cones and rocks they paint, their brothers and sister doing the other activities we planned.

I'm thinking once a week we will print out a few pictures and make a collage, and at the end of the summer punch a few holes in the edges and tie them up with yarn. Boom, a pretty keepsake of the summer! This project could easily be adapted to make a gift for a family birthday, or a photo calendar to give at Christmas!

I JUST remembered my son's Kindergarten teacher sent home a summer journal! It would be perfect for this! She included a list of summer words.

After I pulled this out to take a picture I gave it to my son and he wrote about the baby mockingbird living in our yard. He drew a picture, and took a picture, too. Isn't it snuggly (in other words not cute)?

8. Wall Water Painting

If you are having a particularly hot day, this is the perfect activity. My mom used to do this with my daughter all the time. All you need is a few old paint brushes and a bucket of water. You simply let the kids paint the walls or sidewalks with water, and see where it takes them!

I remember being fascinated as a kid to see the water dry up, and I always tried to write out my whole name before the first few letters disappeared. Here's another application for the DIY chalkboard paint, I've got to try out that recipe!

I don't have a picture yet because I'm saving this one up for a really hot day and want to buy a few more brushes and sponges from the dollar store.

9. Bug Hunt

Speaking of bargains, I can't get enough of the dollar section at Target. We picked up a few butterfly nets and a bug container in the spring and my kids have caught so many interesting things! Lately it's beetles, and on slow days rollie pollies. Someday they will catch the elusive butterfly! Either way, these toys have accounted for endless hours of outdoor fun and were the best $5 ever spent! I'm thinking I'll dig up the old magnifying glass this summer to add to the fun. There are a couple of old logs and stepping stones I know are hiding all kinds of creepy crawlies.

10. Camp Out

I personally would have glazed over this one if I were reading my blog. I HATE camping, and have absolutely no intention of sleeping in my backyard with my bed just 20 feet away. But I do own the equipment, thanks to my poor husband who will probably not get to camp again for years. It's been awhile since we threw the tent in the backyard and let the kids play in it and I know it will make for hours of fun.

I don't have any cute pictures of us doing a camp out because it's always too dark to get good photos. But the kids love anything that resembles a tent, as you can see here. Besides, I know you all wanted to see number 4.

Camping is really just an excuse to eat smores, if nothing else. I have the ingredients and they are calling my name!

Now it's your turn. What do you think I should do to get my kids outside this summer? What are your kids up to? I hope you had fun looking through my list and found something new to try. If you'd like to save these ideas for later, here's a photo to pin!

Thanks for stoppin' by. Have an outdoor kinda summer!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, but the opinions and recommendations are solely my own. If I don't love something, I don't recommend it!

Front Door Fashion Review Spring 2015

You're either going to be really mad at me or my new best friend

when you hear about this new online shopping experience I found for women's clothing.

Front Door Fashion is a highly personalized styling service for women

looking for a complete wardrobe makeover. Take a seat.

Front door fashion sends you 3-6 ENTIRE outfits!

Yes, you read right. Not 5 items, not 1 outfit.

They send you everything from pants and tops to jewelry and shapewear for a head to toe new look.

Front Door Fashion isn't a clothing subscription box, no algorithms, no guessing games.

After you complete a profile and order, a professional stylists contacts you to start things off right.

For transparency's sake, I knew I couldn't afford the clothing
(the price ranges are clearly defined within the style profile)
but Front Door Fashion encouraged me to try it and share it with my readers!

I know many of you are looking for more than an occasional shirt or necklace.

If you are ready to take it to the next level with 3-4 new outfits to bulk up your wardrobe,
I think I've found just the thing for you.

Now, on to the goods!

The clothes arrived in a suitcase size box via UPS. Each outfit was carefully hung with cute little tags describing it. The first outfit out of the garment bag was me to a T, "Casually Sophisticated."
At least that's what I'm going for.

I thought'd I'd throw in a little before and after so you can see what my current dilemma is.
So often I end up throwing on a black top and a comfy cardigan over a pair of ill fitting jeans.



I think this outfit is a drastic improvement!

I was really impressed with the quality and price of these baby boot jeans from Articles of Society.
Knowing the prices were higher, I had higher expectations. I anticipated quality fabrics and unique styles. The Maylin pleated button down top was all of those things. It had these super fun looped buttons, off-centered, giving it a sort of a kimono feel. Wish it fit. Sigh.

This outfit came with an alternate top as well.
Love the lace, but not sold on the color. What do you think?
For reference, it's the BB Dakota Samie top.

Love that they sent camisoles, red and nude. I imagine a lot of ladies out there
haven't tried much shapewear. A good camisole can make or break an outfit for me.

If trying Stitch Fix has taught me anything, it's not to make up your mind about something until you've tried it on. When I saw this hot pink tshirt dress with a drawstring waist from Splendid,
I was certain I would hate it. But it was so soft and comfortable!

I have military style jackets all over my Pinterest boards, and the olive green in this
Velvet Heart jacket is a nice contrast to the bright color in the dress.
Unfortunately it was too big for me. LOVE the material, perfect layering piece.
I like that it wears more like an open shirt than a cinched parka you usually see.

This "perfectly pink" outfit came with a cute little prism pave necklace from BCBGMaxazria, too.

This next set was meant to "push you just a little bit out of your comfort zone," my stylist says.
I am not big on prints on pants. My stylist called this one, "The New Neutral."
I've noticed a lot patterns on pants these days, like the popular Margaret M Emer's from Stitch Fix.



These Nic + Zoe mixed dot easy pants have a small pattern
you can really only see if you look up close.

I guess she thought maybe since she already had me out of my comfort zone
she might as well camp out there :) Why not throw in a short skirt?

Funny, the pink dress was probably just as short, but this felt so much shorter.
I bet it would look amazing with cowboy boots on the right person.
I know when to hold them, know when to fold them. I'm still working on my poker face.

I do love the Courtney cap sleeve top from Velvet Heart that came with it,
but I can't see myself wearing white. I can give you plenty of examples
from today alone where I would have had to change my shirt.
Snow cone, mud, baby, pizza, berries, and the day isn't even over yet.

I had mentioned in my style profile (a place to let your stylist know more about yourself)
that I have quite a bit of jewelry, but nothing colorful.
It was fun to try this Agate and Druzy Stone Necklace, I like the colors and textures a lot.

 

I had to laugh when I saw the tag on this next get-up, "Wait, these aren't PJs?"
Seriously, I could sleep in these Splendid double cloth pants, and the Askari Laney top.
I don't think the colors are doing many any favors though.

I really appreciate my stylist's sentiment on the last set. "I'm DETERMINED to find you  maxi dresses that you'll love and wear." I've never seen anything like this Weston Mae maxi. I think it's meant to be worn bra commando, as it is fitted in the bodice and fully lined to the thigh. I thought the light blue "Drifting Cardy" from Nic + Zoe was an interesting match.

Unfortunately this didn't hide my problem areas, my current predicament with maxi's.
Black could be the answer, and this Splendid version feels like butter.
But I think it was a little big all over.

I couldn't get a great picture of the Zad ribbon beaded bib necklace,
but I did get a good pic of #2.

All and all I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience.
My stylist sent me a list of thought provoking questions shortly after I signed up.
She really made me think about what I was hoping to get out of this,
and how personalized this service would be.
Perhaps these questions will pique your curiosity,
and get you thinking, too.

What’s your typical day like?
Are there any specific items you would like to see in your box?
What is your closet missing right now?
Is there anything else you’d like your stylist to know about you that will help her
give you outfits that are PERFECT for you and your lifestyle?

All in all my box had 5 full outfits and a total of 17 items!
This kind of leeway puts Front Door Fashion in a unique position
to find exactly what you are looking for!

And if you are in need of a little help, Front Door Fashion
includes a lookbook full of styling ideas and a shoe guide with every box,
as well as the full contact information for your personal stylist.

Trying Front Door Fashion is absolutely free, including shipping both ways!
If you decided to try it, tell them "howdy" for me, and be sure to come back
and show me what you got! I should warn you, it might take you awhile!

Happy Styling!

Dailylook Elite Box Review April 2015

When I heard about the Dailylook Elite Box 3 month free trial membership, I was really excited to try something new. So I headed over and started to create a style profile. If I didn't know better, I'd say they stole the profile straight from Stitch Fix. Anyhow, when I was finished and had scheduled a date for my first box, I wandered around the site and added items to "my closet." This is a fun place on the site to create a collection of things you like. 

I was a little worried about what I'd get for a few different reasons. #1 The prices on this site are a lot higher than I wanted to pay. #2 A majority of the clothing on the site is out of my comfort zone. But isn't that what subscription box shopping is really all about? Trying new things and having some fun. And in this case, for free.

Well, the first box was a bust. So much so that I couldn't get decent pictures to share with you. Just picture me wearing a trash bag or an old sheet I tried to sew into a dress.

In fact, I was so mad about how boring, cheap & unthoughtful my first styling experience was that I left some pretty critical feedback. Fortunately, Dailylook hooked me up with a new stylist. My only request was that they add items from "my closet" and give me more color. 

I loved the question they posed to me when I contacted customer service. "Are you willing to pay a little more money for a better box?" So honest, it really made me think. I had stated the first time that money was my biggest concern and as a result I got some really cheap, ugly stuff. Would I pay more for something I might actually love? Definitely.

So this is what came in box #2

I immediately took it all out of the plastic and stacked it up nicely. OCD?

I was happy to see a little color! So of course, I tried the dress on first.

Please disregard my facial expression, I'm such a weirdo.

I loved the print right out of the box. The blue is bright and perfect for spring. It has a fun little zipper all the way from the top to the bottom.I normally want to run and grab tights immediately, but for some reason the length of this dress didn't bother me. But, it just didn't fit up top. This would be perfect on someone with a nice hourglass figure and I'm obviously a pear. It was a steal at $43, wish it worked.

The next thing I tried on was the striped skirt and black blouse.

 I was really on the fence about this Naked Zebra top dailylook calls the Rowley Layered Cuff Blouse. It fit and I loved the way it looked on a hanger. But I'm not sure about the cut on me. It does seem like a great staple to wear with skirts. I'm thinking about trying it in another color, and a smaller size just to see if it fits better. I really do love the little details on it, including a small pleat on the front, cuffed sleeves and a zipper on the back. 

I was happy to try something in this brand (I've seen it on Golden Tote) and probably would have spent the $50 had I been 100% on the fit.

This is The Fifth Label Roadhouse Skirt in Black and White Stripe.

Love the crossover on the back.

I might have kept it, but it was tight and for $66 it better fit like a glove.

I was most hopeful about this Pleated A-line Midi Dress, I've heard a lot of good things about it from other Elite Box subscribers.

Like the skirt, I wish this dress had a zipper. They were both a little bodycon for me,

and I had a really hard time getting this on and off. 

The material is super thick, which I really love. I'm that person who is cold in the middle of August.

But, it felt both revealing and matronly at the same time, if that's possible. I wish they had sized up on this one, maybe an extra inch here and there would have done the trick. But $65???

The next item is the Jack Rosen Jacket by BB Dakota in dark slate.

If you've been following my blog, I've been looking for the perfect military style or utility jacket. I ended up buying an anorak from Tilly's for $35 to tide me over.

This was the closest thing Dailylook had, but it really wasn't the style I was going for. It's too long, had no interesting detail, and the color was more blue green than army. And $70.

So I have to admit that so far everything I've shown you was stuff from "my closet", things I had found on the site and added to my profile. So technically, I wasn't really styled by anyone but myself.

Which brings me to this.

This made me laugh. I'm used to personal notes and references to my special requests and pins from my Stitch Fix stylist Traci, so this just fell flat. At least they could've taken the time to write, "here you go," or anything at all. But I think she was rushed because they were late getting my order out. This was supposed to arrive on April 11th and came on the 14th. Still.

Here's the one thing she sent me that she picked out herself, the embroidered chambray shirt.

I wish I had time to sew a gingham skirt to round this out for you, but I'm plum out of energy I reckon. Let's just say this isn't me. $55? No.

I'm not sure I'm ready to give up on Dailylook Elite Box just yet. I do get one more free month on my subscription. I also just realized they ship items free both ways for Elite Box members, so I may try just ordering some things.

I'd love to hear your input, or about your experiences with this subscription box.

If you'd like to try it for free, here's my referral link:

http://fbuy.me/cmUyq

If you are looking for a more personalized service, I highly recommend Stitch Fix. I receive a small commission if you try it. I think you are gonna love it!

http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-7776374-12089378-1427263688000

And, since you stuck around, I thought I'd share a few pictures I took of #4

while trying on the clothes.

Worth every bulge.

Happy Subscription Box Shopping!

How to Support my Handmade Business without Spending a Dime

Hey friends. Over the years, many of you have asked me about my handmade Etsy business. If we are "real life" friends and you respond with "oooo...I need tags for..." I just make them for you. We are friends, friends don't do favors for money!

But there is a way you can support my handmade business without spending a dime: social media.

Let's be more than "friends"

Most people are comfortable enough with Facebook to join, friend people, and stalk people.

But there is this hesitation about "liking" posts or commenting on them.

But those likes and comments are invaluable to us business types. 

When you give me a thumbs up, you increase the popularity of my posts.

Popularity means business. 

Here's what you can do:

#1 Click here to find my business page on Facebook.

Likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!

#2 If you aren't big on clicks on Facebook, give my Etsy page some love.

This is where I sell my handmade products.

Hearts are appreciated.

#3 Addicted to Pinterest? I need love there, too.

It's my second biggest source of internet traffic.

Click here and "follow" me.

Better yet, repin something I sell, or leave a comment on a pin, such as this one.

Most of my products are pinned on this board:

https://www.pinterest.com/moderntypo/the-modern-bride/

#4 You can also sign up for emails when I write a new blog post.

 by using the links on the right side of this page --->>

Or Click here for my email newsletters from Mail Chimp (less frequent).

#6 Follow me on Instagram.

I'm relatively new at this and see very few hits from it, but I'm working on building relationships there. I'm liking it more and more as time goes on. I enjoying seeing what other Etsy sellers are working on, find great giveaways to enter, and like seeing pictures of friends.

Here's the link: https://www.instagram.com/moderntypography/

You'll notice I repost my shop updates from Etsy there, pictures of the daily grind.

#6 If you are really hip, follow me on Twitter.

Warning, I haven't entirely figured it out yet. If I could I'd link up something for you to retweet!

Thank you for supporting my handmade business!

Be sure to leave a comment below with your business links so I may reciprocate.

Let's spread the love around!