More coolness from recent weeks…
The best of the J Crew kids summer sale: Hurry for 30-50% off!
We love a good sale -- especially at a store with clothing as amazing as J Crew, where I know their kids clothes last me through multiple kids. Shop the non-sale items right now, use code ALLSTAR, and BOOM -- 30% off. But what's best is you can save up to 50% on some...
These 9 summer DIY projects for teens could keep them from saying “I’m bored” all summer. Miracles can happen!
I’m sure there’s a drinking game parents play during the summer, where they take a shot every time they hear their teen say, “I’m bored.” (Don’t play this game, though, you’ll end up in the ER.) To help remedy your desperate plight, we’ve rounded up a few DIY projects...
10 alternative ways to celebrate the 4th of July, if you’re not feeling like waving a flag this year.
This year, a lot of readers and Facebook fans and even some of our own team have mentioned that they feel different about July 4th this year. You too? You're not alone. In 2018, Gallup released a poll stating that fewer people feel proud to be an American this year....
The best way to lengthen lashes, without false eyelashes or extensions.
It's so weird -- you get on the other side of 40 (or so) and BAM. Where did my lashes go? So while I haven't yet taken the plunge into eyelash extensions like Kristen has, I have found something with nearly the same lengthening effect: Magnifibres. Its been called...
Let’s hear it for the girls with these new Marvel Vans
One of my favorite stops when I'm out of town is the Vans store, which seems kind of silly since I have one in my own town, but well, we all have our quirks, right! And while I'd seen the Marvel Vans online and thought they were cool (of course), I didn't realize that...
How to find $1 movies for families, and spend the summer in air conditioned comfort
Today, where I am, it's expected hit 103 degrees. That kind of scorching heat makes the idea of taking the kids to a mid-day family-friendly movie in a nice, cold theater extremely appealing...and expensive. Right? Nope. With Regal's Summer Movie Express, you can see...
10 festive (but easy!) 4th of July crafts and activities for kids of all ages
The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, because you can easily make it a slow, relaxing, easy day with family and friends. No presents to exchange and no huge meal to cook. Just time together -- and the magic of fireworks through my kids' eyes. That said, that...
Angela Santomero’s tips for raising smart, inspired, and engaged kids in a screen-filled world | Spawned ep 116
Whatever age your kids may be, we know that managing screen time and finding the benefits (and boundaries) is a huge issue with parents. Like, a non-stop concern. So we're thrilled to chat with Angela Santomero, the successful creator of educational programs like...
How to join in the protests against family separation on June 30. Because #familiesbelongtogether
We're far from alone in our outrage and heartache about the thousands of kids torn from their parents at our borders without due process, thanks to the administration's new policy. Far from alone. And despite the Executive Order that the president signed indicating...
Can couples work together without killing each other? Try these tips, tricks, and a lot of humor | Spawned ep 115
Have you ever looked at those always happy husband-wife work teams and think, how the bleep do they do it? Well, now we know! This week on Spawned, we have an absolutely hilarious, engaging, mildly explicit (sorry, little ones) and truly informative conversation with...
9 adorable ideas for making a summer fairy garden for the kids
We hope some of these will inspire a little fairy garden magic for you!
A new middle grade page-turner that’s full of wonder and magic | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Linden Tree Press Fans of Lemony Snicket are going to love Casper and Jasper and the Terrible Tyrant, the witty, zany and thrilling new middle grade novel from author and former middle-school teacher, Tilia Klebenov Jacobs. And who...
Affordable earrings from BaubleBar’s Target collection are the perfect summer retail therapy
I’m usually a silver-hoops-only kind of gal, but I’m starting to reconsider my earring choices because of this gorgeous collection by SUGARFIX by BaubleBar at Target. After all, there has to be more to life than boring, shiny metal circles, right? Something to...
7 parent bloggers share their own immigrant and refugee stories, and they’re wonderful.
We talk a lot about how to create more kindness and empathy in our kids, when it comes to all sorts of people they encounter in their lives. But top of mind right now for so many of us, are immigrants. I feel so grateful that my kids are growing up Brooklyn where we...
I Really DO Care. Do U? Then, great! Here’s a shirt for you.
Well, that was fast! It hasn't been six hours since Melania Trump was photographed wearing a Zara bomber jacket with the questionable message, I Really Don't Care. Do U? on her way (of all things) to meet migrant children who have been detained and separated from...
7 amazing swimwear brands that honor women’s diverse bodies
I am so grateful to find these 7 swimwear brands that respect and honor the diversity of women's bodies. Because for me, the post-baby swimwear hunt felt a bit like jumping off an Olympic-height diving board -- into a pool of g-strings and plunging necklines. For so...
Cool backyard lighting ideas, because it’s really time to toss those tiki torches
Hey you! Yes you, hanging out in the backyard in the dark. Let's talk cool backyard lighting. Because isn’t it hard to see what you’re eating when the only light you have is the moon and the flickering light of your iPhone? (By the way, you couldn’t see it but a fly...
9 cool black swimsuits for girls who just can’t with the pink.
I love black swimsuits -- for me. But it never crossed my mind that one day my own daughter would refuse to wear much else (sigh). So, black swimsuits for my teen it is! Despite how many adorable bright stripes, fun florals, and poppy tie-dye patterns are out there...
This Father’s Day feels different. Can you commit to doing one small thing to help?
Father's Day is a joyful day. We love honoring all the outstanding dads, stepdads, and granddads in our lives in all the wonderful ways we can. But this year feels different. With the world's attention trained on the families being torn apart at our borders as a...
Sleepaway camp: The pros, the cons, and the tears (mostly ours)| Spawned Episode 114
With summer pretty much here, that means Liz and I are about to say good-bye to a few of our kids as they head off to summer camp, some close by, and one well, to Japan! We get asked all the time about sleepaway camp, from wanting to know how to decide when a kid is...
Ready to try camping with kids? Here are 8 camping essentials you need, and how to get them affordably
If you're considering becoming a first-time camper (and more power to you!) you're probably wondering exactly where to start. I'm here to help! You're probably not going to find me back-country camping off the Appalachian Trail any time soon, but I do thoroughly enjoy...