Target Back to School Event

I'll admit, I'm a crappy planner when it comes to back to school time -- I get totally overwhelmed. Thankfully, Target invited us to their back to school event and it woke me up! Maybe this year I can get started early, for once! Why thank you, Target!

So, while kids got crafty with Lyss at the event, moms chatted about cool graphics on backpacks and bright-colored denim and accessories. What's cool this season? Colors, layers and accessories. I am a BIG fan of layers and mixing patterns, Target is right up my alley and the price is always right. My fav item from Target this summer was the boys' camo shorts (see below).  Tristin and Tyler have worn them just about everywhere this summer with everything from a tee to a button down shirt - obsessed much? Yes, I am.  Obsessed and proud.  :0)  For the Fall I am so excited about finding similar pieces that I am just as obsessed with that work with everything -- and I know I will find them at Target.

Hope you find something that you and your littles are obsessed with too.  See you in the aisles.

We were not compensated for this post. We received a Target gift bag. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

1 Fun Thing to Do: Get Outdoors!

Heading outdoors with the kids for a day of fun is only as good as the activities you bring for them, right? Leave them bored too long, and you'll have a big problem on your hands! So grab your bubbles, sidewalk chalk, face paint, hulahoops and fun snacks and GET OUTSIDE. This week's 1 Fun Thing challenge is all about staying outdoors for an entire day! Last weekend it was my niece Madison's 3rd birthday so we spent the entire day at a park by the Hudson River! From color bubbles from Crayola, to a hula hoop contest (that Tristin rocked and won $10 for), we mixed activites, with good old family fun all day. Will you join our 1 Fun Thing challenge this week? Just use hashtag #1FunThing and share a photo of your child doing our challenge on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and we may share it on our site! If you missed last week's Chalk It Up challenge, check it out here and feel free to use share with us! Check out our fun below, which part is your favorite?

My niece, Madison! Now three years old!

Tristin + Tyler's Threads: Mix & Match

I love mixing and matching colors and textures for the boys outfits. It's so fun to see how things play out. This is what they wore to the After Earth screening last week. Nothing really "matches" per say, but it all works, huh? I tried a few outfits on them before choosing this one, but this outfit had a little rock and roll and cool kid all mixed up!

Do you like to mix and match and see what you come up with on your kids or in your wardrobe? Tell me all about it in the comments below. xx

Hanging w/ Will Smith + Jaden Smith: After Earth Screening

The boys, hubby and I are HUGE movie watchers. Thanks to The Moms, we got an awesome opportunity to attend an advance screening of Will and Jaden's second film together, After Earth and hear form Jaden and Will in person! Honestly, Will is just as funny as he is in movies. He's also so down to earth and personable. Same for Jaden, totally adorable and totally a super-cool 14 year old. The Moms always ask their guests for parenting tips and tricks, and I loved how Will was able to articulate how he and wife Jada Pinket parent. In particular, I loved how he talked about letting your kids go. UGHHH!!  I am having a hard time with that concept. Go to the kitchen for milk? YES. Head to a friends home for a sleepover? NOT so much! As the boys approach 10 years old, letting them go freaks. me. out. But I love how Will made it sound easy, see the short video clip below. After Earth is in theatres TODAY! FYI it's PG-13 and it's a bit graphic. I don't spoil movies, so you won't get any further details from me, but I will say there are eco-friendly messages in the movie that are important --- go see it!

After you watch the video below let me know: do you agree with Will's approach to letting your kids go?

What's Cool? DVF LOVES GAP

Yes, I know, Diane Von Furstenberg's clothing line for Gap Kids is for girls. But if you follow Tristin + Tyler's style blog Tristin and Tyler's Threads, you know that we've got to chat about what's hot for kids -- and DVF is HOT!!

Tristin and Tyler were invited to attend the fun launch of the DVF Loves Gap at the 34th Street location in Manhattan. Oh, what fun!  The boys threw on their fav neon Gap Jeans and we were off!  The Gap had delicious cupcakes, tons of activities for kids (even an eco-friendly craft to make binoculars out of toilet paper rolls--perfect for Earth Month) and it seemed like it was the perfect place for families to hang. So, you know how we love to talk going green. Inside the store there were huge paper statues of animals, love that they used paper as opposed to another material that is not recyclable. Way to go GAP!

Oh, and did I mention the line is absolutely gorgeous? Diane Von Furstenberg is known for prints, but she has outdone herself with bright colors, amazing light and airy fabrics and a ton of accessories. Have you checked out the line? Head to the GAP 34th Street store ASAP! The line is flying out of stores and that location has an awesome staff! xx

Join Us for Chance to Win Cool Fashion 4 Kids!

Spring is almost here pals, and what better way to kick it off than talkin' about your kids wearing cool Spring fashion AND WINNING FREE PRIZES from brands like Kids Foot Locker, Appaman and more!  We're having a Twitter Party!! WOOT!

Join me, Tristin + Tyler's mom, Tiffany, Trina from TheBabyshopaholic.com, and Monica J from Sofamilyonline.com.  We want to talk to YOU about kids Spring fashion/style and give away goodies from our amazing kids fashion sponsors.  Our sponsors for the evening will be Kids Foot Locker, Mimivail, Louis B Boutique, Isossy Children, and Appaman. All of the sponsors will join the conversation so you can ask them questions about style and fit directly! How AWESOME is that? Details below.

Make sure you tell your friends, mamas, papas, uncles and aunts to join the party too. We want you all to be there. There will be gift cards and clothing given away during the evening.  Can’t wait to party with you!

All the information you need for the #KidsSpringFashion Twitter Party is below.  If you have any questions or feedback please feel free to write them in the comment section below.

Location: On Twitter at Hashtag #KidsSpringFashion

Hashtag: #KidsSpringFashion

How: Follow all three Hosts  @Babyshopa @Sofamilyonline @TristinandTyler

How to Join: Tweetgrid is one way of following a twitter party. Please use the best method for you.

Head over to Tweetgrid.com, set up a grid and follow the hashtag #KidsSpringFashion. You can click on the tab, Party, enter the party information  

1. Party Hashtag: #KidsSpringfashion  

2. Party Host: @Babyshopa @Sofamilyonline @TristinandTyler   

3. Your Twitter Handle and join the party. Then click Login and approve the Tweetgrid Application. Once you approve the Tweetgrid application you are automatically a part of the party.

Sample Tweetgrid:  Here’s a #KidsSpringFashion Tweetgrid for you to use if you’d like, click here.

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2013

Time: 8PM – 9PM Est.

Sponsor’s Twitter Handle:  @Mimivailgirls,  @LouisB_Boutique,  @Isossychildren, @Appaman,  #KidsFootLocker

Thanks to all of our sponsors, because without them the #KidsSpringFashion Twitter Party wouldn’t be possible.

Sponsors: Mimivail, Louis B Boutique, Isossy Children , Appaman, Kids Foot Locker

RSVP to the #KidsSpringFashion Twitter Party by heading over to Sofamilyonline.  ARE YOU COMING??

A Broadway Show, The Moms and Max - What a Night!

We all stress about a million things each day, but nothing, and I mean nothing compares to the importance of your health and the health of your children.  I was given a very good reminder of this fact when THE MOMS invited Tristin, Tyler and I to a screening of the new Broadway play MAGIC BIRD which was sponsored by FOOT LOCKER. Foot Locker donated money to the MAX CURE FOUNDATION for every pair of lightly worn sneakers donated by the attendees.  The kids got to "Dunk Their Kicks" and feel good about giving back.

The Max Cure Foundation is "dedicated to researching rare pediatric cancers, improving treatments and finding cures that will save children's lives."  Max, pictured above, was diagnosed with Cancer as a child. Max is now an 8 year old fun-loving child just like Tristin and Tyler. It was great for the boys to be there, meet him and support such a wonderful cause.

MAGIC BIRD was a great play! It's all about the relationship between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. It was funny, very serious at times and the set design was amazing!  I wasn't sure if the boys were going to understand it, or make it through the end without falling asleep since it was so late, but they REALLY enjoyed it. They loved the great dynamic between all of the actors.

Check out some photos from the night! We had a ball! Make sure to check out MAGIC BIRD on Broadway!