8.16.2017

step into summer fun with suns: coolest sun-activated color changing footwear


Step into summer fun with a new footwear brand with coolest styles and a positive message to pass on. What makes SUNS so unique is that the shoes come to life with vibrant colors the second you expose them to the dazzling sunlight or other UV rays! And this is just one of the many ways SUNS believes in spreading cheer and joy. The brand’s mission is to make the world a brighter, happier place through what they call AOKs (acts of kindness).




The brand truly believes in ‘leaving a footprint’ and inspiring others to be kind and compassionate in the hope of causing a ripple effect and spreading smiles!

Isn’t learning mixed in with fun the best kind of learning? When I introduced the girls to their new shoes and their ‘magical’ potential, their faces lit up! And then I told them the shoes should always remind them to ‘Be Kind & Shine On.’ We empower our children to be kind irrespective, however these special shoes act as an added incentive for younger kids to be more mindful and to be the reason someone smiles today. Baby steps…





The shoes are available in several styles (for kids and women) and each pair of SUNS comes with a UV keychain light that allows you to temporarily "draw" on the shoes for some indoor fun! Check out all the cool shoe styles and get inspired to perform random acts of kindness. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy hours of whimsical summer fun and also check back-to-school sneaker shopping off our list. Two birds, one stone.




8.02.2017

A Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Hope summer is going well for everyone. Ours has been good so far but so busy and crazy -- I'll be playing catch-up for a while here. Finally sharing a post below from early spring of our visit to MFA Boston. The good thing is it's still school vacation and plenty of time to visit museums if it's been on your summer bucket list! I am really hoping to get a couple more museum visits in with the girls in August if our schedules allow. Children's Museum of the Arts (CMA) in New York and The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston are top two on the list. What are some of your favorite museums to visit with kids?

When school vacation is in full swing, entertaining the littles becomes a full-time job. After a week long trip to visit family, and a handful of playdates and park visits, we were still left with a rainy afternoon to spend. It has already been a long winter here in Boston and we wanted to explore somewhere new. We were looking for an indoor activity besides visiting a children’s museum, aquarium, indoor play area or the library.


I had been wanting to visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston to view “Matisse in the Studio” - an exhibit of Henri Matisse's personal objects that inspired the artist along with some of his major related works. Most of these were publicly exhibited outside of France for the first time, and I definitely didn’t want to miss this opportunity to see them for myself. A visit to the MFA with the girls had been pending for quite some time and I thought this was the perfect chance to create a meaningful cultural experience and visit the exhibit together.


Due to the school vacation week, the museum had several kid-friendly activities going on and the girls were excited to tag along. Our first stop was to create our own artwork inspired by Matisse's famous cut-outs. Each one of us picked a sheet of colored paper and sat down with a pair of scissors and a glue stick to create our own masterpieces.






We then proceeded to see the actual exhibit. At ages 5.5 and 4, the girls weren’t quite ready, and understandably so, for a leisurely art tour so we had to be quick (I am going back with a friend to get my fix). We talked about the colors and shapes they enjoyed, and they were clearly more drawn to the artist’s cut-outs. They now remember the name of the artist, where he is from, and a few of the names of his famous paintings like the “Purple Robe.” The girls also got a chance to see some of the older kids drawing and mimicking the artist's work.



After the exhibit, the girls were ready to run around and explore the unique indoor lobby areas at the museum and create some more of their own art before a turkey and cheese sandwich break.



It was a short and sweet two-hour trip to the museum - just enough time for the little ones to gracefully enjoy. We decided we will choose one piece of  artwork created by each of the girls to frame and appreciate later. I am so happy to have been able to share a  “grown up” art experience with the girls. The exhibit itself was spectacular and I look forward to revisiting it soon. Art has always been present in our home and I hope to create more culturally enriching experiences with them as they grow up.