Family
Life
Back to School with MCC Thrift
I can't believe it is already Fall! Where did summer go?
This year going back to school looks a little different, and we are just rolling with it.
One of my favourite memories about going Back-to-School was shopping for new clothes! I loved getting to pick out my First Day of School outfit. Even though Back to School is at home this year for us, I still wanted to keep things fun and special by taking her to pick out her first day Back-to-School outfit. I'm pretty sure she grew a thousand inches over the summer, so she definitely needed some new duds.
Emery and I had a special date, we grabbed cookies and coffee (just for me of course 😉) to go, and headed to MCC Thrift Edmonton.
MCC Thrift is a network of not-for-profit Thrift Shops, that support the local and global relief, development and peace projects of Mennonite Central Committee. MCC works all over the world. I am passionate about immigrants and refugees, and love how MCC works to support those groups.
I already love thrifting but I especially love that the money from my purchases are doing some actual good in my community and the world. It's also such an amazing place to donate your gently used items as well!
I have been thrifting my entire life, thanks to my Mama and Nana! I have such fond memories as a kid thrifting with them, and I hope that my kids grow up having the same memories.
There are SO many reasons I love thrifting.
1.) You can find so many unique and cool items!
2.) Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Thrifting is so, so, so good for the environment! It gives items a new life, and new home that isn't the dump.
3.) Saving money! MCC Thrift in Edmonton younger kids clothes were 5 items for $1! Which is also extra amazing when kids grow out of clothes so fast! I found tons of awesome items for Emery and Alder. So perfect for Back to School!
I picked up this whole pile of goodies for the kids, and a few items for myself! Plus kids books, Halloween craft kits (brand new), and Halloween costumes! Halloween costumes are also repurposed in our house as dress up clothes. The kids LOVE playing dress up. They had so many amazing items for Back-to-School, including Backpacks, clothes, shoes, books and more!
I highly recommend checking out to find the nearest MCC Thrift to you for all your Back-to-School needs!
What is the most amazing vintage/thrifted find you have ever found? I love hearing what people find thrifting!
Have a wonderful week!
<3 Kassandra
Family
Halloween
Holiday
Spooktacular Kids Books
One of my favourite things about new Seasons and Holidays, is the books. I keep a few seasonal books tucked away, and bring them out when the time comes, and purchase a few each season. The rest I take out from the library. They have an amazing selection of seasonal books. Ours are in a separate corner labeled with stickers. Check out your local library!
For the last couple of years, we have have taken this book out of the library. We all love it! The illustrations are so sweet, and the story is so witty and cute. There are so many fun details that you discover each time you read it. This year I invested in our own copy to add to our Fall/Halloween collection of books. I can't wait to add more books from Rebecca Green to our library!
This book is from the same author and illustrator as "Pick A Pine Tree". The illustrations in this book are so incredibly fun and unique. What I really enjoy about this story is how the theme is about bringing everyone together. Whether it is picking a pumpkin from the patch, scooping and carving, putting it out on the step and trick or treating, it really celebrates doing all of these activity together. That is probably one of my favourite parts of Halloween, the sense of community.
This is the fist year we have read this book, and it's such a sweet book. The kids adore Stumpkin! This story is about a little pumpkin with no stem on top, and finding itself a home for Halloween. The illustrations are fun, and it has a heartfelt ending.
This book follows a cute little Alien, traveling around Canada. It's a fun book, mentioning different places across the Country. My kids really enjoyed it, and loved that it mentioned Edmonton. The story also includes subtle themes about teamwork and helping others, which I appreciate.
The series of Pout-Pout Fish books are always a fan favourite in our house. Mr.Fish is going to visit a Haunted House with his friends, and is a little nervous. This book is great for prepping little kids for Trick-or-Treating and the spooky decorations/houses you might encounter. It's also a great price point, and comes with stickers!
This book follows famous monster hunter Van Helsing as he takes a trip around the globe searching for creepy monsters, ghosts and more. This book is packed full of information, spooky and fun illustrations and more. I would say it's geared more to older kids, as some of the illustrations are quite creepy and might be a little much for younger kids.
Bernestain Bear books are a staple in our house, and we usually have one for each season. I love the classic looking ghost on the cover of this one. Brother, Sister and Cousin Fred are off on Scout Camping Trip in the woods when they have a visit from a Ghost, or is it?
This book my Nana gifted to the kids that she got from a Library Book Sale. It is such a surprising and fun story following Rebecca Estelle and her pumpkins. She does not like pumpkins and ends up accidentally growing A LOT of pumpkins. My kids find it hilarious how many pumpkins she ends up with. This story ends with another subtle them of community.
Little Blue Truck never lets us down! This book follows Little Blue Truck making their way to a Halloween Party. There are flaps featuring each animal character wearing a Halloween costume. The kids enjoyed guessing who was who under each flap.
I just picked this book up on a whim at the library and was so pleasantly surprised by the story. Birdie loves fall, and everything that comes with it. She has troubles deciding what she wants to be for Halloween but gets inspired by visiting the Museum with her Mom. The feminist in me LOVES this story, especially the ending. Pick up your own copy to find out what happens!
This is another pick from the library! Emery really enjoys this sweet story. It follows this little Pumpkin Seed on the journey of growing into a Pumpkin. It's a great read for learning patience and also for showing how a seed grows!
I have seen this book all over Instagram, and it's no wonder why. It is the funnest book to read ever! It's witty, cute, and filled with the sweetest illustrations. You know how some books are just enjoyable for kids? Well, this book is enjoyable for kids and adults alike. The main character, the Ghost is fairly dramatic and is sure the woods is filled with spooky, creepy creatures. The ending is fun, and I really enjoy reading this to the kids.
What are your favourite Halloween or Fall Books? I love finding new ones to add to our collection and our list for next year!
Happy almost Halloween!
-Kassandra
Home
Spring/Summer Kids Book Review
We live for reading outside in the summer. As soon as the snow melts and the grass is almost dry, we lay that blanket outside and haul out all the books, and feel that sun shining on our backs. Snacks are always welcomed too! Reading to the kids is one of my favourite things to do, plus I get extra snuggles when it's story time so that's a nice bonus!
This is a little round up review of our favourite Summer/Spring books this year. It's a collection of board books, story books, pop up books and chapter books.
This summer we have just been getting into reading longer stories, like these Level 2 Readers with Em. She can't read yet but enjoys listening to longer stories. We usually read a chapter or two at bedtime, and she can't wait for the next night and what's going to happen in the story. This Dot Series is super fun, and also appropriate as we have been camping and exploring nature this summer, which Emery loves! We also enjoyed that this book was about a daughter and Dad going on an adventure, since Emery and my Hubby will be going on a Father Daughter Camping Trip at the end of summer.
We Are The Gardners by Joanna Gaines and Kids, Illustrated by Julianna Swaney
We are a Fixer Upper, Magnolia loving family over here so naturally this book made it into our collection. It not only has beautiful illustrations in it but beautiful messages as well. It also inspired us to build a little garden box of our own this year.
This second book featuring Lola Dutch did not disappoint. Lola Dutch is such a fun and quirky character and the kids love reading about her. Her imagination is amazing and so creative! In this book she explores different options of what she could be when she grows up. The illustrations are inspiring as always.
by Annette Le Blanc Cate
This book is chalked full with illustrations and information! It's humorous and encourages readers to look up outside and take note of the birds. It's very interactive and has lots of tips for bird watching. We already love to bird watching in our yard so this was great to learn some more information and tips.
This children's book is something like I've never seen before! Such a fun and creative way to learn about caterpillars and butterflies. The book unfolds in a unique way, transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly. The kids really enjoyed it! But you might want to keep an eye on your littlest toddler, as it's a little tricky for them to fold back and Alder might have ripped a page, haha!
This book is so mesmerizing! Every page has a different, intricate pop up appear! It is clear that a tremendous amount of thought and design that went into this book! I would suggest this is a supervised reading book, as it's hard for little hands to fold the pop ups back down correctly. It would also make an amazing gift!
As soon as it got warm I pulled this book out. I just couldn't wait for summer, and this book helps ignite that excitement! It goes over all the fun activities and adventures that comes with summer. It's a great way to spark conversations about what the kids were looking forward to with the upcoming season. The illustrations were really cute and cheerful too!
This is just a few of our favourite books for the Spring/Summer season. What are your kids reading these days, or what are you reading?
<3 Kastles
Style
The 90s Called
The 90s called, and I'm not sad about it.
When I was a little fashionista in elementary school, I really wanted a pair of Doc Martens boots. They were pricey and my Mom said no way girl.
When I saw these boots at a local thrift store, it was meant to be. They were brand new, in my size and only $30.
This great floral dress I found at Shop the Skinny, which I nostalgically call my Little House on the Prairie dress. The puff sleeves are so fun and a dress with pockets is always a win!
What 90s trends are you loving right now? Let me know down below!
<3 Kastles
Shop the Look:
Doc Martens Boots
Thrifted Belt
Anthropologie Tote (sold out but similar here)
Style
Tips for Curing the Winter Blues
Can we all talk about how it feels like it's January 57th right now? Honestly, why does this month just seem to drag on and on? I've been trying to keep myself busy and do things that bring me joy. I want to share what's been helping me cure those winter blues, and this never ending month.
First up is doing nice things for myself. It can be different for everyone but this is how it looks for me:
-Treat yourself to a few special skin care products (Pictured above is Pura Botanicals Ambrosia Beautifying Serum and Lalicious Body Butter from Niche Beauty). Winter in Alberta is long, and I find this month especially hard on the skin. Feeling better on the outside can help a little bit on how you feel on the inside too. Both of these products are amazing for adding some moisture to my skin.
-Find a shirt or clothing item that makes you happy and wear it well. This Pink Blush Pink Faded Waffle Knit Crochet Trim Front Knot Top has been in constant rotation, and I am always so happy to put it on. They have such a great selection tops right now and I noticed they keep getting more and more spring inspired pieces in daily.
-Find inspiration somewhere else besides your phone. Instagram and Pinterest can start to look all the same after awhile, and there is something satisfying about flipping through a book. I've been trying to read more books in general lately. This Domino one is old but still a goodie, plus it's so pretty on the shelf.
-Go to bed early! This is so hard for me but I know it's so good for me on so many levels.
-Get out of the house! It can be so easy to just stay inside but it becomes boring, repetitive and depressing after awhile. The hubby and I snuck away during the day for a date (which hasn't happened in forever). We went to one of my favourite places, Moth Cafe.
P.s- Wearing my favourite, feel good top from Pink Blush above.
I like to share some of my favourite ways for beating the winter blues with my kids. I think they start to feel it too.
-Bring a little spring inside. Fresh flowers always help brighten my mood and give me a glimpse into the spring to come. These tulips were $4.99 at Save On Foods, which was worth it. Plus they are still going a week later. Emery also felt so special having fresh flowers in her room, and she was so excited to pick out what color she wanted.
-Swap out the kids books. I periodically swap out the books in the kids rooms, and also keep ones for different seasons tucked away till the time comes. I have books for Fall, Christmas, Winter, Valentine's Day, etc. I pulled out the winter ones after Christmas, and the kids were happy to have some fresh books to read. I also love getting seasonal books from our local library.
What are your tips for beating the Winter Time Blues? Share below!
Happy Almost* February!
<3 Kastles
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