I’ve shared 725 (and counting) photos with Instagram since taking this photo of a delicious cupcake in January of last year.

My phone is always with me, which means my camera is always on call. Instagram has been an awesome tool to use those thousands of photos to truly document and share our family’s journeys from Alabama to Germany and all of everywhere in between, including the growth of our family.

I’m not alone in my addiction. As Instagram has grown into a full-fledged social network, so has the market for all-about-Instagram apps. Now, I know I’m not the best Instagrammer – that title likely goes to my friend Jessica – but I do love it so I’m excited to share five apps to make the most of your Instagram photos.

5 Great Apps to Use with Instagram

AfterLight ($0.99): This is my go-to app for editing photos. I use it a lot when editing iPhone photos for the What They Wore blog because you can do the basics (crop, rotate) and the filters are awesome. Also? There are some really fun frames to add some whimsy to your photos.

Whitagram (free): There’s nothing more annoying than taking the perfect photo and trying to upload it to Instagram, only to realize it won’t crop into that fun little square. Whitagram adds a border to your photos so you can maintain your landscape and portrait orientation.

A Beautiful Mess ($0.99 with additional in app purchase options): Launched only last week, this new app is all the range on my Instagram feed. And for good reason. It’s fun, easy to use and designed for folks like me. It has a few photo filter options, but the real fun is the whimsical borders, clever text options and doodle overlays.

Bokehful ($0.99): Remember all those Bokeh tutorials floating around Pinterest? Well, forget them. There’s a much easier way to get pretty little light effects on your photos. You can adjust the shape and colors and add as much flair as you desire.

Fuzel (free): When one picture just isn’t enough, a collage is the answer! Fuzel has a ridiculous amount of templates so you can collage two photos or 20. You can edit each photo as you add it to the collage, and there are fun and colorful backgrounds and borders.

***

If you like this post, check out
5 Cool Things to do with your Instagram pictures.

Sun Smarties Summer Gear Review

One Step Ahead sent us some pieces from the Sun Smarties collection so we are ready for summer fun. Now, we just need Mother Nature to cooperate. In the meantime, we’ve been testing the gear at the indoor pool.

Sun Smarties bathing suits have UPF 50+ sun protection and come in a variety of mix and match styles to best fit your child. From tankinis to swim diapers to rash guards, the colorful designs are perfect for summer fun. My daughter is rocking the Pink Ruffle Sun Smarties UV Rash Guard and Swim Diaper. We love the coverage of the Rash Guard for long days in the sun and the ruffle detail on the suit is darling. The side-ruching also helps to ensure a good fit. The Swim Diaper is a great bottom even if you don’t need a reusable diaper. It’s comfortable and a full coverage two-piece is super easy for wet bathing suit changes at the pool.

The Terry Cover-Up is amazing! It’s made of soft terrycloth with UV protection to keep kids warm and cozy after a swim. It’s a lighter weight than typical terrycloth, though, so it’s breathable to prevent overheating in warm weather. The fit is generous to allow plenty of room for cuddling. We love the option to personalize the Cover-Up.

When we lived in Florida we frequented a splash park that I loved, but the ground was always slippery. Every single day we were there at least one kid would fall and hit his head. Ever since, I’ve been obsessed with water shoes. They’re non-negotiable, especially with a wobbly toddler like Max. He’s unsteady on solid, dry ground let alone wet pool surfaces. The Sun Smarties Stay Put Water Shoes are an absolute must have whether you plan to cool off at a water park, pool or beach. The shoes are lightweight and actually stay on little, squirmy feet.

Max’s eyes will also be protected this summer with the Toddler Sunglasses with Strap. They fit perfectly, and the soft neoprene strap helps keep them in place. When Max manages to muscle them off his head, the durable glasses survive even crazy toddler throwing.

10 Sun Smarties Essentials from One Step Ahead

Check out ten Sun Smarties products that are ideal for a day of fun in the sun.

• 1. Terry Cover-Up ($24.95 + $6 for personalization)
• 2. Stay Put Water Shoes ($12.95)
• 3. Take-Along Wet Bags, set of 2 ($6.95)
• 4. Beach Towel in a Bag ($9.95 + $6 for personalization)
• 5. Sand-Away Beach Bag ($14.95 + $6 for personalization)
• 6. Reversible, Adjustable UV Sun Hat ($14.95)
• 7. Rubber Frame Sunglasses ($9.95)
• 8. UV Rash Guard Shirt ($24.95) & Swim Trunks ($19.95)
• 9. WonderShade  II Self-Standing Umbrella ($24.95)
• 10. UV Long Sleeve Rash Guard ($29.95) & Swim Diaper Skirt ($16.95)

Shop! Now is the perfect time to shop One Step Ahead, as many of the Sun Smarties summer essentials are on sale.

 Thanks to One Step Ahead for providing details.

Charlie: What that?
Me: That’s a lemon, honey.
C: Charlie wants it!
Me: Ummmm…okay!
(Charlie takes a huge chomp out of a lemon slice)
C: Ewwwwwwww!

C (Upon walking in the door from daycare): My new bike!  I wanna ride it.
M: Okay, let’s take it outside and go for a ride.
C: Yeah!  Go for a ride.  FUN!

(Charlie found this chair at Ikea)
C: My chair!  It’s blue!
M: This chair is for outside.
C: So Charlie sit on it outside, Mommy!  (Big sigh.)

C: Charlie play baseball!  I hit it!
(After this shot was taken, he insisted that we take away the tee and that his father pitch the ball to him.  He actually made contact with some of the pitches.  We shall be cultivating our retirement…I mean his athletic interests…henceforth.)

(While waiting for Daddy to join us at a local restaurant)
C: Charlie like this music!  I dance before Daddy get here?
M: You can dance after Daddy gets here, too.
C: I DANCE NOW!

C: I swingin’!
(He is a boy of few words while in motion.)

Trench – Apt.9 ($66 on sale) ; Skirt – Narcisso Rodriguez for DesigNation ($9.60 on sale); Shoes – SO Ballet Flats ($19.99 on sale)

The trench coat is both flattering and functional.  A detachable hood can be removed on nice days when I just want a light coat but don’t need to shield myself from the rain.  I love that it cinches at the waist, but the pleating makes it flair a bit so it doesn’t feel too form-fitting.  It looks great with anything from jeans and flats to a dressy ensemble.  And as a mom, I value to the two deep pockets that manage to hold cell phones, keys, snacks, and matchbox cars.  Not only are the shoes my favorite color, but they mix classy tweed and corduroy without feeling like they are relegated to cold-weather wear.  I love the little details of the modern pattern inside the shoe and the brown leather strip up the back.  Oh, and they’re comfortable too!  As a big fan of color blocking, this skirt was a must-by from the second I saw it.  It adds a nice touch of variety to my collection of spring professional wear, and I’ve been in desperate need of new work skirts since my old pencil skirts are so big on me that they’re more like sacks than curve-hugging pieces.  I was very happy to find these items to spice up my wardrobe as I work to build a collection that fits my changing shape without breaking the bank.

I would also like to note that Kohl’s website made the entire process incredibly easy, with quick shopping and check-out options.  The site is well-organized and easily searchable for exactly the items I want, and they tend to have many sale items in stock for far longer than they last on the racks in the stores.

Spring Fashion Looks from Kohl’s

Shop! I’ve found the in-store shopping experience to be top notch every time I visit a Kohl’s, but if you’re time is limited or you can’t find what you’re looking for at the store, Kohls.com is a great option.

We’ve got a fun giveaway to help you stock up for spring!  One winner will get a $100 gift card for Kohl’s to shop online or in the store for whatever you need as the weather warms up.

Win! $100 Kohl’s Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Kohl’s for providing gift cards for a shopping experience and giveaway.

My 5 Beauty Favorites

Thanks to All You for including me! Tell us, what are YOUR 5 beauty favorites?

***

Like this? We think you’ll enjoy more Mama Monday posts.

We woke this morning to a gray day. I knew from the moment I opened my eyes that several members of our family would not make it out of pajamas the entire day. Unless, of course, it is to don princess attire. We love gray, rainy days. We snuggle, read, watch TV and make comfort food. The usual.

Thanks to Wummelbox, we had an adventure on this gray, rainy day.

Today, toddler boy, Kindergarten girl and I traveled through time. Our destination? The Stone Age. Complete with a time machine, cave paintings, a mammoth hunt and stories to inform and delight, this adventure filled our entire morning. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun we had with the Time Travel Wummelbox. Delivered right to our door, this box of arts and crafts is unlike others we’ve tried. Each of the activities included added to a complete experience that took us on a morning-long adventure through our own house.

The first step in time travel is, obviously, to build a time machine. Our Wummelbox came complete with all the quality materials necessary to complete this “machine” that toddler boy carried around the house the remainder of the day. While I helped the kids assemble the time machine, I read “A Stone Age Story: Wummel Embarks on a Journey to Discover the Stone Age.” This story of mascots Wummel and Hedgy traveling through time introduces children to primary Stone Age images such as animal skin clothing, cave paintings, and mammoths.

After building our time machine, we set the dial to Stone Age and got underway. Wummelbox included water colors, paint brush and canvas for the kids to create their own cave painting, but I love that they suggested we build our own cave in which to paint. Honestly, it would not have occurred to me to build a cave in the living room to add to the authenticity of the experience. My word, did the kids love it!

We received three different paint colors with our Wummelbox, but I must admit we augmented with our own set of colors. This led to a great discussion about natural and synthetic dyes and why the color purple is associated with royalty. Before beginning their painting, the kids viewed pictures of cave paintings from various cultures. We talked about how they often told a story. We looked at how simple most of the line drawings were constructed. I told them these should be their inspiration for their own cave painting. You can see the results in the picture above.

Finally, Wummelbox included a mammoth hunt game that the kids had to create before playing. Kindergarten girl prepared the mammoth, while toddler boy painted the die. From there, we cut out various animal tracks and used the supplies to track a mammoth through our own house.

Thanks to Wummelbox, we filled an entire morning with learning, crafts, adventure and time together. And with our time machine complete, we simply need to set the dial for another time period for additional travels on future rainy days.

About Wummelbox

Wummelbox is an arts and crafts subscription service for children designed to inspire learning, creativity and exploration. Delivered right to your door, each Wummelbox focuses on a theme (i.e. nutrition, music, color & light) and provides families with all the materials needed for hours of fun all in one box. No matter the theme, all projects promote developmental language, sensory and motor skills.

I was very impressed with the quality of materials provided for our time travel and all Wummelbox materials meet the highest European and U.S. standards for toys. In addition, materials are eco-friendly where possible.

As a subscription service, Wummelbox offers three packages:

• Try a Wummel, a 1-month subscription priced at $34.95
• Little Wummel, a 3-month subscription priced at $24.95 per month
• Big Wummel, a 12-month subscription priced at $19.95 per month

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Wummelbox provides all the materials necessary to make arts, crafts, adventure and memories with your child right to your door each month. Because all high quality materials are used, there is no waste or storing of leftover supplies. With several subscription packages available, there is one to fit most budgets. Wummelbox provided eco-friendly materials.

Or Not to Buy… While exploring their site, I was unable to find an option for additional supplies for extra children. I should note that my children had such a great time this morning they didn’t even notice they were sharing. However, if you have four children, the supplies of a single box might not stretch that far.

Shop! Wummelbox subscriptions are available in three different packages at wummelbox.com and more information can be obtained at the Wummelbox Facebook page.

Thanks to Wummelbox for providing a sample.

Falling Dots Woven Skirt (reg. $29, now $20) is perfect for transitioning from spring into summer. The colorful dots make matching and coordinating it a breeze. We often pair it with the Slub V-Neck Cardigan (reg. $24, now $20 – 25). The Cardigan is lightweight, making it perfect for layering as the temperature fluctuates. As much as I love how the skirt and cardigan look, I think I actually like how easily they wash and wear even better. The cotton poplin woven skirt goes straight from the washing machine to dryer to my daughter – no need for ironing or special attention.

She may be a girly girl, but my daughter is always moving and her clothes need to keep up. The Lands’ End skirt is the epitome of versatile. Paired with a cardigan and leggings, it’s great for a cooler day at school. With a cardigan coat and sneakers it’s perfect for scooting around and playing in the neighborhood.

Top 10 Dresses & Skirts for Spring & Summer

It was difficult, but with some input from my 4 year old Model and Stylist Assistant, we’ve rounded up our top 10 favorite dresses and skirt/cardigan combinations from Lands’ End.

Click through to see our picks!

Patterned Sweater & Falling Dots Skirt

Cardigan & Print Woven Dress

Smocked Maxi Dress

Woven Twirl Dress

Caridgan & Tiered Skirt

Crossover Braided Bodice Dress

Drop Waist Dress

Pattern Sweater & Twill Skort

Madras Duet Dress

Cardigan & Knit Applique Skort

• Pattern V Neck Sweater Cardigan ($12.99) & Falling Dot Woven Skirt ($20)
• Long Sleeve Solid Sophie Cardigan ($29 & add a monogram!) &  Print Woven Dress ($49)
  
• Knit Smocked Maxi Dress ($34)
• Short Sleeve Woven Twirl Dress ($34)
• Long Sleeve Solid Sophie Cardigan ($29 & add a monogram!) & Full Ruffle Pattern Tiered Skort ($13 – $20)
• Knit Crossover Braided Bodice Dress ($29)
• Drop Waist Dress ($29)
• Long Sleeve Pieced Pattern Cardigan ($15) & Twill Snap-pocket Skort ($13 – $17)
• Madras Duet Dress ($20)
• Long Sleeve Solid Sophie Cardigan ($29 & add a monogram!) & Knit Applique Skort ($29)

Shop! Now is a great time to stock up on skirts and dresses at Lands’ End. Save 30% off everything with code SPARK30 and pin 2850. Buy 2 or more, and save $3 each on select regularly priced Girls’ Apparel.

Thanks to Lands’ End for providing samples.

Billabong All Day (reg. $45, now $35.50) | Kruger Park Tee (reg. $29, sale $24.50) | Patagonia Baby Sun-Lite Hoodie ($39) | Patagonia Baby Sun-Lite Hoodie ($24)

Cape Town Surf Tankini (reg. $45, sale $35.50) | Cape Town Surf Rash Guard (reg. $35, sale $27.50) | Sea Gypsy Halter Dress ($29) | Side-Tab Pedal Pusher Leggings ($21) | Saltwater® T Thong Sandal (reg. $38, sale $30.50)

Here are some of our other top picks on sale right now.

Rainbow Waves Tankini (reg. $45, sale $35.50)

Tiny Sunburst One Piece (reg. $45, sale $35.50)

Billabong R U Serious (reg. $40, sale $35.50)

Billabong Muted Board Shorts (reg. $40, sale $35.50)

Ardmore Flutter-Sleeve Romper (reg. $30, sale $25.50)

Zebra Stripe Polo (reg. $29, sale $24.50)

Sunset Stripe Flutter Dress (reg. $27, sale $22.50)

This post contains affiliate links.

Ordering shoes for your child just got MUCH easier thanks to the new pediped shoe sizing app. Available for iPad, the free app offers parents peace of mind when shopping for infant and toddler shoes online.

The app measures shoe size from newborn to US size 12 (European size 29). I can’t possibly be the only person who is confused by European sizing (and, yes, I realize the irony of that statement given the fact that I live in Europe). For the most accurate sizing, measure both of your child’s feet.

Once you’ve measured your child’s feet, the app recommends pediped style shoe that is most appropriate. And then, of course, you can shop on pediped.com for your favorite pair(s)!

Download the free app in the iTunes store today. For more information, visit pediped.

aden + anais recently added darling new prints to the its muslin collection. Make Believe, Lovely, Night Sky and Dino-Mite can be found on classic muslin swaddle blankets, sleep sacks, crib sheets and more.

Make Believe is a dreamy blend of poppy and gray with images of ragdolls, garlands and abstract argyle.

The sweet Lovely Collection (below right) is perfect for your girly girl with hearts, stars and even Ellie the Elephant! Night Sky sets the tone for dreamtime with shades of blue. The pattern includes a wise owl and a starry night sky.

Looking for something with more bold hues? Check out the new Din0-Mite pattern. We love the bright colors and images of newborn dinos hatching from eggs.

Shop! Visit aden + anais to shop the new muslin prints. Our affiliate Amazon also offers a great selection of the new prints.

 ***

Looking for more aden + anais? We love the limited edition Hello Kitty collection for aden + anais and the mum + bub Skin Care line.