Project Underpants

The team over at {KID} Independent together with Backpacks 4 Aussie kids have launched a promotion to collect over 500 pair of new underpants to be placed in backpacks that are being distributed to children going into foster care.

As we are a tween blog, I would love followers & friends to pledge the older sizes needed (from size 8 to 16).  You can go and make your pledge here. 

Witchery Kids has launched

Witchery Kids has just launched, adding it's range to the existing Witchery Store at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne. Many more stores are to follow   It's fabulous range of cool, casual gear is extended to 8-9 years.  Feedback on the Witchery Kids facebook page pleads a case for an extended sizing to 12 years! Come on Witchery I know you can do it.  It's such a great range and perfect for the tween market!  

Here's a taste....

For the girls.....

For the boys.....

DIY : Face Mask & Towelling Headband

My daughter recently had a 12th Birthday slumber party with a day spa theme (I will share the details in a future post).  With 9 staying over I didn't want to risk any of them having a skin reaction so girls made up an all natural face mask and spent the night doing nails etc.

The face mask was simple: (for 1 person)
1/4 of a ripe avocado
1 tsp of honey

1 tbsp of natural yogurt

Mix into a smooth paste, apply, leave 10-15 minutes then rinse clean.

Make your own towelling headband.

To make towelling headbands are an absolute sinch. (10 minutes with an overlocker - tops!)

• You will need a piece of towelling approx 54.5cm x 15cm - you could even upcycle a bath towel that you no longer use.
• Overlock the two long sides together and turn in the right way.
• With the seam centred, press to hold line.
• With the right sides matched together, overlock across the top and you're done!

Bad hair days

If your 12 year old is anything like mine, she spends more time in the mirror doing her hair than anything else!
Nicolle, owner of Cuts on McBride in Cockatoo, gives some great tips for looking after Tweens hair.

One of the biggest changes in both girls & boys hair, is it can become oily.  Nicolle said that this is manly because they don't wash it properly."They need to massage the shampoo in the scalp really well to lift the oil". 

• If they have really oily hair then a repeat shampoo is also necessary.
• Put conditioner only in the ends of the hair.
• Tween boys are using a lot of product in their hair at the moment so it is really important to make sure they wash it regularly and properly.

Brush the hair well.  Use a paddle brush or cushioned brush making sure all knot are removed.

With many girls now using straighteners, curling wands & dryers, hair maybe damaged in the process. Nicolle says that many kids are using them incorrectly and causing damage.

• Straighteners should not be held onto the hair but moved along it.  Going over it a few times instead of holding it onto the hair for too long is best.
• Use a leave in conditioning spray on the hairs ends to prevent damage.

Be mindful of the sorts of hair ties that the girls use also.  Rubber bands (even the waterproof sport bands) & bands with metal closers all can break hair when removing causing split ends.

Get tweens to have a regular trim of about 6-8 weeks.  Only the very ends will need to be removed. 

Book Review: Tomorrow, when the war began

John Marsden's novel, 'Tomorrow, when the war began' will be released as a major film release early September. We have been trying to entice Miss 12 into reading something else other than the Twilight saga and hope this may be it.

I read the entire book on a lazy Sunday arvo/evening, not having read it before. It held my interest right from the start as it's fast paced and with some great issues raised. Many of these points I continued to think about in the days following. I loved the Australian feel of this book.  It was a very easy read and reminded me a little of Tim Winton with the Australian references and heavy scenery descriptions.

So it is appropriate for a 12 year old?

It does have mild sexual overtones and some of the issues raised I don't think she will fully understand in the first read but because I have also read the book, I will be able to discuss issues with her further.  The characters are very likeable and I'm sure she will enjoy the action throughout. Not sure that all 12 year olds would be ready for this read. 

Here is the trailer for the upcoming movie.