A Trendsetting Magazine & Online Community For The Trendsetting Child + Parent
“They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world” – What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Photography: Hailey Faria Photography| Styling: Dream Compass Styling & HipsterLittles
Clothing & Accessories//HipsterLittles, Flourish Leather Co., Susies Custom, June and Penny, Starry Knight Design, Haute Moccs
Living in such a small area as the island of Oahu in Hawaii (it’s just under 600 square miles!) you would think one would eventually run out of things to do. No matter how many times we circle around the island, though, there is just always something new to discover. Living here I’ve truly seen that the potential for exploring is tremendous, whether its a discovering new waterfalls, a hidden beach or a wandering trail — or even something more commercial, like hanging out at Disney’s Aulani. I find that there is always some sort of family-friendly activity happening, or a fun place to discover. And did I mention how fun it is to dress for the endless summer? I couldn’t help including some of my island getaway faves for littles in this post. With warm weather all year round, the sun and salty air of Oahu make it a great place to escape — it truly is the endless summer!
Credits // 01. Top | 02. Pants | 03. Swimsuit | 04. Head Wrap | 05. Hair Bows | 06. Brown Sandals | 07. Black Sandals
I LOVE Waimanalo. Located on the East side of our island, is the most beautiful stretch of beach, where a little community of mostly Hawaiians reside. It’s on the way to Kailua and there are some nice vacation rental properties as well. We live right around the corner from here and it is one of our most treasured places to spend our past time. Today, we paid a visit to our favorite animal farm right on the main highway across from the ocean, and took a dip right in front where we were the only ones on the entire stretch of miles and miles of beach. There’s a coconut stand where a family sells fresh ice cold coconut juice and uncle will slice and dice your coconuts to eat. If you are visiting, this experience right here is definitely one for the books and a true indigenous experience.
Have a Happy Aloha Friday!
Dixie x x
Let’s face it mamas, when we are at the beach with our littles, we are probably doing anything BUT laying down tanning, fashion parading our latest suits. We are in the most uncomfortable and unflattering positions whether it’s building sandcastles to playing lifeguard, and pegging down teepees– going to the beach can be just as much work as it is fun. Well, thanks to flattering one pieces, your beach days just got easier and fashionable. Now you can really start your summer, but keep your bikinis close when you need an even tan 😉
A few days ago, my mama friends, Kerrie, and Jess and I had a sunset beach session with our keikis at Kaimana Beach..I think we made busy beach days look pretty breezy don’t you think? x
Jess wears Tori Praver Swimwear
Kerrie wears Acacia Swimwear
I’m wearing Mikoh Swimwear
Have an adventure filled weekend!
Dixie xo
Most of us have probably dreamt of a jetting off to Hawaii at some point, right? Thanks to our newest contributor Dixie Rose, I have a feeling we’ll all be daydreaming of those sunny shores a lot more frequently! Beginning with today’s surfing adventure at Waikiki Beach, Dixie’s Travelkins column will chronicle her favorite kid-friendly spots around Hawaii. Now, who’s excited?!
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Aloha! My name is Dixie and I call Hawaii home. My son is two and his name is Phoenix but we call him Phe Phe (we should probably stop doing pretty soon now that I think about it). My husband Mason is a photographer/filmmaker so there sure is no shortage of entertainment in our family.
Mason and I both grew up in the water and we would not want Phe to grow up any other way…surfing, hiking, and dancing together as a family is our ultimate favorite past time. We try to do everything together, and I want to be involved in Phe’s life and do as much as I can with him until he will let me. Being a mother has brought the world to me. I am now more inspired to be the best I could possibly be.
I’m a free spirit at heart, love a good laugh, a good latte, and telling outrageous stories of things that have happened to me. I’ve lived a crazy life, but like most moms, I feel that with having Phe, I am finally right where I need to be. I am so stoked to share with you all, everything this beautiful island has to offer, from culture to untouched beaches, and of course, super cute keikis (kids in Hawaiian).
For my first post, I thought it was only right that we take you down to Waikiki Beach. Most people will stay here, at least once in their lives, and no doubt it is a happening spot. There is no where like Waikiki, and all of us locals all learn to surf here. There is no better waves to learn to surf on than Waikiki. The waves are little “roly poly waves” as Phe calls them. They literally rolls you off and sends you off down the best slide. Today was 1-2 ft as it most of the time is, and perfect conditions for us to go out. Surfing is truly nature’s roller coaster ride.
Last month, we finally took Phe surfing for the first time. In Hawaii, we say kids surf before they swim, but we really wanted him to trust us, and know what he was doing before we actually got him out there. He went through a phase where he was scared of the water, and recently came back around. At two and a half, he now confident with the waves, and LOVES surfing.
Today, we went out at 8 am in the morning, perfect glassy not too crowded conditions in Waikiki. We caught waves together and snapped a few shots with our Go Pro. We caught a few waves together as a family, and there is really no better feeling in the world than to be on a party wave with the ones you love.
Tips on Surfing with your Little Grom in Waikiki
1. Take a surf lesson. Our surf instructors here know the waves more than anyone. It is a pretty intensive process to get an instructors license and they don’t just give it to just anyone, so you really know you are in good hands, and they really have a way of getting your kids up!
2. Invest in a Puddle Jumper. Trust me, we have gone through so many floating devices and have been looking everywhere for YEARRRS. Puddle Jumpers are Coast Guard certified and work wonders. Costco has them on sale right now for $13! Walmart and Target also carry them.
3. Go early when it’s not too crowded so you can get more waves and awesome photos. The surf lessons usually always come with a surf photographer and you will have the option to buy them.
4. Encourage your keiki in surfing by making it all fun. This is especially true if they have been scared of the ocean before. It helps using words like “sliding” instead of surfing, which might intimidate them. It really is like going down a big slide except you’re standing (and let’s face it don’t all kids try to stand on slides?) When we paddle out, we try to look for turtles…there’s a lot of em! Sometimes Phe will say “Let’s go paddle and look for turtles…and then surf.” that really gets him going.
Happy Aloha Friday!