things i love // just add water

The sun was out this week and it felt so good I had trouble getting anything done. I had to get out my warmer weather clothes and start putting sunscreen on my arms each morning (I’m REALLY trying to do my hands when I’m out hiking). Of course, in typical Colorado fashion, there’s snow in the forecast for next week, but it doesn’t bother me one bit because I know there are LOTS of sunny days ahead. And with that in mind, everything I’m sharing with you this week is perfect for those glorious sunny days, a few are even designed to share with friends and family as the prospect of gathering becomes more realistic (YAY YAY YAY!). So check it all out and then GO OUTSIDE and enjoy all of the glory of spring. But don’t forget the sunscreen, lovelies. xo

+ If you ever have questions about any of my recommendations or just want to chat, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out. I’m totally here for you.

Our family has A LOT of gear. We have rafting gear, camping gear, ski gear… you get the idea. And most of it has been carefully curated over years of adventures so we’ve amassed some pretty baller stuff. But… I have a massive crush on these Igloo 50th Anniversary Edition Little Playmates. They are just so fun and bright and we def *need* one [or two] for weekend football games, pool days, hot summer car trips and just chillin’ in a friend’s yard. I’m just sure none of our other 17 coolers will do the job. The 50th Anniversary Edition comes in 9 super rad color combos, plus they have a huge range of other special editions that honor everything from The Grateful Dead to Star Wars to Nascar. The whole Retro Collection is just nostalgic and fun. These little guys would make a fantastic gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, your favorite fishing buddy, soccer mom or sports fan. I mean, who wouldn’t love one of these gems? I guess we’d better make more space in the garage.
// IGLOO 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION LITTLE PLAYMATES $29.99 //

Now that the possibility of more far-flung travel destinations is looking just a *bit* more promising, my radar is back to scanning for stuff to make the whole experience more enjoyable. Airline travel isn’t exactly glamorous, especially now that you have to don a full hazmat suit for the duration, so a little forward thinking is key. I always bring lots of nourishing snacks and the whole fam’s reusable water bottles on the plane. I mean, those tiny little plastic cups are like 2 sips (and totally wasteful) and it’s a must to have a bottle on the other end for the journey ahead. In the “before times” I bought a GOpure water filter for my water bottle so that I could feel confident in the tap water wherever we went. It makes filling your bottle in the filthy airport bathroom not feel so bad. The little Pod eliminates a whole host of grody stuff found in municipal water supplies (hello arsenic, chlorine, lead, micro plastics and more….um, GROSS). And it makes your water just taste and smell better. Heck, you don’t need to be traveling to exotic locales to use your GOpure Pod, you can use it in the comfort of your own home everyday and feel confident knowing that the water you’re drinking is safe and clear. It’s designed to filter 246 gallons of potable water and each lil’ Pod keeps 2000 plastic water bottles out of the landfill and ocean. Gulp. That’s a lot. Pair a GOpure Pod with a shiny new water bottle to make a brilliant gift for anyone you love who loves travel, wellness or adventuring.
// GOPURE POD $54.95 a pair //

I’m not sure what I love most about Dabble and Dollop; it might be their commitment to clean ingredients (there are no parabens, phalates, sulfates….) OR it could be their whole unique model, which is designed entirely around kids having FUN and exploring making heavenly smelling concoctions in the bath with their bubbles. They have painstakingly formulated their line’s natural scents with fruity aromas that are meant to be mixed and matched together for a fun and refreshing experience. AND they can be used as bubble bath, body wash or shampoo, eliminating the need for a bunch of products. It’s gentle enough for babies, but also rad for older kiddos who have outgrown baby shampoo both in concept and function; it’s cool AND it’s effective on older kids’ thicker, dirtier hair. Mix any of their Gels with some Vanilla Whip or pop a few Droplets Bath Bombs into the tub just for fun. You can buy each individually or choose a Gift Bundle for variety (they also have a subscription so you never run out). Plus, they support STEAM non-profits and work to inspire kids’ interest in science. Bonus! These bright, fun sudsy bottles would make a seriously adorable gift for any splashy toddler or kiddo you love OR one you don’t know very well - you really can’t go wrong with clean, cute bubbles.
// DABBLE AND DOLLOP BODY WASH + SHAMPOO from $13.99 //

AAAGH! Have you guys seen Estelle Colored Glass’ Stemwear?! You already know that I just CANNOT wait to start entertaining friends and family again. I’m so excited to gather and eat and drink and listen to the kids’ shrieks of laughter. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I also seriously love bright pops of color, so…if those two passions had a refined, fancy love child, it would pretty much look like Estelle Colored Glass. Founder, Stephanie Summerson Hall, was moved to create the vintage-inspired heirloom-quality hand-blown Polish glass by her grandmother’s passion for antiquing and it is exquisite. The Stemmed and Stemless wine glasses are just stunning and I love the Champagne Coupes for their vintage feel. The Cake Stands reminded Hall of her grandmother’s special Sunday desserts and are also such a special vintage nod. All of her pieces come in a gorgeous variety of pastel and jewel tone colors that can be mixed and matched for a more whimsical vibe or kept monochromatic for a more formal feel. Needless to say, anything from Estelle Colored Glass would make a dazzling gift for a wedding, anniversary, Mother’s Day or your very favorite hostess with the mostess.
// ESTELLE COLORED GLASSWARE from $35 //

Ok, so “nourishment” may be a bit of a stretch for a boozy drink, but Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest has jammed such gorgeous fresh ingredients into this Frozen Blueberry Paloma that I’m totally running with it. It’s a super refreshing blend of fresh grapefruit juice, blueberries and fresh lime that are so yummy with or without the tequila. This will be such a stunner for guests, especially with the addition of those beautiful edible flowers. I mean, nothing says welcome to the sunshine like a pretty frosty cocktail. And a mocktail version will make the kids feel super special, too. So, if you need me, I’ll just be outside with my face to the sun sipping one of these. Who’s in?!
// HALF BAKED HARVEST FROZEN BLUEBERRY PALOMA //

things i love // let's hear it for the girls

This week I ignored the National Day of Unplugging so that I could help honor International Women’s Day instead. It felt like a decent trade-off to me; I’ll get to unplug in the Utah desert soon enough. So, all of the awesome companies featured in this edition of Things I Love are powered by inspiring and creative women (and a few of their husbands) who have followed their passions and built something beautiful. So many of the brands and products I’m drawn to happen to be woman-owned, so it was hard to choose just a few, but these are stand-outs and you’ll see many, many more amazing women-owned companies here as the weeks go by. I hope it inspires you to follow your passion too, even if just for an afternoon. I’m following mine right here with you, lovelies, so thanks for being part of my dream. xo

And just a little update on another super RAD woman that I introduced you to a few weeks ago… amazing process art teacher, Meri Cherry, just announced her latest Virtual Pop-Up Class or Kit and Class combo and it looks so GOOD. But, ‘hop’ to it so you don’t miss out.

And lovelies, if you ever have any questions about products or anything else that I share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can leave a note in the comments below or email me. I’m here to help.

After one oddly long [very nerdy] text string with some lady loves about dental hygiene, I decided to really *try* to be more diligent about my flossing. I guess the years of being educated [shamed] by my dentist didn’t sway me, but one friend’s passion for it got me stoked. I mean, I obvs know in my mind that it’s super important, I just never really felt enough fire in my belly to make it a habit. Well, apparently all it takes to stoke that passion is a little peer pressure and some really fantastic branding, because I have found the fire and I’m IN. Cocofloss has been Insta-Stalking me forever and I finally totally took the bait. I’m SO glad I did. I mean, I know it’s a *little* dorky to get so jazzed about dental floss (okay, a lot dorky…), but let’s be honest, that’s never stopped me before. And when I dug in, I quickly discovered that Cocofloss has SO much going for it besides its top notch branding. It’s a fantastic company started by two sisters in California; Dr. Chrystle Cu is a dentist on a mission to fight tooth decay and her sister, Cat, is an artist who converted to flossing later in life and now helps spread the gospel with her phenomenal vision.

The sisters set out to develop a better floss to get people pumped and I guess I’m proof that it worked. Their floss is made in a small family-run factory in Italy, woven with 500+ textured strands to give it a great feeling and structure that really gets in between your teeth and drags out all the yuck. I usually like the ropy kind, not the flat slippery kind, and this has that same quality but it doesn’t come all unraveled while you’re flossing. It’s formulated with coconut oil, naturally aromatic fruit oil (also from Italy) and vegan wax, plus it’s completely non-toxic and Leaping Bunny certified. The floss comes in compostable refill packs to reduce waste and you can swap out the flavor for any of their 9 different appealing options any time you want to try something new. I started with good ol’ Delicious Mint and the flavor is super subtle. If you need to entice your kiddos to take up the habit, their new Tropical Trio offers exciting flavors, including Limited Edition Summer Watermelon, that taste like a gorgeous summer day and will make the job so much more fun.

And if that’s not enough to get you excited about what they’re doing, Chrystle Cu also raises money and volunteers her time helping school children in their parent’s native Philippines where debilitating tooth decay, even among the littlest kids, is rampant. So I totally DON’T feel like a dork getting excited about Cocofloss. I’m on day 13 of the 21 Day Challenge they sent with my first order (along with a ridiculously cute reminder sticker) and loving the new addition to my nightly routine. My boys are next up for the Challenge and I’m excited to see them develop what I hope will be a life-long habit. Because it’s SO well packaged and is such a fantastic company, Cocofloss would be an excellent self-care gift for anyone you love who’s already totally on board with flossing or who could use a little nudge like me. It would also be an adorable addition to an Easter basket, right next to the Peeps and Kinder Joy eggs. Time to nerd out, lovelies.
// COCOFLOSS DENTAL FLOSS from $9 //

My meal planning success is pretty varied. Some weeks I’m super inspired and I crush it like a lady boss. Some weeks it’s all spaghetti + meatballs or whatever I can throw together from my freezer. I obvs prefer the former because I don’t like to feel disorganized, but even on a good week, I sometimes forget what the abundance of produce in my refrigerator is actually for….like I make a plan, make a list, buy all the ingredients [most anyway, I seem to always forget one REALLY important thing] and then by Tuesday I can’t remember what I was going to make. I will occasionally write it down, but I’m just not in the habit. So, when Moglea, one of my favorite design studios, came out with a Meal Planner Notebook, I totally jumped on it. It just arrived today and is truly GORGEOUS; *almost* too pretty to use.

Moglea [pronounced moh-glee] is a letterpress and design studio in Des Moines, IA run by a visionary husband + wife team. They paint and dip-dye their whole range of stunning paper goods by hand before printing them on antique presses. So each and every piece is completely unique depending on which part of the larger sheet it came from. They make so many gorgeous things, from hand-painted cards and notebooks to wall clocks and gift wrap (not hand-painted, but printed in the US with their original artwork). I have one of their beautiful phone cases and get compliments on it all of the time, it’s just happy and lovely and feels special. They also have so many options for magical gifts for so many people on your list (love the fabulous playing cards). HINT: Mother’s Day will be here before we know it. And they’ve just launched some really pretty new designs for spring.

My Meal Planner Notebook is so beautiful that I’m sort of sad to write all over it, but I know it’s just what I need to help me remember what those turnips are doing in my produce drawer. The pages are printed with simple boxes for the days of the week and leave one space to write your meal and one for ingredients or notes. I can’t wait to start filling it up. If you’re an over-the-top detailed planner, Erin Condren has some next-level tools to help you nerd out. There are also some pretty options on Etsy or a big notepad version from Rifle Paper Co. Really any dedicated notebook would do, but I love the way the Moglea one is set up to keep me on track. Now I just need their beautiful Project Pad to keep the rest of my brain organized. Wait, what was I just talking about?
// MOGLEA MEAL PLANNER NOTEBOOK $16 //

While we’re actively, desperately trying to avoid one kind of fever from hitting home, there’s another type that I’m ALL IN for... yep, PUPPY FEVER has hit our little community hard. There are bumbling, trotting, exuberant little fluffballs everywhere you look and it’s so fun. As lots of you know, we lost our beloved old pup in December and while my heart isn’t quite ready to adopt a new fur baby of my own, I am loving all of the cutie K9s I get to see around. I have two besties “expecting” sweetie pups in the spring and early summer and I just can’t wait to smell their puppy breath and spoil them rotten (and then send them home to chew up someone else’s slippers). In honor of all of you new puppy parents (and old ones, too, love those sweet old buddies) I’m going to share a few awesome dog-loving companies with you in the coming weeks.

The Foggy Dog in San Francisco was founded by a clever dog mom with a mission to bring fabulous design to everyday poochie products. After all, you’re the one that has to look at that puppy bed in the middle of your living room everyday, so you might as well make it both comfy for your pooch AND a gorgeous part of your decor. I mean, who wants to look at a ratty old pile of stuffing when you could be staring at stunning Modern Mud Cloth instead? They also make completely adorable Bow Tie Collars, gorgeous Bandanas (you can have a matching mask if you’re jealous), darling Squeaky Toys (crazy cute felt toys for your kitty, too), pretty Marine Rope Leashes in tons of colors and gorgeous Waste Bag Holders for picking up puppy poop in style. The quality fabrics all come in a wide variety of really stunning prints and colors, some designed exclusively for The Foggy Dog by talented artists like Margaret Jeane.

And just in case you’re getting caught up thinking that The Foggy Dog is JUST about gorgeous aesthetics, let me assure you that they also have an equally stunning business ethic. All of The Foggy Dog’s products are made by hand in the US (almost entirely in their hometown). They partner with family-run businesses and pay the super skilled craftspeople fair wages for their work. They use recycled materials whenever possible, including for their bed + toy stuffing that diverts plastic bottles from the landfill. They practice low waste manufacturing and use natural fabrics all in an effort to reduce their footprint. AND for every purchase made, they donate ½ a pound of food to rescue shelters across the country. You can bet that when I’m ready for a new fluff ball, I’ll be headed straight to The Foggy Dog for the little tyke’s bed. Just *after* they grow out of that fierce slipper-chewing stage. If you’re local to Boulder, you can find a few of their things at Wildflower Nation downtown. Lucky dog.
// THE FOGGY DOG BED from $55 //

When my little guy was younger, he had a really hard time transitioning to bedtime. He has a VERY busy mind and it was [is] tough for him to shut it down for the night. So our OT suggested we spend some time coloring during the process; it’s something he loves to do, it grounds him and centers him and it turned out to be an excellent way to calm his mind a bit for sleep. Because we didn’t want to dive into a big project before bed, we started out coloring just one little sticker or I’d find a coloring book that had cool patterns and cut the pages into little bite-sized squares. Sometimes I’d find a package of tiny coloring pages. I was always on the hunt for something new and fun. And then I stumbled upon Omy’s Giant Posters.

Omy is a French company founded by two super clever artistic directors. Someday, when we’re allowed to go to Paris, their shop will be on my must-see list, right above the Eiffel Tower. They just create such whimsical + fun illustrations and their posters are epic. Because they’re so big, the poster allowed my little and I to color just a little section at a time. We would each choose a small area that we wanted to tackle for that session and when we finished, we were done for the night. The two of us went through TONS of markers (Omy has those, too!), but it was so much fun. The posters have themes that would inspire just about any kiddo [or adult], including t(w)eens.; everything from Video Games and Music to Pirates, Super Heroes and Dancers, plus a collection of maps of cities and countries both in the US and Abroad.

But Omy’s super creative line doesn’t stop there. You can also construct a big 3-dimensional mask of a Unicorn or Dinosaur that’s so colorful and fun it would bring a smile to anyone’s face. They have Small Posters, XXL posters, placemats, treat bags AND if you’re really ready to make their whimsical illustrations part of your decor, they just released Stick-it! temporary wallpaper that you can COLOR. What?! It’s awesome. You just peel, stick and color your way to super wowee walls and when you’re tired of looking at them or your kid starts shaving, you can just peel it right off. I love it. Just about any of Omy’s magical products would make a spectacular gift for the artistic littles [or bigs] in your life. Pair a Poster with a set of Felt Pens or Pencils and watch their clever eyes light up.
// OMY GIANT POSTERS from $16 //

If you follow along, you might already know that breakfast is my favorite meal any time of the day. I’ve always loved going out to breakfast or brunch, though I have a REALLY tough time deciding between savory and sweet and choosing just one fluffy breakfast carb that I can drown in syrup. So I usually end up with a truly ridiculous selection of This and That and walk out of the restaurant with my pants unbuttoned. Fortunately for me [and my pants], I don’t go out often (or ever in the last 12 months), but I do make pancakes, waffles and french toast at home on a regular basis because my boys love them, too (and I can hide all kinds of collagen and flaxseed and good stuff in them). I have always bought + loved organic pure maple syrup to top our treats and cook with, but I have discovered something two steps beyond.

Runamok Maple is a Vermont-based husband + RAD wife team that produces super delightful Pure Organic Maple Syrup and then infuses it with gorgeous botanicals, fruits and other interesting ingredients to makes creative, delicious new flavors, like Ginger Root, Cardamom, Smoked Chili Pepper and Hibiscus. They also barrel-age some of their pure maple in Whisky, Bourbon and Rum barrels to create something totally sophisticated and new. And they produce maple-based cocktail mixers and bitters, like Smoked Old Fashioned and Ginger Mule that are equally unique and would make REALLY beautiful gifts for the craft cocktail makers in your life.

I picked up a beautiful bottle of Strawberry Rose Infused Syrup on a whim at my local Whole Foods and it’s so delightful. I was a little afraid that the strawberry infusion might be too sweet, but it’s really just a lovely subtle hint and truly divine. I’ve been pouring it over my Banana Oat Blender Pancakes and extra toasty Birch Benders Paleo Waffles and it's so yummy. And this week, Runamok will start shipping their Limited Edition Sparkle Syrup. Yes, you heard me correctly, but just in case, I’ll say it a bit louder; SPARKLE SYRUP. It’s a batch of their perfect pure organic maple combined with an edible mica that makes it shimmer like a mermaid’s scales. They produced it with the sole goal of making people smile and it for sure will. I’ve already pre-ordered mine, because… well, sparkles. I’m going to save it for a fun birthday morning surprise for my little guy and I can’t wait. Runamok Maple also holds themselves to the highest stewardship standards, sticking firmly to the belief that protecting the land is their first priority. Their passion for the land, the process and the product is evident and admirable. So until I can go out to a giant restaurant breakfast, you’ll find me at home happily drowning my pancakes in one of Runamok’s gorgeous infusions. And even when I can go back, I might just bring my own syrup.
// RUNAMOK MAPLE SPARKLE SYRUP $16.95 //

things i love // spring break

Even though it’s still weeks away, I am getting SO excited for Spring Break. Airplanes and beaches and glamorous cities were off the table this year, so we set our winter-weary sights much closer to home and we’re taking a little road trip to the Utah desert. It’s a place we’ve been to many times, but that could absolutely never get old. It’s one of my hands-down favorite landscapes on the planet and I have found in the past couple of years that my bones and very soul crave being there. The jaw-dropping scenery, the energy, the shadows, the flora and fauna...I love it all and it’s been too long since we’ve made the trek. So we’re packing up the truck and making our way West to take it all in with our BFFs slash most epic travel buddies. I’m giddy just thinking about it. So this week, I’m sharing with you my most tried and true travel gear; the things I never set out on adventure without (at least not on purpose). I hope it helps you prep for your upcoming adventures, near or far. And PLEASE tell me where you’re headed, I LOVE some good travel inspiration for daydreaming and future getaways. xo

I’VE TRIED just about every type of stainless steel water bottle out there. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m a sucker for brightly colored powder coating [I am] or what, but I’ve given almost every major brand a solid test run and my little fam has settled on a hybrid combo of Hydro Flask (sksksks - are VSCO girls still a thing?!) and Yeti. We have Water Bottles, Tumblers, Mugs for hot drinks and Can Insulators for keeping drinks icy cold. I’ve given the Wine Tumblers for gifts because nobody wants warm Chardonnay, even out in the woods. Um, yeah, when I say that out loud it does sound like an awful lot of 18/8 stainless, which is why I felt like a bit of a heel spending $65 on yet ANOTHER bottle. BUT… the Hydroflask 64 oz Wide Mouth I bought last summer is hands-down one of the best travel purchases I’ve ever made. My husband first visibly rolled his eyes at me, but now is first to fill it up when we’re headed out.

WE USE this big boy on road trips short and long to refill all of our water bottles when they go dry. The water stays super cold, even in summer, especially if we fill it to the brim with ice. We’ve even come off of days-long river trips, all dry and hot and parched, to find cold, fresh water still chillin’ in the car. Those moments are life-changing and worth their weight in gold (or 18/8 stainless). This thing is HEAVY when it’s full, so not ideal for air travel or dragging around Paris, but for road trips, picnics, days at the beach or pool, kiddo sporting events or any other activity that gets your crew thirsty, it’s everything. And Hydroflask just keeps releasing awesome new colors, which just may be my excuse to buy another biggie so I don’t have to share.
// HYDROFLASK 64 OZ WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE $64.95 //

ONE OF the best things about Colorado is our gorgeous weather. We have 300 days a year of glorious sunshine and the brightest blue skies. But it’s also super unpredictable. It can be show-stopping 65 + sunny one day and fully snowing the next. Which makes camping and travel a constant crapshoot; you have to be prepared for just about anything. To that end, each member of my cutie family got a Rumpl Puffy Blanket for Christmas to take care of the possible chilly part of that equation. They call them ‘sleeping bag blankets’ because they’re basically just that. And like a sleeping bag, they pack down super tight into their own stuff sack, so they’re easy to drag along wherever we might be headed. They’re cozy by the campfire on a chilly night or wrap you up in warmth as an extra layer while you sleep. My guys hug them in the car on a long drive up skiing and at home on the couch. Even if you’re just hanging in your yard to socially distance with friends, Rumpl Puffy Blankets are super comfy. My boys have the Joshua Tree and Grand Canyon blankets from the National Park Collection, which felt special to them since they’ve visited both. But there are all kinds of cool prints and solids that would appeal to just about everyone. And this week they launched a really gorgeous new collaboration, called Teton Dreams, with Montana-based artist Rachel Pohl.

RUMPL is also part of 1% For The Planet, which means they donate 1% of their profits to environmental causes. They use 100% post-consumer recycled materials to make their blankets, diverting 5 million plastic bottles each year from the landfill. And they’re carbon neutral, offsetting their entire footprint with credits. So not only will you feel warm and toasty in your puffy blanket, but your heart can feel warm and toasty knowing that you’ve supported a company that’s passionately responsible for taking care of the planet.
// RUMPL PUFFY BLANKETS $99+ //

EVEN BEFORE I had kids, I always carried a giant “mom” bag. I’m just kind of a Boy Scout and like to have everything that I could *possibly* need right at hand. After I had kids, the collection of things I *had* to have to leave the house was more like a packing list for Semester at Sea. Then, the pandemic. The day I learned that we weren’t going anywhere for a while (who could’ve imagined how long), I took everything out of my gorgeous mom bag, put it away and pulled out the Aloha Collection Mini Hip Pack that I’d bought the summer before for hikes. And I never took it off. Seriously. I wore that thing for 8 months straight and couldn’t have been happier about it. It was like an extension of my body. I only reluctantly took it off in October because it started to look super weird with a jacket.

THE Mini Hip Pack is the best accessory for travel near or far and I found that I actually really don’t need much to be very happy out in the world. It holds my little wallet, keys, phone, hand sani, tissues and chapstick. And as it turns out, that’s pretty much all I need most of the time. It’s awesome for hiking and hands-free grocery shopping. I love it for camping + adventuring because all of my actual essentials are literally strapped to me at all times, so I don’t have to fumble around trying to find a tissue while I’m squatting in the woods (TMI? We’re friends, right?). And all of Aloha’s bags are “splashproof” so it’s ok if it gets super sweaty or you dribble a bit of water on it. Mine is still in excellent condition despite its sincere abuse.

ALOHA is a Hawaiian company that’s all about prepping you for travel with a beautiful, tropical vibe, even if you’re headed to a decidedly less exotic locale. Their awesome pouches, duffles and totes are equally comfortable and useful globetrotting in far flung places or at a park playdate. They’re lightweight, durable and easy to clean, which is everything right now. If you’d prefer a more refined hip pack, by elke’s Veg-Tanned Leather Zip-Top version is stunning and functional. If your t(w)een is in to them, Stoney Clover Lane makes adorable Fanny Packs in a bazillion colors that would wow just about any kiddo.

I WILL never completely abandon my love of giant bags, especially for travel, and have been eyeing Aloha’s giant reversible Holo Holo totes for a someday-soon-I-hope beach vacation or even our neighborhood pool. But for our upcoming desert wander, you can be sure I’ll be busting out my old Hip Pack, just in case I need to duck behind a cactus.
// ALOHA COLLECTION MINI HIP PACK $40 //

HAPPY FART Out Loud Day! JK. Sort of. That’s just one hit single from our family-favorite kids podcast, Story Pirates, because anything to do with bodily functions is obvs funny. My older son gets SUPER car sick (not as funny), so long road trips are kind of torture for him, which is very unfortunate because we take them all the time. Thank goodness, over the years and miles, we’ve found some things that work pretty well to help pass the time while he stares out the window trying not to vomit. We bring loads of fidgets, a whole box of crackers just for him and we listen to fun podcasts to distract from the nausea.

WE DISCOVERED the Story Pirates podcast when it was brand new and the whole lot of us was instantly hooked. It’s a group of improv actors and musicians who take stories that real children write and turn them into hilarious songs, which they then perform. It’s magic. They don’t try to edit the kids’ charming stories to make them more polished or less silly, in fact the more fantastical, the better. Some of our favorite episodes include The Chess Master, Fart Out Loud Day and All 8 Unicorns, but there are countless other just exceptionally fun performances. It’s appropriate for all ages and is so entertaining. I especially love the epic stories written by the littler kids, they’re just so sincerely off the wall and delightful. There’s also some banter and a little storyline that happens with the actors in between songs that’s silly and keeps the pace. You def don’t need to start at the beginning of the series, but some of our favorite episodes are from the early days, so if you have a l o n g road ahead, I’d throw it way back and settle in.

AND IF a silly form of musical theater isn’t really your gig, we also love The Big Fib (now also a show on Disney+). It’s a riff on two truths and lie and it’s also super engaging. Each episode has a theme that ranges from Skateboarding to Dolphins to Caves (so something for everyone) and a kiddo contestant has to try to figure out which of two supposed experts on the topic is telling the truth and which is a liar. It’s entertaining and super fun to try to guess who the liar is along with the kiddo on the show. There’s also a robot sidekick that brings the laughs, keeping the pace so minds don’t wander.

MY SON still feels woozy while we’re driving, but off-the-wall entertainment helps, so we’ll keep it going until the boys say ‘uncle.’ It def beats hearing the same 9 songs repeated on The Pulse for 7 straight hours.
// STORY PIRATES PODCAST //

OK, LOVELIES, I’m going to let you in on one of my greatest mom [and gift-giving] secrets. If you haven’t already met one of my best friends, Plus Plus, I’d like to introduce you. Plus Plus, this is my lovely friend. Lovely friend, this is Plus Plus, one of the greatest [travel] toys of all time and saver of so many restaurant meals I could never try to count. I have been dragging them with us wherever we go for about 7 years and I kid you not, I’ve never seen my boys make the same thing twice. Total strangers approach our table, initially drawn to the spectacular mix of brilliant color, but then they get sucked in to examining the boys’ magnificent creations. Even when we’re out with other kiddos, the whole lot of them get totally engrossed in building, looking up only to trade colors with the kid next to them.

MADE IN Denmark, Plus Plus’ tagline is “one shape, endless possibilities,” and I can totally attest to that truth. They are so simple in concept, but just brilliant in execution. They make sets of varying sizes and “themes,” but we just dump ours all together in a big, colorful mess and have at it. I put a heaping pile + a baseplate in a reusable bag for each of the boys and I ONLY bust them out at restaurants or traveling (that is part of the trick to keeping them exciting for 7 years). My boys have made epic battle scenes, robots, animals, machines, guys and a hundred other things. It’s just awesome to see the magical creations that come out of their expanding brains. They also have a biggie size for little hands. The colors are just so appealing and they’ve also introduced metallic, glittery and glow in the dark pieces, making it nearly impossible to resist buying *just one more* little tube even though we already have SO SO many. They’re a perfect gift, gift topper, party favor, stocking stuffer, Easter basket filler or travel surprise.

PLUS (can’t resist) the Plus Plus factory in Denmark uses 100% wind energy, has a zero-waste facility and both the toys + packaging are totally recyclable. So huge win there. They are also super easy to wash when they get dribbles of soy sauce or ketchup [or germs] on them. So, if you haven’t already met, I highly recommend getting to know my friend Plus Plus before your next adventure or when you just need a few solid minutes of quiet time.
// PLUS PLUS $7.99+ //

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