gifts i love: caldera + lab

LET’S JUST start by shouting out that gorgeous, effective skincare is totally not just for women. Aging, environmental pollutants and sun damage don’t discriminate between ‘men's’ and ‘women’s’ skin, so EVERYONE needs a quality skincare routine to keep their largest organ as healthy as it’s meant to be. And there’s a really beautiful solution for men that’s both super easy to execute and as effective [or more so] as any ‘women's’ skincare line out there.

CALDERA + LAB is formulated specifically for men (though plenty of women have claimed it for themselves) and with THE highest sustainability standards. Honestly, their list of impressive certifications is too lengthy to get into here, so you’ll have to read the whole enchilada for yourself, but suffice it to say that they use all super potent wild harvested and organic ingredients, they have the most advanced certifications and transparency standards available in the industry and they’re a Certified B Corp. The list of ingredients they DON’T include in their products is longer than the list of ones they do.

AND WE haven’t even talked about the efficacy yet. They used pharmaceutical-grade science to design a 3-product regimen that’s super easy to execute, even when you’re busy. The Clean Slate is a balancing cleanser for both day and night, The Good is an award-winning serum for bedtime and The Base Layer is a super nourishing moisturizer with powerful environmental defenses for daytime. Easy Peasy. And if [when] they get super geeked out on their luxe skincare routine, there’s also The Deep, a detoxifying mask meant to be used 1-2x a week for an extra glow and The Eyecon for the sensitive skin around the eyes. My husband has been using The Regimen for more than a year now and he LOVES it. He’s def noticed a really nice reduction in fine lines and improvement in the overall texture and smoothness of his skin. Gift your special dude a single set or hook them up with a recurring delivery so they’re never without The Good. PLUS, you lucky ducks can save 15% off your whole purchase by using code AFLUTTER15 at checkout. Yesss!

MORE IN… clean beauty + wellness

my day + night clean skincare routine

YOU KNOW I LOVE my clean skincare. Aside from the obvious benefits to my skin and body, I also just love opening up a brand new bottle or jar of some gorgeous elixir and taking in the color, texture and smell of it, like an exotic spice you’ve never cooked with before [this is why my Beauty Heroes Discovery subscription is magic]. There are a growing number of really notable clean beauty brands that have spent countless intentional hours, months and years researching and developing products that harness the inherent natural benefits of super powerful plants around the globe to target specific skin concerns and there is def no longer a feeling that you’re ‘settling’ with clean beauty - it performs as well or better than the chemical stuff out there with the added bonus of eliminating the toxins and actively working toward sustainability. A total win-win of the best kind.

HOWEVER, IT can be super confusing to know when to use all that stuff and which products you actually ‘need.’ While the need part is entirely personal to your skin concerns [and 100% up for debate], the order of operations does have a bit of rhyme + reason behind it and you want to make sure you’re getting the max benefit from those gorgeous [often expensive] elixirs that have been so carefully crafted. So I’ve put together a little peek into my own skincare routine for you, with the products I’m currently loving, the order in which I use them and why in hopes that it might clear up some questions.

IN GENERAL, despite my deep love of skincare products, the less you can get away with doing to your face, the better, so your skin can maintain its natural balance. Just like with anything else in your body, adding a few things to enhance its miraculous natural function is magic, but if you overdo it, your body might fight back and so will your skin. It’s a lesson I’ve learned SOOO MANY times. It can be hard to resist the urge to use ALL the stuff, especially when things are off balance, but your skin [and body] will thank you for using a bit of restraint. That said, everyone’s tolerance is obvs different and if your skin loves ALL the stuff, then totally go for it. If you’re a person whose skin likes almost none of the stuff [been there], you already know about that restraint and should find the few things that are serious powerhouses for you and stick with them.

I HAVE been using the same set of products for quite a while now and I have a good, effective routine down [which in no way keeps me from occasionally trying other beautiful things]. Lovelies, as always, I am obvs not a skincare professional and have learned these things from both trial + error and from reading a lot about skin health and skincare, because I find it super interesting. As always, if you have questions, do reach out. I love to chat clean beauty and would be so happy to hear what you’re using and loving. Check out the post on My Clean Beauty Favorites for much more on why I adore each of these beautiful products and many others. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

My Morning Skincare Routine

STEP 1. RINSE
I start the day with a little splash of cool water on my face. That’s it. I stopped cleansing in the morning a while back because it’s usually not really necessary and leaving it alone can help preserve your skin’s natural barrier. It’s working really well for me.

STEP 2. MIST
I kick things off with a big healthy cloud of Maya Chia’s The Optimist. The scent is straight heavenly and it feels super refreshing and nice. It’s a gorgeous mix of aloe, chia, licorice and a whole bouquet of other super nourishing and powerful plants to set my skin up for the products that come next. I also LOVE Yina’s The Essential Mist for another great option.

STEP 3. SERUM
Next comes the protective layer. I’ve been using Maya Chia’s The Super Lift Vitamin C More for a year or two and absolutely love it. It’s magic. I’m also loving Alpyn Beauty’s Instant Glow Serum, which has a more supple, silky, hydrating texture [almost like an oil] that feels super amazing on my skin, especially when it’s parched. It has vitamin c, bearberry and bakuchiol that help protect your skin from environmental damage, even skin tone, reduce lines and on and on… The gist is that both of these powerhouse products [or others like it] set you up for the day to protect your skin from stressors, while actively combating fine lines and hyperpigmentation. I use these two interchangeably depending on how my skin is feeling.

STEP 4. MOISTURIZER
I’ve been using and loving Alpyn Beauty’s Super Peptide & Ghostberry Moisturizer for about a year now. I love the silky texture and ‘thickness’ of the cream. It’s formulated with 8 peptides and 5 ceramides and some beautiful botanicals. And there is no overpowering scent [or one at all], which is important to me. I also really like Yina’s Hydracloud Cream. It’s deceivingly lightweight for the powerful moisturizing punch it delivers.

STEP 5. SUNCSCREEN
I use it every day, no matter the weather or what’s on my calendar. Even if you’re just sitting in front of your glaring computer screen all day, sunscreen will help protect you from the skin-damaging light that it emits, too. I searched for YEARS for a clean sunscreen that I love and recently fell hard for TWO of them [yay!]. I use Tower28’s Sunny Days SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen and Le Prunier’s Plumscreen interchangeably depending on whether I care about having the tint.

The Sunny Days is super reasonable, broad spectrum, designed for sensitive skin and has really nice light coverage that just evens everything out. I’ve sweated in it and it’s been great. If I know I’m gonna get super duper sweaty [like running in 90-degree heat sweaty] than I personally opt for no tint. And while this tinted version is WAY cleaner than the one I was using for years, there are still a few ingredients in it that I don’t love [ex. I try to avoid Phenoxyethanol], so I’ll keep exploring, but this is def ‘better’ and working for me for now. The Plumscreen is def on the more expensive side, but it lasts FOREVER. It’s broad spectrum, so silky smooth, leaves zero white cast, doesn’t smell sunscreen-y and feels super hydrating. I’ve been sharing it with my 13-year-old son and it’s magic for him, too. They have a little travel size right now if you want to give it a whirl without a big commitment.

STEP 6. LIPS + PITS
I put a luscious little swipe of Alpyn Beauty’s Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Mask on the lips and some Native Deodorant in the pits [for obvious reasons].

STEP 7. SCENT
I love a little spritz of gorgeous Liis Bo [or any of their scents] under my shirt and I’m off.

My Nighttime Skincare Routine

STEP 1. CLEANSE
I use Osea’s Ocean Cleanser every night before bed. I like to get the day off my face; to clear away the sweaty workouts and messy cooking and whatever else I’ve come across during my day. I love this cleanser because it’s super lightweight and moisturizing and doesn’t leave me with that squeaky stripped feeling. Every few days I swap that out for Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser for a super gentle exfoliating wash. It’s one of the most subtle and perfect exfoliants I’ve used and I love it.

STEP 2. SERUM
If you’ve been follow me for any amount of time, you already know that I LOVE Maya Chia’s The Straight A. It is a magical serum that has changed my skin and I think it’s essential. It combines 3 types of super gentle but powerful retinols with vitamins C and E and some super nourishing botanicals [including their signature chia seeds] to combat hyperpigmentation + fine lines and leave your skin super bright and nourished. Because this is the ‘active’ part of my nightly routine, I apply it first to get the most benefit from it. I let it settle in completely before moving on to the next steps [you’ll learn why] and just soak it all in, both literally and figuratively. Use this only at night and make sure to use sunscreen during the day with any retinol product. Sometimes I get curious to try other serums and then always come right back to this because it just works so well for me.

STEP 2. MIST
I start AND finish my day with Maya Chia’s The Optimist and it feels and smells just as heavenly in the evening. The HA serum that follows this step NEEDS moisture, so you might as well layer in something like The Optimist that’s going to add beautiful value to your skin in so many ways.

STEP 3. HA SERUM
I’ve been using Osea’s Hyaluronic Sea Serum for months now and can’t get over the crazy moisture barrier it creates on my skin. I can still feel it when I rinse my face in the morning and I love it so much. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it’s like a serious moisture magnet and will pull water from anywhere it can [including deeper layers of your skin, which is why you need to have a damp face before applying]. Hyaluronic acid is already present in your body, but like lots of other things, diminishes as you age, so adding a serum can help plump up lines and wrinkles. It’s also used for scar and wound healing, so might help heal acne scars and other damage on your skin’s surface. I LOVE this stuff and it’s now an essential part of my routine.

+ If I’m using my Solawave, this is the serum I use with it and this is when I add it into the process. I think it’s making a difference in some fine lines around my mouth and eyes and in combating some hyperpigmentation, plus it’s kind of meditative.

STEP 5. MOISTURIZER
I LOVE Maya Chia’s The ARC for nighttime [and often daytime, too]. The ARC [Advanced Response Complex] is a crazy potent combo of amino acids, peptides and antioxidants that come together to address just about all of your possible concerns and it feels super nourishing and smooth. My skin soaks this stuff up any season of the year. It’s designed for nighttime use, but I use it many mornings, too, because my skin can handle it and it’s just goodness. I will say that I don’t love the packaging it comes in [the dispenser sometimes craps out on me and I wish they’d use glass], BUT I love it so much that I overlook this inconvenience and use it anyway. It’s just that good.

STEP 6. OIL
Essentialist’s Daily Renewal Facial Oil is the last step in my routine. Face oils seem to confuse people most as far as timing and functionality and I totally get it. I was scared to try it, too, thinking like lots of people do, that it was just a greasy and weird layer that I didn’t need. BUT it is neither of those things and has really changed the texture and quality of my skin. Face oil is NOT a moisturizer and unlike the HA, it’s not a humectant that pulls in moisture, either. A face oil’s job is to keep the moisture you already have locked in like a little seal. Which is why it’s most effective as the last step in your skincare routine, on TOP of your moisturizer [it’s called an ‘occlusive’ if you want to nerd out with me]. If you want to be a ‘glazed donut’ at bedtime, this is the step you don’t want to skip. I’ve tried several face oils and always come back to Essentialist’s. It’s super natural, not at all oily and makes a huge difference in the texture of my skin, especially in the driest months. LOVE it. Use code AFLUTTER15 at checkout for 15% off your first order.

STEP 7. LIPS
I love several lip products right now, which is rare because I’m pretty fussy about them [I don’t want them to smell or taste like anything, be sticky or make my lips dryer than when I started]. My top 4 are Alpyn Beauty’s Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Mask, Ilia’s Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment, Dr. Bronner’s Naked Lip Balm and Poppy & Pout Lip Balm. I love and use all of them interchangeably and carry one or more of them everywhere I go.

STEP 8. NAILS + HANDS
I was having some issues with my nails after a series of manicures left them peeling and in pretty bad shape. I started using French Girl Organic Cuticle Oil every night and it made a HUGE difference in the health of my nails and cuticles, totally healing them and then making them stronger than ever. I’m kind of addicted to it now and have it on my nightstand as the last step before bed. And for all of the fancy hand creams I’ve tried, I am using The Seaweed Bath Co’s Collagen Hand Cream right now and I love it just as much or more than most of the expensive ones I have. It’s super hydrating and nourishing and not at all greasy or watery.

My Weekly Skincare Add-Ons

ABOUT TWICE a week I like to give my skin a little ‘extra’ with a combo of both super active peels + exfoliators and a few very gentle, nourishing masks. I have a pretty good stash going, so reach out if you have questions about specific products, but these are the ones I grab most often.

+ GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator: This is an awesome double whammy of both a physical and chemical exfoliant - I scrub it on gently in circles for the physical and then leave it on for a few minutes while I do my other stuff for the chemical. It’s gentle enough not to bother my sensitive-ish skin but the result is seriously instantaneous and awesome. HOT TIP: I buy the li’l 15 ml size and it lasts me a good while without getting dried up. I use this every few days.

+ Me Time Botanicals Berry Bright Polishing Mask: This is a gorgeous, super clean mixture of locally-sourced honey and real fresh berries that brightens like nothing else I’ve tried. This unassuming-looking little mask is jammed with antioxidants, polyphenols and and vitamins and it leaves my skin super soft, smooth, SO bright and clear. I use this once a week pretty religiously. My 13-year-old son has also started using it and it makes a huge difference in his skin, too.

+ Activist Mānuka Honey Mask: This is a super simple and pure, but potent mask that has just one single liquid gold ingredient and I love it, especially when my skin is off balance. Real, pure mānuka honey is rare and this is wildcrafted from native bushes in NZ. It’s MGO certified [850+], indicating that it’s both authentic and has the potent, effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that you want. It feels super calming and nourishing and I love putting it on my lips, too.

+ Essentialist Fresh Faced Exfoliating Peel: I love this peel because it’s SO gentle that I almost can’t even feel that I have it on, but when I rinse it away my skin is definitely smoother and softer. It’s really lovely and a fantastic option if a more serious peel is too much for your skin or you just want to mix it up a bit more often.

MORE IN… clean beauty + wellness

road trippin' // the best travel toys

road trippin’

I AM kind of a professional road-tripper. I’ve been on probably a million+ miles of interstate, highway, dirt road and city street all across this beautiful country since the day I was born. Growing up, my family would hit the road for epic weeks-long trips through deserts, corn fields, mountains and cities, sometimes to visit family on the East Coast or sometimes just for the adventure of it. My parents both are blessed with fierce wanderlust and a grand sense of adventure and they dragged my older sister and I along, sometimes against our will, to whatever far-flung North American destination had captured their imaginations.

WE’D PUT in 14-hour days, arriving at some cheap motel in the wee hours, weary from the day’s journey. My dad always had just one SUPER sunburned arm from resting it on the open window while he drove. My mom, always the passenger, had piles and piles of maps and AAA books that were our bibles for finding a place to eat or sleep or discovering some obscure out-of-the-way attraction that my sister and I would grumble about. We were rarely allowed to stop to use the bathroom (my dad would “forget” to pull off the exit). We ate fast food for breakfast (sometimes lunch + dinner, too). My big sis would kick me if even a pinky fingernail crossed “the line” to her side. She and I once snuck ALL of my dad’s 8-track tapes out of the car just minutes before we shoved off, leaving Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie and the whole rad gang behind (probs still the most naughty + mean-spirited thing I’ve ever done). And in all of that, somehow, The Road became a part of me.

I AM now the one in the passenger seat, though my navigational skills leave a bit to be desired and I have an app on my phone to find the nearest gas station. But my little family does road trip a lot because we love to ski and camp and raft and many of the places we want to go are tiny specs on a map or vast wilderness areas that can only be reached by winding, unpaved roads. Our littlest rocked his first camping adventure when he was 8 weeks old. My boys are def enduring the same fate that my sister and I did, though with decidedly more grace most of the time.

WE’VE learned a thing or two over the years and miles and I thought I’d share a few tips. The fact is, it’s a lot to ask of a kiddo to sit still and chill for hours on end and we’ve found some ways to alleviate some of the boredom. My mom always packed us a few fun new things for our long trips and I do the same for my boys for the real doozies. As I mentioned, my older guy gets super car sick, so devices aren’t an option, plus I have a thing about making them endure the same forced meditation that I did when I was little, staring at the changing landscape and letting the mind wander and ponder your place in it. Maybe that’s kind of mean mama or maybe it’ll help instill in them the same sense of belonging to the meandering road that it has in me. Anyhoo, this is a long post, just like the road ahead, so settle in…

ON OUR first really long drive when the boys were old enough to realize that they were super bored, I bought them each a Road Atlas and marked our route on the pages. Then I stashed 6-7 little wrapped presents in their backpacks, each with a note that said “open me when we get to ______.” They had to find each place on the map and then watch for signs that we’d arrived or were passing through there, then they’d get to open that little treasure. The packages weren’t big things, some were meant to entertain and distract, some were just fun snacks or a lollipop (if you don’t want to end up with a car full of trash, take anything you can out of the bulky package before you wrap it). But it kept their minds busy and they were so excited when we got to the funny out-of-the-way places that I’d marked. You def don’t need to wrap things or even have presents, you could just mark a map and say ‘tell me when we get to _____’ and then hand them a gummy bear or give them a high-five. I’ll for sure be employing this little game again for our upcoming trip.

BECAUSE my older son gets wicked car sick and is a super busy-bodied kid, he brings along lots of fidgets to distract both mind and body during the long stretches of road. We have tried just about every kind out there and he for sure has some favorites. As with lots of things, fidgets are personal to the kiddo (or adult) who uses them, but a few of the coolest ones would probably entertain just about any wiggly kid. I’m pretty sure we have every kind of NeeDoh that they’ve ever made and my guy LOVES them all. They’re squishy and satisfying and actually really durable as far as those things go. Shashibo cubes are also a favorite. It’s a magnetic cube that can be transformed into 70 different shapes. It has really trippy cool graphics on it and my son just loves to manipulate it. It’s only one piece, so there aren’t any little bits to lose. He also loves the Speks Geode, The Amazing Star Cube, Monkey Noodles and these funny poppy things.

MY YOUNGER son can keep down his cookies, so there are more options for him to stay entertained. He loves to draw and likes to bring his Boogie Board along. We have the original model that was gifted to us several years ago and he loves it, but they make a bunch of versions now, including one with rainbow colors. It’s a fantastic analog toy and has held up really well to the abuse it endures being dragged around and lost between the seats. He also loved the Melissa & Doug Water Wow books that have a little tube for water that changes the colors and reveals the picture on each page. It’s super contained, not messy and he would do the same pictures over and over again with no complaint. And they have lots of different themes for whatever your little is in to that day. StickBot is also a hit with him. He can play with it forever, posing it and sticking it to the window to see how long it’ll hold on. It’s totally generic so can become any “guy” (or gal or creature) that my little can think up. It’s a good one for kiddos with a big imagination.

WE’VE ALSO found a few things that keep the whole family entertained together, which is quite a feat. Would You Rather has provided hours of entertainment and giggles. Likewise with Mad Libs, which are always good for a few laughs even if (or just because) it often devolves into a bunch of potty words strewn together. My little loves to play a version of 20 questions that’s all about animals and he’ll keep us going FOREVER on that one. It’s sweet and passes the miles. My boys also like to play a game where they each take one ear bud and then they take turns DJ-ing for each other. I’m never totally sure what they’re listening to, but it most often erupts into loud, silly howls. It’s kind of a don’t ask, don’t tell situation (I know they’re all kid’s songs, just REALLY stupid ones). Last summer we listened to 20 hours and 37 minutes of a Harry Potter book and then started in on the Warriors and Spy School series’, all of which are performed beautifully and we ALL really enjoyed. The miles just fly by when everyone’s engaged in the story.

AND LASTLY, the REALLY not sexy stuff that nobody else will tell you, but you might really want to know, especially if you’re new to this gig. I always keep a few empty ziplocks or small trash bags and some baby wipes in the glovebox in case there’s a vomit situation or you just need to wrangle all the garbage that piles up. I also keep a wag bag or two in the car for any #2 emergencies that might need to take place on the side of the road. We’ll do just about anything to avoid going into grody gas stations these days, plus you could be 43 miles from the nearest restroom of any kind when the urge strikes. You can, of course, just dig a hole, but this is much more tidy and better for the water supply.

WE ALWAYS have some big squishy lovies or neck pillows and a blanket for the kiddos to rest their sleepy heads. And, of course, TONS of snacks. This is when I bust out the junky chips or snacks that I wouldn’t normally buy as a special treat/major distraction. If we do need to stop for actual gas, we sometimes let the boys pick out a “gas station snack,” which is always crappy, but is super special and fun for them and keeps them entertained for a bit. Obvs don’t JUST pack a bunch of junk or you’ll be super sorry, probably around mile 253, and taking my name in vain, which I would very much not like.

IF WE’RE going into the boonies, as we usually are, I drag my 'doctor kit' with meds, tinctures, ointments, bandages, rubber gloves and just about every other thing you *might* need if someone is sick, stung or just a little bit hurt (we have an actual first aid kit for real injuries if our final destination is camping or rafting). You might get an eye roll from your significant other on this one, but those eyes ONLY roll until they’re the one who has the runs in the middle of the desert. Yep, told you this wasn’t going to be sexy. But I’m done now, I’ll stop grossing you out. I just want to shoot you lovelies straight so nobody is left unprepared (or with an untreated rash). We look at our route along the way and see if we can find a park or a rest stop near a river or anywhere we can stop, have a snack, stretch, breath fresh air and get some wiggles out. It’s well worth the few extra minutes for the awesome reset, especially for the driver.

I KNOW that road tripping can be daunting or a straight-up nightmare for some families, and we for sure have had our moments, but they don’t usually last very long if I’m prepared to distract. I see it as an opportunity to spend some time with my little family as a captive audience. We don’t have the distractions of everyday life; there’s no laundry to do or meals to cook or shopping to get done. I can’t read in the car either, so I’m not looking at my phone or my laptop. It’s a chance to really space out and watch the landscape evolve, the weather shift, the colors change, the light transition and to make some really lasting memories. So buckle up and try to find the beauty in your journey. And bring a ton of stuff just in case you don’t. xo

More Awesome Travel Toys + Gear

> Your kiddos will be super cozy with their own Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket to snuggle [plus it has it’s own stuff sack + is machine washable] <

> Keep distracted with Eeboo’s Travel Bingo Car Game <

> You get endless open-ended creativity with Wikki Stix, just don’t leave them in a hot car for too long <

> A big squishy Plush doubles as travel buddy + nap pillow <

> Lap Pets provide a perfect and adorable surface for all of your fun on-the-go activities <

> Keep a quick-drying Nomadix Mini Towel at the ready in case of spills or spontaneous river dunks <

> A Hydroflask Insulated Tote will keep drinks + snacks chilly without the bulk of a cooler <

> Pushpeel allows kids to create unique designs while keeping your fidgeter smiling for miles <

> We’ve enjoyed several versions of these After Dinner Amusements cards and they’re super tiny for travel <

> Kiddos can follow your route and learn cool facts along the way with the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas <

> Dimpl is pure sensory entertainment from infants on up to fidgety adults and there are a bunch of aweseome variations <

> This Would You Rather? Book was put together by kids, so you know it’ll be relatable and super funny <

> I don’t go anywhere without my Stasher Bags for individual snacks, whole big stashes of snacks, meds, cosmetics, first aid… Seriously, you’re going to want a big pile <

> I still love this classic old school Highway Bingo with the sliding windows <

> Super adorable Tegu Travel Pals are magnetic and perfect for little hands <

> Choose from 20 different cutie animal Neck Pillows to keep your kiddos supported and happy <

> These Magic Snakes are just as much fun as when we were little and come in a bunch of cute colors <

> Hopefully 50 Cool Things to Do in the Car will entertain you long enough to get you to your destination <

> Magnatab provides hours of mess-free open-ended creativity and this one glows in the dark <

> We don’t leave home without our biggie 64 oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask for refilling empty water bottles on the go <

> My son loves to mindlessly roll Speks Supers around in his hands <

> Shashibo Shape Shifting Boxes are super satisfying to manipulate and figure out and the single piece won’t get lost between the seats <

> There are so many super cute versions and no mess for these Ooly Activity Cards <

> There are a bunch of awesome themes for this classic guessing game brought to life in an easy-to-carry deck <

> This Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle is good analog fun for your builders <

> My imaginative son can play for hours with this highly posable Cubebot <

> Keep your little passenger’s water nice and cold with a Kids Hydro Flask in fun colors <

> I always carry a slender little package of The Honest Company Baby Wipes in my bag for all the messes <

> D-Fantix has a huge variety of speed cubes for every level that are super easy to turn and could take the whole trip to solve <

> Reduce your waste and the trash piling up in your car with reusable GIR’ Straws in their own handy travel case <

> My little loved these Melissa & Doug Color Blast books for totally mess-free coloring and lots of other things they make <

> My boys have had fun with these Take ‘N’ Play magnetic travel games <

> If you have queasy passengers, I’ve had some luck with Boiron Tabacum pellets for mild motion sickness [my super carsick guy needs the hard stuff] <

MORE for little kids + big kids

love bomb

DID YOU guys participate in any ‘boo’-ing this Halloween? My boys loved it. They were thoroughly exhilarated by the whole condoned doorbell ditching part. We drove up all stealthy and they were just bundles of super nervous energy, telling me exactly where to stop the car so they could run as fast as possible to safety after pushing the bell. It was awesome. We had friends who even rocked Mission Impossible music to really get in the spirit. Plus the part where we made someone’s day (or night!) with a giant bucket of Halloween treats and fun. It was great. So we are DEF on board for the next phase, which is Valentine ‘Love Bombs.’

LOVE BOMBS are basically the same idea. You put together a super sweet bundle of Valentine treats and leave it at a friend’s door, pushing the bell and then running away so they’re left to wonder who loved on them. It’s like an old-school secret admirer type situation, but with less drama and fewer hurt feelings (at least in the elementary level crowd). I don’t think we actually stumped anyone at Halloween, but it’s still just good, clean and loving fun.

THERE AREN’T any rules for making a Love Bomb, just gather fun goodies, candies, favors or homemade treats and wrap them all up super cute for maximum excitement. I made these cutie love wands to tuck into ours. My son also made a bunch of origami hearts. He’s kind of obsessed. His awesome teacher taught him how, but you can learn too, from our hands-down FAVORiTE art tutorials, Art for Kids Hub.

I ROUNDED up some other ideas below for adorable loot to pop into your package, but the possibilities are really endless depending on your crowd. Then drop it on a special person’s door, ring the bell or knock hard and then DASH like cupid so you don’t get busted. That’s it. It’s such an easy way to bring some sunshine in the dead of winter. I’d love bomb ALL of you if I could. xo

Love Bomb Ideas

XO / An insanely cute + soft Jellycat is about the sweetest way to say ‘I love you’ / XO

XO / Poppy & Pout Lip Balm is perfect for any age / XO

XO / This fun Heart String Art Kit makes a cool light-up lantern / XO

XO / This adorable Retro Heart Sweatshirt comes in a zillion colors and sizes from toddler to adult [perfct for matching] / XO

XO / TWEE Heart Sidewalk Chalk is handmade and sooo cute / XO

XO / Change up and old favorite [or introduce a new one] with this Tower of Love stacking game / XO

XO / Your little love bug can build their own Love Bug with this play dough kit / XO

XO / This Pela compostable Lavender Power Hearts Phone Case is just too cute all year round [or anything from their Amour collection] / XO

XO / These cutie Lilliput Love Letter Earrings are adorable at any age / XO

XO / Heart Washi Tape is darling all year round / XO

XO / These cute Wildflower Seed Bombs will provide a double surprise / XO

XO / Build a li’l mailbox for your love notes with these cutie Magnetic Building Tiles / XO

XO / Cutie clean ‘makeup’ from Yawn is so fun and perfect for younger valentines / XO

XO / Oh my, this Magical Valentine’s Play Dough Kit really does look totally magical / XO

XO / These Glitter Heart Hair Slides are too cute / XO

XO / Real flowers don’t last, but Lego Botanicals can be enjoyed forever and are more fun / XO

XO / Pure Strawberry Cocofloss for after all of the sweet treats / XO

XO / Keep their busy little hearts content with a Valentine’s Day Sticker by Number Book / XO

XO / These Meri Meri Heart Suitcases are ridiculously cute all year long / XO

XO / I love all the funny faces on these Heart Stress Balls / XO

XO / Knockaround’s Kids Sunglasses are so cute they won’t know they’re actually useful, too / XO

XO / These little Felt Love Note Envelopes are the perfect house for a sweet note, candy or gift card / XO

XO / They’ll be so on-trend with a pair of Alo Throwback Socks in lots of cute colors / XO

XO / This darling Love From the Crayons book will warm anyone’s heart / XO

XO / Aww, how cute is this retro Hopeful Heart Care Bear? / XO

XO / How darn cute is this Love in the Wild Puzzle? / XO

XO / Of course Ooly has all of THE cutest treasures for your Love Bombs / XO

XO / Happy Socks has the cutest collection for Valentine’s Day for kids and adults / XO

XO / You know I ‘love’ this Plus Plus I Love You Tube / XO

XO / CrunchCups are a fun and super cool way to eat cereal at home or on the go / XO

XO / Spark some giggles with Valentine’s Day Mad Libs / XO

XO / Tops Malibu has so many cute Valentine surprises, like these Mini Tabletop Heart Piñatas / XO

XO / A Personalized Heart Bracelet will make your li’l valentine feel extra special / XO

XO / Heart Straw Covers are super cute and keep everything squeaky clean / XO

XO / Stash all the love loot in these adorable reusable Valentine Treat Bags / XO

XO / Share these Vinyl Heart Stickers with friends for their water bottles and laptops / XO

XO / Blow someone’s mind with this cute You’re the Bear-y Best Bear or really any of the amazing treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar / XO

XO / They’ll feel extra special all year round with a Personalized Rainbow Heart Plate / XO

XO / This Ella + Mila Nail Polish is so pretty and sweet / XO

XO / Love these fun cutie Heart Sunglasses / XO

XO / These Valentine Sprinkles are so darling and wowee / XO

XO / Silicone Heart Straws just make everything cuter any day of the year / XO

XO / I ‘love’ the gorgeous illustrations in Eric Carle’s Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar / XO

XO / Cupig is THE cutest book about love pairs getting all mixed up in funny ways / XO

XO / Adorable Hearts! is perfect for family game night / XO

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be my galentine

I SAW this thing the other day that said ‘Does anyone have directions to that village everyone says will raise my children? It sounds wonderful.’ Have you seen it? It made me laugh out loud. And then I immediately sent it to ‘my girls.’ You know, the ones who actually DO help me raise my boys with kindness, unyielding support, fun and love. The sister wives. The besties. The ones you can ugly cry with and tell about your less proud parenting moments without judgement. Or those odd bodily functions. The ones I am supremely and profoundly grateful to call my Galentines. And though Galentine’s Day is a totally fake holiday, it’s a very real excuse to shower ‘my girls’ with the love and affection I feel for them every day of the year. Plus I’m a giddy fool for a good heart motif.

YOU REALLY can’t go wrong with any sweet little treasure for your nearest and dearest. After all, these are the people you know and love best, so trust your intuition and keep things simple. Homemade gifts created with love and experiences you can share together are always sweet and heartfelt and so appreciated. The possibilities for beautiful gifts for your lady loves is kind of endless, but these are some that I ador and think most gals would be smitten with. Check out the Gift Guide for Women or My Clean Beauty + Self Care Favorites for a few more ideas. Happy Galentine’s Day to all of you, lovelies, I’d ‘love’ to celebrate with each and every one. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Galentine’s Day Gifts

XO / Geometry Tea Towels, Fitness Towels and Yoga Towels are my fave and come in a zillion beautiful prints / XO
❤︎ Code DarcieC15 for 15% off

XO / Oooh I love this Heart Boucle Cozy Knit Blanket / XO

XO / Christy Lea Payne’s Tab Letter Necklace is super special and so pretty / XO

XO / Keep your gals super cozy with a pair of Alo Plush Lush Socks / XO

XO / Inspire your creative gals all year long with an Open this Box and Make Some Art prompt deck / XO

XO / How about a jar of YUMMY Coop’s Salted Caramel Sauce, a pint of vanilla ice cream and two spoons? / XO

XO / These iconic Marimekko Notecards are perfect for your dedicated snail mail lovers / XO

XO / These little Yeti Stackable Mugs are a perfect pair just like you + your bestie / XO

XO / Nourish lips with all the good stuff with Mara Lip Balm in pretty tints / XO

XO / You could never go wrong with a super gorgeous bottle of Brightland Olive Oil, Vinegar or Honey / XO

XO / Oooh, this Vuori Restore Half Zip Hoodie is so cute and such a pretty color / XO

XO / A Moglea hand-painted Undated Weekly Planner is so versatile and so beautiful / XO

XO / These pretty Smudge Sticks will clear out any bad juju that might be lingering / XO

XO / A Cadence Skincare Set is the perfect way to introduce a bestie to my very favorite travel hack / XO

XO / Love my All Balm for parched hands, lips, feet, elbows or anywhere else that needs soothing / XO

XO / Love these Paint Anywhere Paint by Numbers Kits in a ton of different pretty scenes created by female artists around the world / XO

XO / What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking pretty much sums up why you want this book, plus it’s pretty / XO

XO / Pop a plant or some homemade treats into one of these stunning handmade Rwandan Planter Baskets / XO

XO / Bixby Creek is one of my very favorite candles from one of my very favorite local Boulder shops / XO

XO / This Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss will help your gals glow on the outside like they do on the inside in 11 pretty shades / XO

XO / Elevate their favorite cocktail or simple glass of ice water with a gorgeous Estelle High Ball Glass / XO

XO / My sis gifted me a Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug that I love so much and I’ll bet your Galentine will, too / XO

XO / Tuck some of your gal’s favorite treats into a pretty and endlessly useful Stasher Sandwich Bag / XO

XO / Put some pretty springy flowers in a Haand x Vivian Howard Small Driftwood Vase for a double gorgeous gift / XO

XO / I love my Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask for taking a moment, the pressure feels amazing / XO

XO / Your passionate foodies will love For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food / XO

XO / Rose Quartz is the ‘love stone’ and your gals will feel it with these Jax Kelly Mineral Point Studs / XO

XO / This Alpyn Beauty Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel is super gentle and leaves my skin smooooth / XO

XO / Alexa Allen’s gorgeous hand-formed leather catch-all bowls are stunning / XO

XO / East Fork Pottery Mugs are gorgeous and handmade by a small Ashville business hit hard by hurricane Helene / XO

XO / It doesn’t get much better than a Cup of Love from Big Heart Tea / XO

XO / Nopalera’s Hibiscus Cactus Flower Exfoliant is heavenly and pampering / XO

XO / A sweet little Clare V Coin Clutch will keep your lady loves organized in style / XO

XO / These Anecdote Candles are super sweet and pretty / XO

XO / Elevate your game with these pretty Liberty London Maxine Playing Cards / XO

XO / Add some sparkle with handmade Leela Inspired Bracelets / XO

XO / I think just about everyone could use Herbivore’s Calm Soaking Salts right about now, don’t you? / XO

XO / Stash all the essentials in a flirty but practical Baggu Crescent Bag / XO

XO / Inspire your gals with Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Places / XO

XO / This Ha Ko Japanese Paper Incense Gift Box is so delicate and gorgeous / XO

XO / Ooh this Skida Cashmere Sherburne Knit Hat looks so cozy and it comes in pretty neutral colors / XO

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