menorahs i love

EVERY YEAR I marvel at the way that artists and designers continue to interpret the menorah in such creative, interesting and inspired ways and in so many different styles. Some are very traditional and some super whimsical and fun. It’s just so cool to see how something that’s been around for thousands of years keeps evolving. Functional art, especially art that becomes part of cherished family traditions, is such a beautiful gift and a lasting reminder of the love and intention with which it was given. I gathered up a few really pretty menorahs [and one super silly] here that would make a gorgeous gift to a loved one or yourself, plus some really awesome ways to get kiddos extra excited about the Festival of Lights. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Menorahs I Love

> Wow, talk about stunning functional art, this Handmade Ceramic Shayna Menorah is exactly that. Each one is handcrafted by a potter in LA, so each one is completely unique. Its unconventional shape lends itself to staying out all year-round as a beautiful art piece. < $275

> This unique Colorful Interchangeable Menorah was inspired by the walls in the City of David. It’s designed so you can move the colorful aluminum pieces around in any way you like and you can use it with either oil or candles. < $99

> This Josh Owen Menorah is just so pretty in its simplicity. It’s made of seamless, solid cast iron and has a BRILLIANT built-in tray for wax drips. It’s so beautiful that it’s featured in 3 museums and won the Chicago Good Design Award in 2011. < $150

> Your kiddos can create their own beautiful functional art piece, with Super Smalls’ Hanukkah Activity Set. It includes a blank ceramic menorah, paint, stickers and an activity book with jokes + fun trivia. So you get a fantastic activity and a lasting piece of art all in one. Love it. < $36

> This Rite Lite Go Mini Electric Menorah is so perfect for travel or for places where a real flame just isn’t an option. It runs on either batteries or a USB cable and lights sequentially so you can properly light each night. So cool. < $12.99

> Ok, this isn’t exactly a proper menorah, but this adorable, bright Wooden Hannukah Menorah is an awesome way for your littles to safely participate in the ritual. The candles are removable, so kids can add one each night and even learn to match the colors. < $29.99

> I love the simple, but elegant design of this steel Trace Menorah, but probs my favorite part is that you can remove the little cups that the candles sit in so you can easily clean them out. AMAZING. It comes in these 4 gorgeous colors with pretty Hanukkah Candles to match. < $165

> This beautiful brass Modern Mensch Nosh Menorah is actually inspired by the bagel, but is so gorgeous nobody will even notice [except maybe some rumbling tummies]. < $200

> This beautiful menorah from Pretti.Cool in Houston, has been hand-cast in terrazzo concrete from custom rubber molds. It comes in 5 colors, including this pretty Cobalt and each piece is completely unique. < $125

> This Sur La Table Hanukkah Gold Menorah is so pretty and a bit more traditional. I love the nod to nature and the elegant gold brushed aluminum finish. < $79.95

> I mean, it’s a gold T-Rex Dinosaur Menorah. ‘Nuff said, right? I just love it. < $49

> With KiwiCo’s Light-Up Menorah Kit, kids can make their own little piece of lasting holiday tradition. The STEAM kit comes with everything you need to make a menorah and wire + design the cool LED candles. They also get to learn about refraction as a huge bonus. < $29.95

MORE IN… holidays + special occasions

reusable straws

MY AUNT Joan is a lifelong plastic straw lover. I’m not sure if she’s trying to preserve the poppy-colored lipstick she seems to wake up wearing or has a sensitivity to cold or if it’s just an unbreakable 60-year habit, but she uses a plastic straw to drink just about every liquid that goes into her body. Last year for her birthday, my mom sent her some pretty reusable straws as both a sweet acknowledgement of her sister’s quirk, but also a not-so-subtle hint to stop using [wasting] the stupid plastic ones.

WE DRINK a ton of smoothies in our house and I stopped using plastic straws several years ago as a SUPER easy way to reduce our waste. I even travel with them for on-the-road straw emergencies (along with a few sets of silverware). There are a ton of different options out there from metal to silicone to paper to glass, for home and for travel. I love the paper ones for entertaining because they come in so many colors and prints to match your theme, but I don’t recommend them for smoothies, especially if you have a chewer (just yuck is all I’m saying). So if you or someone you love, like my Aunt Joan, needs a little earth-friendly reboot in the straw department, I’ve gathered a collection to get you started. They would all make a lovely gift on their own or as a partner to another gift, like a stylish reusable bottle or mug. There’s no better win-win than a gorgeous gift that makes your special people AND Mother Earth smile. xo

Reusable Straws Make Great Gifts

|| These are hands-down the cutest Animal Friend Silicone Straws by Amalka + Albert ||

|| WonderSip straws click open for super easy cleaning and even come in a cool glow-in-the-dark version ||

|| GIR Straws come in a bunch of sizes, including some fat ones for smoothies and boba and lots of fun ones for kids ||

|| Klean Kanteen’s Straws are a cool combination of stainless and silicone for the best of both ||

|| W&P’s Porter Straws come in pretty stainless colors like silver, copper + gold for a fun twist ||

|| Love these handmade colorful, quirky Glass Twist Straws, perfect for entertaining or bringing a smile ||

|| I love our Glass Straws because they’re sturdy, dishwasher safe, not plastic [duh] and you can see that theirs nothing gross lingering inside ||

|| Public Goods’ sustainable Bamboo Straws are reusable AND compostable ||

|| These Rifle Paper Co Paper Straws are so pretty for a brunch or to brighten someone’s day ||

|| These Nightingale Silicone Straws are super pretty and packaged for gifting, plus the bent shape makes them easier to drink out of ||

|| GoSili’s silicone straws come in a handy aluminum tin for travel and they’ll recycle them for you when they pass their prime ||

|| Design Within Reach’s colored glass Sip Straws are gorgeous and also come in a pretty Swirl style ||

MORE IN… home + garden

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 Ursa Major’s Mountain Glow Golden Serum, which has a more supple, viscous, hydrating texture [almost like an oil] that feels super amazing on my skin, especially when it’s parched. It has 44 active ingredients 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.

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’ve also really liked 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. Use code AFFLUTTER15 for 15% off your whole one-time purchase.

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 petite Rumpl 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 <

> Speks Blots' unique feel will keep 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 themes and no mess for these Ooly Set the Scene stickers <

> 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 4 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 <

> 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] <

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