off to college

August 14, 2021 by all aflutter in Things I Love, Gifts For...

WHEN MY oldest was about 7, my husband told him casually that it was move-in day at the University. He reminisced about the day his own parents left him at his freshman dorm and said goodbye, leaving him to experience college on his own. When I went to tuck my little in that night he crumbled and SOBBED and told me in no uncertain terms that he DID NOT want to go to college. It sparked some serious anxiety in him about a ritual that wouldn’t come for another decade. I’m only sending him off to Middle School now, but the thought of dropping him at his freshman dorm already makes ME want to sob. Sending our children off to learn independence and test out their fortitude Is such a special rite of passage. And with a little forethought you can send them armed with a few things that might make the transition a bit easier or at least prettier and more fun, which totally counts for something, right? Good luck fierce freshman [and their sobbing parents], you got this. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

There’s nothing more important than the safety of your undergrad. With all of the terrifying statistics out there, you’ll both rest easier knowing that your ‘baby’ is armed with Birdie, a personal alarm that unleashes a deafening 130 db sound and bright flashing strobe light when activated. It was designed by two moms of new college students to scare off attackers and attract attention, but Birdie is also excellent for anyone you love who might be out and about anywhere a little added safety measure would be prudent. And Birdie is designed to be super cute, compact and lightweight so it can be easily stashed on a keychain, water bottle, belt loop or bag while they’re out on campus, on trails, in the city or wherever they roam. There are 12 fresh, fun colors to choose from and for every purchase Birdie donates 5% of proceeds to a variety of organizations that support women’s safety, shelter or health.
// BIRDIE PERSONAL SAFETY ALARM $29.95 //

Last I checked freshman dorm rooms were pretty, um, ‘compact.’ You can save some coveted space by sending your frosh with a few super cool + slender Nomadix quick-dry towels instead of thick, plush, space-eating ones. They come in a bunch of really cool prints, including National Parks and Island-inspired. They even have hand towels, too. Plus, because they’re quick-dry, they won’t develop the nasty stank of a terry towel that got thrown in a corner and forgotten about for days [I’m sure your kid would never do that though, right?]. I have an Agua Blue one and I love it. I’ve brought it on a river trip, to the pool and to a music festival and have been thrilled every time with its performance. It dries really quickly and is super soft despite [or because?!] being made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. They’re also part of 1% for the Planet, so that’s a win-win for me [and the planet, of course].
// NOMADIX TOWELS from $19.95 //

You can’t play nurse to your sick or bleeding teen from hundreds of miles away, but you might *feel better* knowing that your fledgling adult has all of the tools they need to take care of themselves when they’re a little under the weather or crash their bike into a stump [or are just a bit *off* for other reasons]. Arm them with a first aid kit that houses the basics so they can focus on what really matters instead of trying to track down a few ibuprofen or a bandaid. Letterfolk has a super cute compact tin that’s roomy enough for the essentials, but wee enough to be easily stashed. And by filling it up yourself, you get to decide which items make most sense so you’re not stuck with sterilized gauze when you really need Pepto. Now don’t you feel better already?
// LETTERFOLK FIRST AID TIN $27 //

Keep those brilliant expanding brains well nourished with a monthly delivery of healthy snacks. There are a bunch of options for snack subscriptions, but TasteCrate will send your student a fairly giant selection of unique snacks that you may not have seen before, which is pretty fun. You can set it up to ship once or monthly all year long. If your frosh has dietary restrictions, SnackSack offers boxes that are GF, Vegan or both. And if you just want to blow their mind with a little something super special, Candy Club will deliver a bright, fun, sweet sugar party in a box once or monthly. Now, you already know that I’m a big fan of subscription gifts. They’re so easy to set up and then they just keep *delivering* the goods, so your people continue to feel super special over and over again with almost no effort on your part. Whichever box option you choose, your young adult will feel like a little kid again when their special care package arrives.
// TASTECRATE SNACK SUBSCRIPTION $39.99 //

There’s just not space in a dorm room or studio apartment for a hefty collection of picture frames to lovingly display the beautiful faces of everyone you love. So, help your undergrad feel connected to friends and family with a Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame. It’s compact enough to fit almost anywhere, including on the wall, and can be easily updated with new photos or short videos instantly from anywhere in the world there’s an internet connection. Anyone you invite can share to it, so if your student’s BFF lives in upstate New York, brother lives in San Diego and grandma lives in Paris, they can all upload photos to the frame anytime via email or through the Nixplay app. It’s seriously magical. My sister and I gave one to my parents a few years ago and they are SO delighted when a new photo of their grand babies magically pops up on the frame. It couldn’t be easier to use and is such an awesome way for everyone to stay connected and let your hard-working student know that they’re top of mind. And it’s especially fun on a birthday or holiday to upload a special surprise tribute. The frame comes in a range of finishes, but the basic 10” frame is available in black, white or a wood finish to match just about any decor. It would be a fantastic gift for parents and grandparents, too, so everyone can feel the love.
// NIXPLAY SMART DIGITAL PICTURE FRAME $179 //

things i love // back to school

July 24, 2021 by all aflutter in Things I Love, Gifts For...

SUMMER IS flying by so quickly I feel like I hardly even had a chance to buckle up for the ride. Our district’s early out (pre-Memorial Day) + early back (pre-Labor Day) school schedule means that in just a few short weeks, my babies will become 4th and 6th graders (eek, middle school) and another harried year will begin. I’m so thrilled + grateful to be back to fun activities and time with friends and SCHOOL in a real building, so I’ll *try* not to complain about the nutty scheduling of it all and just enjoy the ‘normal.’ You lovelies will keep me in check, right? In preparation for a new year, my big kid just picked out a rad new lunchbox and some Stasher Bags. I have rounded up some other awesome Back to School stuff this week to get you thinking about what’s to come, whether you have a kiddo headed off to their first day of preschool or a too-cool middle school veteran. And wherever your kiddos land, enjoy your last weeks and days of summer. It just goes SO dang fast. xo

OH MY goodness, if you have teeny tinies heading off to school or even just to the park across the street, these We Might Be Tiny Snackies are just the cutest. All of this Australian company’s products, from Plates to Placemats to Cups, have my design-loving heart. And, in addition to being the MOST adorable tableware I’ve maybe ever seen, all of their products are designed to encourage independent eating and are made from super durable food-grade silicone that’s free from gross chemicals, so you can feel doubly good about serving up your sweet littles’ delicious snacks in the world’s cutest container. So, would it be cool to send my middle schooler to class with one? I mean, he’d be ok with that, right?! Or… maybe it’ll just be my go-to toddler gift.
// WE MIGHT BE TINY SNACKIES $29.95 //

YOU GUYS already know that my big kid loves a good fidget. He just needs a little something to keep his hands busy, especially when it’s time to sit and focus. I’m new to this whole middle school mom thing, but I’m just *guessing* that a wildly distracting [annoying] fidget toy that pops or whirls or splats might not cut it in class anymore. So, I ordered him Calm Strips. They’re a ‘sensory adhesive’ designed to ground fidgeters while they drag their fingers on the sandy or pebbly surface or peel up the corner over and over. They’re subtle and satisfying and they can be easily removed from any surface and stuck again somewhere else. They’re now also selling Carry Tags that you can stick your Calm Strip to so you can bring it anywhere or attach it to a backpack. They come in a bunch of cool designs, some of which earn a portion of proceeds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Human Rights Campaign and several other super worthy causes. Don’t you love it when something you want anyway has the added bonus of contributing to an organization you’re super happy to support?! Middle School here we come.
// CALM STRIPS $12.99 //

IF YOU HAVE a kiddo that doesn't want to totally blend in at school, consider letting them customize their gear with a set of Posca paint markers. We have several sets (regular, glitter, 'flesh tones' and fluorescent; the metallic are on our list) and my guys LOVE them. My older son used them to customize the Swooshes of his plain white Air Force 1s with a cool design and both boys went totally Shrinky Dink crazy for a good while (we have a whole medieval army and the entire population of Springfield cast in tiny plastic 😂). Because they write on almost any surface, you can use Poscas on notebooks or binders, phone cases, water bottles, skateboards, cleats or sneakers, helmets, bikes…you get the idea. And if you’re not into marking up their stuff, you can also use them for Kindness Rocks or other fun art projects. They also have a super inspiring Instagram feed that might just spark your kiddo’s creativity. I even used them to draw on the ends of my weights for Boot Camp so they don’t get mixed up with the others. Nerdy? Totally. But at least I won’t blend in.
// POSCA PAINT MARKERS from $15 //

SCHOOL IS hard enough to navigate for t[w]eens without having to worry about things like getting their first period. If it’s a subject on the mind of your growing gal [or you!], Lola’s brilliant First Period Kit will give you both a sense of confidence and calm that might take at least one thing off your list. Lola is a female-run brand dedicated entirely to women’s reproductive and sexual health and wellness. Their products are all non-toxic and dye-free and are a score for mamas, too. The First Period Kit comes with a complete sampling of all of the tools your t[w]een will need (organic tampons and 3 kinds of pads) to examine ahead of time and experiment with when the time comes, including a little carry pouch you can stash in her backpack or locker. The Kit also includes period-tracking stickers and access to a super helpful pediatrician-authored e-book with honest and straightforward advice and answers to their period questions [including the ones they didn’t even know to ask]. It could be invaluable at demystifying this rite of passage and is a fantastic way to start a conversation that might otherwise be awkward. So let them worry about their math homework or when practice starts and scratch this off the list.
// LOLA FIRST PERIOD KIT + GUIDE $34 //

SO… YOU getting tired of packing the same lunch every. single. morning? I mean, I LOVE a good routine, but if your kids are getting bored of the same old, Catherine at Weelicious has all of the inspiration you need to earn yourself a gold star for school lunch making this year. A trained chef and mama of 3, she started posting healthy, kid-friendly recipes when her oldest was little and has grown her blog to include amazing food for the whole family (she also makes my guy’s hands-down favorite special treat). Her school lunch photos + ideas are super inspiring and are a fantastic reminder of the huge variety of things we *could* be packing for our kids. You can even search her site by dietary need, which is SO helpful if you have restrictions in your household. Check out her Insta for the adorable videos she makes with her daughter and some excellent cooking tips. And, now I’m hungry.
// WEELICIOUS //

twist cone smoothie

June 17, 2021 by all aflutter in Recipes

MY LITTLE guy was a *little* grumpy and asked me for a “cinnamon smoothie” (aka our tried and true Banana Oat Smoothie). Alas, we are all out of almond butter, so I improvised a bit and ended up with a SUPER delicious combo that tastes like a good ol’ fashioned chocolate + vanilla twist soft serve. Except it’s made from real stuff that’s actually good for you. SHHH! It’s a perfect mid afternoon snack or cool treat. Just blend it all up and sip away in a shady spot. Yum. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

INGREDIENTS

1 cup almond milk (or any milk you like)
1 banana
1/3 (ish) cup of rolled oats (I like these sprouted ones)
2-3 tbsp Justin’s Chocolate Almond + Hazelnut Butter or sub Nutella or plain almond butter + some cocoa powder
1 scoop Orgain Vanilla Bean Protein Powder or something similar
1-2 tbsp ground flax seeds (I use this flax + chia combo)
1 tbsp maple syrup
heaps of ice

things i love // fathers day

June 12, 2021 by all aflutter in Things I Love, Gifts For...

IT’S JUST about time to celebrate those quirky + lovable husbands, dads, grandfathers and other super important dudes in your life. I’ve already shared a bunch of awesome ideas with you; everything from adventure-ready coffee grinders to blankets to coolers to olive oil. But if none of that resonates for you, I have just a few more. There are as many rad dad gifts as there are obscure dad hobbies, but hopefully I’ve hit on something that’ll get your guy going. And if not, reach out for some more personalized ideas, I’m totally here for you. Or there’s always breakfast in bed. xo

MY HUSBAND has been very intentionally honing his margarita skills for SEVERAL summers now. He’s caused many a puckered cheek with his creative experiments, but I think he’s finally nailed the formula. Because his “bar” is usually in the middle of the woods or next to a raging river, his top tool of choice has always been a trusty Stanley Happy Hour Adventure Set that was gifted to him years ago (thanks, JCJ!). It’s totally bomber and seriously might be THE most-used and reliable piece of gear we’ve ever owned [which says a lot]. He totes along the ‘ingredients’ in old stainless Kleen Kanteens because we can’t bring glass, and they’re super banged up from having the masking tape labels stuck on and torn off over and over again for years. It’s “a system” as The Home Edit gals would say, and it’s truly great for drinks in the great outdoors. But, if you prefer to make and sip your drink in a more, um, refined locale, then Crew Supply Co is THE answer to your handsome and super useful mixology needs.

DESIGNED BY legit veteran industry experts, Crew Supply’s Crew Bottles and Pour Spouts are not only flawlessly designed, they’re also super useful for SO many things. The Crew Bottles come in a Classic or Crafty [which includes measurement lines for super easy mixing] depending on your needs. The Bottles are designed to be ultra hygienic, leak-proof, extra durable AND fabulous looking. And you can use them for so many things from simply storing liquid ingredients to making your own infusions to serving fresh juices. The Chubby Bottle is their stout little brother and is perfect for oils and dressings. All bottles come with a beech wood stopper, but you can also add a Pour Boy Pour Spout for easy use. And if all of that isn’t enough to sell you, check out the range of awesome colors and it just might push you over the edge. This is def not your river rat setup.
// CREW SUPPLY CO BOTTLES from $17.99 //

A FEW days before our first son was born, my dad gave my husband an antique Navajo cuff from his prized collection. It was the most heartfelt and precious gift. My man had never fancied himself the jewelry type, but he instantly took to the bracelet and it is by far one of his most precious treasures. It sort of opened a door for him to a new manner of subtle expression and he now has a little collection of different bracelets + cuffs that he rotates around. Bracelets + cuffs can be a simple, understated way to dip your toes into adornment or can add a sweet new layer to your man’s stack if he’s already totally on board. And if you want one that’s done right, look no further than local favorite, CLP [Christy Lea Payne].

CLP IS known for honing an elegant + refined, but slightly rustic + badass style that’s always on point. I love so many of her women’s pieces and have gifted them to LOTS of lady loves in my life. But it’s rare to find men’s pieces that I like just as much and she nails it. I love the understated, masculine detail on the Men’s Hammered Cuff. And the simple Black Coated Silver Cuff can be personalized with initials [yours, his, kiddos or grandkiddos…] or a short, sweet sentiment for an extra added layer of love. If the man in your life has a touch of rock + roll in him, the Silver Thunderbird Necklace is just rad (I have her Tiny Thunderbird Studs on a very short list for myself). So even if you never thought the dad you love was the jewelry type, he just might surprise you [and himself].
// CLP MENS CUFFS from $148 //

LOVE A dad who LOVES grilling + cooking + technology? Then meet Meater, your perfect gifting solution. Meater is a wireless, bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer that will seamlessly guide you to the perfect internal temp. The Meater app will help you determine the right internal temp goal for your cut, then track your cooking progress while you just sit back and chill with your rad self until the app tells you that it’s time to take your meat off the heat. It’ll even track the ‘resting’ phase and alert you when it’s actually ready to eat. No need to hack through the ‘thick part’ to see what’s inside, it’ll just come out perfectly every time. You can even cook multiple items at once (with multiple Meaters, of course). The thermometer is fully dishwasher safe and charges in it’s own pretty wood holder. Fully charged it’ll last up to 24 hours, so your favorite pit master can set it and forget it no matter how long it takes to smoke that butt.

THERE ARE a few different models that basically just determine how far you can walk away from your meat. The Meater Original has a 33 foot range, the Meater Plus goes to 165 feet and the super mac daddy Meater Block comes with 4 probes and can work over your wifi so you can seriously go about your day. And be sure to check out Meater’s insta for some insane juicy inspiration (unless your vegan and then seriously avoid it like the plague). Any meat + gadget lover you love will be in grill nerd heaven with this one.
// MEATER WIRELESS THERMOMETER from $69 //

I DON’T know about the dads you love, but mine are pretty much all still working from home. And I’ll bet they’re getting a wee bit tired of their own four walls. So spice up their space with a high-quality, beautifully designed infographic poster about an obscure passion to distract and amuse them. Popchart makes really cool posters outlining just about EVERYTHING you can imagine [and some you couldn’t] for just about ANY dad on your list. If your man is into something that Popchart doesn’t cover, PLEASE tell me what it is just for the sake of my own fascinated curiosity. Some even have a scratch-off feature so you can track how many MLB Ballparks you visit or classic Horror Movies you watch. Standard charts come in a crazy variety of themes from Beer + Whiskey to Golf Holes to Superpowers to Birds to Seinfeld to Rap Names and can be ordered framed or unframed. The design is flawless and they are sure to start a conversation or two. If you’re a bit behind schedule you can find some of their most popular prints like Football or MLB Stadiums, European Football Clubs, Sneakers, Guitars or The Beatles on Amazon for speedy delivery. Celebrate the nerd you love by inspiring even more of that lovable geekiness.
// POPCHART from $22 //

YOU GUYS already know that I whole-heartedly subscribe to the “one for you, one for me” gifting method. Well, that [selfish-ish] joy could double when you gift a lovely adventure for two to a fabulous destination. Sneaky, but totally legit. And if your man is into adventure, epic mountain biking + hiking [or nordic skiing + snowmobiling] and then chilling in a seriously gorgeous off-grid cabin, I’ve got you covered.

Le Maelström, just outside of Quebec City, is a unique and totally stunning recreational wonderland. It’s a “bike-in, bike-out” destination that boasts 37 miles of incredible biking + snowmobile trails with stunning, eco-friendly cabins strewn throughout. Each gorgeous little chalet is privately owned and completely different from it’s neighbor, from the Hyyge (pictured above) to the Lagöm to the Rokh and they are all either off-grid or alternatively powered. It’s glamping at its finest. There are also other fantastic attractions nearby, including golfing, alpine skiing, yoga, spas and restaurants for when the epic riding is done. And part of the Oath for Le Maelström visitors includes a promise to “not leave your fire of joy unattended,” which just about sums it up. So whether your part of the ‘trip for two’ includes joining your man on this adventure or shoving him off with a riding buddy while you chill solo, you are both sure to enjoy.
// LE MAELSTRÖM CABIN RENTAL from $99 //

the best restaurant toys

June 09, 2021 by all aflutter in Gifts For..., Blog

i’ll have what they’re having

MY LITTLE family went to an actual restaurant a few weeks ago for the first time since going on lockdown and it was straight heavenly. I’d almost forgotten how amazing it is to sit and relax and have a lovely conversation while someone else makes you fantastic food. I mean, what an awesome idea, right?! But about 2 minutes in, both of my boys looked at me and said “where are the Plus Plus?” AAAGH. I was so out of practice going out in public, I completely forgot our trusty restaurant toy stash. The one we’ve been dragging with us for the past 10 years every time we go out. Thank goodness I had a good ol’ pen and the tiny notebook I always keep in my bag, which was perfection in a pinch. They happily played hangman and tic-tac-toe for this round, but with a little effort, your kids can be fully entertained at restaurants while you chill and enjoy the company.

WE LOVE to eat out and have been taking our boys to nice restaurants since my oldest was about 12 days old. It’s such a great way to connect with friends and family (+ the break from cooking + cleaning). But, we realized early on that it’s not at all realistic [or pleasant] to ask small children to sit quietly for hours at a restaurant without something to do. And screens at the table just aren’t our thing. When my oldest was tiny, my brilliant mom started a tradition of bringing a small treasure for him each time we went out for dinner so that I might steal a few minutes of peace and adult conversation while we ate. It was so effective that I started really intentionally seeking out stuff to add to the collection. Over the years I have learned which toys are best at truly keeping the kiddos happy so the adults can actually relax. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

THE BEST ‘RESTAURANT TOYS’ FOR KEEPING KIDS ENTERTAINED

I’VE KIND of already spilled the beans about our hands-down favorite…Plus Plus are my mom secret weapon and the brilliant solution for a calm and relaxed meal any time of day, whether a block from home or an ocean away. Our Plus Plus have seen more play time than almost any other toy we own and they ONLY come out when we’re at a restaurant (it’s def part of their allure). They’re made up of a single shape in lots of fun colors and I’ve literally never seen my boys make the same thing twice. They have lots of different sets, including cute themes like Dinosaurs or Unicorns, but we just chuck all of ours into a sturdy Stasher Reusable Bag with a few Baseplates and let the kids have at it (they also make chunky ones for littles). They’re also super easy to clean, which is essential when combining small kids and food.

WHEN MY nephew was little (he’s now 13 and has a man voice, AAGH!), he was NUTS for construction vehicles. He had a little set of wee Construction Trucks that would keep him entertained for HOURS. We’d give him some teeny tiny bits of balled up paper or a few grains of rice and he’d push and lift and dump them happily well through dessert. My little had a similarly fierce passion for animals and would spend the whole meal fully enthralled with the little rubber ‘teeny tiny animals’ that we carried around in a Teeny Tiny Mini Barn. I think we have every Safari Good Luck Mini they ever made, from Rainforest Animals to Sea Life to Dragons. He would intently line them all up in a sweet parade, patiently righting any that toppled over.

BOTH OF my guys have been huge Lego fans, so we also sometimes switch it up with some Lego Classic sets. They’re the ones that just have random bright pieces and no instructions so the kids can imagine whatever they’re into that day. And they LOVED the Lego Sticker Books that let you find which stickers go into each scene [there are zillions of them]. We’ve had Star Wars, Super Heroes, Ninjago and Minifigure books and my boys loved them all. The Disney Princess and Lego Friends versions look adorable, too.

NOW THAT my guys are a bit older, I’ve upped the cool factor on their restaurant coloring situation with this Crayola Edge books. The illustrations are detailed, but not blinding, and perfect for t(w)eens. They have a bunch of really appealing themes, like Optical Illusions, Sugar Skulls and Animal Ink depending on your kiddo’s interests. Of course, a blank Sketch Paper Pad is also fantastic for artists who’d rather create their own scenes. Throw in a convenient tube of Arteza Colored Pencils or Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons and they’ll be set for a good while.

THERE ARE a bunch more of our favorite restaurant toys below. Also check out my posts on Road Trippin’ and Origami for even more ideas. Whatever your kiddo is into, it really pays off to spend just a few minutes on your way out the door gathering up some entertainment so everyone can actually enjoy a [semi] relaxing meal. During busy social times, I just chuck everything into a Baggu and have it ready to grab on the way out or stash it in my car for spontaneous meals out. You’ll be happy, the kids will be happy, the people at the table next to you will be truly ecstatic. It’s a win-win-win. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo