Decor Archives - Globetrotting Mommy

Great Holiday Gifts For Little …

November 9, 2022 By admin

Finding holiday gifts for little kids can be tough so I’m sharing some unique ideas for every kid on your list. If you’re shopping for older kids, check out the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens…

Tree of Light Book

This book shares an inspiring story about a mother (a tree) sending her child (a seedling) off on her own. The seed learns to find strength from within, forgive and, become flexible along the way. We can all use a reminder to remain flexible and be forgiving, especially this year.

Dimpl Digits

Toddler toys need to really captivate kids’ attention and this colorful squishy bubble toy does just that. Kids can learn to count to ten in English AND Spanish, and moms will have some free time. Win, win!

Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

This joke book series (versions for ages five – nine) is one of my personal gift-giving favorites. Kids never tire of telling jokes and these books guarantee they will always have plenty of material. Perfect for girls and boys.

Musical Jewelry Storage Box with Spinning Unicorn

For the girl who has everything, this musical jewelry box with a spinning unicorn will become a favorite spot for all her baubles and trinkets. Over unicorns? Check out the ballerina and superhero versions.

TWEE Sidewalk Chalk

Chalk is always an easy go-to kids gift but these gorgeous handmade chalks, shaped like macaroons, sushi, pizza, donuts, ice cream, jewels and more, are anything but ordinary.

Crayola Color Bath Dropz

These colored bath drops make tub time fun for kids of all ages. Drop one or more in the water and kids will be sure to stay and play for a while. Perfect for those kids who dread bathtime and also great for traveling.

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks

STEM gifts make great holiday gifts for little kids and these colorful magnetic foam blocks are a nice option. These blocks offer endless imaginative building with frustration-free stacking as they “magically” connect together. I love that these can also go in the tub and dishwasher.

Little Passports Gift Subscriptions Boxes

Subscription boxes are a great way to extend the holiday season. Little Passports is best known for their travel themed boxes (USA Edition for kids 7-12) but they also have Early Explorer for kids 3-5, Science Junior for kids 5-8 and Science Expeditions for kids 9+ versions as well.

Are you still shopping for the holidays? If you need more ideas, check out The Best Books for Little Travelers.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Great Gifts for Travelers

December 16, 2019 By admin

If you’re looking for gift ideas for the globetrotter in your life, you’ll love this post. My holiday gift guide is full of great gifts for travelers to enjoy at home and away…

TRAVEL MUST-HAVES:

Digital Luggage Scale – My number one travel accessory is this easy-to-use luggage scale. Stop guessing if your bag is under 50 pounds and say goodbye to extra baggage charges.

Packing Cubes – I am a huge fan of packing cubes, especially for families since each person can choose their color. Just group items or outfits in cubes and packing will be a breeze.

Hanging Toiletry Bag – I keep my toiletry bag packed so I can just grab and go. Zippered compartments are perfect for travel accessories and the hanging design keeps bathroom clutter to a minimum.

Travel Jewelry Organizer – Keep your jewels safe and never lose an earring again with these colorful jewelry boxes. The small size and compartments make this a great option for quick trips. And remember, never ever check your jewels in luggage!

Reusable Shopping Bags – These are so useful for shopping at home and away. They also double as road-trip snack bags, beach totes and laundry bags. Choose from solids, prints and metallic options – an easy gift for travelers.

Travel Adaptor – A must for every globetrotter. Keep your favorite electronics charged wherever you go. Pick a different color for everyone in your family.

Travel Sized Laundry Bag – For the traveler who has everything, this world map laundry bag is a fun gift. I love that it folds into a tiny travel pouch with a carabineer.

TRAVEL INSPIRED GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS:

Gifts for Travelers - Travel Inspired Gifts

Show Tickets and Personalized Shirt – For the Broadway fan on your list, a pair of tickets to an upcoming show and a personalized shirt to wear make a great gift. I used my Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine to personalize a “So Fetch” shirt for a Mean Girls lover in sparkly pink.

Scratch Your Travels USA Map – Travelers will love highlighting their US adventures as they scratch off each state they visit. Add a frame and you’ve got a great family gift.

Travel Scarf – A travel scarf is always a good idea and this infinity version with a secret hidden zipper pocket is a great gift for travelers all ages. Choose from solids and patterns.

50 States, 5,000 Ideas – This comprehensive National Geographic book is full of sightseeing ideas in every state. A great gift option for families.

FOR TRAVEL LOVING FOODIES:

Bokksu – For the adventurous eater on your list, a Bokksu box filled with Japanese snacks and teas is sure to please. A great option for travel-loving families who like to try new foods. Choose from monthly subscriptions in two different sizes.

Custom Etched Map Glassware – For the coffee or hot cocoa drinker, wine aficionado and spirits lover on your list, I love Well Told Designs glassware etched with a favorite city, college town, airport, island, marathon route and more. Choose from pints, rocks, wine, mugs, mason jars, champagne flutes, etc. and you’ve got a great gift for everyone on your list.

Sitka Salmon Shares – For seafood lovers, gift a box of seasonal wild-caught seafood – straight from Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific! Sitka Salmon Shares, a community-supported fishery, supports sustainable fisheries and delivers the freshest catches from boat to doorstep. Use code SITKA25 to receive $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Every holiday season Trader Joe’s brings out their cult favorites and their Chocolate Passport is a great option for every traveler on your list. Perfect for stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, etc.

BEST FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR TRAVELING:

Tenzi – I’m a huge fan of easy-to-pack family games and Tenzi is one of my favorites. This multi-dice game is easy to learn and fast to play. There are several variations which help keep boredom at bay. Add in the 77 Ways to Play The Add-on Card Set and you’re guaranteed hours of good fun.

Playing Cards – An oldie but goodie, playing cards are easy to bring along on any trip making them great gifts for travelers. From Go Fish and War to Canasta and Rummy, everyone on the trip will find something to play. Other options include Solitare and building card houses.

Match-O-Rama – From the makers of Telestrations, Match-O-Rama is a great game choice for multi-generational family trips. The better you know the players, the easier you can predict how others will answer. Or maybe not? Easy to learn, fast to play and sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Kodak Premium Puzzles – Puzzles are a great activity to bring along on a vacation. Choose from easy to hard (depending on the ages and patience levels) and the whole family can enjoy. Kodak has a lot of travel-themed options (Boston, Italy, Greece, US National Parks and more) perfect for travel-loving families.

Need more gifts for travelers and everyone else on your list? Check out my 2020 Tween and Teen Gift Guide and Great Gifts for Teens and Tweens from 2019 .

I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Great Gifts for Tweens and …

December 12, 2019 By admin

Do you have a tween or teen on your holiday gift list? I feel your pain. These not-little but not-yet adults can be tricky but lucky for you, I’m sharing my list of great gifts for tweens and teens.

Gifts for Tween and Teen Girls

Frida Kahlo Puzzle – She’s an artist, activist, and feminist icon – no wonder so many young women are Frida Kahlo fans. eeBo always has fantastic gifts and this colorful puzzle is sure to please.

Hydro Flask – If your VSCO girl doesn’t already have one, this popular water bottle will be a sure winner. The bigger, the better and don’t forget the cute stickers!

Scrunchies – Now that they’re back, scrunchies are a must for all tween and teen girls. Grab this 60-piece set and you’ll have one to match every outfit.

Gifts For Teens and Tweens Who Have Everything

Dollar Bill Animals in Origami – This book features instructions (start with easy!) for turning any dollar bill into animals like giraffe, shark, unicorn, etc. Throw in a couple of Hamiltons and you’re done. Perfect for road trips and plane rides too.

Spontuneous – The Song Game – We played this over Thanksgiving break with a mix of tweens, teens, parents and grandparents and it was a HUGE hit. We were laughing so hard as we tried to guess each other’s songs and move to the finish line. Great for family gatherings, sleepovers and game night.

Cinema Light Box – A fun light box is always a good idea. Tweens and teens can express themselves with 160 letters and symbols like emojis and holiday icons.

Faux Fur Throws – Teens and tweens will love cozying up for movie night with these super-soft throws. The neutral colors will blend perfectly with any den or bedroom.

Gifts for Travel Loving Teens and Tweens

Wireless Airpods – Airpods are a must-have for teens and tweens who love listening to music on chatting on the go. The learning curve is quick and the battery life is long, enough said.

Inflatable Snow Tube – For tweens and teens who live where it snows, these fun snow tubes are perfect. Choose from burger, donut, peppermint, taco, snowcone or pizza. Perfect for bringing along on a ski vacation…

Disney Mini Backpack – For Disney lovers, Loungefly has the cutest selection of mini backpacks around. My tween has been eyeing this Minnie Mouse Ears version, a classic for sure.

Gifts for Crafty Tweens and Teens

Make Your Own Glitter Face Masks – This DIY kit from Klutz includes everything kids need to make five face masks. The silicone brush makes it easy to apply the mix so it isn’t as messy as you think.

Tie-Dye Party Kit – Know a crafty kid who loves to throw a party? This tie-dye kit comes with supplies (14 fun colors!) and instructions for up to 36 projects. Perfect for sleepovers or family get-togethers.

Sew Your Own Unicorn Cake Pillow – Crafty girls will love learning how to sew a soft and sparkly unicorn cake pillow using techniques like whip stitching, basting and gathering. Materials are pre-cut for ease and there are tons of decorative options (think faux fur, metallic gold lamé, and iridescent pom-poms).

Check out my 2020 Gift Guide for Tweens and Teens for more ideas. Need gift ideas for the travelers on your list? Check out my Great Gifts for Travelers.

Happy shopping!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I was provided with some items for review purposes but all opinions are my own.

Mom Life: Mom’s Night …

October 13, 2017 By admin

Summer always has me running in a million directions and then back-to-school season arrives and I am oh so thrilled to have my daily routine again. Meet-the-teacher curriculum nights can be fun but what really makes moms happy is an adult night out full of great food and drinks, socializing and a little pampering. Am I right?

When Momtrends invited me to a Mom’s Night Out Event to mingle with fellow influencers, editors from some of my favorite Meredith Magazines like Parents, Family Fun, Fit Pregnancy and family-friendly brand reps, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.

The evening kicked off with a welcome from Parents editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello who remembered me from a South Africa press trip we attended together many moons ago. After sampling the gorgeous and tasty appetizers and wine from Willamsburg, VA (more about that later…), it was time for some pampering and mingling.

I had to start with the New Balance team who had masseuses on hand to massage our tired mom feet. I broke one of my toes just before school started and living in NYC, my recovery has taken forever so I was thrilled to get a little TLC. I’ve been forced to wear the ugliest medical shoe for the last few weeks so I was super excited to receive a pair of Fresh Foam Arishi New Balance sneakers (in chic gray) to wear post-recovery. I love the lightweight, (perfect for my travels) breathable styling and the ultra cushioning which will keep me comfortable as I run around New York City (drop-offs, pick-ups and after-school activities) and beyond.

The team from Swaddle Me knows moms never have enough time for pampering so they brought along the GlamSquad team to treat us to mini-makeovers (concealer and lip color go a long way!). With new smokey eyes, I learned about the newest Swaddle Me baby products which have come along way since my baby arrived almost eight years ago. The new, innovative SwaddleMe Kicksie is a legs-free swaddle perfect for warm weather while the new Swaddle Me Footsie is a legs-free swaddle with pajama-like footies which is perfect for cool weather. They’ve also launched three new gift sets (Essentials, Baby Bath and Little Lovey) which are perfect for any new baby and also make great holiday gifts.

My go-to lunch specialty is PB&J so I was happy to say hi to the Jif team and sample some of their new goodies and share how I inspire creativity with my daughter (by letting things get messy, of course!). I especially love their “Jif to go” minis which are great for traveling and school snacks. It’s impossible to learn or be creative when kids are hungry and the “Imagine If, With Jif” program plans to fuel the next generation and support families who want to make the world a better place. Submit your inspirational idea, now through October 20, and you could win up to $30,000 to make that dream a reality. Full details here.

Next, I headed over to the gorgeous nursery set-up where I tried my hand at DIY floral arranging. The Munchkin team was on hand to demonstrate the Munchkin Step Pail which features a childproof, self-sealing system to lock out odors. This is so crucial for NYC apartment-living where one stinky diaper can quickly invade your entire space. Best of all, with Munchkin’s Get a Pail, Give a Tree program, Munchkin will plant a tree for every diaper pail sold. So awesome! We’ve had a slew of Munchkin products over the years but my current favorite is their Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup which looks like a cup but acts like a sippy making it great for kids of all ages.

Last but not least, I met with the Visit Williamsburg (Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, Virginia) team to hear about their culinary offerings, family-friendly attractions, pampering spas, famed living history museum, outdoor adventures and more. My husband went to college in Williamsburg and spent many vacations there so it has definitely been on my radar for a family getaway so I was really excited to see how many varied attractions the area features. Check out this inspiration board that I personalized above with my favorite activities (spas, outdoor adventures, crafting, history and amusement parks, oh my!) and stay tuned as I share more details about my top picks in the region.

Thanks again to Momtrends for organizing a great Mom’s Night Out!

Thanks to Meredith Corp., Jif, Munchkin, New Balance, Swaddle Me and Visit Williamsburg for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for attending this event and writing this post but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Staycation Family Fun at …

March 7, 2017 By admin

It isn’t every day I get to really play tourist in my own city so when Conrad New York invited my family for a downtown staycation, I jumped at the chance. If you are looking for a family friendly all-suite hotel in the heart of NYC’s new downtown, Conrad New York is a fantastic choice.

Conrad New York is a great choice for families visiting New York City.

Many tourists think they need to stay near Times Square but I like to recommend families stay in more residential areas to get a better feel for the “real” New York while avoiding the craziness of midtown. Located just steps away from Brookfield Place, and nearby the Freedom Tower and 9/11 memorial, Westfield World Trade Center shopping center (aka the Oculus) and historic Battery Park, Conrad New York was an ideal home base for our two-day trip.

We live nearby so we arrived by taxi and quickly checked in. The 15-story lobby is just stunning and the signature 10-story custom artwork, Sol Lewitt’s Loopy Doopy, really mesmerized us all as the colors changed when the lights shifted.

Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

The hotel features a sleek modern design with stylish decor, a grand marble staircase and awesome Hudson River views – I particularly loved the open air spaces that allow guests to take in the art and views from every floor. Just the place to stay inspired…

We settled into our suite (one of 463) which was stylishly decorated with modern art and a soothing color palate. My daughter had her own sleeping area in the living area while my husband and I claimed the master bedroom. In addition to the comfortable beds (and plush feather pillows!), there were closets upon closets, an incredibly spacious bathroom, a separate oversized walk-in rainfall shower, a desk area and chairs for relaxing.

Our stylish suite at Conrad New York. Staycation family fun at Conrad New York.

My daughter immediately fell in love with Hudson, a stuffed bull mascot who was awaiting her arrival.

Our first stop was a visit to The Rink at Brookfield Place where we were greeted by Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov who manage the rink.

Staycation, New York with kids, Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad, New York

Former U. S. Olympic ice skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

My daughter and I enjoyed some time together on the ice and then she had a private lesson. The rink isn’t too large making it easy to keep track of your kids and balancing props for young children are available. Talk about a rink with a view. Such a gorgeous backdrop, right? If you’re lucky, you might catch an Ice Skate with Olympic Greats performance.

Skating at The Rink at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

Conrad New York offers hotel packages that include ice skating lessons here – definitely a unique perk for an NYC hotel. The ice rink is housed outside Brookfield Place all winter but during the other seasons, you can often find cool art exhibits and other fun pop-up events.

We went back to our room and were quickly greeted with a fresh fruit plate and drinks. I have no idea how the hotel staff read our minds but we were hungry and thirsty so this hit the spot.

Post ice skating snack at Conrad New York.

The weather was gorgeous so we decided to explore outside after a quick pit stop at the hotel’s gift shop. I usually expect touristy things from a hotel shop but this one was nicely curated with specialty NYC themed books (for adults and kids), toys and other trendy items. The friendly guy working there started talking photography with my husband so my daughter and I could happily browse.

Be sure to check out the great gift shop at Conrad New York.

For lunch, we stopped at Hudson Eats, the family friendly food hall upstairs at Brookfield Place, which features a variety of upscale quick serve restaurants and a huge seating area with waterfront views. From sushi, bagels, pizza and sandwiches to salads, tacos, burgers and cupcakes, everyone in the family can find something to eat. I almost always order a Num Pang sandwich while my daughter and husband usually grab a burger, grilled cheese, pizza or sushi.

Downtown NYC has a lot of sights that most tourists never see. I highly suggest the walk from Brookfield Place to Battery Park which is along the Battery Park City Esplanade. There are no cars along the paved promenade making it very easy to roam with kids and you will spot interesting sights (Statue of Liberty!), lookout points, grassy spots and great playgrounds along the way…

Battery Park City Esplanade is a favorite spot for families to explore. Staycation Fun at Conrad New York.

Battery Park is full of adventures for tourists and locals alike and if you have an afternoon or full day, I highly recommend you visit the Statue of Liberty, ride the gorgeous Seaglass Carousel or take a sail aboard the Staten Island Ferry.

We stopped by the Cool Globes art exhibit just at the top of Battery Park to check out the amazing oversized globes on display.

Checking out the Cool Globes. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York.

Then we headed back home to the hotel with a stop at the West Thames Park. Love these stunning Freedom Tower views.

Downtown New York City has a variety of playgrounds. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York.

After a quick change, we headed back over to Brookfield Place for dinner. There are always fun art exhibits going on in the gorgeous palm tree filled glass atrium and we got to see the famed Luminaries display which features hundred of changing lights that coordinate to holiday songs. If you are in the area over the winter holidays, be sure to check it out.

Luminaries at Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad, New York

We had a delicious dinner at Beaubourg in Le District and we were so happy we could just walk home after our long day. If you love French cuisine, Le District is a gourmand’s haven filled with restaurants and shops selling everything from meats and veggies to pastries and French candy.

Le District in Brookfield Place. Staycation Family Fun at Conrad New York

I really love having a suite when we travel since my daughter usually goes to bed around 8 pm and I like to stay up later. It was so nice that our Conrad New York suite allowed my daughter to fall asleep while my husband could stay up late without having to be quiet or keep the room dark.

My daughter loved having her own space at Conrad New York.

After a great night’s sleep, my daughter and I enjoyed lounging around reading while my husband checked out the in-room Nespresso coffee machine. We had a nice relaxing morning and headed to our 10 am brunch reservation at Atrio in the hotel’s lobby. Of course, our new pal Hudson joined us.

Young travelers receive a stuffed Conrad bull at Conrad, New York.

Young travelers receive a stuffed “Hudson the bull” at Conrad New York.

We chose the breakfast buffet which was loaded with pastries, bagels, and yogurt parfaits along with eggs, bacon, potatoes and other breakfast items. The restaurant features river views behind sparkly “curtains” that mesmerized my daughter and Hudson. In addition to weekend brunch, Atrio also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features an Instagram-worthy wall of wine.

Atrio at the Conrad New York features a stylish dining room with river views.

We spent the rest of our day checking out the nearby attractions like the Regal Battery Park movie theater (which you can enter from the hotel!), department stores (hi Saks), restaurants (including Danny Meyer signature spots) and the shiny new Oculus which houses some amazing retailers, eateries and the newest Eataly (think everything yummy from Italy under one roof).

After thoroughly exhausting ourselves in a good way, we headed back to Conrad New York to grab our bags and say goodbye.

Thanks for a great staycation at Conrad, New York

If you want a pampering family friendly hotel stay with a great location to explore downtown, NYC, I highly recommend Conrad New York.

Have you ever stayed downtown? Tell me your favorite attractions in the comments below.

A very special thanks to Conrad New York for providing accommodations, breakfast and skating lessons. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Who Lives in a Pineapple Under …

August 9, 2016 By admin

I’ve got some really exciting news to share! SpongeBob SquarePants has invited my daughter and I to visit him and see his new villa at the newly opened five-star Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We can’t wait to see him and check out The Pineapple villa.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Unveils Luxe Pineapple Villa

We can’t wait to visit Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and see SpongeBob’s new villa.

This is really big news for family travelers as its Nickelodeon’s first-ever international property, built by Karisma Hotels & Resorts. The signature dwelling at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is The Pineapple, the only such villa in the world. This 2-bedroom/3-bath playful presidential suite is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows guests to step inside SpongeBob’s world – the décor is Bikini Bottom-inspired – think pineapple exterior, porthole shaped window and swinging chairs. With 2,292 square feet of incredible indoor and outdoor living areas, including a garden, patio, signature infinity pool, and private butlers to take care of each and every need (think moonlight beach dinner!), guests will be pampered at every turn.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Unveils The Pineapple. (Photo credit: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana)

I’m really looking forward to the luxe accommodations and Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive® Experience at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana while my daughter can’t wait for the Nickelodeon character and family activities. We’ll be there next week so be sure to follow along with our adventures on Instagram and Snapchat.

Rates at The Pineapple start at $3,800 per night for up to four adults and two children or two adults and six children, including the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience of all gourmet meals served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service and full service concierge. Standard rates at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana begin at $345 per adult, per night including the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience. Additionally, up to two kids under 13 years old Stay, Eat and Play Free with a minimum 4-nights’ stay when staying in a room with two adults; the third child pays a child rate.

Reservations can be booked by calling 1 (844) SEE-NICK or by visiting www.nickresortpuntacana.com.

Ready to visit? Check out my Tips for Visiting Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana – Everything you need to know!

Note: I will be hosted during my upcoming stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana. All opinions are mine, as always. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

My Favorite Back-to-School …

August 2, 2016 By admin

Tis the season for back-to-school shopping so I’m here to share some of my favorite picks. These items are perfect for back-to-school supplies but can also be used on while vacationing (win, win) so be sure to stock up.

My Favorite Back-to-School Supplies for Globetrotting Kids

DIY Patch Designs – Kids love to personalize their items and when I saw these colorful stick-on-patches from Easy Peasy Patches, I knew my daughter would love them. Kids can use them on clothes, hats, backpacks, school supplies, water bottles, lockers and really anything they want to customize since they are dishwasher and washing machine safe. They come in various shapes and designs and you can even go old school and use them to cover ripped knees.

Keep Valuables Safe at School – As kids start to bring more valuable items to school like phones and tablets, its always a good idea to keep them safe while unattended. Master Lock has some easy-to-use and affordable options for kids of all ages. Younger kids will love these colorful combination locks for backpacks while older kids can use a portable laptop safe on travels or in their dorms. These items are also handy when traveling or visiting water parks.

My Favorite Back-to-School Supplies for Globetrotting Kids – Back-to-School Snack Ideas

Tasty Snacks – For weekday lunch boxes or a road trip snack stash, tasty snacks are a must-have. I hate sticky fingers so I try to serve snacks that are as mess-free as possible like pretzels, snack bars, nuts, fruit (dried or whole), etc. Individually wrapped snacks and pouches are especially great for travel and classroom snacks – try brands like Ella’s Kitchen, GoGo Squeez and Earth’s Best (their new frozen fruit cups thaw in lunch boxes!) for young kids. Some of my go-to ideas for healthy options include Good Health Snacks (think veggie straws, pretzels and chips), fruit-kebabs (made with straws not skewers), yogurt and most anything from Trader Joe’s snack aisle (especially seaweed, tortilla chips, crackers, nuts and dried fruit). For more substantial snacks (think after school or traveling), protein bars like Cliff, Luna or Luckybars (especially created for picky eaters) and New Zealand Jerky are all easy-to-pack options.

Personalized labels are great for back-to-school and traveling. Globetrotting Mommy

Personalized labels are great for back-to-school supplies and traveling.

Must Have Labels – Between classes, pick-ups, after-school activities, field trips and vacations, kids have a lot of opportunities to lose their belongings. If you don’t have any more camp labels left, now is the time to stock up for fall. I love Mabel’s Labels because they are indestructible, stylish and super easy to use. This year they’ve got some new designs like zombies and emojis plus a customizable keepsake school memory book.

Bento style lunch boxes are great for school and travel.

Bento Style Lunch Boxes – Kids are very particular about their meals and if you’ve got a picky eater, a Bento Box lunch with separated compartments is sure to please. I love the adorable Bentology Bento Lunch Kit that come with an insulated bag, large outer container, five bento box containers and a fork and spoon set. The slim exterior bag has pockets and a secret side bottle holder. Since my daughter complained last year because her water was inside her lunch box (making it hard to get out for snack time…) this will be a sure winner. A nice option for traveling or larger lunches is the Lunchbox Buddy from Nalgene featuring a soft Neoprene sleeve that folds around the hard case lunch box. An ice pack can be used to create separate sized compartments for food items and drinks making it very versatile. Best of all, the box top doubles as a plate so kids have a clean place to eat. I like that both of these options feature plastic outer containers which are easy to clean and quick to dry for every day use.

Leak Proof Water Bottles – School kids need water all the time (think school, activities, field trips, etc.) and one big requirement for me is a leak-proof bottle because there is nothing worse than cleaning out a soggy backpack or purse. Some of my favorites include Contigo’s Addison, Nalgene’s On The Fly, and the rectangular Drink in the Box.

Yoobi’s colorful back-to-school supplies are perfect for home, school and travels.

Fun School Supplies – My daughter’s school sends around a list of back-to-school supplies every student needs to bring in on the first day for the class to share throughout the year. When they don’t specify a brand, I love sending in colorful supplies like Yoobi. With every purchase, Yoobi donates school supplies to a local U.S. classroom in need, which is really a win. The playful designs and awesome accessories are so fun and I especially love Yoobi x i am OTHER journals (presented by Pharrell Williams) which are the perfect size for school or vacation.

WallPops Maps are a favporite for Back-to-School shopping.

Removable Wall Decor – Since kids love maps, I recently added this dry erase Wallpops! Kids USA Map to my daughter’s room. She loves to point out the fun places she’s visited like Charleston, Disney World, Boston, etc. and its a great way for her to learn the states (and Capitals). I also love these dry erase calendar message boards and this cute notepad calendar which are great for students of all ages, especially teens heading off to college.

Have you done your back-to-school shopping yet? I’m starting mine this week…

I received some of these items as samples from Blogger Bash, Momtrends and KidzVuz events. This post contains a few affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on Ireland: The …

March 17, 2016 By admin

In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m talking about The Irish Fairy Door, one of Ireland’s most family friendly traditions that just recently launched here in America. Read on to learn more and find out how you can win your very own.

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I am always intrigued by cultural traditions around the world so when The Irish Fairy Door Company invited me to their New York City launch party I quickly said, “Yes.” As we munched on Irish fare, I learned that Irish Fairy Doors are all the rage with kids in Ireland and England where they encourage kids to let their imaginations run wild as they leave notes and pictures for each other and decorate their surroundings.

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

Each Irish Fairy Door set contains a beautifully crafted wooden door (in varying colors and styles), a Fairy Welcome Guide, a Family/Fairy Lease Agreement, a fairy notepad, a tiny glass bottle with a key and a special code to register your fairy’s name online. The welcome guide explains how everything works. You basically decide on a spot for the door, choose your fairy name and sign the lease agreement. This humorous agreement gives kids a nice sense of easy-to-handle responsibility (who is in charge of food, laundry, decor, etc.) as it outlines who is responsible for what. Since my daughter has been asking for a pet, I couldn’t wait to see how she would handle her fairy responsibilities…

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I positioned the door in her bedroom and waited for her to notice after school. It looked cute but I couldn’t help but wonder, would my city savvy six-year old actually believe in magical fairies. Well, she noticed it right away and started shooting off questions about fairies… We read the book together, decided on a name (Lola) and signed the contract. She went right to work drawing pictures and writing to Lola so yes, she really did believe. That night, the key disappeared and Lola arrived. Lola responded to my daughter’s note and even left some fairy dust…

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I love anything that encourages free thinking and creativity but when it also encourages my daughter to practice her handwriting, I’m really sold. If you’re looking for a fun surprise for any girl or boy, this would make a great gift.

In celebration of their US launch, The Irish Fairy Door Company has partnered with The Starlight Children’s Foundation by donating Irish Fairy Doors to Starlight community partners.

Ready to win? The Irish Fairy Door Company is partnering with Globetrotting Mommy and one lucky reader will win their very own Irish Fairy Door!

To enter please leave a blog post comment below – Which door is your favorite?

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This giveaway ends at midnight EST on Friday, April 1.

Thanks to the Irish Fairy Door Company for inviting me to the NYC launch party and providing me with product to review. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Mommy: 2015 …

May 1, 2015 By admin

Mother’s day is coming up (May 10 in the United States) so don’t wait till the last minute to get your mom (wife or grandma) a great Mother’s Day present. Of course the best gifts are handmade so have your kiddo make a card or candy necklace to go along with one of these picks from my 2015 Mother’s Day Gift Guide.