Electronics and Gadgets Archives - Page 2 of 3

Globetrotting Mommy’s …

December 12, 2017 By admin

If you didn’t finish your holiday shopping on Black Friday, you’re still in luck. I’ve rounded up some fun family gift ideas for globetrotting families to enjoy at home and away in this year’s holiday gift guide.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

For the Foodie:

For foodies and moms looking for creative ways to get their kids to try new things, Food Faces: 150 Feasts for the Eyes is full of fun inspiration.

For the Sun Worshiper:

A fun pool float makes a great gift to use at home or on vacation. I love this colorful unicorn tube float but the pineapple and donut are super cute too.

For the Traveler

Never confuse your luggage again with this customizable Head Case luggage cover.

For the Geography Buff:

50 Cities of the U.S.A is gorgeous picture book filled with interesting facts and cool details about each city’s famous people, events, cuisine and landmarks.

For the Soon-to-be Mom:

You know how pregnant ladies always measure their baby’s growth in terms of fruits and veggies? These clever PRODUCE tees (and cute gift sets) will be a hit with any soon-to-be mom.

For the Disney lover:

Spread the holiday cheer and give loved ones Disney memories that will last a lifetime with the Gift of Disney Vacations. For the first time ever, guests can send a Disney gift card or full vacation packages. What a great family gift! Don’t miss these Disney World and Disney Cruise tips.

For the Family Vacation Photographer:

The Read This If You Want To Take Great Photographs series has added places and people versions, making them all great gifts for the family photographer.

For NYC Lovers:

Give the gift of navigational fashion and never get lost on the subway again. This adorable unisex Kids NYC All-Over-Map Tee from NYC Subway Line features an accurate subway map on the front and back. Such a great idea for any NYC loving kid and a cool way to teach kids how to navigate around town.

For doll lovers:

The most wanted holiday gift for American Girl fans is the new Create Your Own doll. Girls can customize everything from skin color, eyes and hairstyles to outfits and accessories to create one very special doll. There are more than a million options so be sure to take your time during the selection process or better yet, give her a gift card to create her doll online or at the in-store kiosk.

For Super Busy Kids:

Kids have super chaotic schedules so calendars are a great way to teach the elementary school set how to keep track of their activities and gym day. My daughter loves tracking her sleepovers and acting classes on her Kid’s Awesome Activity Calendar which includes stickers. And this Strong is the new Pretty wall calendar is an awesome way to for girls to welcome in 2018.

For Slime Loving Kids:

I wasn’t expecting it to last so long but slime and Thinking Putty are still crazy popular. DIY slime and putty kits will definitely score big points with tweens and this glittery Elmer’s Frosty Slime Kit is perfect for the holidays. FYI, I got this kit at Staples which is a great spot for buying, wrapping (think holiday paper, gift bags, ribbons and bows) and shipping holiday gifts in just one trip, a nice bonus for busy moms.

For Bilingual Babies:

Start them young with the First Words series from Lonely Planet Kids. Perfect for the whole family, First Words Spanish features 100 handy words to use while traveling (think eating, getting around and weather) as well as a pronunciation guide and colorful photos.

For Theatrical Kids:

For the young Hamilton fan, I love these Hamitones crayons paired with a Hamilton coloring book. Add tickets to a kid-friendly show and you’re all set.

For the Chocolate Lover:

Every holiday season Trader Joe’s brings out their cult favorites so be sure to stock up on the cutest chocolate gift for every traveler on your list, Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport.

For the Whole Family:

Last but certainly not least, one of the hottest family gifts this season is the Google Home Mini. At just $29 you should get a few since every family member will want it in his or her room. From singing songs and turning off lights to giving weather reports and helping with homework, this little dynamo is sure to make everyone’s life a little easier.

Check out this Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide for more ideas. Which Holiday Gift Guide item is your favorite? Tell me below in the comments…

Note: This post contains some affiliate links. I was gifted some of these items for review but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Parenting 101: Managing Kids …

August 9, 2017 By admin

Move over bedtimes, potty training, and breast feeding, one of the most controversial parenting topics is proving to be the most worrisome of all – managing kids and screen time.

Parenting 101: Managing Kids and Screen time at Home and Away

Like most couples, my husband and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on this topic so navigating our daughter’s screen time is far from easy. While I would much prefer her to be playing with her toys or friends instead of staring at a screen (which is clearly addictive), there is definitely a time and place for electronics. Here’s how it typically works in our house…

Kids and Screen Time – During the school year:

We enforce a no screen time rule before school and after school while she completes her homework and chores. Depending on her day, I’ll let her watch up to an hour of television and play on my iPhone for a little while to get her Instagram fix. I find that the television is easy enough to turn off but taking the iPhone away is another story. On weekends, the rules relax and she begs for as much screen time as possible. I’m happy to sleep in while she and my husband enjoy their screen time but I do find her behavior to be less than optimal after too much screen time.

Kids and Screen Time – During the Summer and Vacations:

I’ll admit that the summer is a bit of a free-for-all. If she reads a book, I will reward her with tablet or TV time if we aren’t going anywhere. When we travel, the rules go out the window and she can have as much screen time on the plane or drive as she wants. She gets car sick so she tends not to over do it on car rides but on the plane, she will watch TV (thanks Jet Blue!) and play with her tablets for hours on end. And now that some hotels put TVs in bathrooms, my daughter’s negotiation skills are sharper than ever. I enjoy the break during our travels but again, I notice that her behavior deteriorates and her crankiness increases with too much screen time.

For me, dealing with the “aftermath” of screen time isn’t worth the “free time” so I tend to discourage it and this is probably why we enjoy running around the city so much. I also find that when I take the time to sit and play a game with her or let pretend to be the teacher or doctor while I play student or patient, she is thrilled.

If you’re trying to navigate your child’s emotional and physical well being, I highly recommend checking out the new Genius of Play video campaign. These videos feature parents discussing some of the most controversial topics surrounding play – including recess, whether or not kids should play unsupervised and of course how much screen time is too much…

Here’s what some parents are saying on these topics:

At the end of the day, everything in moderation seems to be the best way to go but I will always encourage my daughter to play outside and on play dates whenever I can.

How much screen time do your kids get at home and on vacation? Tell me below in the comments.

Thanks to The Toy Association for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 5 Picks From Big City Moms …

June 15, 2017 By admin

The Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower is one of the best events for new and expecting parents to get the scoop on the newest baby products, services, and parenting trends. At the recent NYC baby shower event, I got to check out the latest and greatest baby products and today I’m sharing my favorites.

Top 5 Picks for Globetrotting Moms From Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower

1) NYC streets are hard on baby strollers and if you ever have a stroller emergency, you’ll be happy to hear about Tot Squad. Whether your stroller was injured by airplane employees, or by being bumped down a zillion subway steps, Tot Squad will pick it up and fix it quickly as they stock most of the of popular stroller parts. They also offer non-toxic cleaning services.

Life Ice is a healthy frozen treat for kids of all ages.

2) For parents looking for a healthy alternative to ice cream cones, Life Ice is a frozen source for healthy living. Packaged in plastic cubettes, these icy treats (in fruits, greens and chocolate flavors) are easy to bring along on a vacation or playdate. Just pop in the freezer and your treats are ready to serve. I love that they’re all-natural and just the perfect size for teething babies.

Stylish yet practical, HAPP diaper bags are stain and water resistant making them perfect for travel.

3) Lightweight diaper bags are a must for globetrotting moms and when they have lots of compartments, hidden storage sections and a memory foam changing pad, all the better. The new line of HAPP diaper bags are stylish, affordable and easy to clean making them a great choice for any new mom. I love the tote, backpack and hobo styling and neutral colors.

The Inglesina Zippy Light stroller stands when folded making it easy to store in NYC apartments.

4) Folding strollers are a must for city moms and the Inglesina Zippy Light stroller can go from newborns to toddler and beyond (up to 55 pounds!). The Zippy Light stroller has a fully reclining backrest, adjustable footrest, extending shade and comes in an assortment of classic colors. I love that it easily folds with one hand and stands when folded. If you’ve ever tried to search for your metro card while holding a baby and stroller you’ll love this feature.

Nuna’s SENA aire’s playard is great for travel.

5) If you’re in the market for a travel play yard and bassinet that looks good and is super easy to use, Nuna’s SENA aire is a great choice. The all mesh design makes for a light design that easily folds with one hand. I love that it comes with an organic sheet and travel case so you’ll be ready to go. Available in regular or mini.

Have you tried any of these items from the Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower? Tell me your favorite in the comments below.

I was invited to the Biggest Baby Shower Event as a media guest but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Mommy’s …

May 1, 2017 By admin

Mother’s day is coming up (May 14 in the United States) so I hope you have some Mother’s Day gift ideas for your mom (wife or grandma). If you need help, grab one of these picks from my 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide and have your kids make a card or candy necklace for a sure win.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

1) Bodum Copper French Press

For the mom who loves a freshly brewed cup of joe, this gorgeous copper press will be a big hit. Pair it with some gourmet coffee beans from Guatemala and you’re all set.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (Photo from Amazon.com)

2) Life is short…BUY THE BOOTS coloring book

Any artsy mom would love this cheeky adult coloring book filled with ready-to-color designs and fun quotes. Throw in some fancy colored pencils and a gift card to her favorite shoe store and you’ve got a great gift.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

3) Parisian Chic Look Book: What Should I Wear Today?

For the fashionista mom who dreams of living in Paris some day, this shiny new fashion guide by Ines de la Fressange will surely please. Throw in a trip to Paris and she’ll be thrilled.

4) FoodSaver Fresh Food Preservation System

Appliances may not be romantic but I’m pretty sure any mom will love getting this handy vacuum sealing machine. I am really impressed with how long my fruits and veggies last in the special containers and bags. If you hate watching avocados turn brown, this gadget is your new best friend.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

5) Heat Holders Thermal Socks

If your mom loves to be comfy, she will love these awesome cushiony socks that are like pajamas for feet. Perfect for keeping feet warm on chilly airplanes or camping trips, these are a great option for the mom who has everything. Pair it with one their Snuggle Up Blankets if she lives in a cold climate.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (Photo from Amazon.com)

6) JOBY GripTight GorillaPod Stand

Perfect for the mom who takes every photo with her iPhone, this handy tripod stand allows moms to get in on the photos. I love how the adjustable legs can wrap so you can use it in a variety of settings.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo from Amazon.com)

7) Sky of Blue Cards Canvas Tote

I’ve always got a tote bag on for grocery shopping, library books and all the other things I carry around. This “Mommin’ Hard Everyday Like A Boss” tote is a perfect gift for any on-the-go mama. Add a gift card to her favorite store to add some wow.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo credit: Sky of Blue Cards)

8) Tiffany & Co. Airplane Bank

For the mom who loves to vacation, this luxe silver airplane bank is perfect for saving up her vacation funds.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide (Photo from Tiffany)

9) Mommy and Me Photo Shoot

Hire a professional like (Flytographer or Classic Kids) or hand dad the good camera and head on a vacation or staycation. Or, head to Walt Disney World and get the whole family in the photo with their Disney Memory Maker.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

10) Fancy Schmancy Date

Last but not least, you can’t go wrong taking mom out for an elaborate Mother’s Day brunch, pampering spa treatment or to the hottest show in town.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2017 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Happy Mother’s Day!

This post contains some affiliate links but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Holiday Gift Guide – …

November 29, 2016 By admin

Holiday shopping is in full force! If you’ve got some globetrotting kids on your shopping list, check out my favorite affordable gifts for kids who travel. Everything is under $30 so you’ll have money left to plan your next vacation.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

UNDER $10 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $10

Rubik’s Junior Bear – For little ones, this kiddie version of the classic game will happily entertain on car trips or plane rides.

Mabel’s Labels Stocking Stuffer Combo – At just $5 each, these sturdy label combos make great stocking stuffers and personalized add-ons to other gifts. Choose from festive holiday or classic designs and label all their favorite luggage and travel accessories.

Reactorz 4″ Light-Up Gripz Ball – This tiny, easy-to-grip ball lights up with every touch, tap, throw or kick making it great for outdoor games at home and away.

Whiffer Sniffers Scented Backpack Clips – Kids love to personalize their backpacks for trips near and far and these deliciously scented plush characters are perfect for girls and boys to collect.

Under $15 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $15

My first Bananagrams – Little kids can now get in on the family friendly Bananagram craze with lowercase letters and combo letter tiles to help early readers create words. This is a favorite in our house and the easy to take along zippered banana pouch makes it perfect for young travelers.

HEXBUG Aquabot Wahoo – If you’ve got a little swimmer on your shopping list, the HEXBUG AquaBot Wahoo is perfect for your next tropical vacation. Simply twist the bottom to start the high speed propeller and watch as it comes to life, swimming, diving and changing directions to explore its environment.

Tak-Tak – If you’ve got young checkers or chess lovers on your list, this new board game is sure to please. As players move across the board, they can attack and steal pieces keeping everyone in suspense. This is a great strategy game for kids to play with parents and grandparents on a family vacation.

Paper Punk Build Your Own Paper Toy – Looking for a quiet, non-messy activity to keep kids busy on a plane? Paper Punk’s kits make adorable folded patterned animals like Ape, Snake, Unicorn, Cat, Puppy and everything is included in the box!

Under $20 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $20

Pearhead Holiday Photo Props – Kids will be happy to pose for family photos this holiday season with these adorable photo props. A great way to get everyone in the picture on your holiday vacations.

Pac-Man Mini Arcade Game – If you’ve got a Pac-Man fan on your list, this adorable mini arcade game will be a big hit. This battery operated toy features a joy stick and plays just like the real Pac-Man. A perfect choice for kids of all ages and adults too.

Dinkee Linkee For Kids-Trivia Game – Kids love trivia games and this one is easy to learn and simple for the whole family to play. Kids answer four questions and then try to determine what “links” the answer. This is a great game to play on a family vacation or at home too.

Madame Alexander Travel Friend Dolls – For the globetrotting girls on your list, this collection of international dolls is a perfect choice. These 7-inch dolls feature authentic costumes and gorgeous details from countries including China, France, Kenya, Ireland, India, Germany, Italy, and more.

UNDER $30 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $30

Props in a Bag – For imaginative play fans, I love these easy to carry Props in a Bag kits that include everything kids need to put on a show (think costumes, accessories, props, and big backdrop). My daughter loves to put on shows with the magician kit and there is also an app to make movies.

Trolls Hair-ific Headphones – Headphones are a must for globetrotting kids and these adorable Trolls headphones are just perfect for little music lovers. If you’ve got an accessory loving girl like I do, these will be a huge hit. I love the pink hair and volume protection for little ears.

Blue Cabi Children’s Binoculars – My daughter is getting these sturdy binoculars for the holidays along with two kids astronomy books – Night Sky Watcher and Astronomy Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Activities. Binoculars are handy for kids at shows, parades and sightseeing so I know she’ll use them a lot.

Science Expeditions Subscription Box from Little Passports – Monthly subscription boxes are a great choice for a families because everyone can work on the activities together. New from the great team behind Little Passports, the Science Expeditions boxes include experiments, comic books, badges and more. The first box comes with a storage tote making it perfect to bring along on family vacations.

Need more ideas? Check out the Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide. What are your favorites on this list? Tell me below in the comments.

I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Road Trips With Kids – 6 …

November 18, 2016 By admin

‘Tis the season for holiday road trips so today I’m sharing some of my favorite must haves for road trips with kids.

Road Trips With Kids – 6 Must Haves

I’m hungry…

No matter how long or short the ride, you know kids will want a drink or snack within 30 minutes of leaving home. Be sure to pack everything in spill-proof containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box or prepare to spend some time with your trusty dustbuster. For snacks, squeezy pouches and individually wrapped snack bars are great options along with fresh fruit and non-crumbly snacks like nuts and cheese sticks.

Road tripping with kids - be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang. Family Travel. Globetrotting Mommy

Road trips with kids – be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang.

I’m bored…

Do you hate hearing this as much as I do? Prepare for trips by bringing along age appropriate entertainment for kids (and grown ups too). For tiny tots, audible CDs like Curious George and soft toys are great. For small kids, hand held toys like this adorable Rubik’s Junior Bear are great options. For school age children, I recommend Mad Libs, Highlights Magazines or other activity books, large print books, tablets like the Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet which comes in its own kid-proof case and gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS which will keep kids quietly entertained for hours! It is always fun to play family friendly games along the way so bring along some cards and travel friendly games to play in the back seat like Hangman and Twizmo! Words.

I made a mess…

Wipes and ziplocs are a parent’s best friends so bring lots and lots. Be sure to pack some extra outfits and if your kids get carsick, be sure they have a few bags or a sturdy container nearby.

Roadtripping with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

Road trips with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

I want my friends to come…

Road tripping with friends? I just tested out the new mifold Grab and Go Booster Seat and I was amazed how easy it was to use. Simply place it on the seat, adjust the sides according to the child’s size (age 4 to 12), slide the seatbelt strap thru the base and over the lap and secure the shoulder strap at the child’s shoulder. Sounds involved but it takes less than a minute. Best of all, it folds in half making it super easy to throw in a tote for taxi rides, carpools or traveling.

I have to go to the bathroom…

Even though my daughter has been potty trained for years, I still keep a 2-in-1 Potette Plus portable potty in my car (along with the insert bags and the aforementioned wipes). You never know how long it can be to the next rest stop so better safe than sorry.

Road trips with Kids – Be sure to bring along some favorite tunes.

I don’t like that song…

I’m not sure what’s more tolerable, listening to kids’ whining or kids’ music. I know my daughter is definitely happy when her favorite tunes are playing in the car so I highly recommend bringing along some kid-friendly music. For tots, this means Elmo (sorry!) and Laurie Berkner types. For older kids, you can’t go wrong with some Kidz Bop (33 albums can’t be wrong), Space Pop Girls or soundtracks to their favorite movies or shows.

I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Must-Have Travel Gadgets for …

October 25, 2016 By admin

If you’re like me, you love any gadget that makes traveling a little easier. If you’ve got a trip coming up, be sure to check out these handy Must-Have Travel Gadgets for globetrotting families…

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Globetrotting Mommy

PHOTOGRAPHY HELPERS

Family trips call for family photos and sometimes you just need a selfie stick to get everyone in the photo. The best selfie sticks are Bluetooth activated and hold a long lasting charge. Another great option is a GorillaPod which can be used as a tripod or wrapped around something sturdy.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Snack and Drink Containers

SNACK AND DRINK CONTAINERS

Eating on the go requires some advance planning so I always like to pack healthy snacks and drinks in sturdy containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box. The rectangular shapes take up less space in my bag and they are so easy for little hands to handle.

CHARGERS

Chargers, chargers, chargers! If you lose juice in the middle of a trip, you’ll be sorry so be sure to bring along a reliable charger for every device. Lipstick-sized phone chargers are handy but test them at home to see how long they will power up your devices on the go. And, if you’re spending a day at Disney World, you will definitely want to bring along a heavy duty brick style cell phone charger.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – Accell Home or Away Power Station.

PORTABLE POWER STATION

Accell Home or Away Power Station – Hotels are notorious for not having easy to reach outlets so I’ve started traveling with this handy three outlet surge protector. I love that it features three power outlets plus two USB ports so I can charge my phone, laptop and camera at the same time. Just fold down the prongs and throw it in your bag.

SEASONAL GADGETS

After the great purse flood of 2016, I’m paranoid about any and all water damage – like keep my car key fob in a ziploc paranoid. Because I’m often using my iPhone to take photos, I love using a waterproof phone case when I’m at a water park or pool. If you’re heading on a snow vacation, this handy snowball maker will keep kids entertained for hours.

Must-Have Travel Gadgets – TSA Approved Luggage Locks

LUGGAGE LOCKS

TSA approved luggage locks. Checking luggage definitely causes anxiety but when you’re traveling with kids on a big journey, you won’t have much of a choice. With these handy locks, TSA can get in if necessary but others can’t. Such a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Do you have any must-bring travel gadgets to add?

This post contains some affiliate links. I received some of these items for review purposes. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

2016 Product of the Year …

February 24, 2016 By admin

Feeling lucky? Read on to find out how you can win your very own stash of 2016 Product of the Year Winners, perfect for using at home or on your next vacation…

The 2016 Product of the Year award winners are backed by the votes of more than 40,000 consumers. These tried and true products represent categories such as paper products, pet food, beauty tools, eye care, household, laundry, food and beverages, car care and more.

2016 Product of the Year Giveaway – Great Products for Home or Vacation

In addition to attending the swanky Product of the Year awards dinner, I got a chance to personally test out these winning products. Drumroll please…here are some of my favorites that can be used during and after any vacation or staycation…

2016 Product of the Year Giveaway – Great Products for Home or Vacation

If you’re planning a pampering staycation, I highly recommend the Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Extra Coarse Foot File with Diamond Crystals which buffs away dry skin and left my feet feeling revitalized after a long, harsh winter. Its basically the same effect as taking a long walk on the beach minus the expensive airfare. For pampering lips, the Softlips® Cube will not disappoint. If your purse or carry-on bags are as full as mine, you’ll also appreciate the balm’s square container making it super easy to find.

As a busy mom, having time for coffee before school drop off is a rarity so I was excited for the Skinny Cow Creamy Iced Coffee. These delicious creamy beverages are great to keep in your fridge and they are also the perfect size to bring along in a road trip cooler bag!

Speaking of road trips, this year’s winners included some adult and kid pleasing snacks like Gold Emblem abound™ Unsalted Pistachio & Almond Blend and M&M’s® Crispy Chocolate Candies. Turtle Wax® DASH & GLASS is handy to keep you car windows clean on road trips too.

2016 Product of the Year Giveaway – Great Products for Home or Vacation

You always need extra batteries at home and away so I was glad to find the Energizer® EcoAdvanced™ batteries among the winning products.

We go through a lot of tissues in my house so the Kleenex® Perfect Fit* Facial Tissues was a crowd pleaser. The slim design also makes them easy to use when you travel.

To ward off those airplane germs on your next getaway, don’t forget to back the Emergen-Zzzz®.

The worst part about coming home from vacation is all the dirty laundry so I was super happy that Tide HE Turbo Clean™ Liquid Detergent, Tide PODS Plus Febreze and Downy Fresh Protect were among the winning products.

Check out the complete list of the 2016 Product of the Year Winners below:

– Oral Care: ACT® Advanced Care™ Mouthwash

– Snacks: Gold Emblem abound™ Unsalted Pistachio & Almond Blend

– Feminine Care: Playtex® Sport® Collection

– Sustainability: Energizer® EcoAdvanced™

– OTC: FLONASE Allergy Relief

– Paper Products: Kleenex® Perfect Fit* Facial Tissues

– Pet Food: Beyond Purées

– Sugar Confections: SweeTARTS Soft & Chewy Ropes

– Liquid Laundry: Tide HE Turbo Clean™ Liquid Detergent

– Laundry Pacs: Tide PODS Plus Febreze

– Vitamins & Supplements: Emergen-Zzzz®

– Beauty Tools: Amopé Pedi Perfect™ Extra Coarse Foot File with Diamond Crystals

– Kitchen & Home: Finish Powerball Max in 1®

– Condiments: FRENCH’s Tomato Ketchup

– Shower & Bath: Lysol Click Gel

– Condoms: Durex RealFeel® Condoms

– Eye Care: CLEAR CARE® PLUS

– Specialty Laundry: Downy Fresh Protect

– Frozen Foods: Ore-Ida Bold & Crispy Steakhouse Fries

– Better For You: Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® Smoothies

– Chocolate: M&M’s® Crispy Chocolate Candies

– Pet Treats: Milk-Bone® Good Morning™ Daily Vitamin Treats

– Hair Styling: göt2b mind blowing fast dry HAIRSPRAY

– Men’s Hygiene: Right Guard Xtreme Heat Shield Deodorant

– Hair Care: Schwarzkopf essence Ultime Omega Repair 11-IN-1 Leave-In

– Lip Care: Softlips® Cube

– Coffee Beverage: Skinny Cow Creamy Iced Coffee

– Ice Cream: Skinny Cow Dipped Ice Cream Bars

– Car Care: Turtle Wax® DASH & GLASS

Ready to win? Product of the Year Awards is partnering with Globetrotting Mommy and one lucky reader will win a gift bag full of this year’s award winning products!

To enter please leave a blog post comment below – Which award winning product is your favorite?

For additional entries please leave separate comments for each:

Like Globetrotting Mommy on Facebook
Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Instagram
Follow Globetrotting Mommy on Twitter
Like Product of the Year on Facebook
Post on Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway.

This giveaway ends at midnight EST on Friday, March 11.

** Congratulations to Amy Orvin!

Thanks to Product of the Year for inviting me to the NYC awards dinner and providing me with these winning products. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Back-to-School Must Haves for …

August 19, 2015 By admin

Depending on where you live, kids go back-to-school sometime between now and early September. I love stocking up on back-to-school supplies and I especially love when my daughter can use these items on our travels.

Here are my favorite Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away…

Back to school, kids, labels, Mabel's Labels, travel, must haves

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – Mabel’s Labels

Personalized Labels – If you didn’t already order these for summer camp, now is the time to stock up. I pretty much label everything my daughter takes to school (and on trips) like food and drink containers, school supplies, shoes, coats, hats, etc. Mabel’s Labels are the only ones that survive my super hot dishwasher so they’re my top pick. The Stylish Scholars Combo in the quatrefoil pattern was my opportunity to update some of our old kiddie styles with a more sophisticated look for first grade.

Back to school, snacks, must haves, Earth's Best, Gogo Squeez, Travel, kids

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – Portable Snacks

Easy to Serve Snacks – For lunch boxes and road trips, easy to serve snacks are a must have. Depending on the ages and taste preferences of your kids, I recommend squeezy fruit pouches like GoGo Squeez, individually wrapped multi-grain snacks from Ella’s Kitchen and dried fruit like Crispy Fruit from Crispy Green for exotic palates and Earth’s Best freeze dried fruit snacks for toddlers. I also keep snack bars, fruit leathers and nuts on hand at home and away.

Colored Pencils, eeBoo, Travel, Kids, Coloring, Activities, Back to School

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – Colored Pencils

Non-Messy School Supplies – I love stocking up on school supplies knowing that the non-messy items will be great to also use on car or plane trips. This year my daughter is really into writing and coloring and I found the most gorgeous colored pencil sets from eeBoo featuring metallic, watercolor and fluorescent pencils. These are so nicely packaged (and affordable) you’ll want to get a set for everyone you know. Just add the Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book for older kids (and adults!) and you’ve got a great gift idea.

Back to school, Activity books, kids, travel, lonely planet, adventures

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – Activity Books

Educational Activity Books – As an after school surprise, I like to leave an activity book out with scissors, markers and glue. When we travel, I like to just bring along activity books that include stickers like the new Lonely Planet Kids series that includes Adventures in Famous Places, Adventures in Noisy Places, Adventures in Smelly Places and other fun titles. These are a great way to teach elementary age school kids about history and geography while holding their interest with funny facts.

back to school, backpacks, must haves, kids, travel, school supplies

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – backpack

Sturdy and Stylish Backpack – Backpacks are a must for school and traveling. Last year my daughter got a Backpack Jr. from Garnet Hill Kids and this year she has a more fashion forward Kayla backpack from Matilda Jane Clothing. I’ve previously written about the coolest backpacks for back to school if you need more inspiration. Be sure kids can open and close buckles and zippers on their own before school starts.

back to school, tablets, leap pad, fire hd6 kids edition, kids, travel, accessories

Back-to-School Must Haves for Home and Away – tablets

Kid Friendly Tablets – Older kids bring their tablets to school but kids of all ages use them when traveling. My daughter loves the LeapPad3 when we travel by car and I love that she can use it without needing help so I can focus on driving. For plane rides and long trips, I’ll bring out our latest addition, the Amazon Fire HD 6 kids edition which comes in its own kid-proof case and is great for watching movies and shows, taking photos and videos and playing apps.

What are your favorite back-to-school must haves?

I received some of these items for review but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Five Beach Must Haves for …

July 16, 2015 By admin

Beach trips with kids are way different from beach trips without kids. Your days of relaxing in the sand with a good book may be over (for now) but here are Five Beach Must Haves for Families that will help you keep your sanity or at least help keep the sand out of your sandwich…