Forget about those boring plastic coolers you’ve toted around for the past decade. It’s time to upgrade your our-of-the-house cold food storage game. The new line from Igloo Coolers and Disney includes themed cooler backpacks and cooler tote bags.
The Igloo Coolers x Disney collab is back—and this time it features a sweet set of Mickey and Minnie inspired products. The soft cooler bags come in four new styles, each with awesomely adorable designs of your favorite mice.
The collection includes
Minnie Mouse Dual Compartment Tote Cooler Bag ($29.99)
Minnie Mouse 24-Can Backpack ($39.99)
Mickey Mouse Dual Compartment Tote Cooler Bag ($29.99)
Mickey Mouse 24-Can Backpack ($39.99)
the Mickey and Minnie Playmate Pal Seven Quart Cooler ($39.99)
Mickey Mouse Playmate Pal Special Edition Mickey Ears Seven Quart Cooler ($39.99)
Minnie Mouse Playmate Pal Special Edition Minnie Ears Seven Quart Cooler ($39.99)
Mickey and Minnie Pop Fruit Playmate Pal Seven Quart Cooler ($39.99)
Mickey and Minnie Sweet Treats Playmate Pal Seven Quart Cooler ($39.99).
The new line of Disney coolers and soft totes follows the Igloo Disney Villains collection and other Disney-themed designs, such as Toy Story and Lilo and Stitch.
Are you already in summer planning mode? Sam’s Club recently announced a line-up of fab floats—and the warehouse club is going big this year with a six-person 20-foot pink limo!
Forget about teeny tiny one-person floaties. Sam’s Member’s Mark Retro Pink Limo Island ($199.98) is over-sized awesomeness. This heavy-gauge PVC float has room for you, your family and maybe even a friend or two.
Not only is the Pink Limo a cool way to lounge on a hot summer day, it comes with plenty of amenities. The float has an inflated rear swim platform with four handles, six cup holders, and a built-in cooler.
As if an over-sized inflatable pink limo wasn’t enough, Sam’s Club also has other giant floats for the whole family. Check out the Member’s Mark Island Airplane ($169.98) or the Member’s Mark Island Zebra ($169.98)—both fit six people.
If you’re looking for something smaller, Sam’s Club has you covered in completely creative ways. The Member’s Mark 56″ Animal Tube Pool Float ($14.98) is available in unicorn, shark, crab or toucan themes! These single-rider floats are perfect for a day of poolside fun!
I was four months postpartum. I was struggling with nursing my son, but we had a wedding we had already committed to going to. I was so nervous because I was worried I’d lose my breastmilk supply for not nursing for so long. I spent the entire day packing myself a little bag full of my supplies. My breast pump, bottles, an icepack inside an insulated cooler for my milk, my nipple cream, etc…I was packed and ready.
I needed to run to the bathroom real quick and figured “Hey, why not rely on my sweet reliable awesome husband to put my bags in the car?” You know, I trusted him so much I didn’t even think to check all the bags made it into the trunk.
About 25 minutes into our drive, I told my husband I’d probably have to pump upon arriving and once again before the reception starts. His response, “Well, did you bring your pump?” I looked at him and said, “Well duh, you packed the bags in the car, right?” Nope. He only grabbed one bag. My purse. Which, thanks hunny, I did need that. But I really needed the pump more.
At this point, the panic started to set in. This was our first long outing without my son. It was about 50 miles away from home. And already late at night. Once I calmed down, I figured I could just run to a local Target or Walmart and pick up a little cheap hand pump. Well get this, we get to Target, run in, and they were sold out of hand pumps. The next best thing was a $100 electric pump.
At this rate, I was thinking I could just grab some bottles, a little cooler and manually express myself. We were now running about 15 minutes late to this wedding we had already driven so far to get to and decided that would be the plan. During the first “manual” pump, I sat in the car all by myself with my husband’s shirts hanging on the windows for some privacy. I was trying so hard to express anything but just kept getting a drop, drop, drop. I never even had a letdown, yet my breasts felt so full and engorged by this rate.
I sat in the car and shed a few tears, I mean come on, can ya blame a girl with breasts full of milk who is pumpless and it’s the first long outing away from her baby? Talk about the worst-case scenario. I tried going back inside and running some paper towels under warm water to try and warm compress, but that didn’t work either.
Looking back I think I was so stressed it definitely played into my ability to have a letdown. Also looking back, I will never let my husband pack my pump again, well I probably will, but that trust is hard to regain. I mean, lesson truly learned. By the time we got home that night (and yes, we ended up leaving early), I was able to nurse my son and relieve all the pain and pressure from the milk.
So new mama, my tip to you? Take a moment to double-check that you’ve packed your breast pump and that it’s also in the car.
Karissa is a mom to two young boys and a blogger of Mom After Baby. Karissa believes ALL moms are capable of life beyond motherhood and is passionate about providing informative & educational content to new, expecting, and postpartum moms.
While football season may look different this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t tote along a new cooler packed with your favorite refreshments. Thankfully, Igloo just launched a set of special edition coolers perfect for the season: spooky villains.
The seven quart, nine-can cooler comes in four designs that feature Cruella, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Ursula. The classic tent-top design retails for $39.99.
So here’s the bad news: currently Maleficent and Ursula are sold out and the only place to buy is through Igloo. In the meantime, you can shop plenty of other awesome designs like Jack Skellington, Olaf and Mickey & Minnie Mouse.
You can find the Igloo villain collection and the rest of the company’s Disney designs at igloocoolers.com.
Looking for something fun and out of the ordinary? The Venice Canals are a perfect outing for families of all ages. Moms love tucking their little bundles into the stroller for a scenic walk while older kids dart around looking for ducks and race across the many arched bridges.
Tucked just a few blocks from the famous Muscle Beach and Venice Pier, this network of man-made canals were built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as a homage to Venice, Italy. Back in the day gondolas took tourists on a tour while today small boats and canoes belonging to homeowners are moored along the route. Four canals stretch east-west, Carroll, Linnie, Howland, and Sherman while the Eastern and Grand Canals run north-south. This quaint neighborhood feels like a hidden pocket of Los Angeles, and the quiet atmosphere and fresh, ocean air does wonders!
When to Go: Year around, which is why we love this easy trip. During the winter months, the temperatures may be chilly and foggy (with cooler temperatures stretching into the spring) while the summer months provide cooling ocean breezes.
How to Get There: Aim for the intersection Dell and South Venice Blvd. Heading West on Venice Blvd., this will land you smack in the middle of the canals.
Parking: Parking is plentiful if you make the trip on a weekday. Look for spots at the top of the canals. Street cleaning is Tues. from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., so parking can be difficult. Weekends are always busy so hedge your bets and get there early.
Good to Know: Beachside is always cooler than expected, so always have a light jacket or cover up on hand. Yes, even in the summer!
What to Do: The walkways and bridges make a fun runway for kids of all ages to explore. Armadas of ducks float along the canals, the occasional pelican swoops in for a bite of fish, plus there are plenty of butterflies, squirrels, and housecats that make for a fun game of I Spy. Note that while most of the sidewalks along the canals are shielded by bushes, there are open spaces for the kids to get close to the water, so you’ll want to keep a hand on little ones. Signs are posted requesting visitors to not feed the ducks, but you might want to pack a few morsels of bread, just in case (wink wink).
Lunch Spots: Abbott Kinney is a short 5-10 minute walk from the canals and is brimming with places to shop and eat. Lemonade (1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice) is the closest destination and situated on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice. The chic buffet serves up light salads, specialty sandwiches, and the kid-perfect macaroni and cheese—not to mention refreshing blueberry lemonade. A surefire food fix is Abbott’s Pizza Company (1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice) where you can grab a slice or order up a pie.
Cost of Trip: Free, unless food or other souvenirs are desired.
Bonus: For some retail therapy for the children, hit up Burro Goods on Abbot Kinney (1409 Abbot Kinney, Venice). The boutique has lovely gifts, adorable clothes, and unique books and games.
Whether you’re visiting family, going to the beach, or celebrating a holiday, traveling while breastfeeding has its own set of unique circumstances and potentials challenges. However, with a little planning and preparation, breastfeeding won’t put a roadblock in your travel plans.
When you are putting together your travel plans, think about how you will facilitate breastfeeding or pumping. If you’re flying, you can call ahead to the airport and airline to find out what breastfeeding/pumping accommodations are available to you in the airport and on the plane. Depending on the length of your flight you can also try timing your feeding and pumping session around your travel times so that you can limit the number of times you have to feed or pump while traveling. Since most breastfeeding infants can travel in their parent’s laps, this can help facilitate breastfeeding while inflight, and breastfeeding during takeoff and landing can help soothe baby and help them equalize the pressure in their ears. Pumping on a plane can be a bit tricky, but I’ve definitely known plenty of moms who’ve accomplished the task. Many planes now have electric plugs available, however, be sure to bring a battery back up for your pump just in case. You can also speak to the cabin crew once you’ve boarded and let them know that you’ll need to pump during the flight. Often, they are more than willing to do what they can to accommodate your needs. Whether your breastfeeding or pumping on a plane, remember that you’ll be in tight quarters. You may want to plan an outfit with multiple layers or bring a breastfeeding cover to help you feel more comfortable.
If your plans include a road trip, be sure to map it out prior to leaving. Take into account the baby’s usual feeding times and/or your usual pumping times so that you can find suitable places to stop along the way. Breastfeeding in the car can be a little tricky considering both you and baby need to stay buckled up for safety. Finding rest stops or other stopping places along the way is usually the best option. If you are pumping, and you plan on bottle feeding during your car trip, most breast pumps can either be run on batteries or you can get a car adapter to power the pump. Just make sure to bring an extra pumping set or two so that you have plenty of clean parts, especially important if you need to pump multiple times during the trip. Be prepared for your trip to take a little longer. With the potential stops needed for breastfeeding and diaper changes, you’ll want to add an hour or two to the length of your travel time. Setting this expectation early will help avoid disappointment and frustration later.
Safe storage of your breastmilk while traveling can easily be achieved using a cooler and ice. Try to avoid placing your breastmilk storage bags directly on the ice. You can either place them in a larger zipper bag or in a plastic food storage container and pack ice around it. Make sure to have plenty of ice in the cooler and add to it frequently. It’s best if the cooler doesn’t contain other items for your trip. Opening it less frequently will help maintain a colder temperature for your breastmilk. If you’re going to be taking expressed breastmilk with you on a flight, you are allowed to bring as much as you need to. However, the TSA does have specific guidelines about screening for breastmilk. So, be sure to visit their site and check out the latest information before traveling.
Packing your bags is always a huge part of any travel adventure. When your packing for a trip as a breastfeeding mom, there are a few things you should also keep in mind. In addition to your luggage for your family, pack a small breastfeeding bag that you can carry with you—allowing you easy access at any time. This bag should include a change of clothes for both you and baby, your pump with extra pump parts, nursing pads, milk storage bags, a nursing cover, and any other items you frequently use during breastfeeding or pumping. This is one time that you won’t be sorry that you overpacked, because it’s always better to be prepared.
No matter the destination of your travels, be sure to plan ahead for your breastfeeding needs, and to be patient with yourself. Things most likely won’t go exactly as planned. However, at the end of the day, you are on an adventure with the newest addition to your family and that’s worth the extra planning.
Molly currently serves as a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) with Lansinoh, a global leader in the breastfeeding market. Molly attended the University of Nebraska – Omaha and has her lactation certification from the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice.
If you’re spending time in the car this summer, arm yourself with water, snacks and some very good advice. Read on for our top 10 tips on keeping babies and toddlers safe in the car on warm summer days.
photo: iStock
1. Get your car seat inspected.
More than half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And since people tend to spend more time in the car during the summer, it’s a good time to find the nearest car seat inspection station, usually at a local police or fire department. The experts there will inspect your car seat and show you how to install it properly, usually at no charge.
2. Cool the car down quickly.
A hot car is uncomfortable for everybody, especially kids. If you’re getting into a scorching car, crank up the air conditioning and open the windows first to push out that hot air. After a few minutes, when the car is cooler, get in and roll up the car windows and let the AC keep working its magic. Also, when placing your child in the car seat, watch those metal buckles, which can get blazing hot on warm days. When your car is parked outside, keep the metal parts out of direct sunlight, tucking them into the car seat straps or placing a towel or light blanket on top of the metal when your child is out of the car seat.
3. Inspect your tires.
How are tires like babies? They’re both prone to blowouts, and tires are more likely to have them during the summer months. Blame the combination of hot weather, longer drives and cars packed full of road-trip gear. Regularly check your tire pressure and the condition of your tires to stay safe.
4. Pack extra liquids.
On hot days, kids need lots of liquids to stay hydrated. Keep bottles of breast milk or formula in coolers with ice packs. And if your baby is drinking water, always pack more than you think you’ll need. Breastfeeding moms need lots of water too!
5. Keep cars locked with car keys out of kids’ reach.
Babies love playing in cars and fiddling with car keys, especially hitting the lock button to hear the beep it makes. To avoid having them lock themselves inside the car when you’re outside of it, or climbing into the car when you’re not there to supervise, always keep cars locked, even in the garage, and store keys out of reach from tiny hands. This is important year-round but especially so on hot days when temperatures inside the car can get dangerously high.
6. Don’t cover the car seat with a blanket.
A blanket may help your child fall asleep in the car seat, but even a thin muslin covering can make the temperature under that blanket way too hot. You also want to be able to see your child while you’re driving, which brings us to our next tip….
7. Install a backseat mirror.
Set up a mirror that allows you to see your child’s face from the driver’s seat when they’re in a rear-facing car seat. That allows you to keep an eye on them to make sure they’re comfortable and not overheating.
8. Adjust your car seat straps.
If you dressed your baby in bulky clothing on cooler days, the car seat straps may be too loose once your child is in light summer outfits. Straps should be tight enough that you can only fit one finger underneath them, and the buckle should sit across the armpit. Adjust the straps each time you place your child in the seat to make sure they fit comfortably.
9. Never leave your child alone in the car. For real.
Even if you only have a quick errand, even if your baby has finally fallen asleep, even if you crack the window open for air flow, you should never leave your child unattended in a car. A child’s body temperature heats up more quickly than an adult’s, and even a few minutes alone in a hot car can be life-threatening.
10. Check the back seat.
Forgetting a child in a car seat is many parents’ worst fear. To avoid it, leave your shoes, wallet or smartphone in the back seat so you have to go back there to retrieve them before you leave the car. Or, let technology help. The CoPilot Carseat Alert System uses a sensor that clips on to your car seat and a key fob to alert you if you walk away from the car without unbuckling your child first. The eClip ($49.95) from Elepho is a small device that attaches to your car seat and syncs up to an app that reminds you to get your child if you move more than 15 feet away from the car. And if you use the Waze app for driving directions, turn on the Child Reminder feature, which instructs you to check for your child as the last step in the directions.
Earthlings of Los Angeles, did you know that you could be transported to another planet just 20 minutes outside of town? Epic, glacier-like rocks jut jaggedly from earth to the sky at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. If they weren’t real, you’d think it was an elaborate movie set, but sometimes the truth is cooler than fiction. So pack up your sunscreen and hiking shoes, and go explore this final frontier in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Since we live in LA, we question the reality of everything, right? In fact, Vasquez Rocks has been the location for tons of movies like The Flinstones, Austin Powers, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (yes way!), and it was used as Spock’s home planet in Star Trek. But these are natural formations, and we’ve got the science and history to prove it.
About the Rocks
Here’s a (super) quick history and geology lesson to make the experience educational as well as fun. It’s as cool as a movie plot. Twenty-five million years ago—extra points for saying million with a Dr. Evil accent—two tectonic plates collided (the North American and Pacific to be exact). The earthquake caused the rocky earth to uplift, and over time erosion created these incredible rock formations.
Fast forward to 1872 and meet Vasquez Rocks’ namesake, a “charming” criminal named Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was wanted for a saloon-brawl-turned-murder, and on the run, he made a living robbing wagons and stealing horses. He did time in San Quentin Prison, escaped San Quentin, and became one of the most notorious bandits in California’s history, dubbed “The Scourge of California.” His main hideout was, you guessed it, in the caves of Vasquez Rocks. It’s rumored he hid a 500 pound brick of silver in one of the rock’s crevices. So tell the kids you’re on a treasure hunt!
When you first get there, the Interpretive Center is a must-see. You can catch a kid-friendly movie on how the rocks were formed, cool off, see some local animals, use the restroom (only port-a-potties outside otherwise), and fill up your water bottles from the only drinking fountain on the premises. Make sure you stop here first to grab guidebooks that will explain trail markers.
Now head outside, where it’s all about being an explorer. There are low sloping rocks for little kids to crawl and gigantic, steep ones for those who are older and more adventurous. Geology trails are bountiful but many just walk around without taking a formal path. Picnic benches are scattered throughout the sandy-dirt and brush park. If you veer right off the main road, there’s a “secret” hideout cave. There’s no official trail to it, but you can see it from the top of the main rocks and navigate your way there, like an outlaw.
Packing List
Consider this your “don’t leave home without it” list, in order to fully enjoy the park.
SPF & Hats: There is very little shade and it can get 20-30 degrees warmer here in the summer months than in the city. For those up early, consider going at sunrise when it’s the most peaceful and the sun gives the rocks an ethereal glow. (You may run into Charlize Theron who has been known to enjoy the park with her son at this time of day.)
Sturdy Hiking or Tennis Shoes: Absolutely do not wear flip-flops or sandals here.
Water: Bring twice as much as you think you’ll need. Bring a cooler for the car filled with fresh cold water on the drive home.
Pants: The brush can be scratchy and if your kid (or you!) take any kind of stumble, it’s skin vs. rock, and rock always wins.
Camera: There are so many scenic spots here you will want to capture.
First Aid Kit: There could be some slipping in the loose sandy dirt. Make like a scout and be prepared with some ointment and band-aids just in case.
An Old Towel or Change of Shoes: After your adventure, it’s helpful to have an old towel to dust off or a change of shoes to make the drive home more comfortable.
photo credit: Shannon Guyton
Nearby in Agua Dulce
You’ve done the drive, you’re sweaty and hungry, so why not hop over to nearby Agua Dulce, a charming small town just a few minutes drive from the rocks?
If you just want to get something “quick” on the way home, there’s always the In-N-Out Burger off the 14 freeway at Sand Canyon. And you’ll wish you could beam up a burger because the lines are just as long here as elsewhere in the city.
Cost: Free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Parking’s free as well (a dirt lot amid the rocks you’ll be climbing) until 7 p.m. Warning: this is not an “ish” closing time—your car will be locked in as of 7:01 p.m. Hours: Spring/Summer: Wed.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Close Mon. & Tues.
New mom Shay Mitchell has just launched a the new the BÉIS baby collection featuring stylish, but affordable baby gear.
The new baby collection is an extension of her existing BÉIS luggage and accessories company. Adding baby gear into the mix makes perfect sense since Mitchell recently welcomed her first baby, Atlas.
The new collection includes a diaper bag, bottle cooler and stroller caddy, all mom and dad tested. The diaper bag is available in both Beige and Black, with gold and silver chain detailing. The bags include a changing pad, odor-resistant bag wristlet, stroller straps, pacifier holder and teething toy. It’s priced at $168.
The bottle cooler is available in black and comes with an ice pack. It sells for $28.
The stroller caddy comes in black and features two bottle holders. It’s priced at $34.
The new collection is now available for purchase on BEIStravel.com.com and will available at Nordstrom stores and online, as well as Revolve.com starting Feb. 5.
When you’ve got a craving for fries, there’s no cooler way than to scarf them down out of a bucket shaped like the Millennium Falcon.
Disneyland’s Millennium Falcon french fry bucket is packed with delicious golden fries and so much incredible detail you’ll want to take it home to play!
The force is definitely with this must-have bucket that features a removable Star Wars strap and working lights.
You can find the bucket at the Galactic Grill inside Tomorrowland. The $25 price is a little steep, but considering the size, how many fries it holds and that it’s made for sharing, even Han Solo and Chewy couldn’t say not to this limited-edition “bucket.”
