Hot days and long pool stays are around the corner! When it comes to embracing the sweet sounds and tastes of summer, no one does it better than Trader Joe’s. The next time you head out to your favorite neighborhood market, make sure you pick up some of these seasonal Trader Joe’s summer items to make your sunny days all the tastier. You’ll find refreshing guava beverages, perfect picnic snacks, peony-scented candles, and the perfect snacks for your next party.
S’mores Clusters
It’s not summer until the S’mores Clusters are on the shelves. They are the perfect balance of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers in an easy-to-eat bite.
Organic Freezer Pops
This new item will be an easy treat to have on hand for summer. You’ll get 10 organic pops in orange, berry, and cherry limeade flavors that will beat out the freezer pops of your childhood in two seconds.
Ube Mochi Pancake + Waffle Mix
Who doesn’t love a touch of purple with their breakfast? This quick mix has a cult following so snag it when you see it.
Dill Pickle Mustard
There’s never too much of a good thing in our opinion and this dill pickle mustard definitely falls into this category.
Mango Mochi
This lightly flavored frozen treat is the perfect bite when those dessert cravings hit.
Passionfruit Granola
Anything passionfruit-related gets an automatic, “YES!” and this new granola is no exception, especially since it includes dried raspberries.
Strawberries & Creme Pancake and Waffle Mix
If you want a little variety from the ube mix, this pink-forward option is perfect for summer.
Hydrating Face Mask
The drying air of summer means you’ll want to snag a few of these hydrating face masks to keep on hand.
Peaches + Cream Cream Cheese
We can definitely see that this new cream cheese will be a delightful option when all the fruit is in season.
Enchanted Jangle
Like the holiday favorite Jingle Jangle, this version is guaranteed to be your kids’ favorite. In this mix, you’ll find lemon-yogurt-coated animal cookies; chocolate-coated pretzel nuggets; strawberry-yogurt-coated marshmallows; sweet, pink-and-orange-swirled confectionery chips; and savory, salted waffle pretzels.
Sparkling Guava Juice
You are likely familiar with the summer favorite sparkling watermelon juice but we definitely think this guava version should be added to your rotation. It has the perfect sweetness that goes well with pool days and park picnics.
Cold Brew Iced Tea
Skip the traditional cold brew coffee and go for this black tea and lemon version for a lighter summer sipper.
Discover new favorites with these Black-owned online businesses that sell must-have items for pregnant women, new moms, babies, and toddlers. From pregnancy necessities and breastfeeding support to baby clothes, books, and toys, these companies were built with quality and representation in mind. If you’re heading to a baby shower soon, this list has lots of great options for both mom and baby.
Lucy Lue Organics
Made with premium organic cotton, these stylish, solid-colored baby essentials are made to last from season to season, and to be handed down. Check out the timeless bodysuits, bloomers, rompers, pants, tops, hats and more.
Sun & Lace
Each of these adorable moccs, boots, oxfords, mary janes, and bella janes (their signature style) are handcrafted by owner Briana in her Wisconsin studio. These are heirloom-quality shoes in neutral colors with sweet and stylish details.
Kammy Kids
This is the place to find graphic bodysuits and t-shirts with sayings you’ll love: “little love,” “best friend,” “new to the crew,” “big bro” and our favorite, “milk’n it.” These will take your Insta photos to a whole new level.
Junobie
These breast milk bags just changed the pumping game. They’re made from 100% food-grade silicone, they’re reusable, and they’re safe for the dishwasher, microwave, freezer or oven. With milk bags, boxes, jars and cups, they have everything you need to store your liquid gold.
What Little Wonder
Dress up your nursery with these modern and bohemian knit blankets, perfect for tummy time, cuddles, naps, and reading. Also great for staying warm during stroller walks.
Yinibini Baby
We especially love the cute designs that are hand-screen-printed on organic cotton onesies. In addition to baby clothes, Soyini George’s shop also sells bibs, books, toys, teethers and more.
Happy Mango
Get baby gear, nursery necessities, toys, clothes, and everything you need for bathing and feeding. The Black-owned business sells top brands and offers a baby registry you can fill with items on your wishlist.
Tippy Tot Shoes
A great spot to buy luxury shoes for your favorite babies, from crib shoes to walking shoes. Search the stylish selection of classic, vintage, and retro styles for timeless kicks you’ll love.
Coco’Pie Clothing
Celebrate black girl beauty with these cute clothes, pillows, and accessories for babies and young girls. The website also sells natural hair care to keep those gorgeous locks healthy and nourished.
KaAn’s Designs
The Greens family owns this parenting lifestyle brand of tees and accessories for kids and the whole family. Check it out for cool sayings, holiday collections, and matching outfits for siblings, mommy & me, daddy & me, and more.
Kido
Shop by age for clothing, books, toys, activities and more at this family-owned shop based in Chicago. Run by married creatives Doug and Keewa, he designs prints for shirts while she drives the vision and curates the shop.
Miles and Milan
Minimalist yet fashion-thoughtful is the aesthetic of Shennel Fuller’s shop of clothing basics and fashion pieces. The casual joggers, hoodies, tees, and sweatshirts come in solids and simple designs. One cute bodysuit made Oprah’s Favorite Things list.
The Rooted Baby Co.
“Rooted in love. Rooted in culture” is the mantra behind this online shop celebrating the founders’ Ghanaian background. The baby items are designed with authentic African print fabric or are inspired by the Ghanaian people. Find bows, swaddles, gift boxes and more.
Ade + Ayo
Enjoy the beauty of African design with these baby and toddler clothes, accessories and toys. Founder Temidayo Adedokun designs and curates the collection of beautiful and practical items.
Minibrook
We love these stylish clothing essentials for kids. The mix-and-match solids and stripes are the epitome of casual cool and built for playtime.
Brave + Kind Bookshop
Shop for inclusive board books, picture books, chapter books and cool toys and accessories. The book bundles takes the guesswork out of shopping for gifts.
Tinkypoo
The colorful designs on these diapers feature super cute babies who are Black, Brown, Asian American and Pacific Islanders. In addition to being adorable, they’re absorbent and made with plant-based ingredients. Available in newborn to size 4.
Stina & Mae
Founded by new mom Mishell Ekunsirinde when she couldn’t find a changing mat she liked, Stina & Mae sells organic, high-quality products for modern mamas and babies, including mats, snuggle blankets, nursing pads, bibs, burp cloths and cotton wipes. Buy items individually or choose a beautiful gift box curated with eco-friendly baby essentials.
Cozy n Cute Kids Boutique
The kids’ clothes at the Cozy N Cute Kids Boutique are cute, comfortable, and always on trend. You’ll find cool sayings, sweet ruffles and fun prints you and your child will love. This online kids clothing store was founded by Priscilla Wesson, a Black mom with two daughters from Long Island, NY. She launched her online shop in June 2020 and focuses on practical everyday styles for young kids, with affordable prices, great deals and top-notch customer service.
Milky Mama
Milky Mama was created by Krystal Nicole Duhaney, a registered nurse, board-certified lactation consultant and breastfeeding mother of two. She began her business making lactation cookies and has branched out into brownies, iced tea, lemonade, smoothie mix and herbal supplements, all to help women maintain their milk supply. The website also offers breastfeeding support from a team of lactation consultants, doula services and a Moms at Work Program to assist corporations in supporting breastfeeding employees in the workplace.
Pretty Please Teethers
When mom Kelli had trouble finding safe, stylish, natural handmade items for her babies, she decided to make and sell her own. Her teethers, pacifiers, pacifier clips, rattles, bibs and snack cups are functional and beautiful with minimalist flair, in soft and stylish colors. All of the products are handmade and designed in Utah and made from food-grade silicone and natural beechwood.
Mila Christina The beautiful and durable cashmere (yes, cashmere!) baby bodysuits from Mila Christina help regulate body temperature and are soft on baby’s sensitive skin. These gorgeous turtleneck bodysuits come in soft, classic colors and have buttons at the bottom and up the turtleneck for easy on and off. Founder and creative director Ollia Njibaloh created the bodysuits to keep her own daughter warm and comfortable.
Healthy Roots Dolls
Show your love for curly girls with a Zoe doll from Healthy Roots Dolls. The company’s first doll, Zoe is 18 inches tall with a soft cloth body torso and vinyl limbs. Best of all, her gorgeous dark, curly hair is washable and styleable! Leave her hair down or put it in braids, puffs and other beautiful styles. Founder Yelitsa Jean-Charles was inspired to create more diverse toys while studying illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. With a grant from Brown University and support from Kickstarter backers and other groups, she made her dream come true, and now creates dolls like Zoe that make lots of little girls’ dreams come true.
The Stork Bag
We love this pregnancy gift created by Ericka N. Perry for bringing a smile to mamas: Pregnant women receive a cute, reusable bag full of useful products handpicked by moms, geared toward the trimester, postpartum, or to moms expecting a rainbow baby after a pregnancy loss. The company also sells pregnancy journals, baby products, body products, and more.
King + Lola Kids
Jasmine Walker started her kids fashion business while pregnant with her second child and completing her MBA degree. King + Lola sells children’s clothing and accessories, including eco-friendly and upcycled items. The products are all made in the USA with fabrics from around the world. The company gives back to charities and nonprofit organizations.
Little Muffincakes Baby Boutique
From blankets and bibs to burp cloths and bodysuits, the products from Little Muffincakes Baby Boutique are adorned with sweet images of Black kids at play. Through relatable imagery and high-quality products, they aim to promote self-acceptance and self-esteem.
HarperIman
The mother-daughter duo behind HarperIman dolls are committed to designing dolls of color that reinforce to children of color how important, smart, talented, creative and beautiful they are. Choose from keepsake dolls, baby dolls, tea party dolls, more to love dolls, or order a custom doll, when available.
So you rummage through the fridge or pantry, looking for something that’s easy to prep and quick for your kid to scarf down. Whether they’re genuinely hungry or just stalling, kids will often ask for a small snack before they head off to bed, and there’s nothing wrong with giving them one. But according to experts, some options are better than others. Here are some bedtime snacks to avoid.
Drinkable snacks
Packed with vitamins and nutrients, a glass of milk or a bottle of drinkable yogurt are healthy snacks and, as a bonus, they also provide some hydration for those stubborn kids who resist drinking water. But chugging milk or yogurt drinks before bed isn’t ideal for littles who are still perfecting nighttime potty training. “If they are out of diapers and may still wet the bed occasionally—if the urge to pee doesn’t wake them up yet—then it’s wise to avoid a large drink before bedtime,” says registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom.
Snacks that contain caffeine
As most parents know from our essential morning cup of coffee, caffeine is a stimulant, which means it makes you feel more awake. So it makes sense that too much caffeine can lead to insomnia (trouble falling asleep) for kids and adults alike, says Rosenbloom. That’s one reason why pediatricians advise against any caffeine for kids under the age of 12. So, off the table for kids’ bedtime snacks (or even daytime snacks) are cola, iced tea, and energy drinks (like Red Bull or Prime Energy).
But what about foods that contain caffeine? Chocolate is the main culprit here, thanks to the caffeine which occurs naturally in cocoa beans. But it has much less than caffeinated drinks like coffee or brewed iced tea. For example, one cup of coffee has 135 mg of caffeine, iced tea has 30-50 mg, and a can of cola has 40 mg. On the other hand, an ounce of milk chocolate has 7 mg. “It may be a surprise that chocolate contains caffeine, but the amounts are relatively low compared with coffee and energy drinks,” Rosenbloom explains. Here’s a bit of a shocker from the dietitian: “A bit of chocolate [before bed] is fine for kids.” But just a bit!
Cake and candy (but not for the reasons you might think!)
Think back to the last kids’ birthday party you attended and you’ll probably remember the excitable, sometimes uncontrollable behavior that seems to explode right after the kids eat sugary foods like cake or candy. But here’s a bit of a surprise: Researchers who study the link between sugar and hyperactivity haven’t found a strong connection. Believe it or not, most experts believe that the idea that sugar makes kids super-active is largely a myth! Rosenbloom says when kids seem to perk up when eating sugary foods, it’s more likely due to the exciting environment, the caffeine in sugary soda, or certain food colorings.
And here’s some more myth-busting for you: sugar doesn’t affect sleep quality. “There are no studies to support the idea that sugar is linked to poor sleep or bad dreams in children,” says Rosenbloom.
But that doesn’t mean candy is a solid bedtime snack. It isn’t filling, and it can get stuck in kids’ teeth (especially gummy candy) and resist brushing. “Plus, too many sugary foods and beverages may also displace more nutritious foods in the diet, so kids get fewer essential nutrients,” says Rosenbloom.
Best bedtime snacks for kids
The ideal bedtime snack for kids is “smaller portions of nourishing mealtime foods,” says Rosenbloom. (Bonus points if that dinner they rejected two hours ago is still sitting on the table ready to turn into a snack!) Examples of great mini-meal options include:
Fruit and nut butter
Noodles or crackers with cheese
Yogurt
Cereal with milk (skip this one if you’re potty training!)
Vegetable sticks with bean dip
Toast with chopped egg
Rice and beans
When it comes to bedtime snacks that are kind to teeth, the Canadian Dental Association recommends options such as plain milk or buttermilk (again, not for while you’re nighttime potty training), as well as fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Plain yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese are also excellent choices, along with hard-boiled or deviled eggs, nuts, or sunflower and pumpkin seeds. It should go without saying that no matter what kids eat before bed, their teeth should be thoroughly brushed afterward.
Balmy waters, interesting cultures, days in the sun, exciting music, and plenty of history await families who cruise to the Caribbean
Whether you are a die-hard cruiser or considering one for the first time, we’re here to say that a Princess Cruise to the Caribbean should definitely be on your family’s must-do list. Princess Cruises has found the right balance of activities for kids, engaging excursions, delicious food, and comfortable cabins. Their Caribbean cruise will take you to interesting countries like Honduras and Belize where you can experience the local culture. Here’s the full scoop on what you can expect when you sail with Princess Cruises.
Marcea Cazel
Cabins on Sky Princess
There are a variety of cabin choices available for passengers on Princess Cruises. But while an Interior cabin may seem the best, inexpensive option, we recommend families with three or more people consider at least a Balcony cabin. The extra space and storage will help families feel more relaxed while getting ready and provide additional seating. The third and fourth beds in a Balcony cabin are in the ceiling. Your room steward will take them down every night and put them back up every morning. These beds work great for children who are a little older. You’ll also have a front-row seat whenever the ship enters and leaves port.
For those able to splurge, a mini-suite or suite provides even more space with a separate sitting area, a sofa bed (which works well with younger children), additional berth beds in the ceiling, and a balcony. Suites also come with a complimentary mini-bar for parents, priority reservations for excursions, priority boarding and disembarkment, two televisions, a bathroom with a tub, and complimentary laundry services, which comes in handy for families on longer cruises.
Tip: Unpack your suitcases and stay awhile! Princess ships, especially newer ones, have plenty of storage and closet space. This includes the bathroom, where there are built-in shelves with railings. And no need to bring soap, shampoo, or lotion—all are provided in the rooms.
Staying Connected with Princess MedallionClass®
Princess Cruises
Keeping connected with family members onboard Princess Cruises is easy with Princess MedallionClass. A small, wearable device, the Medallion allows passengers to have a touch-free boarding experience, unlock their cabin door hands-free, and order food or drinks to wherever they are on the ship (there is the ability to restrict ordering privileges for children), and message each other through the phone app. The best feature for parents is that the Medallion lets you find cabinmates anywhere on the ship. So while parents are relaxing by the pool, they can see exactly where the kids are when they grab an ice cream or head to watch the acrobats in the piazza.
Tip: While you might be tempted to have kids leave their phones at home, bringing them onboard means that children can also see where their parents are. Remember to have everyone turn off their cell service when they board, switch to airplane mode, and click the ship’s Wi-Fi to avoid extra charges.
Princess Cruises don’t have the water slides you see on other ships. But there is still plenty for children to do both day and night to get a little time away from their parents. Ages 3 to 17 have youth programs broken up by age, and participation is included in the price of the cruise. On the Sky Princess, the breakdown was:
The Treehouse – ages 3 to 7
The Lodge – ages 8 to 12
The Beach House – ages 13 to 17
With separate rooms to gather in, the kids’ programs are open all day while at sea (with breaks for lunch and dinner) and for select hours while at port. When parents want a little alone time at night, evening babysitting is offered in the youth areas until 1 am for children 3 to 12 for an additional charge. For the teenagers, The Beach House is open for them to watch movies, make mocktails, or hang out until 1 am with no extra charge.
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In addition to hanging out at the clubs, the youth programs also host fun family fairs and dance parties around the ship for the entire family.
Don’t be surprised if your child wants to spend every minute at Camp Discovery. Our 14-year-old tends to be shy but was in the teen club every day and night and made friends from different parts of the United States and several different countries. The programming was varied and kept her entertained enough as a teen that we never heard the dreaded “bored” word.
Tip: All children must be registered to attend the onboard kids’ clubs. Go to your account on the Princess website to register your child before you leave for your vacation. But if you forget, don’t worry. There’s an open house on the afternoon of embarkment so the family can meet the counselors. Registration is also available at that time.
Princess Cruises Shore Excursions
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A great thing about taking a cruise is visiting different locations. Every ship has a list of excursions you can take to explore the local areas at each port. While you can stay on the ship when it docks, it’s more fun and helps pass the time to get off and get a lay of the land. Excursions allow families to do that with a guide they can trust.
We took excursions in Cozumel, Roatán, and Belize City for this trip. When booking excursions, be sure to check carefully because some of them have age and endurance limits. Our goal as a family was to have some educational element in each of the visits, and they didn’t disappoint:
In Cozumel, Mexico, we took a small group visit to a reef restoration program. After a quick boat ride from the dock, we went into a classroom where we learned how the reefs of Mexico were deteriorating and how restoring them helps bring back aquatic wildlife to help the ecosystem. Afterward, we walked the rocky beach area, where we learned about mangroves and how they protect the shores during storms. Our guide helped us plant some mangrove seeds, and then it was off to snorkel to see some of the reefs the program has worked on. With this excursion, not only are you helping the reefs by learning, but the cruise lines that offer the trip also donate a portion of the cost of the tour directly to the restoration group.
While in Roatán, Honduras, we took a 15-min boat ride to an animal sanctuary island. There we got a guided tour of the historic center that told of the indigenous people who originally lived in Honduras, along with a look at the animals on the island. None of the animals could be released back into the wild, so it was a unique way to get to see some of the animals of Honduras. The tour included a traditional Honduras lunch and a pool, bar, and beach area to relax for a few hours until we returned to the ship.
Heading to the Mayan ruins located 70 miles from Belize City, Belize was an adventure! A 2-hour bus ride took us to the Xunantucnich site where ancient Mayans lived and ruled. Located only a few miles from the Guatemalan border, the site has several pyramids that archaeologists have excavated and continue to find artifacts. The guides on this tour gave us a lot of history on the cultures of the Belizean people, including the history of Mayans, the foods of the land, and the Belize connection to England. After a walking tour of the site and climbing one of the pyramids, we went to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional meal of chicken, rice, and beans and a cold Coca-Cola made with cane sugar.
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For families, we suggest deciding as a family what excursions to take. It’s a great way to ensure the children are more excited about going. The teen in our group was the only child of any age in two of our excursions. But since she had selected those trips, there were never any complaints about boredom or not having anyone to talk to during the excursions.
Tip: Book your excursions with the cruise line, and do it as soon they’re available. The best tours sell out before embarkation. And if you book with the ship and the excursion comes back late, they’ll hold the ship for you. If you book on your own and it’s late coming back, the cruise will leave you behind!
Dining and Beverages to Enjoy Onboard Princess Cruises
Marcea Cazel
The main thing most people talk about when the word ‘cruise’ is mentioned is the food. Princess ships have multiple places to eat and snack 24 hours a day. There are also numerous bars to get drinks for adults and little ones. And on the Sky Princess, the food did not disappoint.
All of the Princess ships have a buffet, pizza, ice cream, snack areas, and main dining rooms (MDR) that are included in the price of the cruise. There are also specialty restaurants that have additional costs. For the MDRs, passengers can either make reservations for specific times each day or walk up and be seated where available. MDRs are great for people who enjoy the way cruising used to be and can be seated with those they don’t know. Make a reservation if you’re looking for a private table in an MDR.
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Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and snacks and located on the Lido Deck/16, the World Fresh Marketplace buffet has something to eat for everyone in the family. Menus follow holidays and the menus of ports visited on the trip but also have traditional menu items. Passengers can also head to the International Cafe, located on the Plaza Deck/5, 24 hours a day for quick bites of sandwiches and snacks all day.
Specialty restaurants vary by ship. The Sky Princess offers the French-inspired Bistro Sur La Mer, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, and the Crown Grill steakhouse. Our group enjoyed a meal in each of these restaurants, and the service and food quality were excellent. If you want to eat in a specialty restaurant and catch a show, try to do them on different days or eat as soon as the specialty restaurant opens. Service is high-end and can take 2 hours or more, depending on your group size.
Beverage Packages on Princess Cruises
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Onboard Princess Cruises, juice at breakfast, brewed coffee, non-bottled water, and iced tea are complimentary.
For other drinks, passengers can purchase drinks as they go or get one of Princess’s four drink packages. The Plus drink package covers water, specialty coffee, juice, tea, soda, smoothies, and non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks that cost up to $15. The Premier drink package covers all of those items up to $20. The Zero Alcohol package covers specialty coffee drinks, tea, smoothies, sodas, energy drinks, water, and mocktails, while the Classic Soda Package includes sodas, juice, mocktails, and smoothies. Drink packages cannot be shared and only apply to the person who purchases them
Tip: Passengers can book a standard fare or a Princess Plus fare. The standard fare includes the room’s cost, while the Princess Plus fare includes the room, the Plus drink package, wi-fi, and crew appreciation. While you can book a drink package at any time leading up to the cruise, if you’re going to get a package that includes alcohol, you’ll see a significant discount when booking a Princess Plus fare than if you booked a standard fare and the Plus drink package at a later time.
Fun Family Activities on Princess Cruises
Marcea Cazel
There’s no need to worry about how families can spend time together on a Princess Cruise. The Sky Princess offered trivia nights, pool games, pickleball, basketball, and a miniature golf putting green.
There are also Movies Under The Stars around the main pool where the large screen is located. While the ship shows movies during the day, Movies Under the Stars means the loungers get padded covers and popcorn for everyone. Movies shown around the pool are rated PG-13 and under. And don’t worry if you miss the movie of the night. The movie is available on your stateroom television the day afterward.
Top-rated shows also take place at night in the Princess Theater. From Broadway-type shows to comedians to jugglers, there’s a little bit of everything during two shows a night.
Tip: Look at the JourneyView portion of the app within a few days of sailing. All activities are listed, including show days. This will make it easier to plan your days and ensure you don’t miss anything. Shows happen every night but often aren’t repeated. You’ll also receive a printed overview of the next day each night in your cabin.
Adult-Only Locations to Relax
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Even on a family vacation, adults need a little alone time. And sometimes the areas around the main pools can get noisy and crowded. Not to worry—there are several places onboard a Princess Cruise to get some quiet time.
On the Sky Princess, there was an adult-only pool and bar located towards the front of the ship on the Sun Deck/17. Called The Retreat Pool, there are no reservations required, and it is free to enter. The area also has an adults-only bar, along with loungers and chairs that surround the pool. You’ll hear a little of the music coming from the main pool area, but not enough to distract or irritate.
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The Sky Deck/18 is home to The Sanctuary. A private area with padded loungers, cabanas, and hot tubs, use of The Sanctuary’s loungers is $40 per day or $20 for a half day. Cabanas cost extra. Included are beverages and light snacks delivered by stewards who walk around and attend to your every need. On the Sky Princess, The Sanctuary is the only location, excluding the bridge, where you can get a view over the ship’s bow.
Those in need of even more relaxation can head to the Lotus Spa®. Specialists provide massages, hair services, pedicures/manicures, facials, and other body treatments. If you don’t schedule a treatment in the Lotus Spa, consider booking time at The Enclave. Located inside the spa, The Enclave is a thermal spa area with multiple saunas, heated tile beds, a hydro-therapy pool, and different temperature refreshing showers. Passes to The Enclave can be purchased by the day or for the entire cruise.
Tip: Schedule your boarding time as early as possible to experience The Sanctuary and The Enclave. The only way to reserve space is when you’re on board, and those spots fill quickly. Most Princess repeat cruisers head directly to each location once they’re on the ship to try to get a reservation.
Editor’s note: This trip was paid for by Princess Cruises, but opinions belong to the writer.
Support our Black community and snag a slice of pizza, get a haircut or satisfy your soul food longing today
During the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month and one way to do so is by getting in the habit of shopping and supporting Black-owned Bay Area businesses. From pilates classes and bookstores to pie and coffee, you’ll find a slew of businesses below that your family will love. So go buy yourself a sweet treat, purchase a few gift cards, and support these businesses now and always.
Multicultural Bookstore Walk into Tamara Shiloh’s store and you will be transported to a world of multicultural books including sections on LGBTQ, disabilities, and biracial families—everything one could want to teach and learn about diversity and inclusion.
Marcus Books The oldest, independent Black bookstore in the country, Oakland’s Marcus Bookstore is over 60 years old and proudly carries books by and about Black people.
Must-Shop Black Owned Shops in the Bay Area
Cincha Stylish yet practical, Cincha is a travel belt that secures personal bags and coats to your luggage leaving your hands free to hold on to more important things... like little hands. Every purchase means 100 airline miles is donated to the nonprofit Miles4Migrants, which helps to reconnect migrant families.
Taylor Jay’s With the approach that “We Are Every Woman”, this Oakland-based clothing collection prides itself on inclusivity and sustainability for clothing that will not only last a lifetime but look and feel incredible.
Beija-Flor Naturals Using fair trade and organic botanical ingredients from Brazil, founder Stevonne Ratliff began crafting skin products to treat her own skin hyper and hypopigmentation. Years later and with stores in Oakland and San Francisco, Beija-Flor carries a full product line for face, hair, and body.
Iyoba Born out of a desire to relieve her son’s eczema using natural products, Oakland mom Efiya created what is now her famous artisan soap. Today, she handcrafts organic, natural hair, body, and home products, all of which are paraben, synthetic fragrance, and sulfate free.
Blk Girls Green House This lovely open-air plant and home goods store is also a community space but currently accepting shopping by appointment only.
Oakland’s Own Every purchase from this store means an investment back into the Oakland community through youth empowerment, mentoring services, and community programs.
Nabolom Bakery & Pizzeria Since 1976, this family-friendly restaurant has been serving up one-of-a-kind sauce and meat free pizzas on a thin, sourdough crust. Try their take-and-bake pizza and finish baking at home for the irresistible smell to fill up your kitchen.
Jackie’s Looking for the Bay area’s best fried chicken and soul food? Look no further. Originally from Texas, Jackie pays homage to the Lone Star state with customer favorites such as Uncle Greg’s ribs and JP’s Chicken & Waffles served up in true Texan style... HUGE.
Z Zoul Cafe When owners Aref and Dalia and their four children immigrated to San Francisco in 2016, they discovered no authentic Sudanese restaurants in the city. Using generations-old and passed-down family recipes, Z Zoul Cafe was born—be sure to try Dalia’s famous rice pudding.
Sonoma Crust Every item is made from scratch with Chef Anne’s vision to be a “flavor pusher”. Waffle sandwiches and chicken tenders are the name of the game here to be washed down with multiple options of iced tea but leave room for the beignets!
MB’s Place Award-winning “3 Way” Chili awaits you at MB’s place along with filet mignon burgers and smoked chicken meatball sandwiches—is your mouth watering yet?!
Tastebuds San Francisco natives Melvin and Helen Simmons’ cafe serves up soul food in this family-owned restaurant where chicken and waffles and southern shrimp and grits will have your tastebuds begging for more!
Black Owned Dessert & Coffee Shops in the Bay Area
The Giving Pies Not only does this business make some of the best pies in town (they even come in TINY sizes!), but they also contribute a portion of their profits to E-Sports, a program that partners typical and special needs kids in athletic capacities.
DeeLee Cakes The inspiration behind Chef DeReath Times’ creations comes from the memory of her Grandma and a heavy dose of her secret family ingredient… love. Her cinnamon rolls and sweet potato pound cake will blow your socks off!
Yvonne’s Southern Sweets Yvonne started out by sharing praline treats with friends and co-workers and expanded to cakes, cookies, and pies which led to a contract with Super Bowl 50, and is currently a vendor for the Chase center.
Sextant Coffee Roasters Partnering with farms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia, first-generation Ethiopian founder Kinani Ahmed brings the best coffee beans from Africa to San Francisco.
James and the Giant Cupcake Using fresh and sustainable ingredients from farmers’ markets, Eurydice Manning’s custom cupcakes and cakes are all the rage at three locations in the Oakland area.
Rasa Cafe Rasa in Sanskrit means "flavor" and this cafe uniquely blends influences from Africa with India in their coffee and tea menu—try the award-winning Rose latte!
Pietisserie Pietisserie focuses on one thing and one thing alone: PIES. With fifteen toothsome pies to choose from, your dilemma comes down to this: key lime pie or black bottom walnut pie?!
Super Juiced A queer- and Black-owned smoothie and acai bowl shop, the menu at Super Juiced is seasonal and draws organic ingredients from small, local farms. All their nut milks are made in-house making this the place to go for a delicious (and nutritious) snack in Oakland.
Black Owned Services We Love in the Bay Area
Kutz and Colors Barbershop & Hair Salon When not delivering quality haircuts, owner “KC” is a basketball coach for at-risk youth and is in the process of fundraising for a community sports complex for all to play safely in.
The Pilates School SF With a goal of creating strong and balanced bodies, co-owners Ray and Rae started this school to make affordable, quality classical pilates accessible for everyBODY.
Megah Brown’s Skilled at cutting any type of hair, talented barber Damion Hunter commands a cult-like following of customers in his store with his casual, relaxed atmosphere and easy conversation. Bonus: he’s great with kids, too!
Strictly Braids Beyond a braid salon, owner Ninja also offers classes on braiding so everyone can learn intricate hair braiding.
Bikes4Life Offering repairs and sales, Bikes 4 Life is the only Black-owned bike shop in Oakland and has been around for ten years serving the community.
Whether you prefer sourdough crust, deep dish, Detroit-style, or topped with Indian flavors, the Bay Area pizza scene really delivers
Fresh dough, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of sauce—pizza is a recipe for deliciousness for parents and kids alike. The Bay Area pizza scene offers lots of options for little foodies like the curry chicken masala pizza of Curry Pizza House and the potato-topped pizza from Escape from New York Pizza. We won’t say which is our ultimate favorite (because that’s like choosing a favorite child) but you’ll find top spots from Point Reyes to San Jose, perfect for a lazy night with no cooking needed.
Long Bridge Pizza Co. If thin crust sourdough pizza is your thing, Long Bridge Pizza Co. is your pizza place. Actually, if Detroit-style pizza is your thing, then Long Bridge is also your pizza place because they sell that on their popular Square Thursdays. Named for the wooden causeway that connected San Francisco to Dogpatch in the 1800s, Long Bridge is in a neighborhood that’s great to explore, and particularly good for the kind of exploration that involves food. If you still have room after your ‘za, waddle over to Neighbor Bakehouse next door or the Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous ice cream shop a block away.
Escape from New York Pizza It’s nice to have a good stand-by when you need an easy, no-frills, counter-service meal while you’re in Downtown San Francisco, and Escape from New York Pizza is that place. (There are other locations in San Francisco, but we're partial to the bright and airy Financial District one with seating on the plaza.) See if the kiddos can spot King Kong climbing the wall. You must order their famous You Say Potato! pizza covered in roasted potato slices, copious amounts of garlic (copious!), pesto, and of course mozzarella. It’s worth the stinky breath afterward and your kids are stuck with you so what are they going to do about it?
Pizzeria Delfina Pizzeria Delfina is San Francisco’s golden child and with good reason. Their pies are perfection, but the crowds and long waits could be a pain for families. There are four Bay Area locations, and we recommend the Fillmore one for its enclosed parklet where the kids can run around.
Arizmendi This local cooperative serves up some of the tastiest pie around, even if they were the target of parody in Pixar’s “Inside Out.” They only offer one type of pizza per day, and it’s never cheese and pepperoni (more like shiitake mushroom, leeks, and sesame vinaigrette) but even so, they are known as a kid fave. Order by the slice—we also suggest adding a corn cherry scone—and pull up a chair in their Mission location, or grab a spot in the parklet outside of their Inner Sunset location. They offer par-baked (or fully baked) pies for takeout, and the price is right, especially considering the top-notch ingredients.
1272 Valencia St. and 1331 9th Ave. San Francisco Online: arizmendibakery.com
Zante If you haven’t tried it yet, the thought of Indian pizza may leave you scratching your head. But one bite and you’ll be hooked. Zante’s corn-meal-dusted crusts are the perfect base for their incredibly flavorful toppings—spinach, eggplant, cauliflower, ginger, garlic, green onions, and cilantro. The no-frills restaurant at the base of Bernal Hill is spacious, works well for large parties, has high chairs, and rarely has a wait.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana Tony, an 11-time World Pizza Champion, must be doing something right. His North Beach restaurant is an ode to regionally specific pizza (he has various types of ovens for various styles of pies) and turns out spot-on New York, New Haven, Detroit, St. Louis, Romana, and Sicilian pizzas—not to mention tasty pasta and other Italian specialties. There’s a small take-out shop for quick and easy slices.
State of Mind Often you find a pizza place with an excellent crust but a so-so sauce, or a to-die-for sauce but a nothing special crust. Not so at State of Mind where both are perfection. They offer round, pan, and gluten-free pizzas, and have curated a can and bottle list showcasing their favorite craft breweries throughout California. Don’t miss their old-school pizza restaurant arcade, which is also available for private parties.
Blue Line Pizza The talented pizza lovers from SF’s beloved Little Star are behind Blue Line, which now has seven locations around the Peninsula and East and South Bay. We especially love their Burlingame location, with its spacious back patio lit by twinkling fairy lights. Blue Line is known for their deep dish, but their thin crust, salads, and sandwiches are delish, too. We love that instead of crayons, they provide kiddies with Magnadoodles with the kids’ menu printed on the back! And don’t miss out on their totally adorable heart-shaped pizzas next Valentine’s Day.
Rise Pizzeria Grab a spot outside by the fire pit and enjoy a slice of Neapolitan pizza at Rise Pizzeria in Burlingame. This spot boasts tasty pizza with a healthy twist. Gluten-free crusts and dairy-free cheese are just two of the options that make this a great spot for those who have dietary restrictions. Parents will appreciate that Rise has swapped out the traditional soda machine for options like lemonade, iced tea, and apple juice. There is also a sister restaurant, Rise Woodfire, in San Mateo.
Square Pie Guys Square Pie Guys specializes in Detroit-style pizza which means they have what they describe as a “crispy, crackly, caramelized cheese crust.” It’s like the pan pizza of your youth but done deliciously right.
499 9th St., Oakland 1077 Mission St. and 845 Beach St. San Francisco Online: squarepieguys.com
Zachary’s Deep-dish pizza lovers say Zachary’s is the winner. They do a completely balanced deep dish layered "upside-down" to keep the crust crisp. The downside? You guessed it: The wait can be unbelievably long. Because the pizzas take 30 minutes to cook anyway, they have guests order when they arrive, so that by the time you are seated, your pizza should be nearly ready.
Pizzaiolo If you like your pizza night complete with a craft cocktail, this is your spot. Kids will give the Margherita a thumbs up, while the other creative, high-quality dishes (not to mention the killer cocktail list) will elevate family pizza night to something a little more special.
Bluebird Pizzeria It’s hard to decide between the pan-baked grandma pie and the margarita pizza with fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil—so why not get both? If there’s a wait, the kids will be happy perusing the selection of board games and books.
Patxi’s Pizza With many locations around the Bay Area, Patxi’s has become an institution for Chicago-style pizza. Their Dublin location doesn’t disappoint, with a pick-up window as well as a fantastic outdoor patio. Don’t forget the honey at the table to drizzle on the crust. Mangia!
Curry Pizza House If you have a Curry Pizza House in your neighborhood, consider yourself lucky as it's just the break from ordinary pepperoni your family is craving. We recently checked out the carry-out-only San Jose location on Union Ave. and found the staff to be friendly and the pizzas to be full of fresh ingredients with your choice of traditional or Indian flavors. We suggest going for a half-and-half of the curry chicken masala and the curry veggie delight with a side of achari wings and masala chips. They even offer vegan options.
2984 Union Ave. San Jose Find all their six Bay Area locations here.
Pizza My Heart There are dozens of new spots intent on mastering the craft of pizza making, but we have a soft spot for the ones keeping it FUN. Always incredibly family-friendly, Pizza My Heart really wins on Tuesdays, when from 4-8 p.m. they put the kids to work. Kids are given a pre-shaped pizza dough on a mini pizza pan, along with a squirt bottle of sauce, mini-containers of shredded cheese, and their choice of toppings. It’s then whisked away and baked up for a dinner they’ll love.
Click here to see all of their locations, mostly in the South Bay and Peninsula.
A Slice of New York “ASONY” for those in the know was founded by New York transplant, Kirk Vartan, who knows what New York pizza is all about. You know it’s a good pizza when a simple cheese pie is perfection. The garlic knots are sublime and their dessert menu runs the gamut from tiramisu and cheesecake to imported East Coast must-haves like Yodels and Devil Dogs. There are two locations, both covered in fun New York subway decor. The original San Jose location is takeout only so we prefer the Sunnyvale one that includes an entire subway car! Don’t miss the notices on the walls about who has been banned from the restaurant for various infractions, including stealing a Rubik’s Cube.
Giovanni’s Pizzeria No self-respecting New York-style pizza place would put chicken on pizza… would they? Any bad taste in your mouth from previous experiences elsewhere will disappear when you come to family-run Giovanni’s. They have all the usual toppings of course, but the stand-out is the Rustica with roasted chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and fresh basil. You’ll be licking your plate if you haven’t already eaten it directly out of the box on the ride home.
Amici’s Amici’s is a pizza juggernaut in the Bay Area for good reason. Their East Coast style pizzas with a thin chewy crust are the gold standard. Our favorites are the margarita pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes, the hearth-baked breadsticks, and the artichoke Panzanella salad. At the Mountain View location Penny the Robot sometimes delivers the pizza to your table! Amici’s also is a great location for school fundraisers as they give a big chunk of change back to the school.
Bibo’s Pizza If New York-style is your jam, then Bibo's is your spot. This Willow Glen pizza joint specializes in those giant, thin slices that are best enjoyed by folding in half. They use almost a pound of their special mozzarella on each 20-inch pie—a combo of buffalo milk and cow's milk that will send your taste buds into overdrive. Don't want a whole pie? Swing by for a slice. =
Pizzalina Pizzalina’s heated outdoor patio is a great place to dig into an app of burrata before devouring a Neapolitan-style pie cooked in a wood-burning oven. They’re serious about their salads and pasta, too, and even sell their homemade dressings. The bambini menu provides some extra kid-friendly offerings.
914 Sir Francis Drake San Anselmo Online: pizzalina.com
Cafe Reyes Make this cozy small town restaurant a stomach refueling spot on that day trip to West Marin or do like the locals and take the windy half-hour drive when you’re on the other side of Mt. Tam. Once here enjoy the authentic Neapolitan wood-fired oven pizza and fresh local oysters. (That’s so you know you’re in Point Reyes!) And don’t miss their organic salads or the apple pie.
11101 CA-1 Point Reyes Station Online: cafereyes.biz
Pizza Hacker Inside the new biergarten in Tam Junction you’ll find Pizza Hacker, the new outpost of the San Francisco pizzeria that excels at nicely charred, naturally leavened (a.k.a. sourdough) crusts. The Short Bridge pie is a winner with soppressata, housemade sausage, mushrooms, and parm. They also offer a Charles E. Cheese IV pizza which they describe affectionately as “a kid’s cheese pizza” (it’s a margarita without the basil). The salads are serious business—the Intermezzo is a burst of color and flavor and includes radicchio, rainbow carrots, little gems lettuce, chickpeas, a farm egg, and poppyseed dressing. It’s a spot where vegans can be happy, too—for $2 extra you can get Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella on your pie.
Pizzeria Picco From their perfect pies to their housemade soft serve, Pizzeria Picco wins on all counts. Just a couple blocks away from a magical redwood park so we suggest going to get your hike on and then heading over for an early dinner. Their petite pizzas make ordering multiples a must, which is a good thing because there are typically nearly a dozen choices, each featuring local, seasonal ingredients. The pies come out of the wood-fired oven perfectly blistered and can be paired with equally amazing salads, soups and sides. But the real bonus is the aforementioned soft serve. Our fave: A twist topped with housemade caramel and crunchy sea salt.
Tamalpie Pizza This place is quintessentially Marin—the name is an ode to Mt. Tam, and from the thin-crust pies to the sizable beer menu to the dogs lounging near the outdoor, family-style tables to the menu items named after local hiking trails, it oozes NorCal charm. If you visit during the “kid rush,” from 5-7 pm, you needed to be prepared for a playhouse atmosphere, as this is the go-to spot for parents and kids in the area. End on an epic note and go for the banana split.
Who needs a restaurant on Mother’s Day when you can pull off these delicious meals at home? Your mini sous chefs can get involved too. Read on for all of our best Mother’s Day brunch recipes—we guarantee Mom will be feasting like a queen in no time (bonus points if you serve this as breakfast in bed!).
It’s not as hard as it seems, we promise! This recipe makes eggs benedict a breeze thanks to a smart poaching method and a Hollandaise sauce that’s blitzed up in the blender. Get the details for one of the most classic Mother's Day brunch recipeshere.
French toast is already awesome, but it’s made even more awesome when you use ciabatta bread and flavor it with orange zest. Mom will love waking up to this—here is the recipe.
Potato Skillet with Baked Eggs
If Mom is hankering for something savory, chances are this skillet dish will hit the spot. It has bacon, potatoes and eggs, and you can even sneak in some spinach and peas for a complete and balanced meal. Here is the recipe.
When it comes to Mother's Day brunch recipes, nothing beats a homemade blueberry muffin, especially when little ones help make them just for their mama. This version is finished with a cinnamon sugar streusel topping. Find the recipe here.
With toasty bread, chunks of thick-cut bacon and a generous sprinkling of cheese, this savory bread pudding is bound to impress Mom. Pair it with coffee and orange juice for the ultimate brunch. To get the recipe, head to The Little Epicurean.
Broccoli Frittata
iStock
Keep it simple and whip up a classic frittata for Mother’s Day. We love that frittatas are infinitely customizable, so you can throw in whatever veggies or cheese your family enjoys. Grab the recipe here.
You can't go wrong with a classic. This recipe is a step above boxed mixes, creating a super fluffy and beautiful pancake that rivals Mom's favorite 24-hour diner. Get the full recipe here.
Here's one of the cutest Mother's Day brunch recipes out there. Kids can use cookie cutters to make a sweet and colorful fruit bouquet for the person who has probably poured a thousand bowls of cereal by now. Get the full instructions at Kix Cereal.
It doesn't get much more simple (or tasty!) than this recipe from Improv Oven. Paired with toast and fruit, it's a meal that will impress the person of the hour.
Serve a cool breakfast treat like any of these gorgeous yogurt parfaits. Gather other recipes to whip up a menu item mom will be sure to savor, or keep it simple and use store-bought ingredients. Get the recipes at Completely Delicious.
What's brunch without a mimosa? Dress up the classic sparkling sipper with B. Britnell's recipe, which incorporates a splash of peach nectar and a slice of peach for a garnish (or substitute with Mom's favorite fruit).
Even the mama who loves a good, strong cup of joe will be thrilled to find this on her tray. Brewed fresh, she'll love the citrusy-sweet twist on a lunchtime staple from Ashley Marie's Kitchen.
No one will deny that growing up in Atlanta has its perks—and quirks. From a heat wave that won’t stop to being the birthplace of some of the world’s biggest brands, there are some things that Atlanta kids especially can giggle at. Keep reading for our favorite jokes that Atlien kids will really love.
Bored with your current dinner faves? Take a trip to Thailand! Thai cuisine is very kid-friendly with lots of rice, noodles and meat dishes that make it easy to incorporate newer flavors like sweet chili and curry. Keep scrolling to find simple Thai food recipes the entire family will enjoy (and that whip up in a flash).
This drunken noodle recipe from Gimme Some Oven is definitely family friendly, despite the name. Made without alcohol, the noodle-meat-veggie dish is polished off with a delicious sauce made with Thai basil, giving it that extra kick.
Quick dinner to the rescue! Less spicy than other versions, this Thai garlic fried shrimp from Christie at Home comes together in just 30 minutes and uses amazing aromatics like sesame oil and green onions.
Get ready for your kids to devour this dish! Joyous Apron has a delicious recipe that combines sticky rice, coconut sauce and fresh mango into this plate-licking dessert.
It takes just four ingredients and 15 minutes to get this recipe from Rasa Malaysia on the table. Even better? You can use American ingredients you probably already have on hand, like spaghetti noodles!
Fifteen minutes for dinner? Pass the pork, please! Leite's Culinaria has an uber easy that uses ground pork, chili, Thai basil and fish sauce that results in a takeout-worthy dish.
You can skip the meat in this chick pea-based curry dish from Chelsea's Messy Apron. Made with snow peas and butternut squash that are easily concealed under warm green curry, your kids will hardly realize they're racking up veggie points.
Pad Thai has appeared on a "World's 50 Best Foods" list and with good reason: it's easy, flavorful and super kid friendly. This easy version from Feasting at Home comes together in 15 minutes of cook time and even uses ingredients you can find at American grocers.
Show us a kiddo who doesn't love fried rice! This tasty recipe from A Spicy Perspective brings together classic fried rice ingredients like egg and green onion, with a splash of curry to make it totally Thai.
If you family is ready to dig into red curry, Chicken Massaman is the place to start. Favorite Family Recipes shares a mild yet savory recipe using massaman curry paste, chicken and veggies that kids won't be able to turn down.
Perfect for summer, Thai BBQ Chicken is a crowd pleaser and a nice twist on traditional chicken dishes. Rasa Malaysia's recipe uses chicken wings, sweet chili sauce, sriracha and cilantro resulting in both a sweet and savory meal that can easily be adjusted for picky palates.
No ice tea compares to this rich, Thai version. Hungry Huy shares a recipe that uses steeped tea, sweetened condensed milk and crushed ice that rivals any you'd find in a restaurant.
Let's hear it for Thai Banana Pancakes! This street vendor fave requires a little bit of prep work, but the kids will be begging you to whip up this recipe from Hot Thai Kitchen forever after devouring their first bite.
Whether you prefer a perfect french press or regular ol’ drip, when it comes to the morning time, it’s really about getting some form of caffeine into your bloodstream ASAP. To make your early a.m. routine the best it can be, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best subscriptions that do practically everything except brew the coffee. From single-origin offerings to blind tastings, read on to find your new cuppa joe.
The Best of Coffee Tasting
Bean Box partners with small-batch, award-winning roasters throughout the U.S. Choose between the Coffee Tasting Subscription, which features four specialty roasts (1.8 oz. each) delivered once each month, or the Coffee Bag Subscription (12 oz.), delivered weekly, biweekly or monthly. The coffee is guaranteed fresh and comes with tasting notes, roaster profiles, roasting tips, and a treat. Bean Box also offers unique coffee gifts, including a World Coffee Tour Box and a Coffee and Chocolate Tasting Gift Box, as well as add-on purchases such as cold brew and gourmet chocolates.
Why You’ll Love It: Bean Box survives and thrives in the land of Seattle, so you know these folks are the real deal.
Cost: $16.50/mo for the Coffee Tasting Subscription, $24/mo for the Coffee Bag Subscription
Subscribe at BeanBox.com (Sign up now and start tasting for only $5!).
The Pro Selection
Courtesy of Lady Falcon Coffee Club
Lady Falcon Coffee Club was founded by master roaster Buffy Maguire. With over 30+ years of experience in a typically male-dominated industry, Maguire put in thousands of hours in her garage to perfect her skills. What started as a single coffee truck in Alamo Square in San Francisco, CA, has become a successful DTC online business with products launching in Nordstrom's this holiday season.
Why You'll Love It: This artisan coffee is unique to Maguire's skill and knowledge. She's traveled all over the world for her beans and has even added a rare cáscara tea (a superfood) to her repertoire.
Cost: The Fan-Club Coffee Subscription comes every 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks, starting at $34.50 & up. You can pick your two bags on your own or let them choose for you.
A Mistobox subscription means you'll get a coffee expert who personalizes your monthly coffee selection of over 605 coffees worldwide and to fit your specific taste buds. When you subscribe, you are supporting local farmers worldwide, with many brands also certified as fair trade.
Why You'll Love It: With cost options that start at $10.95 for 24 cups of coffee, this subscription is an affordable choice for still getting personalized coffee options.
Launched in 2018, Trade Coffee is uniting coffee lovers and top roasters to offer over 400 roasted to order blends. Take the company's coffee quiz to get matched with the best brew for your palette and enjoy tons of picks for both cold and hot brew.
Why You'll Love It: Coffee lovers will jump over the diversity Trade Coffee has to offer. Enjoy tons of unique options, while continuing to update your taste preferences so that you get the perfect roast that's meant for you.
Cost: Starting at $12.50 for two bags per order or one bag for $15-$22 for premium roast coffees. Subscriptions always get 15% off and free shipping!
LA-based and female-owned business, Copper Cow Coffee is officially on our radar. The sustainably sourced and all-natural brand is all about Vietnamese coffee––and they're darn good about it. Copper Cow has designed filters and coffee that are biodegradable, compostable and are just like traditional Vietnamese coffee and the Vietnamese phin. Enjoy your freshly made java at home or on the go, and if you're feeling it, you'll want to check out the company's Thai Iced Tea or Coffee and Tea Trio bundle!
Why You'll Love It: The single portion packets of both coffee and milk make enjoying your morning cup a breeze––a must for parents. Just add water!
Cost: Starting at $30 for 20 classic coffees and $37 for 20 coffees + 20 milks!
Verve Coffee is committed to seeing its product through, from "seed to cup" and when you buy their coffee, you're helping support the Farmlevel Initiative which impacts communities at the local and global level. The company pays farmers premiums for quality coffees using direct trade relationships which exceed Fair Trade minimums, so your morning cup of joe does more than just bring you joy. Originating in Santa Cruz, California, Verve Coffee not only produces and delivers coffee for free, but they also have several cafés!
Why You'll Love It: Coffee subscriptions from Verve allow you to pick out your roast, grind and frequency. They also have canned Nitro flash brew and on-the-go drip kits so you never have to leave your fave coffee at home.
Cost: Starting at $19.75 for one 12 oz bag, you decide the frequency!
This java startup might be based in Austin, Tx, but Atlas Coffee Club's goal is to take customers on a trip around the world—one cup at a time. Each month highlights a new country’s unique culture and coffee. From Tanzania to Burundi to Congo, you won't be disappointed. You’ll receive coffee from the chosen country in a bag design inspired by local textiles and landscapes, a postcard from each country, a card with coffee facts, tasting notes, and the recommended brewing method. For a true coffee connoisseur who thinks they’ve tried it all, you can't go wrong with this one!
Why You'll Love It: In addition to serving up a killer cuppa Joe, this subscription gives customers access to coffee gear giveaways, as well as other perks.
Cost: Select between two or four-week deliveries, and $9 half bags, $14 single bags or $28 double bags
Crema's motto is "life's too short for bad coffee." Each month (or however frequently you want your coffee), you'll get a bag of coffee from around the world—and you rate it. As you continue to try and rate different coffees, Crema will learn your preferred tastes and start sending you recommendations. With a system like that, it's almost impossible to have a bad cup of coffee.
Why You'll Love It: Not only does Crema give customers the option to give their coffee as a gift (via emailed gift card), but they also have a subscription service for offices. See you later K-cups!
Unlike most services that ship within 48 hours, Moustache roasts their beans and ships their coffee the same day. Each bag even comes with a "Start Drinking On" date on it to ensure you don't brew your coffee too soon after the roast. Moustache was started over the frustration of having to pay a premium for "two-week-old" coffee. Also, they will rarely send you the same coffee twice, which means you're guaranteed new and interesting coffee in every shipment.
Why You'll Love It: To support small businesses, Moustache Coffee Club will let you redeem your Starbucks gift cards on their website. They also offer a "try it for free" option; they'll send you one 2 oz. bag at no cost.
If you want to give your palate superpower-like abilities when it comes to telling where your coffee comes from, a subscription to Angel’s Cup is the answer. Each week, four new samples arrive at your doorstep; you can conduct blind coffee tastings and use the accompanying app (available on iTunes and Android) to make tasting notes and compare findings with the pros. If there’s a sample you don’t like, the 100% refund guarantee and no-cost return policy mean you’ll get your hard-earned cash back without any stress.
Why You’ll Love It: The same sample is never shipped twice, which means you’ll be able to taste upwards of 208 different roasts.
Cost: There are three subscription options: The Cupping Flight includes four 1 oz. samples for $10.99, The Black Box includes four 2.75oz samples for $22.99 and the All-Stars for $19.99 for one large bag.
Blue Bottle Coffee roasts your coffee to order and ships it to your home within 48 hours, so you know your morning cup will always be fresh. But that's not the best part. Blue Bottle lets customers try their coffee for free for the first time—all you need to cover is the cost of shipping. Choose from their famous coffee blends or espressos; it's completely on them. Now that's a win-win.
Why You'll Love It: In addition to their coffee and espresso selections, Blue Bottle also sells some pretty sweet products on their site, including a carafe for making cold brew at home. They also periodically offer events, classes, and seminars. Check their website to see what's brewing in your area.
Cost: A changing selection of their blends starts at $8 for whole beans; single-origin selections start at $9.50.
Not everyone wants their coffee delivered to their house ground—or even as a freshly roasted whole bean. Some coffee fanatics like to do the roasting themselves. Enter Roast Coffee Company, which delivers green, unroasted coffee beans in bags ranging from one to five pounds. You need a coffee roaster if you're going to go this route, but hey, if anything is going to take your coffee game to the next level, it's this.
Why You'll Love It: Not only is it pretty dang cool to roast and grind your coffee, you'll save tons of money cutting out the middleman (Also, Roast Coffee has great deals on roasted coffee, as well.).
Cost: $4.99 for a one-pound bag of unroasted coffee; $9.99 for a one-pound bag of roasted coffee.
If you want to try a new and exciting coffee but don’t know where to start, let Craft Coffee do the work. Get started on the website by choosing your normal store-bought beans from a list, and they’ll suggest one of their roasters as a comparable choice. Do you like Major Dickason’s from Peet’s? Try the Streetlight Blend! There’s an option to choose their famous three-coffee sampler (each month, the expert tasting panel evaluates over 50 coffees and each month, only three make their way to your door), which will give you 4 oz. of three similar roasts. There’s no commitment, you can choose your plan, and shipping is always free. Craft Coffee is also fierce about freshness. They roast their beans in Brooklyn and ship them off to you within 24-72 hours.
Why You’ll Love It: Craft Coffee has a price match guarantee, which means they’ll match the price of your grocery store beans to the penny.
Cost: 12 oz. bags start at $6.99, the three-coffee (4 oz. bags) sampler is $24.99.
Started by three guys who love java, Grady's recipe is a New Orleans-style cold brew made with coffee, chicory and spices. There are several ways to get your Grady’s. You can choose from a pour-and-store pouch, a bean bag can (DIY brew kit) or a bean bag single—whether you drink it straight, water it down or add milk is up to you.
Why You’ll Love It: You can do so much with a cold brew. Be sure to check out the online section with recipes for tasty eats like coffee cake, coffee popsicles, chocolate shakes and more. Yum!
Cost: Start with 12 ready-to-drink black coffees for $40, or save by ordering a 3, 6 or 12 month supply. Bonus: New York City residents can also order single servings or concentrate brew to be delivered for free.