The excitement is building just like a winter storm when it comes to the Nov. 22 release of the highly-anticipated Frozen 2. In honor of the sequel film, Pottery Barn Kids is celebrating with a brand new Frozen collection that is all about Arendelle and your fave characters.
We’ve viewed the entire lineup and these are our favorites.
––Karly Wood
All photos courtesy of Pottery Barn Kids.
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Traveling with small kids comes with plenty of challenges, the least of which is navigating through crowded airports. Luckily, the new Liki Trike is a complete game changer for parents and kids on the go.
Why maneuver through those crowds with a stroller when you can make things easy and fun with a tricycle? A ride on a trike can be much more enticing than getting strapped in a stroller and with a one-handed control bar, you’ll have your other hand free to carry all that luggage.
The best part of all is that this lightweight trike folds down easily and is so compact you can fit it in an overhead bin or car trunk. That’s right, no more gate checking your stroller and hoping it returns in one piece.
The Liki Trike features five different functional modes and is designed to grow with your toddler from ages 10 months to three years. For the youngest riders, parents can control the trike, but it can also be converted into a fully-functional (yet still foldable) tricycle.
The Liki Trike is available in two different models starting at $249.99. You can order one online here.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
All photos: Courtesy of Liki Trike
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Airports can be stressful places when you have small kids. Between the large crowds and all the lines, it can be easy to lose sight of your young travelers if you’re not careful. One mom learned that the hard way when her toddler took a ride on the airport conveyor belt.
Edith Vega was printing out her boarding passes when she looked away from her two-year-old son, Lorenzo. Her curious son quickly found his way to the luggage conveyor belt and CCTV cameras in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport captured just what happened next.
The child accessed the conveyor belt from behind the ticket counter, an unstaffed area. As the boy was whisked away, mom took notice and immediately asked for help. Once airport officials realized what happened, staff stopped the belt from the top, but the toddler was already on his way.
Airport security footage follows Lorenzo through several luggage points until his final arrival into the TSA bag room, where officials quickly jumped into action.. While they did manage to rescue him, he, unfortunately, broke his hand in the process during the five-minute ride.
Officials are looking more into the incident to ensure protocol is followed.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
Featured photo: YouTube
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While it may seem counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to save money in the long run is to spend a lot of money up front. There’s a wealth of information available about how to better budget and save money, but those who are financially savvy know that there are certain things that are usually worth the splurge.
1. Shoes
It may seem simple, but purchasing a good pair of shoes helps ensure that you aren’t forced to buy a new pair each year or walk around in discomfort. You wear shoes everyday, so it makes sense to put your money toward something that you’re sure to get a lot of use out of.
2. Skincare
Skimping on skincare can lead to more problems in the future down the road. No, you don’t need to fork over thousands for special skin caviar that supposedly makes all of your pores disappear and removes every last wrinkle, but spending money on high quality sunscreen that won’t clog pores and cleansers and moisturizers that keep your skin feeling its best help you put your best face forward for years to come.
3. Training and education
Once you establish what career path you want to follow, learning as much as you can about the industry will serve you well. Receiving the proper education will make performing your job easier, you’ll be able to perform your job better, and you’ll likely have a higher earning potential than if you forego the education. It can also make you a more competitive candidate for landing jobs and earning promotions.
4. Mattress
This simple concept can save you thousands in the long run. Sleeping on a poorly made mattress can lead to complications that can last a lifetime, not to mention a lack of comfort that can lead to sleep disruptions that can increase stress levels. A bad mattress itself can cause pain and may lead to expensive medical procedures down the road. When it’s time to buy a mattress, spending more up front can save cash—and more importantly your body—in the future.
5. Time-Saving Services
Money is time. One of the best ways to spend money is to save time. Financially savvy people know that being overworked can lead to more mistakes and end up costing them more money later. When your schedule gets extra hectic, taking measures such as dropping off laundry or using a rideshare can reduce stress and
6. Tools for Work
When you buy something that directly contributes to your income, it’s best to buy things that will make your doing your job as easy as possible. If you spend a lot of time working on a computer, instead of getting the cheapest model, look for something that will make you want to work on it. If your job requires frequent travel, invest in a nice luggage set that will help getting through the airport easier.
7. Wardrobe Staples
Though there are guides that recommend articles of clothing that every person should have, curate your list based on where you live and your lifestyle. If you live in a cold climate, spending more on a high quality jacket will help keep you warm for years to come. If you work in a professional setting, purchasing a perfectly tailored blazer can be worth the investment. For those who spend a lot of time working out or playing sports, investing in a high quality sports bra can save money in the long run. If you know you’ll wear it regularly, you could end up saving money instead of heading to the mall each regularly for replacements.
– Kayla Heisler for Fairygodboss
As the largest career community for women, Fairygodboss provides millions of women with career connections, community advice and the hard-to-find intel about how companies treat women.
United Airlines understands how awesome family vaycays are and wants to make traveling with kiddos easier. Starting Apr. 1, the answer to the question, “Can you take a stroller on planes?” will be a resounding yes!
The airline recently announced that travelers with babies and young children can bring compact folding strollers on mainline and United Express flights. This means no more having to check your baby’s ride with your checked bags—leaving you with no choice but to carry your little one through the airport on your way to the gate.
If you’re wondering what the catch is—all compact folding strollers must meet carry-on baggage size restrictions. This means the maximum dimensions must fall between 9x14x22 inches when folded. Before boarding, check your stroller’s size with one of United’s bag sizers at the check-in area.
Along with allowing compact strollers on flights, United is also helping mamas by adding three new Mamava pods to Terminals B, C and E of the airline’s Houston hub. These pods, which are already located at United’s New York/Newark hub, provide private, comfortable spaces for nursing mamas to breastfeed at the airport.
Compact folding strollers as carry-ons and private nursing spaces? Combined with United’s other perks for parents—such as pre-boarding for families with kiddos under age two—the already-friendly skies just got that much friendlier.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: Paul Hanaoka via Unsplash
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Family trips are awesome, but they can also be extremely stressful if you don’t have everything you need. With Spring Break and summer nearly here, we’ve rounded up some of the best travel essentials to make your vacay the best yet. Whether you’re heading across the Atlantic to Europe or planning the ultimate road trip, these must-have products will get you there and having fun in no time.
We could write a book on how wonderful we think packing cubes are! The small, zippered pouches not only keep everyone's clothes separated and wrinkle-free but they also help save tons of space. They work for overnight trips or week-long adventures, coming in tons of colors so each family member can have their own. We particularly love Bagail's set of four cubes that come with handles and different sizes to store everything from toiletries to shoes to sweaters.
When it comes to air travel, there isn't much worse than finding out your luggage weighs too much and you're slapped with tons of fees! A simple product like the Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage is only $13 and can save you tons of money and frustration at the check-in counter. Simply pack your suitcase and attach the scale to the handle and pick up!
Coming in 11 colors, ZOMAKE's Ultra Lightweight Packable Backpack is a must for your upcoming trip. With 74 percent of its reviews coming in at five stars, the Amazon bestseller packs a waterproof layer, lightweight design that can hold books, tablets, phones and a change of clothes. When you don't need it, simply pack it into the packable pocket and be on your way.
BUY NOW
Traveling out of the country? Then you'll want to make sure you keep your phone, camera and other memory-saving devices charged! A universal travel power adapter will keep you powered up in through much of the world, including Europe, the U.K., Australia and can be used here in the U.S.
Outdoorsy vacations usually equal filthy shoes and who wants those next to your clean clothes? Stock up on travel shoe bags that are waterproof and come with a clear window for easy viewing. Not only do these shoe bags prevent scuffs on your nice shoes while traveling, but they also make great bags for other odds and ends, like snacks, diapers and other travel essentials.
Over 1,000 reviewers rave about these TSA-approved silicone travel bottles. The leak-proof bottles are made from BPA-free material and are reusable and refillable. These are not your average one-use and toss bottles!
Even if you're heading out on your vacay to unplug, it's always a good idea to keep a power bank on hand for emergencies. With an inexpensive option like the Aibocn 10,000mAh Power Bank, you can get roughly three charge cycles for your devices, keeping the kids happy in a pinch. This device also comes with a mini flashlight so you don't have to stumble around trying to plug in your phone in an unfamiliar hotel room, or in the pitch blackness of a tent.
Whether you're trekking through the Rocky's or bustling through TSA, a collapsible water bottle will keep you hydrated! This version is made with food-grade, BPA-free materials and is great for cold drinks and even freezing. When not in use, simply roll up and pack away into tight spaces that won't take over your precious carry-on space.
You never know when a rainstorm will hit, especially if your vacation is mainly an outdoor one, or you're traveling abroad. This unique inverted umbrella can handle it all––from 60 MPH winds to hot days, to pouring rain. The UV-protected material and reverse closing mechanism pushes the elements away from you, and the small design makes it ideal for travel.
With over 25,000 reviews, you know this JOTO Universal Waterproof Case is something special. Perfect for outdoor adventures, or just for protecting yourself from a rainy foreign day, this case fits tons of phone models and comes with a lanyard for easy carrying.
Sleeping in unfamiliar places, trying to take a snooze in the car or on a plane, or just adjusting to a new time zone––there's nothing the Bucky 40 Blinks Eye Mask can't do! Coming in over 30 patterns, the lightweight mask is perfect for adults or kids and keeps pressure off eyes so you can rest.
Ever stop at a rest stop or a foreign bathroom that was less than clean? Or what about those germy sight-seeing destinations? Keep everyone's hands clean and stock up on Hand Sanitizer and stash in backpacks, cars and suitcases to keep everyone healthy on your vaycay.
Vacation is not the place to take your designer, expensive sunglasses and that's why we love Polarspex's Polarized 80's Sunglasses that come in so many colors, we can't name them all. The Wayfarer look-alikes are functional, come with polarized lenses to keep your eyes safe, don't sacrifice style and are so cheap, you can order a few pairs to take with you.
Getting comfy while traveling is difficult at best but the Cloudz Fleece Travel Blanket makes it a little easier. The travel size blanket is made of ultra-soft coral microfleece, and it come with a carrying handle for stowing any going. The best part? You don't have you use those gross airplane blankets!
This super functional RFID blocking travel wallet from Zoppen comes in 35 color choices! The vintage-looking, slim, lightweight wallet is made from eco-friendly PU leather and has everything you need for a trip.
Editor’s note: All products available and $20 and under at the time of publication.
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I know a lot of parents who gave up traveling during the baby and toddler years because it just seemed too hard. For us, we had to get on a plane to see family who lived overseas and we dreaded the idea of flying with young kids. But guess what? It was not nearly as bad as we thought it would be and we have taken our kids on many flights since.
Getting through an airport with young children doesn’t have to be a stressful start to your family vacation. Follow these airport hacks and sail through security like a seasoned pro. You’ve got this!
If you book your flight on the web, call your airline in advance of your trip to double check a few things. If you are flying with a lap infant internationally, try and get a bassinet. Even if you don’t use it, they are usually the better seats so you are getting a free upgrade.
If you are flying with children under 15, ask what their seating policy is: most airlines will make sure your child is sat with you without making you pay extra to select your seats.
TSA Pre-Check is for domestic flights and it covers your children, too. If you have a travel credit card, check your perks—you may be able to sign up for free.
Some airports have a family line for security, allowing you to move through a little faster. Parents of young children are also allowed to take through juice, milk, pre-made formula, water and baby food for their kids. Just have them out when you go through. And kids under six do not need to take off their shoes!
Although you can’t take water for yourself through security, you can take empty water bottles and fill them at water fountains airside. If you have stainless steel bottles, take them OUT of your bag, otherwise they look suspicious going through the scanner and you may be held up so they can check your luggage.
Airlines allow you to take a stroller and a car seat up to the gate where you can gate check them. If you have a lap infant, ask if there are any spare seats available when you get to the gate and the attendant will try and find one for you. Because you have your car seat with you, your baby can now sit in the car seat for the flight (and hopefully fall asleep there).
If there are no spare seats, you can gate check that seat but make sure you put it in a bag first. Car seats easily get damaged or pieces lost and you have a better chance of getting it back whole if it is in a bag. An extra hack: throw a few pieces of clothing in there if they won’t fit in your luggage. (It’s like getting free checked luggage!)
Does your toddler touch EVERYTHING? (Especially when you say, “Don’t touch that!”) Try this simple trick: tell them what they CAN touch. So instead of saying, “Don’t touch the toilet!” redirect them with, “Can you touch your nose?” Or even break out into song with “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” This tip has saved my sanity and kept us sanitary in many a gross bathroom.
Airports are huge and the walk from security to the gate can be very long. Help make it more fun with a sit-on suitcase for your kids that you can pull along yourself. Too young to sit on a suitcase? Use a luggage strap to attach your car seat to your rolling hand luggage and turn your bag into an instant stroller!
Find out what facilities the airport has in advance of your trip. Some airports have awesome play areas, ideal for giving your kids a workout in advance of a flight. If your airport doesn’t have anything like this, still try and find somewhere not too crowded where you can play some running around games before boarding. In my experience, a good workout puts kids in a much better mood for sitting down for long periods!
Traveling with children can seem daunting but it is so worth it for family vacation memories that will last a lifetime. Happy travels!
Sarah McDonald is a family travel writer and mom of a four- and a two-year-old. She believes travel is good for young kids, even if they won’t remember it. Sarah loves sharing tips she has learned on her adventures throughout the United States and beyond with her family.
Pint-sized astronaut enthusiasts rejoice! NASA’s rocket launch travel packages are the perfect main event for any space-loving family’s vacation.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s launch viewing packages provide the public with a sneak peek into NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The program, which will eventually carry crewed flights into space for the first time since 2011, will launch the un-crewed Commercial Crew SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (Demo-1) on Mar. 2. Your family can score tickets to watch the big launch from less than four miles away!
Launching from Kennedy Space Center’s famed launchpad 39A—where Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong blasted off from during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission—the SpaceX Demo-1 launch is another potential history-maker. Visitors can watch the early-March launch from either the Apollo/Saturn V Center or Space Shuttle Atlantis North Lawn viewing area, depending on which package you choose.
The “Feel the Heat” package ($195 per person) includes a two-day admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, up-close encounters with the Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator, a premium catered meal, lanyard and commemorative Demo-1 badge, commemorative Demo-1 lithograph, SpaceX luggage tag, reusable water bottle, digital photo of the day and full access to the Apollo/Saturn V Center’s exhibits.
Visitors choosing the “Feel the Fun” package ($115 per person) will also get two-day admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex along with launch viewing, a catered meal, SpaceX luggage tag, commemorative Demo-1 lithograph, digital photo, access to the launch party and a junior astronaut activity.
To purchase tickets, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex website here. Even though the launch viewing packages list a launch date, tickets are sold by mission—in other words, dates are subject to change.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo: Kennedy Space Center via Instagram
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A surprise trip to New York over the weekend has fans wondering about Meghan Markle’s baby shower—and lots of us are wondering what kinds of gifts a royal baby-to-be might receive at such a soirée!
According to Harpers Bazaar, the Duchess of Sussex travelled to New York City for the first time since getting married in order to squeeze in some girl time with her gal pals before Markle is anticipated to give birth in just a couple of months.
While the private soirée was completely under wraps and away from prying eyes on social media, a few details from Markle’s baby shower have since slipped out. According to PEOPLE, several celebrities were spotted entering the posh NYC hotel where Markel’s baby shower was held, including Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and Suits co-star Abigail Spencer. Guests also reportedly received high end carry-on luggage as favors and the shower featured a massive cotton candy machine.
“This will be the last time a lot of them will see Meg until after the baby is born so it’s nice to share precious moments,” a source close to the duchess told Harpers Bazaar, adding, “It’s been a relaxing visit. Nothing beats face time with your friends. Meg will be flying home refreshed and relaxed—and with a lot of new baby clothes.”
We’re sure to be seeing those new outfits put to use very soon as the world officially hunkers down for Royal Baby Watch 2019.
—Shahrzad Warkentin, Keiko Zoll
Featured photo: KensingtonRoyal via Instagram
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I like to think that I was a fan of Marie Kondo before it was “cool.”
My husband actually read her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, when I was pregnant with my youngest. He was super motivated to go through the entire house and start a massive purge. I, on the other hand, was completely exhausted from growing a life inside me and managing our toddler. After shooting him a few death stares about cleaning our house every night, he finally got the hint and backed off.
But, once our youngest was born, my husband persuaded me to listen to her audiobook in the car just to see if it resonated with me. It only took a chapter and I was totally hooked! Everything she said made sense to me and after amassing so much kids stuff, I wanted to feel organized.
Luckily for us, our neighbor was studying to be a KonMari consultant and she needed to work with families in order to get her hours. Score.
Every weekend for seven weeks, we got a sitter for the kids and we spent five to six hours systematically going through our entire house. It was a HUGE undertaking but the results were incredible. Our lives felt calmer and I could think a bit clearer.
I wanted to extend this feeling for our family vacations.
For one thing, doing the big purge of clothes made packing a lot easier. I tried every piece of clothing on so my closet just had clothes that fit me and that “sparked joy” for me. That means I had less clothing and it was a lot easier to pick out items to pack for my trips.
We also went through all our travel items, like passports, foreign money, travel-sized toiletries, Disney dollar store items, etc. and put them all in one place. So, instead of running all over the house looking for specific travel toys I bought at the Target Dollar Spot, I could just go to the bin and pull out what I was looking for.
I would consider myself a diligent packer. You won’t find me throwing things into a bag before heading to the airport. I’ve never been that way and I certainly wouldn’t be able to do that with little kids. I know I’d forget so many crucial items. Instead, I usually start a week before our trip and gather items we’ll need. And I make a list of items we are currently using but need to pack (like my toothbrush and sunglasses).
In the past, I used to swear by my system of rolling each clothing item, putting it in a Ziplock freezer bag and squishing out all the air before I sealed it. I loved being able to see all my clothes and the bags easily slid into any bag. However, once we got to our destination and I started opening bags, I quickly became disorganized. I’d have clothes spilling out of bags and it felt like I couldn’t find what I was looking for. Then I was forever living out of my suitcase digging through slippery bags.
I tried a variety of ways to use the bags. Sometimes I’d put each outfit in a separate bag. Other times I’d sort it by type of clothing: shirts in one bag, pants in another. But nothing seemed to work efficiently for me.
After working with our KonMari consultant on how to fold our laundry so that each item stood on its edge, I realized that this would be a game-changer in how I packed for vacation.
I invested in packing cubes in a variety of sizes. Marie Kondo is always talking about bringing boxes with her so she can organize people’s drawers. Why not use this system when packing a suitcase? I mean, it’s basically a drawer on wheels!
Since we usually combine all our items into two large suitcases, I assigned each family member a different color packing cube. Clothes take up most of our suitcase space, so I start by folding each piece of clothing using the KonMari method. Then, I find the smallest size packing cube they will fit in. I do this for myself and my kids. My husband is a grown man and fully capable of doing his own packing.
Then I move on to shoes, toiletries, diapers, wipes, etc. Each category gets put in a small packing cube. Then, I try to put the smaller packing cubes in a larger packing cube to keep them together.
I don’t use just use this method for our checked luggage. It applies to our carry-on bags, too. I like to use a backpack with lots of different compartments, so I don’t need to use so many packing cubes. Instead of just filling our backpack with all the items we’ll need on our flight, I separate things by category. Since I bring a lot of snacks, including pouches, I put them all in a Ziplock freezer bag so I can easily pull them out and I don’t worry about them leaking all over my backpack.
I also pull out a few diapers and wipes and put them in a little nylon bag so I can quickly grab it to take to the lavatory. I put extra changes of clothes in a small packing cube in the bottom of my backpack. I make sure to have extra binkies, comfort items and a few packable toys in other pockets of my backpack. And because I’m a family travel blogger, I also carry my laptop, charging cables, gimbal and camera.
But the awesome part comes when we arrive at our destination. At the hotel, I can just pull out the packing cubes and set them in the drawers. Every morning, it’s so easy to unzip the cubes and quickly pull out a neatly folded outift for each of us. And because they are folded the KonMari way, they are usually wrinkle-free!
And at the end of our trip, I can put all the dirty clothes in specific packing cubes while combining our leftover clean clothes in another. So, it’s easy to (mostly) unpack as soon as we get home.
It’s been a year since we did our big KonMari house organization and we’re definitely due for a refresher, but I’m happy to say that we’ve kept up with the packing all year. Iit’s saved us a lot of time and money since we aren’t buying extra items we can’t find. I hope this helps you stay organized, too!
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I'm a Seattle-area stay-at-home mom to my 3-year-old son Owen and my baby Hugo. We love travelling with our toddler (locally and internationaly) and take advantage of the amazing events and classes offered around town. We like to be out and about!
