Most shoppers make a quick pit-stop in the garden section before heading inside on their Trader Joe’s run, and you’ll definitely want to now that fall products are arriving. On a trip this weekend, our editors spied a spooky and sweet new succulent: baby toe’s!
Known officially as Fenestraria Rhopalophylla, these potted succulents grow in individual stems that look oddly enough like adorable baby toes that you love to nibble. The pretty plants come in brightly colored porcelain pots and are perfect for the spooky season (because baby toes not attached to a baby foot are the stuff of nightmares).
The petite plant is easy to care for, just needing a lot of sun and water when the soil becomes dry. You can also easily propagate if you’d like a total garden of baby toes, which could be the ideal way to scare your neighbors this Halloween.
You’ll find the potted succulents in the usual garden section of your local Trader Joe’s during the fall season for less than $5.
As much as we love online shopping, there are always time you need something NOW. When that happens, it usually means packing the entire fam into the car for a road trip of errands.
Now, moms have one less trip to make as Ulta is moving into Target! Starting this month, Ulta Beauty at Target is debuting at 100 Target stores and target.com with more than 50 prestige brands for cosmetics, hair, skin, body and fragrance.
photo: Courtesy of Target
While the initial roll out only includes 100 stores (you can see which locations here), Target plans to reach a total of 800 locations in the future. The “shop-in-shop” concept will be near the existing beauty section and will be packed with displays, discovery zones and seasonal items.
Not only that, but you can shop using both your Target Circle and Ultamate Rewards programs! Tack on your RedCard and you’re saving big bucks (plus, not having to drive to another store!).
If you’re not near a Target where Ulta will be moving, you can still grab what you need from Target.com using the retailer’s same-day delivery using Shipt.
Your bags are packed and you’re ready to go—well, maybe. Nothing throws a wrench into a family vacation quite like forgetting that one charging cord for the tablet or not packing enough pairs of socks. To help you prep for your summer vacay, we’ve put together a list of the must-have items for a family road trip. Check out the list below, and download the printable RV Packing List here!
Busy school night? Pizza. Tired and don’t want to cook? Pizza. Have a major craving? PIZZA.
Because of American’s all-out love affair with the savory pie, Expensivity.com decided to find out the average price of cheese/plain and pepperoni pizza across the the United States to give hungry folks all the info they need to satisfy their cravings. Researchers not only discovered the cheapest pizza around, but they also found the average price by city and the density of pizzerias per person!
photo: Expensivity.com
Some of the key findings were that the cheapest cheese pizza can be found in North Dakota and will only set you back $6.64. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a cheese pizza in Alaska means you’ll be forking over $9.21 per pie.
If you want to head to the city with the cheapest pizza, make a trip to Virginia Beach, or check out Rhode Island, the state with the most pizzerias per person!
If you fancy pepperoni, Expensivity also found that Utah has the cheapest at $6.49, while Oklahoma is going to wreck your budget at $15.56 for one pizza! Want to scarf down more deets on the U.S. Pizza Index? Head to Expensivity.com.
Don’t look now but back to school season is almost here! And parents have big spending plans for school shopping. A new survey found they’ll spend an average of $843 per child, plus many aren’t waiting until August to fill their shopping carts.
Data from Affirm surveying 2,000 parents found that clothing is the top spending category this year, trumping technology. 70 percent said they’d spend the most in that category, followed by school supplies. And nearly one in three parents said they spend more money on back to school than holiday shopping!
If you’ve circled the first day of school on your calendar, you’re not alone. More than half of the parents surveyed (52%) said they are counting down the days until school starts. But parents also have more appreciation for teachers now, with 67% noting that the pandemic has boosted their gratitude.
Finally, almost a quarter of respondents said they’d celebrate back to school by taking a vacation sans kids. If you’re inspired to plan your own escape, check out our curated Airbnb lists for an epic trip!
Atlanta is surrounded by some of the country’s finest whitewater, and we’ve rounded up the most family-friendly runs around. And while all of the rivers listed below are serviced by river outfitters who can take care of every detail of your trip, it’s always a good idea to review some river safety guidelines before you go. Keep reading for some of the state’s most family-friendly rafting options, below.
Odds are, your parents had a wild time shooting the ‘Hooch sometime in the late 70s or early 80s, and some of their memories may not have involved an actual boat. And while the Hooch is still the closest, easiest, and coldest water around, the wild weekends of yesteryear have been tamed considerably. It’s good, clean(ish), family fun for rafters ages 5 and older.
Keep in Mind: The Chattahoochee is regulated by the release of water from Buford Dam, and can quickly change from relatively low water levels to fast-flowing rapids. You can call ahead to find out the water release schedule (770-945-1466), and be sure to check out average float times here.
Make It Easy: Let Chattahoochee Outfitters set you up with the appropriate watercraft for your group, drive you to the put-in location, and feed you (nothing beats concession food after a long day on the water) when you float back to the headquarters at Azalea Park in Roswell.
Chattahoochee Outfitters 203 Azalea Dr. Roswell 770-650-1008 Online:shootthehooch.com
Alpine Helen is home to some of the coolest and most popular tubing adventures in the state. Surround yourself with refreshing forest scenery on a lively tubing trip down the Chattahoochee River. You'll float right through the middle of Helen and have optional waterslides along the way.
Keep in Mind: Helen is Georgia's weird and wonderful Alpine village, which is quite a destination on the weekends. If you'd rather keep to the privacy of the forest animals, this rafting adventure may not be for you.
Make It Easy: Take a one or two-hour-long trip with Cool River Tubing and also enjoy their aerial park, open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cool River Tubing 590 Edelweiss Strasse Helen, GA 30545 800-896-4595 Online:coolrivertubing.com
If you're looking for a shorter option, check out the Chestatee river trip in beautiful Dahlonega. You can book kayak or tube trips, and while tubing trips only last around 30 minutes, you can walk 10 minutes back to the launch and ride the river as many times as you'd like for only $5.
Keep in Mind: The minimum age of tubers is 4. Keep in mind the tube has to be carried back up the trail.
Make It Easy: Dahlonega outfitters Chestatee River Adventures offers trips from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Chestatee River Adventures 2718 South Chestatee St. Dahlonega, GA 30533 770-540-9950 Online:chestateeriveradventures.com
Don’t let the fact that the Olympic rafting competition was held just upstream on the Ocoee deter you from getting your feet wet in these hallowed waters. You can elect to mosey down the river on a gentle half-day float on the Toccoa with the littles ages 5 and older.
Keep in Mind: This river runs through Tennessee and Georgia but has two names depending on the state. In Tennessee, the rapids are referred to as the Ocoee, while in Georgia, the name changes into the Toccoa River (and generally has calmer waters).
Make it Easy: Call the Rolling Thunder River Company to take care of all your needs, from selecting the right craft to hiring a guide to steer you through the more daunting waters.
Ocoee River/Toccoa River Centers 20 Hughes Street McCaysville, GA 30555 706-492-5720 Online: rollingthunderriverco.com
While it's not as dramatic as the depiction in Deliverance, the Chattooga isn’t a lazy river float. In fact, children under 8 aren’t allowed in the boat, and you’ll find that the adventure on the Chattooga is less about dueling banjos and more about keeping yourself in the boat.
Keep in Mind: The Chattooga was federally protected in 1974 so if your goal is to see some breathtakingly undeveloped scenery, this is the river for you. However, undeveloped means undeveloped. Don’t plan on stopping off to grab some ice for your cooler along the way.
Make it Easy: Contact the Nantahala Outdoor Center to set up your guided trip, and ease any lingering post-Deliverance jitters you may have.
There’s nothing like hitting the road, sleeping under the stars and spending screen-free time together. Camping is one of the ultimate family pastimes and with campgrounds literally everywhere, the hardest part of the trip might be deciding where to set up. The Dyrt, a resource for campground discovery, just released a new top-10 list of the best sites in the U.S. — and you’re likely closer to one than you think!
The top spot? Located in iconic Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Jenny Lake drew rave reviews for its picturesque lakeside setting. Once you’ve made camp, you can walk to great hiking trails, paddle on the lake and spot wildlife without having to get back in your car! Since it’s located in a national park, spots fill up fast, but you can reserve your nights up to six months in advance at $36 a night.
Here’s the full top 10 list from The Dyrt, including urban camping and tenting under palm trees:
Using a special algorithm, The Dyrt sifted through 45,000 reviewed campgrounds to select the top 10. Number of ratings and quality reviews were also heavily considered. You can use the website to find camping near you, review your favorite campgrounds and access tons of helpful tips. Get out there and enjoy our beautiful world!
Let’s be honest—taking a vacation with kids isn’t always easy. Well, not for parents anway. High chairs? Mile-high luggage? Diapers? Yeah, none of that sounds very relaxing. But knowing exactly what you need to bring (and what you don’t) can make traveling with kids less stressful, and dare we say it—simpler. From how to pack a suitcase to what you need on an airplane, keep reading to discover our top packing tips before your next foray with kids.
What to Ditch ASAP
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1. The entire closet. Often we travel from a colder location to a warmer one. Guess what? Don’t bring along winter coats, scarves, etc. Just layer up for the drive to the airport/train station/car ride. Plus, make sure to check the extended weather where you’re going. Is it going to rain? If not, don’t pack an army of raincoats and boots. Are you going skiing? Leave the warm weather wear at home. The odds are wherever you are going has stores—in case there's a sudden change in weather.
2. Everything in your medicine cabinet. Yes, children get sick. And they love getting sick on vacation. Ok, maybe not love, but you get the idea. Instead of bringing every type of remedy (kids with allergies are the exception), be sure to make a list of the Urgent Care centers and Emergency Rooms in the area. If there is a serious problem—you know where to go. Otherwise, Tylenol and Saline usually do the trick.
3. A white noise machine. Unless you have a tiny tiny tiny one, don’t pack this. Guess what? Lots of parents' choice for a white noise machine is actually an app. It has a million different types of sound, you can easily control the volume, and you’re bringing it with you anyway!
4. All those diapers/wipes/bibs. Pack what you need for a full day, but otherwise where ever you’re going (minus a few exotic locations) will have those things available at any grocery store or pharmacy. Or to save time, you can have those items shipped and delivered to your hotel/motel from a place like Amazon or Jet.
5. Towels. If you’re staying at a hotel, motel, resort, etc., there will be towels aplenty for you and your little ones. Unless where you’re staying specifically says to bring your own towels, don’t worry about packing them.
6. Shoes, shoes, shoes more shoes. No. Just no. Pack practical comfortable shoes for your kids. No one, and I mean no one, cares what shoes your kids are wearing. Even at restaurants. They get a pass. Plus, unless you have a child with very refined tastes, they should be fine with the same two pairs the entire trip.
7. The baby bathtub. Talk about schlepping something so unnecessary. You can definitely make do without a baby bathtub. How? For starters, try getting in the bath with your baby and prop him or her up against you to bathe.
8. Enough snacks to last the entire trip. Once again, pack what you need to get through an entire day. Before you travel, scope out what sort of convenience stores and grocery stores are nearby. Does the hotel have its own shop with snacks and goodies? Unless your child has a very specific snack, and that’s the only one they’ll eat, plan enough for a day, and load up once you get to your location.
9. Every single piece of tech you have at home. Do you really need the mini-DVD player, the tablets and the phones? No. These days, you can download enough movies and shows to your device before take-off to last you the trek. Make sure you have enough for each kid, and leave the rest behind.
10. Stuffies and/or extra blankets. Hear us out. Yes, the lovie probably needs to come with your kid. But, that extra teddy, the other baby blanket and that special pillow. Not only do you risk the chance of it all being left behind, but those items take up precious packing space.
2. IDs/Health Insurance Cards This may seem obvious to those of us who constantly carry around health insurance cards, but not everyone does. Having IDs for children is also a good idea. It never hurts to be prepared.
3. Tylenol/Saline/Syringe See "everything in your medicine cabinet" above. Tylenol and Saline work with a host of problems, including colds, fevers, teething, etc. And a syringe makes it easier to get the medicine into your child.
4. Small Scissors Ok, this may sound weird, but hear us out. First off, a pair of scissors makes opening anything a lot easier. And with kids who are constantly wrapping things around their fingers, these can literally be a life (or limb) saver. Imagine a tiny string wrapped around a baby’s toe? Yes, it happens more often than we realize. Small scissors are perfect for getting that string off.
5. Ziploc Bags Fill these with snacks for the day of travel, and keep them handy. Whether you’re sticking in dirty clothes, bathing suits, small toys, toiletries on the way home or more snacks, Ziploc bags are one of the best and most useful things to pack on a trip.
6. Baby Carrier Sometimes it is just easier to wear your little one. It’s also calming to them in a new and somewhat overwhelming environment. Wearing a baby to get on a plane is also a super easy experience—much better than dragging a stroller. Try checking the stroller and wearing the baby through security. Plus, if you’re planning outdoorsy activities like hiking, long walks, etc., a stroller isn’t always feasible. See our favorite carriers here.
7. Small Toys When the tablets lose their power, or, if you want to start with something that's not tech-driven, have a couple of small toys on hand for kids to "unwrap" in the airport, on the plane or in the car. There's a whole range of cool items out there that cost $10 or less!
Filling your house with flowers doesn’t have to mean hitting the local grocery store or stealing perfect petals from the neighbor’s garden. You and your young gardeners can spend the summer days tiptoeing through dahlias, sunflowers and lavender, and picking gorgeous bouquets to decorate your home. Local U-pick flower farms offer families a dreamy way to spend time together. Read on to find out more.
Sunblossom Farm
You don't have to leave the city to enjoy a U-Pick experience. Located in the NE Cully Neighborhood of Portland, Sunblossom Farm is a sustainable, urban, bee friendly micro farm. Their flower gardens are cared for without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers and are grown in an urban setting designed to help support and provide a sanctuary for today’s struggling bee population. This unique farm is dedicated to providing local, seasonal, and sustainably raised flowers. Your young florists will find sunflowers, roses and more at this awesome spot. Drop-in cost is $20/per bucket. They provide everything you need to pick flowers, but ask that you bring your own container to take flowers home in.
Open Wed 6 p.m.-sunset, Sat 9 a.m.-1p.m. NE 50th ave, between Ainsworth and Holman 503-498-8638 Online: sunblossomfarm.com
Helvetia Lavender Farm
This Hillsboro favorite for Christmas trees goes purple in the summer with two varieties of lavender: English and Lavandin. Drop into the tea pavilion for a lunch of homemade quiche, salad and scones or just the tea and scones for $10. Check out the lavender festival on the first and second weekend in July where you can watch lavender wreath demonstrations, visits a kids' station and shop all things lavender! If you just want to pick some lavender to scent things at home, for $8 a bundle, the owners will give you a pair of scissors and a bucket and you spend your day wandering rows of flowers and picking some to take home. Note: U-Pick only takes place on weekends throughout July.
Dahlia fans, rejoice! Justy's has your favorites, ready to be picked. Since you're heading there, their produce market has it all from A to Z. From apples to zucchini and artichokes to zinnias, they aim to offer everything you need so your flower-picking and produce-shopping is done in one all-organic trip.
Looking for variety? This flower farm also carries a variety of flowers you can purchase and take some home. There are wildcats, show and tells and more. Filling your house with color is easy after a trip to this farm.
Mountainside Lavender Mountainside Lavender is a small family-run farm nestled in the hillside of Chehalem Mountain in the community of Scholls, Oregon. They offer over 2000 lavender plants representing more than 20 varieties of both French and English lavenders in several colors (white, pink and shades of purple). This gorgeous flower farm grows both Lavandins (a cross between Lavandula angusifolia and Lavandula latifolia) and French Lavender which is characterized by longer stems and high oil yields. In addition to U-pick, visitors can also purchase farm-made lavender products such as massage oil, sachets, neck and eye pillows, dried flowers, lip balm, and more all derived from the farm's plants.
Mountainside Lavender is now open for U-pick. Your family can pick your own bouquet for $6/bundle (approximately what you can fit your hand around, fingertip to fingertip), or 5 bouquets for $24. All u-pick supplies will be provided for you, but you’re welcome to bring your own clippers and basket! They are open daily through the end of July from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The Pumpkin Patch This Sauvie Island pumpkin patch has so much more to offer before the fall. They provide your flower-cutting supplies and their flowers are priced at $5-10 per bouquet or $12 per bucket. Give them a call in August to find out what's blooming and save some time to shop the produce market and gift shop for... well, everything else you could possibly need.
16511 NW Gillihan Rd. Sauvie Island 503-621-3874 Online: thepumpkinpatch.com
The end of June brought on a record-breaking heatwave that won’t soon be forgotten. If it has inspired you to find new ways to cool off, then you might want to consider taking up kayaking with kids. How does an afternoon paddling across a local lake with your family sound? If you’ve never seen the inside of a kayak, don’t worry we’ve put together the essentials for you. Here’s how to get started kayaking with your family in and around Portland.
The beautiful thing about living in Portland (one of them, at least) is that you don’t need to buy a lot of gear to try out kayaking. There are plenty of outfitters in and around town who rent out kayaks, paddles and any additional gear you might need for your day of exploration.
Kayaks can be rented for a per hour or per-day rate. If you are just starting out, this is most affordable rout to go. Depending on on the size and type of kayak, hourly rates range from $30/hr to $80/hr. Daily rates range from $60 and up.
If you choose to buy, youth ride-on-top kayaks and inflatable kayaks can be found for $100 and up, and adult and 2-seat kayaks cost $600 or more. For a few quick paddles on your favorite lake, an inflatable kayak might work for a much lower price point. Ask the experts at your outdoor store for tips on what works for you and your family. If you spend time on the water, doesn’t hurt to buy your own flotation devices. Make sure they’re Coast Guard certified and appropriate for your planned activity.
You can rend or buy new and used kayaks at the following locations.
Next Adventure 426 SE. Grand Ave. Portland Online: nextadventure.net
Portland Kayak Company 6600 SW Macadam Ave. Portland Online: portlandkayak.com
Your Little Duffers
Junior can come along on kayaking trip as a paddler or a “duffer.” Duffers are just along for the ride in the center compartment and don’t help propel the boat. This is a role most children play until age eight. Experienced paddlers can start using their own single kayaks around age ten or so.
You’ll want to get started on your kayaking adventure in calm, protected waters first — that means lakes and protected bays without much current or wind. Lakes without motorized boat traffic make for easier paddles, as you won’t need to avoid wakes.
Scappoose Bay is a gentle start for beginners, with the friendly outfitters Next Adventure’s Scappoose Bay Paddling Center providing rentals and lessons or tours. You might even spy some river otters playing.
Trillium Lake has no motorized boat traffic as well as camping and beautiful views near Government Camp on Mt. Hood.
Alder Creek’s classes allow kids 10 and up to attend their Learn to Kayak tours with parents. Check to see which class would be best for your family. (Note: rentals are currently offered, however tours and classes are on hold due to COVID restrictions.
Portland Kayak’s classes are suspended for 2021 due to COVID, however your family can schedule small group private instruction. What a great way to bond! . (Currently open by appointment only.)
The Lower Columbia Slough in North Portland can be a lovely place to set in, but you’ll want to check the tide schedule to keep your trip focused on bald eagles and herons, not hard paddling against the current.
What You Need to Know
Of course, safety is the first priority when it comes to water sports. That means you too, parents! Modeling safety goes a long way. Those personal flotation devices should fit and be properly secured. Wear closed-toe sandals or water shoes, plus plenty of sun block (Bring extra on the kayak with you. You’ll probably be out long enough to need to re-apply.) Don’t take your kids paddling unless you have a lot of experience with advanced moves under your belt—like rolling your kayak, for starters—or you have a very experienced person in your party. Plan snack times and bathroom breaks ahead of time and be sure to bring lots of water for everyone. Then have fun!
