1. Munchkin Arm & Hammer Pacifier Wipes
Toys, teethers, literally everything ends up on the floor while traveling. And if you’re flying, that means you really need to be wiping your baby’s favorite teether clean before handing it back to him. These are the perfect solution!
What’s great about these? They are endlessly entertaining for your little tots, and are a great toy for an Airbnb or hotel room. Even though there are a bunch of pieces, they all stack easily and take up hardly any room. After check in, you can plop the baby down and let the cups loose everywhere. Voila!
I love these for flights because you don’t have to worry about the pieces dropping onto the floor and sliding underneath the seats. Plus the kids work on important skills like snapping, tying, and clipping with this adorable sensory book.
4. Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter Baby Toy
Melissa and Doug have done it again with this super cute shape sorter. Both of my kids love playing with this during travel and the soft backing of the toy makes it very easy to throw in an already very full bag.
5. OOLY Mighty Mega Space Coloring Pack
There’s just something about OOLY’s gorgeous packaging that makes these little travel art packs not only fun to use, but exciting for any kid to receive. I like to keep these sets hidden in my carry-on for just the right moment when my child is about to have a complete mid-flight breakdown. Nothing can calm a kid like bringing out a special gift.
Number six is slightly less glamorous, but this is one of those items that can make or break your travel experience. Because there’s nothing worse than finding out your child is car sick while stuck in the drive-thru line with no way out.
The easiest way to get my toddler through the airport was putting her on this seat and wheeling her to the various gates. And after a long day of travel, having to walk to a different concourse can induce massive tantrums in over-tired children. This is an easy solve and can slide into your bag when you don’t need it.
8. EZEE Diaper Changing Mat
It’s shocking the amount of bathrooms out there that don’t have changing tables. And the ones that do are gross about 90% of the time. This mat is great because you lay it out and the back of baby is completely covered. It can hold wipes, cream, and enough diapers for a day of travel. So easy.
9. MaskC’s Kids Black KN95 Masks
I love these masks for kids. They are very comfortable and they come in some adorable patterns. Stuff a few masks in your various bags and you’ll be covered for the duration of the trip.
10. Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag and Dispenser
These are essential. I have them in cars, diaper bags, purses, bags, everywhere. They conceal poopy diapers beautifully and if you accidentally leave them in your car, you aren’t going to gag the next time you throw open the trunk. These are a MUST.
And there we have it, our top ten favorite travel products. And even though no one can be prepared for every possible circumstance, at least you will be covering a large portion of them. Go forth and travel, parents!
]]>
On Tuesday, they are offering a launch of hand knit styles and accessories from Africa. Also, they will be donating 10% of their daily revenue for December 1st to the Patrick Chege Orphanage.
Every dollar you give can help provide at least 10 meals to families in need this holiday through the Feeding America network of food banks. This is an incredibly meaningful cause.
Donate today and every dollar you give will be added to the Giving Tuesday Matching Gift Fund. This gift is tax-deductible and helps to provide the most effective solutions to the environment’s most pressing challenges. It’s an “…investment in the future of our planet.” That’s pretty important.
Choose from adorable drinkware collections to rid your household of single-use plastics. They also have a very fun “Virtual Happy Hour Kit” that would be an instant hit for any friend who’s still on your list. Best part is that 25% of all sales will be donated to Edible Schoolyard NYC.
This brand is having a really cool sale for Tuesday-- teachers, students, doctors, nurses, first responders, and military personnel can all get 50% off EVERYTHING. In stores and online. Great way to support the people that have been giving us so much the past year.
UNICEF is doing something very special for Tuesday – they will triple every donation today. From their website: “UNICEF is on the ground protecting and saving children in crisis. Emergency aid is needed to keep children safe as COVID-19 spreads and more children face threats like malnutrition and violence. Give before midnight tonight and your impact will be TRIPLED to help us reach 3X more children.”
For every order placed today, Colored Organics will donate an item to the Good+Foundation. This is a national nonprofit that works to dismantle multi-generational poverty by pairing tangible goods with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers and caregivers. This creates an upward trajectory for the whole family. Organic clothing plus helping to dismantle poverty? Win, win.
]]>
And so, I’ve come up with a list of my favorite holiday decorations. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Zinc Sitting Reindeer Stocking Hook By Crate and Barrel
Here’s what I love about this stocking holder – it’s simple, it’s chic, it comes in three different colors, and it’s heavy. It’s pretty without being too much of the focal point. I ended up buying a few extra of these just to have in case we have more visitors for Christmas in the years to come.
There are so many cute doormats, but this one just feels festive without being over the top – like you can pull it out November 1st and use it until February.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a Nest Holiday Candle. They are definitely pricey, but so worth it. It’s Christmas Eve wrapped up in a candle, and instantly puts me in a good mood. The box is also incredibly gorgeous, so it makes the perfect gift for those friends who are Christmas lovers.
4. Mud Pie Star of David French Knot Tea Towels
My husband is Jewish, so I love adding accents like these around the house during Hanukkah. These linen towels are soft, simple, and look beautiful in a guest bathroom. I'm interested to see how they hold up after a few washes, but so far they've been great.
5. Etsy's Our First Pandemic Ornament
I love this ornament mostly because I’m looking forward to many years in the future when I get to talk about what a hard year 2020 was and it’s in the past. I love collecting ornaments that have meaning or stories attached—something that makes the act of decorating the Christmas tree also a walk through memory lane. It’s a cute decoration, but also a reminder of what this year was about, and how we’ve all had to persevere.
6. Hanging 1.5m Wall Christmas Tree from Etsy
What I love about this piece is that you can still display ornaments, but without the hassle of going out and getting a tree to hang them on. This is perfect if you live in an apartment or even if you want to have a simplified holiday experience.
7. Woodland Tabletop Live Tree With Lights by L.L. Bean
This tabletop tree is perfect to brighten up your kitchen, or even as a centerpiece on a well-appointed table. It’s a real spruce tree, so in the spring you can even plant it outside. I love having a couple of these around the house, or even outside if you have a terrace.
8. Terrain’s Over the Table Rod
I’m not a terribly crafty person, but I just love this piece. You can add lights and real or fake flowers, even lanterns if you want. It’s a wonderful way to brighten up your outdoor table (for those of us in Southern California especially, who plan to do Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner outside). With the decorations off the table, it leaves more room for food and wine, and there’s no awkward “I can’t see you over this enormous vase of flowers” moments.
9. Fragrant Berry Wreath by Williams Sonoma
I love this wreath. It has cedar boughs and is laced with eucalyptus, pinecones, and faux red berries. It’s cheerful and inviting without being over-the-top. Plus it gives you that lovely holiday scent as you walk through the door. Definitely a favorite.
10. Hit the Slopes Pillow by Anthropologie
This pillow is beautiful, well-made, and makes me dream of being on a holiday vacation. Regardless of how we will be spending the holidays this year, I can snuggle up with a couple of these pillows on the couch and pretend to be in a mountain chalet with friends and family.
]]>
At home, I had a couple more swaddles that seemed more idiot-proof. One was the Miracle Blanket Swaddle Wrap from Amazon. It had amazing reviews, and I was excited to try it out on our little newborn. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t manage to get it wrapped and secured around the baby. It felt loose in some places, and baby CJ didn’t enjoy me fumbling through getting the hang of it. So it ended up in the bottom of her dresser.
Before I was due, I took the Newborn course from Taking Cara Babies (if you haven’t taken this, I highly recommend it). In it, they used the Ollie Swaddle, which seemed very simple and user-friendly. Luckily I already had bought it during that new mom “I have to buy everything” phase. I pulled it out of the dresser, and in two moves CJ was snug and tight in her swaddle. It was by far the easiest swaddle I’d tried, and the baby loved it. From that moment on, she only slept in the Ollie Swaddle, and I even bought an extra so that I could always have one on hand in case of a spit-up or blowout.
I was such a fan of this swaddle, I sent one to every pregnant friend I had. And undoubtedly, they had the same experience with it. When you are a sleep-deprived, anxiety-ridden new parent, the Ollie Swaddle becomes your most valuable asset for getting your newborn sleeping soundly. And your newborn sleeping soundly equals TIME TO YOURSELF. And in those moments, all I could muster was crawling into my own bed to catch some Zzz’s.
]]>
And then there was the issue of the car seat cover. The bright patterns made the inside of the car seat even brighter, and I worried that it wasn’t helping the baby fall asleep when we were out shopping or strolling. I realized I wanted something really dark – not just for my own privacy but to better help the baby doze off.
But once I started the search for something simple and black, I couldn’t find one anywhere. Isn’t that always the case? Once you really need something, all of a sudden it’s a shopping desert – even when it comes to something very simple. That’s why I added the gorgeous Papillon Bebe black car seat and nursing cover to the Peachick Delivery Box. It’s so chic and soft, and unlike many other nursing covers, it doesn’t scream, “FEEDING A BABY UNDER HERE!” The best part? When you aren’t nursing, it looks like a simple black scarf. This versatile piece became one of the most important things to pack in my baby bag. Never leave home without it!
]]>
Being pregnant during the world of Covid is incredibly daunting. No longer having your partner at ultrasound appointments, seeing the doctor over video, the constant fear of getting sick. Even having a newborn in the NICU has changed, with parents often split up and other strict visiting guidelines that keep babies isolated. But we’re getting through it all together, one day at a time. During a year where we all reflect on our relationships with family and friends, I have realized how lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love and perseverance. With nothing guaranteed, especially these days, I reflect more on gratitude than ever before.
Launching Peachick has been a learning experience, and often I’ve felt out of my element and pessimistic about myself and what I can do. But I’m trying not to live handcuffed to fear, and instead of hesitating with each decision, I’ve decided to jump in with both feet. I hope that Peachick can provide joy and love in a box, in a time when we all can use a little extra of both.
]]>