When I was pregnant with my daughter a good friend told me to try to travel as much as we could when she was still a young baby. At the time of midnight feedings and a new baby we were just learning about, this sounded so overwhelming and staying at home seemed like the much easier option. Her reasoning for this was not only for the baby to become comfortable traveling while still young enough to adapt to it, but also because children under age two can fly on your lap (not as safe as purchasing their own seat with a car seat) for free. Once turning two they need their own purchased seat and are no longer a “lap riding infant”.
Since she was a newborn our family has been many amazing places and travel has become a very normal part of our lives with her. She is now approaching two and we just bought her first airline ticket with her own seat. It’s more expensive now and she will still probably prefer to lay on us but the extra room for snacks and in flight entertainment will be a nice change.
It’s here! The February Allure Beauty Box! If you didn’t see my last post about it I’m a big fan of subscription Beauty Boxes and have tried many. I love getting new products to try every month that I don’t know about previously. There’s no huge commitment to buying a big product you aren’t sure about yet. Other Beauty Boxes don’t have the quality or size of the Allure Boxes and for two months now I have been very impressed! There isn’t a ton of packaging and you get FULL SIZE products included in your box. This is my second month of my subscription to The Allure Beauty Box through Amazon. They Amazon have many types of subscription boxes on their site and Allure was my first to try.
When it arrived it was nicely packaged in the box it came in (with instructions for all of your products!) and items were wrapped in tissue paper. Not a lot of junk to throw away. As you can see from the photo 3 items are full size products (it seems you get 3 full size every month). I love that. No trial sizes here. Full size this month are Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion, Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask, and Mented Cosmetics Liquid Lips in Blood Orange. The shipping is free (unlike other beauty box companies) and the box is $23.00 and you can cancel at anytime. Since it’s Amazon it’s really easy, unlike some others. I’m excited to try these fun products and I think this would make a great gift for any beauty lovers in your life (or yourself!). Click the photo below to check it out for yourself. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
If you haven’t seen Sing 2 yet, you are in for a treat. Besides an all star cast, great music and fun dance numbers, the storyline is wonderful. With a small exception, the cast from the first one is back and a couple of new favorites are added to the lineup. It is in theaters but I am very happy to say (during the pandemic especially!) it is also available to rent on Amazon Prime now!
Recently Amazon started a new program called Amazon Aware. All of their Amazon Aware products are certified as carbon neutral and feature certifications that are part of the Climate Pledge Friendly Program. I am very excited to find Amazon Aware because finding products with these certifications all in one place is very hard. Many of the fabrics used are organic (free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals) and the processes used to make these are less harmful to the Earth and in the long term (and short term) us as well. They have a range of Women’s Clothing, Men’s Clothing, Household Essentials, Beauty Products, and Bed & Bath Products. There is really something for almost everyone (I’m hoping a children’s range is next!) and multiple color options for each in great Spring/Summer colors. There are some great pieces in each line (both Women’s and Men’s) that would make a fantastic capsule wardrobe and is perfect for travel!
Since moving to the Bahamas we have been trying to see more than the normal tourist things you might see on a day in Nassau from a cruise stop. It has been really fun because it’s forced me to think outside of what Trip Advisor (although great) offers and find other events and places you may only hear about from locals.
It was a great event with something for the whole family! Food, music, crafts, games for kids, information about local events and museums and even a “History of the Bahamas Runway Show” featuring some of the local pirates who once lived here. We purchased both conch and cod fritters, local Bahamian Limeade and candied nuts from The Nutty Bavarian (they were really wonderful!).
It is an annual event so if you are lucky enough to be visiting Nassau when it is going on make sure to check it out and learn about real Bahamian culture and local fun!
One thing that has been a constant since my daughter was born was her BOB Stroller. We have actually had a couple because of moves and have traveled with them to multiple countries. They hold everything and are perfect for all kinds of weather. They were originally a jogging stroller, but trust me, nothing is better for a long day at Disney or walking on cobblestone road. You feel secure that your child is safe. They are very stable. The tires are like bicycles and the amount of storage and accessories leaves your child riding in style and comfortable through kind of weather. The Revolution single jogging stroller has been our choice but there are duallie strollers (for two children) as well. Our favorite accessories have been the travel bag (especially if you intend to fly with it), handlebar console, and rain cover.
Here she is on one of our adventures. She chose her own outfit for our walk. 💕 Do your kids have any items they have to take with them when you travel or go out for the day? Let us know their favorites in the comments!
Sometimes as a Mom, you need something special just for you. For me, it’s flowers and candles. They make me happy and the smell can be an instant mood lifter. I’m a sucker for anything with roses & the candles from Diptyque are fantastic (though pricey). 🥀🌹 If you like the smell of roses, this candle is for you! It smells AMAZING! They have other scents, but I love the one below. You can get it in store or click the photo. It smells like fresh cut roses and is perfect for a bedroom, bathroom or to use when taking a bubble bath. I use it when I’m doing my makeup and hair to go out somewhere and it always lifts my mood instantly! They have many candle accessories (such as this carousel) as well that make your candles sparkle a little brighter.
Another option that is more budget friendly is Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day soy candles. They are made with soy wax and essential oils. The Lavender smells really nice and the Peony is wonderful. I really like their seasonal scents like Apple Cider and Iowa Pine.
I am a huge fan of subscription Beauty Boxes and have tried many different over the years. I love the idea of getting to try many new products every month that I may not have heard of or wanted to try but didn’t want to commit to buying a full size without knowing if I liked it. Many leave a lot to be desired when it comes to quality of the products, or the small trial size you recieve. It’s a lot of fluff in packaging but not much product. I recently tried a subscription to The Allure Beauty Box through Amazon. I discovered that Amazon has a significant amount of subscription boxes on their site and this was my first one to try.
When it arrived it was nicely packaged in the box it came in and items were wrapped in tissue paper. Not a lot of junk to throw away. Right off I knew 4 of the brands and am a big fan of two (Sunday Riley & Bliss in particular). As you can see from the photo 3 items are full size products (it seems you get 3 full size every month). I love that. No trial sizes here. The shipping is free (unlike other beauty box companies) and the box is $23.00 and you can cancel at anytime. Since it’s Amazon it’s really easy, unlike some others. I’m excited to try these fun products and I think this would make a great gift for any beauty lovers in your life (or yourself!). Click the photo below to check it out for yourself. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Before I had a baby I wasn’t too excited about a Minivan. Recently at Walt Disney World that all changed. Together with Lyft Disney has created a very fun ride called the “Minnie Van”. It is a collaboration with the ride share service and available for guests of the resorts around the parks. You can arrange a ride in a private Disney car right from your phone. A Disney cast member drives you, so you know you’re in good hands, and they can take you anywhere around Walt Disney World Resort. The service holds up to 6 guest with two available car seats (versatile car seats that can be either forward or rear facing or even a booster seat) for little guests.
The Minnie Van on our most recent WDW trip
On our last two trips to Walt Disney World we have had the opportunity to try the Minnie Van. One time from the Caribbean Beach Resort and once from the Polynesian. If you currently use Lyft you probably know how it works but additionally we had to ask for an activation code at the front desk to use the Minnie Van service.
Gianna loving the Minnie Van at WDW
On both trips the Disney cast member drivers were wonderful and so helpful and accompanying. The ride is $25 flat for a one way trip. Although this seems a bit high compared to normal ride sharing apps or the free transportation options WDW offers, when you are pressed for time or don’t want to deal with the bus service or other options it is a great time saver! Also being provided by Disney there is a feeling of additional safety and the provided car seats make it great for families.
The Minnie Van drops you off right where you need to be at the parks!
For us, we had a half day after travel to spend at the park so the time saved was well worth it. Disney music was playing during the trip which my daughter loved and it was so much fun to see her light up as she recognized a song. Both of our drivers have been so helpful and knew answers to any questions we have had.
On each trip, our Minnie Van was equipped with Graco 4ever car seats and Gianna loved them so much that we ended up getting one ourselves as her new “big girl” car seat!
Her new “Big Girl” car seat at home
If you are staying at a WDW property and are looking for a way to add a little special touch to shorten your trip to the park or ease to your day, make sure you try a Minnie Van. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from our adventures at Walt Disney World in upcoming posts and follow us on Instagram @ATinySuitcase!
car seats and Gianna loved them so much that we ended up getting one ourselves as her new “big girl” car seat!
by Jaimarie 