Disclaimer: The post was sponsored by Trackeroo but all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also includes affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

I'm gonna just go ahead and start this post with a few well known facts about AirPods:

1. They're amazing.
2. They're expensive.
3. They're way too easy to lose.

If you don't want to lose your AirPods, then you need to get yourself a Trackeroo (read on to learn about them and don't forget you can win 2 in my $420 value jackpot giveaway running through January 13)!

​What the heck is a Trackeroo, you ask?? Well, ha, I will tell you, because they sponsored this post, but y'all know me and I'm no sell out - I only promote what I truly love and guys, I love me some Trackeroo!! Watch my quick demo and review here:

Trackeroo is a little silicone case that fits your AirPods case perfectly. It has a charging spot so you can still charge right in the case. It also has a handy carabiner and "contact if found" tag. But here's where it is truly awesome - it has a slot for a tracking tile!! YES!! Just sync it with your phone and you no longer have to worry about misplacing your AirPods at home, in your car, or out and about.

You can now track your AirPods from your phone, using a locator map and you can make your tracking tile ring if you know it's nearby but can't quite find it. You can also double tap the tracking tile to make your phone ring, even if on silent! We all know the struggle of losing your phone at home and not having anyone else around with a phone to call it for you. Struggle no more - your Trackeroo tracking tile will save the day!

The silicone case fits nice and snug so you don't have to worry about your AirPods case or the tracking tile falling out, and it comes in a number of colors to choose from, including black, pink, blue, green, red, and my personal favorite, glow in the dark!! Prices for the Trackeroo range from $7 - 15, and the tracking device is an extra $20 or so. You can buy the tiles in bulk to save a bit - I plan on taping one to each of our remotes so we never lose one of those again (have you heard the story of how we lost a remote for 6+ months because one of the kids zippered it inside one of our couch cushions and forgot?!?! TRUE STORY!!!).

You can read more about Trackeroo on their website, and buy them on Amazon (affiliate links):

• Trackeroo AirPods Case
• Tracking Tile​​
• AirPods
• Knock-Off AirPods

You can also enter to win 2 of these Trackeroos (with tracking tiles) in my $420 value jackpot giveaway here (ending January 13)!!

Disclaimer: We were provided product from Shinesty and photos from Beyond Moments in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. In addition, this post includes some affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

No matter the holiday or theme, Shinesty has an outfit to let you get as festive and cheesy as your heart desires! While they focus mainly on men's and women's funky fashion, they also have a great selection of children's and family coordinating options! Did you see us rocking our snowflake outfits last year?? Well, this year we're back for another collab with Shinesty, outfitted in my favorite of their Christmas line - the "Lincoln Log" pattern!

Our outfits arrived just in time for our Holiday mini photoshoot with Beyond Moments Photography, a new mom & dad photography team here in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Look at how stinkin' cute these photos came out!!! If you're local, stay tuned - they'll be offering more mini photo shoot pop ups in the coming weeks!!

So, ok, I guess I'll have to stop gushing over those photos and get on with the review right!? Here's what we're wearing:

On Me:
Lincoln Log Love Lady Christmas Suit Jacket ($69) and Christmas Skirt ($59.99). The material is fabulous, smooth and a bit silky, high waisted with a hidden zipper. The skirt has pockets, which are convenient, and they're slimly tucked away, not adding bulk to your hips. I would suggest considering ordering a size down in the jacket as it's not especially fitted.

On The Boys:
My husband is sporting the full Lincoln Log Love Daddy Christmas Suit ($99) - you can independently select jacket and pant size (waist only though, so they're super long on my short hubby), and can select tie or bow tie. My son however, quickly hijacked the tie, which looks adorbs, right? Kenzo is also sporting the Christmas pants, which feature a comfy easy to fit elastic waist.

On The Twins:
They were low on stock when we ordered (and out of stock on many things now so plan ahead if wanting to get these for another holiday or next Christmas, it'd be smart to order by Halloween), so we couldn't get my twins identical dresses, but that kinda worked out nicely! Mia, below far left, is wearing the Lincoln Log Little Lady Christmas Dress (in XS, age 3-4; $34.99) which was long but otherwise fit pretty well. Emi, below far right, is wearing Toddler Christmas Dress (in size 5T, $29.99), which was shorter (and too big because she needed a 4T but nothing a quick fold under of the sleeves couldn't fix). Great news is that these will still fit them next year, score!!

So, what do you think!? ​​I love love love this pattern, but they have many to choose from, and not just Christmas! They've got Hannukah, New Year's, Thanksgiving, NFL, ski wear, crazy bathing suits and boxers, pajamas, you name it, even OREO apparel (yes, you read that right)!! Head on over to Shinesty to do some Holiday shopping!!

But first, comment below! How do you dress for family photos? Do you have a stash of Ugly Christmas Sweaters? Do you have any family coordinating outfits? I gotta say I'm a total sucker for them!!! Don't miss my post on the fab budget-friendly graphic tees over at Target!!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Vianetic, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. Additionally, this post includes some affiliate links - we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

Of course The Vianetic aka the BEST DIAPER BAG EVER launched after my families' diapering days were over, but that doesn't mean I can't review it for you guys, and of course keep it for my own personal use, because this thing goes way beyond managing diapers!! We're actually giving away one Vianetic diaper bag in my $560 value jackpot Baby Goodies Giveaway, so don't forget to enter to win by November 26!

For the best introduction to this diaper bag, you'll need to watch my Vianetic demo video. As I walk you through each of the 21+ features of this bag, you'll be able to truly appreciate just how amazing it is!! So watch it here and then keep reading for more detailed photos and info:

Unbelievable Storage & Organization:
The biggest thing that sets Vianetic apart from the crowd is its organizational capabilities. It's not your average backpack that opens from the top into a cavernous mess. Oh no. The front panel pulls completely open (via pull tab magnet, no less) to give you a beautifully organized (with velcro  panels or fully inclosed zippered container) view of your contents.

Attached (but removable) to this front panel is your easy to wipe clean diaper changing pad. So you could sit the backpack in your SUV's trunk or a park bench, open it up and change your baby right there without taking anything apart.

It also has a separate compartment on the bottom of the backpack (pictured top right in below image), and another in the back, meant for your laptop (pictured below on bottom right).

Multiple Carrying Options:
While it serves most obviously as a backpack to be carried, well, on your back, it also has a really nifty ability to quickly convert to be carried or stowed in other ways.  The straps are detachable so you can use as a standard 2 strap backpack or a cross body bag. The chest clips on each strap actually move up and down the strap, and have magnetic quick release buttons. These allow you to quickly hang or release it from the back of a stroller or the car's headrest, for example! Don't forget, it also has the luggage passthrough section on the back!

21+ Features:
Some of these have been mentioned above, but let's just go ahead and list some of the very cool and unique features you'll find on or in your Vianetic:

• Thermal Pack - this is a separate bag that comes inside your Vianetic bag. It says it can hold 3 baby bottles or ice pack and several food containers. AND a full sized bottle of wine. Yep! See me prove it in my YouTube Demo!
• Detachable diaper changing pad (can be used without detaching it; easy to clean)
• Sun glass holders on each strap
• Laptop compartment in back (large 20L holds up to 15", smaller 16L  holds up to 13")
• External USB plug
• Wet/Dry compartment
• Rain cover
• Side pockets for water bottle or other items, can be tucked in or out of the way when not in use
• Standing feet - stands nicely on its own
• Hidden passport pocket
• Keyring / Side access
  
• Lots of back & strap padding
  
• tons of extra pockets and compartments in every nook and cranny!

So what do you think!? Pretty amazing diaper bag, am I right!? But it'll serve you beyond that - use it for a travel bag, a work bag, or just your daily bag for getting around town!!

Don't forget, you can win one in my $560 value Baby Goodies Giveaway running through November 26!

Enter to win here!!

If you don't win, don't fret - they'll be having some great Black Friday deals and other deals as well. Right now I'm seeing a code for $40 off the Mini on their website! 

Don't miss our reviews of the must haves for getting around with babies through big kid:

• Wonderfold Wagon
• Evenflo Pivot Xpand Single to Double Stroller

When it comes to family and event photography, the number of options out there can be overwhelming! There are large chains, independent studios, freelancers, hobbyists. There are a lot of things to consider, here's my personal check list:

What to consider when hiring a photographer:

• Prices - These vary greatly depending on expertise, equipment, and deliverables. Prices can seem high but you have to take into consideration the time required by the photographer not just to take the photos but all the work that goes into editing them, not to mention they have to cover any overhead -  studio rent, photo props, equipment, advertising, etc!
• Deliverables - Are digitals included? Can you print yourself or only through them?
• Retouching - To what extent will they retouch your photos? Just lighting/coloring or little things like that flyaway hair and baby's booboo? I remember my son's cake smash session - we walked 45 minutes in the snow to the home studio in Dyker Heights, and I had the WORST crease on my forehead from my winter hat. But the photographer was more than happy to photo shop it out of our family photos, for no extra fee, now that's service!!)
• Location - Will it be in their studio, your home, at your event, or a location of your choosing (park, etc)? Do they have a travel fee?
• Specialty - It's not really advisable to ask someone who typically does magazine editorial photos to do your newborn baby shoot (mistake we made with our 1st baby, since it was a friend doing it for free - they had no newborn experience and did NOT know all very important tricks with shooting newborns and dealing with hormonal stressed out nervous wreck postpartum mommies)
• Experience & Equipment - Generally speaking, the less experience the cheaper they'll be, and the less techy equipment they'll have (not quite as spectacular a camera, maybe no lighting), but most often you get what you pay for. That's not to say you can't find a diamond in the rough, a truly talented hobbyist who will give you a good deal and produce spectacular photos.

We've been thrilled with the handful of local Bay Ridge area photographers we've used over the years. We haven't stuck with 1, as most families do, simply because I usually barter a photoshoot in exchange for doing a review and promotion for them. And it's nice to try out different ones so I can recommend them on a personal level! But it's been a couple of years since our last professional shoot so I was excited when a local mom approached me about promoting her husband's photography partnership with another local photographer!

StarPhoto BayRidge are a team of skilled photographers who specialize in Family and Event Photography. Memories and milestones are truly special and photographs can preserve treasured moments for the years to come. StarPhoto is the combined talents of Beto Ramos and Scott Olsen. Both are long time Bay Ridge residents with many years of photography experience. ​

We met at a coffee shop go over my preferences on style and location. I said we're more silly than lovey dovey; I wanted some action shots but also some nice portrait style ones, and was fine in any location. They chose a nearby park and then I began working on the hardest part of photo session prep: the wardrobe!! I didn't want to be matchy matchy, all in white tees and jeans let's say, but I wanted us to coordinate. OMG that's hard guys!! But I'm happy with my choices.

Scott and Beto were incredibly easy to work with!! They were on time, brought their cameras and lighting. Had helpful suggestions for poses and different locations. Really important here - they were PATIENT!!! With 3 small kids who just wanted to run around and play, it's so hard, but Scott and Beto were remarkably calm and just waited for us to be ready! We never felt rushed or that they were getting impatient. Some shots just simply didn't work timing wise and they knew when to give up and try something else - trying to get 3 kids to hold hands and jump simultaneously while smiling at the camera just didn't work, for example, but we still got a fun shot (see below, my "behind the scenes" shot followed by the final perfectly imperfect shot LOL!

Beto specializes in digital photography and studio lighting, and is an expert at PhotoShop and retouching photos. Our photos came out so brilliant, the colors and lighting are perfect, I'm just in love! You can see Beto's portraits gallery here - they are simply stunning! If you're looking for headshots for LinkedIn or a modeling career, he's your guy! Don't forget to follow Beto on Instagram!

​Scott is an experienced digital shooter who happens to have a passion for old fashioned film photography. Scott shoots, and develops, everything from 35 millimeter to medium and large format as well as wet plate photography which has been around since 1851. “Wet Plate” is a special process that results in an image on a metal plate or glass. It's ready to see in minutes and after drying and varnishing it will last for centuries. Examples of his work with film and wet plate can be found on Instagram, and you can see some black and whites he shot of us on film here:

We had a great shoot with Beto and Scott and I'm in love with the photos they provided us with! But now my dilemma is... which ones do I print??

Which one(s) would you do in a huge frame or canvas?! HELP ME DECIDE, please!!!

I highly recommend StarPhoto Bay Ridge for your next family photo shoot or event, AND, get excited because I have a discount for you!!!

DISCOUNT:
Get 25% off a 1 hour digital photography session with StarPhoto Bay Ridge, which includes at least 10 retouched images in high resolution format which can be downloaded from SmugMug. Regularly $200, you pay just $150. Just book by 10/31/2019 and mention this blog post!!

I grew up hearing about Medieval Times and always wanted to go, but somehow never did! So when we were offered tickets in exchange for a blog post, I jumped at the chance!! The timing was perfect, too, as our twins just had their 4th birthday a week ago, so this served as their big royal birthday celebration!

Located in Lyndhurst NJ, Medieval Times is an easy outing for NYC families with cars. I thought it was going to be all about jousting but boy oh boy was I wrong, it was so much more - a truly unique experience that includes royal drama, horses, knights, delicious food, and more! Check out our YouTube video to get a great feel of the whole experience, and read on for more details!

You can arrive up to 75 minutes before your showtime and I recommend getting there at least 30 minutes ahead as there's so much to see and experience in the huge hall before you enter the show! You can purchase drinks and there's tons of merch for sale - from princess hats and crowns to swords and lots of lighty-uppy things that the kids will go nuts over! You can also see the Queen come out and knight guests in honor of their birthdays (an up-sell option, of course!).

Everyone gets a cute paper crown with the same color as your seating block, which adds the whole excitement of cheering on or booing certain teams - my husband said this was his favorite part! My kids got really into it, too, I mean, when are they encouraged to yell loudly indoors!?

​Once we took our seats the waiter quickly came up and served us some hot tomato bisque, and it was STEAMING hot! The bowls and plates are metal, so the bowl itself ended up very hot as well, just be careful with your little ones!! Throughout the show they brought more food - delicious rotisserie chicken (vegetarian option offered), a thick sliced and salted baked potato, corn on the cob, garlic bread, and for dessert, a small ice cream cup with strawberry syrup. The quality and amount of food was fit for a king, and they have to-go bags in case you want to bag it up for later. I was worried having read that there are no utensils and thought it'd get really messy eating with our hands. But actually, it added to the whole medieval aspect of it and was fun! And, they have individual wet wipe packs for before and after, and napkins, so don't worry! Also bringing you back in time, all staff were dressed in costume, and the way the stadium was lit, at times when the main lights went out, it looked like we were all using only candle light! Very neat!

There was a kind of story that went along with the show, something about them wanting to give the winning knight to the Queen as her King, but she wasn't having that. And then one of the knights didn't want to kill another in the contest, and she let the audience decide (they cheered to kill him, as they do) and she denied the request and let him live. That's all I really got from it. My poor husband couldn't catch a word - his English isn't completely fluent and they spoke in British accents over the speakers and there was so much going on it was just hard to follow sometimes. But there was a story, if you focused!

And to my surprise, there was so much more than jousting. In fact, jousting was just a small portion at the end!! There were horses performing dressage, there was a series of non-contact fun contests the knights did on horseback, there was a hawk that flew around the stadium a few times (really cool and unexpected!!), and then, the jousting. Which was SO COOL!!! I really had no idea what to expect, but basically they jousted one or two rounds til one was knocked off, and then they fought hand to hand combat with and without weapons. And the weapons were just, whoa, MEDIEVAL!!! Don't miss that part in my video, the swords actually sparked when clashing against each other!!

We just had such a great time! I think whether you're a history buff, or have a princess-obsessed daughter, or are just looking for a unique dinner show experience with or without the kids, you can't go wrong with Medieval Times! Regular ticket prices are $64.95/adult and $36.95 per child (under 12), but they have deals occasionally (adult tickets Columbus Day weekend for example are only $40!) and offer group rates (birthday parties, school or camp trips, etc). Get more info and grab your tickets here!

After dedicating time to my kids, my work, and my husband, let's face it, there just never seems to be any time left over for myself, or my mom friends. But that's silly. Of course there's enough time. You just have to get your priorities straight and MAKE the time! So, this week, I had myself a mom date and we had THE. BEST. TIME!!! And in true mom blogger fashion, I'm here to share it with you so you can be inspired and have an easy copycat mom date of your own!!

Disclaimer: This post is made possible by support from Mean Girls on Broadway. All opinions are my own. This post also includes some affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll earn a small commission from purchases made.

Some of you out there may already be obsessed with the Tina Fey written "Mean Girls", watching the movie regularly since it was released way back in 2004. I myself had only seen it once and didn't remember anything about the movie other than it starred the infamous Lindsay Lohan (who apparently now runs a few night clubs in Greece and recently starred in her own MTV reality show!?). My point is, whether you know the story or not, you will absolutely LOVE Mean Girls on Broadway. Why? It's got everything!!

• MUSIC - is amazing, super catchy tunes, with crazy talented singers
• STORY & MESSAGE - is really inspiring, basically anti-bullying, showcasing the importance of being true to yourself and supporting others, or at least not putting others down. Not sure if these are direct quotes or not but they're some that really stuck with me from the show: Telling someone they're dumb won't make you smarter. Telling someone they're ugly won't make you prettier. Even the people you don't like are still people, so, GET OFF THEIR DICKS! LOL!! Seriously though, it has such an amazing message, but told in such a fun and hilarious way, it's awesome!
• DANCING - is fun, lots of group dances of course, it's broadway, and my favorite was Grey Henson, who plays Damian, he's just SO over the top and absolutely pee-your-pants hilarious, his dialogue and his tap dancing, all of it! So fun!

Now, I suggest this most highly for a super fun night out with your girlfriends and mom friends. That said, many boyfriends and husbands would also enjoy it, if they're into Broadway musicals. I wouldn't recommend it for kids, because of the dialogue and innuendos (teenage drinking, sex, intense bullying), but older teens would love it, and again, it has just such a great message about accepting yourself and others, and the special need for girls to support each other.

So, I took one of my best mom friends, Rhianon of Brooklyn Boy Mom & Known, out to Mean Girls on Broadway for a special Bloggers' Night they organized! We started across the street from the theater for fun drinks and yummy food at Haswell Greens (240 W. 42nd St) and got a little silly with their photo props (above)! Then we headed over to the August Wilson Theater (245 W. 52nd St), which has been decorated to get you into the Mean Girls / High School mood from the start! So many fun photo ops, even in the bathroom LOL (see below)!!

There's themed food and drinks for purchase at the theater, and of course TONS OF MERCH!!

So, aren't you just dying to go see this now!?!? You're in luck, cuz I got some discounts to give you - for the show AND for babysitting!!!!

Get tickets for Mean Girls on Broadway for as low as $59 with code MGBWAY here!
(The code can be used on Ticketmaster after you select your date, September 17 - November 24).

And if you need to get a sitter in order to make your Moms' Night Out happen, check out this offer!!

Your sitter search made simple! Join Sittercity and easily connect to local sitters. Join today and save 50% on a monthly membership.  
**Pro Tip: Sign up for Rakuten (affiliate link / formerly E-bates) first and you'll get $20 cash back on your Sittercity spending!!**
To Redeem: Click the Sittercity link provided above and follow the steps to create a new account or log in from the homepage. Click “Upgrade” then select the 1-month Premium Membership option that shows the discounted rate of $17.50. Follow the steps to process payment for your new Sittercity membership. Discount offer is only valid for the first monthly payment cycle. Subscriptions are non-refundable and automatically renew at the original monthly subscription rate of $35 per month until canceled by changing your account settings or contacting us here. Offer is good for new Premium subscribers only.

There's absolutely no need to see the movie or listen to the Broadway music before you see the show, but in case you wanna get in the mood, here are a few fun items from Amazon to check out (affiliate links)

So fun, right!? Leave a comment below - are you obsessed with Mean Girls the movie? Have you seen it on Broadway or On Tour yet? What are some of your most memorable Moms' Night Out ideas!?

I don't know about where you're from, but here in NYC, kids learn to ride scooters pretty soon after learning to walk! Maybe it's because we don't drive much, or don't have space to store multiple bikes, but scooters have become a huge part of my family's life, which is why we're so happy to collaborate with ShopHot.com on this review of 2 of the ChromeWheels Scooters sold on their website (discount code at bottom of this post)!!

Disclaimer: We were provided product in exchange for this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own and completely unbiased. In addition, there are some affiliate links included in this post, you don't pay more but we will receive a small commission on purchases made after clicking links.

Before I go into my full review below, be sure to watch my video unboxing, setting up the scooters, and trying them out, including footage of my very first time riding a scooter! HA! (The kids' adorable helmets are Mini Hornit LIDS, check out our review here if you missed it!)

2-Wheel Deluxe 8" Wheel ChromeWheels Scooter

Our 6.5 year old had outgrown his non-adjustable 3-wheel scooter and was nervous but excited to graduate to a 2-wheeler. Since he hasn't learned to ride a bike yet, balance-wise it definitely took some getting used to, but there's no stopping him now! He feels (and looks) like such a big boy! If you have a child ready for a 2-wheeler, this is a great one, check out some of these features:

• 200 pound weight limit (ages 6+) - meaning my husband and I can both use it, very cool! 
• large anti-slip deck - it's very grippy, and so wide that I can stand on it with my feet next to each other and not hanging off (see image below)!
• adjustable handlebar - there are 5 height settings ranging from 34.6 to 41.3 inches, and it's a quick and easy push-of-the-button adjustment.
• light but heavy-duty - it weighs just 8.8 pounds but is very sturdy (the frame is 80% aluminum and 20% steel)
• kickstand & rear-wheel brake - I hadn't thought about this being a necessity since we were used to 3-wheel scooters that stand on their own, but the kickstand is really helpful on a 2-wheeler!
• easy fold - you just pull a little lever and the T bar folds down, super easy. You can also push a button on each handle to pull them out and fold over, so it can get quite compact!
• design - offered in blue, black, and pink, with light up LED wheels that get brighter the faster you go!

Retails for $69 on shophot.com or Amazon (affiliate link).

Deluxe Foldable 3-Wheel ChromeWheels Scooter

What's great about this scooter is that it's super easy for young children to learn to ride. It's technically for ages 3-12 but my girls learned to ride a 3-wheel scooter when they were about 18 months! So, this would make a really great 2nd, 3rd, or 4th birthday present!! Because it has 2 wheels spread out in front, it balances on its own. The handlebar is fixed so it's much easier for them to keep their balance while learning to scoot, and little by little they'll learn the lean-to-steer function. My personal advice for teaching a young child how to do this is have them stand on the scooter, you stand behind the scooter and lean over them and gently hold their hands on the handle bar. As you push them, you can lean them each direction so they can feel how it works. Once comfortable they can start to scoot and steer on their own. There's a great double wheel brake in back, but younger children may use their feet as brakes instead (sorry, if doing this they'll go through shoes pretty quickly!). Anyway, this is a fabulous scooter and you can't ask for a better bang for your buck simply because it's good for such a wide age range!! We just got ours a week ago though, so I can't personally attest to how long they'll last. I'm hoping many years!! Here are some of the features of this one:

• ​​150 pound max (ages 3-12)
• adjustable handlebar - quick push of the button with 4 height levels (25 to 34.5 inches)
• lightweight & foldable - just 6 pounds and quick to fold by pulling up on the bottom of the T-bar
• design - available in black, blue, pink, purple, and red, with clear urethane LED light-up wheels​

​Retails for $45 on ShopHot.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

What we're LOVING about these scooters?

1. The price tag!! At about $45 for the 3-wheeler and $70 for the 2-wheeler, it won't break the bank and it also won't break your heart if junior ends up losing it!
2. They fold!! How great is that!? Makes for easier and more compact storage, throwing them in the trunk of your car or into our Wonderfold Wagon (check out that review here!!). You can also fully detach the T-bar if needing to store it somewhere even more compactly.
3. They light up!! Our kids have never had light-up shoes, so this is really our first time having something that lights up and frankly, we're in love! The LED lights on the wheels aren't noticible outside in bright daylight much, but at dusk or at night, or even indoors like in our building's hallways - they're so much fun!! Not to mention a bit of an added safety measure against traffic and what not.

So, what do you think!? If you're shopping for a birthday present, back to school gift, exam reward, Christmas gift, etc - you can't go wrong with a ChromeWheels Scooter from ShopHot.com AND our readers can get $66 off orders over $300 with code UJFSH66 here (valid through 9/18/19)!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DiscountGlasses.com, however all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. This post also contains affiliate links, meaning you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

The way kids (and adults!) lose and break their glasses, we just can't afford to be paying top dollar for designer frames at a local boutique again and again, am I right?! Thank goodness for DiscountGlasses.com, who has hundreds of stylish prescription glasses (and sunglasses with or without prescription) for kids and adults, starting at just $39.95! They've generously included a $100 credit to their website for the winner of our $400 value Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here by 8/29/19). Check out this fun unboxing video by my 3 year old and myself, and then keep reading for more!

Their website features a virtual try-on app that is quick and easy to use, and allows you to see what you look like in most frames! If you create an account, it'll save your image so you can quickly use the try-on app every time you are shopping for new glasses or sunglasses. They also include very specific dimensions for each frame, including lens diameter, bridge width, and temple length, so if you go to a local shop and find the measurements that fit you best, it'll be quite easy to find the perfect glasses online moving forward. If you don't want to visit an eyewear store in person, no worries, discountglasses.com has a 365 free return period, so it's basically risk free! They don't take insurance but check with your health/eye insurance provider - you should be able to print off the detailed receipt and submit it for reimbursement.

With such fabulous prices and style options, you can "go crazy" with several designs and not feel a bit guilty! A sensible pair, a funky pair, one for work, one for nights out with the girls, see where I'm going? And for the kids, you can keep a backup pair at home, in the car, in the backpack, at grandma's house, etc.

We've already ordered several times from DiscountGlasses.com and have had great success with every frame so far! For myself, I got the Rampage R 195 plastic frame black glasses and the Prive Revaux The Hepburn sunglasses ($29.95, pictured above - bottom left). For my daughter Mia, we got her first prescription glasses, Miraflex New Baby 1 ($100 - pictured above - bottom left), which are great first glasses for toddlers as they're hinge-free, but she refused to wear them unfortunately). We got non-prescription sunglasses for all 3 kids as well Picklez Roxy Black with orange lenses ($34.95 - pictured above - top left) for Kenzo and Picklez Bruno ($34.95) and ​Picklez Penny ($39.95), both in hot pink, for Emi and Mia (pictured above - top right).

This time around, Mia and I got some new frames. Since we got thick plastic frames last time, I thought we'd try something new with thin and super lightweight metal frames! For myself, I got the Lunettos Harley in Matte Black/Tortoise, base price $39.95 and added the Transistions lens package for an additional $79.95, which includes UV-protective, scratch-resistant Transition polycarbonate prescription lenses, and I also added the $20 anti-reflective coating, for a total of $134.94.

Mia picked out the Picklez Daisy in Red/Turquoise for $39.95, which includes lightweight polycarbonate prescription lenses with UV-protective and scratch-resistant lenses. I'll admit I'm a wee bit jealous of her fun frames, the sides especially are just so adorable!! But the true question is... will she wear them!?!?!

So what do you think? Have you ever bought glasses online? Willing to give it a try next time? Don't forget, you can win $100 credit to DiscountGlasses.com in my $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway here (enter by 8/29/19, US residents 18+ only).

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links - you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission from sales made after clicking.

No better way to start off the new school year on the right foot than with an amazing and adorable pair of new shoes, am I right!? Of course they've also gotta be comfy, durable, and good for our children's feet, which is why my family always runs to pediped, a company that was awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development! They've sent us 3 pair of shoes in exchange for our review, and are also giving away a pair (winner's choice of size and design) in my $400 value Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here by 8/29/19)!!

We've done several reviews and giveaways of pediped shoes over the years, and I can honestly say every single pair has held up beautifully through my kids' heavy usage until outgrown, and then transitioned seamlessly into being well-loved great condition hand-me-down shoes! One of the fastest growing children's footwear brands in the United States, pediped is sold in over 750 stores in the US and 40 countries worldwide, with an offering of more than 120 designs in sizes US newborn through 6Y. They really are the cream of the crop, so when those iconic purple boxes arrive on our doorstep, we're all kicking our heels up with excitement!

This time around, I was really feeling the greys. The moment I laid eyes on the Flex Logan Silver boots with faux fur I just lit up, mostly because I knew my girls would literally squeal with joy when opening the boxes. And they did!! These sneaker boots have such a fun pattern, silver but also kind of iridescent. With faux laces (because let's face it, who has the patience to deal with 3 year olds trying to tie real laces in the morning rush to school!?) and a great big velcro strap on the top (with a velcro piece on the top of the fur tongue, to make sure they're super secure)! They feature man-made material and suede uppers, all-natural rubber soles, a breathable canvas lining, and 5 other color options in case silver isn't your child's cup of tea. Available in sizes 26 - 36 (9 - 4.5Y), they retail for $59.95 on their website and Amazon (affiliate link).

For my son, I opted for the Flex Dani Grey Orange sneakers which have a bit of a cute skater vibe, don't you think? Featuring man-made and mesh uppers and all-natural rubber soles. I'm all about nurturing my children's independence, with as little frustration (for them and me) as possible, so I'm just really loving the stretchy faux laces and chunky stylish velcro straps on all of their new shoes! Are you feeling me!? I'm not seeing this exact color on the website anymore, but you can find them on Amazon (affiliate link) or in 11 other color options in the Dani design on pediped's website, retailing for $59.95 in sizes 24 - 33 (7.5 - 2Y).

Both the Dani and Logan shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development, and feature pediped's Flex Fit System, meaning they come with removable inserts that can adjust the shoe nearly a half a size, meaning they will fit your child properly for longer. How's that for upping your bang for your buck!?

As I mentioned, pediped has over a hundred styles of shoes for babies through big kids. We're talking crib shoes, dress shoes, sneakers, sandals, boots, you name it! So head on over to their website to shop for your kiddo's next pair(s) of shoes!! And don't forget, you can win a pair in my $400 value Back to School giveaway ending 8/29!! Enter to win here!! 

Sometimes accidental, sometimes part of a tantrum or burst of energy, there's no denying that little kids are prone to messes. But I'm here to share with you a very easy way to cut down on snack time messes, with the help of Munchie Mug, who sponsored this blog post and is part of our huge $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway (enter to win here!!).

Munchie Mug snack cups are proudly made in America with FDA food-grade compliant materials, and the plastic parts are #5 recyclable! They are BPA / Phthalate / PVC free and top rack dishwasher safe. They come in 16oz and 12oz (both with 4" diameter), with 2 types of tops. They're really durable too. We got our first 3 two years ago. 2 got lost along the way but 1 is still going strong, and we just added 3 new ones to our arsenal! I simply cannot sing their praises highly enough. We went through a half dozen or so type of snack cups and Munchie Mug is hands down THE BEST!!

The stay-fresh lid will seal it up for snacking later, but the main lid is where the magic is, folks. It's made of overlapping fabric (food grade polypropylene/spandex blend fabric) that makes it spill-proof and SHAKE-PROOF!! Be sure to watch our demo video (with a fun blind-folded game at the end) to see it in action - shake it as hard as you can, upside down, throw it across the room, this baby is NOT going to spill a single snack!! Do note, it's not mischief-proof - my littles eventually learned they can squeeze the fabric open to dump snacks out. But kids will be kids. At least there will be no ACCIDENTAL spills. The fabric also makes them super soft and great for sensitive little hands. Got eczema or sensory issues? No problem!!

The tops come in a rainbow of colors to choose from, and the base cups come in a couple of cute designs, including ABC, 123, and clear, and are recommended for ages 10 months and up. The lids also feature a little cutout that make them easy for little hands to hold onto, easy for a caregiver to carry several at a time (i can hang onto 3+ per hand!), and you can thread a sippy cup leash to attach it securely to a stroller or car seat.

You can buy these for about $18 a piece on their website or Amazon (affiliate link) and don't forget, theres's 1 in our $400 value jackpot Back to School Giveaway!! Open to US residents ages 18 and over, enter to win here by August 29, 2019!!