Contributed post.
Traveling is one of the best ways to experience different cultures and explore your interests but they can become even more rewarding when you get the opportunity to travel with your kids. However, feeding your children while touring can be a real struggle. Since sitting them down and preparing complete meals might not be possible during your travels, finding snacks that are healthy and portable can make it easy for you to enjoy your journey. If you’re wondering what to pack in your bag so that your child doesn’t go hungry and become irritated as you’re enjoying a well-deserved vacation.
Ten Healthy and Portable Food Ideas For Your Little One
Hummus And Carrots Hummus is a delicious and easy to prep snack option. Not only is it a healthy treat but can also be carried around in your snack bag. Feel free to add as many vegetables as you like to the hummus along with chickpeas. Since chickpeas are a great source of protein, it’ll keep your toddler satiated for longer. Combine that with some carrots and you’ve got a perfect combination of proteins, fats, and fiber that’ll keep your kid full of energy as they enjoy the traveling experience. Hard Boiled Eggs Hard boiled eggs only take 10 minutes to prepare, can be stored upto a day and are a great source of protein and healthy fats for your growing child. You could simply pack some hard boiled eggs in a box for a ready-to-eat treat, or you can get creative and make an egg salad with onions, tomatoes, chicken or other accompaniments of your choice. It’s a healthy treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is mess-free. Cottage Cheese Cottage cheese is filling, tasty, and needs no accompaniments to make it a whole meal. The protein and fats in cheese can be enjoyed with spices. If you want, you can also add a few other raw vegetables to the box so that your toddler can enjoy a snack box filled with different types of vegetables and cottage cheese. The creaminess of cottage cheese will make it easy to enjoy the rest of the vegetables. Afterwards, a piece of salt water taffy will make their snacking time complete. Nuts And Dried Fruits Nuts and dried fruits such as raisins, figs, cashews, almonds, and walnuts are the healthiest form of fats that your toddler can enjoy while they’re on-the-go. You can cut up nuts into small pieces or even blend them if you want to give them to your baby or sprinkle it on top of yogurt or smoothies. Since they have a higher shelf life, you can easily store them in containers and take them with you while traveling. That way, your kids will always have a ready to eat snack on their hands, irrespective of where you are. Roasted Fox Nuts Fox Nuts are known for their high antioxidant content along with anti-inflammatory properties. Simply roast some fox nuts in a pan until they are crispy and store them in a box for later. You can sprinkle them with salt and pepper, or add other spices of your choice. If your toddler has a sweet tooth, you can also add a little bit of melted dark chocolate on the fox nuts instead of spices and they’ll be ready to be enjoyed while traveling. Think of them as an alternative to popcorn, but with higher nutrient density. This can be an easy to store snack option if you’re on a family vacation with a toddler. Mashed Potato This is a specific snack-cum-meal option that caters to both toddlers and babies. You can add some milk and herbs to your mashed potato recipe to make it softer. If you want a healthier alternative, switch your potatoes to sweet potatoes for a nutrient dense treat. Just remember to store them away from heat to avoid spoilage. You can also add some green onions and tortilla chips to the containers to make it an enjoyable snack option for your toddler. Vegetable Puree Kids aren’t the best followers of rules when it comes to eating vegetables. While as parents, you know that it’s great for their health, they might not enjoy the taste of vegetables so much, so what do you do? Hide them! Create a vegetable puree of the vegetables you have at home. Cook it for a few minutes and add some salt and pepper, along with spices, a little bit of lemon juice, and cheese to it to prevent your kids from tasting the vegetable if they don’t particularly enjoy them. This is a nutritious and easy-to-make meal that can be taken anywhere. Keep some pita or other type of bread along with you so that they can enjoy the vegetable puree as a dip. This can also be served to babies 6 months and above, but without the spices. Fruit Puree This can be a sweet treat that’s easy to make and can be enjoyed anytime during the day. Simply blend some seasonal fruits until they attain a puree-like consistency, add a little salt to the puree and pack it in a container for your children to enjoy later. The snack can be enjoyed by babies and toddlers alike. You can also add some nuts in there to make it an energy-packed snack. Formula Milk If your baby is below the age of 2, chances are that they’re still being fed breast milk but it can be inconvenient when you’re traveling. So, pack a few boxes of formula milk to ensure that your baby has something to eat every few hours, even when you’re out. The formula milk is healthy, portable, and can even help the baby sleep better during the travels. Lentil Porridge Lentils are a very healthy and easy to eat snack option if your baby or toddler is super young, or if you prefer a vegan-friendly snack option. Lentils are a good source of protein, zinc, iron, and vitamin B. When paired with vitamin C such as lime juice, the iron can be better absorbed by babies. This is an excellent snack option if you only have 10 minutes on your hands to prepare a healthy travel snack, as they don’t require any soaking unlike other legumes. Wrapping Up Whether you have a baby or a toddler at your hand, it’s important to find healthy and portable travel snacks to keep them satiated throughout the trip. Finding things that are easy to carry yet nutritious might seem like a task but there’s more variety in the market than you can imagine. The options given above are just a glimpse of what your snack bag can look like. However, feel free to choose items that your child finds delicious, and are in alignment with your travel plans and the duration of your stay. Or you could get a little creative and find ways to incorporate more macronutrients and micronutrients into your child’s diet, even when you’re on a trip!
Some related articles we think you'll love:
0 Comments
Hair is a funny thing. We want more of it in some places, and less of it (or NONE of it) in others. Whether male or female, in the past, present, or future, we all seem to have a different idea of what the perfect quality and quantity of hair looks like. Eyebrow blindness is the perfect example - if you haven't heard of it, go have a laugh about it on TikTok and leave a comment here with your thoughts!!
I'm not here today to give advice about current trends in brow, beard, or hair styles, but rather to tell you about some great products available to help you achieve the hair you want - from hair growth serums to painless permanent at home hair removal devices! Small disclosure first: this post is sponsored by Responsival and does contain some affiliate links, noted with ** (as an Amazon associate, I earn commission from purchases made after clicking affiliate links).
Hair Loss Reversal + Hair Growth
From folitin hair growth serum to beard renew and elixir serums to scalp massager and microneedle dermaroller, Entera Skincare has got you and your hair regrowth covered! 
The Folitin Hair Regrowth Serum, for example, is a concentrated proprietary blend of active peptides, designed to reverse hair loss, stimulate hair regrowth, strengthen hair, and promote scalp health! You simply apply to your scalp and massage in for 30 seconds 1-3 times a week, though they do recommend using red light or grounding therapy to increase circulation and reduce systemic inflammation, as well as dermarolling or microneedling for deeper penetration. Curious to learn more? Check out this article about peptides for hair growth on Men's Journal.
At Home IPL Hair Removal Device
Hair on my head and brows? YES PLEASE!! Hair on my chin, arm pits, bikini area, legs... we all feel differently about those, but for me, NO THANKS!! Sure, we can shave at home. We can get professionally waxed or sugared or lasered, but that takes a lot of time and money if doing it regularly! I had professional IPL (intense pulsed light) done on my arm pits at a salon in Japan over a decade ago with amazing results - 99% of the hair gone! It hurt though, like hot snapping rubber bands, and I had to go back to the salon several times over the period of a few months. But these days, there are many at home IPL devices on the market and they're an amazing alternative!! They're not quite as powerful, but this also means little or no pain (depending on the setting you use), and are much more budget friendly than professional treatments! What's more?? You have it at home for touch ups if needed. In my experience, with each treatment, some of the hair follicles are destroyed and hair doesn't come back, while others are simply "paused" or damaged and hair is gone for a few weeks and grows back in a bit thinner, needing to be zapped again. I've been using mine here and there for about 9 months now and am really happy with it. Results definitely vary though. I've heard some say their results are much quicker and permanent, others saying it did nothing. User error, hormone levels, skin color, and hair color can all play a role in how well these work for each individual. I've actually reviewed 2 brands (both sent to me), and I would say they're pretty equal in results and being painless. You can see my demos below. The Lubex Glow 6A+ Sapphire Ice Cooling IPL device** has more customizations through their app, and they email you reminders for when it's time for your next treatment, which is nice (you need to do it every few days in the first month and then back down to every 2 weeks and finally monthly or just as needed)! But if you tend to get overwhelmed with technology, Ulike Air3 Ice Cooling IPL device** might be a better choice - only 3 power levels, nice and simple! If you want to learn more about IPL Hair Removal, watch the the video below left "IPL 101" or read my IPL blog post here!
At Home Hair Cutting + Dying
Not sure if you knew this about me, but I've been cutting and dying my hair at home for many years now! It started when I impulsively cut my own bangs back in 2017, it opened the floodgates so to speak! I was chronically unhappy after getting professional cuts - just not thrilled with the results, the price tag, or the time invested. And now, doing my own hair?? Well, definitely happy with the price tag LOL!! Sometimes love the results, sometimes have a hilarious whoopsy moment, but never a regret! If you want to be inspired or have some laughs, be sure to check out my YouTube channel "It's Just Hair with Heather"!! And I'll finish it up with a few of my "must haves" for at home hair cuts and colors:
So what do you think? Going to try any of these products? Do you prioritize hair regrowth or hair removal more in your current phase of life? How's it compare to your younger years?? I'd love to hear from you in a comment below!!!
Guest post provided by TP Toys.
Traveling with young children may seem daunting, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences for both parents and kids. While some may argue that children are too young to remember the trips, the benefits of exposing them to new environments, cultures, and experiences are profound. Traveling with your little ones offers lasting advantages beyond a fun vacation, from fostering a sense of adventure to creating family memories. The seeds of curiosity, creativity, and adaptability are sown as they explore the world around them, even at a tender age. Building Lifelong Memories One of the greatest joys of traveling with young kids is the memories that are created along the way. While young children may not remember every detail of the trip, the family bonding experiences are something everyone carries in their hearts. Whether it’s setting up a kids picnic table by the beach or watching them excitedly climb on childrens climbing frames at a local park, these shared moments foster closeness. The laughter shared during a family picnic, or the wonder in their eyes as they explore a new place is something that stays with you as a parent. Family trips also allow parents to step back from the hustle and bustle of daily routines. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in work and responsibilities, often leaving little time for undivided family interaction. A vacation provides the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the usual distractions and focus on what truly matters – quality time with your children. Fostering a Sense of Adventure Young children have an innate curiosity, and traveling fuels this natural instinct. When you expose them to new environments, their imaginations soar. From sandy beaches and towering mountains to bustling cities, every place presents an opportunity to learn something new. A simple walk in a foreign park, where they might encounter children's climbing frames unlike any they’ve seen before, or a visit to a local market with its unique foods and smells, can spark their curiosity in ways that no classroom can. As they navigate unfamiliar settings, kids develop problem-solving skills and adaptability. They learn to adjust to different cultures, climates, and routines. These skills are invaluable as they grow older, helping them become more confident and resourceful individuals. Encouraging Physical and Social Development Traveling gives children the chance to engage in physical activities that they might not usually experience. They're constantly on the move, whether it’s splashing in the ocean, hiking through a nature trail, or climbing on new play structures, such as children's climbing frames in parks. These activities help them stay active and improve their motor skills and physical coordination. Moreover, travel encourages children to be social. When they visit new places, they often meet other kids at a hotel’s kids' club or while playing outdoors. This interaction helps them build social skills and make new friends, teaching them how to communicate and cooperate with others. Even something as simple as sharing a meal at a kids' picnic table in a public park can become a social event where they learn about sharing, manners, and the joy of making new friends. Enhancing Cognitive Development From a cognitive standpoint, traveling exposes children to new sights, sounds, and languages, boosting brain development. Experiencing different cultures introduces them to new ways of thinking, problem-solving, and viewing the world. Studies have shown that early exposure to diverse environments can enhance cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to new information and think creatively. While adults might take for granted the everyday experiences of a foreign city – the architecture, the street signs, the sounds of a different language – these can be immensely stimulating for a young child. Their brains are like sponges, absorbing everything around them, and travel provides a wealth of stimuli that help develop their senses and thinking abilities. Instilling a Love for Nature and the Outdoors Many family trips involve spending time outdoors, whether camping, hiking or simply enjoying a picnic in a local park. Children who experience nature's wonders from an early age develop an appreciation for the environment. They learn to respect and care for the world around them, whether admiring a mountain range’s beauty or playing on wooden children's climbing frames in a quiet countryside village. A day out in nature, complete with a kids' picnic table where they can relax and enjoy their snacks, fosters a connection to the natural world. It also promotes healthier habits, encouraging them to spend more time outdoors rather than glued to screens. Creating Well-Rounded Individuals 
Ultimately, travelling with young children helps shape well-rounded individuals. They become more open-minded, adaptable, and empathetic. As they encounter different cultures, they learn to appreciate diversity and understand that there are many ways of living. This early exposure to the world outside their home broadens their horizons and makes them more tolerant and understanding individuals as they grow.
Children who travel from a young age are more likely to develop a love for learning and exploration. They are curious about the world and eager to discover more. Whether climbing on a new play structure or sitting at a kids' picnic table, marveling at their surroundings, each experience contributes to their growth and development. Conclusion Traveling with young children requires more planning and patience, but the rewards are immeasurable. From building lasting memories to fostering a sense of adventure, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Exposing your kids to the world early helps them grow into curious, adaptable, and well-rounded individuals. Whether it’s a simple day trip to a park with children's climbing frames or a long family holiday, the experiences you share with them will be cherished for years to come, providing a foundation for lifelong learning and exploration. 
Are you a family of 5 planning a trip to Paris? Looking for a kid-friendly Paris itinerary? From how to score budget friendly flights to where to stay and what to do and eat, we got you!! Here's everything from our recent short and sweet (<1 week) family vacation in Paris so you can copy, paste, and adjust for your family's trip! Kick it off by watching our fun highlights video and read on for all the details below! BUDGET FRIENDLY FLIGHT TO PARIS We scored roundtrip tickets from Newark NJ (EWR) to Paris Orly with low cost carrier French Bee and were super impressed with the service! The free personal item is the smallest of any airline I've seen (smaller than a standard backpack!), and there's no free "carry on" luggage allowance, BUT no one once measured our backpacks or made a fuss about us also having a bag of food and big neck pillows. Whether we got lucky or French Bee is much nicer about their limits than others such as Spirit and Frontier, I'm not sure... We did purchase ONE (max 50 pound) checked bag for our family of 5 to share ($70 each way). In total, it ended up being just under $500 per person round trip! The seats, leg room, and service were equivalent to any carrier we've been on i.e. just fine. Where French Bee stands out as a budget carrier is that they have IN SEAT entertainment, for free!! They had 55 movies and tv shows, though more than half were only in French, they did have some recent and "cult classic" American block busters! They have tons of in-flight meals and snacks and beverages you can order, and the prices were comparable to what you would find in the airport, so you can skip lugging them around and just order on the plane, even a hot meal! Order ahead if you need a special diet meal though.
Apartment Hotel
While researching where to stay, I quickly realized that most hotels in Paris accomodate only 2-3 people, max. So a big family of 5 or more needs to book adjoining rooms ($$$), a suite ($$$$$), or do like we did and find an apartment hotel. This is DEFINITELY your best bang for your buck since you'll get way more space, which means a kitchen and dining area (so you can save money by going to the grocery store and cooking a bit, if you want). And let's face it, you need time away from eachother after sightseeing all. day. long. Am I right?! AirBNB is fine, but I really recommend finding a complex like we got, which had a really nice common space in the lobby so when my husband was WIDE AWAKE at 3 am, he could escape down there to read without waking the rest of us up! 
We booked 5 nights in a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment at the Quartier Libre Saint Georges and LOVED it!! They had a helpful staff member in the lobby during daytime, AC (you could control individually in each bedroom and the living room!), free wifi (all 5 of us on devices and no issues), free luggage storage, great L'occitane shampoo/conditioner/body wash in the shower, Keurig coffee maker, dishwasher etc etc. One of our bedrooms had the cutest view, too! No complaints, this place was amazing, and close to the subway, though we only did Uber vans, more on that in a bit!
2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a sofa bed in the living/kitchen was perfect for our family of 5!
GETTING AROUND PARIS
Metro and bus are probably a great option... usually. However, they doubled the ticket prices during the Olympic Summer 2024 so at 4 euros a pop, it did not make sense for our family of 5 to do that since an Uber van was just barely more expensive and was door to door and without the risk of getting pick pocketed or losing a child LOL. So, for distances under 1.5 miles, we walked, which is always our favorite. For distances over that, we ordered Uber van which were always SO nice "luxury" vehicles with really cool seating - the 2nd row faces backwards and the 3rd row forwards so you face eachother and have so much leg room!! Some of the vans also had HUGE moon roofs which made for great sight seeing. You use your same Uber app that you use back in the US, and then you don't have to worry about language barrier or getting scammed with a street-hail taxi.
Our 5 Day Itinerary:
Day 1(A):
I don't really count this since it includes our overnight flight, which arrived at Paris Orly around 1PM. We grabbed a taxi from the official taxi stand (yes, they do have vans there for 4-6 passengers, ours was 49 euro flat fee, payable by credit card). It was almost 4pm by the time we got to our hotel, so we checked in, dropped bags off, and immediately went out to find dinner and explore the area. Even though I hadn't slept on the flight, I didn't want to let myself or anyone take a nap or go to bed before 7PM at the earliest. That's my best hack for jet lag LOL!
Day 1:
LOUVRE Unfortunately, Mia woke up feeling incredibly sick and nauseas, so I stayed at the hotel with her and my husband took the other 2 to the Louvre, since timed tickets were required (a summer olympic thing?). We were really bummed to miss it, but glad they could see the Mona Lisa, and apparently the kids really enjoyed the museum! We were nervous about lines but apparently it took them all of 15 minutes to get inside, and after waiting in the Mona Lisa crowd they did eventually get up close. 
Panthéon
Built in the 1700s, this building is spectacular, top to bottom!!! Foucalt’s pendulum is a cool sight, suspended from a steel wire 67m long! You'll see tombs of Voltaire and Rousseau (entombed in 1791 and 1794 respectively) on the main floor, and and many many others in the crypts below. I’ve heard the view from the Panorama is one of the best in Paris, just double check the hours because it closed before we had a chance to go up and I was so bummed!! Head to nearby La Crêperie for lunch or dinner or a snack - best (savory) crepe of my life! 
Jardin du Luxumbourg
25 hectacres of free and beautiful gardens and park, this is a great place to walk around and relax! There are little boats kids can rent and "drive", there's a mini statue of liberty, a museum, and more. It does close, pretty early, I think it closed at 7pm and the playgrounds had closed even before that! So again, double check times before planning your day! For us, this wasn't a destination but rather an intentional walk-through to get from Pantheon to our next stop. 
AURA INVALIDES
I’ve never experienced anything like AURA Invalides before, and I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough! The Dôme des Invalides is a gorgeous monument on its own, but seeing it through new light (pun intended) was absolutely CHILLING!! The music, the light mapping, it was intense and we absolutely loved every second of it. You can sit down on steps around the dome for most of the show, but there’s a 15-20 minute period in the middle they encourage you to walk around to see the different areas, including Napoleon’s tomb!! The lights and music are still going while exploring, it’s just such an incredible experience!! It is a nighttime event only. Our session started around 9:30pm and lasted 50 minutes. We got home around 11pm. So take that into account if going with younger kids or if you'll be fighting jet lag. 
DAY TWO:
Palais Garnier / Arsène Lupin and the Secret of the Opera To see and explore the Paris Opera House / Palais Garnier on a whole new level, be sure to get tickets for Arsène Lupin and the Secret of the Opera detective game on your next trip to Paris! It's not easy - it's recommended for ages 10+, but it 's a fun and immersive way to get kids/teens/adults involved and working together as a team instead of just traditional sightseeing! If you finish the game, you even get invited into some rooms usually closed off to the public! 
Galeries Lafayette Mall + Terrace
This historic high end department mall is right across from the opera and a must see for a few reasons. For one, there's a great FREE view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from the 6th floor terrace! The view inside is stunning as well, with a huge stained glass dome. They also have a great food court, and lovely (free) bathrooms! It's a great place to stop for food, rest, and a view. And if you love high end shopping, of course, have at it!! 
Covered Passages
Paris is famous for their many covered passages - some luxurious, some quirky, some run down, but there are so many and they're fun to explore! You can buy a tour, or you can research and plop them on your own map for a DIY walking tour like we did - we found a few that were clustered enroute from the Opera House to our next stop and enjoyed wandering through them all! I found this guide super helpful! 
Sainte-Chapelle
The most spectacular stained glass I have seen. Ever. Anywhere! Just Wowwwwww! Commissioned by King Louis IX, completed in 1248, Saint-Chapelle is a must see when in Paris! There was quite a long line, even with our timed tickets. You go through security like an airport. And there is a tiny staircase to reach THE. SPOT. But it’s 100% worth it!!! 360° surrounded by 1113 stained glass windows. 
Centre Pompidou
This truly unique "inside out" Centre Pompidou building is a piece of art in and of itself - with escalator tubes between the floors on the outside, providing great views of Paris! Journey inside to see works from famous artists such as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol! It's a really interesting art museum for both young and old, our family really enjoyed it. 
Luminiscence at Saint-Eustache Church
This was the second spectacular night time light mapping and musical show we saw in Paris and it was equally amazing, but totally different! This one took place in the stunning 16th century Saint-Eustache Church, with lights projected 30m high 360 all around. Seated comfortably in the pews, you're taken on a journey through time, from the Middle Ages to the Baroque and the Renaissance. The scenes they could achieve with lights just blew me away - at one point when you looked up at the top of the cathedral, you could "see" rain and lightning hitting the "glass" ceiling - just WOW!!! The music, by greats such as Vivaldi, Bach, Fauré, Handel and Lully, was moving, with pipe organ behind us and a haunting live chorus up front. Unfortunately it seems that we saw one of the last shows in Paris, and it will be moving on to Lille and Nice next, so if you find yourself planning a trip to one of these places, definitely check their schedule! 
DAY 3:
Seine River Cruise on Bateaux-Mouches
There are many companies operating cruises along the Seine River, so whether you want a private ride, a party boat, or a romantic dinner, you'll find something and have a great time! We were gifted Champagne Cruise tickets on Bateaux-Mouches, which is basically a 1 hour ride on their sightseeing cruise, plus you get a bottle of champagne to drink on the boat or bring home and have later (don't drink out on the banks of the river or by the Eiffel Tower - despite it being Europe, you cannot drink alcohol in public in Paris!). I was shocked that the boat was not crowded (there's a huge uncovered upper deck and covered lower deck, both with great views), and my son was thrilled that it was so smooth to not trigger his motion sickness!! We stopped by cute Japanese cafe Saint Pearl and brought delicious sandwiches on board to eat while we cruised, which worked out perfectly. They had narration throughout the ride in many languages, though honestly it was difficult to hear, and we sailed under a million bridges and by all the big sights, including my favorite, the Eiffel Tower! I highly recommend Bateaux-Mouches for a regular cruise, Sunday Brunch cruise, dinner cruise, or any of their offerings! 
Eiffel Tower
Apparently you need to book tickets for the TOP of the Eiffel Tower 90 days ahead. Well, news flash, I hadn't even decided to go to Paris yet at that point so, spoiler alert, we didn't get to go to the top. We discussed it and decided none of us really needed to go in the Eiffel Tower at all, so we didn't, and no regrets!! What we really enjoyed was being around it. Spotting it from across town, going by it on the boat, and most of all, walking around the area getting amazing up close and personal shots! Walk along the Seine River, cut in on Av. de la Bourdonnais, and stop by Rue de l'Université for a super cute "Paris street with Eiffel Tower behind you" shot (the righthand photo below). We stopped at nearby La Coquette for ice cream and really enjoyed sitting outside, drinking bottles and bottles of free tap water, and got a free toilet break, too LOL! If you know you know... water and toilet is the constant struggle (more on this in my tips section at the end of this post). 
Champs-Elysées + Arc du Triomphe
We walked from Eiffel Tower, down the beautiful tree lined Champs-Elysées (making sure to take a peek inside the fancy McCafe, as demanded by our 11 year old), ending at the Arc du Triomphe. Make sure to take the underground tunnel (not the subway, it's one just for the Arc) so you can pop up on the little island where the Arc is. That's free, you can walk around outside, see the eternal flame, take photos etc. You'll need a ticket to go up inside the Arc, which we didn't do. We were in a rush because we had timed tickets at our next location. 
Catacombs
We jumped in a taxi and hauled booty across town for our 5pm timed ticket to the Paris Catacombs, which was WAYyyyyy different from all of the other sights we've been seeing! This one has you journey 131 step spiral staircase (20m / 5 stories) down to the Paris Catacombs, home to 6 million corpses that were transferred from cemeteries in the late 1700s due to overcrowding and public health concerns. Originally limestone mines, they're now the world's largest gravesite spanning 180 miles of labyrinth beneath the city! But the official catacombs where we get to go is just a 1.5km stretch that has been organized and reinforced. I definitely recommend paying extra for the audio tour, we did not and kind of regret it. There's not a whole lot of information once you're down there. 
DAY 4: Montmatre
Promotrain / Le Petit Train Montmatre There are a few ways to get up to Montmatre, the most elevated (and adorably picturesque) neighborhood in all of Paris. The funicular is a popular option, but we opted to use our (gifted) Go City Paris Explorer Passes to take the Promotrain / Le Petit Train up and highly recommend it!! It's a comfy open air (but they can close it off in bad weather) super cute (if not rather bumpy) mini train ride winding through the streets up from Moulin Rouge to Sacre Coeur. 
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
I fell in love with Sacre Coeur Basilica when watching the film Amelie in 2001, and it along with all of Montmatre became my favorite place in Paris on my last visit, when studying abroad in Germany back in college. It did not disappoint this time around, nothing has changed, it's as beautiful and charming as ever (despite being very crowded)! 
The line to get into the Basilica was long but moved fast (our kids explored the "love locks" and then sat on the steps playing rock paper scissors as hubby and I inched along in the line). It's free to go into the church, but you do need paid tickets to go up to the dome for a spectacular view over Paris. Despite the fee and narrow 300 step spiral staircase climb, it's 100% worth it. Quiet, breezy, and so lovely up there!
La Mere Catherine
We used our (gifted) Go City Paris Explorer passes again for an absolutely lovely 3 course meal at the historic La Mere Catherine in Montmatre, founded in 1793. We first sat outside in the gorgeous lush and green covered patio, but the bees really scared Mia, so by course 2 we moved inside, which was also nice! The Paris Pass allowed us several choices for each of the 3 courses, so between the 5 of us we got to try just about everything on the menu! Highlights were of course trying some French classics including escargot (thankfully our waiter took the time to demo how to get them out of the shell and onto the bread), ratatouille, and crème brulée!! It was a long meal, about 2 hours, but a wonderful break from a busy day, in a super cute and lively area! 
Night Time Eiffel Tower
We walked back to our hotel after Montmatre for a quick rest (and to share a bottle of champagne from the cruise) before taking an Uber down to the Port Debilly area on the Seine River to finally see the Eiffel Tower at night. No one could tell us for sure what time it would light up or start its on-the-hour 5 minute sparkle show, but we were getting hints that it would be late, at 9 or 10. We got some snacks and just hung out down there, with many people of the same idea. It wasn't crowded, just a nice lively and safe feeling scene. The police did drive and walk through, and we saw them stop and tell several groups that they couldn't drink alcohol (they seemed like very friendly interactions though, not like they're out to ticket or punish anyone). The first "sparkle" show was at 10pm (probably earlier in winter but sunset in summer isn't til 9 so it makes sense) and we were VERY underwhelmed. There was no "show" it literally just sparkled, which was pretty, but was it worth 40+ euros on our roundtrip uber? probably not... but no regrets. Maybe you can schedule better so you're down in that area at night anyway! It was still a nice little adventure and we took a ton of photos, of course. I'm just obsessed with this tower! 
DAY 5
Choco-Story / Musee du Chocolate
We used our (gifted) Go City Paris Explorer Passes for the 3rd time for entrance to Choco-Story (the pass also gifts you the most delicious hot chocolate at the end of the visit, without the pass you can purchase for 3euro). The museum was fun and very informative. There were 3 stories, each focusing on the history of chocolate, from ancient to medieval times to present day, and included lots of interactive bits. There was also a short movie and a really cool "virtual" cooking show with 3 chocolate makers. There's some free chocolate throughout the musuem and fun workbooks that help kids look for information and have a more interactive experience (they got a chocolate lollipop at the end when they turned in their completed books!). 
The museum was cool but what we REALLY enjoyed, one of the highlights of our entire time in Paris, was the chocolate making workshop they hosted us on (you can purchase together or separately from museum admission). It was a small group and a chocolate maker, who was so helpful in demonstrating every step and helping us as needed. We got to use fondu type melted chocolate (milk, white, and dark chocolate) to dip marshmallows, truffles, and orange rinds, and had an assortment of toppings to use! Next, we used baggies to fill and create our own chocolate bars!! Best part - you get to keep all your chocolate (lasts about 2 months)! Such a unique experience, incredibly fun for kids and adults!!
Journey Home!
After the epic chocolate making workshop, we walked home, picking up lunch, eating in the lobby of our hotel, and ordering our final Uber Van of the trip. Paris Orly is a nice airport, plenty of food to choose from if you want to eat there or stock up for the flight. I searched all over and asked and everyone told me there were NO water fountains or water fillers, so I kept asking at the food court and they filled up our bottles. BUT, I finally did find one at the very end of our terminal, so, there is one, just very hard to find. Our flight left just before 7pm and we ended up ordering meals (8euro a pop) on the flight which were satisfying! I watched a few movies and before we knew it, our 8 hour flight was over and we were back in New Jersey around 10pm! If you can, I recommend NOT sleeping on the flight, so you get home, exhausted, and go right to bed at a normal "home" hour, lessening jet lag big time! 
PARIS TRAVEL TIPS:
Contributed post.
What’s your store’s style? This is a question that many new boutique owners face when they are tasked with seamlessly combining products with ambiance. After all, you want to set the tone and the mood for moving product, and having an image and vibe that is congruent with what you are selling is really the first step. At Dear Lover, we have boiled down this often lengthy, complex process into five steps that can be applied universally to boutiques to help them select the products that are appropriate for their market. Know Your Customer Before you start stocking your shelves, you need to know your customers. What is your ideal demographic? What are their dreams, aspirations, goals, and motivations? You want to tap into the psychology of purchasing and to do that you need to be immediately relatable. In other words, whatever you are promising, you have to authentically deliver it. Whether that is a preppy clothing vibe or something a bit edgier, you need to make sure that everything fits in with other product offerings. Nothing can stand alone. You always want to think of attachment rate as well as the number of items each customer purchases, looking for complementarities between different products. Know Yourself What can you deliver? What can your team reasonably achieve? Here, you want to think of scale in addition to quality customer service. It is better to hone in on a few things and master them than to focus on quantity. Think of the customer experience and work backward, looking for ways to improve it at each step. Visions of the Present and the Future Where do you want to take the boutique in the future? You and your team need to develop a roadmap with goals and tentative timelines for what you want to achieve and when. Where do you see the boutique going? How large do you want to scale? How many offerings can you realistically maintain? These questions will help you understand your current situation as well as where you want to be down the line. Bridging the Gap Between Aspiration and Reality Through Product Find what drives your market and emphasize it but also look at trends and take small risks here and there. You want to push the envelope without appearing to do so. This involves carrying relevant products as well as anticipating what your customers will want in the future. In this regard, data on your customers as well as social media can help clue your boutique into what’s working in the market. Delivering Consistently and Pivoting Constantly Along with the above tips is the need for consistency while managing constant change. These two things might sound contradictory but they are not. You have to change and evolve with your customers’ tastes in order to stay relevant yet you also need to provide the same level of relevant, quality service as before. Quality, experience, and what your team can manage all combine to create a successful firm and knowing how to master your system is as integral to success as providing relevant products to your customers. 
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
One very cool part of my job is the variety of press invites we receive, and this past weekend I was so honored to get invited and bring my husband along to see a brand new and AMAZING show in NYC! 
Ain’t Done Bad is a theatrical dance performance conceived, directed, AND choreographed by the phenomenal Jakob Karr, who also dances the lead roll. WHAT is that even called, a quadruple threat? This man is already a complete legend.
Jakob Karr / Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
As if the phenomenal dancing and the stunning lighting weren't enough, it's entirely backed by heartfelt music from various albums by country star Orville Peck. One track, Legends Never Die (my favorite incredibly fun scene that had me wanting to jump up and start dancing myself) even features Shania Twain!
Yusaku Komori, Jordan Lombardi & Jakob Karr / Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
“AIN’T DONE BAD is my love letter to anyone who has ever struggled with their identity, and it is a thank you note to everyone who helped me find my voice” says Karr.
This is for anyone who:
I would like to note, however, that viewer discretion is advised due to strobe lighting and some highly suggestive dancing during the main character’s period of sexual awakening. Think *that scene* in Center Stage, with men, a bit less clothes, and a lot more gyrating. And it was amazing. 
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
Starring
The show premiered in 2021, winning the “Best Show’ highest honor at the Orlando International Fringe Festival and is running through September 1 on The Irene Diamond Stage at Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan). With only 294 seats, it’s a lovely and intimate theater. The show is 90 minutes long with 10 minute intermission. Access the Playbill here and... BUY TICKETS HERE!! 
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
Contributed post.
Thinking about taking the whole fam on a trip south of the border? Awesome choice! Mexico’s got it all - stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and don’t even get me started on the food. (Mmm, tacos…) Let’s dive into planning your dream family getaway. When to Go The First thing we should talk about is timing. Mexico’s weather can be a bit tricky, depending on where you’re headed. Here’s a quick rundown:
Pro tip: If you can swing it, September and October are sweet spots for great weather and smaller crowds. Where to Stay Alright, now for the fun part - picking your home away from home! Mexico’s got options for every family and budget:
Here’s a handy table to help you decide:
What to Do
Now, let’s talk activities! Mexico’s packed with family-friendly fun:
Don’t forget to check out some tours to Mexico for hassle-free exploring! Packing Essentials Alright, it's time to stuff those suitcases! Here’s what you shouldn’t forget:
And maybe leave a little room for souvenirs, yeah? Safety First I know, I know - not the most exciting topic. But it’s important, especially when traveling with kiddos. Here are some quick tips:
Budget-Friendly Tips Vacations can get pricey, but there are ways to stretch your pesos:
Getting Around Exploring a new country with kids in tow can be… interesting. Here are your options:
Language Basics Knowing a few Spanish phrases can go a long way:
Your kids might even pick up some new words - how cool is that? Food Adventures Oh man, Mexican food. It’s way more than just tacos (though those are pretty amazing). Here are some family-friendly dishes to try:
Just a heads up - some dishes can be spicy, so ask before ordering for the kiddos. Embrace the Culture Last but not least, don’t forget to soak in the vibrant Mexican culture:
It’s these experiences that’ll stick with your family long after the vacation’s over. The Bottom Line And there you have it! Your guide to planning an unforgettable family trip to Mexico. Remember, the key is to relax and go with the flow. After all, it’s about making memories with your loved ones. So pack those bags, brush up on your Spanish, and get ready for an amazing adventure. ¡Buen viaje!
Contributed post.
Camping is certainly an incredible hobby for all ages. It gives you the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life whilst immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. However, while it has many great benefits, it also comes with certain risks. The wilderness is unpredictable, and you may run into several challenges during your adventure. In this article, we are going to discuss five crucial tips so that you can have an enjoyable and safe experience. Let's begin! Craft an emergency kit. The first thing you should do before going on a camping trip is craft an emergency kit. While you may have all of the standard equipment crossed off your list such as shelter and food, there are many other things you will require. For instance, a map, flashlight, extra batteries, first-aid kit, and water purification tablets are all essentials that you should keep on hand. It's always better to be overprepared than underprepared. Additionally, you may want to look further into hatchets for camping. This tool can be valuable in all types of emergency situations. Familiarize yourself with basic survival skills. Alongside having the necessary gear for your trip, you should also take the time to brush up on your survival skills. If you become lost or are injured, these abilities can mean the difference between life and death. A few skills that you should learn include:
There are a wide range of courses online to help you get started. Of course, you should also get some real-life experience before your adventure begins. Research your campsite in advance. Familiarizing yourself with your campsite can significantly enhance your safety. Before you set up your tent and equipment, do a quick survey of the area, or better yet – research before your departure. Check for hazards such as unstable trees, rocky terrain, and areas prone to flooding. It’s also wise to locate any emergency exits and nearby water sources. Know the weather forecast. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the wilderness. Always check the weather forecast before your camping trip so that you can plan accordingly when it comes to your clothing and required supplies. It’s also best to monitor for updates using a portable weather radio or smartphone app. Understanding patterns can prevent many emergencies before they happen. Share your itinerary. Even if you consider yourself a camping expert, always inform someone about your plans. Share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, and update them if anything changes. Be sure to include a lot of details, including location, duration of the trip, and names of everyone in your group. This way if an incident does occur, they will be able to locate you more easily. Final Words Camping is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors, but you should always be prepared for emergencies. While the chances of anything going wrong are slim, mistakes and accidents can still happen. By following the advice above, you can ensure a safe and fun camping experience. 
Looking to elevate your summer experience with a budget friendly backyard makeover? Or perhaps you do a lot of camping or RV travel and are looking for a great portable spa. Either way, I got you!!! I was sent this 4-6 person Relxtime inflatable hot tub to review and it is, in a word, AMAZING, I'll go on a limb and say the best 2024 inflatable hot tub! But you don't have to take my word for it - watch my detailed video below to see how easy it is to unbox, inflate, fill, heat up, and enjoy the BEST inflatable hot tub!! More details and links below about this portable jacuzzi and other ways to elevate your backyard this summer!
Why we're loving this inflatable hot tub from Relxtime:
OK, time to shop!!!
Disclaimer: as an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from purchases made with the following links): BUY THE HOT TUB HERE:
OTHER PRODUCTS YOU MAY NEED OR WANT:
Here are some other products we've elevated our backyard with (review videos below):
Summer camp prep can be overwhelming! Not only finding the right summer day camp (at the right price) and getting a spot before it fills up, but also what to buy buy and have on hand so you're ready for packing and sending your child off to camp every day!! Don't worry, I got you!!! See my list below for shopping links or watch the video at the bottom to see everything in action!
Disclaimer: this post was NOT sponsored but I did receive everything free to review (over the last year or two) and affiliate links are included below - as an Amazon and Mabel's Label's Affiliate, I receive commission from purchases made through the links below.
Day Camp Packing Check List for this Summer:
|
 
About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, saving moms time finding the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! 
 Categories
All
Archives
September 2024
|
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly
