I love shopping at Aldi and Trader Joe's for my family's groceries.

Both chains carry unique specialty items, and the holidays always bring seasonal items that everyone in my house looks forward to.

Recently, I went to Aldi and Trader Joe's to compare each grocery store's seasonal and holiday offerings. I was surprised by which of the two felt more festive in early/mid-November.

Like most food writers, I get really excited about discovering new food products that my family loves. And when those tasty treats also work in a variety of recipes in my kitchen, I consider that to be a major win. So when I started seeing all of the things people were using Great Value freeze-dried strawberry fruit crisps for on social media, I knew I had to pick up a bag on my next shopping trip to Walmart.

Missing the thrill of scoring those Amazon Prime Day deals? Luckily for us, the mega retailer has announced a new set of deals exclusive to Prime members just ahead of the holiday season. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days will run on October 10 and 11, and the event is perfect for Amazon lovers who need a savings fix between Prime Day and Black Friday. On these two days, expect deals on everything from electronics to clothing—and even hair growth products.

My family visits theme parks all the time, and it’s no secret that standing in line for rides all day can be a sweltering summertime activity. And while we’re nearing the official start of fall, it’s still quite hot out in many parts of the country.

I’ll admit, I’ve always thought people who wore portable fans around their necks to beat the heat looked a little funny, but recently, one of my most trusted theme park friends arrived at our Walt Disney World dinner table wearing a HandFan portable fan. She raved that it had made her entire day at the park so much better, so I figured I’d give it a try.

Since it was founded in 2012, grocery delivery service Instacart has grown to provide shopping services to customers across the U.S. and Canada, employing more than 500,000 personal shoppers who scour stores to bring the products consumers need right to their door.

I’ve been using Instacart for more than five years, depending on its shoppers to bring me everything from my weekly groceries to Gatorade and cold medicine when I’m sick to printer toner when my printer has run out during the middle of a deadline. Instacart is fast and easy to use, albeit a little pricier than services like Walmart Plus. Still, there have been plenty of times I’ve found the service invaluable and more than a little worth it.

I first noticed people wearing Hey Dude slip-on shoes as I ran errands in my little Florida beach town. People wore the shoes — which come in a variety of colors, fabrics, and patterns — everywhere, from the beach to the grocery store. As someone who lives by the shore, my go-to daily uniform usually includes flip-flops or Birkenstocks, so I was curious about the shoes, which looked almost sneaker-like with a slip-on style.

Hey Dude styles range from sandals to platform sneakers, but I set my sights on the Wendy style, a convenient slip-on sneaker known for having a lightweight sole and laces that are purely decorative, with no need to tie. In addition to being a travel writer, I’m a busy mom, so the idea of slipping shoes on fast for kid drop-off or dog walks definitely intrigued me. Because I live in the Sunshine State and it’s warm year-round, I picked a gray linen style that was on sale for just $30 at Amazon.

I was eating breakfast at a hotel on a recent trip when I noticed a woman wearing a two-piece shorts outfit that I absolutely loved. I asked her where it was from and she was kind enough to share the Amazon link with me. At $33, I also loved the price, so I ordered one on the spot and added it to my summer travel wardrobe.

The Trendy Queen Womens Shorts Set is made of a breathable linen and rayon fabric and consists of a pair of high-waisted shorts and a sleeveless cropped tank. It comes in a ton of colors, from hot pink to lemon yellow, but I bought it in black to take with me on an upcoming vacation, knowing I could dress it up with statement earrings and wedges or toss on my Birkenstocks and go a bit more casual.

For college students, one of the most vital school supplies is a good laptop. College is tough without the ability to check for professor emails, type up term papers and do online research, so it’s important to keep those laptops safe and in good working condition. Enter the laptop backpack — a carry-all designed to protect precious laptops from drops, spills and other hazards.

As college students return to the classrooms, one of the best back-to-school investments is a good laptop backpack, so we’ve rounded up 8 of the best ones to keep your kid’s laptop safe.

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you: It’s much easier to shop for younger kids than teenagers. At back-to-school time, parents of high schoolers face the unique challenge of buying school supplies, clothing, shoes,and other necessities that their teens think are cool, or at the very least are not embarrassing.

Choosing the best backpack for high school students can be tricky. Bigger kids need more space for necessities like textbooks, tablets and laptops. And, since their school necessities are heavier than those of elementary-aged kids, they need backpacks that ease the strain on their backs. At the same time, a high schooler’s backpack needs to be stylish enough to keep them sure their peers will approve. It’s a lot.

I have a tendency to overpack, but as a travel writer who often travels with her kids in tow, I’ve made great strides in lessening the amount of clothing I pack in my suitcase. When I go on a trip these days, I try to keep things as minimalist as possible, which can be a challenge when you’re packing not only daytime and evening outfits, but also swimsuits and cover-ups.

As I was planning for a recent European cruise, I discovered reversible swimsuits from Carve Designs. I had no idea that reversible bathing suits existed, so I excitedly ordered a few reversible tops and bottoms from the brand to test out on my trip. Instead of packing four swimsuits, I packed only two, both of which were fully reversible.

If you’ve seen the previews for the record-breaking Barbie movie, you’ll likely remember a hilarious scene where “Weird Barbie,” played by Kate McKinnon, offers Margot Robbie’s Barbie a choice: Without giving away spoilers, Barbie must visit the real world and is given the option to choose between her traditional stylish pink heels, or swap to brown Birkenstock sandals — which turn out to be a pretty significant symbol throughout the film. The heels are Barbie’s preference, but in the end, Weird Barbie convinces her to go on a journey of self-discovery, brown leather sandals and all.

The iconic Birkenstock Arizonas make another pivotal appearance later on in the film when Barbie is seen rocking baby pink Birks, the perfect blend of style and function.

Heading back to school brings kids lots of things to get excited about, but one of the most fun things about a new school year is picking out a brand-new backpack. For younger kids, backpacks are often chosen because of the design or color. Still, there are features that can benefit even the smallest of kids as they head back to the classroom — ones that go beyond that animated character on the pocket or that perfect shade of Barbie pink.

From water bottle pockets to matching lunch boxes, we’ve rounded up nine backpacks on Amazon that have features perfect for kids of all ages as they return to school. And yes, we like to think they’re still pretty stylish, too.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is planning my outfits for the trip, but any traveler knows shoes can take up lots of prime real estate in a suitcase. Whether I’m headed to Walt Disney World for the weekend with my family or flying to Europe, it’s always a struggle to pack light and be stylish. But recently, I discovered a white canvas sneaker that seemed perfect for both keeping my feet comfortable and matching lots of outfits.

The Kizik Irvine is a canvas sneaker with a springback heel that allows for slipping your foot in and out of the shoes without needing to tie and untie them. The shoes come in a variety of colors, from tan to navy blue, but for a recent 10-day trip to Europe, I wanted a white sneaker I could pair with everything from shorts and tanks to skirts and dresses. I’m already a fan of the athletic shoes Kizik makes, so it seemed like a no-brainer to put this casual canvas style to the test.

While warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club have existed for years, still many are new to shopping in the stores, which are known for selling items discounted in bulk and having incredibly-affordable food courts in addition to offering exclusive discounts to members.

Sam’s Club was started by Walmart founder Sam Walton in 1983. In addition to more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Sam’s Club has international locations in Brazil, China, and Mexico. Costco began as Price Club in 1976, and today has more than 800 locations worldwide. Both warehouse clubs require a membership to shop there.

I’ve lived at the beach with my family for the last seven years and with that Florida beach house came a backyard pool. I’m also a travel writer who’s no stranger to a dip in the ocean or the hotel hot tub while I’m away covering destinations. This means I own a lot of swimsuits and cover-ups and am always on a search for the best options for both.

For a recent European cruise, I had been eyeing up linen button-down swim cover-ups in stores and online. Turning to Amazon, I came across the Unibelle Linen Button-Down Shirt and was immediately struck by its oversized style and crisp appearance.

There are more than 800 Costco locations worldwide, and like Peloton riders or Disney fans, if someone is a member of the warehouse club, they’ll tell you all about it. Why? Costco is known for everything from its exclusive Kirkland brand of products to its food court, where guests can snag a quarter-pound beef hot dog and a soda for just $1.50.

The company first opened in 1976 as Price Club, a warehouse club for businesses. In the early '80s, the first Costco opened in Seattle, Washington, and by 1993, the two had merged into one mega-store. What makes Costco different from a grocery store, in addition to the savings it offers to those who buy in bulk, is its highly-selective stock: Where grocery stores can carry 30,000 different items, for example, Costco only sells about 4,000 products at a given time. Costco believes this helps it provide the best quality and value possible to its members.

I've been an avid Costco shopper for most of my adult life but when my family relocated from the Northeast to Central Florida seven years ago, I was disappointed to learn the closest Costco to my beach town was a 90-minute drive away.

The trip seemed just a bit too far so my family and I looked for other warehouse-store alternatives. Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club were only about 15 to 20 minutes away so, over the course of six years, I shopped at the two stores. However, I was never completely happy.

Counting down the days until "Barbie the Movie" hits theaters? You’re not alone. As the July 21 release date of the film, approaches with a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie fans everywhere are obsessing over which doll-inspired merchandise to stock up on.

Not only are brands like Gap and Stoney Clover Lane getting in on collaborations to celebrate the new addition to the Barbie universe, but neon, pink and heart-shaped products are more popular than ever as Barbie girls prepare to dress like everyone’s favorite fashionista. From Barbie dolls that look just like Robbie and Gosling to inline skates inspired by the film, the amount of shopping options for Barbie fans can seem a bit overwhelming.

It’s been nearly three years since Walmart launched Walmart Plus, its yearly membership program that offers subscribers everything from in-home grocery delivery to discounts at the gas pump. An early adopter of the program, I’ve been a Walmart Plus user since its September 2020 launch, and have saved money and time through my membership. Each year when my Walmart Plus membership renews, there’s no question in my mind about whether to continue subscribing or to cancel.

There’s nothing better than leaving your house for a day of errands without being weighed down by purses, bags, or backpacks. For those of us who have discovered the magic of using a belt bag instead of these other carry-all items, that hands-free freedom is ours every single time we walk out the front door. To head out into the world without bag straps falling down your shoulder and with the ability to carry essentials like a water bottle or your car keys in your free hands is to truly live.