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.

As the summer sun causes temperatures to rise, it’s tempting to get outside with our pets for some warm-weather fun. But cats and dogs can easily overheat, putting our furry friends at risk for heat stroke and dehydration. When it’s hot outside, it’s important for pet owners to be vigilant about making sure animals are staying cool.

Summer days bring trips to the beach, pool days and outdoor parties, but there’s nothing worse than returning to your car after a warm-weather outing to find that your ride home hotter than the face of the sun. Sure, you can wind down the windows and blast the air conditioning, but the best way to ensure your car stays cool on hot summer days is to invest in sunshades, fans, and other products that help prevent your car from warming up in the first place — or can at least cool it back down fast.

The first time I visited Walt Disney World (WDW) with my kids, they were just 3 and 5, eager to meet their favorite characters and get some Mickey-shaped ice cream bars. A decade later, I visit with teenagers who will still oblige me with a character photo, but care more about which restaurant has the best cheeseburger and how many thrill rides we can pack into one theme park day. Still, through many trips to WDW and Disneyland, I’ve perfected my checklist of items to pack in my bag for a day at a Disney park — many of which haven’t changed as my kids have gotten older.

On a recent visit with my in-laws, I noticed my father-in-law and I were wearing the same shoes. “Are those Kiziks?” I asked him. “Yes,” he replied, “they’re my airport shoes.”

I knew exactly what he meant. Since purchasing not one, but two, pairs of Kizik sneakers a few months before, I had become obsessed with the ease of slipping them on and off without bending down, tying, and untying them. The sneakers, which cost a little over $100 on average, come in tons of different styles and colors — from pink athletic shoes to white canvas sneakers — and have become my go-to for everything from travel to theme parks to Target runs.

Entering your 40s is full of empowering perks, from being more confident in your own skin to truly learning which friends are the ones you want to invest your energy in. But aging is not without its struggles. As a busy 43-year-old mom, I find my skincare routine becoming increasingly focused on evening out my skin tone, keeping my face moisturized to the max, and avoiding things like under eye circles or fine lines.

As the days get sunnier and the weather warms up, more and more skirts and shorts are finding their way into our daily outfits. Whether you’re a busy mom throwing on the perfect white tee for a playdate or a traveler looking for a white tank to match all the skirts you’ve packed in your suitcase, the classic white top is a wardrobe staple that seems simple but can be tough to choose.

Crossbody belt bags are having a moment right now, so when I realized I had multiple trips planned where air travel was involved, I decided to buy one to make navigating the airport a bit easier. As a mom of two who often takes my kids along on trips, I know all too well the importance of having my hands free to help someone roll their suitcase or open their water bottle, so the fanny pack trend seemed to be a fad made just for me.

Any Target fan will tell you: There’s no such thing as a bad shopping experience at the bullseye-laden retailer, from the distinctive welcome of the big red spheres outside to the free coffee refills inside at Starbucks and scoring deals on favorite products. But they’ll also let you know that not all locations are created equal when it comes to grocery shopping. Some Target stores sell a few fresh groceries (like dairy products and minimal frozen items), some have a limited grocery selection that mainly consists of non-perishable goods, and others carry everything from fresh produce to high-quality meats.

I'm the kind of girl who finds an outfit I love and buys it in every color — bonus when that outfit falls into the athleisure category. So when I noticed multiple women wearing the same style of flowy shorts on a recent trip to Universal Orlando Resort, I immediately started searching Amazon for summer shorts in the tennis skirt-style I was observing, and I hit gold.

As a mom of two, my relationship with Dollar Tree has changed throughout the years. A store I once only visited for birthday party favors or Easter basket fillers has become a place my tween likes to shop for makeup and hair accessories or, thanks to TikTok, a shopping destination I visit for supplies for the occasional DIY project. But in recent years, I've started picking up more and more of my weekly groceries at Dollar Tree as well.

In our Grown & Flown Parents Facebook group, Sundays are for sharing product recommendations. From the most comfortable sneakers to the best spring break read, our online community loves spilling the tea on everything, right down to which brand of leaves they’re currently brewing.