Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Honest Company Canvas Tote Review: An Honest Assessment

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Affiliate links included. I promote what I love and I love The Honest Company (though this product was a definite miss!).

Time for another Honest Company review, and hang on to your horses, friends, because this one is a doozy! I’m showing you the Honest Canvas Tote and telling you exactly why I DON’T recommend that you buy it!

honest canvas tote

The Price

The retail price for the Canvas Tote is $16.95. You can purchase it as an add-on to a bundle to get 25% off, so that would bring the price down to $12.71. But even at that price, I think the tote is a major disappointment. Truly, this is one of my least favorite items from The Honest Company so far. The price, which I fully expect to be higher than a similar-quality product at Walmart due to the fact that the Honest Company pays people a living wage, still seemed WAY too high for the quality of the bag.

The Quality

The quality was really what I took issue with the most. I purchased this bag at the $12.71 price point, and I was perfectly content to pay that amount. But I expected something thicker and sturdier for that price. A bag that could really hold its own at the grocery store and the pool. A bag that wouldn’t look rough after just one wash. But you know where this is going, right? 

Here’s the fading that occurred on the printed logo after just 1 wash in an HE washer on gentle:

honest canvas tote review

 

I’ve washed it one time since taking this photo, and the quality of the logo continues to degrade, unfortunately. I think the “N” at the bottom is not long for this world, and then I’ll be advertising “HO EST.com.” So that’s something to look forward to…

The handles have also struggled to hold reasonable amounts of weight (groceries…no not gallons of milk or anything ridiculous) and a few seams on them have ripped. So that tells me that I have to only put lightweight things in the bag. I need my reusable totes to be work horses!

The material also just reminds me of what you might expect from a $5 canvas tote, and not a $17 tote or even a $13 tote. So my friends, my honest assessment is that you should skip this item altogether, and save space in your cart for something that will delight you. Honest Company has many terrific products, this just isn’t one of them.

Honest Company: What IS Good?

I have a growing list of Honest Company reviews and I give it to you straight, telling you what I liked and what I didn’t, and the strategy to use to get the best possible price. If you’ve never made a purchase with The Honest Company, start by getting lots of freebies from them! I give you the full run down on how to do that here. Happy shopping!

FabKids: Affordable, Trendy Fashion Delivered Straight to Your Front Door (I’m in Love…)

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Thanks to FabKids for sending along an outfit for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

Have you got the first day of school outfit selected, yet? Is that a big deal in your family? It was always a HUGE deal when I was young (I grew up in Alabama, y’all, and nailing that first day outfit was a total mark of pride for all the mamas out there). And I do find myself lingering over the question of what my kids will wear on that first day quite a bit, which, to be perfectly honest, almost forgetting entirely to make sure that they have what they need for all the other days!
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The thing is, I don’t really go shopping much for clothes. I get hand-me-downs from my sister-in-law, and they are wonderful in every way. So I have about 75% of what I need right from the start with each clothing size. But there are some holes in the wardrobes, and more importantly, some spaces for my girls to let their own clothing preferences come to light. Certain items that have been passed down to us just hang in the closet, untouched (or perhaps worn only once) while others get worn every single week. That’s because my girls know what they like, same as me (and same as anyone!).

FabKids

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Enter FabKids. This is a WONDERFUL way that I can help fill in those gaps in the wardrobe with pieces that suit their preferences, at a price point I can  handle, and all without having to trek it over to the mall (Hallelujah!). FabKids is a the brainchild of a team of parents including mom and actress Christina Applegate. It is an outfit club, and it is SO easy and fun!

To get started, fill out a brief style quiz (you can let you child do it, or you can select for them based on what you know they do and don’t like). Based on your selections a customized selection of outfits is presented in your own shop (though you are also welcome to shop the entire collection if you like). Each outfit includes 2 pieces (for example, a dress and leggings), and is just $29.95. At the start of every month you will receive a new personalized selection. You have until the 5th of the month to decide if you want to skip that month (there’s no penalty or charge for skipping!). On the 6th you will be charged and will either receive the outfit you selected, or you will have an outfit credit added to your account to use whenever you like.
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I think $30 for a new cute outfit is reasonable as is, but it gets better! I’ve been signed up with them for close to a month now, and they have GREAT sales happening all the time. I’ve gotten emails about Buy One Get One Free Offers, $10 dresses, and even free shoes with purchase offerings.  And they seem to always have a sale section, too! It is such a great way to shop for clothes for kids. I’m pretty bonkers about it, myself. And I really appreciate that you aren’t committing yourself to spending $30 each month. In my case, my kids don’t need a new outfit every single month…I’ll probably get them something once a season or so.

Cute Packaging

Even the package that arrives on your doorstep is really cute. I’ve heard that the box is blue for boy outfits, and it’s pink for the girls. We actually turned ours into a play house for our My Little Pony friends!

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Smokin’ Hot Deal

I love when businesses reward their happy customers by offering referrals. If you’d like to sign up for FabKids, you’ll get your first outfit for just $15 AND free shipping by going through my link. I’ll get credit in my account, too! Then you can go tell your friends, and when they sign up you can earn credit for more new outfits. Win/Win! I’m currently scoping out the B1G1 sale because it means I can buy matching dresses for the girls for a GREAT price (gotta jump on that while they can, as the oldest will start complaining about it in a few short years!).

Let me know what you get, friends (because it’s pretty much impossible to NOT get something!).

My #1 Back-to-School Purchase Recommendation

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Disclaimer: I am sharing my own personal experience, but I am NOT offering medical advice of any sort or attempting to diagnose or treat anyone for any condition. Please consult your physician should you have any questions or concerns. 

So my oldest is headed to kindergarten this year and my youngest is starting her first 5-days-a-week program. It’s a big school year for us, and I’ve already started on the process of gathering all the necessities like glue, scissors, school lunch ideas and a Hipsterpotamus notebook for myself. Because, obviously.

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(Image from david & goliath. I found the notebook at Target, FYI). 

But last week brought the arrival of the one item I knew I wanted to get more than anything else on the entire list (yes, even more than a brand new pack of crayons, and everyone knows brand new packs of crayons are THE BEST THING EVER!).

It set me back $33.75 and while it’s only 15 ml in size, it is what I am personally choosing to use in my home, whereas in the past, I might have chosen to use several different types of products that all have various side effects. True story.

It’s called Thieves, and it is a blend of essential oils by Young Living that supports healthy immune function, especially when you are around lots of people (like in school!). A 15 ml bottle has roughly 250 drops in it, so one bottle will get my family through the entire school year, or at least most of it!

How I Use Thieves

The very moment that I realize that one of us is starting to feel some minor aches and pains, I put 4 drops of Thieves in the diffusers (I have two…one for upstairs, and one for downstairs) and get them running twice a day to provide some support to our immune systems. I also apply two drops of Thieves mixed with almond oil to the bottom of everybody’s feet. It needs 4 or 5 minutes to get soaked in, and then people can be on their way. I also will diffuse Thieves by the bedside when it’s time to sleep.

Why I Use Thieves

I’m very mindful of what I give to my children to help them out when their immune systems need some support, and I wouldn’t personally feel comfortable with many of the essential oils on the market, as essential oils aren’t regulated by the FDA, and 98% of them have fillers and additives and aren’t manufactured in a way to provide maximum therapeutic benefit. Young Living sticks out head and shoulders above other oil companies, based on my research, due to their Seed to Seal promise. These products are most definitely the right choice for my family. You can read more about how I reached this conclusion (as a skeptic, no less) here.

Other Back-to-School Oils to Consider

Thieves is the oil that I would suggest first and foremost for anyone with a child in school. But essential oils can help with so much more than simply aiding a healthy immune system! Here are a few key suggestions:

BACK TO SCHOOL 1.1 (1)

Of the 8 essential oils listed on this graphic, 4 of them are included in the premium starter kit, which is absolutely the way I recommend getting introduced to essential oils. You can read more about my love affair with this kit (I’ve purchased 2 and I’m aiming for a third in the next month or so!) and exactly how to get started with Young Living. You can also reach out to me (stuffparentsneed@gmail.com) if you’d prefer to just try one or two oils (such as Thieves) and go in on my monthly group order so you can buy them using my wholesale member discount. That’s just one way I give a little love back to my readers!

Why Amazon or Ebay is a Bad Idea

Whether you purchase from me, or not, I hope you will make your purchase through a Young Living distributor. If you purchase from a distributor, your products will ship directly from Young Living. If you purchase from someone on a third party site, you are taking the risk that the product has been tampered with in some way. Young Living does not sell on these sites, and Young Living does not allow distributors to sell there for less than the price that a distributor will quote you. If you see a “better deal” there, that should raise a red flag, because it likely means that a diluted or altered product is being sold to maximize profits. The wholesale, or discounted price, is the price every distributor has to pay, so selling it cheaper either means that they just want to lose money and not even break even, or that they are somehow stretching out the product so they can make a profit. You can even buy sealed caps online so that they don’t look like they have been tampered with. Just a word to the wise…get your oils from the source so you can feel confident about them!

Other Helpful Essential Oils Posts

I’ve done several posts on my oil journey, so feel free to grab a cup of coffee and do a little reading! And email me at stuffparentsneed@gmail.com if you have any questions at all. I’m here to help!

Johnson’s Baby: Your Promise is Our Promise

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Thanks to The Motherhood and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them. 

Have you ever made a decision to do something as a parent for the sake of peace of mind? Of course you have; we all have! For me, examples that come to mind include taking my children to the doctor when I wasn’t 100% sure that they needed to be seen, but I wanted peace of mind just in case (in a few instances there was nothing to worry about, but in other instances we discovered Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease, strep throat ad even the need for stitches).

I’ve also made the call on MANY different occasions to not use certain products (especially household cleaning products) due to my concern about their safety. My research would often yield conflicting reports about whether or not there was anything to worry about, but for the sake of peace of mind, it just made more sense to keep them out of my home.

The Promise of Peace of Mind

johnson's baby new and improved products

JOHNSON’S® Baby products have been discussed quite a bit online over the last few years, as many parents had some concerns about the safety of some of the ingredients. And while the company asserts that their products have always been safe, they have also committed to listening to parents and caregivers, and seek a way to provide that peace of mind that is so important to us all. As a result, they have removed formaldehyde-releasing preservative and reduced traces of 1,4 dioxane from all of their baby products. Most of the new and improved baby products also have the parabens removed (scheduled to happen in 2015…great to see them ahead of schedule on this!). More information on their policies and timeline for product improvements and roll out can be seen at safetyandcarecommitment.com. I’m so impressed to see JOHNSON’S® Baby making and fulfilling these promises to provide peace of mind that every parent wants and needs. And I might have cried watching this video. Bet you can’t make it through without getting a little teary-eyed!

I love seeing a company who values cutting edge science AND the views and concerns of the people who use their products. Claiming the promises of their customers as their own is a true hallmark of being a family, and not just a business.

If you’d like to check out the reformulated products, here’s a list of what you’ll find that it new and improved on the shelves:

  • JOHNSON’S® Baby HEAD-TO-TOE® Wash
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thick and Curly Hair
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thin and Straight Hair
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo with Calming Lavender
  • JOHNSON’S® Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath

What to Expect at a LEGOLAND Destination: Atlanta Edition

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Thanks to LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Atlanta for hosting my family for a visit. All thoughts and opinions are strictly my own. 

A few weeks ago my crew headed down to Atlanta to visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Center there. Did you know that there are multiple LEGO parks of various types (from discovery centers to water parks to theme parks?). Definitely check out the listing because even if you don’t live near Atlanta, you still might have a LEGOLAND of some sort within striking distance.

legoland atlanta

Location: A Surprising Spot!

I was quite confused when the GPS directions on my phone led us to a mall parking lot as we were trying to reach the Discovery Center. We decided to go ahead and drive the outside perimeter of the mall just in case it was there. And it was! I think I was expecting LEGOLAND Discovery Center to be in a stand alone building, and not inside a mall, though in hindsight the location makes perfect sense. Lots of families are already visiting this place, so a trip to LEGOLAND as part of a day at the mall could be fun for folks.

Self-Guided…Mostly

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Almost the entire center is self-guided, so you can go wherever you like as you see fit (that doesn’t mean you won’t find lines, though!). But the very first part of the experience is guided, and I think that’s by design so that too many people don’t enter the play areas at one time. You are guided through a room where you get to “make” a LEGO (and honestly, any kid older than 6 is going to realize that you aren’t actually doing anything in this room, but it’s still a really cute concept). Every child is given a complimentary LEGO with the logo of the center on it. I think that’s a really cool souvenir to add to the LEGO collections back home.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Rides

There are two rides in the center. The first is a “gentle thrills” ride called Kindgom Quest where parties of 4 get in a cart and go from scene to scene (some animation on the screen, some “live”) shooting your laser guns at targets. My almost 5-year-old was borderline terrified the whole time, yet my 2-year-old thought it was awesome. And it was my personal favorite part of the whole place; had my oldest not protested I would have ridden it twice or maybe even three times. Totally fun!

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The other ride is called Merlin’s Apprentice. It is very similar in concept to Dumbo at Disney World, only you have to pedal within your cart to keep your pod up in the air. That definitely added an element of fun to it. The line was LONG for this one; I think we waited 30 minutes for it (which is 3 eternities to a 4-year-old). The experience of waiting in line like that has me freaking out a bit about our upcoming Disney trip. But I digress…

LEGO Miniland

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This is the part of the center where I would have liked to have spent more time. If you have older kids, this will hold their attention (but it is lost on toddlers, I promise). They have recreated many popular sights of the city of Atlanta, all using LEGO pieces (over 1 million!). It is totally awesome and well worth 20 to 30 minutes of your time.

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Watch the Movie!

There is a 4D movie theater tucked into the back corner of the center. Definitely go see this! It’s maybe 20 minutes long, and you get sprinkled with water and even experience some snow fall right in the theater. It was a bit loud for a 2-year-old, but she still said that she liked it afterwards. My older daughter still talks about it a few weeks later.

Play Areas for the Littles

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They did have an area, right next to the place where you can sit down and eat, with jumbo blocks, a slide, and cute LEGO animal statues. This is a really good spot for toddlers to play in, especially while older siblings ride Merlin’s Apprentice.

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LEGO Friends

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Ok, honestly, this might have been the most disappointing part of the entire center for me. Darah’s just now starting to get into LEGO Friends (she still mostly uses LEGO Duplos with her sister). And I know that there is some controversy around the whole concept, since stuff shouldn’t need to be pink or purple and have hearts on it for girls to want to play with it, or for parents to be willing to buy it for their girls. But I like a lot of the Friends kits that they offer; they aren’t violent, either explicitly or implicitly, as some of the other LEGO sets can be. Anyway, I was excited to see this area, only to be very disappointed by how it actually looked. There were several building stations that looked like a hot mess. The main purpose of this area, according to the brochure, was to build a microphone that you could then use to do karaoke. There were no examples of microphones anywhere to be seen, so absolutely nobody in the area was doing that. And as for the karaoke machine, it was busted. It worked only if someone was constantly, and I do mean CONSTANTLY, tapping the screen to help the highlighted lyrics move along. It was rough, you guys.

We Went on Saturday

legoland discover center atlanta review

To be fair to LEGOLAND, we arrived around 3 in the afternoon on a Saturday. That place was pretty well packed, and I imagine that it had been for several hours. I know what my living room looks like after just 2 kids have been playing with LEGOs, so it may not be fair for me to expect that LEGOLAND, which has thousands and thousands of LEGO pieces all over the place, and hundreds and hundreds of kids playing with them, would look pristine. It’s just something to keep in mind when you visit. I’d advise against going on a weekend if you can possibly swing it. Or get there right when it opens so that you can experience the building areas of the center before they have been destroyed.

So while I can’t say that I was completely blown away by LEGOLAND, I do think it is worth a visit for any family who uses LEGOs regularly. Tickets are free for those 2 and under, $17 for kids 3-12, and $19 for those 13 and up. But go online to buy your tickets in advance, because they offer really good discounts if you buy online! If you’re coming from out of town, I recommend having your car shipped to the area so that you can explore all the surrounding attractions in Atlanta; it can be cheaper than renting, according to FreightWaves, and you can fly or take public transit in and save yourself the long road trip!

Have you ever visited any of the LEGOLAND attractions? I’ve heard that the theme parks are unbelievably awesome! I’d love to hear about your experience! 

A Practical Yet Totally Fun Subscription Box: Beauty Box 5

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Thanks to Beauty Box 5 for sending along a box for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Referral links may be included. 

I’ve been subscribing to various monthly box services for a few years now. They are especially fun for me because gifts are one of my top love languages, and with a subscription box, you get fun surprises in the mail every month.

One area where I’ve been hesitant to try subscriptions, though, was with makeup. So many of the options I have seen carry too much high-end stuff, or too many boutique brands that I’ll never be able to buy again, either due to price or limited availability. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a makeup product that you can’t get your hands on again. Ok, there’s a lot in life that is worse than that, I suppose, but you understand what I’m getting at, right? 😉

Beauty Box 5

beauty box 5 review

I was very drawn to Beauty Box 5 because they have a really nice mix of higher end, niche, and more widely available and wallet-friendly products to check out. That is a great fit for me, because at the end of the day, I am always going to buy a fair percentage of my makeup from places like Target. This mama can’t have all her beauty products from Sephora, sorry to say!

I did a Beauty Box 5 review video that I’d love for you to check out so you can see exactly what’s inside. I’ll share some more thoughts about the products after the video, so scroll down to finish the post!

Ok, so now that I’ve had a chance to try everything, I want to share a few more thoughts about the items!

Revlon mascara: LOVE! I was already using a Revlon mascara faithfully, and I’m every bit as pleased with this one.

HASK hair mask: I used it a week ago and didn’t like how my hair looked and felt after the first wash (maybe I didn’t wash it out enough?). But I’ve washed it a few times since then and I think my hair does feel quite soft. So in the end, it was a win.

Nicka K nail color: I’m not big into nail polish, in general. This one was fine, but nothing to write home about.

Body Drench lip gloss: I wasn’t excited about it when I opened it, but you know what? It is REALLY soft. I do like it!

H2O Plus shampoo: I haven’t used it yet so I honestly can’t comment. Sorry! I didn’t want to use it during the 2 weeks after using the hair mask. I’ll update this post after trying it if I have particularly strong feelings one way or the other.

Beauty Box 5 Cost

This is a really affordable subscription box, and one that I have requested as a birthday gift because I loved it so very much. You can get them for $12/month if you pay month-by-month, or for $30 billed quarterly (which is $10/box) or $99 billed annually ($8.25/box). Shipping is free! I think $8.25 per box is a total steal, but let me show you how to get the first box even cheaper!

COUPON ALERT!!!

I’ve got a smokin’ hot coupon for you guys! You can get 50% off your first box by using the code HALFOFF at checkout. Just imagine getting all the goodies I showed you in the video, or something similar in nature, delivered to your door, for less than the cost of a tube of mascara. Kind of a no-brainer, don’t you think?

I’d love to hear if you already are enjoying this subscription, or if you decide that you want to try it. I can’t wait for my next box!!

Globally-Inspired Reading for Moms of the World: Mom Voyage

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“I participated in a Blog Blast on behalf of Mom Central (#MC) for Urbini. I received information from Urbini to facilitate my post as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

Have you ever wondered how being a mother might look or feel in other parts of the world? I’ve been really enjoying looking at the  over the past few days, because it delves into that exact question, highlighting unique perspectives of motherhood from all over the globe. It also showcases just how similar the experience of being a mother is, no matter your country or culture.

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Current bloggers on the site hail from the U.S., the Netherlands, China, Japan, Holland, Australia, Britain and France. It’s definitely worth checking out (and !). My favorite post so far is the one about American baby shower traditions (nothing I didn’t already know, but when you step back and objectively think about them, they are a bit strange!).

Here are some other ways to follow the great conversations happening on Mom  Voyage:

What new (to you) blogs are you reading these days? I’d love to hear (I’m always looking for great new reading material!).

 

Honest Company Laundry Detergent Review: An Honest Assessment

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Referral links included. I only promote what I personally use! 

Today I’m showing off one of my favorite picks from the Honest Company Line: the Honest Laundry Detergent. It works GREAT and I love that it’s eco-friendly. I also love that a heavy item like this can show up on my doorstep and be taken off my shopping list when I run errands.

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How to Get the Best Price

The retail price for the Honest Laundry Detergent is $12.95, and it will cover 70 loads in an HE machine, which is what I have. That means the retail cost is 18.5 cents/load. That’s on the pricey end, in my opinion. But you don’t have to pay $12.95! Instead, get the essentials bundle and pay just $7.20.You get 5 items in your bundle for $35.95, which makes each item in the bundle cost just $7.20. This is absolutely one to put in your bundle. The per load cost of the product just went down to 10 cents/load!

This is a subscription service, BUT it is the most flexible subscription service I have ever encountered…you don’t HAVE to get something every month…just call in and have your date changed to whatever you like. I have my bundles scheduled to come every 6 weeks, but I have called in and gotten them bumped back or moved forward, depending on my needs. They are easy breezy! And cancelling is just as easy, too.

You can also add another bottle on to your bundle for the month at a rate of 25% off (bundle subscribers get up to 3 more items of their choice for 25% off, which is a nice perk) and that brings it down to $9.71. I personally recommend adding 2 two your bundle of 5 at a time to get the best price and to get stocked up, unless you are new to Honest Company and want to try out a greater variety. I tend to stick the items that are already less than $7.20 retail into my add-on spots.

New to The Honest Company? Start Here!

The Honest Company offers some great freebies to folks who are thinking of joining, including free diapers, so definitely check out my post on Honest Company free samples. After that, you’ll want to see my running list of Honest Company product reviews so that you can learn which products to buy and which ones to pass on, as well as how to bundle them for maximum savings.

Lunch Box Love: A Collection of My Favorite Finds for School Lunches

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Thanks to Foodie.com for partnering with me today to form this curated collection of AWESOME school lunch recipes! All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

Check out Lunch Box Love

by Tiffany at Foodie.com

This morning I worked on compiling some great school lunch recipes that I am going to be using starting a few weeks from today when my oldest heads off to kindergarten (How did this happen? Seriously!). I know many of you out there are going to be packing lunches, too. Whether you are new to the endeavor, like me, or a seasoned pro who could use a few fresh ideas, I think you’ll find some things you like in my collection. Go check it out and be sure to save the ones you like the best to your own collections!