They couldn’t read that “E,” and got their eyeglass prescription from the eye doctor. Now, the fun part: choosing glasses! You’re probably already thinking about how much those glasses will cost, but kid’s eyewear doesn’t have to be expensive or even cost more than that pizza delivery! Read on for six reasons why we are loving Zenni, the online store that’ll have them seeing clearly and take the stress out of buying specs!

1. Affordability

Zenni has the highest quality prescription eyewear at way less than traditional retailers. Everything is delivered directly to the consumer without a brick-and-mortar store, and that means savings for you. Get ready for this: a complete prescription pair starts at $6.95, less than your latte. The average pair costs just over $40, which is a huge deal if you've ever walked into an eyeglass store and added it all up.

Zenni is offering 25% off of Blokz® Trivex®! To get your coupon code, complete this short survey.

 

2. Selection

Kids are picky—choices help! Zenni has nearly 300 styles for kids, so they are bound to find something they love. Glasses aren't just a necessity, but a fun accessory, and Zenni empowers kids to express themselves and feel good about their glasses!

Zenni offers the largest online selection of affordable eyewear for the whole family. Their choices go way beyond the generic "kid wall" of glasses; they offer cool specs for every personality, made just for kids, from toddlers to teens. Eyewear for every kid!

3. Durability

You want your kid to actually wear their new glasses, so comfort and durability of kid's frames are especially important. Zenni's kid's assortment assures the highest level of comfort and durability, including long-lasting impact-resistant lenses. 

Out of Zenni's impact-resistant lens offerings, Blokz® Trivex® offers the best combination of safety, comfort and optical performance. These lenses are lightweight, impact-resistant and feature Blokz® blue light-blocking technology, which helps protect young eyes from the harmful light from digital screens, artificial light and the sun—meaning they're ready for whatever your kid is up to that day!

Zenni is offering 25% off of Blokz® Trivex®! To get your coupon code, complete this short survey.

4. New Collections

This summer, Zenni has partnered with premium eyewear designers Coco and Breezy to launch Planet CB, a line of prescription and sunglass eyewear just for pre-teens. These eight stylish frames come with their own affirmation, celebrating uniqueness, individuality and self-expression. Zenni is donating a portion of Planet CB eyewear proceeds to Child Mind Institute's Healthy Brain Network to provide mental health resources to kids in Black communities.

We love that Zenni keeps their kid styles fresh and innovative, with cool new collections yearly. From their Kid's Flexible collection with frames made out of a single piece of soft plastic to their Kids' Style Squad Collection of 15 sophisticated styles made of hand-polished acetate with adjustable temple tips, your kid has tons of options to show their style!

Zenni is offering 25% off of Blokz® Trivex®! To get your coupon code, complete this short survey.

5. Customization

So cool: Zenni is the only online eyewear company that offers temple engraving with letters and icons. This awesome option starts at $1.95 to add your kid’s name or personalized icons like unicorns, rainbows, favorite sports and more. Now their new glasses will truly be their own and an accessory they can’t wait to wear every day. Bonus points that these shiny new specs will easy to locate if left behind.

6. Shop Online

Does the thought of dragging your kid store-to-store to find their dream pair make you want to scream? We've got you covered: Zenni's kid's collection and all of their eyewear are available exclusively online—and you can test out how they look without even leaving your couch thanks to Virtual Try-On!

Zenni is offering 25% off of Blokz® Trivex®! To get your coupon code, complete this short survey.

—Jamie Aderski

 

Trivex ® is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

 

 

Forget about packaging up your Amazon rejects. Kohl’s recently announced that it has plans to expand its Amazon return program to all 1,150 plus locations across the United States, and your life just got easier.

Kohl’s shoppers already know that the store and the online mega-retailer already have a pretty solid partnership. In 2017 the brick-and-mortar store started selling an array of Amazon’s smart-home gadgets. The next step for the retailer/online giant’s collab happened when 80 Kohl’s stores started accepting Amazon returns. And, based on the latest development, it looks like the idea worked!

Michelle Gass, Kohl’s chief executive officer said, in a press statement, “Amazon and Kohl’s have a shared passion in providing outstanding customer service, and this unique partnership combines Kohl’s strong nationwide store footprint and omnichannel capabilities with Amazon’s reach and customer loyalty. This new service is another example of how Kohl’s is delivering innovation to drive traffic to our stores and bring more relevance to our customers.”

So when will your Kohl’s store start accepting eligible Amazon returns? As of now the program is an option at 100 Kohl’s stores. If your Kohl’s doesn’t participate right now, it will starting in July!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of Amazon

 

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It looks like some internet giants are going old school. The first Wayfair retail store means one of your fave destination for major furniture bargains is getting its own brick-and-mortar treatment.

The popular and successful mega-site is coming to a neighborhood near you—if you happen to live in the Boston area, that is. Wayfair recently announced it’s opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Natick, Massachusetts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvsIX8ugg-M/

According to Niraj Shah, Wayfair CEO, co-founder and co-chairman, “With the opening of our new retail store, we are offering our customers a new way to enjoy Wayfair’s exceptional shopping experience as we continue to transform the way people shop for their homes.” Shah also added, “We look forward to inviting our customers further into the world of Wayfair, welcoming them to step inside our newest shopping experience guided by the knowledgeable support and expertise of our in-store design team.”

So when will a real-life Wayfair store come to a location near you? As of now, the Natick store is a first and only. But that doesn’t mean the home furnishings retailer won’t expand in the future—and that means more options to try out everything from ottomans to outdoor furniture live and in-person! The store will open sometime later this year.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Wayfair via Instagram 

 

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Your daughter loves her pairs of Rothy’s loafers about as much as you love your flats. Well, now your son can get in on the action with the brand-new kids’ sneaker line—which has sizes and prints for both boys and girls! Made with the same sustainable practices as the adult shoe, keep reading to discover your kids’ new favorite slip-on shoe.

The Details

Rothy’s launched a girls’ loafer line in 2018, and they’ve already achieved the same cult-favorite status of their adult counterpart, so the next step for Rothy’s was to introduce a slip-on shoe that every kid can wear. Tested out by active, busy kids, the sneakers are washable and offered in 10 different colors and prints inspired by the bright colors of the 1970s. Like all Rothy’s shoes, the sneaker has an athletic outsole, and the stretchy knit is made out of recycled water bottles.

“As a team, we loved seeing the response to our Girls’ Loafer last year. For many, the product fostered mother-daughter conversations about sustainability and recycling,” said Rothy’s Creative Director Erin Lowenberg. “When our customers started asking for a girls’ version of our sneaker we thought, why not include the whole family? The Kids’ Sneaker is a playful and gender-neutral shoe for little ones to learn about sustainability and play with happy feet—and they’re machine washable to boot!”

What’s the secret behind Rothy’s?

Rothy’s is a three-year-old company founded by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin, looking to re-imagine the stylish classics. They didn’t want career women to have to choose between style and comfort, so instead, they created an incredibly durable, machine-washable, flexible shoe that moves with the foot. The shoe was a hit and continues to wow.

And, they care about the process. Each shoe allows for less than 5% waste, rather than the typical 35% of materials that end up on a production floor. Rothy’s uses recycled water bottles to create their popular fabrics, and to date, they’ve repurposed over 25 million water bottles. And, each shoe is 100% recyclable: materials include recycled foam, vegan and other non-toxic adhesives and each shoe has a carbon-free rubber sole. Talk about being light on your feet.

Where to Buy Them

The brand-new sneaker line from Rothy’s is offered in sizes 10-4. Available at rothys.com, $55 a pair. If you happen to be in San Francisco, stop by the brick and mortar store located at 2448 Fillmore St. in San Francisco, CA 

—Gabby Cullen

 

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Craving a double chocolate cupcake (with a huge dollop or frosting on top), but not sure where to go with a kid who needs a nut-free/gluten-free/vegan/sugar-free treat? Try these delicious bakeries for some alternatives to the classic favorite beloved by kids and grown-ups alike. Each shop has a special selection of allergy-accommodating but yummy indulgences you’ll love.

Baked & Wired – Nut-Free/Gluten-Free/Vegan
You can relive your hippie college years at this off-beat bakery in the heart of Georgetown. Not only do they have gluten-free and vegan choices like Gluten Free Chocolate Strawberry or Vegan Oreo, but they decorate all of their nut-filled cupcakes with nut toppings so you can tell what your kid can and cannot eat. They make all of the nut-free cupcakes with separate utensils so there’s no contamination, and mom can even snag an eye-opening espresso from their coffee station on the way out the door.

1052 Thomas Jefferson St., NW (Georgetown)
Online: bakedandwired.com

Sticky Fingers – Nut-Free/Gluten Free/Vegan
The most amazing part of Sticky Fingers is the fact that everything they make is dairy and egg free. Not only do they have some of the most delicious cupcakes around the district, but you can even multitask by grabbing lunch during the week or brunch on the weekends to complement your sweet treat. All of the goodness of a normal dessert with less of the guilt? We’re sold.

1370 Park Rd., NW (Columbia Heights)
Online: stickyfingersdc.squarespace.com

Sweetz Bakery
Don’t get too attached to any one flavor at this gluten free/dairy free/vegan friendly bakery in NoVa. The selection changes daily and can range from vanilla and chocolate coconut, to carrot and double chocolate. If cupcakes just aren’t going to cut it for your special occasion, they also sell layer cakes and wedding treats.

1057 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE (Leesburg, VA)
Online: sweetzbakery.com

Hello Cupcake – Nut-Free/Gluten-Free/Vegan
Hello Cupcake uses separate utensils for their cupcakes, but they do use the same mixing bowls, so if kiddo has a severe nut allergy, take note. Otherwise, just ask one of the super-sweet cashiers which desserts are safe for your little cupcake monster. Their Gluten-Free and Vegan options are clearly labeled and the selection varies depending on the day, making a visit to this shop a true adventure.

1361 Connecticut Ave., NW (Dupont Circle)
Online: hellocupcakeonline.com

Rise – Gluten-Free
Rise may be the city’s only completely gluten free bakery (let us know if you know otherwise!). The bakery hawks all manners of pastries and breads, but their cupcakes, especially the German chocolate ones, are all the rage.

2409 18th St., NW (Adams Morgan)
814-360-1657
Online: riseglutenfree.com

SprinklesGluten-Free/Vegan/Sugar-Free
Sprinkles has a small-but-mighty selection of allergy-safe cupcakes. Their lone flavor, Red Velvet, is sort of a secret, as they keep it in the back and you have to ask for it by name. The extra effort is totally worth it though! Sprinkles also throws great birthday parties in their Party Room, so if you’re looking for an easy place to hold your kiddo’s next event where he or she has an allergy-safe option, this is the place.

3015 M St., NW (Georgetown)
Online: sprinkles.com

Cake Love – Gluten-Free / Vegan / Low-Sugar
A D.C. favorite, Cake Love has multiple locations across the DMV. They’re easy to get to, and the cakes themselves are all made from scratch. The company started when founder Warren Brown started throwing Cake Parties after making three resolutions to change his life, but after an afternoon at Cake Love, the only three resolutions you’ll be making are: “I will not eat another cupcake. I will not eat another cupcake. I will not…”

U Street
Silver Spring, Md
Shirlington, Va
National Harbor, Md

The Lemonade Bakery – Dairy-Free/Egg-Free/Nut-Free
Too busy to get to a brick and mortar store? Check out this Manassas, Va-based bakery that only does deliveries, but all of their cupcakes are egg-, peanut-, and tree nut-free. Oh, and they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Bonus: Kelly Britton Stroh, the owner/baker, takes special request orders for little ones with unique food allergies.

Online: thelemonadebakery.com

—Kelly Ann Jacobson and Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos courtesy of Kelly Ann Jacobson

With the news that Toys”R”Us is shuttering all its stores, parents-to-be are going to need alternatives to their Babies”R”Us baby registries. The company announced it will no longer take gift cards after April 15 and is encouraging parents to transfer any existing registries to other stores as soon as possible.

The good news is there are plenty of amazing retailers—both online and brick-and-mortar stores—that can meet all your essential baby gear needs once Babies”R”Us closes its doors for good. Whether you just need the basics or have high-end taste, you’ll be ready come the big day with these baby registries for busy moms and dads.

Amazon Baby Registry

Amazon.com

Amazon's baby registry gives you instant access to millions of products in one simple list. In addition to being able to add your favorite Amazon products, their Universal Wishlist feature also allows you to add items from other sites (think Etsy) from any desktop computer. You'll have mobile access to your registry at all times, have a 90-day return window on most products and will be eligible for a 15 percent completion discount after the big day to round out your list. No matter where you live, people can shop your baby registry with ease.

Target Baby Registry

TargetStyle via Instagram

When you create a baby registry with Target, moms-to-be receive an instant welcome gift with over $50 worth of coupons and samples at the Guest Relations counter. Target has stepped up its game in the last several years so you won't miss out on high-end brands like Britax, 4Moms and ErgoBaby.

After baby arrives, you'll get a one-time coupon worth 15 percent off the remaining items on your registry that you didn't receive as gifts. And an added bonus? You get an entire YEAR to return or exchange items from your baby registry! Since you can find Target all over the United States and online, it makes shopping for anyone's baby registry a breeze.

Crate and Kids Baby Registry

Crate and Kids

Earlier this month, Land of Nod officially became Crate and Kids, the kids and baby line of home goods giant Crate and Barrel. While the home decor and home goods retailer has long been known as for its wedding registries, parents-to-be can also create baby registries at Crate and Kids (just like you could at Land of Nod).

Pottery Barn Kids Baby Registry

Pottery Barn Kids via Instagram

Unlike other retailers on this list, Pottery Barn Kids offers a 20 percent completion discount, which given the higher prices, we really appreciate. When you register with the retailer, you get access to free design planning, discounts on multiple purchased items (hello, twins and triplets), personalized gifts and great quality. If you prefer the look and style of Pottery Barn, then creating a baby registry with Pottery Barn Kids is a no-brainer.

buybuy BABY Registry

buybuy BABY via Instagram

Filling the natural void left by Babies"R"Us, buybuy BABY is the only brick-and-mortar store in our roundup that is solely about baby. Expectant parents can create their list in-store or online, and add with tons of basics and high-end essentials. Shoppers can use their Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons (the bed and bath behemoth owns buybuy BABY) when purchasing items, get easy in-store pickup, free shipping on many items and get a 15 percent-off registry completion discount.

Currently, buybuy BABY has stores in 38 states and also offers a referral program where parents can refer their expectant friends to create a registry of their own and earn coupons. Don't forget: buybuy BABY also price matches!

Babylist Online Baby Registry

Babylist via YouTube

There are no limitations when it comes to creating the baby registry of your dreams with Babylist. When you create a new registry, you are eligible to receive a Hello Baby welcome box, which contains product samples for mom and baby from Babylist partners.

Parents can add products from any website they want with the convenience of having everything on one organized list. In addition to adding your baby essentials, Babylist also has a spot for non-tangible items like asking for help, taking care of things around the house and requesting meals. It's the little things that count!

Would you add any additional stores to this list? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!

––Karly Wood

 

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Hayes Valley is giving everyone a reason to visit these days. Now parents of stylish littles have even more incentive to swing by the hip SF hood (as if the current bounty of indie shops & eateries wasn’t appealing enough!). Decidedly bright and baby drool-worthy, the recently-opened Kira Kids is happily curated with organic kids’ clothing and accessories, all made in the USA. Extra noteworthy: all clothing prints are designed exclusively by the shop’s owner and Bay Area native, Christine Tang. This is the second brick and mortar store for Tang, who opened her original location in Los Altos.


Smarter (Softer) Clothes
Kira Kids strives to work with local factories to produce high-quality, sustainable garments for kids and babies. For this reason alone, we majorly back the forward-thinking boutique. Of course, stocking the sweetest array of ever-so-soft clothing helps, too. Sustainable (check!), buttery soft (check!), cuter than cute (CHECK!). In addition to clothing, Kira offers plenty of kid-centric extras. A few of our favorites include STATE backpacks, colorful greeting cards from Thimblepress, and the addictive hair accessories of Hello Shiso.

One-of-a-Kind
From tacos to spaceships, to smiles and city-dedicated styles, Tang’s youthful prints evoke joy and happiness with every thread (yay!). There is a “yay”design, btw. In addition to prints and graphics, Kira offers a more classic “basics” collection featuring solid hues and stripes. The shop’s logo features a crown which, according to its blog, “represents leadership and at Kira we believe that kids are the leaders of the future…We encourage kids and adults alike to have the courage to explore, break the rules and create something positive and new for the world while having fun!” High fives to that mantra!

kirakids_542lagunasf_4

Whether in the market for a shower gift or overhauling your kiddo’s wardrobe, we suggest factoring in a Kira Kids visit the next time you’re in Hayes Valley.  After all, the best kind of love is local love—a kind reminder to shop small and local this holiday season.

Kira Kids, Hayes Valley
542 Laguna St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Online: www.kirakids.com

All images courtesy of Kira Kids.

Have you been to Kira Kids? Let us know comments below!

–Sommer Naffz

Whether you like them chewy, crunchy or with a touch of salt, everyone has a favorite type of cookie. And when the craving gets going there is no denying your inner cookie monster. Don’t even try; just take the tykes to any of these District joints for a spot of milk and a stack of freshly baked cookies to stave off the craving until another day.

Photo: MelLid G via Yelp

Have Truck, Will Bake
With the motto, “Saving the world, one cookie at a time” Captain Cookie and the Milkman have the right idea. Whether it is at their brand new brick and mortar store on Pennsylvania Avenue or one of the two trucks that pop up at various D.C. locations, the guy behind Captain Cookie has some seriously secret recipes and cookie obsessions. Cookies are baked right on the truck, a local creamery provides the milk, and all ingredients are quality controlled and made from scratch.

Captain Cookie and the Milkman
2000 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (Foggy Bottom)
Open: various times
202-556-3396
Online: captaincookiedc.com

Photo: Timothy C. via Yelp

Ripple Effect
Located in Cleveland Park across from the Uptown theatre, and with a decidedly more traditional take on milk and cookies, the restaurant Ripple serves up a single helping chocolate chip cookie with a side of milk for a deeply satisfying dessert or post theatre snack. Some even say this little dish started the District’s milk and cookie trend. The cookies are baked to order (chewy? crispy? you choose) and a bit upscale, but the promise of this locally grown menu and gathering place is hard to resist.

Ripple
3417 Connecticut Ave., NW (Cleveland Park)
202-244-7995
Open: daily at 5 pm
Online: rippledc.com

Photo: Uncle Chips Cookies via Facebook

Family Affair
Looking for a quick bite? Then grab a stool at Uncle Chips. Uncle Chips doesn’t just offer a solid sandwich that has many locals declaring their love, but a steady array of crispy, crunchy and tasty cookies that will claim the hearts of kids and adults alike. Using only real ingredients and no artificial colors, dyes or preservatives and ranging from a dipped black and white shortbread to the standard chocolate chip, there is a cookie for every discerning taste bud.

Uncle Chips
1514 North Capitol St., NW (Noma)
202-999-4990
Open: Mon-Fri, 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat, 9 am-6:30 pm; Sun, 9 am-4 pm
Online: unclechips.com

Photo: Kristen J. via Yelp

Tico
For a night without the kiddos head over to 14th Street for a taste of what Tico has to offer. A plateful of cookies ranging from peanut butter to chocolate chip and an oatmeal raisin with a delightful zing of lemon icing might be just what you need at the end of the day or just happy hour.

Tico
1926 14th St., NW (14th Street)
202-319-1400
Open: Mon-Sat, 4 pm-12 am; Sunday Brunch, 10 am-12 am
Online: ticodc.com

Where do you get your milk and cookies fix? Tell us in the comments section below.

–Victoria Mason