Newsflash! Trader Joe’s Just Dropped Its 2023 Beauty Advent Calendar

by Kate LowethNovember 8, 2023

This Advent calendar is a top seller at Trader Joe’s for the holiday season

Run, don’t walk to your closest Trader Joe’s. The grocer’s annual 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar is back for 2023!

Our editors spied the famed Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty on Nov. 8, and it’s packed with plenty of must-have products. This coveted calendar tends to sell out before Thanksgiving, so if you’re in the market for one, act fast.

As soon as you bring this cutie into your car, the dreamy aroma of citrus will take over and you’ll be glad you nabbed it.

What will you find inside Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty Advent calendar?

Lavender bath salts
Brazil nut hair mask
Gingerbread cookie moisturizing lip balm
Brown sugar carob lip scrub
Sweet nectarine scented ultra moisturizing hand cream
Neroli bamboo scented shave cream
Cake batter scented body butter
Orange popsicle scented exfoliating sugar scrub cube
Rice polish face cleansing powder
Vitamin C firming body butter
Yuzu bath fizzer
Daily facial sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 40

You can find the calendar in the beauty aisle of your local Trader Joe’s for $19.99—but not for long. This one is very popular!

While we were there, we also spied this year’s 12 Days of Scented Candles Advent Calendar for $29.99. We love this option along with the chocolate Advent calendars priced at just $1.99 and the Advent calendars for pets.

Keep an eye out for other holiday favorites that have been trickling in. All the elves on your list will want a bottle of Peppermint, Gingerbread, or Egg Nog Liqueur—perfect for all those holiday cocktails you’ll be mixing up. Felted wool trivets have been hitting the shelves, along with dog toys, holiday snacks, and the scented candle trio.

Cross your fingers that year’s felted wool garlands will come in the mini size again as we loved pairing them with our Elf on the Shelf along with those mini totes they sold last month. Get ready, Instagram!

Recall Alert: Joovy Strollers Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

by Karly WoodOctober 8, 2021

Stroller maker Joovy has announced a recall for its Zoom 360 Ultralight jogging strollers. According to the notice, the front wheel bearing can become detached or fail, which can cause a fall hazard for the user. So far, 25 incidents have been reported that prompted the recall.

The affected strollers were sold at baby stores, Joovy.com, Amazon.com, BuyBuyBaby.com and Target.com from May 2020 through Dec. 2020 for about $250. Keep scrolling to see all the details on how to fix your Joovy stroller.

photo: CPSC

Strollers impacted by the recall have a SKU number of:

8060
8061
8067
8069

Look for a batch number between March 2020 (03-XX-20) and October 2020 (10-XX-20) on the stroller label on the inside leg. The recall impacts black, blueberry, charcoal and red colored strollers.

If you have one of the recalled strollers, stop using immediately and contact Joovy at 800-495-8718 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free repair kit. Once you receive, you can watch Joovy’s video to install the repair.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Courtesy of Joovy

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10 Kids’ Chair & Table Sets That Fit Every Space & Style

by Gabby CullenSeptember 28, 2021

Creating a family-friendly home that appeals to both parents and kids can be a challenge. But, if you have the room for it, a set of kids’ tables and chairs will give them a place to play and be creative, and you a place to keep all their stuff (and we know there’s a lot of that!). From Mid-Century inspired designs to classic 3-in-1 combo kids’ tables and chairs, there’s a size and style for every family. We found our favorites, so keep reading to see them all.

Martha Stewart’s Living & Learning Rectangular Play Table

This table comes with a flat work surface that gives kids plenty of space to work, and with six fabric storage bins, there will be a place for everything when they’re done. The stools are included, and there’s even a spot for a paper roll.

Buy it here, $450.

Amazon Basic Kids Wood Table and Chair Set

Primary colors for the win! This set of four chairs and a table is perfect for a fun playroom. Made from solid wood, we also love the affordable price tag!

Buy it here, $93.

Lilly & River's Little Creator

This beautiful table is has a chic but simple design and comes with not only a LEGO and DUPLO base but also a dry-erase surface, a center storage bag and two light-weight chairs.

Buy it here, $180.

Mack & Milo’s Adalwen Kids 3-Piece Round Table and Chair Set

We love the mid-century design of this adorable kids’ table and chairs from Mack & Milo! The white tabletop pops against the gray and wood chairs.

Buy it here, $178.

Delta Children’s Windsor Kids Table and Chair Set

Choose from a creamy gray or a cool aqua when buying this classic kids’ table and chair set.

Buy it here, $132.

GobiDex 7-in-1 Activity Table

Does your kiddo love LEGO? Check. Water play? Check. Snacks? Check! This 7-in-1 activity table has it all! It comes in three different color schemes, and you can adjust the table legs as your kids grow.

Buy it here, $73.

Crate & Kids Nesting Play Table and Chairs

If you are looking to minimize the space a set of a table and chairs will take up, this nesting table from Crate & Kids is ideal. Not only do the stools fit snugly into the table, but each one is also a storage unit. Choose it in white or charcoal.

Buy it here, $400.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Table and Chairs

If you want to go classic, go Melissa & Doug! Their kiddie table and chairs set comes in three different finishes, are tried and tested and can be assembled with ease. You can even order two additional chairs to complete your set.

Buy it here, $162.

Montessori-Inspired Kids' Table

This beautiful Montessori-inspired wood play table is a play table, an eating space and a desk for toddlers. It comes in four different finishes, including black and white.

Buy it here, $120.

Harriet Bee Calliandra Kids 2-Piece Outdoor Table and Chair

Don’t forget your outdoor play space! Made from solid wood, this adorable picnic table comes with an umbrella.

Buy it here, $134.

—Gabby Cullen

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Baby Zane’s Mom Beat the Odds & He’s the New Gerber Spokesbaby

by Sarah ShebekJune 30, 2021

More than 90,000 babies competed for a spot as the 2021 Gerber Spokesbaby, but only one could prevail! And his parents have a fantastic backstory, too. Four-month-old Zane Kahin from Florida is this year’s winner after his mom beat cancer and the odds.

Erin Kahin and husband Mike hoped to have kids, but they weren’t sure if Erin could conceive naturally after she faced treatment for breast cancer, including a double mastectomy. But Baby Zane surprised the family and entered the world on February 3!

“Zane is a little comedian – he loves to crack himself up and even wakes up laughing. His cheerful attitude, captivating giggles, and playful smile can light up any room!” his parents noted.

As for the prize, the Kahins received $25,000 in cash, free Gerber products for up to one year and a wardrobe provided by Gerber Childrenswear. You can buy a bodysuit or t-shirt design inspired by Zane and the company will make a product donation of equal value to the charitable organization Delivering Good. Zane will also keep busy as the “Chief Taste Tester” for new baby food products and serve as Gerber’s “Chief Growing Officer.”

The Gerber Spokesbaby is an annual award inspired by a 1928 company contest to find a face to represent their baby food. Artist Dorothy Hope Smith’s charcoal sketch of a neighbor’s child perfectly captured the spirit and it’s been the face of all Gerber packaging since 1931.

—Sarah Shebek

Feature photo courtesy of Gerber

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Recall Alert: RH Children’s Bath Wraps Due to Flammability Issues

by Erica LoopApril 7, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall of RH Animal, Heathered Plush and Luxe Sherpa Bath Wraps. The bath wraps were recalled for failure to meet flammability standards for children’s sleepwear.

The three types of children’s bath products are hood wraps with attached belts and patch pockets. All styles of the wraps have the product’s size and either “RH BABY&CHILD” or “baby & child RESTORATION HARDWARE” printed on the neck label.

While there are currently no injuries reported, the wraps could pose a burn risk in the event of a fire. The Animal style wraps ($35) include a bunny (ivory or petal colors), cat, dog, dragon, elephant, lion, monkey, moose or unicorn in sizes 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years.

The recently recalled Heathered Plush Bath Wraps ($32) come in blue, gray, lilac, and pink and sizes 18-24 months, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years and 8-10 years.

The Luxe Sherpa ($39) style also comes in the same sizes as the Heathered Plush. This product was sold in charcoal, gray, ivory, lilac, navy, and pink colors.

If you have the recalled bath wraps, stop using them immediately. Contact RH for a full refund or credit.

Consumers with questions can call RH toll-free at 833-917-3405 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday. You can also email the company at recall@rh.com or visit the RH website here.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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These Baby Yoda Beanies Help Fight Pediatric Cancer & Everyone Needs One

by Jennifer SwartvagherMarch 5, 2021

Baby Yoda has made its way into our hearts and now, the little green dude is helping to save lives.

The Love Your Melon Star Wars Mandalorian collection features 21 hats with Baby Yoda or the Mandalorian mask, each with adult and kid sizes. With every purchase of a Love Your Melon’s Baby Yoda beanie, The Mandalorian fans can help fight pediatric cancer.

Half of all Love Your Melon profits are donated to charities supporting pediatric cancer research, therapy and patient families. Since the company started in 2012, they’ve given more than 215,000 hats to children battling cancer and have donated $8.3 million to research. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave styles.

The Child Lightweight Pom Beanie

Available for pre-order, $55

High Rise Kids Beanie

$40

Dark Charcoal Lightweight Pom Beanie

Available for pre-order, $55

Baby Yoda Ears Beanie

Available for pre-order, $45

—Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of Love Your Melon

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One Cool Thing: A Baby Carrier That Checks All the Boxes

by Jen WatroJanuary 24, 2021

Selecting a baby carrier can be a daunting task for any new parent, especially once the realization sets in that there are several types to consider (hello structured carriers, wraps & ring slings, to name a few)! Layer in personal preferences like weight, fabric, eco-consciousness and style and you could be down a shopping rabbit hole for hours.

One carrier that checks our boxes? The Ergobaby Aerloom carrier. It marries function & form with the added benefit of being eco-friendly and stylish. It also happens to be one of the lightest structured carriers on the market, weighing in at 1.45 lbs and is made from FormaKnit™ fabric in a seamless knit design inspired by the activewear industry (AKA breathable).

Not only is the fabric durable & breathable, (which will be key for wearing baby during the hottest days of summer) but 87% of the knit of each carrier is made from recycled polyester yarn and reuses 26 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. So it’s safe to say the carriers are quite eco-friendly! Bake in the fact that they’re also shipped in recyclable, direct shipper packaging and no additional box or packaging and it’s enough to make your green heart sing.

The carrier also features a zippered pocket to keep essentials as secure as the little one you’ll be carrying. It currently comes in 5 color combinations with each collection produced in small, limited batches: light grey/grey/orange, sky blue/blue, multi-color/black, burgundy/dark teal/black and charcoal/black with most colors never to be produced again after they sell out.

The Ergobaby Aerloom retails for $219 and you can check out the collection and current color selection at Ergobaby.

––Jen Watro

All photos: Courtesy of Ergobaby

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mifold Just Launched a New Travel Booster & It’s Way Comfy

by Karly WoodNovember 3, 2020

Traveling with kids is a ton of work, especially when you have to plan for all the extra gear. Luckily, if you have booster-age kiddos, there’s a new seat in town––and it’s a game changer.

mifold has been around for years, but the new Comfort Grab-and-Go booster ($34.99) next level. Like the original, it’s ten times smaller than regular car boosters but the new version offers a seat cushion that is three times thicker––super important for long car rides.

The mifold is great for traveling abroad, ride-hailing, carpooling and pretty much anytime you don’t want to lug a bulky booster seat with you. The compact size makes it ideal for slipping in a purse, backpack, luggage or even your glove box. Bonus? It makes fitting three kiddos in the backseat a breeze!

The new Comfort Grab-and-Go booster is available on mifold.com or on Amazon in three colors: charcoal gray, ocean blue and royal purple.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of mifold

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Pit Stop Worthy Outdoor Restaurants

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 8, 2020

If your summer plans involve driving with a car full of kids then you know the importance of rest stops. According to AAA, Americans will take 683 million road trips between July and September. AAA has compiled a list of the best outdoor restaurants along popular travel routes so you can build these stops into your itinerary.

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club

From NYC to the Finger Lakes 

Phoenicia, NY 

The Phoenicia Diner, a comfort food diner with an old-school vibe and fresh food sourced from Catskills and Hudson Valley farms, is open for outdoor dining. 

From Minneapolis to Detroit 

Grand Rapids, MI

 jdek at JW Marriott’s chic patio overlooks the Grand River and features live music on the weekends. 

Lake Forest, IL

At Deer Path Inn, surrounded by Tudor-style architecture with an outdoor fireplace, the secluded courtyard patio offers a dining experience reminiscent of a getaway in the English countryside. 

From Dallas to Key West 

Cape Coral, FL

Located in the prestigious Tarpon Point Marina, end your lunch of fresh local seafood at the Westin’s Nauti Mermaid restaurant with a quick kayak into the Caloosahatchee River. 

Key West, FL

Once Mile Zero has been reached, head straight to the brand new, outdoor Four Marlins Oceanfront Dining bar and restaurant for local seafood and Key Lime pie overlooking the island’s only natural sand beach.

St. Petersburg, FL

Paul’s Landing at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club overlooks the glistening Tampa Bay and the resort’s outdoor pool and private marina. The colorful Paul’s Landing serves “Floribbean” cuisine, combining Caribbean flavors with fresh Florida seafood.

Miami, FL

Marabú is the newest al fresco dining hang to open up at the Brickell City Centre retail center. Having just opened its doors this July, the Cuban restaurant serves coal-fired dishes cooked over charcoal at the restaurant’s outdoor patio. The space is shaded by the retail center’s architectural jewel, the “Climate Ribbon”, which hovers over the retail center to carry Miami’s bay breezes for an extra kick of natural ventilation.

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Bristol, VA 

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Lumac Rooftop Bar at The Bristol Hotel is known for its southern-inspired bar bites. As the only rooftop bar in the region, diners enjoy the famed Bristol Virginia-Tennessee sign in the distance. 

Lexington, KY

Wallace Station is a country cafe surrounded by horse farms. Guests can sit outside on the patio or picnic tables with their signature ham and pimento cheese sandwiches, biscuits and fresh pastries.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Marriott Hotels & Resorts

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14 Genius BBQ & Grilling Hacks

by Emily MyersJune 12, 2020

If you’ve ever ended up with charred sausages for dinner, here’s “how to BBQ right” lesson #1—BBQing and grilling are two different beasts. The first uses low indirect heat (smoke) to cook slowly, the second uses direct high heat (hot embers) to cook quickly. Once you’ve got that down, the rest is just practice and experimentation. To help you out this season, we gathered up essential tips and tricks for your next cookout. Scroll down to see them all.

Use a Charcoal Grill for BBQ

If you are doing a proper BBQ (think brisket, ribs, sausage), don't use an electric grill. The very best pitmasters will tell you that part of the flavor comes from the smoke itself.

Soak Your Wood Chips

About that smoke? It's so important that pitmasters will also soak their wood chips in water for an hour or more before starting the grill. That increases the smoke, which, in turn, increases the flavor.

Clean the Grill with Foil or an Onion

Cleaning the grate will prevent food from sticking to the grill and is a good thing to do if you're using a public BBQ. You don't need any fancy kit, just a pair of tongs and balled up aluminum foil. This takes a little less elbow grease if the grill is warm. Food 52 has the details. Another tip is to clean the grill with half an onion on a BBQ fork which has the added bonus of adding flavor to the food.

DIY Food Warmer

Plenty of gas grills come with warming racks, but you can rig up a DIY food warmer on a charcoal grill using a few empty tin cans and a cooling tray or grill on top. The extra distance from the flames makes this a good spot to warm the hot dog and burger buns or keep finished food warm. If the grill is covered, it can also be a spot to cook corn or other food that won't drip juices on the rack below.

Subscription Services

Getting the perfect cuts via a meat subscription service will help you cultivate your pitmaster skills. If you’re not quite ready for regular protein delivery, there are other services like Grill Masters Club that supply boxes of inspiration in the form of sauces, rubs, marinades, wood chips and recipes.

DIY Fire Starters

There are plenty of options for DIY fire starters which means you can avoid using chemical lighter fuels. Check out this video from Rebecca Tan who uses melted birthday candles and cardboard as well as suggesting a teaspoon of sugar to get the flames going. Or pop charcoal in a cardboard egg box for a portable option that comes to us from Sew Many Ways—this is a great idea if you're using a public grill and want to transport the charcoal without a mess. Or check out this egg-box-lint-wax combo for the committed recycler.

Easy Propane Level Check

Some propane tanks have a gauge to tell you how much you have left but if you're not sure or there's no gauge, you can bring a cup of water to a boil and pour it over the side of the tank (not the top). You can then feel the tank and the hot part is empty and where it is cool will show you the propane level. Check out this clip on YouTube for the specifics.

Ember Cooked Potatoes

Cooking food right on the embers of a charcoal fire can save room on the grill, and potatoes cook nicely like this, wrapped in tin foil, shiny side on the inside. Try this technique with yams, potatoes, corn, eggplants and even apples. Wrapping potatoes like this will give a softer skin and should take about 45 minutes. Test for doneness by pressing on the wrapped potato with a gloved hand. Get tips from Get Out With The Kids.

DIY Smoker

It's possible to turn your gas grill into a smoker for under a dollar. Happy Money Saver has tips on how to use foil, a disposable bread pan and hickory wood chips if you want to test your BBQ skills before investing in a smoker. Or check out these tips on how to turn your charcoal kettle grill into a slow-cooking smoker so you can turn out brisket and ribs like a pitmaster pro.

BBQ Wraps

For some foolproof cooking, Fire and Flavor has come up with cedar wraps that allow you to use steam, smoke, or fire to cook seafood, meat or veggies. Plus, they add an aromatic flavor to the food. While foil might have less flavor, the same principle applies—cook up zucchini, beans, peppers and corn in foil packets, and you have lightly steamed and delicious veggie sides.

Pineapple Rind Chicken

If you've bought a pineapple for dessert, don't throw away the off-cuts—you can use them to add flavor to grilled chicken. This pineapple rind chicken recipe has all the flavors of summer, and you can use the rest of the pineapple to make a salsa or fruit salad. Find the recipe at The Typical Mom.

Grilled Egg in Pepper

Grill an egg in half a bell pepper and you have a veggie treat in an edible bowl. The bottom of the pepper will be charred black, but you can just peel off and eat. Check out the recipe at One Smiley Monkey.

Use a Cast Iron Pan

Cast-iron pans can hold up to the heat of the direct flame and work well for cooking veggies that might slip through a grill. Try cooking sliced onions, peppers and zucchini. You can also heat tortillas this way if you want to make fajitas.

Spiral Cut Hot Dogs

Take your grilled hot dogs to the next level by skewering them and then spiral cutting them! This super easy cooking method gives you more surface area to caramelize, plus the sausages cook quicker to feed those hungry bellies. Amy at to Bellyfull has the step by step instructions.

This Advent calendar is a top seller at Trader Joe’s for the holiday season

What will you find inside Trader Joe’s 12 Days of Beauty Advent calendar?

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From NYC to the Finger Lakes

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Use a Charcoal Grill for BBQ

Soak Your Wood Chips

Clean the Grill with Foil or an Onion

DIY Food Warmer

Subscription Services

DIY Fire Starters

Easy Propane Level Check

Ember Cooked Potatoes

DIY Smoker

BBQ Wraps

Pineapple Rind Chicken

Grilled Egg in Pepper

Use a Cast Iron Pan

Spiral Cut Hot Dogs

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From NYC to the Finger Lakes 

From Minneapolis to Detroit 

From Dallas to Key West 

From D.C. to Nashville 