Summer is here and vacations are top of our minds! Whether it’s a series of weekend getaways or a big trip, we share travel tips and gear to get you into vacation mode.
TIP: PURPOSEFUL PACKING
Once the location is secure, getting ready for any trip starts with the wardrobe! A benefit to summer travel is the puffy coats and big boots can stay home, so maximize your wardrobe by selecting clothing that serves multiple purposes.
When it comes to summer fashion trends, our one stop shop is Macy’s. We love all their lightweight options especially in linen and ability to be styled with several options taking the look from day to night. All the fun tropical prints inspired by destinations adds to the excitement of a trip. Outfit the whole family with active wear, comfortable options and even some family matching!
When it comes to the beach or pool we love sun protective options, stylish hats and beach bags, swimwear, and cover ups that usher in vacation vibes. Macy’s has a whole section on their website with curated Summer Trends, check it out for inspiration and options at any budget.
TIP: PEACE OF MIND WHILE AWAY
Summer time often means more time out and about. From family vacations to weekend getaways and sports tournaments, we love having peace of mind when we travel with Vivint Smart Security Systems. Let’s face it you can only ask your neighbor to watch your house so many times! People always ask us why Vivint?
One of the main reasons that we love Vivint is their customer service. The team works with you to figure out what your home needs and then their team of professionals, installs the products. If and when you decide to make changes to your system, the Vivint team also offers great feedback throughout the entire process.
We also love how easy Vivint Smart Security Systems are to use. There’s a smart home hub that enables me to control everything but I can also use my phone. If I forget to lock the door, I can do that through my phone. I can also turn on the lights or lower the AC right before I get home, Vivint is more than a security system. Summer time is also an important time to think about safety when the kids are home, especially if you have a pool in the backyard, have little ones that figured out how to unlock the doors, or even older kiddos that try to sneak out of the house. Vivint Smart Security System you can set up a notification when doors open or when motion is detected on your camera an alert is sounded.
TIP: ACTIVITIES ON THE GO
A Road trip means a lot of hours in a car, and even if a plane is quicker, families are always looking for ways to help pass the the time with non-screen options like activities, games and books. When we’re traveling we love to sync up our reading list and learn about the place we’re traveling to. This can be historical, cultural or even just fun. So we turn to Kane Miller Books every time.
Titles that showcase National Parks region by region, detailing not-to-be missed sights, as well as all the things to see and do or State Capitals where each page is a different state, complete with facts and figures, history and traditions. Wonders of the USA is one of our favorites from the Shine-A-Light Series where we can visit the Statue of Liberty or the White House, and in History Uncovered: The USA there is a timeline from the 1700s through today cumulating with a modern-day map of America.
Another one of our favorite things to have on hand are activity and sticker books. Kane Miller has such a great selection of books that are not only fun, but educational too like the Sticker Facts series which have fun facts as kids match stickers and learn about everything from Oceans to the Jungle. The My Sticker World series has more than 500 stickers and 10 scenes per book, inspiring imagination and containing hours of creative fun! Plus engage with Word Games to Go and Number Games to Go… either edition has 96 pages of simple pencil-and-paper activities in handy pad forms to keep one or two children amused for hours. These puzzles and games develop logical thinking as well as problem-solving and pattern-recognition skills. All of these sticker and activity books are great at restaurants or places en route where waiting time needs a little more action to it!
TIP: STAY CALM AND “CARRY ON”
Travel can be stressful at times, especially if flights get delayed or canceled. Luggage and bags you use can often make or break a trip. When it comes to flying, stay calm and “carry on” every time. A family tip is don’t use smaller size for kids, maximize space with a regular carry-on luggage bag for them too… this will avoid extra baggage fees and eliminate the chance of losing your luggage. We love the large selection of luggage at Macy’s.
We love this Delsey spinner carry-on suitcase. This medium check-in bag is equipped with Delsey’s patented overweight indicator built in the side carry handle to let you know if your luggage weighs more than 50 lbs. It also has a removable liner that is machine washable so you don’t have to worry about a little dirt or sand from your travels getting your bag dirty. We like that the bag also has a TSA-accepted combination lock to keep your belongings safe while allowing the Transport Safety Authority TSA to open your luggage using a special key, without damaging it.
If traveling abroad be sure to have a passport carrier. We like this crossbody from Samsonite. The front pocket is RFID lined to safeguard travel essentials. We like that you can wear it four ways and it is a stylish way to be hands free. You can also pair it with this Samsonite tote. It has side pockets to hold your water bottle, a padded laptop sleeve and a luggage loop.
Whether you want to have everyone in your family coordinate their luggage or let them pick their own style, we love that Macy’s has such a wide selection from totes to suitcases and everything else for your summer travel adventures.
