My Favorite Things
This page is just The Chaos Manager’s favorite things! Here you will find links to must-have travel items, kids toys and more. Some links will be affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you when you click on the link and make a purchase.
The Chaos Manager’s Favorite Things-
Favorite Things for Me!
An Aura photo frame has been one of my favorite gifts to give and to receive! My entire family is obsessed with this frame that actually gets the photos off of your phone and allows everyone to enjoy the memories together.
A pair (or two) of fleece lined, water resistant leggings with pockets! I lived in these during our Alaskan cruise and they have definitely come in handy a time or two since. The leggings are so cozy without being too hot. The pockets are obviously fantastic to have and they kept me dry in the Alaskan rainforest.
A huge, queen sized, throw blanket for relaxing on the couch. Never try to fit under a tiny throw blanket again, use the entire queen sized blanket just for yourself to make the small amount of time you have to relax that much cozier!
This set of claw clips that actually holds your hair! This set comes with three different sizes and colors and at only $8.99 it isn’t the end of the world when you lose them (or leave them all over the house like I do…)
This adorable set of idea cards for charcuterie boards. I love a good board, but this gives you ideas for plating, different menu items and boards that aren’t just meat and cheese. A fun idea for the person who always volunteers to bring the appetizer!
This is my go-to sweatshirt for a cozy day. It is so soft, comes in 18 different colors and….IT HAS POCKETS!!!! It is the absolute perfect shirt for a pair of soft leggings, a cup of tea and a great book.
Photo gifts- I’m a sucker for any kind of photo gift. I love these personalized ornaments and canvas prints!
Favorite Things for Kids
A SINGLE PLAYER game your teenager can play by themselves!! Box One by THE Neil Patrick Harris is a super engaging escape room type game for ages 14+. My oldest is in LOVE with this game! (Internet access required).
These are the easiest mittens for young kids to get on by themselves. The side zippers make it so small hands can get in and out of the mittens with minimal help. They are waterproof and have lasted an entire season already at my house! Plus they come in different sizes.
A new puzzle/fidget toy for older kids. This is a gift that was immediately played with after being opened and hasn’t really been put away since! Only about six inches big, this is a great travel toy. It will fit in a purse or coat pocket easily and is quiet!!
Is your little artist looking for new tools? These oil pastels are as close to mess-free as possible. Each one is wrapped like a crayon to keep hands clean while drawing. Obviously you’ll still get messy if you use your fingers to blend, but they don’t smear all over the place like other oil pastels I’ve seen!
Favorites for the Whole Family
My current obsession brand is Little Sleepies. For the undoctrinated, they are a clothing line of the most comfortable pajamas, bedding and play clothes ever! Made from bamboo, the children’s line of pajamas seems to grow with the kids forever. They have family matching pajamas as well as coordinating collections released almost weekly. Although a bit more than I’d usually spend on clothes for messy, growing children, these are worth every penny! This is an unsponsored recommendation, I just really love their stuff! Check out their website here.
My Favorite Cruise Items
Here are links to items I love to take on cruises!
- Magnet hooks for your cruise cabin. Did you know most surfaces in your cruise cabin are magnetic? You can use hooks to hang cruise lanyards, pajamas, coats and sweaters and more! We love to use these magnets to keep all of the daily cruise guides displayed in the room, as well as a place to hang the art work our kiddos make in the kids clubs!
2. Battery operated tea light candles. These are so tiny that they don’t take up much room in your luggage, they generally come with batteries and make the best nightlights in your very dark cruise cabin. We keep a few of them in the bathroom each night so that the main light isn’t needed (since this is very bright and will likely wake up the entire room!)
3. Magnetic Building Tiles– If you’re cruising with littles, then these are a great way to keep them entertained by taking advantage of those magnetic walls!
4. Black out curtain or material- Cruise curtains are sometimes nonexistent or very thin, letting late setting or early rising sun shine through. Use the magnet hooks I mentioned above to hang material (or purchase this set that comes with suction cups) and sleep when you want!
5. Binoculars- While fun to have for star gazing or finding other ships on any cruise, these especially came in handy on our Alaskan trip. We used them for our whale watching excursion and I was so glad I made room in the suitcase for them.
6. A travel alarm clock– Cruise ship cabins do not have clocks! While you could always use your phone, I find it nicer to have a clock on display and an alarm clock that won’t automatically change if we travel to a new time zone overnight.
7. Compression packing cubes– I like to use packing cubes no matter what type of traveling I’m doing, but these are especially nice for a cruise. Just unpack your cubes into the drawers and closets of the cabin and place your suitcases under the bed for the rest of the trip!
Disney Parks Must-Haves
A list of super cute Disney themed items to use when packing or enjoying your Parks adventure!
2. A special case for packing all of your Minnie ears!
3. A family pack of ponchos– These ponchos have saved more than one trip for my family! They hardly take up any room in your bag and you can also use one to protect your stroller from getting wet while you are on a ride.
Travel Items
Amazing finds to make traveling that much better!
Handheld Luggage Scale– Perfect for use at home before your trip and small enough to take with you so you don’t have to rearrange your suitcases at the airport to make that weight limit.
Mini White Noise Machine– Great for hotels with less than soundproof walls or traveling with little ones that are used to a sound machine at home.
A Four Pack of Air Tags– Perfect for tracking luggage for the entire family
EarPlanes Ear Plugs– Do you have problems with your ears every time you fly? These earplugs have been a lifesaver for me and I literally cannot fly without them. Place them in your ears before take-off and fly pain free! They even come in a child’s size for smaller ears and a case to keep them hygienic for your return flight.
The Chaos Manager Affiliate Links
Expedia- Save on Flights, Hotels, Tours & More!
KenzKustomz- Use code CHAOS24 for 10% off your purchase!
Blog Posts with shopping lists:
Gifts for Dads
Must Haves for a New Baby
25 Top Christmas Books for Kids of All Ages
Screen Free Gifts for Kids
