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2:17 PM

Sneaker Pickup: Adidas EQT Support 93/18 Mid Primeknit | WSS Houston

A few weeks back Houston's new sneaker store, WSS , held an event giving back to the community. Partnered with Adidas Originals, they were giving out free food, Adidas goodie bags, and fresh hair cuts for the kids. There was also a DJ on site playing the latest hits while everyone shopped and waited in line for their turn. 

Since the stores grand opening a couple of months ago, it has been a greatly received. The WSS stores are originally from Los Angeles and have always been deeply rooted in the community. This is why I am excited to be partnered with them, not only for their great selection of trendy sneakers and shoes for the entire family, but how open and willing to give back they are. 

Our family stopped by to check out the event as well as check out the latest Adidas Originals sneakers that had just arrived. We've all enjoyed the shoes that have been put out by the brand with 3 stripes these last couple of month and are our current go to shoes for comfort. With my wife being a few weeks away from labor to our second baby, comfort is highly prioritized, and the Iniki sneakers were her choice. I picked out something a little different for myself and went with the new EQT 93/18 ADV Mid's with the Primeknit upper. These are a great lifestyle shoe as well as my current go to for the gym. Lots of support for my high arches which I really enjoy. 

The sole is a bit chunky but not heavy. The Primeknit feels great and provides plenty of ventilation. Style is not quite subtle but not flashy either, even with the yellow stripes. I'll be wearing these quite often. Comfort and style is hard to come by sometimes and this is what I needed.

There will be lots more events throughout the year as well as more store openings in the near future. Be sure to stay tuned to WSS's social channels for upcoming events and sneaker releases!

 

What Is Your Favorite Shoe From Adidas Originals?

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3:53 PM

A Sporty Hybrid For The Family | 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE

By now, most parents and their kids have gotten used to the back to school schedule, but one thing is certain; we could all save some time, as well as fuel, from the long drop off and pick up lines. You could easily wait more than 30 minutes in line and if you leave your car on, that engine idling is wasting lots of fuel. However, that wasn't an issue with the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE, plus it had great looks and a sporty drive. It was exciting for it being a hybrid.

For the third year in a row, we have partnered up with Toyota USA for their annual Back To School Campaign and the new Camry Hybrid SE is a fun and stylish hybrid sedan perfect for small families. We've previously driven the RAV4 Limited as well as the roomy Highlander XLE. This year was different and a lot more special than others. It was our daughters first year of school (headstart actually) and we were excited about this new stage in life for our little girl. In the previous years, we've driven our cousins and sisters-in-law to school.

So what makes the Camry such a great car to drive?

I believe there are a couple of things that make a vehicle great, and even better for parents; Reliability, Fuel Mileage, and Safety. Looks and driving feel are a plus in this Camry SE model, similar to the Camry XSE.  You get renowned Toyota reliability, fuel consumption equal or close to the 44 MPG (combined) on the EPA rating, and standard on the Camry, Toyota's Safety Sense Package (TSSP). Safety is a great deal no matter the distance you are driving and with 10 airbags, this mid-size sedan made us feel safe on every drive. Our daughter loved the car because of the Supersonic Red color and how easy it was for her to get in the rear seats. The small details mean a lot to us. Safe to say we are all fans of this car.

The driving experience was a pleasant one with a little excitement here and there. That's thanks to the mode selections available. The Camry has 4 different personalities. An Eco mode (not electric), normal, sport, and EV mode. Each of these modes varied and that makes for a great drive in different situations. I constantly switched between the sport mode and the EV mode. Lately, my daughter has been fascinated with driving "fast". By that, passing a car equals going fast, even if that is in the middle of a traffic jam on the highway. It's cute, but when traffic clears up, I switch to sport mode and speed away, up to the speed limit of course. The 4 cylinder engine paired with the electric motor are a great combination and the suspension is a bit stiffer for the sporty drive and feedback.

I'll go ahead and say it. The 2018 Camry Hybrid SE may be the perfect mid-size sedan for small families or younger individuals looking for great value in a sporty yet environmentally conscious vehicle. This car deserves a test drive!

Take A Look At The Car Review!

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3:14 PM

Essential Things Every Dad Needs In Their Hospital Bag

My wife and I wear talking a couple of days ago as she was getting her hospital bag ready and she mentioned something that appalled me for a second. "Are you getting a hospital bag ready too?" It completely caught me by surprise. I had not thought about this but knew this was something I was missing. Our first pregnancy was intense, to say the least, and at that time I was working at a fabrication plant and only had 2 unpaid days off. With a newborn in the NICU and a hurting wife, I had no choice at the time but to go back to work. This time around, it's different and I'll be able to be next to my wife and baby for as long as I need to be. We've worked for this flexibility in our lives but I also wanted to point out that this is highly unlikely for the majority of parents our there, especially dads.

With little to no time off and probably zero paid time off, many dads out there don't see the need for a hospital bag. The average number of days in the hospital after delivery being 2, there are a couple of things you may want to pack in your hospital bag, backpack, duffel bag, carrier, etc. Here is a list of essential items you should consider taking. After all, a hospital couch is not that comfortable to sleep on.

Blanket and Pillow

As stated above, the couches at the hospital are nowhere near comfortable. With the climate control of the hospitals being on the chilly side, it can get pretty cold so be sure to take a blanket that is warm but not too bulky. One of the nights I stayed at the hospital I had to sleep without a pillow and I wouldn't want that happening to you. Either take a normal pillow or go with a travel pillow. Go prepared, and ready to get a little comfortable.

Hygiene Products

Most, if not all, recovery hospital rooms have a restroom with a shower. You'll more than likely be there for a couple of days so be sure to take some hygiene products. Take the basics like shampoo and conditioner, body wash, a razor or trimmer, deodorant, and lotion. Consider taking travel size containers to avoid taking a heavy and bulky bag.


Change of Clothes

Warm and comfortable clothes are key. You want to be ready for the unexpected. I would say it is safe to take 2-3 outfits. Interchangeable outfits are even better. Take a pair of jeans or pants and simply change your interior wear and a top. Go with a long sleeve, sweater, or jacket unless you enjoy colder climates. Oh! don't forget some warm socks!

Portable Chargers

Out of reach outlet plugs are inconvenient and the many messages and calls from friends and family will surely drain your mobile device. Go ready and take a portable charger. You won't have to worry about plugging your phone behind the hospital bed or your phone dying mid-call. It also allows you to walk around while you stretch your legs, get some fresh air outside all while you charge your phone. It's a life saver.

Comfortable Shoes / Slippers

This is a special time in your life! So be sure you are comfortable as you will probably be walking  or standing around often. Cafeteria runs are quite common too even though most hospitals have room service. Slippers are great to also pack for the evening or when you know you are staying in the room for a long period of time. Again, comfort is key.

Snacks

This can be a lifesaver for some. The cafeteria at your hospital more than likely closes for the night and if you did not eat, you'll be hungry throughout the night unless you have a relative or friend that can stop by and deliver some food. Visiting time usually end between 9:00PM- 10:00PM so be sure to start settling in for the night before then. However, if you have some snacks, you don't have to worry about going hungry. I would go for crackers, granola bars, fruit bars, even oatmeal.

I hope you found this helpful and that you have a better idea or reason to start packing your hospital bag. This is a special time in a parents life so don't let the inconveniences get in the way of life's precious moments. 

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1:48 PM

Celebrating Our Last Date With Buick Before Our Baby is Born

We were looking at our last 5 weeks of the pregnancy and wanted to make sure we went on a date before our baby arrived. These last few weeks are the ones that put us on high alert. This pregnancy has gone by a lot faster than our first time and we are getting close to full term. Ashley and I were looking to get some alone time and talk about our goals, and what we want to get done before the baby comes. To further the experience, we had the new 2019 Buick Envision to drive around in a refined package with features that really allowed us to focus on ourselves.

We dropped off our daughter at my in-laws and made our way to an Italian restaurant we've heard good things about but hadn't come around to it. I had called earlier in the day to make a reservation and everything was ready for a seamless date night. This had to be a great night, especially since we don't go on dates on our own often and had a lot to celebrate. One of the greatest things we value is our relationship and every chance we get to be alone and have meaningful conversations keeps us going strong.

The features in the Buick definitely set the tone for our date. The Envision has QuietTuning and an air Ionizer which add a sense of refinement and calm ambiance. The front windshield, as well as the front door windows, have acoustic laminated glass and the doors have triple seals to minimize exterior and road noise. It allowed us to focus on our conversations without having to speak over cars and noise around us. The air ionizer is a great feature that not only keeps the cabin air fresh but also free from dust, and pollen. Ashley has pretty bad allergies and without that feature, it would be safe to say our date wouldn't have been the same. Besides that, who doesn't like fresh air?

Ashley and I were excited to see what this restaurant was all about, as much as we were excited about our date. We actually went in blind without checking out the menu beforehand so it was fun to see what we were going to order. We usually get an appetizer and once we saw lasagna eggrolls we instantly agreed to order that to get things started. I was also looking through the wine menu but quickly realized how unfair that would be to Ashley so I opted for something more baby friendly lol. The food selection was great and I could see, besides the environment, why this place had great reviews. 

We started to talk about random things and gradually got into more serious subjects. One thing I love is being able to talk about serious things without that heavy feeling, almost keeping it a bit lighthearted. As time went on, we had talked about everything in our lives and realized how full we were. Somehow, we found the courage to go ahead and order dessert. We just had to find out if their cheesecake was great! And it was. One of my favorites I'd say. Ashley thought it could have been a bit more frozen though. 

We continued our conversation and took in every second of it knowing that we wouldn't go on another date until our baby was around 3 months. We couldn't be happier with this experience and are glad that Buick was part of it. Nurturing our relationship and spending quality time together is a great way to strengthen our relationship but also prepares us mentally and emotionally for our baby. 

Check out the review of the 2019 Buick Envision to learn more about it!

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4:37 PM

Chevrolet Welcomes Houston Astros' Newest Fans | Sports Wins Influence Birth Rate

Installing a car seat is one of those things that you absolutely must get right as a parent. Every car seat comes with its own manual and reading those instructions can be the difference between thinking you got a car seat right and actually installing the seat properly. I was surprised when a survey commisioned by Chevrolet found that almost 34% of Houstonians were concerned with proper car seat installation. That number is surprisingly high and with the uptick in baby births, 9 months after the Astros won the World Championship series, Chevy is hoping to be of help to new parents and families. They are doing this by sharing information and educating families on proper car seat installation, car safety on the road, sharing about the dangers of heat stroke. 

Chevrolet had a demonstration on site that showed the temperature inside the vehicle as well as the outside one. On this particular day, the temperature was 94 degrees, in the shade, and the inside temperature read just shy of 100 degrees! The summer heat is dangerous alone and needless to say, leaving a child or pet behind in a vehicle instantly puts them in danger. It's hard to wrap my mind around parents leaving their kids behind in cars, whether it's hot or not. We hanged out in the shade and enjoyed some ice cream and pickles, some of my wife's favorite cravings. In the short amount we were at Discovery Green, we felt the heat temperature rise and saw our ice cream melt faster. I'm glad manufacturers are adding alerts to their vehicles, it can really save lives. I could care less about my ice cream melting, what I really care about is the average child deaths in hot cars drop from 37 to 0. It never came across my mind that sports win would influence the birth rate. In fact, a hospital here in Houston saw 48 births in a span of 41 hours. That is almost 4 times higher than the average! New car safety features like a rear seat reminder and surround vision camera help us be more aware and safe on the road but also educating ourselves in properly installing our baby car seats makes every drive a little safer.

Check out this infographic with some information to keep you and your family safe on the road

 

Check out the vlog to see how to properly install a car seat and how I did!

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3:30 PM

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Your Old Clothes And Buy Trendy Clothes For Less

Have you ever wondered how to add new items to your wardrobe for less? I sure have, and today I'll be sharing with you how you can add some items to your closet while also clearing out some unused items. There are certain items in my wardrobe that are essential but there are also some that I have purchased to stay up to date with fashion trends. And let's be honest, almost all of us have a few items stored away that we haven't worn in months. You can sell these at Crossroads Trading and shop for items to keep your wardrobe on edge.

You'll find lightly used trendy second-hand clothes here for men and women. I enjoyed the shopping experience, it's like hunting for treasure, you really don't know what you are going to find. The staff take in clothes and offer to buy items so there is always something new in the store. If you are planning on taking clothes in, be sure to only take the items that go with the season you are in. I have found plenty of items with their tag still attached to them and at a much lower price. 

I have been dressing really casual lately so I had an idea of what I was looking for already. Right off, I wanted something comfortable, casual, and with a street style feel. It's unbearably hot here in Houston at the moment, but I picked off a grey sweater with the words "modern' stitched on for lounging around the house on my chill days and also an Adidas track jacket to go with my athleisure wear or workouts.

Instead of jeans or chinos I went for some comfortable joggers, again, for a casual athleisure or streetwear look. These joggers also had their tag on them. I didn't want to get too many pants, t-shirts were something I needed to get into my wardrobe so i found a couple that I could mix and match with other items already in my wardrobe. Came across a Tommy Hilfiger shirt, a graphic T with a the Tokyo skyline, and an Obey t-shirt. Last but not least, I found a pair of Asics Gel Lyte 5 in the Mint colorway and in decent condition so I picked those up really fast, especially when I saw the price of 32 USD!

This was not my first time shopping at Crossroads Trading and I have had a great experience before as well as coming across great finds. It's a great way to sell old items and buy new and trendy items for a lot less. Be sure to stop by the Montrose or Rice Village locations and find items to upgrade for the fall! 

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4:49 PM

How Each Generation Is Shaped | Dad Talk Thursday

Chances are that you've heard someone complain about today's generation or another generation except their own. I have spent countless hours thinking about this and how this came to be and I have come to a conclusion. Parent's are the primary shapers of each generation they birth. 

As parents, we can manage and decide what our children are exposed to and most importantly what we teach them at home. It's difficult, and in some cases, impossible to keep our eye on our kids at all times. All we can really do is teach them good morals, ethics, and choices and trust that they use that once we release them into the world.

There are 3 main factors that shape a generation. Technology, Economics, and Parenting. The three go hand in hand. Technology has not only increased exponentially but also become easily accessible. It's been integrated into our daily lives, our education systems, workspaces, vehicles, and everything else around us. Would you say that life would be the same if we did not have access to technology? Technology, in my eyes, is a tool. And as a tool, it can be used to aid in our parenting. 

We have tablets, wifi, age restricted controls, kid-friendly animations, and many things that play a part in either educating or entertaining our children. This goes for all ages really. How long are your children on the internet, tablets, computers, television, and phones? It's a great tool but it is important to remember that it is a tool and shouldn't take over our parenting roles. No matter how bad or good your child is, parenting is of the utmost importance in their lives. Besides genetics, parenting determines how they go about life and view the world around them.

Last but not least, the economy. This is another factor that is constantly changing but as parents, we can change the economics of our own households. This is a bit broad, but as mentioned above, these factors can be divided into smaller parts and that is determined by each individual lifestyle, parenting approach, and socio-economic status. There is so much that goes on in raising a family and going about life. Economics as a whole is something that we can't change on our own but by taking control of our finances and changing our economic status we can have a greater and positive impact on our kid's lives. This changes a lot of things including how our children perceive society, finances, and value things.

The one factor that carries the most weight of the three is parenting, so let's not forget that we can change and impact our future generations. My hope is for you to leave here and reflect on how we can be better parents for our kids but also have the most impact in society. Beleive it or not, parenting is what really makes a generation and I want everyone to be the best parent possible so that we are shaping the best generations possible.

What are your thoughts?