Low Carb Gas Station Eats

Dollar Tree Travel Dupes

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When’s the last time you picked up TSA approved toiletries? If it’s been a minute, then you’ll likely will be surprised at just how expense they have become! $10 For a travel size hand sanitizer?! $7 bucks for a face cleanser that will likely last you only 2 days 😳 I knew prices for these little puppies had gotten bad, but I didn’t realize just how out of control it had become until I did this comparison: 3 stores+ 17 travel toiletries. The savings with shock you 🤯

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🤩🚨 DUPE ALERT: DOLLAR TREE 💰🌳 TRAVEL TOILETRIES ✈️ For A FRACTION!

17 Travel Items from Dollar Tree for Under $25!

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I hit up Target and CVS to compare the same exact items — same brands, plus some fantastic dupes and let’s just say… the price differences were wild. At Dollar Tree, I scored viral bougie hand sanitizer for $1.25. At Target? $10 😳

And CVS? I didn’t think it was possible, but they were even pricier. Here’s the breakdown:

Target: 340% more (almost $90 for the same items.)

CVS: 420% more ($105 for the exact same haul!)

Dollar Tree for the win! 🏆

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Where have you been buying your travel items? Comment and LMK 🥰

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European Summer Vacation Highlights!

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✈️🛳️ EUROPEAN SUMMER VACATION: Griswald Style 😂 Have you ever traveled abroad with teens who’d rather be at home hanging with their buds?🥴 Or maybe you remember your parents dragging you on a trip during those all important high school years where going to the mall and grabbing an Orange Julius 🍊 with your friends was all you really wanted to do (before trying on those acid washed jeans 👖 at the Brass Buckle 🤭) Your biggest warm weather plan was laying by the pool 👙 or on one of those reflective shiny mats with the baby oil 🧴 (tinted red with iodine drops of course)…it certainly wasn’t trekking ALL THE WAY to Europe to look at ancient ruins with your parents 😳

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Well, Scooter 🛵 and I thought we would be different, we’re cooler than Gigi + Pops and Norma Jean, right?! 🤦‍♀️ Turns out, we’re not! AND our teens aren’t different than any other teens in America 🤣 Sis, it was a battle! Kid 3 asked to fly home to his Alpaca 🦙 Boy Band group EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! “Bro-Mom, come on!” Kid 2 was more interested, but still had regrets about the amount of extreme togetherness that only a cruise ship can provide. Let’s put it this way, before the trip she was misty about heading off to college next week, now, she’s ready to go 🏃‍♀️💨 😆 Here’s a look back at the last 3 months…I mean 11 days (click here)😅

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📍🗺️: Rome 🍝 Positano 🍋 Palermo 🇮🇹 Malta 🇲🇹 Istanbul 🇹🇷 Ephesus 🇹🇷 Santorini 🇬🇷 Athens 🏛️

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Here’s our day-by-day itinerary if you want to follow along (or plan your own adventure!):

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Rome – July 31
Checked into the gorgeous Hotel Eden Rome (yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds), grabbed McDonald’s at the airport, tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps, and ended the day with pasta heaven at Felice a Testaccio.

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August 1 – Cruise Day at Sea
Nothing but ocean views and endless buffet trips. Dinner onboard.

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Positano – August 2
Coffee with a view at Casa e Bottega, beach time at Rada, lunch at Bar Buca di Bacco, and a wander through postcard-perfect streets before heading back for dinner on the ship.

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Palermo, Sicily – August 3
Creeped ourselves out in the Catacombs (see them here), ate cannolis at I Segreti del Chiostro, and explored Teatro Massimo, Four Corners, the Fountain of Shame, and the stunning Palermo Cathedral.

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Malta – August 4
Explored Mdina Dungeons, lunched at Coogi’s Pizzeria Bistrot, strolled through Malta’s streets, made a Starbucks stop, and sushi dinner onboard.

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August 5–6 – Days at Sea
Translation: naps, pool time, and eating our weight in dessert!

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Istanbul, Turkey – August 7
Shopped the Grand Bazaar, had baklava + Turkish coffee at Sark Kahvesi, lunched at Havuzlu Restaurant, and visited the Blue Mosque.

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August 8 – Turkish Food Day
Gozleme (Turkish flatbread), more baklava, burgers at Saltbae’s place, then back to the ship for brunch and dinner.

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Ephesus, Turkey – August 9
Visited The House of the Virgin Mary, watched Turkish rug making, grabbed Starbucks (yep, again), and stocked up on Turkish delight before dinner on the cruise.

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Santorini, Greece – August 10
Cable cars to Fira, frappes at Ab Fab Santorini, frozen yogurt at Louyo, lunch at La Scala, pastries at Zotos Gelateria, a beach stop, a donkey ride, and one last dinner onboard.

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And just like that, our “totally chill, everyone’s thrilled to be here” European adventure came to an end 😅. Was it perfect? Nope. Did we see some of the most beautiful places on the planet, eat our way through seven countries, and make enough memories to laugh (and maybe cringe) about for years? Absolutely. Travel with teens sure makes for a story worth telling and in the end, we’re so thankful for every unforgettable moment along the way.. ✈️🛳️💕

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My Segment on Live With Kelly and Mark: Everyday Home Hacks You’ll Actually Use

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What an honor to be featured on Live With Kelly and Mark! I had the absolute best time sharing a few of my favorite everyday home hacks. Simple, practical tips anyone can use to make life a little easier (and maybe even a little more fun). If you missed it, you can catch the full segment here!

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Life Hack: Hand Mixer to Stand Mixer!

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Do you own one of those fancy KitchenAid stand mixers? I’ll be honest, I do but I rarely use it because it’s so heavy and a lot to clean! The vast majority of the time, I use my hand mixer, it’s easy to store, easy to clean and now even easier to use. This trick works especially well when something needs timed mixing AND it creates a built in splash guard 😉

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LIFE HACK: HAND MIXER ➡️ STAND MIXER 🤯

If you’ve got a hand mixer and a cutting board with holes, you basically have a DIY stand mixer. Just slide the mixer through the holes, set your bowl underneath, and let it do its thing…hands-free!

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This is super handy for frosting, do you prefer buttercream, whipped cream or cream cheese frosting? Comment and LMK 🥰

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The Best 2 Ingredient Ice Cream French Toast Hack

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Are you a French toast fan? I LOVE it! But I don’t love mixing up all the parts and dirtying all the pans 😂 Introducing the world’s EASIEST FRENCH TOAST EVER! Fancy, Frugal AND Fast! I can’t wait for you to try it!

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🍦🤩 ICE CREAM FRENCH TOAST HACK 🍞🤯 ONLY 2 INGREDIENTS 🎉

Forget the mixing bowls, just grab your favorite ice cream and dip your bread straight in! Why does this genius trick work? Because everything you’d normally whisk together for French toast: milk, eggs, sugar, is already packed into that pint. It’s creamy, sweet, and ridiculously easy. Weekend brunch just got way more fun!

Here’s where thematic happens! Once that ice cream-soaked bread hits the hot pan, it’s game over in the best way. The sugars in the ice cream caramelize right into the bread, giving you that golden, perfectly crisp French toast edge ✨

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NOTES: I used vanilla ice cream, but you can use ANY FLAVOR you love! I think cinnamon bread dipped in butter pecan would be AMAZING 😋 The possibilities are endless 🥰

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Costco Secret Website Hack

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Have you shopped online at Costco.com? Did you know there was a ANOTHER COSTCO WEBSITE? I’ve never seen this advertised anywhere 🤯 The deals are huge and sometimes time sensitive ⏱️ with a couple of important notes 🗒️ Here’s what you need to know and how to find it 🕵️‍♀️

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🤩🚨COSTCO HACK: SECRET WEBSITE 🤫

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Here’s the scoop: You shop directly from top suppliers but with Costco-level pricing already baked in. No middleman, no markups – just the best of the best at a discount. ✨

✅ Must be a Costco member to access
❗ Executive 2% rewards don’t apply
💻 Online only — not available in stores

Run, don’t walk ➡️ CostcoNext.com

Your next home upgrade, tech score, or holiday gift haul? It’s waiting there. 🛒

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New Low Carb Starbucks Drink Hacks

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Have you ever wondered just how many calories and carbs are in your favorite Starbucks drink? What if I told you many are like drinking a slice of cake?! 😳 Here are 4 NEW DRINKS to enjoy without all the guilt, including an incredible Low Carb Iced Vanilla Matcha💚

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🤩🧋DIET HACK: LOW CARB STARBUCKS

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💚 Low Carb Vanilla Coconut Matcha

Before: 190 calories / 26g carbs
After: Just 95 calories / 8g carbs

What to order:
➡️ Iced Matcha Tea Latte
➡️ Ask for coconut milk instead of almond or oat
➡️ Add 3 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup
➡️ Say “no classic syrup”
➡️ Optional: Add a splash of heavy cream if you want it extra creamy

Why it works:

Starbucks’ matcha comes sweetened by default, and classic syrup adds even more sugar. Removing it and adding sugar-free vanilla keeps the drink sweet but low in carbs. Coconut milk gives it that smooth, slightly tropical flavor while keeping things dairy-free.✨💚

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🤎 Low Carb Caramel Macchiato

Before: ~250+ calories / 37g+ carbs
After: ~80 calories / 11g carbs (depending on drizzle + milk amount)

What to order:
➡️ Iced Grande Caramel Macchiato
➡️ Ask for almond milk instead of 2%
➡️ Add 2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup
➡️ Add 1 pump regular caramel syrup (keeps a little real flavor)
➡️ Ask for no classic syrup
➡️ Add 1 packet of stevia for extra sweetness
➡️ Optional: Light caramel drizzle on top or skip to save a few carbs

Why it works:
A regular caramel macchiato is a sugar bomb thanks to multiple pumps of syrup + drizzle. This version swaps in sugar-free vanilla and just one pump of real caramel so you keep that classic flavor with way fewer carbs. Almond milk cuts calories even more, and a little stevia helps balance it out.

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🤎 Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

Before: 150 calories / 25g carbs
After: 80 calories / 9g carbs

What to order:
➡️ Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso (Grande)
➡️ Ask for almond milk instead of oat milk
➡️ Ask for 1 pump brown sugar syrup
➡️ Add 1 pump sugar-free vanilla syrup
➡️ Add 1 packet of stevia
➡️ Ask for blonde espresso if you prefer a smoother taste

Why it works:
The original uses oat milk and 4 pumps of syrup—aka a sugar overload. Swapping to almond milk and cutting the syrups in half (plus using one sugar-free option) gives you all the bold espresso and cozy brown sugar flavor without the carb crash.

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🤎 Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Before: 340 calories / 40g+ carbs
After: 80 calories / 9g carbs

What to order:
➡️ Grande Cold Brew
➡️ Add 2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup
➡️ Add 1 pump cinnamon dolce syrup
➡️ Ask for light cream (¼ inch)
➡️ Optional: Add 1 packet of stevia if you like it sweeter

Why it works:
The OG cinnamon dolce drinks are creamy and delicious… but packed with sugar. This version swaps in sugar-free vanilla for sweetness and keeps just 1 pump of cinnamon dolce for that warm, spiced flavor. A splash of cream adds richness without overdoing it.

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NOTES: Here’s the quickest way to cut down on calories and carbs at STBX:
✅ Ask for Almond milk instead of Oatmilk
✅ Want your drink sweeter? Add a 1/2 – 1 packet of stevia…a little goes a long way!
✅ For creamer drinks ask for an additional splash of cream, which is usually half and half at most Starbucks.

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I hope you love these LORAfied low-carb Starbucks drinks as much as I do! Whether you’re cutting sugar, watching carbs, or just want a lighter option that still hits the spot, these swaps make it easy to sip smarter without giving up your faves. 💁‍♀️🧋✨

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Dollar Tree Pottery Barn Dupes

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When’s the last time you were at Dollar Tree? All of a sudden they have changed in a big way! I couldn’t believe all of the incredible finds! Wait until you see the high end stoneware they have, it’s the REAL DEAL! I was shocked when I pulled the Dollar Tree sticker off 🤯

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🤩POTTERY BARN DUPES 👯‍♀️ from DOLLAR TREE 💰🌳

Dollar Tree is carrying Royal Norfolk stoneware that looks just like a Pottery Barn set, but for a fraction of the price! Chic serveware for $1.50 a piece?! Yes, please! The simple 3-piece stoneware set (just $5 total) is selling for $24+ at Walmart and $27+ on Amazon. The classic blue patterned collection is a 12-piece dupe of a $129 Pottery Barn set, but you can grab the full set for just $15 total at Dolar Tree!

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These $5 candles are giving major Voluspa vibes without the $30+ price tag. They’re the perfect affordable dupe! Grab a few now to elevate your space on a budget! And while you’re there, don’t skip the glass canisters with metal lids. These are everywhere from Target to Pottery Barn for way more. Amazon sells a set of 3 for $27… but Dollar Tree has them for just $1.50 each! Oh, and the black metal lanterns? Pottery Barn sells similar styles for $69, but Dollar Tree has them for only $5. Total home aesthetic upgrade on a budget 🙌🕯️✨

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Which one was your favorite? I LOVE the Pottery Barn blue plate dupe 💙

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Must-Know McDonald’s Drive-Thru Hacks!

🚘🍟 MCDONALD’S 🍔 DRIVE THRU HACKS 🤩

How often do you eat on the run in your car? I’m eating lunch on the road at least once a week, while it seems like my kids are eating in the car almost daily! As you know, I’m a neatnik, especially when it comes to my car, so I had to share these McDonald’s drive-thru hacks!

My first drive-thru hack: ask for your order in a cup instead! It’s a safer and much easier way to eat when you are on the road. And let’s take a look at the McFlurry lid. Did you know it also doubles as a sauce holder?! It’s seriously the perfect fit for your sauce to safely dip and eat on the go.

Now onto one of my favorite hacks of all time: turning your cup into a tray! Grab your food box and separate the two halves in between the straw of your drink. Use the extra room for fries, sauces, and any extra sides. The best part? You can pick up your drink to sip!

Make sure to grab the receipt. It might sound simple, but doing this increases your chance of getting the freshest food. They might think you’re a secret shopper!

And last but not least, here are some last minute tips. All over the internet, you’ll see folks driving through McDonald’s and getting a bag of ice for a deal. However, we weren’t able to get ice at any of our nearby McDonald’s. And if you forget to order your fries in a cup, bend over the lid and use as another great sauce holder.

What’s your go-to drive thru? Comment and Imk!

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This Genius Grill Hack Will Save You Time and Money

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Are you the griller in your family? If you’re not, forward this to the one who is! This SIMPLE HACK has changed my grilling game 🤩 No more guessing, no more wasting food to the flames! Do this once and you’re set for the summer ☀️

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🔥🍔 GRILL HACK 🍞🤯 SAVE TIME & MONEY💰

Total game changer alert 🚨 Grab a loaf of bread (any cheap kind will do) and lay the slices across your grill. In minutes, you’ll see exactly where the hot spots are! It’s a tiny investment that could save your burgers, steaks, or veggies from burning🔥

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Why do grill hot spots even matter? Because placing the wrong food in the wrong zone can totally ruin it. When I did the bread test, my grill was all over the place!

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
– Lighter spots = great for veggies, fish, and slow-cooking meats
– Darker spots = ideal for steaks, burgers, or anything you want to sear

Every grill has its own unique heat pattern, so better to burn a slice of bread than your dinner! 🍔🔥

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Now that you know the trick, you’ll never grill the same way again! Your food (and your guests) will thank you!

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4 New Fun + Easy S’mores Hacks

🤩🍫NEW S’MORES HACKS 🥐 Fun + Easy 🍪

Are you a croissant fan? How about a pizookie or a churro? Or maybe you’d like a mini option for this summertime favorite! This s’mores season, I’ve got you covered with 4 new s’mores hacks to try🤗

Introducing my FAB FOUR S’MORES:
S’moressant
S’mie
S’murro
S’mini

Number one: I call this a s’moressant… the s’more croissant!

To make this guy, all you have to do is cut your chocolate croissant in half, stuff it with a toasted marshmallow, and enjoy! This is a great option for those of us who aren’t the biggest fan of graham cracker. I thought this one was my favorite, until I tried hack #2.

Hack number two: it’s like a chocolate chip cookie and a s’more had a baby. Move over, pizookie and hello s’mie!

Introducing the s’mire, the s’more pie! Start by using mini pie crust containers then add in your mini marshmallows and chocolate pieces. Finish it off by topping it with cookie dough and pop them in the airfryer for 10 minutes at 330F. You’ve got all of the layers of a s’more plus some gooey cookie goodness! The only issue is that this s’mie is just a little too easy to make.

Introducing my third s’more hack: the s’murro!

Start by tossing a chocolate bar in the sun for an easy hack to melt your chocolate. Next, it’s time to make the delicious s’more and churro combo. Simply add a churro piece to a stick, dip it in marshmallow fluff, and toast! I completely the s’murro by drizzling the melted chocolate on top and sprinkled on some graham cracker crumbs to finish. To avoid messes, add the toppings onto the s’murro over your fire!

I’m calling number four: the s’mini.

This s’more hack is great because it’s basically a mini s’more for one! You don’t even need a fire-pit for this one, just a lit non-toxic candle. All I did was toast the mini marshmallow over the candle, and add chocolate and cinnamon toast crunch pieces to finish. This made me wonder if cinnamon toast crunch cereal was actually invented for this hack!

Which one would you try first? Comment and LMK!

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