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Are We There Yet? Vol. 1

Accessories to help make your car more functional

The last few years I have found myself driving in my car more than ever- to see family, travel to sporting events, or just to take a day trip.  We are a busy family of four, though often it feels like we are a traveling circus.  In many ways, our car has become a second home.  But it lacked the comfort and ease of home.  

I was tired of fighting my children and husband to charge my phone, tired of the complaints of being too hot or too cold, and I was most definitely tired of being the human garbage receptacle.  Why is it that the mom is always handed garbage?  If your child can’t find a garbage receptacle, why do you think mom can? Oh, that’s right, your child didn’t even look for one!  My husband is sometimes worse, because he just shoves his tissues, gas station receipts, gum wrappers in the cup holder or the nook in the door!!!!  Give me a second as I calmly count to five……

Ok, I’m back!  

I decided to have a little makeover of my second home.  I have to admit, I am much happier.  Happy wife, happy life. The car is more organized, and even the kids approve.  As The Beatles sang, Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!  

So, without further adieu, here are some car accessories that I have found invaluable to making my car more functional, comfortable, and cleaner.

Tecknet USB Charger

The Tecknet USB car charger allows up to four electronic devices to be charged at once.  Now everyone can charge their phones at once!

Car Seat Headrest

The neck pillow never worked for us.  And sometimes, passengers can’t help but nod off in the car.  This car seat headrest comes in multiple colors to match your car’s interior and each side moves independently up and down for your comfort.  We have a brown interior (it is actually nicer than it sounds) and these look great!  My kids haven’t complained of a stiff neck since we put them in.  Just be sure that your headrest can support these additions.  Check out the detailed information in the link. 

CIVAGO 20 Oz. Stainless Steel Tumbler

My kids require cold ice-water ALWAYS.  They don’t know what it’s like to be thirsty.  We are a big thermos household and are always on the lookout for a nice, reusable thermos.  My daughter, in particular, really likes the color choices with these CIVAGO 20 Oz. Stainless Steel Tumblers. 

Backseat Car Storage Organizers

I have had a cover on the back of the driver and passenger seats since my kids were born- nothing like having shoe marks all along the backside of the chairs.  But in the last few years, I have gone from a simple plastic cover to these multipurpose chair coverings.  There is a spot for everything with these backseat storage chair covers.  My kids stow away sunglasses, a blanket, tissues, an umbrella and sun shades.  Everything has a home and is tucked away until needed.  Added bonus, the back of the chair doesn’t get marked up!

Compact Travel Blanket

Did I mention that my kids get cold?  When my kids were younger, I had extra fleece blankets on the ledge of the rearview window.  Their bulk and location created quite a blindspot while driving (I would not recommend that), but I was at a loss because I had nowhere else to store the cumbersome blankets. If I put them in my trunk, the kids couldn’t access them while I was driving, and I didn’t want to pull over every time they complained.  I found these compact travel blankets that check all of the boxes.  They do not take up a lot of space and they provide a lot of warmth but are lightweight.  I got two different colors so that my kids know they each have one, and I store them in the backseat storage chair covers referenced above. 

USB Charger Cable

Not only do we need a multi USB car charger, but we need multiple USB charging wires!  These do the trick!

Travel Garbage Receptacle

If I haven’t endeared myself to you yet, let me just say that the travel garbage receptacle may be my favorite purchase.  I am no longer the recipient of dirty tissues, or odds and ends from the back seat.  

Enovoe Car Window Shades

My kids aren’t babies anymore and I got rid of the sun visors.  Actually, they all broke.  I hadn’t replaced them until recently because I knew we were going to be going on a summer road trip and the sun can be intense, especially if you are driving for hours.  This week we put our new visors to good use after a 5+ hour car ride during a heatwave.  I am happy I purchased the visors and will use them not just for long rides, but all types of sunny trips.  Sitting in traffic in the sun is not fun, even if your trip is short.  These Enovoe Car Window Shades went up easily (they have a side that clings to the window) and they twist and fold away, making for easy, compact storage.  I store mine in the backseat storage chair covers referenced above. 

THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner 

Ok, with the exception of the garbage can, this little vacuum makes me the happiest.  I guess I am a clean freak!!!(???)  If you have kids and allow them to eat in the car (no need to avoid eye contact- I am not here to shame you), this little vacuum is AWESOME!  A few years ago, I saw a minivan with a built-in vacuum in the trunk and I was smitten.  It was like a crazy Hollywood crush.  I would go weak in the knees but only from afar.  My car does not have such a feature.  
This Christmas we went to a drive-thru Christmas lights show.  Naturally, my kids were hungry and wanted some popcorn conveniently sold from a booth on the side of the road.  Christmas music was blasting, lights were blazing, and the kids were happy.  As we were exiting the drive-thru and returning home, I almost missed our exit and made a hasty (albeit safe) turn.  Popcorn boxes went flying and I had popcorn bits and kernels all over the backseat.  The last thing I wanted to do was to haul my vacuum cleaner to the driveway, to clean the mess.  It was late and I was tired.  Alas, I didn’t need to.  I sprung to get the small handheld car vacuum from the trunk. I plugged it into the cigarette lighter (is that still what it’s called?) and started vacuuming away.  Voila, clean car.  I have since used the portable car vacuum a number of times.  Nothing like the ability to have a quick clean up. Love, love, love it!

Reverse Umbrella

Last but not least, I like to keep an umbrella in the car.  I used to keep mine in the trunk which kind of defeated the purpose; unless you were a passenger in the car that is and I sprung to action opening your door sheltered by the trunk umbrella. If it were raining, I would get wet running to the trunk to get the umbrella, and then in returning to the car, I would also get wet because the umbrella itself would be drenched.  How many times do you throw the umbrella in the car, and it lands by your legs, and you get wet?  What was the point of having the umbrella if you get wet getting it from the car and then putting it back in the car?  
 
I decided to get an umbrella for all passengers so everyone is their own captain and I could worry only about me and my umbrella.  This reverse umbrella is great.  It’s not too small, but not too big.  Best of all, when it folds away, the wet part is tucked inside so that you don’t get wet.  I opted to get the big rainbow flower so that it wasn’t just a generic black umbrella.  If someone wants to walk off with it, they can’t innocently say, oh sorry, thought it was mine…. 

OOH LA LA!

THE END!

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