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Ileana Morales Valentine

Ileana Morales Valentine is a commerce writer at Bustle. She’s always on the hunt for the best products for your home and lifestyle. If she’s not at her laptop, you may find her in the kitchen. Ileana loves to cook and write about it⁠—her work as a columnist and correspondent has been featured in Florida’s largest newspaper, the Tampa Bay Times. Her column on home cooking was based on her food blog, A Little Saffron. Before joining Bustle, Ileana was a brand manager at a creative agency and a senior member of the digital communications team for a big corporate law firm. There was also a stint at a wine shop. Ileana has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida, where she also worked at The Independent Florida Alligator. The Florida native lives in sunny St. Pete with her Midwestern husband and their son, but she drives down to Miami often to visit family and get her fill of cafecitos. Though a homebody at heart, travel and great food are high on her list. She once planned a two-week trip to Spain based on a dinner reservation in the hills of San Sebastián. Say hi on Instagram at @ileanamvalentine.
Your Little Helper Will Reach New Heights With These Step Stools For Toddlers
Trust me, your increasingly independent toddler is going to need a step stool. My 2-year-old son loves being able to reach things himself using one of the best step stools for toddlers, and I'm petite and end up using it all the time, too. To find…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
From Curls To Straight Hair, These Are The Best Shampoos For Kids
My toddler was born with a full head of hair, so I’ve been mindful of keeping his locks healthy and shiny from the beginning. The best shampoo for kids works for your child’s hair type — whether they rock curls or straight hair — and have nourishing…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
From Scooters To Stuffed Animals, These Are The Best Toys For Your 2-Year-Old
I've learned from personal experience that my 2-year-old son can have a good time with a simple cardboard box. But a good toy that engages, entertains, and teaches your kiddo as they play should not be underestimated. The best toys for a 2-year-old…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Whether You're Whipping Up Veggies Or Brownies These Are The Best Baking Trays
Baking dishes are workhorses in my kitchen, and I keep a few on hand for roasting vegetables, baking cakes or brownies, or making one-pan dinners or casseroles. Different types of trays work best for different meals, but the best 9 by 13 baking tray…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Hold All Of Baby's Essentials & Look Chic With These Stylish Diaper Bags
When I was expecting, a diaper bag that didn’t look like a diaper bag was high on my list of baby must-haves. Though its job is to hold baby essentials, I wanted this new staple of my daily outfit to be cute, too. The good news is I rounded up some…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Splish, Splash And Stay Dry In These Highly Rated Rain Boots For Toddlers
Jumping in puddles is about the most fun a kid can have on a rainy day, and the proper footwear will keep them dry and safe even as they splash around. The best rain boots for toddlers are made of waterproof materials with non-slip soles for…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Block Out Light & Get More ZZZ's With These Adorable Nursery Blackout Curtains
Parents can always use more sleep, and one way to get more shuteye is to create a dark and cozy space for baby’s naptime and bedtime to help them sleep better. The best blackout curtains for nursery rooms eliminate light thanks to their triple…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Enjoy Fresh Air & Fun With These Outdoor Games For Kids Of All Ages
Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, when a beautiful day beckons them outside, fun outdoor games for kids can entertain while teaching them new skills — and strengthen family bonds along the way. Playing games outside can improve your child’s…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Explore The Great Outdoors (But Rest Comfy) With These Sturdy Family Tents
Exploring the great outdoors is a lot more fun with a reliable tent. The best family tents are large enough to comfortably fit your crew and all the gear that comes with it. Family-friendly tents come in several styles and price points, but no…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Provide Instant Relief For Dry, Itchy Skin With These Eczema Creams For Kids
Itchy, dry skin is often a sign of eczema in babies and kids, but the right product can help clear up the uncomfortable symptoms. The best eczema cream for kids has moisturizing ingredients to soothe sensitive skin and avoids potential irritants…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Ready, Set, Strategize: These Super Fun Cooperative Games For Kids Build Unity
Family game night can be a relaxed and fun way to connect, especially if you skip the typical competitive board game that results with only one winner. Cooperative games are perfect for families looking to team up rather than take down the…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Supportive & Cute Baby Walking Shoes Will Get Your Little One Moving
It’s a bit counterintuitive, but when shopping for a pair of the best baby walking shoes, a higher-ankle cut doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a more supportive shoe for your baby than one with a low-cut ankle (though they may be easier to keep on).…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Baby Walker Alternatives Let Little Ones Safely Bounce & Build Strength
Though you may have grown up using a baby walker yourself, there are now safer options for getting your baby ready to take their first steps. The best alternatives to baby walkers safely help strengthen their legs and encourage your little one to…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Are Hands Down The Best Transition Sippy Cups — & They're All On Amazon
As your baby becomes a toddler, the best transition sippy cup will help them say goodbye to bottles (or breast) and move toward drinking from cups, cutting back on spills along the way. That said, experts will tell you that it's actually best to…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Pregnancy-Safe Nail Polish Removers Are Fab Enough To Remove Glitter
With the right tools, you can totally maintain a fresh mani and pedi while pregnant. Nail polish removers haven't been deemed unsafe for pregnant women, but if you want to be extra cautious, follow up your nontoxic nail polish with a pregnancy-safe…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Treat Yourself To A Safe Mani While Pregnant With These Nontoxic Nail Polishes
There’s nothing like the feeling of a fresh manicure, and you can still keep your nails polished even with a little one on the way, but taking a few precautions can give you peace of mind. A pregnancy-safe nail polish comes in just as many cute…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
Break A Sweat With Your Little One With These Safe & Comfy Jogging Strollers
Standard strollers lack the essential features needed to run with a little one in tow, which is why jogging strollers have become popular on registries. The best jogging strollers for runners can handle speed and any bumps in the road, while keeping…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
From Cribs to Cloths, These Are The Best Eco-Friendly Baby Products
Caring for a baby comes with a lot of gear and accessories, and you can reduce their environmental impact by choosing eco-friendly baby products. Eco-friendly products are often a safer choice for your little one as well, since they tend to abstain…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Portable Baby Swings Soothe & Entertain Your Little One — Anywhere
Any baby gadget that can soothe a fussy infant is invaluable to a parent. The best portable baby swings are a tried-and-true way to calm or even entertain a baby, and you can take them anywhere you need to go. For true portability, you’ll want a…
By Ileana Morales Valentine
These Are The Best Tablets To Keep Kids Learning, Engaged & Entertained
As an entertainment and educational tool, tablets have become a ubiquitous part of growing up. The best tablets for kids allows parents to remain in control of content and screen time while delighting and even teaching children. Some tablets come…
By Ileana Morales Valentine