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trench dRA :: pants ASILIO :: top ASILIO :: bag GHURKA :: ring JPJ (dont forget to enter the GIVEAWAY
As a busy mom, I tend to keep things pretty simple because my life is anything but. Lots of “oops” happen when you are traveling with kids, and the way to prepare for that is to simplify. First off, in order of importance, pack blankies and snacks. Do not forget either or there will be general mayhem. For you, pack basics, NOT outfits. Of course, if you’re packing for a specific occasion that makes sense, but four days in Sedona mandates a swimsuit, tees, cut-offs, sneakers, and a great book. See? Simple.
As for my 6 travel essentials:
1 travel duffel / 2 bell sleeve blouse / 3 trench coat / 4 leather like leggings / 5 slinky heels / 6 chic sneakers / the rest are details: basics – soft tees, toiletries (deserves a whole post in itself) and snacks for kids (also deserves a separate post), and maps and travel guides.
I can’t wait for our next adventure!
What are some of your tips?
my coat :: sweater :: jeans :: nike roshe id
One of our bucket list items has always been Yosemite. Big trees, bigger mountains and stunning stone ridges, did I mention waterfalls? I only read about and saw distant pictures of it but to see it in person, is like in the middle of the Grand Canyon so vast, untouched, and wild. While it was a chilly 38 degrees, and we attempted a couple hikes by the falls, all we could think about was the hot chocolate in our little chalet. And little it was but there is something alluring about cozy cottages around the holidays. So good. I think the kids spent most of the day up in the little chalet loft while the hubs and I cooked (well, defrosted, Portuguese stew called “Feijoda).” The latter takes me right into my first tip. If you’re renting a cabin, bring obviously lots of snacks, waters, organic cinnamon rolls (from a tube) and FROZEN dinners. Who wants to cook on vacation? For lunches, we enjoyed the tasty spread at Tanaya Lodge and Big Fir Lodge for their cozy ambience and yummy burgers. For fun, if Badger Pass is open, don’t forget to bring car chains, ski’s and warm thermal underwear. In the end, I’m so grateful we did this short 4-day getaway, just what we needed. Don’t underestimate a rest from the hustle of the holidays, school events, LA traffic for some family bonding in the woods. From the oldest to youngest, we all felt the bond.
What’s on your vacation bucket list?
While heading to the Four Seasons Westlake for their 5th annual Let it Snow event, we did not know what to expect other than pictures with Santa and a train ride. Since moving from Chicago last December, this Christmas marks our first one sans family and the beginning of a new chapter and new traditions. And the Four Seasons is a great place to start. After checking in, a super friendly staff offered us champagne and cake pops before taking us up to our gorgeous suite. Because of our large family, we had a beautiful corner king suite with a pull out couch, king room, and foyer. (And yes, despite all that room, we still needed a bed rolled in for the littlest.) Probably my favorite part of our stay-cation at the Four Seasons Westlake Let it Snow event, besides the awesome breakfast burritos, was how much they catered to each child and made them feel so special. From stuffed animal Sven dolls stuffed into mini white robes, four brownie cakes delivered to our room with the words “welcome” written on them, and breakfast with the Disney characters (hello Charlie Brown and Elsa!) to the awesome kids buffet piled with teddy bears, strawberry milk and fresh waffles, all at the perfect kid height might I add, no detail was forgotten. If we needed anything, their staff was alert and very friendly. While not all cities like Los Angeles are kid friendly (or cater to children, let alone four of them), Four Seasons Westlake exceeded our expectations. The kids response to our departure was, “Can we do this every weekend?”
OUR TOP 4
- TRAIN RIDE 2. ICE SKATING 3. DECORATING COOKIES with MRS. CLAUSE 4. BREAKFAST WITH THE DISNEY CHARACTERS
Thank you Four Seasons Westlake for partnering on this post
dress REVOLVE :: blazer STORETS :: boots RM
dress SHONIA JOY sandals SAM EDELMAN
dress REVOLVE :: blazer STORETS :: boots RM
Since moving to CA, we have become avid beach goers. I mean, when in Rome, right? So after many weekends of beach-hopping, we polled the kids for the favorite beach. By this time we had visited about 6 beaches and not too surprising, Laguna Beach trumped the competition. Laguna is the most exotic of the beaches I have visited thus far, and it was easy to enjoy at Casa Laguna, where we stayed to attend the Gorjana store opening. It was a fun weekend getaway from the hustle of Los Angeles and the coffee on the veranda was a huge bonus. And the store had a photo-booth … you know, those contraptions where you put your kids in and you don’t see them for 10 hours straight? Yeah, so that was a bonus as well. After we peeled the kids away from the 52nd photo-booth picture, we hit the sack at the hotel so as to fit in a cold swim and some yummy breakfast the next morning before leaving. Thankfully, we got four sleepy heads on the long drive home and lots of memories. Can’t wait to go back!
4 Things to do in Laguna.
- Victoria Beach – Lots of rock but seal sighting is normal, great views and surf
- Casa Laguna pool – the pretty tile and lookout building was fun and romantic.
- Banzai Bowl – acai bowls are so refreshing after a morning at the beach or afternoon swim. And my kids love them!
- Zinc Cafe & Market – yummy almond milk lattes
Who doesn’t love a peasant top that pairs easily with cropped denim and sneakers? Well, I’m loving 5, to be exact. See below.
I’m back from NYC ! What a whirlwind of trip meetings and get-togethers. THE TIME HOTEL was central and gorgeous; there was great service, yummy room service breakfasts for when you run out of time (um, everyday), and a sleek design. And don’t forget to try Serafina Restaurant on the first floor. Thankfully I was back just in time to play tooth fairy, share pictures and let my littles unwrap touristy NYC key-chains. Their favorites! Next time, NYFW! Check out what I wore and favorite places I went below. Feel free to add your own.
THE TIME HOTEL :: great central location to shows and Midtown meetings.
IRVING FARM COFFEE ROASTERS 71 Irving Place, so quaint and great for meetings.
TACOMBI NOLITA 267 Elizabeth St, the cutest Mexican on Elizabeth and they use organic ingredients! I got their margarita with extra salt.
LA COLOMBE SOHO 270 Lafayette, I just love SOHO! This was a fun stop for cold brew.
heels MIU MIU :: culotte jeans SIMILAR :: crochet crop top FOREVER 21 ::
skirt SANCTUARY SIMILAR and THIS ONE :: crochet crop top FOREVER 21 ::boots VINCE CAMUTO :: leather jacket OAK LA ::
While most of our Chicago trip was spent in the suburbs with family, Reid and I got one night away in the Loop. With only one night to get away, we chose to stay at SOHO Chicago. We loved going to Allis for coffee when we lived in Chicago and had always wanted an excuse to check out the hotel upstairs. This night out was our chance.
We took the Metra from the burbs to the loop and jumped in an Uber that took us to the front door of SOHO. It was still early, so we sat in the Allis and drank coffee and ordered the nuts and grain oatmeal. The magnificence of that bottomless cup of Chicago’s own Intelligentsia coffee cannot be downplayed! After checking in, we headed upstairs.The service was friendly, the atmosphere was elite and the décor was like the Restoration Hardware catalog. If only I could have product numbers – the light fixture and chairs at the end of the bed was major bedroom inspo!
The new Billy Reid store is nearby, so we meandered there where they offered us whiskey and champagne. (Why don’t more stores do that??) We then headed to dinner at a new West Loop spot call Duck Duck Goat, which is “reasonably authentic Chinese food.” You gotta love that. I had the veggie fried rice with duck egg and Reid had the Don Don, both of which we loved. Apparently duck is the new chicken.
After dinner we scored ice cream at Bar Sienna. The ice cream was great, but the service was well below par and the smell of trash drifted across our noses as the wind blew. We decided to walk back to SOHO with our cones in our hands.
We got back to our room and went to take the sim card from the camera only to find that the corner of the sim card had broken off. This was definitely the low point of the night. But with the help of a tooth pick and some super glue, not to mention some impressive surgical skills, Reid pieced the card back together like open heart surgery. With a sigh of major relief, we headed upstairs to the roof deck to celebrate. It ended up being a beautiful night, overlooking the city that we once called home. And that was our night without kids J
What are your favorite things to do when you have a night away?
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