Three Cool Things

Mr. Dyson, I hope you're ready for your kiss... I finally found a cordless vacuum cleaner!  It's compact, easy to use, has a swivelly bottom and multiple nozzles, it charges on the wall and reaches up to high places.  The only thing I hope they redesign on the next model is that, currently, you have to hold down the power button while you vacuum.  It's not THAT big a deal, since the button is in the handle.  But still... it would be nice.  Don't expect this one to clean like a big Dyson, but it will definitely get a basic job done.  Ideal for cars, hardwood floors, window shades and drapes, and easy cleanup in the kid's playroom.

My mom randomly grabbed these at the grocery store while visiting me recently.  She never buys potato chips, so I was shocked, but since they were SWEET potato chips, I gave her a pass.  Yeah-- the bag was gone in 2 days.  These little guys taste like salted, toasted marshmallows.  Sounds bizarre, but it's SO FRIGGIN GOOD.

On a recent jaunt through Anthropologie I was enchanted by this simple rose perfume in a stunning amulet with a gem cap.  The floral fabric inlay in it's adorable case demands use, and this is now my travel perfume.  When I'm not traveling it sits on display in my bathroom.  I LOVE this!

Wardrobe Wednesday!

My favorite DENIM SHIRT... two ways!

London!

LONDON! 
What a great city you are.  The whole world is in London.  It's beautiful, clean and full of generally amiable (and terribly civilized) people.  Plus, it has my favorite city skyline! I had a great 10 day stay and met some really lovely people.  Here' s a little run-down on my trip and some favorite spots…

  

Stayed for 5 days in Kensington W14 which was on the far end where Hammersmith meets Kensington High St.  While our flat was cozy, the location proved a bit inconvenient in the rain.  I have to admit, I was hoping for something a bit more central.  This spot would be good in the summer when the sun is out more, or for someone renting a car.

Next I moved for the weekend into Hampstead, which is a perfectly charming little town on the outskirts of London.  Busy enough to keep you occupied, quiet enough to give you peace.  If I ever live in London, this is the spot I would most likely settle into.  Very family friendly, great shopping, GREAT food, beautiful architecture… for first time London visitors, visit Hampstead.

At last, I spent two nights at the Kensington London Hotel off off Queen's Gate Rd.  This was exactly the central type of location I had been hoping for all along.  We were just round the corner from lots of food, taxis were right outside on the main st., we were one block from the buses and the tube (both of which were shockingly clean and very easy to navigate), and about a half mile walk from the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Much to my great chagrin, the costume exhibit I was frothing at the bit to see at the V&A was closed and would not re open until May 19.  Then I made a great trek with the baby across town via two buses to see Shakespeare's The Globe theatre, only to have missed the last tour. :(  Aside from these two minor setbacks, I did get to see a few other things that were very cool.  Of course, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey were on the list.  I walked across what the locals call "The Wobbley Bridge" which is actually the Millennium Bridge, walked around St. Paul's Cathedral (which has to be the largest church in London), meandered through SoHo and buried my wallet deep in my purse to keep me from impulse buying, had a visit to local church "Reality London" which meets in a very cool space near Islington.

To cap off the trip, I took in a performance of the new musical Singin In the Rain-- which was SENSATIONAL!  It actually rains onstage.  It was very, very cool and thrilling at every turn.  Bright colors, gorgeous choreography, I thought this was far better than the film.  If you live in London or are visiting GO SEE THIS!!!

I'm looking forward to returning to England and branching outside of London next time to see the famed rolling hills and castles!

Look for more about my trip in an upcoming issue of ZOOEY MAGAZINE, where I took Zooey to two fabulous shopping areas… one for vintage, and one for modern, and both are usually off visitors' radar!  More details on that coming soon!

See a VIDEO from my trip on WHOSAY

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mum's Day!  Here's a message that brought me to tears, sent by a friend.  And click on the picture above if you'd like to buy this print from Etsy...

 Enjoy!

Parisian Perfume

While in Paris recently, I stopped into a little shop on Rue de Bellechasse called ANNICK GOUTAL.  The shopkeeper was elegant and friendly and very helpful in selecting just the right scent.  My two personal favorites were Grand Amour (vanilla, rose, myrrh, jasmine, and honeysuckle notes) and Songes (notes of frangipani, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood and gardenia)!

Airport Chic (with a toddler)

I just went from New York to London with my one year (plus some) old.  She is a seasoned flyer, so I already had that working for me.  However, packing for a long airplane trip is a different story.  When we first started flying I packed a GIANT carryon that nearly broke whichever shoulder I wore it on, and, if I had a separate ticket for her, I always had her carseat in the other arm.  It was exhausting.   Not to mention the fact that it's very hard not to look frumpy when so much energy is going to baby.

I'm happy to say that thought trial and error I have learned some efficient ways to fly with a baby/young toddler while still managing to look & feel young and hot!  I hope you'll be able to put some of these into use!

GET IN GEAR

If baby has his/her own seat on the plane, bringing along the car seat (which you will undoubtedly need at your destination) can be helpful when the kiddo falls asleep.  They're already used to sleeping in it in the car-- why not the plane?  The problem is lugging it around the airport.  Voila!  An umbrella stroller will be your best friend at the airport.  Clock the handle on the car seat all the way back as far as it goes, then pull the stroller handles through the car seat handle and shimmy the car seat down onto the stroller seat.  Car seat is now secure and easily pushed around.  Plus you have a space-saving stroller for your destination.

PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT

First things first-- the bag.  Save yourself the trouble of bringing the perfect cute diaper bag.  One shoulder bags are completely impractical while traveling with kids.  Get a cute backpack.  Nowadays, chic backpacks are called "satchels" :) and there are tons of fabulous ones out there in leather, canvas, vinyl, etc...  Backpacks are not just for school anymore!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

It's not that hard to pull off chic-comfortable.  Chances are, on a long flight, you won't want to be in jeans.  My personal airport favorite is black leggings, a soft animal print tee, a cozy sweater wrap and some comfy-but-eye-catching flats.  I also stuff some ankle socks in my bag for going through security and for warmth on the plane.

THE BARE NECESSITIES

Pick out what you absolutely need for you, on the wonderful chance baby might sleep most of the flight.  I like to have my iPad, earbuds, eye mask, macbook air, and a small journal.  I also have a small toiletry bag with gum, facial moisturizer, an eyelash curler, lip balm and a snack bar.

For my daughter I try to pack enough to keep her occupied when she's awake, but not so much that my bag isn't close-able.  I never travel with less than 6 diapers and a package of wipes.  Also great to have on hand are those squeeze packets of baby food.  Maria is particularly fond of Ella's Kitchen brand.  In lieu of a lot of books (though i usually bring one) are learning flashcards!  A stack of flashcards can kill lots of time with a toddler.  I also bring ziplock bags, a sippy cup, a small stuffed animal and a baby blanket.  One last toy that has proven extremely useful is LeapFrog's "chat & count cell phone".  I was dubious at first, not wanting to give my daughter a video game.  But this is very simple, there are no colors and the screen does not light up.  It's like a Kindle with basic animation.  A little dog sings and dances and tells her the numbers she's pressing, etc...  It's a great little learning game, and is extremely effective at calming an agitated toddler.

So, those are my recommendations for compact traveling with young ones.  Hope it helps! xo

PS I'm obsessed with...

I'm kind of obsessed right now with PS I MADE THIS... where people post their DIY projects online, like this...