Have snacks will travel....

So it was that time again.
Traveling with the tot.
This time we have a walking, snacking machine.
We went to Miami for the South Beach Food & Wine festival.
The festival put us up at the Fountainbleau
Being on the beach a plus.  Being at hotel that is like Vegas...not my favorite thing.

My notes:

CAR SEAT TRAVEL:
If you can afford it DO IT.  I won't get on my high horse on the safety issues.
But a LAP CHILD at one and a half?  Come on people.

I am still mastering the whole travel with a big car seat situation but the Brica Roll n' Go saved my life. You check your stroller (read below) and when you get out of your car or cab that you took to the airport you strap this roller onto the car seat.  Done.  Now you have a stroller car seat.  Yes, they make an all in one (you may click here...) but it's not that great.  Trust me, I did the research already for you. 

The car seat I used for this trip....a  Britax Marathon Classic
Issue: You can only really get it at Target for some reason.  It's safe, light(ish) and most importantly EASY TO USE.

SNACKS:
He ate the whole time.
Say what you will about kids and snacking but a cross country flight means all rules are out.
I brought  a small little cooler bag and an ice pack.
That way I could bring milk and some fresh fruit on the plane.
I am SERIOUS about my snacks.
 
Horizon's milk boxes
In LAX they did a full pat down of me at security.
Due to the milk carton not being see through.
In Miami I just put it through the scanner.
Sonny drank it.  So it was worth it.

My other snacks:  
Plum Organics Food pouches (he still loves them)
Kashi Breakfast bars
Just Fruit or Whole Food or Trader Joes freeze dried fruit
Annie's Chedder Bunnies
Late July Peanut Butter sandwich crackers

I love experimenting with snacks for him.

LUGGAGE:
Checked (for FREE) the City Mini stroller.
BUT I put it in the City mini travel bag

Wheels come off of City Mini stroller (so easy I promise) and everything fits into this bag.
Warning: If you want to shove more stuff in the bag don't over pack. They will charge you for an extra bag if they check.  A nice skycap told me this information.

Sonny has a LL BEAN roller duffle.

On the plane we take one bag for him and one for me.  I go backpack. That way I am handsfree.  I used my trustworthy Patagonia bag.  Though I would maybe go for a bigger backpack next time.

The ipad was loaded with lots of app's and tv shows.
He did not nap which was INSANE.  Four hours to Miami and five and a half on the way home.  That's right 5 1/2  Crazy.  He was so distracted by all the passengers and overhead announcements.  As soon as the plane hit the ground he fell alseep....and the car...to and from the airports.  OF COURSE!!

Other quick tips I got from friends and internet research:

-bring close pins to shut the heavy drapes/shades in the room.
Totally worked and glad I had them.

-blue painters tape to seal up the outlets.  Obviously if your child is old enough to pull of the tape then this is not necessary.

More questions email me...
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Sarah x

Traveling with the tot.

Once again we were off.
this time with our little man.

Many flights in August and September
2 of which were international
all with a crawling and almost walking baby...

Not looking for a medal or a monument but the husband and I rocked it.  Full disclosure.
We traveled internationally with my family.  So we had some help keeping him entertained.

I will start with the mantra EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT.  So some of what my little Mister likes I am sure your little one may not.

But, when traveling I say try it all!!!  This post aims more towards kids that are over 6 months.

SNACKS
most people who know me well associate me with with snacks.  I ALWAYS have them.
(Like for me, not the kid) Having the baby has double the snacks.  The plane ride was made a lot easier because of the list below.  It is in no particular order.  Some of the snacks I break apart into smaller pieces.

Mum Mums
That's It Fruit Bars
Happy Baby Munchies
Plum Organic Packets

Side note: international styling...In Denmark our guy ate what we ate. Finding things that he was accustomed to like yogurt and a banana were easy. But, eating the food specific to the country(Danish bread and butter were amazing!)  made the trip fun!

WHAT ELSE?
I brought a gallon size ziplock bag with toys.
Stacking cups, shakers, wood teether's.  Small books.  Of course on the plane he loved playing with the light button, headphones, blanket and everything else he could put in his mouth.

He is going to walk soon and I normally don't put shoes on him.  So these moccasin's are the BEST.   The Nowali Knit Moccasin

Other items I swear by:

The City Mini stroller
the easy PULL TO FOLD is key in all travel scenerios

aden and anis swaddles
I think Sonny will have these when he is 12.  They can be a blanket, a cover for the stroller or wipe up any mess.

Patagonia Diaper bag
Its not really marketed that way but I figured it would work.  Converts into backpack plus tote and also folds super small into it's own pouch!

So that is some of my travels tips...any specific questions leave a comment or email me.
Stay tuned for more fun travel, food and fashion posts.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Sarah x

It's time to GO!! Grab the kid!!

(top photo: in front of cherry trees in Golden Gate Park, middle photo: Dad and baby waiting for lunch at Boot and Shoe Service, bottom photo: little man Sonny playing on his mat)

 Traveling with a baby is fun...and what I mean by fun is,
"HOLY SH-T you have to bring a ton of crap!"
 Now some might say travel light...but I am of the people that say:"better safe than sorry".

Car ride...different than.... plane ride.

Car ride...can entail more stuff because you have no restrictions except space.
I was not going camping or traveling to the middle of no where...so I knew if we NEEDED it we could find it.

As I realized quickly,  if you can rent an apartment or score a washer/dryer....do it.
So worth it with a wee little one.

Not going to write the whole list of what we brought..
If ya really want some more specifics on clothes, food, products feel free to email me.

Here are SOME of my MUST HAVES:

LOTS OF WIPES
Huggies 

BAGS
Ziploc or just recycle plastic bags from the grocery store or drugstore 
when you are in a hotel room or someone's home it is smart to bag a dirty diaper before throwing it away.  You don't want the whole place to...well, ya know where I am going with this....

MY DIAPER BAG
Patagonia Lightweight  Travel Tote (love that it can be a backpack or a tote)

NOT A NECESSITY BUT CAME IN HANDY
Car Bottle warmer 

GREAT FOR ANYTHING THAT IS PERISHABLE
Igloo Cooler Bag

BEST ALL AROUND TOY
Skip Hop Owl

EASY ORGANIC BABY FOOD
Earth's Best

FEEDING SPOONS
Green Toys Feeding Spoons (love these)

BLANKET FOR FLOOR OR PLAYMAT
Skip Hop Activity Mat (we just brought the blanket part)

FLASHLIGHT
LED mini (it came in handy when I had to check on the little man)

BEST OVERALL JACKET
Patagonia Synchilla (he has used this since he was 2 months old.  He is wearing it in the top photo with the matching hat)

PORTABLE CRIB
The Go Crib (This one is great.  Takes a few times to master but is a great pack/play option)


Sarah x

SF family style

 

Photo of Locanda via Grubstreet and our little family

We made this a family trip.  I know I know "how the hell did we eat all these places with the baby?"  Well, we didn't.  All dinner's were sans little one.  Thanks to helpful babysitter friends BILLY (Manny shout out) and Meghan (new friend shout out)
Also there was a lack of shopping or cultural activities.  Though I was so psyched to make it to the De Young Museum with the baby.

I will also do a post on baby travel.
We DROVE to SF.  Six fabulous hours on the 5 freeway.
So I know what to pack.

Gotta say we love San Francisco. 

Sarah x

FOOD:
Una Pizza Napoletna
dinner
Did a pick up and brought back to hotel to eat and watch the little one fall asleep.

Slanted Door
lunch
A must on any of our SF trips.
I honestly have never had a bad meal here.  GET the Vietnamese crêpe.

Cotogna
lunch
Lunch here was delicious.  A bounty of produce from the local markets and ingredients from all over the surrounding Bay area.

Saison
dinner 
The husband's "must try fancy meal" of the trip. It's super cool location made for a very interesting dinner.  Everything on the menu is touched by the wood fire burning in the front of the restaurant.  This one is a doozy in terms of price so be prepared.

Boot and Shoe Service
lunch
Man...they just get it right.  From the geniuses behind one of my favorite U.S. restaurants
Pizzaolo in Oakland comes there second stellar restaurant.  Enjoy EVERYTHING.

In Canto
dinner
This place is fun.  Packing them in like crazy to eat all parts of the animal.
Pasta dishes were fabulous.  This place is an institution for head to tail eating.

Mission Chinese
dinner
Lots of hype and a long wait but we did it.  No ice for the drinks but a killer soundtrack of hardcore hip hop and rap.  The food was damn tasty.


Locanda
dinner
Absolutely best meal of the trip.  I can't even list all the things I enjoyed because it was pretty much the whole meal.  Book in advance for this place.

Tartine Bakery
breakfast/lunch
As mentioned before in another SF post will not and can not leave SF without getting me some pastries.  Sticky Bun and a Croissant. The husband must eat the Ham and cheese Croissant.  Done and Done.

Blue Bottle
daytime treat
You would think they were handing out free $100 bills at this place.  But, the product stands for itself. 

Cow Girl Creamery
daytime treat
You diary free?  Don't even walk past this place at the Ferry Building.


CULTURE:
De Young Museum
One of my favorite museums in the country.  The museum is smack dab in Golden Gate park.  We made it to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit that had JUST opened.  It was pretty damn good.  They used live imagery on the mannequin's faces to look as if they were speaking to the audience.  Think of it as an updated Disney version minus the creepy animatronics.

SF posts coming soon...

Posts from our family trip to the city by the bay....
SAN FRANCISCO coming soon....
Give me a minute.....we just got back last night!!

A little taste.....

LOCANDA was my favorite meal of the trip...
Fried Castelveltrano olives???  I had a dream about them last night.

Sarah x

School is looking mighty nice here...

Anyone stay here yet?  During Sundance perhaps?

I found information on the Washington School House Hotel in the new
April issue of ELLE DECOR.
Man oh man...my kind of spot.
A converted school house on a quiet street in the center of Park City.
Luxury all the way from bed linens to the killer bathroom set up.

Genius.

Could be a nice get away from LA even in the summer....

Sarah x

New England Travels-Maine

 

 I have been very fortunate to travel to Maine and New England through most of my life.  A family member has a house in the Bar Harbor area for over 30 years.  I went to sleep away camp on Lake Winnipesaukee for 8 years.  So most of my childhood summer memories revolve around New England.  To say I miss it is an understatement.  I knew my "babymoon"/ last big trip with the husband (and little one inside the belly) should be a trip up to Bar Harbor.

Last post focused on Boston.  Then we took a nice drive up the coast stopping in Portland for two nights.  We then drove across the farmland north by Augusta towards Belfast and up to Bar Harbor.  The trip had typical Maine weather from fogged and rainy in Portland to pure sunshine and glory in Bar Harbor.

Here we go...

PORTLAND:

Museum:
Portland Museum of Art
Went to the huge exhibit on John Marin.

Places to Stay:
Portland Harbor Hotel

Bakeries:
Two Fat Cats
Amazing Pies

The Standard Baking Company
Sticky Buns and tons of fresh baked bread!

Coffee:
Bard Coffee
Live music.  Great acoustic set by Pete Miller.
You heard about him here first.  I think he is GREAT!

Breakfast:
Hot Suppa
One of the best we have had in a long long time. 

French Fries:
Duckfat

Dinner:
Fore Street
Wood Fire Mussels?!!!  

Shopping:
Rogues Gallery
Black Parrot
Portland Dry Goods

BAR HARBOR AREA:

Random Lobster Roll and BBQ:
Maine Luau

Seasonal Kitchen/Sandwich Shop:
Mother's Kitchen Foods

Bakery:
Little Notch Bakery
(three locations in the area)

Market:
Sawyer's
(pricey but has local produce and can't find at Kroger ingredients)

Fried Clams:
Jordan's Snack Bar
(a MUST for fried Clams)

Acadia National Park:
Highlights included Bass Harbor Light House, Cadillac Mountain and the Fjords of Somes Sounds. 

Hikes are plentiful for both pregnant ladies and advanced hikers. Wonderland was nice.

We took a side trip to an antique's barn called Elmer's.  We heard about while in Portland. It was a pretty insane place.  A front yard filled with what some would say was junk...but the barn held many fun treasures.

We also cooked a ton and ate off the land and sea in front of our house.  It was so fun!

My husband might have more spots that I have forgotten but overall that's the adventure we had in New England. 

So stay tuned for some more pre-baby posts!

Sarah x

New England Travels-Beantown

You still with me on this??
Boston holds a special place in my heart.  I went to college at Emerson and enjoyed my time in this fine city.  So on my husband's first New England adventure we had to make a
major stop in Beantown. Food scene is great, weather was pretty good(I would not go in the winter!  Summer was great...Fall is the BEST) and the people are unique.  Bruins won and they caught the mobster Whitey Bulger. All when we were in town!
Perfect.

Here we go.....

BOSTON/CAMBRIDGE

Boston Food:
Anything and everything Barbara Lynch. 
You want a to hear about a successful woman in the food industry?  Look no further.
The woman is unstoppable.
We went to:  Butcher Shop, Drink, Sportello and B&G Oysters.

Also working their magic in town are Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.
We enjoyed meals at Coppa and Torro

The dinner I wish I could have eaten raw fish:
O Ya

Beacon Hill:
The Paramount.  Stand and wait like everyone else.
Best Blueberry pancakes!

Louisburg Square one of the most historic and beautiful parts of Beacon Hill.

Places to walk, talk and check out on a nice day:
Newbury Street, Boston Common, the Boston Public Garden and The Esplanade.

The North End:
Neptune Oyster
Maria's Pastry Shop

Cambridge Food:
For a great dinner...
Hungry Mother
Bondir

Cambridge Bakery:
SOFRA 

Cambridge Daytime Activities:
Found our way and wandered around Kinsley Park and Fresh Pond Reservation

Muesums:
Isabella Stewart Gardner (A MUST!)
MFA Boston(caught the Chihuly exhibit which was awesome)

Gallery:
Panopticon (Inside the Hotel Commonwealth and upstairs from the large Eastern Standard restaurant)

Places to stay:
XV Beacon or for total central access Copley Square Hotel or the Marriott

Will follow up this post with MAINE. 
Sarah x

Let's start with Philly

Our East coast journey started in Philadelphia.  My husband and his business partner were there as part of a wonderful charity event to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  The Great Chef's event took place in the Urban Outfitters headquarters at the Navy Yard.  Amazing location and a fantastic evening raising over $800,000!!  Excited to announce they will also be part of the events happening in LA and NY over the next few months.

We spent few days in Philly.  Here is my breakdown:

ICE CREAM and CANDY
yes and yes...these guys are awesome.  Old ice cream shop.  They just bought one of the oldest candy stores in the country and are going to open soon.
The Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery

LADIES WHO LUNCH
Had a sweet little lunch at PARC off Rittenhouse Square.

NIGHTTIME MEALS
Zahav
Amis

BRUNCHY, BREAKFAST GOODNESS
Honey's Sit N' Eat

Off to NY next....

Sarah x

back and ready to post

Gave myself the weekend to unwind from my travels.
Will be posting this week about our New England adventures.

Sarah x

Posting and coasting

So I am here...like I am looking at other people's blogs and enjoying my iPad.
But, what I can't figure out is how to post pictures from this damn thing.
If anyone can help me please comment. It won't let me upload a photo.
Currently enjoying the east coast and will be back soon on the www with plenty of good food and fun from all my travels.

Sarah xx

It's time to spill the beans

So I have been in and out of blogging recently...
I was supposed to go the Cannes Film Festival last week.  A short film I produced was accepted into the prestigious Critics Week.  But, I came down with a bad sinus infection and could not travel.  Super bummed.

Also....I am 5 1/2 months pregnant due in September.
Not one to be very public about these things.  I am superstitious. 
But, it was time to spill the beans.

My love for blogs like pretty mommy and my dear friend zoe's macaroon original have grown.  Cool mom's telling it like it is.  Sharing their knowledge.

Things like my snoogle have made my John Robshaw bed look a wreck.
But it's moments like when I can eat 2 ice cream sandwiches,  20 snacks a day or cream cheese and olive sandwiches with no guilt that I feel like, man....this is FUN.

In all seriousness this baby is moving and shaking around and I love it.
But, this blog will continue.  Maybe some fun baby stuff, maybe not.
My husband and I will be heading out for a great east coast road trip and adventure next month.  Stay tuned for food and fun from New England.

I thank you all for your continue support of my little space on the www.
Sarah xx

Some Shopping in TX

I have to say for three trips within four weeks to Texas I made out ok.
Some nice vintage and a few homeware items.

Here are some of the shops we hit up in AUSTIN. 
Buy an Austin Eat.Shop guide.
I can't say it enough.  They are hands down the best, most local guides I know.

Sarah x

Great Men's Shop
Stag

Unisex for Clothes and Wonderful Homeware
Spartan
Bows+ Arrows

Bedding and Baby Goodies
Wildflower Linens and Home

Womens Vintage and Great Shops
Kick Pleat
Feathers

Austin Dinner Spots at SXSW

 

Nope no pictures of BBQ.  But, the sweet goodness of the trailer trucks serving up snow cones and doughnuts!

So let's start with the doughnuts.  It is an epic tale of weary travelers trying to score a late night snack.  My husband and my best friend's husband (yep he was at SXSW for work and joined us for late night food and fun.  Sorry Liz we missed you) went to sushi and doughnuts twice.

Here is the breakdown:

Night One:
Dinner three people at Uchi followed by arriving to Gourdoughs doughnut trailer to find out they RAN OUT OF DOUGH!  Not cool.  So we went to Magnolia Cafe on South Congress for late night snacks.  A brownie sundae, a piece of pie and a chocolate chip pancake.

Night Two:
Dinner with four people at Perlas followed by a late night run with my filmmaker and the husband to The Liberty and the awesome East Side Kings trailer.  Perlas is good.  Simple seafood in the heart of Austin.  Oak Grill makes everything taste better.

Night Three:
Dinner three people at Uchiko followed by a return to Gourdoughs.  They had dough and we proceeded to ordered a bunch to try and taste test.  We all determined that the doughnut hole option is better then the big doughnuts.  The smaller ones taste better and get good and crispy on the outside.

Snow cones were from Sno Beach.  A trailer on Barton Springs Road.  Picture above is of Grape and Sweet Tea.  A must on a hot day.  They were killing it.

Austin food scene is fun.  There is a feeling of people that care about food but also don't want to over do it.  Trailers galore.  A full choice of cuisines to choose from all over town.

I will post my lunch spots soon..

Sarah x

coming soon...AUSTIN update

sorry people...I have been in Austin in my producer role. 
I had a short film at SXSW.
Super exciting times in Austin.  The husband came for support.  Real sweet.
Met up with a bunch of friends that were in town for work and play.
Per usual we ate our way through the city...

Will post some fun stores and restaurants in the next few days.
Sarah x

(photo from super cool store Spartan)

Santa Barbara

Ok maybe not the best outfit choices but I was hanging with my mom and really who cares!! It was perfect 70 degrees!!!

Here is my noteworthy food list:

La Super-Rica Taqueria
Can't miss this famous Mexican spot while in Santa Barbara.
I always, always go here.

Paradise Cafe:
GREAT burger on an Oak Grill!!!

McConnells Ice Cream:
local and delicious

Tupelo Junction Cafe:
On State Street in SB. Good hush puppies.

Olio e Limone
Best Pasta of the trip. Even their simple capellini pomodoro. My mom had a wonderful ravioli dish.

We were outdoors everyday. Here are some of our favorite places:

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Butterfly Beach

Sterns Wharf

Hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy Santa Barbara. It only took us an hour from LA. On the way back: hour and a half on a Friday mid day. It is very relaxed up there, lots of artists and of course students. A fun place to visit for a day trip from LA or an overnight.

Sarah x

traveling the coast

Yep...I am at it again....Absent due to travel.
Posts coming soon on fun things to do in Santa Barbara.
Yes the views and weather have been UNREAL.
Once again, I apologise to everyone who lives East of the state of California.

Sarah x

Sofia's fancy hotel Rec's

Thanks for all the love on the new do!! Some of you asked me via blog (and outside the www) how to get in touch with my friend who cuts my hair. I have to check with her before handing out the info. Hope you all understand.

Onward to the cool little gem I came across today. Nowness.com has Sofia Coppola's favorite hotel suite recommendations for around the globe. There is also some sweet pictures and a small interview from the set of her new movie SOMEWHERE.

Hope 2011 has started out with fun surprises and lots of love.
If not, deep breathes. We have awhile until 2012 rolls into town.

Sarah x

Take off!

I know... I can be a horrible blogger. Where have I been??
Well, you try to blog with a family of five and your parents all at your house! While they are on their way back to the snowy east coast I am sitting here in rainy LA just relaxing.

I caught this picture of Rachel Bilson (she is one of my favorite fashion gals) perfectly dressed to hightail it out of the Los Angeles. Love that she is rocking the Jansport backpack. Would love to know where her jeans are from? Anyone?
(yes, these photos are from justjared.com. Yes, I feel badly about using paparazzi shots. But, she looks so cute!)

Hope all my readers have been enjoying the holidays. Here's to a fun filled New Year's eve. I am staying local.

Any big plans?

Sarah x

Favorite Travel Accessory

Favorite travel accessory Muji's Neck Cushion.
I wear it on around my waist while I squeeze myself into a middle seat (I am the best wife always giving my husband the WINDOW!!)
It is compact and helps with the lumbar support.

It's on SALE!!!!

sarah x