The Perfect Travel Pouch
After looking at dozens of ipad cases and travel pouches, I couldn't find what I was looking for: a case large enough to fit my ipad, with an inner pocket for carry-on toiletries and an outer pocket with several easy-to-access pockets for multiple passports. I also wanted it to be slightly padded to protect the contents, with a plastic inner lining (hidden underneath the fabric) to protect my ipad in case of leaks. Ok, it's a little obsessive compulsive, but I don't think I'm asking for too much:)
I asked my friend, Eliana, a designer and all around sewing guru (she created almost every throw pillow in our home...14 to be exact!), to create a travel pouch to meet my specifications. She delivered. I found the navy and white striped fabric and the lavender lining at Fishman's Fabrics, and provided Eliana with a crude drawing and measurements, and she took over. After I received the finished product from Eliana, I took it to a local monogram shop and added my monogram. I'm thrilled with the results, and I'm so happy to be able to have all of my essentials safely coexisting in one spot.
I also asked Eliana to create something similar for my best childhood friend who is getting married in June. Our bridesmaids dresses are navy, so the navy and white fabric was perfect. I added her initial along with her fiance's, to make it a little more personal. I hope it will be helpful addition for their travels during their honeymoon, and even more special becasue it was created just for them.
If you can't find what you are looking for, you have to take things into your own hands (and the hands of talented friends) to bring them to life!
CATEGORIES: Kids and family, Beautiful things
Hair Envy
One of my 6 year old daughter's sweet friends recently asked me why I always have my hair in a ponytail or a bun, and my daughter immediately answered, "beause she's comfortable with her hair like that"! In my case, "comfortable" is a kind word for a lazy, quick fix. My "hairstyle" is usually done at a stop light in the car while driving my daughter to school in the morning. My hair has not been the same since having my second child, and it has the volume of newborn baby hair. Case in point, I was looking for a ponytail holder in my daughter's room a few months ago, and ended up using a Barbie rubberband. Barbie's ponytail is actually thicker than mine is...subtantially thicker. I need to look into some serious haircare products to boost my volume, but in the meantime, here are a few (more polished) buns, topknots and ponytails that I've had my eye on. If only I could borrow just a few strands....
Top image via Elizabeth Mayville, all other images via Pinterest
CATEGORIES: Kids and family
Traveling in Style
We lived in London for two years before moving to Chicago, and in that time we probably took 20 flights (around ten were transatlantic) with our new baby. My main focus was keeping my daughter content, so I dressed primarily for comfort (and nursing), and it wasn't pretty: worn yoga pants, a nursing top and sneakers. My daughter was a good traveler, but I always felt like I was on high alert and could never completely relax. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was exhausted, and looked like I had run a marathon. These days, with older kids and lots of flight time under our belts, I can actually dress like an adult, and arrive feeling more relaxed and put together. On our upcoming warm weather family getaway, I plan on wearing my favorite classic Cambridge blazer from Two Penny Blue, a big, cozy scarf, comfortable jeans, my softest striped shirt from Chance, and flats on the plane. It's taken about five years to get to this stage!
Counting down the days to sand and sun...
1. J. Crew jeans 2. Lanvin flats 3. Hermes Rivale bracelet 4. Two Penny Blue Cambridge blazer 5. Chance boatneck shirt 6. Kelly Wearstler sky marble scarf
CATEGORIES: Kids and family
