Vacation photos: Chicago and Michigan

We just got back from a week-long trip to Chicago and Michigan to visit my parents. We hadn't spent much time in Chicago before (thanks again for your advice!) so it was awesome to explore all the neighborhoods. Here's what we did...
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Chicago advice?

We couldn't afford a family vacation to Europe this year, so instead, we're going to Chicago next week! We wanted to go somewhere in the United States where we could explore, eat well and also swim in a lake or ocean. And after my friend visited Chicago and showed me these snapshots of her daughter wrapped in a beach towel walking among skyscrapers, we were sold.

So, I'd love to ask: Any Chicago advice? We'd love to do it right, but we're pretty clueless. So far, we're planning to eat deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, and I've heard great things about this architectural boat tour. Thank you so much for any tips!
P.S. Past family vacations, and 10 tips for traveling with a baby.

(Jumping photo from ChicagoGuide08, via Apartment Therapy)

Are you a city mouse or country mouse?

Toby is a born-and-bred city kid (who knows how to hail a cab and wear tattoos), but this Saturday, we decided to escape to the country...
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First day of summer

Yahoo! Today is the first day of summer. Actually, the season officially starts at 7:09pm, if you want to be exact. (And here are a few photos we took last summer in Fire Island.)

Once I read in Oprah that a secret to happiness is keeping a gratitude journal every night--or even just telling yourself as you falling asleep--three things that you were grateful for that day and three things you're looking forward to the next day. Anything you're especially looking forward to this summer? Even something little!

P.S. Seven summer essentials...

Motherhood Mondays: Native shoes

We were hanging out with friends this weekend, and every single child we saw was wearing Native shoes. Apparently they're the new "it" shoe for kids. It makes sense: They're waterproof, comfy and way cooler than Crocs. Until now, Toby has worn only sneakers, but we're going to order him a pair of these right now for summer vacations.

P.S. They also have them in grown-up sizes!

(Photos by Vincent Kwok and House of Hype)

Travel-themed week

Are you going on any summer vacations? Back in January, I did a travel-themed week, and I'd love to do another one this week! First up: When you're traveling with kids, bring along a soccer ball. Our friends, who have two young boys, bought a soccer ball during a trip to London, and they'd take spontaneous breaks from sight-seeing to kick the ball around. They even made friends with local kids. What a great idea!
P.S. 10 tips for traveling with a baby, and travel fantasies.

Motherhood Mondays: Doo-wop group

Toby and I were on our way to the playground on Saturday, when we passed this AMAZING doo-wop group. Toby was transfixed! It was one of those awesome New York experiences. They play every Saturday (except when it rains) on Bleecker Street right outside Murray's Cheese. Man, those voices.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! xoxo

Vacation photos: Austin

We got back from Austin last night, and we loved the trip. Austin is such a rad town, full of swimming, tattoos and rib-sticking BBQ. Here are a few photos, if you'd like to see...
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Los Angeles: Mini guide

Last fall, I wrote our personal Guide to NYC. But a few readers have also asked about our thoughts about LA, where we go every Christmas to visit Alex's family. We LOVE LA--and the sunny skies, taco trucks and dudes on skateboards. So, even though we're far from experts, I figured I'd share our favorite places in the city, and most of all I'd love to hear yours...
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Austin advice?

We're going to Austin!!! Our friends just moved there, so we're heading down for a weekend trip at the end of the month. (We figured we sneak in the trip before Toby turns two and we have to buy him plane seat.)

Everyone I know raves about Austin, and we can't wait to see it. Most of all, I'm excited to swim in Barton Springs, the 1,000-foot-long spring-fed natural pool. It looks incredible! (This monthly full-moon party would be a trip:)

Have you been to Austin? Do you live there? We'd be psyched for any recommendations! xoxo

P.S. Ten tips for traveling with a baby, and our guide to NYC.

(Photos by Budget Travel, MagazineUSA and Jack Archer)

How to make travel WAY easier

Can you imagine boarding a flight with just a wallet and your favorite book? Before you leave for vacation, LugLess will pick up your suitcases from your house and deliver them right to your destination.

A small suitcase costs $39 and a large suitcase costs $59, which are amazing prices considering that most airlines charge twenty-five bones to check a bag. Traveling without luggage would make a trip so much easier, especially when you have a wriggly baby in tow.

Having bags sent ahead is something I always assumed was reserved for the Rich & Famous, but this seems totally doable! Thumbs up, LugLess.

Which European cities are good for family trips?

Which European cities do you think are kid-friendly? We're daydreaming about pinching our pennies and possibly taking Toby to Europe this summer (he'll be two!), and I'd love to find a city that would be great with a little rascal in tow.

Which cities in Europe would you recommend for a family trip? Yolanda wrote a brilliant guide to Paris with kids, and Louisa Kamps wrote a beautiful essay on a family trip to Amsterdam. Thank you SO much for any insights! xoxo

(Photo of Berlin by Travel & Leisure)

Motherhood Mondays: Family travel

Since 2005, English photographer Tom Robinson has photographed his and his girlfriend's feet as they've traveled the world. (Remember this post?) Well, in 2011, they added a third set of feet: their daughter Matilda. How adorable and adventurous are these photos?

P.S. Tom's other genius project, I'm Going to Be a Dad.

(Via Double Takes)

5 weekend getaways near NYC

New York is an awesome place to live, but sometimes you want to escape the crowds. Luckily, there are five amazing destinations less than 2 1/2 hours from the city, so you can treat yourself to a weekend getaway...
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Elizabeth Street iPad app

Have you heard of the new iPad app Elizabeth Street? I'm excited about it. Written by a group of super chic moms (designers, museum curators, etc.), the app is a travel and lifestyle guide to the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London and Milan (with more to come), where real moms share their favorite daily routines and feature restaurants, shops, activities and daytrips. I love that the stylish moms find things that are great for both parents and children, so the whole family has a good time.

I'm looking forward to using this when we travel, as well as here in New York. (I've already learned about the best black eyeliner and where you can pet goats and sheep at nearby farms.) Always amazing to get insider tips! Find the app here.
(Images from Vogue and the L.A. Times)

Vacation photos: Los Angeles and Palm Springs

This holiday, we went to Los Angeles and Palm Springs to visit our families. Despite my computer breaking and Toby needing stitches (more on that later!), it was one of those great, boisterous trips where everyone's excited, and you return home happy and refreshed. I'd love to share a few of the highlights, if you'd like to see...
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Looking back: A year ago

Tonight we're flying to California to visit Alex's family, and my dad and brother are coming, too. Looking back at last year's vacation photos (above), I cannot believe how teeny Toby looks. He was such a baby! This year he's officially a toddler. And who knows, next year maybe he will even be a little boy.

He's always had a tendency to grow up too quickly.

I remember feeling so nervous last year about traveling with a baby. We still felt like brand new parents, and we didn't know which end was up. (Remember our walking nap?:) Thankfully over the past year, we've gotten much more confident, and now it feels like we're just taking a regular trip with a mini sidekick.

xoxoxo A weekend post coming right up, and kisses to all of you.

Motherhood Mondays: Make-your-own race track

We're leaving for California this Friday (yahoo!), and I'm trying to figure out which toys to bring with us. We can't fit many into our suitcase, so I was psyched to see this post from a Norwegian family--what a brilliant idea! All you need is tape and a toy car!

Where will you be spending the holidays?

Motherhood Mondays: How long would it take for you to feel ready to travel without your baby?

Alex and I have loved taking family vacations with Toby in tow, but lately, we've been thinking...

Wouldn't it be nice to take a trip with just the two of us? Without bananas. Without diapers. Without 6am wake-up calls! And, hey, we could read magazines on the plane. But, I can't help wondering, would we miss Toby too much? A mama's heart (and head) is a mysterious thing. Would I be able relax with my baby 1,000 miles away?

We talked it over: Alex wanted to go away for seven fabulous nights. I thought we could start with...one night. So, we settled on two nights. :) We're taking a little getaway this weekend to celebrate Alex's birthday (the destination is a surprise!), and Toby will stay home with my mom. Fingers crossed it will go smoothly, and I'll be able to turn off my parental neuroses chill out!

I'm curious: Have you been wanderlust-y recently? Where would you want to go? And fellow parents, how long did you wait to travel on your own, without your baby? Where did you go? Was it hard or awesome? Did you travel for business or pleasure first? When you were growing up, did your parents travel on their own? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!!!

Just for fun, which of these three waterfront places would you like to visit...
This hotel in Miami, where you can order a grilled fish sandwich by the pool, read magazines, and then go dancing at night.
This (budget!) hotel in Jamaica, where you'd sleep in a thatched roof villa and go snorkeling among green turtles.
This whale-watching spot in Vancouver, where you can hike along the cove, get a massage and sip single-malt scotch as the sun sets.

Which is more your style?

P.S. 10 tips for traveling with a baby.

NYC Guide: Four relaxing mini-getaways

Living in New York can be great. But sometimes the garbage trucks are too loud, the streets feel too crowded, and the mice are too in-your-living-room. Meaning: You need to get out. So, here are four easy escapes from the city that feel a world away...
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