Beek by Two Birds

Beek has been a favorite of mine for years now... they are as timeless as they are chic. While going through old photos the other day I realized, they have literally walked all over the world with me. Frankly there isn’t another pair of sandals I would rather have by my side on all my adventures. They have built in molded arches, thick leather soles perfect for exploring new places and they literally NEVER fall apart. So I just wanted to say thanks Beek... in an Instagram-esque montage. Thanks for all the “support” and love. 

Beek Sandals  

California Dreamin'

Vacationing solo with a little one is so much more rewarding and fun than most would imagine. This is our second "girls" trip (the first was a solo adventure to Mexico when she was just 2). At age 3 1/2 she has become a true partner in fun and travel... I purposely choose to set aside a week each year for some one on one time. This time we rented an Airbnb just off of Abbot Kinney in Venice beach before roadtripping to Palm Springs for a little relaxation at the Parker Hotel. In the off season the plane tickets and accommodations are so much cheaper that it's hard to pass up. We biked, hiked, dined (so much we made up for those low priced plane tickets) shopped and swam until our hearts content. Evening strolls were a highlight this trip, not only because we loved chatting but also due to the crazy heat wave we encountered. I don't allow any electronics (except occasionally on long plane rides) so we pack baggies of toys and sketch pads for most meals and car rides. Traveling with someone who loves food and trying new things as much as I do is definitely a plus. We basically ate and snacked our way through Southern California one avocado toast and smoothie at a time. I tend to hear people saying "I think age 5 or later is a good time to start traveling... when the child will enjoy and remember it".  But for me personally I think traveling is so important for people to open their minds and get out of their comfort zones. Trying new food, sleeping in different beds and most of all spending time alone and uninterrupted with a loved one are all experiences that leave a lasting impression on someone... even if they don't realize it just yet. 

Packing tips with littles

- small packable figures (I like busy book toys) 

- sketch pads and sticker books

- pack light (one suitcase and a carry on... preferably a back pack to leave your hands free) 

- a real pillow to make plane and car rides more comfortable 

Stayed

Parker Palm Springs    

Airbnb Venice Beach 

Eat

Venice Beach 

Gjelina, Gjusta, Tasting Kitchen, Malibu Farm, Butchers Daughter, Erewhon Market, Salt Air, Kreation, Joans on 3rd

Palm Springs  

Normas at the Parker, Shermans Deli, Kings Highway Diner, Mr. Lyons, Workshop 

Greece part 2- Paros, Antiparos and Athens

The second and third legs of our Grecian adventures were probably my favorite parts of the trip. Exploring new islands that weren't nearly as busy as tourist fave Santorini. We specifically picked Paros and Antiparos over the ever popular Mykonos so we could relax and not be overrun with hoards of people (cruise ships let off daily there) taking Instagram photos (lol). We rented two cars so everyone could do as they please whether it was visiting the gorgeous Kolymbithres beach and neighboring town of Naoussa or heading to the nearby fishing village of Alyki bay. We rented a gorgeous home at the south end of Paros and could easily take a 5 min ferry over to Antiparos (my fave part of the trip) to dine and shop at The Beach House. Their perfectly curated boutique was some of the best shopping I did in Greece. Parikia is another must see town on Paros for eating and wandering the picturesque cobblestone streets. Of all the travel advice I heard, none could have been more wrong than to get in and out of Athens... or skip it all together. It's a fantastic ancient city that deserves way more than a couple nights (maybe just not when it's 100 degrees).  We stayed at the Electra Metropolis hotel and it had amazing views of the Parthenon and a rooftop pool, perfect for cooling down in the summer heat. It was within walking distance to  the Plaka, shopping (both flea markets and chain favorites like Zara) and the Temple of Zeus. No better place to end a trip fit for Greek Gods. 

Stay -  

Paros- Blue Villas Collection

Antiparos-  The Beach House 

Athens- Electra Metropolis Hotel

Greece part 1- Santorini

Santorini has always been on my travel bucket list and I couldn't have been happier to tick it off the list with some of my favorite people.   Being one of the most photographed places on earth it's almost like you have been there even before you arrive. So my favorite things we did were head to a few spots I hadn't seen before in pics and discover the island for ourselves. Perissa beach and Ammoudi Bay were among my top must sees along with taking a Catamaran around the crystal blue waters. We rented an Airbnb directly in the middle of Oia and it was absolutely perfect for our family of 7. We had a 3 year old in tow and I was a bit nervous with all the cliffside accommodations and restaurants but it couldn't have been safer. Beware the sunset crowds like a running of the bulls to get their Instagram pics before all stampeding back the other way as soon as the famous Santorini sun sets. Even though we were there in the mid July heat we definitely enjoyed our hot tub dips early morning and evening (this was something I debated for hours when choosing an Airbnb). At Perissa beach we spent the day at Seaside by Notos which was absolutely perfect (bring beach shoes if you have sensitive feet, it's slightly rocky like most of Santorini's beaches and very HOT). Same tip for Ammoudi Bay if you plan on swimming, comfortable shoes that can get wet are highly recommended. Also make sure you plan on having lunch at one of the gorgeous seafood restaurants at the bottom before embarking on your sweaty journey back to the top. Or you could take a donkey for 5 euros. Santorini was the perfect spot to recover from jet lag before heading to our next Cycladic island... Paros. 

Greece part 2 - Paros and Antiparos coming soon.  

Vietnam part 2- Journey to Hanoi

After finally recovering from our 4 day journey, 24 layover in Hong Kong and a 13 hour time change we were ready to rock and roll... spring roll that is. Northern Vietnam is home to hands down the greatest spring rolls on earth (pretty sure I ate them for almost every meal). Between spring rolls and Vietnamese coffees we were ready to roll (🤷🏼‍♀️) and our jet lag was far (east) behind us. After Danang we flew to Haiphong and took a car to Halong Bay (flight was an hour and the drive was another 1 1/2 hours). I researched Halong Bay cruises endlessly and finally decided upon Paradise Cruises for a 2 night/3 days cruise. We saw fishing villages (people actually live on the water with their families and animals), hiked different islands and explored caves. The sun rarely shone and it seemed to drizzle for days but it was such a gorgeous and calm place it didn't seem to matter. Bringing our 3 year old along was absolutely no problem and they had life vests for her and she participated in all the daily tours and activities. We had planned to take a seaplane from Halong Bay to Hanoi but due to inclement weather it wasn't possible and instead took a fantastic private car/van. It was much less time than the 3-4 hours I kept reading about, in fact we even stopped twice for shopping and food and still made it in under 2 1/2 hours. Hanoi was the icing on our Vietnam cake. The sights, the smells, the people.... cities like this are the reason I fell so deeply in love with traveling and all things that go along with it. The struggles of reaching these far away places all seem to be worth it once you are riding on bike taxis and eating street food. Which honestly I didn't get to eat much of because the doctor who administered our Typhoid shots made me a nervous wreck! We stayed at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel which has to be one of my favorite places of all time. It's like a little slice of Parisian Alice in Wonderland in the middle of a bustling Far East city.  The swimming pool alone is reason enough to stay at this picture perfect hotel along with some of the best food in Hanoi. The things I miss the most are the Springs rolls, coffee and most definitely our nightly bike taxis through the busy streets of this magical city. So long for now Vietnam.... but I'll be back... hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Stay - Sofitel Metropole Hotel (Hanoi)  , Paradise Cruise (Halong Bay) 

Eat - Hanoi Social Club, Street food in Hanoi's old quarter, Opera Club Novel (spring rolls), Le Beaulieu French restaurant  

Wearing - Gucci Tshirt, Levis white jean shorts, black crane shirts, Everlane trench coat, Veja sneakers, Nomadic State of Mind rope sandals, JW Anderson skirt, Roseanna yellow knit, Zara pants

Packing list for Stella- ziplock bags filled with lots of small toys and figurines (plus we buy small trinkets along the journey), sticker books, iPad just for the airplane ride and in case they don't have English television (I don't do electronics normally so this is a treat for her and makes long airplane rides a breeze). Also I pack mostly clothes that can mix and match which is pretty easy in our case because everything is usually neutral colors.