Flying With A Toddler

So. You've decided to embark on a journey with your toddler. You're probably a bit stressed out and thinking "Am I crazy?!" No. No you are not crazy. You are adventurous. You are giving your children the opportunity to meet new people and see beautiful places with you! What a gift to bring them on adventures with us, right?! Yep. Just keep telling yourself that. Here are some tips and tricks for traveling with your littles in tow:

1. SKIP THE LINE & PACK LIGHT. While this might not be possible if you're going on a longer trip, I like to pack as lightly as possible. Not only does this alleviate the ticket/baggage line, it also saves you time once you get to your destination. We're always desperate to get out of the airport, so it's amazing to not have to wait for our bags! So, if possible, only pack carry-ons. I have a backpack and a Burton rolling bag that I swear by.

2. STOCK UP ON NEW ENTERTAINMENT. I read that you should have a new something for your child to play with for every 15 minutes of the flight. I thought this was ridiculous, but it proved to be true! Some things will entertain your kids longer than others (i.e. Paw Patrol=live saver). It's always better to be over prepared when it comes to entertainment. Here's a list of my favorite in-flight activities: 

-Magnetic Fun

-Stickers

-New book (we love Amazing Airplanes)

-Mess-free drawing
-Activity binder - just google "toddler activity binder" and you'll find a ton of great ideas

-Snacks! Make sure you have a mess-free cup they can hold. My boy loves holding his own snacks!
-New iPad games and videos. Make sure you load some favorite TV shows (I usually just purchase a few episodes of Paw Patrol, Curious George, etc in case my plane doesn't have wifi. Make sure you have entertainment that will work without wifi!) 

*Don't forget toddler headphones. Max doesn't love wearing his, but it was nice to have the option.

3. RELAX! This is a tough one. Of course you're going to have some nerves and anxiety about being in a confined space with total strangers and your rambunctious kid. But I've learned that most people are extremely patient. A lot of people have been in the same position and are more than willing to lend a helping hand when you (inevitably) drop something out of your way-too-full hands.

Anybody else have good tricks for traveling with kiddos? Any new activities/ideas are more than welcome!

Heading To The East Coast

A 4AM wake-up call is only acceptable for one purpose : adventure.
And that's exactly why Timothy and I are up with the sun this morning.



We packed our bags and we're heading to the east coast!
We're catching a flight to Philadelphia, then heading to New Jersey to meet up with some friends.
We'll be staying on the Jersey Shore for the next week!
Only there won't be any crazy night life or guidos or fist-pumping for us.
We'll be there for a completely opposite reason : church camp.
Tim is playing bass at a camp with the above-mentioned friends.
It's right on the ocean, so it's bound to be a blast!
I'll try to update as much as possible while I'm away!
Happy Weekend! Wohoo!!

los angeles, i'm yours

I'm packing up and leaving for LA in the morning!
My Mom, sister, and I always take a trip together, once a year...usually around our birthday.
My twin & I are celebrating our birthday on the 30th of this month, so we're sneaking away for a 'girls only' trip to Los Angeles!

I lived in LA when I was a kid, so a part of my heart has always loved LA and thought of it as home.
We still have lots & lots of family there.
We're planning on making our rounds to said family, going shopping(lots!), eating Pinkberry,
going to the ocean, and soaking up those beautiful mountain views!


This is the little suitcase I'll be taking.
I'm notorious for overpacking...It's almost pathetic actually.
I just throw as much into my suitcase as I can..."just in case"
But lately I've been trying to be a bit smarter with my packing.

I'll give you a little horror story that changed my views on packing:
Rewind 2 years ago.
My sister & I were flying out to New Zealand to spend time with the boys we would end up marrying.
We, of course, had to pack our whole lives into our suitcases.
We had to have the perfect outfits for the perfect dates with the perfect guys, right?!
Wrong.
On our way home, the airline wouldn't let us take all of our luggage!! It weighed too much.
So we had to leave an entire suitcase behind!
And, you know what...that suitcase is awaiting our return. Still in New Zealand.
Like I said. Pathetic.

Anyway, I was just laughing at myself today as I packed...thinking of the ridiculous NZ scenario.
Thought I'd share that with all you overpackers ;)

I'll try my best to do a couple updates while I'm in California.
If not, I'll be back on Friday!

love you(s), Christen

we could ring out like mission bells

i meant to post these photos before i left for california, but i just ran out of time!
so here they are, now that i'm back home.

i wore this comfy dress on the 4 hour flight out to oakland, ca.
it was super easy to travel in!
soft + stretchy = perrrrfect airplane dress.

we found this lovely little garden the evening before i left.
it's by a park near our place.
isn't it just the cutest?









[and of course you have to take a little sweater along!]

dress: free people (borrowed from my sister), tights: target, boots: marshalls, scarf: thrifted, bag: aldo, sweater: deliahs

[timothy. my little lion man. really, he's yawning ;)]


[what i packed. i usually overpack. so i decided to set out my outfits this time!]


[my mom, me, and my twin at bonnie raitt. i've got more photos from california on the way!]


[oh, and we went to a cowboys & indian (housewarming) party before i left. thought i'd show you our costumes!]


now i'm back in indiana.
my sister and i get to spend the afternoon together today!
we've been watching master chef on netflix. kind of addicting ;)

oh, and my sister Kylie showed me this video the other day.
i love the song, and the video is gorgeous!
i mean, they're both just so cute to watch!
give it a look/listen:
"mission bells" by armistice.


have a beautiful thursday, friends!

love you(s).

Colorado & St. Louis - Lots & Lots O' Photos

so, i've been a busy, busy bee the last few days.
some friends from New Zealand have been staying with us this past week
and it's been a BLAST!
we've had tons of fun showing them our little part of the world.

so, in the midst of all the business, i'm popping in to share some photos of mine & tim's recent trips!

are you ready for some Colorado & St. Louis beauty?!
i hope so. because here it is!



we celebrated a beautiful year of marriage in the mountains of colorado.
we went on this real-life steam train. it was gorgeous!























and then we had a quick weekend trip to St. Louis.
i did a craft show down there (Craft-O-Matic, to be exact.)
we made a little detour to Springfield to visit the amazing Red Velvet shop!
what a dreamy little place it is, to say the least.























sorry for lots & lots of photos!
well, actually...i don't know why i'd apologize..
aren't photos your very favorite part of blog-reading?!

anyway, i hope you all had a beautiful father's day!

happy monday ;)

xo,
christen

houston love.

image via we heart it.

i flew into houston last night with my mom & sister.
we're here for a few days, then flying back to chicago.

today consisted of some shopping. and lots of coffee-drinking.





what i wore...
i was only able to snap one photo while in one of the shops!



kind of an easy travel outfit.
boots + black jeans + floral shirt = super comfy!

everyone around here keeps saying how chilly it is,
but i think it's perfectly pleasant!
maybe because i'm coming from snow-covered indiana.

houston, you're quite lovely.

xo,
christen