We hope to go back to Phoenix next year and check out the vintage shops that I heard so much about. It was a beautiful trip and we loved the city.
See all photos on Daily Alice.

xo
meg

1: Mama’s outfit and Alice’s outfits from our plane ride today. 2: On our way to the airport. Alice wears those glasses everywhere. Now we have two pairs. 3: Fancy shoes and Dave’s indie video games. 4: Nap. 5: Playing her new iPad game, Animal Alphabet. (She said “Yak” today!) 6: Notes passed back and forth between me and Dave on the plane. 7: Napping across our laps. She slept for over an hour this way.

Top: Left of Center; Jeans: Joe’s Jeans; Boots: Henry Ferrera; Bag: Kinies; Lipstick: Hazardous by The Elixery; Alice’s Bag: Skip Hop; Pullover: American Apparel; Polo: Circo; Pants: Carters; Shoes: Pediped

See more details about today’s outfit on my Polyvore page.

xo
meg

1: Pets Sticker Book (I have a “Getting Dressed” one for our return flight) 2: Pipe cleaners 3: “At the Zoo” wipe-off book 4: Noise-reducing headphones for toddlers 5: Crayons 6: Bee Backpack from Skip Hop 7: Ugly Doll bat keychain 8: Gallop! by Rufus Butler Seder 9: Silly Putty 10: Applesauce in a squeeze packet 11: Lemur stuffed animal 12: Cool wooden puzzle 13: Hello Kitty Band-Aids 14: Travel Kleenex

Not pictured: Empty sippy cup (to fill up after security), peanut butter granola bar, Annie’s fruit snacks to help her popping ears

When my brother and I were younger, our family traveled a lot. On each trip, my mom took care to pack a special airplane bag for each of us full of new treats and distractions to keep us content on a long trip. Sitting with a nearly two-year-old on my lap for the duration of a packed flight was my idea of hell, but the backpack helped a lot.

The biggest hits with Alice were the pipe cleaners, snacks (of course), and band-aids. We’ll save the rest of the stuff for the ride home on Sunday!

What do you take on long trips to keep your kids happy? Is there anything I should grab for next time?
xo
meg

Yes! It’s our  first family vacation ever. I even stopped at work on our way to the airport and (in a devious twist of fate) left empty-handed. No thread has been packed, no scissors have been hidden in away in a carry-on, and no frayed scraps of fabric will litter our bedroom floor. It’s  really a big step for me.  This is the first time I’ve EVER been out of town without work.

We’re staying in a beautiful three-bedroom home where my grandpa and his wife live during one month each year. They are there, and Dave and I will be there with Alice until Sunday night. If I said I did not plan to work, that wouldn’t entirely be true–I will probably work on my book each day, but I left the heavy labor at home.

This week I plan to post a few great weddings we did recently as well as some newer work that we have just completed and mailed out, as well as instagrams and photos from our trip.

Thanks for reading, stop SOPA, eat a clementine every day, and never complain.
xo
meg

Have you ever taken a trip that changed your outlook on something, inspired you to consider a new worldview, or helped you fulfill an important goal?

Put yourself in the mindset of being on a journey–what is essential to keep with you, and what can you leave behind? What souvenirs do you pick up along the way? What gifts do you acquire that can be shared with others? Even those of us who aren’t well-traveled have been on plenty of adventures. What is the biggest risk you took to travel outside of your comfort zone?

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Three travel memories

Vejle, Denmark

In Vejle I spoke to a group of students about U.S. customs and our cultural similarities and differences, in pop culture, politics, lifestyle, education…everything. We talked for so long and it make me realize how much our geography, our circumstances, our Geworfenheit influences our beliefs. Everyone around the world basically wants the same things, but our cultural values influence the way we think things “are” and make us think things are so black-and-white. The political conversations I had in Denmark in 2007 were pretty intense, as you might imagine! I had traveled in other countries and cultures before, but never gotten the chance to have such a personal, in-depth conversation with people from the place I was visiting. Since that trip to Vejle, I have made meeting local people the biggest priority of my travels. Going to museums, historical sites, shopping, and restaurants are an important part of my “studies abroad,” but making meaningful connections with other humans who come from a totally different frame of reference has taught me the most.

Berlin

Berlin is my favorite place in the world, where I experienced my most inspiring and peaceful moments of solitude. In fact, when my birth coach asked me to construct a “happy place” for meditation, the room I stayed in for three weeks at Hotel Bogota immediately–automatically–reconstructed itself in my mind. Two long twin platform beds pushed together, a single crisp white sheet with a fluffy down comforter that was the exact size of the mattress, one pillow on each bed–all white linens. Soft threadbare cotton curtains that hung in the window, which I kept open over the corner of Bleibtreustrasse and Kurfurstendamm. I saw the #2 bus come and go every seven minutes. I watched international news on an old tv set far across the room. I was lucky to have a simple shower in the room–many visitors took a short walk down the hall to a shared bathroom. A standing birch wardrobe that held my two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, and dress that I brought for the trip in my small bag. Other than that, the room couldn’t have been plainer. It felt like luxury to me, more than any suite I have stayed in at a “nice” hotel chain. It felt like a place where I was really getting away, a completely new environment, not constructed to conjure memories of a home I was used to. The luxury was the freedom of being alone, unobliged, and unfamiliar. When left to rely on myself, I am so happy.

Moscow

My uncle is a businessman in Moscow, where he lives with his Russian wife and kids. My aunt is so beautiful, educated, and intelligent. Hearing her stories about growing up in Soviet Russia and the tales about their scandalous courtship in the USSR always fascinated me, and spending a week with them in Moscow was like being in another world, even in 2008, 19 years after the fall of the iron curtain. One of the most memorable nights was spent bouncing between night clubs and being chauffeured around the main streets of Moscow, peppered with beautiful people, bottles of champagne, blackjack and quick translations. The ride home at 4:30am was into the early Russian sunrise, and I slumped in the back of the Mercedes calculating how many hours of sleep I would be able to get before I had to rise with the rest of the family and drive back into the city for our next excursion. I wrote a postcard to my husband that night–we hadn’t yet met, but we had become friends online and I couldn’t get him off my mind.

Other impactful experiences

My dad flying us to Chicago to see two of our favorite bands. Learning  letterpress from Jordan Ferney in San Francisco. Watching a clown perform in an amphitheater in Puerto Vallarta while eating–what else?–crepes. Seeing homelessness for the first time in Washington D.C. Taking a train out into the country in Berlin and sharing a lakeside dinner. Walking as far as we could in Paris with my friend Matthias and doing a photoshoot at the Musee de Picasso. Standing up in the crown of the Statue of Liberty.

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If you are writing your own Radvent responses, share the link below! Browse around! Leave comments!

xo
meg

I visualize arriving at the hotel with my suitcases and walking through the lobby, seeing groups of women gathered all over laughing, talking, trading calling cards and comparing class schedules. Or fiddling with their handbags, looking around shyly. Or sitting in the lounge sipping cocktails with friends after being on the together road for days, on the road to St. Paul. (I’m always one of the nervous, shy ones.)

The Creative Connection Event is different from other creative workshop conventions in a few ways. First, you can register for classes, keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions à la carte and only pay for the sessions you really want. The topics and classes also aren’t limited to one focus. TCC brings in experts to teach and speak about everything from new media topics like blogging, and self-publishing, to business topics like copyrighting, branding, and making money while doing what you love, to awesome FOOD classes and sessions from MaryJanesFarm. And of course there are so many amazing handmade classes taught by industry experts from all over the world in knitting, book binding, jewelry making, sewing, and everything in between.

❤ I’m excited to for the long trip to St. Paul with my two employees Emma and Shannon, my mom and dad, and baby Alice. ❤ I’m excited to see Holly Becker from Decor8′s keynote talk. ❤ I’m excited for Jo to meet Alice for the first time. ❤ I’m excited to stay in a nice hotel room. ❤ I’m excited to teach my first class to a room full of people. ❤ I’m excited to see what the attendees create in my classes, and how they put their own unique spins on my tried-and-true techniques. ❤ I’m excited to sell dresses from my new collection at our booth in the Marketplace. ❤ I’m excited to see what everyone’s going to wear. ❤ I’m excited to connect with some old friends from Silver Bella ❤ I’m excited for my parents to see me in my element ❤ I’m excited to network with some awesome new businessowners ❤ I’m excited for my mom to take some classes that she is genuinely interested in ❤ I’m excited to meet you ❤

If you want to learn more about attending The Creative Connection Event, here is where you should start:

…Page through the list of classes offered in the TCC Handmade sessions (and be sure to check out my prize ribbon and headband classes).
…Read about the cool special events happening at the TCC Marketplace (BurdaStyle make & takes! Where Women Cook book launch!) and look through the list of vendors who will be selling their wares. (Maybe you could even sign up to join us!)
…Learn more about the organizers of TCCE, publisher Jo Packham and Nancy Soriano.
…The list of panels you can attend will inspire you to learn more about a topic you’ve always wanted to delve more into. Self publishing? Community building? Planning an event? Working with an agent or a publicist? Sooooo much to learn…
…and begin your registration! You can register for everything or you can select the à la carte option and only sign up for the classes and keynotes you really want.

So you think about that, and I’ll think about what to pack!!

Day 1: Sept 14 – in the car:

Scarf: Target; Jacket: ModCloth; Pens: Stabilo; Shoes: Vintage; Sunglasses: ModCloth; Shirt: ModCloth; Watch: Vintage; Shorts: ModCloth; Planner: MMMG; Tote bag: Shinzi Katoh; iPod

Day 2: Sept. 15 – Arriving. Figuring it all out. BlogHer Handmade, Pitch Slams, and listening to Holly Becker from Decor8, Cristina Ferrare, and Nora Abousteit of BudaStyle!

Necklace: Erickson Beamon for Target; Top: ModCloth: Sweater: ModCloth; Watch: Michael Kors; Shoes: Betsey Johnson; Tote: Kate Spade; Bracelet: Vintage; Skirt: Anthropologie

Day 3: Sept. 16 – Teaching my first two classes, working the TCC Handmade booth, taking measurements for custom dresses.

Cardigan: ModCloth; Necklace: Erickson Beamon for Target; Scarf: Target; Watch: ModCloth; Shoes: Kate Spade; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Dress: ModCloth; Tote: Shinzi Katoh

Day 4: Sept. 27 – A busy day teaching our last two classes, and the cupcake farewell party.

Planner: MMMG; Jacket: ModCloth; Top: ModCloth; Watch: ModCloth; Bracelet: Vintage; Pens: Stabilo; Burt’s Bees rhubarb lip shimmer; Revlon coral lipstick; Jeans: J Brand; Sunglasses: Fred Flare; Shoes: Betsey Johnson; Necklace: Cupcakes and Mace; Tote: Kate Spade; Wallet: Deena and Ozzie

Planning outfits is the best part of traveling. There are going to be thousands of BEST PARTS at TCC. I am so excited.

xo
meg

I wish we had gotten more pictures of the Gettings boys who were beyond cute. If anyone from the strawberry patch is reading this, you all are smart to get those boys in the fields.

Later this week after I edit more photos I’ll show you what we made with all of those strawberries!

I’m putting the packages together for the winners of our giveaway week, and I’m picking the winners tonight! I’ll e-mail you if you are getting a package to find out your mailing address, and I’ll do a post later next week about the boxes I put together.

xo
meg

Tomorrow morning I am leaving with Dave for Chicago for the weekend. It’s my BFF Eric’s birthday and we are painting Chi-town red, blue, hot pink, and glittery all weekend long. I can’t wait to get my groove back and look hot (I’ve been losing weight for this trip) and go to all of my favorite places, but I’m also leaving my tiny baby for the first time and I’m a little wehmütig. She will stay with my parents.

So please tell me, what must we do in Chicago? We have done the museums which we love, we love the Blue Man Group, but where should we go that most people don’t know about? Where are the secret great stores? Where is the secret great food?

xo

When I can’t listen to Coast at night, it used to take me hours and hours of tossing and turning to finally fall asleep. But earlier this year when Mr. Lasertron and I took Bradley Method childbirth classes, I learned how to fully relax my body and go to my “happy place.” Now that’s what I do when the lull of late-night paranormal radio shows can’t whisk me away to a quick slumber. I visualize my happy place.

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I go to Kurfurstendamm at Bleibtreustrasse.

I wait for the bus.

I wander around and do a little shopping around Charlottenburg and Mitte, and duck into a dark, cozy little cafe for some light dinner.

And I pull on my gloves, wrap my woolen coat over my favorite dress and sweater, and ride back to the penthouse in my hotel where the doorman greets me and sends up a tray with a coke and a cupcake–my favorite.

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I can’t wait until I can go back. When I fall asleep I replay moments from weeks spent in Berlin in the past and imagine taking little Alice there, holding her hand as we race to the bus stop, watching her push ahead of me on her tiny wooden bike as we stroll around the park, sharing a flaky croissant on a street bench. I love traveling to Berlin in winter, when the sky is gray and the cold air makes my cheeks rosy. When I can feel a burst of warm air as I walk under the heaters in outdoor cafes. When a gust of wind makes my eyes water, turning all of the bright lights of the city into tiny dancing orbs of light. Was gibt es wunderschöneres?

My travel fantasies are never complete without musing about a packing list. When I pack, I like to base my wardrobe around day dresses–pieces that can hang in the closet and de-wrinkle–and use tights, sweaters, and jackets as accessories to dress them up and down and serve as mix-and-match and layering options. Three pairs of shoes, two bags, and I’m good to go! I’m folding these typisch deutsch pieces from ModCloth into my pink polka dot suitcase as I type…if only in my mind.

1. Winters in Berlin can be a bit drizzly. A cute umbrella like this Rain or Shiny umbrella is essential for pedestrians; 2. The beige tone in these Make the Gradient sunglasses has always reminded me of the flat, singular interior design of East German apartments; 3. Love the shape of this Highest Bidder coat; 4. This Alpine Skiing sweater could be worn over tights, pants, or alone; 5. The smart-looking Rad Retro handbag has plenty of room for everything I need for a day of shopping without weighing down my shoulder or taking up too much room on the bus; 6. The Playground Reminiscence dress could be worn alone or layered under a sweater or patterned skirt; 7. Though I don’t normally wear watches, they are indispensible when traveling. Delicate Moment watch; 8. This bold Taking Sides sweater is perfect for layering over a dress; 9. This Lucky You coat connotes perfect vintage middle-European style.

10. These Crossing the Missouri boots are in my favorite color, and I love the flash of gold in the hardware; 11. This In Good Time watch is the perfect bold color to pop a neutral outfit; 12. I would wear this Un-twill We Meet Again dress to a museum or the Staatsoper alone, or layer it with a jacket and chunky knit tights for a cafe meeting; 13. This Dijon Delivery satchel is in classic German schoolbag style; 14. A bold strapless piece like this Some Like it Spot dress is ideal for layering; 15. Put on a Bow tights represent my favorite repeating motif; 16. These warm quilted KIT gloves are stylish and practical; 17. I always wear flat boots when I travel. The Earnshaw Boot; 18. Perfect for layering over a dress is the Cricket Match skirt; 19. The wooden wedge, the color, the silhouette–all represent classic 1970s East German fashion in these Good Morning Sunshine wedges; 20. Finally, I never travel without plenty of polka dots, like in these Jukebox tights.

Soon we will go back there. We’ll be perfectly dressed. And I’m sure I will sleep very soundly.
xo
meg

1, 2: Yoli Frozen Yogurt, the most beautiful treat store in Berlin that offers both a well-designed, mature ambiance and sweet fantastic indulgence.  3: Besuch der Fernsehturm am Alexanderplatz fur Kaffee und Kuchen. 4: Cupcake Berlin, the first cupcake store in the city. I love that it is owned by an American and that they have delicious vegan options. 5: The Ishtar Gate at the Pergamonmuseum. 6: Staatsoper Under den Linden. (Hast du Matineen fur Kinder?) 7: Die Reichstag, the center of the Deutscher Bundestag or federal government. I appreciate tradition and the beauty of our own federal buildings here in the states, but you can’t tell me you don’t envy the modern design of the chambers and the symbolism of the glass-bottomed dome! 8: Eine hubsche gelben Bus. 9: Eine schone Blume-formigen Eis.