All our bags are packed

The husband finished packing last night. Everyone seems to think I'm over packing but even Antz couldn't fit all his clothes and toiletries in his tiny carry-on. We were just about to buy this bag from Flight 001 *one of these days I hope to buy this guy* for him when he remembered I won a nice Samonite duffle bag at my old company at a Christmas raffle. At the time I won this bag, I was disappointed I didn't win the ipod but boy am I happy we have it.

There's a separate compartment on the bottom and it has wheels

I found this luggage tag at Target

I bought the voltage converter so I will be able to use my flat iron *I am praying it won't break* and Antz made some snazzy luggage tags for me.

He is so minimalist

Herschel Supply Co Heritage Backpack
Homemade luggage tags *He designed them, printed them and I took them to Staples to get laminated, only cost $1.50 for 4!*
Apple iPhone
Apple Earbuds
Antz passport
Nikon D3000 SLR Camera
Gum *Olivia is super excited because she is allowed to chew gum during our flight so her ears don't hurt*
Eyeglasses
Apple iPad
Ghirardelli chocolate *I bought some as a gift/bribe for the flight attendants*
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion *sometimes baby products work best for adults*

I picked up our foreign currency at the bank so now I'm ready to make it rain in the shops!!

Lizzie & Elizabeth

I hope my talisman keep us safe, I love mythical superstition!

Olivia's Frozen Going Away Party

Yesterday was nuts in a totally fantastic way! Not only was it Olivia's last day at school but I had tons of errands to run for our trip. I spent an hour at the bank ordering foreign currency and then I put on my party planner hat. I'm sure if you have a child under the age of six, you know Frozen is like kid crack. I may not be the biggest Frozen fan but I love my kid so of course I threw a Frozen themed Going Away party for her class. Let me say, blue colored cupcakes are scarce in LA but luckily I found a baker who would airbrush vanilla cupcakes to look Frozen-esque. I searched every party store for weeks looking for Frozen party supplies but no luck. Finally, I checked the pinata/99 cent store on the corner and all that was left was a paltry bag of favors and a mylar balloon. At first I was all ambitious to make a huge Pinterest worthy craft project but you know what? I have too much going on at the moment so, I found her an Elsa crown and called it a day. As they say, let it gooooo!

The kids got kaleidoscopes, tattoos, rings and stickers. The boys were more into Frozen stuff than the girls

Liv and her bestie Sara

Liv was delighted to wear her Princess Ana dress to school and I played Michael Jackson during her party

Liv hugged me and said "This is the best party ever Mommy, thank you so much!"

Those crazy eyes and happy face are all worth it! I am so grateful for our two years at her school. We feel like part of a happy family and I know we will stay in touch with everyone. We handed out some parting gifts for the staff.

We made a cartoon of Mrs Crissy and ironed it onto a tote bag, she loved it!

Mrs. Crissy gave Liv a scrapbook filled with photos of her teachers and classmates. I cried when I read what she wrote in Olivia's Oh! The Places You'll Go book.

She is such an incredible teacher. I really love her. She is so rad. I apologize for my inability to form sentences, I am writing this a midnight so I'm very tired but I have an exciting post coming soon. Goodnights!

Pack Rat

I have been running around like a chicken with her head cut off preparing for our trip. I hope to have everything done by next week so I won't have any last minute surprises. I am trying to stay uber-organized because this is the longest trip we've taken so I am packing our entire lives. Not really but I did a preliminary pack last week and it turns out my clothes, shoes and toiletries didn't come close to fitting in my tiny carry on suitcase.

I'm trying to follow this example I found on Pinterest.

Luckily, I can borrow one of Antz suitcases and use my carry-on for Liv's clothes and other stuff I couldn't fit into my bag.

We bought this 4-piece Swiss Gear set from Nordstrom Rack for only $99 back in 2005!

I am wearing my heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane

I am trying my best to condense my packing list but it's harder than it looks. So far I've got:

Suitcase
4 pairs of pants
2 pair of jeans
4 dresses
3 shorts
5 skirts
3 blouses
2 cardigans
3 sweaters
7 tops
2 scarves
1 trench coat
Pajamas/socks
Underoos
Clutch/Tote
Makeup Bag
Hair products *still unsure if I'm bringing my flat iron
Ban.do Accessories/Jewelry
8 Pairs of shoes *I know, I need to cut this by 3!

Laptop bag
Laptop/Cords
iPad
Adaptors
Extra chargers/Batteries

Backpack
Wallet
Passport *bringing extra passport photos
Itinerary folder *it's 10 pages long!/Travel vouchers
iPhone/Headphones
Sunglasses
Umbrella *I hope it doesn't rain
Nikon J1 Camera
Eos lip balm
Water bottle

Camera bag *we may put this guy in Antz backpack

Our heavy, giant Nikon DSLR
Extra lens
Cords/Batteries

Aye yi yii! My suitcase is bursting at the seams. I am praying we don't get charged for exceeding the weight limit. I don't know how I will be able to bring home any souvenirs. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, I always do.

I have been ordering things online like crazy. I got a new backpack for Antz and Liv *so excited for hers to arrive next week!* and we needed this Apple travel adapter kit. I also ordered some cute sandals I couldn't resist that were on sale for Liv. I have a few more things I'll share later.

So after two weeks of drama with finding a place to rent in Paris, we got our apartment!! I can't believe our luck. It's super cute and affordable and the host seems really sweet.

Looks rad huh?

So many things I need to do today. Any tips for efficient packing?

Have a lovely weekend!!

Is anybody home?

I know it's been quiet here. I'm in the midst of co-hosting a baby shower for my friends Story & Chris this weekend. Thanksgiving getaway this week, deciding what we are doing for this year's holiday card and next weekend is Liv's school Winter Solstice *which I'm head of the Crafts committee again this year*

So if it seems like I'm not talking much, please know I'm always here in spirit. Check out my blogroll, I added some new bloggers that are ridiculously lovely and super inspiring *like, I'm so ready to pack up and move to Paris* thanks to Anne and Rubi!!

As for now, please...


Enjoy the Silence by DMK

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!!

Halloween 2013

The morning began very early, Antz sister Debra came over to have Antz paint her face for the raddest costume ever.

Of course she won first place at her office costume contest. Yay Debra van Gogh!!

Then we headed to Liv's school for Trunk or Treat. Here's our trunk.

Liv's class had a bake sale *Her BFF Liam's Mom baked all these goodies*

Ruby's costume is so awesome. Half Glinda, half Wicked Witch of the West

Liv's bestie Liam and his Mommy

Liv's class Yellow Dragons

The kids love the talking skeleton guy

We ran out of candy *Antz had to run to a nearby store*

Liv's lovely teacher Ms. Crissy was Mary Poppins

Love this little dude

I spent a lot of time explaining my costume to befuddled folks *No, I'm not a robot!*

Mrs. Ana's husband is a brilliant DJ. He played a rad Thriller remix and Halloween songs in a hip hop/big band remix. I was dancing all morning!

Liv and Senora Renae *Darn early morning sun!*

The funny thing about Liv's costume is when she puts her vampire fangs in, she stops talking. After 2 years of nonstop chatterbox, it was the weirdest thing for us to not hear her talk for hours. She was really good at signing what she wanted.

Liv stayed for school, Antz went to work and I headed home to clean up and clear the photos off my camera *this takes forever since my laptop memory is still full* Before I knew it, it was time to pick up Liv and go to Antz work for another costume contest.

I left my camera in the car *d'oh!* and none of my iphone photos were decent enough to post *well, here's one*

My preggo Story and a Liv photobomb

So I've stolen a few of Antz and Natalie's so I can show you how amazing the costumes were.

Bonita Nina Frida!

Keith always brings the radness! Cobra Commander

How cute is this?

This guy won best costume *there's a person in there*

We had just under an hour to chill at home before we went back out for trick or treating. We went to Carroll Street in Angelino Heights this year. SO RAD!!!

The Thriller house

This guy owns the Mad Men house *nice guy*

Pretty sweet costume *I love originality*

The houses were so breathtaking

This guy is my favorite, doesn't even need decorating

For some unknown reason a lot of my photos had these white spots on the but only one Carroll Street *me thinks there were spooks about on Halloween*

This dude scared the heck out of us. He wasn't even trick or treating, he just stood around looking creepy. We just knew he was going to murder us!

What a stellar Halloween. Liv has so much candy, we won't run out until next year.