Olivia & Molly

Liv has found a new BFF...MOLLY!!

Molly is my "aunt" Gail's golden retriever

Seeing them play together makes me miss Maxwell *his 1 year anniversary is next month*

Super Cute!

Gail is showing Liv photos of her Grandmother

This is always my favorite time of year, tax refund *$$$* and catching up my Gail time. While Liv, Antz & Molly enjoyed the sunshine in Gail's garden and hung out with their chickens. Gail & I were inside crunching numbers and discussing our fondness of classical music and private schools. I got my magic number again this year, so it seems I can now make a final decision for where we are going for Liv's 2nd birthday. I still haven't heard from the pre-school who should be calling me any day to schedule an intake meeting to help them make their decision. There's always something for me to stress about, even when everything is perfect!

Serenity NOW!!!

New Discovery

I just found something that has me all giddy. I have now accepted that my tiny Missoni for Target suitcase is better equiped for a weekend in San Francisco or Palm Springs. However, for our 8 days in Paris, no good. I am not even sure Antz Swiss Army suitcase would be sufficient. Then I found this guy

Cooperative Rolling Trunk Luggage

This bag is so fly, and it's on sale $49 marked down from $149, BUUUUT...it has mixed reviews *as UO often has* and folks are warning about cheap quality, flimsy buckle closure and plastic wheels. Athough I prefer not to, I will have to check my bag so I don't want my wardrobe to explode in the cargo hold *I worked for an airline, it happens* I also worry I won't fit the 5 pairs of shoes I plan to bring. I might have to borrow a bag from my Mom *who has traveled around the world* and has more sensible luggage.

I am super bummed the backpack sold out before I could nab it *as I knew it would* yet items come back in stock all the time and I do have 2 years to find an alternative. I've been using Jordan's Paris guide at Oh Happy Day! for invaluable insight on places to see off the beaten track, yummy food and this awesome article about traveling with kids

Jordan looks like she's lived in Paris her entire life *she's from SF* I am not a huge fan of macarons but I am dying over how gorge the boxes are. I will definitely grab a few boxes for gifts to bring home.

Oh Happy Day!

I have been perfecting putting together our itinerary for a year now *yep, crazy lady, right here* I may be trying to squeeze in too much everyday. I have my must-dos and then my like-to-dos but I have 3 things working against me. I have to keep in mind we are traveling with a *will be* 4 year old, so I'll have to find more things that will hold her attention *maybe a playground or toy shop* and make more time for naps *which are more for us than her*. Then there's transportation, I intend to buy the Metro pass yet when I look at the daily maps, we are zigzagging all over the city. I hope we will be able to rent bikes via Velib yet they don't have any child seats. Would it be possible to strap a close to 50 lb Liv on Antz back with our BabyHawk while we bike ride through the city? He doesn't think so *and we would have to find a bike helmet for her* I am hoping our hotel has a helium tank so we can fill our Geronimo balloon for the photo shoot at Jardin d'Acclimatation. I don't want to spend all morning searching for a party store before the photo shoot. I'll have to put their Whenever/Whatever philosophy to the test.

Which leads me to my third biggest conundrum, I still don't know when to take the trip. Airfare is dirt cheap before April *both Air France & British Airways are under $3k*. Yet, it's fricken cold during March. It snowed there last night. With so many things I want to do *outdoors* and so many photo opps, I want nice, sunny weather. BUT, there's a price for the sun in Europe, it's more crowded *particularly the touristy spots I want to visit* and hotels rates and airfare rise. I'm not talking the matter of hundreds but thousands. I am stretching the budget as far as I can now. So I'm still looking at the last week of March. I'll have to layer and pray the clouds beat it for our week. Anyone traveled to Paris in March? Any tips for this California girl are welcome.

That's me with my childhood "big sister" Ada *loving her beads* our Moms were BFFs

Jason Wu for Target

Due to my irregular sleeping pattern last night, I was not so keen on getting up at 7:30 am like I planned to get to Target for some Jason Wu shopping. Antz woke up around 6:30 *I guess my typing woke him up* but he's always an early riser. He told me my alarm on my phone went off but I just went back to sleep. Then around 8:45, I woke up and was like, I'll drag my ass down there or else they'll be nothing left. I honestly didn't expect anyone to be there since it's Sunday morning and I doubt many folks even know who Jason Wu is *for those who don't, he's the guy who designed Michelle Obama's inaugural ball gown*

He's so cute

I was surprised to see this when I got there at 9. I think the word got out.

Most of his pieces are very delicate chiffon fabric. Not so great for the mom of an active toddler.  I still grabbed what I could and shopped for house stuff while I waited for the long fitting room line to dwindle. I had a few dresses *so not flattering on me* a skirt, and a few tops. They were really cute pieces but a little too work clothes for my style. I went to the accessories department and didn't find any Jason Wu anywhere. There was a chick there with a cart full of stuff trying on dresses over her clothes *I guess she didn't want to wait in line for a fitting room* but I hung around until she left. Check out what I scored! I almost went with the cream bag but who are we kidding? I can't keep a light color like that clean for one day, so I took Aimee's advice and bought the floral purse *so cute*

Wu bags!

I got up early and all I got with this lousy Jason Wu tee shirt

This guy is my new favorite. It's the perfect size

Liv keeps pointing to the cat on my shirt. It was worth the sleepiness I'm feeling now, luckily I can nap. We just skyped with Evelyn & Dion. They got our package *YAY*

Hipster Highland Park

I had one of those I've got to pee moments where you know you can't hold it till morning but you definitely don't want to get out of the warm bed. So you weigh your options until you can't hold it any longer. I relentlessly gave in and got up. Problem is no matter how fast I go, I get back into bed and start thinking, great...now I'm cold again, I'm awake and my cat Lola jumps into the bed and wants snuggle time. Needless to say, I'm now wide awake at 5:38 am!

Since I'm up before the sun, let me tell you what a great time I had tonight last night. I saw my friends *who I don't see as often as I'd like* for dinner at Maximilliano, a new Italian spot here in Highland Park. This was our second time eating there and it's fabulous. I made reservations at 5, right when they open hoping to not catch the Saturday crowds but within a half an hour the place was packed *and I felt the entire time people were giving us the evil eye for staying at our table for so long* but not only is the place incredible the food is absurdly delish. Everyone enjoyed the food, wine and dessert. This cute chick came over and said hi, she remembered meeting us at the Yo Gabba Gabba! art show, how rad!! I hope we can get together for a playdate soon.

This place has changed from a coffee shop to an art gallery and now the most popular place in HP to eat besides the food trucks! *They filmed Yes Man here too*

Liv is so funny, the first half an hour she's terrified of Chris, then she loves him

These meatballs are HEAVEN

My bebe has blurry face

I hate to admit, HP is getting more awesome everyday. So many new shops, art galleries, NELA art walk and restaurants are popping up within walking distance from our house. Everyone is biking, or gardening and all the dudes have 1890's beards or curly moustaches. I am even seeing really cute houses getting redone and selling for prices that are fairly decent.

Should I stay or should I go now?? Don't fret, I still love you Atwater, you're my #1!!