Italy, Spring 2023
I stepped out of my comfort zone when I agreed to host a group trip to Italy.
Venice, Italy. Photo by Alyson Morgan (@alysonsimplygrows). Luggage by SteamLine.
I’d never met any of the attendees in person.
I don’t speak Italian.
I’ve spent the majority of my weekdays for the past fifteen years mostly alone.
I’m wretched at small talk.
I get anxious over logistics.
And I don’t like to go anywhere without my kids and pups, let alone travel thousands of miles away from them.
Como, Italy. Photo by Alyson Morgan (@alysonsimplygrows). Collapsible travel bottle by Stojo.
But, on the flip side, now that we’ve settled into our new cottage and are discovering new routines in our household and business, this feels like such a season of change.
Restructuring.
Unlearning.
Relearning.
Evolution.
Lake Como
And, thankfully, the setup of this trip was such that I didn’t have to sweat the logistics, or make small talk. Instead, there were deep and joyful connections, paired with the vibrant backdrop of Italy and Trova Tourism’s mindfully curated adventures.
Bellagio, Italy
Despite initially planning on visiting France (since many folks who read this blog are interested in our @tinyfrenchfarmhouse journey), I decided to pivot and focus on Italy instead, as the itinerary sang to me given the overlap with my lifestyle.
Bike rides, long strolls, boat rides along waterways— all of this resonated with my family’s day-to-day existence. And on that note, my first group trip clearly had to include Venice, Italy— the town that inspired Venice, California, where our family resided for over a decade.
My small business and online presence were, for years, centered upon small space living along canoe-filled waterways under the warm sun that dries lines of laundry dangling from every awkward corner available.
So the visit to Venice, Italy was not only a feast for the eyes, but it was also a feast for my heart.
Venice, Italy. Photo by Alyson Morgan (@alysonsimplygrows). Luggage by SteamLine.
Our group activities included the following:
Milan City Cycle Tour
Cooking Demonstration with a Milano Chef
Lake Como Tour
Bellagio Lakeside Village Visit
Boat Ride from Bellagio to Tremezzo
Franciacorta Sparkling Wine Tour and Tasting
Venice City Tour
Gondola Ride on the Canals
Burano Boat Tour & Stroll
Burano
Venice
While the sights were stunning and the trip well-orchestrated, what meant the most to me were the friendships forged. It was an honor and joy to be joined by author, photographer and herbalist Alyson Morgan, as well as ten absolutely delightful, like-minded, and kind-hearted travelers, along with our exceptional guide.
They say that all good things must come to an end, and while the trip is indeed over I’m thinking that this good thing might just need to evolve and happen again.
… Alyson and I are currently pondering the possibilities together…
In the meantime, I’m just so glad I said yes to this.
Photo by Alyson Morgan (@alysonsimplygrows)
Pictured in this post: My travel water bottle from Stojo, and my favorite SteamLine Luggage carry-on case, which was the perfect size for our week in Italy. When at the cottage, I use our SteamLine pieces as decor in order to maximize their functionality and further enjoy their beauty. SteamLine has a refurbishment program, and they offer a collection composed of naturally renewable + sustainably-sourced rattan, and recycled synthetic leather.
Packing Carry-On Only Bags for Family Travel
Packing light for air travel with children.
When I showed glimpses of the carry-on only luggage that our family took to the Tiny French Farmhouse this summer, I received a cascade of unanticipated comments and questions: “How?” “Impossible.” “Packing list, please.”
First and foremost, we have somewhat of a cheat when it comes to packing for this particular destination, as the farmhouse is our home and we plan to leave items there over time for increasingly lighter packing in the future. However, since this was only our second visit — and three out of four of us have VERY different bodies and needs than we did the last trip — these were pretty much fully packed bags.
Since most of us are operating on minimal mental bandwidth these days, I’m breaking down what/how we packed into simplified categories below:
BAGS
3 backpacks:
~25L juvenile overnight-style backpack (I wouldn’t recommend the one we have — but this one would’ve worked better.)
1 kid’s ride-along convertible suitcase / seat extender
1 washable paper catch-all Palermo tote by UASHMAMA for miscellaneous overflow items
Baby Carrier Mini, in lieu of a stroller (Note: our youngest is small — please read specifications to find a carrier that suits your child.)
BOOKS
While I prefer hard-copy books, Adam and I use an e-reader for travel
For our baby/toddler: Indestructibles (lightweight, slim, flexible, waterproof)
For our young reader, paperback library books / series selected for content AND weight/size
FOOD + BEVERAGE
2 Stojo adult collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners
2 Stojo children’s collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners
1 Stojo collapsible, lidded bowl/to-go container
4 Sets of to-go cutlery with straws and washable napkins (minus the matching knives
1 Set of beeswax cloths
FOOTWEAR
I find that shoes from the following brands usually travel + wash well, as they’re slim but sturdy and flexible:
Rothy’s
AllBirds
Bensimon
FEIT slippers
Note: Rothy’s — both the men’s and women’s styles — are also versatile for dressing either up or down.
TOILETRIES
Shampoo + conditioner bar
All-age tin of sunscreen
Toothpaste tablets
Travel first aid kit
One shared travel-sized bamboo brush
Menstrual cup
LastSawb ear swab
Cadence magnetic honeycombs for smaller/specialty liquids.
A clear Stasher bag for all bottles, for easier TSA inspection when required. We then wash and use the bag for other things while abroad.
Above: A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more
TECH
We kept our tech to a minimum, editing cords and plugs and sharing as much as possible between necessary devices. We use a portable, zip-around cord book / organizer to keep everything streamlined.
TOYS
We repurposed small canvas pouches and reusable clear baggies to further organize and corral figurines, activities for fine motor skills, reusable-sticker books, and art supplies. All the pouches fit in the ride-along case with room to spare, since everything becomes undone in travel and needs to fit pell-mell, too. Once in France, we use the pouches and baggies to syphon off activities for car rides and unexpected waits while out-and-about.
CLOTHES + OUTERWEAR
This is so specific to preference, region, time of year and individual needs that I see no point in getting TOO specific. But since we knew we’d be able to wash our clothes, we only needed the following:
A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more
3 days worth of outfits each
1 overnight outfit each
Specialty gear like swimsuits and water-repellent jackets
Let's go to Italy... together!
From April 23 - April 29 of 2023, I’ll be hosting a trip to Italy! Want to join me?
View the details + itinerary and/or book to join here!
I was initially considering a group trip to France (and perhaps one day we’ll do so!), but the itinerary for the Italian trip sang to me and ultimately won me over. It offers so many activities that remind me of our life in California, but with all the rich culture, history and architecture of Europe.
Activities Included:
Milan City Cycle Tour
Cooking Class with a Milano Chef
Lake Como Tour
Bellagio Lakeside Village Visit
Boat Ride from Bellagio to Tremezzo
Franciacorta Sparkling Wine Tour and Tasting
Venetian Water Taxi
Venice City Tour
Gondola Ride on the Canals
Islands of Venice Boat Tour
Other Inclusions:
Double occupancy in 4-star hotels
Local Guide throughout trip
All city transfers
Arrival airport transfer (until 5 pm on first day)
Additionally, I’ve secured a collection of mindfully curated gifts for attendees, featuring some of my favorite goods for travel from:
Vintner's Daughter
Steamline Luggage
Stojo
Branch Basics
(More details on the gifts later.)
Benvenuti in Italia!
My Attempt at a Lower Waste Hospital Bag
Unlike our multitasking nursery, which I was sluggish to tackle since we’re in a temporary space, I packed my hospital bag more than a month ago. At 29 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital with complications regarding my high-risk pregnancy, and was gently told at the time to be prepared for labor and delivery every week since. I prepped my suitcase shortly thereafter, and it has since been standing dutifully by. I’ll soon reach 37 weeks — a marker I didn’t think I’d reach, but am profoundly grateful to be approaching.
SIMILARITIES + DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MY FIRST BAG VS THIS BAG
For this upcoming laboring experience, the contents of my hospital bag are largely similar to those from my first time around, and I’m reusing several necessities. I’ve made a few small adjustments to try and curb some of the single-use supplies that are regularly used in the hospital. But my attempts at a lower waste birthing experience are lopsided, as I’ve had to acquire some items I didn’t need the first time around— mainly in anticipation of a smaller baby and, potentially, a lengthier stay in the hospital. For some goods, I sourced second-hand, whereas I purchased new for others.
GIFTS FOR LABOR + DELIVERY STAFF
Another difference is that this time we’ve thought to include something else for the medical staff, as I’ve already logged long hours in the maternity department in recent weeks. Rather than guessing what goods might be useful to the large medical teams at our new hospital and scrambling to have bundles ready at any moment, Adam and I decided to have freshly baked pastries catered to the department come delivery day. (I asked a doctor well in advance if such a gesture would be permitted given COVID, and inquired outright if such a gift would be put to good use.) We figured this was a practical, low waste, affordable token of our appreciation.
Here are some of the items* in my hospital bag (a compact suitcase by Steamline), curated in anticipation of our specific situation:
Underwear
I packed a small pile of Knix period underwear, which I used prior to my pregnancy as well. They’re available in a variety of styles and absorbency levels. I also have a few nursing bras from Boob, and a hands-free breast pumping bra.
Large Collapsible Cup with Lid
I never leave the house without my oversized Stojo collapsible cup. The contact-free machine at the hospital allows us to refill it with water and ice chips whenever needed. (Those ice chips definitely helped me experience my first labor without an epidural.)
Portable Pump + Accessories + Bottles + Parts
In case the baby and I have a longer stay at the hospital, I’ve charged and packed the same tiny, portable breast pump and parts I used with West. (I updated the tubing and smaller accessories for hygiene purposes.) I also added a set of Colostrum Collectors, and my single, manual breast pump for use on one breast when feeding with the other.
Pura Stainless makes an interchangeable-part bottling system that we’ve used and appreciated for years. In case of a lengthier stay for the baby, we have a supply of stainless baby bottles and corresponding newborn/slow flow nipples packed in a small cooler bag that slides within/beneath our diaper bag.
Recycled Tech / Accessories
Thanks to their sustainable materials and plastic-free packaging, I’ve been a loyal Nimble customer for years. They make tech accessories such as longer-length phone / iPad cords, portable batteries, adapters and more, and I have a small supply in my hospital bag, as well as my purse at all times. I’ve also added a lightweight, travel LED mirror to my tech sleeve. And, just in case, I’ve got my laptop and password book for work, along with an e-reader and the portable bluetooth speaker that we usually keep on our cargo bike.
Cloth Diapers
We have a collection of new + used cloth newborn diapers from Grovia. These all-in-one washable diapers were what West wore, and we’ve always been pleased with how well they work, and how comfortable they seem to be for little ones.
Premature + Newborn Clothes
We have a few hand-me-down preemie garments (like the puppy onesie below) that we’ve packed for the hospital and for going home. Unlike last time, we also purchased some extra-small preemie pieces, as we expect they’ll be needed.
Toiletries
I cut off a slice of my tea tree + charcoal face wash bar, and packed it alongside the only two products I’ve relied on daily for years: Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum (both in glass vials) by Vintner’s Daughter. I also included items like refillable toothpaste tablets by Bite, plastic-free hair elastics, and bamboo brushes.
Baby Daily Log
This is the same journal we used to log West’s nursing + sleep + movements for his first few months. We had pages to spare, so the book is being put to repeated use.
Maternity / Nursing Clothes + Slipper-Socks + Masks
I’ve got my usual maternity and old nursing-friendly dresses ready to go, and opted to skip anything with a waistband entirely. I packed a few pairs of pilates-style, no-slip sock/slippers, as they’re practical for climbing in and out of hospital beds and traversing cold floors.
Vitamins, Snacks (for myself and family), etc.
We have a mini-cooler at the ready with my travel container of Ritual Prenatal Vitamins, my 8Greens tablets (which I began using once we started traveling across the country for our move and didn’t have easy/safe access to daily greens), routinely (re)packed fresh fruit, nuts, sugar-free hard candies, and Cerebelly granola bars for my 4+ year old in case he’s allowed to visit the hospital if COVID regulations regarding visitors change.
*Please note that some of the above links direct to major online retailers in order to provide readers with additional product details, while simultaneously supplying us with information on the number of clicks each link receives, and occasionally a (very) minor commission that helps support our small business. However, I encourage folks to search for any of these items via smaller, independent, low waste, and/or local shops when possible.
Until We Can Get to France...
Post Summary: A roundup of Airbnbs that in some way remind me of the homes or places I love in the same general region as our farmhouse. This post was created in partnership with Airbnb.
Recently I’ve found myself mentally mixing the past with the future as we await a safe and smart opportunity to head to our little farmhouse and reunite with the region that’s already felt like home to me for 14 years.
While I largely stayed in the same residence during my weeks or months in the Midi-Pyrénées in the past, there were still several opportunities to try Airbnb properties for fresh perspectives.
I enjoyed exploring new residential spaces from the design perspective, but it’s the human interaction and personal touches that stuck with me the most...
The host who pulled lettuce from her garden for our evening salads, the nearby restauranteurs who opened their doors after-hours to offer us a bottle of local wine, and the neighbors who went out of their way to patiently show us how dishes (like aligot or gâteau à la broche) are made.
The tea towels drying from the line offer insight on the owners. Windows thrown open wide invite opportunity to swap local delicacies. Balconies become perches for sharing news of nearby events or places to explore beyond the more well-traveled paths. And there’s always, always a French dog to cuddle. Yes, I find such joy in exploring various home designs, but it’s really the hosts and neighbors I’m most eager to encounter again some day.
Below, I’ve rounded up some rentals that in some way remind me of the homes or places I love in the same general region as our farmhouse. I’m eager to continue exploring and sharing new views and environments like this truly spectacular spot on the globe.
Click on an image below to view the listing. (All listings are in the USA.)
Dreamy, Uniquely Designed Homes I’m Hoping to Visit
Note: This post was created in collaboration with Airbnb.
I’m hugely grateful to be here in our little home + garden during this bizarre time of social distancing. Still — like most folks, I’m guessing — I increasingly find myself thinking back on past vacations, and envisioning various future getaways to uniquely designed homes nestled within entirely different environments.
Above: A roadside photo I captured on our most recent visit to the Aveyron region of France.
I’ve discovered that a bright side of staying in place during the present is that it has allowed me a bit more time to plan for the future.
Above: From a sunset walk through Peyrusse-le-Roc in 2017.
I began gathering a dream list of small, delightfully unusual Airbnbs that I’m eager to visit on our next visit to our home away from home: rural France.
Above: Photograph taken during a stroll on our most recent visit to the Aveyron region of France.
Each home offers something out-of-the-ordinary. One property is nestled at the foot of a medieval castle, one is a treehouse, another is a dome, there’s a cottage that pretty much looks like it’s straight out of the Shire, and obviously a few homes have pools… because a girl can dream within her dreams, right?
Stone Apartment with Pool - This property looks like a practical and interesting blend of styles— new but traditionally-inspired, streamlined but rustic, simple but luxurious. A studio for resting and working, and a pool and outdoor zones for relaxing and revitalizing make it seem like a smart live/work retreat.
Windowed Dome - I’ve never stayed in a dome before! I like that this one is both beautiful wilderness retreat for adults and a suitable set-up for kids.
Medieval Home at the Foot of a Chateau - This small, rustic, eco-friendly home is situated a the foot of a 14th century castle, tucked within an old village surrounded by rolling hills and gorges. Between the views, the features and the unique design, it’s a place I could envision staying for a longer stretch of time for work or play.
Treehouse in Nature, but Close to a City - Nestled in old growth trees but near to the town of Millau, this small treehouse has extraordinary arching windows and cleverly designed interior features.
Vine-Covered Home and Garden with Pool Access - This 18th century converted barn in the Lot Valley with a vine and flower covered terrace and private garden offers easy access to hiking, canoeing, and the extraordinary village of Conques.
Hobbit Home - This is a modest, happy looking home with a round front door out of a fairy tale, rustic wooden interior features, and windows framed with brick overlooking a wild garden and sprawling valley.
Outdoor Oasis with Pool and Views - Adam and I never had a honeymoon. If we could do it over, I’d certainly want to make a multi-night stop here— an isolated, refined stone home with epic views, sunbaked terraces, and a modern but beautifully integrated pool.
Planning Careful Escapes from the City
Note: This post was created in collaboration with Airbnb.
I’m feeling the need to step out of the city more and more these days. Our mini trip to an Airbnb in Joshua Tree last week turned out to be a gulp of fresh air that we hadn’t realized we could all really use.
Above: Our most recent visit to Joshua Tree. Airbnb property details here.
We planned and packed for pandemic-era car travel. For the car ride itself, we stuffed a cooler full of beverages and snacks, we toted a travel potty along for our little one, and we kept bottles hand sanitizer at-the-ready. For the stay, we packed enough washable face masks for one per person per day (along with an empty dirty laundry bag), as well as helpful little items like reusable drinkware and utensils to help us avoid single-use goods when out, and to minimize potential exposure.
Above: Packing for a road trip to Joshua Tree
The property was pristine, and we found it notably easier to practice social distancing while in the rural environment than it is daily at our home in the city. In short, we felt safe and relaxed, and the experience inspired me to investigate more spots for (safe, careful), relatively nearby getaways.
Here’s the list of properties that I’m compiling for such escapes. (Spoiler alert: My favorite one has an outdoor shower, of course… you know I can’t resist.)
Lakeside A-Frame - I love a good A-Frame, and this window-filled cabin escape is nestled beautifully between National Parks, and perched on four wooded acres overlooking a lake with staggering views of mountain peaks.
Malibu Airstream Eco-Retreat with Outdoor Shower and Lounges - This property is both extravagant and eco-minded at the same time. With abundant outdoor lounges (and even an open-air screening zone), a swing and piano overlooking the mountains and ocean, and — my favorite — an entirely outdoor bathroom, including a compost toilet, this Airstream is an actual SoCal dream of mine.
Topanga Getaway with Outdoor Tubs - Topanga’s quiet hills and old growth trees have always held a special place in my heart, and this
Wine Country Cabin - This renovated yet rustic cabin was once a military bunker that was relocated to the rolling hills of Paso Robles wine country and transformed into a cozy home. With views of wineries and rolling hay fields, it looks like a sweet escape from the city.
Refined Cottage Under Old Growth Tree Canopy - A bright, SoCal cottage on the Central Coast that’s close to town yet removed enough to enjoy wooded views and a quiet sundeck.
Topanga Tiny Home - An earthy, mountain getaway in Topanga canyon with designs that are as simple as they are stunning.
Bright, Minimal Wine Country Tiny Home & Garden - A sweet and simple tiny home for a quiet work/live retreat.
Minimalist Modern Cabin with Walls of Windows - A truly indoor/outdoor home in the high desert within the hills of yucca valley. With visually striking, clear walls, a sun deck and propane fire pit, this compact, uncluttered, off-grid home generates its own power from the sun.
Reduced Waste Skin Care while Traveling
On our recent back-to-back trips to New Mexico and Oregon, I shared a few glimpses into my low waste, travel skincare products/routine. Upon request, I’m going into greater detail about it here on the blog. Much like my routine at home, it’s fairly simple and low on packaging:
Makeup Removal
I have a few refillable glass pots from ReContained, and I use one for a bit of coconut oil for makeup removal when traveling. (I simply siphon off a lump from my standard mason jar of coconut oil at home.) I’ve found that this type of oil is entirely effective at naturally removing both standard and waterproof makeup, without drying out the skin or wearing thin the sensitive skin beneath the eyes.
Wash
A combination charcoal + tea tree oil bar soap from Package Free Shop is my favorite new nearly-zero-waste addition/swap to my routine. When traveling, I don’t even have a dedicated container for it. I simply make sure that it’s completely dry, and then I pop it into a beeswax wrap and add it to my toiletries pouch.
Above: Wearing a coverall jumpsuit inspired and co-created by my friend Ellen Marie Bennett.
Exfoliate
This product isn’t zero waste (it comes in a petite plastic tub), but it is very long lasting, small enough to clear TSA, and was the final piece of the puzzle for me when it comes to attaining a clear complexion. The products I mention in the next category fully transformed my skin for the infinitely better, but this exfoliation component was something I was missing. Since using this product I’ve had zero cysts, and an even tone across all areas of my face (rather than having zones with differing qualities).
Moisturize & Repair
My 2 must-haves are a (newly released) travel bottle of Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, plus their second product— Active Treatment Essence— dropped into a generic glass travel vial.
Spot Treat
I recently switched to a tea tree oil spot treatment (a more natural alternative to the one I’d been using) that comes in a slim, glass roll-on serum from the Package Free Shop. So far it has been music to my skin, and it’s easy to pop into a medicine cabinet, pocket, wallet or zipper pouch for local or long distance adventures.
Full Body Moisturizing
I use The Body Stone, a safe and effective moisturizing stone that comes in a refillable bamboo canister. After dozens of uses, the stones break down into smaller pieces, which are perfect for continued use and also conveniently smaller for travel. (You can even drop a bit or two into a tub for a relaxing body soak.)
Tone
I’ll sometimes bring my NuFace FIX if I’m attending work events or shoots while away. (View my post on this product line here.) I also toss a few washable face pads and makeup wipes into my toiletries pouch.
Tiny Adventures: Oregon
Adam and I decided it was time for a last minute tiny adventure with our little one.
We booked a quick, 3 day trip to Oregon (with some vouchers generously provided to us by our preferred airline, Alaska Air).
I’ve always wanted to visit Portland, so we rented a little Airbnb and took a few days to explore the city, and worked in a drive to the coast to see Cannon Beach.
We used every minute we could, eagerly exploring sights such as the Japanese Botanical Gardens, Caravan: The Tiny House Hotel, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Nob Hill (where our Airbnb was located), the sky tram, the Portland street car (West’s request), and numerous restaurants, parks and streets.
The journey to and from Cannon Beach was spectacular, offering foggy views of towering conifers, and green fields dotted with enormous elk. (And of course the beach and tiny town were both breathtaking.)
This post serves as our lil’ photo journal of the trip.
I am hoping to return soon to visit some of the smaller towns surrounding Portland, as well as Bend. Those lush woods and green hillsides are calling...
Tiny Adventures: Montecito
Nine years ago, I met Adam. It was the day that changed everything for me, and it’s one that I honor annually with more emotion than even our wedding anniversary. (Without that day, I might never have met my partner in love & business... I might never have moved into the Cottage... and, most unfathomable of all, there would be no West.)
This year we wanted to celebrate by spending some time in Montecito with our family.
We were generously provided with a luxuriously designed 2020 Lincoln Aviator for our drive and overnight stay so that all 6 of us could get around town together safely and comfortably.
Above/Below: Handmade pants by Thief and Bandit
An epic sunset, a morning at the beach, some family meals, and quiet moments together in the hammocks throughout the property made our short getaway feel therapeutic in a way that was much appreciated.
We stayed at the Rosewood Miramar Resort, where we were able to catch up with our friends from goop and enjoy an outdoor wine tasting and dinner that they orchestrated to introduce their new Sundries boutique that opened at the hotel.
Travel, whether near or far, sometimes makes me anxious. I think it’s because there is no real “vacation mode” for our small business— we’re constantly on.
Above: Hat from West Perro // Ascot by Late Sunday Afternoon // Click here for hat clip
Luckily, this wasn’t one of those times. I was able to relax and rejoice by this exquisite coastline on which I met my extraordinary husband, and after which I named my child.
Note: This blog post was not sponsored, but a corresponding Instagram feature was sponsored by Lincoln, and the goop items and experience were generously gifted. As always, all words, opinions and photos are my own.
Reducing Air Travel
In summers past, Adam and I would always take at least one trip away via plane. The summer after West was born we journeyed back to to Belcastel. Last year we met up with our family in Idaho. This year, however, Adam and I agreed to ease up on air travel, as we’re monitoring our collective carbon footprint as both a family and a business. Flying less often is such a simple way to significantly cut back our negative impact on the planet, as a single cross-country flight here in the US represents about 1/18th of a person’s annual carbon emissions.* Plus, we live in a tourist destination— we might as well stay home and enjoy it!
Then, unexpectedly, a friend of mine called and invited me to join her in Hawaii for an August mini-break. For a few personal reasons, I decided to go. As a result, I began exploring the ways in which I can lessen my impact both from and during the trip. (goop recently published an article entitled How to Travel Responsibly in an Era of Climate Change, and it’s definitely worth reading.)
We opted to fly Alaska Air, which has been ranked by the International Council on Clean Transportation as the most fuel efficient carrier in the United States for 7 years in a row. They burn 12-13% less fuel (and emit 12-13% less CO2) than the average US carrier, and are investing in alternative, sustainable aviation fuel. Additionally, Alaska Airlines has the most comprehensive inflight recycling programs of any U.S. airline. (They even compost their coffee grounds from inflight travel.)
Learning about Alaska Air’s sustainability efforts at a Create & Cultivate event with Jaclyn R . Johnson.
Earlier this month, The Guardian published an article about offsetting carbon emissions, and how to navigate the options. After reading it, I purchased a carbon offset for 5500 miles (slightly more than the equivalent of the round trip journey) by contributing to Alaska’s verified nonprofit partner, Carbonfund.org Foundation.
Additional actions help, such as flying coach, packing light, bringing a reusable coffee/water bottle to fill after security, shutting the window shades when instructed by flight attendants, and flying direct whenever possible.
My handbag necessities for home or travel, including a Nimble wireless charging kit (made from a sustainable blend of recycled water bottles & organic hemp), bamboo cutlery, reusable bottles, stainless steel to-go food containers, and more.
A trip such as this is — to quote Katrina Fischer Kuh — “a privilege paired with responsibility—responsibility to cognize the full human and environmental impacts of climate change, responsibility to shrink your own environmental footprint, and responsibility to push for better environmental policies.”
*Source: The New York Times
Air Travel with a Toddler: Working with What We’ve Got
This week, we’re traveling to visit my sister at her new home in Boise. She and her family moved from Los Angeles earlier this summer, and I am eager to experience the place they now call home.
We've flown many times with West for business trips-- several times across the country, over the Pacific and across the Atlantic. He seemed keen on every flight except for two. (Turns out he had a bilateral ear infection during one. The other was rough for us all thanks to a 24-hour journey, coupled with a 9 hour time-zone difference.)
We love adventuring beyond our cottage— it’s one of our intentions behind living tiny. But we deliberately paused our non-essential air travel in the months after West stopped nursing. Every child is different— we knew that flying would’ve been tricky with and for our little one at that time of his life. Now that he’s almost two, so we’re testing the skies again with this shorter getaway to Idaho.
A friend of mine travels constantly with her daughter, and her advice to me from the beginning was to use washi tape and recycled paper to wrap books, toys and food for flights, then invite your child to unwrap things when needed, prolonging his or her excitement and joy during air travel. Adam and I tried it out, and it worked wonders. We aren’t big on screens here, and try our best to keep our child happy and engaged without a device at home, in restaurants, and during all types of travel. (Let me be very clear-- I'm not passing judgement on folks who use iPads with their children. I've never had to travel with multiple little ones, nor with a family member who has special needs. And some days just ROUGH-- for the kid(s), for the parent(s), or both. In those cases, I imagine that a little screen time could be a huge help. You do you. We're all trying our best.) But in preparation for this short trip, I’ve been slowly composing a little bundle of surprises for West to enjoy, all inspired by my friend’s clever tape-and-paper tactic.
I’ve read numerous “travelling with toddlers” tips online that make me wonder... do I really need to bring stacks of disposable diapers, brand new toys in shiny wrapping, and plastic bags for trash when we fly? I refuse to believe it. I’m pretty sure that most of us can find economical, eco-friendly, and space-saving ways to captivate our kids.
We have a reusable, waterproof bag that holds used silverware after we dine on-the-go, so we packed that instead of plastic shopping bags. (Why are single-use plastic bags still in production anyway?!) We use a cloth diapering system, which came with a standard, leak-proof bag that securely holds dirty fabrics. When we travel to a place where we won't have access to a washing machine or a cloth diapering cleaning service, we temporarily use GroVia BioSoakers (which are natural and almost entirely compostable) in West's cloth diaper shells.
As far as toys are concerned, the little bundle I’ve been preparing is made up of items from varying sources: hand-me-downs from neighbors and friends, random party favors we received at events, smaller components collected from other games or activities, loose pages from coloring and sticker books, and objects that we keep in rotation so our son doesn’t get too attached to (or too bored of) his daily toys.
I’ll wrap some of these goods in old papers from around the house, such as unwanted mail, used packing kraft, drawn-on pages, ribbons from miscellaneous deliveries, etc. I didn’t have to buy anything new— everything was already floating around for one reason or another. And yet I’m sure every piece will feel like a gem to our son when he unwraps it.
The two things we did buy are his travel bags, which I expect will last for several years to come. I selected a little handmade drawstring backpack from Etsy. (The maker and I communicated, and she offered to replace any strings that need repairing in the future, and/or to re-wax the canvas if it starts getting overly worn.) I also invited West to pick out his own suitcase, which he did with such enthusiasm. While I love neutral homewares and natural materials, I don’t want to constantly impose my preferences on my son. When he outgrows his little suitcase for one reason or another, we can either pass it down to our second child if we go that route, or we can pack it with linens and donate it to a disaster relief outlet.
I’ll update this post to reflect the realities of our trip. Fingers crossed, but I’m confident that we can operate more mindfully without sacrificing convenience. And even if something takes a touch more effort, it’s nothing compared to leaving our children a crumbling planet overburdened with single-use plastics and spilling landfills.
We can do better. And we can do better beautifully.
Update post-flights: Despite several hours of delays, West was a trooper in the airplanes and at the airports. The bag of tricks was a hit-- even at 2am in the air. The biggest success was this simple box of oversized buttons, paired with a wooden dump truck. The sorting kept West occupied for long stretches of time, as did the little chalkboard and bag of chalk, and pages of reusable stickers.
Travel Gear for Small Spaces
Now that summer is here and travel stories and products are popping up around the web, I've been receiving more questions about where and how we store our luggage here at the Cottage.
We actually have quite a few pieces of travel gear in our tiny home, but we don't just use them when leaving town. Many of our on-the-go accessories are constantly in use here on a daily basis as home-organization tools. By selecting multi-functional items that work well both inside AND outside the house, we've solved most of the storage issues that so many small-space dwellers face when it comes to finding a suitable place to put their luggage and travel accessories.
Here is nearly all of my globe-trotting gear. I obviously don't use all of these pieces on each trip-- I pick and choose depending on context:
Since I use most of these pieces while at home, they're generally floating around between my handbag, office and bedside. But when I need to stash some items out of sight, I simply pack them within my suitcase, which is a carry-on rolling bag by Steamline Luggage that looks like a small old-fashioned trunk. I picked this piece for its function AND its beauty, because I knew it would frequently be left out in the open at home. Since I love the way it looks, I don't mind having the luggage out and using it as an accent surface when needed. I can also slide it into the storage cubby that's built-in beneath our bed. Adam uses a leather Weekender Bag by Combatant Gentlemen, which is really versatile and also can fit under our bed.
The items I use every day include my Mod Laptop 2 + Tech Dopp Kit + Mod Tablet 2 by This Is Ground, along with my Rachel Wallet by Hobo (I've had it for years and years), and a leather notebook organizer. When I'm traveling on shorter trips, I pop my "dopp kit insert" into my Mod Tablet and it becomes a handy overnight beauty tool.
For longer trips, I switch it up a bit. I use a truly wonderful Mac Cosmetics travel bag, which organizes EVERYTHING. I also bring my Ona Clifton Backpack, which safely holds my laptop and camera equipment.
All the aforementioned items help me keep the house decluttered and organized, and have been ideal for my trips, whether they've lasted a single night or an entire month. With the baby coming in October, we're going to be making some adjustments to our luggage, of course. (But more on that later! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite past travel-gear images, with cameos by #StubsandSoph.)
Another favorite "tiny house" in Venice
What do you do when you need a mini-vacation, but you don't have enough time to travel? Airbnb! In-town vacation rentals are perfect for unique staycations. Adam and I just spent a couple days at my other favorite "tiny house" in Venice (which I first discovered on Airbnb), and I completely fell in love with the space:
Meet the @craftsman.mini.me by @shophbleu. Isn't it a dream? The fig vines creep in at every corner, stretching from the outdoor shower, which is the most gorgeous little place to relax and breathe:
At 400 square feet, this house is only slightly bigger than our Tiny Canal Cottage. But, much like our home, the numerous windows and doors make the space feel open and airy.
Learn more and/or book the house here.
(My camera is currently being repaired, so these photos are mainly iPhone. Sorry for the less-than-ideal quality, but the subject is so amazing that it hardly matters. Enjoy!)
