Banner by Maypole NYC | Decorations from TomKat 

Tulle Party Dress from Stripes Boutique

When I was in New York for just one night last week, I ran out to have a half-hour dinner with my mom, and ended up crying. For literally no reason. We were eating gnocchi and talking about the decorations for Goldie's upcoming birthday party, and all of a sudden -> tears. It was super hormonal-y, and totally reminded me of the post-birth mood swings, and I couldn't figure out what was going on for a second, until I realized.

Look. At these. Munchkins.

Over the past few months I've been documenting my family travel resolutions with Alamo, and for my final post as one of the company's ambassadors we decided to throw a party to celebrate a year that's certainly seen its share of travel - and not "just" travel, but travel that's actively brought our family together, exposing us to places, people and experiences that we'll carry with us forever.

Way back in March I wrote about my resolution to travel consciously, to make sure my kids feel not like they're just "along for the ride," but are an actual part of the process. I wrote about creating a travel journal for our family - a travel journal that I started on our house-hunting trip to San Jose, and that we ended up taking with us across the entire country, filling with jotted-down memories and pasted-in whatevers - and how I hoped that it would remind us that travel isn't just a way to get from one place to another.

Back when I lived in Los Angeles, I entertained constantly. And then, somewhere along the way, I stopped being all that interested in hosting parties; it was just so stressful. And then I moved out to the Bay Area and realized:

Oh. I totally love entertaining. I just need it to be all chilled-out and California-style.

The thing about summertime outdoor entertaining is that it’s just so simple, if you let it be. All you have to do is keep your refrigerator stocked with a few key items – fresh fruit, potatoes, hamburger meat, chips and salsa, and a cold bottle or three of Pinot Grigio - and you're good.