Click over to My Habit for an interview by Ranya Barrett in which I reveal all my habits: the (kind of) good, the (extremely) bad, and the ones that have to do with cheese (which is far too many of them) - plus fashion rules you should break, like, immediately, and a defining moment in my career that just happened.

 Just picked up these striped shorts in preparation for summer and they are PERFECT - they hit at the most flattering spot on your waist, and are short without being too short. (Bought a similar-fitting pair in denim too because they're perfect and because 99% of my cutoffs have had the biscuit.)

 I am OBSESSED with these DIY Onesie Embroidery Kits. They're so, so cute, and such a cool, unique gift for a mom-to-be or new mom.

Me and my dad adventuring, circa 1982

You may have noticed that I do a lot of traveling with my kids. It's partially because our family and friends have become increasingly spread out, location-wise, over the years - but mostly because I think that these experiences aren't just "fun" (although they seriously are), they're hugely valuable. I grew up with parents who took me everywhere - usually on the back of a motorcycle, as you can see - and it helped me learn how to be flexible, how to get along in new situations and with new people, and how to look for adventure everywhere. I'm grateful that they gave me that, and it's a gift I want to give my own kids.

Anyway, I get tons of questions about this particular topic - namely how to do it without subjecting yourself to multiple consecutive hours of screaming and misery. It can be done, I promise. Today on The Scenic Route, I'm talking about all the big things that parents worry about when flying with a baby (everything from what to pack in the diaper bag to how to handle it when you can feel other passengers hating you), and revealing the one thing that will never occur to you to pack, and that you MUST.

{ Floor Pillow | Tie-Dyed Leggings }

My mom once told me that pretty much the second she found out she was having a girl she effectively stopped shopping for herself, because baby girl clothing is just so much fun. And it's true. Little boy stuff isn't, like, not-fun; it's just not the explosion of adorableness that happens when you wander over to the little girl side of Baby Gap.

As an example: lately my son wants to wear "soft pants" only, and woe to the person who tries to put denim on his body. Shirts with buttons? I don't think so. My daughter, however, wanders through store aisles going "OOOH NEW SHOES!" "OOH PEENK!" ("pink," for those of you who don't speak toddler) and lunging for things like headbands with sparkly cat ears and tiny rainbow bracelets. At home, she wants to pretend to put on blush, and loves brushing my hair. She wants to own All The Baby Dolls; specifically, she wants to hold them and rock them and give them little kisses. She would like to wear all peenk, all the time, please. (This is not permitted because I can only handle so much, but I have relented when it comes to pink shoes, because when shoes are pink they go on her feet faster and everyone benefits.)

This Thursday evening at 6PM, I'm co-hosting a wine-and-books event in San Francisco with Andrea Dunlop, author of Losing the Light. Andrea and I first started chatting a few years ago, when she reached out to ask about the process of getting your book published; she talked so passionately about her novel, and how much she wanted to put it into the world, and it has been so incredible to watch her persevere and do just that.

Losing the Light is a story about an illegitimate affair that turns into a study-abroad trip that turns into an intoxicating romance with a hot Frenchman (hello beach read), and in anticipation of our Thursday-night meetup (which Bay Area residents are more than welcome to come to; I'd love to see you there!) I asked Andrea to give me a Spring Break reading list. (We have a long drive to Disneyland on the horizon, and there is always the chance that I'll be able to get in a little reading in between rounds of "This Little Piggy.")

*   *   THE ESSENTIAL SPRING BREAK READING LIST   *   *

 On a recommendation from a friend, I tried out a wine delivery service called Wine Simple: it creates customized boxes of wine based on your specific tastes, and is a great way to branch out beyond your default picks. How it works: you answer a (fun) series of questions about your tastes in everything from coffee to cheese, are given your "Taste Profile," and get sent a selection chosen just for you. I ended up with three bottles that I wouldn't necessarily have chosen myself, but that I totally loved (all three came to the desert with us, and none returned home).

 You know how Mother's Day cards are usually on the cheesier side? Not these. These are for your mom friends, and they are the best.

 Obsessed with this drop-waist mauve dress.