Tag: travels

sew: 20-minute toddler pants

October 7th, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

The night before we left for Chicago, we learned that the weather would be much cooler there than what we were experiencing in Portland. Oh cuss word. I had not a single pair of warm pants that fit my child and felt too pressed for time to run to the store. What to do? Sew pants. Stat.

This heinous sweatshirt which was slated for the Goodwill, was chopped up and quickly sewn into sweatpants. After the backpack, this was laughably easy.

Running around Chicagoland in awesome new sweatpants.

I was so stoked with the speedy results, that I re-purposed another sweatshirt…

and then a striped sweater…

Super fast, super easy, super eco-friendly. I used Carla’s quick tutorial for the how-to and was so thankful for the easy-to-follow photos and instructions. Here are two tips:

  • If you don’t have an existing pair of well-fitting pants (like I didn’t), make sure to account for extra room where needed. For example: if your child is long and needs extra length, move the existing pants up the sweatshirt sleeve by an inch or two before cutting. This is totally obvious of course, yet I have to mention it considering I learned it the hard way.
  • Edgestitch the top of the waistband to help keep the elastic from rolling and twisting if you don’t have any “no-roll” elastic in your stash.

Happy Sewing!

PS – are you participating in the Kids Clothes Week Challenge next week? If you are, then I bet you’ve been stoked by all the sewing posts as of late, and if you are not, well, please be forewarned that you might have to endure yet another week of sewing-related posts…that is, if I get my act together. I seem to be very ambitious, but very, very exhausted these days. I’ll be back to the more varied jibber jabber later this month.

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penguin backpack + 5 tips for traveling with a tot

September 30th, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

We recently got back from Chicago, our first time traveling on an airplane with our son. I wanted it to be special and exciting for him and even more important, easy on all of us. It was all of that, and so much more.

After seeing Meg’s darling travel pack, I planned to make my son his very own backpack for his first big adventure. Of course we had bigger things on our plate before the trip, but three days before we left I was able to crank this out. And I am damn proud of myself.

This backpack is so awesomely made, sturdy, and full of wonderful details. It is the Penguin Backpack pattern from the stellar book: Oliver + S Little Things to Sew. In the past I have read fantastic reviews of Oliver + S patterns; I am happy to report that yes, their patterns are the bomb. I knew it was a reach for me as a novice sewist to go after an Intermediate pattern, with a zipper and all, but I was able to pull it off with great success, which I attribute purely to the pattern’s clarity. I used my trusty fabric label tutorial to embellish the pocket. Before we left I filled it to the brim and away we flew, with not a single hiccup. Below are things that worked for us.

5 Tips for Traveling with a Tot

  1. Fly in the morning, as early as possible. Children tend to be more energetic in the morning, and thus less prone to meltdowns.
  2. Bring a variety of fun and interesting small toys, preferably ones that are new to your child. I packed mini plastic animals in zippered bags, a sketch book, twig pencils, a puppy dog sharpener, large crayons, invisible ink activity books, a favorite stuffy, and Mr. Potato Head, which fit perfectly in an old Charlie Soap bag.
  3. Offer a variety of foods to snack on, in fun containers that your child can open themselves. I am smitten with these stainless steel tins. We packed assorted deli meats, boxed raisins, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit (bananas, apples and blueberries), apple chips, sunbutter bars, flaked coconut, almonds, gluten-free animal cookies and gluten-free crackers.
  4. If you hit turbulence, don’t panic. Strap you and your child in and remain calm. I was shocked when my son squealed with intense glee as we were hurdling through the air, bouncing around like a pinball. He loved it on our way to Chicago and on the way back home the rocking lured him to sleep.
  5. Umbrella strollers are the bees knees. We used one throughout the airport and it was so much easier than trying to corral someone who has no concept of time. Check it right at the gate and it will be waiting for you when you deboard.

What are your go-to travel tips for traveling with a little one?

And are you participating in the Kids Clothes Week Challenge?

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surf n’ turf

July 1st, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

We spent an impromptu afternoon at the coast last week. It was so nice to get out of the city for awhile, a change of pace, change of scenery, away from the endless to-do list, a chance for fresher air. My favorite part of the day was flying a kite. It was so freeing! And just totally fun and helped keep me in the moment. Funny how such a simple, silly thing like that can renew one’s spirit. The only thing about getting away, at least for me, is that once I get a taste of it, I’m hungry for more.

Speaking of hunger and food and all that, while at the coast we enjoyed a killer meal: oyster shooters (no cocktail sauce for me), bay shrimp cocktail (again sans cocktail sauce, but plenty of lemon), a glass of white wine, and an amazingly good field green salad, with tiny bits of bleu cheese and hazelnuts. So yeah, I cheated on my special diet with the dairy just a pinch, but I’ve been dairy-free again for five days. I totally deserve pats on the back for this though. Typically coast food for me consists of bowls of clam chowder, fried clam strips, etc., so I’m doing well. I neglected to take photos of the meal, probably because Babe was on my lap the entire time, stealing shrimps from my plate and trying to sneak sips of my wine, however…

…we did enjoy a very similar dinner a few weeks back, at home, which I happened to snap a few photos of.

While I’ve had oyster shooters in the past, I’ve never actually purchased them and prepared them at home. I kind of felt like a bad ass asking for them from the fish monger (I know, I lead a thrilling life – ha!), until I had to ask whether or not I needed to shuck them myself. The oysters I got were preshucked and pasterized using this ultra high-tech pressure technology thing, though I’d really like to get my hands, or mouth rather, on raw oysters at some point.

What got me on the oyster kick in the first place was Kat’s post about foods to help heal adrenal fatigue, which is something that I am very much battling with myself. Kat’s blog focuses on the GAPS diet (or, SCD diet), which is one of the healing diets I am considering. Right now I’m essentially eating a Paleo or advanced GAPS diet, which if you’re like “what the wha?” I totally get. I do recommend a quick gander if you’re looking for ways to heal with food, or simply want a change (and challenge). Both diets are quite hard core, though I’ve read that it’s literally been a life saver for some. I’ve been trying to keep that in mind whenever I get a whiff of fresh baked bread, or my neighbor describes, in detail, the stuffed shells she made for dinner. Damn.her. *I think I can, I think I can, I think I can*

PS – For the record, I’ve lost about 10 lbs. since I started this journey less than a month ago. I’ve had just a bit more energy, and days where my mood has been just a touch lighter. Bambino steps…

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bacon parsley linguine

June 2nd, 2011 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

Last week we spent the week at the coast, beach combing, visiting sea lions, and as the sun went down, watching Twin Peaks (on Netflix) and drinking white wine. We ate our fair share of clam chowder, grilled cheese sandwiches, bay shrimp salad and clam strips. After a few days we needed a break from seafood and the fridge needed a good clean-out, so I cooked up a large skillet of pasta, of the bacon and parsley variety to be exact.

This pasta was unreal. Comments at the table included:

“Cheers to lunchtime wine!”

“Om nom nom.”

“I love you.”

- “Thanks.”

- “No, not you, I mean I love you , but I was talking to the pasta.”

“Beef bacon is rad.”

“I’m going to have to lay down after this.”

The noodles slurped up perfectly, swimming in a white wine sauce, the bacon was perfectly salted, and the parsley and mushrooms gave it just enough earthy flavor to round it out. And can I just say how amazing uncured beef bacon is? Seriously special. I served this alongside buttered garlic french bread and a glass of white wine. I intended to make a green salad as well, but really, when you’re consuming a main dish of carbs, followed by a side of carbs, I’m not sure any other food, green or otherwise, is needed.

After we feasted I knew it was one of those recipes that I needed to sit down and write out as quickly as possible before it left my memory. So in case you can’t read my handwriting, here it is:

Bacon and Parsley Linguine

  • 6-8 pieces of uncured beef bacon (I used Painted Hills)
  • 1 lb. linguine (my favorite dried pasta)
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 1 small red onion
  • 8 white button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 small bunch parsley, finely chopped
  • course salt and black pepper
  • optional: scant 1/4 teaspoon crushed red peppers

Cook bacon in a large cast iron skillet. Drain on towels and a plate, crumble. While the bacon cooks, boil a large pot of salted water, add the pasta and cook until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil to the still hot skillet and sautee the onions and garlic for two minutes. Then add the mushrooms and continue cooking until golden. Pour the wine into the skillet and let it cook down just a bit, then add the bacon and stir. The pasta should be done at this point, drain and add to the skillet. Toss with parsley, crushed red peppers and pepper. Serve piping hot.

Mangia!

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when mister’s not here

December 11th, 2010 · Bambino Steps (Kimberly) ·

I feel ya Ernie.

This pretty much sums up how I’ve been feeling these days. This weekend Mister gets back from an impromptu, ten-day trip to Italy. My shoulders are already starting to come down just thinking about it.

P.S. – Don’t forget to leave a comment by Friday, December 17 on my giveaway post for a chance to win one of two fabulous prizes. Good luck everyone!

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