Traveling for work as a mom is not nearly as enjoyable as it once was childless. However, with my job I often am required to travel. This is my trip that I’ve been able to actually enjoy a little down time and oh my goodness it’s weird! What is “me” time!?
In case you are curious, sometimes when I partner with brands I capture the content myself but often the bigger ones want more control and will fly you to New York or LA to capture it with a whole crew.
So, I was scheduled to shoot for 2 days in LA with Kohl’s to feature some of their new fall and winter items. Then I was invited by General Mills for a mom blogger experience. I have never worked with General Mills formally but Tommy loves Cheerios and I’ve never been to Minneapolis. The two dates lined up rather perfectly in that I was able to fly out to LA and then go directly to Minneapolis. However, it means being away from Tommy and Nick for an entire week.
So here is how I lined up my childcare and how I’ve been spending my childfree days…
Saturday we went to my nephews 9th birthday party. My mom took Tommy back to Cape Cod and Nick and I had the night to ourselves. We went out to dinner but were in bed by 11 pm.
On Sunday, I took a Peloton class at my gym at 9 am and then packed for my trip to LA leaving around 2pm.
My first stop in LA was Tender Greens. I love this place and was so excited when I heard one is opening up in Chestnut Hill! I ordered the shrimp salad which wasn’t a salad exactly but very delicious.
My hotel was located in Culver City at the Culver Hotel. It was so perfectly located for my needs. I could walk to a variety of healthy food restaurants. There weren’t many fitness classes but a ton of yoga studios.
Monday morning, I woke up at 5:30 am because of jet lag. I took advantage and used the hotel gym. I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes then did my 10 minute booty blast followed by 10 minutes of ab work.
We shot from 9 am until about 4 pm a variety of photos and video. I had hair and makeup on set which is why this picture looks so good.
I’m obsessed with braids and this was a true treat. I also adored my outfits. I’ve worked with Kohl’s in the past so I’m well aware of the lines they carry. My outfits included looks from Gaiam, Nike and Adidas.
After the shoot, I went back to my hotel before grabbing dinner at Cava. It’s like a glorified sweetgreen but with a Mediterranean twist. The best part is the unlimited toppings! They are actually opening up a bunch in Massachusetts before the end of the year and I am sooo excited!
I met a friend afterwards for a little gelato.
Tuesday I had the day off! We were supposed to shoot but it was cancelled. I would have changed my flight but since I was going to Minneapolis, I just enjoyed a day with no plans. I didn’t know what to do with myself. No work appointments, no child, oh my!!!
I woke up again at 5:30 due to jet lag and took a Pilates class at Sweat Pilates. It reminded me of BTone in a good way as it was the Lagree method. My teacher Amy was great.
Afterwards, I casually walked back to my hotel stopping to grab a chia pudding and iced matcha latte at Juice Served Here. There is so much hype built up around Matcha I had to try it. It was good and I liked it but it was not worth the $6.50 that I paid for it…
I went back to my hotel, worked for about 2 hours and then went to meet up with one of my best friends from High School. She has a 2 year old daughter who is beautiful and it made me miss my Tommy. We went to lunch at Cafe Midi and then ran a few errands together.
Finally afterwards, I went to get myself a pedicure at tenoverten. The pedicure was nice but lacking massage chairs and an awkward basin to put your feet in, I’m not sure it was worth the $40 price tag. I went to tenoverten because it’s a nontoxic salon and very clean. I was so tired, I just wanted to lie in a comfy chair and the chairs were way too short and it just was not the relaxing pedicure I wanted. I would come for a manicure again but not a pedi.
Afterwards, I grabbed a couple tacos for dinner from Loculi and finally a vegan ice cream from Van blah blah. I walked home ready to fall into bed and it was only 6:30 pm.
This morning, I woke up, went for a run up the Culver City Steps. Holy work! Who knew hiking could be such a workout. Apparently Californians did but city girl over here did not. I shortly thereafter went to the airport and am now en route to Minneapolis!
On my way to the airport, I realized how much I missed Tommy. It honestly almost hurts how much I miss him. I can’t wait to see his little face on Facetime before I go to bed.
To all my moms who travel for work on a regular basis, how do you do it!? My heart hurts.
I needed this paloma at the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis as soon as I arrived.
This post is not sponsored by anyone, just sharing my day 🙂
I hear you on missing Tommy! Last summer I spent just under a week in Denver for work/visiting my high school best friend, which should’ve been great, but I spent the majority of the time missing my girls. While I do need a break from time to time, that was too much time away for me. One night or an afternoon going to a spa is enough for me!