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Australia: Melbourne & Brisbane

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Is very far away. Go anyway. Here's what you need to steal my vacation: Prepare for sleep: Travel One of the biggest things in my planning was planning the flight to Australia itself. Here are my recommendations. Jet lag is optional. I read a bunch of articles on this, and I did not believe that "jet lag is optional," as Taylor Swift said, but now I am a believer. The Timeshifter app will convert you, too. The app tells you when to drink caffeine, when not to, when to stay up very late, when to sleep, when to put on your sunglasses, and when to take melatonin. I followed it on the way there and was totally fine when I woke up the next day. Alexis and Leon did not really follow it and... had more jet lag. So on the way back. all of us followed it to a tee, had no jet lag, and went to school / work the next morning. It is truly magical. If you ever take an international trip, you should definitely get this.  Suit up. I did a lot of research into neck pillows and eye mas...
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Steal my vacation: Grand Canyon and Southwest

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  I have never been to the Grand Canyon. It didn't seem like such a big deal, but now in my 40s, it started to feel like an oversight. Also, my kid learned about the Mesa Verde in second grade, and has been wanting to see it ever since, so I figured we could spin the two things into one trip, since the Mesa Verde is pretty much in the middle of nowhere.  I'm going to warn you up front: this was definitely a trip, not a vacation, but pretty worth it. Also, now I've done all the research, so you don't have to.  When : We went during Spring break, which was mid-April this year. The weather REALLY ranged on our trip, from a high of 100 degrees in Phoenix to 30 degrees at the Mesa Verde. You want layers and lots of them. Every time I pack for a trip, I look obsessively at the weather, of course, but I also imagine what is the warmest I'll be and the coldest I'll be, and ensure I have clothes for both. Packing for this one was really tricky because I am adamant about ...
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Steal my vacation: Cartageña, Colombia

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  I've been in a place recently of: "if not now when?" I think it's about getting older and realizing I'm not getting any younger or any more adventurous. And I've never been to Colombia, so why not?  Since we were going in February, I wanted to go somewhere warm and beachy. And with a kid, I find beach / pool to be more of a sure bet than a city vacation. My Brazilian friend, Mari, said that I shouldn't go to Cartegena--all of the Colombians go to Santa Marta. I dutifully looked into going to Santa Marta, but let's be real--Cartagena is accessible from New York with a regular direct flight on JetBlue, so that was going to be my choice.  To stay: I spent a full day panicking about which neighborhood to stay in. Based on my research, the primary "safe" options for American tourists are El Centro, Getsemani, and Bocagrande. (And, fwiw, I felt safe the entire time I was in Cartagena.) For the first time in a new city, I usually go for an known ...
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Steal My Vacation: Unrivaled 1:1 Finals in Miami

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Let's be honest: Unrivaled Basketball is one of the few brights spots in 2025. All the stars of the WNBA playing a super-fast 3:3 format? Yes, please, distract me from the disaster that is the new administration. We've watched pretty much every single game on Max, and idly looked at games / flights only to realize that nothing in the 8-week schedule was a fit. Bummer.  Then, while watching the 1:1 tournament on Monday, I noticed there were quite a few empty seats in the stands. Even though we're going to Colombia on Sunday, should I book a last minute trip to Miami to see the finals in person? As Alexis said: "this is so stupid, and I love it." There we go.  It was an excellent, stupid decision.  I'll admit, it was feeling more stupid than excellent when our 7:50pm JetBlue flight to Miami was 2 hours late and we ate the worst meal in memory at Terminal 5. Lesson learned: avoid the Custom Burger food court stop--go with the sit-down restaurant. Lowlights: the f...
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A Slice

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One of the true joys of living in New York is the slice. You know how it goes, you stop by the local pizza place on the way to a party that you don't want to be hungry for, on the way home from drinks that you don't want to be too hungover from. It's perfect: greasy, filling, cheap. One slice takes the edge off, two are acceptable as a meal substitute. And then there's gluten-free pizza. Available: only at home, only after preparation, only after a 450 degree oven. Or: Mozzarelli's . Available after a visit to the lawyer to discuss partnership agreements. ("$350 an hour? Eh... Next to Mozzarelli's? Where do I sign?") Some things: 1. Good crust. 2. Greasy, not too greasy. 3. Good topping options (note: pepperoni, above) 4. Available By The Slice. That's what I'm talking about, people. I love New York. Even More.
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Devil's Food Cake and Funfetti icing, too

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A couple of months ago General Mills announced a line of Betty Crocker gluten-free baking mixes. Tonight, a simple trip to the Park Slope C-Town challenged me to bake a birthday cake in honor of all the Leos of our lives. The mix was simple, only three ingredients and 38 minutes later, Devil's Food Cake with Funfetti icing (artificially-flavored vanilla icing with a packet of sprinkles tucked into the lid of the perfect tub). And, it tastes exactly as I remember box cake. How did they do it? At start, I was wary; the mix was granular, the batter watery but after plumping at 325 and topped with fluffy icing, it's perfect.
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Ice cream sandwiches

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Lo and behold, ice cream sandwiches! On a recent trip to Union Market , a font of gluten-free pastas, treats and naturally safe fruits and veggies, I created the Brooklyn version of a summertime favorite. A oversized scoop of Ronnybrook vanilla ice cream "smooshed" between two Dr. Lucy's Cinnamon Thin cookies (they are basically Snickerdoodles, but crispier) makes for the perfect ending a summery dinner party. The cookies were so cinnamon-sugary with a subtle hint of salt, the best GF cookie to date. Even gluten-loving guests went in for seconds!
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