LilSugar

Tired Traveler? 8 Tips to Get Your Baby Back to Sleeping

Kate Stahl — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:15:41 PST

It's prime vacation time! While your pre-baby trips probably involved stocking up on sleep, travel with a lil one can be anything but restful. Just ask me: my 9-month-old was sleeping 12 hours a night last week, but since we arrived in Florida a few days ago, I'm back to 3-4 hour stretches. Torture. Luckily, one of the fellow guests at our resort is a pediatrician, and she helped with a few tips to get my go-go baby - and yours, too - back on the right track.

Try to arrive before bedtime so your lil one has time to acclimate. Let her explore the new room, and explain where you are and where everyone will be sleeping.
Bring a white noise machine or fan to mask strange new noises.
Follow your at-home bedtime routine; give your baby a soothing warm bath, read books quietly, nurse in a darkened room . . . whatever usually works for you.
Try to re-create her sleeping location as best you can by bringing a crib sheet or blanket from home (even a worn shirt of mom's can help). Also make the new room's lighting as similar to home as possible. Keep clicking for four more tips.

5 Ways to Rent a Vacation Home Online

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:22:47 PDT

Who says you have to stay in a stuffy hotel the next time you want to getaway? These five websites can offer much more than sample-sized soaps in your bathroom. The charm, personality, and comfort of a real home, apartment, or bedroom from a local can give you insight into your destination that a concierge can't. Plus, you may find that you can rent out your own place for a good chunk of change. Check out these sites before you book your next vacation.

Airbnb - This site lets regular people rent out their homes, apartments, spare rooms, and couches for tourists and vacationers to call their own while they make their way through town. What's more, Airbnb just started offering sublets, so if you find yourself in a new city for an extended period of time, you can get great deals through a real homeowner.
Jetsetter - Gilt's brand new vacation home rental site caters to the more upscale of renters, but does "fabulous" quite well - you can rent Richard Branson's 14-bedroom Necker Island estate for a mere $54,000 a night.
VRBO - Promoting vacation rentals by owners, this site connects you to thousands of available rentals worldwide and even offers vacation protection in case of unforeseeable events, foreclosure, and double bookings.
HomeAway - This site lets you browse and book vacation rentals and homes in thousands of cities across the globe. Lots of photos and clear pricing structures make it easy to book.
Inhabit Vacations - Hand-selected apartments, villas, and rental properties in several world cities - from San Francisco, Paris, Bermuda, Portland, and more - ensure that you have the best of what each city has to offer.

5 Geeky Vacations to Take This Summer

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:11:35 PDT

Sure, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Florence all sound good, but why not go somewhere made especially for Geeks? The pros: you won't be the only one in the room with more than one gadget, there's plenty of free WiFi, and zero anxiety about being disconnected. And after visiting all the spots on my list, you'll have earned yourself a Foursquare Jetsetter badge!

Shirtless Gavin Rossdale Soaks Up the Sun With Zuma and Kingston

Katie Henry — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:41:37 PDT

Gavin Rossdale and his boys, Zuma and Kingston, continued to enjoy their relaxing vacation in Cannes today. The hot dad stripped off his shirt, revealing some ripped abs while evening out his tan as the kids played in the pool. The Stefani-Rossdales are making the best of their stay in the South of France, yachting with friends, jet skiing, and observing the beautiful sights from their luxury suite. Gwen and Gavin went from bikinis and pool gear to formal wear on Monday for Brad Pitt's star-studded The Tree of Life premiere. Their family just wrapped up a stay in the UK, but they're heading back to LA in the coming weeks. Gwen needs to be in California by June 7, when she's scheduled to host a private tea to raise money for Japan relief.

Naomi Campbell Does Lunch on a Yacht in Her Bikini

Allie Merriam — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:39:23 PDT

Naomi Campbell was back in another bikini from her extensive collection yesterday while on a yacht off the coast of Miami. She joined friends and her main man Vladislav Doronin for an al fresco lunch on the boat, with plenty of champagne on offer for all. Naomi seems to be enjoying a stay in Florida with lots of time to throw on her two-piece for afternoons in the sun. It's her latest tropical getaway with Vlad, after the duo were spotted together in Phuket, Thailand, last month.

Brooklyn Decker Dons a Mismatched Bikini For a Day Out in Miami

Allie Merriam — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:46:41 PDT

Brooklyn Decker showed off her brand-new haircut after chopping off 10 inches last week while in Miami, and she also had time to flaunt her bikini body on the beach Wednesday! The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition model looked right at home on her deck chair, but she's apparently since gone home to North Carolina to spend time with her family and cheer on her musician brother. She was ready for the downtime after a whirlwind few months of double work duty, traveling the world to show off SI's latest issue and premiere Just Go With It alongside Jennifer Aniston.

Naomi Campbell Hits Miami in Her Bikini!

Allie Merriam — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:09:58 PDT

Naomi Campbell chilled on the back of a yacht yesterday while out for a ride near Miami. The supermodel was clad in a printed bikini for her afternoon in the sun, which she shared with another two-piece clad pal and her boyfriend Vlad Doronin. She enjoyed some rest and relaxation after a recent stint in France, where she hit the runway for Louis Vuitton with Kate Moss during Paris Fashion Week. Naomi's all about luxurious getaways when she's not busy with work, having traveled to Cabo in Mexico and Phuket, Thailand in the last four months alone.

Speak Up: Which Fitness Retreats Are Your Fave?

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:00:07 PDT

I'm asking for your help; Summer is ending soon and I need vacation suggestions. I'm debating going glamping, but I kind of want to try a fitness retreat, which is something I've never done before. And even though I can turn any vacation into a fit one by renting a bike, going on a hike, or spending hours walking and sightseeing, I'm looking for something a little more structured.

I've read about surf retreats, bikini boot camps in Costa Rica, and mountain biking in Moab. I know that yoga retreats are becoming more popular, and that resorts like Canyon Ranch offer all sorts of spa and wellness packages. My problem is that I don't know anyone who's ever gone on a fitness retreat. If any of you have tried it, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Tell me what you think in the comments below, and maybe you can help end my last-minute vacation anxiety.

Do You Vacation With Other Families?

babysugar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:00:20 PDT

The more the merrier. The family vacation is just as likely to include friends, as it is family these days. Arranging a trip with another family not only gives the adults and tots added companionship, it provides added sources of entertainment and potential babysitting throughout the stay. For couples with friends located in various parts of the country, the group holiday can get the kids acquainted while the adults catch up.

But planning a group getaway requires careful planning. Before finding a date and location that everyone can agree upon, couples must identify other families that will make compatible travel companions. Sharing similar parenting philosophies, wake and bedtimes and ability to stray from the plan will maintain order once everyone comes together.

Do you travel with other families, or do you stick to smaller vacations?

Mommy Dearest: Family Vacation Interferes With School

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:00:48 PDT

Mommy Dearest,

My husband's parents' 50th anniversary is coming up in December and they offered to take the entire family on a trip to celebrate. They selected a cruise that does not return until the 5th of January. While the trip works for the rest of the family, it means my preschooler and kindergartener will miss the first two days back to school after Winter break. My mother-in-law says that I shouldn't worry because the children are young. Though I am grateful for the vacation, I am wary of the kids missing class. Should we skip the trip?

– Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama

To see the response from Mommy Dearest,

read more. Cruisin' in Lieu of School Mama, It's your in-laws' 50th anniversary - a once in a lifetime event that your children are lucky enough to be a part of- I say take them on the trip and don't worry about the two days of missed class. While the vacation is a generous offer, the experience is one your kiddos will always remember and likely means a great deal to your husband's parents. Prior to leaving, sit down with your children's teachers, explain the situation and see if any assignments need to be completed. – Mommy Dearest Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new Community page.