This month’s “real talk, real moms” topic is all about travel. As you all know, I’m a girl with serious wanderlust – traveling to Istanbul, Marrakech, and beyond. Each year my mom and I plan a big trip to take together to a part of the world we have yet to discover. In the last month of pregnancy I kept telling myself – you can still travel, it’ll be a little bit harder but worth showing Jackson at a young age that the world is his oyster. Our lifestyle has been to get out and explore and it all started for Jackson on day 10. We took our first short, but sweet road trip up to Tomales Bay for a friends annual birthday. Everyone thought we were a little ambitious and loco en la cabeza, but it went amazing (for new parent standards).  Jackson cried for the first 20 minutes but after some sweet loves and singing he dozed off and has been a champ in the car ever since. I truly believed that taking this first trip made me comfortable taking him out around the city. Fast forward to when Jackson was 2.5 months old and our first plane ride was approaching. We planned a trip to New York as a getaway. The twist, I was taking this first plane ride solo. Eric met us there from Arizona where he lives in March. When we booked the tickets I thought = no big deal, he’s in his sleepy state still, he’s quiet, I’ll be fine. As the days grew closer to going I got incredibly nervous. All the voices in my head, the thousands of pieces of advice were running through my head – Is he going to do ok when we take off and land? What if I forget something? How the hell am I going to get the stroller, suitcase and him? All valid questions. Friends, one thing I learn from that first trip – don’t be afraid to ask for help. As we got to security I started to panic, which meant Jackson could feel my tension rising. He started to get fussy with the noise and I was attempting to close the stroller. Luckily two moms behind me asked if I wanted help and were in awe that I was traveling solo. Those two moms MADE my trip through security a breeze. They helped, distracted me from getting more tense and then Jackson fell asleep. I left thinking – alright now I just have to get through takeoff and landing. Jackson was a champ – he crashed on my lap during takeoff, slept for 3 hours. When he woke up, I changed his diaper (more on that below) and after playing with a new toy for a little bit, he passed back out until I woke him up for landing. He didn’t want his bottle but once I sang to him and popped the bottle in his mouth, his ears popped. I’ve since taken him to Arizona and Portland. I’ll be honest, they didn’t go off without a few hitches – a little tumble here and there but we made it through. We’ve also taken him on a 9 hour road trip, which we planned around his afternoon nap and bedtime. Smartest decision we ever made because when it got dark he only wanted to sleep. As Jackson gets older and more mobile I’m nervous about how he will travel – the wiggly stage I hear is the worst. But I have faith that we’ll get through it, it just may not be solo. I’ve pulled together five tips I mention to every mom that asks for advice when traveling. 1.) Baby Carrier. Have your baby in the Ergo through security. Then you are handsfree, hopefully they will fall asleep, and then they only swab your hands. It’s a win, win. 2.) Gate Check. Bring the stroller through security. At first I thought it would be silly to gate check but it’s the perfect place to put the diaper bag and if your baby wants out of the Ergo they can still be strapped in. With that being said, make sure you have a bag to put it in. I bought this cheap bag for $12 because I heard strollers get dirty in cargo – the bag came back with a TON of grease on it. 3.) Extra, Extra. I learned from that first road trip that bringing extra clothes for your baby and yourself are key. With the cabin pressure poops are more explosive. On that trip to New York we had one poop all the way up his back. It’s bound to happen but you never know when. Babies like to surprise us that way. So pack extra clothes, diapers and swaddles that you can use for spit up. 4.) Takeoff and Landing. This was something I was incredibly nervous about. Jackson ended up doing amazing but there was one leg of a trip where he finished his bottle incredibly fast and we still had 10 more minutes of landing. I was the mom struggling to make another bottle, with baby in hand. All I have to say is, make an extra bottle or two because you never know how long it will take. 5.) Don’t Overpack. Where ever you are headed there are stores on the other end. Bring what you need for the first day or so – diapers and essentials but then buy the rest in your destination. This was a great tip a mom mentioned. You don’t want to pack that huge thing of diapers. Also, if you forgot something, don’t fret – you’ll be able to get it on the other end. What I’ve learned with each trip is that there is room for growth, you’ll have curve balls thrown at you. It is important to remain calm no matter the circumstance because it’s all going to turn out okay, even if it isn’t perfect. I’d love to hear any tips you have on traveling – especially at this new wiggly stage as we prepare for a few trips that are on the horizon. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the Real Talk, Real Moms posts. I’m headed over now to take in all of their knowledge – I’ve linked to them below. Apartment 34 | The Effortless Chic | A Daily Something | Could I Have That | Parker Etc | Sarah Sherman Samuel | Our Style Stories | Ave Styles | The Refined Woman Photos by Katherine Harris

Chicken pot pie is my ultimate comfort food. It is one of those foods I have eaten my entire life and never seem to get sick of or grow out of. When I was younger I used to love chicken pot pie that was topped with big fluffy biscuits – not homemade biscuits but the kind that comes in a tube – you know the Pillsbury Grand biscuits? Amazing. This chicken pot pie is slightly more elevated but just as good, I promise. Instead of a biscuit topping this recipe calls for a filo dough topping. Filo is a dough that is made up of very thin layers and is usually used for making pastries like baklava. In this recipe the filo is layered together with melted butter and placed on top of the pot pie filling. The result is a crispy and crunchy topping that goes together perfectly with a hearty pot pie filling. I baked my pot pies in mini cocottes, but a Dutch oven would work just as well. Make sure to let your Dutch oven cool slightly before placing the filo topping. Also, feel free to swap the filo dough topping with puffed pastry or even those good old-fashioned Grands biscuits, either way this pot pie will be delicious. Enjoy! ~ Amanda Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients 7 Tbs. unsalted butter 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs. all-purpose flour ¼ cup dry white wine 2 Tbs. chicken demi-glace 1 quart chicken stock 1 yellow onion, diced 3 celery stalks, sliced 2 carrots, peeled and diced ½ lb small red potatoes cut into 1⁄2-inch dice 1 ½ lbs cooked chicken, cubed 1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 1 box filo dough, thawed if frozen melted butter 1 egg Salt and pepper to taste Directions 1.) Preheat oven to 375F. 2.) In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture smells fragrant and turns light brown, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the white wine and demi-glace. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking until smooth, and bring to a boil. Add the onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, chicken, thyme, bay leaf and a large pinch of salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are almost tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Divide filling among 8 cocottes or allow the filling to cool in the Dutch oven. 3.) To assemble the pot pie gently unroll the filo. Cut the filo in half and use remaining filo for another use or re-freeze. 4.) If using cocottes, cut squares large enough to cover the tops of the cocottes. Brush melted butter in between each layer, using about 10 – 15 squares per cocotte. If using Dutch oven, do not cut into squares, instead brush filo dough layers with melted butter and place on Dutch oven fanning out layers to cover the entire top of dutch oven. Trim filo if necessary. 5.) In a small bowl whisk egg and 1 tsp. water. Brush the filo with the egg wash, sprinkle with sea salt and cut a small hole in top of filo to let steam escape. 6.) Bake chicken pot pie until the filo is crisp and browned all over, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool about 10 minutes before serving. 7.) Serves 8. TIP: This is a great make ahead recipe. You can make the filling up to 2 days before and store in the refrigerator or freeze for up 2 weeks but defrost before using.   When ready to eat top the filling with filo dough, bake and enjoy! Recipe & Photos by Amanda Frederickson for Sacramento Street #entertaining #cooking

San Francisco is in a bit of an identity crisis at the moment. It can’t quite seem to decide if we should continue this stunning summertime weather or turn to fall. Don’t get me wrong, I love this sunshine – it means more time outside enjoying the park and long walks. I have to tell you though, we had a little sneak peek at fall last week and it got me giddy for sweater weather. In the meantime, I’m embracing the bare arms and open toed shoe weather. Before you know it I’ll be wishing it was summer again. Are you ready for the season to change? Vest from Madewell (on super sale!) | Sleeveless Sweater by Jenni Kayne | Jeans by Current Elliott | Wallet & Sunglasses by Celine #style

One of my favorite things is that we have four distinct seasons to enjoy. I adore the heat and sunshine of summer but I’m just as happy to be slipping into fall with shorter hours of daylight, trees turning brilliant colors, and a briskness to the air. I also love the flowers and branches at the flowers market with the changes of color and varieties. Natalie has created an arrangement of flowers that makes me tickled with excitement. I find the mix of soft blush colors and the vivid colors of the leaves and branches to be a perfect mix to chime in the new season. Flowers: “Cafe Aux Lait” Dahlias Maple Branches Rose Hips I love these berries. What are they? These are rose hips. I love that this variety is so delicate and not as large as the type I normally see. Rose hips are the fruit from the rose plant and we see them in early Autumn after the summer roses have stopped blooming. Rose hips have medicinal powers and many uses. I often drink tea with rose hips as they are very high in Vitamin C. These Dahlias are to die for! These are called “Cafe aux lait” dahlias and they have become really common in the last couple of years. I see them more and more but they are still such a beautiful color. I love that they bridge other colors and in this case of this arrangement they soften the Autumnal colors and make the arrangement seem more appropriate for September when we aren’t quite yet in the full swing of Fall. With the seasons changing what foliage branches do you recommend for interior arrangements? I love to use fall foliage such as this Maple. However, in my home I am always most drawn to the longest lasting blooms and branches so that I get the maximum enjoyment without having the change them often. Fall foliage can last anywhere from three days to over a week, but these rose hips last for a month! I love them for this reason. As the season changes, I look for lichen and moss covered branches that have very few leaves on them. This way I can enjoy them as we transition from Fall to Winter. A new season brings new blooms, what can we expect to start to see in season that you are excited about? I love Fall. It is my favorite season and I am so excited to see the leaves change color. At this time of year I start to focus more on non-floral elements of the season. I love Liquid Amber, Pistache and Gingko. I also love heirloom pumpkins and usually get mine as soon as I seem them and don’t throw them out until the day I bring the Christmas tree in. To get inspired by past Blooms in Season posts – click here. Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs | Images by Suzanna Scott for Sacramento Street #lifestyle

When Pottery Barn Kids asked me to design a nursery for their fall catalog, I was thrilled! I couldn’t wait to create a nursery using their products and was excited to get my creative juices flowing. After having a baby last December, this became a project that was near and dear to my heart. As a child, my life was spent traveling and living abroad with my family. I knew I wanted to create a room that evoked the spirit of travel. Recently, I traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico and this is where I drew my inspiration for the room. I started with the quote above the crib: “Let everyday be an adventure.” From there, my goal was a room that had an adventurous spirit with a neutral palate. The tepee is a place I can see kids playing in for hours on end. I had originally wanted to use wallpaper but couldn’t find a design I was satisfied with for the aesthetic I was envisioning. Instead, I decided to stencil the walls with a pattern I had seen on a tapestry in New Mexico. This was a much less expensive solution and turned out perfectly. I wanted to share with all of you the step by step instructions on how we went about painting the stencil – thank goodness we had help from a professional! Materials Needed: For Stencil – Clear laminate sheet Printed design drawn out Rubber cutting mat X-Acto knife Masking tape Marker For Wall – stencil paint brush painter’s tape pencil paint paper towels level Instructions: For Creating Stencil – 1.) When selecting an image or design, make sure that it will only need two paint colors. 2.) Trace the design by hand onto the clear plastic laminate sheet. Use a marker for this . 3.) Now it’s time to cut the stencil – set your piece of laminate on the rubber cutting mat. Using a X-Acto knife to cut out the area you will be painting. Be sure to take your time with this. Once you’ve cut out all of the pieces, voila! For Painting Stencil on the Wall – 1.) Determine the starting point. Once this is determined, attach the stencil using painter’s tape. 2.) Paint stencil design on the wall with a paint brush. Make sure the bristles don’t have any excess paint on them. If so, use a paper towel to take off the paint. 3.) Apply paint – make sure you don’t brush paint over stencil openings, this will lead to paint seeping under the stencil. Make sure you hold the stencil in place and apply pressure where you are painting. 4.) Once you are done painting, measure the distance you would like between each stencil. Mark that point with a pencil. Do this for the entire wall before painting the rest of the stencils. 5.) Continue painting the stencil design. Move the stencil across the wall until the entire wall is covered in the design. All Sherwin-Williams paint: –Wall, SW7064 Passive –Arrow, SW7066 Gray Matters –Arrow Accent, SW 7006 Extra White Here is a time-lapse video from start to finish of the stencil going up. It’s pretty incredible to see it come to life. A huge thank you to the Pottery Barn Kids team for having me be part of this fall catalog. It was a true honor to work with such an incredible team. Now, pop over to the Pottery Barn Kids blog to learn more about the inspiration behind the nursery. Product: Classic Campaign Dresser | Mini Dot Teepee | Plush animal rockers Rocking Chair | Gemma Campaign Crib | Harper Bedding Glass & Metal Cage Pendant | Areaware Balancing Blocks in White Modern Mobile | Custom Sign Photos by Pottery Barn Kids #interiors

I never really became a coffee drinker, which is surprising since I grew up in a home where both of my parents took coffee drinking seriously. I have memories of my mom saving to buy a illy Francis Francis and loved waking up each morning to her illy espresso coffee. Years later, I’ve slowly come to appreciate coffee – especially when trying to juggle a baby and a career. When asked to try the brand new illy Francis Francis iperEspresso – Y5 Milk Coffee and Espresso Machine, I was thrilled because of the memories I had of the aroma each morning as a child. The great thing about this new Y5 Milk Coffee and Espresso machine is that it has the ability to prepare your milk for a cappuccino – the way I prefer my coffee. The capsules make it so easy to prepare a delicious cup of jo each morning – no fuss and a guaranteed delicious cup of Italian espresso each time. Many folks are such devotee’s of illy coffee that they also collect the different cups that have been made through the years. They remind me so much of the espresso cups you get at cafes in Italy. As I prep my coffee corner each evening before bed – I take sweet joy in knowing that in the morning I’ll be in pure bliss with a delicious cup of coffee. Whether it’s with Jackson in my arms or having a peaceful moment alone – the thing that remains the same is that perfect first sip in the morning. Not only will I be enjoying illy, but I know that when my parents come to visit they will be thrilled with this new found tradition in our home – a superb cup of coffee awaits them. Now pop over to my dedicated illy Pinterest board to get a glimpse into my idea of the perfect coffee corner, you’ll be able to end to win your very own Y5 Milk Coffee and Espresso machine by pinning your favorite photo! This post is a partnership with illy. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Images by Suzanna Scott for Sacramento Street #lifestyle

Since we are officially in fall (although you wouldn’t know it here in the Bay Area with this brutal heat wave we are experiencing right now) it is time to start eating apples! I love apple desserts but sometimes I feel like they are a little one color, especially apple pies and crisps. Berries are still floating around the market and I thought apples and blackberries could be the perfect combo – a little tartness from the blackberries to balance the sweetness from the apples, not to mention the gorgeous red color that the crisp turns when baked. Top the apple-blackberry mixture with a crisp topping that is made with oat flour, toasted hazelnuts and butter and a delicious and gorgeous apple dessert it born. There are a couple reasons this recipe is one of my favorites. I love recipes that work better gluten-free. I find that by using different types of flours that are naturally gluten-free you can actually make recipes taste better. This crisp is the perfect example. I swapped out regular all-purpose flour for gluten-free oat flour – I like even better. The oat flour adds a hint of nuttiness to this crisp that makes me forget the need for regular all-purpose flour. I’m not saying it is healthy, I wish it was because I am pretty sure I could eat the entire crisp myself, but I am saying it is one delicious gluten-free dessert. I also love this recipe because it makes a lot of crisp topping – in my opinion that is the best part of a crisp. Apples and blackberries are great and all, but give me that crispy buttery hazelnut goodness any day of the year. Am I right? If you like a crisp that has a lighter amount of crisp topping, just halve the crisp recipe or save it in your freezer in an airtight container until you bake your next crisp. Lastly, I love this recipe because you do not need any special equipment to make the crisp other than two bowls, an oven and your hands, which makes clean up the easiest darn thing ever. Enjoy! ~ Amanda Apple & Blackberry Crisp Ingredients 3 lbs apples peeled and cut into 1” cubes 1 pint blackberries 1 tsp orange zest 1 tsp. lemon zest juice of 1 lemon ½ cup brown sugar 3 Tbs. corn starch 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg Topping 1 cup oat flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 ½ sticks butter ½ cup oats (make sure they are gluten–free if you want this to be a gluten-free recipe) ½ cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped pinch of salt Directions 1.) Pre-heat an oven to 350F. Butter a large baking dish (approximately 8 x 8 ). 2.) In a large bowl, combine the apples, blackberries, orange zest, lemon zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir well to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish. 3.) In another bowl combine the oat flour, brown sugar, butter, oats, hazelnuts and large pinch of salt. Using your hands mix well making sure the butter is incorporated. 4.) Spread the topping over the apple and blackberry mixture and bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until the apples are tender and the fruit juices in the crisp are bubbling around the edges. Cover with foil if the crisp topping becomes too dark. 5.) Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with a large scoop of ice cream or crème fraiche. Recipe & Photos by Amanda Frederickson for Sacramento Street #entertaining #cooking

Every year I always look forward to fall arriving. Don’t get me wrong – I love every minute of the long days of summer, but as the days get shorter and there is a crispness in the air, I start turning my focus inward to our home. Most Sunday mornings my family and I walk to our local farmer’s market for fresh fruits and vegetables. With the change of season we started to see apples making it to the market. A few weekends ago we decided to switch it up a bit and go to an apple orchard instead. Bringing home a crate of apples motivated me to create a new tabletop for my dining room that celebrates the arrival of the new season. I teamed up with Target Style to use their new collection of fall inspired items for the table. When I think of fall I have images of richer tones, more texture, and definitely delicious baking from the bounty of apples. I knew I wanted to find copper and metal tones along with wicker and wood to warm up my dining room. I found more than I could ever have hoped for – pounded metal bowls and vases, plates and bowls with a muted copper rim, a wooden bowl to display the apple crisp, and gold votives to light up the table. I usually love all-white flowers, but in the spirit of autumn I chose deep maroon flowers, hops, branches with small red berries and a few white flowers. Product: Threshold Barnet Bronze Dinnerware | Threshold Tan Napkin | Stemless Wine Glasses | Threshold Metal Vase | Antique Gold Candle Holder | Copper Fig | Threshold 2pk Dripless Tapers – Real Pecan | Threshold Acacia Bowl with Handles | Threshold Metal Hammered Small Serving Bowl – Gold The result had me giddy for the season that is upon us in a few short days. In our On the Menu post tomorrow Amanda will share her delicious apple crisp recipe that was inspired by this tabletop. It will definitely help you to bring in the new fall season. Images by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #entertaining

One of the questions I get asked most by mom’s to be is – what pieces carried me through my pregnancy? To be honest, I had a handful of lower-end tees and basics that I counted on. I also had a few special pieces from Hatch Collection that I ended up rotating daily to get me to the end of my pregnancy. A matter a fact, I wore all of these pieces after as well. Caitlin: The Slouch Dress Natalie: The Button Down | The Blazer | The Night Out Legging I’ve seen an evolution of my style from before, during and after pregnancy – even though they each have their own challenges, one thing that I’ve tried to keep steady is my sense of style. I never wanted to be the mom that’s always in her workout clothes. Luckily, I’ve been able to still wear pieces from Hatch after pregnancy and I continue to be a huge fan of their clothes. It’s not just a place to shop during pregnancy – you can wear it in all stages of life. When my girlfriend Natalie announced she was pregnant she came to me at month five asking for tips on dressing her bump. Friends, this gal needs no style advice – she’s one of those friends that looks effortless but incredibly chic at the same time. I wanted to help her out, I remember feeling a bit lost at the stage when my bump finally popped. As I thought about the challenges I’ve faced as a mom with my style at her stage, I wanted to share tips on how to dress during and after pregnancy. Both are equally important! So, I had Natalie over to dress her bump with Hatch Collection pieces. Their clothes make you feel effortless and cool, which is necessary for busy mom’s and moms-to-be. After sifting through their incredible fall collection – filled with cozy knits, beautiful blazers and silk pieces, we selected our favorites that made sense for our lifestyle. You can see here we are trying on the airplane cardigan and we both have on the cami in different colors (below), which I now want multiples of in my closet! Caitlin: The Airplane Cardigan (in black) | The Cami (in ivory) Natalie:The Cami (in B/W Pebble) After chatting about the best tips to give all of you, here are three key style tips for both stages. During Pregnancy Style 1.) Keep if Simple: Sticking to neutrals (especially dark colors) are way more forgiving. 2.) Stretch is Your Bestfriend: Find a comfortable stretchy skinny jeans or leggings – I promise they will become your best friend until the end. 3.) Show off the Bump: You may think wearing bulky or baggy clothes is a good idea, but form-fitting clothing shows off the bump. Motherhood Style 1.) Establish a Uniform: This is one of the way’s I’ve been able to get out the door to meetings. I have key pieces that work together that don’t make me second guess myself when Jackson is pulling on my leg for attention. 2.) Pick One Piece: For date night, have a dress you can throw on at a moments notice. 3.) Invest in Killer Shoes: The simplest outfit can be made by a stunning pair of shoes. A huge thank you to Hatch for letting us play dress up with their fall collection. It got me incredibly giddy for the crisp fall days ahead! This post is a partnership with Hatch Collection. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open. Images by Emily Scott for Sacramento Street #style

Living in Northern California gives you unique places to visit in every direction you drive. One of the hidden gems that we had yet to visit was Healdsburg. Honestly, I can’t believe we had never been. It’s only a little over an hour away! As we set out on our adventure we were excited to discover another place so close. As we approached downtown Healdsburg, and the beautiful historic square, we were stuck by the beautiful modern design of the Hotel Healdsburg that opened in 2002. The property was sophisticated, had a stunning aesthetic and common areas throughout the entire hotel where you could sit down to enjoy a little r & r. That’s the point of a getaway, right? We were completely smitten by the hotel from the beginning. When we arrived at our room I was in awe of the size – it was larger than our former studio apartment! The floor to ceiling windows allowed great views as well. The beauty of the hotel is there are trees that border the hotel so you have complete privacy but can also see nature. A huge plus in my eyes. We made ourselves right at home – Jackson loved the big king size bed. Traveling with a little one is always an adventure but the Hotel Healdsburg made us instantly feel welcomed – we enjoyed dinner at the Dry Creek Kitchen in the hotel area, which had a band playing. Jackson was very entertained by the music. We also had some quality time out in their pool, followed by a nap and then I was able to sneak off to enjoy an afternoon at the newly remodeled spa, which was bliss. We will definitely be venturing back to the beloved Healdsburg soon and I can’t wait to discover more of what it has to offer. One weekend was certainly not enough time. If you have any Healdsburg or Alexander Valley recommendations, please leave them in the comments! Favorite Discoveries: SHED – I highly recommend going for lunch – don’t pass on the beet tzatziki, it’s amazing! There may be a wait for a table but you can take those 15 minutes to look around the beautiful shop. Noble Fork – You may have to go back twice because they have too many delicious ice cream and pie options! Flying Goat Coffee – For a morning pick me up and treats. Dinner Spots – Dry Creek Kitchen (in the Hotel Healdsburg), Barn Diva and Scopa. Macrostie Winery (which Grant Gibson designed) – You’ll be greeted with a glass of wine as you arrive. The view and decor is unbeatable! Photos by Caitlin Flemming #travel