Fanny pack, bum bag, hip bag, belt bag… call it what you will, but I’m still of a fan of this very utilitarian tote.
It famously (infamously?) returned to style pages when Carrie Bradshaw wore the Gucci Moneybelt. However, it occurred to me the other day that my absolute favorite use for it is as a pouch in my larger bag, always on standby for when I need it. I’m not urban-cool enough to sport it all the time.
Sure, I’ve used it at concerts (“festival bag” is another rebranding the pack has seen recently), and I love putting it around my hips for bike dates before (usually) switching it to clutch or crossbody once we get to our destination. But usually I need to also carry around crayons and snacks in addition to a full size wallet and phone. So the fanny pack goes inside the bag as well, with a lip gloss and some hair ties, waiting for its moment in the sun—which actually happens quite frequently…
It’s been a very dry winter so far—the ski resorts were looking mighty forlorn when we visited just after the New Year. But this weekend put a smile on everyone’s faces (and there’s more snow on the way!). We drove up on Thursday night, as the storm rolled in and brought fresh snow to the mountains. Lake Tahoe is beautiful at any time of the year, but I love the way it glows in white.
As for activities, we spent a fair amount of time on the slopes. There are 16 downhill ski areas in the Tahoe region but the stars of the North Shore are Squaw, Alpine, and Northstar. We also really enjoy Homewood (our local resort, just five minutes down the road from our cabin). This year was our first time visiting Diamond Peak, in Incline Village, and it was a great spot for families with young kids. Here are some photos from the weekend and some notes about the ski resorts nearby. I’d love to hear about your favorites in the comments…
“He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin.”
I may have had to work extra hard to keep my voice steady when I read those workds aloud to Hudson last night. We just finished the first book in the Harry Potter series—together. It was my first time reading it, too; and I would read aloud each night while both Hudson and Aron (a long-time fan) would listen. I can see why this has been a memorable experience for so many.
We waited until Hudson was six to start the series—this was a Christmas gift—and have tried to prepare him that there will be a wait before we read more. Perhaps a new book every six months or every year? I asked a while back, at what age is the right time to begin Harry Potter, and loved hearing from some of you on your experiences…
