In 6 short weeks it’s been an interesting swing in temperatures and locations. From 115 a degree heat wave to sub-zero temps and a blizzard. Australia to LA to NYC to LA to NYC to LA to Vegas and Miami next….it’s going to be an interesting year.

Remembering the amazing Spring 2002 cargo pant.

I really should have dropped the 1.3K on them that afternoon on Avenue George V

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m an addict for Tumi Luggage. I have traveled the world exclusively with Tumi for years and I was beside myself when a large box arrived a couple of weeks before the Cool Hunting safari adventure. It was a TUMI BAG!!!!! Custom made for the safari, with my initials on it. I first posted as I was packing it up for the journey. More here. Once we were on our way it was planes, trains and automobiles (mostly Land Rover trucks) for the bag.

The bag logged thousands of miles immediately. Los Angeles to Frankfurt / Frankfurt to Jo’Burg / Jo’Burg to Cape Town… a death scare for the bag…Checking in at the Cape Town South African Airways Desk at 4:30am the handler allowed my bag to go without it’s airline tag attached. Mind you there are 2 weeks worth of very specifically chosen safari necessary items in this particular bag with no time to re-create the contents. An hour, a few tears and lots of insistent requests later the bag is fished out of the belly of the airport and tagged. I was rushed through security and to the gate so I didn’t miss my flight. Phew. Back on track. Cape town to Jo’Burg / Jo’Burg to Livingston / Livingston to Lusaka / Lusaka to Mfuwe / into the bush and back / Mfuwe to Lusaka / Lusaka to Jo’Burg / Jo’Burg to London / into the city & back  / London to Los Angeles. All in two weeks. The bag passed all the tests that the airlines and I threw at it with flying colors.

Here the bag is on it’s last stop in London at The Haymarket Hotel it looks just as at home here as in the bush. Thank you to Cool Hunting and Tumi for making the adventure that much better.

One highlight of the safari I just had the pleasure of joining, was that we had the chance to go to a local school sponsored by our hosts and guides The Bushcamp Company. The genius team at Cool Hunting had worked with the team there to be able to donate a classroom full of desks with a portion of the proceeds from our journey. We also had a visit with the students.

We began calling the whole trip “safari, SURPRISE” because at every turn there was a new and more wonderful experience to be had, beverage to be drank, or once in a lifetime moment to be taken in. The highlight of “safari, SURPRISE” for me was the magical effect the kids at this one school in a small town in the middle of Zambia had on the whole group of us that were traveling.

They were some of the most engaged, ambitious, and appreciative group of young people that I have ever encountered. They don’t seem to take anything for granted, they have a perspective on life that is beyond their age and they have a joy and wonder that means that anything is possible.

The students appreciate the opportunity to get an education. They want to be doctors, and scientists and engineers. Zambia has a brighter future with these amazing students a part of it. They need so much, and have so much to give. I hope that our paths cross again soon.

We are off on our safari expedition today!

Channeling Lauren Hutton’s ease and functionality with our safari inspired must-haves…

SO exciting. I’m all packed up and off to Cape Town and then to Zambia to see Victoria Falls and go on safari. I still don’t think it’s quite settled in but the car gets here in :15 mins and I’m ready!

I managed to pack 15 days worth of stuff into this one Tumi bag. They made it custom for us for the trip because Cool Hunting is curating the genius that is the trip. I hear we have some other really special treats to look forward to that I’ll report back on later. A day in Cape Town and a day in London really threw me some curve balls with the packing situation but I think I’ve got it all sorted out from bug repellant, to our Vintage Shoe Co safari boots, and the bespoke Geren Ford jacket (and pants for me shhhhh no one else got those) and thanks to my great friend Nicole Selmo’s suggestion last night I’m finally getting to use the amazing double pack of mini Hermes cards in a leather carrying case. Very ANNEX, very chic and I’m so happy to have an excuse to use them. I have a feeling we’ll have a LOT of time to play cards during nine days in the bush.Here’s to not getting any bug borne diseases, and making it back in one piece. Lots and lots of photos will be heading this direction shortly after our return.CIAO!

I am getting all packed up and ready for July 4th. Not to celebrate the holiday but to jump a plane for an amazing safari adventure with the kids from Cool Hunting. More on the packing and the carry-on later. I’ve finally settled on my travel outfit. Simple and comfortable are key since it is about a day and a half of straight travel to get from Los Angeles to Cape Town. It’s going to be one of the great adventures of my life. I CAN’T WAIT!

•I’ll be traveling in•

 •Straw hat procured in Mexico City many moons ago with my good friend Alex Alvarez (ex-genius stylist / current genius entrepreneur)•

•Marni necklace that never let’s me down•

•Zara striped boatneck tee•

•Nudie stretch denim jeans•

•Geren Ford custom safari jacket, we re-constructed existing garments to make bespoke jackets for the trip. (you’ll see a lot more about these later)•

•Geren Ford custom tissue weight scarf bespoke for the safari as well•

•Giuseppe Zanotti leopard print flats•

We have a huge girl crush on Sofia Coppola. She’s got an effortlessly sexy style and we admire her attention to detail!

We’ve picked some high, some low, some new and some old. It’s our day dream of what she might pack in her bag for a summer holiday in Italy.