The Rose Garden: A MDW Postcard

Enjoying yourself when life isn't perfect, sweet things for any summer trip and 5 sales I couldn’t ignore on the last day to shop.

May 27, 2025

Welcome to The Rose Garden, your place to find small beautiful things in the Land of Oaks and Roses.

I read somewhere that one of the things kids remember most about their childhoods is family trips. This gave me pause because traveling with kids is not my forte. There’s something in me that panics every time the packing starts. That running, anticipatory mom list of things that could go wrong always rolls: Are there barf bags in the car if someone gets sick? Did I pack a thermometer? Kids Tylenol? (Just in case) Will the kids rooms be too dark? Too light? What will they play with? Did I pack enough snacks if we hit traffic? If it weren’t for Del, I wouldn’t go anywhere but he’s a big advocate of family vacations. He’s pushed me to do them even when the kid’s ages felt particularly wild, and life circumstances feel particularly inconvenient. He’s a take the trip, order the dessert kind of person. And luckily, some of his energy has rubbed off on me over the years.

I think we have this misconception that enjoyment happens when we finally get our lives to be the way we want them to be. But enjoyment really is a choice. There’s someone with the life you want who is absolutely miserable. And there’s someone with the life you fear who is smiling because the sun is shining. Our little MDW trip stood out to me because we really did choose enjoyment, and presence with each other, even though there are a lot of question marks about life right now. We took the trip, and made the memories, anyway.

3 Sweet Things for Any Trip You're Taking This Summer

Shell Jewelry & Keychains: Family shell treasure hunting was my favorite memory of this trip. We were looking for ones with little holes to make necklaces and keychains out of. For mermaid vibes, we’re going to string them on cords like this. Next time I’d order them in advance to bring with us. We happen to have some of these that were perfect for keychains.
The Family Game: I got this game recommendation from my friend Natalie, and it’s so fun to play on a trip (or bring to restaurants.)
Travel Watercolors: These are also postcards your kids can mail to friends/family from your trip! Drank a few cups of coffee peacefully because of this.

5 Sales I Couldn’t Ignore on the Last Day to Shop

A.Emery Sandals: Great summer sandals 40-60% off here and here.
J.Crew: This one for me is about summer base layers like this linen white tee ($39.50) and this pointelle tee ($29.50) and tank ($19.50).
Roz Hair: My shampoo and conditioner duo is on sale and my code OliviaW15 works on top of the discount! A friend I got to see on this trip just tried it for the first time and we were talking about how great it is while preventing kids from drowning in her pool :)
Net A Porter: I promised to tell you when the Eres suit goes on sale and here it is in black 40% off.
Hanna Andersson: The summer camp clothes stock up happened here for me. And I also just saw this shell dress ($21 on sale) for my fellow mermaid lovers!