The Sai De Silva family loves a good vacation — and the mom of two knows exactly how to prepare to make her family trips a success.
While talking to PEOPLE about appearing in Old Navy’s spring campaign alongside her two children, daughter London, 12, and son Rio, 6, The Real Housewives of New York star, 43, shared some of her favorite family travel tips.
When it comes to packing, De Silva suggests “mixing and matching” as well as using the “shrink and roll method” to pack clothes in a bag or suitcase.
“I’m a date when I’m on vacation,” she says. “I just think you only have one suitcase, so you should definitely bring pieces that complement each other or can be mixed and matched.”
Another must-have for everyone in the family is a button-down shirt, says the social media influencer and blogger.
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Sai De Silva and her children in the Old Navy campaign.
Old Navy
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“Everybody needs a buckle. My daughter needs a buckle, I need a buckle, and my son needs a buckle. I think they’re very versatile. They go with everything,” he explains. “You can wear a bathing suit and just button up the top. And then in the evening you can tie it up, button it up and add skirts.”
“Sunglasses are very important. Versatile masks that can be worn at any time of the day with outfits. Eye-catching items that will really make your outfit stand out, things like jewelry,” she adds about other essential items to bring.
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Daughter of Sai De Silva for Old Navy campaign.
Old Navy
De Silva, who shares her two children with husband David Craig, tells PEOPLE that she and her kids made “great memories” while shooting Old Navy’s spring holiday campaign in Miami, where they both got to show off their favorite looks.
“This isn’t our first time at the rodeo,” De Silva says of creating content with his kids. – We’ve done it before, so they got used to it somehow.
“I think they’re very competitive with each other. They’re trying to see who can do the best, so they can come home and tell their dad who was the best at work. So it’s sweet. It’s a family thing here. And you know what? They like to see final product.”
“My daughter loved the white button-down pants. My son loved his striped shorts, which were very fun, bright orange, and set the mood for the moody winter we have here in New York,” she continues. “I felt like it almost boosted his confidence. He was super stylish, and his sunglasses and everything.”
“He thought he was the coolest guy,” she adds. “The highlight, of course, was my son jumping into the pool over and over again. I mean, he was doing the cannonball and everyone watching got the applause he needed.”
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Sai De Silva for Old Navy spring campaign.
Old Navy
De Silva says her family loves trips to the beach, so shooting the campaign in Miami was especially fun for her and her kids. “Anytime my son and daughter can get out and go to the beach, they’re all about it, so they’ve had a lot of fun, too.”
She also celebrates how her kids are “the easiest” when they’re on vacation.” Sometimes they’re so quiet I forget they’re in our hotel room. Like, ‘Hello, is anyone there?’ ” she laughs. “My kids are very, very relaxed, very relaxed. They like a good vacation.”
“They love sitting by the pool. I almost have little little adults hanging out with me,” she continues. “Sometimes I think, ‘Is it normal for them to be so laid back and relaxed?’ I have very good children.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education