CopyStrands

Be Sparkly: Best Twinkle Lights

2012-05-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Upcoming summer nights and twinkle lights! I'm headed to one of my favorite places soon for a quick holiday away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Where twinkle lights abound at night. And I can fly my kites. What kind of twinkle light catches your eye?

Pigeon Toe Ceramics twinkle lights...

Pottery Barn twinkle lights...

Ballard Designs twinkle lights...

What are your holiday plans?

Squish Studio on Fogo Island

2012-05-21T14:27:00.001-07:00

Take a look at this little cutie. This 322 square foot studio is located on Fogo Island in Labrador, Canada. Designed by Bergen, Norwegian-based Saunders Architecture in 2011. Take a peak at this little wonder they call Squish Studio...

P.S. The New York Times wrote about Fogo Island.

Photos: Saunders Architecture

Chic Wine Bike Holder & More

2012-05-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

I adore my Linus bike. I ride my bike a few times a week around Seattle. You don't have to look like a road biker to ride a bike. You can wear a dress, hop on your bike, and cycle to a friend's house for dinner (wine in tote; bike light shining at dusk). Here are a few fun bike gadgets to get you started...

1. Let it shine: Bookman Lights

2. Wine to go:Oopsmark Bicycle Wine Rack (The bike wine holder at Walnut Studio is cool too.)

3. Distinguished ride: Linus Roadster Sport Bike (and you can Win a Linus Bike; until May 31!)

4. Store it: Pedal Pod bike storage.

5. Map a city ride: Use Ride the City to map out your next ride!

P.S. New to cycling? Learn all about cycling in Momentum magazine. (You can pick up free copies of the mag at Gregg's Cycles.)

Photo: Vince Rios / Southbay Mag

Boutique Crush: Privet House

2012-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Adore Privet House in Connecticut. It's full of curiosities and oddities, things with tons of character. And there's good news for Target lovers. Privet House has partnered with Target.

Original Photos: Privet House (photo effects by CopyStrands)

Go See Million Dollar Quartet!

2012-05-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

Top three reasons to see Million Dollar Quartet:

1. The spectacular live music bouncing off the walls at The Paramount theatre. All the actors: play instruments, sing, and mirror mannerisms of the original artists. A fun trifecta to see and hear in person. P.S. Listen to the original recordings from the real "Million Dollar Quartet" circa 1956.

2. Actor Martin Kay who plays Jerry Lee Lewis to a leg-shaking, ivory tickling T!

3. When you think the show is over, don't leave your seat, you are in for a treat!

Overheard via announcement: W.S. "Fluke" Holland, a long-time drummer for Johnny Cash was in the audience!

The famous setting:Sun Records in Memphis, TN

Owner of Sun Records:Sam Phillips (played by Christopher Ryan Grant)

When:December 4, 1956

What:Four men who launched their careers at Sun Records gathered for an impromptu jam session.

Meet the big four:

1. Johnny Cash (played by Derek Keeling)

2. Elvis Presley (played by Cody Slaughter)

3. Jerry Lee Lewis (played by Martin Kaye)

4. Carl Perkins (played by Lee Ferris)

The Million Dollar Quartet is playing at The Paramount through May 20.

Photos: Jeremy Daniel

Disclosure: As is common in the media industry, the writer was provided with complimentary press tickets for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, CopyStrands believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.

Look Who Rides a Bike

2012-05-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

It's fun exploring old black and white Hollywood photos. While visiting New York I picked up the book: Hollywood Rides a Bike. What a fun book to explore. Look who rides a bike:

Audrey Hepburn rides a bike:

Ava Gardner rides a bike:

Betty Grable rides a bike:

Brigitte Bardot rides a bike:

Elizabeth Taylor rides a bike:

Fred Astaire rides a bike:

Grace Kelly rides a bike:

Humphrey Bogart rides a bike:

Ingrid Bergman rides a bike:

Paulette Goddard rides a bike:

Paul Newman rides a bike:

Rita Hayworth rides a bike:

Sean Connery rides a bike:

Susan Peters rides a bike:

Photos: CopyStrands

Road Trip Photos: Canada

2012-05-09T14:47:00.002-07:00

Don't you love getaways? On a quick trip to Vancouver, BC we enjoyed the city skyline:

and we went for a run through Stanley Park:

then we drove to see Golden Ears Park and we tasted cheese from Golden Ears Cheese Works:

and we shopped on Granville Island, or what the locals call "a peninsula" as you can drive there:

where we bought fresh basil and handmade pasta at the bustling Public Market:

and then swooned over the handmade brooms at the Broom Co.:

and I bought a pair of Minnetonka Moccasins (great travel shoes) at the Ocean Floor:

after, we watched the kids have fun at the Kids Market:

then we tried on expensive caps at Edie Hats:

and I checked out the locally made clothing at Dream:

On our way home we stopped in White Rock to enjoy lunch and pink mimosas at The Pearl:

And then we headed back home to Seattle.

P.S. More Canada

Photos: CopyStrands

New: Evo Tapas Kitchen

2012-05-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

Capitol Hill Seattle has a new cabaret tapas bar: Evo Tapas Kitchen & Cabaret. Owner, Todd Nordahl knows how to throw a musical fiesta. We checked it out recently and can report that the croquettas are heavenly (they melt in your mouth). The cetriolo drink (cucumber gin or vodka, tonic water, cucumber garnish) went down smooth and was certainly the most unique drink I've ever tasted. And the atmosphere is romantic, trendy and edgy – all at the same time. Here's a peak of the inside with the Hubs posing with the DJ, Aleksa Manila:

Photos: Jeff Strand Homes

Boutique Crush: Beam & Anchor

2012-05-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just down the street from Portland's EcoPDX (from our reclaimed wood table story) is a new warehouse space called Beam & Anchor. Have you heard of it? The Hubs and I popped in to check it out. We met the friendly owners Jocelyn and Robert Rahm:

Robert (a furniture reclaimer) gave us a tour of the upstairs where artists salvage, reclaim, design, and create furniture. We got to peek at Jocelyn's awesome painting studio, and Robert showed us the handmade kitchen and farm-style dining table they use for local gatherings:

Downstairs you can find a perfectly curated store with vintage and handmade finds by local designers from satchels to spool thread, handmade soaps, jewelry, and office wares and of course one-of-a-kind furniture. Here's a peak inside their creative store:

Photos: Beam & Anchor

DIY: Reclaimed Wood Table

2012-04-30T12:15:00.002-07:00

Earlier this month I talked about how our hunt was on to find a beautiful reclaimed wood table that both the Hubs and I loved. We wanted a durable slab with character that didn't break the bank that could be custom fit for our small dining area.

We visited a couple places in Seattle and the prices were high, super high! So we traveled to Portland, Oregon where we met Brian Kelly, one of the co-owners at EcoPDX.

Brian helped us pick out a black walnut slab that didn't cost an arm and a leg. He offered to build a bench for it (and then we could add our own two chairs). He even showed us different stains and how they would look and within a week we had photos of our slab and we gave him the go ahead to finish the project.

This past weekend we drove down to Portland to pick it up and our jaws dropped at how beautiful the slab and bench turned out! Brian, thank you for your awesome craftsmanship and for hearing our needs!

Here was our finished black walnut slab designed by Brian (with wavy natural edges, love the character!):

Here was the finished bench designed by Brian:

We took the slab and bench home and then the Hubs put on the Hairpin Legs that I ordered online:

And here was our completed project:

Now we need to make a decision on what two chairs we plan to pair with our reclaimed wood table and bench!

Photos: CopyStrands

Photos: Cali Wine Country

2012-04-23T20:55:00.002-07:00

On a recent weekend trip to the Bay Area we met dear friends from Paris, France to tour Sonoma Wine Country. Here are some pics of our adventure!

I made sure to take the Hubs to see the Painted Ladies in San Francisco:

Then we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge:

We arrived in Sonoma, CA to beautiful weather:

The next day we toured a few wineries: First up was Benziger Winery:

Next, we tasted wine in a cellar at Deerfield Ranch Winery where our French friends shared with us the equivalent terminology they use to describe wine versus the words we use:
We say "color" - They say "dress"
We both say "bouquet" - "bouquet"
We say "good finish" - They say "good thigh"
We say "good legs" - They say "good tears"...

Then we visited Little Vineyards and Kunde:

On our last night in Sonoma we dined outdoors at Corks Restaurant (thanks for the rec: Kalles'):

Finally, we headed back to San Francisco to eat dinner with more dear friends at the yummy restaurant Zero Zero and then caught our flight back home!

P.S. Winter in San Francisco

P.P.S. More photos of our San Francisco adventures on Instagram.

Photos: CopyStrands

Own a Colour

2012-04-19T20:36:00.001-07:00

This is a cool cause. Own A Colour wants to name 16.7 million colors for the children's charity UNICEF. For a mere $2 you can own and name a color and in return help a child in need. I decided to own one of my business colors. Here's mine:

Photos: Own a Colour

Play. Shop. Eat. New York City

2012-04-11T22:32:00.001-07:00

In a city full of acronyms it's easy to get lost. SoHo: South of Houston Street. TriBeCa: Triangle Below Canal. NoLIta: North of Little Italy. DUMBO: Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. I've lived and worked in Manhattan during my days at InStyle magazine. I've lived in Harlem (Holla to Miss Rocki, my dear girlfriend!) and I've lived in Queens. When I travel to Manhattan to visit friends, I mix it up. I stay in Midtown, The Upper West Side, The West Village, and most recently, DUMBO in Brooklyn. I know Manhattan like the back of my hand. Here is how to Play.Shop.Eat. in the city that never sleeps.

Play
First get to know the subway map and then go play! There is so much to do in New York City (NYC). A fun, mostly unknown park in NYC that is relaxing and fun to check out is Teardrop Park. A whimsical museum is Carsten Holler Experience. And speaking of museums don’t miss MOMA. The best place to enter Central Park is at E. 79th, don't enter at the tourist trap Columbus Circle area (E. 59th) unless you want to ride a horse drawn carriage through the park. If you want to visit Times Square go at night when the lights are sparkly. The area is heavily patrolled by police officers at night, so it is safe to go then. The best photography shot of the Statue of Liberty you’re going to get is on the boat ride to Ellis Island, not on the way to the statue itself. Unless you like climbing lots and lots of stairs don’t actually visit the statue (and if the skies aren’t clear it’s a waste of time, in my opinion). Be sure to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walk can be accessed from City Hall on the Manhattan side of the East River. The closest trains are the 4,5,6, J or Z to Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall. The best views are on the Brooklyn side, once you walk across the bridge from the Manhattan side then take a water taxi back to the Manhattan side: or walk back over or take the subway: You can get the 2,3,4,5, N or R trains at Borough Hall, the A or C at High Street Brooklyn, or the 2,3 at Clark Street back to Manhattan. And if you are short on time and there is only one thing you can do then walk the High Line (a park that follows old elevated freight-train tracks highlighted by landscaped architecture with wildflowers sprouting up through the tracks; a great way to see the city from above street level). And if you love Broadway shows, Manhattan is your theatrical playground.

Shop
The fashion capitol of the U.S. offers many choices and I adore most stores that aren't tailored specifically toward fashion. My three favorite stores include ABC Carpet & Home (you can easily spend a day here if you are into home décor). ABC Carpet & Home is where celebrities shop for home décor and accessories. They only sell their rugs online, the rest you have to go to the store to visit (store address is: 888 & 881 Broadway at east 19th street). The store is located near the famous Flatiron Building. The cutest bike store I've ever been to and I test rode this bike at is Adeline Adeline. The most colorful store in Manhattan is C. Wonder. The Brook Farm General Store is also a fave in Williamsburg (across the water over the Williamsburg Bridge). I also adore the Brooklyn Flea, some of the dealers there sell the coolest things like Instrumental Lighting and Citybitz. And don’t miss the whole SoHo area for shopping. In Brooklyn I adore Dear Fieldbinder and Bird. The Hubs loves Nos and GRDN. Trunk Brooklyn has wonderful local dresses and vintage purses and a.b.k offers beautiful, handcrafted leather bags and shoes. Plus on the weekends you can hop a train to the best outlet mall in the U.S.: Woodbury Common.

Eat
In a sea of restaurants it can be overwhelming to pick the right one. For a local experience visit Hudson Clearwater: (discover an unmarked green door in a brick wall. Open the door. Then walk through a little garden and discover the hidden restaurant, Hudson Clearwater!). Mario Batali's Babbo is located in Greenwich Village and serves rich Italian food. Café Cluney in the West Village is a great lunch spot and they take reservations! In SoHo you won't find better service than at Raoul's and keep your eyes peeled for trendy celebrities. A cozy lunch spot with super friendly employees is Zucker's in TriBeCa. And in Brooklyn my faves are Side Car Brooklyn, Frankies 457 Spuntino, and Superfine. For farm fresh meals in Brooklyn check out James Restaurant. For dessert I heart One Girl Cookies. And the best margarita and unique tacos for snacking on are in DUMBO, Brooklyn at Pedro's Spanish American Restaurant.

Stay
When I stay in Manhattan I usually rent flats through Airbnb (I like to vacation and live like a local). Other places to rent flats include: Homeaway, Vrbo, FlipKey. Great locations for renting flats in NYC include: Greenwich Village, the West Village, Chelsea, and the Upper West Side.

If you prefer hotels, I recommend the following NYC hotels:

The Library Hotel is located in Midtown within walking distance of most attractions including Central Park, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center. They offer an awesome terrace on the 14th floor. This is a boutique style hotel that offers complimentary breakfast.
Hotel Beacon is located on the Upper West Side, some rooms have kitchenettes and Fairway Market is right across the street from the hotel. The rooms here are generous in size for New York standards. Rooms have views of Central Park.
The Pearl Hotel is located right next to Rockefeller Center and Times Square. It’s a modern boutique-style hotel. Rooms are spacious for NY standards. And they have sound-proof windows; key to being so close to all the action in NYC.
Abingdon Guest House is located in the heart of the West Village, (a quaint neighborhood with cobblestone streets, romantic restaurants, bookstores and boutiques), and its location is central so you can get around town easily. The rooms are cozy with four-poster beds, skylights and fireplaces.
The Standard Hotel is located in the trendy meatpacking district (near the West Village) (every room has a view of the water). The hotel is steps from High Line park.

Three Tips for Flagging a Cab in NYC
1. Step out into the street, or else the cabbies won't see you!
2. Raise your hand to flag a cab only if the middle light is on, that means the cab is available.
3. Give the cabbie the cross street for your destination, have your fare money ready to pay with a 20% tip and exit on the sidewalk side of the cab, just like you would in any city.

P.S. More NYC photos.

P.P.S. Stay the night in a New York lighthouse!

Read more Play.Shop.Eat posts.

Photo: CopyStrands

Reclaimed Wood Tables

2012-04-11T19:52:00.011-07:00

Small spaces, dark spaces, awkward spaces, what kind of table would you buy?

The Hubs likes traditional (think real wood), I like tables with character and a modern edge (think a table you won't find in just any store) and we have posed this question to several furniture stores. Their solutions have not impressed us (fake wood, out-of-a-box tables, too industrial, too modern, fake tabletops; the cost of "cardboard" mediocrity is enough to cause a Hubby meltdown).

So, I Googled every table you can think of and you know what had the most character? It's called reclaimed wood slabs. Real wood, you can make your own table with character, cut the slab to the size you need for small spaces, add your own modern legs, and pair modern chairs with it. A win-win in our household. And a Be Green do!

Here are some tables I've found for inspiration:

The hunt begins for our reclaimed wood slab!

Photos: Michelle Kaufmann and Slab Art

My New Bike: Linus Dutchi 8

2012-04-09T15:25:00.006-07:00

One of the taglines of my blog is Be Green (ride a bike!) and over the years I've owned a mountain bike, a road bike, a beach cruiser, and now the newest member of my bike family is an urban cycle! Readers of my blog know that I tested out this bike on my recent trip to Manhattan. I loved it so much that I came back home and bought one for myself (8 speeds and all for the steep Seattle hills!) at the Dutch Bike Co in Ballard (and I even had a glass of wine afterward at their cafe!).

So far I've ridden it all around my hilly neighborhood almost daily. A big reason I choose this bike over the others I looked at was because it had lots of gears, it was the lightest urban cruiser style bike available right now which means I can pick it up! And it is modeled after vintage 1950s/1960s-style French bicycles.).

I heart my new bike (complete with a removable lemon yellow shopping basket by Basil which is perfect for grocery store bike runs, a jaws of life O-lock like the ones I saw in Scandinavia to keep crooks away, a new shiny bell I bought at Brook Farm in Brooklyn, a covered chain guard and fenders to keep mud off me, a rear rack for my library books, and coming soon a vintage light! Now all I need is a fun bike planter for all the flowers the Hubs likes to pilfer around the hill). The following photos are me and Linus on our first ride...

My Linus Dutchi 8:

P.S. My chic helmet is by Yakkay (I bought mine in London but they are available in the States now).

Photos: CopyStrands

Boutique Crush: BohoBlu

2012-04-06T11:20:00.003-07:00

This doesn't happen very often. While on vacation in Brooklyn the Hubs fell for a canvas flag hanging on the living room wall of the flat we stayed in. It just so happened he had a birthday coming one week later. So I made it my mission to find him that canvas flag. What I didn't know is when I found the canvas flag I would meet the nicest people! The owners of BohoBlu in North Carolina went above and beyond to help me order the flag and they shipped it to me fast as lightening so it would be here in time for the Hubs' birthday. Thank you Jenny Stilley and thank you to your fab hubby too! You two are the best and I hope to visit BohoBlu in person one day!

Photos: BohoBlu

Photos: New York Road Trip

2012-04-04T11:36:00.009-07:00

We are back home from our fabulous New York road trip. The weather was beautiful (it averaged about 75 degrees and higher each day, loved the sun!). We really lucked out. I've received a few emails about when I was going to post pictures so here you go...

We were told by locals that the best way to see Niagara Falls is on the Canadian side. Now I know why:

And of course we somehow ended up in matching shirts that day...One of Us Should Change

We visited Jamestown, a small town known for being the birthplace of funny gal, Lucille Ball. There is even a whole museum devoted to her and the city plays host at the annual Lucy Fest:

We also happened to be in New York when the maple festival was happening. We got to tour the Fairbanks Maple farm, enjoy a fresh pancake and maple syrup breakfast, we learned how maple syrup is made and met the hardworking owners. Here is how the trees are set up to sap maple from the trees in upstate New York:

And we visited New York Amish country and loved the local Amish shop: Rabers (4786 Walker Rd.) in Randoph, New York. You aren't allowed to take pictures of the Amish or their community so I will tell you they really do ride in black horse drawn buggies, they hang their clothes to dry outside even when it rains, the women and children wear bonnet hats, the bearded men are friendly and wave all the time, the women are more reserved, the children like to talk to you and smile a lot.

We also went wine tasting in Fredonia, New York a quaint college town with tons of wineries. New York is known for growing Concord grapes. So their red wines tend to taste more on the grape juice side and the white wines have no sugars (which surprised the Hubs, he didn't like that very much).

Then we spent a day in Buffalo, New York. We visited a few antique shops and then took our own walking tour through downtown to marvel at the architecture:

A few different Buffalo natives told us that the much hyped Anchor Bar (known to be the creators of the first Buffalo wings) do NOT have the best buffalo wings around. We were told J.P.'s Pub in nearby Lakeview had the best wings. I always trust locals more than a guidebook, or fancy magazine and newspaper write ups (often written by people who don't live there) so we went to J.P.'s Pub, enjoyed the best Buffalo wings we've ever had, met good-natured locals plus two fabulous women: Diane and Suzie (thanks ladies for the wonderful meal!).

Next, we headed to the cutest sports town I've ever seen: Cooperstown, New York. If you are a baseball fan, Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (which is as cool to explore as it is to say). The quaint town is chock full of baseball fields and features a beautiful lake and we fittingly visited the town on the first day of spring:

From Cooperstown we drove to Manhattan and then onto Brooklyn. On the drive we stopped by the most beautiful antique store I've even seen in person: Antique Revival. The guy working there that day saw our rental car with Michigan plates and thought we were from the Wolverine State. Then we drove to Brooklyn:

Where I had the Hubs drive me to the best. store. ever...

Since I used to live and work in Manhattan it was now my turn to show the Hubs more of the city. First up the Manhattan Bridge:

Then I showed him how to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge:

And I made sure to point out that you can see the Statue of Liberty from the Brooklyn Bridge:

Then I surprised the Hubs and took him to see the High Line, which he promptly dubbed THE COOLEST THING EVER! :)

And since the weather was freakishly nice the flowers were already starting to bloom as we walked the High Line:

We spent a day in Manhattan shopping in SoHo and visiting dear friends. And at night St. Patrick's Cathedral looks awesome in Rockefeller Center (a stone's throw from where I worked at InStyle magazine when I lived in Manhattan):

The next day I took the Hubs to the Brooklyn Flea. This flea market is humongous and is the COOLEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN. :)

We stayed in a gorgeously decorated flat in DUMBO, Brooklyn (I like to stay in places like a local). The flat had a view of the Empire State Building. Here is the day view from the flat:

And a view of the Empire State Building at night from the flat:

And on our last night there the Empire State Building glowed red:

Photos: CopyStrands

Made In Kind Sneak Peek

2012-04-01T11:32:00.003-07:00

Fun collaboration! Anthropologie has partnered with 11 up and coming designers in an exclusive line that will launch on April 5, 2012. Here is a sneak peek of some pretty dresses that might make you swoon by designers: Karen Walker, Charlotte Linton, John Patrick, Koto Bolofo, and Samantha Pleet.

Photos: Anthropologie

Bike Love: Linus Dutchi

2012-03-26T11:56:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all my European travels, I've seen more women on bikes. In Europe, women don't ride road bikes, they ride step-through cycles. After witnessing this, I decided to make a change. So, this past winter, I sold my high-end road bike (since I don't do bike races anymore) and saved the money to buy an urban cruiser style bike (that's code for: step-through style, bike basket and rack, and chain guards so I can ride my bike while wearing a dress). Recently, I test rode the Linus Dutchi at Adeline Adeline in New York City's TriBeCa neighborhood. What a dream cycle (and store)! This spring, I plan to buy a new city cruiser bike with gears since Seattle is hilly! My beloved gearless beach cruiser won't cut it on city roads (I will still ride my beach cruiser on flat trails for fun). So far I've liked these step through cycles, and I've had a crush on this bike too. Now introducing the Linus Dutchi...decisions, decisions!

Photos: Beaux Mondes

Fave Design Mag: Livingetc

2012-03-23T06:54:00.002-07:00

You may recall that I'm redecorating my living room, dining room and entry way (we renovated our kitchen a couple years ago). After scouring design blogs, design books and design mags, only one design-focused source continues to stand out: Livingetc magazine. Based in the United Kingdom this magazine knows how to decorate! Their ideas are not only doable, but they are affordable too.

A few years ago, on one of my many trips to Europe, I bought my first Livingetc magazine and saw a bedroom painted in kelly green with a bulky white shelf hung above the bed for storing things in a small space. My first thought was: That is a great idea. Then I thought, I bet you could use a bookcase as a headboard. Within a few months, I had converted my boring traditional bedroom set into a simple bed with white bedding and a white bookcase as a headboard like this one. A couple years later the hubs and I moved back to downtown Seattle and our bookcase headboard fits perfectly in our cozy home.

Now I'm trying to find solutions for optimizing our living room, dining room and entry areas with furniture and accessories that will fit our space and can pull double duty while looking modern and chic. I'm trying to brighten up our home with pops of color too, here's a sneak peek of my new throw pillow. And our new sectional couch is pictured above. We are still on the hunt for a living room area rug, new curtains, new lamps, a vintage bar cart, chairs for our new dining table (pics to come later), and a piece of furniture for the entry way. And maybe a cool desk.

My go to for ideas right now is the fabulous Livingetc magazine!

Photo: Crate and Barrel

5 Travel Sites You Must Know

2012-03-21T10:00:00.004-07:00

My Travel Tips series is going strong. First I gave you tips on How to Avoid Germs on Planes. Then I told you How to Find Cheap Airfare. I also showed you How to Turn Travel Photos into a Painting. Now here are my five favorite travel sites:

Fortnighter: You don't need to research your trips anymore. Fortnighter offers customized itineraries for your upcoming trip.
Wanderfly: Discover personalized travel recommendations. Give advice on your favorite places and get advice from others before you say bon voyage!
They Draw & Travel: Explore maps illustrated by local artists from all over the world.
Fathom Away: Shop favorite travel products and souvenirs.
How Not to Be a Tourist: Learn street smarts before you go on your next trip. Discover how NOT to be a tourist.

P.S. On Wander is launching soon!

Discover my Play.Shop.Eat. series.

Photo: One Charming Party

Book It: Great Reads

2012-03-19T10:00:00.003-07:00

Look at the photo closely, can you read what it says? It made me smile. And this site makes me smile too. I adore the look of books on shelves. Anymore there are sites for helping you decide what to read next. And you can even share books. What are you reading right now?

P.S. Best Books: Discover a Good Book to Read

Discover more Great Reads

Photo: Creative Collection

Boutique Crush: Emerson Fry

2012-03-15T07:05:00.016-07:00

So pretty and hip, hip! I've had my eye on a pair of Emerson Fry (formerly EmersonMade) sandals for over a year now and thanks to a preview invite, I was able to order them early! Thanks miss Emerson Fry! Well-made sandals with a classic touch and low heel height are so hard to find anymore, my little caramel sandals are made in Portugal (sandals also shown in second and fifth photos below) and I can't wait to wear them this spring and summer!

P.S. I also have a crush on Emerson's home pantry!

Photos: Emerson Fry

Walk the High Line in NYC

2012-03-13T09:00:00.002-07:00

New York City has a buzzworthy 1.45-mile-long public park built a top a historic freight rail line that is elevated above Manhattan's West Side (running from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street ). It's called The High Line. The park is a must see in New York City. Check out the detailed map. And catch a peak of what the buzz is all about...

Photos: The High Line

Foodspotting: 3 Yummy Sites

2012-03-12T17:49:00.002-07:00

Just looking at the photos of these three sites makes my mouth water and my tummy rumble. For your next kitchen experiment try one of these yummy concoctions, who knows maybe you will learn something new:

Photo: PunchFork