Pack You Bags: Wandawega Lake Resort

If you never thought you'd be booking a flight to Elkhorn Wisconsin you were sorely mistaken because after you see what I'm about to show you you'll for sure be checking your schedule. Wandawega is this cool, retro-styled, charming lake resort (on Lake Wandawega of course) that has a lodge as well as cabins. It's got great history (a place to get a drink during prohibition, visit a lady of the night or if you're a Latvian Priest it was a great place to retire) and the current owners have really embraced and honored all of this by returning the space to it's former glory. They encourage anyone with stories or photographs from the resort to share them. I love this. They have a great video and some lovely photos on their site (check it out!). In conclusion, let's go enjoy what's left of the summer at Wandawega.




So freakin gorgeous! (images are from their blog // their site // their flickr stream)

Pack Your Bags: Sydney

Hello my dear! So sorry for the (short) hiatus that turned into a big one! I won't go into it, I'll just say that life was a tad more important than this post for a minute there. But now I'm back and am so excited to share Sydney with you! A friend of mine from college arrived here just in time to board yet another plane with my sister-in-law and brother and I to travel to my new favorite city. We flew over the Sydney harbour (and the Opera House!) and my cup runneth over for the next three days. Sydney has such a great feel about it - so established and comfortable and easy. Now, to be fair, this could be because the weather was absolutely gorgeous (as opposed to the rain and chill we had in Melbourne) and because I was with two people that had visited the city before so we had a plan, but Sydney beat Melbourne for me. I only say that because apparently you have to have a favorite (it's a bitter rivalry); if it were up to me I'd say they're really different and therefore I can't pick one over the other. But it's not up to me so Sydney gets my vote. But I still love you Melbourne...
Here's a brief recap of my trip: admiring the Opera House; eating dim sum; exploring the botanic gardens; drinking at the oldest pub in Sydney while listening to a live dixie land jazz band; eating amazing mexican food at the Flying Fajita Sistas; bed; coffee!; shopping in the CBD (central business district); pumpkin soup; exploring New Town; dinner at an amazing modern Indian restaurant; sleeping; breakfast at the famous Bourke Street Bakery; Bondi beach walk and photographs; best fish and chips ever; the lace exhibit at the Powerhouse museum; walk back to Bounce hotel (which by the way was AMAZING and highly recommended) and taxi to the airport. Phew. It was a busy few days but so worth it. I know you're excited to see pictures so let's get to it...




PS. If you're the cute boy in the pink shorts playing beach rugby: hi, let's hang out.

Pack Your Bags: Melbourne

Oh my friends I just got back from a great adventure in Melbourne—I spent three days in the city and two days exploring the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island. I enjoyed great food and great company (my brother and sister-in-law) and saw my first wild koalas and kangaroos. Melbourne is a really great city with lots of interesting nooks and crannies. I wish that I could've spent a little more time wandering but we definitely spent a good amount of time shopping and cocktailing and riding trams.
As for the Great Ocean Road, what can I say? It was absolutely stunning. The Twelve Apostles (a collection of limestone stacks off the shore) were breathtaking and we had a perfectly sunny, warm day to observe them. We also saw koalas and kangaroos in the wild (yes, they do exist!) and we visited Phillip Island to watch the penguins come out of the ocean at dusk and make their way to their burrows. This was as adorable as it sounds: one second you're staring at ocean and sand and then the tide goes out and all of a sudden there is a group of little blue penguins. They spend the next few minutes trying to get out of the water and as soon as their teeny feet hit dry sand they waddle out as fast as they can (which isn't very fast because they're penguins). Then we wandered through their habitats and listened to them talk to each other. It's really great. You should go...
I thought I'd share some photos with you. Everything is pretty self-explanatory but if you have any questions, ask them in the comment section. Sorry for the not so great pictures. My camera's pretty good for a point and shoot but particularly in low light it's a little fuzzy. Maybe once I stop traveling the globe I'll get a nice camera.




I wish you could've been there with me! Thanks for tolerating my absence, it's so nice to see you again!
(all images are mine)

Pack Your Bags: La Maison Pujol

As if you needed more incentive to pack a steamer trunk and head to the South of France, this amazing old winery turned boutique hotel will definitely get you in the mood for an aperitif. The space was lovingly renovated by architect and designer Philippe Phi with great vintage detailing in every room. The palette, mix of classic furniture pieces and those stunning antique letters skyrocket this b+b to the top of my dream vacation list.

images from the travel files // la maison pujol // eco salon
PS. Happy Independence Day America! Enjoy a root beer float for me!

Pack Your Bags — The Tides

I am obsessed with the Hollywood Regency style of decorating, especially when it manifests itself in the form of a gorgeous, art deco, South Beach hotel. The Tides in South Beach (Miami) saw a beautiful redesign in 2007 by the talented designer, Kelly Wearstler. She did a fabulous job: the color palette of warm golds and chocolate with pops of coral mix so well with natural textures such as tortoise, leather and honey woods. This is exactly the sort of place I picture when I think of luxury in Miami. Let's get our hat boxes out and board a jet shall we?


Love it. (thanks Rifle for introducing me to this gorgeous hotel!)
images from: The Tides // Kelly Wearstler // Carlos Melia

Pack Your Bags — The Lark House

Oh. My. Gosh. You and I are learning about this amazing getaway together... I had no idea that the gorgeous store (and retail supplier) Lark offers a retreat house in Daylesford, Australia. I first became familiar with Lark through the boutique I work at and I've adored everything I've seen. So obviously I'm head-over-heels in love with this sweet 1860's home decorated and maintained by Lark. The house is available for up to 8 people (four beds, two baths) and looks to be quite spacious. If you can get out there, do! That goes for me too...



Here's the problem I see with this particular holiday rental: they'd have to evict me because I'm certainly not going willingly...
images from: the design files and the lark site

Pack Your Bags — Creative Flats

I've always wanted to rent an apartment or a house instead of staying in a hotel. It seems to me that I'd get a better idea of what it's like to actually live in the city as opposed to just visiting. These residential spaces also tend to be a bit home-yer and full of more character than your typical hotel room. Creative Flats is based in Montreal and Nathalie and Annie have done an amazing job outfitting different spaces in the city. Their aesthetic is modern and comfortable and very chic - exactly what I want in my home away from home. What about you?



All amazing images are from the Creative Flats site.

Pack Your Bags — Longman + Eagle

This one might actually happen for me... it's in Chicago, which is about 45 minutes or so from my hometown in Illinois. I'm not sure if that makes it more or less attainable (why is it so difficult to travel close to home?), but it doesn't feel like such a pipe dream. And Longman and Eagle seems like such a lovely and comfortable and cool place to spend a night. The hotel offers six rooms and all are thoughtfully and charmingly decorated with lots of interesting, rustic details. And the best part? It's above a rather delicious looking restaurant and bar (specializing in whiskey) offering locally grown, sustainable, in-season dishes which means a menu that is constantly being updated and thought about. Why aren't all restaurants like this? It makes so much sense.




I got most of these images from their website, but also from a fellow blogger who recently visited "you have broken the internet" (ha!).
And since I adore this aesthetic, I thought I'd share a few resources to give your place a similar feel.

sources: number coasters // blue throw // desk lamp // globe bank // tree coat rack // slate whiskey // cougar bourbon // the doctor sign // crates

Pack Your Bags —Michelberger Hotel

The Michelberger Hotel used to be an old factory. Now it's one of the coolest looking boutique hotels I've come across. It's full of books and magazines and cuckoo clocks and gorgeous yellow + pale blue and comfy couches and balconies and coffee and beer. Oh man, it looks like Heaven. You know— if Heaven were a concrete building with a back yard bar and live music on the weekends. Which it probably is...





So much to see isn't there? I can imagine there's even more goodness to see in person... who's with me?
(images via: apartment therapy // we heart // pull the metal // art resort // domestic candy // grey)

Pack Your Bags — Het Hemelrijck

Who wants to go to a charming bed and breakfast in Rotterdam? Me too! I love the pretty pink cupboards and that chandelier and the ridiculously steep staircase (don't worry, according to their site they'll carry your bags upstairs for you. Cute.). Looks so relaxing doesn't it? Just what we need...


Is that a mimosa? I'm booking a room now.

Pack Your Bags—Creative Escapes (on a Creatives Budget)

How did I not know about this?! There are places in Sweden and Melbourne that offer a very charming hotel room to "creatives" visiting the area absolutely free of charge. That's right. Zero dollars. The catch? You have to need it and you have to be doing something deemed worthy of the free accommodations. Don't get me wrong, they really do want to let you stay, but you can imagine there to be a list of people hoping for a comfy bed. Therefore, you need to apply for the room. But isn't this a lovely idea? Generally artists are, you know, "starving" and don't have a lot of money to spend on a room when they're traveling (for work or for pleasure) and have the tendency to end up on people's couches. These amazing companies (Creators Inn by Elvine in Sweden and Lost and Found in Melbourne, Australia) have taken it upon themselves to help solve this problem. First let's look at the Creators Inn in Stockholm.


And here's a great hotel room with the same premise in Melbourne, Australia (Lost + Found).


Aren't they gorgeous? Let's find something really creative and important to do and apply for the space shall we? (images from The Creators Inn and Lost and Found sites as well as The Vine)

Altitude Summit Recap

I feel like I need to preface this post with a sheepish "I didn't actually go to this thing". And an even sheepishier (probably not a word...) "I didn't actually even realize it existed until after it had started". That said, I'm going next year.
From what I can gather the "Altitude Summit" is a conference for awesome bloggers of all types: fashion, design, food, you name it. These amazing (mostly) ladies participate in workshops and listen to some of their (my) blogging idols talk about how they became successful. And it's in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. And it's like summer camp but with cocktails and an amazing Kate Spade party. Start shopping for scarves and snow boots because you're coming with me next year!




Doesn't it look like a good time? Yes.
images came from twig and thistle // oh hello friend // design crush // flickr // jeanne oliver // annily green // raina kattelson // one sydney road // cartoules letterpress // armelle jewelry // promise tangeman

Pack Your Bags—Paris

I'm sure I don't have to ask you twice to pack your bags for Paris. You wouldn't have to me—I'd love to visit the city of lights. And I'd love to stay at any one of the hundreds of hotels. But since this is merely a fantasy at this point, I thought I'd show two hotels that are particularly beautiful. We can pretend we're off on a fabulous holiday.

This (above) is the La Belle Juliette (even the name is a vacation!). I love the cool palette mixed with the warm antiques.


And then there's the amazing Hotel Joyce. I'm crazy about the Eiffel Tower concierge desk and even crazier about the drawn headboards, paneling and chandeliers in the bedrooms.
Going anywhere exciting this weekend?

Pack Your Bags—Insolito

Doesn't Brazil just seem so gorgeous and sultry and exotic? Whenever I think of it, I picture ridiculously handsome men with mustaches, gorgeous women in yards of bright fabric, tons of flowers and spicy air. This boutique hotel, located on one of the most beautiful beaches, not only embraces the breathtaking landscape of the area, but the accommodations immerse you in Brazilian culture. Each room celebrates the local art— from literature to music to photography. What a glorious way to spend a week or two.

A Night in a Yurt

Are you familiar with "yurts"? I wasn't, not really. I'd seen pictures but I didn't realize these round, tent-like structures had a specific name and I certainly didn't know said name was as funny and cute as "yurt". I came across this amazing Norwegian hotel (the Canvas Hotel) and just had to learn a little more about yurts. From what I can gather most (if not all) yurts consist of one large area generally with a sitting space and a bed. No kitchen, no bathroom, no internet, no cable—the whole point is to get you reconnected with nature and yourself and your companion. Sounds amazing.


Images from: canvas hotel // canvas chic // hooting owl // hoopoe hotel // treebones resort // orca island cabins
Just in case you aren't able to spend a holiday in a yute this year and would like to recreate some of the tranquility and back-to-nature simplicity of the space, I thought I'd create an idea board to help get you started. Besides, I haven't made one of these in awhile so I thought I should get back into the habit of it!

Sources: tapestry // coffee table // chair // pendant // pillow // terrarium // fireplace