The Dreamy Getaway - Storybrook Cottage Vacation Rental in Tennessee

Do you ever see a cottage and think "Hell to the yes! That is the cottage of my dream!" Well, for those of you that have cottage dreams, anyway? No? Oh, well be prepared to be blow away, because I found it and it's been hiding in Tennessee with a bunch of other cute vacation rental properties.

What I Wore: The Missing Paris Edition

As much as I wish that this post was set in Paris, I completely forgot my camera remote when I went on vacation, so I wasn't able to grab any outfit photos for the blog on the streets of Paris (my life is ruined). I'll just have to settle for a dress from Paris on my regular old back porch in Chicago. I think even if I had brought my remote, I would have been too nervous to take pictures of myself on the busy streets of Paris. Oh, well.

What I Wore: California Livin'

Take me back to the west. The sun is finally starting to show a little today after days of stormy weather and it's making me wonder why I ever flew back from California in the first place. Anyway, my little road trip out there was amazing and I finally got around to uploading the photos from the trip to my desktop. Meaning I'll hopefully get to share those memories on here soon!

Moving on to the more important question: what does a Chicago girl, used to frigid weather, wear in California? Something that makes her look very confused as to what season we're in.

Photo Friday: Wanderlust

It's freezing here in Chicago. Beyond freezing. Like negative degrees freezing. All this cold is doing to me is making me catch the travel bug. Unfortunately, since I have neither money or a buddy to travel with, I have to settle for living vicariously through the interwebs, which is how I found Lukas Kozmus.

Photo Friday: Silent Yugoslavian Giants

How gorgeous. These monstrous monuments were photographed by Jan Kempenaers, a Antwerp based photographer. He trekked around the Balkans finding these monstrous monuments from the fallen state of Yugoslavia. They were commissioned by the ex-president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, as standing reminders of WWII. They were built in spots of famous WWII battles and in the locations where concentration camps used to be. Photographed through Kempenaers' eye, these giant, menacing, almost alien-like monuments seem incredibly haunting. I love how they light seems absolutely perfect for the mood of these giants. via Feature Shoot

Monday Design: A Dream Come True

I often talk about my versions of a dream home on this blog, in fact I also have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to finding drool worthy homes, so I spend a lot of free time looking at gorgeous homes. However, this one takes the cake for me. Open rolling hills and lots of outdoor sitting areas, a warmth within the interior design of the home cluttered with rustic elements, but lacking no modern amenities. Perfection.

Monday Design: A Mediterranean Getaway

I guess I'm secretly dreaming about living by the Mediterranean with all this heat because this makes the third post in a row about gorgeous homes in sunny Mediterranean climates (the other two are here and here). But can you blame me? If I'm going to have to be dealing with intense heat, I'd at least rather be dealing with dry heat in insanely gorgeous locations. Well, who wouldn't right? Anyway, this little getaway is another Italian retreat surrounded by mountains, the sea, and nothing but breathtaking views. Forget taking a vacation here, can I just live in this fantastically designed home forever?

What struck me most about the Monaci Delle Terre Nere is how they combined the design elements to keep the interior of the home completely try to that rustic Mediterranean style, yet updated it at the same time to make it feel entirely fresh, modern, and luxurious. The incorporation or sleek modern furniture and the addition of glass walls really makes the home feel expensive. Leaving the walls bare and rough keeps the history of the building and adds a touch of that Mediterranean charm. Perfect for anyone looking to experience that charm without sacrificing even the slightest luxuries. Now I don't mind sacrificing some luxuries to live near the Mediterranean, but this place is definitely a dream.

Monday Design: Babington House in the UK

I need a vacation. Desperately. This Babington House in England that I saw would make the perfect little getaway. It's a country getaway with all the amenities of city life. More than a hotel, it has a community kitchen, study, library, and pool room. How perfect does that sound? Everything I would need or want from home without any of the stress or distractions. Day dream with me:

Somebody take me here please? I bet you could use a little vacation too. 

How do you recharge after a long week?

Photo Friday: Sunny California

So earlier this week I was in sunny California on a business trip and it was about 75 degrees the whole time I was there. Coming home felt like traveling to a different world. This trip was also the first time I've seen mountains, so to commemorate the trip this photo of the day post is actually two photos. Hope you don't mind ;)

The first picture I took from my plane window. Yes, I always call window seat. The second was taken outside the convention center in Anaheim. Both pictures were taken with my iPhone.

This was also my first trip ever to California, I wish I had a chance to see more of it.

Do you have any plans to travel soon?