spin. discover.

image from highstreetmarket

The other day I went to Saver's not with any intention to buy, just browse...sure. I was with other people who were looking for Halloween Costumes but I already had my git-up. Anyway, as I was passing by the kitchen stuff, a 12-inch globe caught my eye. I paused, lifted it up and checked it out. I was drawn to the muted colors and the sturdy oiled bronze stand. Ten bucks, plus and extra 20% off because it had a yellow tag. hmmmm. One of the employees was commenting on how cool it was and started to become little protective off it, I claimed that I was buying it. I did!

I dusted it off and and started noticing that Russia was still USSR, Germany was one country, Iran was Persia, and no Israel. This was older that I thought. I looked up the company that made it, Replogle Globes. I started digging deeper. I learned that it was made in 1940! I looked at some antique shops and globes like mine were priced at $90! I was beginning to feel a little antique roadshow-ish with my purchase.

My ACTUALLY vintage globe looks quite nice in my bedroom and would look even better with a friend or two.

Here are some different rooms that have incorporated vintage globes into the decorating. I dig.

Image from katiedid

I don't really like this room's 'look' but I do like the globes tucked in here and there.

Image from Coastal Living

I love everything about this – all the globes from large to small, the different colors on each globe, the old map of the US...uuhhh!

Image from Terramia

I learned through my research that in the 1930's globes were produced with a black ocean. Now these globes are being reproduced and are resurfacing. Isn't it stunning? I want one!

Image from apartment#412


I hope you are inspired by the globe and it's endless wonder. Ooh and have a Happy Halloween.

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Longing for the South.

Life has started up again and I haven't been inspired thus my 2 month absence. Lame. Today brought a surprise, adventure, and inspiration. I received in the mail the October issue of Southern Living. Random. I asked my parents if they bought it for me as a gift, no. I still have no idea where it came from, maybe they started sending it to me and I'll eventually receive a bill in the mail. Anyhow, I am inspired and inclined to get up a move...or take a trip to the south tomorrow leaving my west. Hiking through the Appalachians, biscuits in small southern towns, and bungalow homes in Chattanooga with a healthy dose of southern comfort have drawn me to this part of America steeped in history and tradition.

I recommend checking out the issue, but I will share my favorite inspiration & southern delights. These are home decorating ideas I am going to try...

I love the idea of taking an old letter and scanning and enlarging it into a piece of art for your home. The framed envelope was addressed by the home owner, George Krauth's, great-grandmother to her uncle in 1917! I love how this isn't just some prefab 'art' from Target but a piece that tells a story and family history. I have some letters from my dad's side of the family that date back to the civil war, I think they would work perfectly.

Another delight was the use of maps as wallpaper. This image isn't from the October issue Of SL but it's a cool example just the same. Now this is a pretty popular home trend as of late but what this homeowner did was use vintage Chesapeak Bay maps. George has a love for the colonial port towns and also the mustard yellow color.

Other Resources:
Tchochkes
decor pad

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Odds & Ends

House Beautiful Magazine

Check out these fun wallpapers that let you travel while you are cookin' in your kitchen.
wallpaper destinations

established by Swedish hostel owner, Oscar Diös
JumboHostel.com

Is this for real?! I guess if I want to sleep in an airplane...on the ground, this would be the way to go.

Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V: Paris, France $16,000 a night

Paradise Island, The Bahamas
Even if I had the money, why? See more Royal Resorts

More curiosities later.

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if i had only 24 hours in Rome...

My mom and dad are going on a Mediterranean cruise this May and prior to cruising they will spend three days in Rome. My mom has been asking me how they should spend their 72 hours in the eternal city. But what if there was only a day? I read an article in an issue of National Geographic Traveler that had a 24 hour/give me a migraine, Roman holiday. Impressive was the schedule, but enjoyable? No.

So if I had only 24 hours in Rome what are the must see's, must do's, must have's, and must stay's?

The Roman Forum from the Capitoline

I would take a guided tour through the Roman Forum along with the Palatine. Learn about Ancient Roma and stroll through the best lesson of history you'll ever experience.

After the Forum, I'm sure a panini, a siesta, or gelato...or all three are needed. I prefer to eat cheap for lunch, like a panini to-go, take it to your favorite piazza in Rome, maybe near the Pantheon.

In the late afternoon and early evening I would stroll along the Via del Corso with the locals. My agenda would consist of people watching and shopping.

Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain

After my stroll, it's time for dinner. Although loaded with tourist, I would choose to eat on the Piazza Navona. This ever changing piazza is full of eateries and entertainment.

The Tiber

My other choice would be to spend my evening in the Trastevere, on the other side of the Tiber. This is a gem of a neighborhood and will not disappoint.

Sitting on the steps of the Pantheon watching a family play ball...like it aint no thang.

For lodging, I think staying near the Pantheon is fun, there is always lots of action, and it's central for getting around.

My main concerns for my Rome itinerary are strolling and gelato. There are loads of other activities and places to experience like, Saint Peters at late afternoon when the sun is low and casting holy light on the marble and the miracle of no crowds; The Bourghese Gallery...I wont even try to describe, just go; The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the list goes on! Take it easy, don't stress out, and if you are invited to see the city on the back of a motorbike...GO!

Lodging near the Pantheon
http://www.albergosantachiara.com/

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il dolce far niente

"the sweetness of doing nothing"

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Some Fabulous: Journals

Legami Milano products are the Moleskins of Italy. Just better. I bought a small orange, blank page journal and have wished I bought 20. The pages, the size, the quality, and the everything are fabulous.

image courtesy of fnac

Why I'm sold:
- durable cover
- perforated pages in the back
- pocket in the back to slip receipts or whatev's in
- pen holder
- elastic band
- paper thickness, texture, and color

Check out their website for more fab products.
Befriend on Facebook
Twitter

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Munich. Cooler than Berlin? YES.

I confess it's been several years since I've visited Berlin but after spending a week in Munich I'm sold on the South.

Even as a transient, that Bavarian pride rubbed off on me.

Remarkable things of come out of this lederhosen laden land
BMW
Oktoberfest
The Disney Castle...for real!

Is there really a Munich Resurgence? Go see for yourself.

Learn something new about Munich and Bavaria
Read Munich Redux
There is some Bravaria political drama
The official Tourism Website

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Side trip to Alsace

Riquewihr, is it French or is it German? I'll be honest, I don't know much about this town, due to the fact only 4 hours were spent there. None the less, this village in the Alsace region of France is straight out of a story book. For real, I have the storybook, My Village, illustrated and written by Hansi. I have yet to finish reading the storybook, although it is a picture book, there are 35 pages, all with lots of words. Too much for bedtime.

What I do know is the Alsace region was occupied by the germans during WWI. Hansi, is an artist local to Alsace and is famous for his political cartoons and drawings of traditional dressed children for that time period. Although is drawings are colorful and playful, they are politically loaded and with the small bit of Alsace history one can pick up on where Hansi stood.



In Riquewihr there is a musuem that houses an impressive body of his work. For 2 euro, it is a must see. His styles and medium varies but his skill remains flawless.

More Information:

• Visit the tourist info website for directions to the town along with hotel options.
• See what other travelers's thoughts and photographs here
• See it on the map
• More of Hansi's work

Images: Top is me on the streetz of Riquewihr, Bottom is a Hansi print

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Donto Dent

People who go on trips are categorized into two groups: tourists and travelers. When you find yourself looking for a supermarket or a drugstore because you ran out of shampoo, or you are elated that your hotel/hostel has a clothes line, that's when you have moved into group 2. You are a traveler. One group isn't better than the other although some may disagree, they are just different modes for seeing the world.

I recently came to the reality that I am no longer traveling. My toothbrush I purchased in France has officially expired. My pink Donto Dent is totaled, it's through. Maybe it's silly but each brush took me back to the simplicity of traveling where my biggest concerns were, "Will I find a bed?" or, "Is it acceptable to have gelato again today?" My self-consciousness of having gelato twice in one day was short lived.

At the beginning of a trip most people are tourists. I was. I had packed everything for all types of weather, occasions, and all precautions taken so nothing could hinge on my health. This was for for the first week but I ended up leaving half of my belongings in Bath. The TravelLodge maid had an early Christmas.

Once you have reached the point of your trip where you run out of life's neccesities that's when the adventure has truly begun. Other than trying different gelato combinations, I thoroughly enjoyed European drugstores. Everything is so cool! Laundry detergent, toothpaste, soap, lotion; I saw it in a whole new light and in this light it was much more desireable than back at home. One reason was the hunt and feeling that sense of victory, "Yes, I found it! I overcame the language barrier and I will have clean clothes tonight!"(And yes I am the person who was the most excited about the clothesline out the window of the hostel in the Cinque Terre...what about it.)

Although my Donto Dent has been replace by a snazzy green Colgate, I still have the Balea body cream from Bern. So this traveler's bliss is not over yet.

Read this NGT article on authentic traveling. Far better writing than me ; )

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I went for a hike...

this is what I saw...

someone's perfectly constructed woodpile

cows snacking on grass

...spring bringing new life

fields of dandelions...

and then I saw Kandern.

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Kandern, Germany

If you google "Kandern" the tourist website pops up, some paintings by August Macke, and then mostly information on the Black Forest Academy. My reason for making a stop in this small German village was to visit friends. My friends live in an old factory on the edge of town and are in the process of transforming it into appartments, art studios, gallery space, and a cafè. It is the Art Factory and it's an exciting project in the works. A cute village with an open market on Saturdays, a few restaraunts, and a stop at the Eis Cafè is a must. I just hiked, caught up with my friends, hunted through french flea markets, and french side trips. It was the perfect few days to rest up for adventures ahead.


If you are curious and want to stay off the beaten track there is a hostel outside of town and a handful of hotels in town. See here for a few accomodation options.

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Photo Journal: Bern

the perfect picnic park

the weather was perfect in mid-April

Bern has a good vibe going

School Field Trip in front of Munster Cathedral

Ahead is Zytglogge Zeitglockentrum...or the Clock Tower

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Greetings from Bern

Ad for the deli I ate at. Catchy.

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Heading North

Bern, a laid back capitol city worth a day or two...at least!

Surprising, I was ready to leave Nice and have a change of scenery. Nice in all it's charm was just not quite so charming with the sporadic weather and April showers. I thought heading north would solve that (silly logic, i know) and I was right. With little hassle I had reservations, first class mind you, to Geneva. First class from Nice to Milan and then a jam packed we-don't-wear-deodorant cattle car from Milan to Geneva. Pulling into Geneva shy of midnight. Unfortunately I was heading to Bern the following day, and then on to meet some friends in Kandern, Germany; so I only slept in Geneva. One can't see it all.

I stayed in Bern just for the night but managed to make it a two day event. The weather was perfect and I think I got a better tan there than on the Cote d'Azure! Unbelievable. Well Bern did not fit my expectations of what makes a capitol city....it was better. I could do Bern. I could dwell there for sure. It's laid back, boutique lined streets, and small town feel made me feel right at home. I had a great lunch at Lotschberg, a bit spendy but I blew through the francs during my brief stay. There was this great park off of the Munster Cathedral where I had three different picnic and caught up on my journaling. You can rent bikes for free at the train station, I believe there is a 20 franc deposit that you get when you return. If you are in Bern for 24 hours and the weather is good rent a bike! There is a fabulous path along the glacier blue Aare River.

More Information:
* Get another perspective of Bern from this blogger gent, he's a local!
* Bern Tourist Information
* Bern history and city profile here
* I loved the hostel I stayed at, clean bed, cozy & friendly common room, and a kitchen! Visit here.


Note: The train from Geneva to Bern is gorgeous! I think it took 2 or 3 hours but the ride was filled with alps, lakes, and vineyards. It is an ideal way to enter into this fabulous country's capitol. The train stops at quaint towns worth a visit between the two cities.

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