I want to go to there: a perfect backyard patio

We are in the midst of some major construction at our house. A patio, sidewalk, sod, and landscaping are all being put into our tiny Bay View backyard. If you live in the city, you know that our yards are tiny but we practically live out there in the summer. An entire overhaul was just necessary. So, our yard will have a raised dining area on the right, an inset living area in the middle, and a step up to the sidewalk in back to accommodate the slope in our yard. Can you picture it? I'll post finished pictures in a few weeks. In the meantime, here are some inspiring backyard patio pictures to peruse.

Source: natures-first-green-is-gold.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: remodelista.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: studiogblog.com via Sara on Pinterest

I want to go to there: Baghvan Hotel, India

I came across this photo a couple years ago and saved it in a folder on my desktop (pre-Pinterest days). I loved the colors, the taupe brown and the palest of turquoise. It just looked so peaceful, serene - I can close my eyes and imagine it right now. I open the photo on my computer every once in a while and just stare. It's like yoga for the mind, I guess. So this my friends is the ultimate "I want to go to there".

The Baghvan Hotel is in central India, the Madhya Pradesh, right on the edge of the Pench National Forest. Baghvan means bengal tiger and the Pench was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book". The medieval Hindu temples, the Khajuraho are also in this provence, although kind of a hike from the hotel. Bottom line, this place combines all of my favorites when it comes to travel: exotic location, great decor/design, history, adventure, and a pool. This place is just amazing. Look at the pictures below.


the breakfast room


open air guest lobby


guest bathroom

I want to go to there: backyard firepit

Pinterest


Lonny Magazine


pine to prairie

Dreaming of sitting outside on a beautiful patio and watching the fire.....
a pool would be nice, too (just throwin' that in there)

Do you guys have a backyard fire pit? Tell me more!

Surfs Up

Aren't these lovely images? They're all from Elgarboart on Etsy. I've been knee-deep in finals stuff all week, so it's s good mental vacay if you ask me. I don't surf, but learning to is on my bucket list? Do any of you surf?? Living in Wisconsin is sort of a hinderance.

I want to go to there: Hotel St. Cecelia

This is the Hotel Cecilia in Austin, Texas. I saw it mentioned on another blog today and went to check out their website. Oh my goodness! This place is beautiful.....with just the right mix of laid back and cool, vintage and modern. So when I go to SXSW someday, I totally want to splurge and stay here.

I want to go to there: Copenhagen with the Botwins

Tonight is the season 6 finale of Weeds, the show I once enthusiastically loved and now patiently tolerate until the awesomeness returns. Hopefully tonight will be the night with their hairbreadth escape to Copenhagen. The show has seemed like a never ending road trip from California to Mexico to Seattle to Montana and now Dearborn, Michigan. But, if they end up in a beautiful city like Copenhagen, I think I could tolerate that. I wouldn't mind seeing more of that great city. Here are a few highlights and photos of Copenhagen. I totally want to go to there (especially if there's popcorn on the plane).


The Royal Cafe


Copenhagen Street Style


Amager Torv

And a few guides from:
Design*Sponge
New York Times

I want to go (back) to there: Tango Mar, Costa Rica

On Costa Rica's Nicoya Gulf coast is Tango Mar spa and golf resort, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I have dreams about this place. I can't wait to go back, but until I can, I have been recommending it to everyone I know.




photos: tangomar.com
A few years ago, the hub and I went to Costa Rica for a mid-winter break. We rented a car, found a map, and just started driving around. There was no plan and plenty of time to get lost. Very lost. 90 percent of Costa Rican roads aren't paved unless they lead to the coast. Inland Costa Rica is gorgeous, but not many people see it. There are volcanos, coffee fields, cattle crossing the road, tropical rain forests, and huge valleys. We saw all of that then decided to head to the Nicoya coast--I really wanted to see the sea turtles nesting.

The best way to the coast looked to be taking an hour long ferry then driving north. Night came a lot faster than we had thought and we were driving on a dirt road that ultimately led to a completely washed out road that would be impossible to cross. We were really tired, disappointed and frustrated, so we agreed that we would stay at the next hotel we passed, regardless of how expensive or crappy it may be. We followed several simple arrow signs for Tango Mar. We were driving down a long, windy driveway and almost turned around; it was a long way off the main road. But then we saw the golf course, nicely manicured lawns, thatch-roofed cupolas, and HORSES. We pulled up and saw the beach and the ocean in the middle of the night.

We ended up staying three days. The white sand beach was beautiful and there was no one for miles. We unexpectedly saw several humpback whales just off the shore. We ate daily-ocean-caught seafood every night and macadamia nut pancakes in the morning. Our room had a balcony overlooking the ocean. And Matt's favorite part, free Wi-Fi. My favorite part was the spa and yoga studio.

We talk regularly about going back, but this time with a group of friends (not like the movie Couples Retreat). There are national forests and canopy tours close by along with scuba diving, golf, and horseback riding at the resort. Flights to Costa Rica are around $300/rt and a room at Tango Mar cost about $190/night.

Do you plan group trips with your friends? Where do you guys go?

I want to go to there: The Ocean On Bicycles

The Ocean On Bicycles from runrobot on Vimeo.

I found this lovely little film on Copenhagen Cycle Chic today. Now I think I'll ride down to the lakefront. Bye!

I want to go to there: Reading in Central Park

thejcgerm

Sitting in a lounge chair reading the New York times in Central Park.......sign me up!

Interview with James from Bramble

[Hello CC&S readers, today we have something new for you. James, the singer and charango player from Bramble is going to answer a few questions and talk a little bit about the being a musician, street-performer, and a free spirit. Enjoy!]

CC&S: How would you describe Bramble's sound?
James: I would describe Bramble's sound as sort of gypsy-folk, mixed with R&B with a spice of boy band.

CC&S: What instruments do you guys use--I've never seen some of them before?
James: Chaz Prymek play guitar and banjo, Ian Accord plays accordion, Steve Schmit plays bucket percussion with other trinkets (including a cymbal supported by an empty wine bottle), and I play banjo and the charango (a 10-stringed Bolivian lute). However, we don't pretend to be tied to playing these instruments specifically. We'll switch around a lot and we are all multi-instrumentalists, with plans to use those talents in the future.

CC&S: Explain busking. What's it like? Why on the street rather than small venues?
James: Busking is a whole mess of emotion and effort. Sometimes, people can be crowded all around you with smiles on their faces and dancing and they cheer after a song is over, and encourage the hell out of you. Sometimes nobody cares. Nobody. Folks pass by without even looking over, and we are all there pouring our hearts into these songs. And you just have to deal with that, the reality that it's not always fun. And that people aren't there to be your audience, and to pay attention to what you have to say (unless of course they choose to).
We don't want to give the impression that we don't play small venues. We most certainly do, and will. But playing on the street can be so much more rewarding. Playing in a small, crowded bar can be draining, because even though you are scheduled entertainment, people still won't care or listen. It can be a discouraging scene, but obviously not always. Small all ages places are pretty rad, but on the street, you know that people are stopping to see you. They are out and about doing their own damn thing, make no mistake, and here they are, disregarding their errands or schedules and what have you, and listening to our silly butts make some happy noise. It's thrilling. We love to give a surprising show for people who are not in the least expecting it.

CC&S: How many famous people did you see while playing on the streets during Sundance?
James: We saw like, 8 famous people at Sundance. 4 of them became fans of ours, and hopefully will come see us in LA at the end of the month (including John Hawkes, woohoo!)

CC&S: How's the tour planning going?
James: Tour planning is much easier when you decide to do it like 3 months in advance or more. Everyone is nice and says yes. We have a show in Madison just about lined up with our friend Shane Shane.

CC&S: So we can order your album online, but pay what we want? What's up with that?
James: Our album, H.A.G.S. (standing for Have A Great Summer) is available on a Pay What You Can basis. This isn't an original idea or anything, but it is one that we feel great about using. We made all of our albums cases by hand, and we have a simple collective idea: We are playing music because we love it and we want other people to hear it, love it too, and spread it. Therefore we have no wish to deny someone access to our music simply because they may not have the cash at the time, or whatever the reason. You want it, you can have it. Set prices only create conflict, either in an individual's mind, or between seller and buyer. And we're into a gift economy, not capitalism. Plus, sometimes people are super generous and are into paying more than the usual amount for a cd just because they feel we are deserving of it. (we gotta love that).

[This video is from the True/False film festival in Missouri and features a snippet of Bramble. I have to say, this little film is so EXCELLENT. I just love the time-lapsed sunrise over the "Mr. Roger's neighborhood" view of the city, and then when the day starts, the people come, have a parade and watch movies all day. It makes me want to go to there. It looks like people are having so much fun!]

True/False 2010 Closing Night Video from Boxcar Films on Vimeo.

I want to go to there: 10 Blissful French Islands

Photo of Belle-Île

Photo of Île d'Yeu

Photo of Plage de Dotchot

Maybe it's cabin fever, mid-winter blues, or boredom, but I really want to get out of here and go somewhere warm! This month's CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER has a feature on "10 Blissful French Islands" with every one looking sunnier than the last. Excuse me while I daydream........

I want to go to there: a houseboat

I was reading the The UK Times Online and came across this unbelievable houseboat owned by Josie Curran on the river Thames. This is a boat? Really?

I want to go to there: Merci

I found these pictures on the blog, five months in Paris and debated calling the post: "I want to go to there: five months in Paris", because I'm envious of everything she has posted. But mostly I just wish that I could visit the Merci. It seems like a store, art gallery, used bookstore, and cafe all in one, but you'll have to see for yourself in her post.