Coast Cabins Manzanita, Oregon

Coast Cabins is an intimate retreat for couples. There are 5 mini spa cabins(320 sq ft-700 sq ft) to choose from in a garden setting. There is a fire pit that is lit 24 hours a day, and at night the owners come out and serve wine and treats to their guests. Some of the cabins have out door spa-tubs that are drained and cleaned for each arriving new guest. They have luxury amenities, restoration towels, and spa robes. There are teak loungers, and charcoal barbeques. Basically everything you can think of with a simple and relaxing getaway Coast Cabins has it.  I have read all of the reviews. Not a single bad one you can find.  I took my mom here and stayed in one of their 3 condos for her birthday. And I wanted to move in and stay for life. I could really call that home. You felt it.. You don't feel that in a hotel. It had Chilean oak floors, wool carpet with radiating floor heaters, 14 foot ceilings, gas fireplace, 2 decks, 2 adorable lush bedrooms, and 2 chic bathrooms with luxury amenities. It was a good gift- and she is re-gifting it. We are heading back there next month to celebrate our birthdays(Mine is the 20th)(His is Aug 7th)!!

Tu Tu Tun Lodge In Gold Beach, Oregon

How about a little relaxation at Tu Tu Tun Lodge. It is about a 7 hour drive from Portland. Gold Beach is the second town north of the California border. This lodge looks so secluded, and relaxing. I have this feeling we would wake up with the sun, sit on the patio sipping coffee, hike all day, eat a super yummy meal, drink champagne in the outdoor soaking tub while relaxing our muscles after that hike, pass out next to the fire place, and do it all over again. How insanely incredible does that sound?! It is nestled next to the Rogue River. The lodge has it's own dock where jet boats pick up, and kayaks are launched. So many places to sit and have a picnic or bird watch (one of my favorite things). The Oregon coast has so many amazing retreats. I think I might just continue to show you guys a few!

Color Pallettes by Mark Eden Schooley

These images are from the portfolio of the photographer Mark Eden Schooley. Mark is an American photographer based in Paris. He works for famous magazines such as "Elle Decor", "Marie Claire Maison", "Bloom" etc.

Radostina a graphic designer created the color pallete sample's to the right of each photo. She runs a blog called 79 Ideas. The blog has inspiration up the who-haw!

Support International Artisan's

Today's inspiration is from L'aviva Home and Nooosugar. Both companies feature handcrafted housewares from artisans all over the world.  Instead of mass produced items, each one is hand-made in remote parts of the world. Creating employment and fair prices for time spent. It is exactly how etsy works.  It is a wonderful thing to support.

The items in the first 3 photo's (By Brigitte Kroone) are all hand-made in Morocco. Nooosugar works directly with a family of 14 in Medina that have embraced their family traditions (3 generations) and hand weave all of their own materials.

These Hammam Turkish towels are traditionally used in Turkish baths. They are hand-woven and hand-knotted with fringe.

These Chiapas Pillows are made by women from the highland communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Drawing upon traditional Mayan techniques and designs. There are 130 Mayan weavers in El Camino De Los Altos working together to preserve their ancestral art and improve their social + economic conditions. 

Border Oak Inspirational Homes

Border Oak is a family owned and operated company in England that is dedicated to the revival of the art of green oak framing. They use traditional British techniques, and do international business! They are committed to building the finest sustainable homes for all.

 Border Oak has a Blog! Check it out.

If money ever fell in my lap...OH BOY! The vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, brick walls, giant gardens, fire places. I would slap some solar panels on that baby, and a rain catch! It would of course be in a secluded location. I am not into "showing off". I want a place nestled in the woods, with a open area where I grow all of my own ORGANIC food, with an attached green house. I want to be fully sustainable. Completely off the grid, but still living in a modern way of life. I am sick of the chemicals, and lies. I refuse to be a lab rat any longer. People are starting to wake up- realizing we consume too much. We are dependant on the system for almost everything in our lives. It isn't healthy. The system is set up exactly so everyone is dependant. We are throwing money into a select few people's pockets. The U.S. is so far in dept that every second the dept rate goes up $40,000. Every Second! If that doesn't scream, "Chaos is coming!" to you then I don't know what to say.. I am worried, and you should too. Sustainability is the future- That, or we don't have one.
That was my rant.. (sorry)
            Back to Border Oak Homes again. Aren't the photos beautiful?! Their website has hundreds of photo's. It is amazing! Their resume is impressive.

Cabanes Bartherotte & Freres

Today's inspiration is a french company called Cabanes Bartherotte & Freres. In French, the word 'cabane' means "little hut" and it is often made of wood. The design is inspired by fisherman huts. They are  eco-friendly, and beautiful! The website is in french- so I have not even the slightest clue what anything says. There is a video! The french language is beautiful by itself- So check out the site for a visual tour of their property.

I am ready to move in right now!!!

2011 July Desktop Calendar

This is a collaboration between Shanna Murray and Shari Altman. Click here for small and large sizes.

It was only posted today -so sorry for the delay. I will try to post them each month as they are released.

And More of Shanna Murray's Work-

Happy 4th of July!

I thought I would share this photo I took while on a walk with Wayne yesterday. The sun popped out as soon as I walked out the door at work. It was amazing. The butterfly is a Western Tiger Swallowtail.

Happy eating, and firecracker day!

Sunshine!

I hope all of you have been able to lounge in the sun in the last few days. I did twice! That is about how eventful my life is right now. I have been working hard every day. Portland is insane in the summer time.

I have just been craving the sun for so long.. Tomorrow will be beautiful too! I hope all of you have fun.

Photo By Chris Shipman

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Go Crazy with Free Printable Downloads!
click each for the pdf file- Straw Flags, Bunting, Wrappers for Drinks or Candy, & Labels.

All holiday decorations can be put together in just a few minutes, and be remembered by all because of the personal touches you made to everything. Just think... Homemade lemonade, Fruit slices on a kabob, BBQ Corn on the cob, individual sparkler sets with each kid's name on it. You can re-label fun looking bottles with each kid's name on it too! Smore's kits! The ideas are endless. Above all be safe and have fun!

Printables were found on The Sweetest Occasion by Hank + Hunt.