Bohemian Backyards

I’ve been missing the romance of hot Austin evenings, and the unconventional, eclectic style in which people decorate their yards. Mosaics, twinkle lights, rustic furniture, jewel tones… there’s something so lavish yet relaxed about a backyard party, and Austin knows how to keep their decor just the right amount of weird.

Turquoise, pink, and everything in between gives outdoor living spaces personality and lends to a coveted “secret garden” effect. Interesting patio stones and mosaics mix it up and don’t fall into the convention of concrete slabs or gravel pits.

An outdoor screen, some comfy seating, and some colorful cushions create your very own “slumber party” effect, and give you the ambience of a warm summer night while being able to retreat to your own bed, not a tent in the middle of nowhere. Twinkle lights and some wicker outdoor lamps really cozy things up.

Using colorful tiles instead of a plain concrete retaining wall adds color, and can actually be done yourself instead of more complicated projects like brick work or cobblestone effects.

One of my neighbors (in California, not Austin) turned what could have been boring, run of the mill entry steps, into a fun project that fits the hacienda vibe of their home.

How phenomenal is this custom pool complete with complimentary seating and gorgeous bohemian accents? A luxurious hideaway with a decidedly bohemian twist.

This long, rustic table and equally funky upcycled chairs are to die for! I love how when surrounded by equally homey fixtures, an outdoor patio becomes an extension of your home. Take a look at that lamp! How cool would a DIY project be to weatherproof an outdoor “lamp” and maybe make it into something hardier for full time ambience! It’s almost like an outdoor chandelier, there’s something magical about bringing the inside of your home into a fragrant, garden setting.

As most of you guys know, I love the concept of raised bed and container gardening, but your yard doesn’t have to look like a hodge podge of cheap pine! By adding some outrageous color, combined with great landscaping, this brings an urban garden to a new level. Don’t you love that pink picket fence?

While living in Austin, I was no stranger to neighbors (especially ones with small childen) owning chickens in backyard coops! Of course, depending on where you live, you should always consult your district’s rules on livestock, but there’s something to be said for fresh eggs every morning and some pet hens to peck about the garden for a spell! I love how this coop doubles as a platform for some beautiful herbs and flowers.

Hope you guys get an idea or two from my nostalgia! Austinites are the most creative gardeners I’ve encountered thus far, and I love their use of outdoor space as personal, cozy entertainment areas.

 

 

Gypsy Tips

Via Skontent

Travel, which is one of the most enlightening experiences in my opinion, teaches you a lot about yourself, sheds light on any relationship if things don’t go according to plan, opens you to new ideas and cultures, and shapes your personality if done often enough. The hard part? It also can be quite pricey. The old adage says “you get what you pay for,” but here are some tips, collected from CNN Go, tweaked by my experience, that help you get what you want, and pay less for it.

• Book a Home, Not a Hotel - I can’t speak on Home Swapping, given it’s far too invasive for my comfort levels, but two CNN Go suggested sites seem to be HomeExchange.com and HomeLink.org.A site I can highly recommend to rent out a home that is essentially run in the style of a B&B is Airbnb, which I wrote a post on that can be seen here. Affordable, easy to use, and definitely easier on the pocketbook, I can speak from experience that this is a great tool for travelers. I have never used Great Space, but apparently it’s similar to Airbnb although it seems to cater to a lesser selection of locations given the fact it’s less established.

 

• Strategize Your Flight Booking - this trick changed my life. Booking tickets is always cheaper on Tuesdays. Here’s a great explanation via the Wallstreet Journal.

“When’s the best time to buy? Travel experts have long said Tuesday is when sales are most often in place, which is true. An analysis of domestic fares shows that Wednesday also has good—and occasionally better—ticket prices… airline pricing actually does follow a cycle during the week. Many sales, in which some seats are discounted by 15% to 25% typically, are launched Monday night… Competitors typically match the lower prices Tuesday morning. By Thursday or Friday, many sales have already expired. 

Two weeks ago, a Chicago-Atlanta round-trip ticket for April travel dates cost $209 on Tuesday and Wednesday on American and Delta, but then $301 for the next four days. When Tuesday rolled around last week, the fare dropped to $219 at both airlines for the April 8-15 itinerary. By Friday it was up to $307 at both American and Delta. Come Tuesday this week, the fare was down to $229… So a ticket can be $199 certain days and $499 other days even months ahead of a flight.”

Also, if you’re traveling as a couple, search for your tickets separately. You can always change seats when you’re checking in, that way,  the system won’t search for ticket options that rule out possible better deals due to seat numbers. Instead, it will choose the individual fares, after which point you can request seats together. This said, do so quickly, and make sure you can both get on the same flight. Expedia has excellent cancellation policies if you happen to make a mistake in this process.

• Consider Alternate Destinations - Venice is undoubtedly beautiful, but the hidden Italian gems that are far less expensive and equally magical is staggering. Italian charm is really what you’re going for, and you’ll get more of it in a less likely tourist destination. Rome, Venice, and the other usual touristy locales are full of history, but have a price tag that is often completely unreasonable. The Amalfi Coast is stunning, and its picturesque little towns are far more relaxed and reflective of Italian living. Do your homework – the internet makes it so easy to track down more affordable destinations that avoid the hustle and bustle of tourist traps.

The Amalfi Coast

• Save on the “Small Stuff” - Via CNN Go. “Here are some things many travelers often overlook: insurance, phone roaming fees and a credit card’s foreign transaction fee. Insurance companies deliver discounts for careful travelers.Essential Travel’s ”Use your head” campaign for example gives skiers a 15 percent discount if they wear a helmet. Also, check with your existing credit card companies for travel perks — some such as HSBC and Citibank often offer free travel insurance if you use them to book your holiday. If you have to use a phone while you’re abroad, get a local SIM card or use free apps such as Skype or Viber, as long as the required local Wi-Fi isn’t too expensive.”

• Get the Best Price, Find Discounts - social media has opened the doors for affordable travel. Kayak is a comparative shopping tour de force, and cross checks prices all at once for you! I always find Expedia to be a reliable resource as well, and I have just discovered the app Yapta, which tracks flight price changes before you buy and checks for airline refunds after purchase.

• Be Loyal, Get Perks - Via CNN Go. “Hotels.com recently introduced a buy-10-nights-get-one-free deal.HotelPlanner.com is giving away US$500 in free hotel rooms to its loyal Facebook, Twitter and mobile app fans once a week. Booking sites like Agoda.com and Booking.com now give loyalty points to customers. They reward you with points after each purchase that you can use later on another booking.These websites also promise the best price guaranteed, meaning you can get a refund if you spot a cheaper offer after booking with them.”

• Tour With The Locals - disclaimer: be very very careful about this tip from CNN Go. I’m including it because it sounds like a nice idea, but be mindful and smart about where you use these programs. “Connecting with a local on your trip not only ensures you avoid the tourist traps, it also is a lot cheaper than using a large professional tour company. Twigmore is a new online community dedicated for travelers on Facebook. You can also book local independent tour guides directly in hundreds of cities from Localguiding.com or from one of the biggest independent tour providers in Europe – Sandemans New Europe Tours. These often offer tours for free, so it’s a nice gesture to give a tip after the tour to ensure this kind of initiative can continue for others.

• Coupon Codes Galore! - I have found this to be quite the amazing resource, which shocks most people I know because I absolutely hate coupons. The kinds I’m talking about come from supermarket flyers, but these are neat, simple to use, and online.  PromotionalCodes.com has sections dedicated to flights, travel, accommodation, along with many other possibilities. Take a look, you will absolutely NOT regret it.

Via USA Today

Just a reminder – no matter what, when traveling with animals, always investigate the policies of your hotel/B&B/airline/rickshaw/what-have-you, as well as your destination’s laws regarding quarantines and animal travel. For more information, check out my archived post Flying Dogs.

Weird or Wonderful

Check out this art installation in Manitoba designed to look like a life-sized dollhouse! This old farmhouse was supposedly abandoned in the 1960′s, so it was filled with vintage furniture from the period and fitted with plexiglass walls on one side.

A whimsical idea, executed in an arguably eerie style, this dollhouse wows unexpected travellers that take the exit marked by a simple sign stating “Dollhouse Ahead.”

The Lavender Inn in Ojai, CA

Via Trip Advisor

One luxury I permit myself is taking a weekend getaway when it’s needed. One of those getaways happened to be in a beautiful little B&B called the Lavender Inn. Located in Ojai, CA, twenty minutes from Santa Barbara, it was a quiet but much needed rest from the chaos of Los Angeles. The drive there is absolutely breathtaking, so definitely bring a camera. I was lucky enough to stay in a little guest house, The Provence Cottage, which is dog extremely dog friendly with it’s own large private yard. Stella basically spent the weekend deliriously running in circles with a toy in her mouth. The decor was just right – not too kitschy, not too cold, and the wood burning fireplace was a fantastic cherry on top. The bedding was supremely comfortable, and French doors leading outside added such a lovely touch, given you can read in bed and still see the outdoor chandelier above the patio area surrounded by beautiful flowers. It even had its own little fountain! From The Provence Cottage, you also have access to the shared garden where all guests can take a stroll or even play croquet (sadly, I discovered my future does not lie in professional croquet playing). The Innkeepers were sweet and accommodating, the breakfasts were fantastic, and their wine and cheese hour was my personal favorite – getting to know the diverse backgrounds of the other guests is a highlight of the B&B experience for me. Although my visit was too short to take advantage of this, they also have a spa and offer cooking classes! All in all, I would highly recommend taking a trip there. If you’re interested, you can find the Lavender Inn’s Website here.

 

Heaven on Earth

One day, while I was in Atlanta, my boyfriend Devin and I decided to take a drive through Palmetto, GA. With  fresh air, towering trees, and sprawling green fields, it’s a great location for a scenic car ride. Not a far way out of the city, but just far enough. I was, however, a touch disappointed at the lack of historic Southern homes. They were your ordinary, plain jane one story buildings, tracts of land that were most likely meant for one grand old house but divided up over the years. I suppose I was just craving something with a bit of history and character. Still not far out of the city, we remained optimistic we would find some kind of adventure.

Devin and I hadn’t seen anything close to art on anyone’s property, more like generic brand mailboxes and pop up car covers from Walmart. It really didn’t strike us as a very artistic area, that being why a starkly beautiful little sign caught our attention. Devin slowed the car. “The Inn at Serenbe.” He had heard through the grapevine that it was an amazing place, but really didn’t know much more. Intrigued, we turned up what we assumed to be a driveway. It was a misty day with a light drizzle coming down, and now thinking back, I wish I’d had a camera with me. The Inn was a cross between a British country cottage and a villa in the Italian countryside with a series of small satellite buildings, all beautiful and unique. Flowers and a rustic stone path encircled the area.

Via Sweet Peach

We almost pulled in to take a look inside, but the country road cut through the most beautiful fields dotted with wildflowers. Devin and I couldn’t help it, we had to keep driving. Now fearing we were on private property, we slowly passed the silent pastures, and noticed a deep, glasslike lake around which sheep were grazing. The whole scene made me feel like I was in one of the pastoral poems I mooned over in University. It was a bit eerie with the mist but undeniably beautiful. I’m sure part of the suspense could be contributed to the weather, but the hauntingly beautiful metal sayings that had been wrapped around tree trunks along the road could have also been a factor. After a couple of minutes, we came across a metal sign in the same style we had been seeing all over the property thus far. A quote valuing the pastoral lifestyle mirrored exactly how I’d been feeling passing the gorgeous landscape and various farm animals, but Devin and I suddenly feared we had stumbled across some kind of bizzare commune or cult. We continued on regardless.

Via More Olives Please

Suddenly, we were transported to a beautiful residential road with a seamless mixture of traditional Southern homes with modern architecture. Every home, regardless of style, had some sort of front porch. People can be seen chatting with their neighbors all over the place while sitting outside with their families. It reminded me a bit of my holidays I’d taken in Whistler, BC. There was an overriding theme, with whimsical, tree shaped streetlights, gas lanterns burning above everyone’s front door, and cobblestone roads, yet every single house was different in it’s own way. Some had cascading, flowering vines draped over the banisters on their porch, some were cutting edge, incorporating glass with sleek earth toned metals, yet it all flowed.

Via Alvin Becker

Via Robinson Iron

We parked the car on the side of the street, floored by the beauty around us, and walked straight into the Blue Eyed Daisy, the main cafe and bakery of Serenbe.

Via Ali Harper Photography

Via Ali Harper Photography

There, from actual residents, we got the real run down. Serenbe is not, in fact, a cult or commune. It’s a sustainable farming community filled with young couples, families and artists. There are galleries packed with beautiful paintings, there’s a widely recognized playhouse, and many writers and musicians also live there. Most who live in Serenbe make the short commute to Atlanta for work but want to come home to a peaceful, creative home with like-minded neighbors. The Serenbe website sums it up perfectly in saying…

“At Serenbe we value:

• Nature… because people can live more fully when connected to nature’s wonders
• Passion… because living passionately is the most rewarding of lives
• Creativity… because creative people live lives of great passion, and can help the rest of us do the same
• Community… where people are accepted for who they are, not what they are”

Serenbe farms provides fresh produce, and many residents pitch in with the work. Children grow up around sheep, horses, cows, butterflies, birds, and have ample space to play and run. Serenbe is committed to preserving land from becoming over-developed tracts like in other parts around Atlanta and cultivating a sustainable community.

Via Kandrac and Kole Interior Designs, Inc

Via Ali Harper Photography

Everything around this little town is just impeccable. It’s hard to find a flaw. From the restaurants, to the boutique stores, to the galleries, right down the their breathtaking stables, Serenbe has it all.

The stables via New Urban Architect

Via Food Porn

Devin and I wandered some paths on foot, came across a state of the art dog park, admired the beautiful homes, met some horses at the stables, had little conversations with some extremely sweet couples and families, peeked in store windows due to the fact the galleries and stores were closed since it was a holiday (gives us an excuse to come back), came across another gorgeous lake, had an excellent lunch and a nice glass of wine at the Blue Eyed Daisy, and bid Serenbe farewell for the time being. The whole day had a dreamlike quality, and it’s still one of our happiest little adventures.

Any place that is known for hosting fabulous weddings is bound to be a happy one. Type Serenbe into a search engine and you have a whole blog entry’s worth of whimsical photographs for the romantic in you. Urban yet rural, simple and so well thought out, Serenbe is the perfect destination for some serenity and a chance to just be, a combination of words after which the community is named. Oh, and did I mention it’s very doggie friendly?

Highly recommended for a romantic getaway, family trip with small children, and… well pretty much any occasion. Check it out!

Flying Dogs

Stella, the littlest gypsy

For those of you who have given a bit of thought to traveling with your four legged friend, I’ve compiled some tips Stella and I have learned over our globe trotting career together. She’s spent half of her little life in the air, so we know the drill pretty well.

1. Make sure your dog can handle a kennel. Stella is quiet and just ends up sleeping, but try getting your dog used to his or her kennel and using positive reinforcement. Also try a trial run in a public place to make sure your canine doesn’t have a nervous melt down in the airport line up!
2. Always travel with your dogs papers. This means proof of vaccines and a current rabies shot. A lot of people just carry the vet issued documents they were given at the time of the vaccines. Because I often fly over the border, I always make sure I have a health certificate on me, but some states within the US (such as Arizona) also require you to have one so it’s less hassle free to just keep a current one in your passport while traveling. I’ve gotten them done for free as a courtesy, a couple times for $10, sometimes $20, and once I got royally ripped off when I was in a time crunch for $50.
3. Always check the specific country’s quarantine laws, and call that country’s consulate or embassy just to double check you have the current information. I’ve also included a guide to individual quarantine laws here.
4. When it comes to selecting a dog carrier, always stay small and try to stick with soft sided kennels. Remember to check the particular maximum size for that specific airline. Also remember to ask if there are any weight restrictions. I’ve never had a problem, but always good to double check.
5. Place your pet on the reservation ASAP! Call right as your book your ticket. You can find a list of numbers here. Airlines have a certain number of animals they allow in the cabin on each flight and you don’t want to find out last minute your dog can’t be booked on board.
6. You can’t do online check in at home nor can you use the kiosk. Some airlines will let you pay the pet fee with a credit card over the phone, but most just require you pay as your check in with an agent. Regardless, you have to check in with an actual person. Give yourself some extra time at the airport to accommodate this, and the agent will probably just ask to take a look at your little companion. I believe the max fee is $125, it usually sits around $100 for most airlines.

As long as you plan ahead, it’s a pretty easy process. Doggie ticket, money for reservation, and your puppy’s “passport” (health certificate) and you’re good to go!

Bed and Breakfast Redesigned

Although not rated by guests, couldn't resist posting this beautiful rental near the Amalfi Coast

Before I moved to Austin to film The Lying Game, I was frantic to find an affordable, homey hotel that was more of a residence. My conventional searches were fruitless until I stumbled across Airbnb. Lo and behold, I was set up with a beautiful two bedroom cottage complete with a cook’s dream kitchen, a spacious, beautiful living room, a dream landlord, and even a dog door for Stella that led out to the huge back yard. I had such an amazing experience, and found Airbnb to be so well organized and easy to use. If you’re planning a weekend trip on a budget, sess it out and see if it’s an option for you! Or, for the more adventurous, Airbnb has properties for rent worldwide, including this intriguing Italian B&B for $91 a night!

Also – feel free to contact me if you want the Austin cottage details, perfect 78704 location and an amazing home.