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Glamour + Camping = Glamping (Seriously)

Filed under: Journeys, Services


The camping season is still in full swing around most parts of the country, but swiftly cooling temperatures (especially at night) are beginning to weed out all but the most hardcore of tent-pitching types. The good news? You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy camping during this season, or any other, thanks to a new trend called "glamping."

Glamping (makes me laugh every time I say it) is a term derived from the phrase "glamorous camping," and the idea is to bring nature and luxury together. Amenities vary depending on where you go, but many glamping packages include things like big, plush beds in your tent, personal butlers, gourmet food, wi-fi internet access, spa services (in a tent), and top shelf wine, liquor, cigars, etc. Rates start around $695 a night for a couple and can go as high as $50,000 a week for a family.

Via psfk

Forget the Goldfish Bowl, Get an Aquarium That's a Work of Art

Filed under: Decor, Pets


I've always loved aquariums, and although small simple versions are fairly commonplace, lush big ones are usually only found in zoos and some business lobbies. But the days of plain goldfish bowls with algae bloom in your home are long gone -- these days you can indulge your love of having nature indoors with an aquarium that looks lush, beautiful, and professional, not stagnant or scummy. The experts at Aqua Forest can help you create a personalized tank that can be anything from thick with greenery to nothing but an artistic arrangement of rocks and stones. And in their tanks the fish serve more as an accent to a work of art than they do the main attraction. Beautiful.

Via Dvice

White Porcelain Wildlife

Filed under: Decor


Decorating with animals is tricky (all too often it just comes off as tacky) but these crisp white porcelain creations from Rose and Radish may be the answer for those looking for a way to bring the beauty of nature indoors. This collection of porcelain wildlife figurines has all the usuals (i.e. lots of birds) plus a few unusuals like a goat and a hippopotamus. The hippo happens to be my favorite because he looks like he'd be really interesting, without being too bright or bold, sitting on a bookshelf. $1019

Via Wists

The Nature Conservancy, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity of the Day

Today is the fourth entry in our month-long series that looks at end-of-the-year gift giving. The Nature Conservancy has some very interesting options for your holiday giving. The charity, which helps protect ecologically important lands and waters for both nature and people, has gift options in a variety of price tiers. For $50,000 you can sponsor a scientific expedition that will bear your recipient's name. For $32,000 you can protect a mile of land in Costa Rica. You can also donate to help to protect coral reefs and sponsor land by the acre in the U.S. The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide and they are involved in over 100 marine conservation projects globally. The easiest way to give is to donate a gift membership. The membership will include a Nature Gift Card announcing your present and all membership materials including a Conservancy membership card. This includes the Nature Conservancy magazine and invitations to participate in local events at Nature Conservancy preserves, which can be a fun and educational experience.

Bugs that Won't Bite: Handcarved Bamboo Insects

Filed under: Decor



I'm not a bug enthusiast by any means, but there's something appealing about these bamboo insects. Maybe it's because they bring back memories from childhood (some good, some bad!), or it could just be that bugs are so inherently "creepy" and it's a rare occasion to get so close to one and see this kind of detail. Individually hand carved from "tiger print" bamboo they're each amazingly lifelike and detailed, and there's even a bamboo cage available if you're worried they might spark to life and fly away. Ranging in size from 2" (the cricket) to 7" (the praying mantis), there are 5 different designs available and prices range from $55-$65 each.

The Erich Ginder Ghost Tree

Filed under: Decor


What really cracks me up about this Erich Ginder Ghost Tree is the title description it gets on the website: "Rubber coated cast resin tree coat rack." Could it sound any uglier? I doubt it.

But in reality I really like it. It's simple, understated, and the name "Ghost Tree" makes it a little mysterious and melancholy. It's available in white or black, and although you can get other custom colors I'm not sure what else it would look good in except maybe gray. A rubber coated resin tree just can't pull off that many colors and stay cool, you know?

Enchanted Forest Floor Lamp

Filed under: Decor

There isn't anything wrong with giving your decor an escapist bent. After all, your home is your place to escape from the rest of the world and (unless you work at home) from the obligations of your job. The Enchanted Forest Floor Lamp alone isn't enough to transport you to another time and place, but it's a good start. Designed by Michael Aram, the aluminum floor lamp looks remarkably like a tree branch - discounting the electric wiring - and adds a a bit of nature-inspired fantasy to any room it is placed in. The cream fabric shade adds a warm, natural glow to the light. Price: $1,520.

[via cribcandy]

Tree Bed

Filed under: Decor

Designer Shawn Lovell certainly gets points for creativity when it comes to the design of her Tree Bed. It has one of the most unique canopies that I've seen, using the idea of a canopy of branches from a forest indoors, creating a second ceiling in the bedroom. Where the branches come together is what appears to be a nest, is suspended above the center of the bed. It's a work of art, but would you want it in your room or would you rather stick to a more traditional design?

[via apartment therapy]

Outdoor Tiles Inspired by Nature

Filed under: Garden

I love the idea of outdoor tiles that actually interact with the outdoors, as opposed to those that just crush whatever piece of nature they are placed upon. These tiles, which seem to be from Promise Design, actually have grooves in them that allow grass to grow up through the tile, allowing for a styled burst of color that complements the flowers etched in the stone.

It is too bad that fall has set in already. Even though these tiles only need grass to have their full effect and could certainly be put out over the winter, it's hard to think of decorating the yard when you don't really want to spend much time outside.

[via cribcandy]

SoHo Optic Applique Lunch Tote, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

This bag is from the same spring line that produced the Mattie Wedge Sandal and I just can't get enough of that adorable appliqued bee! He is again featured on this beautiful Coach tote. The SoHo Optic Applique Lunch Tote has a metallic, summery sheen to its white, logo-print fabric and the leather trim is lightweight, so it won't weight the bag down as you are out in the heat. The tote also comes in a lilac fabric, with a purple bug detail instead of a bee. Price: $348.

Echo Valley Ranch Birding Package

Filed under: Journeys, Spas

Of the many reasons to visit a destination spa, birds aren't usually on the list. They are the star attraction this month at the Echo Valley Ranch in British Columbia. Their Birding package which is only available in April, is a chance to observe and learn about birds in the raptor family. Their birding package includes falcon training demonstrations, looks at the nesting areas of the great gray owl and the golden eagle,a guided marsh walk and plenty of opportunities for general bird spotting. Only two  four-night packages are offered each April, with a total of ten participants per package. The package includes four nights accommodation in Dove Lodge or Lookout Lodge, meals which are prepared in an open kitchen, use of ranch facilities including an outdoor hot tub, sauna, indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center and a games room with pool table. There is also a morning Thai stretching class and the opportunity to help with the ranch animals. This unique destination spa is run by Norman and Nanthawon Dove. He was a mechanical engineer originally from England and she is from Thailand where her mother was a practitioner of Thai medicine. The ranch offers both Western and Thai spa treatments as well as a Thai night with authentic Thai food and traditional Thai dancing. The birding package costs $1116 (Canadian) per person.


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