Forest Huts

Camping is not at the top of my vacation destination list, but the Kolarbyn eco-logde in Sweden looks pretty amazing. Located in a dense forest by the beautiful Lake Skärsjön, Kolarbyn consists of twelve forest huts equipped with cozy sheep skin rugs and a warm fire place. Even though there is no electricity and you have to cut your own firewood, you can experience primitive living at its finest with local food, breathtaking views and adventurous wildlife tours. And hey, how many people can say they've stayed in a cute forest hut?!

Link - Kolarbyn

Joe Kievitt

Joe Kievitt's graphic drawings have made their rounds on the blogosphere, but did you also see his amazing mosaic work? The geometric shapes, natural elements and playful colors within his mosaics transform and liven everyday spaces. Do you feel a little fireplace DIY coming on?

I also love how Kievitt's work has evolved throughout several years with more color and pattern. Even through his progression and different mediums, like mosaics and drawing, his work has successfully maintained a distinct look and perspective. This is something many artists and designers strive for each day, and somehow he makes it look easy and refreshing!

Link - Joe Kievitt

Sunshine Lavender Farm

I recently had the pleasure to attend an event at the Sunshine Lavender Farm in Orange County, North Carolina. The sights were uplifting and the smells were beyond wonderful. My friends and I learned about planting lavender, created lavender wands and cooled off with delicious lavender ice cream and lavender lemonade (see recipe below!).

Lavender has many natural health benefits like easing headaches, aiding in sleep and providing overall stress relief. With all these uses you may want to invest in a small lavender farm (or plant) of your own. Sunshine Lavender Farm's website contains planting information like using oyster shells to prevent weeds, reflect the sun and make a beautiful accent to your garden. They also feature great recipes and an online shop.

Lavender Lemonade Recipe:

Fill a tea ball with loose lavender florets, fresh or dried. Place tea ball in a quart pot of water to boil. Turn off heat and let steep 20 minutes. Use the "lavender tea" instead of water as you make your favorite lemonade recipe, either homemade or from a mix.

If you have any lavender tips or recipes please feel free to share in the comments. Here's to a lavender infused week ahead...

Link - Sunshine Lavender Farm

Luis Beltrán

Luis Beltrán creates photographs that you can get lost in for days and still come back for more. Talent, illusion and magic combine within each photograph and conjure up intriguing story plots. Where is this playground above the city? What does the owl on the building stand for? Where is the butterfly going? What is that person thinking on a rainy bridge? Each new glance brings a more interesting story and perception. You can also just admire the beautiful photography and let your imagination soar.

Link - Luis Beltrán

French Knots

Four Thousand French Knots

One Thousand French Knots

Fifteen Hundred French Knots

As artists and designers we can all get a little obsessed when it comes to our work, but Jeana Eve Klein has taken it to a whole new level with her French knot embroideries. The pieces are composed entirely of hand-stitched French knots and then name accordingly. She describes them as, "a humorous poke at my own obsessive compulsions for hand-work." I love the dedication, attention to detail and beautiful colors. Be sure to also check out more of Jeana Eve Klein's work like her mixed media quilts and altered embroideries.

Interested in creating your own French knot embroidery? Click here and here for several great tutorials!

Link - Jeana Eve Klein

Rose & Grey

Hi there! I've missed you all and I'm back from a short blogging break (actually more like a so-busy-at-work-no-time-to-blog-sad-break). I'm uncertain how the work insanity will be this week, but I hope to catch up with everyone and get back to a normal schedule (big hopes!). Let's start off with vintage inspired goodness from Rose & Grey, a family run online shop filled with wonderful items like furniture and decorative accessories. The studio shelf unit is a neat addition to the bedroom and perfect for nightly water, an alarm clock and bedtime reading storage. My other favorites include the rustic drawers on wheels, button cushions, retro storage trunks and lemonade boxes. Currently they only ship in the UK, but I still love browsing through all the fun ideas and products!

Link - Rose & Grey