10 unique carnival / masquerade traditions around the world Lent is coming up quickly, and with it the colorful Carnival celebrations around the world. Also known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, masquerades, and bacchanals, Carnival is traditionally an indulgent and hedonistic holiday...
Did you make a resolution to start a blog this year? Or maybe give your website a much-needed update? Check out these travel blog themes! I’ve been obsessed with blog themes for over 11 years (since WordPress came out!) I remember looking through the theme store with my mom when I was 17...
I’m an obsessive journaler and sketcher when I’m on the go. I collect every little thing for making collages – even cookie wrappers from foreign airlines. I also am hopelessly addicted to beautiful notebooks and travel journals. I probably have owned 300+ notebooks and sketchbooks...
A Fairytale History Neuschwanstein has a fairytale history to match its design. Bavarian “Mad King” Ludwig II commissioned the castle to fit a Wagner theme. Neuschwanstein castle was meant to be a medieval style retreat, and was built in what is now called the “Romanesque Revival” style...
Bulgaria is a country full of surprises. I wasn’t expecting to find much of an art scene there, but I was pleasantly surprised, particularly by Bulgarian pottery. I was enchanted by the tradition Troyan pottery. Dazzling patterns in soothing colors dance across solid oven-ready ceramics...
It’s the end of the year, and time to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead. I am very pleased to report I knocked my Goodreads goal of 30 books for 2017 out of the park (I read 40!). Should I stretch myself in 2018 and aim for a book a week? Anyhow, it’s time to share some...
During my summer visit to Bulgaria this year, I knew I had to make my way to the stunning Rila Monastery. I had seen images circling all around social media of the beautiful Eastern Orthodox monastery colorful frescoes. I was worried it might be a tourist trap, but it was stunningly...
So many butterflies... they will fly right up to you! Just make sure not to touch the wings as it damages them.
New York during the holidays is magical. New York during the holidays is crowded. New York during the holidays can be miserable if you’re not careful. Avoid a New York Christmas nightmare with the right gameplan. There’s nothing in the world like seeing the first snow of the...
If you're visiting NYC for the holidays, support local craftspeople and independent artisans by checking out one of the many holiday markets and pop-up shops around the city.
Introduction to lucha libre Lucha libre, or free fights, started in Mexico in the mid 1800s, derived from Greco-Roman wrestling. The first masked luchador stepped into the ring in 1942 (El Santo), and his mystique captivated the public interest so much that the masked form we know today...
I’m putting together a series on design trends! I love learning about the history of trends and exploring the folk art that often serves as the inspiration. This week I’ve been reading about Otomi embroidery. As someone in the US, I often see trends come and go without any...