Wish You Were Here

Don't you?

Waters of Italy, by Mercedes Sadique

via iconology

As Seen In Norway

A little over five years ago, the Norwegian government commissioned several architects to create sites around the country for tourists to stop and catch the view.  The finished product became an absolutely stunning connect-the-dots of rest stops from Jaeren in the south to Varenger in the north.  As we Americans know, our rest stops are typically not as breathtaking, nor are they at all clean.  Who's adding "Visit Norway" to their bucket list?  I'd conquer my fear of heights to jump on this tour, although I may skip #4, because it's just terrifying.

via here

Deserted

Aside from fashion week, New York doesn't have much going for it right now. The excitement of snow has came and went. Dirt has turned it black, ice abounds and the thrill of hot cocoa has subsided. On that note, this resort is looking amazing. While traveling to the Middle East might not top everyone's lists right now, it will...eventually. Qasr Al Sarab in Abu Dhabi was featured in Travel & Leisure's 45 Best New Hotels of 2010 and boasts its unique setting: the largest uninterrupted desert in the world. It's the kind of place that allows for the next great novel to be created, masterpiece to be painted or song to be written.

So my friends, who'd like to sail their gypsy souls into the mystic?

I'd also like to wish my best friend and fellow new mommy, Lissy, a very happy 30th birthday!

If you haven't already checked out her website, you can see it here.

Happy Birthday, Lis! From here on in, we're Benjamin Buttoning it up!

via Honestly WTF

Snow On Amsterdam: Perspective

Oh, Amsterdam. You're the crazy kind of place you typically visit as a red-eyed student in college. However, we first met when I was 14, merely a freshman in high school. In the summer of 1994 I was formally introduced to city staples like Amstel light and the red light {district}. We stayed on a house boat, I learned to drive stick in a parking lot and we posed for pictures in giant, wooden clogs. 

While the entire experience was etched into my mind, my most vivid and powerful memory took place far away from the wild sites in the city. As soon as I set foot in the apartment in which Anne Frank hid for over two years, my life and perspective was changed forever. I was so moved that I went on to write my college entrance essay about visiting her hiding place. If you've never learned about Anne Frank or haven't read her diary, I promise you'll be touched. And on this snowy day in New York, I look out my window wondering how many times she must have watched snow fall over canals, hoping to play in it, once again.

Perspective.

via pia jane bijkerk

Wanderlustarama

When the early November chill fills the New York air, my whole body fights it and my mind starts to wander. In the colder months I want to do one of two things: hibernate....or travel. For some reason I don't even mind traveling to another cold place...as long as it's sunny....

Here are some places on my list:

Paris

{never ever been, really want to go!}

Israel

{toured around for 10 days, really want to go back!}

If you were given a free ticket to travel ANYwhere in the world, right now....

where would you go....and why??

Photos via: tumblr, unknown, my own private stash