Glamping, it's all that and s'more...

Camping? Yes. Roughing it? Not Quite...

Forget pitching a tent, and leave that lumpy sleeping bag at home: These glam campsites allow travelers to embrace their inner outdoors man — without actually roughing it.

The Resort at Paws Up - Want to explore the outdoors and sleep under the open skies but covet creature comforts? Welcome to the world of "glamping": for those who only want to sleep under 'five stars'. When was the last time you went "glamping"? Come, experience it at The Last Best Place in Montana.

El Capitan Canyon - Perched on the rocky coast just north of Santa Barbara, this nature resort offers all manner of creature comforts, including 26 spacious safari tents with queen-size willow beds and electric lamps, plus bathhouses with hot showers.

Dunton Hot Springs - Experience the Wild West in your own private tepee at this luxurious resort and spa in a restored ghost town.

Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast - With just three tents on 52 acres, peace, quiet, and some of the starriest skies imaginable are all but guaranteed at this wilderness retreat in the Cabinet Mountains. The tents feature quilt-covered iron beds and wood-burning stoves.

4th of july events...

Find a place to celebrate red, white and blue near you...

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival National Mall, July 1-5 (202) 633-0653.
America’s 2009 Independence Day Parade Constitution Avenue, July 4 (1-800-215-6405).

VIRGINIA
Harborfest and Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks Norfolk, Town Point Park, July 3-5 (757) 441-2345.
Liberty Celebration Yorktown Victory Center, July 4-5 (1-888-593-4682).

MARYLAND
Fourth of July Celebration Baltimore, Inner Harbor, July 4 (1-877-225-8466).

sweet treats...

Stay cool on the 4th of July with this patriotic ice cream sweet treat.

INGREDIENTS

6 waffle-cone bowls, such as Keebler Waffle Bowls
1 pint(s) raspberry sorbet
1 pint(s) blueberry sorbet
1 pint(s) vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream or whipped topping, to taste
Maraschino cherries and star-shaped sprinkles (optional), for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In each waffle bowl, place one scoop of raspberry sorbet, one scoop blueberry sorbet, and one scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and star-shaped sprinkles, if desired.

stars and strips...

Dress up your house for the 4th of July with American flags of different sizes and red, white, and blue banners!

american flags...

Collectors hold a very special place in their hearts — and homes — for antique American flags.

Small parade flags, or hand-wavers, have been a part of American life since the 1840s.

Examples from the 19th century start at $200. The 48-star variety, made between 1912 and 1959, can be found for about $5 to $25 each.

This cheerful cluster dates from the 1940s. Be on the lookout for other flags including:

The 13-STAR flags that have been made throughout our nation's history. This mid-19th-century piece is extremely rare; medallion patterns that feature one or no stars in the center are more common.

The CIVIL WAR flags are a popular category with collectors. Most from this period were made for military use. A red-and-white fringe distinguishes this c. 1865 36-star artillery battery flag.

Red, White and Blue...

Missed you all yesterday!

Any big plans this week? Ignite your Fourth of July festivities with a fresh stars and stripes theme. Play up your patriotic style by updating traditional bunting with shabby chic polka-dot and stripe fabrics, then covered cushions in more stripes and checks to amplify the fun. Here’s how you can make your own bunting.

What you'll need:

1. Fabrics in red, white, and blue. (For a bunting to fit a 72-inch wide window opening, you'll need 3-1/3 yards of fabric in each color.)

2. Spring-loaded tension rod

To make the bunting:

1. Measure the width of the window or other opening where you plan to hang your bunting. This will be the total width for your bunting, and the drop will be half the width measurement. (Example: 72 inches wide divided by 2 = 36 inch drop.) To determine yardage, multiply the drop measurement by 3-1/4 + 2 extra inches to finish ends. Example: 36 x 3-1/4 = 117 + 2 = 119. So for this width, you will need 3-1/3 yards of fabric (119 divided by 36 = 3-1/3 yards).

2. You will cut a total of 5 strips of fabric for bunting: two red, two white, and one blue. To determine the width of each strip of fabric, divide 5 into the drop measurement, add 1 inch to each white and blue strip of fabric for seam allowances, and add 1-1/2 inch to each of the two red outside strips for seam allowances and hem/finishing. (Example: 36-inch drop divided by 5 = 7-1/4 + 1 = 8-1/4 inch width strips for both white and blue fabrics. 36-inch drop divided by 5 = 7-1/4 + 1-1/2 = 8-3/4 inch width strips for red fabrics.) Cut out strips.

3. Sew strips together in color sequence as per photo using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Clean finish or serge the seams. Narrow hem the bottom edge of one of the red strips.

4. Mark the center of the top red strip of fabric and box-pleat toward center about 5 times to take up the fullness. Gather the pleated fabric at center, if needed, to take up more fullness, keeping piece smooth.

5. Rod Pocket: Cut a strip of red fabric to encase the spring tension rod, adding 1 inch for seam allowances. Encase raw ends of top of bunting/pleating into the rod pocket.

6. Insert pressure rod into casing for hanging.

Option: Add grommets along casing for hanging.

Now how festive is that?! (lol)

michael jackson

the world mourns the loss of a legend...

the daily candy...

My friend Chrys introduced me to this fab Web site yesterday. After she was like, "YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DAILY CANDY?!". It was love at first click. Hence, today's happy :)

What is the Daily Candy?

DailyCandy is a lifestyle media brand that reaches young, influential women. Known for its quirky, irreverent voice and eclectic taste, DailyCandy has developed a loyal and passionate audience.

Since 2000, DailyCandy has connected readers by providing an intimate, immediate way of staying fashionably informed. DailyCandy acts as a filter, giving readers the best of emerging fashion, boutiques, restaurants, and local finds in key markets across the U.S. and London.

As useful as it is entertaining, DailyCandy is like getting an e-mail from your clever, unpredictable, and totally in-the-know best friend.

Check out the Daily Candy EVERYWHERE, or in ATLANTA, BOSTON, CHICAGO, DALLAS, LONDON, LOS ANGELES, MIAMI, NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, and WASHINGTON, D.C.

summer scarfs

For the boy who just doesn't get it... ;)

Yes, scarves are traditionally used to keep warm during the cold winter months. Despite rising temperatures, long, lightweight scarves are a must-have item this summer!

Why you’ll want one...

Versatile and vibrant, an oversize scarf is virtually weightless, and will take up very little room in your purse. Although part of the allure is the chic, airy feel, a feather-light scarf can ward off the chill of air-conditioning, and even act as an extra layer of sunscreen. Beyond its functionality, this fashionable accent is available on any budget, and in every style imaginable. This summer, you can leave the jewels behind, knowing that a pop of color or pretty pattern around your neck will draw attention to your face just like a necklace would for an easy, breezy summer look.

How to wear it...

There are countless ways to wear a summer scarf. Try wrapping it multiple times around your neck and tucking the edges under, folding it in half behind your head and looping the open ends through the hole near your collarbone, or simply swooping it around your neck and tossing one end over your shoulder.

Check out South Moon Under, Target, and The Limited for fun options.

margarita...

Yesterday's happy... the margarita.

One word: delightful.

Looking for your after work happy? Try this recipe:

Ingredients

2 limes
4 tablespoons tequila
2 tablespoons vodka
1 tablespoon Triple Sec
2 cups watermelon, seeds removed
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups crushed ice

Directions

1. Rub the rims of two glasses with a slice of lime each, and dip the rims in salt.

2. Process the juice of 1 1/2 limes with the other ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add more crushed ice, and blend until slushy.

Makes 2 cocktails.

Maybe your in the mood for a no-fuss mix? Check out the all natural mixes from William Sonoma.

Cheers!