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On Location: Vancouver – An Urban City Surrounded by Nature Part 2
Some travelers when they head on vacation are looking for the great outdoors; peace and quite and a little time in nature. Other crave the urban scene– hot restaurants, night clubs and hip venues. I must say, I love a little bit of both, and Vancouver is the perfect city to get it! In an earlier post, I talked about the great urban vibe of Vancouver, now I’m going to focus on the incredible surrounding nature! Vancouver is a gorgeous city with a mountainous backdrop that’s straight out of a movie. The first time I visited , clouds covered our view for nearly 2 days, and on the last day…
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On Location: Vancouver – An Urban City Surrounded by Nature Part 1
Vancouver, Canada is my kind of city. It fills my urban needs with swanky high rises, busy streets, and hip cultural spots but also satisfies my outdoorsy passions with wooded trails, miles of shoreline and majestic mountains as a backdrop. When sorting through my pictures from my last trip to Vancouver, I realized, the only way to give this city the credit it’s due is to break up my writing into two posts: one on Vancouver’s urban side and one for Vancouver’s nature side. Each aspect is a very distinct part of what makes this city so wonderful! While walking the streets of downtown Vancouver, I saw many of the…
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Time+Place: USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier
I will admit– I have a fascination with all things Navy. I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps it’s my interest in history, but most likely it comes from movies and TV (Top Gun was the hit movie during my impressionable teen years and today, I love to workout on the treadmill to NCIS!) So, when my family and I took a day trip to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California, I was not disappointed. There is detailed historical information throughout the ship and of course, on deck, there was a time to reminisce Maverick and Goose antics! The USS Hornet aircraft carrier has a rich history dating back to…
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Where in the World No.10
At first glance this location may seem like an easy guess But if you look closer you may see it’s really a test. The City by the Bay is made of tiny blocks as a complete recreation There’s also rides and attractions that make this place a perfect family vacation What is the name of this place? Note: Once someone has guessed the correct answer (here in a comment, or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), I’ll post the answer in the comments below and add the correct location on the map. Good Luck!
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Pattern+Place: The Art of Andean Weaving, Peru
While traveling in the Sacred Valley of Peru, we were lucky to meet a group of local traditional weavers and have a demonstration of their talents. The demonstration was put on by an organization called The Center for Traditional Textiles. Their mission is to not only promote this traditional Incan art form to tourists and stimulate economy to local artists, but also to educate the local community to continue their weaving traditions and pass it on for generations to come. Their weaving is a beautiful art form — not to be missed. They demonstrated the process, from spinning the wool to thread and making their colorful looms, to actual weaving…
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On Location: Quintessential East Coast Summer Spot – Nantucket
One might say a beach is a beach is a beach… but I beg to differ. Growing up in California, I’ve been lucky to spend time in my fair share of West Coast beaches; from the beaches far south in Mexico up through California, to Oregon and Washington, I’ve dug sand castles, looked for shells and caught a few waves. California beaches, especially, have this surfer vibe to them that is like no where else, and very familiar to me. So, when I was invited to head to Nantucket, Massachusetts for a wedding, I was so excited. East Coast beach towns like Nantucket, the Hamptons, and Jersey Shore have such…
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Where in the World No:9
I lurk under a bridge, for travelers to this coffee filled city to find My hand on a car, the punch buggy kind I’m not a beauty but I sure am big I won the community art contest, and that’s how I got this gig! Where am I and what’s my name? Note: Once someone has guessed the correct answer (here in a comment, or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram), I’ll post the answer in the comments below and add the correct location on the map. Good Luck!
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Palette+Place: Springtime in Sonoma County Wine Country
Sonoma County is a must for any wine lover traveling to Northern California. Quaint towns and picturesque scenery is in abundance– as well as world class wine, of course. For over 10 years, I’ve headed up to Healdsburg in Spring with my husband and family for the annual Dry Creek Valley “Passport” weekend. Participating wineries open their doors with loads of wine to taste and food to eat. Although the wine is delicious, I must admit, I go for the scenery. Sonoma County in the Springtime is like a breath of fresh air. The rain and cold of winter are gone and everything is in bloom – the trees, the…
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Art on the Go: Tropical Memories Inspired by Matisse Cut Outs
I can’t tell you how many photos I have from tropical vacations. I can never get enough shots of a gorgeous sunset, blooming hibiscus or the ocean. Unfortunately, like many vacation photos… once home they just sit on my computer as I get back to the “real world.” Well, here’s an “art on the go” assignment perfect for reviving those great tropical memories inspired by one of my favorite artists, Henri Matisse. Towards the later part of his life Matisse fell ill with cancer. After a risky surgery, he became confined to a wheelchair. This handicap did not hold him back, though. The last 14 years of his life he…
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Art on the Go: Free Printable San Francisco Journal and Sketch Page
The fog rolling in over the Golden Gate, the cable cars clanging up Hyde Street; the steep hills, crooked streets, and colorful Painted Ladies… this is San Francisco. The sights and sounds of San Francisco are unique to this wonderful city, and are a must to capture while there. Just print out these San Francisco themed journal and sketch pages and jot down details of your day and sketches of your visit and relive the memories long after you’ve returned. Free Printable City Pages: San Francisco Journal and Sketch Page Below are my San Francisco printable Journal and Sketch pages. To use, just select the link below the image and…