Tag Archives: Japan

mid-week round-up

What are you up to this week? We’re grateful for a slight respite from the July heat thanks to a little bit of a cold front blowing through (I walked to the library yesterday afternoon without feeling like I was swimming through humidity!). Hoping these sweet breezes stay put through the weekend! Do you have any fun plans? Enjoy the rest of your work week, and here are some links to check out…

The Crane Wife in The Paris Review.

Elsie from A Beautiful Mess shares how she changed her life.

6 super simple ways to save money when eating out.

Choosing colors for your home.

What to do for 6 days in Kyoto and Tokyo.

A household must for short folks.

Living in a luxury airport for 4 days.

The man with the golden airline ticket.

A dark history of the world’s smallest island nation.

Naomi Campbell’s airport routine and Whole Foods haul.

The California coast is disappearing under the rising sea.

The energy-saving, social housing revolution.

P.S. My current favorites. Plus, post #3 about The True Memoirs of Little K will be out tomorrow. xoxo

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Wanderlust: A Castle for Every Season

For a bit of fun today (it IS Friday after all) let’s do a little imaginary traveling!

Below, I’ve selected a different castle for us to visit for each season of the year. Maybe it’s all the Downton Abbey I’ve been watching, but I’ve been feeling drawn to explore historic homes of the palatial variety. So let’s dive in…

chateau de chambord
Photo via here.

In the Fall — Head to the Chateau de Chambord to check out all sorts of features of French Renaissance architecture, including the famous Helix staircase. The golden sunlight of Autumn and the changing leaves make the castle’s stone walls appear even more regal.

Photo via here.
Photo via here.

In the Winter — Nip over to Malahide Castle for the chance to step into a fairy-tale while still only a short drive from Dublin’s City Centre. The dreary weather may make the castle seem foreboding but there’s the promise of a pint and an order of fish and chips as soon as you’re safely back in ol’ Dublin.

Osaka Castle
Photo via here.

In the Spring  — Travel to Osaka Castle for a wander of the grounds amidst the blooming Sakura Blossoms. Allergies starting to take a toll? Head inside for a history lesson about how this 17th century castle played an important role in the unification of Japan.

Photo via here.
Photo via here.

In the Summer — Visit the impossibly bejeweled and painstakingly painted Grand Palace. Tucked in the heart of Thailand’s capital city, you may find just the moment of serenity you need in the midst of all the hustle and bustle and Summer’s heat.

Which would you visit if you had to choose just one? Would you head to France in the Fall, Ireland at Winter-time, Japan in Spring, or Thailand in the sweltering Summer? Share below! 

P.S. My favorite travel YouTube channel.

Want to contribute to my travel fund so that I can check a few castles off my bucket list? WHY THANK YOU!