The days are longer, the Japanese maples are covered in pink blossoms, and yes, it's somehow finally spring.  Easter snuck up really quickly this year and I am embarrassed to admit I haven't changed out our place settings since January.  Full fledged maroons and gold over here.  Luckily I stumbled across a #hpmkt fave, Blue Pheasant for some spring-inspired tabletop ideas.

via

The Valley Floor Zion National Park

You've probably seen the commercials by now and don't really need me to convince you that Utah's state parks are a bucket list item.  But how do you make the most of your time?  Unless you are retired or working a really sweet job, you might have 15 vacation days all year long.  Throw in a few weddings and you're lucky to get away at all.  While I would love to spend a month (or more!) traipsing across the southwest jumping from park to park, I just don't have that luxury.  Luckily you can cram a lot of incredible experiences into one week in Utah, as long as you don't want to sleep in, and you know, take it easy.

Itinerary
Day One: Fly into Vegas at McCarran International Airport and drive 2.5 hours to Zion National Park

Eating is on the to-do list day one.  @ Bachi Burger

• I love flying into Vegas because the flights are typically cheap and you can often score a direct flight since it's such a popular destination. Also a great place to rent a car, again because of the prices.  By the way, I'd definitely recommend an SUV on this trip because you're going to be logging some miles on tougher terrain from time to time.
• Another great Vegas perk: you can get some really great meals in before you embark on a more strenuous, less foodie adventure for the rest of the week. Eat your fill, and also stock up on supplies at a local Target.  
• If you have extra time on your hands you could add a day and experience Vegas for a night, but we decided to just swing through, eat, fill up our vehicle with a week of supplies, and hit the road to our first state park!

Horseshoe Bend

Your reward for Lake Blanche Trail is  totally worth every second of uphill brutality.

We're closing in that time of year again; High Point Furniture Market season.  Last fall one of the great new finds Lucy and I came across was the surprisingly affordable Dwell Studio.  Think modern furnishings, fun and graphic textiles, and free shipping.  Excited yet?

Mallory Chair upholstered in Ming Dragon Admiral fabric.  BTW yes, you can order just the fabric from their website to upholster your own furniture or make your own pillows.  At $58/yard it's not going to set you back nearly as hard as a yard of Chiang Mai.

via

via

An enchanting nursery via

And a gold animal menagerie for your bookshelves or side tables that won't break the bank. via

Is there a more ridiculous question to pose than "what to do in Paris?"  But if you're an obsessive compulsive travel planner like me you want to know what you don't know.  Those secret little tidbits of advice that you can only get from someone else's experience.  One little piece of insider advice -- prepare for rain.  Pack an umbrella (or check your hotel lobby for an industrial size one).  Prepare to find indoor activities (museums, restaurants, cafes, shopping) to get out of the rain for sudden outbursts.  And then when you have the luck of a sunny day, make the most of it! Here's some of my favorite sunny Paris to-do items.


You can bike to the Eiffel Tower and get some other nice tourists to take your photo --







Heloise and Abelard are buried here side by side.  Read their story if you need a reason to care about this brutal and sadly true tale of star-crossed lovers.


Jim Morrison's grave is barricaded off, but mourners don't need much convincing to jump the ropes.

By the way, if you are planning on touring the cemetery, maybe not the best day to wear your x-ray dress. Lesson learned.





Little boat rental stands are available for grandparents to teach their little ones how to sail in the most picturesque way imaginable.  I mean, look at his little Gilligan's Island hat.