let’s dream: housesitting vacation

let’s dream: housesitting vacation

Luna at beach

Luna

Hello Spring?? We live on a teeny beach island and this Indian Winter has me bundled up in the house. Even Luna #woof is restless. We miss long, romantic walks on the beach together, sprints through the surf, freckles melting, and sun sparkling off the sand.

As a pick me up, it time to dream about summer vacation trips. Are you with me??!!

Last year we spent almost a year traveling cross country. We were so lucky to land some housesitting gigs in Brooklyn, Charleston, Portland, Seattle, Austin, Bend and more. Most involved taking care of the family pets while the owners jetted off to travel themselves. It was SO MUCH FUN! We have taken care of amazing dogs, cats, chickens, miniature ponies, goats, horses, and one stinkin’ cute bunny named Elvis.

goats housesitting

Seattle Goats

Chewy housesitting

Chewy of Portland

There are many international housesitting websites, but here are the ones we signed up for:

HouseCarers  —> @housecarers
Mind My House —> @MindMyHouse1
Luxury Housesitting
Trusted Housesitters —> @Housesitting

To get your imagination running wild, take a quick look at their Twitter updates. Know that each annual membership costs less than 50 $USD. It’s an instant payoff for you and your family because instead of paying big bucks for accommodation, most housesitting gigs provide FREE accommodation. Each housesitting adventure changed our lives! All the families we met were so fantastic, it felt like we’d been friends forever. For more inspiration, check out this cute Canadian couple, Dalene & Peter, who sold everything to travel the world! Their blog is Hecktic Travels.

So when I am all bundled up underneath all the blankets in the house, I relish perusing the daily housesitting posts. I dream about New Zealand, Fiji, France … and our honeymoon destination: Iceland!!

Fiji Housesitting

6 months in Fiji

Brooklyn housesitting

Brooklyn for Spring Break 2013

Hawaii Housesitting

Variable Dates in Hawaii

Asheville France housesitting

Asheville or France?!

 

Where would YOU like to go this summer? Send me your dream vacation location in the comments box below, and I will respond with housesitting gigs to consider. Teamwork!!

XOXO – Stella

meet stella!

spring fashion trends 2013

spring fashion trends 2013

Having a career in graphic design, I always follow trends.  The trends I watch are not only design trends, but also fashion trends.  One quick spot to find this is with Pantone Fashion Report – you can read more on my thoughts on that here.  I also go to blogs and magazines to see what they say.  Below are the trends I have read about and some inexpensive alternatives for you to stay in style!

2013 spring trends

Below is each trend broken out with inexpensive finds you can buy right now!

spring trends lace

1. black lace shirt $29.95 | 2. Lace Dress $59 | 3. Lace Back Cardigan $14

 

spring trend statement sunglasses

1. cat eye sunglasses $5.80 | 2. mint green sunglasses $5.95 | 3. tropical sunglasses

 

spring trend color flame

1. Red Skinny Jeans $34.50 |  2. Coral Blazer $88 | 3. Coral Wrap Dress $49.50

 

spring trend bold stripes

1. Old Navy Take $19.94 | 2. 3/4 sleeve dress $29.94 | 3. Striped Blazer $89.50

And speaking of spring – Don’t forget to enter our giveaway!  Click here for more details.

LauraDro_Giveaway

Mandi Heilig - Dry Ink Designs