Photography by Magdalena Björnsdotter for Lantliv.

I have this dream for a country cottage that hasn’t been met. My ideal second home would contain simple, uncluttered, homespun decor with hardwoord floors perfect for bare feet.

There would be a porch for summer dinners, and a swing to while away an hour in a daydream.

Comfortable beds with snowy white linens, vintage books to read through, and rag rugs spread throughout the home.

Who knew this dream vacation home existed outside of Dalarna, Sweden? And it comes complete with an adorable couple and their toddler daughter! Looks perfect, doesn’t it? For more photos and a write-up about the renovated cottage next to a church in rural Sweden, click here.

Photography by Rebekah Burder.

Tampa has many of things I wish I could bring with me when I leave–hugs from my family, the consistently sunny weather, ocean waves–and now I’ve added Oxford Exchange to the list. I found it by looking for the top-listed coffee shop in Tampa, and it delivered in spades.

Styled after English shops and clubs, it’s a bookstore, coffee & tea bar, restaurant, home goods emporium, and meeting place, all in an exquisitely designed space. The glass-enclosed atrium is beautiful, with its fiddle fig trees and palms, and the leather sofas are the kind you can sink into and spend an hour reading.

The home good store contains luxury goods, big and small, from a vintage Louis Vuitton travel trunk to towels and soaps from Turkey.

If you get a chance to eat in the restaurant, get the chickpea appetizer. I have no idea how they made these little spicy balls of goodness, but good grief I’ve craved them about five times since visiting the restaurant.

Oxford Exchange is open from 7:30am to 5:30pm, Monday thru Saturday, and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. It’s located on Kennedy Blvd. across from University of Tampa.

“Dress up on a flight, you never know who you’ll need to impress.”

That used to be my mantra. You’d never find me in slouchy clothes on an airplane. Then I moved internationally. Twice. Dressy clothes on an overnight flight (or any flight over 4 hours) just aren’t the thing, but I’m still not quite ready to take the pajama or sweat pants leap. There’s just something…undone…about the entire look. Thank the fashion gurus for making leggings acceptable. They merge the best of both worlds, comfort and style. So here’s my go-to travel outfit.

1. Start with comfortable leggings. Even in hot weather, leggings are the only things I’ve found that are comfortable without looking like I just rolled out of bed (sorry yoga pants fans!). I’ve tried linen, and they are comfortable, but look so rumpled after sitting for even five minutes. Jeans also aren’t flexible enough to shift around while trying to sleep.

2. Add a lightweight tunic. It’ll cover your butt in those leggings, but be breathable enough to keep you cool.

3. Wear comfortable flats. They’re easy to slip off and on through security. I carry a pair of socks in my bag as well to keep my feet from getting cold on the plane.

4. Layer with a scarf. Always a great option to use as a blanket, eye mask, or accessory.

Other essentials for a long flight:

Eye mask. I have no idea why they only dim the cabin lights in coach for two hours of an eight hour flight, but just in case, this helps drown out the light and tricks my brain into falling asleep. In an emergency, a scarf works just as well.

Noise canceling ear buds or headphones. A must for drowning out the baby crying just behind me. Or the constant dings and drink offers.

Sleep aid. Over the counter only, it helps make me drowsy enough to fall asleep without knocking me out completely.

Makeup and Contact free. I can always take a quick bathroom break for an abbreviated beauty routine at the end of the flight or after landing.

Underwire free bra. This is a bit anal retentive, but it keeps my tatas patdown-free after a full body scan in the new security machines.

Photography by Erin of Naturally Ella.

Sometimes we get stuck in the rut of believing that travel has to happen in another state or country to be considered travel, but we often miss out on the most beautiful places near us. Erin, of Naturally Ella, planned a romantic picnic for two at the Point Reyes National Seashore with just that in mind. A simple day trip to a beautiful location. Her goal was to “pack a cooler, pinpoint a location, and head out.”

Point Reyes has been inhabited for the last 5,000 years, originally by the Coast Miwok Indians, and Sir Francis Drake landed at the point in 1579. The lighthouse was built in the 1870 in response to several deadly accidents, and was in service until 1975.

Erin features and creates the tastiest, and mostly vegetarian, recipes. For this picnic, she created a menu of egg salad, beet and orzo salad, and marinated olives. Dessert was cinnamon rolls from a local bakery.

Click to see more images from Point Reyes National Seashore and recipes from Naturally Ella.

Photographs used with permission from the lovely Erin. Thank you for sharing!

Photography by Rebekah Burder.

Authentic Central American food is a bit difficult to find in the Southeast United States. You have to be willing to work past the strip malls filled with Mexican restaurants and find a menu with authentic items like jamaica, bistec, and pinchos. Or, you can rely on your college-age younger brother to find a restaurant called Taco Bus that’s open 24/7 for those late night *ahem* study sessions on the weekend.

We first visited Taco Bus just a few months after leaving Nicaragua, and it’s authentic menu and cool courtyard seating were just what we needed. A reminder that somewhere in the world there’s a place with a slow way of life, fresh food, and welcoming smiles.

I’ve had the Jamaica Lemonade every time we go and love it. It’s a bit sweet, so ask for half lemonade, half water and you’ll be better off for it. The seasonally offered Watermelon Fresca can’t be missed, as well as the tacos in any form.

Taco Bus has several locations in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas, the location pictured above is 913 East Hillsborough Avenue.

What’s your favorite authentic Mexican or Central American restaurant in your neighborhood?