Wander {Wednesday} | Queenstown, NZ

Queenstown was supposed to be a drive by on our way to Wanaka.  As we drove higher into the mountains and then into the city, the temperatures kept steadily dropping.  I'm not sure we were originally even planning on getting out of the car, but on our drive the views just kept getting more breathtaking. The clouds were slowly clearing and when we finally reached the city of Queenstown, there were only traces of clouds in the brilliant blue sky.  The city felt entirely cozy during this golden hour, with the dark expansive lake, rimmed with pine trees, and nestled between the sun-kissed mountains. We enjoyed every ray until the sun finally set, then we gorged on Indian food.  Perfect way to end the evening.

5 Dreamy & Romantic Places to Relax & Play

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Fireside Resort Glamping
This resort brings our DIY glamping experience to a whole other level.

Velassaru Maldives - Velassaru Resort
Soak up the sun as a beach bum or go explore under the sea.  Either way this resort in the Maldives looks like a complete escape.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany - Hotel Gotisches Haus

Honestly, every place we visited in Bavaria was magical.  Christmas in Europe is extremely cozy and makes you want to snuggle.  This hotel and sweet little town was like being in a fairytale.

Kakslauttanen, Finland - Kakslauttanen Glass Igloos
Speaking of cozy places to snuggle... this place is a must if gazing at the Aurora is on your bucket list.




Oia Santorini, Greece -Andronis Luxury Suites
This beautiful place to stay has some gorgeous views.

Wander {Wednesday} | Go Glamping!

(Top Left) We had this 3 drawer storage bin that we brought to keep batteries, plates, non-perishable foods.  (Top Right) We picked up these cute bird throw pillows that matched our decor.  They were made in the USA and had a Newport label, I obviously had to get them! ;)  From Home Goods.  (Bottom Right)  Flowers from Home Goods, Citronella Candles from Home Goods, and Stemless Glasses from Target.  (Bottom Left) Our tent had a closet, which I certainly utilized.  

Back in my Mindful Monday post and last weeks Wander Wednesday, I wrote about our recent trip to Rhode Island for my annual family reunion and how me and my closest 40 family (+/-) members cramp into a few cottages surrounding my Great Uncle's cottage on Aquidneck Island.  

It's out family tradition. :)

There are plenty of showers available, but bed space can be limited, so sometimes it is easier to just bring a tent and air mattress.  This was the first year I have ever "camped".  I figured if we were going to try it out, we might as well go all the way and make sure we were comfortable! 

In 10 Things to Bring Glamping, I outlined the main items we needed.  We actually bought many of the things on the list plus a few others we thought of while packing.  Great extras:  The throw rugs for for the entrance to the door, and our eye masks & ear plugs. 

(Sometimes you just aren't ready to get up with the birds!)

It rained once while we were there.  Everything stayed dry and it was a very comfortable space.  We LOVE this tent. The door had a set of poles to install that allowed it to swing open and just velcro shut for quick entrance/exit, but there is a full zipper to make sure it is bug proof. 

We bought our duvet set, solar lantern, and solar string lights from IKEA.

 The lights worked great!  I wasn't able to get a photo of that did them justice.  They lit up the whole tent and made it easy to get ready for bed at night.  One great thing about them is they had an on/off button, so we didn't need to sleep with them on.

Overall, our Glamping experience was great!  I think we will even try it out again sometime soon. 

Wander {Wednesday} | Rhode Island 2015

I didn't take very many photos during our trip to Rhode Island this year. 

 Instead I was just trying to soak it all and bask in the beauty and peace. 

I managed to snap a handful of good shots, which you can see below. 

{click to view more photos}

Most of these photos are from our sunset sail on the Madeleine.  

The lovely evening out on the water was enhanced by wonderful staff 

and their liberal pours of champagne.  

Literally and figuratively, my glass was never empty. ;)

10 Things to Bring Glamping!

We have some summer trips coming up soon and although I am not a fan of roughing it, I think I could manage to "glamp" it.  Glamping = glamorous camping. ;)

THINGS TO BRING GLAMPING! by whisperingwhims featuring outdoor lanterns

(Click on any of the item icons to view shopping information.)

I did my fair share of camping as a kid, but now I like my amenities.  One of the most important things to me is having a cabin style tent, where the walls are not sloped.  Good ventilation is also key, as it helps keep condensation in the tent to a minimum.

Of course, no glamping experience would be complete without an air-mattress, sheets and blankets, decor, and a rug for the tent.  IKEA has some really great items that would be perfect for a great glamping experience.  I love the solar light string, which would be a lovely way to light up your camp area.

I will be picking up some of these items and preparing some other ideas for our planned glamping experience.   I'll be sure to post some pictures on how it turns out! :)

10 Things to Bring Glamping:

1. Tent - You need a place to sleep, hangout, and stay out of the elements if some bad weather crops up.  My advice is to get a cabin style tent instead of a dome, this will ensure you have some headroom and can standup straight in most places.  Ideally, you want enough room to not feel claustrophobic and be able to move your table and chairs inside if need be...I really like this 8 person cabin style tent by Coleman.  It even has a 2'x2' closet!  Now that's what I'm talking about!
2. Table and Chairs - Get something that will fold up and be easy to transport, like the IKEA set pictured above. 
3. Lantern - Bring some citronella candles and a couple cute lanterns.  Better yet, make them a center piece for your table.  Hello, outdoor-chic romanic date!
4. Air Mattress - This one is a glamping obvious.  I'm not sure I would be willing to go even camping without some sort of cushion/mat to sleep on.  Why not go all the way and get a raised bed height air mattress.  We have the Intex Raised Downy Airbed, Queen.
5. Lovely Sheet Set - You need something to cover up your air mattress... might as well make it something cheerful and pretty.  I really like the pin-stripe IKEA sheets in yellow.  Bonus, if your sheets match your tent!
6. Fabric Garland - To give your humble abode a festive feel, add some fabric banners.  They are small, light, and easy to pack and hangup.  Again, make them cheerfully bright.  
7. Rug - For this item, be reasonable.  Bring something made for outdoor use and that if fairly thin and easy to pack.  A rug will come in handy for giving your glamping space a cozy feel.  When you step out of bed your feet will be happy  to touch a rug instead of the gritty tent floor. 
8. Solar String Lights - This is truly my most favorite glamping find!  No need to plug in, just setup your solar receiver and at night your solar string will supply a nice ambiance. 
9. Alarm Clock - Sometimes when you are packing up to get away, you don't want to know what time it is, and definitely not set an alarm... but this little clock is a nice one to have.  Find a multipurpose alarm clock.  The one pictured above is battery powered and has a thermometer, date/day, and timer function.
10. Fan - This item is saving the best for last.  It is less frivolous than some of the above items, but definitely necessary if you'll be camping in the summer.  A nice breeze is a must at night.  Have a fan, or a few fans, running in your tent to help the air circulate and keep things from getting stuffy.  There are a few fans out there that would be perfect for camping and a couple I've seen that are made for tents.  I like this 10" Battery Operated one. 

If you have any other good glamping suggestions, please add them in the comments!  I'd love some more tips and tricks. :)