I had a couple days in Long Beach and Anaheim, California for business this past week-- aren't I a lucky New Yorker? Palm trees and tank tops are positively blissful in January. Despite my seriously delayed red-eye flight to Newark and that groggy, jet-lagged funk which has settled in my stomach, I'm already planning my next trip south. This time, Morocco? Karen Olivia of Alkemie recently posted a gorgeous story about Dar Les Cigognes, a boutique hotel in Marrakech. It's yet another renovated riad (I posted about Riad Enija Hotel earlier in 2009), complete with a heaping stash of all things Morocco. Think: Insular gardens, brass lanterns, intricate molding and lush carpets. Hope I find a cheap flight!

These DIY map projects are a bit more capricious than Monday's respectable wall ideas. I'm postively *in love* with the recycled map art pieces by Image Surgery. So whimsical! Notice how the different colorways match the infinite hue combinations of butterflies. Hmmmm...I think we need more wall space for my growing wish list.

My husband and his equally well-traveled buddy recently came across a stash of vintage National Geographic maps. You would think they discovered some serious pirate booty by the way they carried on. Somehow the old glue residue mixed with the sweet anticipation of unfolding a dusty map reverted them to hyper-excited, tween-like behavior. They even started swapping maps toward the end of the evening: “I’ll trade you my 1952 Southeast Asia for your 1969 India!”

Too cute. And now I’ve acquired a hefty collection of old maps. What’s an organized wife to do??

































P.S.... Map craft ideas tomorrow! I got a little carried away!