Summer Lovin

It is a sweltering 106 degrees here in Austin with zero zip zilch signs that summer will end any time soon (I have my sights set on you, November) but the interwebs tell me that the rest of the world is taking that last jump off the rope swing into the lake 'cuza schools starting soon and, for the lucky majority of you, leaves will be (gasp) changing color. Well, I want in.  I am ready for a seasonal change.  One so imminent that I hold tight to the last days of summer, sadly watching them zoom by.  Squeezing in one last summer vacation before I snuggle into my boots and jacket.  Yep, I'm shutting my eyes tight and pretending that summer is about to end.  I'm spending the last days here:

Oh, did I forget to mention that I own a fantasy summer home in Portugal.  So sorry, let me go on:

Back in the real world I do actually own a giant green lamp much like this one, as well as a handmade woven stool.  Maybe If I ask Erin real kind and nice like she will spend the next several weeks on craigslist finding me all the other goodies I need to bring it all together.  The lamp is, like, a huge start, right?

A quick reminder:  while Erin is shopping craigslist, I will be laying here.  poolside.  at this very real summer  house that i very much own.

I also own a hanging chair almost identical to the one shown, so I'm feeling like recreating this in austin really isn't much of a stretch.  are you with me?

Look!  I'm not the meany you thought I was.  I've laid down a second towel for erin to come join me once she has found everything on my list.  I'm pretty much the image of altruism.

Book Smarts

Guten Morgen!  I've got the travel bug (read: hot burning desire to stay in a dreamy hotel with room service and fancy cocktails) and today's fine destination ist das Vaterland.  Germany.  Germany, people. Pack your baggies, we're about to check out the only hotel on the planet that manages to make craftiness look chic.

The Michelberger hotel was designed by a team of friends who wanted a space that would "feel like an ad agency."  Great.  But let's talk about these book lights.

Yep, thems is handmade, let's get a closer look

I see some sort of nut and bolt action and the previous picture shows some sort of wire support contraption holding the whole kitten kaboodle together.  If someone out there wants to attempt this at home, photograph your process, we'll put it on the blog.  You'll be a star and see your name in lights.  Maybe then you will have enough money to stay at the Michelberger.

Ha!  Joke's on you, the michelberger only costs 54 Euros a night, which is a good thing because this blogging thing don't make diddly.

Anyway, make a lamp, send me a picture, I'll shower you with love.  Moving on.

The Michelberger continues the book theme into one of the guest rooms

Another view of the wall of books.  Ok, this needs to be discussed.  This looks pretty awesome but have any of y'all been in a used bookstore recently?  Newsflash:  those books get moldy.  Like crazy moldy.  Like raging headache dirty hands if you touch them moldy.  So, lovely, but the, ahem, shelf life is pretty short.

I'm not crazy about this picture but this may be my favorite use of books.  I love that just the ends are used to create texture with minimal color.

So the Michelberger isn't all books all the time: here's a view of the restaurant with it's sexy concrete walls.  That wasn't sarcasm, i really do like them.  And, bonus!  no mold.

From the restaurant looking into the bar.  Still lovely.

One of the 85 guest rooms.  I really love when beds are next to windows, especially in bustling cities.

Ok, so when you dudes get back from your stay abroad, remember to toss together one of those book lamps for me, I can't wait to see your handywork!