Dream Vacation: Have you ever been glamping?

<div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857000/13857367_783b_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857000/13857367_783b_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height:268px;" /></a><div align="center"></div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13858000/13858074_da8f_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13858000/13858074_da8f_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 530px;" /></a>Summer is just a few short months away, and you know what that means: Outdoor fun! I've only been camping once in my entire life. In the middle of the summer. In the hot, beads-of-sweat-trickling-down-your-face kind of summer. My lack of outdoor sleeping experience should tell you something, friends -- I'm not very good at it. But, I'm pretty sure <a href="http://goglamping.net/">glamping</a> is something I could get behind; it sounds like it's just my speed. Have you heard of it? Well, apparently, it's the type of vacation that gives you the best of both worlds: The joy of camping in a controlled environment. The New York Times first <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/travel/14green-1.html">wrote about the trend</a> of glamorous camping -- it's origins can be traced back to Africa and Thailand. Here are 3 cool and comfy spots to watch the stars...<br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857500/13857547_a19e_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857500/13857547_a19e_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height:267px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857500/13857636_eb5e_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13857500/13857636_eb5e_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height:267px;" /></a><a href="http://www.cornishtipiholidays.co.uk/">Cornish Tipi Holidays</a> is a family-owned company managed by Elizabeth Tom and Alan Berry in Cornwall, England. Staying in a canvas tipi, guest are treated to singing birds, magnificent cliffs and picturesquely clear water. Plus, packing for your stay in these 18-foot-high tipis is a breeze since everything besides food and bedding is provided on-site. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJZL9OT25TueS1-HjtiKx8GCUnzFmR8QPi7qIZIhU33P9cZV4iwHsaEY_bBjc9d-BYcWmruSpktgn4s9hO6hOm1TEs95ISetKlxf_MtjL4IUiRGHBZTKbBxQHGekUf8LydSrayjZ14g8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+10.58.32+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735788894426946322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJZL9OT25TueS1-HjtiKx8GCUnzFmR8QPi7qIZIhU33P9cZV4iwHsaEY_bBjc9d-BYcWmruSpktgn4s9hO6hOm1TEs95ISetKlxf_MtjL4IUiRGHBZTKbBxQHGekUf8LydSrayjZ14g8/s400/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+10.58.32+AM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3ic7MZBrjEe5L0PsDrL7AXobdRyiiVv3GQTFkiPVhDphUab7_MW2ktLQ6HOMBygXsoaIGKH66oRaH9aAoqGWbGQ2qKPh_Vq0aK5v_JUWq2KTvF2cHgqIwbflvUdFQchlsuoEHNvZEyU/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+10.57.05+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735788890436391490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3ic7MZBrjEe5L0PsDrL7AXobdRyiiVv3GQTFkiPVhDphUab7_MW2ktLQ6HOMBygXsoaIGKH66oRaH9aAoqGWbGQ2qKPh_Vq0aK5v_JUWq2KTvF2cHgqIwbflvUdFQchlsuoEHNvZEyU/s400/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+10.57.05+AM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ha7SO1meR2XQwlAe6oD-lLzMt6fW65qXnY-eGZM1qCpRtwW7UAAVYid5eJGX15Omyr5oujZWvj096OYWPZKob-kY2R6PIk6uk94sFQ4eIHaVMjZdh6BuijsV8K1ZP6ncSxwqtqlr3Ow/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+1.58.23+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735788881767418514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ha7SO1meR2XQwlAe6oD-lLzMt6fW65qXnY-eGZM1qCpRtwW7UAAVYid5eJGX15Omyr5oujZWvj096OYWPZKob-kY2R6PIk6uk94sFQ4eIHaVMjZdh6BuijsV8K1ZP6ncSxwqtqlr3Ow/s400/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+1.58.23+PM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaiXZ5iY44tTBtliIA6OsFoKi88gwv0InC87ok-i0FHePnzTaQqF72K7IL0mBOeHbwdQYHirH0aJAuVnOF5fob101KPFDUyUkbsMsg-T6sPN8bHtjcbbd6a8gV6qnIr7tVrdIvsUu8qQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+1.58.33+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735788875063935602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaiXZ5iY44tTBtliIA6OsFoKi88gwv0InC87ok-i0FHePnzTaQqF72K7IL0mBOeHbwdQYHirH0aJAuVnOF5fob101KPFDUyUkbsMsg-T6sPN8bHtjcbbd6a8gV6qnIr7tVrdIvsUu8qQ/s400/Screen+shot+2012-04-26+at+1.58.33+PM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" /></a><a href="http://www.wildretreat.com/About_Clayoquot_Wilderness_Resort/index.asp">Clayoquot Wilderness Resort</a> on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, bills itself as an "eco-safari destination," accessible by a 45-minute plane ride. The small resort is home to 20 tents and features king- and queen-sized beds, full bathroom (<span style="font-style:italic;">with heated floors!</span>) and indoor showers. They're even nestled under rain forest canopies or perched amongst hillside trees. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsZ3jtjPpj0zczjCg5apbY016c3oxmONy26gJA0_n9aiFA3oMUdkU9i68lZybkGyTZnKOSZ-cLqQfYi7IVpj22oQWMnxFj-_3i13Wo8yC_D3u8d5O36FRKAE0qzIDz-a6-aBTwXnqMqQ/s1600/12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735795008844346226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsZ3jtjPpj0zczjCg5apbY016c3oxmONy26gJA0_n9aiFA3oMUdkU9i68lZybkGyTZnKOSZ-cLqQfYi7IVpj22oQWMnxFj-_3i13Wo8yC_D3u8d5O36FRKAE0qzIDz-a6-aBTwXnqMqQ/s400/12.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7bqJZT4lupQ1L6OZ3PBM-x2kg-7lunUyopRS4Xtnj0n4f4w8nldtYLq_aov5sgLu1vRVaUzTzriLUERl75gmeam42Tj-0ncmIaHyUvEnmhQP8ymI2KAVh8QBGsEf8ezbpEjKvkjlRs4/s1600/13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735795004048318850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7bqJZT4lupQ1L6OZ3PBM-x2kg-7lunUyopRS4Xtnj0n4f4w8nldtYLq_aov5sgLu1vRVaUzTzriLUERl75gmeam42Tj-0ncmIaHyUvEnmhQP8ymI2KAVh8QBGsEf8ezbpEjKvkjlRs4/s400/13.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBi25rLftPoXCe-eWxh_Ug_aY-EEooq7avFD7Mt_5qg90ucybLLG-M5ZH3FWf4Ci-ps95VBHoFZBuFcZ8ijidokmq_8HeXxnR_7kmcAPLorgprsvh5Xea2C9pawsjoV0aeYefoDd-sJU/s1600/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735795000199252882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBi25rLftPoXCe-eWxh_Ug_aY-EEooq7avFD7Mt_5qg90ucybLLG-M5ZH3FWf4Ci-ps95VBHoFZBuFcZ8ijidokmq_8HeXxnR_7kmcAPLorgprsvh5Xea2C9pawsjoV0aeYefoDd-sJU/s400/14.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qoV-ZX_MwWBapDUID8g-6OIbkoS0_VzL6GqHAGjoReb6UsewFvp9lHLWECEcmpJ_UXchn9S2mLvXS_NZ7PyVNZV5IbFOIVHBW5DseB75tZUhsI9a_3Wi3HPeOZhIPCixeBbf-eEF7HA/s1600/15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735794995958617666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qoV-ZX_MwWBapDUID8g-6OIbkoS0_VzL6GqHAGjoReb6UsewFvp9lHLWECEcmpJ_UXchn9S2mLvXS_NZ7PyVNZV5IbFOIVHBW5DseB75tZUhsI9a_3Wi3HPeOZhIPCixeBbf-eEF7HA/s400/15.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="http://www.pawsup.com/">The Resort at Paws Up</a> in Montana stretches across 37,000 acres and boasts 24 glamping tents. Guests can enjoy private bathrooms and dining pavilions all against the backdrop of the mountains and trees of Montana. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have you ever been glamping, friends? Would you try it? Are you a camper? What's your favorite camping spot? Let's chat! xoxo</span><br /><br />[Top photos of <a href="http://www.cornishtipiholidays.co.uk/">Cornish Tipi Holidays</a>]

Dream Vacation: Have you ever been glamping?

Summer is just a few short months away, and you know what that means: Outdoor fun! I've only been camping once in my entire life. In th...

Read more »

Simple joys of childhood

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwvw9pySkDN7gQOiJT8CvtSN0Wzn0t1MGrq9HIiyT94w6-cTbJid5gDtFhSUfrCKjr2EpbYjJ-ciI5q4VKiLH6_RaxFcdgmOtZseXqhrBB3968GW_FCTsfKq3-71LES0Wk05afsnf66GS/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660795158182236002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwvw9pySkDN7gQOiJT8CvtSN0Wzn0t1MGrq9HIiyT94w6-cTbJid5gDtFhSUfrCKjr2EpbYjJ-ciI5q4VKiLH6_RaxFcdgmOtZseXqhrBB3968GW_FCTsfKq3-71LES0Wk05afsnf66GS/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>My lovely friends, all this talk about <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/childhood%20week">childhood</a> this week has made me so nostalgic! But the most thrilling, huge-grin-inducing moments of childhood? All the memories you carry with you into adulthood. I've carried my fair share of memories with me, and I'd love to share my favorites with you...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4Kh992wZ9JBaAUrdd0fzdSITeUJJHKVL5Kbqx2oxVU_jh6tnNNl7FIdwYZiU6dLCPh3mi37afQfP4q2fe_zE5m2867ttgXPRr1baJkHJEKyZKj3pBvnGo8JbeHf34Suu4aEIS9nOyp3d/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660790510181999202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4Kh992wZ9JBaAUrdd0fzdSITeUJJHKVL5Kbqx2oxVU_jh6tnNNl7FIdwYZiU6dLCPh3mi37afQfP4q2fe_zE5m2867ttgXPRr1baJkHJEKyZKj3pBvnGo8JbeHf34Suu4aEIS9nOyp3d/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vkFkrkLXdh7TnFba5HzRNWkuSz8sLsMjvFg4iC49z66FkTVznkNTQxytTKzN6hD9XsCO9BUDyAmjCHlR6aU21jc4dSjdOPHWOXCLzPDkwdYelfvx5_CD1z7UU56izr2qvBFm0Fev_bZn/s1600/02.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660790646438909746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vkFkrkLXdh7TnFba5HzRNWkuSz8sLsMjvFg4iC49z66FkTVznkNTQxytTKzN6hD9XsCO9BUDyAmjCHlR6aU21jc4dSjdOPHWOXCLzPDkwdYelfvx5_CD1z7UU56izr2qvBFm0Fev_bZn/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" /></a>Eating yummy foods (<em>and sneaking it!</em>)...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvOzH8Yrs0L5WBPqBp5xDwxewi8HEnYZc6tx5zqRg1qE0y1a2DeOv5akKoRa0IhxY8hLnwVhpca0_loi-fCo87gMpFzmLzCmedmU_36Uw444DYwSEGkTUN4zlNw1uetGCh8wcBaC_0dCg/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660791154435239634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvOzH8Yrs0L5WBPqBp5xDwxewi8HEnYZc6tx5zqRg1qE0y1a2DeOv5akKoRa0IhxY8hLnwVhpca0_loi-fCo87gMpFzmLzCmedmU_36Uw444DYwSEGkTUN4zlNw1uetGCh8wcBaC_0dCg/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhJdIde3FzROxjU2SkzaNXvD4iKpZeEwm88pz-pqdQxfVr0PffKTGETHqfTT4PWcWPwOYUEK6YxDg7lZybu56JfJleW1mByHkAU5cS8QXknEFDwoEEaB5qSpkXEYnEEVFM9X9cV8pZDoa/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660791355080585378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhJdIde3FzROxjU2SkzaNXvD4iKpZeEwm88pz-pqdQxfVr0PffKTGETHqfTT4PWcWPwOYUEK6YxDg7lZybu56JfJleW1mByHkAU5cS8QXknEFDwoEEaB5qSpkXEYnEEVFM9X9cV8pZDoa/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/6220256519_4b93900f70_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/6220256519_4b93900f70_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 451px;" /></a>...playing outside...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTEIQikVF7pu446K4eUIx8mH5UijwAXyc08fKjB79pBszgpUQCnwhOSItGiR8OcBqWtyr5zO3MVq1oArafTOJq-liITMvQkipjAl8EleTu7WGG8DTJIleI6CwnHc4mgbdlXUTb_Wadj60/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660795533564736690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTEIQikVF7pu446K4eUIx8mH5UijwAXyc08fKjB79pBszgpUQCnwhOSItGiR8OcBqWtyr5zO3MVq1oArafTOJq-liITMvQkipjAl8EleTu7WGG8DTJIleI6CwnHc4mgbdlXUTb_Wadj60/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" /></a>...and of course taking naps with my favorite stuffed animal by my side. <br /><br /><strong>Sigh...does it get any better than that? Do you have a favorite memory from childhood? What do you remember the most? If you have kids, what do you hope they remember when they grow up? xoxo</strong><br /><br />[Top photo by <a href="http://www.novelphotographie.com/Portfolio/Portfolio/11435921_58P83W#803957177_NtSuu">Novel Photographie</a>]

Simple joys of childhood

My lovely friends, all this talk about childhood this week has made me so nostalgic! But the most thrilling, huge-grin-inducing moments of ...

Read more »