fifty-seven years ago...

A while back, I was browsing some stores when I found a stack of old National Geographic magazines. I find old magazines incredibly interesting. Everything is still perfectly preserved from when they were first published. We get to see photos and read articles exactly as they were fifty or more years ago. There aren't a ton of things out there like it.

Here are some scans from the July 1955 issue of National Geographic.

I especially liked this ad for telephone booths.

Kendall

the dream vacation game.

Here's how it works: you have two plane tickets to anywhere in the world, for a week. All expenses are paid. Who would you go with, where would you go, and what would you do? For me, this question is tangled up in a bucket list full of destinations and endless conversations with my mom about where I want to go each summer.

Right now, my dream vacation is New Zealand. Because: I know nothing about New Zealand. I'm used to going to countries where I have at least a little understanding of the people and the culture. With New Zealand, I don't even know what language they speak. And I think that would be so fun, to visit a country without a set agenda, without everything planned out. New Zealand looks magical and mysterious and so, so far away. I'd bring my mum along with me...her best friend is Australian, and a little stop in Australia to visit Jennifer wouldn't hurt. ;)

I asked a few of the Fernweh girls where they would go.

Hannah says New Zealand too (someday, we're gonna go together):

"I see it in my head. Staring out the window, looking through the tufts of clouds, searching for land. Watching and waiting, breathless in anticipation as the plane lands. Finally being there, and hiking along mountains, traipsing through hills and heavily forested plains, slipping into the ocean and sitting on the sand, just staring at the water. Visiting the sites, seeing the people, doing something crazy just because. New Zealand is calling my name -- it's the one place where I want to go more than anything. Just me and my aunt, Abby. She interned there for half a year several years back, and I'd love to see New Zealand through her eyes. We'd visit the Shire, fly over Mount Doom, act touristy in Wellington, spend a day in Milford Sound, go kayaking, bungee jump, and stay up late watching movies and listening to the ocean. And we would laugh. I can see the food, the sights, the sounds -- hear the Kiwi accents -- be there. Someday."

Libby says:

"Inter railing. It sounds crazy, I know, but it's something that I'm currently considering the summer between sixth form and university. Basically, you buy a train ticket and travel around European cities. I'm most interested in visiting Scandinavian and Eastern European countries. I'd bring my close group of friends--one another is fluent in German, one in Danish and another in Russian, and then between the rest of us we're studying German, French and Spanish, so that stands us in good stead to communicate! Whilst travelling, I'd want to stay mainly focused in the cities. Visiting landmarks, finding good places for breakfast and coffee, and just walking around and getting a feel for the place. There would be lots of photography--a mix of film and digital--and making friends with foreign strangers and maybe discovering kooky little shops. I'd like to learn about the past and also the current times of all the places I visited. But when in Denmark, we'd have to visit the family or one of my friends! From what I've heard they live in a fantastic foresty place, like something from a fairy tale. Honestly I can't image anything better than spending several weeks travelling across Europe on my favourite mode of transport with my favourite friends."  

Carlotta says:

"Traveling is like a unquenchable thirst. In my experience, the more places I visit, the more I hunger to see--and even if I'd seen everything there is to see, I'd want to go and do it all over again. I like sitting at the airport, looking at the timetables of flights to various countries. I find it fascinating that one can simply board a plane in one place and then be deposited in entirely new surroundings a few hours later. There isn't a specific spot in the world I'd like to go--I'd just like to explore and discover other cultures and countries, whatever they may be. My ideal plane tickets would be wild cards, and I'd bring my brother with me. That boy can make me laugh in any situation and he's just the best travel companion ever. And when the plane doors open, and the sights and sounds and smells of a new country take hold of my senses? That's when the adventure begins."

Where would you go for your dream vacation?



xo
katie

pattern mixing 101

One of my favorite things about putting together an outfit is playing with pattern. There are so many different options--stripes, polka dots, florals, paisley...the list goes on and on. But maybe you're afraid to mix and match patterns because you're not sure how to, or you're afraid of coming across as too wild and crazy. Don't be afraid! Here are a few examples to get you started...







I think the key to pattern mixing is having one big, bold print as the centerpiece, then adding more patterns in a smaller scale. For example, you could pair a polka dot dress like the one above with dotted tights. It's all about balance. Scarves are always a fun, easy ways to inject color and interest--throw on a bold patterned scarf with a striped tee and you're good to go. Look for colors in the patterns that compliment each other. Having said all that, though, there really is no right or wrong way to mix patterns. Just experiment, use your best judgement, and above all, have fun!

much love,
carlotta

march playlist.

We're big fans of the Hunger Games around here, and since the movie will be out before we know it, we thought it was only fitting for this month's playlist to be themed around this wonderful book. Enjoy listening. It's also on Spotify!

coffee and pie

It's warm and cozy in here, the smell of coffee brewing on the stove wrapping about us like a cloak. Coffee always brings back fond memories--when I was little, the sweet, bitter aroma would waft through the house, eventually finding its way to my bedroom to tickle my nose. Yawning and stretching, I'd pad sleepily to the kitchen table and watch my parents pour the coffee into their mugs, steam rising lazily. Sometimes, my mother would let me have a sip and the hot liquid would scald my tongue as I swallowed. I didn't mind, though--it made me feel grown up. That seems so long ago.
My mind flits back to the present. There's a peach pie on the table, fresh from the oven. I set out the good Russian china with a clatter, another one of the treasures that was accumulated on my mama's travels. Careful not to spill, the coffee is poured in the dainty cups, and when the cream is added, it makes the dark liquid swirl in milky color. I hand my mom a plate and she slides a gooey, warm piece of pie on it; I scoop some vanilla ice cream on top. The hot and cold mingle together in my mouth, a sweet juxtaposition.
I would be content to have coffee and pie every afternoon.

much love,
carlotta

shake it like a polaroid picture

I don't like to edit my photos much -- it's time consuming and I'm lazy, to be honest -- but it can be entertaining occasionally. Sometimes, for instance, I'll pretend I'm retro and own a Polaroid camera. And so regular digital photos turn old-fashioned with the click of a button. I love technology.

Exhibit A:

Want to make your own? Poladroid is great fun.

Happy Friday!

Kendall

a March hello

March is a transitional month. It's smack dab between winter and spring, and usually a cross between slushy snow and sunny days. I feel like some of my biggest plans for summer happen during this month, and the reality that spring is coming -- fast -- hits me hard. To celebrate the third month (really, how can we already be three months into the new year?), here's a fun desktop for you all. Complete with some daily ideas (as well as some holidays/events), it's a reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple things (as well as go see the Hunger Games Movie. Because, really, we can't forget that). Click the size you need and save to your desktop!

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Happy First! xo
Hannah