While we’re still braving winter temperatures in the states, summer is in full swing “down under.” And what goes better with long sunny days than music festivals? I got an early taste of summer a few weeks ago at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Melbourne, which takes place in seven cities over a two week period, and spotlights several of the artists (like Feist and M83) we’ll be anticipating at our own upcoming Coachella Music Festival

Almost (if not more so!) important than the music at most festivals are the fashions, and Melbourne, known for its creativity, did not disappoint! Vintage was the word of the day as girls and guys alike flaunted their best pre-loved wears. Hats of all shapes and sizes made a splash while also protecting festival-goers heads from the hot Australian sun. For the ladies, super short, high-waisted denim shorts were popular, as were printed girly dresses cinched with belts at the waist. Strappy sandals of all hues and materials jazzed up outfits while ankle high boots added a touch of boyish charm to breezy summer frocks. Classic wayfarers still ruled the day, but oversized cat-eyed sunnies also came out to play.

There’s nothing like a day spent outdoors alongside happy people and good music to get you in the summer spirit. Next stop: Coachella!

Beyond the bustling cities of Southeast Asia live many ethnic tribes that continue to live off the land and in the tradition of their ancestors. In the northern mountains of Vietnam, around an area called Sapa, eight of these ethnic groups live in the mountains and valleys, which have been transformed into steep, tiered rice paddies as far as the eye can see.

I visited Sapa last month and took a day trek into the surrounding hills to experience the lives of the tribes firsthand. Besides marveling at their simple, yet grueling way of life, I was totally taken by their beautiful clothing. Each tribe has its own distinct language and way of dress. Their clothes are part of their identity and much care is taken to create their beautiful garments.

Our trekking guide, a member of the Black Hmong Tribe, named Bam, proudly showed me her intricately stitched collar and sleeves, her colorful hand-embroidered belt and her lovely silver earrings. She explained that the women ALWAYS wear earrings, no matter what, and that some women stack up to five pairs through each ear.

We also ran into some members of the Red Dao tribe, who had bright red headdresses hung with tassels and coins. We saw women weaving the bright plaid headscarves that some of the tribes (including Bam’s) wear in the winter, and I couldn’t help but pick one up to add to my souvenirs. I also ended up with a colorful, embroidered tote bag and an etched gold bangle… the women and their crafts were all so beautiful, I couldn’t resist.

Traveling throughout Southeast Asia I continue to be fascinated by the unique blend of aesthetics. Chiang Mai, the old capital of Thailand and the cultural heart of the country, is packed full of juxtapositions…ancient and contemporary, European and Asian, natural and industrial. Walking down the street, one might pass a gilded temple buzzing with orange-clad monks, a food stall hawking mango sticky rice, a funky shop featuring wares from an up-and-coming Thai designer and a fashionable boutique hotel – all in the same block. The eclectic mix is intriguing and offers endless inspiration. Here are a few happy snaps of some of the eye candy around Chiang Mai. Enjoy!

I have always wanted to go on safari. And after watching every episode of Planet Earth in HD, I really wanted to go on safari. The dream finally came to fruition this past month in Kruger National Park, South Africa’s oldest and biggest game reserve. The fun part about the park is that it is self-drive, so you can spend the day turning down the miles of dirt roads and stopping to watch the animals you spot for however long you like as long as you return to your camp by sunset, when the gates close your in for the night.

On our first day we stopped the car next to a huge elephant and watched him eat for about half an hour, fascinated by the agile movement of his trunk twisting and cracking branches off trees and popping them into his mouth. Not long after the elephant spotting, we came around a corner upon a giraffe and zebra, just hanging out…no big deal. I almost cried they were so beautiful with all their lanky limbs, and intricate spots and stripes. It only got better as each day we’d have new and closer sightings that included lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys, baboons, impala, rhino, wildebeest, warthogs, jackals and tons of beautiful birds.

For those feeling a little more adventurous, each camp offers sunrise “bush walks” with armed guides and sunset or nighttime drives with guides where you look for “glowing eyes” reflecting back at you in the darkness. There are 12 camps to choose from in the park, and from our two camps, Lower Sabie and Olifants, we could watch and listen to elephants and hippos in the nearby rivers into the night. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the grunts of hippopotamus.

The whole experience was incredible. Nothing compares to seeing wild animals in their natural habitat with your own two eyes.

These “heads” were made from trash collected off the beach in Hout Bay, South Africa. The main material is plastic bottle caps. Hopefully this inspires you as much as it inspires me to create treasures out of someone else’s trash, and to make the world a more beautiful place in the process! Enjoy pictures of “the herd” below!

I’ve always been intrigued by the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Visions of the exotic passageways overflowing with hand-woven carpets had filled my head (just like those sugar plums!). Needless to say, I was extremely excited to visit this centuries-old marketplace in person, and I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. It was sensory overload in the best kind of way. The labyrinth of passageways, adorned with arches and frescoes, could have kept me occupied for days. You can buy everything from an antique tea kettle to a woven bag to mother of pearl jewelry to a leather jacket to silk scarves, colorful mosaic lanterns, giant throw pillows, hand-painted ceramic dishes, carpets (of course) and the list goes on and on. To refuel throughout the Bazaar journey, there are tiny little tea stands nestled between shops; the perfect, cozy spot to sip a traditional çay (Turkish tea) and people watch. Here are a few snaps from this amazing place!