Bastille Day Vacation Rental Inspiration ~ La Marais Paris

Bonjour! 
In honor of Bastille Day I'm writing a quick post about a vacation rental located in my most favorite neighborhood in Paris.... Le Marais! 

This perfect light, airy and romantic one bedroom starts as low as 155 Euros per night...which translates into $211 American Dollars. It's a Onefinestay property (a company I'm slightly obsessed with and dying to try) so your money gets you a bit more than with AirBNB or VRBO lets say....for example THIS property - which still has dates available in August!

Onefinestay is a relatively new competitor in the rent-your-home-to-vacationers business, but I consider it more of a premium rental curator that hand selects its rentals and focuses on popular neighborhoods in their cities - London, New York, Los Angeles and Paris.  They consider themselves an "unhotel" alternative - where you still have all the niceties of a corporately run resort - fresh linens, cool snacks but you also get perks like an iPhone "concierge" loaded with insider info on things to do and places to eat. 

Au Revoir!

xo,

#gmoola

Photos courtesy of the Onefinestay rental site

Stewarts Point, NorCal Glamping

Being from Northern California - I should have stumbled upon Stewarts Point sooner. This adorable itty bitty town is located on the too often ignored Sonoma Coast, just 2.5 hours from San Francisco. It has the same majestic coastline that Big Sur and Mendocino are famous for. It's only missing summer tourist congestion and crowds - which is just fine by me. Just recently the family owned Stewarts Point Store opened two "glamp"-worthy canvas tents rentals, and soon they plan to open adjacent coastal campsites. Tent rental starts as low as $150 and comes with 1,200 acres of surrounding wilderness  with waves crashing 400 feet below.

The canvas tents measure 12 x 14 feet and have queen-sized beds and cozy wood-burning stoves - which are a nice touch if the fog rolls in. There’s also a front porch which comes equipped with an awning and two rocking chairs for relaxing. The views are spectacular and they make the perfect place to watch the sun rise or set - preferably with a coffee or drink if hand.  

During your stay you also have access to a fully equipped open-air kitchen (my favorite kind), a gas barbecue, a 16-foot outdoor farm table, plates, bowls, wine glasses, coffee mugs... basically you won't need to bring a thing.... there is even a fire pit surrounded by andorank chairs - prime for some somo're roasting.  Forget something? Stewarts Point Store, a historic landmark, sells everything from locally roasted coffee specialty and locally made chocolate chip cookies, to a mix of antique plates, camping gear (socks, sleeping bags), sandwiches (rosemary tri-tip on sourdough), and local wine and beer (Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale is on tap!).

Want to wash off the campfire smell or salty sea air? Well you're in luck - the tents also come with the most amazing outdoor showers equipped with stunning views of the ocean, dual shower heads, and flagstone flooring.

Although I'm going to try to work Stewarts Point into my summer plans...its also a popular location to watch the Grey Whale migration January through May. 

Photos courtesy of Stewarts Point Facebook and  Pinterest xo,
#gmoola 

Homeway (from home) ~ Vintage Travel Trailer in Nashville, Tennessee

It's no secret - I love vintage trailers - and I'm constantly scouring craigslist for a gem of my own, but until I take the renovation plunge, a stay in J. Wes Yoder's clean and cozy 1962 Shasta camper in the heart of East Nashville would more than make do!

Just a short walk from downtown Nashville, the  trailer feels much larger than it's 100 square feet foot print sounds. The clean white walls reflect lots of natural light, and nestled in the back of a foliage full garden, this Airbnb abode feels like a retro hip summer camp hideout. During the remodel J. Wes did away with the original bathroom in favor of a charming adjacent bathhouse but for guests who prefer to shower al fresco (me), a simple outdoor shower above slate pavers is hidden between the bathhouse and camper. The camper does not have internet or TV, but why would you need it when guests can join the host for dinner in his garden. Not into socializing? don't fret - in J. Wes's Airbnb description he notes that 'every guest is different' and he 'always respects privacy first'.  But he also says 'My House is a social place' and rumor on the street is that some guests end up dancing the night away at one of his parties - which sounds more like my Tennessee speed. Regardless I can’t imagine a better introduction to Nashville. Book it at airbnb.com for just $95 per night.

Photography by Laura Dart for J. Wes Yoder found via. Gardenista 

...and I'm off to scour craigslist for a camper of my own. #gmoola 

Baja Glamping ~ Cabanas Cuatrocuatros ~ Mexico

I'm a lover of all parts of Mexico, but Baja in particular is such a short jaunt from LA, it lives in a special category.  The wine country just outside of Ensenada has been tempting me lately, and Cabanas CuatroCuatros may have just pushed me over the edge! Two hours South of San Diego, which makes it only four hours from LA, this 14 cabana settlement - has it all figured out - and a winery to boot. 

Each of the wood, cotton and steel luxury cabañas were installed with air conditioning, a mini bar, a fireplace, private baths and decks overlooking the vineyard - the only thing you won't have is a TV - but honestly, who needs it! If you are not comfortable driving across the boarder, the hotel can help schedule a pick up from San Diego, or if you are real fancy - there is a private airstrip for your private plane. Once you are there they can arrange sailing trips, surfing expeditions, buggy tours of the property, golfing, wine tasting, fishing... literally the list goes on and on. Rates start around $200 a night with a two night minimum on weekends - the rates are only slightly higher in during August for the wine harvest. 

Photos Courtesy of Cabanas Cuatrocuatros facebook

Adios! #gmoola

What To Pack for San Francisco on Memorial Day

While I love to travel - I hate to pack. Too often I over think it - throwing in last minute tee's and accessories I'll never wear just because 'there is space'. So this weekend - since Jordan and I headed up to the Bay Area - I thought I'd plan ahead and simplify in a new column we'll call "What To Pack" 

What To Pack: SF Edition by whitneywk featuring ankle jeans