After watching an episode of House Hunters International in the countryside of France and reading Jordan’s posts about the beginnings of her stay in Paris, now I’ve come across Jordan’s sister Gabrielle who is staying in Normandy.  My jaw dropped when I saw where her family are staying for the next few months…

Can I please relocate to France too?  Even just for a year… what an amazing life experience, especially to have as a family.

{images shown belongs to Design Mom}

Next addition to my bucket list: someday attend the Alt Design Summit.  It’s too far away to travel for me (plus the cost of registration, on top of travel fees) but I would LOVE to attend this conference.  Practically all of my favorite blog writers, designers, photographers, and other creative folk will be attending and speaking.  I think I’d be completely starstruck!  Hope everyone enjoys what looks to be an amazing event.

{image shown via Design*Sponge; logo belongs to Alt Design Summit}

Today’s eye candy is everything on Stripe & Field’s website.  Simple and truly elegant.

{images shown belong to Stripe & Field}

I cannot get over this amazingly gorgeous and sumptuous apartment in Manhattan (designed by madderlake).  Thank you Chelsea for the post!  What an incredible home to live in, to be surrounded by sunlight and fauna everywhere.  I’m sure having windows everywhere isn’t the most practical thing for energy savings, but how incredible is that space?  I could do so much daydreaming in that space…

{images shown belong to madderlake design}

If you live in the NYC area, then you’re very lucky indeed!  Amy Merrick from An Apple a Day will be leading a winter wreath making workshop offered by design*sponge.  From the photos released so far, it looks like it’s going to be absolutely heavenly!  I would LOVE to make my own holiday wreath but don’t live nearby.  What a fun thing to do before the holidays to get you in the cheery spirit!  Sign up while there are still spots left.

{image shown belong to An Apple a Day}

Have you been keeping up with Amy Merrick and her sister’s current travels in Europe?  It’s making me completely crazy to visit Europe (as if I wasn’t wanting to, ha!).  Definitely check our her blog updates.  Here’s a few favorites of their excursion to Bruges.

{images shown belong to An Apple a Day}

This home is stunning!  Oh how I would love to live here.  Looks so very British to me.

{images shown via dear golden}

Currently lusting over most of the necklaces over at Anthropologie…

{image shown belongs to Anthropologie}

Just read the fantastic news for Jordan and her family that as of January 2011, they will be living in France for the entire year!  I remember reading her posts on her love for France and specifically her post on asking if anyone else has ever tried leaving the States and living abroad for a year, and I’m so glad to hear that her one idea lead her to where she and her family will be headed this coming year.  Congrats to you Jordan, as well as your family!

One of my cousins (and very best friends) decided in a similar way a few years ago to just go for it and lived in Dublin for a year, and I’ve always admired her for that.  I’ve always had a dream of living in England for a year, but never thought it was actually possible with jobs, bills, family, etc. here at home.  Seeing these two people make-a-go-for-it makes me know that life is too short, and if you have a dream then try to make it a reality.  Why not?  Well, making it a reality with jobs, bills, family, etc. is another situation… but perhaps the setting has never been right… yet.

Have you ever dreamed of living elsewhere for a period?  Where?  Have you been able to make that dream a reality?

{image shown via Oh Happy Day!; photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat}

With all things autumn on my mind lately, this pinecone necklace has landed on my wish list for today.  Check out more beautiful things for sale in Wild Iris Artisan Jewelry’s Etsy shop.

{image shown belongs to Wild Iris Artisan Jewelry}