When I first started planning our Thailand honeymoon in the early spring of 2009, I was lucky enough to stumble across Hither and Thither, a fascinating travel blog written by Ashley and Aron Bruhn who are native Californians living in New York City. I was really impressed by the detailed account of their honeymoon in Thailand and found their recommendations and comments immensely helpful when planning our trip. I’ve been a huge fan ever since. You could spend hours reading their travelogues covering all the amazing places they’ve been, and I also really enjoy reading about their life here in NY. I always wonder how they manage to fit it all in! Also in the works? A baby boy on the way which Ashley has been writing about on her new blog, Baby Mine. Considering I found Ashley and Aron while researching Thailand, it seems so fitting that Ashley is taking us to Southeast Asia again, but this time for a future trip she hopes to take with her family. p.s. I want everything on her packing list ::: Luster

::: From Ashley ::: I think it was a feature in Gourmet Magazine that first brought on my case of Vietnam wanderlust. The glossy spread featured steaming street food, colorful lanterns, enchanting bays, chaotic moped traffic, and talked of an exotic and fragrant place where a French colonial past had left a unique culinary mark. Having traveled to Southeast Asia for our honeymoon in Thailand, I can’t wait to go back—and a trip to Vietnam is top on my wish list.

We would start in Hanoi—sampling the café culture and wandering through narrow passageways, alternately touring Belle Époque French villas in the French Quarter and Buddhist complexes built on limestone cliffs (at the nearby Perfume Pagoda)—before detouring to see the greens of the rice paddies around Sapa, the ancient Cham tower-temples of My Son Sanctuary ,and the limestone towers of Halong Bay (where we might board a traditional junk boat or find more quiet and get up-close by kayak).

In Hue, we’d rent bicycles and explore the fortified Imperial city, before heading south. Along the way, we’d take time to relax at one of the resorts along the 400-mile stretch from Hue to Nha Trang, and board boats to go diving in the clear life-filled waters around offshore archipelagos.

In Hoi An, perhaps after putting in an order at a custom tailor in the Old Quarter, we’d do our best to capture the faded colors of this trading port, preserved since the 15^thcentury, as well as the vibrant ones at the riverside fish market.

It would be a dream to set up camp for a few days at the Con Dao Islands—at the luxurious Six Senses resort with a view of the turquoise South China sea—before finishing the trip in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), rich with history.

Ashley’s Packing List:

1. Day tripper pant

2. City Walk Fedora

3. Sunglasses

4. Iris Jacket

5. Essie Clambake

6. Madewell Bike Bag

7. Salina Sandals

8. Isabelle Dress

9. Scenic route shirtdress Madewell

10. My son

11. Scarf

12. Theory colsten top

13. Swiss Army Bicycle

14. Triwa watch

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Thank you, Ashley!

For more Wanderlust destinations, be sure to check out Belize |  Ireland |  St. Petersburg |  Dubrovnik, Croatia |  Marfa, Texas |  Vancouver Island |  The Amalfi Coast |  and Reykjavik

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Last weekend we needed a break from the city, so we set our sites on the Hudson valley. After some unsuccessful attempts at finding an available hotel, we rented a house in Gallatin, New York just outside of Red Hook.

Brooklyn owners Eric & Danny have created the perfect woodsy escape with comfort & style. We loved hearing the wind through the trees, seeing the stars at night from the deck’s hot tub, heated floors throughout, browsing the slick coffee table books, staring out the picture windows, and the bonus washer/dryer.

The 2 bedroom house is filled with distinct personal touches and unusual finds, and we particularly loved the little collections of things scattered here and there.

We checked out the town of Red Hook on our first stop of the day and browsed in a sweet little shop called Tivoli Mercantile. Next up, we followed Route 9 South to Rhinebeck. Pretty storefronts and restaurants line the streets of this charming town like Arielle and Le Petit Bistro.

There were a few must see stores including Wing and Clover that is both a storefront and workshop space offering a variety of classes.

Paper Trail has an array of pretty paper goods and gifts

We grabbed a bite for lunch at Terrapin bistro

Vanderbilt Mansion and National park is just south of Rhinebeck so we decided to take a drive and tour the house and grounds. It was a really interesting look into the lifestyle during the Gilded Age of America and the Vanderbilt family history.

The views alone of the Hudson river are worth seeing.

In the late afternoon we drove north to Hudson, and cruised along Warren Street to check out all the antique and home decor shops with too many favorites to count.

I loved Hudson Supermarket for its varieties of dealers, and in particular the section curated by Stephanie Lloyd. Vintage French & German seed sacks sewn into pillows and upholstered on French furniture were the highlights. I have a soft spot for chaises, and I loved this linen striped version.  On one of the tables, I spotted a book from the 50′s called Mon Amie Jennie about a French cat and was tempted to buy it since I am called Jennie by my family.

As nightfall arrived and the shops closed, we walked to Baba Louie’s and grabbed one of their famous pizzas for dinner and headed back to our house in the woods.

We lucked out with perfect weather all weekend: sunny and crisp during the daytime and cool nights prime for sleeping. On our last day we visited a barn in Red Hook filled with antiques {or mostly junk I would say} and headed to Poet’s Walk in Red Hook.

It is said to have inspired Washington Irving’s famous story Rip Van Winkle with two miles of trails through woods and open fields with vistas overlooking the Hudson

Off to the right of the entrance trail is a wagon with fresh flowers that you can drop $5 into and choose a bouquet.

After our walk we headed to look around the small town of Tivoli and stopped by the Madalin hotel. We caught it in the middle of a sleepy afternoon with not much going on so after a brief stroll, we left and saw the new Woody Allen movie at Upstate Films just in time for the late afternoon show.

We ended the trip with the perfect dinner at Mercato in Red Hook. Generally, reservations are necessary, but I think since it was Halloween, we got lucky and were seated right away. We shared shrimp scampi over lemon risotto and fresh rigatoni with tomato and basil and finished up with “Francesco’s fabulous tiramisu” and a glass of Moscato dessert wine.

All photos and written content by Luster©2010

Image via Kiwi Collection The Palms Resort | Vintage Stamps from Tanzania and Zanzibar | Layout by Luster © 2010

I have long wished to see Africa, and every once in awhile I get my fix looking at safari websites in South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania. I always forget that the incredible island of Zanzibar is just a short ferry ride away from the coastal town of Dar es Salaam on Tanzania’s East coast. What an incredible place to end a journey from the mainland.

This beautiful island is famous for Stone Town, the only ancient town left in Africa that still functions, it’s picturesque beaches, and long history as the center of the Spice trade route.

Images via Klindi Hotel | North Zanzibar

{Clockwise Left to Right: photo by Eric Laforgue, photo by Zanzibar Beach House Co, photo via planet ware, photo by Zanzibar Beach House Co}

Mnemba Island Lodge

{Clockwise Left to Right: image via Africa Diving Co, images via Lahita Expeditions, Matemwe via Asila Africa}

Images via Zanzibar Beach House Co

{Clockwise Left to Right:} Striped Cover up, terry lined African stripe sarong, gold and straw sunhat, chiffon dress/cover up, recycled plastic woven bracelets, leather trimmed market basket, streamline luggage, antiqued moroccan hoop earrings, embellished sandal, gold python passport cover, guides to zanzibar, wrap beaded bracelet