I confess I was sent a link to the New York Times photo feature Why We Travel – that’s a friend of ours in the above photo, and we know the photographer, too. But I found the whole slideshow to be so inspiring now that spring is here and traveling is on the brain again. (Check out Photo 5 — now I want to go to Iceland.) Another article that caught my eye in the Times this week was this feature on people who have such seller’s remorse about their former homes that they end up buying them back — sometimes years after the fact. A fascinating look at how strong our attachments can be to the places we call home. –Mary T.

We’re huge fans of Angela Adams here at Sheterrific. She is a designer driven by nature (and perhaps, groovy vintage shirts like the one she’s wearing above). This is especially evident in her couture rugs which pay tribute to the beauty of her hometown of Portland, ME. The latest in this series is her Sea Fantasy Ocean design, now available through DWR. To honor their partnership, the design-store chain is hosting a series of events with Adams, where you can get a behind-the-scenes peek at her creations. Even if one of her luxe floor coverings is beyond your budget, getting the scoop on her life and way of working is sure to provide inspiration to any want-to-be entrepreneurs. Here’s the schedule for those lucky to be nearby:

April 3 — San Francisco
April 4 — Santa Monica
April 5 — Pasadena
April 17 — NYC
April 30 — Seattle
May 16 — Las Vegas
June 11 — Chicago

Though I moved 2300 miles away last year, I still work remotely for the same company. That means up to six plane trips per year for work and at least one additional trip for pleasure. I’m a reluctant member of the jet set! At least Terrapass makes me feel better about all that jet fuel. For about $18, I purchased enough “carbon offsets” — a contribution to clean energy research and related projects — to “balance out” my last trip (and I was able to automatically add it to my itinerary through Expedia). Terrapass also sent me a rubber (recycled, I hope!) luggage tag to promote the cause to my fellow travelers. I just discovered that Terrapass links to green products, too — I especially like the recycled-plastic hammock. If I’ll ever be home to lie in it. –Mary T.

Brand-new Etsy sellers finalapproach take vintage suitcases and reinvent them with with paint, collage, and decoupage.

Take this clever creation, dubbed “The Longest Road Trip” by the crafty Tennessee couple: Who doesn’t remember those interminable, sticky summer driving trips with mom and dad singing along to AM radio and all the kids piled up in the back of the family station wagon? (Even if you never actually took such a trip, they’ve sort of become part of our collective consciousness, haven’t they?)

The customized hard-shell suitcase, which measures 23 by 17 inches, is $40 while it lasts. –Leah H.

See more of Leah’s great finds on her blog, More Ways to Waste Time.

While I usually post about cooking escapades in my well-stocked New York kitchen, I had another topic I wanted to bring to light today instead. I just returned from a most wonderful 10-day vacation in Costa Rica. It was adventurous and romantic and exciting and planned almost entirely by the folks at Lonely Planet . Having decided on Costa Rica as our vacation destination many months ago, we picked up the latest Lonely Planet to do some research before our trip. Overall, the trusted guide-book steered us well BUT in the case of one particular Costa Rica destination, our guide book fell short. In a description for a hotel up in the mountains of the beautiful Cloud Forest, Lonely Planet describes the lodging as “off the beaten path.” This may be the understatement of the century. Driving straight up a mountain on a dirt “road” that has potholes the size of my living room and nary a sign in sight was not what we had in mind as we headed “off the beaten path” to Vista Verde lodge. At one point the road dropped off so steeply we had to get out of the car with a flashlight to make sure we weren’t driving ourselves off a cliff! In our opinion, “take a drive off the beaten path” should be changed to “hold on tight and hope for the best.”

So, Shelterrific readers, I must ask you. Who do you trust when it comes to planning a vacation to a new destination? Should we have talked to a travel agent? Bought a different travel guide? I’d love to hear how you manage your vacation planning.–Erica P.

I spent the Millennium New Year’s Eve in Palm Springs partying away the night at the Kaufman House. Pink Martini played live on the tennis court. What a party! All these years later, I am still haunted by the Akari paper lanterns smattered and aglow in the desert trees beyond the poolhouse. It was all so magical!

Cut to this past Saturday, I went to hear Clarence Greenwood of Citizen Cope sing an acoustic set at the Bearsville Theatre. I sat in the small balcony transfixed by the paper lanterns lighting both sides of the room (pictured a bit blurry, sorry.) I have always been in awe of the simple clean texture an Akari light sculpture gives off. Like a flame to the moth, I can’t help but be transfixed by a grouping of the lanterns. It’s no surprise that they were the creation of design avatar Isamu Noguchi. Years ago I was moved to tears when I visited the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City for the first time. Being a world class crybaby this outburst is a happy memory. I relish the rare moments where my soul is moved by the breadth of one man’s body of work.

I encourage all who can to get over to Long Island City to experience what a true master of invention the Japanese American artist was. — Allison R.

Happy Halloween fellow homemakers! Here’s a post off themed for the day. Do you believe in haunted houses? Lots of us live in old places that we are happily restoring and modernizing. Without fail, they make sqeaks and creeks in the middle of the night that can send chills down our backs. But have you ever seen in anything in your home, or another, that made you think, “huh, that was very ghost-like!” They say that objects, as well as houses can contain spirits from the previous owners, but luckily nothing we’ve ever bought from a flea market has had that kind of baggage. Don’t have a ghost in your house but are looking for some Halloween chills? Check out the Haunted Places website. There could be an historically possessed place near you worthy of a roadtrip. Above, the Sorrel Weed House in Savannah (no visit to Savannah is complete without a haunted tour). So, before you dress up and troll the neighborhood for tricks and treats, tell us: Have you ever been in a haunted house?

This weekend we went to the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I was expecting a few booths in a parking lot and what I found was an enormous state fair-like atmosphere, with thousands of people, sheep and more types of yarn than I knew existed. I bought some super chunky, rich yarn called Buff Beauty from Briar Rose Fibers for my friend Henny, but being a non-knitter myself, was rather out-of-my-element. I would love to learn — perhaps on my up coming maternity leave? — Angela M.

I know it’s not the season to be thinking about sea-themed decor, but I wanted to share this one clever idea I spotted during our stay in Tulum, Mexico last week. We were staying at the lovely Ana y Jose resort, a laid back yet well-appointed nook on a long beach of thatched-roofed getaways. Our room featured a great walk-in shower stall that had a sea shell as the shower head. It looked simple enough, like they just drilled in a bunch of holes and stuck it up on the pipe. If you don’t live near a beach where you can comb through the sand for your own, there’s plenty to be found online at sites like this. It’d be great for an outdoor shower at a weekend house, don’t you think? — Angela M.

Ah, doesn’t that oceanfront room look inviting? I hope it is as lovely in person as it is online, because Chad & I are heading that way today! We’re off on our honeymoon, which will be a brief, but hopefully blissful, five nights in Tulum, Mexico. We’ll be back next week, and between now then posting will be a light. But don’t worry, we still have a few treats coming your way thanks to our contributors! I’m sure I’ll have some fun folk art finds or culinary treats to share with you next week. Till then! — Angela M.