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.

Our MacDonald’s post is stirring our wanderlust. Even though we’re stuck at our desks today, we can still soak in some international design thanks to Concierge.com’s Coolest Store gallery. You’ll find the chicest, must uber-designed boutiques in there — from Milan to Toyoko. Our favorite though, is sort of in our backyard. It’s the Comme des Garcon store in Chelsea, whose womb like enterance really puts you in the mood to buy one of Rei Kawabuko’s amazing designs (or at least a lovely scented candle). What’s your favorite store, design-wise?

The Mid-Century Modernist asks, “Why are Europeans so much classier than Americans?” Can’t say I would agree across the board, but also can’t say I’ve ever been in a McDonald’s quite this awesome in any country. You’ll find it on Edgware Rd in London and it features the designs of the amazing Arne Jacobson. It seems to be a trend; his Series 7 and Swan chairs are spreading to more of the food chain’s locations throughout Europe. It does remind me of being in Paris quite a few years ago and insisting that we eat at the (no longer in business, apparently — at least I couldn’t find it online) French version of McDonald’s, Quikburger, where the promotional items weren’t cheap plastic movie tie-ins but drinking glasses made of actual glass and printed with glossy illustrations by Keith Haring. Sigh. - Mary T.

In the opening scene of War of The Roses, Kathleen Turner meets Michael Douglas while strolling through what looks like the largest antique/flea market I’ve ever seen. I’m not 100% positive, but I’ve always thought it to be Brimfield, the tri-annual extravaganza in Massachusetts that’s on now through September 9th. Over 5,000 dealers descend on the tiny town, that balloons from 2,000 to 250,000 over a six day period. Called America’s Yard Sale by some, it is a collector’s paradise. And I’ve haven’t made it there yet… Anyone want to sign up for a spring 2008 road trip with me? Till then, check out more photos in this flickr set by Karen Marlene Larson. — Angela M.

Just returned from a destination wedding in Scotland! We stayed for two nights at Tigerlily, Edinburgh’s year-old designed-to-the-nines boutique hotel. We did our homework: The property won the Scottish Hotel Design Award and made Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List this year. It takes up a Georgian Townhouse in the fashionable financial district, and sees a lot of to-and-fro due to its underground disco Lulu and main-floor lounge. Our suite (we were upgraded) was a mix of classic and couture—high notes included the turquoise floral flock textiles, a remote control rock fireplace facing our four-poster bed, and the giant white sculptural chandeliers. Only downside: You’re sleeping in the thick of a scene, but the walls are thick, too: We didn’t hear a thing. — Megan K.

We have had a hectic week, which cut our surfing time. But we wanted to share with you one new blog from a friend, Berit Thorkelson, that just launched called Trusty Pony. Berit is a travel writer who lives in West Saint Paul, MN and writes about her global journeys for many publications. Her new blog highlights amazingly clever travel-related products, like these assorted wipes by La Fresh. These pocket sized packets are just the ticket to clean you up while on the road, and best of all, no pesky airport security guard will attempt to take them away from you.

Now it’s your turn: Found any new sites we should know about? Perhaps you have launched one of your own! Let us know and we’ll feature it in an upcoming blogwatch.

We spotted this shiny camper on style.com the other day and just had to blog it. It’s the Teardrop Trailer from the Sundance catalog, that appeals to our sense of wanderlust. It’s made from designs created in the 1940s, but has all kinds of modern-day conviences, including a Formica counter, a Sunbrella awning and a Coleman cooler. The mattress is full-sized, so two of you can hit the road, snug as bugs. This little number will set you back $24,000, but you’ll never have to crash in a Motel 8 again. Click here to see more at sundancecatalog.com.

This weekend was the inaugural opening of Philip Johnson’s famed Glass House to the public. Saturday’s lucky attendees got to enjoy a gourmet picnic, a private tour of the grounds and a performance by Merce Cunningham Dance Company. All tours of the New Canaan, CT house are SOLD OUT through 2007, so architect buffs, plan your trips for 2008 and book now online. For those of us incabable of planning that far ahead, we’ll have to be happy looking at all the photos emerging of the historic, minimalist dwelling, including this one which we cound over at apple.com.

Seattle firecracker real estate agent Marlow Harris and her artist husband JoDavid take a look at the unusual ways people live around the world at their site Unusual Life. Marlow, in fact, specializes in helping locals find strange and unusual dream homes. The couple’s own house served as a church for many years and features their extensive collection of fine “outsider” art, and some not-so-fine but just as fun, like their entire room filled floor-to-ceiling with salvaged paint-by-numbers. - Mary T.

Are you one of those people that sneak into hotels and restaurants because you’ve heard they have a cool bathroom? Then Concierge.com’s Amazing Bathrooms gallery will definitely turn you on. Best of all, you can even peek in the men’s room! Above, the satisfying R-Bar men’s room in Brighton, UK (designed by Bathroom Mania from the Netherlands). Other highlights include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and Dolce & Gabbana Gold, Milan, Italy. Click here to see the gallery.