As spring blooms around you with longer and warmer days, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a little vacation…in your own hometown. Sometimes all it takes is a little outside help and inspiration to make us see our same old world in a whole new way.

A great way to get a fresh perspective on your town is with walking tour. Most major cities offer tours based on a variety of topics, including location, history, special interest, and local color. When we lived in New York City, we took a tour of the filming locations of popular movies with Gotham Walking Tours. A quick search online, or even a call to your city’s tourism office or Chamber of Commerce, will provide you with many more guided tour options in your town or a major city nearby.

If you’re interested in exploring your world on your own, try a self-guided itinerary or even a podcast. Frommer’s Travel Guides offers free walking tour itineraries on their website for cities all over the world. You can also download audio tours to your mP3 player from a number of different sites. AudioSnacks offers tours of cities and sites across the globe, many of them for free. You can get a private audio tour of the Boston Public Garden or the Wyoming Pioneer Museum for free. For about $10 you could download their tours of Downtown Denver or even Downtown Disney. Don’t forget to check out the Web site of your local travel and tourism board, too. Texas Tourism, for example, offers free downloadable audio tours of the major cities around the state, including San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.

So while that much-needed vacation may still be months away, it’s the perfect time to recharge with a little exploration of your own backyard. Who knows? Without the hassles of planning, packing, unpacking, driving or flying, it just might be the perfect destination.

Have other tips for becoming a tourist in your own hometown? Let us know!

photos istockphoto

So, let’s dream small. The key is finding moments of renewal in our everyday lives that can help sustain us until our flight leaves for Bora Bora…or at least until the weekend.

Here are just a few ideas for how to fit some small, simple pleasures into your life – each for less than $10.

Pick 7 new songs from iTunes (at $1.29 each), or an entire album for $9.99, and enjoy them on a quiet morning walk.

Brew a really good cup of tea, and take 15 minutes to enjoy it. Try Sour Cherry Serenade Black Tea from Teavana ($6.00) or The Republic of Tea’s Ginger Peach Black Full Leaf Tea ($9.50).

The next time you’re at the mall, stop by a body care shop like Bath & Body Works or L’Occitane. Enjoy a little browsing, and then spend $10 on a delicious smelling body or hand lotion. Sometimes the simple act of smoothing on a fantastic lotion can give a lift to your whole afternoon.

Swing by your neighborhood drugstore and pick up a couple of great nail colors for a spring DIY mani/pedi. You could get OPI’s “Miami Beet” or “Meet Me on the Star Ferry” for less than half the price of a salon pedicure.

Take 10 minutes to grab 10 perfectly useful or happily useless items from the $1 bins at Target. A recent trip found bunny ears, grow-it-yourself strawberry plants, scented body scrub, a jump rope and fruit flavored lip balm – all for $1 each!

Stop at the floral department of your grocery store and spend $10 on fresh flowers. Even an inexpensive mixed bouquet can be separated into several small arrangements for your desk, bedside table or bathroom vanity.

Go to Barnes & Noble and pick up two magazines and enjoy them with a cup of coffee at the café.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they are the enemy of our budget. Browse for some jewelry that is fun, fashionable, and, most importantly, affordable. Something like the Seed Bead Hoop earrings from Old Navy ($8.50), or the Leaf Dangle Earrings from Laila Rowe ($10).

Buy an inexpensive frame from a home goods store, like the Structure Glass Frame from CB2 ($9.95), then use it to frame a photo or image that makes you happy. It might be photos of your husband, children, friends or pet. Or maybe a gorgeous destination you’ve visited or dreamed of visiting. You could even use a quote that speaks to you. Put it on your desk or bedside table and swap out the image regularly.

Head to your favorite bookstore and pick up a lovely sketch book or journal, like the Butterflies Bound Journal from Barnes & Noble ($8.99). Then take five minutes a day and record five things you’re thankful for, the funny things your kids say, or more creative ideas for fitting simple pleasures into your life.

Where do you find simple pleasures for under $10?

We live in a multi-tasking world. It is impossible for us to do one thing at a time. Why accomplish only one thing, when we could tackle two or three things at once? I frequently find myself typing on my BlackBerry, listening to music, stirring a pot, pouring milk, averting disaster and conquering the world all at the same time. We drive while chatting on the phone, scanning the radio, handing snacks to our kids in the backseat, and yelling at the moron ahead of us on the highway. It’s a miracle we can fall asleep at night. If we could find a way to simultaneously sleep and send email, potty train our toddler, walk our dog and cure cancer, we would.

With my lofty goals and New Year’s resolutions already lying in tatters behind me, my newfound goal for the year is to embrace uni-tasking; to take a breath and take the time to be fully present in a moment, at least occasionally. I have no illusions about doing this constantly. I mean, please, let’s be realistic. If I can’t fold laundry and check my email while watching Yo Gabba Gabba with my son, when would anything get done?

Now I know none of us need another item on our "to do" list, so let’s find the built-in moments to breathe. Here are just a few of my ideas on how to uni-task this summer. Let me know what other ideas you have!

• - Take a breath and just wait while your coffee brews or your water boils.
• - Enjoy the free moment to sit and wait while your computer boots up.
• - Have breakfast or dinner with your kids and just talk with them.
• - Calmly wait in line at the grocery store, without counting the number of items in the person’s basket in front of you.
• - Catch up with your spouse at the end of the day – no TV, no phone, no email, no BlackBerry.
  – Do part of your next workout without your book, magazine or headphones.
• - Once a week, just eat lunch without doing anything else. Really enjoy it, without checking Facebook, paying bills, or making a grocery list.

photo istockphoto.com

Last month, H&M hit it out of the park again with their new Conscious Collection, a collection of sophisticated looks all made of organic and recycled materials that are manufactured in a way that is respectful of the environment. Check out some of these darling looks for the whole family!

Who knew that being green could look so chic! And in more exciting news, H&M plans on opening up their website for those of us in the United States to start shopping online in early 2012. I am going to start saving up now!

Maternity Sleeveless Dress by Japanese Weekend, $79.50

Maternity Metallic Satin Stripe Top, $54.50

Maternity Drapey Top by Cotton Glam, $59.50

Maternity Roll Sleeve Top, $49.50

Maternity Wrap Top by Bellyssima, $64.50

Maternity Banded Hem Top, $39.50

Maternity Tie Neck Stripe Top by Japanese Weekend, $69.50

Maternity Smocked Tube Dress, $64.50

The French Affair collection is a new spin on neutral – with opaque coverage in spring shades unlike the sheers seen in the past. Very clean and bright pastel color sets a new tone for the season: optimistic and fun. In six shades of fresh, pretty and classically feminine, your own personal spring fling is now at your fingertips.  All are DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free.

French Affair – très innocent pink; a sophisticated soft lavender pink, $8.00

Coat Azure – flirty, shimmery Parisian blue; a breathtaking medium blue with shimmer, $8.00

Sand Tropez – sun-kissed, tan de soleil; a soft sandy beige, $8.00

Topless & Barefoot – coquettish peach at the beach; a barely there soft beige pink, $8.00

Kisses & Bises – swoon-worthy iridescent; a kiss of pink shimmer (perfect to layer over any color), $8.00

Nice is Nice – supremely happy spring wisteria; a whimsical light lavender, $8.00

Which one strikes your fancy?

This weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting a tea tasting party.  We had a few samples sent to us from The American Tea Room — and, oh was it fun!!  If you haven’t had a chance to have a "tea party" with dear friends and/or family, I strongly encourage you to try it soon!  Relive your childhood!

The American Tea Room sources teas and teaware from around the world to craft a distinctly American tea experience. The result is an artful blend of flavors and styles that reflects the cultural and culinary fusion for which this country is known.  The best part is that their range of tea types is geared toward tea connoisseurs and novices alike, and include rare matcha teas, whimsical rooibos blends, USDA Certified Organic teas and a large collection of Earl Grey blends.

Here were a few of our favorites:

Tangier (Premium Black Loose Leaf Tea)

Tangier is one of the most popular teas at ATR. It is a decadent blend of abundant saffron and apricot petals and large Sri Lankan tealeaves. Its apricot aroma is evocative of an exotic evening in Tangier, Morocco. The rich copper brew has intoxicating aromas of stewed apricots, floral intensity and the bold, lemony note of a superlative Ceylon black tea. The favor has abundant floral notes with a seductive apricot body and a citrusy, spicy black tea base. This balanced, smooth blend is supremely drinkable served hot or sweetened and iced.

Honyama Sencha (Premium Green Loose Leaf Tea)

This mountain-grown Japanese green tea is a fantastical interplay of subtle flavors and aromas that’s sure to delight any foodie. The forest-green leaves give off ripe scents of mango, orchid and magnolia. The electric chartreuse brew has a bouquet of steamed asparagus with a drop of lemon juice and rich umami flavors of roasted artichoke and young extra virgin olive oil. A light mouthfeel is contrasted by an unexpected sweetness of grilled-in-the-husk, heavily buttered yellow corn. A delicate finish of clove astringency and sakura blossoms multiplies the depth and complexity of this enchanting brew. The pairing capabilities are endless, and are one of the many factors that place Honyama Sencha amongst their best sellers.

Organic Earl Grey Shanghai Tea (Yunnan Base; Premium Black Loose Leaf Tea)

ATR’s Earl Grey Shanghai uses a Yunnan black tea base for a traditional yet intoxicatingly smooth flavor. Large, well-oxidized leaves and silver tips hold a full, classic bergamot aroma. The garnet brew goes beyond basic bergamot in its aroma to include undertones of tobacco and cocoa. The flavor is smooth, pure and classic, making Earl Grey Shanghai a perfect candidate for those who enjoy a touch of sugar or drop of honey in their tea. A subtle undertone of chocolate fades into a mellow, fruity aftertaste in this decadently satiny blend. One taste will tell you why Earl Grey Shanghai is one of their best sellers. This tea is certified USDA organic.

Bao Zhong Royale Oolong Tea (Premium Oolong Loose Leaf Tea)

Thanks to its incredibly sweet, floral taste, Bao Zhong Royale is an artisanal oolong with mass appeal. At around ten percent oxidation, Bao Zhong Royale is a lightly oxidized oolong, but don’t let that turn you away from it – unlike lesser light-oxidation oolongs, our Bao Zhong Royale lacks the brazen vegetal notes that detract from the floral complexity Bao Zhong has to offer. Grown in Ping Lin Taiwain, our Bao Zhong is twisted into wiry leaf formations with deep, variegated green hues. During processing, the delicate leaves are wrapped in paper for protection from damage. Their current offering, a delightful winter plucking, was harvested in limited quantities from October 28- 30, 2010. The pale-butter-colored infusion smells of sweet jasmine, narcissus, orchid, lilac and lily, with delicate green undertones. The flavor is intensely buttery, creamy and floral, with hints of firewood, stonefruit and dried, unsweetened coconut. There is no astringency in the smooth, delicate, floral aftertaste, making this tea ideal for new tea drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Katie, the “Tea Mistress” in charge of tea education at American Tea Room, considers Bao Zhong Royale to be a “top five” favorite tea.

Martinique -Green Rooibos Tropical Blend Tea (Premium Red Loose Leaf Tea)

A colorful appearance, exotic aroma and gratifying flavor make Martinique their very best seller. Served hot or iced, it is a tropical delight. Martinique evokes its namesake island with its brilliantly colored flowers, fruits and green rooibos leaves. Even the dry leaves brim with enticing tropical aromas. Brewed, Martinique’s exotic, sweet flavor is rich in notes of tropical fruits and flowers, with just a hint of woodiness. Its thick, syrupy liquor is the color of ripe papaya flesh, and its aftertaste is distinctively floral.

Here’s a WONDERFUL opportunity to get some of those fabulous teas to brew for yourself — American Tea Room is giving away a Bento Box Classic Tea Collection to one lucky winner.  Simply leave a comment on any post!  Here’s a great question to get you started:  Are you a tea drinker?  Hot or iced?  Alone or with loved ones?

photos Kristin Campbell (tea details, American Tea Room)

I am very impressed with the monetary savings that these brave souls have achieved, but I just don’t know if I have the time or patience to practice this discipline at this point in my life.  How about you?  Do you think it is worthwhile to spend time on things to save money like couponing?  Do the savings pay off in exchange for your time?

 photo collegelifestyle.com

photos Ed Kavishe/fashionwirepress.com for Charleston Fashion Week

You may not live near the ocean, but almost everyone has a little piece of preserved nature nearby.  You can check the American Public Garden Association to check for public gardens nearby.  Most are free, but some may cost a bit — all well worth the price of admission for a little time to reconnect with yourself.  I found 17 on a listing of gardens near LA within 100 miles (a stretch from San Diego to Santa Barbara).  A few of my LA garden favorites:

The Huntington – Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

This is a MUST. You will need an entire day to see this vast estate located in lovely Pasadena. Although the mansion and library are incredibly impressive, the botanical gardens are an ever-changing exhibition of color and a constant delight. Mr. Henry Huntington spent years and dollars in the early part of the 20th century crafting gorgeous grounds for his lovely wife. Covering 120 acres, more than a dozen specialized gardens are arranged within a park-like landscape of rolling lawns. Among the most remarkable are the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese garden. The camellia collection is one of the largest in the country. Other important botanical attractions include the Subtropical, Herb, Jungle, and Palm gardens. Photo The Huntington.

The Japanese Garden, Van Nuys

This garden of water and fragrance is a 6½-acre authentic Japanese garden fashioned after “stroll gardens” constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries for Japanese Feudal lords. It is unique in that it incorporates three classical designs: a dry karensansui, a wet garden with promenade chisen, and an authentic tea ceremony garden incorporating a 4.5 tatami mat tea room. The Japanese Garden shares the address of the Tillman Reclamation plant in Van Nuys. Great for quiet meditative strolls. Although a few breezes may bring some smells from the plant, the flora and fauna scents in the gardens are intoxicating. Photo The Japanese Garden.

Getty Villa, Malibu (Pacific Palisades)

The Getty Villa in Malibu is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. After being closed for a few years for renovation, the Villa reopened in 2006, and now shows Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities within Roman-inspired architecture and surrounded by Roman-style gardens.  A wonderful combination of gardens and art.  Lovely outing! Photo Getty Center

The Getty Center Los Angeles

The Getty Center in Los Angeles presents the Getty’s collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views. With two locations, the Getty Villa in Malibu and the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the J. Paul Getty Museum serves a wide variety of audiences through its expanded range of exhibitions and programming in the visual arts. Photo Getty Center.

El Matador State Beach, Malibu

Located in Malibu, El Matador State Beach is a small and secluded strand of beach and is one of three “pocket beaches” that make up the larger Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach – situated along Pacific Coast Highway between Point Dume and Leo Carrillo. It’s not the easiest beach to find, but you’ll appreciate making the extra effort once you finally get there. Lined with gentle white sand and picturesque views, the El Matador shoreline is home to an exquisite series of rock formations and shallow caves for you to explore. Photo Amy Mew.