For as long as I can remember, I have always loved bicycles. Not because of Lance Armstrong (okay, maaaaybe…) or to wear the gear and look cool and ride 30 miles a day (I’ll leave that up to my husband and father-in-law). I have always been fascinated with them and wondered what it would be like to live in a world with no cars…. just bicycles.

I fell more in love with bicycles last year when we vacationed in Watercolor and nearby Seaside, a picturesque beach town in Florida on the Gulf Coast. More on the town later. Bikes were included in almost every home rental, and riding them was my favorite family activity. I was more excited about bike riding than going to the beach or the pool. We rode bikes everywhere and it was a part of our daily lives…at least for a week.

Currently I don’t have a bike so I always end up borrowing one.  I guess you could say I’m hunting for one….like the one above. A bike with baskets and flowers?! LOVE.

Yes, I had to post the full view too. (Photo above by Somethingshidinginhere Flickr)

I would love to incorporate bicycles to my everyday life: ride them to work (our studio), ride with our kids to the farmer’s market, ride with friends to go shopping, ride with my family to the park….

I would love to live in a place where bicycles are welcome everywhere, which is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with Paris! Bicycles are everywhere and women look especially dreamy on them. Sigh.

I love this little article from Martha Stewart Whole Living:

A funny thing happened on the way to astronomical gas prices, environmental awareness, and a national obsession with fitness: America rediscovered the bicycle. Cycling rates in most cities have risen by double digits over the past few years, largely because people are deciding that bikes are practically the new cars.

Cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and even traditionally auto-centric places like Atlanta, are riding the boom by building new bike paths and parking facilities, and suburbs are offering more options for those who want to combine a bike commute with a train commute.

(Photos and article above from Martha Stewart Whole Living)

How about you? Do you ride a bike? How often? Do you live in one of the cool bike-friendly places? I’m jealous, you’ll have to tell me all about it. What kind of bike do you have? For me, the prettier, the better. I love what Electra Bikes offers below: I love the Ladies’ Original Townie!

(Photo above from Electra Bike)

More information:

Cycling without buying wheels, check out Bike Sharing Blog (bike-sharing.blogspot.com).

The Alliance for Biking and Walking (peoplepoweredmovement.org) is a coalition of more than 160 nonprofit advocacy groups across North America.

For cycling fashion tips, head to Copenhagen Cycle Chic (copenhagencyclechic.com).

PS. Paloma’s Nest Little Bird Collection giveaway starts TOMORROW!

Early in May, we were visiting Orlando and one of our favorite childrens’ boutique stores, Tugboat & the Bird was having their grand opening at their new location. We were so excited about them moving to Park Avenue in Winter Park, and of course we had to attend!

I love the color yellow and not only do I love what this store has to offer but I love how loyal they are to their brand. I mean did you see their ADORABLE door? It just screams welcome and you can’t help but come in smiling!

How can we resist cupcakes, popcorn, face painting, AND crafts? We had a great time and I think they did a fabulous job on creating buzz and keeping the kids (and adults!) entertained and showing us their beautiful new space.

Tugboat & the Bird consists of so many lovely things for kids, from fun clothes, toys, books, decor, to unique gifts. The atmosphere is so charming, I always want to just stay there for hours. I think I get just as excited as my girls and to think we used to live just two miles away from this store. I miss our weekly visits to Park Avenue and Tugboat & the Bird, so it has become a tradition when we are in Orlando, we stop and visit :)

Go check out Tugboat & the Bird at 318 Park Avenue North in Winter Park, FL! (just outside Orlando).

You can’t miss the yellow door :)