­­2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence which means the country’s Independence Day, September 16, will be even more festive than usual. You can be part of the Independence Day action in Mexico City at substantial savings thanks to rolling specials from the city’s hippest hotel group—Grupo Habita.

­If you take your design cues from 'Out of Africa' and 'The English Patient' and think that life was more fun when it was tradition to embark on The Grand Tour with your servants and steamers in tow, then Fine English Company is your one stop shop. The company is continuing the tradition of fine British craftmanship along with with a hint of rebellion and eccentricity. They sell revamped furniture like a Gunroom chair upholstered in tweed (around $9,000) and a giraffe skin fire fender (about $8,900). These skull and crossbone bespoke slippers are about $562. There's even antique taxidermy (a lion from 1947, about $6,000) and a child's rocking zebra with real zebra hair.

­Since I have just moved, I have lots of bare walls to decorate and I'm on the hunt for cool, affordable and quirky art. I love this Field Guide to Typestaches, available from the Blue Ribbon General Store for a mere $24 (although framing it will cost a heck of a lot more). The poster features a typographic representation of mustaches- so Mr. Verdana is medium sized and swoopy while Mr Arial is much thinner. It is a nice alternative to the ubiquitous Keep Calm and Carry On poster which everyone on earth seems to have. There is also a nice selection of TinTin posters which would be great in a kid's room.

­­'Eat, Pray, Love' is looking like it could be the chick flick of the summer. I read the book- and adored it- so I can't wait to see the movie. I was a bit surprised to see how many product tie ins the studio could squeeze out of the movie though. Nope, we're not talking about Julia Roberts approved gelato but everything from jewelry to furniture and window coverings. There is an official series of Eat, Pray, Love perfume from Fresh. Love would be my favorite as its citrusy and fresh (inspired by Bali) while India-inspired Pray is woodsy and floral.

­­The other day I was browsing Etsy for an affordable little 'me gift' (why not?) and I fell in love with this compass locket from birdzNbeez. I'm not exactly a sentimental locket kind of person but I love how the designer mounted a vintage compass on the cover - this could come in handy in case my GPS ever fails. The chain has a tiny little sparrow and the locket is connected with a vintage rosary piece.

­­If your style runs towards classic pieces with a hint of adventure, then you'll love this Pullman Bath Light. The design is based on the lights used in the luxury British Pullman trains, and comes in two finishes. I prefer the brushed nickel (pictured, $159) but it also comes in bronze. Available from Shades of Light.­

­If you're looking for pretty, colorful pottery, check out the work by Boston-based ceramicist Jill Rosenwald. Her works are inspired by nature and she has whipped up everything from this platter and bowl ($325) to table lamps and vases. If you like her patterns- but not the prices- there is also a cheaper line of melamine plates and baby bowls. ­

­The Mayan ruins at Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico are world class.  The famous Reina Roja (red queen) was discovered here and one of the most accomplished and long-lived Mayan rulers, Pakal the Great, lead Palenque with vision and creativity. Pakal was buried in an elaborate sarcophagus that wasn’t even discovered underneath the site’s Temple of the Inscriptions until 1952 and new treasures are still being discovered at the site today.

Given the thousands of tourists who visit Palenque every year it’s amazing that there’s never been a world-class hotel anywhere near one of Mexico’s richest and most popular archaeological sites.

Until now.

­If your perfect vacation home is sleek, sophisticated, mid-century modern where the architecture blends seamlessly with nature in the manner of Frank Lloyd Wright, well, you're in luck. The new owners of Wright's Palmer House in Ann Arbor are opening the house for vacation rental, and it is the first time in its history it will be available like this. The home still has its custom furniture designed by Wright which fits perfectly with the home's geometric angles - there isn't one 90 degree angle in the home. Palmer House has three bedrooms, two full baths and an on-site Tea House. Gawk at more pictures here.

­Now that summer is well and truly here, I am always on the lookout for decent outdoor, indestructible plates which don't look overly cute or juvenile- which is a lot harder than it should be. Melamine is the way to go, and I'm loving these plates from designer Thomas Paul. These sea-life dinner plates depict an octopus,crab, lobster and horseshoe crab. There is also a matching line of stylish paper napkins to help keep summer entertaining incredibly simple. I also love his linen pillows which are patterned on both sides. Check out his website for more inspiration.­