I really love online shop Papa Stour based in Scotland because everything looks so warm and cozy -- what home should be, Gemütlichkeit. I've talked about this sweet spot on the web before but do you know much about the owner, stylist Rosie Brown?

I went exploring on her site this morning and found out that she now has a charming vacation home for rent in Scotland available through Wilderness Cottages, it is located in the North West Highlands of Scotland 8 miles from Applecross with fabulous views over to Skye, Raasay and Rona. Look at these views of it sent to me by Rosie's office this morning (thanks, Sally!)... This blue bedroom is divine.

Doesn't this look like the perfect getaway? I'm longing to to go to Scotland and so is my husband so perhaps next year we will stay in Rosie's postcard-like home. I love the idea of being tucked away in a secluded natural spot with only a few small local pubs or grocers and nothing else... It reminds me of Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire and all of the times that I spent in the mountains or countryside there with little around me, those times were always so relaxing and I would return home feeling quite refreshed.

Over the past several years, I've been spending vacations in cities which, honestly, never feel like a real vacation in the sense that there is little to no relaxation involved. It's just rush, rush, rush from one big attraction to the next. Maybe I need to mix things up. A few city vacations and few near the shore or nestled away in the woods.... but it can't always be about the hustle bustle (but gosh I love it so!).

Ha! And this is the same girl who is going to teach in Marrakesh this month (though this will be relaxing for the students because they'll be doing a spa day, eating some amazing meals, dining rooftop, enjoying morning yoga -- the works!) and who is flying to Istanbul in November with my friend Esra and then going to Paris in January to meet up with Nichole and Evan. I think the NEXT adventure after that needs to be either to the shore or to the countryside for a long weekend. Then again, my home is my haven and I get plenty of rest and joy at home so perhaps this is why I always select cities for travel destinations... But still, a weekend in Scotland in the middle of nowhere at Rosie's cottage - sign me up!

Rosie Brown, who is not only a shop owner but a talented Scottish designer and stylist, has a lovely online portfolio for browsing too - lots of her work has appeared in Livingetc magazine so you may recognize some of the tears above. It really puts one in the Autumn mood.

(images: papa stour)