the inspiration for it all

the only thing i wanted 9 years ago when i graduated college was a trip overseas. Since i knew i was doing this on my own, it had to be somewhere with English as the main language, and it needed to be a guided bus tour. No backpacking for me. So thanks to my dad, off i went for three weeks to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales with total strangers. Every morning when we got on the bus, our tourguide would pass around his map and highlighter, and we would take our turn highlighting our route for the day on our own map, each day being a separate color. We started in London, went down to Wales, ferried to Ireland, (not going to the north) ferried back to the English Lake District, went to the Scottish highlands, and ended where we started in London. This has become one of my most prized possessions, and after my mom had it framed, became the inspiration for this room. Room Remix recently blogged about maps being used in decor and i am so thrilled that i am able to use one that has so much meaning. they're also offering a 25 dollar giveaway to HomeGoods, among others, on their site now. How great a giveaway is that?!?