1. This 30,000,000 year old volcanic plume in New MexicoPhotographed by Jordan Hammond.2. Ancient Chinese cottage built on top of a mountain in Suiyang Shuanghedong National Geopark View this post on Instagram A post shared by History Cool Kids ® (@historycoolk | Continue reading
© Celeste ElliotWhen the forests of Upstate New York are blanketed in orange and brown hues during the fall of Autumn leaves, there are few places more bewitching to escape for the weekend. But there is certainly no place quite like the enchanting hamlet of Lily Dale, NY, populat … | Continue reading
Sandra JohanssonSpace is scarce within Paris’ péripherique. As the most densely populated city in Europe, residents of the City of Light have learned to be creative with every nook and cranny. Beyond the mind-bogglingly miniature apartments and comically small lifts, there are th … | Continue reading
Airbnb It's finally happening. Highclere Castle, aka the legendary English estate that's hosted Downton Abbey, is opening up its gilded doors for a once-in-a-lifetime slumber party. In partnership with Airbnb, the castle will welcome two lucky guests to live out the wildly popula … | Continue reading
As an artist and an outsider, he was the West Coast's answer to Andy Warhol – a California boy who hosted rituals for the Church of Satan in his San Francisco mansion, and introduced the Rolling Stones to the occult; a man who found a muse in Mick Jagger, but a bigger one in Char … | Continue reading
Somewhere in between Paris and Provence in the small town of Bayet, a floral wonderland awaits. For 35 years, husband and wife team Véronique and Jean-François have been harvesting, drying and selling over fifty varieties of flower on their 7000m² farm in the countryside of Auver … | Continue reading
No one could shake it like Claudia Lennear. Or sing, for that matter. The 1960s-70s vocalist backed some of the music industry's greatest talents, from Ike and Tina Turner to Joe Cocker; George Harrison to Stephen Still, but emerged as a powerhouse performer in her own right. "A … | Continue reading
1. Miniature Worlds inside Pocket Watches & PendantsBy Gregory Grozos2. Lough Key, a lake in IrelandHow to visit. Photographed by Malte Heitmueller.3. A Grand French chateau in Bordeaux has reopened as a hotelFollowing a full renovation, th | Continue reading
If there's one thing we love, it's sticking our nose where it doesn't belong. Or at least, where others seldom dare to tread. Our jewel box of a planet is overflowing with secrets, stories, and forgotten treasures, and we like to try and keep a finger on the pulse of the best ar … | Continue reading
It's not a knock-off if it's reproduced on a 1:12 scale for tiny pocket-sized fashionistas, right?! And with the tiny bag trend showing no signs of slowing down, could these designer miniatures be the ultimate fashion statement? While the fashion police deliberate on that, and as … | Continue reading
© Robert DoisneauAn estimated 320 baguettes are eaten per second throughout France. In the capital, boulangeries – bakeries – are so ubiquitous, it is actually difficult to walk more than 10 minutes without passing one. And it’s no coincidence: a law created in 1789, dating back … | Continue reading
The bold red lip. The dark, enigmatic brows. Leaning up against the wall with her hair braided tight, the young woman looked every bit like Frida Kahlo, posing for a shot with her photographer-lover. She was also an artist – albeit, comparatively unsung – in her own right. Meet A … | Continue reading
1. A 4,500 years old Egyptian dressThe dress was found in about 7,000 pieces (Human Remains warning) in a tomb at Giza (G7442, Shaft Z) and not put together for more than 60 years after it was discovered in 1927."Originally" it was put together slightly differently.And here is ho … | Continue reading
Amsterdam is one of those cities that can convince you within a weekend, that you should probably move there. Friendly, charming, English-speaking, innovative and inspiring, there’s much more to this city than legal weed and the Red Light district. For many centuries – rebuilt an … | Continue reading
A guide to wedding dress inspiration isn't exactly the kind of thing you're likely to find on Messy Nessy Chic. Then again, it's not everyday that the founders of the MessyNessy team get hitched! As Nessy and Alex tie the knot this weekend, we're holding down the fort at the MNC … | Continue reading
© Travel NevadaIs luck just another word for good timing? It is for the town of Gold Point. Under the endless stretch of sky in Esmerelda County, Nevada, at the gateway of Death Valley, the little ghost town sleeps with dreams of bygone glory. Of chattering saloon life and gold d … | Continue reading
Intolerance (1916) If you build it, they will come. And if they don't, you're screwed. Such was the case for Mr. D.W. Griffith, the infamous movie mogul behind the best worst movie ever made: the silent epic Intolerance (1916). Griffith became the emperor Los Angeles for the pict … | Continue reading
There's something about this house that reminds me of Grey Gardens and what it might have looked like right after Big and Little Edie's things had been cleared from the property. Overgrown gardens, original interior finishings from a previous century and mansion walls that bore … | Continue reading
Writer. Dandy. Philosopher. Creature of the night. Quentin Crisp was so many things, but above all he was steadfastly himself. Sting dedicated his song, "Englishman in New York" to Crisp. The New York Times memorialised him as a revolutionary "Writer and Actor on Gay Themes" in l … | Continue reading
1. A different sort of SpidermanPictures were taken in an abandoned five-story building on the outskirts of Samara in Russia. In one of the apartments, holes were made in the walls, through which the artist was able to secure his boards. Find the artist's | Continue reading
The Mad Beach Party, photographed by Francois Biondo, 1923In the summer of 1923, an American husband and wife could be credited with two rather surprising things. Their name is seldom remembered in the context of the glamorous 1920s, but the French Riviera became the summer desti … | Continue reading
La Halle PapinSeptember, which Parisians call La Rentrée, is one of the best months of the year. It’s when Paris comes to life after the summer drought, everyone’s back from their holidays with a golden glow and eager to mingle. The same time, the sun is still shining, it’s still … | Continue reading
You're invited to local food feasts all over Italy – if you know the magic word, that is. Sagre! That's Italian for festival, one that centres around the annual harvest, celebrating local culture and most importantly – food! So what’s your weakness? Pizza? Pasta? Truffles? Fritto … | Continue reading
Once upon a time, there was a secret realm in the depths of the Web. A world of Y2K Joan of Arcs, medieval steeds and mysterious realms. A kingdom born from the brain of Swedish digital collage artist Helena Blomqvist that feels both ethereal and familiar, but where women are not … | Continue reading
Viscaya from above © Miami and MoreIt rose from the mangrove swamps of Miami; an Italian Renaissance paradise surrounded by dense tropical forest in Coconut Grove, the city's oldest continuously inhabited neighbourhood. They called it the "Hearst Castle of the East", even though … | Continue reading
St. Luke’s 1957 Pilgrimage Service. ©Historic Saint Luke's Church / Historic Saint. Luke's Church When it comes to green spaces, we're a bit spoilt in New York City. There are over 1,700 parks (even if it doesn't always feel that way) for our picnics, parties, and general frolic … | Continue reading
1. The inventor of modern butter sculptureCaroline Shawk couldn't afford marble, so she started making butter sculptures to raise money at local fairs. Her butter sculpture became a runaway hit at Centennial exhibition, which allowed her to open her own studio and work with marbl … | Continue reading
Rosa Bonheur's workshop © Yann GourvennecRosa Bonheur was one of the most popular artists of the 19th Century. Not only was her work being sold and seen around the world, songs were composed about her and dolls were made in her image. Today, some of Paris’ most thriving bars and … | Continue reading
I got into another one of my periodical black holes of pretend house-hunting on the internet. So in the hopes that one of you might win the lottery and invite me over for un café, here are few of my favourites...1. A Country House in ParisLocated in what I like to call "the other … | Continue reading
From the Harris & Ewing collection at the Library of CongressIt all started with this those three girls on a rock in 1922, putting my beach snaps to shame. Why is it, that with all the technology we have at our disposal to document every moment of our holidays, most of our summer … | Continue reading
There are a lot of antique collectors on the world wide web. Professional seekers of this-n-that, people who track down rarities solely to turn a profit – which is all fine and well. But Dale Smith is different, and our ears perked up when the story of his collection landed in ou … | Continue reading
During the height of the French Revolution, France had just about lost its mind. The "Reign of Terror" was exactly what it sounds like. Rising revolutionary politicians like Maximilien Robespierre, were accusing everyone and their mother of treason against the new republic and so … | Continue reading
1. China's Abandoned Nuclear City © Li Yang"404 is the name of an abandoned city in the Gansu province of northeast China, situated within the sandy plains of the Gobi desert. The city was built in 1958; it occupied an area of 4 km2 and included a factory, police station, school, … | Continue reading
At no other chateau in all of France will you find a Soviet helicopter parked on the back lawn. Or a 1970s hovercraft. Or a record-breaking collection of World War II fighter jets for that matter. Not to mention a warehouse full of vintage firetrucks, 200 antiques motorbikes, 36 … | Continue reading
With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal creeping its way into every late night dinner table conversation and the sordid secrets of his mysterious Madam, Ghislaine Maxwell, slowly unfolding in the press, it wasn't long before we would be talking about "Madam Claude". France's own high so … | Continue reading
Paramount PicturesStephen King's 1983 horror novel Pet Sematary was recently resurrected on the big screen for a second time, renewing our curiosity in the often forgotten resting places of our furry companions. There's something about those miniature tombstones in a humble grave … | Continue reading
Uma Thurman as Venus in 1988's The Adventures of Baron MunchausenThe candles begin to flicker in a damp, baroque room, as cherubs emerge from a flower filled pond, hoisting a clam shell up from its depths. When it finally unhinges, the human incarnation of love itself takes form: … | Continue reading
1. A picture worth well over 1000 words Let me start off by saying I'm terrified of open water. For some reason, I thought it would be a great idea to wake up at 4am, drive to the Dead Sea, and swim out to this salt island before sunrise. The distance from the beach was intimidat … | Continue reading
It's that time of the year again. Parisians close up shop for August to chase the last rays of summer outside la capitale, turning the city into a veritable ghost town. Tourists and locals alike are left wondering where on earth they can find an open boulangerie, where they can s … | Continue reading
© Turk's Inn Instagram A few months ago, a man woke up to a disorientating view outside the window of his apartment in industrial Bushwick, New York. He suddenly found himself face-to-face with a tender childhood memory and the exact glowing neon sign of the storied “Turk’s Inn” … | Continue reading
No matter how long you've been in France, there will be few other moments in your life that feel both as culturally significant and stressful as your first ever game of pétanque. The second the rain clouds clear over France in early spring, you can bet a boule will be thrown. The … | Continue reading
In 1934, Georgia O’Keeffe gutted the passenger seats from her A-Model Ford. It was time to make way for the only companion she needed, and wanted, out west: her art. There, in the dry heat of New Mexico, the pioneering female artist drove, hiked, and schlepped her canvases to the … | Continue reading
© The Dive Motel & Swim Club A little birdy down south just let us in on a sizzling tip: the retro motel of our dreams just opened in Nashville, Tennessee, inviting travellers far and wide to teleport back to a time when mustard orange was a primary colour, and disco balls outnum … | Continue reading
1. A 392 year old shark discovered in the Arctic Ocean (that means he was wandering the oceans back in 1627)Found on Reddit. 2. The tiny video store that survived NetflixIn the wake of an algorithm-led video store apocalypse, Captain Video stays afloat by offering the human t | Continue reading
Belgium gave us Audrey Hepburn, great comic books and the Communist Manifesto. It’s barely the size of New Jersey but it produces more than 220,000 tons of chocolate per annum and it’s home to about 125 breweries. And those are just the fun facts. Cooler than you think, stranger … | Continue reading
The rise of accessibility to medicine in the 19th century was a beautiful thing, but it also opened the gates to a deluge of medical scams and quackery. If you were lucky, they were harmless scams. But more often than not, treatments included addictive and life threatening ingred … | Continue reading
Blue Lagoon (1980)There's always that one friend who says they're going to quit the world and live on their own island someday – and you can pass this on to them in a moment – but first, take a moment to do a little daydreaming of your own. You wouldn't believe how many islands a … | Continue reading
Behind the walls of an old shipyard's warehouse in Nantes, a French troupe of artisans has been welding and hammering and carving away at something unprecedented for twenty years, building a strange mechanical universe you thought only existed in the pages of a Jules Verne novel, … | Continue reading