Iceland x Pendleton.

In September, my brother and I took the trip of a lifetime and road tripped across Iceland, traveling the Ring Road in ten days. This country has always been the stuff of legends, a mystical land just waiting to be explored, and it did not disappoint. It's almost overwhelming in its raw power and natural beauty, the landscape ever-changing and the weather moodily shifting along with it. This land is a dreamworld brought to life and you'll never quite shake that feeling that you've visited another planet. 

We loved working with Pendleton Woolen Mills along the way and their gorgeous wool blankets, sweaters, and scarves kept us warm on our many Icelandic adventures.

Seljalandsfoss ・ Skógafoss
Sólheimajökull glacier ・ Sólheimasandur plane crash
Vík ・ Reynisfjara beach ・ Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
East Fjords
the Moon ・ Myvatn
Gódafoss ・ Akureyri ・ Hvammstangi ・ Borgarnes
Lava fields ・ Kerid crater ・ Thingvellir
Reykjavik

Sintra, Portugal.

Sintra is Portugal's own little fairytale: a magical collection of an ancient Moorish castle, deep forests and a colorful 19th century palace surrounded by elaborate, lush gardens. It's the perfect day trip from Lisbon, but even a day's not quite enough to explore all it has to offer. Especially for dreamer's like me, who will easily wander castles for hours if you don't keep your eye on them. 

 

The Castle of the Moors was built in the 8th and 9th centuries and, set at the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, this medieval castle exudes a quiet majesty. Stand at the top of one of its many towers and look out over the rambling stone steps and walls that seem to stretch on and on and its power is unmistakable. If you're very still you can almost hear the stories of over a thousand years playing on the wind. 

Pena Palace is the colorful, slightly gaudy eye-catcher of Sintra, with eclectic architectural styles and brightly painted façades. King Ferdinand II had this palace built around the remains of a 16th century monastery and the result is a vibrant jewel on a hill that can be seen even from Lisbon on the clearest of days. 

Lisbon.

"I need to move around a bit. To shuffle my surroundings. To wake up in cities I don't know my way around and have conversations in languages I cannot entirely comprehend. There is always this tremendous longing in my heart to be lost, to be someplace else, to be far far away from all of this." 

Beau Taplin // Vacation

If you have a longing in your heart to be lost, then Lisbon's the city for you. How easy it is to fall in love with its winding, narrow streets, rambling yellow street cars and charming tile covered buildings! 

Martyna and David. Glencoe, Scotland.

Dark and romantic. Moody weather and dreamy landscapes. Scotland is a magical place, guys. And I'm head-over-heels in love with it.

It was a definite highlight of 2014 to be able to participate in the Glencoe workshop led by the incredible Kitcheners of Kitchener Photography. Here's a little glimpse of our day in the Scottish highlands with our wonderful models, Martyna and David. Enjoy the journey!