Simple, Yet Effective Design.

Contrary to popular belief, creating a minimalist aesthetic can be difficult. Add eco-friendly to the mix and you've got quite the challenge. And now you know why I love these coasters:

Birch wood coasters, from Virtual Design Lab.

Back To School - Teacher Finds.

Embroidered apple, from Sometimes I Swirl.

Vintage mod organizer, from Go Go Berlinette.

Vintage cat eye glasses, from I Found Gallery.

Doily coasters, from Uncommon.

Coffee Table Neighborhood.

Embroidered coasters/bookmarks, from Monika Design.

Rock 'N' Roll Road Trip.

U2 ticket stub coaster, from Blue Order.

"Elvis with Parrot" acrylic on canvas, from Aaron Reichert.

Print (from Radiohead lyrics), from The Big Harumph.

"Marina Towers" print, from Chasing The Light.

Many of my favorite road trips were inspired by music:

1. U2, Charlotte. A 6-hour drive in heavy rain. The best concert I've ever witnessed. I got so hot that I ditched my sweatshirt inside the arena. I also took a 2-minute leak in to an overflowing toilet.

2. Graceland, Memphis. A 15-hour drive that ended with an overnight stay in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches definitely helped our weariness the next morning.

3. Radiohead, Washington, D.C. A 2-hour drive (again, in pouring rain) that unfortunately ended in a canceled concert. However, we had the best 8-hour, Georgetown shopping experience the next day.

4. Wilco, Chicago. The cover of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" inspired this particular (post-break-up) 14-hour road trip. My heartbreak was cured with a Cubs game, lots of beer, and the best hot dog I've ever eaten.

Part of our extended "Road Trip" series. More finds (and memories) from the road, all this week!

Counting The Street Lights.

"Lost Highway" photo print, from Catherine Nunnally.

Hand-painted, vintage train case, from Get Ready Set Go.

Map coasters, from Hands Workshop.

"Farewells Are Difficult" collage, from Living Feral.

As a kid, many of my memories from road trips past were the sights I saw while laying down in the back seat--tree tops, clouds, rain on the windshield, or even the occasional pattern of passing street lights. I wonder how many miles passed as I stared out the back window...

Part of our extended "Road Trip" series. More finds (and memories) from the road, all this week!

Squared.

Lime/gray wool felt coasters, from Fuzzy Logic Felt.

Part of our week long "A Handmade Home" series. To see more, click here. And if you want some goodies from Fuzzy Logic Felt, visit their Etsy shop, here.