I have been experiencing an extreme case of wanderlust ever since Claudia wrote in to share her story with us a few weeks ago. Claudia and Tassio have been sailing the world as a part of a long-term independent film project to capture the stories and inspiration from the nature around them and the people they meet. Perfect? I thought so, too. Here's a note from Claudia:

The more I get to know and love something, the more I respect and connect with it. This is a thought that pushed me to move on a sailboat and get out there to meet the world, powered by the wind. My voyage with Tassio is a search of happiness for myself and consequently for others around me. Inspiration is everywhere along the way, with the people and nature that fuel our beings with positive thoughts. Sharing these stories is one of our ways to help transform this world to be happier and therefore a better place--we are dedicating our journey to it. Hopefully, it will leave you more inspired and motivated to keep walking with your dreams.

You can find more about Terra D'Agua on their website and check out the blog to follow their exciting voyage.

Its not just another day. Its the one day that is given to you today. It is given to you--it is a gift.  Its the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response, is gratefulness.  If you do nothing else but to cultivate that response, to the great gift that this unique day is, if you learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life and the very last day--then you will have spent this day very well. 

Think that just about sums it up.

This timelapse of Yosemite just blew me away. The world is such a beautiful place, isn't it? Especially when you slow down and pay attention to the details. Cheers to Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty of Project, Yosemite for bringing this stunning piece to life. 

If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. -Eleonora Duse

• The Nature Principle: Human Restoration and the End of the Nature-Defecit Disorder by Richard Louv Louv writes in the introduction that the Nature Principle "is about the power of living in nature—not with it, but in it. We are entering the most creative period in history. The twenty-first century will be the century of human restoration in the natural world." I am loving this necessary call to refocus our attention on the importance of reconnecting and living in balance with nature.
• Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard The memoir of the legendary and always inspiring founder of Patagonia. Chouinard is an entreprenuer we admire for his passion for incorporating social good into a business model, and his extraordinary adventurous spirit--this book is a must read.
• Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by Michael Braungart and William McDonough A Holstee favorite that we love to reread. This book effectively calls for a transition to mindful consumerism, focusing on sustainabilty and making more with less. It voices the values that are forefront to everything that we seek to do in deisinging and producing Holstee goods.
• Maphead: Charting the Weird, Wide World of Geogrpahy Wonks by Ken Jennings Voted one of the top twenty books of 2011 by Amazon, the travel bugs in us love the premise of this book. I have always been fascinated by the beauty of old maps, and have heard that this book offers an entertaining and well-written perspective to increase this fascination.

What books are on your list? We'd love to hear your recommendations, too! Have a wonderful Fall weekend! 

photo via flickr by gloxinias