February 11, 2009
february catalog and GIVEAWAY!
Lauren, our stylist, would like to tell you the story of our photo shoot for our newest catalog!
We shot our February catalog in Tulum, Mexico at the end of October, and stayed in a beautiful eco-hotel called azulik. Azulik is comprised of about 10 or so thatched huts that sit in the jungle, right on the beach- there is no electricity, so the room is lit by candlelight at night, and sunshine throughout the day. Each room had a bed that was covered by a mosquito net, a swinging hammock, and beautiful doors that led out to a porch that overlooked the ocean. It seemed like magical place to take a break from the world.
In November the sun sets in Mexico at about 530, so by 6 or so the little resort is pitch black and a little spooky. We would go to bed pretty early as we had to wake up at 430 to shoot at sunrise, and by 9 o’clock it felt like midnight as it was so dark. Doub and I shared a hut, and on our second or third night, I woke up to a loud clicking noise. Outside of our mosquito tent, I could see something fluttering- (we slept with a candle burning) and I assumed it was a moth, and tried to go back to sleep. But the clicking continued and it seemed that the moth was insistent upon getting in our tent! I caught a glimpse of the thing in the candlelight…it was a bat! I woke Doub up and told her that there was a bat in the room, and she reassured me that we were safe in our little tent. She made me feel a little better, though I didn’t sleep well that night as the little bat was clicking all night long.
When we woke up in the morning, we realized what the bat had been doing all night long..on the table was a bunch of bananas that had been completely hollowed out and eaten!!! The little thing had a field day and demolished nearly all 3 bananas. We looked around the room, and realized the bat had pooped everywhere. Everywhere. Especially on top of our mosquito tent. There were little bat poop pellets all over the floor, table, and every other possible surface you can think of.
After that night, we were too creeped out to sleep in our hut anymore, so we slept with our hair and makeup artists, Monica and Deanna, on their little hammock bed. We didn’t even have a mosquito net! We didn’t care though, so long as we didn’t have to sleep in that bat-poop hut.
GIVE AWAY FUN:
Our art director picked up a few fun trickets while in Tulum, and she'd like to give them to YOU!
Just leave a comment with your answer to one of these two questions and we will pick one commenter by random. Make sure to include your email address!
Question #1: What animal would you NOT want to share a hut with?
OR
Question #2: What is your favorite thing about the beach?
Comments
I don't think that I'd ever enjoy sharing a hut with an elephant seal. First of all they make one of the most obnoxious noises that I have ever heard. Second, they'd probably take up most of the hut. Third, their noses kind of creep me out. However, a BABY elephant seal is an exception! Every baby animal wants someone to share their tent with.
Posted by Angela on February 11, 2009 3:48 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is reading a great book while listening to the waves crash!
Posted by Chelsea on February 11, 2009 3:49 PM
Ha ha I love the story Lauren told! It sounds like an amazing place to visit, minus the mosquito's and bats!!!
I would NOT want to share a hut with big spiders...Eew they creep me out and it's like one minute you see it and the next you have no clue where it went and then all of a sudden it's on your pillow!!! CREEPY!
Posted by dez on February 11, 2009 3:57 PM
I would NOT want to share a hut with a SKUNK! or anything else really smelly for that matter...
Posted by Caitlin on February 11, 2009 4:07 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the water. Watching the tides come in is the most soothing and relaxing things to do!
Posted by Lucy on February 11, 2009 4:08 PM
My favorite thing about the beach... is the sound of the waves hitting the shore. And the smell of the ocean. And the sounds of the gulls... I guess what I'm saying is "Is there anything I DON'T like about the beach?!" I used to live close to the ocean and I miss it.
Posted by Tammy on February 11, 2009 4:21 PM
I wouldn't want to share a hut with a koala. They may seem cute and cuddly but if you hug one they usually just scratch you!
Posted by Katie Gruver on February 11, 2009 4:22 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is just being able to relax and daydream to the sound of the ocean.
Posted by catherine on February 11, 2009 4:22 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is spending time with my family, especially when the air is warm and you can hear the waves crashing on the shore, it's so peaceful!
Posted by Michelle Gruver on February 11, 2009 4:24 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the sun. It feels so good when the warmth hits your skin.
Posted by Rebecca on February 11, 2009 4:28 PM
My all time favorite about the beach is digging my feet as far beneath the sand as I can! The cooling sensation of the sand between my toes gives me chills and is a quick relief from the hot sun =). Plus it makes me feel like a little kid again! *I'm such a dork that I'll take pics with my phone and send them to my friends to make them jealous that I'm at the beach!*
Posted by Jessica Ouimet on February 11, 2009 4:32 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is swimming in salt water. it just feels so right. we did, after all, come from the ocean (in an evolutionary sense).
Posted by katiehov on February 11, 2009 4:34 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the smell of coconut lotion and the sound of the ocean waves :)
Posted by Annie on February 11, 2009 4:37 PM
Having just visited Cumberland Island my favorite thing about that beach was that is was natural, there were no buildings, commercialization or even people! It was the most calming and enchanting thing to walk along a beach that hardly is ever seen by humans.
Posted by Liz on February 11, 2009 4:45 PM
Snakes..I would not want to share my hut with a snake. I held one once, they breathe through their whole body and it feels gross. Not only that, but they have FANGS. I do not want one sinking a fang into my flesh.
Posted by Michelle on February 11, 2009 4:56 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is spending time with my family with nothing to stress about, the sunny air, late-night board games, and splashing in the ocean with my baby cousins!
Posted by Kelsey on February 11, 2009 4:59 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the sounds. Obviously, the ocean waves, the screech of seagulls and small children, pieces of conversation... I am so ready for summer to be here already. :P
Posted by Priscilla on February 11, 2009 5:06 PM
i love the way my hair gets after swimming in salt water and laying the sun all day.
Posted by Sara on February 11, 2009 5:16 PM
I would not like to share any form of hut with a rhinoceros. When I was little, I absolutely l o v e d applesauce! Whenever I had to take medicine my mother would bribe me with a cup of delicious apple sauce. One day I was watching Sesame Street (in my mind back then the best show known to mankind) an they had a clip of a rhino pretending to fly and then landing in a barrel of applesauce. I don't know why, but ever since that day I've developed a dislike for rhinos.
here's the clip I saw:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54C9A-fGxbk
Posted by Lauren on February 11, 2009 5:29 PM
My absolute favorite thing about the beach is being able to just lay down in the warm sand and soak up the sun while relaxing with a good book!
Posted by Megan on February 11, 2009 5:46 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is the water. the color of the ocean is so beautiful, and i love the sound of the waves crashing :)
Posted by lee on February 11, 2009 6:04 PM
Inspired by the cute little snail fellow in the picture - I would not want to share a tent with him... well, a "real" him. A tent infested with snails or slugs would eventually just be coated with that icky sticky trail they leave in their wake after slithering and the idea of that goo-y texture all over everything makes me feel sick to my stomach! I guess it would be more appropriate to not want to share a tent with a grizzly bear or a lion or panther - but wow I hate ickiness.
&
My favorite thing to do at the beach is (since the beaches are rocky and clif-like near me) climb up to somewhere with a view and a breeze, lay down a blanket, prop up an umbrella (I'm proudly pale) and read read read. Rather boring, but the reality.
Posted by Mallory McInnis on February 11, 2009 6:15 PM
hmmmm i guess i wouldnt want to share a tent with a tiger shark, that is pregnant. i saw on tv, how this baby shark that was still inside of its mama, ate all the other babies inside, and then the mama. who knows what it would do once it was out!!
Posted by amber on February 11, 2009 6:16 PM
All of these entries are hilarious! I especially love the clip from Lauren about the rhinocerous falling into the barrel of applesauce. :)
Anyhow...the LAST animal I would want to be in a hut with is a bear. In fact, it's probably the last animal I would like to see near me anywhere! I know that if it were dinnertime for the bear, and I had no food to give, I would be the next meal. Basically, I would have about a 0% chance of survival. :(
Posted by alyssamrozek on February 11, 2009 6:16 PM
Question #2: What is your favorite thing about the beach?
My favorite thing is the sense of freedom you get from being at the beach. At the beach you free to not wear conventional clothes, free to get messy and sandy, free to be lazy, and free play in the water, and especially free to explore the sea life along the shores, jetties, and little coves. :)
Posted by Arin Richter on February 11, 2009 6:35 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is the feeling of the sand between my toes, the gentle breeze, and the smell of salt walter and boardwalk food mixed together :)
Posted by amy on February 11, 2009 6:38 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is my beachy hair after spending a beautiful day in the sun, sand, and ocean with my family and friends. Throwing on a cute sundress and relaxing afterwards tops off the day :)
Posted by kate on February 11, 2009 6:48 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is getting in the water and then letting the sun dry me off!!
Posted by Mary on February 11, 2009 6:52 PM
flying kites.
frozen lemonade.
reading for hours upon hours.
dodging dead jellyfish on the shore.
staying up late singing and playing chess.
all these things about the beach are wonderful
Posted by tigerlily on February 11, 2009 6:54 PM
An Ostrich- not enough room in the hut for his long neck. And the pecking would get annoying.
Posted by Alana on February 11, 2009 6:58 PM
My favorite thing about them beach is when you imagine yourself getting more 'sunkissed.' I always think that I can feel myself getting tanner, even though it takes many a trip to the beach for me to get any color!
I would not like to share my beach hut with spiders- we trapped a largish spider at our cabin, and took a picture of it through the glass, and it definately had some good sized fangs on it. Your skin really does crawl when you see a spiders fangs!!
Posted by Anonymous on February 11, 2009 7:00 PM
My favorite thing about the beach in the water. I could stay in all day and do on many occasions.
Posted by Jammie on February 11, 2009 7:13 PM
My FAVORITE thing about the beach is squishing my toes in the hot sand!!
Posted by Madison on February 11, 2009 7:22 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is how alive it makes me feel. Whether I'm body surfing in the ocean or taking a long walk on the beach, my body feels beautiful and strong when I am there. :)
Posted by Chrissie on February 11, 2009 7:30 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is standing in the waves. i love sticking my feet in the sand right where the waves come up... and how for some reason it seems like you're moving whenever the wave goes back down.
Posted by arlina on February 11, 2009 7:39 PM
Rhinocerous. Definitely would not want to share a room with a rhinocerous...or a hippomatumus.
Posted by Amanda on February 11, 2009 7:58 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is kelly slater.
Posted by wren on February 11, 2009 8:03 PM
my favorite thing about the beach is the sound the waves make. It is so calming!
Posted by Rachel on February 11, 2009 8:18 PM
My favorite thing about the beach happens around 5 p.m.. The sun sinks lower in the sky and the heat from the day finally begins to break. Many of the beachgoers have gone home by then, leaving just the sounds of the waves. It is at that time that I truly begin to relax.
Posted by Astima on February 11, 2009 8:18 PM
An bat.. i dont think we would like the same kinds of food ha :]
I love having beach hair and the way the sand between your feet feels. It's like a natural expoliant :]
Posted by melissa on February 11, 2009 8:20 PM
I wouldn't want to share a hut with a fish, bc then the hut would be under water and I wouldn't be able to breathe....
Posted by Haley on February 11, 2009 8:29 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is
definitely the sunset and the amazing
photos that can be taken. I also saw a
special on sea glass. You run into the waves of
the ocean while digging your hands into the
waves and sand and hope for tiny bits of
colored glass,
red being the rarest of sea glass.
Posted by Kirstine Haynes on February 11, 2009 8:47 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the wind. You get it all the time. It blows me away, all my thoughts, & leaves me feeling calm & free! =)
Posted by Pearl O on February 11, 2009 9:02 PM
I would not want to share a hut with some scorpions or other creepy crawlers! so scary, I woke up one morning while in the desert and their was one in my shoe! so scary. The best part about the beach is the ocean of course. I just love waves, I don't just sit out and tan, I jump in the water.
Also, love love love the new clothes! I love the harem jump suit but I dont know what color to get...
Posted by Lexi on February 11, 2009 9:04 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is hunting for sea glass and other trinkets. The best beach I ever went to was in Scotland next to an old pottery factory. I have bags and bags filled with all sorts of great junk!
Posted by Gen on February 11, 2009 9:04 PM
A Snake!! ahhh
Posted by Jen on February 11, 2009 9:23 PM
my fave thing about the beach is watching my brother surf!
Posted by Kellsey on February 11, 2009 9:24 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is waking up early in the morning just to go out to it. I love the feel of the cold sand on my feet and I absolutely adore sunrises. I always feel so alive and fresh early in the morning, so it makes the beach so much more calming and peaceful.
Also, I would never ever want to share a hut with an elephant. It would probably take up most of the room, and it's poop would most likely be the most disgusting thing ever.
Posted by Sara on February 11, 2009 9:55 PM
i love having picnics on the beach and bringing a huge boombox and blasting the oldies station.
or going at night when the sand is cool on my feet and you can tell the ocean from the sand.
but i adore the beach in the fall not as many tourists.
Posted by hillary daye on February 11, 2009 10:01 PM
I love everything about the beach, the smell, the breeze it gives, how sun kissed you look after wards, how the salt water gives my hair that perfect summer wave. i also particularly look forward to those after beach showers where you can wash all the salt water off of you. i live in a beach town and am in college right now, thinking about it wants me to be home on the beach right now!!
Posted by lauren on February 11, 2009 10:12 PM
i would not like to share a hut with a panda because i would never want to leave.
well my favorite thing to do at the beach is to stay even when the sun is starting to go down and its getting cooler. it's so nice to be there when it's quieter and emptier in a nice reclining chair with some friends, a warm sweatshirt and your toes in the sand. but my favorite thing about the beach itself is the shells!
Posted by shari on February 11, 2009 10:21 PM
How do you get to be in the free people catalog?
Posted by Morena on February 11, 2009 10:31 PM
i wouldn't want to share a hut with an elephant - they're too big and there'd be no room left for me!
Posted by kristen on February 11, 2009 10:41 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is watching the sunset on the beach and watching the waves come closer and closer inland. It's so peaceful and I wish it could go on forever. I love hearing all of the sounds on the beach: seagulls calling, waves crashing, wind whistling...i love it all =]
Posted by kaycee on February 11, 2009 10:53 PM
I would HATE to share a room with mosquitoes! I had to do it once and I didn't get a wink of sleep, they kept buzzing in my ears! They somehow always manage to find you, even when you cover your head.
Posted by Faith Logan on February 11, 2009 11:00 PM
I love the way sand feels on my feet, or the way a smooth shell feels in my hands. The best thing about the beach is all of the unfamiliar parts it has to offer to touch! thank you for the giveaway :)
Posted by Caitlin H. on February 11, 2009 11:09 PM
I would not want to share a hut with an ostrich!
They seem harmless, with their pretty feathers, but I now know better.
Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way.
I would prefer to leave the hut with all 10 fingers still intact!
Posted by B on February 11, 2009 11:26 PM
Ferrets are sneaky! and smelly! i wouldnt want to share a hut with one.
Posted by hilary on February 11, 2009 11:31 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is taking a long walk in the breaking surf to collect sea glass and shells.
Posted by Nikki on February 11, 2009 11:55 PM
I love the smell of the breezy ocean in the morning. While the sun comes up its like magic. Seeing the big ocean sparkle is amazing.
I also love walking along a beach and running from the tide, because you never know when it will suddenly come and suprise you =)
Posted by Michaela on February 11, 2009 11:55 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is laying next to the water watching the sunset with my friends.
Posted by meaghen on February 12, 2009 12:06 AM
i would never want to share a hut with a squirrel. they're so bushy and rodent-like. they annoy me whenever i walk around campus!
Posted by katy on February 12, 2009 12:30 AM
My favorite thing about the beach: That sand and salty water smell!
Posted by Vivian on February 12, 2009 1:53 AM
the greatest part of the beach is sitting with your feet covered in sand, feeling the sun burn your skin into a nice tan, and seeing children play in the waves while their parents pick them up to shake the soggy sand out of their swimsuit.
Posted by Ashley on February 12, 2009 2:39 AM
my favorite thing about the beach? a couple years back...
lying warm in the cold sand those three summer nights, when the sky was filled with shooting stars from that passing shower... and i'll never forget the milky way with him =)
Posted by g! on February 12, 2009 2:40 AM
I'll answer both....I would not want to share a hut with mice, rats, or any other rodent....they really creep me out.
My favorite thing IS the beach...I love everything about it.....I love the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, the smell, the breeze off the water, the amazing sunsets over the ocean, the way the sand feels between my toes....it is so peaceful and relaxing.
Posted by Rebecca McElheny on February 12, 2009 7:10 AM
My favorite thing about the beach is the constant sound of crashing waves the oceans mantra over & over
Posted by Cathy Master on February 12, 2009 7:29 AM
My favorite thing about the beach would be spending time in the summer with friends hanging out everyday doing the same exact thing we did the previous day yet still having a blast.
Posted by Jen on February 12, 2009 8:33 AM
Tulum is amazing! I was there only a couple of years ago...I am sure you all had a great time.
I love how the sea looks endless when you look out at it and I love seeing how powerful the waves are.
Posted by Melissa on February 12, 2009 9:14 AM
my favorite thing about the beach is lying under an umbrella having wonderful drinks thanks for the giveaway
Posted by mindy on February 12, 2009 10:12 AM
I love the beach because I can see water and feel free. The sun, wind and natural beauty makes me feel alive. First seeing a beach was an experience that I hope to never forget. I became more aware of saving the oceans and our planet as a whole when I saw the beach. I volunteered to help clean up certain areas that had been polluted with trash.
Posted by Carol on February 12, 2009 10:41 AM
SPIDERS! big spiders with hair to be specific!
I love how small I feel in front of the ocean, listening to the vastness of it...
Posted by Laura Davis on February 12, 2009 12:02 PM
I love the beautiful blue/turquoise hues of the ocean water and the warm sand in between my toes!
Posted by Kristi Jones on February 12, 2009 12:36 PM
The landscape of the beach creates perfect conditions to create Budggie Pie Lake! Where the tide has just retreated, my clan of cuties shovel and scoop out a spot in the wet, heavy sand. The Buggie Pies sit and wait for the waves. I dig a channel from the crater down to the shoreline to permit the waves to refresh and fill Buggie Pie Lake! Ahhh we sit and relax and it's my favorite part of the beach!
Posted by nessa on February 12, 2009 1:42 PM
I'd not like to be stuck in a hut with a sloth.
how productive would THAT be in your island survival?!
Posted by Leslie on February 12, 2009 1:46 PM
My favorite things about the ocean.
I love when the wind blows off the ocean and you can catch the smell of the sea, the moment the first wind hits me I know exactly where I am and I can't help but smile.
But, other than that, I love to scrunch the sand between my toes.
Posted by Clare Entwistle on February 12, 2009 1:58 PM
My fav thing about the beach is the sound of the waves and the seagulls---so relaxing it just puts me to sleep.
Posted by chris swan on February 12, 2009 2:09 PM
i would never want to share a hut with a cat. I'm sorry, but kitties make me sneezy and i don't really enjoy sneezing.
the best part about the beach is surfing. gliding over water is the most calming thing in the entire world.
Posted by Shelby Ling on February 12, 2009 2:45 PM
The best thing about the beach is the connection to the ocean. Humans are so limited by how we observe the sea. It's so full of life and mystery and power yet we can barely fathom the deepest fathoms of the underwater world which covers 82% of our planet!
Posted by Christy on February 12, 2009 3:28 PM
My favorite part about the beach is collecting sea glass. There is something about the beautiful shades or blue and green that the glass comes in and it's texture! When I was in Spain this summer my cousin and I would collect sea glass during low tide and then we made necklaces and rings with copper wire. Oh and I love adorable swim suits especially vintage 40's style suits :D
Posted by Gillian Lazzarini on February 12, 2009 3:37 PM
i would not want to share my hut with a bear. you'd probably wake up without a limb. i've had a bat in my room and have had a close encounter with a momma bear and her cub. fear beats out creepy. anything that would kill you for a jar of honey is not a good hut mate.
Posted by chrisie on February 12, 2009 3:47 PM
When my friends and I go to the beach we like to play a game. we stand in a line and let the tide wash the sand over our feet and bury them. If you move your out. after a while it gets pretty hard to keep your balance as the sand gets deeper. it's hard not to fall over. and of course as soon as you get "out" you have to try to get everyone else by splashing them or trying to push them into the waves. we all usually end up rolling in laughter in the water covered in sand while the tanorexics stare at us like we're crazy. that's my favorite part of the beach - my friends.
Posted by Anonymous on February 12, 2009 4:16 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is the sand and the water. Also the little things I find there and bring back home. Spending time at the beach with my family is the best part. It just gets me excited and gives me new ideas for clothes that I want to wear.
Posted by Courtney on February 12, 2009 4:59 PM
Favourite thing about the beach is feeling like i'm connected with the ocean. Being at one with the best of nature.
Feeling small (compared to the universe) but feeling extremely happy at the same time because I get access to a whole different world.
Posted by Sylvia on February 12, 2009 8:20 PM
My fav part of the beach is the sand and sun.... And I love to swim.......
Posted by Kathy D on February 12, 2009 8:44 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is getting back in touch with nature and where presumably life began, and which still remains a mystery. Standing at the waters edge I am remained that I am such a small part in the world, and am overcome by the mystery of which the sea still is.
Posted by Mikhaela on February 12, 2009 9:19 PM
I would not want to share a hut with a porcupine. I think it's pretty self-explanatory why. Ouch.
Posted by Alex on February 12, 2009 9:53 PM
My favorite thing about the beach is jumping in the waves. I've done it all my life and I still can't get enough of it. My kids don't like to go in the water at the beach, so I hate going alone with them because *I* want to go jump in the waves the whole time! :D
Posted by Smellyann on February 12, 2009 11:49 PM
I wouldn't want to share a hut with a dog: they hate me with a veracity that has no equal on earth.
Posted by Candy on February 13, 2009 12:29 AM
I adore the noises of the ocean. Children splashing in the water. Young couples intensely whispering sweet nothings into each others' ears. Toddlers screaming. Ocean waves crashing. Volleyballs bouncing.
The mixture of noises blended with the ocean breeze is so tranquil.
Posted by Josi on February 13, 2009 12:38 AM
i would not want to share a hut with scorpions. They are scary looking things and they freak the heck out of me =o
Posted by Lily on February 13, 2009 12:47 AM
I would not want to share a tent with a snake! ick!!
My favorite thing about the beach is the smell of the water -- just the sent of makes me feel relaxed.
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by Kim V on February 13, 2009 8:40 AM
My favorite thing about the beach is the sun on skin. That alluring feeling of isolation and peace, when the weather is nice, the beach is beautiful, and you feel miles away from any civilization. You are simply free with the sun on skin and nothing can touch you.
Posted by Katie on February 14, 2009 5:08 PM