For all the tech start up that Zach Klein has been involved in from Vimeo to Svpply to the newly minted DIY, he has a love affair with the outdoors. In the summer of 2010, he purchased a plot of land upstate and called it Beaver Brook, “for the Delaware tributary that runs through it.” Beaver Brook is a playground of sorts for him and his friends. An outdoor retreat that is slowly being built with cottages, a suspension bridge, and now a barn. Though it’s the wilderness, there are some comforts to be had. The outdoor cedar tub warmed by firewood being one of them. Klein and his cohorts also edit a blog called Cabin Porn – a site that simply catalogs the romanticism of these wooden shelters.

The idea of back country hiking and camping sounds adventurous until you get down to the realities of it. For us urban dwellers we lack the fundamental tools and knowledge to stay alive. All those episodes of Man Vs. Wild won’t help you out there. So it’s a good thing that Maine Huts and Trails have built a system for the novice and expert outdoor enthusiasts. Since 2008, the organization has offered visitors a place of refuge with their huts spread across 45 miles of hiking trails. The three huts, which are more like lodges, are situated on Maine’s Western Mountain region providing visitors a chance to hike from hut to hut throughout the year. The huts are all self sustaining and off-the-grid. All of its energy comes from solar panels, hydro-generators, and wood boilers with amenities that rival road side hotels. Hot showers, beds, and even meals are provided for guests. Visit Maine Huts & Trails’s website to learn more about their initiative and the trails and activities.

A couple of days ago we mentioned how you had to be resourceful when looking for lodging in Williamsburg, artist lofts being one of them. Today we introduce you to A Cabin In a Loft in Bushwick. The space was conceived by architect Terri Chiao as an alternative to hotels and hostels. The bed and breakfast offers two rooms designed as a treehouse and a cabin. Floor to ceiling drywall is traded in for plywood that are constructed into small cabins. This layout changes traditional dynamics between individuals by offering enough privacy in the cabins while encouraging communal interaction in the common spaces. Chiao also lives in the loft but is offering the rooms for rent on a nightly, weekly or monthly basis through Airbnb. This helps supports her work as an artist, architect, and designer.

How rare is it that we are not rushed out the door when dining in New York? Whether it be the wait staff already to seat the next party or the time limitation we impose upon ourselves. What good is slow food when we have to finish it quickly? The enjoyment diminishes and so does the connection we have with one another. The option would be to dine in, which can be better than dining out when you’re with good company. And nothing’s more satisfying than great conversation over a delicious meal. A new online magazine set to launch in July is advocating these moments. Kinfolk explores the simple pleasures of intimate gatherings, good conversation and genuine connections through dining experiences. Nathan Williams, who is also the photographer behind HEARBLACK, has enlisted a group of friends to document true social connections. The magazine place emphasis on the small rather than the large – not wedding parties, rather a group of friends getting together on a Tuesday night losing track of time over conversation and food.

Sal’s Barbershop was a neighborhood institution for over thirty years. But when Sal passed away, his family members decided to offer the space to Steve Marks. He had plans to continue operating the space as a barbershop but wanted to update the 1970s interior. Inheriting some of the details that made Sal’s unique like the mural wallpaper and the original Takara Belmont barber chairs, Marks went to work on adding features that would bring the shop up-to-date. After three months of renovation and hard work, Persons of Interest was born. It now serves a clientele of men looking for a cut and/or shave with friendly and comfortable service in an unpretentious environment. Read our profile on Persons of Interest here.

We haven’t taken advantage of summer as much as we wanted. After returning from our trip, it’s been all about New York. Don’t get me wrong, weekends have been great despite the hot weather. Bike rides occupy most of our time on the weekends. Discovering and revisiting neighborhoods via two wheels has been the best part of July. After stumbling across a couple of blogs, wanderlust is starting to kick in again. Norsk Stil and Studio Nord are quintessential European living to this outsider. Easy going, al fresco dining, back yard gardens, and design / un-designed interiors. The illusion of this lifestyle is helped by the fact that the blogs are written in French and Norwegian, so all we have to go by are the beautiful photos.