13 Homes That Will Make You Wish for a Permanent Beach House

Sarah Landrum
Aug 14, 2015

With summer winding down, we can’t stop fantasizing about vacations past, present and future, with entire days spent lounging by the water. To commemorate our love for all things design and summer, we’ve rounded up some of the most amazing vacation homes and getaways that we could only dream of owning someday. We’re talking floating islands, charming houseboats and luxury bungalows in the Maldives. So whip out those beach towels, because it’s time to take an imaginary trip to remember.

1. Cliffside Views: Sometimes all a solid vacation needs is a bit of sunrise – or sunset – and a quiet place away from it all. This beach house sits on the edge of Whitesand Bay in the U.K., rocks an eco-friendly attitude and comes equipped with a hot tub. What more could you want really? (via Unique Home Stays)

2. Whimsical Floating Home: If Dr. Seuss and Martha Stewart designed a home, this would be it. Clearly the good doctor was only allowed serious input on the outside of the home, but that’s still our favorite part. The only thing we could think to add is a hot tub. (via Tiny House Swoon)

3. Purple Retreat: We admit that it was the purple paint that first caught our eye, but there’s no denying how cute this little house is. Wake up every morning with the ultimate lakefront view and just dive off the deck all afternoon long. (via Portland Sunshine in Amsterdam)

4. Fantasy Bungalow: This bungalow located in the Six Senses Laamu Resort in the Maldives is a dream home for any human. Because who wouldn’t want to dip their toes into the ocean from the living room? (via JangaPlanet)

5. Sleepless in Seattle Houseboat: Yes, that girly scream was us, but we know we’ll be forgiven just this once. And while we might not ever have that Empire-State-Building moment here, we sure would be head over heels in love with this floating home. (via Popsugar)

6. Tropical Plush Lounge: These coral colors make us think of the tropics, warm breezes and sun-drenched deck lounging. We wouldn’t mind enjoying all of those things – and a baby blue ocean view – from the comfort of this plush porch lounge. (via A Punch of Color)

7. Lake Cabin: This secluded cabin has us craving marshmallows, campfires and many late-night swims. The calm water looks so inviting that we might need to bring a barbecue boat with us too. (via Decoholic)

8. Glass Floor Bungalow: When we woke up this morning, a starfish was under the floor. Okay, well maybe that hasn’t happened yet, but with this glass floor cottage it totally could. Anyone else ready to book their next vacation to the Maldives? (via Starwood Hotels)

9. Little House on the Beach: Who needs a mansion when you can wake up nestled above the ocean? This cute beachfront house surely beats any hotel view. (via Bubblews)

10. Retro-Style Houseboat: Even if the dog doesn’t come with this home, this cute little boat has it all. We love the warm colors splashed throughout, the wet bar and even the carefully matched orange staircases. We’re just waiting to get invites to the next party on this sweet ship, or to buy one of our own. (via HGTV)

11. Beach House Bonfire: This house is made for entertaining. With plenty of seating, including outdoor sofas under an overhang in case of a rainy afternoon, this beachfront beauty was made for us (and all of our closest friends). (via Ryan White Designs)

12. Shabby Chic at the Lake: This A-frame log cabin sits at the edge of the lake, and we’re longing to curl up next to the window with a good book. The whitewashed walls, picture window and chandelier make us yearn for evening parties with lots of candlelight. (via Nicety)

13. The Floating Seahorse. If we didn’t already love this house because of the name, we’d love it for the epic underwater view. And who needs a television when the living room view is a sea turtle or dolphins swimming by? (via Design Boom)

What’s your dream vacation home? Do you want to stick to land or enjoy those ocean waves? Share with us in the comments below.

Netflix Romance Show 'Heartstopper' Is Coming Back For Season 4 — With A Catch

The Summer I Turned Pretty and Stranger Things aren't the only shows ending. Netflix announced on April 22 that Heartstopper was also ending, but there's a twist: we're getting a Netflix movie about Nick and Charlie instead of a full season. Keep reading for the full scoop!

Here's everything we know about Heartstopper season 4 AKA the new Heartstopper movie on Netflix.

Is there going to be a Heartstopper season 4?

Yes, we're getting a Heartstopper season 4 but instead of multiple episodes, it'll be one Netflix movie.

"Heartstopper will return, bigger than ever," Netflix said in their official announcement April 22. "A Heartstopper movie, our final chapter based on Alice Oseman's upcoming volume six, is coming!!!"

And creator, executive producer, and graphic novelist Alice Oseman told Netflix how excited she is to be a part of the final chapter.

“I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the Heartstopper story,” she said. “I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked hard to make this possible and to the incredible fans of Heartstopper for your patience and passion. I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion.”

What is the Heartstopper movie about?

The movie will pick up after the season 3 finale as Nick and Charlie have to deal with their newfound long-distance relationship — and all the tension that comes with it. Not to mention the fact all their friends "are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on," according to Netflix.

When is the Heartstopper movie coming out?

We don't have a release date yet, but the movie is filming this summer so we're hoping to see it on Netflix in 2026!

And who's in the Heartstopper cast?

Samuel Dore/Netflix

Kit Connor and Joe Locke will star as Nick and Charlie again, but here's the full Heartstopper show cast:

  • Kit Connor as Nick Nelson
  • Joe Locke as Charlie Spring
  • Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent
  • Williams Gao as Tao Xu
  • Corinna Brown as Tara Jones
  • Tobie Donovan as Isaac Henderson
  • Kizzy Edgall as Darcy Olsson

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Heartstopper and check out Nicole Kidman's Hit Limited Series Set For Season 2 At Netflix — With A Catch for more Netflix news.

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Everyone's Losing It Over This "Horrifying" 'The Last Of Us' Season 2 Death: "Shattered Me. Forever Ruined."

MAJOR The Last of Us season 2 spoilers ahead!

If you thought The Last of Us season 2 couldn't get more dramatic than its premiere, then you'd be wrong. Season 2 primes us for some emotional drama by showing just how much Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) are at odds, and throwing Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who's seeking revenge on Joel for her own father's murder, into the mix shatters everything.

The Last of Us season 2, episode 2, "Through The Valley" is already being heralded by social media users as one of the best episodes in TV history. But it's definitely memorable for one specific reason: the episode killed off Joel, played by Pedro Pascal.

Let's talk about what the heck just happened with Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) in The Last of Us season 2.

Does Joel die in episode 2?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

Joel Miller (played by Pedro Pascal in the hit HBO show) dies in The Last of Us season 2, episode 2. "People are going to be upset. That's sometimes how good drama goes," executive producer Craig Mazin tellsUSA Today. "This was something that was always meant to happen. So much of the first season was, in a weird way, leading to this moment. And it's upsetting."

The horrifying moment comes after a blizzard — and some infected — put Abby, Joel, and Dina (Isabela Merced) on a collision course. After they rescue her from the aforementioned infected, Abby brings the two Jackson residents back to the lodge in the mountains where her group is hiding. Meanwhile Jackson, dealing with its own infected attack, burns in the distance.

Joel's anxious to return to town, but he's got bigger problems: Abby recognizes him as the man who killed her father (and wiped out the Firefly hospital) and, after putting Dina to sleep, Abby takes out five years' worth of anger and devastation on him with a golf club. Yeah. None of us can believe it either.

"that shattered me. forever ruined," one X user said, while another added, "the fact that Joel saw another kid in danger and didn't doubt in saving her.... dooming himself" with an Interstellar scene of Matthew McConaughey sobbing. Relatable.


But even more horrifying is when Ellie finds the lodge and bursts into the room. When she begs Joel to get up, there's a moment when you can see a beaten Joel start to lift himself up from the ground before Abby uses the now-broken golf club to kill him. I hope Ellie holds onto this moment and knows Joel was willing and able to do whatever it took to keep her safe!! I will scream about them forever!!

As Abby's group leaves, Ellie swears she'll kill them, and "you can't help but believe it is absolutely true," Craig says. There's a truly devastating shot of Ellie lying over Joel's body in the empty room that parallels her nursing him back to health at the end of season 1, episode 7 and I don't know if I'll ever get over it.

Why was Joel killed off?

In addition to being literal retribution for the death of Abby's father, Joel's death is a catalyst for Ellie's journey throughout the rest of the season as she grapples with revenge, grief, and anger. "Loss is kind of how this story functions, so this was largely preordained," Craig continues.

And yes, Pedro was aware of this devastating scene when he signed up for the life-changing role. "When I talked to Pedro the first time, I said, 'This is how this will go,'" Craig says. "I wanted him to know that we're not going to do this for seven seasons with you in that spot. We're going to do a season, and if it goes well and there's a second season, this will happen."

What happens to Ellie after Joel dies?

Liane Hentscher/HBO

The trailer for the rest of The Last of Us season 2 shows that Ellie and Dina aren't giving up until they enact their own revenge on Abby and her group. The two women are headed for Seattle and they're up against infected, the militia, and everything else this post-apocalyptic world has to throw at them.

But even though Joel's gone for good, Pedro isn't. We're in for plenty of flashbacks that fill in those five years between seasons 1 and 2!

Tune into new episodes of The Last of Us season 2 on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 PM ET to see what happens next.

The story's not over yet! Here's the last news on The Last Of Us Season 3.

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6 Cute Trail Shoes That Ensure Total Comfort For Any Adventure

My packing list for a long summer hike is stacked – a trusty water pack, reliable SPFs (for both faceandbody), and yummy snacks are just the basics. Though this lineup supports my travels, I know I'm not truly prepared to venture out without a good pair of trail shoes. Comfort is key, of course, but I simply cannot sacrifice the look (even if I know I’m going to be sweating through my sun shirt the whole way). Luckily, these 6 comfy-and-cute trail shoes are undeniably fashion-forward to help you conquer your next adventure – look good, hike good!

Scroll on to shop my 6 favorite trail shoes that deliver on their promise of comfort, all while looking super stylish.

Merrell

Merrell Antora 4 Shoes

Suitable for moderate trails, these trail shoes weigh in just under 8 ounces each, so your steps won't be dragged down. They not only have a foamy footbed with energetic cushion feel, but a durable sole with rugged grips that balance everything out to reduce the chance of slips. The upper is super breathable, too, which is particularly desirable in the hot summer. Pastel sneakers are one of my absolute fave looks for summer, and these Merrell shoes truly help you bring trends to the trail!

Teva

Teva Grandview Max Vent Hiking Boots

While many hiking boot models are clunky and, in my opinion, unworthy of all-day wear, this new design from Teva shines in being streamlined and extremely soft. I got to try 'em out myself, and I was honestly blown away from first wear. The first thing I noticed about 'em was that they were super breathable – I could literally feel the airflow through the meshy upper material, which is something I haven't ever experienced with other trail shoes or hiking boots.

While I was initially skeptical about the thick platformed soles (since similar designs can cause stability issues), my foot surprisingly feels really connected to the ground when I hike in these. The sole itself is springy and definitely inspired more energy from me during a recent hike.

A few other features I adore are that the laces are durable and tucked away neatly so there's no chance of tripping on them, the neat heel lock reinforcement, and lest I forget the sweet color palette! It's the perfect blend of feminine and masculine – an energy I commonly and happily embrace in the outdoors.

Keen

Keen Jasper Zionic Sneakers x Pilgrim Surf + Supply

Tongue-to-toe laced shoes like these are already so popular in the fashion realm – but you can't deny that they're still expertly tailored for trail use! Though these are definitely a style you'd spot on the street (hello, sneaker bros!), you might overlook the fact that they boast practical high-traction soles and a resilient foam insole for immaculate comfort. Of course, the earthy color story and suede material elevate them enough to be worn off-trail, too. I need me a pair ASAP.

Salomon

Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Hiking Shoes

Undeniably graphic (thanks to the sleek color blocking), these Salomon shoes are sure to turn heads on the trail, but you'll be satisfied alone knowing they're comfy AF. They have an especially soft midsole for added stability, which is typically a pain point for low-profile trail shoes like these. The reliable grippiness on the soles allows you to take them on trails with varied terrain, too – not even the tiniest of pebbles or biggest of boulders will be an obstacle! Plus, I adore the the lace-free design for easy on and off. Taking your trail shoes off after a long day is the best feeling, and you don't want it to be a slow process so you can make a beeline to your nearest burger and beer spot for a reward!

Free People

Merrell Moab 3 Bliss Hike Sneakers

I! love! pastels! They're my most-anticipated summer sneaker trend, and you can absolutely translate what's happening on the streets for the trail, whether it's for a day hike, backpacking trek, or cozy camping weekend. I think the contrasting laces are what really make these stand out as fashion-forward trail shoes. They're just so fun to look at!

While these trail shoes do show the bottoms of your feet lots of love with cushy, contoured insoles, the padded collar and tongue up top ensure the flip side of your step is still secure and comfy as ever. They supply you with that classic Merrell look with playful side paneling that's sure to earn you style points among other hiking fiends!

Hikerkind

Hikerkind x Keen Targhee IV Hiking Boots

I fear 'obsessed' is an understatement when I'm talking about these hiking boots. More utilitarian in their look, the muted brown colorway of these shoes lets you have more fun with bolder pants, tops, and layers – the trail is your runway, TBH. These can also easily be taken to the street since they boast a nice balance between rugged (helpful for traversing the city sidewalks) and sleek (perfect for pairing with dressier 'fits)!

I adore that these are crafted with the environment and sourcing materials responsibly in mind: they're waterproofed with PFAS-free materials and made with responsibly-sourced leather. Still, they're a shoe to last a lifetime since durability was also key in designing 'em.

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