What’s New Pussy Cat

Sunglasses: Dollar Store, Dress: H&M, Pumps: Steve Madden

Saturday D and I spent the day in Montreal and since Burlington is less than 100 miles from this cosmopolitan Canadian city it makes a perfect day trip. While we were there I popped into H&M and this colorful cut-out dress was one of my purchases. I am such a cat lady at heart I couldn’t resist when I saw the dresses print. Some of the cats have different colored heads and tails, giving them a certain Frankenstein vibe.

I wore this with fun feline frock to work and out to lunch with friends. When I was in the office I had a black blazer on but it was such a nice day that I shed it as soon as I stepped outside. I love Burlington this time of year. There’s always something going on: the farmer’s market on the weekends, the annual Church Street Sidewalk Sale, tons of concerts on the waterfront, and of course Brewfest.

what summer fun are you looking forward too?

Weekend Wedding

Sunnies: Zinnia, Dress: Vintage (via Etsy), Wedges: Vintage (via my mom)

D and I attended a friend’s wedding in Orwell, Vermont this weekend. We quickly snapped these photos before the reception kicked off. The weather was almost as beautiful as the setting, with the wedding and reception taking place at the bride’s family’s farm.

I was excited to finally be able to wear this vintage, disco era party dress. It was light enough to keep me cool during the warm afternoon ceremony and comfortable enough to dance in all night long. The wedding celebrations continued well into the wee hours of the morning with the majority of party goers retiring to tents they’d set up in the field as the sun came up.

I was so excited to come home from the wedding and see this wonderful article about Wore Out in the Burlington Free Press. I spent an afternoon with Lynn Monty from the Free Press a few weeks ago and had a blast. Her article was the perfect way to celebrate 6 months of blogging!

What did you do this weekend?

Gone Fishing

Hat (w/ red hawk feather): Gifted, Dress (worn as top): H&M,

Shorts: DIY, Wellies: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bag: Philly

I snapped these photographs last week when D took me to his secret fishing spot. I had better luck finding pretty rocks than fish but it was still a lot of fun. Even though we headed to the river in the late afternoon it was still pretty warm so I kept my look simple and fun. The hat and feather were both given to me by D’s dad who shares my love for sunglasses and hats, he’s in a rock band so his collection is almost as eclectic as mine!

While D and I were driving back from my parent’s house last night we both marveled at how lucky we were to live in such a beautiful state. Vermont’s hills and valleys are so lush and it seems that every shade of green is represented. It only takes being away for a few days to really realize and appreciate how clean, beautiful and well preserved Vermont’s natural beauty is.

What do you love about your home state’s landscape?

 

 

Farmer’s Market Fire Escape

Sunnies: Zinnia, Shirt: The Children’s Place, Belt: Target, Bracelet: Gifted, Skirt: H&M, Slip: Vintage (via Downtown Threads), Sandals: Payless

With back to school ads popping up everywhere summer days seem even sweeter. Saturday D and I got a late start and headed to the Burlington farmer’s market around noon. We snacked on veggie tamales with zucchini salsa, spicy potato samosas and split a delicious almond, raspberry, chocolate and hazelnut tartlet on the walk home. Life in Vermont is good!

After we’d eaten our fill we picked up a fresh head of lettuce, a crisp cucumber and this beautiful bunch of zinnias. Coincidentally the sunnies I’m wearing in this post (a recent fashion indulgence) are from one of my favorite jewelry stores in Burlington, Zinnia.

I liked how the bright colors of the flowers looked in contrast to the soft green skirt and antique lace slip. The slip poking out from underneath my skirt isn’t just for looks; the cut of this skirt makes it extremely vulnerable to sneaky gusts of wind. I accidentally flashed an unsuspecting guy in the stairwell of my office building… it scarred us both. Since then I always play it safe and wear a slip, it’s an added bonus that this vintage slip has beautiful lace edging that adds a certain romantic touch to any outfit.

Do you wear slips or are they too old fashioned? Do you have a local farmer’s market? What produce is in season where you are? 

Rural Landscape

Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Dress & Vintage Slip: Downtown Threads, Wedges: Vintage (via my Mom)“…seemingly endless emerald green fields lead to forests crowned by magnificent mountains…” VT

I’ve lived in Vermont for almost 5 years and I’m still in awe of the beautiful landscape. This weekend D and I visited his parents and I insisted that we stop and take pictures in their neighbor’s field. The bales of hay still had the sweet smell of freshly cut grasses and I couldn’t resist the temptation to clamor all over them, carefully of course! D, content to blame my coastal Maine upbringing for my fascination with all things farm life, snapped these pictures for me.

Summertime signifies simple outfits and this outfit is no exception. I love how easy it is to look pulled together in just a dress and wedges. Summer is also synonymous with swimming which means my hair is left to air dry most nights causing an explosion of curls. For a fun no fuss approach to beach/lake hair gather and braid a 1-2 inch section of hair halfway up the left side of the head (right in front of the ear works best). Once braided lay the braid across the top of your head and secure it behind your right ear with bobby pins, creating a braid headband of sorts.  Repeat this on the right side of your head and pin it behind you’re left ear for a more glam, double braid  look.

How does your style change during the summer? Are you a city girl or does the countryside speak to you?

A Little Pepe in your Step

Like much of the U.S. Burlington is in the grips of an intense wave of  heat and humidity. Amidst predictions that tomorrow could be the hottest day of the whole summer I thought a cool cocktail recipe was in order.This cocktail calls for only two ingredients; ripe pineapple and gold tequila

First, cut your ripe pineapple into bite sized chunkswhat can I say, D likes to chop shirtless

Once you’ve got your pineapple cut up transfer it to a large container with a lid (We used a pyrex tupperware dish and large mason jars work well too)Next, pour enough tequila into your container to cover all the pineapple chunks. Then simply cover your container and place it in the fridge for 24-48 hours to really let the flavors marinate. Despite being shockingly simple this is a refreshing and sweet summer cocktail that leaves a lot of room for experimentation. Try adding a few squeezes of fresh lime juice or experiment with other type of fruit. Play around with it and see what works best for you.

There’s no wrong way to enjoy this summer treat but here are a few fun suggestions:

• create fruit kabobs layering the pineapple with fresh strawberries and melon for a refreshing after dinner treat
• serve the pineapple straight out of your chilled contained with fun frilly toothpicks (perfect for the beach, park, festival etc…)
• place a chunk or two of pineapple in the bottom of a rocks glass, cover with the chilled tequila and garnish with a lime and cherry
• drain the tequila into chilled shot glasses, spear a pineapple chunk and lime wedge with a toothpick and balance atop the shot glass for a fun chaser

What’s your favorite summer cocktail? How would you serve this summery sweet treat?

Wind in my Sail

Sunnies: Chinatown, Top: T.J Maxx, Ring: Gilt, Skirt: Downtown Threads, Earrings: Gifted, Sandals: Target 

Don’t worry I didn’t wear this to the office this morning. I wore this outfit to the Burlington Brewfest on Friday night. It was crazy hot and I knew there was a good chance I was going to get spilled on (or spill on myself) so I kept my look casual and laid back.

Since I bought this cranberry skirt at Downtown Threads it’s become a wardrobe staple. My closet is made up mostly of neutrals and cool colors so its been nice adding a new, warmer color into the mix. Despite the fact that the wind coming off the lake kept puffing my shirt up/out and making it look I was hiding a mini keg under my shirt I was comfortable and cool all night in this look.

This was my first time attending Brewfest and I was seriously impressed. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and it was pretty amazing to be able to sit and enjoy local brews in Adirondack chairs while watching the sunset over Lake Champlain. Summer in Vermont is a thing of beauty.

What are your favorite summer events held in your community? Should red, white and blue only be worn on patriotic holidays?