Can you believe its almost the fourth? I always love coming up with a fun patriotic themed outfit to wear to barbecues and watch the fireworks in. Here is a roundup of some fun red, white and blue pieces to get you inspired for this weekend ; )
This and That : Two Sunsets on the Boat
As I've mentioned before, my parents keep their wooden Chris Craft boat on the lake here during the summer. Since they still live in my hometown in New York this gives us a lot more family time together, which is so great. We head over there often for a boat ride around the bay, a swim to cool off, to barbecue dinner together or for happy hour and card games.
You can catch some really stunning sunsets over Lake Champlain, which I get to see from the restaurant a lot but are best enjoyed on the dock with family and a beer in hand. I'm sharing two great ones here - one from last week and one from Tuesday night. Don't you just love summer?
Style Files : Casual Summer Looks
Some of my favorite low key summer looks this season.
1. A slinky black tank with a unique neckline. Perfect to throw on during the day or dress up at night.
2. A slip dress in a bohemian pattern. Great to walk around town for coffee or throw over your bathing suit.
3. A longer fitting trapeze tank. Flattering and conveniently camouflaging for when you've had one too many ice cream cones that day,
4. A denim overall jumper. Great nineties casual cool vibe.
Shop Talk : Focus
I read this Steve Jobs quote last week, and it has been popping into my head often ever since then. An oldie but a goodie that reminds you its better not to get pulled in a million directions, even if that means saying no to other good ideas. I have really been trying hard to apply this to my business this year and have been happy with how its developing. It can be hard when you have so many things you want to accomplish, but there really is only so much time in a day. Hopefully some of you can get inspired by the quote as well and feel OK about saying no to something in order to focus on what you really want to work towards!
Wore : Red White and Blue
On Saturday we picked up our new favorite farmers' market lunch of samosas, sat and listened to a violin player on the lawn and watched little kids run around with face paint on and dogs saying hello to one another. I had woken up early to treasure hunt at a couple estate sales, so I was happy to lay back and watch the action around me. I love New York City and think it hands down has the best people watching, but Burlington definitely comes in at a close second. Afterwards we took a stroll down Church Street with our coffee before heading into work later on. Gotta love Saturday mornings. I wore one of my favorite hot summer day tanks by Lucky Brand (similar one HERE). Lots of packing / shipping / soaking vintage / and photo-taking to be done today. Hope your weekend was great and your Monday is too!
Happy Weekend : Favorite Links
A few of my favorite links from this week to bring you into the weekend. Happy Friday!
1. The seventies is my declared favorite decade for clothing, but the eighties' bright colors always get me. Chelsea's sweatshirt is so rad.
2. Going somewhere fun this summer? Here is an awesome printable packing list to make sure you remember everything.
3. As a waitress / vintage shop owner / aspiring designer I sometimes have a hard time with the question "So what do you do?" when meeting people. I either end up rambling quickly trying to fit in all the aspects of my jobs, or just picking one and going with that. These tips on "how to perfect your elevator pitch" are perfect, and something I want to work on this week.
4. The Well is posting this month on essential things when you are working towards success, especially as an entrepreneur. This post on time off & time to think and plan was great.
5. As a big avocado on toast fan, these "toast 5 ways" recipes sound delicious and a great way to mix it up.
Rainy Day Roundup
Tuesday in Burlington was a super rainy morning followed by a clear, humid afternoon. It made for a cozy day inside working on projects, but once the rain started to slow down Owen and I were getting a little stir crazy in the house and headed out for a walk to the lake. It smelled so great outside with everything freshly wet. It reminded me of waiting out the rain at my summer camp when I was younger, until we could finally get outside to play. We soaked in the sunshine and relaxed by the water for a bit. I wore my favorite Columbia rain jacket I found a couple weeks ago, which I have worn probably ten times since then. Its so lightweight and waterproof, and easy to stuff in a bag and carry around once you don't need it anymore. I love rain gear, especially when it comes in cute colors, so I was inspired to create a little roundup of some of the items on my wishlist, and a jacket that is similar to mine. Hope you enjoy!
The Colors of Summer
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| rainbow swiss chard |
| Summertime is so colorful isn't it? I really noticed this week how bright everything is during the warmer months and how that one aspect really affects my mood. Here's some bright and colorful photos from this week to put you in a cheerful mindset as well on this rainy day. |
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| my favorite thrifted Columbia rain jacket |
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| swimsuits! |
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| a bright new waist belt my mom got me |
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| Owen's golfing trip to Middlebury |
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| our hippie man hanging in the living room |
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| a marina sunset |
Weekend Recap : Farmers Market
Farmers' market photos from this weekend with Owen and my mom. I got a basil plant, rainbow swiss chard (recipe coming soon), iced coffee and an awesome veggie samosa. We spent a lot of time checking out the local artists work this time and wow is there some talent around Burlington. I'll have to do a post soon showcasing some of the painters / illustrators based here, because I was blown away. All around good buys and a good time had by all. We spent the rest of the weekend on the beach or lake with family, so I am happily sunburnt and ready to start the week. Happy Monday!
Happy Weekend : Favorite Links
A few of my favorite links from this week to bring you into the weekend. Happy Friday Sunday! ; )
1. Vegetables that you can regrow in one week.
2. Photographer Julien Knez takes 1940's photographs in Paris and places them against modern day photographs in the same place. Such a beautiful idea and so well done.
3. A lovely Swedish family home in summertime.
4. Meyer lemon shaker slab pie. I love lemon desserts so this is right up my alley.
5. This striped midi and swing top go perfect together on Sarah. Plus her new baby is adorable : )
This and That : Summer Schedule
Since Owen and I are both working mostly nights right now (and I like to work on the shop in the evening most of the time), we can usually get outside during the afternoon to enjoy some of the Vermont summer. This afternoon we hit up Oak Ledge park once again, our favorite spot right near our house, to catch some rays, jump very quickly in the cold water and eat our lunch. The air was warm and breezy, and there were a ton of those little cotton ball looking things floating around (that's what is in the first picture, crazy right?) Its so nice to break up the day that way, especially after spending a lot of time cooped up inside my office the past couple days. Sometimes I wonder what everyone else's daily schedule looks like, and if it changes much during the summer like ours does. Hope you can soak in some sunshine today too, and share your summer routine with me if you want! : )
Weekend Recap : Family Time
Another busy weekend for Owen and I that ran into Monday as well. It was spent with my family on Friday and Saturday in Vermont, playing cards on the boat and hitting the farmers market in the morning. Somehow I did not bring my camera so we will all just have to imagine it, but it was fun : ) We both worked the weekend nights at our restaurants, and then Sunday afternoon drove to Owen's parents house in New York. The drive was beautiful on a clear sunny day, passing through all the small towns and farms and seeing people out and about. In New York we spent lots of time hanging around my in-laws beautiful pond chatting and hitting golf balls, taking a quick hike, catching up with friends over a beer and playing with our niece Hannah. Yes, there is another overload of baby pictures comin' atcha. You know you love them. Overall a very fun and relaxing weekend. Hope your's was fab!
P.S. How about this sweatshirt around the waist look? Totally cool, right? Hah.
Happy Weekend : Favorite Links
A few of my favorite links from this week to bring you into the weekend. Happy Friday!
1. 5 podcasts for bloggers, designers and creatives. As I've mentioned before, I am a big fan of The Lively Show and After the Jump, but I can't wait to try out the other three.
2. I think gingham and florals might be my favorite new summer combination, and Julia always does it so well!
3. I have wanted to visit Greece ever since...OK ever since I watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. This Quick Guide To Santorini would be perfect if I get the chance!
4. This designer really made the most of his Manhattan 375-square-foot space.
5. Wild blueberry coconut ricotta doughnuts. Enough said.
Shop Talk : Website Re-Launch
It's been a little quiet around the blog this week, as I have been working hard on a project I've been wanting to complete for a while now. I will be relaunching the OldSchoolSwank standalone online shop this week in a much more user friendly theme, and I'm so excited with how its coming so far. Above are a few outtakes from the first photo shoot we had. Lets just say I left with quite a bit of mud on me... I'll be back on track with posts tomorrow, thanks so much for checking in with me. Hope your day is going great! : )
P.S. You can check it out HERE
Around Here Lately
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| Around here lately we have been: |
Boat riding
Dock hanging
Bike riding
Barbecue having
Ladderball playing
Vintage hunting
Office organizing
Game of Thrones watching
Inspiration board making
How about you? Hope your weekend was great : )
