Date Night : Dinner at the Lake

Some sunset photos from a night off together Owen and I had last week. We threw together some dinner, packed it with some Miller Lites in our cooler and sat down by the water watching the sun go down. Hanging by the water + food + our camera + a little booze = a typical summer night for the Perks couple. We are just so exciting. Hah. Happy first day of fall!

Weekend Recap : Labor Day Weekend

A few photos from Labor Day weekend, which was spent split between hanging out at my parents boat, going to the Champlain Valley Fair, setting up my new photo studio kit (yay!) and waitressing. Hope yours was just as fun : )

A Farm Wedding

A few weeks ago my family and I went to my uncle's wedding in Walton, New York. My mom grew up here on a dairy farm, and the reception was held in a field on top of a hill overlooking the farm and the expansive valley views around it. It really was beautiful, even though it downpoured on us the first ten minutes (check out the dark, ominous ski picture below). Luckily it cleared up quickly and everyone had a great time drinking beer, playing games and eating delicious smoked chicken. The ceremony was held in a gazebo in a park beforehand, and the wedding party showed up on a hay wagon on the back of a tractor. They had camouflage bridesmaid dresses and the guys all wore camo hats and their work boots. So awesome! All in all it was a fun day catching up with family we don't get to see very much and celebrating their marriage.

Exploring : Montpelier, Vermont

Last week I took a day off and drove south with my parents to check out Vermont's capital city of Montpelier. I had been wanting to explore it for a while now, but hadn't gotten around to it, and am so glad that I finally did. We started out at the Visitors Center, which has all sorts of great information, free Green Mountain coffee, Cabot cheese samples and the nicest lady you'll ever meet to give you ideas of what to do. Plus they have a sweet swinging hammock chair you may want to sit in for a while and then steal because it is so comfortable.

Roundup : 4th of July Outfit Inspiration

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 ; )

1. Anthropologie Nilima Tunic Dress

2. Free People Wanderer Maxi

3. Free People Boom Boom Caftan

4. Urban Outfitters Crisscross Bella Headwrap

5. Target Navy Stars & Stripes Bralette Flounce Bikini

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.

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!

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! : )

Favorite Etsy Finds : Easy Breezy Summer

My parents put their boat in the water this week, which is always the first sign of summer for us. Being out on the clear blue lake with the green landscape surrounding us got me inspired to do a roundup of crisp, easy breezy items from some of my favorite Etsy designers. I could wear that scarf every day! Happy Thursday everyone : )

1. Linen Tunic Dress

2. Green Banana Leaf Beach Bag

3. White Gemstone Bracelet

4. Retro One Piece Swimsuit

5. Vallarta Marbled Scarf

6. Dark Grey Oversized Tunic

Lawn Games Roundup

Both my family and Owen's are way into games, and lawn games are some of our favorites. We actually played croquet outside at Thanksgiving this year wearing winter coats and gloves. And we had three cornhole games going at our wedding reception. And if you read my weekend recap you saw our ladderball set. Yep, we love games. With the temperatures rising it really is great to have a few lawn games on hand when you have people over for a barbecue or drinks, because its fun to both play or just sit and watch and chat with everyone. I gathered a few of our favorites here : )

1. wacky washers

2. ladderball (we actually own this set, and its really great quality)

3. cornhole

4. croquet (vintage!)

5. bocce ball

6. kubb

Swimwear Roundup

I've been searching online for a new swimsuit this week, and figured I'd share a few of my favorite swimwear items I've come across. For this season I'm loving crochet details, scalloped edges and darker prints. Isn't that silk caftan amazing? I am ready for a beach day : )

1. Mara Hoffman Vinyl Bag

2. Anthropologie Narissa Silk Caftan

3. Roxy X Pendleton Bikini Top

4. Free People Cheeky Halter Top

5. Anthropologie Paso Robles Maillot

6. Target Mikon Leaf Coverup Romper

7. Anthropologie Scalloped Underwire Maillot

8. Anthropologie Eberjey Castaway Cover-Up

2015 Summer Goals

Today I put together a list of goals I'd like to work on this summer. Nothing mind blowingly different than everyone else's, but there is a much better chance of me sticking to them if I write them down somewhere I can look back at and check in on. I did it for my New Years resolutions and it definitely kept me motivated. Am I the only crazy list maker out there or does this method work for anyone else? I'd love to hear what your goals for this summer are!