Outfit and Occasion

Outfit:

Dolce Vita romper (hand-me-down)

So, this outfit was not thrifted, but FREE nonetheless (yay for sisters!).  It’s a bit like a tablecloth…just a really beautiful one…so I’m gonna wear it and rock it all over this town!  My mom says that rompers are unflattering and look like baby clothes.  I get the reference, but I have to jump onboard the romper bandwagon because they’re comfy and pretty cute!  I love the overlay of the top half on this particular number, so it can kind of pass as a matching shirt/short set…kinda.  Easy and breezy for a hot summer’s night!

Occasion:

Mal Maiz and Las Cafeteras 

What better to pair the heat outside than a couple of saucy bands at the local hot spot, ArtsRiot, in the South End of Burlington.  ArtsRiot opened a few years ago, and it is a one-stop shop; food truck Fridays, delicious staple menu items, and a venue for performances of all kinds!  I went over the weekend and was blown away by Mal Maiz from Burlington, and the headliner, Las Cafeteras, from Montreal.  Both bands sing in Spanish and put on one hell of a show!

Mal Maiz is one of my favorite local bands.  Their Facebook ‘about us’ says it perfectly: “Costa Rican gypsy devil Maiz Vargas Sandoval and his Afro-Cumbia Orchestra are a hot East Coast Latin dance band with both a traditional and modern flair”.

When I thought it couldn’t get any better, Las Cafeteras took the stage.  They combined intense fervor, fierce tapping, belting, joyfulness, and political activism to produce something special.  Every single person in the room could not contain the impulse to dance wildly and clap loudly.  It was an experience I will never forget!

Summertime is for getting out and seeing good music!  Do it.

Outfit and Occasion

Shari Bodell pants (Second Time Around, Burlington), >$10, Marc Jacobs heels (Second Time Around, Burlington), >$10, Brandi Melville top (hand-me-down)

Second Time Around is was a chain consignment store that accepted only designer brands and resold them at a steep price, yet moderately lower than the original retail price.  I use the past tense because all STAs recently shut down and were unable to offer payouts for any items.  Reportedly, they couldn’t afford to continue paying their rent.  Wah wah…it is not surprising considering people could barely afford their slightly marked down/rejected-by-their-owner wardrobe.

HOWEVER….because they swiftly shut down, there were a few days that they were basically giving away their inventory for insanely cheap prices!  I frantically picked through piles of the most high-end goods, dramatically throwing clothing left and right! I filled a bag for $10, and within my loot were these beautiful pants by Sheri Bodell.  They were marked at $99 second-hand, and sell for over $300 retail!  Also in my $10 bag were these Marc Jacobs shoes that are worth about $400 retail.  My friend told me she literally shed tears of joy walking out of the store! Ha ha

Occasion:  The Great Northern

I had to find a nice occasion to sport my awesome finds!  The Great Northern, a new farm-to-table restaurant in the South End of Burlington, was swanky enough for Burlington standards!  I went with my parents while they were visiting and had an incredible meal!  The grilled octopus and 24 hour brisket were my favorites!  Seasoned to perfection and cooked just right!  We also shared the surf and turf which was delectable!

The Great Northern is a great bang for your buck!  It compares to other high-end restaurants like Hen of the Wood, but it’s pretty affordable for a nice night out!  Just please, order the octopus…it’s sensational!