OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:  Madewell plaid shirt (Salvation Army, Burlington), $3.00, Ralph Lauren vest (Richmond Thrift Store, Richmond), $5.00, BDG jeans (Urban Outfitters, Burlington), $20.00 on sale, Armadillo sneakers (bucketfeet.com), $70.00 Splurge Alert!

This no-jacket-weather in November is very much appreciated, albeit a bit concerning (global warming, uh oh).  I had never owned a puffy vest, but it has been a key ingredient for this sunny/slightly cool mix.  The fact that it’s a designer brand is great, but most importantly, it is well-made and keeps me warm without getting uncomfortably sweaty.  It goes great with this light and airy plaid Madewell shirt that would be around $60 retail!  Add some armadillo sneaks from bucket feet (eclectic designs from famous artists) and you have a casual and comfy weekend outfit!

Occasion:

Pizzeria Verita

Pizzeria Verita has unbelievable pizza!  It compares to Barrio Bakery (previously featured), but has a fancier ambiance and a bigger menu.  They put organic and fresh ingredients on amazing crust…making a very special experience.  I started with the beet and avocado salad – 3 different kinds of beets and perfectly ripe avocado (so light and tasty!), then devoured the prosciutto pizza.  I was one happy camper!

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Missoni for Target sweater (Battery Street Jeans, Burlington VT), $5.00, Jeans (forever21, NY), $15.00

Missoni, the beautiful and expensive Italian designer, had a line at Target and sold out within hours.  I was excited to see a cute item from the 400-piece line at the cheap consignment store, Battery Street Jeans in Burlington.  There is always an incredible amount to sift through there, but it carries unique (and often quirky) items for every style!  Granted I thought this cardigan was purely Missoni at first, in which it would be worth about 100 X as much, but this signature style is so fun and colorful, I was still pretty pumped!  Plus, I had credit from recycling old clothes so it was virtually FREE!

Occasion:

Stowe Bike Path, Arts Festival and Istanbul House

I could not stop snapping pictures on this clear, sunny day.  I appreciated seeing beautiful, unique VT art at a fair in Stowe, everything from glass blowing to inlayed wood, and then found the Stowe Bike Path, yet another gorgeous and entrancing place to stroll.  I ❤ Vermont!

Istanbul House is a new-ish restaurant in Burlington and it was so delicious!  I had a traditional plate called Doner Kebab, a Turkish dish made of meat (typically lamb) cooked on a vertical rotisserie.  It took be back to my abroad trip in Spain where we ate this regularly.  This was cheap street food when traveling.  It definitely was not as cheap here in Burlington, but was totally worth it!  Be prepared for a perfectly greasy, heavily seasoned plate of ecstasy.

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Free People Songbird Sweater (ebay.com), $30.00 (orginally $98), Plaid skirt (Shalom Shuk, Burlington VT), $5.00, Maroon infinity scarf (store in NYC), $10.00, Gold bag (gifted)

Bye summer dresses, hello cozy Fall sweaters and scarves.  These are my favorite days – sun and warmth, yet cool and breezy all at the same time.  This Free People sweater is definition of comfy and scored it on ebay (even though it’s a bit of a splurge).  I felt like a Vermonter with my new Shuk-ed green plaid skirt.  Perfect for snuggling up on a road trip to chase the foliage.

Occasion:

Rainbow Sweets (again) and Exploring Marshfield

Ok, I’ve featured Rainbow Sweets in Marshfield before, but seriously, this is such a TREAT I just had to post again.  Such a small town gem.  The talkative owner who is just so incredibly enthusiastic about what he is serving is always a delight.  Baked lunch pastries like this empanada and baked goods like this mousse-y chocolate cake and brown sugar tart are UNREAL.  The whole experience is just as good as it gets.  An hour and a half distance and I’d tack on another hour for this special experience.

While in Marshfield, we discovered the Cross Vermont Trail which was delightfully graced with turning leaves before most places in the country!  It was a magical walk through a canopy of bright colors and hidden surprises like this beautiful pond and surrounding mountains.

 

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Flying Tomato blouse (Plato’s Closet, Williston VT), $12.00, Gap shorts (The Gap, NY) $?

Consignment finds are not nearly as exhilarating as dirt cheap thrifts (ah, the high from true steals…),  but this boho top definitely resulted in a mini internal celebration :). Love the peasant look!

Occasion:

Soakin in that sun and road tripin to Underhill and Bristol Harvest Fests!

Bristol Harvest Festival – Adorable, picturesque green in the middle of Stars Hollow-esque town with craft vendors, pie contests, and sugary sweet strawberry lemonade (the real deal).  Ate at Skinny Pancake, a restaurant in Burlington that makes guest appearances at many outdoor festivals.  They serve crepes with savory and sweet fillings.  I opted for a ham and cheese “lumberjack” and thoroughly enjoyed each bite of this yummy treat!

Underhill Harvest Market – Tag sales galore, craft vendors, clutter barn, BBQ, fun activities for kids.  They have the whole kit and caboodle.

 

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Forever21 dress (Forever21, New York), $13.00, Mossimo shoes (Williston Liquidation Center, VT), $6.00 on sale

The Williston Liquidation Center sells a wide array of random expired or defected products…and an even more random selection of clothing.  I’ve found awesome sweaters for Tom, and every once in a while they have some designer brands…that are brand spankin new!  I found these shoes in my size, 50% off, and they are exactly what I needed (and I’m not just saying this!).  Comfort is key!  And so is cuteness!

Occasion:

Eat X NE at Oakledge Park

Every year, Skinny Pancake and Higher Ground put on a free two-day event at Oakledge Park in Burlington that has music, food vendors, and tons of breweries.  They had me at FREE, but it was actually an awesome event.  I came 3 separate times and had 3 separate meals and saw a couple of great bands!  It was a beautiful weekend for it and I got my dollar donation worth for sure!  I thoroughly enjoyed all three of my meals too!

Pork Belly Miso Soup from Miso Hungry

Perch Sandwich from Bleu Seafood

Tempura Broccoli from Pingala (A vegan restaurant that kicks ass)

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Jack by BB Dakota dress (Richmond Thrift Store, VT), $4.00, Siren cardigan (Goodwill, Burlington), $2.50, necklace (gifted), sandals (Sevilla, Spain), $8.00

I saw this dress at the consignment store, Second Time Around, and thought it looked cute and delicate, but out of my price range.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the same dress at the mother of all thrift stores in Richmond.  As previously mentioned, they have a partnership with STA and get their out of season stock.  This dress was meant to be mine, I guess!  The cardigan was ON SALE at The Goodwill, cause the outrageous $5 really needed that markdown!  It is that amazingly thin, soft material that you never want to take off!  Add a pair of cheap and comfortable sandals that I’ve had since being abroad in college, and you have an under $15 outfit!

Occasion:

 A Beautiful, Barn Wedding and dinner at Waterworks

  

Tom’s cousin, Josh, had a beautiful wedding at The Intervale in Burlington and the reception was in an old barn, tastefully decorated.  Beautiful couple, delicious food, an open bar, and dancing!  Man, I love weddings 🙂

To end the weekend right, we went to Waterworks in Winooski and sat right along the Winooski River in an all-around awesome setting.  The restaurant has a NYC-esque vibe with a big bar in the middle, dim lighting, and lavish couch tables for big parties.  We had meatballs and pita to start and I had a pasta with pesto, mushrooms, and other surprises!  I just HAD to try to the key lime pie in a jar for dessert with homemade graham cracker crust.  YUM!

OUTFIT AND OCCASION

Outfit:

Vintage Accomplice skirt (Richmond Thrift Store, VT), $4.00, Emma & Sam shirt (hand-me-down), Sandals (Sevilla, Spain), $8.00

Richmond Thrift Store delivers again!  When I saw the ladybugs, I knew this circle skirt was a must-have.  Under 5?  It was a sealed deal!  I really feel like this little gem of a store is my happy place and that I enter a designer haven (and in this case, vintage haven) every time I go!  Definitely worth poking around on a weekday before 4pm or, as I prefer, a Saturday morning to beat the early bird!

Occasion:

The Four Corners of the Earth

The Four Corners of the Earth in Burlington is EXCEPTIONAL.  People who know me are aware that I often use hyperbole, but this is is seriously my all-time favorite sandwich place in the world!  It is a located in a basement off the beaten path.  It is decorated with peculiar and eclectic, local art, including a huge painting of the owner’s face with a nursing pig below it.  The sandwiches are called things like “Iraqi Turkey” or “Jamaican Avocado”, without descriptions and you can ask what’s inside, but it’s encouraged to just trust that whatever you order will be magnificent.  I got the “Lebanese Lamb” which had pesto, slaw, garlic aioli, and cheese on it.  Each sandwich is given the utmost care, so be prepared to wait for this most heavenly treat.  Guaranteed adoration!