Friday, July 31, 2015

Andrew & Jen Are Engaged!


I met up with Andrew and Jen last weekend, early on Saturday morning to beat the forecasted storms. We photographed in two great spots in central Mass - Moore State Park and Purgatory Chasm. We couldn't have asked for better weather - it was even a bit chilly at times! The sun hid behind the clouds for most of the morning and there wasn't a hint of humidity in the air. It was perfect!

After spending some time in the peaceful Moore State Park, Andrew and Jenn had a costume change and then we headed off for what we dubbed an adventure at Purgatory Chasm - a popular hiking spot with trails and a chasm naturally created with boulders as big as skyscrapers. It's quite the playground for rock climbers, I imagine!

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Pretty Picnic Dresses & Scrumptious Pie Necklaces


Holy crap, it's the last week of July! Hot damn, this summer has been flying by! In a little over a month from now, I am off to Amsterdam to execute a tradeshow called IBC. It's actually been awhile since I had to travel overseas for a show (CABSAT in Dubai was back in March!) so I've strangely been looking forward to it. It's kind of exciting - I get to see a new place and live in a new culture while meeting some of our customers and spreading awareness of our company and products. It's cool to see it come together.

Before I take off, though, I am trying to enjoy the summer as much as I can! I definitely made the most out of my vacation a couple weeks ago and am hoping to fill August with some fun stuff as well. One element of fun stuff will definitely be dresses. ALL THE DRESSES!

Monday, July 27, 2015

Mini Key Lime Marshmallow Pies


I love key lime pie. It's one of my most favorite desserts. I have the fondest memory of being a little girl, enjoying the best slice of my life with my mom. When my sisters and I were little, we got to pick where we wanted to go for our birthdays. It could be a movie, bowling, lunch, shopping - you name it!

I don't remember how old I was, but one year, I picked the Worcester Art Museum. I must have been 7 or 8 - that was when I was really into drawing and started taking art classes. Somehow it ended up being just my mom and I (perhaps I was the only one interested in walking around an art museum by choice) and it was such a great day.

The best part of the day was visiting the museum's cafe - and honestly, it's the only part of the day I remember! I felt so grown up and special sitting in the small cafe (well, it seemed small then! Not sure if it really is as glamorous and small in real life) with my mom - just us girls! I got to have whatever I wanted and I decided to be adventurous and order a slice of key lime pie.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Bring me to Brimfield!


Living in Massachusetts can be a bit boring. Sure, we've got Boston and all its perks, but other than that? It's kind of Boringtown, USA.  The one thing we DO have is the Brimfield Show.

Brimfield is a small town in southern Massachusetts that is the home of the biggest antique/vintage shows in the country. Brimfield actually only 20 minutes or so from my hometown, another small town. Let's just say the entire area surrounding Brimfield is full of small towns that no one has ever heard of.

But back to the show! The Brimfield Show is pretty much the mecca of all things vintage and antique. Located on Route 20, the show covers a 1 mile radius on both sides of the street. There are thousands of vendors there every year, selling some amazing (as well as odd) stuff. People travel to Brimfield from all over the USA for this show.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Unique Vintage's Dress of the Month Club: July


Happy Hump Day and Happy Mid-Month! As far as Unique Vintage goes, that means this month's Dress of the Month Club has been sent out! I got mine this past weekend and will admit I was hesitant on keeping it. I opened it and just saw a boring navy stretchy dress with a sash.

Due to the sudden heat and humidity takeover we experienced starting on Sunday, I put the dress aside and didn't think much of it for the rest of the weekend. TOO HOT TO FUNCTION!

Monday, July 20, 2015

Finley Charles, 2 Weeks Old


Baby Finley came into the world on June 17th to Shana and Dave. I photographed Dave and Shana's wedding a few years back and was overjoyed when they called me up to capture their first baby in his first weeks on earth.

It feels like so long ago that we met for their wedding but at the same time, it also feels like just yesterday! Isn't it funny how time works? It was great to see them again as well as meet little Finley. Shana and Dave are naturals already - they are so at ease with Finley and worked together like a team as Finley protested his portraits with some hearty screams.

Friday, July 17, 2015

I'm In Love with an Uptown Girl


Last week was my virtual birthday week on the blog but I'd say this week was certainly the week that I celebrated my birthday to the fullest.

For those who follow me on social media, you probably saw some of my adventures during my week off. I had what I called a Me-cation. I took this whole week off from work for some much needed time off and filled it with all kinds of adventures for ME. Cody still had to work (his Me-cation was in May while we were in Vegas, remember? Though, with his buddies there, it was more of a Bro-cation) but I did not waste my days off laying around the house! No, sirree!

Among the day trips to the Brimfield Show with Red (more on that next week - stay tuned!), a vintage/textile trade show with my fellow pinup-style appreciator Jenni, and a fancy birthday dinner cruise with Cody, I also had a special night for my father and I planned. For his birthday in March, I got us two tickets to see one of our favorites, Billy Joel, live at Boston's Fenway Park.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

What's Sara Reading? July Edition



Ok, real talk - didn't I JUST post for June? Why does it feel like each month is flying by faster than the previous one? STOP, TIME, JUST STAAAHPP!

This edition of "What's Sara Reading?" is a shortie. Just 3 reads to share. I want to say it's because I'm just so busy doing awesome summer things but...who am I kidding?

It has been a fast moving month, though. I didn't have any shows to travel to in the past month or so so it's definitely been nice to just enjoy summer and have some fun with Cody and our friends. We've had a party or two at the house, spent a weekend in NH with Cody's family, and celebrated my birthday all dressed up on a boat cruise in Boston. Love any opportunity to get fancy!

Some big news on the reading front, though! I have decided to join the rest of the world in the modern age and get a Kindle! I love me some books, some real, physical, made-with-paper books, but let's face it - they're clunky, they take up so much room (I have no more shelf space!), and they can get expensive if they're hard cover. Ugh! I also love to keep my books in my purse and take them wherever I go and when a book arrives and can't fit in my purse? I feel so defeated.

So I decided it was time! The Kindle can easily fit in my purse, I can stock up on books when I travel, I can save some money when I binge on new books, and I can use my book shelf for something new! OK, I may keep just a few favorites...

I will still post monthly to this series but the format may change. Why not give it a re-vamp? It's the perfect time!

Monday, July 13, 2015

Make It Magnificent Tonight...Atomic!


So, has anyone ever LISTENED to the lyrics of Blondie's "Atomic?" Could there be any less actual words to it? It cracks me up how simple some of the hits actually were back then. Then again, some of today's hit songs are pretty questionable, too...

When I saw Love Ur Look's new atomic line, my heart went a-flutter. I have veered away from black a lot in my wardrobe lately (which is hilarious as black was a staple in my wardrobe a handful of years ago - yeah, I thought I was punk rock back in the day), but every once in awhile, when I find a good print, I give into a darker, bolder kind.

Friday, July 10, 2015

My Birthday Present to Myself: A New Capsule Vintage Dress!


Do you buy yourself birthday presents?

I do! I splurge and usually allow myself to do some shopping before my birthday. OK, I know, you're thinking don't you shop all year long? Well, yes, I'd say I do shop fairly often and I do give in and buy a dress here and there online when browsing.

But when my birthday comes around and there's a few things I spot that I would typically hold back on, I let myself give in. One of the biggest things I hold myself back on is buying vintage. Oh lovely delicate vintage. It's such an amazing thing to find a beautiful vintage dress in your size - but the price of good vintage can hurt my soul oh so much!

That is why I knew that when I spotted this beauty on Capsule Vintage's Etsy shop, I had found my birthday present to myself. I only hesitated about 30 seconds before pressing "buy" on the app and checking out.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

My Birthday Suit (or Dress) from Tatyana!


When it's your birthday, you gotta dress up. I think there's a law about that. Somewhere in that big ol' book of laws, there's got to be one about wearing a kickass dress on the day of you birth, right? Oh come ON! Whatever.

In my law book, it states that if it is your birthday, you don't hold back on wardrobe and you wear whatever you want. I mean, hey, if you feel fabulous in sweats and a tank top, be my guest. I, however, saved the second dress I treated myself to back in May when I was in Vegas for EMC World.

I visited the Tatyana Boutique while there and fell in love - total love - over the Frozen dress. It fit like a glove (I mean it fits as if it were made for me - I love when that happens!) and I knew it was meant to be. Gosh, it was love at first sight. My favorite kind!

Monday, July 6, 2015

My Virtual Birthday Cake: Mom's Chocolate Chip Cheesecake


It's my BIRTHDAY WEEK! It's funny that I decided to do a Birthday week as I sort of dislike my birthday. I don't know, I just don't care to make a big deal out of me. I've always been a giver more than a receiver (hence my love for Christmastime) so it's just weird when it's my turn to have the attention. No thanks!

Anyway, all that hoopla aside, let's focus on the important things here - there will be 3 posts this week leading up to my birthday on July 12th featuring 3 very important elements to a good birthday: what I got myself for my birthday, what I will be wearing for my birthday celebration, and most importantly - THE CAKE.

More specifically? This cheesecake! I am dubbing it my virtual birthday cake to share with all my interweb friends. Everyone has a favorite birthday treat from their childhood. If you're saying no, I don't want to talk to you. You're a liar!

Sorry. I guess I feel strongly about my appreciation for sweets.

I AM NOT ASHAMED!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Leaving on a Jet Plane...


 Guess who's got two thumbs and joined the Mary Blair train recently? THIS GIRL!

Guess who's got a guest blog post over at Sans Scrubs today for her 4th of July post? THIS SAME GIRL!

I love my bloggy friends. Amanda at Sans Scrubs has been such a cool gal pal, always checking out my new posts and being just so over the top supportive. She was one of the first bloggers I found and followed when I began this fun thing we call blogging so when she asked me to guest post on her blog in July, I was over the moon with the idea!

So what are you waiting for?! Go check out my Mary Blair purchase and more over at Sans Scrubs today!

Happy 4th of July, friends!