Marfa, A Hidden Art Town in Texas

It’s a magical and mystical place…Marfa, Texas! It’s a small town three hours from El Paso, and about 6 hours from Austin, Texas, in the middle of a vast desert land on the border of the Great Bend National Forest.

There are only around 2,000 residents year-round, but tons of New Yorkers and Angelinos have descended upon this special place. It’s been discovered because of the amazing art foundations, installations and galleries, even a fabulous book store called the Marfa Book Company. The Donald Judd Foundation and the Chinati Foundation are too amazing for words.

Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas

Outside of town is a Prada store! Not really…It’s a Prada Marfa store! A total replica in actual size of a real Prada store. However, it’s just an art installation, life-size – it’s such a hoot! Oddly enough, even in this little town, there are more sophisticated restaurants than you can count on two hands, and a delicious grocery store called The Get Go.

Two fabulous Marfa places to see

A private Mexican-style hacienda turned into a hotel is full of treasures! The historical Hotel Paisano: when you step into the lobby, you’ll see an array of memorabilia. You can even see original photos of Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor, taken while they filmed the movie Giant in this little town.

I stayed at The Paisano while touring Texas with my BLT Collection

If you’re lucky enough you might even get to see the Marfa Mystery Lights! It’s a special atmospheric happening in the desert sky.

Marfa Mystery Lights will put a twinkle in your eye

If you do have the time, a must is to venture out to the Cibolo Creek Ranch about 30 miles out of town. It is an old fort built around the same time as The Alamo and has been restored by a wealthy Houstonian and turned into a very exclusive resort. I had the pleasure of staying there. While you’re on the property, you can enjoy amazing views of the Rio Grande and Mexico. On the ground there are magnificant crystal formations everywhere!

Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, Texas
Because Marfa borders the Great Bend National Forest, it’s been found to be the darkest night sky in the country. For you star-gazers, it is absolutely breathtaking on a clear night.
It is a place that you do not want to miss.

 

A starry night in Marfa, Texas by Rocketland Photography

So whether you’re wearing those flannel shirts, cowboy boots, leather jackets and sweaters in Marfa, Texas, or wearing those lightweight linens and those cottons down in Southern Florida, it’s all about style.

The Marfa Texas look from Bonnie Roseman’s BLT

Always remember my Three Golden Rules to Dress By:

1. Build Your Wardrobe with classic pieces.
2. Liven Your Wardrobe with fun novelty items.
3. Tweak Your Wardrobe with touches of color.

Feel good, and look even better!

-Bonnie

The Maine Stay: Bar Harbor

This week it’s all about Bar Harbor, also known as Mount Desert Island.

Home to 1500 foot Cadillac Mountain, it’s part of the Acadia National Park, and a place you definitely don’t want to miss if you’re traveling through New England or down the Maine coastline this summer.

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park

In it’s heyday, this town was the premiere summer resort, and home to Millionaire’s Row. There was a line of summer estates including the Rockefellers, Vanderbelt’s and Ford’s, until they all burnt down in a huge fire in 1947.

Today, there’s fabulous hiking, old historic carriage roads to explore, and even rock climbing on the mountain if you’re the adventuresome type.

Two young women hiking on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor, Maine.

There are several local museums, but one of the more interesting ones is the Abbe Museum, where they have artifacts of the Wabanaki Indians, the original inhabitants of the area.

Encampment painting by Judith Cooper

There seems to be an abundance of art galleries and local artists to boot. There is also a blossoming craft brewery scene, and fun activities like boating and fishing.

Downtown Bar Harbor

Don’t forget to try some of the freshest of Maine lobster and wild blueberries! They are abundant for picking on the side of the road.

Blueberry Pancakes

Whether you’re exploring the rugged coastline of Maine wearing those cozy cashmere sweaters, or the sandy beaches of Florida wearing those soft lightweight cottons and linens, remember that it’s all about style.

Shop the Bar Harbor BLT Collection at www.bonnieroseman.com

Always remember my Three Golden Rules to Dress By:

1. Build Your Wardrobe with classic pieces.
2. Liven Your Wardrobe with fun novelty items.
3. Tweak Your Wardrobe with touches of color.

Feel good, and look even better!

-Bonnie

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-sea features some of the world’s finest scenery on the Pacific Coastline. It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive south from San Francisco, and it’s a must if you haven’t gone already!

When you take 17-Mile-Drive, and stop at one of the top championship golf courses, you’ll see that Pebble Beach is one of the most beautiful courses in the United States. If you drive further, and stop and look at just a few of the most picturesque views, you’ll see famous landmarks such as the lone Cypress tree growing out of the tree along the cliff. When you’re looking out at the ocean, the view is unforgettable.

Lone Cypress Tree

Whether you’re on foot or in a car, there’s not lack of things in this quant little, and highly sophisticated town of Carmel. Ocean Avenue has a variety of art galleries, boutiques and cafes, and you can take Carmel Walks! It’s a daily tour given Tuesdays through Saturdays right in the center of town that points out all the hotspots.

Find the best places to shop, sightsee and eat with Carmel Walks

If you’re in Carmel in August, the 26th is the Concour on the Avenue, and the Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance. People come from all over the world to see these classic cars parading down the streets of Carmel from the 1940s classics, everything from Porches to Ferrari’s, all the way through 1989 models, and you can get close and personal as they parade through the center of town.

Concour Tour d’Elegance

in September, whether you’re with the kids or not, go down to the 57th Annual Sandcastle Contest down by the sand. Whether it’s sunny or foggy, it’s a blast!

Fabulous and unique sand sculptures

Don’t forget to drive down to Big Sur on US Highway 1 for a lovely lunch…

Take a bite out of Big Sur

Whether you’re wearing a cashmere sweater or a leather jacket along the Pacific Coastline, or a lightweight linen or cotton sweater by the Florida Atlantic Coast, it’s all about style!

Cashmere sweaters, long dresses and a soft leather bag. The perfect look for Carmel. Shop now at www.bonnieroseman.com.

Always remember my Three Golden Rules to Dress By:

1. Build Your Wardrobe with classic pieces.
2. Liven Your Wardrobe with fun novelty items.
3. Tweak Your Wardrobe with touches of color.

Feel good, and look even better!

-Bonnie

Harbourside Happenings: Exploring Boston

Boston. An amazing city and center of New England cultural life. If you’re not heading for the Cape, then this historical city has some wonderful free events that are happening this summer that should prove to be fun for the entire family.

Shakespeare on the Common is free for all! Romeo and Juliet is this season’s pick.

Catch Shakespeare in the park, a perfect night out.

You can picnic and have an outdoor movie and wine at the Boston Harbor. It’s a great way to impress your date – check for listings in the local paper.

Table for two? Great date night idea…

Sounds are sweet this summer, especially on the Charles River Esplanade. The Boston Landmarks Orchestra performs at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell! Check for further information in the local paper.

The sounds of summer.

For a bit of excitement, fly down the Zip Line! It extends 220 feet, it’s 30 feet above the ground, and witness views you’ve never seen in Boston before. Don’t miss it!

A bird’s eye view of Boston.

The SoWa Open Market features artisans, musicians, chefs and more. It’s on Saturdays and Sundays, and in addition to the farmer’s market and Food Truck Bazaar, there is also a brand new beer garden. It’s open until October 15th. This is Barbara Lynch’s newest adventure and not to be missed.

SoWa Market and food trucks. Give you taste buds a treat!

There are all so many special festivals in Boston in the summertime. Make sure you don’t miss the Boston Seafood Festival on August 13th – yum yum!

Try the clam chowder!

So whether you’re strolling along the harbor-side in Boston wearing those cashmere sweaters, or you’re seaside along the Palm Beaches wearing those lightweight linens, remember that it’s all about style.

The Boston Collection, from Bonnie Roseman’s BLT. Email bonnie@bonnieroseman.com to schedule your showing.

Always remember my Three Golden Rules to Dress By:

1. Build Your Wardrobe with classic pieces.
2. Liven Your Wardrobe with fun novelty items.
3. Tweak Your Wardrobe with touches of color.

Feel good, and look even better!

-Bonnie

 

Summer in Sun Valley

Another place of adventure mixed with sophistication is Sun Valley, Idaho, a beautiful mountain town!

This North Idaho area is the home of Earnest Hemingway, and the place where he rests. Although it’s known for its amazing skiing in the winter, the summers are full of warm days and beautiful nights. The area has festivals of all sorts from the beginning of the summer to the end of August.

Sun Valley Summer on the Ice is a series that runs from July to September, and gives one a chance to get up close and personal to Olympic ice-skating superstars.

 

Sun Valley Summer on Ice

 

The Arts & Crafts Festival is one of the best in the country, from August 11th through the 15th

Enjoy crafts, art, and the outdoors all at once.

There’s also lots of fabulous hiking and biking – over 400 miles of single track mountain biking trails! Views from Mount Baldy of the Ketchum Valley are absolutely breathtaking.

Many options for hiking and biking in Sun Valley.

The Summer Symphony Series is another amazing highlight from July 23rd to August 7th.

Catching some rays while listening to beautiful music.

There are tons of art galleries, and you have to make sure to check out the annual Wood River Studio Tour where artists open up their studios to the public. That’s August 19th and 20th.

See unique and original works of art from Idaho artists.

There are even outdoor art installations all over town, wherever you turn on the street corners…

Rod Kagan artwork in Sun Valley, Idaho.

To bring the summer season to a close, they have an old-fashioned Wagon Days Festival, where you can watch a 20 mule jerk line do maneuvers with some of the most finely preserved covered wagons ever made.

A chance to see what pioneer life was like.

So whether you’re wearing your flannel shirts or cashmere sweaters on a cool Pacific Northwest night, or wearing those linen and cotton dresses down by the sea, remember it’s all about style.

Shop the Sun Valley Collection from Bonnie Roseman’s BLT – head to bonnieroseman.com or email bonnie@bonnieroseman.com.

Always remember my Three Golden Rules to Dress By:

1. Build Your Wardrobe with classic pieces.
2. Liven Your Wardrobe with fun novelty items.
3. Tweak Your Wardrobe with touches of color.

Feel good, and look even better!

-Bonnie