Maryland’s Capital, Right Off the Chesapeake – Annapolis

Annapolis: The capital of Maryland, and 350 years old. It’s a vibrant and charming colonial town, and it’s the home of the U.S. Naval Academy. It’s also known for its sailing and boating activities, since it’s right off the Chesapeake Bay.

Downtown, Maryland Avenue in particular is so delightful! You can bike, or walk around this historic district. When I was there, I couldn’t stop going in to the small cafes and trying all the fresh crab cakes. They are the best!

Blue Crab Cakes, Annapolis, Maryland

There are a lot of fun things to do: The Maritime Museum of Annapolis is a must-see for the whole family. Tour Thomas Point, and see the artistic and virtual exhibits and the “oyster eye view” of sealife.

Heading off to the museum

You can also go down to the Ram’s Head to see a great live performance. It’s an iconic pub that features the most amazing live music, great food and drinks.

Have a drink, grab a bite, see a show.

Another fun activity is going to the Maryland Statehouse. It’s a historic landmark building where you can get tours – check their site here for additional information.

Get a tour of this beautiful historical and government site.

Also, you can go down and check out the cruise from Annapolis to the Bay of St. Michaels. It’s a wonderful way to see the area from the water, enjoy the beautiful views, and this boat tour is running through September 12th.

Bay of St. Michael’s

You don’t want to miss Ego Alley, a very charming area down by the docks. Be sure to stop by the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer’s Market. Delicious!

I recommend the churned butter!

Another interesting place to go with the kids would be the William Paca Gardens. It’s truly an exquisite estate, where you’ll enjoy the fragrance of the gardens while you walk through the grounds. It is open to the public – see their tour schedule here.

A beautiful day out for the whole family

Make sure you take advantage of all the seaside activities, including strolling through the shipyards. This ship was a reproduction of Lafayette’s, who aided the U.S. during the Revolutionary War. Quite often ships dock and allow tours!

Tour historical reproductions of historic ships

Pack some comfortable shoes and walk around the docks to view colorful houses, historic buildings and all the colorful ships! Annapolis is truly a beautiful place filled with endless places to discover.

Walking along the bay in Annapolis

So whether you’re wearing those patriotic navy blues and whites as you’re strolling through the grounds of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, or you’re in Southern Florida wearing those pastels and whites, remember – it’s all about style!

Shop the Annapolis Collection 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

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

Newport, A Port in Rhode Island full of Mansions

This week, it’s all about Newport, Rhode Island!

A beautiful New England Port Town, Rhode Island is full of some of the most famous summer cottages from the gilded age of mansions. The Breakers, The Elms, The Marble House, Rosecliff, and Rough Point to name a few. You can tour any of the cottages you want to see – just check the schedule online at newportmansions.org.

The Breakers Mansion

One of the most beautiful things to do is to walk along the Ocean Drive and check out the Cliff Walk. It has some of the most amazing views! It’s 3 1/2 miles of cliffs and rocky beaches.

Take a heavenly stroll by the seaside.

Newport also has the International Tennis Hall of Fame! A must-see while you’re in Little Rhody!

You’ll really score with this historical tour.

Oddly enough, Newport also has the oldest synagogue in the United States, Touro Synagogue. Construction was started in 1658, and the building was complete in 1763. It’s a beautiful space with tours available.

A place of spirituality and history.

For a charming experience and fun shopping, you should walk along Thames Street. You’ll also find some great eats! It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with the family.

A perfect place for a summer stroll.

If you’re sailing around Newport, strolling on the Cliff Walk, or taking a tour of the summer cottages while you’re in Rhode Island, pack those fabulous cashmere sweaters for a brisk seaside stroll, or those lightweight linens and cottons for hotter summer days. If you happen to be in steamy Southern Florida, make sure you pull out those lightweight linens and cottons in pastel colors to stay cool in the summer heat. Most importantly, no matter where you are, it’s all about style.

Shop the Newport Rhode Island Collection by visiting 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