Autumn in Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina – a city in the Blue Ridge Mountains! It’s known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture.

The vast 19th Century Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, has tours available for those curious to see the 8,000 acre property and it’s Chateau-style mansion.

Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

The Basilica of St. Lawrence is also an amazing landmark, and the detail of the architecture is amazing to behold. Not to be missed!

Basilica of Saint Lawrence

The downtown Arts District and the River Arts District are bustling with activity. Many former factory buildings now house incredible art studios, and sophisticated restaurants. There are local breweries, and an upbeat art and music scene in the area.

Enjoy brews, food and art in the River Arts District, Asheville, North Carolina

If you’re looking to get out of the city for a day, there are many opportunities for hiking, river rafting and zip-lining in the local area.

Zip-lining in North Carolina

This is the time of year that there is a big Apple Festival! You can try over 40 varieties of apples! It sounds delicious…

Take a bite out of the Apple Festival!

A real treat is to check out the Pinball Museum! Adults and children alike just marvel at all the different games. It just sounds like a blast!

A fun outing for all ages.

Don’t forget to check out the bluegrass and dancing at the Feed and Seed Music Hall.

Lively music for a fun night out

All in all, this area of North Carolina, with its landscape of rich history and fun activities sounds like a place that you won’t want to miss.

The Asheville Collection from BLT – call (917) 209 – 0516 to see the latest wardrobe pieces.

Just remember, whether you’re strolling around town in Asheville in your cashmere sweater and jeans, or strolling in West Palm Beach in your linens and khaki slacks, it’s all about style.

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

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

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

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