https://stage.hercampus.com/style/art-layering-how-make-your-closet-feel-10-times-bigger
Monday, August 27, 2018
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Check Out my Article in Hollywood Glam Magazine on the Newest Skincare Trend: Facials for the People
Over the weekend I attended the grand opening of Facehaus at USC village. This cool new skincare store is all about one thing: facials! I got an exclusive interview with best friends and founders Jen Worley Entrepreneur and Author, Karey Burke Executive VP of Programming at Freeform and Dawn Olmstead Co-President of Universal Cable Programming and Wilshire Studios. Check out the full story here! http://www.hollywoodglammagazine.com/2018/08/22/facehaus-launches-at-usc-village/
Friday, August 17, 2018
Meet LA Blogger Babe Lainey of Iamfashionlaine
"Even my dog thinks she's an influencer" -Lainey, blogger at Iamfashionlaine
On Saturday at the Simply conference in LA I got to meet so many cool people from the fashion and beauty industry. Check out my interview with blogger and influencer Lainey of pop art fashion blog Iamfashionlaine. She spoke on a panel about being a micro-influencer and shared some great tips for bloggers just starting out. Before going on to her panel I got an exclusive interview with her where we talked about all things fashion and the latest trends in the industry as well as her top tips for micro-influencers.
She said, "Our panel is about the power of micro-influencers so I think the biggest tip is about being authentic to who you are because being your self is the biggest most special thing you can have in a world where everyone is an influencer, my dog thinks she's an influencer so its like what makes you different and I think its really you. That's what I figured out throughout the past 5-6 years about being a blogger."
This was a theme shared throughout the conference and something that really speaks to how the influecner space has evolved over the past couple of years.
Lainey told me about growing her blog and how her own personal style has changed since she started it. She is focused on a colorful style and her insta feed is filled with neon and rainbow outfits.
She told me about her look for the day saying, "Right now I'm wearing a crop top and a matching set and I love two pieces I love fun colorful stuff even if it's winter and I really do wear crop tops a lot so I feel like I always go back to that."
Lainey was taking advantage of all the great panels and expert opinions at the conference just like everyone else and she told me about the highlights she'd seen so far saying, "I've just been hopping around to the different panels and seeing a lot of people that I know and I was like Oh my God, Lo from the Hills is here! So I'm like freaking out. But just seeing the different people and hearing what they all have to say because everyone has something cool to say here!"
We also talked about her latest venture called Fashionablylatte a fashion and popculture Youtube show she created with her partner Diana Espir. She's been working on trying new content ideas with the show and was so excited when she found out I watched it. She even featured me on her insta story during the event! Check out her blog to see more of her fun styles here!
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Check Out my Interview with Kelly Clarkson's Stylist Candice McAdrews at Simply LA
At Simply LA on Saturday I got an exclusive interview with celeb stylist to Kelly Clarkson, Candice McAndrews. Before heading onto her panel she gave me an inside look at what it's like to be a Rock n Roll fashion expert plus she shared her top style tips!
Fashion is an important piece of celebrity image and as a stylist Candice is responsible for creating that image and keeping it consistent. For a musician like Kelly Clarkson that means coming up with new looks when the singer is on tour while still keeping them on theme.
Since Clarkson always looks 100% I decided to ask Candice what her top style tips were because who doesn't want to look like a rockstar?
She said, "In, style and fashion I think that the best tip I can give anybody is to be confident in what you wanna wear and who you are because clothing is another way to express yourself. Rock what you've got and be you."
Now that's definitely the best fashion advice any girl could get.
Next she told me about the business side of the industry and how it's changed since she first started out saying, "Instagram and social media and showing your work on there is how you market yourself now. Showing the people that you've done shows that you're a professional even though there a lot of people on social media who aren't. I think that having your agent and an agency on there is important too. You have to really show that you are a bona-fide stylist and a professional because there's a lot of non-stylists coming off as professionals. I think that building a website, having an agent, showing your portfolio, and then people will believe you're an expert because you are."
On her panel McAndrews talked about what got her into fashion in the first place saying, " Growing up, I loved MTV and watching the music videos and seeing the different styles."
The stylist hasn't always worked in fashion though and first served in the army for 4 years before coming to LA to start her styling career. She shared that once she returned home she started thinking about what she had wanted to do when she was 16 and decided to take styling internships in LA because she remembered how much she'd loved fashion.
Her story is so inspiring because it shows that really anyone can be a fashion lover. She also told the audience that she's continued to serve in the reserves since she got out of the military and just retired from that last year, showing that fashion and other interests aren't mutually exclusive.
Finally she shared with me her favorite moment from her career so far as a stylist saying, "It's really hard to choose because I'm in Rock n Roll and Hollywood so I go back and forth but right now I'm working with Kelly Clarkson all the time and she is the dopest person on the planet. I'm so grateful to have her as a client. She's just humble and funny to no end, hilarious, she really takes care of her people and I'm just enjoying my time with her. We're doing the Voice and we're doing music stuff and we're doing some TV pilots and she's just bouncing everywhere so each day is something new and something fun and she's just really lovely, like I could do it forever."
Fashion is an important piece of celebrity image and as a stylist Candice is responsible for creating that image and keeping it consistent. For a musician like Kelly Clarkson that means coming up with new looks when the singer is on tour while still keeping them on theme.
Since Clarkson always looks 100% I decided to ask Candice what her top style tips were because who doesn't want to look like a rockstar?
She said, "In, style and fashion I think that the best tip I can give anybody is to be confident in what you wanna wear and who you are because clothing is another way to express yourself. Rock what you've got and be you."
Now that's definitely the best fashion advice any girl could get.
Next she told me about the business side of the industry and how it's changed since she first started out saying, "Instagram and social media and showing your work on there is how you market yourself now. Showing the people that you've done shows that you're a professional even though there a lot of people on social media who aren't. I think that having your agent and an agency on there is important too. You have to really show that you are a bona-fide stylist and a professional because there's a lot of non-stylists coming off as professionals. I think that building a website, having an agent, showing your portfolio, and then people will believe you're an expert because you are."
On her panel McAndrews talked about what got her into fashion in the first place saying, " Growing up, I loved MTV and watching the music videos and seeing the different styles."
The stylist hasn't always worked in fashion though and first served in the army for 4 years before coming to LA to start her styling career. She shared that once she returned home she started thinking about what she had wanted to do when she was 16 and decided to take styling internships in LA because she remembered how much she'd loved fashion.
Her story is so inspiring because it shows that really anyone can be a fashion lover. She also told the audience that she's continued to serve in the reserves since she got out of the military and just retired from that last year, showing that fashion and other interests aren't mutually exclusive.
Finally she shared with me her favorite moment from her career so far as a stylist saying, "It's really hard to choose because I'm in Rock n Roll and Hollywood so I go back and forth but right now I'm working with Kelly Clarkson all the time and she is the dopest person on the planet. I'm so grateful to have her as a client. She's just humble and funny to no end, hilarious, she really takes care of her people and I'm just enjoying my time with her. We're doing the Voice and we're doing music stuff and we're doing some TV pilots and she's just bouncing everywhere so each day is something new and something fun and she's just really lovely, like I could do it forever."
Behind the Scenes at Awesomeness TV with Emily Hecht
My look for the conference!
Saturday August 11, the Simply LA conference took place at the Americana at brand mall in Glendale, The digital marketing focused conference was filled with experts from the fashion and beauty industries. I got an exclusive interview with Emily Hecht the Head of Fashion and Beauty programming atAwesomeness TV. Before going onto her panel she shared some insight into the current trends in the industry as well as what it's really like to work at the digital media brand geared towards Gen Z!
First we talked about what it was like working with influencers since she interacts with them a lot in her job. She shared some of her top tips for influencers and how to keep content fresh and popular!
She recommended, "Always be organic and true to yourself. I think the reliability factor that influencers bring is so important especially now I just think that really being real with your audience and staying true to who you are is so valuable."
This was a theme echoed throughout the Simply conference and is such an important message for content creators!
Next we talked about what it looks like to take your influencer brand to the next level from her perspective working in the media and reporting on new brands and product laucnhes. For influencers who want to start their own brands or launch products Emily says it's important to be relateable to your audience.
She told me, "It's really the relatability factor of your brand and really building your brand based off of your vibe and your aesthetic, and building everything around who you really are so you can keep up. Because if you have a fake persona its harder for you to keep posting and keep being that person. Really just relating to yourself and hoping that your audience is going to appreciate that is the best way to build a brand."
Finally we talked about what's next for this growing space and Emily shared some of the top trends she's been seeing in her work in the entertainment world right now saying, "Raw content, like the more raw the better. It's really crazy. We see that a lot like on insta-stories. Like its this part of their life that we're not really seeing on their Insta feed because that's a lot more polished. And then on YouTube we see a lot of vlog content which is also not very polished just kind of like a day in the life type thing. I think that's just again, so relateable that people wanna watch that. Teenagers see themselves in that influencer or feel like that person is their best friend which is so cool."
Speaking of Insta stories you can find my Simply experience in my highlights section on Instagram @cerisesdumatin. Plus check out more of my Simply coverage on the blog as well as my article over at Hollywood Glam magazine!
Monday, August 13, 2018
Check Out my Article on Kat Graham's Favorite Style Icons and More at Simply LA for Hollywood Glam Magazine
I interviewed the former Vampire Diaries star at the Simply LA fashion and beauty conference on Saturday August 11. She shared her favorite style inspirations as well as talked about her latest collection of Foster Grant sunglasses. Read the full article here http://www.hollywoodglammagazine.com/2018/08/13/kat-graham-talks-style-and-fame-at-simply-la/
CdM Exclusive: Lauren Bushnell Talks About Her New Fashion Line at Simply LA
Photo Credit: Innovative PR
Lauren Bushnell, season 20 bachelor contestant turned social media star came out to the Simply LA event where she spoke on a panel about launching a product as an influencer and growing a business. If you haven't heard of Simply LA go check out my article in Hollywood glam magazine o get the full story on the star studded event here and don't forget to read my coverage from last year on the blog here!
This year was another great lineup of brands and speakers and I got an exclusive interview with Lauren about both her latest life updates and her newest business venture Bellevue the label. Her clothing brand also had a popup shop at the Simply event where she showcased her cute designs! It was a real crowd pleaser and many guests stopped by to look at the fresh summer styles. Lauren was even wearing a cute two piece set from her line at the event. I asked her about her look and that's when she excitedly shared with me her new clothing label.
She said, "I'm wearing Bellevue the label so this is my clothing line we did like a little capsule collection if you will. Testing the waters seeing if it works."
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| Photo Credit: @Bellevuethelabel |
She also shared how her style has evolved since being on the bachelor saying, "I just with experience learned what I like what I don’t like and just also like growing up too. I gained my platform from going on the bachelor the TV show and I was 25 years old and now I’m 28 so I think that naturally with time too I’ve matured and grown I’ve been through situations and I’ve learned and I’ve lived…Now I’m a little bit more sure of who I am and a little bit more sure of what I like what I don’t like and that goes for all things. Whether its work business personal life clothing fashion all those things I think it just kind of evolved with me.”
She was obviously passionate about the idea and talked about the difference between working as an influencer and having her own label saying, "Being an influencer but then launching a product and not just putting your name behind it but actually like launching it. you have to be passionate about it because you’re going to be working on this every day into late hours and on the weekend so you have to be passionate about what you’re doing and that will translate. So for me using my social media platform I think there’s a difference between promoting a product that you love or a sponsorship that you love versus something that you have ownership over. I think people can tell the difference so if you can share that passion about your brand your product I think it will translate."
After hearing her speak on her panel about her other label Dear Rose wines sounding like a knowledgeable businesswoman I have no doubt we'll be seeing more from her latest venture in the fashion world!
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Cdm Travel: How to do Portland in a Day
If you read my guide to a summer New England Road trip you know my last stop was Portland Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine. This seaside town is full of fun and exciting things to do and has a blossoming foodie scene which I had a great time exploring! The city was even voted the 2018 restaurant city of the year by Bonappetit.com! I only had one day to take it all in but if you want to know what the can't miss spots are in the city you've come to the right place!
First we arrived in Portland and saw two lighthouses, the classic Portland Head light and the smaller but cuter "bug" light as locals affectionate dubbed it. The Portland Headlight is Maine's most visited lighthouse and also one of it's largest. Fun fact about this lighthouse, the 19th century poet Henry Longfellow was a frequent visitor and friend of the lightkeeper, and it is believed that his poem "The lighthouse" was inspired by Portland head light! Once you get to the lighthouse there is a little museum and giftshop as well as great views of the ocean and harbor. You can even just make out another lightohouse, an even older building set out on a small rock. That lighthouse was used before the Portland head light was completed. There are also some remains from the old Army base that you can view on your way back to the parking lot. There really aren't many places you can go in Portland that aren't filled with history! After getting some pics of the first lighthouse I headed over to the "bug light". This one is smaller and placed out on a jetty so you have to walk out a ways to get up close to it. The cute little building stands out once you get up close to it because it's not your typical lighthouse architecture. The building was actually inspired by an ancient Greek structure called Choragic Monument of Lysicrates located in Athens. This makes it unique to any other lighthouse in the world and I would recommend it as a must see! It was designed by Thomas Walter who also worked on the U.S. Capitol. The lighthouse is also surrounded by a cute little waterfront park which I would definitely recommend walking through for the full experience.
After seeing the sights on the water in South Portland we headed into the city. We drove to the neighborhood called Old Port which is a historic waterfront district as well as the heart of the Portland food scene. First we stopped in some of the cute little shops for souvenirs and gifts. I loved the Portland Dry Goods Co. store for their simple and high quality New England Style. They offered both men's and women's wear as well as some home goods. I also loved Lisa Marie's a Made in Maine shop that sold novelty items such as handmade soaps, sea salt scrubs, and more all Maine themed and locally made! Then I headed back down towards the water to find Old Port Candy Co. and pick up some Maine made sweet treats! I got some salt water taffy in blueberry flavor which is apparently a Maine signature and it turned out to be delicious. The locals recommended I stop in Bullfeeney's pub a charming little Irish pub on the main restaurant row for some aperatifs, so I did. Apparently the incredibly popular restaurant was once owned by Hollywood producer John Ford and it is the quintessential Portland experience and a must see according to Portland natives.
Next I headed up the road for dinner and despite having so many choices of every different kind of cuisine I chose the Corner Kitchen, a modern Italian kitchen that serves homemade pasta and amazing pizza. I had a hard time choosing betwen all the gourmet dishes but I ended up with a build your own pizza. The meal was delicious and I ordered a pepperoni, olive. and cheese pizza which turned out perfectly. Finally, I headed back to the Press hotel which is conveniently right across the street from the Corner kitchen. This boutique hotel housed in the old Portland Newspaper complex is the cutest thing. Inside it is decorated with old fashioned typewriters mixed with sleek modern decor. I love the theme since I am a blogger after all! You can even write your very own old fashioned letter on a classic typewriter right there in the lobby. There is free stationary provided as well in case you want to mail it. I saved my attempt although it did have some misspellings. It gave me some new appreciation for spellcheck! I would definitely recommend a stop in Portland to anybody traveling near Maine. Fitting everything in during one day can be tight but it is definitley do-able!
First we arrived in Portland and saw two lighthouses, the classic Portland Head light and the smaller but cuter "bug" light as locals affectionate dubbed it. The Portland Headlight is Maine's most visited lighthouse and also one of it's largest. Fun fact about this lighthouse, the 19th century poet Henry Longfellow was a frequent visitor and friend of the lightkeeper, and it is believed that his poem "The lighthouse" was inspired by Portland head light! Once you get to the lighthouse there is a little museum and giftshop as well as great views of the ocean and harbor. You can even just make out another lightohouse, an even older building set out on a small rock. That lighthouse was used before the Portland head light was completed. There are also some remains from the old Army base that you can view on your way back to the parking lot. There really aren't many places you can go in Portland that aren't filled with history! After getting some pics of the first lighthouse I headed over to the "bug light". This one is smaller and placed out on a jetty so you have to walk out a ways to get up close to it. The cute little building stands out once you get up close to it because it's not your typical lighthouse architecture. The building was actually inspired by an ancient Greek structure called Choragic Monument of Lysicrates located in Athens. This makes it unique to any other lighthouse in the world and I would recommend it as a must see! It was designed by Thomas Walter who also worked on the U.S. Capitol. The lighthouse is also surrounded by a cute little waterfront park which I would definitely recommend walking through for the full experience.
After seeing the sights on the water in South Portland we headed into the city. We drove to the neighborhood called Old Port which is a historic waterfront district as well as the heart of the Portland food scene. First we stopped in some of the cute little shops for souvenirs and gifts. I loved the Portland Dry Goods Co. store for their simple and high quality New England Style. They offered both men's and women's wear as well as some home goods. I also loved Lisa Marie's a Made in Maine shop that sold novelty items such as handmade soaps, sea salt scrubs, and more all Maine themed and locally made! Then I headed back down towards the water to find Old Port Candy Co. and pick up some Maine made sweet treats! I got some salt water taffy in blueberry flavor which is apparently a Maine signature and it turned out to be delicious. The locals recommended I stop in Bullfeeney's pub a charming little Irish pub on the main restaurant row for some aperatifs, so I did. Apparently the incredibly popular restaurant was once owned by Hollywood producer John Ford and it is the quintessential Portland experience and a must see according to Portland natives.
Next I headed up the road for dinner and despite having so many choices of every different kind of cuisine I chose the Corner Kitchen, a modern Italian kitchen that serves homemade pasta and amazing pizza. I had a hard time choosing betwen all the gourmet dishes but I ended up with a build your own pizza. The meal was delicious and I ordered a pepperoni, olive. and cheese pizza which turned out perfectly. Finally, I headed back to the Press hotel which is conveniently right across the street from the Corner kitchen. This boutique hotel housed in the old Portland Newspaper complex is the cutest thing. Inside it is decorated with old fashioned typewriters mixed with sleek modern decor. I love the theme since I am a blogger after all! You can even write your very own old fashioned letter on a classic typewriter right there in the lobby. There is free stationary provided as well in case you want to mail it. I saved my attempt although it did have some misspellings. It gave me some new appreciation for spellcheck! I would definitely recommend a stop in Portland to anybody traveling near Maine. Fitting everything in during one day can be tight but it is definitley do-able!
How Your Favorite Bachelor Stars Turned Their Fame into a Business
Lauren Bushnell of season 20 and Becca Tilley of season 19 speak at Simply LA about what they’ve been up to since The Bachelor! Going on the Bachelor can have many different outcomes besides a dream wedding and giant diamond ring nowadays. Even if you don’t end up getting chosen for Happily Ever After, or in Lauren Bushnell’s case the fairytale ends before you make it down the aisle you can still create your own life fit for a queen. Taking advantage of being in the spotlight isn’t as easy as it looks but these women managed to turn one season on reality TV into business empires. Lauren Bushnell, co-founder of Dear Rose wines spoke about her life since the bachelor saying, “I just with experience learned what I like what I don’t like and just also like growing up too. I gained my platform from going on the bachelor the TV show and I was 25 years old and now I’m 28 so I think that naturally with time too I’ve matured and grown I’ve been through situations and I’ve learned and I’ve lived…Now I’m a little bit more sure of who I am and a little bit more sure of what I like what I don’t like and that goes for all things. Whether its work business personal life clothing fashion all those things I think it just kind of evolved with me.” Becca Tilley another Bachelor contestant turned media maven also shared how her experience on the show has influenced her career now. She said, “Digital marketing is my life, my job…it’s fun to talk about it from my perspective of having been on the bachelor and it transforming into this…I was just kind of floating around like I have all these followers on Instagram but what do I do with that you know?”
Becca was speaking on a panel later in the day about being an expert influencer and what it all means. Before going onto the panel She said, “It’s just something that I think a lot of people have questions about as it becomes more normal for this to be a career. I have questions all the time like how is this a job? how are you living? How are you making money? So I think it’s just something people are super curious about.” Becca’s career is all about her lifestyle and sharing her favorite brands, inspirations, and travels with her audience online. She is constantly coming up with new ways to be innovative on social media making her an expert on the latest trends.
Lauren is more focused on the business side of things and she said, “My focus today is about launching a product. Being an influencer but then launching a product and not just putting your name behind it but actually like launching. I’ve been a part of every step of launching this business and so my biggest tip is that you have to be passionate about it because you’re going to be working on this every day into late hours and on the weekend so you have to be passionate about what you’re doing and that will translate. So for me using my social media platform I think there’s a difference between promoting a product that you love or a sponsorship that you love versus something that you have ownership over. I think people can tell the difference so if you can share that passion about your brand your product I think it will translate. Obviously not shoving it down people’s throats but just being open and honest about the process” When asked what their biggest business tips were, both Becca and Lauren said that networking was a huge part of building their brand and such an important piece of the process. Lauren said, “Networking! Always be asking questions! I think this is such a great event because last night we did a dinner for the panelists and I learned so much from the men and women here and a lot of them have their own businesses. Just like picking their brains and learning what works and what doesn’t work.” Becca said, “The biggest thing I did was I got my manager Ally. She has a PR company and she’s speaking on the panel with me today. She just kind of helped me figure out my lane and the direction I wanted to go with this. So that was the biggest thing because she helped guide me and sat me down and helped me figure out what I wanted to do…I have just been really lucky to be around people to help me and inspire me and really drive me. Everyone has their own unique take on this (digital marketing) and its really cool. I go on these trips with these influencers and the way that they blog or do pictures or get their content up everything is different so its really fun to be a part of it and learn from them.” On her panel Lauren talked about how much she’s learned about the wine industry since starting her business saying, “Rose is something that you really want to have right away it’s not like other wines where you want to let it age too much so it’s always a process figuring out shipping and ordering ahead of time.” She also talked about how her own life experiences have helped her with her new business saying, “Living a public life, and having a public relationship and then going through a very public break-up has really helped me to grow I think.” Both of these girl boss influencers decided to take charge and turn their Bachelor days into their dream jobs regardless of whether or not they walked away with a ring. These inspiring women have are making waves in the industry and giving us all kinds of motivation. Becca said, “There’s so
many people around doing this and there’s so much room for everyone even though
it seems like a lot of people are doing it.“ So who knows what the latest season of bachelor stars will
it seems like a lot of people are doing it.“ So who knows what the latest season of bachelor stars will
be up to once they’re off the show!
Friday, August 10, 2018
Cdm Travel Guide: Summer Roadtrip through New England
This summer I decided to get a taste of east coast life and headed off on an amazing adventure road tripping through New England for a week. Mostly I stayed on the coast but also traveled inland to see the beautiful rolling hills and green fields. Check out this travel guide for my top favorite stops as well as trip accommodations and food!
First Stop: South Kingstown Rhode Island
This is my favorite New England beach to just relax and experience the coast. While it's not as well known as Nantucket or Newport, I love this beach because it is quiet and free from too many tourists. The quiet town is lovely and there is even the most delicious little ice cream shoppe on your way down to the sand. It feels like time stopped in this coastal town and when I was there the weather was perfect and not too overcast.
Second Stop: Providence Rhode Island
Providence is a beautiful New England city and very clean as well. I loved exploring the neighborhood around Brown University where there are several fancy historic homes. After that I went down to Prospect Park which overlooks the city and has amazing views if you go around sunset. You can really see the art deco architecture from here as well as get some great views of the capital building. Then I headed down into the city to see the oldest Baptist Church in America which is a quintessential New England church with a little white steeple and all. Afterwards I would recommend heading down to the little boutiques on Westminster avenue, the trendiest little shopping street in the city. The old jewelry store Tilden Thurber's has been revitalized as a Greek food restaurant and shop but they have preserved a lot of the architecture. Apparently when the Queen of England used to come to Providence she had her jewels stored in the shop's safe which you can still see in the wall today.
Third Stop: Foster Center Rhode Island
After getting a taste of the city life I headed out to the country. If you are looking for a cute New England country town this is the place. This town looks like it hasn't changed very much at all since it was founded. The cutest little white church sits in the center and across from it is the town library housed in a barn! The beautiful flowers growing along the side of the road only add to the picturesque and nostalgic atmosphere.
Fourth Stop: Brattleboro Vermont
Brattleboro is the perfect place to get a taste of Vermont life. The town itself is full of fun shops and history like the Latches movie theater which is preserved in its original art deco style. They even have the coolest little boutique hotel attached to it also done in the same theme. Sam's store is a must see because they sell authentic Vermont wool as well as other local items. They also have free popcorn in the store so you can munch while you shop! I picked up some locally made maple syrup in Sam's to bring home because there is truly nothing like authentic Vermont maple syrup on your pancakes. I stopped into the Vermont Store to look for some souvenirs and picked up some Lake Champlain chocolates which are made at the Lake Champlain chocolate factory in upstate Vermont and very delicious! I also had fun checking out the second hand store in Brattleboro called Twice Upon A Time. There is something about discovering a little treasure in a secondhand store especially in such a historical town like Brattleboro that feels like an adventure! I ended up finding a charm for my charm bracelet in here! Finally after exploring the main boulevard and downtown we headed out of town towards the Creamery Covered Bridge. This historic site is beautiful and quite rare to see. There are only a few covered bridges left in New England as most were torn down. The bridge is only open to pedestrians but it looks like something out of a painting with the barn red sides nestled in the trees sitting over the glassy river. I did a mini-photo shoot here because the lighting is just perfect and it is such a unique spot!
Fifth Stop: Keene, New Hampshire
Driving through New Hampshire is such a scenic trip especially in the summertime. I loved seeing the rolling hills of the White Mountains covered in greenery and passing by the tranquil lakes nestled all along the road. Keene is a mid-size town in New Hampshire close to Vermont and is a perfect place to stop and grab a bite to eat as well as stretch your legs. There is so much natural beauty in this state it is really hard to pick just one place to recommend! After passing through New Hampshire we briefly drove through Massachusetts's before heading into Maine and stopped at the cutest little candy store right at the border. The Chocolate store was owned by a grandmother, mother, and daughter trio and sold amazing candy! It was definitely a necessary stop for road trip snacks!
Sixth Stop: Nubble Light, York Maine
As you first cross the border from Massachusetts into Maine the first thing you notice is the huge amount of antique stores that line the streets near the coast. I think Maine might be the antique capital of the world! Driving up route one is a fun way to see the state as it is lined with charming inns and restaurants plus occasionally you'll wind by the ocean getting a nice view. Our first stop is one of the southernmost lighthouses in Maine called Nubble light located in York a darling little beach town on the coast. The lighthouse is only visible from the mainland since it's out on a small rocky island but there is a gift shop and ice cream store right next door so you can grab some ice cream while taking in the views.
Seventh Stop: Kennebunkeport, Maine
Kennebunkeport is the most fashionable little coastal town in Southern Maine. It is truly charming and has some amazing sunsets as well as fun shops to discover! It is also the home to the Bush family summer vacation home which can actually be seen from a place called "selfie point" by the locals. I can definitely see why the Bush family chose this charming spot. The town is set right on the water and you actually have to walk and drive over a bridge on the main street right in the middle of town. There are so many adorable places to stop in from jewelry stores to souvenir shops. I loved Gibran gifts where I picked up some fresh made blueberry spread which is the shop owner's own recipe! I also loved this amazing candle store called Copper Candle partly because of their variety of candles and partly because of the historic building they are located in! They even sell Yankee candles which is a New England favorite since the factory is located nearby in Massachusetts. Kennebunkeport also has some great dining options which I listed below in my restaurant section! The town is also near some great beaches and we had perfect weather while I was visiting so I got the chance to soak up some sun too! This is a must see place in Southern Maine with every detail in place from the flowers on the lampposts to the giant eagle sculpture in the town center it almost feels like a scene out of Gilmore girls!
Eighth Stop: Bowdoinham, Maine
Bowdoinham is a small town of only 2600 people inland from the mid-coast of Maine. It is the perfect place to get away from it all and just enjoy the beautiful New England nature. I stopped here because I wanted to go berry picking and my friend recommended this spot for finding wild blueberries. There is also a nearby berry picking farm where you can go for guaranteed berries but I was lucky enough to find a field of Maine wild blueberriees. All the locals agreed that the low bush or wild berries tasted much better than the high bush berries available at the farm. It was hard work to find the small little berries nestled among all the greenery but SO worth it once I got them back to the kitchen where I put them on some ice cream pie for a delicious and fresh summer dessert. There is nothing like fresh blueberries. It was really an experience out of a storybook!
Ninth Stop: Port Clyde, Maine and Monhegan Island
Port Clyde is a quiet harbor town on the mid-coast of Maine and the perfect stop to visit and experience the Maine coast life. It has everything from an old fashioned general store to the Village Ice Cream shop which has lines out the door every night! It is also a popular destination because you can take the ferry out from Port Clyde to Monhegan Island for a daytrip or an overnight trip which I did. Monhegan is a magical place and the whole island is walking only and covered with these little foot paths that wind through the trees and then out along the cliffs. The stunning views and unique setting make it an artists haven and many can be seen with their easels set up painting one of the picturesque scenes from the cliffs and beaches.
Tenth Stop: Camden Maine
Camden is another historic coastal city in Maine that is very popular for sailing and visitors. It has a lovely main street with all kinds of fun shops and cafes. Wandering through the town where there is often music playing during the summer will make you feel like you're living at the turn of the century. Maine is full of antique stores scattered all up and down the coast but this town was one of my favorites for antiquing. I stopped in a mid-sized antique shop right off main street which was full of fascinating finds. I found this unique antique key which I loved because it reminds me of colonial times and has an Americana style to it with the star cutout. I made a necklace out of it using an old chain I had at home!
Eleventh Stop: Portland Maine
Portland was my last stop on my road trip because I was flying out of the Portland airport. I loved discovering the food scene in this city and found the cutest little candy store called Old Port Candy Co. with all Maine made treats! Check out my guide for one day in Portland here to read more!
Favorite Places I stayed
The Admiral Dewey Inn, South Kingstown, Rhode Island
I loved this charming Inn that is just steps from the beach in Rhode Island and is actually a restored Admiral's house from the 1800s! It is the perfect place to spend a few summer days and the beach is not crowded at all. The Inn has several rooms all decorated to the tee in New England style and the owner makes homemade breakfast every morning! No detail is out of place and the best part is the Bed and Breakfast vibe makes everyone very friendly! Many guests were enjoying just sitting on the porch and talking in the evenings and during breakfast everyone gathers around the dining table for conversation and exchanges travel tips for the day ahead!
The Weaskegg Inn, Port Clyde, Maine
Staying at this Inn was like going back in time. The family owned and operated Bed and Breakfast has two stories and each room is named after a family member. I got the Gray room on the top floor with beautiful views of the water and a cozy bed. I loved the frilly and antique decorations and breakfast was served every morning in the dining room but some guests ate outside on the back patio as well since the weather was so nice. This place is like something out of a storybook and embodies classic Maine life. If you are looking for an escape a few days at this historic home is just what you need. The guests were all very friendly and everyone enjoyed getting to know each other over breakfast. It has a great location as well and there are even several activities you can do within walking distance.
Where I ate
Trattoria Romana South
George's
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Chelsea's Diner
Pedro's
The Clam Shack
Mornings in Paris
The Dip Net Restaurant
Village Ice Cream
BullFeeny's
The Corner Kitchen
There is so much to discover in New England so I hope this gave you a taste of where to start when planning a trip to this region! I loved some of these cute little towns because they are off the beaten path and not packed to the brim with tourists. I loved getting the chance to see the quintessential New England life. There is such a nostalgic feeling you get when you come across a beautiful white church steeple nestled in the hills or an old wooden dock on a glassy lake.
CdM CityGuide: Washington DC
I spent my summer interning in Washington DC and loved getting the chance to explore the capital city! If you know me, you know I am dying to see the new legally Blonde 3 movie that was announced earlier this summer. I tried to hit all of Elle Woods favorite spots while channeling her style as well. Check out my guide below to see all my favorite spots and some of my internship outfits as well!
This fun cafe is located on Pennsylvania Ave just a few blocks past the Capitol building in the cutest tree lined neighborhood. You can find Capitol hill insiders enjoying happy hour on the street at the cafes and bars lining the street in this area. I chose to grab dinner at Mr. Henry's because they offer live music upstairs in their loft in the evenings. I hung out on the shady patio and of course had my signature Shirley temple while people watching before heading upstairs for dinner and music. I enjoyed my hearty London broil and potatoes for dinner while listening to the musician in the coffee shop style setting. I would recommend this place if you are looking for a nostalgic city cafe experience.
I have mentioned the Capital Grille on this blog before because it is one of my favorite restaurants to visit for the great food and excellent service. The Washington DC location on 6th street is a special location for me though because it is where I first discovered the restaurant on one of my previous travels to DC. I loved getting to come back to the restaurant and headed to the interior which is paneled with dark wood and decorated with Americana paintings. I ordered my favorite thing on the menu, the Capital Grille burger and left feeling full and satisfied as always. If you are looking for a nice restaurant to enjoy dinner or lunch at this is definitely the place.
However you feel about the location BLT Prime is the perfect brunch spot in the city. Located in the Old Post Office which was restored into the Trump International Hotel this restaurant overlooks the lavish hotel lobby and has great views of the tower as well. It is decorated in the theme of the Post Office and includes old letters found in the building that have been framed and hung on the walls. For brunch I ordered the Banana Nutella French Toast which turned out to be just as delicious as it sounds! After brunch you can also head over to the Old Post Office museum area and take the elevator up to the top of the tower for some great views of the city!
This trendy bar and restaurant located in the Navy Yard is great for spending a Friday night out on the town. I loved getting drinks and appetizers at this fun place and would definitley recommend the pretzel twist. There are several unique items on their menu but this one was my top pick. It is a pretzel stuffed with seafood and served with housemade mustard sauce for dipping.
This is the spot to see and be seen in Georgetown. Several famous DC personalities have been spotted here. Plus it has some delicious Italian food! I love this restaurant because it has a little bit of a fashion theme going on as well with posters from Moschino on the wall. The pasta dishes are even named after Italian designers like Valentino and Bulgari. I went with the Risotto which was to die for but I think anything on the menu would've been delicious.
This cute little cupcake shop is the perfect place to come for dessert after eating at Cafe Milano. They have some amazing flavors to try and are even on TLC's hit show DC cupcakes so you know it's good! There is always a line at this sweet shop so be prepared! You can even check out the behind the counter footage on TLC's website using the cupcake cam! This place is all around super fun and delicious.
I had a great time at the Newseum, a museum dedicated to first amendment rights including free speech, free press, and freedom of religion. They had several interesting exhibits but my favorite was on the history of TV, Radio, and Internet news. I found it especially interesting as a blogger to see how the news and information industry has evolved over the years. I also thought the history of Newspapers exhibit was super interesting since they had displays of historic newspapers and news books dating all the way back to the 1500s out! Plus don't forget to stop by the NBC newsroom where you can take pictures of yourself at a real news desk and even practice reading a script and then watch yourself on TV!
I love the National Archives museum because getting to see the founding documents up close is a once in a lifetime experience. They also have a copy of the Magna Carta as well! This museum is filled with history and is a must see for anyone visiting DC.
The Spy museum located near the National Portrait gallery is such a fun place to visit especially if you are traveling with kids. They have interactive activities throughout the museum and some really cool displays of spy tools from decades past. There is also tons of interesting history to learn from spy craft in the English court and american revolution to more recent times like the Cold War.
I am an art lover so I had to stop in this museum. They have an amazing collection of artists from around the world including, Monet, Da Vinci, Renoir, and Cezanne to name a few. They also have some great American artists on display that I would recommend checking out. I also love this museum simply because it is beautiful to be in. Every floor has fountains, and intricate ceiling designs. Make sure to block out an afternoon to spend inside.
This museum might not sound like much but it actually has one of the most interesting collections in DC in my opinion. From rocket models to the first airplanes you can travel back in time to the discovery of flight and the beginning of space exploration. Even if you're not a science nerd I would still recommend this museum because there is so much history to see and come on, who doesn't want to stand next to a rocket?
I loved my visit to the National Harbor in Maryland. I started my day by taking a water taxi from the Wharf in the waterfront district of DC. Before catching the taxi I grabbed a quick bite in the trendy neighborhood which boasts several new popular restaurants and cafes. I headed down the river on the water taxi ride which took about 30-45 minutes. When I arrived in National Harbor the first thing I saw was the giant Ferris wheel out on the pier. I immediately knew I had to get on that later this evening since I love Ferris wheels! I headed up the pier and started looking around all the fun little shops on the water. I stopped in the Peeps store first and loved seeing all the cute candy themed items in the store. They even have a make your own Mike and Ike's bag there! I got some candy to snack on for the rest of the day while I continued walking around the town. After exploring a little longer I decided to head over to the MGM Grand hotel which is a little ways out of town but definitely worth it.
This cute little town in Virginia is only a metro ride away from the city and it's a perfect way to escape if you love that small town vibe. The riverfront city has tons of history as well so you'll still have some great sites to see. I started out by walking down the main boulevard, King Street and exploring the fun shops and taking in the sites. The flowers lining the streets and brick pathways really make you feel like you've traveled back in time. I passed by the Alexandria Cupcake Shop and couldn't resist stopping in for a sweet treat. Then I walked through the town square that features a fountain in front of the town hall, which is a beautiful piece of historical architecture. I stopped for lunch on King Street at a delicious little Taco shop called Don Taco which was featured on the food channel for their artisan street tacos. It was the perfect place to cool off for lunch before I headed over to the .. Tavern. The tavern is one of the coolest historical stops in Alexandria. It is a colonial tavern turned museum which guests can tour to see what life for a colonial traveler would've been like. Since it is located so close to the capital, this tavern boasts several notable guests who stayed there back in the hey day including President Thomas Jefferson as well as several Senators and Representatives. Jefferson's inaugural ball was actually held in the ballroom of the neighboring hotel. I ended the day by wandering down to the waterfront and enjoying the views before heading back to DC. This is the perfect place to explore if you're looking for some history out of the big city.
The home of George Washington is another fun historical site to visit in Virginia. It is easy to get to by taking the metro to Alexandria and then using either a ride share service or the bus. The beautiful house is located on a sprawling estate that even has it's own dock. You can do a self guided tour of the grounds which include gardens, a greenhouse, and even George Washington's tomb. The house itself is set on a hill against the water with amazing views of the river and a great big back porch. Inside the house guides will tell you the interesting trivia of each room. My favorite was the general's study where according to the tour guides, only Washington was allowed in when he lived in the house. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of secrets that room held!
My Favorite Places to Find Food
Mr. Henry's
This fun cafe is located on Pennsylvania Ave just a few blocks past the Capitol building in the cutest tree lined neighborhood. You can find Capitol hill insiders enjoying happy hour on the street at the cafes and bars lining the street in this area. I chose to grab dinner at Mr. Henry's because they offer live music upstairs in their loft in the evenings. I hung out on the shady patio and of course had my signature Shirley temple while people watching before heading upstairs for dinner and music. I enjoyed my hearty London broil and potatoes for dinner while listening to the musician in the coffee shop style setting. I would recommend this place if you are looking for a nostalgic city cafe experience.
The Capital Grille
I have mentioned the Capital Grille on this blog before because it is one of my favorite restaurants to visit for the great food and excellent service. The Washington DC location on 6th street is a special location for me though because it is where I first discovered the restaurant on one of my previous travels to DC. I loved getting to come back to the restaurant and headed to the interior which is paneled with dark wood and decorated with Americana paintings. I ordered my favorite thing on the menu, the Capital Grille burger and left feeling full and satisfied as always. If you are looking for a nice restaurant to enjoy dinner or lunch at this is definitely the place.
BLT Prime
However you feel about the location BLT Prime is the perfect brunch spot in the city. Located in the Old Post Office which was restored into the Trump International Hotel this restaurant overlooks the lavish hotel lobby and has great views of the tower as well. It is decorated in the theme of the Post Office and includes old letters found in the building that have been framed and hung on the walls. For brunch I ordered the Banana Nutella French Toast which turned out to be just as delicious as it sounds! After brunch you can also head over to the Old Post Office museum area and take the elevator up to the top of the tower for some great views of the city!BlueJacket
This trendy bar and restaurant located in the Navy Yard is great for spending a Friday night out on the town. I loved getting drinks and appetizers at this fun place and would definitley recommend the pretzel twist. There are several unique items on their menu but this one was my top pick. It is a pretzel stuffed with seafood and served with housemade mustard sauce for dipping.
Tortilla Station
This popular Mexican spot is located right across the street from the capitol and can be packed during the lunch hour for good reason. They have some pretty decent tacos, taquitos, and burritos as well as a great happy hour menu. If you want a casual sit down restaurant this is your spot!
Cafe Milano
This is the spot to see and be seen in Georgetown. Several famous DC personalities have been spotted here. Plus it has some delicious Italian food! I love this restaurant because it has a little bit of a fashion theme going on as well with posters from Moschino on the wall. The pasta dishes are even named after Italian designers like Valentino and Bulgari. I went with the Risotto which was to die for but I think anything on the menu would've been delicious.
Georgetown Cupcake
This cute little cupcake shop is the perfect place to come for dessert after eating at Cafe Milano. They have some amazing flavors to try and are even on TLC's hit show DC cupcakes so you know it's good! There is always a line at this sweet shop so be prepared! You can even check out the behind the counter footage on TLC's website using the cupcake cam! This place is all around super fun and delicious.
Uno Pizza
If you are looking for a good pizza joint I would recommend checking out Uno Pizza in Union Station. They have some delicious deep dish pizza which you can order in the classic pizza shop or get to go. You can also check out the Union Station food court downstairs for more options of some delicious quick bites. There is even a crepe shop down there!
My Top 7 Museums to Visit
Washington DC is the city of museums and there is literally one on every corner. You can find a museum for almost anything you're interested in from the National Patent museum, to the Postal museum. This is a list of my top 10 favorites and hopefully like me, you will find some of the lesser known ones pretty interesting!
The Newseum
I had a great time at the Newseum, a museum dedicated to first amendment rights including free speech, free press, and freedom of religion. They had several interesting exhibits but my favorite was on the history of TV, Radio, and Internet news. I found it especially interesting as a blogger to see how the news and information industry has evolved over the years. I also thought the history of Newspapers exhibit was super interesting since they had displays of historic newspapers and news books dating all the way back to the 1500s out! Plus don't forget to stop by the NBC newsroom where you can take pictures of yourself at a real news desk and even practice reading a script and then watch yourself on TV!
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
I loved this museum because it not only celebrates women in the arts but it also provides a refreshing collection of work that gave me a nice break from the typical art museum lineup. I especially enjoyed the Women to Watch exhibit which featured work from current female artists from around the country. The admission is $8 however, this is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the achievement of women artists and admission goes to supporting the museum and it's mission.
The National Archives
I love the National Archives museum because getting to see the founding documents up close is a once in a lifetime experience. They also have a copy of the Magna Carta as well! This museum is filled with history and is a must see for anyone visiting DC.
The International Spy Museum
The Spy museum located near the National Portrait gallery is such a fun place to visit especially if you are traveling with kids. They have interactive activities throughout the museum and some really cool displays of spy tools from decades past. There is also tons of interesting history to learn from spy craft in the English court and american revolution to more recent times like the Cold War.
The National Gallery of Art
I am an art lover so I had to stop in this museum. They have an amazing collection of artists from around the world including, Monet, Da Vinci, Renoir, and Cezanne to name a few. They also have some great American artists on display that I would recommend checking out. I also love this museum simply because it is beautiful to be in. Every floor has fountains, and intricate ceiling designs. Make sure to block out an afternoon to spend inside.
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
This museum might not sound like much but it actually has one of the most interesting collections in DC in my opinion. From rocket models to the first airplanes you can travel back in time to the discovery of flight and the beginning of space exploration. Even if you're not a science nerd I would still recommend this museum because there is so much history to see and come on, who doesn't want to stand next to a rocket?
The National Botanical Gardens
This is another lesser known museum but I think it is actually pretty great! You can wander through the gardens and go through each room to see plants from different regions like, the desert, the rain forest, and the Mediterranean. They even have an orchid room filled with every different kind of orchid you can imagine! If you like flowers and nature you will love wandering through this museum because it is honestly just relaxing to take in the pretty sights! Don't forget to grab an explorer's guide and look for all the rare plants they have marked down for you! It's kind of like a mini scavenger hunt!
Day Trips
National Harbor
I loved my visit to the National Harbor in Maryland. I started my day by taking a water taxi from the Wharf in the waterfront district of DC. Before catching the taxi I grabbed a quick bite in the trendy neighborhood which boasts several new popular restaurants and cafes. I headed down the river on the water taxi ride which took about 30-45 minutes. When I arrived in National Harbor the first thing I saw was the giant Ferris wheel out on the pier. I immediately knew I had to get on that later this evening since I love Ferris wheels! I headed up the pier and started looking around all the fun little shops on the water. I stopped in the Peeps store first and loved seeing all the cute candy themed items in the store. They even have a make your own Mike and Ike's bag there! I got some candy to snack on for the rest of the day while I continued walking around the town. After exploring a little longer I decided to head over to the MGM Grand hotel which is a little ways out of town but definitely worth it.
Alexandria
This cute little town in Virginia is only a metro ride away from the city and it's a perfect way to escape if you love that small town vibe. The riverfront city has tons of history as well so you'll still have some great sites to see. I started out by walking down the main boulevard, King Street and exploring the fun shops and taking in the sites. The flowers lining the streets and brick pathways really make you feel like you've traveled back in time. I passed by the Alexandria Cupcake Shop and couldn't resist stopping in for a sweet treat. Then I walked through the town square that features a fountain in front of the town hall, which is a beautiful piece of historical architecture. I stopped for lunch on King Street at a delicious little Taco shop called Don Taco which was featured on the food channel for their artisan street tacos. It was the perfect place to cool off for lunch before I headed over to the .. Tavern. The tavern is one of the coolest historical stops in Alexandria. It is a colonial tavern turned museum which guests can tour to see what life for a colonial traveler would've been like. Since it is located so close to the capital, this tavern boasts several notable guests who stayed there back in the hey day including President Thomas Jefferson as well as several Senators and Representatives. Jefferson's inaugural ball was actually held in the ballroom of the neighboring hotel. I ended the day by wandering down to the waterfront and enjoying the views before heading back to DC. This is the perfect place to explore if you're looking for some history out of the big city.
Mt.Vernon
The home of George Washington is another fun historical site to visit in Virginia. It is easy to get to by taking the metro to Alexandria and then using either a ride share service or the bus. The beautiful house is located on a sprawling estate that even has it's own dock. You can do a self guided tour of the grounds which include gardens, a greenhouse, and even George Washington's tomb. The house itself is set on a hill against the water with amazing views of the river and a great big back porch. Inside the house guides will tell you the interesting trivia of each room. My favorite was the general's study where according to the tour guides, only Washington was allowed in when he lived in the house. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of secrets that room held!
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