Lists :: Things I am desperately in need of

1. a mani-pedi

2. a hot stone massage

3. a hair cut, color, and blowout

4. an eyebrow wax

Since working at a hair salon, I have been a very loyal customer to a few local businesses. When I am able to afford to pamper myself, I go to a certain shop to see a certain person. But lately, I've been itching to try something new. Maybe it's the limited availability of my old favorites with the holidays fast approaching, or maybe I just need to step outside my comfort zone. Either way, any suggestions for local VT businesses that offer great services within my post-grad budget would be greatly appreciated!

Lists :: Fall Activities

Because it is finally officially fall (my autumn starts strictly on September 1st, by the way…), I thought I would drum up a list of 30 things I would like to do this season and celebrate the end of my 30 day blogging challenge. To those who may find this list stereotypical, this list is not for you.

1. hike the long trail to Camel's Hump
2. hike Mount Mansfield before the heavy snow starts
3. visit Ethan Allen's homestead
4. visit Shelburne Museum 
5. go to the Saint Albans Raid
6. go to the Food & Wine Fest and Shelburne Orchards
7. get all my holiday shopping done before December 1st
8. move into a new apartment
9. try a wine tasting at a new vineyard
10. try a flight at a new brewery
11. gain 5lbs
12. gain 10lbs
13. gain 15lbs
14. go late-season berry picking
15. go apple picking
16. go pumpkin picking
17. carve a pumpkin
18. learn how to bake an apple pie from Chris' mom
19. learn how to cook another dinner dish that isn't spaghetti
20. dress up for Halloween
21. save $1000
22. get snow tires before mid-October
23. get my bangs cut?
24. build a leaf pile for Lulu to jump in
25. drive through the White Mountain National Park
26. get a massage
27. drink more water
28. get cider drunk
29. eat more fall treats than I should
30. buy a new burgundy sweater

Deal :: Maybelline Color Tattoo

Oh, the Rite Aid clearance section is so good to me. I got this little pot of Maybelline's Color Tattoo 24hr eyeshadow in 400 Rich Mahogany. It was still sealed in it's limited edition wrapper, as well. The price tag was a whopping $4.

I have been using it as a dark brown gel eyeliner on those days when I'm just not in the mood for black. The color is gorgeous, I find myself reaching for it more and more often.

Giveaway Alert :: L'Occitane & The Everygirl

The Everygirl is giving away $500 worth of L'Occitane's brand new skin care line - Divine Collection - to three winners. Check out @theeverygirl_ on Instagram and find more information and enter the giveaway in theeverygirl.com. Best of luck!

Buzz: Saint Albans Raid

We spent the day yesterday romping around Saint Albans to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Saint Albans Raid.

 

Got to try some more wine and cheese (and hardtack!) samples, explore civil war camps, watch a cooking demonstration, poke around the historical museum, and watch the reenactments, of course!

We had a great time, and would love to attend next year if they choose to make this an annual event. Unfortunately, the governors ball has been sold out for two months so we couldn't get tickets. The reenactments themselves were rather amateur, compared to the grandiose performances at Fort Ticonderoga, but the overall atmosphere was worth the trip.

Update :: L'Oreal Paris Nail Polish

I finally redid my manicure, so I wanted to post an update including my new bottle of L'Oreal Paris doutzen's nude. 

The color is a beautiful nude for my skin tone, and I adore the mauve shade. The application was a piece of cake and fully opaque in two coats. Considering I did not apply a top coat (it's still packed away somewhere from our move...) this polish is truly long wearing. It's been three days since and the wear is absolutely minimal. There is the tiniest of chips on my pinky nail, but the rest remain flawless. 

10/10, will become a loyal L'Oreal Paris polish addict soon enough!

Shelburne Orchards Food Fest

photo from shelburneorchards.com/events

We accidentally stumbled upon Shelburne Orchard's 12th Annual Food Fest last Sunday, on a mission to pick up some apples for Christopher's mother to bake a pie with. I was skeptical at first with a $5 admission to an unexpected festival that would surely be very crowded, because they were using the field for parking. I was ready to opt for a peaceful experience and get fresh apples from another Orchard, but Chris convinced me to give it a try. As soon as we got in, I was so grateful that I chose to stay. Yes, it was extremely crowded, but there were discounted wine tastings (for $2 each!) from Shelburne Vineyard, Lincoln Peak Vineyard, and Huntington River Vineyard to help ease any discomfort from the crowds.

At the Food Fest, I finally got a chance to try Shelburne Vineyard's Harvest Widow's Revenge, which I've had my eye on for months. Absolutely beautiful packaging and a clever name caught my eye, and the wonderful autumnal taste absolutely sold me. It was also my first time trying both Lincoln Peak and Huntington River, and both were pretty impressive - I will be visiting those vineyards before the first snow this year. I wish Becca wasn't living halfway across the country now so she could join me. I'll have to continue my Vermont Vineyard Tour solo, unfortunately.

photos from shelburnevinyard.com and citizencider.com

I also got to taste a sample cider flight from Citizen Cider. Their blueberry cider, the bROSé, was very... interesting. I haven't quite found another word for it yet. I will also be visiting their new cider pub on Pine Street as soon as possible.

At this point, I was pretty bubbly on all the wine and cider, so I forgot to take pictures of the vendors and I can't for the life of me remember the name of the amazing sausages and cheeses I tried. The cheeses might have been from Shelburne Farms, but I'm not entirely sure. My memory is a little fuzzy to say the least. We did get to bring home an entire bag of apples for Mrs. Bresnahan. I was entirely happy for the chance to climb trees and pick the highest MacIntosh apples I could reach, and then sit in the warm sunshine to munch on a few.

Thanks for an amazing day, Shelburne Orchards!