Stowe, Vermont Mornings
📍Stowe, Vermont

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Each New England town that I have a chance to visit is just brimming with a unique character unto itself. Stowe, Vermont is undoubtedly on that list. With a population of just over 5,000 residents, it would certainly classify as a small town. David grew up just on the other side of the mountain from Stowe in Cambridge. During the summer months, it’s only a 15-minute drive, but the mountain pass, Smugglers Notch, closes in the winter. The drive to Stowe is extended to about 45 minutes or so but is still very much worth the trip! On our most recent trip, we woke up with the sun to get to Stowe just before all of the shops opened up. The result was a morning with Stowe, Vermont, all to ourselves! 

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Breakfast at Butlers Pantry

Every good day in a small town begins with a hearty breakfast from a local favorite. In the case of Stowe, that means following your stomach to Butlers Pantry on Main Street. Established in 1830, they specialize in breakfast and is just the ticket to warm up on a frigid Vermont morning. Everything on their menu is absolutely mouth-watering, but the Cheddar Jalapeño Pancakes are the way to my heart.

Daydream About Vacation Homes

As David and I think about the future, we like to daydream about purchasing a second home. While I love so many destinations, we know Stowe would be a pretty great option. With its proximity to family and the mountains, it’s something that we could take advantage of year-round. We always like to stroll through historic homes and peek at the local real estate. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this! Just a few blocks away from Main Street, you’ll find a row of beautifully maintained 1800s homes. Walk around to work off a portion of your hearty breakfast.

Window Shop at the Local Boutiques

In my humble opinion, small businesses are the exact thing that makes a small-town so unique! They really help encapsulate the personality of the locals. Better still, you can bring something home that will always remind you of your visit. My personal favorite in Stowe is The Country Store on Main for beautiful houseware, but be sure to visit as many boutiques as you can!

Buy Provisions at Stowe Mercantile

Vermont is sort of known for its food. Maybe you’ve heard of a little thing called maple syrup? There are also the cheeses, the ice cream, and the beer companies that have their roots in the Green Mountain State. No trip to Stowe is complete without serious shopping at Stowe Mercantile. Here, we stock up on our favorite VT fare to snack on for the rest of the visit. You may get a bit overwhelmed with all they offer, but I recommend going with your gut. However, don’t miss out on a set of Runamok maple syrup, based in nearby Fairfax. 

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Hot Chocolate To-Go from Laughing Moon

Before your morning in Stowe comes to a close, I have one more recommendation for you! Especially in the winter, the ride home is most likely a cold and snowy affair. To help you stay warm on the journey, make a quick visit to Laughing Moon. They have a full selection of chocolate confections and treats, but my eye is on the hot chocolate bar behind the counter. Order up your perfect concoction, but I challenge you to leave without an order of truffles or bark. It just can’t be done!

If you ever find yourself in New England, particularly Vermont, Stowe is a must-visit! With its quintessential small town charm and sheer beauty, you’ll be sure to fall in love instantly! Just be sure to bundle up if you’re brave enough to visit during the winter. These single-digit days are no joke!

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

A Winter Wonderland in Vermont
📍 Stowe, Vermont

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We interrupt my sunny, coastal-inspired blog posts for a brief stint in a Winter Wonderland. I know these are well overdue, but I wanted to back up to our Christmas trip to Northern Vermont. Because they live so far away, we can’t see David’s family as often as we would like. That just makes the trips we do have extra special. It’s also a wonderful excuse for a change of scenery. Each time we visit, especially during the wintertime, I just marvel at how beautiful the snow can be and how different it is from where I grew up. I feel so lucky to have an excuse to visit such a unique part of our country.

Even though I was well overdressed for this particular corner of Vermont, the backdrop at the Kennedy home is just too good to pass up! Although not my favorite Disney movie, I couldn’t help but have an Elsa from Frozen moment! However, not seen in this picture are the cashmere leggings and fur-lined boots that I wore to help me stay toasty and somewhat comfortable. I can’t remember exactly, but I want to say the temperature was in the teens when I ventured outside to take this picture. Afterward, it was quickly back to the fireplace inside to warm up.

Another essential piece that helped me stay warm was this cashmere wrap from J. Crew. I’ve had it for years, and it’s become one of my top travel must-haves. It can play the part of the scarf, pillow, blanket, and everything in between. While black may be the most versatile choice, it comes in a rainbow of colors. Currently, I’m also eyeing the camel choice. I think I’m going through a neutral phase because that’s all that I want to add to my closet. Does that mean I’m getting more mature, or is it just a sign that winter is here? Anyways, the other great thing about this wrap is that you can add a little monogram to make it your own. I love this as a gift idea for a bride-to-be because it’s an accessory that will be forever loved and cherished.

Truth be told, I wanted to take pictures of this stunning J. Crew Factory maxi dress at the New York Public Library while we were visiting the city. On a side note, those posts are also coming soon! Sadly, the cold and rainy weather wasn’t cooperating with us, but I think this Winter scenery was a great backup plan and may even be better than the original! This dress was under $50 but looks and feels well beyond that price point. With the proper styling, you could wear it to a black-tie event, like a winter wedding or gala. For something a bit more casual, it’s also available in this long-sleeve, mini-dress design. One great floral print, two fun silhouettes!

Because the temperatures were so low and I’m not much of an outdoorsy person, I ended up standing inside for most of our stay. I don’t feel too bad about it, though. One of the perks of working remotely is that I can be wherever I want to be without taking personal days, even though I’m still one to schedule them in. Outside of work, I could catch up on some reading, enjoy hot chocolate, and visit with David’s family. Actually, one of my favorite things about visiting Vermont is how I can feel off the grid. The chaos of life seems to melt away for a short time, but I know it’s not something I’m permanently looking for.

I’m so excited to share a few more wintery looks from our Vermont visit. While I know a huge part of my audience lives in Florida, it’s a fun opportunity to show a new window into what actual winter looks like. I don’t want to call it playing dress-up, but I had so much fun styling for a cold, snowy day. Does that mean we should move to the Northeast? Only time will tell! 

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

I Love New England
📍 Newport, Rhode Island

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Although I was born and raised in Florida, I feel like I must have lived in New England in another life. Every time I visit, I feel so connected with the history, cuisine, and culture that makes this region unique. Luckily for me, I happened to marry a New Englander, and visits to the northeast can be as frequent as we want to be. Earlier this month, we took a trip to Rhode Island for David’s college reunion. He ran track for the University of Rhode Island, and I learned that he was kind of a big deal on campus. After the alumni festivities, we spent a few days in Newport. Because it’s a quintessential nautical town, it’s a huge reason as to why I love New England!

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The History

Founded in 1639, Newport is steeped in all of the colonial charms you can handle. As you stroll through the historic district, you’ll notice countless placards that boast the year a home was built, who lived there, and often what historical event happened there. On my next trip to Newport, which I will probably be sooner than I realize, I want to take a full historical walking tour to learn as much as I can about the town. With whatever New England town you opt to visit, you can find the same kind of history from the colonial era to the present.

The Architecture

Because architecture goes hand in hand with history, it simply has to be on the list. Obviously, I love the coastal feature and colonial design, but it’s so much more than that. No trip to Newport is complete without visiting one of the incredible mansions. These summer “cottages” once belonged to the titans of American industry. Now many of them have been revitalized as a museum by the local preservation society. It gives you an intimate look at the gilded age of American history.

The Food

My home state, Florida, has incredible seafood in its own right, but it’s an entirely different experience to have fresh seafood in New England. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I ordered clam chowder. The weather was cool and cloudy, making it perfect for sipping a warm bowl of chowder. Apart from the seafood (like the above, picture-perfect meal from Midtown Oyster), you can also find traditional comfort food that works perfectly with the colonial history. One of my all-time favorite restaurants, White Horse Tavern, can also be found in Newport. Established in 1673, it is considered the oldest restaurant in the country—a must-visit when in New England.

The Style

There is a certain je ne sais quoi to New England style. Because it changes from season to season, it always feels seasonal and festive. At the same time, most elements are classic and haven’t really changed much over time. Think Bean Boots, cable knit sweater, and nautical stripes. I’ve always gravitated towards that look, no matter my location. Being in New England, I was excited to lean into that aesthetic. I almost feel like embracing classic fashion is enough to get me to visit.

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The Weather

When we got home from our New England visit, Florida days still began with heat and humidity. While I appreciate our temperate climate in January and February, it was so lovely to escape to some slightly cooler weather. The summers aren’t as intense, and the falls have such an incredible crispness in the air. Even the cold winters have their own sense of charm, especially around the holidays. While I may never be the first one to sign-up for a snow day, it’s always a fun treat every once in a while.

The Details

As you walk through coastal New England, keep a keen eye out for all of the little details. Anchors, whale tails, and other nautical motifs sometimes make unexpected appearances. Because they were custom built over 200 years ago, the homes themselves have so much attention to detail that gave them a personal touch from each builder. Finding homes older than 100 years is a rarity in St. Pete. I enjoyed drinking in some of the elements that you can’t find elsewhere.

New England, you are always such a treat to visit! While my experience is somewhat limited to Vermont and Rhode Island, I greatly look forward to visiting the other states in our country’s smallest region. New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, I hope to see you all soon!

Love from Newport,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.