Old Port

I spent this past weekend in the company of one of my dearest friends. For our annual summer get-together, Erin and I had originally planned to trek down to New York City for some free concerts (The Swell Season, St. Vincent, and Basia Bulat), but that didn't play out as expected. We then briefly contemplated making our way to Newport, Rhode Island for the Newport Folk Festival, but didn't want to part with so many pretty pennies for a pair of tickets. Instead, we spent Saturday afternoon exploring Portland, Maine. I love going to Maine any chance I get and it had been four years since I'd visited last. I remembered Portland as being a fun city to walk around and fun we certainly had strolling up and down the cobblestone streets in the Old Port, popping into this shop and that, snapping photos, grabbing coffees, and filling our bellies (perhaps too much) with yummy Mexican food.

Erin found it amusing how I giggle during my photo shoots. Can't take these things too seriously, can we? ;)

Thanks for taking these, Erin! ♥

Cardigan and shorts: H&M, Blouse: thrifted, Sunglasses: Aldo
Handbag: TJ Maxx, Minnetonka moccasins

With the exception of these goofy grins and silly smirks, I didn't use my digital camera much while we were in Portland. I was toting around my SLR and will have some film photos of our little day trip up within the next week or so. Erin took some great pics around the city with her digital camera, so expect to see them posted on her blog soon!

Trash or Treasure

It's time for another installment of Trash or Treasure. I just had the thought that maybe I should have named this feature Trash TO Treasure, not Trash or Treasure because everything I have in mind to share is definitely treasure and far from trash! What do you think? Keep the name as is or change it slightly?

Anyway, on to the goods. These small juice glasses are another find of my father's. In fact, I believe they came in the same box of free goodies as the Holt-Howard salt and pepper shakers I featured last time. And quickly keeping with referencing past blog posts, you can imagine I got a little excited when reading the article in Frankie (the Sept/Oct 2009 issue) about Holly Farrell's vintage inspired artwork and seeing an entire half page dedicated to painted renditions of juice glasses (see post here).



I'm actually not a big juice drinker (although my dad does whip up all kinds of juicy concoctions in his juicer), so when using these precious little vessels I'm usually sipping water or vanilla rice milk. Mmm.

Barefoot on a summer night

Tuesday night my sister, her friend, and I spent the better portion of our evening immersed in the musical extravaganza of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. We made our way to the venue (smack-dab in the middle of a strip-mall. Yes, that's right. Right next to a dollar store) in time to hear the opening act (made up of several members of the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros band) finish up their last few songs. There were more people there than we anticipated, so we ended up against these metal railing barriers to the left of the stage. Being of a short stature, my face is always an easy target for wayward elbows in tightly packed places of this nature and so, I took matters into my own hands and perched myself up on that railing (no more than 3-4 inches in diameter, mind you). The view was pretty good and I was pleased to be able to watch the band perform rather than just hear them play. The whole concert experience feels much more complete that way. My photos came out rather shaky because for some reason the steady-shot feature had been turned off, but it ended up not being a bad thing in the least bit. The way the lights and movements were captured complemented the ambiance of the evening quite nicely.

Have you seen any live music this summer?

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou

The photo sequence of me skipping was quite comical upon review.

Oh the fun one can get into during a 10 second self-timed photo shoot ;)

Anyway. This is my new favorite shirt. I had been looking for a vintage Levi's button up (men's or women's) on and off for about 5 years. I say on and off because sometimes I remember to look for them and sometimes I don't. I recently spotted two women's button ups at a Salvation Army I don't frequent very often. One was a perfect brown and purple plaid, but unfortunately had an enormous tear in it that seemed near impossible to fix and fix well. The other was rainbow plaid. Yes, rainbow plaid. It was so gaudy it was almost cool. To be perfectly honest, it made me think of Rainbow Brite meets Little House on the Prairie. Yeah, picture that in your mind's eye! Needless to say, I passed. Then, lo and behold, I was at my favorite Salvation Army not too long ago and was making my way out when I felt the urge to check through the men's department. I can't explain it, but I knew there would be a Levi's button up there that day.

It was windy out on this particular day. I smartened up after a bit and pulled my hair back. Much better!

Shirt: vintage Levi's Colorgraphs button up (men's), Shorts: self-made from old Levi's, Belt: secondhand,
Rings: secondhand, Wedges: Target, Sunglasses: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Giveaway with CSN Stores! CLOSED

I am excited to announce that I've teamed up with CSN Stores to host a giveaway for my readers! Are you familiar with CSN Stores and all they have to offer? Comprised of over 200 online shops to visit and browse, you're sure to find just what it is you're looking for. Or maybe a little something you didn't know you were looking for! Whether you're in the market for a new handbag or a bathroom vanity, they seriously have you covered. Simultaneous shopping has never been more fun!

On to the giveaway!



CSN Stores is generously offering this set of bookends from the Roebuck Studio line. I couldn't resist this adorable pair of chicks with their fluid design and beautiful rich color. I hope you like them, too!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment here on this post. Perhaps you could tell me what books you'd display between the bookends? Please remember to include an email address (if your link does not direct to one) where I can contact you upon winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only and will run until Tuesday, August 3. A winner will be chosen at random the following day.

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Emily of Ruby Slipper Journeys.

Sheep Meadow

I was recently contacted by the kind people at Shabby Apple to review one of their dresses on my blog. Have you visited Shabby Apple lately? I'm convinced that their online boutique has the loveliest selection of women's dresses available all in one quick and easy shopping destination.


For my review, I selected the Sheep Meadow dress from the Central Park collection. Isn't the name utterly adorable? While browsing through the site, I was instantly drawn to the playful combination of white and kelly green stripes. That in itself would have been good enough for me, but throw in some subtle pleating, airy cap sleeves, and a navy blue sash and I went from merely interested to absolutely smitten!

I felt very ladylike as soon as I put the dress on. I think the full circle skirt had some kind of effect on me because all sorts of good ideas for wearing this dress began swirling through my head. An outdoor tea party! Running through a field with a butterfly net! Reading poetry in the grass!

Dress: courtesy of Shabby Apple, Wedges: Target

Thank you again Shabby Apple for this opportunity! I am extremely pleased with this dress. Not only is it perfectly pretty, but cool and comfortable as well. And we all know that those are the best qualities in a dress!

Shabby Apple would also like to extend a 10% off discount to Resplendent Tranquility readers! While the dresses are great, be sure to scope out everything from their handbags and aprons to their swimwear and accessories! Upon checkout enter the discount code Resplendent10off. **Discount has expired**

Still-life

I came across the artwork of Holly Farrell in the Sept/Oct 2009 issue of Frankie Magazine that Ana B. of On Dressing Up so graciously shipped over for me several months back. A self-taught painter, Holly Farrell creates exquisite and stunning still-life and portraiture paintings of common everyday items (often of the vintage variety).

I love how when I look at her paintings it seems as if I can reach into the canvas and feel the real texture of the subject. Each piece of work is so lifelike, so vivid. Oftentimes at first glance, my brain is tricked into thinking it's looking at a photograph instead. She's that good. Among some of my favorite pieces are those that feature vintage wallpapers and juice glasses, like the following that were featured in Frankie:

A few others from the artist's website that have delighted and tickled my fancy:

Head on over to Holly Farrell's website, have a look through her archives and let me know which paintings you like!

Photos 1-3 are my own. Photos 4-8 can be found here.