How to be Camping Chic

In my last post, I talked about my family's yearly camping trip to Butt Lake. So, continuing the love affair with camping, let's take an in-depth look at the outdoor-vacationing lifestyle and celebrate "Joi de Camping." For my two cents, there are few pleasures in life as delightful as flannel, periodic s'more buffets and campfire hijinks. Here are some key tips to styling your next dust-bound excursion:

#1 EMBRACE THE DIRT

Walking around with a chapstick-induced mud mustache is just part of the full experience. Go with it! 

#2 WE RISE AT DAWN (or 1215)

Some of us are morning people and well, some of us are not. That's ok. When you're camping, you get to sleep or not sleep in as much as you want. Below: see Claire and see me. Guess who is the morning person?

# 3 ACCESSORIZE WITH...A STYLISH HAT

Nothing says glamour like a chic chapeau or in my case an old hat I bought at the local hardware store five years ago. I think it might have once been worn by a dead fisherman. Lo and Natasha bought their hats at the dollar store in town. Hats add mystery and sun-protection to the camping world.

#4 ACCESSORIZE WITH...BANDANAS AND CAPES

A few years back, all us campers went through a serious bandana kick and well it just keeps kicking. They are practical, colorful, and can be worn in numerous ways. Doesn't Angela look pretty in pink? 

Side Benefit of the Bandana: You can channel Rhoda Morgenstern anytime you want 

I am loving this towel that my cousin Callen turned into a cape. My (capeless) Uncle Lee looks pretty handsome too

#5 DRESS LIKE A CAMP COUNSELOR

I think this one is pretty self-explanatory, but for reference take a look at the following films: Meatballs, Friday the 13th, The Parent Trap (1961), and of course, Wet Hot American Summer.

# 6 DON'T FORGET YOUR SUNGLASSES

You will go blind. That's all I've got to say about that.

Hello models!

Hayley is bringing the awesome

Stephen with his effortless cool

Mum

# 7 THE POWER OF THE PROP

In the wilderness, a photoshoot, like a bear attack, can happen any time. Don't be afraid to make adequate use of props (or firearms...)and scenery

Lottery Card = Instant Mystique

 My father is a great stationary equestrian

Everyone needs a Tom Selleck commemorative plate. Everyone.

Kirsten proves that a laundromat washing machine is the perfect background.

#8 WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, GIVE ME "DUST BOWL"

You may remember my discovery of a new modeling pose called, "Beware the Velociraptor." You can find that post here and voila, an example:

But, there is a pose that rivals even the velociraptor and that is, wait for it: "DUST BOWL." You know those haunting images of early 1930s migrant workers staring off into the horizon with a look of quiet desperation and crippling hunger. Yeah, we turned that into a pose. We're sensitive that way. I give you the "Dust Bowl." Use it for the powers of good.

                               STEVE                   LEE

                                HAYLEY                 TONI

            ANGELA                 CLAIRE

                           ME                      LUCY

GRANDPA actually lived through the Great Depression, so his representation I feel has a particular gravitas. In his words: "Oh, no I'm an Okie. DUST!"

So, whether you want to camp with style or want some style that's camp, here's to Camping Joi De Vivre and all the fun that comes with it!

Donuts and Do Nots

Did you know that there are over 2,000 Dunkin' Donuts in Boston? If you did, then you are a liar. Because, according to the interwebs, there are approximately 100 Dunkin' Donuts in the Boston area. Impressive. That's a whole lot of Dunkin' goin' on.

Had lots of fun shopping on Newbury Street and trying on these shorts that made my arse look like a fried egg and this hat that made me look like Dean Martin. 

I did not buy this dress because of a prior fashion trauma. You will note the keyhole under my chestal-region. Well, 6 years ago I was on deck a cruise ship deep in the Mediterranean (yes, a cruise ship!) I was wearing a beautiful white eyelet dress whilst shuffle-boarding. Under the hot gaze of an Italian sun, I was using the shuffleboard stick to push the disc into the scoring zone when I inadvertently hooked my finger into the eye of an eyelet. I swung my mighty shuffle boarding arm and ripped off half my dress and that is how I exposed myself to the coast of Croatia. I could barely show my face on the lido deck for the remainder of the trip. Oh, the shame.

Behold, my beautiful shopping companions: Lo, Hayley, and KGB. These ladies know how to work their bows, cowboy hats, and yellow.

 Lo is so chic. In this picture, she looks like a young Katherine Hepburn or a freakishly young Woody Allen cinematic love interest.

 KGB is lovely in everyway. Not only is she a beautiful genius, she is also wearing a canary sweater. Bonus points!

We walked along the "Emerald Necklace" (the collection of green grassy parks along the Charles River). If you go to Boston (which you should) and the weather is favorable please please take a jaunt along this path. It is a wonderful way to see the city. Then we got tired and ended up finding a dock to lounge and take a reading break on. So, do take a walk. Do not wear yellow pants. Do eat donuts. Do not expose yourself to Croatia. Pearls of wisdom I have gathered along my travels. Life is such a learning experience.

Beware the VELOCIRAPTOR!

After a delightful train trip, we made it to Boston. My sister Hayley lives there right now in the cutest little apartment. How little is it? Well, I'll put it this way: she can swiffer the entire place from her bed. But seriously, her room is art. Every piece of it. 

 Hayley painted both of these paintings and they are awesome. I think she should open an etsy store. Don't you agree? 

I love Hayley's bulletin board. It's such a glimpse into her mind and what a beautiful mind it is.

Now, when we all get together, we get a little punchy and we had a lot of fun taking pictures in Boston. These pics are from the front stoop of Hayley's building.

Some are lovely:

And some feature our new favorite pose, one that I have titled the "velociraptor." Now, I saw Jurassic Park when I was nine and seriously, not a day goes by that I don't think about, quote, or watch it. It's one of those movies for me. Here are the key lessons of Jurassic Park: nature will find a way, Jeff Goldblum is the man, velociraptors are the most brilliant and terrifying creatures the world has ever known. Velociraptors are the serial killers of the dinosaur world and they can open doors. They can come out of nowhere. They will find a way...to kill you. So, in closing, I give you our version of the "velociraptor."

 "Gee, I hope there are no velociraptors around."

 "I hate velociraptors."

 "Life you are too wonderful."

 "I'm complacent."

"VELOCIRAPTOR!!!!!!!"

 Take a look at this highly informative cartoon by XKCD of how to find out if your home is prepared for a velociraptor attack. This could save lives people!