My dad is notorious for being a Christmas Eve holiday shopper. Now, my mom growing up (and still) is the predominant gift shopper and wrapper for our family. Yet, every year, my dad drives into the town of Middlebury to find one special gift for everyone on his […]
I’ll never forget the first spring when I owned my home in Middlebury – a ranch on three acres with a creek and my own little maple grove. A neighbor from across the street came over with shiny buckets one early spring day. He asked if he could […]
Handcrafted Jewelry, Made in Vermont from Matthew Taylor Designs When someone tells you need more bling, you believe them. Or at least that’s a common occurrence when I head down to Matthew Taylor Designs in Shelburne, Vermont. I love visiting with jeweler extraordinaire and badass designer Matthew Taylor […]
Made in Vermont: Stocking Stuffers for Foodies Stocking stuffers are my favorite gifts to give. You never know if you’re going to open a pair of socks (hey, if they’re Darn Toughs, I’m happy!), a chocolate bar (dark chocolate and salted, please), or something that packs a punch in […]
I’m a Vermonter who doesn’t ski or snowboard. For that matter, I don’t really do any winter activities other than slipping around (trying not to eat sh*t, let’s face it), and the occasional snow shoe. But, I still love Vermont winters. And I love ski towns – Stowe, […]
I’m a sucker for a good place to stay. I often hear, “Why splurge on a hotel when you’re just sleeping there? You’re not going to spend much time in the hotel, right?” To me, though, when I escape on a vacation for rest and relaxation, where I […]
Crisp air, cider donuts, foliage, Okoberfest beer – all are signs of fall in Vermont. Someday I’ll make it to Munich for Oktoberfest. But for now, I’m happy with the seasonal change that marks the release of numerous Okertoberfest beers in Vermont. The commencement of fall brings the […]
I am always connected to technology. Being a Vermont Realtor, running a blog, writing for a beer magazine, managing a wedding band (and those are just my side hustles), my life is all about quick communication and connectivity. It is the life and career I’ve designed for myself. […]
During college, one of my part-time summer jobs was raking blueberries in Downeast Maine for $.18 a pound. I would rake rows and rows over acres and acres. I loved it. Being outside, under the sun with scenic views of the Maine coast hardly seemed like work even […]
I could browse aisle after aisle of flowers in Vermont’s garden centers without a care in the world. Every summer, I carefully craft my hanging baskets and pots and planters for the upcoming season. Each year has a different theme – all with bright pops of color to counteract […]
One of my favorite Facebook messages to receive is this: “Erin, it’s our {enter special occasion here}. We need your recommendation for the best Vermont restaurants to celebrate!” This happens frequently. I always throw out ideas for my favorite Vermont restaurants for special occasions across the state. Some […]
Maple syrup. Skiing. Craft beer… All three are part and parcel of the Vermont brand. But did you know that the craft beer industry in Vermont has actually surpassed the ski and maple syrup industries with its economic impact on the state? It’s true! In 2016, the craft […]
I love road tripping. I always have. It probably dates back to when I drove cross country to Montana to work at a luxury dude ranch (hello Triple Creek Ranch) when I was 18. My dad drove out with me in my Burnt Orange Pearl Honda Element. It […]
It’s fall 2017. The Vermont craft beer scene is thriving. In fact, there are over 50 breweries in Vermont making craft beer. There’s more beer in Vermont per capita than any other state. Tourists are still flocking to Vermont to get their hands on Heady Topper and Sip […]
At the first sign of leaves changing color in Vermont, I can’t help but get a little giddy. I love long, warm summer days in Vermont. I also love the bluebird, powder days of winter. But fall in Vermont is by far the best season to enjoy all […]