Olive My Love

Summer Road Trip Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:55:00 +0000

Photos by Greg Wasserstrom

There's nothing better than a summer road trip. It's by far my favorite way to travel in the US because it lets you get a glimpse of the most remote recesses of the country side. From quirky motels to state camp grounds, you will find me happy as a clam. I tend to frame my road trips around Americana—historical monuments, Civil War battle fields, roadside attractions and state parks. Here's a quick list of a few of my favorite road trip routes east of the Rockies, and you can find my list road-trip wardrobe essentials on Shopcade.

John Wilkes Booth Assassination Escape Route
Start at Ford's Theater in Washington DC, and take a guided tour from a Park Ranger. They'll give you all the insider info about the building, which really brings the history of Lincoln's untimely demise to life. Next stop south is Dr. Samuel Mudd's House. Booth famously jumped from the box where Lincoln sat to the stage to scream, "Sic Semper Tyrannis!" breaking his leg in the process. Dr. Mudd splinted the leg and let Booth rest before he crossed into Virginia. Next you'll cross the Potomac into Virginia to try and find the Garrett farm near Bowling Green, which is where Booth hid before being smoked out by Union forces. Unfortunately all that's left is a roadside history pole marking the site. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled because it's located inside the grounds of Ft. Lee, so if you miss it you'll have to drive 4 miles just to turn around! The last stop is in Richmond, VA. Shop at Need Supply HQ in Carytown and treat yourself to lunch at the Black Sheep. Finish the day with a must-see tour of the Confederate Capital Building.

New Hampshire to Maine
Summer in New England can't be beat, and seeing as I'm from MA, it's one of my favorite little trips to take. Head north on 95 and stop in Portsmouth, NH. This quintessential New England town is nothing short on charm, delicious food and cute shops. I start the day with a tour of the USS Albacore (which I like to call the tuna sub), a submarine turned museum just outside downtown Portsmouth. The Albacore's teardrop-shaped hull was the prototype for the Navy's nuclear powered submarine force and was the first boat built specifically to operate underwater. This is by far one of the best audio tours I have ever been on and should not be missed! Finish with lunch at the Portsmouth Brewery before crossing the bridge into Maine. Stop by the Kittery Outlets for some major shopping deals before continuing onto Portland. Watch the sunset over the Atlantic from Gilbert's Chowder House's back deck and take in the sea breeze.

Deep in the heart of Texas
A Texas road trip is not for the faint of heart. The Lonestar State is gigantic and there is a lot of ground to cover. Starting in Houston, be sure to eat at Goode Company BBQ, visit the Art Museum and explore the cute shops around Montrose. Next we head west to Austin with a quick detour in Lockhart for more legendary BBQ. Kreuz is by far the best in Lockhart and is renowned for their lack of BBQ sauces (sauces not allowed!) and utensils (plastic knives only). Well worth the mess though, so dig into that brown butcher paper and get your hand covered in the most delicious brisket you will ever taste. Austin is next, and you'd be remiss to not visit the capital. The sprawling campus is great for an afternoon break, and you can even walk around the capitals halls on your own accord. Next up is The Alamo in San Antonio, which may be a little lackluster if you get your hopes us too high. The history behind the preservation of the site is the most compelling part of the area's story. The next log haul is to Marfa, which appears out of nowhere among dust and desert. There is great food to eat and fantastic art to be seen here, so take you time and invest at least a day or two. The final stop has us looping back east towards Big Bend National Park. Set up camp in this amazing place and get ready for some serious hiking. Take some easy trails along the Rio Grande, or suit up for a day hike into the Chisos Mountains to explore the parks famous Window Trail. Your feet may hurt, but the views across the vast expanses of Texas are unparalleled and totally worth it.

Mayflower Supply Co.

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 17:03:00 +0000

Photos by Courtney Brooke Hall

This is the reason why this blog has been silent for over a month—I have been working on opening up my own online shop! It's finally here, and I am thrilled to share the fall look book with you.

Wearing vintage is not only is this an affordable and economic way to dress, but it's also a way to connect to the past. My father grew up in Massachusetts and spent his college years out in Western MA working on a farm. For as long as I can remember he's worked with his hands, and believed that if you’re going to do something, you better do it right. I think that idea of quality and pride is something so deep rooted in American culture, especially the clothing manufacturing industry that was so prominent in New England during the industrial age. Those values are the cornerstone of Northeast culture and a big reason why I look to vintage. It’s a connection to my family’s heritage (which dates back to the Mayflower in 1620!).

I handpick all of Mayflower Supply's vintage focusing on classic pieces with sound construction. I hope you love the unique but wearable pieces, and start bringing vintage into your everyday wardrobe.

You can shop the fall look book online now.

Photographer: Courtney Brooke Hall
Stylist: Emily Theobald
Model: Emily Theobald
Special thanks: Greg Wasserstrom, Christopher Schwaber

Boone Hall Plantation

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 16:21:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Shirt and bag: thirfted
Skirt: Steven Alan
Shoes: Madewell

If you follow my Instagram then you already know that I've been in Charleston, SC for the past ten days. Greg got a new job, so we decided to take a much needed us-only vacation in celebration. We've been wanting to visit Charleston for a long time. There's so much history (the Civil War started there!) and Rhiannon, Lauren and Kennedy have posted so many beautiful photos that I wanted to go just to see the colorful federal buildings and southern piazzas.

In addition to the lovely city, we knew we had to visit some of the amazing plantations in the area. The very last big house we visited was Boone Hall. We skipped the house tour and instead opted to explore the grounds ourselves. The highlights were definitely the Slave Cabins and the famous Avenue of Oaks, which you may recognize from The Notebook (the house served as Allie's family home). I really loved strolling around the gardens—lots of folks said Charleston was experiencing a "second spring" and the gardens definitely reflected that.

Mona Fall 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:50:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Mona

Mona's latest fall collection is a perfect combination of spooky and sweet. This season designer Moriah Hemed was inspired by Tim Burton's classic creepy movies like Beetle Juice and Corpse Bride. The juxtaposition of creepiness against Mona's sweeter silhouettes are just like Burton's movies—slightly off putting, but a wonderful compliment to each other. The collection remind me so much of the shoot I did at Macpelah Cemetery, and I could definitely go on some fall adventures in these outfits. Maybe a trip to Arnold Rothstein's grave?

You can shop Mona's fall collection online now.

Photographer: Yifat Vercik
Styling: Anna Karpunov
Hair and make up: Hen Zarum
Model: Chen Sherer

Wolcott:Takemoto Spring 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 16:59:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Wolcott:Takemoto

Fashion week is always a whirlwind, but the intimate Wolcott:Takemoto Spring 2014 presentation was a wonderful pause from the madness. Joy and Natasha have a knack for creating pieces that are quintessential Brooklyn babe. So simple and chic with classic tailoring, making every piece totally wearable. The Wolcott:Takemoto girl is the effortless beauty you see walking down the streets of Brooklyn that you kind of hate because you don't know how she does it. Lucky for us, Wolcott:Takemoto has launched an web store, so becoming that Brooklyn babe is just a few clicks away.

You can shop the fall collection online now.

Photographer: Biel Parklee
Assistant: Michael Toujiline
Model: Elaine Carlin
Set design: Pakayla Biehn
Hair & makeup: Yoko of Shizen

Samantha Pleet SS14

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Samantha Pleet

The idea of an earthly paradise is as old as scripture, and certainly not new to those of us toiling away in urban jungles like New York. I know I'm constantly searching for a real life escape to a place of Eden that will give me a moment of peace away from the madness.

I have yet to come across such place in my travels, but Samantha Pleet manages to bring utopia to us with her new "Arcadia" SS14 collection. Samantha never fails to impress with a continuation of her amazing signature prints, all of which she draws and designs herself. I can't get enough of the Mountain Stripe, which to me looks exactly like birch bark—my favorite tree.

More importantly, every garment is fit to perfection; each silhouette lending itself to it's wearers body. It's so rare to find a piece of clothing that has this much thought and care put into it. You truly get taken into Samantha's personal shangri-la when you put on her clothes, which is incredible and surreal. A feeling anyone—city dweller or not—will want to experience.

Photographer: Jacqueline DiMilia
Stylist: Turner
Models Emily Theobald and Tara Violet
Hair: Travis Speck
Makeup: Daniel Alvarez
Shoes: Wolverine 1000 Mile by Samantha Pleet
Headpieces done in collaboration with Hannah Metz
Set design: Patrick Pleet

"Arcadia" by Samantha Pleet

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 18:20:00 +0000

This season Samantha Pleet was inspired by the journals Charles Darwin kept during his early voyages to Tiera del Fuego. The collection's accompanying film follows a heroine explorer, much like Darwin himself, lost at sea who eventually stumbles upon the dream world of Arcadia: An Eden-like mythical island paradise. It's a place of feminine healing and liberation where free thought, peace, and sensual pleasure are the preferred currency. We learn through our reluctant protagonist that you can only find paradise through an open mind and a taste for adventure.

This short, but beautiful film gives me chills every time I watch it. It's has a wonderful sense of humor, but also taps into a deep longing I think a lot of us have. Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for the full look book!

Directed by Maximilla Lukacs & Sarah Sophie Flicker
Narrated by Tennesee Thomas
Starring Emily Theobald, Carlen Altman, Andrea Estella and Hannah Metz
Stylist: Turner
Hair: Travis Speck
Makeup: Daniel Alvarez
Shoes Wolverine 1000 Mile by Samantha Pleet
Headpieces done in collaboration with Hannah Metz
Set design: Patrick Pleet
Film stills by Landon Metz and Agnes Thor

Niagara Falls

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster
Shirt and shoes: Thrifted
Shorts: American Apparel

Frist stop on our journey up to Muskoka was Niagara Falls. It was on the way, so we figured it would silly not to make a quick tourist pit stop. We took a few standard snaps (plus some silly air guitar ones) before heading to a super kitschy restaurant called Edgewaters Bar & Grill. It was actually pretty good, and had a damn good view of the falls from the patio. All in all the perfect pit stop.

Hello from the North!

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:22:00 +0000

Photo by Greg

Jacket: Vintage Woolrich from from Philistine
Bag: vintage
Bracelets: vintage and In God We Trust

I spent this past week in Canada with my family. We have a small cottage up in the Muskoka Lakes Region, which is absolutely beautiful. I was thrilled to go because I hadn't been in two years, and after going up every year of my life, felt like a very long time to go without.

We drove the entire 621 miles with a pit stop in Toronto, which is where this picture was taken. We stayed in Parkdale and just spent our one day there walking around, exploring the Queeswest and Kingston Market neighborhoods. We ate lots of yummy food, picked up some books at Type, and I was lucky enough to finally meet Alex of Larkspur who is even sweeter and prettier in person (Seriously. That hair!).

Be prepared for a barrage of woodsy cottage photos this week which may include water skiing, hiking up Devil's Face and a swim at the waterfalls off Fish Hatchery Road. Stay tuned!

Larkspur Summer 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:35:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Larkspur

You know I love a good road trip, which is why I'm so in love with Larkspur's Summer Lookbook. It's perfectly nostalgic and kitschy at the same time, and combines so many of the things I love the most about summer-time travels: The open road, cheesy motels and small town thrifting. There's an intangible sense of adventure in here that's only something you feel after going on a trip like this yourself.

Personally, this has made me insanely excited about my own pending road trip up to Canada in August. I'll be spending 10 days at my family's cottage in Muskoka, and we'll be stopping in Niagra Falls on the way up. Cheesy motels, here I come!

Shop the Larkspur Summer collection online now.

Photography and design: Kira Crugnale
Styling and models: Alex and Meaghan, shop owners

Lazy Khakis

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster
T-shirt: American Apparel
Khakis: borrowed from Greg
Bag: vintage
Jewelry: In God We Trust
Shoes: Berk's ages ago

I could say that this outfit was from this past weekend, but that would be a lie. Truth be told I have been swamped at my new job and haven't had time or energy for much else. Summer is here too, so I've been trying to spend more time out in the world instead of in my apartment with the AC blasting. Anyway, I'm here now little blog!

As much as I love it, I'm never prepared for summer. The idea of short skirts and bare legs always have me feeling self conscious, hence this lazy outfit consisting of a baggy pair of Greg's pants and a plain ole t-shirt. I'm also hiding a serious case of dirty hair under that panama hat.

I'm settling into this job and summer, so hopefully you'll be seeing more of my face 'round these parts.

In God We Trust S/S 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of In God We Trust

As anyone living or visiting New York in the summer knows, it get's really damn hot and half the time you're figuring out how to get the heck out of the city. That urge for escapism is the inspiration behind In God We Trust's Spring/Summer 2013 collection, which hits stores and online now.

If you're not familiar with the brand, In God We Trust is comprised of men's and women's apparel, jewelry and accessories that are inspired by everyday life. The collections embody designer Shana Tabor's traditional New England upbringing, along with her obsession with collections, everything vintage, and her irreverent, often dark-witted humor. Best part? Everything is designed and handmade with love right here in New York, NY, USA.

I'm absolutely in love with hand drawn prints this season. The sunnies print is perfect and you can't go wrong with the feminine, tailored, vintage-inspired silhouettes. I've been a long time fan of IGWT, so I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I do!

Photography: Kirsten Kay Thoen
Styling: Shana Tabor
Make up: Danielle Hartnett
Model: Rebecca Mapes

Part & Parcel

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos by Gillian Stevens of Part and Parcel

Jacket, matching top/skirt set: vintage
Bag: Madewell
Boots: Rachel Comey Mars Boots
Necklace and signet ring: In God We Trust
Opal ring: Catbird

A few weeks ago I received the sweetest email from Gillian Part & Parcel telling me she'd be in NYC for a few days. I'm a fan of her of lovely Vancouver-based blog, which she co-writes with pal Jennifer Moss. They document anything and everything that inspires them from style, food and DIY projects. It's all done so beautifully too, making Part & Parcel a joy to read and look at.

Gillian and I met at Van Leeuwen for a chat just before a torrential down pour had us fleeing for shelter. It's always a pleasure meeting such wonderful new people through this crazy thing we call the internet. Gillian and I live on opposite sides of the continent, but now those cities don't feel so far away.

You can see more photos from our coffee date over on Part & Parcel.

Blooming Leopold S/S 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos via Blooming Leopold

Lauren Winter, the designer behind Blooming Leopold, is known for her foray in DIY projects in addition to her lovely handmade designs. I've always loved her tutorials, and I was really excited to see her trying out more home dyeing. I'm thrilled to see those experiments turned into an amazing new collection inspired by muted colors and folkish costume patterns of old Japanese film.

Lauren's strength is creating loose-fitting, yet structured feminine shapes (like this dress!) that are perfect for summer, and almost every garment in the S/S 13 collection is hand dyed using natural dyes like indigo and onion skins. My favorite is the shibori which yields such beautiful one of a kind results.

You can shop the Blooming Leopold S/S 2013 collection online now.

Photography: Drew Tyndell
Styling: Rhiannon Tyndell
Model: Maya Mansour

Swedish Hasbeens NYC Pop Up Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:07:00 +0000

You know I have a penchant for clogs, especially Swedish Hasbeens, which is why I'm so excited for their NYC pop up this Thursday at the Kiitos Marimekko concept store on the Upper East Side. The event is from 6-9 PM and is hosted by the lovely Miss Christina Caradona of Trop Rouge. Come hang out with me and check out their SS13 collection, "Call of the Wild," in person! Plus there will be sweet treats, savory bites and plenty of bubbly.

See you there!

Giveaway: $30 to LKF Vintage!

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:40:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of LKF Vintage

Today I'm excited to host a $30 giveaway to LKF Vintage! This curated shop is run by San Francisco-based Leanne Feely and everything she selects is not only adorable, but totally wearable, which can be a rarity for vintage. So many times I find fantastic vintage pieces, but I'm not quite sure how to style them. Leanne has a knack for making such items feel current and fresh and her shop is a constant source of inspiration for me.

To enter, follow Leanne on Twitter and Instagram (Leanne is studying botany, so be prepared for lots of lovely flowers in addition to vintage finds!), and comment here telling me what's your favorite item from Leanne's shop. This is open to international readers as well!

Not into giveaways? Leanne is also offering 10% off for you lovely readers with code LKFandOlive until June 1. Happy shopping and good luck!

UPDATE 5/20: Emma is the winner! Thanks to everyone for participating and don't forget that you can still get 10% off LKF Vintage through the end of May with code LKFandOlive.

St. Lukes In The Fields

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:40:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster
Shirt: Madewell
Jumper: vintage
Bag: Madewell
Boots: Wolverine by Samantha Pleet Arc Boots

There is a secret garden in the West Village, and while there's no Mary Lennox or Colin to be seen, it's still pretty magical. It's right on Hudson St. and looks just like any other unassuming old church, but if you're lucky enough to find the small entrance, it leads to a pretty darn large campus filled with winding paths, tulip patches, blossoming trees and plenty of benches to sit on. It really is a little oasis, and I felt like I wasn't in the city just for a few brief moments.

On another note, I won a Need Supply contest a few months back (I know, right?) and finally spent my prize on these amazing Arc Boots. I've been hemmin' and hawin' over them for months, and last week the fates aligned—They went on sale and I had a discount code. They're probably the most comfortable boots of all time and even more beautiful in person. Samantha puts so much love and care into everything she makes, and her shoes are no exception.

May Sponsorships!

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Calling all patrons of vintage, hand made, and shops big and small - I'm now accepting sponsorship and ad spots for May and beyond! Get in touch if you have a special project, look book or new items you want to promote this spring and summer. E-mail me for rates and other info - don't be shy!

Pop of Red

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster
Jacket: J.Crew (similar here)
Shirt: Saint James
Jeans: Wrangler
Boots: Rachel Comey Mars Boots
Ring: In God We Trust Signet Ring
Bracelet: In God We Trust Rapunzel Cuff
Bag: thrifted

It was mild for about two second after I arrived back in NYC from LA, and it has been frigid ever since. I refuse to go back to my winter coats, even for just a moment, so I've been walking briskly to and from my destinations instead. Try as I might though, this jacket could not shield me from this past weekend's cold front. Needless to say I could not feel my hands after these pictures were taken.

This is basically my uniform. My new favorite jeans, a striped shirt and my trusty Mars Boots that Greg kindly got me for Christmas (best. Christmas. ever.). Not very exciting—except maybe for the pop of red from my lipstick—but I always feel comfortable and put together in any variation of this ensemble. Do you have any go-to outfits that you have on repeat?

California Pt. 2: Joshua Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos by me

I can't begin to tell you how long I've wanted to visit Joshua Tree. I've see countless pictures from friends and bloggers alike, so I couldn't wait to see it myself. Luckily I had three rad ladies to take this adventure with, so my first time out was amazing.

Joshua Tree reminds me a lot of Big Bend, but it's much rockier and has far more vegetation (ie trees). That familiarity made the experience strange at first—I felt like I was in a combination of some bizarro version of another national park, and a Hollywood movie set. The rock formations and twisted trees are truly a sight to be seen and they make you wonder if it's all real.

We only did a short hike and some small town exploration during our day trip, but I would love to plan some sort of camping expedition out there. There's so much history within the park as well (like the Lost Horse Mine), and we didn't even begin to touch upon that while we were there.

Until next time California...

California Pt. 1: Figueroa Mountain

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Photos by me

If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen that I was in California last week. It was a welcome break! Unfortunately I spent more time having fun than taking pictures, but I'm happy to share a few with you in the coming days.

First up is Figueroa Mountain, which might have been the highlight of the trip. It's in the Los Padres National Forest and it's most famous for it's incredible wild flowers. I can honestly say that I have never seen or smelled anything quite like it. The road up the mountain is incredibly narrow and has no guardrails whatsoever, so it was a bit nerve racking. The view and fragrant flowers made it all worth it though—When we finally stepped out of the car the smell of poppies and lupines almost knocked us over. It was like breathing in a bouquet which made the entire experience that much more magical.

Wolcott : Takemoto Fall 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:42:00 +0000

Photos via Wolcott : Takemoto

Wolcott : Takemoto is a small, independent New York City-based clothing line created by friends Joy Wolcott and Natasha Takemoto. The two are old pals from Seattle and reunited in NYC to pursue careers in fashion.

As many people do, the girls swiftly became frustrated by their lack of progress since arriving in the city. In this Synonym Journal interview, Natasha explains, "We were just sitting in the park one day talking about how frustrating it was that we weren’t doing what we came here to do when we had a classic lightbulb moment: why don’t we just do something together?" They quickly got to work and this fall line is their fourth collection as a duo.

I personally love the simple, clean and classic aesthetic (you know I'm a sucker for stripes) and that everything is made right here in New York City. You can find Wolcott : Takemoto at Steven Alan, Bird and online at Anaise.

Photography: Chibi Lai
Model: Jesse Partridge

Good Night, Day 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:06:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of Good Night, Day

Today I'm excited to share with you the 2013 look book from Good Night, Day. Tara-Lynn Morrison is one of those internet pals who I have been following since before I even started this old thing. It's been fun watching her style change and her amazing knits grow. She is a true maker—involved in the creative process from start to finish, hand knitting every single one of these creations herself.

The company is independently run by Tara-Lynn, and she's also the sole founder, designer and knitter. Good Night, Day's aesthetic has a strong emphasis on modern & minimalist hand knit, exclusive one of a kind and often featuring limited run pieces. Tara-Lynn is involved in every step of the highly personal hand made process, including choosing fair trade sourced wool, namely of alpaca, merino and cashmere blends that come from Peru, Uruguay and a women's collective in Argentina. Good Night, Day is one of those lines where you know, can see and feel the craftsmanship and care that goes into every single piece.

My mom used to knit me clothing growing up, and she recently picked it up again. Two years ago she made me a sweater and a scarf and it nearly brought me to tears. There's something truly amazing about clothing made by hand and I'm so happy to see people like Tara-Lynn keeping that tradition alive.

You can shop the new Good Night, Day collection online now, including Tara-Lynn's new knitting kits and patterns.

Photography: Arden Wray
Models: Kate campbell and Elspeth Hudson

Machpelah Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:06:00 +0000

Photos by Greg

Dress: c/o Darling Vintage
Coat, shoes and "Penny" bracelet: vintage
Bag: Dalaga
Ring: Cat Bird
Necklace: In God We Trust

Its's been almost exactly three years since Greg and I took our first big southern road trip together. The anniversary has me itching for a trip out of the city to some southern Civil War battlefield or any place that has historical charm. Unfortunately we won't be going anywhere any time soon, so in the mean time I've been seeking out historical places here in the city, which is where Machpelah Cemetery comes in.

I've been wanting to visit for a while now because Arnold Rothstein is buried somewhere in the Jewish section of the Cemetery Belt and I after reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, I was happy to discover that Harry Houdini also lies within those gates. We weren't able to find Mr. Rothstein, but Houdini's grave is visible from the street. There was all kinds of relics left on his grave—fake flowers, stacks of wet, decaying playing cards... but the truly amazing thing about this cemetery is how close all of the markers lie. People literally buried on top of other people for miles and miles.

This mini adventure was also the perfect opportunity to take this amazing dress from Darling Vintage for a spin. There's something a little creepy (in a good Jane Eyre kind of way) about bringing something so sweet and pretty into such a morbid setting. The pleating, collar and especially the back buttons give this cambray dress an Edwardian feel, and I felt a bit like I could be the ghost of one of the young girls laid to rest all around me.

Larkspur Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Photos via Larkspur

Today I'm happy to host a $50 (USD) giveaway to Larkspur, an adorable Toronto-based vintage shop run by gal pals Meaghan and Alex. Their shop has me itching for a northern adventure this summer because all of the lovely finds, especially the dresses, in their shop are just perfection.

To enter:
1) Follow Larkspur on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
2) Leave a comment below with your email address telling us which item from the shop you love the most

Contest runs until March 15 and the winner will be notified via email by March 18. Not into giveaways? Well, Larkspur is also offering 10% off all purchases for you lovely readers with the code OliveMyLove until April 1st!

It's the perfect time to grab a new spring dress, especially with Easter just around the corner. I know I have my eye on this gingham jumper. Add a sun hat, some clogs and my trusty market tote and I'll be ready for the warmer weather!

Happy shopping and good luck!

UPDATE: The winner is Lauren Winter! Congrats lady! Thanks to everyone who participated in this fantastic giveaway.