Wild Kingdom

Next week, my coworkers and I are heading to Wisconsin's north woods for four days and three nights of strategic planning and team building - four hours away from Madison with no hope for escape.

To say I'm dreading the adventure is an understatement. The tension was so intense last year that there was a BYOB drought midway through the second day - necessitating a liquor run into town. One coworker even broke out Barry White on the stereo and insisted it wasn't for seduction when I questioned him. And, yet, the retreat fuels a bevvy of stories and memories to recount during happy hour the rest of the year. Double-edged sword, I tell ya.

At the very least, this is the perfect setting to daydream about fall's sportsman-inspired pieces - complete with a dose of glitz to avoid looking like a bona fide hunter.

(pictured clockwise, starting from upper left)

Susanne Schmitt, Oxidized Deer's Head Pendant, $178
Topshop, Faux Fur Stole, $50
Banana Republic, Dainty Plate Stud, $25
Modcloth, Deer Watch Necklace, $24.99
Modcloth, Washington Jacket, $69.99
Topshop, Stag Hoops, $25
Filson, Wool Duffle Bag, $250
Ana Cavalheiro, Arabian Nights Ring, $238
Report, Monroe Boot, $174.95

{ bon voyage } Duluth, Minn.

We thought Saturday morning would be the perfect time to drive to Pattison State Park to see Wisconsin's tallest waterfall and enjoy the warm, sunny weather. But road construction thwarted our plans. When we were two miles from the park, we came to a detour - a detour that took us on a forty minute drive away. By that time, we could see Duluth, Minn. on the horizon and continued our drive to the neighboring state. We only had about 45 minutes to spend in Duluth before we had to drive back to Ashland for "Class Reunion Part Two," but we made the most of it. We purchased Minnesota beer, saw the famous Lift Bridge (appropriately named because it rises to accommodate passing shipping boats) and walked along Lake Superior's shore.

{ roadside america } Fred Smith's Concrete Park

While my 10-year class reunion wasn't that much fun, numerous roadside attractions and daytime adventures made the trip to Ashland worthwhile. First stop: Fred Smith's Concrete Park in Phillips, Wis. In 1950, Fred Smith, lumberjack and local tavern owner, began construction of concrete statutes embellished with shards of broken glass. The self-taught American folk artist created over 200 sculptures for passersby to enjoy.

Outfit Notes: Tee Shirt - Old Navy; Shorts - J.Crew; Sunglasses - Ralph by Ralph Lauren; Bracelet - House of Harlow; Bag - Foley + Corinna; Sandals - Sam Edelman

Hometown Proud

Going back to work after a vacation is torture - especially when the alternative is walking along the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown of Ashland, Wis. Nearly every morning, I wandered to the beach to wade in the unseasonably warm water, collecting drift wood and stones. I'm yearning for a rock tumbler after bringing back pounds of jasper, granite, Lake Superior agates and plenty of unidentified stones. Ashland's signature feature (aside from the lake, of course) is the the historic Soo Line ore dock built in 1916. The crumbling ore dock is slated for deconstruction soon, so it was one of the last opportunities to admire the structure.

Giveaway!
Win a House of Harlow statement ring worth $50!

Back on Solid Ground

After serving for a year in South Korea, my lil' brother will have his feet back on U.S. soil this evening. I'm heading to my parents' house for the rest of the week to see his photos and hear more stories of the unique "treats" he's tried. (Anyone up for chicken gizzards at the bar? Yeah, me neither.)

I'll be in the land of dial-up Internet, so I'm sure you understand why I won't be able to respond to comments or e-mails until I return. Until then, there are plenty of posts scheduled to keep you entertained.

Outfit Notes: Milly Dress; Vintage Ring

California Recap, Part Four

Monterey, CA

The City of Monterey was by far my favorite stop on the trip. The picturesque coastal city is rich with history and has a fisherman's wharf complete with sea lions. We spent an embarrassing amount of time watching the animals lounge on the rocky shore - and watching a pup eagerly follow its mother, until she went into the water. I did a bit of financial damage in Monterey, first with a necessity item: a sweatshirt. I had been shivering throughout most of the trip. I didn't realize that I'd be so cold in California with 70 degree temperatures and no humidity. (Who thought that I'd have to return to Wisconsin to warm up?) I also picked up a Tahitian pearl necklace at the wharf and a small oil painting at a local gallery.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

During the planning stages of the trip, Nate was adamant that we scout out Redwoods. We settled on a visit to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park, to admire the 2,000-year-old trees. After walking through the forest, I'm convinced that those who really understand the magnificence of the Redwoods are those who have seen the trees in person - photos just can't do them justice. A word of warning for those who visit Big Basin: when you drive out of the park, be aware that the two-lane road will unexpectedly narrow to one lane with traffic continuing in both directions.

Winchester Mystery House

A stop in San Jose was a last-minute addition to our itinerary when I remembered that the famed Winchester Mystery House was in California. I had a bit of fixation with the lore of haunted locations growing up and vowed to visit Sarah Winchester's mansion eventually. (Unfortunately, photos weren't allowed inside the eccentric home.)

Cold Spring Tavern, Santa Barbara, CA

After we stopped in San Jose, we turned around and headed south to arrive in time for our flight from L.A. This gave us the opportunity to dine at a former 1860s stagecoach stop: the Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara. Named as "one of the best places for a romantic getaway," I couldn't wait to bring Nate here for a rustic early-birthday meal. (I have a feeling it was one of the only places in California with venison on the menu.)

Ty Warner Sea Center

We couldn't leave Santa Barbara without a stop at Stearns Wharf and the Ty Warner Sea Center to touch a shark and play with starfish (which I should apparently called "sea stars," but I refuse).

Seal Beach, CA

Our last full day in California was spent in Seal Beach, thanks to a recommendation from Carrie at This Free Bird. Seal Beach is a small town (at least by L.A.-area standards) with around 24,000 residents. We couldn't wait to lose track of time on shore with another full day of splashing in the ocean and collecting shells. Carrie recommended that we stop at the California Seashell Company, or what I now refer to as "the best shell shop ever," for inexpensive souveniers. (I may have picked up a slightly tacky shell Christmas ornament.) When we stopped at a local bar for lunch, I noticed my alma mater's mascot on the wall but didn't think much of it. Halfway through the meal, I was startled to realize that we weren't in Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin's Bucky Badger was actually adoring the walls of Californian bar.