Summer is finally here! I feel like it took forever for our spring showers to finish up and for the summer sun to stick around for a while. #ClassicWisconsin But I'm so very excited for the beautiful weather and all of the wonderful Wisconsin summer fun! My husband and I got to spend our 4th of July weekend with family in Waupaca on an island, soaking up the sun, swimming in the lake, taking relaxing boat rides and naps, I'm still not sure how I was able to convince myself to return to reality.




But here I am, back to the old grind and I'm finally finding time to update Merely Midwest! Brief history about me, I have never tanned in the sun up until just a couple of years ago. I have a lot of ginger-blood in my veins so I'd burn bright red, then the red skin would peal away and I'd be left with pale, freckly skin. I must be getting old because my skin has completely changed and I'm finally tanning! Which is great BECAUSE I can wear pale colors now! Fortunately whites, creams, millennial pink, are all hot colors and I can wear them without being totally washed-out!



Another tidbit about me is that I used to have fabulously curly hair. I mean, how cute are these locks?

Lori circa 2009

Then BAM! I don't know what happened but I lost all of my beautiful curls. It could have something to do with how much I was straightening my hair (I know it's a big no-no) or with the smoothing Keratin treatment I got. Or simply that my hair was changing as it sometimes does with time. Either way, I've been working through the frizz, the knots, and the dreadlocks forming at the nape of my neck to get my curls back.



So here's my simple, summer look! I'm so obsessed with this skirt. I love all things with a high waist and especially skirts. I'm only 5'4" and I have a crazy-long torso (for example, my bike frame is built for a 4'10" person. I have no legs.) So high-waist skirts make me look taller and like I have legs built for my height. And who doesn't love to wear linen in the summer?! Milwaukee experienced some crazy heat this weekend and this skirt could not have been more comfortable or breathable.

I paired it with a simple pink/mauve t-shirt, pink lips, and my favorite heather-tan, peep-to, backless booties. The shirt and shoes are currently unavailable (isn't that how it always goes?) But try these alternatives!



Thanks for reading! And enjoy the beautiful summer sun!

Love - Lori

I've been singing, "If you're go-iing to San Francisco, be sure to weaar some flowers in your hair," over and over for the entire last week. You'd think I'd learn the rest of the song, but you'd be wrong, that's all I know. #facepalm


But I did wear flowers in my hair! I drank wine in Napa Valley, drove a Go Car through downtown San Francisco, ate fish 'n chips at the bay, drove down the coast on Highway 1, hiked to the base of Yosemite Falls, and so much more! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

I have to start with Napa Valley. My in-laws planned this entire week-long vacation for my husband and me and I'm so desperately grateful. My mother-in-law set aside one day for us all to head up to Napa Valley just for me! How lucky am I? The answer is VERY lucky.

We started by visiting Grgich Hills Estate. This winery created the first California wine to win in a blind taste test against France's finest wines. After that, the California wine country emerged and people have been harvesting their fortunes ever since.

We were fortunate enough to taste wines and learn about the Grgich Hills Estate wines from a member of this Hills family! Though they are known for their award winning Chardonnay, our tour guide took us through their Cabernet flight, as cabs are my fav!


We continued on to Heitz Wine Cellars and finished up at Sutter Home. We all know that Sutter Home is on the lower end of the price chain but I love Sutter Home wine! Honestly, I always have. I like that I can buy the mini single-serving bottles so I don't have to finish an entire bottle before it goes bad. (I'll be honest though, I don't usually have a problem with that...) Or the monster nine-glass bottles for a girls night in!

The Sutter Home rose garden was exquisite and they have the most fun gift shop! I bought wine-inspired soaps, candy dishes, tea towels with a map of Napa Valley, and of course, wine.


More California stories to come! But first, I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine and enjoy the Wisconsin spring sunshine.

Hello! I am so happy you're here! My name is Lori and I am so excited to get into the blog-esphere. I've been so anxious to get started that I claimed my domain name before I had any content! YIKES! Learning experience #1. I am a born-and-raised Wisconsin girl and currently living in Milwaukee and I'm married to the handsome man you see in that photo. The gist of this blog is about fashion, beauty, travel, baking, reading, and all things Midwest! I'm so pumped to start this journey and I love that you're coming with me!

In the mean time, enjoy these photos from my recent wedding!