Recently I spent some fun, somewhat lazy days in Wisconsin Dells, known as the water-park capitol of the world. It’s one of the two most touristy places in Wisconsin; the other one being Door County. I usually don’t frequent these two places during the busy season but this year I broke that rule. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still slow in the Dells compared to what it will be by the beginning of July. Most business owners do the large majority (or all) of their business during the 3 busy months of summer.
Wisconsin Dells is known for, of course, water-parks, along with The Ducks, water-ski shows, magic shows, miniature golf and other fun diversions. One of my favorite things it’s known for is fudge. Yes, I said it-fudge. I don’t have scientific research to back this up but I believe there are more fudge stores per capita than any other place on earth except maybe Switzerland. This is not a bad thing. There is almost any kind of fudge you desire. I decided on several including mint, peanut butter explosion and watermelon. All delightful and worth every melt in your mouth bite. Yes, even those extra hours of working out.
Of all the things the Dells is, I have never thought of the Dells as a fashionable place or a place to find fashion. I thought of it as a place to see a lot of shorts, tank tops and swimsuits, oh, and hiking or “nature” shoes. Yeah, and tacky souvenir t-shirts and other cheap (yet expensively priced) clothing. Nothing to give a second look at. Well, that has all changed. My husband and I were walking around “the strip” and I was only half paying attention to the treasures that were in the souvenir stores we were passing when all of a sudden, I caught a glimpse of some quite fashionable clothes in a store, Burl & Boyd Boutique, that we were passing.
I almost thought I was dreaming but then my feet did the natural fashionista 90 degree turn into the store. Wow, was I surprised when I started looking around. It’s definitely the hippest, most fashion forward boutique in Wisconsin Dells – entirely unexpected, loaded with big personality. It was full of fashionista finds you’d expect to see in Chicago or Milwaukee boutiques or Madison (on State St) that won’t break the bank. A very friendly lady asked me if I needed help and of course I said I was just looking. A little later she came over again and I asked if she was the owner and she said yes. I told her how surprised and happy I was with the fashionable garments she offers.
Check out these boots she has. They’re hand made and embroidered from Artemis Boots, called Suzanis, the Persian word for “embroidery.” The designs are all one-of-a-kind
and have influences of folk art of the Orient and antique rugs. Aren’t they gorge? She has them in many colors and designs including tone on tone such as purple and lime green. They come in 3 different heel styles which means there is 1 appropriate for everyone.
As any self respecting fashionista would do, I found several great buys which includes this great maxi dress made from natural cotton which is perfect for even the hottest weather. To give it a little more flair I’ll add a belt, long earrings and some cute espadrilles. To make it work appropriate you can add a short cardigan or cotton jacket over it. For casual friday you could top it with a denim jacket.
To get even more use out of it you could fold down the top half (unless you’re really tall, than you don’t need to) and wear it as a maxi skirt with a form fitted top. So versatile!
This dress embodies 3 of the hot trends this season: long skirts/dresses, full skirts and blue prints.
Next time you’re in the Dells, make sure you stop at Burl & Boyd Boutique, 212 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. Tell Kelli Trumble I sent you.
