happy is the day.

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Happy is the day when your pictures blast color again. The entire time I was editing these photos this afternoon I just kept smiling and thinking, spring looks good on this blog. Oh, definitely YES. Weekends have been pretty swell around here lately, too, if I do say so myself. We’re getting out and about on our bikes, wearing less layers, and basically just all around loving hard on this season. I can’t believe how gorgeous everything is right now. Have I never noticed this before or has it just never been this pretty? Whatever the reason, I am thankful for it. Spring looks pretty darn good on Boston, too.

Sunday was our first visit to SOWA, the Bean’s best open market. I love how much variety there is here– food trucks, handmade goods, vintage wonders, and a farmer’s market, too! I feel like every year it just keeps getting better. This week we got a chickpea fritter from Clover to share, and an order of their rosemary fries. Wow. I had heard Clover was good, but is it ever GOOD. They really nail it.

Our afternoon was filled riding through the streets here and there and everywhere. From the South End we headed towards downtown to enjoy a music concert at the Tremont Temple, and then we biked along the river on our way to a family party in Central Square. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to be outside enjoying this city. And on my bike no less.

Joyful days are here again.

a sunday of love and lilacs.

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Just on the edge of the city of Boston there is a really hip little neighborhood called Jamaica Plain. In it there are beautiful old houses, delicious restaurants, and a little spot of land known as the Arnold Arboretum. In this spot of land, which is actually quite grand, there is a pocket of lilac trees that grow and bloom each year.

People come from all over the city {and likely from beyond} to celebrate and enjoy the trees.

This year was my first ever Lilac Sunday, and I liked it so much I think I may just have to make it a tradition…

Lilac SUNDAY!Lilac SUNDAY!-3 Lilac SUNDAY!-4 Lilac SUNDAY!-5 Lilac SUNDAY!-29Lilac SUNDAY!-7 Lilac SUNDAY!-8 Lilac SUNDAY!-9 Lilac SUNDAY!-10 Lilac SUNDAY!-13 Lilac SUNDAY!-15 Lilac SUNDAY!-16 Lilac SUNDAY!-17 Lilac SUNDAY!-18Lilac SUNDAY!-12 Lilac SUNDAY!-19 Lilac SUNDAY!-22 Lilac SUNDAY!-24 Lilac SUNDAY!-25 Lilac SUNDAY!-28

This day was made for loving lilacs, which is not hard to do.

We walked through the trees together in the light and warmth of the day. We oooed and aahhed at the VERY visible pollen floating through the air. It was amazing and also incredibly unbelievable + terrifying for an allergy sufferer such as myself {luckily, my meds did their thing! No runny eyes for me!}. And then we went to enjoy lunch at City Feed and Supply. Which I recommend to all. {And desperately wish was closer to where I live.}

Love you, JP. LOVE YOU, SPRING!

takin’ a break, havin’ some fun.

I’ll be away from the blog this week. Nine whole days of no work and no worries.

What for you say? February vacation, that’s what! A school teacher’s dream.

I’ll be traveling (sort of) south for a few days, and I’m so excited to get away for awhile. I need this vacation from work and teaching– it’s just what I’m looking for to get me on my way to warmer days. On the agenda? A New York City adventure is in order, and some time seeing my family in Greenwich. On Thursday, when I’m back in the Bean, I’ll be meeting up with some favorite people for a fun blog friend lunch. And then Friday I have plans to visit my best friend Hannah in Maine.

It’s all very exciting and very busy, which hopefully means a lot of pictures + a lot to write about upon my return.

Have a good week, everyone! See you again soon, Boston!

{these photographs were taken a few weeks ago when I took the elevator up up up to the Skywalk at the very top of the Prudential Center. The views of the city from high in the sky are incredible— and a bonus tip for teachers: with an MTA card, it’s free!}

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OH! And one more thing!

Since I’m now officially in business (!!), there are business cards to be had!

Zan gifted these to me this weekend and I’m crazy pumped about it. I’ve been wanting some cards for my blog for awhile, and now with my shop it just seemed like the perfect time to make it happen. I decided on MOO cards because I’ve heard great things and also, I was able to design my own! LOVE. I can’t wait for them to get here.

They will go out with all my orders and also be handed to you tastefully should I ever meet you in person.

I’m legit, guys. It’s for serious.

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Don’t forget while I’m gone you can still find me on the twitter and instagram.

Clearly two things I just can’t quit.

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Alright. Enough. I’M OUT.

STAY COZY.


Good LORD it is freezing here!

And from the looks of my twitter feed it seems like it’s that way everywhere. STAY WARM, FRIENDS! STAY COZY!

When it’s super cold like this our school has “indoor recess”. Basically this means I never get my room to myself, not for even one second, and everyone (ME ESPECIALLY) is going stir crazy. I mean goodness knows I love my littles, but snow pants and me do not get along. Every day my class is littered with more snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots than I can count. How many stuck coat zippers does it take to make this teacher crazy? Not that many apparently.

Get me to spring!!!! We’re all screaming inside. (And even though you may not have to deal with the snow pants, you KNOW you’re with me on this.)

Winter isn’t all that bad though, I guess.

I mean… let’s see:

there are snow days

and hot chocolate dates

and the weird satisfaction of sitting in your own home wearing a hat and gloves (happening NOW)

and cozying up with books under blankets

and dreamy thoughts of spring

AND DELICIOUS MEMORIES OF SUMMER.

Let’s sit on that for awhile with a cup of hot tea, shall we? Yes, let’s.

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These photos were taken on my snow day last Wednesday. My lense kept fogging up because of the cold and the wet, but I think it looks kind of cool in some of the shots. I decided I could either sit around all day (what I do too much for my own liking in the winter), or get out and make something of it. I tried to get to the snow in time, but it had pretty much all melted by the time I got around to taking these pictures. I didn’t mind really, as a walk through Beacon Hill always puts me in a good mood. Plus, fresh out-of-the-oven blueberry muffins with a friend doesn’t hurt either.

Sending you all lots of warm thoughts over the next few days! Wear those hats outside! (AND IN!)