life

ten things that are making me happy.

May 15, 2013

So a lot of my internet lovers {aka blog friends} have been seriously BUSY in the blogging department doing this “Blog Every Day in May” gig. My thoughts on this are simple: I FREAKING LOVE IT. My only regret is that I am not partaking in the action. I can’t decide if I would soar to new blogging heights or be boggled down by the pressure of it all. I guess we will never really know how I would fare with the challenge, but what I do know is that many many people out there in this blogging abiss are rocking it.

It is here and now that I will borrow this idea to write my own happy list… just because!

1. Reading intermediate fiction, which is basically teacher talk for KID NOVELS.

Books I’ve read and loved lately:

Stargirl

The One and Only Ivan

The Tiger Rising

I also read Tuck Everlasting, and liked it but didn’t LOOOVE it.

Kid novels are almost always terrific… life changing, even. There is so much real and true in these books I hope you all put them on your to-read list someday.

2.THIS MAXI SKIRT {in Navy and B+W Striped} with THIS DENIM JACKET.

Do you guys think wearing those to work 3-4 times a week is socially acceptable? And on weekends, too? Because they are SO soft and cozy and I just can’t even help myself.

And the denim jacket? Thanks to Madeline I bought one that was affordable and adorable {thanks, lady!}.

3. Sarah’s twitter feed. She just makes me smile and I want to be her friend.

4. Little City Radio. So good!

I’d found the link through one of Kate’s posts, raved about it to Bridget, who in turn told me it’s actually Kate and a friend who put it together. Love that. Delicious music, I tell ya. Good stuff.

5. A Beautiful Mess’ new iphone app. It’s just fun, guys. REALLY FUN.

6. Spring in Boston. Has it always been this glorious? Because this year is especially so.

7. This month’s Boston Magazine cover. And the stories that are inside. Heart-wrenching accounts from runners of the 117th Boston Marathon. Read my friend Alex’s story here. And buy a print of the cover here. It’s sad, but also beautiful, and what’s making me happy is how Boston has bounced back to be an even stronger version of the place we all adore.

8. This blog. And this one. And this one and this one, too.

9. Watching my struggling first graders become readers. Every year I’ve had those kids– those few that just aren’t getting it. I’ve worked really hard with this group this year {alway do!} and I’m seeing progress that makes me want to cheer. And actually, the other day, I did. I cheered and said “YEAH, YOU! You little readers, YOU!” and gave them all high fives and I could see it in their faces that they were proud. And I was proud, too.

10. 26 more days til summer. Ya hear??! <—— THAT is the best of the best of all the things that are making me happy. Yeeeah!

What’s the best of the best of all the things for you?

18 Comments · Filed Under: blogging, life ·

a sunday of love and lilacs.

May 14, 2013

Lilac-SUNDAY!-1111

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!

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!

31 Comments · Filed Under: beauty, boston photography, life ·

denver {the last day}

May 9, 2013

AT LONG LAST we are on the last day. Disappointing, I know, but just isn’t it the way of the world. Thankfully, I feel like my time spent in Colorado was the perfect amount. Not too long, not too short, only juuuust right. On that last day we woke up early once again and spent the morning drinking coffee together in Beth’s apartment. Those early mornings are some of the best memories I’ve got from the trip. Lazy in pj’s, sipping our cups over conversation while the bright Denver sunlight shone strong.

Beth has the most AMAZING apartment, and I’m glad to show it off here today:

denver-day-4-5-3-Beth's-kitchen

Beth’s an architect, so I didn’t expect anything less from her in terms of style and design. Lady knows what’s up. Beautiful, simple living— I absolutely adore her space!

On Monday {the last day} the girls and I really only had the morning together because Bailey had to catch a flight and Beth had to work, so we decided a delicious breakfast would suffice for our last hurrah. We walked on over to JELLY, which, if we’re talking names alone, was amazing. Jelly {the jam} is one of favorite parts of life, so it was nice to find that Jelly {the cafe} was just as sweet.

I loved my eggs benedict {staple bfast dish!} and the little mini donut holes we ordered for the table were super fun and tasty. Also, the decor. {You know how I feel about a good interior.} denver day 4-4

And then, just as quickly as we’d come together, it was time to say goodbye. It was hard to be leaving each other after the most perfect vacation ever, but just knowing these friends are mine for life makes the parting less weary. Knowing that nothing has changed even though A LOT has changed is the most comforting thing I know, and having sisters around the country sure makes me feel like the luckiest.

Until next time, B + B! I’ll love you girls until forever and a day— you are home to me!

♥♥♥

Since my flight wasn’t until the evening, I got a chance to do a little solo touring the last afternoon of my trip. I picked up a Denver B-cycle {a bike sharing program similar to our Boston Hubway bikes} and rode around town until the hour I had to leave. I biked that city from end to end and stopped often to soak in the buildings and culture even a little LITTLE MAN ICE CREAM. Chocolate malt melt-in-my-mouth. MMMmmmmMMMgood.

Snapped the sights because, because!

After my ride around the city, I had time for a quick iced coffee + hot pretzel at the sweet and ever so hip Denver Bicycle Cafe, and then it was GOODBYE, DENVER! GOOD BYE, HEAVEN.

I’ll say it once more, I had a time. The best of the best of the best.

So cheers to Denver, and cheers to forever friends, and cheers to perfect memories.

I’ll be back Colorado! JUST YOU WAIT.

18 Comments · Filed Under: food, friends, life, travel ·

denver {day three}: sweet action on broadway.

May 8, 2013

What troopers you all are! Thank you for reading all these long winded, song embedded, photography crazed posts. I am loving your comments and your excitement! And I feel it, too! Colorado sure is wonderful, isn’t it?

On the third day, we filled our day entirely with food and shopping, which is my idea of living the dream. Before I go on I’d like to say a few thoughts about my experience in Denver thus far:

1} WINDOW SCREENS. There aren’t any!

At least my friend Beth didn’t have any to speak of. I noticed this right away and was told that the altitude is so high that there aren’t a lot of bugs to worry about. WHAT? Pack your bags, everyone and LET’S MOVE TO DENVER. But seriously. I still cannot get over the no screens thing. Just amazing.

2} DRY AIR. What beautiful hair and skin you have!

This could be a good and a bad thing. My hands were incredibly dry while I was there, but my hair held up quite nicely each day thanks to the dry air and this dry shampoo. Also, water. I drank so much the first day that I had to go to the bathroom a lot A LOT. But, hydration! Can’t complain there! And lastly, a few bevys go a long way. And a lot of bevys go even further {hence the dancing}. I think we can all agree that too much fun + dancing is never a bad thing.

Also remember: hiking was hard! Physical activity not recommended for the feeble.

3} TIME CHANGE. hello, 6AM!

Now this experience would not necessarily effect everybody, but coming from East Coast time I definitely felt it effect me. Staying up late is never a problem for me, but early mornings can be rough. Not for a weekend in Colorado, though. I was up at the crack of dawn and felt like a million bucks. Sweet mountain living!

Anyways! Here are some of the day’s details…

denver day 3

We started out with a walk in Washington Park with Beth’s little nugget of a puppy. Frida! You crazy thing, you. Then we headed out for brunch at Cafe Bar which was all kind of YUM. Each and every place we had a meal was straight up blogger perfection. I’m telling you! I loved it.

We ate brunch with Beth’s sister Lauren and got to hear all about her latest project and life in the tech world. Seeing your friends’ little siblings all grown up is strange {because it makes you feel OLD!}, but especially awesome, too. I love the work Lauren is doing and know that girl is really, truly going places. She is rocking it.

Then after eggs and strawberry buttermilk pancakes the shopping {and ice cream eating} commenced…

denver day 3-2

DID YOU TELL CINDY I THOUGHT SHE WAS BEING A BITCH THE OTHER DAY AT THE POTLUCK?

{Amazing.}

Good times at Goodwill.

{WAAAY TOO GOOD.}

I mean, but really? Those interiors! Does it get any better?

Every shop was obviously my favorite shop, but I was especially smitten with Fancy Tiger {both clothing and crafts. but ESPECIALLY crafts}. How cool is that deer head covered in yarn? We spent all afternoon there browsing and eating ice cream before a venture to the great REI filled with enough outdoor gear to keep you equipt in the Colorado mountains for the rest of your LIFE.

We ended the day with another lovely dinner with friends where I tucked my phone + camera away for the night and just decided to BE.

Another glorious day on the trip log.

p.s. It probably goes without saying,
but all embedded songs are memories
from the trip/high school…
nostalgia at it’s best!

p.p.s. in case you missed it!
{day one: live at red rocks}
{day two: rocky mountain high}