away I go again

Off to San Francisco this weekend!  But instead of taking off for work, I'm taking off with my roommate to see two of our dearest friends from college for a long-overdue girl's weekend.  We're planning on seeing some sites, wandering around time, drinking some wine in Napa and laughing so much it hurts.  Can't wait!  Maybe you should call your best friend this weekend from college to just say, "what's up, girlfriend?"

(been too long, ladies)

boston spot: back bay social club

New to town a year ago, Back Bay Social Club has quickly warmed to me and become my go-to Boston spot.  I had my birthday here and it was fabulous - great space downstairs, fun cocktails, friendly staff.  It's great for anything - dinner when the fam comes to town, happy hour on the patio, brunch with the girls, a night out for trouble.  It's warm, welcoming, the food is ohmygosh and I can't say enough good things about it.

They also have awesome cocktail events and parties all the time.  Up next?  A Guinness beer dinner - 4 courses made from local ingredients and paired with delicious beer.  Get your tickets here. 

a friend photographs CA

Nice photos by my friend Chris Bone from his trip to Venice Beach, CA.  Definitely captures the essence of this beach city.

utah by the numbers

Mormon churches spotted: 46 (& 5 temples)
Religious billboards seen on my freeway travels: 9
Billboards advertising plastic surgery: 11 (shocked about more of the latter)
Billboards depicting brides I think could have been children: 4
LDS Missionaries spotted: 11
Polygamists spotted: 0 (drat!)
Witnessed drug busts: 1
Average temperature: 41 (a-mazing)
In-N-Out consumptions: 2
Average hours worked each day: 13

 (had some time so walked around Temple Square because I was curious, but the place gave me the heebie-jeebies and I quickly high-tailed it outta there and beelined it for a Starbucks to enjoy a caffeinated beverage the way God intended)

please excuse...

...the probable lack of posts for the next week.  I'm traveling for work a whole ton and all over for a week.  I'll do my best, though! 

(au revoir!)

rebecca minkoff on swirl

There are some crazy cute bags today on Swirl by Rebecca Minkoff.  Swirl is the retail baby of Daily Candy, and it's essentially a new online sample sale every day of great fashion at least 50% off.  I bought a stellar pair of jeans off the site last week.  Now I need to resist a new bag...

bajiggity weekend

I'm antsy - let's get this weekend started.  Friends to be with, pampering to do and magic to happen.  I can't believe my good friend is moving to London this weekend for two whole years.  Cheerio, Lauren!  I'll miss you more than I can begin to fathom, but I can't wait to visit! 

snowboot crush

I have no idea how I lived in Boston before I bought my Sorel Joan of Artic boots last winter.  Living in them.  The tan is discontinued, but get them at The Tannery in brown or black.

music recommendation: punch brothers

Last night I went to see rockin' bluegrass band Punch Brothers at the Somerville Theatre.  A mixed crowd of bearded hipsters and old folks were serenaded by front man Chris Thile and his group of crazy-good string musicians.  Great energy and great music.  Check out a live performance of their barn-burning single "Rye Whiskey" off their latest album, Antifogmatic:



Check out all their quiet and explosive tunes on both their albums:

missing paris

I am really missing Paris these days.  I went last winter and I so want to be back there.  Someone recently asked me wouldn't I want to go back when it's warm?  Of course, but I liked it in the winter, too.  It wasn't too cold and there weren't a ton of tourists.  And it felt melancholy and lovely.  Slow music in the streets, warm cheese crepes, colorful umbrellas and views of the city coming out of the mist.  It felt almost quiet sometimes, like the city was open and ready just for us.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip.

*Images courtesy of we heart it & stephmodo

affordable art

Is it me, or does 20x20 have some adorbs stuff lately?  If you don't know what I'm talking about, their slogan says it all:  Great Art, $20.  Really.

 (cookbooks for your kitchen)

 (ahoy!)

 (william wegman!)

(let me have cake)

lots of stuff.

I'm far overdue to clean out my closet and hope to get to it this weekend (doubtful).  You know I hate clutter, but sometimes a lot of stuff can look so nice...

 (pretty collected glass)

(mason jars filled with spices and cooking secrets)

 (I always love tons of books)

 (I can get behind wanting a lot of dishes)

(there's always room for more wine glasses)

But it's simple sentiment.  I'll never give up my purging ways!

*images courtesy of elements of style, emerson made, isuwannee, the lil bee & pink wallpaper