just peachy

This morning, I am on my way to Atlanta for a little spring vacation for the weekend.  I'm pretty excited to decompress and soak up some sun.  Things seem to be moving pretty fast, so I wouldn't mind going the speed of the south for a couple of days to clear my head.  Can you believe it's May this weekend?  When did that happen?

celebrity sighting: elmo

Last night Roommates and I went to the screening of the talk of Sundance this year, BEING ELMO at the opening of the Independent Film Festival Boston 2011.  If you get the chance to see the film, go.  The incredibly inspiring story of Kevin Clash, Elmo's puppeteer (lesser known as the puppeteer as the baby from Dinosaurs and Splinter from the Ninja Turtles movies), was pure joy.  There was a great Q&A after with the filmmakers and Kevin and of course, Elmo, which had me in stitches.  My favorite was when someone asked Elmo what the challenges are being on a TV show and Elmo said, "Well, Elmo's not on a television show, Elmo just lives on Sesame Street!  But, sometimes Oscar can be challenging."  It's clear he has a gift and was just so...on.  Here's a clip for the film:

go bu

My friend and queen of CSN stores Lauren sent me the link to buy these.  Terrier Pride forever.

take me outside

Like most Bostonians, I am itching to just be able to be outside.  The choice activity on my mind right now is stand up paddle and it's all I want to do.  The idea of simply walking down the street to the Charles River and hopping on a board sounds like summer perfection to me.  I've got my eye on an inflatable one for easy apartment storage.

And for some water/adventure inspiration, I love this video about a videographer who takes his passion to the ocean:


DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

crafty gals

For the past two Friday nights, Roommate and I took sewing classes.  That's right - 1950s style.  There's a cute fabric shop in the South End called Grey's Fabric & Notions and everytime I walked by, the sign for classes always caught my curiosity.  I always wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine, so we took the opportunity to get crafty and took the Basics class.  It was a lot of fun and at $25 per class plus supplies, a great deal.  Sarah, who owns and operates the shop, was our teacher and she was super cute, fun, but most importantly, patient (because girlfriend needed it with us).  She even made us tea and put out treats - how nice is that?  Our first week we made pillows and this past Friday, bags!  I'm definitely going back for other classes.  Check out the photos (I'm going crazy on instagram on my iphone lately).

 (fabric choices)

 (Sarah cuts fabric)

(instruction)

(finished!)

legs under, walk forward

I must apologize for my lack of posts lately.  I was thrown into another project and aside from a break on Marathon Monday, I've been pretty much working nonstop for two weeks.  All is well, though!  Work is still great and possibilities seem to be pouring in.  Looking forward to a relaxing weekend with pockets of fun, filled with good friends and family.    Easter is here marking the end of Lent, but I hope I don't let go of that introspective attitude too much.  And it's supposed to get warmer next week!  I hope spring is finally here... Happy Easter!

*Images courtesy of bippity boppity boo, pink wallpaper & fuckyeahsummerthings

hats galore

Here ye, here ye: there are THREE occasions for fabulous spring hats in the next two weeks: Easter, The Royal Wedding & The Kentucky Derby.  While I don't particularly look good in hats, I still think it's fun form of self expression one time a year.  At what other time are feather & silk flower monstrosities on top of your head are en vogue?  And while this year I spotted a gorgeous turquoise number in a local shop that would be perfect, sometimes these hats can run a little pricey... ($200-$300 pricey). 

So I scoured etsy to bring you some more affordable options to go with your bourbon for all those lovely parties.  Cheers!

(Proud as a Peacock hat, $45)

(fuchsia fascinator cocktail hat, $65)

(spring fling modern pillbox hat, $34.50)

(yellow top hat, $45)

(blooming pink sun hat, $35)

(if you're really against hats, this peony clip is a lovely option, $20)

*Kentucky Derby Hats picture courtesy of Chateau & Bungalow

the homes of Boston's most beloved chefs

A little tardy in reading my Improper Bostonian this month, only this morning was I so delighted to see I got a peak inside the abodes of some of my most beloved chefs.  Of course their kitchens looked perfect (and true, it seems, to their style of cooking).  Get your hands on one either today or tomorrow to see more pictures, or if you're out of town, you can read about them all online.

 (a restaurant quality kitchen for Chef Barbara Lynch of No. 9 Park, Sportello, the Butcher Shop, B&G Oysters, Drink and Menton)

 (L’Espalier and Sel de la Terre Chef Frank McClelland's farm house)

 (the penthouse of fellow South Ender Chef Ken Oringer of Clio, Uni, Toro, La Verdad, Coppa, KO Prime)

 (Four Seasons Executive Chef Brooke Vosika makes wine, cider and cured meats in his basement)

(pops of color for Chef Lydia Shire of Scampo & Towne)

happy birthday fenway park

Fenway Park turned 99 today. For all its faults, it's really a special place and there would be rioting in the streets before anyone would allow it to come down. And next Thursday, you can purchase a commemorative brick with a message that will be placed in the concourse spanning from Gates B to C in honor of the 100th birthday next year. Pretty cool, huh?

Makes me think of my own memories and that great writing in Field of Dreams:  

America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.

(siblings at fenway)

(college friends in the dugout before opening day)

(a fall game for COM every year)

(rioters outside, 2004)

 

(producing NESN's Sox Appeal, Season 2)

"aw" inspiring wedding dress

This dress was made out of a parachute that saved the groom's life during WW2. How neat & "aw" inspiring is that? Read about it here.

vegas sprawl

Check out this neat video of Las Vegas sprawl over 2 decades (and long held the title of fastest growing city in America most of that time). As someone that moved there in 1994 and left in 2003, you definitely felt the growth you see here!

latest video inspiration: shark pig

So inspired by filmmaker Brian Morrow of Shark Pig.  He shoots lovely videos of weddings, other events, photoshoots and beyond.  His videos are so fun to watch and cool - makes you feel like you missed the fabulous party!  Check out some of my favorites.


ain't no party like a ban.do party from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

Suzanna & Kegan in Super 8mm from Shark Pig on Vimeo.

carrying on

(MALL COP wrap, approx. 6am, May 2008)

It's been a week on the new movie and it's, dare I say it, the 5th Kevin James movie I've been lucky to be a part of.  I love this job, I love this crew, I love my team.  I feel great and am open to opportunity.  Instead of putting my extra energy into looking for work or worrying about super-short contracts, I can put my energy into creativity and self-expression.  Isn't that beautiful?