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?

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

another weekend away

Guess to where?  Seeing my aunts and cousin for a weekend away.  Excited to drink champagne, talk about life, be with family & see Memphis!  Hope you have a weekend filled with the little things.

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! 

celebrate the weekend

Excited to have a full weekend in Boston and do what I want.  I feel like I've settled into winter and 2011 nicely.  Many celebrations this weekend, including one teary goodbye party for a dear friend moving to London for two years.  Now I just need to get to the grocery store... Stay warm, friends.

starting to feel like christmas

 With impending snow in Boston, celebrating a very special Christmas Eve baby's birthday, baking cookies, caroling with my church and the annual Jingle Bell run, it's starting to really feel like the holidays.  Have a great weekend!

*Images courtesy of Bippity Boppity Boo, Cork Grips, Salement & Shelter

last brimfield of the season

If you travel down 90W three times a summer, you'll find a massive antique show called Brimfield.  I've always wanted to go, but alas, with summer always filling up, the weekends never seemed to work out.  Until this past one!  I barely scratched the surface of the fairgrounds during my few hours there, but still saw a bunch of cool stuff and even walked away with a single cool purchase - an old movie film camera.  All in all, it was a great day of walking, eating kettle corn and wandering amongst people's treasures.

(big purchase at $30, now sitting on my window sill)

a nice touch

On Saturday, too early, I went to Madewell at 8am for a special preview event.  They rolled out their fall line and my friend Becky over at J.Crew Copley was inviting clients to come shop with her and enjoy a 20% discount.  I was already sold, but when I get there, I was immediately enchanted with a spread of tea and scones.  What a lovely touch!  Walked away with some great stuff and a little breakfast (and jonesing for a precious, granny tea set).  It's the little things.

perfect end to summer

I love summer.  I love Maine.  These are not shocking statements.

I had a perfect labor day weekend to close out this fantastic summer.  Friday I went to the movies.  Saturday I went for a long run, lazed about, volunteered, went to the Red Sox v. White Sox game and then hit a bar for a drink after (where the bartender comped my 1/2 dozen oysters!).  Sunday, I went THE MAINE.  I met up with my dear friend Lauren, brother Nathan and sister-in-law Shannon.  Lauren's family was hosting us for the weekend and I made it just in time for boating day!

 (the dock - all aboard!)

We hopped aboard "Dee Lite Ful" and started cruising around Casco Bay.  While sitting up top, enjoying sangria, I looked out over the water and was in simple heaven.  It even smelled like Maine.  We caught a mooring just off an island: Chebeague Island.  It's in the lower left hand corner of this map:

 (image courtesy of LLBean, of course)

Then a small boat picked us up to bring us to the dock.  The first thing you see is The Chebeague Island Inn on top of the hill.  It's so pretty and quaint inside.  I saw a couple drinking red wine and playing scrabble by the fire - how cute is that?

 (view from the Inn's deck)

After enjoying a Bar Harbor blueberry beer and an amazing cheeseburger on the Inn's deck over looking the water, we decided to go island exploring.  Some took off on bikes and I went on foot.

(look at Lauren go!)

As I was strolling along, I loved looking at all the island houses (shocker).  They seemed so lovely and full of secrets.  Summer getaways and local homes that have been in the family for years.  How did people come here?  I was instantly brought back to a manuscript my great aunt had written about an island my family used to summer on in Maine.  This was a little more developed, but I started imaging stories about families that lived here and their island lives.

(I noticed these lights in front of several homes - perhaps they used to be street lamps?)

We found a beach and strolled along, looking for sea glass and being silly.  It was beautiful.

We went back to the dock, back to the boat and then back to the house to play some bocce ball and enjoy some great lobster and steamers.

Did I promise you a perfect end to summer or what?  It's been great - already looking forward to next summer.  It's funny to think how much can change in 4 seasons...

happy list: birthdays

No, it's not mine, but my dearest friend's over at Bubbles & Banjos.  I simply love birthdays.  A whole day to celebrate someone's very existance?  How fun and fascinating!  Excited to celebrate out in Boston with treats, bubbly and general merriment.  On Sunday, Newport to soak up some sun and see one of my favorite bands, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers at the Newport Blues Cafe.  It's sure to be a lovely weekend.  Hope yours is lookin' fun, too! 

Happy Birthday, Drea!

*Images courtesy of hello splendor, where the sidewalk begins, vanessa and valentine & we heart it.

weekend trip: provincetown

Confession: I have never been to Ptown.  Correction: had.  I have always been more of a North Shore kind of gal, but had always wanted to visit the infamous Provincetown.  I got my chance this past weekend!  My friend (and new roommate!) Brian invited me down to the Cape last Saturday and we spent the day there walking, checking out cute shops, exploring and of course, eating.  It was charming and we had a grand time.  How can you not in a seaside town?  Let me show you:

(the whole crew ready to roll.  I was concerned about my dirty hair and outfit, and then I remembered no one would be looking at me)

(loved all the charming seaside homes.  this one used to be a lighthouse!)

(had to snap this pic, of course)

(thought this was a bit whimsical)

(steamers and iced tea - a summer must)

(I died over this porch.  Look at that weathered flooring)

(chilling on the deck at Tea Dance)

Plenty of more weekend trips coming up!