Happy New Year! Be sure to ring it in right. And may 2012 be filled with inspiration and adventures for you.
Hey 2012!
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A Little Birdie Told Me
I made some new art! A little bird atop an ocean of wallpaper pattern.
12″ x 14″. Graphite, pen and acrylic on paper.
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Things Organized Neatly.
I’ve been wanting to submit something to the tumblr blog, things organized neatly, for quite sometime. With the snowboard season finally hitting the east coast, I was inspired to organize and compartmentalize my attire.
This is what happened. A large roll of canvas and my essential snowboard setup. Oh! And then getting posted on said blog.Yay!
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Ode to Action Bunny
Oh sweet action bunny, with your gold pants. And your cute front paw, perfectly placed to gesture joyful frolicking… Thank you, Jen Ray, for creating a sweet clay creature that now happily follows behind my overly pink + glossy vintage terrier. They might be a match made in heaven.
You can buy Jen Ray’s goodies here on her site! My next purchase will be the honey badger. For obvious reasons.
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Be Mine
Dear Chris,
Please press PLAY above.
I’d like to tell you how much I love you… in the only truly nerdy way I know how. This winter has been overly extended and cold, but our adventures and fun have overshadowed any bitter bits. Everyday from the moment I wake up, I look forward to seeing you after our 9-to-5′s. I look forward to happy hour, dinner, playing with Stella, our weekends. Every single day, I look forward to sharing the next and the next and the next with you.
So as it is Valentine’s Day, I thought this would be the perfect time to reflect on our story (because it’s kind of the best story ever). And even at risk of this sounding uber cheesefest, you are my beacon. That fire, that celebration in life. It’s you. And I’m lucky to have it everyday. I love you so.
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Seaside Adventures
Vacations are fun! Chris and I took a short trip down to Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME / ate our way across various seaside towns / shopped our way through the weekend. It was supreme gluttony. And we enjoyed every second of it. I fully support short getaways. They keep you sane and allow for some adventure. Especially needed during a New England winter.
In no apparent order, our path went a little like this…
PORTSMOUTH, a small, seaside town, with some memorable jems:
Three Graces Gallery – lovely art. Like a gallery from Seattle. Original, inspiring and fun works from local talents! I had a show here years ago and the curated selection only gets better.
Gus & Ruby – letterpress letterpress letterpress. Enough said. Phenomenal, whimsical collection of cards, gift items and custom invitations. Plus it’s named after two dogs.
Nahcotta – another great gallery of original, local art, along with gift items and home accessories that are reasonably priced and completely unique. They sell some cool, regional ceramics from the likes of Pigeon Toe and Perch.
Portsmouth Brewery – they make their own beer. And it’s good.
Dolphin Striker – there’s a well at the bar with fish in it! Carp to be exact. Apparently, the well was the only fresh water source when folks came in to port. Now it sits within a bar, with a glass top and 15 year-old fish that swim endless circles. Definitely a must-visit. Live music too!
Surf – we found this location via yelp. It was identified as “hipster” and I would like to make an official edit. It was much more upscale, ho-hum. Right on the water, and crab cakes were yummy, but overpriced and on the snobby side…
Friendly Toast – if you want the best brunch ever, go here. If you have a wicked hangover, go here. If you want a massive serving of food for cheap, go here. If you want a $2 PBR at 10am, you get the idea.
Next Up: PORTLAND!
We stayed in Old Port and didn’t venture outside of the area. Everything was within walking distance. In no apparent order:
Whole Foods – cheap bottles of champagne and wine. Stupid long lines to make you regret venturing inside.
Blanche & Mimi – an oh so wonderful shop with baby gifts, home accessories and vintage items. It took all of my will-power not to buy up every last item. Go here. Bring someone with you that will guide you in self restraint.
Black Parrot – pricey boutique. Couldn’t afford anything, but nice eye candy.
Bliss – same as above. Lovely to walk around, cheap sunglasses, but way over my budget.
Duck Fat – rivals Friendly Toast for hangover cures. Also offers beer before noon. Fries, frappes, sandwiches and homemade soups. With a focus on sustainable and local foods, show up at 11am, it gets PACKED soon after.
Fore Street – featured in GQ for a reason. It’s really lovely. Full of hob-nobs, yes, but you can semi-avoid it at the bar. Might be worth it for the food, still haven’t decided. Also sustainable and local.
Vignola – great libations and original recipes. Haven’t had dinner here, but the charcuterie was amazinggg.
Amigo’s – occurred at the tail-end of our evening and was mainly focused around cheap booze and pool. At this point, there really is nothing better.
DiMillo’s – cheesy. Expensive drinks. Bad service. Nice views. P.S. it’s on a boat.
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Our Rock House
During a brief 3-month period in my life, I ventured to Savannah, Georgia and attended a textile design course at SCAD for a summer. It was a humid summer full of art, a hotel night job, and multiple visits to the seashore. An adventure that I feel lucky to have had, but happy to check off my list! In Savannah I met a wonderful and talented couple. Crafters destined for eternal love and craftiness: Our Rock House.
Our Rock House and I have become penpals. The old school kind. So old school that my computer reads penpal as a typo. And although I’m overdue to reciprocate, I received a special package in the mail that contained three heartfelt and handmade rings. Carved out of different types of wood, each ring its own shape and personality, two with color-pop accents (I happen to have a major thing for brightly colored accents).
I chose my ring immediately from the three: an original, raised design with a tropical blue accent. It nests perfectly on my finger and gets many-an-inquiry.
On a mission to share the love of Our Rock House, I gave one ring to my sister and the other to my good friend, Cally Wheeler.
I do believe that this ring could be the most perfect, understated accessory to any outfit. Check out their Etsy shop and support handmade! These rings are all original and unique, hand carved with love and care. Also check out the rest of the goods on their site: I’m smitten with the owl wine stopper and hearts on a line…
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Charleston via Train
Every year my family ventures south via train. 24 hours of chats, snacks and sleeper car fun. We arrive early in the am in Charleston, SC. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in America. The food scene is insane, water views are beautiful, the historic homes and streets are picturesque and everyone says hello. Did I mention the rooftop bars-a-plenty?
This year we stayed at the French Quarter Inn. It’s situated just perfectly in the heart of the historic district. Champagne at check-in, an enclosed, private terrace and rooms inspired by Paris.
Every visit I search out new restaurants. Part restaurant and part dry goods shopping spot, Two Boroughs Larder was such a special find. Their menu changes often, and like many new spots, it’s creative and non-traditional, paired with southern, seasonal offerings. I happily consumed roasted brussels sprouts with fried artichoke to start. Lunch was my favorite: a large bowl of noodle soup combined with pulled pork, homemade spicy kimchi and boiled egg. So so delicious. Decor and marketing is inspired by their adorable corgi, Walter. Shirts and growlers adorn a Walter silhouette with clever sayings like “Walter always saves room for dessert.”
Another notable spot with a new menu everyday. Watch their facebook and twitter feed around 11am for their newest selection. Butcher & Bee is amazing. Not only will their unique sandwiches (based on seasonal ingredients) blow you away, but so will their branding. How amazing is that logo?! Seriously. I enjoyed the banh mi sando with pork pate. Washed it down with some sparkling water and walked off the baguette while visiting their vegetable garden, right outside the restaurant.
I can’t say it enough, Charleston is a beautiful place. Visit + eat + drink.
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It’s Been Summer!
I kind of took an abnormally long break from here… but it’s because it’s finally summer in Vermont! And considering it’s cold and rather dark most of the year, I’ve been taking full advantage. Here are some pics to prove it.
Above: a lovely living room shot from a barn/bachelorette bash.
Above: homemade banh mi with good friends. Poppies over the hill. And soulful dog times.
Above: farm adventures for work! I love when I get to go off-site for photo shoots.
Above: fish tacos at the amazing new food truck in town!
Above: possibly the best part of summer… golf with my partner in crime. He golfs, I cart.
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Thankful Recap
It’s suddenly the holiday season, Thanksgiving to be exact! It’s been a busy summer and fall. Full of good things to be thankful for. With my belated post, I went through photos from the past few months. So so many! Here are some snippets of the epic bits. Already looking forward to the New Year and the adventures ahead. Happy Holidays!
Good friends tying beautiful knots.
Magical farm photography adventures.
The best part about living in a condo complex during the summer.
Grampa meets a long lost friend.
So many food adventures happening.
Stormy ocean walks.
Feeding the best wool blanket-makers I know.
And then fall exploded.
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This Must Stop
No more seasonal posts! It’s surprisingly difficult to maintain this blog. And there really is no excuse. My goal this year (and it’s already almost the end of March…!!) is to be more frequent with my posts. But to also be realistic. There is going to be more photography, less chatter. Not that there was ever very much text. I’m horrible at that bit. Which is probably why I procrastinate on posting here… what to say?! Photos really can speak for themselves. So here we go!
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A Good Place for Tootsies
Three favorite places to lay my feet:
*The ocean
*Snow-capped mountains
*Charleston, South Carolina
And you?
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A Food Post Sans Food
Worthy Burger is the closest thing you will come to getting it right with the new trend in culinary adventures in the great area of the Upper Valley. They follow the current rules to a T:
* cash only
* always changing, simple, local, fresh menu
* everything written in chalk
* small, seat-yourself / pop-up style eatery
* epic, local beers from epic, local breweries on tap
* owners are almost always there lending a happy hand
* rapid, continued growth due to word of mouth
The only thing Worthy Burger is missing is a solid logo and branding. Oh the marketing field day that could be had! Of course, like any good eatery, their mood lighting doesn’t lend well to food photography. Hence, the absence of delicious pics.
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Stella vs Geometric Shapes
Stella won.
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Xiao Bao Biscuit
They don’t have a phone number. So you know they’re cool.
Upon a venture to Charleston, as most know to be my most favorite place EVER, I discovered a new eatery with the help of local friends: Xiao Bao Biscuit. Part of the growing restaurant arsenal cropping up all over CHS like delicious and uncontrollable weeds, Xiao Bao Biscuit is Asian fusion with a modern American twist and traditional Southern bits, with a simple, seasonal menu, clean proportions, canned beer, epic bar, and a lovely exterior that inspires all cement backyarders to DIY some wood slats and restore that old picnic table.
Did I mention it use to be an old gas station? If you dine outside, definitely stop to sneak an inside peak as well: plants hanging from bird cages, reinvented and revitalized accents, burned wood as short wall partitions, and a wonderful staff along with an equally wonderful playlist!! This is now on my to-frequent list. Just down the road from Hominy Grill.
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CHS in 46pt Futura
This April trip to Charleston via train may have been our last. An Amtrak adventure that started years ago thanks to our Grandmother and has maintained its annual schedule for over 15 years. Our family reunion begins its trek in Vermont with anywhere from 8 to 15 attendees. 24 hours of family gossip, too many snacks, and inevitably booze, ends in South Carolina for a week-long walkabout in the great foodie city of CHS, where all of the above generally occur on repeat, daily.
Here’s a quick overview of a few highlights I enjoyed this visit. In 46pt futura of course.
Thank you, Grandma for offering this amazing gift. You’re the reason I’m addicted to adventure, and I can’t thank you enough. xo
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Prohibition Pig, Waterbury VT
If you find yourself in Waterbury, Vermont there are a few staple destinations to venture for food and drink. Prohibition Pig is one of them: brunch/ lunch/ dinner. Every Sunday they have a build-your-own bloody mary bar. They also have one of the best selections of beers on tap. Taps include Heady (if you’re lucky), Hill Farmstead, Rockart, Allagash, and so much more. Their whiskey wall is one to covet and their food is southern-inspired (as one could guess).
Last time we visited Chris consumed the GLT: guanciale, local microgreens, and fried green tomato (so fast I wasn’t able to get a pic), we enjoyed the pork croquettes paired with three of their homemade hot sauces, and I had the fish taco special. SO. GOOD. After you visit, pop by the Alchemist just up the road. On a good day, they’ll have cases of awesome in the fridge.
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Vermont, You’re Lovely.
I was really really patient. And you made the waiting worth it.
Summer, here we come!
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Geneseo NY Wedding Bells
One of my favorite people, Emily Morgan, got hitched this past weekend in a beautiful town called Geneseo to the fabulously sweet Drew Morkis. Emily and I met over funny circumstances involving a sustainable food website that will not be mentioned. She taught me everything a girl from Vermont should be clued in on: Crape We Like. I Can Has Cheezburger. Maru. And other essentially social and trendy topics involving YouTube sensations and urban diction. I couldn’t be happier for Emily + Drew + their pup, Rosco. Here are a few pics from the wedding festivities. After weeks of rain, they sure lucked out!!
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The Many Faces of a Stella
Stella is turning 6. It feels like a really big deal. She could care less. And if anything, her age only shows how much she has mellowed out from her crazy, puppy self.
But 6 years seems huge to me. Maybe because she is my first creature? The first real animal I’ve raised from a tini pea to a slightly larger pea?
I often think about how funny it is to live with an animal. This ball of furry love that can’t speak my language but genuinely struggles to try every day.
Yet we understand each other and we communicate all the same.
This dog came into my life through interesting circumstances and 6 years later I couldn’t be more thrilled. She makes my life better.
And I’m sure that sounds cheese ball. But so what. Stella has shown me so much with her dorky dog personality, full of life and happiness.
Stella is a dog that will never stop playing. But when she does finally tire, I will find her still smiling in her sleep.
These are the many sweet faces of a Stella.
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More Pages to Explore .....
