Posts from — November 2011

The Copley Square Farmer’s Market will close for the season next week, and it breaks my little vegetarian heart! Local farms set up shop every Tuesday and Friday, and since I work in Copley Square it’s the perfect place to snag some deliciously fresh veggies before heading home. It’s also a great spot to grab lunch on a sunny day. Nothing gives your mind a break from the office like a restful lunch in the park, complete with a warm baguette, a fresh sandwich with goat cheese, or a bundle of sugar snap peas. Mmmm, snap peas.

Photos found on Taste Bud here, here and here.

Starbucks lovers, cover your eyes. Today I’m drinking Dunkin! In preparation for my trip to Las Vegas, I woke up early this morning. I’m talking 5:30AM early. I had already packed my bags, laid out my airport outfit and packed a lunch for work. I’m not sure what else I thought I had to do this morning, but it nonetheless made me feel better to get up early – just in case.

So what did I do for 3 hours before I left for the office? Well I drank two cups of coffee. Watched the local morning news before watching the Today show. I scrolled through some of my favorite blogs on my Google Reader. I even painted my nails. I organized my makeup and jewelry, re-packed my carry on bag and double checked for the most important things. You know, things like underwear, and a toothbrush.

Then I made a cup of coffee for the boyfriend.

Coffee, espresso, cappuccino, my wardrobe. All things that embody my favorite color palette: neutrals. Rich chocolates, warm tans, and light and airy creams. Shades of caramel, almond, wood, cocoa, leather. Beige, sepia, gold. I love earthy neutrals. So I buy clothes in earthy neutrals. Easy as that.

Photos found on Tumblr here, here and here.

Three years ago today was a Friday. I left work, returned to my apartment and started primping with my best friends for a night out in Boston. We drank cocktails, swapped clothes — probably 3 times — and left for one of our favorite bars: Dillon’s on Boylston St. Our good friend Mike met us at the bar and showed up with his new roommates. I knew them all. We had met on two other occasions, but to be completely honest I had never paid much attention to them. They were handsome and fun but my mind was elsewhere that fall.

I had just stopped ‘dating’ two guys from my college, and feeling burned by one and completely bored by the other I was surprisingly uninterested in meeting another guy.  But one of Mike’s friends in particular was rather persistent. He had told Mike, and my friends that he was interested in me, and he didn’t exactly hide his feelings. He was confident, outgoing, fun and a wicked flirt.

Three years ago today, that roommate of Mike’s showed up at Dillon’s and I suppose you could say — well that’s when I changed my mind about meeting someone new. All night he tried to kiss me. We laughed, and flirted, and laughed some more. Two weeks later we were both quite certain that we were in love. We spent Thanksgiving together, met each other’s families and that folks, is how it all began.

Happy anniversary, love. We’ve got it constantly.

Enjoy some of my favorite snapshots from the last 3 years: some pretty, some funny, some drunk.

I first mentioned a few months ago that I’ve always dreamed of working ‘in magazine.’ Editorial, creative, marketing, production I didn’t (and still don’t) really know, but the idea is, was and always will be alluring. Until recently, it was just that: a dream. But somewhere between a quarter-life crisis and a bad day at work, I started to take my dream more seriously. I did my research, started to network, held a few meetings, and realized two very important things. First, I have zero editorial experience (short of this blog, Girls Who Write and past corporate newsletters). And secondly, I have absolutely no experience working for a magazine or publication.

I had to get real. I can’t expect to be handed a dream, mid-level job with zero experience, and I can’t afford to start over in an entry-level job. I need experience before I’ll be taken seriously, plus it might be a good idea to make sure I actually like editorial work. So I started looking for unpaid, low commitment opportunities to write online. I landed great opportunity to join The Next Great Generation, an online magazine written by 18 to 27-year-olds about growing up in the information age. As a staff writer I’ll work with the editor to contribute one piece a week for the hyper-local Boston blog on topics from technology to pop culture to fashion to business.

Without further ado I bring to you my very first post on Boston.com: I live in Boston, and there’s an app for that: 5 must-have apps for Bostonians.

Now pardon me while I go jump up and down and squeal with delight. My article is currently the most emailed article on all of Boston.com! I’m so giddy it’s embarrassing.

I woke up early this morning. The sun is bright outside, but I’m quite certain it’s going to be a chilly day. The boyfriend and I are going to walk across the street and have breakfast at our favorite diner. We’ll grab a coffee and then we’re going yard sale hunting! Fun, right? A number of my college friends are in town for a BC football game, so I’m hoping to see them this evening.

I also have plans to start some of my craft projects today and tomorrow! I need to go out to Michael’s (where I have lots of coupons) to purchase more yarn. Remember how I told you I taught myself to crochet? Well I made a super comfy, loose cowl and wore it to the backyard football party, where it was a huge hit. So I’ve decided to make a few extras for holiday presents.

The other craft project I’d like to start this weekend are these adorable map coasters from Martha Stewart.

So there you have it, my plans in a nutshell. What are you lovelies up to this weekend? Any one else hunting for a good yard sale or working on craft projects?

I’ve been slacking on my inspiration by color posts all week, but I’m back today with some patriotic shots in honor of Veteran’s Day. The internet has been flooded with heart warming messages today, messages to our soldiers past and present, quotes about recognition, appreciation, gratitude. One quote in particular has left me thinking all day.

Photos found on Pinterest here, here, here and here.

I’ll leave you with the quote and encourage you to mull it over, to think about the very things that you should be most thankful for: “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

Last month I shared photo of the pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes that I baked with my mum over Halloween weekend. The cupcakes didn’t last long in this house, but I honestly haven’t stopped thinking about them. Every day at lunch I think shit, why didn’t I bake those damn cupcakes again? I literally crave them. So I’m adding it to my to-do list this weekend. I must bake more!

I followed the recipe from Martha Stewart and found it super easy, super quick. I cut the recipe in half because I didn’t want to find myself eating all 18 cupcakes (big mistake, should have made them all) and the only thing I’d note if you plan to bake these is that the baking time might be more than Martha says. I left mine in the oven for 5 extra minutes, until the insides weren’t gooey.

Recipe according to Martha Stewart:

Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and eggs. Add dry ingredients, and whisk until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin puree.

3. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Who says you can’t eat pumpkin after Halloween?

Another week, another nail polish choice: Sparrow Me The Drama by OPI. The boyfriend and I went on a double date with the couple whose wedding we recently celebrated in Mexico. We met them at their home, about 45 minutes south of Boston and then enjoyed a delicious and hilariously fun hibachi dinner. Despite having to drive a bit to meet them, I had some time after work so I decided to paint my nails something bright. Surprisingly bright considering it was a dark, cold November night.

I went with a bubblegum pink, Sparrow Me The Drama pink by OPI. I’d typically find this color obnoxiously girly, but I thought it was a great choice with my gold silk top from Loft and multi-color floral scarf. You can find the same pink throughout the scarf, mixed with almost every color of the rainbow. Exactly why I love this scarf so much. Can pair it with any outfit and find a color connection. Red, greens, purple, orange, yellow and… pink! Perfect.

What do you think? Too bright? Too pink? Do you ever match your nail polish color to another accessory? Do tell!

Remember how last week my entire mood was brightened by the reemergence of Starbuck’s red cups? Well dear Starbucks, you’ve outdone yourself. One week, it’s the red cups back in action, this week, they’ve announced that Starbucks K-Cups have arrived.

Life just got freaking awesome. What’s your favorite brand of K-Cups?