The Brick 'n Blooms of Comm Ave

One of the best things about Boston is its architecture. A wonderful day about town can simply be had by strolling through the neighborhoods. (Possibly made more fun with a road soda, #justsayin.) 

Back Bay's Commonwealth Avenue has no shortage of beautiful brownstones that flank the grassy, tree-lined mall which divides it. This mall, filled with trees and statues, forms the narrowest link in the "Emerald Necklace" of Boston. The historic plan, hatched in the late 1880s, connects more than 1,100 aces of park space from Boston to Brookline. How very before-their-time green of Boston.

As the three day weekend approaches, plan to take some time to get out ya walkin' shoes, get outside to get moving and enjoy the city.

-xo-

eb

Park ya heart at Union Park

----------------
sweet spring is your

time is my time is our

time for springtime is lovetime

and viva sweet love

e.e. cummings
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So my little park, Union Park is waking up from it's New England hibernation. And, let me tell you, I couldn't be happier. The fountains have been turned back on and this year's flowers have been planted and are joining the perennials. Nothing is quite as relaxing is sitting on my stoop or up in my apartment with the windows open, listening to the sound of the fountains. One of my most favorite New England things. 

The only issue with Union Park is that you can't get it in. Enter one giant collective waaaah waah here. Well, technically, I lied. You can enter the park a few times a year. And it's actually pretty great when you can. The neighborhood association throws concertes four times a year where you can bring a blanket, wine and snacks and listen to music in the park. Pretty stellar, indeed, right? 

But you know what? A little rebel in me is thinking that four times a year is not enough. Yesterday morning, I saw a couple had jumped the fence and were laying on a blanket, relaxing in the sun. It looked awesome. So if you can't find me and my Instagram feed is blowing up with photos of grass 'n fountains 'n flower 'n sunshine, you'll know where to find me. Breaking the rules, soaking up goodness right in the middle of my own little park. 

-xo-

eb

Boston Walkabout

Today was one of those, "get out of the house and get movin'" type of days. Partly because of spring fever, but mostly because I had construction going on in my apartment. And, much to my weekend dismay, unlike San Francisco (which has a law that makes it illegal for residential construction to start before 9am), the Irish lads working on my place like to show up around 7:15am. Ouch, says the weekend sleeping in gods.

OK! So out and about we go. A total of 9 miles walked from one side of the city to the other. A bit windy, but all in all, good to feel the sunshine. With the goal of the Bunker Hill Monument in mind, a friend and I meandered across the Mass Ave bridge, along the river taking in the water sports, all the way to Charlestown. A really charming little neighborhood, with it's traditional New England clapboard houses. Two hundred and ninety four steps later, and we were at the top of the Monument.

A post-climb stop at Massachusetts oldest tavern, the Warren Tavern (we're talking 1780 here, people) for an Allagash or two was much needed. We passed on the food, as the standard bar fare looked, well, fairly standard. It was then off to the Navy Yard, the North End (new favorite dive bar there would be the humble and oh-so-Boston Corner Cafe - lots of accents in here) for a beer and pizza and a stroll through the Commons and Garden.

The city is really starting to rumble from it's slumber. Lots of runners, walkers and bikers had the same idea today. Wake up, Boston! Spring is here!

-xo-

eb

crew practice on the charles.

sails away!

love these colors.

the pond is full at the boston garden!

i was here two days ago, and it was an empty muddy mess!

YAY spring :)

i liked the look of this here truck.

can see tooling around during summer in it.

just add a cooler, dog and some company 'n tunes. beach time, anyone?

294 steps to the top.

#workitout

hey there, mister. 

Sunset Over Fenway

This is from a couple of weeks ago.

Not bad, eh?

Fenway is really an amazing experience. I grew up as a Rockies fan. Aka I wasn't a proper baseball fan till I was in the 4th grade. My first views from the ballpark were of the Rocky Mountains. My next park, AT&T, has views of the Bay. Not bad, not bad.

Even with those amazing views, I think the sunset I caught at Fenway has to be among the most beautiful view I've ever seen while watching our national pastime. It's so amazing to attend a ball game at a field with such a history. The stadiums 100 year anniversary was this war. Pretty cool.

xo,
eb

Go Read

Last week, I went exploring in Boston's Public Library. Just like a lot of things in this town, it's old. Established in 1848, it was the first large library to open in the US, and the first to check out books. Crazy. It's the second largest library in this great country, with 8.9 million books. In a world of 140 characters, that's a lot of words. 

There are two main entrances to the library which lead to two vastly different main buildings. I entered on the Boylston side through the Johnson building, a 1972 addition to the main library. This building, well, is a little, errr depressing? It's what you would expect from a municipal building built in the 70s: few windows and a vast amount grey concrete. People have likened it to a mausoleum. Yikes.

At any rate, there's still much to explore and tons of people watching to be done in the Johnson building. I walked by a public talk on the past and future of local jazz in Boston. Pretty cool. The real magic, however, is passing through the Johnson building to the McKim building. The McKim building was erected in 1895 and was called the "palace for the people." And today, it still feels like it. Quiet, serene and totally peaceful, you can't help but imagine the about of learning that has happened there. I was totally surprised to stumble upon a beautiful courtyard that was almost Alhambra-like in its subtle and simple beauty. 

I got lost in the library for a couple of hours, it's easy to do with all the titles of public record books from the days of the first Pilgrims and the earliest Americans. It's still summer here, but something tells me that the library might be a good place to hibranate in the coming winter months. 

Read on, people! Read on...

xo, 

eb

The front of the McKim building. It faces Trinity Church and Copley Square, 

which all sit in the shadow of the John Hancock building.

I think that says 1895.

(ok - I only know that thanks to Wiki)

The grand entrance to the McKim building.

I loved these lights in the Johnson (read: retro) building.

Miles o' miles o' books.

For all the surfers in my life.

Old stuff.

First page of old stuff:

Emigrants; religious exiles; political rebels. 

An amazing book of all the names of the rule breakers from days of ol'.

Social life in Old New Englad?

Wonder how it's different from social life in New New England.

And can we talk about the Customs and Fashions in Old New Englad?

Hmmm....

#bestcoast

The courtyard. Amazing. Quiet. Peaceful. Happy place.

Straight from a movie set.

I wanted to steal this lamp. 

It's a turtle!

The front of the McKim building. Check out those insane lamps.

Like I said, keep reading people. Keep reading. 

Or one day, we could lose these amazing public institutes.

Everyone Getting Ready for the 4th?

I am! I love my star spangled kicks.

Can't wait to see what Boston has in store!

Brimfield Antique Show

There is this magical thing that happens here in Massachusetts. It happens three times a year. In a small, sleepy town called Brimfield.

The Brimfield Antique Show.

For five days, in May, July and August, from sunup to sundown, 6,000 antique dealers from across the country gather in a gigantic field and displays wonders of time's past for purchase. In a few words, it's amazing and almost unbelievable.

Brimfield draws a lot of merchants and buyers from stores far and wide across the globe. This is where Anthropologie gets its great beat-up store decor, where set designers find the perfect antique for period pieces and where stylish Japanese and New Yorkers interior designers (think the Ace Hotel) invade small town New England in search for the one statement piece that will set their home, bar or hotel apart. All alongside everyday peeps looking for old stuff.

It would take all five days (maybe more) to properly comb through the roughly 84 acres of antiques. There's everything from neon signs to Eames chairs to clothing, jewelry and purses to art to wooden boxes, glass jars and brass candlestick holders. Furs. Tables. Car parts. Eyeglass. Literally, anything and everything you could ever want.

I can't wait to go back in July. I've got my eyes set on an old industrial cart and a great farm table.

LOTS 'o pictures on this post. There's just too much to share.

xo,
eb

The line of cars goes on for miles.

(also - the pros and veterans rent a uhaul to bring home all their goodies)

My friend Millah matching the tents.

Wait? Are we in the lobby of an Ace?

This is the cart I want.

Millah finding hidden treasures.

This was my favorite tent. All outdoorsy stuff. 

Very Colorado. 

My dad would love this one, too.

Who doesn't need this??

Purchase #1: A giant light bulb

Purchase #2: 1940s / WWII Propoganda

Purchase #3: Brass anchor candlestick holder

Purchase #4: An array of glass bottles

Purchase #5: Richard cufflinks + tie clip