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

Spring Snows Showers in Boston

Just kidding.

THANK GOD.

Instead of snowy scenery here in Boston, all we're seeing is tons of bright blooms. Such a refreshing and wonderful change!

The blooms do have a way of falling off the trees in piles, making it look a bit like snow. So pretty.

-xo-

eb

Saturday Stoop Lunch

So, most people who look for sandwiches in the South End head straight to the Buttery. And maybe, just maybe, I haven't given enough of a chance to the Buttery. But I think it's just... a little overrated. I'd much rather swing by the wonderful South End Formaggio. This go-to gourmet market deserves a entire series of posts dedicated to it's cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer, baked goods, exotic oils, fresh produce... you get the picture. 

In addition to all this mad goodness, they also have an array of sandwiches. Classics like butter and ham and turkey and swiss sit pretty next to more fun combinations like goat cheese arugula and fig jam and avocado and black bean torta. Being the fish girl I am (which is bizarre considering I grew up in wonderful landlocked Colorado), I opted for the homemade tuna with american cheese on grilled wheat. Filled with yummy things like pickles and green olives, this is a tuna for kings. 

One Tate's Butterscotch Pecan cookie from the bakery counter and a decaf iced tea from Wholy Grain across the street and I had the perfect makings for a stoop lunch. I polised it all off seconds before a spring shower started. Happy Saturday, all!

-xo-

eb

RAWR! Yum.

Butterscotch is just so good. 

Has always been a favorite of mine.

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

Homes of New England

I love exploring the city via foot and bike. It's a perfect way to appreciate the unique architecture. 

People say that Boston is a London lookalike. Low, brown and brick, the streets twisting and turning, I can see why they say that. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm in US. Sounds silly, but the West is a total 180 from here. It's vast, gridded and weirdly, light. San Francisco has always amazed me  in how light it is. All the buildings are a mixture of white, lights pinks, yellows and light concrete. Breathtaking when viewed from the Bay...

But Boston is gorgeous, too. Very old world. Very fun to explore. Except more Homes of New England posts. They're too pretty not to showcase.

xo, 

eb

P.S. Also! I saw my first "hilly" street last night in Boston! It's so flat here - such an adjustment after climbing the hills of SF daily. It made me a little homesick - funny what a hilly street can make ya feel after living in the city by the Bay.

See that slight angle of the sidewalk - a hill!

My favorite alley in Boston thus far. 

Cobblestoned and quiet, complete with an American flag.

Union Park by night.

South End fleurs.

Sunny Friday

Brick by Brick

The longer I live here, the more I'm coming to love my neighborhood.

The faces are starting to get familiar, the spring showers are causing some awfully gorgeous blooms and the food is still the best in Boston.

Enjoy some South End snaps.

xo,
eb

Every 'hood needs a cathedral. 

Faces of the Vine.

Red and Blue.

My park.

Patriot's Day

Yesterday was Patriot's Day. 

Yesterday, I found out what Patriot's Day is. 

It's the best day ever in Boston. PD officially commemorates the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord - aka the first battles of the Revolutionary War. But, and this is important, unofficially, Patriot's Day marks the funnest Monday of the year. 

The whole city shuts down and hosts the Boston Marathon (in it's 116th year which makes it's the world's oldest marathon). People line the streets to cheer runners on, or watch from above on roof decks. There's fun to be had for all. Yesterday was 88 degrees. Too hot for the runners - yikes! - but amazing for spectators. 

It was a day of stoopin', we started and ended there, sunshine, meeting new people, taking in Boston. 

I'm feeling awfully patriotic today. 

xo, 

eb

Stoop brunch 'n mimosas. (This stoop is my favorite part of my apartment.)

Watch out! This guy hangs around Fenway.

We pedicabbed past this guy.

Roof with a view: Marathoners in 88 degree heat - yikes!

Monday Morning Stroll

Happy Monday, everyone. 

It's a little grey in Boston - I'm yearning for some good ol' fashioned sunshine. 

But here's hoping that spring is right around the corner! These Cherry Blossoms greet me every morning on my walk to work. 

Spring, see ya soon.

xo, eb

Yikes! Stripes! Remember to turn off your stoves everyone!

There's a fire in the South End.

On my street!

YIKES!

It's a little scary when the person who hired you comes looking for you to ask where exactly on Union Park did you move? 'Cause there are pillars of smoke piling out of it right now...

Hope the neighbors are ok. Sad.

To the Mattresses.... Errr... Box Springs

My movers arrived this morning.

Nine hours later, most of the things are in the process of being put away. It feels good to allllmost be settled. Bedtime cannot come soon enough tonight.

My bed and I had a little trauma today when we discovered that the 19th century Bostonians who built my apartment failed to make the stairways large enough for modern day box springs.

Sigh... My California box spring shall be mine no longer. It's off to box spring heaven. Replaced in a mad panic to ensure I'd have my wonderful, comfortable, 10 pillow bed to rest my head on tonight.

#RIPboxspring
#longlivepillows

Zzzzzzz...

(tomorrow is my first day at work. exciting)

The South End

I live on a tidal marsh. It's true, under the hub of Boston food Mecca, bars, cafes and brownstones, was built on top a lot of water. Sounds kind of familiar to that place in SF? Remember that one? The Marina?

Well, hopefully, unlike (knock on wood) that other floating neighborhood, the South End is unlikely to go down in the next natural disaster. Hopefully.

Annnnyways. The South End is not to be confused with South Boston. I am not a Southie. I am South Ender. Maybe. I think. Or something of that regard. I'll get back to you on that one. (And let's be honest, at this point, I'm a San Franciscan that lives in Boston). 

Young and fashionable people started to move to the 'hood around 1870, where they were greeted by a planned community with brick townhouses (brownstones), iron railings and tiny parks. Pretty much the same thing I was greeted by a mere 140-ish years later.

These are my neighbors. Stoop livin'!!!!

Then, of course, for various reasons, the young and fashionable made a run for the hills, and in the next 100 years, the area found itself face to face with crime and poverty.

But! Alas! Leave it to the gays, jazz musicians and artist to save the day. Around 1950, they rolled in and began the slow gentrification of the South End (not without some hiccups, of course. In 1960, the South End was one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city).

So, in short, from my observations and chats with the locales so far, the neighborhood is not quite the flaming and Bohemia (wait, do they even do Bohemia in Boston?) area that it once was. It's now a historical and beautiful neighborhood, filled with young folks (that make it fun), gays (that make it pretty and clean), amazing chefs (that make it delicious) along with art galleries, a formaggio (!!!!!!!), local shops, a weekly farmers market/indie fair and more.

Better get exploring.

xo from the South End,
eb