BOS to the Tundra

I'm headed to Alaska in two days (read: I will be away from the internets/facespace/instagrams all week - what a vacation!). And what does one pack for Alaska? Well, I'm not entirely sure, but this Colorado girl knows one thing: it's all about layers. With hiking, canoeing and camping on the to do list, highs in the sixties and lows in the forties, you can be sure I'm all about the mix of comfort and functionality. 

Check out my illustrated packing list. Lululemon stretchy pants for botttoms, Patagonia and Mountain Hardware for tops, a good pair of shoes, a camera (or two) and a great read is all about I need. 

Friends have pointed out I'm missing harpoons, bear mace and a machette, but really, who is keeping track? Here's hoping I won't need any of those ;)

-xo-

eb

What's WASPy, Walking and Red All Over?

Saw this lady walking out of the market the other day on a rainy day. Head to toe red, yeow!

There is something so incredibly charming and daring when women don't let their fashion risks die as they grow wiser (ie older).

Hope you're doing the same on this overcast Boston day.

-xo-

eb

To the Sea!!

----------------
for whatever we lose(like a you or a me) 
it's always ourselves we find in the sea 

e.e. cummings

----------------

I grew up in a landlocked state (Colorado). And then moved to a state where the beach was the Coast and it was cold and rainy nine months out of the year. (Oregon). And then to a city where the beach is only hot hot hot two days a year and the only people stripping down are free spirits down at the Baker Beach in the nudist section (San Francisco). 

So this whole concept of "summer," "swimming," "heat" and "the beach" is a little new to me. Not sure I entirely took advantage of it last summer (ok, let's be real, I went to the beach once), so I've vowed to be in the sea this summer. 

Now comes the fun part. What to wear?! Jury is still out, but I've done a little research. See below for some of my top runners. 

-xo-

eb

1 // jcrew rosebud bikini 

2 // jcrew ratti regatta bikini 

3 // the seea riviera one piece

4 // madewell rosie bikini

5 // free people estella bikini

You Know it's a Spring Trash Day in New England When...

1.) This is found in your neighbor's trash pile.

2.) And this is found in another neighbor's pile two doors down.

Apparently it's out with the old and in with the new (boat shoes). I have yet to purchase any of these. But let me tell you. They. Are. Everywhere.

I'm all for regional fashion and style seeped in purpose and authenticity, but it seems to me that boat shoes are just a tad over worn here. But if you are gonna rock 'em off the dock, best to keep them classic, a tad tattered and paired with something with a little laid back, something swingy for a day in a beach town. A little West Coast beach meets Right Coast beach? A little like this...

So, happy boatin' or hangin' or whatever you're doing in those old and worn in comfy shoes of yours!

- xo - 

eb 

1 // old sperry's - new here
2 // t by alexander wang slub classic t
3 // bamboula ltd for jcrew tote
4 // rag & bone distressed boyfriend short
5 // jcrew various friendship bracelets (but better to make your own instead!)
6 // oliver people's jacey sunglasses

NYC Adventure Time

I spent this weekend in NYC. One of the best things about Boston and East Coast living is how close together new adventure spots are. It took me a few months to get used to passing through or visiting multiple states in a day. That's a tough concept to understand, having lived in states that can take at least six hours to drive through. Pretty sure you could fit 5.78 Massachusetts in California. 

Regardless, a hop and a jump will get you to a fun-filled NYC weekend. And once you're there, adventure comes by merely choosing which direction to head in. Details of the weekend coming soon!

-xo-

eb

Cheese, please.

To know me is to know I love cheese.

So, when a very lovely and dear friend of mine sent me a little nibble of a surprise in the mail last week, I about lost it. Sometimes, it's little surprises from the people who love you most that make all the difference in the world. It can turn a bad day good, remind you of all the beautiful people in the world, and probably the most important, put a big ol' smile on your face. 

-xo-

eb

Oh Joy! It's Spring

Well, I think it's (knock on wood) official.

Spring is here in New England.

And boy, oh boy, am I one happy girl about that. The winter wasn't tooooo terrible (ok, it got a little long there at the end) but all in all, the Coloradan in me kind of said, "Hey Boston winter, so what? Yea, you're a little too cold, a little too grey and a little too long. But all in all, you make me appreciate the summer, blue skies, bike rides and the warmth of good ol' sunshine that much more."

So, good riddance highs of 32°, wool jackets and hot toddy's. Bring on rosé, bare legs and walks around town.

Spring, welcome back.

- xo -

eb 

view from the office.

look at the springy rainbow.

breaking rules left and right:

white kicks before memorial day is how i roll.

an easter monster card i made.

even monsters like spring!

Happy 2013

Here's a new year and new adventures. 2012 brought lots of big changes for me - namely moving to a city where I didn't know a soul. I've had a freaking fun time exploring and getting to know new people. Two of my favorite things. Here's to more of the same in 2013. 

- xo - 

eb

Sparkle shorts + Fernet = a fun New Years/nasty hangover on Jan 1

A monster for y'all.

Wolf lady

That's me!

Spent Sunday biking down to Jamaica Plain, a cute and hip neighborhood, to help a friend shoot a music video. Costumes included wolf masks.

The sun was out and bike ride was great. JP is up and coming and supposed to have some great restaurants. We stopped by Tacos al Churro for a burrito. Pretty good. I can't wait to go back and explore some more!

xo,
eb

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

Dressed to the Neons

Well, I think spring is here. 

The Sox opener is today. The Boston Marathon is on Monday. 

People are ready to be OUT AND ABOUT and dressing accordingly. 

Look at these great Bostonians: a friend from work pairs relaxed neutrals with a pop of neon yellow.

Neon to the max!

This nice Parisian man I stopped on the street was following the same spring cues. 

Neutrals with color can be fun. Love his layering and glasses. 

I love how both of them pair traditional structure with relaxed whimsy. Sarah's button up with the flowy maxi pair up perfectly. The Parisian's blazer with his casual scarf and colored pants are trés bien.

Well done today, Boston. 

xo, 

eb

A Boston Walkabout

I had another great weekend in Boston. 

My mom flew in from the Wild West so she could get a sense of where in the world her daughter has ended up. We had a fun time exploring a bit of Boston via foot and local fare. Winning combo. 

We headed up to Top of the Hub Friday evening. This place is somewhat of a tourist trap. Read: the food's not great and is generally overpriced 'cause the view is fantastic. But that was a-okay for us, we were just there for the sights of the sprawling city and a glass of wine. Great way to take visitors so they can get a lay of the land. After that, it was off to my neighborhood joint, the Butcher Shop for wine, amazing brussel spouts and chicken with asparagus. YUM! (Anyone else think brussel sprouts are hot right now? they're everywhere!) Topping it all off was a bit of chocolate mousse. Perf.

Saturday we explored the Boston Public Garden (make way for ducklings!), the Common (the United State's oldest city park, it dates from 1634! What does that even mean?!) the Freedom Trail and the North End. We saw some old gravestones and crossed a lot of cobblestones. We refueled at Giacomo's Ristorante on Hanover Street. The meal deserves its own post - but for the time being, I'll tell you we waited an hour in line and then were in and out of our table in less than forty minutes, blissfully full, happy and content from amazing food and a bottle of wine. 

We did Easter brunch at... surprise, Island Creek Oyster Bar. Love that place. The rest of the day we strolled around Newbury and just relaxed. Oh yea, and split a Strawberry Cupcake. 

All in all, a great weekend. Good to have some QT with the mom and show off my new city. Can I call it yet that? My city? Maybe not yet... Let's give it some more time people. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

xo, 

eb

Thinking these will be the Top Siders I get. Metallic Snakeskin. Haute. Embrace the prep, right?

Here lies Mother Goose!

History: Mom's first iPhone picture on her first iPhone of Paul Revere's grave. #nobiggie

The Freedom Trail.

This is the kind of stuff that happens in Boston. Just Ben giving off electricity at the local pub.

A city o' spires and steeples.

This building is old. 1868! Spring is on its way to Boston. Can't wait!

No Socks

I can't offer much in words tonight. Today was one of those 15 hour work days. Sleeeepy.

But what I can give you is this: spotted, today in Boston, this man. Wearing coral shorts, a baby blue button down, loafers and... No socks.

I'm expecting quite a few more of these sightings as the weather gets warmer.

But let's cut the guy some slack, he's doing a lot of heavy lifting for New England stereotypes. Bravo stranger! Bravo!

xo,
eb

To Sweat It or Not to Sweat It

I've noticed a lot of things about Boston fashion.

In order to keep from making blanket statements about them (keeping in mind the city was deemed
the worst in the nation by GQ mag), I'll keep my observations for future posts, specific to their offense. Or fashion no, not ever, never ever offenses. (I'm building an extensive collection of photos of Lilly-Pulitzered, embroidered-everything, college sweatshirted, pleated khaki-coated Bostonians.
Ei yi yi.)

I digress.

The issue of this post: men in sweatpants. In public.

In bars.

In the mall (yes - SFers, I said mall. This is the world outside the bubble, 'member?).

On the street.

EVERYWHERE.

What compels a man to wear sweats?

Let's not get confused about the situation here. I like to be comfortable, too. And some days are for casual wear. And let's be honest, when it comes to casual/weekend (it's called weekend for a reason here, people) wear, women really are the winners here. We can throw on a pair of black leggings, a baggy sweater, scarf and ballet flats - top it off with a top knot - and we're golden.

Men who go for comfy in public, look like this:

Ey yi yi to the double power.

Men, don't sweat it. Don't put those on and walk out your front door. (Errr... don't go for the leggings, either). Throw on a soft pair of your favorite jeans. Your city (and the women of it) will thank you.

And maybe next year, Boston will climb a peg in the fashion world.

xo,
eb

Only in Boston: The Longchamp Lives On

Okay. Before my haterade rant gets out of control, let's establish one thing:

I own a Longchamp. 

Now that we've got that down, let's really chat about the issue:

Boston women love their Longchamps.  

And I'm not talking love. I'm talking madly in love with, take everywhere, wear with anything, constant companion type of love. 

A Longchamp is a great bag. Perfect to throw in the car for a long weekend. And it serves even better folded up in your suitcase, waiting to stash all your vacation purchases and get them home. It really is a very versatile (read: basic) bag. 

But, woman of Boston, I urge you, let's not get too carried away with (or by) this little magical collection of nylon and leather. It has its time and its place. 

The next time you're out shopping for your everyday bag, try something with a little bit of personality, something that says, "I am me! and this is my bag!" I believe in you! You can do it!

(Your little Longchamp will thank you years down the road. Cause let's be honest, it's only nylon. And nylon doesn't usually pass the test of time, or style.)

xo, 

eb

(women of Boston - put down the Longchamp!)