The Girl's Got Style

I spotted this little girl in Harvard Square last week.

I love a great coat with a hood! Do they make that jacket in my size? I'll take one please. And maybe a hair bow, as well. 

The Cape In Autumn

The Halloween Party we went to on Saturday night was part of a weekend retreat with Eric's classmates and their partners. On Friday afternoon we drove to Cape Cod and checked into the Ocean Edge Resort.

We stayed down the road from the mansion at The Villages complex, and our hotel "room" that was bigger than our apartment (there was a full kitchen and living room!). 

We spent most of Saturday walking along different beaches and spending time in the sunshine. It was windy and chilly and so completely autumn-y.  

In the afternoon, we met this silly dog named Rocky on the beach at the hotel. You can see his owner on the right wearing red. A very friendly pair.

The retreat was a lot of fun, and I felt like the guest of honor since it was the first time I saw most of these people since we became affianced. Everybody was showering me with congratulatory words and hugs! There are a few more pictures right here.

Mount Greylock

On the 2nd, while we were in North Adams, we drove to the top of Mount Greylock with my sister and brother. It was Eric's first time to the top, and it was the most gorgeous day for the trip!

Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, and there's a beautiful view from the top. I'm still thinking about it more than a week later!

Ryan + Sara's Wedding

We went to another wedding on Saturday! Ryan (aka Q), was Eric's roommate for 3 years in college, and for a year after we graduated. He's also the first person I considered my friend at UMass. 

Ryan and Sara became an item (as they say) just 6 months after Eric and I started dating. We've always thought that these two suited each other, and it was a pleasure to see them tie the knot.

Since they're a UMass couple, it was like a mini reunion! The DJ was actually a friend from school, too, and he got everybody on the dance floor. We had a wonderful time, and we're so happy for the bride and groom.

Three weddings down, and one to go before the year ends. I'm looking forward to it!

Cambridge Carnival 2010

Yesterday Eric and I decided to go to the Salvation Army. We looked online to find a location, and we were directed to Cambridge. When we got there, we realized we were on some sort of parade route. (It's not the first time we've stumbled upon a parade.)

It was pretty exciting, and we walked along with the masqueraders in search of the store. We had to weave in an out of groups of onlookers and it was fun to be in the midst of the celebration. Everybody was dancing and there were hundreds of bright, elaborate costumes to be seen. At the time we had no idea what was going on, but I looked it up this morning. Turns out, it was 18th Annual Cambridge Carnival! On the website, it's described as "a colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions." 

At the end of the parade route, there were booths selling all sorts of food. We didn't get anything, but man oh man did the fried dough smell good!

We never did find the Salvation Army; I guess that's an errand for another day.

A Saturday Full Of Work + Play

Yesterday, Eric was doing some school stuff, so I caught a ride to HBS to do some work before meeting a friend in Harvard Square. I enjoy working at the school, because it's a nice change of scenery. Spangler was deserted and peaceful; no distractions whatsoever.

I worked quickly, and then headed to Harvard Square early to spend some time in the sunshine. I bought myself an iced tea lemonade, and found a nice spot to read in Harvard Yard. 

It really felt like fall, and so many people were out enjoying the weather. There were kids running around, people working at outdoor tables, groups of new students looking slightly lost and amazed, and tourists everywhere.

Somebody lost a shoe. But quite frankly, I think these are a fashion travesty, so at the end of the day it's not a huge loss. 

At 2:00 it was time to meet up with my friend. How lucky that we had arranged to meet right where this busker was performing! I was a few minutes early, and I got to enjoy his singing up close and personal. He was quite good.

I spent the late afternoon with Eric, and then took him out to dinner. Afterwards, he treated me to ice cream. Aren't we just too cute?

I hope you all are enjoying the brisk weather and the seasonal changes; just another reason to love New England! 

Waiting At South Station

Here's what I didn't tell you about my trip to Norwood to visit Sara: I missed my train. It left South Station at 5:20 pm, and I was still at least 15 minutes away. Ooops. Funny thing is, this is not the first time I've had a commuter rail snafu while trying to get to Sara's. Once, I got on the wrong line and got off in the wrong town, without even realizing it! What's wrong with me?

The next train wasn't scheduled to leave South Station until 7:20, so I had some time to kill. I sat on bench outside the station and called my dad and took photos of the seagulls swooping overhead.

P.S. Sara called me and told me to take a different train to a different station, so I only had to wait until 6:45. Not bad at all!

Leif + Alyssa's Wedding

On Saturday, our friends, Leif + Alyssa, got married. Eric and Leif have known each other since first grade, and Eric was one of his groomsmen.

The ceremony was held outdoors at the Harvard Historical Society. Just before the ceremony started, we felt a few drops of rain. But the weather cooperated, and everything went as planned. The bride was stunning in her lace dress, and the groom couldn't have looked more pleased. It's always such a pleasure watching our friends say "I do."

Afterwards we all went to Wedgewood Pines Country Club for dinner and dancing. I didn't take many pictures because first I was too busy eating and then I was too busy dancing. We definitely had a great time!

Saturday Morning In Harvard Square

On Saturday, I met up with my beach buddies outside the Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square. It's a great place to people watch and take portraits unobserved.

It was pretty early, so it wasn't yet bustling. Most people were grabbing some coffee or sitting down with a bagel.

Also, it was a perfect day!

Boston In The Springtime

As I mentioned Monday, Eric and I spent Saturday wandering around Boston. We started at the Public Garden.

Then we spent some time in Beacon Hill, and visited Boston's most photographed street (at least that's what I've been told).

By that time I was getting hungry, so we walked to Newbury Street to look for some lunch. We ended up grabbing some burritos and taking them to Copley Square so that we could enjoy the beautiful weather.

After that we met friends on the Common and after awhile we headed toward the water in search of a nice sea breeze.

While we over there, we saw so many kids having fun in the sun: it was a perfect day for a carousel ride or a romp in the fountain. It was actually just a perfect day.

*Check out Lost in Thoughts today!

Spring Break {Part 2}

Saturday we went for a short hike in the woods. The great thing about hikes on the Vineyard is that the goal is always a beautiful beach. As we approached the sand we saw a few rock sculptures. This one really seemed to defy gravity.

After spending some time exploring the water's edge, we continued our hike. We climbed up a small hill and looked out over the ocean. The trees are all bent from the sea breeze.

After the hike, we went back to the house and we all read/napped on the beach for a while. The weather was just amazing; I still can't believe how beautiful it was. In the evening we headed to The Net Result to pick up some lobsters and oysters for dinner (I had fried clams and coleslaw since I'm not a huge fan of lobster fan or oysters).

While we waited for the lobsters to be steamed we walked around Gannon & Benjamin's looking at the boats they're working on. It was so cool! The tools they use look like they've been around for a really long time.

Eric's grandfather joined us for our decadent dinner. He's an amazing guy, and he told us some really interesting stories. Eric and Mike ending up talking to him for long time after dinner while Brooke and I cleaned up and played some games.

Sunday, I woke up to watch the sunrise. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. I spent a few hours sitting in a sunny spot on the couch reading and enjoying my last morning of vacation.

After everybody else got up and ate breakfast, we cleaned up the house and spent some time in downtown Vineyard Haven. Most of the stores were closed because it was Sunday + the off season, but I did manage to get a gift for a friend (I had something specific in mind and her birthday was soooo long ago). After lunch it was time to say good-bye. It was hard to leave! It was warm enough to spend the ferry ride outside, which is always the best.

Eric and I will be back soon enough (I hope!). See more pictures of our trip on my flickr.

*It's Thursday, so head on over to the ELM blog for some sunny inspiration.

Robin's Egg Blue

I submitted these two photos for last day of Poppytalk's Spring Colour Week.

As you probably know, I've got little cranes (and some bigger ones) floating around all over our apartment. I fold them whenever I have a scrap of paper around. It's nice to make something pretty out of what would otherwise be considered trash. I used real origami paper for this guy, though.

This bracelet was a Hanukkah gift from my aunt and uncle. It's a few years old at this point, and it's the only bracelet I ever wear. I might wear it for a few days or weeks at time, and then I put it back in it's pretty little box until I'm feeling bracelet-y again. Normally, bracelets aren't my thing, but this one never gets in my way and it's not too flashy for my simple taste.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. Will you be looking out for spring colors? It's just around the corner, you know. ★

Chocolate Bar

Yesterday we went to the Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel. We got tickets at a discount through the HBS Partners' Club. We've been there before, so we knew what to expect and expertly paced ourselves.

It's really decadent and indulgent and fun. My strategy was to eat as much fruit and non-chocolate as possible. That meant that 1) I didn't overload on sugar and 2) I could eat a whole lot more! I mostly had little tastes of this and that. I started with a chocolate crepe with berries inside. The crepes are definitely the best thing there; I should have had a second one! I ended with a chocolate chip cookie + vanilla ice cream sandwich.

How'd you spend your weekend?

Just Hangin' Around

On Sunday we went to the Museum of Science. I love that place; the exhibit explanations are informative and most are interactive in some way. Plus, there are kids everywhere (and they're hilarious). It's a fun way to spend a Sunday.

We went to check out the Harry Potter exhibit, but of course we spent time in the rest of the museum as well. The Harry Potter exhibit is about the movies and it is pretty cool. I think the best part was seeing the costumes up close and personal. I really wanted to wear some of them! The details are so impressive. Really gorgeous. Photography wasn't allowed, which is why you're looking at a picture of a bat instead of Dumbledore's robes or Hermione's ball gown.