pod.

Cutest little shop I stumbled upon today in Brookline Village! Locally owned and the only of its kind, this is a perfect place to pick up some Christmas gifts. They have gorgeous throws and pillows, fun socks for winter, and a cute selection of clothes (though many of them come with a price tag). They have tons of delicious smelling soaps, just perfect for gift giving. And a sweet selection of ornaments for the tree. I just knew I had found a gem the moment I stepped inside. Adorbs!

pod.

313 washington street

brookline village, massachusetts

02445

http://shop-pod.blogspot.com/

"Pod is a tiny neighborhood boutique offering inspired simplicity through contemporary home accessories, found object, fresh cut flowers, women’s apparel, and personal care items. Our thoughtfully edited collection of goods speaks to those looking for the quiet of Eastern design, but also the warmth and textural quality customary of European traditions. Opened in 1998, the shop is located in quaint Brookline Village, MA, but could easily fit right into the most creative quarters of Paris, Brooklyn, or San Francisco."

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: For HIM

What should you get that special guy in your life?

Here are just a few ideas for the men that you love...

I think they have some great dress shirts at Lands End this year. Having a boyfriend that doesn't like to shop many places but the thrift store, I think one of these would be perfect for him this year- especially with his new job.

This pattern is my favorite, but there are many, many to choose from!

The Beer Book

Here is an original idea: A book all about good beer- from the history to popular brewing techniques. "An ultimate reference for beer lovers of all levels" - Wine Enthusiast.

Kiehl's Men's Refueling Set

This is a nice gift at a great price! Body scrub, facial moisturizer and shaving cream.

Who wouldn't love a pair of slippers to keep their toes warm? These slippers are sweeeet from Lands' End. You can also find great slipper options at L.L.Bean and Eddie Bauer.

And for those of you who live in Boston- a Phantom Gourmet gift card. He can pick from a long list of restaurants and you can have a great night out to dinner! Win, win!

Weekend Breakfast Hotspot

I know I have blogged about this cafe before, but I don't care I'm going to blog about it again. This is most definitely my most favorite place to get breakfast in Boston. The atmosphere is chic and the food is savory. A real winner for any weekend morning. If you live in Boston, and didn't check it out after my last post, GET SOME EATS HERE! And if you don't live in Boston, come to visit and I will take you there!!

Win, win!

YUM!!

FLOUR (the recipe book!!!)

ohmygoodnessohmygoodness!

Boy oh boy did I hear the BEST news ever while driving home from work today. I was just informed (courtesy of NPR, my new go-to radio station) that the owner of FLOUR (THE BEST BAKERY in the ENTIRE WORLD), Joanne Chang, has just written and published a new cookbook.

Best news of your life, right?? Right??!

You must click here to read the interview with the author AND get a tasty recipe for savory cheddar scallion scones. Oh my.

Flour, located in the South End (and also Fort Point and Central Square) will please your taste buds like no other. They have incredibly delicious desserts/breakfast treats and make a mean BLT (my favorite!). If you live in Boston and you have not been, GO! Then you can buy the recipe book and make their famous banana bread every day if you please. Which is probably what I am going to do.

YAY!

CafeTeria (Tres Chic!)

Last Sunday Mo, Katharine and I decided to get brunch together before Mo headed back to Rochester. We chose CafeTeria on Newbury Street and it was the perfect choice. A great bright and airy atmosphere and really delicious food. Simple, but with a touch of fancy.

I was too busy eating my chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes to take a picture of them, but trust me, this place is a winner.

Highly recommended!!

CafeTeria

279a Newbury Street

Boston, MA 02116

FUN WEEKEND!!

What a fun time I had last weekend with some friends from HWS! Mo came into town from Rochester, and a bunch of '07 ladies from William Smith were in the Bean for Octoberfest!

Mo is one of my very best friends from growing up. We met when I was 12 (Mo was 10) at a pool party and we've been having good times together ever since. We spent our younger years dancing together, had some funny times and lots of laughs through high school, and when Mo came to visit me my sophmore year in college she decided with ME was where she wanted to be. We spent 2 awesome years together at school and 15 years from the start of our friendship we are still going strong. Bosom buddies for life, right Mosie?

Mo has a great group of friends from Hobart and I have been lucky to have gotten to know them so well over the past few years. I always have a fun time when I hang out with this group and this weekend was no exception. Saturday was spent at Harpoon Brewery's Octoberfest followed by a delicious dinner and out for drinks at Cafe 47. YUM. Thanks for including me in the fun girls... I had a blast!

Eliza was there!! My fellow blogging buddy!!

Katharine came out to meet us!

Love ya, MO! Come back again soon!!!!

HOLY Hammock!

Look at this INSANELY HUGE hammock that's now on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston. WHAT A DREAM!!!!!!

Check out the article in the Globe:

They've been swayed: Huge hammock rocks - The Boston Globe

I need to go see this for myself sometime soon.

HAMMOCKS are a slice of HEAVEN.

My summer (in a clam shell)...

This summer flew past, right before my eyes. I can not believe how fast it went actually. So super fast-- like those horses and jockeys at the Saratoga race track. Whew! Mostly, I was finishing up my coursework, but also, I was having fun.

I finished up the Summer Compass Program (a Lesley University/Cambridge Public Schools partnership) with an extreme sense of accomplishment. Mostly because I can't even belieeeeeve how much paperwork I finished in only 6 weeks, but also because I really did feel like a reading teacher. :)

The other reading specialists I worked with (pictured above) were all AMAZING. I loved spending my days in the reading room with them, working as colleagues, and getting to know them as friends. I will miss this group and will have great memories of our crazy summer together!

I did also manage (although I'm not quite sure how) to do other summer-y things with other fabulous people in my life. LUCKILY, I have the documentation to prove it. Here is my summer in a nutshell....OR, more appropriately, a CLAM shell. Wish it could go on forever.

I made it to a red sox game!

I enjoyed a night out with friends at an HWS/SLU alumni event...

Hung out with Zan's fam... ate a good amount of ice cream...

Went down to Greenwich to spend time with family.... got some pics with my Aunt Heidi's chicken coup...

Fresh eggs, anyone?

Drank PBRs with the guys...

Loved me some EE and Aaron...

Becca came to visit and she cooked up a delicious meal!

I am the proud new owner of a FABULOUS FIT-

I took a weekend trip to the Cuse and spent most of my time in Skan-town... picked some corn, ate some veggies, hung out with my cousins, spent time with Tinsley, and got to see MO!!

GOODBYE SWEET SUMMER.

Goodbye!!