Scenes from the South End

I spent my Saturday exploring the South End. In my four years living in Boston, I've never really had the opportunity to hang out in this area so I decided to spend my day off wandering around. We started the day with brunch at Masa, took a little trip to the dog park and then ended the afternoon with some goodies from Blackbird Doughnuts.

As I walked along the cobblestone sidewalks, it felt as if I was in an entirely different city altogether. I'm always astounded by just how big Boston is for such a small city. There are so many spots that I haven't had the chance to see and I live here! I really hope to be able to explore a little more of my amazing city before I leave.

Zella Day at the Sinclair

A few weeks ago, me and a friend of mine from work, Janel went to see Zella Day. Working at Free People, this girl's music is everywhere, from the Free People Blog to the playlist we play at the store and with good reason. She currently only has one album out, Kicker, so it was awesome to know all the songs she performed! 

It was my first time seeing a show at the Sinclair in Cambridge and I must say that there is nothing like a small venue to really get a unique concert experience. I've always been one for a personal touch, whether it's something handmade with love and even just a little extra kindness. Being at a small venue, watching an artist I love with a cold Blue Moon in my hand is my idea of a good show. 

Awesome show, Zella! Cannot wait to see what you will do next! If y'all have not watched her video for Hypnotic DO IT!

Warpaint

I went and saw Warpaint at the Royale on Wednesday night. I cannot even describe how epic it was. 

If someone were ever to force me to pick my favorite girl band, I would have definitely have to go with these babes. Unlike a lot of the girl bands you hear these days, these girls really know how to compose and produce a song. It's not your typical, girly-poppy sound - there sound is a edgier, almost hauntingly good. Their stage presence was great simply because they didn't care. They were dancing around and singing like they were in a room full of friends. That's how I think a show should be.

Even the opener was good! I hate to admit it, but I'm one of those people who typically don't care much for most opening bands. Guy Blakeslee was an exception. To me, if I see that a musician is really singing from the heart, I'm totally on board. This guy did that. He belted it and it was awesome. Also, would LOVE to steal his white on white ensemble. 

Beantown Pho

My wonderful aunt took my out for lunch over the weekend. This was really only the beginning of what would turn out to be the best weekend I a have spent in Boston so far. We met up and were unsure where we wanted to go. We had exhausted our usual places in the Back Bay area and were in the food for something new. We found just that nestled a few blocks down on Newbury Street. Beantown Pho has got to be one of the most adorable spots in Back Bay. It pretty much had my name on it - give me some pho noodles, fish cake, and some bubble tea in mason jars to top it off and I was in heaven. The food was delicious. Seriously, if you haven't gone you NEED to try this place out!

Surprise Visit!

This past week was rough. And I mean rough. There was just a lot going on in my life (school, work, etc.) Lately I have really felt pretty wound tight. Jacky saw just how stressed I was this week and decided to surprise me by inviting John and Lexii down for the weekend. I cannot even describe my level of happiness when I discovered that they were coming down to see me. I really am lucky to have these three amazing souls in my life.

It was John and Lexii's first time at our apartment so we spent the weekend showing them around Allston Village. We discovered a great brunch spot on Harvard St. - "Union." I'm pretty picky about my iced coffee, but there was so good I had to order a second before I rushed off to work. 

Although their visit was short, it was just enough to relax and rejuvenate me for the coming week. 

Thanks so much guys, I don't know what I would do without you.

Winter Blues

It was a snow day here in Boston! It has been quite the snowy winter in New England and like most people here I am beyond ready for summer.

My afternoon classes were cancelled so I spent my day hanging out with my good old friend, Netflix. I did take a break to venture out into the snow to snap a couple photos of the snow storm. It was so wet and snowy out that I could barely walk five feet out my door without my camera getting soaked!

Nothing but slush. These Docs can handle anything.

I hope that everyone stays safe and warm on this snowy, slushy day!

Good Ol' Tasty Burger

I went out for lunch with my Dad this afternoon. My Dad isn't home from work very often while I'm at school (he's a merchant marine for those who don't know me personally) so when he is we try to get together at least once a week to have lunch/dinner. I know he gets lonely being at our house in Tyngsboro so it's nice to see him when I'm in the city.

Today we got burgers (a veggie burger for me) at Tasty Burger. This place is bopping during baseball season being right in the shadow of Fenway Park, but even in the frigid months of winter this burger joint is more than a little busy. I've gone a little "Asian crazy" this past week, so having a good old Big Kahuna burger and fries was just what I needed. 

Snow Day

A snowstorm hit Boston last night. This storm was supposed to be so big that it was given a name, but it really wasn't that bad of a storm. Classes were canceled for the day (although I wouldn't have ah class anyway.) I made my way to work in the morning where I got to spend some quality time with my coworkers. I left the store around 3:00 to find that the sky was a beautiful washed out blue and the sun was shinning bright. What a wonderful day in the city.

Here is a photo that I took on my phone on my walk home.

Chocolate by the Bald Man

I went out for brunch (which actually turned into lunch because we ended up missing our 11:30 reservation) at Max Brenner's on Boylston Street this past Saturday. I had never been so Miya insisted on bringing me. Max Brenner's is famous for its chocolatey concoctions, but also for its amazing food. The food was great, served in a variety of different ways, but the dessert was our real reason for coming. I got a "Choctail" aka a chocolate and coconut-cream milkshake while Miya and Ben split a Euphoria sundae. My shake was served in the "Drink Me" cup an invention modeled after Alice and Wonderland. The sundae was brought out in an enormous beaker (reminicent of the Goblet of Fire) along with two small bowls of ganache. Surprisingly we were all able to almost finish our desserts. I came very close to drinking my entire milkshake and Ben and Miya made a pretty good dent in their yummy sundae. 

Post-chocolate, I was forced to hobble off to work with a MAJOR food baby.