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Fantasy Spring Shopping Spree

March 5, 2011 in Uncategorized by traveleatlove | 8 comments

No, I’m sadly not giving one away or even going on one, but a girl can dream, right? I am at the point in the Boston winter where I am fed up with the very same sweaters and boots that I couldn’t wait to wear in October. After months of sitting around, a couple of illnesses, and marathon training, my pants don’t fit, and I am eyeing up all sorts of fresh new styles.

Unfortunately as someone who’s been working only part time for a few months, I can’t buy any of these things, but I thought it would be fun to take you through my dream list.

1) Dresses. If I could have my way and my weather, I would wear cute dresses every day of the week. Not only are they easy to put on and go, but they are generally a lot more forgiving of a big meal or lack of gym time.

I generally buy my dresses at Marshalls and TJ Maxx; I have gotten plenty of things that I later saw on Newbury Street for way low prices. But if I won the lotto, I would spend a lot more time at Anthropologie buying things like this.

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2) Flat sandals. I like heels, but let’s face it. I live in the city and spend a lot of time traveling on foot. Last summer I embraced my shortness and the flat sandal and ended up much happier than if I was trying to hobble around in cute strappy heels. I am loving these gladiator style sandals that I am seeing in stores now.

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3) Accessories. Kate Middleton is making hairpieces and fascinators all the rage, but having spent so much time in Ireland, I have been coveting these pieces of wearable art for years. And let me tell you, they are pricey! I check out fascinators and hats every time I visit Ireland and still have not found one under $80 that I like.

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4) Sleeveless tops. I generally like my arms, and I love buying lots of sleeveless tops to mix and mingle with jeans and jackets. I especially like finding very inexpensive sleeveless tops at H & M, Target, and the like. It’s a cheap and easy way to have an interesting summer wardrobe!

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5) Sweaters. Lots and lots of sweaters to go over above sleeveless tops because somehow I manage to be cold in August.

Looking back at my imaginary shopping spree, I definitely see a theme with the colors I chose Smile As much as I try to get away from black and gray, I always gravitate back toward them even in summer.

Do you like to shop? What is on your spring fashion wish list?

Technorati Tags: fashion, shopping, spring

Tags: fashion, shopping, spring

Szigeti and Sushi

April 8, 2010 in Uncategorized by traveleatlove | 10 comments

Is it spring or summer? I don’t care what they are calling it, it has been warm and sunny, and I love it! Last week, I received a wonderful spring surprise from my favorite wine and spirits PR rep, the same lovely who invited me to the Austrian wine tasting awhile back. (If you haven’t checked out my Austrian wine tasting post, I would love if you did. I don’t consider myself a great photographer, but I love these photos!)

A bottle of Szigeti Grüner Veltliner Brut arrived at my door, just in time for the rain to stop! I even had a little photo shoot out on the deck.

Szigeti makes an incredible sparkling wine with tiny, festive bubbles and a crisp, slightly tart, citrus flavor. It truly is the perfect wine for long evenings, picnics, and dinners on the patio, which is what we ended up having.

The warm weather brings a few eating options that are different from winter. Gone are the hot soups and stews, the root veggie curries, and the heavy meals. Instead, we welcome salads, cold soups, quick stir fries, and sushi. On this particular evening, the night before a perfect day off, we opted to order sushi from Teriyaki House, our go-to South Boston sushi spot. It’s quick, it’s tasty, and it’s incredibly cheap!

The best part about Teriyaki House is that they offer a huge range of Chinese and Japanese options that are yummy and taste healthier than the standard Chinese takeout fare. Their hot and sour soup is a cold cure, multiple times over, and their veggie curry dish with noodles lasts for four or five meals.

For this dinner, we opted for a spicy and crunchy roll, a spicy tuna roll, a garden salad with ginger dressing, and a hot and sour soup. We get the hot and sour soup even in the heart of summer; it is that good.

The sharp bubbles of the Szigeti Brut met the fatty, spicy tuna and did wonders for the sushi! The flavors really danced around together in my mouth providing a satisfying lightness and richness.

I was so lucky to have another opportunity to drink a delicious Szigeti wine and to share it with my husband on a perfect spring evening. Such a wine brings a celebration to an ordinary weeknight! And seriously, after such a long winter, we have reason to celebrate, don’t we?

Have you had nice weather where you live? What spring foods/wines are you loving?

Technorati Tags: Austrian wine, Food, sparkling wine, spring, sushi, wine

Tags: Austrian wine, Food, sparkling wine, spring, sushi, wine

Boston Gets its Spring on

April 4, 2010 in Uncategorized by traveleatlove | 16 comments

Happy Easter!

Boston is truly at its best when the weather turns from dreary winter into those first few sunny, warm days where its not just bearable to be outdoors, but glorious! This weekend the city has been full of tourists and locals alike, all just taking in the scenery, and we were a part of it.

We started out with lunch in Charlestown, one of my favorite places to run because of its lovely architecture and killer hills. After a little wander, we opted for Max & Dylan’s. Our meal started out great with a Sam Adams Noble Pils for each of us and a hot, tangy, gooey buffalo chicken dip.

For my entree, I ordered a grilled pear salad. Unfortunately, the timing with the kitchen was not great, and they brought our entrees out halfway through our appetizer course. They wedged everything on the tiny table, but when I tried to move my hand to get my fork, the salad, which was hanging about 3 inches off the table, flipped over into my lap and then on to the ground, the plate breaking into a few pieces

They offered to make me another, but at that point I just wanted to leave. I had a few bites of the hubs’ tuna burger which was very good. I would definitely go back to Max & Dylans because everything I did eat was delicious. Hopefully they can time the food a little better so we don’t get everything at once!

After lunch, we walked across the bridge into the North End, Boston’s Little Italy, and a great place to be on a warm day. We walked through North Square past two of my favorite restaurants, Mamma Maria and Carmen.

I stopped into Salumeria Italiana to look around, and it felt like stepping out of the US and into a market in Italy. There was fresh bread in the window.

Pasta and sauce filled some of the shelves.

Sweet Baci candies, biscuits, and chocolates filled another.

Everything in the store was tempting, but I had a mission in mind. Cannolis.

Forget Mike’s or Modern. If you want the best cannoli in Boston, not to mention some of the best pizza, visit Bova’s. It’s just my opinion, but Bova’s makes the best pastries and feels like the small neighborhood bakery that it is rather than a tourist stop. Everything I have ever gotten here has been incredible, and the service is always with a warm smile.

Bova’s was packed with people picking up breads, pies, and desserts for Easter. I love how you can really feel the holiday spirit in neighborhoods like the North End. It was completely bustling with activity.

I thought these bread loaves were just beautiful.

But I came for the cannoli. I had a mini cannoli with chocolate chips. In just a few bites, it was the perfect treat to eat while walking back to Charlestown.

We checked out a few more of their delightful goodies, and we were on our way.

On the way home, we stopped at a few of the Polish markets in our neighborhood to pick up meat for me to bring to NJ. These stores were also full of activity. The smells inside reminded me of my childhood when we would fill a basket with food and bring it to my uncle’s Eastern Orthodox church to have it blessed. I love how smells can trigger such fun memories!

If you celebrate Easter, what are you doing for the holiday? If you don’t, have you done anything fun this weekend?

Technorati Tags: beer, Boston, Food, Lunch, North End, spring