7.29.14

Escape to ... Rhode Island

I don't know if I've already mentioned this, but Rhode Island is pretty great. Colin took me there for the first time a few months ago and we've been back 3 times since. Even my hard-to-please father was heard saying "I could live here" after seeing Newport. To celebrate my graduation and birthday, Colin planned a weekend that included visiting both Newport and Providence. Before heading to Providence I made sure to check out Alison's post. With this information, we hit the ground running. The entire weekend was amazing but the shining star was our dinner at Tallulah On Thames. I've never had a more beautiful meal. If you're looking to get away for just the day or a weekend RI is the place to go.

Craft cocktails & pretzels at The Eddy.

It may not sound great but G Pub's duck confit nachos were beyond.

Nick's On Broadway for brunch. 

The wait is worth it.

None of my pictures were able to capture 

the beauty at Tallulah on Thames. 

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Going into antique stores has become our thing. 

I was lucky enough to find two more milk glass vases to add to my collection.

With Love, Kris

7.27.14

... And We're Off!

Today my brother and I are taking off on our European adventure. First stop, London!

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With Love, Kris

PS. I'll be gone for two weeks but have actually prepared this time 

so I won't go all radio silent on you again!

5.30.14

California Dreaming ... Napa

Happy Friday! In just 3 days I will be jetting back to California for my annual summer trip. Whenever I'm home, a trip to Napa is a must. It's only about an hour from where I live and I can always coerce someone to go with me. When I was younger, aka a fresh 21 year old, I thought doing Napa right meant hitting up at least 4 wineries with a big group of friends. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast. My 23rd birthday was epic (some may say). However, when you go from winery to winery to winery, everything eventually starts to taste the same. If you really love wine, this is so NOT the way to do it. The best way is to pick 1 or 2 great ones and take your sweet time. The last trip I took, my mom, my best friend, and I chose to visit Cakebread Cellars. I had been dying to go there for years (no joke) and it was most definitely worth the wait. I'm more of a cabernet gal, so we chose to do a red wine tasting. We happened to go on a day when it was not very busy (due to the rainy weather) so we were able to ask as many questions as we wanted and to chat with our wonderful guides. We loved it so much that we decided to buy a few bottles on the spot. Not wanting to ruin our tasting by going to another winery, we decided to go straight to lunch and open up one of our purchases (another awesome thing you can do in Napa). To round out the day, we stopped in at Dean & DeLuca for dessert. Honestly, it couldn't have been better. I can't wait to do it again.

Some people's version of happiness ...

My version of happiness.

Happy Weekend!

5.23.14

This Weekend, Why Don't You ... 

Plan a reunion with your best buds!

Despite the fact that most of us are sprinkled across the country, I have been lucky enough to keep up with almost all of my college friends. A few weeks ago, my friend Lana reached out to myself and a couple others with the idea of planning a reunion. This little idea was all we needed to get the ball rolling. First up, the date. Labor Day weekend. Second, the location. After a little back and forth, Nashville. Accommodations? We're very into Airbnb. Now all we need to do is pull the trigger on flights! I realize taking a plane ride anywhere might not be the easiest thing to do but the point is, it's all about making an effort. My girlfriends are pretty great at sending texts every so often to give encouragement or just to say "this made me think of you." We've also done our fair share of setting up phone dates (an issue when dealing with opposite coasts) and conference calls (middle-school three-way calling style). On the rare a occasion, old-school snail mail pops up and that's great too. However you decide to do it, use the long weekend as an opportunity to reach out to those that mean the most. And then go enjoy your extra day off :)

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We're coming for you, Nashville!

4.7.14

Weekend Recap

Have I mentioned how much I love family time? Because I. LOVE. IT. and THEM. Living across the country has been a challenge but it makes the time we do spend together that much more special. Of course, Patty came in being her most fabulous self and left me with multiple words of wisdom ("You should really take up piano and French this summer to round out your cultural education"). Dad thought I was freezing him to death for fun even though I explained to him that 50 degrees means spring in Boston (he lives below the equator). Nick, the musician, fell in love with the Beehive in the South End because who wouldn't? We all are so different and yet, kinda exactly the same. There was a lot of hugging, talking about childhood memories, and of course jokes ( or "yokes" as my accented parents say). It was the best.

Stay: The Copley Square Hotel (family loved it)

Visit: Boston Duck Tours // JFK Library and Museum // Newbury Street

Eat: Island Creek Oyster Bar (my favorite place in all of Boston) // The Beehive // Papa Razzi // The Merchant // The Met Back Bay (Build Your Own Bloody Mary)

Mom and me (I?)

Dad trying to keep it together in the "cold."

Samuel Enrrique and Samuel Nickolas. 

Yes, that's two R's. We love our double letters in this family.

Not even a little embarrassed about this one. 

Who say's you can't be a tourist in your home?

Hope you all had just as good of a weekend and happy Monday!!

3.10.14

Weekend Recap ... 

This past weekend I went up to Vermont with Col for a relaxing time with friends. The past couple of weeks have been crazy busy and not having anything to do was amazing. So amazing that I didn't even do the thing I love doing the most - take pictures! Instead, I will recap the fun but speedy trip I took to NYC last weekend. My best, Laura, gets to travel for work. Whenever possible we turn these work trips into friend time since living on opposite coasts doesn't allow for as much face time as we'd like. It was a quick trip but fun nonetheless! 

Visit: Babycakes // TopShop 

Eat: Aria Wine Bar // Bar Pitti (amazing authentic Italian, so good) // Kotobuki

Pretty lights outside of Aria.

My NYU roomies.

The amazing view out of my friend's apartment.

Goofing around in TopShop. 

If I ever get up the courage, I want to actually buy this hat and wear it.

Happy Monday all!

2.19.14

Weekend Recap ...

Happy Wednesday! I know I'm a little late on this post but Monday was a holiday so that's my excuse! This weekend we FINALLY made it to Neuva York (New York in Spanish). I say finally because this was our third attempt. And well, third time really is the charm. We got to see old friend's of both mine and Colin's, make new friends, and try new places. It was lovely, even if it was cold. The best part was that I got to cross off a few places on the ongoing list I have of things to do there (I now have one for 5 different cities). My friend Laura will be there in two weeks and I am reeeally hoping to be able to meet her so that we can cross off a few more together.

My love affair with NYC started when I was 19 and participated in a summer session at NYU. I went without knowing anyone and I felt so brave and ready to take on the city! I remember feeling very alive and for a moment, I strongly considered transferring colleges so that I could stay. It's been 7 years since that crazy, wonderful summer and while I no longer think I could live there, I do still appreciate the feeling I get while walking along those streets. It's really unlike anything else.

A few details from the weekend:

Stay: The Lexington  (great location)

Visit: Eataly // Chelsea Market // 9/11 Memorial // Times Square // White Horse Tavern (fun fact, Jack Kerouac used to frequent here, among many other poets)

Eat: Sevilla // Clinton Hall // Preserve 24 (go for brunch, get the chorizo hash) // Num Pang (best sandwich I have ever stumbled upon, and blood orange lemonade - OMG)

 Wonderful set up at an antique store we ducked into

Eataly 

(I. Died.)

9/11 Memorial

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market

1.21.14

Escape to ... Juan Dolio, Part 2

The snow and rain fall has really made me miss my time in the Dominican Republic with my family. I mean, can a girl just get a break?! I love my cold weather gear - I even just scored some amazing deals over at J.Crew - but give me sun and I swear my heart starts doing a little dance. Looking at pictures of warm weather isn't as good as the real thing but it's nice to daydream while the snow falls outside.

This bridge reminded me of Boston's Bunker Hill Memorial bridge.

Walking around the village in Punta Cana.

Our view during Christmas day lunch.

Me, doing my best Patty. 

Watching my brother and friends playing a little beach volley.

Le sigh. 

I shall see you again DR, this is a promise.

1.6.14

Weekend Recap

Hello, 2014! Less than a week into the new year and already I feel like I am off and running. After touching down from the Dominican Republic (post to come later), I had two days to unpack and repack. We drove up to Montreal where we were greeted by below zero temperatures. Even though I was wrapped up like an eskimo, it was still a great time. Back in Boston, the snow felt like it was never ending. Regardless, seeing friends, having a date night, and enjoying a 49ers win was the best kick off to 2014 I could have asked for.

Our fourth New Years Eve together.

Le Bier Markt. 

Great beer based cocktails and a very LONG list of imported beers.

If you ask people in Montreal, this is what I looked like. 

Our drive home took longer with the snow storm, but it made for a beautiful view.

Friday night we braved the cold to check out State Park with our friends. 

It has only been open for a few weeks but it feels like it has been around forever. The food was excellent (Kentucky Hot Brown, pictured above), they had pitchers of mixed drinks, and games! If you're in the mood for shuffle board, pool, or pin ball machines, this is your place!

My 49ers went up against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. In an attempt to make healthier snack choices, I made this roasted brussels sprout dish. Although the wrong color, it was a a hit (I'll make sure to put the recipe up soon!).

Tonight I'm off again, this time to California! 

I'm already loving 2014 so much.

12.17.13

Escape to ... Juan Dolio

Tomorrow I am off to spend Christmas with my family in the Dominican Republic. I'm pretty excited to see the sun again and maybe get a bit of color. I've never spent Christmas on the beach but I guess there's a first time for everything. The only thing is - we've never been to the little town of Juan Dolio. We have no idea what's in store for us! Either way, I'm excited to report back about what we find... STAY TUNED! 

10.29.13

Weekend Recap.

Finally, a weekend all to myself! With midterms being over, I jumped at the chance to go to Nantucket. I know what you must be thinking, "summer's over." But friends, Nantucket is not only for summer. We had the best time hanging out on the beach (bundled up), watching seals swim by, going to a clam chowder contest (to be repeated), and walking around the beautiful downtown. At times it was freezing but we also got a good bit of sun in - which we enjoyed while wearing scarves and jackets, ha! Here's to another beautiful New England fall!

When we arrived we found that the house was stocked

 with great props, obviously we went for the hats.

When we found out there was a clam chowder contest we beelined it there 

and tried about 10 different kinds. No complaints about any of them.

Happy clam chowder tasters.

Most beautiful beach day.

A fire to keep us warm.

I wish this picture would have come out better, 

but how great is this Lilly Pulitzer covered Jeep?