Happiness

I walked out to the South End over lunch and picked up some beautiful napkins (on crazy sale) at Michelle Wiley. Then had the best jasmine tea I've ever had at the South End Buttery.


And on the way back, I dawdled at South End Formaggio and picked up an organic tempranillo and good bread for dinner.



It was such a treat to take a little quiet time to roam about in the sun. And did I mention the dogs? I must have passed at least 50. All ridiculously cute and well behaved. Oh, South End, you have the best dogs...

Bow Street Flowers

BB and I had a wonderful, slow day today; full of coffee, the library and a long, long walk through Cambridge/Somerville. On our way back from The Biscuit, we passed the Bow Street Flowers, which I'd never seen before. It's basically the florist shop of my dreams. (And I'm picky, I worked at a florists for years.) The flowers out in front of the counter were basically an exhibit of all of my favorites, fat pink peonies, elegant white anemones, cheerful tulips and cheeky ranunculus. They even had unripe berries to incorporate into their arrangements. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous...


And when BB bought me a peony, they wrapped it as if it was a Hermes scarf; in a sumptuous sheet of pressed paper and thick brown ribbon.

Plus, they have an in-store rabbit named Petal! I don't care how long a walk it is from my house, I'll be back to this shop within the week. Three cheers for Bow Street Flowers! I wish I knew about you before I got married. Our style feels very much in synch. (Although Petali did a really lovely job. They just have their own style going on and you have to dig it or your out of luck.)

What the Fluff?

My very favorite Cambridge festival is going on in Union Square this weekend!



Maybe I'll see you there. I'll be the one sipping a flufftini.

VeeVee

BB and I stopped for a somewhat impromptu dinner at VeeVee in Jamaica Plain last night and I'm so glad we did. It's a great neighborhood place with a good vibe and a menu that pleases both vegetarians and omnivores. In short, it's my holy grail restaurant.

Curious Boston

BB and I have been compiling a list of suggested itineraries for our wedding guests who are spending the long weekend in Boston. We've got the expected Historical Route (Paul Revere's House, The Freedom Trail, The Old North Church), the Sports Fans Route (Fenway Park, The Cask n' Flagon, The Garden) and even a Shoppers Route (Charles St, South End). But I'm mentally assembling a Route for those who want to see the curious, charming sometimes hidden sites of Boston. I'm thinking I'll call it the Curious Boston Route.

When I first moved to Boston ten years ago, the whole city struck me as curious and magical. And sadly, a lot of the places that made it seem that way are no longer around; I'm thinking of the Avenue Victor Hugo Bookstore and Deli Haus, specifically. But there is still certainly wonder to be found in Boston and here's what I have so far:

1. The Diorama exhibit in the Wiggins Gallery at The Boston Public Library


2. The courtyard at The Boston Public Library


3. Caffe Vitoria


4. The Boston Athenaeum


5. The Mapparium (More on the beaten path than off, but still worth the trip.)


There's plenty more, but I've just started thinking about it. I'll follow up with a more thorough list soon. Please feel free to contribute!