Thursday, April 30, 2015

Fab Finds: Eco Chic Gift Boutique

Exploring Kingston, MA last weekend with my beau, we stumbled upon this great fab find called the Eco Chic Gift Boutique. Filled with beautiful knickknacks and jewelry, we were like kids in a candy store. No seriously, the store manager found Chris to be rather funny with his inquisitiveness and boutique curiosities.

http://ecochicgiftsonline.com/

Their motto "At Eco Chic, we carry gifts and accessories that are; recycled, up-cycled, fair trade, organic, all natural, and most importantly...chic!" kind of explains it all. If you ever visit them, you will find that their Kingston store carries M.I.N.E (Made in New England) products. They also have a second shop in Plymouth, MA. We shopped around teeny-tiny store, that almost seemed overflowing with gifts, for what felt like an hour. Chris purchased a Duxbury Beach ornament for his mom for Mother's Day and I picked up some fun bracelets made from recycled flip flops for my mom and sister. Upon checking out, the store manager told us more about the boutique and their upcoming trunk show.

http://ecochicgiftsonline.com/

This Saturday, May 2nd from 11-3pm, Eco Chic Gift Boutique will be hosting a trunk show that includes a free gift with a purchase of $50 or more. They have a great selection of gifts if you're looking to get your mom something for Mother's Day or a gift for a friend or just something for yourself. I highly recommend checking them out, especially for this trunk show (their prices are on the high-side so you're most likely going to spend $50 or more, might as well enjoy a free gift with it)!

http://ecochicgiftsonline.com/

Check out their website for more information about their products and store locations. And don't forget to join Eco Chic Fashion Boutique this Saturday and devour the details of their trunk show!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Wedding Wednesdays: Our Favorite Wine Favors

Or should I refer to today as Wine Wednesday? I prefer the grapey-goodness myself and I'm sure it'll play a large role in my own wedding someday. I've even been collecting corks, hoping to incorporate them somehow into my reception. So when it came to selecting some of my favorite wine favors, it was hard because I love them all!

Customized Wine Glasses

Custom 9oz. Arc Perfection Personalized Stemless Wine Glasses – From $0.82 Per Glass

Personalized Engraved Wine Wood Stoppers

60 Wood Wine Stoppers - Engraved Custom Personalized Wedding Favor. Would totally do this someday for my imaginary winery wedding where I wear a romantic lace dress haha!

A Sweet Little Thank You Note

love the engagement photo wine bottle wedding favors

Make Your Own Wine

Four steps - each about 1 hour scheduled roughly two weeks apart for a total of six weeks:

1. Mashing and stomping
2. Racking off the "lees"
3. Clearing and stabilizing
4. Bottling (and labeling)!

Visit Vitner's Arbor in Westford, MA for more information!

http://www.vintnersarbor.com/home.html
 
We even like the idea of mini wine bottles
 
Mini Wine Bottle Favors #BridalShower #Wedding #Favors Photo Credit: jen+ashley photography
 
Check out The Knot for some more favor inspiration and devour the details of your favorite grape touches today!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Philanthropic Feature: One Brick Boston

One Brick provides support to local non-profit and community organizations by creating a unique, social and flexible volunteer environment for those interested in making a concrete difference in the community. They enable people to get involved, have an impact and have fun, without the requirements of individual long-term commitments. One Brick has brought volunteers to support over 1,600 organizations, and they add to that list with their events each month. The beneficiaries of the One Brick volunteer efforts have included groups who work for the benefit of children, the environment, food banks, schools, inner city neighborhoods, etc.

With the slogan, "volunteering made easy", One Brick is really taking volunteering to the next level with the simplicity of their organization. You may not believe this but One Brick chapters are 100% volunteer-run! They have minimal employees and don't even maintain offices. In fact, on a National level, One Brick has only one single employee, and two part-time employees who work from a home. Pretty surreal but true!

Their 'commitment-free volunteering' allows you to choose when you volunteer, rather than having to make commitments for a certain number of volunteer hours, or agree to be available every week at a specific time. What also makes them unique? One Brick strives to create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event -- which typically lasts only 3 to 4 hours -- they invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or café where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting and explore further volunteer opportunities.

Interested in getting involved? One Brick Boston has an extensive list of events in need of volunteers! Here are a few just to give you an idea but take a look at their calendar for more information.

ON THE CALENDAR

Help Rebuild New Orleans - Week long trip!
Sat, May 2 1:00am
Mustard Seed Volunteer House
Chalmette


Saturday's Bread
Sat, May 2 12:30pm
The Church of St. John the Evangelist
Boston


Sunday's Bread
Sun, May 3 12:30pm
The Church of St. John the Evangelist
Boston


Bikes Not Bombs Volunteer Night
Thu, May 7 7:00pm
Bikes Not Bombs
Jamaica Plain


Revisions Urban Farm Seedling Sale
Sat, May 9 8:00am
Revisions Urban Farm
Dorchester


Art Bingo!
Sat, May 9 6:00pm
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Boston


Duckling Day Parade
Sun, May 10 9:15am
Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common
Boston


22nd Annual Circle of Friends Gala and Auction
Thu, May 14 5:00pm
Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston
Cambridge


The Bids & the Bees Spring Fundraiser
Fri, May 15 6:00pm
Arts at the Armory
Somerville


One Brick Boston also hosts their own events to raise money! Their May social event will be held at Highball Lounge on Tremont St. on the 14th from 6:30-8:30pm. They encourage you to come by for a drink after work and play some board games, giving you a chance to get to know others who are also interested in giving back to the community! Bring your buddies, meet new people, and start planning your volunteering for the year. Highball Lounge is a One Brick Boston supporter so a portion of proceeds from every Duckie Rose or extra duck you add to any drink will be donated to One Brick! A Highball Lounge signature is to include a teeny-tiny rubber duckie in their cocktails for a fun touch, so don't forget to add a duck to your drink!

DuckieBrick bg

So if you're thinking of volunteering any time soon, join One Brick Boston in devouring the details of these upcoming events!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Second Glass Wine Riot Recap

Saturday night I attended the Second Glass Wine Riot in Boston at the Park Plaza Castle and had a blast! Couldn't have asked for a better night. Upon arriving, the staff greeting the attendees were lively and fun to talk to! They scanned my ticket, gave me an awesome wristband, and handed me my stem-less wine glass so I could be on my way to wine heaven. I can't even begin to tell you all of the wines we tasted but I can show you some photos from the night that will surely make you want to devour the details of this event!

The pivotal Wine Riot light-up sign was on display above the live DJ who played some good wine-drinking tunes all night!

 
They also had tape markings on the floor where attendees could stand to get the perfect shot with the Wine Riot sign!
 
 
To help navigate your way around the castle, Second Glass had this fun directional! I stared at it for quite some time.

 
Plus this map was extremely helpful!
 
 
We had to hit up the photobooth. There were so many props to choose from!

 
We went for these fun ones!
 
 
One of our favorite sections was the bubbly bar. They had the friendliest reps and every single one was tasty!

 
The Food Should Taste Good crackers and chips were a big hit. We also enjoyed the reps at this table, they were very fun!

 

We also devoured some Brooklyn Oyster Party oysters in the matter of seconds. Perfect snack pairing with some of our favorite wines!
 

 
Union Square Donuts from Somerville was also present. We did not get a chance to take a photo of our Maple Bacon Glazed Donut because we ate it that quickly. It was absolutely delicious and the rep was super nice. Highly recommend their return for the next Riot!
 
And now for my favorite part of the night. Total fan girl moment right here. I dedicatedly watched the first season of the Great Food Truck Race to solely follow these guys right here. Taking grilled cheese to the next level, these Boston-natives, brothers James and Mike and can't forget Chef Marc, dominated the competition, making a name for themselves one crazy challenge at a time. Roxy's Grilled Cheese food truck can now be spotted all over Boston and currently occupies a storefront in Allston. We couldn't be happier for them and all of the recognition they're receiving!

 
Oh yeah, just me and James enjoying some quality time (thanks for putting up with me)!
 
 
There were a ton of other vendors and of course the wine reps that were all fantastic as well. You can view a full listing at the Wine Riot website. Lastly, I just wanted to share all of the swag we picked up along our Wine Riot journey!

 
If you want to learn more and drink quality wines, this event is totally for you. Check Second Glass out and join them in devouring the details at the next Wine Riot in Boston, October 23rd-24th!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Spring has Sprung (Fashionably Late) at Assembly Row

Love fashion and shopping? Any plans for Friday, May 1st? If your first answer is yes and you second answer is none, then Assembly Row in Somerville is calling your name. Join 300 guests for the Boston area's biggest spring fashion event, the 4th Annual Step into Spring Fashion Show!

The fashion show has found refuge this year at the new shopping, lifestyle and entertainment center just minutes from Boston. If in attendance, you will get to enjoy a fashion show hosted by Danielle Vollmar of News Channel 5, featuring the latest styles from Assembly Row retailers and a fabulous cocktail party with delicious complimentary appetizers, desserts and cocktails from Assembly Row restaurants.

It gets even better! Wear your sexiest shoes and strut onstage during the Best-in-Shoe competition in front of special celebrity shoe judges. Check out special vendors including Athena's by Karen and IT Works. Bid on terrific items in the silent auction for Project Smile including gift baskets, autographed sports memorabilia, theatre tickets and luxury items from Assembly Row retailers. Special guests Miss Massachusetts USA, Miss New Hampshire USA, Miss Maine USA and the RevGirls.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here! So get yours today and head to Assembly Row to devour the details of all the Spring fashions for 2015!

4th Annual Step into Spring Fashion Show

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Wedding Wednesdays: The Glowing Bride

First off, let me start by saying I am totally okay with going to a tanning salon. In fact, I visit the UV bulbs on occasion. However, this may not be the choice of many brides. These brides may also want to avoid laying out in the sun, especially if their wedding isn't during or after the Summer. So, some other options? Self-tanner, spray tanning, and airbrush tanning come to mind!

If you want to look radiant walking down the aisle, here are some tips for applying self-tanner provided by Brides.com.

Self-Tanner

Prep: Wax or shave 24 hours before applying color and exfoliate right before self-tanning. Then apply moisturizer to your knees, elbows, hands, and feet only. The skin in those areas is dryer and thicker, so it gets darker quickly. A moisture barrier helps dilute the tanner.

Apply: Starting from your ankles, smooth tanner (try L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion, $9.99) to the front, back, and sides of your legs, fully coating your skin to avoid streaks. Massage onto hands and feet, blending in between fingers and toes. Wipe off your nails and palms, pat your skin with a dark towel until it feels dry, and don't shower for eight hours. Reapply every five days to maintain color. Your final application should be two nights before your big day giving it time to develop. Then the day before your wedding retouch areas that need it.

Make it last: Attention, tropical honeymooners: humidity, chlorine, exercise, and massages speed up the fading process. So if you want to stay bronzed without baking in the sun, pack a moisturizer, exfoliator, and gradual self-tanner in your suitcase. Jergens Natural Glow, $8.49 is recommended. Moisturize every day, exfoliate, and reapply the tanner every three days to keep your glow all vacation long.

The Knot provides the good and bad sides of spray and airbrush tanning and some tips for the perfect sunless glow.

Spray Tanning

The Good: Quick and easy! You simply strip down, apply some lotion, similar to self-tanner, step into a booth, and voila! One or two minutes later, you're done. If you choose a spray with bronzer, you should be glowing already. If you picked the regular spray, in 4 to 12 hours you'll look like you're just back from a beach getaway.

The Bad: You can unfortunately get an over-the-top spray tan, like Ross's traumatic tan in that Friends episode. If you've never gone before, get to the salon at least 10 minutes before your appointment time so you can ask the technicians any questions you might have about what to do. Also, though you will be tan after one session, you'll need to go back to deepen and maintain your color.

When to Do It: Start about a month before your wedding. You'll need multiple visits to get the color you want, but you'll want to wait a while between each one to see how well you like it and decide whether to go darker.

Tanning Tips: Before you step into the booth, apply lotion to body parts that shouldn't get too dark just as you would at home with self-tanner (salons usually provide moisturizer). It's especially important to rub it into your cuticles and on your fingertips to keep your nail beds from changing color. If you opt for a formula that includes a temporary bronzer, get the gym out of the way (sweat may make the color rub off onto clothing). To get the most out of your tan and let it fully develop, don't shower or swim for at least 12 to 24 hours after your tanning session (if you can wait even longer, that's better still, but we don't completely recommend that)!

Airbrush Tanning

The Good: A salon or spa technician sprays you with a fine mist of UV-free tanning solution. The color is custom-calibrated, so the technician can fine-tune your hue and even contour your muscles to give you a more defined look. This is also the best method for concealing stretch marks, scars, and cellulite. Getting an airbrush tan usually takes about 30 minutes and lasts 5 to 10 days.

The Bad: It's not for the super-self-conscious (though it's no more invasive than your average bikini wax). The technician has to get up close and personal, and you'll have to strike several poses to make sure you're covered. It's also the most expensive method. If you truly want a seamless glow you should still go to a pro airbrush tanner.

When to Do It: Book your appointment for a few days before your wedding, or, if you think you'll be too busy, one week before (then follow up with self-tanner to maintain your color). Since you're paying big bucks for flawless application, you want to get it done when you can flaunt it.

Tanning Tips: If you're headed for a spa, consider scheduling a body scrub before you tan. This mega-exfoliation makes your skin feel amazing, and it will help your tan last and last. Afterward, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Skin that's fully hydrated will keep your tan intact.

So stock up on the moisturize and make sure you do you research before devouring the details of one of these faux glows!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Wine Riot!

Boston's Wine Riot hosted by Second Glass is being held this weekend, April 24-25th, at the Castle at the Park Plaza Hotel. What is Second Glass you ask? Well, Second Glass helps people discover new wines, remember what they drink and share that info with their friends by bringing wineries and wine drinkers together through technology and in-person events. Second Glass develops online and mobile tools for both wine consumers and wine producers, creates a plethora of editorial content and hosts Wine Riot, a huge, innovative and interactive wine event in six cities across the US, all with the goal of getting people to drink more wine.

Want to know more about the Wine Riot? This event is your all access pass to hundreds of new wines. With two parts education and one part revolution, Wine Riot has reinvented "wine tasting" for the thirsty and curious. Grab a glass and hit the floor; you've got 250 wines from across the globe to sip on. Travel the world of wine all under one roof and tackle things you've never tried before.

In addition to all of that, they've rallied up a team of die-hard experts to bring you some expert knowledge: interactive booths and crash courses loaded with tips and tricks for conquering the wine world. Fueling your night of discovering new grape varieties and many blended wines is a tireless DJ, photo booth, temporary tattoos, and a few thousand of your closest friends. The best part of the event is the app that Second Glass developed to track your favorite wines and then shows you where to buy them later, arming you with all the tools needed for total wine domination.

Quite the event! And I'm sad to say it is already sold out (I got my tickets a few months ago though, so I'm in)! However, if you're looking for a way in, Second Glass is giving away pairs of tickets over the course of this week. You can join their waitlist or participate in the following:

1. Follow Second Glass on Instagram

One day this week they will post instructions on how you can win a pair of tickets to Wine Riot Boston. Follow their Instagram to find out how!
2. Subscribe to the Second Glass YouTube Channel

Subscribe to their YouTube channel, watch some videos, and post a comment on any video you like. Whoever leaves their favorite comment will win a pair of tickets to Wine Riot, so get creative!
One comment = one entry, watch and comment as many times as you want. They’ll announce the winner in a video next week so be sure you subscribe to our channel!

3. Show Second Glass Your Best #TBT

Show them your favorite pics from past Wine Riots! Use #WineRiot and tag @secondglass in a #TBT photo this week to enter. Their favorite entry will win a pair of Wine Riot tickets. They will announce the winner on Instagram so make sure you’re following Second Glass!

4. Ask Wine Questions in a Facebook Q&A

Second Glass has four Q&As taking place on Facebook this week! Ask a wine (or beer!) question for a chance to win a pair of Wine Riot Boston tickets:

Tuesday, 4/21
Quady Winery
Craft Beer Cellars (yep, there’s beer at Wine Riot too!)

Wednesday, 4/22
Blue Crane Imports
Westport Rivers

The post goes live at 10am EST on their Facebook Page.
5. Sign Up for the Wine of the Weekend Email

Every Thursday Second Glass sends out an email with educational content about a grape, region, or style perfect for the upcoming weekend. They make videos and pick three wines you should try. It’s an awesome email to get your feet wet with wine or discover new bottles and info. This week, they’ll be giving instructions on how to win tickets on Thursday morning. Watch your inbox because this will be your last chance to win!

https://secondglass.com/event-categories/wineriot/

Get ready to devour the details of this riot and enter to win today! Hope to see you there!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Marathon Monday: How To Thank Your Marathon Runner

Happy Marathon Monday! There is nothing more inspiring than seeing millions of people band together for charity and to honor those that were lost in the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon. We are forever #BostonStrong. If you have a runner participating in that 26.2 mile mission, here are some ways to thank them today!

1. A high five or hug

Nothing will give a runner more motivation or feeling of accomplishment than these two things. A little compassion goes a long way. If you see a marathon runner today, be sure to give them a high five or hug!

2. A celebratory beer

Maybe a water first but then definitely a beer. And if beer is not their thing, maybe some cider, wine, or even a shot of tequila will do. I'm sure your runner will already be buzzing from the high of a 26.2 mile run but a drink or two or three may be just what they need!

We recommend visiting the Downeast Cider House. They're open Friday-Sunday for tours and pours. Check out their website for more information!



3. A giftcard for a massage

If you just ran a marathon don't you think you'd need a little relaxation as well? Let them indulge in a day off their feet by giving them a giftcard for a massage! Find out what their favorite spa may be and contribute to whatever services they need.

4. A steak dinner or some 'chowdah'

Let them eat whatever they want actually. Do you know how many calories they must've just burned? We would let them have two steaks if they wanted to! Maybe slip a banana in there as well so they don't cramp up.

We recommend visiting Del Frisco's Steakhouse. Located in the Seaport area with beautiful views of the water. Nothing says you're feeling more accomplished than finishing a marathon and a steak from Del Frisco's. Check out their website for more information. We also recommend Legal Harborside, located in the Seaport area as well, for every Bostonian's favorite, some delicious New England Clam Chowder.

5. A ton of swag

Take as much free stuff along the marathon route as possible to commemorate the day and create a scrapbook or just have as keepsakes. We also recommend visiting Marathon Sports to pick up any and all Boston Marathon 2015 gear. Our favorite hot running item this year are the lobster inspired sneakers. Nothing screams Boston more than these wicked awesome kicks!

Brooks Men's Boston Edition Launch 2 - Boston Lobster (1101881D629)

6. A donation

If you haven't already, you should absolutely 100% donate to your runner. Or any runner for that matter. They just completed an extremely mentally and physically challenging task and all they are asking for in return is your support for one of their local or favorite charities. Any contribution helps so please donate today!

Celebrate your marathon runner with these interesting ideas and devour the details of the 2015 Boston Marathon! #finishstrong

Friday, April 17, 2015

Ben & Jerry's Out-Do Themselves Again

In a fantastic update by Boston.com, it has been revealed that Ben & Jerry's is at it again and clearly out-doing themselves with their 21+ new product... beer! Teaming up with the New Belgium Brewing company, our two favorite dairymen will bring the world ‘Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale’ this Fall which contains 6.2 percent alcohol by volume. Can you imagine how good that will taste? Yum!

“We’re big fans of New Belgium Brewery, their values, and their fun culture, and of course, their beer,” said senior global marketing manager Jay Curley in a statement. “We’re excited for the campaign we’ve developed together. When two B corps collaborate, our fans can expect something both delicious and impactful.” And it will have a huge impact! We're excited to find out more details as the year goes on.

View image on Twitter

I can't even drink beer but would so be willing to try this! Looking forward to see Ben & Jerry's and the New Belgium Brewing company devour the details of many other ice cream flavor favorites as this new partnership goes on!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wedding Wednesdays: Have Your Polish Compliment Your Bling

Once you're engaged and wearing that ring around, you want to make sure your nails are in perfect shape for showing it off! Have your polish compliment your ring to make it extra noticeable. Your hands will standout in your engagement photos with these tips and tricks from The Knot for the best manicure to make your ring sparkle and shine even more!

Barkev's rose gold engagement ring

This apple red polish will highlight the pink accents in your rose gold ring for a look any romantic would envy. Red polish, $9, Fifth Avenue, Essie.com.

Engagement ring by Barkev's

Christopher Designs art deco engagement ring

Your diamonds won't be the only bling reflecting the light, your nails will too when your polish has little flecks of silver shining in it. Shimmer polish, $27, Dior Vernis, macys.com.

Engagement ring by Christopher Designs

Demarco yellow gold engagement ring

Pair an elegant, timeless yellow gold engagement ring, with an even more classic sheer pink manicure. Pink polish, $21, Estee Lauder in Ballerina, lordandtaylor.com.

Engagement ring by Demarco

Diamond Ideals engagement ring

Let your solitaire diamond be the center of attention and pair your ring finger with a barely-there nude hue. Nude polish, $7, Sally Hansen in Sheer Ecstasy, walmart.com.

Engagement ring by Diamond Ideals

Elma Gil engagement ring

The double band on this outstanding semi-mount diamond ring is already going to turn heads, so go ahead and give them another reason to stare with a light blue mani! Powder blue polish, $11, Formula X in Pastel Sky, Sephora.com.

Engagement ring by Elma Gil

Henri Daussi engagement ring

Any other color wouldn't stand up to this diamond's shine! Let it sparkle all on its own by keeping your nails understated with a subtle peachy-pink polish. Opaque polish, $7, OPI in Passion, drugstore.com.

Engagement ring by Henri Daussi

A.jaffe sapphire engagement ring

Enhance the deep hues of your beautiful sapphire stone with equally rich, jewel-toned tips. Navy polish, $18, Deborah Lippmann in Rolling in the Deep, beauty.com.

Engagement ring by A. Jaffe

Aspen Diamonds engagement ring

A bright white polish is the perfect look for a modern, posh style ring with an of-the-moment diamond halo. Just heavenly! White polish, $20, Nars Cosmetics in Ecume, barneys.com.

Engagement ring by Aspen & Co

Let your ring sing and your polish be the backup! Devour the details of your perfect engagement ring mani with these fabulous ideas from The Knot!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Pack Up and Get Out

Now that the warmer weather is on its way, pack up and get out to the great outdoors! Check out these five day trips from Boston to mother nature's destinations that will have you feeling free in the warm sunshine. Some fresh air will do you good!

Zip line in Charlemont (2 hours from Boston)

Nestled in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Charlemont is home to what they say is the first zip line canopy tour in southern New England: Deerfield Valley Zip Line Canopy Tour.

Nestled in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Charlemont is home to what they say is the first zip line canopy tour in southern New England: Deerfield Valley Zip Line Canopy Tour. They opened in 2009 and offer a three-hour zip line tour through the trees on 11 different tracks with sky bridges and platforms where adventurers can enjoy views of the forest below. Deerfield Valley also has places you can whitewater raft, kayak, and rock climb.

Take a hike on West Rattlesnake Mountain in New Hampshire. (2 hours from Boston)

West Rattlesnake Mountain is filled with green scenery and rare plants bordering Squam Lake. At the lake, there is a natural science center where visitors can learn about animals that inhabit the area through a variety of exhibits.

West Rattlesnake Mountain is filled with green scenery and rare plants bordering Squam Lake. At the lake, there is a natural science center where visitors can learn about animals that inhabit the area through a variety of exhibits. The center also offers 90-minute guided river cruises that showcase “rocky shores, celebrated islands, historic homes, scenic mountain views, and remarkable wildlife."

See a real castle in Gillette Castle State Park in Connecticut. (2 hours from Boston)

At this state park, visitors can glimpse into Connecticut history.

At this state park, visitors can glimpse into Connecticut history. The castle, which is a 24-room mansion and looks like a medieval castle, opens on Memorial Day for tours, but the grounds around it are open year-round. William Hooker Gillette had the castle built in the early 1900s: It took 20 men five years to do it. Nearby is the Connecticut Art Trail, which is trail that connects 18 museums and historic sites.

Get some great ocean views at Colt State Park in Rhode Island. (90 minutes from Boston)

Near the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, this state park offers “464 acres of lawns, stone walls, and curving drives along one of the state’s most spectacular shorelines.”

Near the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, this state park offers “464 acres of lawns, stone walls, and curving drives along one of the state’s most spectacular shorelines.” Visitors can see panoramic views of Narragansett Bay, and even bike on one of the 4 miles of trails. There’s also water access for visitors who want to kayak.

Last but not least, my favorite place of all..

Get in touch with your poetic side at Walden Pond. (30 minutes from Boston)

Just a short drive from Boston, Walden Pond in Concord is where Henry David Thoreau lived from July 1845 to September 1847. His experience at Walden provided the material for the book, Walden.

Just a short drive from Boston, Walden Pond in Concord is where Henry David Thoreau lived from July 1845 to September 1847. His experience at Walden provided the material for the book, Walden.
Walden Pond has 335 acres of natural space and is a swimming destination in the summer. There are trails to hike and even a replica of Thoreau’s cabin.

Check out Boston.com for more awesome adventures like these that will get you to devour the details this Summer!

Five Fine Coachella Fashions

Refinery29 hit Coachella hard during their rookie appearance among fashionistas this past weekend. We love the features and feedback they're bringing to us East Coasters that are unable to attend the epic festival. Refinery29 showed us some styles to be inspired by. Here are my five favorite Coachella fashions that I'm daring you to try this Summer!

Back in black, coven-chic for all my Witches..

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85205/coachella-2015-street-style-pictures?utm_source=email&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=everywhere&utm_campaign=150413-coachella-2015-street-style-pictures#slide-11

Hit 'em with the high slit, show off your legs this Summer

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85205/coachella-2015-street-style-pictures?utm_source=email&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=everywhere&utm_campaign=150413-coachella-2015-street-style-pictures#slide-17

Make a shoe-statement, pair a pair of fresh kicks with a maxi!

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85205/coachella-2015-street-style-pictures?utm_source=email&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=everywhere&utm_campaign=150413-coachella-2015-street-style-pictures#slide-22

Orange still may be the new black and we love it as a mini-dress

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85205/coachella-2015-street-style-pictures?utm_source=email&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=everywhere&utm_campaign=150413-coachella-2015-street-style-pictures#slide-23

Create a uniformed look with a matching set, top it off with a black-brimmed hat

http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85205/coachella-2015-street-style-pictures?utm_source=email&utm_medium=editorial&utm_content=everywhere&utm_campaign=150413-coachella-2015-street-style-pictures#slide-26

Check out more Coachella 2015 fashions from Refinery29 and get inspired to devour the details of your style this Summer!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

#BumpOutCancer

A new viral media challenge is on the rise with the sweetest face we've ever seen behind it all. You might not know his name, but you've certainly seen Liam Fitzgerald and his famous Bruins fist bump. Now he's capitalizing on his viral fame to “Bump Out Cancer” and is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A true inspiration to us all, Liam has Down syndrome, and at 9 years old has already beaten cancer, and is doing work to give back to a cause near and dear to his heart.

The challenge asks that five people take a picture or make a short video of them fist bumping, share that picture or video on social media and donate $5 to #BumpOutCancer, then challenge five friends to do the same thing. For the next 10 weeks every dollar raised through the campaign gives Liam one point toward being the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year. The Bruins have jumped on-board giving Liam his own table setup at games where fans can be photographed or videoed fist bumping this amazing little guy! My sister was able to participate and loved every minute with Liam!


I am lucky enough to work with Liam's cousin, Samantha, who will be hosting a fundraiser this month is his honor. The goal of this fundraiser is the same as the challenge, to raise enough money in 10 weeks to get Liam the most points towards becoming the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year. To date, these "Man & Woman of the Year" leaders have helped LLS invest more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies that are saving lives today and helping us all achieve the LLS goal of a world without blood cancers. The funds raised through Man & Woman of the Year are used in many ways: the continuing research and development of breakthrough therapies, free blood cancer information, education and support, to support patients in their communities through our 61 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, to drive policies that accelerate the development and approval of new treatments, to advocate for blood cancer survivors and their families, helping patients navigate their cancer treatments and ensuring that they have access to quality, affordable and coordinated care.

Samantha has recently been certified as a Barre instructor and will be hosting two free classes, Saturday, April 11th and Saturday, April 18th at noon at The Energy Barre in Beverly. They ask that you please bring a minimum cash donation of $10.00 to help Liam reach his goal. For more information, or if you are not able to make it and would like to donate please go to: http://www.mwoy.org/pages/ma/ma15/sscarpa. Check out her event on Facebook.


The deadline to donate towards the Man of the Year title is Thursday, May 21st, 2015 at 6:30pm EDT. I'm asking all of my readers to devour the details of this challenge, whether you choose to participate in the picture/video portion, attend these awesome barre classes, or simply donate directly to this wonderful cause. Liam is one-of-a-kind and should be recognized for his great fundraising efforts and support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Together we can and we will #BumpOutCancer!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Wedding Wednesdays: A Literal Take On 'Save the Date'

They call it "Operation: Save the Date". A clever pun for these movie lovers who take on this Mission: Impossible theme to announce their wedding day. Co-stars and soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs., Tyler MacNiven and his fiancée, Kelly, wanted to make their wedding “save the date” special. So why not make an action movie out of it? The plot involves an important wedding document that has been stolen and this highly trained duo is on a mission to bring it back.

In the movie you will find that they have a very unique set of secret weapons and tools to take down the bad guys. Don't be surprised to see that a bridal bouquet is a weapon of 'mass distraction'. There's even an explosion or two. You won't want to miss this epic announcement!

Friends and family pitched in to make the video perfect. There’s the bride punching out her real-life brother, who is a fight choreographer and former WWE wrestler. And Tyler is no stranger to epic adventures. Along with his friend B.J. Averell, he won Season 9 of The Amazing Race! According to Tyler, the couple spent only about $400 making the video, and most of that went to “sandwiches, snacks, and champagne for the cast.”

And if you're finding it hard to believe that these two aren't professional filmmakers, well you'll be surprised to find that Tyler owns a San Francisco restaurant called West of Pecos with his two brothers, and Kelly is finishing up her Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience at Stanford University. The couple plans on blowing up a giant cake at their wedding and we would expect nothing less from the pair! Couldn't be happier for these two and we wish them the best of luck topping this "Save the Date" movie and devouring the details of their actual wedding day!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Sneak Peek: Coachella 2015

Don't be surprised to hear that many brands are moving from the dry-lands this year and into more targeted and intimate settings at this year's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. These brands are looking to capture a better-curated mix of influencers who may want stay away from the desert. If you didn't already know, Coachella, since 2012, has been extended to a two-weekend format, making it a truly desirable event for all brands to want to market at. In fact, so many brands hopped on board the marketing bandwagon for the year's biggest music festival that parties only got bigger, and—perhaps inevitably—some became less exclusive.

https://www.coachella.com/

That is why this year, we will see a new set of unofficially affiliated parties that largely mark a move toward the more intimate and targeted. Gone this year is the massive desert pool party from Lacoste. Guess, similarly, will cede its takeover of Palm Springs' Viceroy hotel. However, some brands will still host blowouts including festival newcomer PopSugar, which will have its Cabana Club weekend-long celebration with ShopStyle. And on an even larger-scale, Brent Bolthouse's Neon Carnival, most notably, will be back for its sixth year on the scene, but with a new lineup of sponsors including presenting sponsor Paper magazine, Pacific Sun, Dope the movie, and tequila Don Julio (my favorite).

Back to that more intimate and pampered feel we were talking about earlier, M.A.C. Cosmetics and Mia Moretti will host a daytime poolside event at the Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs on Friday, taking cues from their collaboration collection inspired by the upcoming summer festival season. Well-known makeup artists will do touch-ups on site to make you even more flawless. Also among the lower-profile retreats is one at the 20-room Sparrows Lodge, where guest can expect a luxe, insider vibe with healthy fare, cocktails from Absolut Elyx, gitfing suites, and spa and beauty treatments. My kind of party!

https://www.coachella.com/

Truly showing off this year's trend of keeping it small, official festival sponsor H&M will host a so-called “sunset cocktails” party at the Parker Palm Springs. Just 75 guests are expected to attend. The number is a huge contrast to the massive fete it held at the 40-acre Merv Griffin estate its first year with a party off the polo fields with almost 700 people in attendance. Another newcomer, Rachel Zoe and The Zoe Report, will host an exclusive pool party with Dolce Vita on Saturday in Palm Springs for its favorite fashionistas.

Pandora will bring Questlove for its Cathedral City party, which will include a giant teeter-totter and snow cones. How awesome does that sound? Newcomer Refinery29 will host a party at the Saguaro that will include festival hair braiding from Garnier. Lastly, the weekend-long pool party known as the Influential House will draw about 100 targeted social media influencers and brands meant to engage them. In 2014, the party garnered one billion gross social media impressions for the hashtag #TINhouse, and had three No. 1 worldwide trends on Twitter; an unbelievable outcome.

This year, Brent Bolthouse's six-year-old Neon Carnival will get new sponsors, including presenting sponsorship from Paper magazine. Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Neon Carnival

We can't wait to see how these events will all go down this weekend! Check back for more festival fun updates and devour the details of Coachella 2015 with us!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Six Sensational Ways to Use Leftover Easter Candy

In need of some more Spring time desserts for post-Easter festivities? Want to bring some sweets into your office, your child's school, or to a fundraiser? Check out these six sensational ways to turn your excessive Easter candy into a scrumptious treat. Just when you wanted to avoid the dessert table, the sweets are back again!

Spring Snack Mix

Spring Snack Mix

Get the recipe here!

Jelly Bean Donuts

Jelly Bean Donuts

Get the recipe here!

Cadbury Caramel Stuffed Croissants

Cadbury Caramel Egg Stuffed Croissants
 
Get the recipe here!

Spring Bark

Easter Bunny Bark

Get the recipe here!

Cadbury Egg Blondies

Cadbury Egg Blondies

Get the recipe here!

Jelly Bean Infused Vodka.. Who says a cocktail can't be dessert?


Get the recipe here!

Don't just stop at these sweet treat recipes, get creative and devour the details of your very own leftover Easter candy desserts! We'd love to see what you create so be sure to come back and share!