Beach / WHAT JEN DOES

Beach

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last beach weekend?

8.27.2013

I'm not sure if this was the last beach weekend of the summer. It might have been. I certainly behaved like it was the end of wearing bathing suits all day.

There was no cooking. Just a fair amount of eating anything I wanted ... which oddly didn't include a single BLT. I got ice cream from my favorite place twice and had bagels every morning. I had plans to run each morning but instead took walks with Ruby May. Despite being at the beach most weekends this summer, it was the first time in a few weeks that all the "kids" were home and it was pretty great.

I'm not quite ready to give up on summer but it feels like the end is near. I guess the upside is that I can transition to fleeces and leggings.

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weekend in review

8.19.2013

It's Monday morning and the weather man told me that today would be a perfect beach day. Sadly, I'll be sitting in a swivel desk chair for most of the day instead of smelling like sunblock and cruising through magazines.

That being said, the weekend was pretty dreamy and including lots of quality time with my baby brother. I managed to get a run in both weekend days, eat Everything bagels with chive cream cheese, do a little cooking, and coax the sun into naturally lightening my hair a bit more.

Until next weekend when I probably try to put something else from the garden into a galette dough ...

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weekend snap happy

5.21.2012

As previously documented, I had an amazing weekend in Palm Beach. It had a little bit of everything. Sun, bacon, sand, rain, drinks, new friends, old friends.

This will now have been my third trip to Florida in just as many months, which seems like a lot to me considering I'm not actually a member AARP or a Disneyland fanatic. But, it was obviously amazing and totally worth it.

I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have. For instance, I have zero with the amazing bride but I still took some and I still had a very memorable weekend attempting to be classy in Palm Beach. And here is the evidence. I'll let you be the judge.

Bird's eye view of Boston from the aeroplane. Bonus points for sunset and wonderful pink skies.

Wonderfully complete wedding welcome package. I am especially thankful for the "fancy Mounds bar" and the Advil. The alligator gummies were also delightful.

Just a little poolside reading and relaxation. I'm a sucker for amazingly big and soft towels that are brightly colored. I didn't make it very far into the book. I was just too popular with the other pool guests.

Afternoon walks by the beach. The water is so perfect that it feels artificial. Like they took a vote on the perfect temperature and just set the ocean to that. I'm not joking. I loved it... until I saw fish.

BLT. Extra Bacon. Extra wonderful. Savored slowly over a book during a quick afternoon rainstorm.

Poolside at the Breakers on Saturday. Feeling fancy.

On vacation you can get margarita in a can.... you can also get a burger that will be so amazing you might want two. But then you remember you have to get into a black tie suitable dress later, so you only have one beer and one burger.

Amazing gardens at the Breakers. Perfect for conversation and "etc".

Tea lights make everything more romantic.... but that gorgeous hoopa covered in even more amazing flowers was pretty awesome too. I wonder what the protocol is for a Catholic who wants a hoopa covered in flowers?

I have a lot of glasses. I love all of them and all of their contents. Over the course of the evening the glasses were accompanied by a trio of salmon appetizer, amazing halibut, make your own sundae, and wedding cake. All facts.

Post wedding face. Almost home and on the water taxi back to the North End. Sleep is overrated so until this point I have decided to only sleep an hour. I've learned that is not the best decision.

This is the only way I wish to commute to the airport going forward.

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love and light

5.20.2012

Last night I watched one of my oldest friends get married.

I could tell you about the phenomenal food, sitting by the pool, making new friends, or how I rented my dress from Rent the Runway. But all of those seem trivial compared to sitting next to your first friend from college as she removes her aching feet from her wedding shoes.

I can't quite describe it but as we sat next to the excitement of the dance floor, I almost felt like we could have been anywhere chatting. That's the best thing about Carrie. She makes you feel like you are her sole focus.

But then you realize that you aren't wearing sundresses and traipsing around Nantucket or cooking together in a kitchen. In actuality, your friend is sitting in front of you in an amazing dress and radiating happiness on her wedding day with the guy who stole her heart. I can't even put words to that.

I've always believed in love but there is something so incredible about seeing a friend in love.

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(brief) beach life.

3.12.2012

Last night I got home from the airport at 10pm. the previous three nights, I went to dinner at 10 pm. Yep, ladies and gentleman I was a bit of a baller.

That is if your definition of a baller is staying up until 1 am, taking cat naps by the pool, and at one point noshing on some gold. Yes, I said gold.

My long weekend in Miami was just what the doctor ordered. We haven't had an incredibly tough, or even moderately tough for that matter, winter in Boston ... But there is something renewing about laying in the sun with some besties and gossiping your heart out. I feel like an Ikea table that someone just refinished and is now going to sell on Craigslist at a profit.

While I compose my somewhat witty thoughts on our Miami adventures, I'll share a few pictures of things that made my heart go pitter patter over the last few days.

Stay tuned for adventures including backless outfits, pool butlers, and day naps on giant poolside beds.

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What? I've been busy.

11.29.2011

I haven't blogged in awhile. Don't be mad. I've just been super busy.

It's been a whirlwind of a week.

Remember last week when I posted those great pictures of me walking to work through the park? Well, this week I'm in Phoenix. I can walk to the client for sure (in gorgeous weather no less) but I did have to fly to get here. Boo! Spoiler alert? Phoenix is further than I thought. It was a 6 hr flight. Who knew? Not me.

So what's happened in the last week? I got put on a really great project team at work. I don't like to talk about work here (on the blog) but I'm really excited about this opportunity because what I'm participating in is like the essence of what my new company does. I've wanted to be close to the "source of innovation" and this is pretty much it.

Other things? We had a really great Thanksgiving at home. I wore elastic banded pants the entire time. Holla for leggings! We took some great walks to the beach, snuggled in front of the fire, and drank endless pots of coffee. I wanted to do some baking but never really got around to it. Driving to the grocery store was much less enticing than watching Friends DVDs on repeat.

I also made some significant changes to my lovely new apartment. Can I still call it new? I've technically been living there since mid-October. I brought up two new chairs .... and two Christmas trees. That makes sense right? It's a one bedroom apartment with two trees. But seriously, it was great. Is there anything better than having a few friends over for Sunday dinner and decorating a tree? I'll answer that for you. No, there isn't.

We feasted on some pasta. But not just pasta....I sauteed some garlic, crisped up some prosciutto, and tossed in some big meatballs .... oh and there was fresh bread. One more point for the North End!

Stay tuned for more tales about my "alive" Christmas tree ... Baby Sister and I fully documented the excursion so perhaps they'll be a post about that this week.

In the meantime, this is what Phoenix looks like (through a dirty hotel window)... tonight we are going to an English pub ... and tomorrow a Blues Bar. This might be the most social I've been at work in years. In the event that doesn't put me into shock, perhaps the fact that this is the first time in forever that I won't have stayed at a Hilton.

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Running by moon light

11.09.2011

Live updates aren't just for Yosemite :)

I'm smack in the middle of a run by moon light .... And it's awesome.

I'm jamming out to the new Kelly Clarkson and smelling the ocean. The beach is wet because the tide is going out. When you run over the wet sand there is like this whole different breeze at your feet. It feels pretty great .... But then again that could be the full moon wooing me. If so, it's winning.

(Charlie Sheen style, my brother would add that ...)

Xoxo.

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Fall in the Yard

11.08.2011

I've got a few more days left of vacation and so I'm spending them outside as much as possible.

After my walk to the beach this morning, there was this scattering of leaves in the corner of the yard. My parents don't have many trees that shed their leaves so it was a rare opportunity to capture some fall foliage in the yard.

I really enjoy taking one situation and looking at it a few different ways. Remember the one shell four ways post? or the one crab five ways post? Well, here is one chair (and leaves) three ways.

After being on my belly taking the pictures, I rolled over and just laid on my back. Even though the grass was a bit damp and the tree was almost empty of leaves.... it still felt / looked a bit perfect.

Bonus Image:

Since I can't control myself, here is what Minot Beach looks like when Fall truly has come. I didn't even know those beach rose bushes (or whatever is growing there) would change colors. An unexpected surprise.

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Painted Nails and Juice Bars (Day 8)

11.06.2011

Don’t be too disappointed in me. I didn’t take a lot of pictures on Saturday. I’m sorry but I was busy enjoying the sun and catching up with friends.

The day was primarily filled with walking around Santa Monica and doing very leisurely things, but I did start the day by eating two chocolate covered pretzels in bed. What? It’s still vacation. The pretzels are delish and if Kristin wasn’t here, I probably would have had a third (or fourth).

One thing that totally blows my mind is how varying different parts of LA can be. I mean in 10 minutes you can go from urban city to ocean lover. It’s really quite great. And that’s exactly what I did. I went from urban city to ocean lover when I went to Santa Monica.

So what happened in Santa Monica?

(1) Chit chat

(2) Lunch

(3) Mani / Pedis

(4) Romantic Pier Walks and Dinner

Now for the details....

Santa Monica was super easy to get to and really great to walk around. I went to Jenny’s adorable apartment and we promptly got coffee and walked to the beach. I wish I had a better picture to share with you but I forgot my memory card. Le sad. But, the beach really was gorgeous and it was so nice to just sit and catch up.

After strolling and relaxing and chatting.... we decided it was time for lunch. Our original attempt? This place called Huckleberry Cafe. I say "original" because we walked in the front door and were blown away by the delish menu they offered. Then, we walked to the back of the line... which was literally out the back door. I have NEVER seen a line like this for a food place. Next choice? The place next door called Santa Monica Seafood.

I had a phenomenal salad that came chock full of capers to my delight. Jenny had this delish seafood "stew" that came with giant delectably toasted pieces of bread.... and I may have eaten one of them :)

A few other delights from Santa Monica:

Jenny needed a new mattress, so we swung by Leed's Mattress store... simple enough right? Well, the guy (Robin) pretty much refused to explain the store and selection to us because "that isn't how they sell mattresses" and instead wanted Jenny to lie on all of them to see what she liked so she wouldn't become prejudice by price or name. No thanks Sir. Also, Jenny told him her name was Janet... and at that point I quite literally burst out in laughter. I attempted to cover myself by saying that the situation wasn't funny... I just had never bought a mattress before. Yes. Exactly.
After lunch we met up with my hostess with the most-est Kristin and got manicures and pedicures. Apparently, the color I picked (Wicked by Essie) was so great that the woman next to me wanted it as well. I'm a trend-setter. Who knew? (Certainly not all of my cardigans)
Post-beauty treatment, Kristin took me to this juice bar named Kreation where I had a lovely cocktail called the "grasshopper". Kristin is a pretty big fan of carrot juice, which I didn't even know could be made into juice. Who knew? Not me. The Grasshopper had apple, cucumber, mint and wheatgrass in it and I really liked it. Plus the man making the juice wonders was also super cute, that didn't hurt the sale either.

Since dinner time was approaching, we decided that Mexican food would be appropriate. But before we dove into a pit of guacamole, Kristin and I took a romantic stroll on the Pier. The Pier seemed to be quite the hot spot and a great place to take in the sunset (see 1st picture above). The Beach also gave us a great opportunity to play on the swings which we gave our best attempt at....

There was a whole group of people that were doing all of these acrobatics .... and I guess we just couldn't compete. Maybe next trip to Santa Monica.

For dinner, we ate at this place called Lula Cocina and it was pretty good.... although Kristin was a tad bit disappointed. I will say that they certainly didn't hold back on the tequila in those drinks.

One more full day in LA... and then it's back to Boston.

So, I'll leave you with this gem...

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Sea Lions.... and Airplanes (Day 7)

11.05.2011

I can’t even remember what life was like traveling pre-smartphones. It’s really an incredible convenience. For example, after I used my iPhone to navigate to SF today I not only found the nearest BART station, but I also bought my plane ticket to LAX and reserved my rental car. In probably less than 5 minutes.

This morning I woke up not to my alarm, but rather to the rain drops hitting the windows. Le sad. If it was raining, how was I going to re-do my beach jumping shots? Don’t fret. The rain cleared shortly before sunrise and it was a gorgeous morning. Thanks again nature.

(1) Morning Beach Action Because of all the rain that we got the night before the sand was super cold on my feet, but I didn’t let that stop me from running around. When I first started this vacation, I would kind of wait for people to leave the scene before I would set up my tripod and run around… now it’s like I’m putting on a show. I’m totally on board.

A couple of things?

Is there anything better than the beach in the morning? I’m not sure there is. Especially when it comes with coffee and crashing waves.
There was a paddle boarder who was doing some serious work on the waves. I was impressed… all I could remember was that giant seaweed I had seen the day before.
Anytime I’m looking out at the open ocean, I secretly think there is a chance I’m going to see a whale jump. I really believe this. One of these days it will happen, just probably not off the coast of Scituate, MA.
Upside to freezing cold feet? Warming them in front of the fire when I went back inside :)

I was really reluctant to leave the beach. It was like if I didn’t leave the beach, the party wouldn’t be over. So as a stall tactic, I called my mom to check in and say hello. She asked me how I was and then proceeded to prove to me that she’d read my blog by reciting the key facts from the day before. (Good girl Mom). I also conveyed to her how pleased I was with myself for “perfecting” the beach jumping and she said “if that isn’t what vacation is for, I don’t know what is”… or something like that. I’d have to agree with her.

(2) Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz was not an intended target on this trip but I was reluctant to just drive to the airport. That didn’t seem super exciting. So instead I looked at the map and saw Santa Cruz … plus I saw on the news last night that there were whales “playing with” (or just jumping near) some kayakers… and that seemed exciting (not that I’m was going to be doing any kayaking.

Santa Cruz was a wee bit deserted. Yes, it was like 10 or 11 in the morning …. But I was hoping for a bit more activity. This place was shut down. But…. BUT…. The seal lions were still around to give us a show. Thanks Sea Lions.

A few things?

Some of these suckers were huge and some looked like little babies. Regardless, I didn’t want to fall in the water. Not that there was a risk of it… but I just became really cognizant of the fact that they might think I was a play toy if I ended up over the edge of the wharf
After perusing the dock, I drove along the coast for a bit before heading back to the highway. There were tons of surfers. What are they doing for a living that they can go surfing at lunchtime on Friday? (BTW, I pretty much just realized it was Friday)
Santa Cruz reminded me a little bit of Hull, MA. I’m sure they’d find that flattering (sarcasm). I bet it has a whole lot more charm in the warm weather.

(3) Back to SF and on to LA!

The drive to SF was super easy thanks in part to this new app I downloaded for my iPhone called Waze. It’s a turn by turn directions app that has a little bit of network effects thrown in there as well. The more people that track their driving the better the app will estimate routes and show traffic updates (I think). Anyway, it was super easy. After returning my beloved Chevy Traverse, I hoped on the BART and headed to SFO.

The Airport is one bazillion times better than Philly but they don’t have (or I couldn’t find) an Auntie Annie’s. Which is probably a blessing in disguise and I should take that as a hint. Speaking of the airport…. this leg from SFO to LAX is the last segment I need to level-up on United. I’m not counting on an upgrade for my return flight to Boston on Monday, but it’d be nice :)

So what’s up next? I’m spending the weekend in LA and taking in the sights with my two friend Kristin and Jenny. I plan on feeling very non-trendy and I am totally okay with that. I’m staying with my friend Kristin and she lives in Koreatown (?). I might be making this up but I think that’s what she said over email previously. She mentioned all of the following activities: The Getty, Manicures/Pedicures, Comedy show, and perhaps a cozy home dinner. I can’t wait.

One of the best parts about this trip is that I’ve gotten to see some of my great friends all while taking in adventure and reminding myself what I find to be important in life. I’ve been thinking about how this adventure is concluding soon and what I plan to take away from it…. So stay tuned.

So far? We had a lovely catch-up session and ate dinner at Bottega Louie. The food was phenomenal and the people watching almost even better. We had the portabello fries .... with this super incredible dipping sauce. Then we demolished the Burrata pizza. I took home some white chocolate pretzels... which I hope make it to the plane although there is a strong possibility they get "taken care of" long before Monday AM. Also! I had this delicious drink called a "Moscow Mule" that was reminiscent of a mojito but not.

Bonus Images: