Monday, March 7, 2011
Sometimes one bold accessory is enough.
I found Hope on Newbury and was drawn to her bright yellow bag. She said she's drawn to and inspired most by photos of people. And she sees and takes many during her photography class at Colby College, where she's currently enrolled as an English major. Hope is also a fashion blog fiend and named Studded Hearts as a favorite. She found her gray hat and yellow studded bag at LF, her black pashmina is borrowed from her dad, her coat is Lululemon, her jeggings are by William Rast, and her boots are Jeffrey Campbell.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Layers of lovely.
I stopped Sara to ask about her creative Bohemian layers: leather belt expertly cinching a long shirt covered with a flowered asymmetrical top—all layered over a pair of crocheted bloomers. Sara cites her place of employment as a key inspiration for her fashion. She manages the hip Chestnut Hill boutique Portobello Road, a place filled to the brim with stylish pieces. Sara says "The shop’s owner, Marina, says that my look is ‘bedclothes chic,’ meaning I always seem to be wearing comfortable layered pieces with lots of drape." Sara’s earrings are from a San Francisco boutique, the flower top is by Viviana Uchitel, the long shirt is by Daftbird, the belt is by 49 Square Miles, the bloomers are Odd Molly, and the boots are Frye.
Friday, February 25, 2011
See all the latest from the Back Bay's food and dining scene.
Rub elbows with the fuzziest top lips in the Back Bay at the Mustachio Bashio at City Table on March 2 – this fundraiser benefits Community Servings, which delivers meals to those homebound by illness. Some of the guests have been growing ’staches since February 1, so expect some pretty spectacular face rugs. Tico, the newest spot from celebrity chef Michael Schlow (Radius, Via Matta, Alta Strada), has set up shop in the old Cottonwood Café space on Berkeley and offers patrons something hot and spicy with Latin American, Spanish, and Mexican influences. Tico has been open for only two weeks and is already bumping – check out our full review here. So many tequilas, so little time. Congratulations to some Back Bay stalwarts for being …
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Back Bay was originally designed to be home to Boston's major cultural, medical and educational institutions. Over time, however, many have relocated to the Fenway. Not everyone is happy about that.
Recently, Northeastern University announced a proposal to expand its campus by building a 720-bed dormitory tower on land purchased from the YMCA. Some residents in the community have expressed frustration over the plan, feeling their neighborhood is being overwhelmed by "institutional creep." Meanwhile, Back Bay residents breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that, had 19th-century city planners had their way, their neighborhood could easily have become what the Fenway is today. In the mid-1800's, meticulous plans were drawn up for the laying-out of the Back Bay, making it a neighborhood with a mixture of single-family homes, churches, educational and cultural institutions, and a retail district on Newbury and Boylston streets. Yet, it …
Monday, February 14, 2011
Mixing high and low, old and new.
Vanessa, whom I spotted inside 344 eyeing a pair of black studded boots, says she's invariably drawn to clothing with "history," "character," and "personality." This is evidenced by her side project, an Etsy vintage clothing boutique called ShopEND. Vanessa snagged her brightly-hued gloves at 344, her jacket is DKNY, her long shirt she's wearing as a dress she discovered at the local vintage shop Raspberry Beret, her bag is from Urban Outfitters, her tights are from American Apparel, and her Etienne Aigner boots are also thrifted.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Give this 1-year-old female a great home.
This is Ruby a sweet, affectionate, and mellow 1-year-old spayed female cat. Ruby had a rough start in life and came from a situation where there was a great deal of overcrowding of felines and lack of socialization to human friends. Upon coming to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Ruby was very apprehensive at first, despite the staff and volunteer’s best efforts to bring her out of her shell. Finally one day she realized that the people here are not so bad and became the biggest snuggle bug ever. She does have her favorite volunteers here and with them she will roll around, rub up, and snuggle with them as much as she possibly can. Ruby would still probably do best in a quiet home but does seem to enjoy the company of other cats and …
Monday, January 31, 2011
Go bold with a bright color.
I stopped Shannon to compliment her beautiful red hair and even redder coat on her way out of a Newbury Street salon. Shannon names Zooey Deschanel's 60s-tinged personal style, as well as the retro-edged music she creates with her band She & Him as fashion inspirations for creating her own outfits. Shannon's magnificent vintage-style coat is from modcloth, her scarf is XOXO, her Blowfish boots she found at Berk's in Harvard Square, and her tights are from Forever 21.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Haute behavior in Boston.
When I spotted Flavia, my heart started beating a little faster because her coat blew my mind! I had to find out where she bought it. Come to find out Flavia, who works as a model, found most of her outfit in her native Spain. She says she constantly scours fashion blogs and pays close attention to runway looks-- all of which she uses to put together her high-fashion ensembles. Falvia's jeans are from Zara, her scarf is H&M, and her bag is from Steve Madden.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Brady, Lackey, Manny (before he moved). Celebrities chose to live in downtown Boston. What's the appeal?
Nary a day goes by when you don’t read of a professional athlete buying a home in Boston. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, our most-famous local sports star, lives in the Back Bay. He loves the city; he’s been seen walking up and down Newbury Street, and drew a great deal of attention when he was in that car accident in September. (Until this past Sunday, we were all happy about his living here; now, perhaps he should take a long vacation in Los Angeles until we forget?) Last year, Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey and his wife bought a $2-million condo in the Back Bay. And former Red Sox player Manny Ramirez lived in the Ritz-Carlton Towers for several years before moving when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. (His …
Monday, January 17, 2011
I intend to keep you informed as to what it's like to train and prepare for the 26.2 mile event. And, in the process, I hope to meet many of the Back Bay people who make it happen, and uncover the stories and insight they have to tell.
Last year, I was leaving the house to go watch the Boston Marathon as its winner, Kenya's Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, was crossing the finish line on my T.V. His time: a record 2 hours, 5 minutes and 52 seconds -- 8 seconds faster than four-time winner (and unrelated but similarly named) Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, who set the previous course record in 2006. I'm just hoping to finish the race. People say it's life-changing. I know it's difficult. I've heard horror stories of Heartbreak Hill, been warned about Boston College students who hand out beer on the sidelines, thought long and hard about training outside through the winter, am cautiously optimistic about my ability to raise $5,000 for the American Liver Foundation, and have gained …
