Staycation: Boston!

IT'S BEEN A MINUTE! Ok so I have this new thing where I like to put vertical images side by side, but when I do it through coding it throws off the number of posts that show up on my home page. So, I did these in Photoshop instead, and it took a minute! 

But alas I am finally posting all of this. Hey, also, does anyone have a good website that prints blogs into books? I think I am going to delete some of the old posts here once they are in book form.

ANYWAY. So back to when my mom came to visit, we drove up to Boston for the day! When my mom was planning her trip, she was really pushing staying over night in Boston. I was like, "Let's just drive up for the day?" And she was like, convinced it wouldn't be enough time there. Well, well, well. Guess who is always right? This girl!

Nah, jk.

But actually just driving up for the day was a perfect amount of time for us! We headed out at 7:00ish and got home around 9:00 or 10:00. Not too shabby!

I love how clean Boston is in comparison to New York! It seems a lot smaller and quainter to me. And QUIETER. 

All their window boxes with flowers are SO CUTE!! 

So for a little breakfast we went to Tatte Bakery. The pastries weren't my favorite but the breakfast sandwiches looked AMAZING!! Next time that is definitely what I am getting!

Every time I take a picture like this I pat myself on the back for being good at Instagramming/blogging.

After we ate we started the Freedom Trail. I am 0% a history person, but it was fun to walk so much and see so much! Walking is my favorite way to see a city. This is my cute mom. I used to not post about family on here cuz privacy or whatever, but then also in my journal I will never have photos of family? Which is weird to me, so I am posting things again lol.

Next we went to a cemetery where all the famous people were buried. Also, does anyone know what this little face on the headstones means? It was everywhere. 

Like the streets in Boston are so cute?

I am a good person to have on vacations cause I'll call you name and bug you to get cute candid photos that you won't appreciate. 

Guys this is my husband? Like I don't even know.

So they turned this ancient church into a CHIPOTLE!?!?!?!? Really, America? REALLY.

Ok I have to LOL. So, this is the Freedom Trail. Like, you can just follow this path that's in the sidewalk. When we first saw it, my mom was like, "Oh! I bet that's the freedom trail!" And I was like, "No, I bet that's for blind people to get around the city." And she was like, "????" But in Tokyo they literally have little bumpy strips across the whole city for people who were blind, so it's not a far stretch? But also it's OBVIOUSLY for the Freedom Trail and I'm just an idiot lol.

Remember in junior high when these types of pictures were *very* cool?

Of course we had to go to Little Italy. My mom went to Italy a little while ago and has been OBSESSED ever since.

So my mom and J stopped to get pizza. It didn't sound good to me so I didn't get any. While they were walking out I was hiding behind a tree and acting like a paparazzi yelling things at them. They both laughed and I got the CUTEST genuine smile photos!!! I got a really good one of my mom but it's close up and I know if she ever saw it she would be like, "Why did you post that!!! Look how close it is to my face!!!" But I THINK IT'S CUTE OK.

LIKE HOW CUTE IS J HERE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY CAN'T HANDLE IT.

So I am trying this new thing when I travel, where like instead of waiting for everyone to move to get a "good shot" I just take the photo with the tourists in it. I feel like it is more real? Obviously, I guess. But I guess I feel like it captures the place/monument/whatever better.

Lemme tell you, I reallllllly appreciate living by water! It's so pretty and so nice.

New England style homes 10/10. I love shake siding and shingles and shutters. Dream home material for sure!

At the end-ish of the Freedom Trail you can take a ferry back to the Boston Aquarium. 

Remember when we went to that really good farm fresh restaurant in Maine? Well, they had on in Boston too! It's called BGood and I would HIGHLY recommend!

Next we rode the boats at the park!

So people were walking back and forth over this bridge. They stopped for us to get this picture and then a guy was like, "You know, we don't just do that for anyone!!!" And I thought it was so nice and funny. It's always nice when people aren't super mean to tourists lol.

OK CUTEST THING ALERT. So these kids were playing with their grandpa and this ball. One of them had a bad throw and it went into the pond. We went around on our boats, got off, and walked around for a bit, only to get on the bridge and see this grandpa was still waiting for the ball to come back. It kept coming back, but was still far enough away he couldn't get it. So finally this BAE GRANDPA GETS INTO THE POND TO GET THE BALL FOR HIS GRANDKIDS. It was the actual cutest thing.

Oh, and shortly before this someone else proposed to his girlfriend and everyone clapped.

And that's a wrap! It was a v fun trip and v fun to see my mom. I love that everywhere out here is so close! It's so neat to be able to drive to Boston and back in a day, or go into New York for school and come back home to Connecticut. It's definitely something we are trying to take advantage of while we are out here!

XOXO

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E

Staycation: Day 4

Wow. It's been a hot second? Did you think I forgot about these posts? Cause I did lol. The school semester I am in is 7 weeks instead of 14. So every class period equals a week! We are two weeks in and I am already writing midterms. It's crazy! I am v happy with the program so far. I am the type of person who would rather do something really, really hard for a short period of time, than something moderately hard for a long period of time. Rip those band aids off!! Am I right?

Anyway, so on Thursday we went into New York City. We had a play that night, so we decided to stay overnight. When we got there it was already like SO. HOT. We walked the high line and it was nice. I also needed to get out of the heat ASAP because if you know anything about me, plz know I DO NOT DO WELL IN THE HEAT. 

They had some new artwork! This one of them? Maybe they have little performances here? Idk.

Disclaimer! This next part is not for the faint of heart. Read at your own risk!!

Ok so don't ask me how I know this: There is a movie called The Human Centipede where this scientist creates a human centipede by chopping people apart and putting them, er, into each other. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE, OK! I am a big fan of horror and saw it and was discussing it with a friend. When my friend describe it to me, I was SEVERELY grossed out. Like, vomit everywhere. (Not really.)

Seeing this sculpture on the High Line I was like, AN ANIMAL CENTIPEDE?!?! I doubt that's what the artist was going for, but that's what my morbid/dark brain thinks of. Yikes!

Ah, now to clear our heads of any disturbing thoughts. Here we have some flowers. Focus on how pretty they are and forget what I said before!

They also replaced this huge wall! To be honest, I liked the old piece better. (See it here.) 

Can you guys see that Trump poster? One thing I like about this presidency is that it has shown us how resilient people are and how willing they are to fight for what they believe is right. 

So this is where they used to have the sleepwalking dude! (See post here for pics of him.) I thought they replaced it with a nose, but on the other end there are holes too, so maybe I'm wrong? This group of women made me so mad. Like can we not gather as a group to discuss our next move RIGHT NEXT TO THE PRIMARY ART PIECE?! Awareness, tourists, awareness.

After the High Line we got lunch at Chelsea Market, dropped our bags off at the hotel, took a nap, and went to dinner. We ate at Sweet Chick which is my FAVORITE RESTAURANT in New York City. They have vegetarian chicken and waffles and they are A+. I've talked before about what our last day on the East Coast is going to look like and let me tell you, breakfast at Jacob's Pickles and dinner at Sweet Chick. Over and out.

Then we went to our play! When I saw Amelie was coming to broadway I was like, "MOM WE MUST GO." I got some discount tickets through NYU (perks) and let me tell you, it was amazing! It was so cute and quirky, just like the movie! It's my favorite movie, btw. Not sure if I have mentioned that before. But anyway, I am glad we saw it because apparently it was only temporary? I'm not sure because I still see signs for it on the subway. Anyway, if it's still on (or comes back) 10/10 would recommend!

After the show we went to Sugar Factory. Yes, this drink was $35. BUT I feel like it's something you have to do at least once in your life! (Also you could easily share with multiple people. It's huge.) When they poured the drink over the dry ice people were stopping in the window to take pictures of it lol. J was so jealous! He wants to try one of these and one of the milkshakes from Black Tap.

This was our cute hotel room! We stayed at Row NYC. It was pretty cute. The concierge upgraded us to a room with two queens, and he was so nice about it! Definitely made our day! The hotel is also like, in the same building as Sugar Factory. So, if you are going to New York and plan on seeing broadway plays every night, I would def recommend! 

If you're not planning on seeing shows, I would def recommend somewhere downtown! It's my favorite area of Manhattan. I'm probably biased since NYU, but I think Greenwich Village and East Village are the best neighborhoods, for sure!

All in all, Thursday was great and very hot! I am glad we survived. I most definitely took a shower that night and was super gross and sweaty. Tis the life out here on the East Coast! At least this summer we have a pool in our apartment complex to cool down in!

Last part of this staycation coming' at ya fresh tomorrow!

XOXO

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E

Staycation Day 3: Connecticut

This is Henry. He is our windshield wiper fluid we for some reason keep in the car. He rolls around a lot so we have to make sure to buckle him in. 

For breakfast we went to The Granola Bar of Westport. It was v trendy. When we ordered hot chocolates (once again, eating the same food on accident) she asked us if we wanted "the works". We said yes and I'll tell ya, I'm happy with "the works"!

I got avocado toast again because I'm basic. It was v good.

Ok so this is random but I live by the Pez factory? Like, the actual factory that makes Pez. After passing a few sings for it, we decided to drop in. It was actually really fun! They had this photo booth that made me lol. They also had a bingo where you found certain Pez dispensers. If you got a bingo you won a free dispenser! Then they had Pez samples on the way out. So we ended up with a dispenser and 4 packs each. Not bad!

We became Pez. These pics crack me up.

Ok so this bridge is like, right next to my house. Over the summer, I would complain to my mom often about how it was hard to work from home. She always suggested I go on a walk, and I would tell her there wasn't anywhere to walk near my apartment. She always thought I was being dramatic lol. So, after the Pez factory I took her on my "walk". We had to cross this bridge which is really old. Like it's actual wood slices with space between. I mean, an adult couldn't misstep and fall through, but a child probably could. 

So anyway, we start walking on this bridge. First, my mom thought she heard a puppy in the side of it, so we went back to see if she could see anything. Spoiler alert: There was no puppy. Second, about halfway through my mom starts FREAKING out. Like she suddenly realized that the bridge had so many spaces, and at times was just a piece of chainlink metal. So she takes off, being like, "I need to get off this bridge!" and I'm just back there like ??? Needless to say, we did not take the bridge back.

After almost dying, I took her to get ice cream to raise spirits. I think I have talked about this ice cream before. It's called Milkcraft and IT'S SO GOOD. Like there aren't many places I would recommend pit stopping for in Connecticut, but this is one of them! This time I got the fruity pebbles and I am in love. 

My mom got the s'mores. She literally still talks about it. Talked about it on the phone to me yesterday, in fact!

I talk a lot about Primark and you guys are like, "WHY DO WE CARE." So it's hard to relate, for sure. I took my mom there to test if it's really as great as I think it is. Conclusion: IT IS. We got four bags (between the two of us) and only spent maybe $300-$350 (once again, between the two of us). I will miss it so much when we move to the west coast.

If you're wondering: Primark is like a Forever 21 but with way cuter things and better quality (I think). They have really cute stuff, including like home goods, stationary, etc. If you are interested, just YouTube "Primark haul". Also, you can not shop online. Their website doesn't even show everything they have, just the new arrivals. So yeah, it's amazing.

We ate at House of Bones, which is totally delish. I am obsessed with their pulled pork sandwiches. 

I feel like we ate somewhere for dinner with J? But I don't have any more pictures from this day so maybe we didn't. Huh. 

Oh yeah! So after this we got pedicures. This was also the day I got my phone to work! 

Anyway, it was v chill!

XOXO

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E

Stay-Cation Day 2: New York City

On Monday we headed into the city. In all my days taking the train, it has NEVER been late. Of course, this time, it was an actual 30 MINUTES late! Grrrr. At least it wasn't too chilly.

My mom had never been to Grand Central before! We took this selfie and decided both of our faces look so weirdly shaped lol.

Ok, so then we went to Jacob's Pickles. I was pretty sure I remembered where it was, but put it into Google Maps anyway. It took us to this restaurant below. My mom was like, "Em... this really doesn't look right?" And I was all, "You've been here once! How would you know!" Well, turns out it WAS a different place lol. The old Jacob's Pickles had a fire, so they were serving their menu at Maison Pickles. 

I got the French toast (did you expect anything else from me?) and it was good, but also slightly tasted like disinfectant? Idk. Also they didn't have their rootbeers, so I was sad. J and I have already decided that on our last day on the east coast we are going to go to New York and eating at Jacob's Pickles lol.

I still think New York is the prettiest place! I hear Toronto is like a mini NYC? Can anyone confirm? If so I need to add it to my list ASAP.

My mom tried to get a Trader Joe's bag that said "Connecticut" on it. They told her they didn't have any and laughed at how Boston and New York have bags, but Connecticut doesn't. That led her to wanting a bag from Trader Joe's in New York. So, we stopped by and the LINE WAS SO LONG!! They had 30 cashiers, so it went really fast (like less than 5 minutes, I timed it). 

She loves when I take pictures of her. Obviously.

My mom and grandma are obsessed with Levain haha. So naturally we had to go get a cookie! The line wasn't too bad, which was amazing. Guys, I think I may like the chocolate peanut butter better than the walnut chocolate chip? I know, I know, ultimate betrayal. But TRY IT next time.

Our next stop was Flying Tiger on the Upper East Side (still in my top 3 favorite stores) so we walked through Central Park to get there.

This was one of my favorite places to come when we lived in the city.

Looking at this picture reminds me to tell you guys, I'M CUTTING MY BANGS BACK. I just feel like I am my truest self when I have bangs. I'm just waiting until summer because straight across bangs + humidity + heat = not cute.

How cute is this business man playing with his dog?!

I switched these photos but whatever. So on the right is where our studio was when we lived in New York. I look back on that time and am like, ?!?!?! It seems so strange that we actually did that. Like we literally saved up thousands and thousands of dollars over the course of a year and moved to New York?? Idk. I wouldn't move there long term, but would be open to going back for a few months if J got an internship or something. I am really proud of us for living there, even if it was a short amount of time. It took a lot to get there and I would have always wondered what it would be like if I didn't do it.

Ok, on the left! We mistakenly went to Washington Square Park on graduation lol. But hey, still got my pic.

OK SO THIS IS THE ACTUAL BEST SALAD. Go to By Chloe and get the quinoa taco salad. I SWEAR TO YOU YOU WILL THANK ME LATER. I am craving one now... might have to snag one tomorrow for lunch! (Ok and yes it's vegan, but just stop judging and try it. I didn't eating the brown "meat like" part because it was too spicy. So if you are nervous about vegan food just don't eat that part, because the rest is a normal salad.)

We went to the bakery next door afterward and got black and white cookies. They are good. I would still rate Pick A Bagel as #1 in the city, but they aren't downtown.

Then we headed home! My mom was like, such a non-conformer to train culture. I told her no one talks, and she was like, "I'm going to talk if I want to!" So, I just didn't respond lolololol. Say what you will but I do not want 10+ business men hearing my conversation!

I love living close to New York and being able to pop in the for the day, without having to stay the night, etc. Definitely something I will miss after our next move!

XOXO

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E

A Happy List: 160

School is really busy. Like, really busy! It's an accelerated program and I am also taking all the summer classes required in the first half of summer. So I have been v absent on here! I have also decided to make this more of a diary like I had it before. So I often write posts and set the date, but just keep them in my drafts folder because I don't want them to be public. One day when I print out my blog I'll set it to private and publish all the posts! (Now that I say that out loud, I suppose I could print out all my posts from high school and then delete them? Idk. I like when people have archives on their blog that go back soooo far haha. It's fun to see what they were like years ago.)

On to the happy list!

1/ As if I don't have enough searches set up on Pet Finder... look at this Corgi Golden Retriever mix! IN LOVE!

2/ I was reading this article about nipples being the perfect nude lipstick color shade while watching T.V. with J. Naturally, I pulled my shirt down and started looking at my nipple's color. J turned around and was like, "What are you doing?!?!" It was perfect hahaha.

3/ So far this semester I have stayed on top of my reading! (Assuming I finish the rest for tomorrow on the train... lol.)

4/ Strawberry lemonade vitaminWater. SO. GOOD. 

5/ Eating a Reese's Cookie Crunch right now and O.M.G.

6/ Seeing Amelie on Broadway! I didn't realize it was only temporary, so I am so glad we fit it in while my mom was here! Next on our list is 1984.

7/ Finding (and booking!!!!) tickets to Ireland for $200. SO EXCITED.

8/ Deciding on our Halloween costumes for this year. I am doing a series over the next few years, and this year's was hard to think of, but I got it! I always have good costume ideas, but when it comes to doing them never follow through lol. 

9/ J's hair is *almost* all able to fit in a man bun without any bobby pins!

10/ Discovering a list of the 20 best sci-fi movies of the 21st century. If you need me I'll be watching all of them for the next week. (Not really cuz school, but you get the point.) 

XOXO

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E

P.S. Here's a lil' playlist for your week!