my guide to boston {the intangibles}

the other day, my friend tanya really got me thinking about how much i love boston.

i've lived here for four years, and despite all of my other posts about the city, i have yet to share some of the more elusive reasons why i love this town.

i can safely say, boston is one of my favorite cities in the world. i've lived in stavanger (norway), new york city, london, munich, and paris; and yet... i think boston is uniquely accessible, progressive, historically rich, and charming.

here are some more reasons why i love it so:

• boston is, for all intents and purposes, a walking city. i spent the first three years in boston without a car and fared beautifully. it doesn't hurt that the public transportation system (the first in the country, mind you) is great too. i've actually heard it said that the strong walking culture can be partly attributed to boston's famous, historic walking tour i.e. the freedom trail.

• boston is an educational hub. even if you are not in school or working for a university, the vibe is undeniably academic and youthful. for this reason, i've often told people that boston is the perfect blend of history and innovation.

• it's in new england, which means it's oh-so charming (especially in the fall, sigh). it's also extremely accessible to so many other beautiful places in the northeast: new hampshire, vermont, maine, rhode island and so on. i would also second melina, who has said that western massachusetts (especially the berkshires) are ridiculously gorgeous.

• the red sox. enough said.

• and finally, (a few personal reasons)... i love boston because of its liberal politics, progressive social policies, awareness of sustainable living, and legalized gay marriage.

do you live in boston, or have you visited? i'm curious... what would you add?

(photo credit: parker fitzgerald)

nineteen seventy four.

lately, i have been flipping through my parents' wedding album a lot. i know i'm biased... but i think they were pretty stinkin' adorable.

it's amazing to me how everything was so much more low-key back then. i can't help but smile at how hilariously dated the photos are too. ha! seriously... who thought a white suit with black trim was a good idea?

this last photo is my favorite. in fact, i'm considering making the exact same sign for our wedding day. now, if only i could also find a rust-colored chrysler station wagon too... :)

so, tell me... do you guys ever look at your parents' wedding photos?

adventure in providence.

yesterday i hopped on a train to providence to spend the day with fellow blogger, freelance writer and crafter extraordinaire christine. it was so much fun.

we had a tasty lunch, wandered around some cute shops, met her husband for coffee (he happens to know simon, too, which is hilarious) and chatted all day long about love, life, writing, blogging, crafting and of course... india.

in case you don't already know christine and her blog, you must go say hello. her creative projects have been featured all over the web, and her home was recently featured on apartment therapy. (psst. i got to see it in person and the pictures don't even do it justice. crazy beautiful.)

she's also just such a warm, fun, and graceful person; i feel so fortunate to now be able to call her my friend. hurray for blog friends!

(all photos by christine chitnis)

the surprise of the dragonfly.

one of my favorite things about traveling is discovering cute places by accident. sometimes it's because i'm lost (which happens quite frequently) or because i've decided to wander just a little further down a street. either way, there is something so satisfying about finding an unexpected treat, don't you think?

yesterday i was on my way to a little bakery in portland when i discovered the dragonfly cafe. it was so lovable and familiar, i half expected to see phoebe and monica sitting on a couch nearby. i feasted on homemade granola, sipped hot coffee while flipping through the oregonian, and watched the rain fall outside.

it was such a pleasant surprise, and all in all, quite a memorable morning. all i am wondering now is... why oh why is portland so far away from boston?

(photo credit: portland loves local)

everybody wants to be loved.

this ingrid michaelson song is so feel-good; it makes me want to prance around barefoot in the grass and blow kisses to strangers.

happy friday!

a collection a day.

have you heard of this cool new project called a collection a day? i just discovered it this morning, and i am already smitten.

artist and illustrator lisa congdon is documenting her (many) personal collections by showing a photograph of objects on her blog each day of 2010.

what a sweet and simple reminder of the beauty in everyday things.

here are a few of my favorites so far:

little nina.

i was looking through old pictures recently and stumbled upon these funny ones.

the first one is me and my dad when i am eight months old. apparently i am learning how to kiss! (i love his sneakers.)

the second one is my sister and me when we're four and seven. i'm the one on the right. i love how strawberry blond our hair is-- if only it was still like that!

hairstyle pillowcases.

simon and i have decided to skip valentine's day presents this year and just go out for a nice dinner. but if i were on the hunt for a cute valentine's day gift, i would definitely order a set of these hilarious pillowcases. aren't they awesome?

i keep imagining putting them in our guest room and seeing our friends' and family's reactions when they stay over. so fun.

i'm curious: do you usually get your loved one a valentine's day gift?

(pillows available from threeheart)

a perennial bouquet.

i nearly fell out of my chair when i saw this beautiful photograph. the truth is i can't tell exactly what the bouquet is made of (other than dusty miller) but i adore how organic and homegrown it looks. it almost looks like vegetables!

wouldn't this be such a sweet bouquet for a backyard or farm wedding? love.

((photo credit: marika)

happy blah-day

i've come to the conclusion that mondays should be spent in soft woolly socks, natural light, and with a colorful coffee pot nearby. anyone else?

(photo credit: liivia s)