Boston You’re My Home

I have lived in Boston almost 4 years now and jumped into my new home with all that I had.  I moved here to be with the love of my life and do all those things your do.  Get married, make new friends, start a family, and decided to start a business and new career.  It has been one of the best decisions of my life.  Living in Boston has been the best.  The character, the history, the people; all so rich and beautiful in a way truly unique to Boston and New England.  As the events of yesterday began to unfold I was tucked away in my Beacon Hill apartment.  My baby was quietly napping, our babysitter had the day off due to the Marathon and I was writing this blog post. about how important it is to to find the time to truly be present with your loved ones everyday.  I started hearing a ton of sirens and then got a text from my sister-in-law asking if I was okay, followed quickly by a text from my husband from and unknown number saying he was okay and where were we.  As information unfolded and I began to realize was was happening a 1/4 mile from my apartment I tried to keep my calm.  I knew my husband was at a work event right at the finish line, watching the marathon, but he had just texted me from a computer at a friends house near by.  I later learned he was in a restaurant 300 yards from the blasts.  He heard the blasts, confered with a friend, decided those were bomb blasts and quickly exited the emergency exit of the restaurant.  He literally ran to a friend’s house nearby as he was on the other side of the race from our home.  We were not able to have much contact as the cell lines were jammed, but we decided he should stay put for a bit while we figured out what was actually going on.  I hooked up our land line (finally), tried not to turn on the TV (my one year old doesn’t need to see her mom hysterical) and waited.  Steve finally made it home around 6pm and we all breathed a sigh of great relief.  What chaos.  What senselessness.  How silly my daily stresses seem.  I love Boston with all my heart and truly consider it home.  In my four short years here I have seen they are a tough, resilient people.  It is a city with such history.  A history which intimately includes the Boston Marathon.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who right now are in the hospital fighting for life and limb.  Boston is lucky enough to have some of the most talented doctors and medical professionals in the world.  My thoughts are with them and the city I love.  Boston.

Here are some photos from my Boston posts over the past 4 years.

      

Hello Fall!

The other week I photographed some new Fall accessories for Louis Boston.  They have recently revamped their website to include large high res photography and I just love it!  You really get the feel of the velvety cashmere, buttery leather and shiny jewelry.  Here are some photos from our shoot now on the Louis website

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Diaper bag for me?…

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Opal is my birthstone and this ring was out of this world!

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How perfect is this ring on this box?!?!  I couldn’t resist photographing them together.

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I just want to dive into this pile of really expensive scarves!

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Beautiful menswear.

Kickin it with the Dropkick Murphys

Last night my friend and PR guru, Francesca Desforges, put together a fundraising event at Boston’s 21st Amendment for The Claddagh Fund.  Dropkick Murphys member Josh “Scruffy” Wallace (My husband tells me he is “the bagpipe guy”)  guest bartended to help raise money.  I happily booked a babysitter, had a drink or two with friends, and snapped some photos of the event.

On a location note: The 21st Amendment is this great old Boston bar right across from the State House.  I love the old brick and dark wooden beams.  Very colonial and very Boston.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Last week the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum hosted an evening for bloggers and I was lucky enough to receive and invite!  The museum is one of my all time favorites and recently went under a renovation and expansion. Unfortunately, my little one came down with a fever (teething time) so I sent my super intern Jacalyn and her friend.  Here is there account of the evening at the museum.  (I am soooooo jealous they got to see the the former apartment space occupied by Isabella an unopened to the public.  Lucky ladies!)

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We were so lucky to have special permission to photograph the entire property. Let me tell you, the artwork and architecture of this house is incredible! The museum staff has done an amazing job preserving Mrs. Gardner’s art collection and personal property.

The courtyard is the central focus of the house (for good reason, its gorgeous!) and every room in the house can view it.

The Tapestry Room is a main attraction in the house, everything is original to Mrs. Gardner’s collection and they have tried to recreate the set up that she enjoyed. Previously, this was used as a concert hall however with the new addition it has stopped being used for that purpose.

Something that I noticed a lot of throughout the house was intricately detailed chairs.

The museum has just completed a huge project which added an entirely new wing to the building. Instead of making the addition look similar in style to the original house, they chose for their new addition to have a more modern style. The goal of this style was to have lots of glass and windows so the focus stayed on Isabella Stewart Gardner’s residence.

Flock/Samantha House

Last night, Flock boutique, hosted an event to introduce Samantha House’s new jewelry line “Chevron” sold exclusively at the boutique.  I was excited to take a peek at Samantha’s latest collection, try on some pre-fall goodies and see some old friends.

Chevron is very simple, rustic and light.  Perfect for layering.  I love love love the beach pebbles and display.

Flock also showcased some of the pieces from Samantha House’s previous collection, “Play.”  The colors and dramatic sizes are perfect for fall, and what a great way to showcase them.  Flock never disappoints with in store displays.

Churchill and White

For over 20 years, Charles Street in Beacon Hill has been known as antique store heaven.  Over the past few years many have relocated or gone completely on the web, but there is still something about walking into an antique store and seeing these unique items in person.  I think that is why I love Brimfield so much.

Last Saturday my aunt and I popped into one of may favorite antique stores on the street, Churchill and White, and the owner, Carol, was absolutely beside herself.  With no notice, the owner of the building sent her a letter saying she had to be out by Aug 31st.  After almost 15 years in the space and never being last on rent, Carol and her shop were out.  Apparently the owner decided to give the space to a make-up company…please dear God don’t let it be a Sephora.  Charles Street is the main street of Beacon Hill and still maintains beautiful historic charm.

Churchill and White has some of the most beautiful turn of the century English, Italian and Chinese antiques.  We are talking the real deal here.  Sadly the shop needs to be cleared and Carol is taking major markdowns on these unique pieces she has spent years curating.  I returned with my camera to snap some images of the shop and items.  If you are in Boston this summer I highly recommend visiting this store before it is gone.  The pieces are amazing and true antique gems.

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Staffordshire dogs galore.

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Silver, silver, silver.  A southern girls dream!

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I love the idea of using a silver toast rack as a mail organizer.

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And silver liquor plates.  Love!  So Mad Men.  My grandfather had these.

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Enough blue and white porcelain to “sink a battleship” as Carol said.

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This one is called a peony ginger jar.  How perfect!

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Not to sound too old fogey, but they don’t make things like this anymore.

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Possibly the worlds most perfect gold sunburst mirror.

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Her collection of tortoise shell jars is exquisite.

This is just a snipit of what she has so feel free to pop in, call or email her.

Churchill and White

122 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114

(617) 367-0917

carol@churchillandwhite.com

 

Summer in the City

Hot town!  My car thermometer read 102˚F yesterday.  Yikes.  That is hot even by southern standards, and 102˚ feels sooooo much hotter in the concrete and asphalt jungle. We braved the heat and worked on a really fun photo shoot yesterday for a fabulous new clothing line.  I loved the urban back drop in contrast to the polish of the clothing.  I cannot wait to share it with you.

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P.S.  The greatest intern in all the land, Jacalyn, sourced some of the most beautiful peonies I have every seen.  They look fake they are so perfect.  They now adorn my coffee table.  Thanks girl.

Seeing Green

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I thought the bronze “Make Way for Ducklings” in the Boston Public Garden looked great.  Don’t they kind of look drunk?

 

Louis Boston – Spring Style Part II

Here are some more great Spring styles from the Louis Boston fashion shoot.  I could post them all, I love them so much, but had to edit them a bit.  I am also planning on making some fun animated gifs so stay tuned.  Until then, think spring, think color!

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Happy weekend, happy Super Bowl and hopefully happy baby delivery for me.  (At 8 days past due she has got to come soon…right? )

Equestrian Style

Growing up I was that little girl who LOVED horses.  I was always begging my parents to let me take ridding lessons, go to horseback ridding camp and (here is the big one) buy me a horse.  I had one instructor tell us ridding pupils to make a deal with our parents…we would buy the horse if they would pay for everything else.  A bargain if you have ever seen the cost of taking care of a show horse.  My parents never fell for that deal and I was never close to an Olympic rider of any sorts, but I loved all my lessons, and despite a pretty bad horseback ridding accident while jummping a few years ago, I love ridding and I am proud to say that riding a horse is on my list of can do’s.

To my delight I had the pleasant surprise of happening upon the Boston Equestrian Classic Demonstration held in the Boston Commons last week, and all my little girl love of horses can rushing back.  Horses are just so regal and beautiful and the gorgeous leather and shiny brass accessories that go with show jumping are a dream. Thank goodness I had my camera on me.

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Being Boston, the Stanley Cup naturally had to make an appearance.