Boston- Day 1

As I start to prepare for this new school year, I'm longing for the gorgeous east coast scenery I was spoiled with on our New England road trip vacation. I miss the seafood and creative cocktails. And I also miss getting to sleep in (getting up at 5:30 sucks). Here's to the first of my vacation re-cap posts.














We stayed in Cambridge for most of the first day, dining at the Russel House Tavern where I got my bacon fill. In fact, I probably had the best bloody mary ever there: they make theirs with bourbon. If the option is available try it. I then talked the husband into walking part of the Freedom Trail with me before we had dinner at Hungry Mother, one of Boston's best restaurants (literally EVERYONE we talked to recommended this place). They make southern food with a French twist. It was the perfect first day of vacation with the hubs.

Moneygrabber

OK. I have seriously been delaying putting up my vacation pictures because I'm overwhelmed by the amount I have.

So...how about a little Fitz and the Tantrums? I got to see them play live at the lake nearby this summer, and they were absolutely amazing.

In fact, they were so amazing that I got up out of my seat and danced in the aisle since I couldn't stop myself from shimmying anymore, even though no one else was. Don't worry they soon followed.

Their album is amazing by the way. I highly recommend it. I'm actually pretty obsessed with it. I've been playing the whole record over and over this whole summer.

Dear Bloggers...

To all the full-time, professional bloggers who complain about how busy their days are and how you just cannot wait to curl up with a magazine and relax...BE QUIET! I will gladly trade you my eight hour work day and two to three hours additional work at home grading, etc, every day. And don't forget the running around on the weekends gathering supplies for dances and noontime activities, editing videos, updating school sites, etc. Maybe you'd see what "tired" really feels like then.

And to those bloggers whose lives seem so "perfect" and who have "such great things happening" yet cannot manage to respond back to what they must regard as "peon" bloggers like myself...are you for real? Get a life. I'm glad I post about my UPS and DOWNS. I don't know why I bother to comment from time to time on your phony blog anyway.

::deep breath::

P.S. Promise not to vent like that for awhile, OK?

OC Mart Mix

So did you know it takes awhile to download over 700 photos? I'm sure you do. After running around yesterday and then rushing to meet my husband at an Angels game, blogging fell through. And today was one of those days that just escaped me. I am feeling very lazy (hello sweatpants!), so here's some info about my new favorite local spot: the OC Mart Mix.

I can't remember if I read about this place in Sunset magazine or the Automobile magazine, but I was super excited to hear about it. And I totally felt out of the loop since it actually opened last year. This outdoor shopping venue is near a huge orange county shopping destination, South Coast Plaza. It is somewhat similar to The Lab (dubbed the anti-mall), but I think it has the potential to be better once they get some more stores in. The OC Mart Mix has a wide array of stores ranging from a bicycle store to a bakery. They also have stalls inside a huge building for small vendors (I bought the dress I wore on our anniversary from one of them).

And the best thing is that food trucks come here.









Ridiculously good tacos and spicy sweet potato fries.







People were literally standing memorized at this coffee place similar to Blue Bottle in San Francisco.

They're getting started with happy hours on Fridays with certain food trucks coming out (there's a wine bar in the huge building). I will definitely be organizing some at this place.

Happy Birthday, Sissy!!

Tap, tap...is this thing on? To those of you who still read this little old blog, I'm back from my east coast adventure. I left my John and Abigail Adams seminar with Joseph Ellis feeling more inspired and re-invigorated than I have in years about the subject I teach. I am so excited to start back in a few weeks and share the stories I have learned.

And then my anniversary trip up the coast of New England with the hubs was just incredible. I cannot wait to share my pictures with you.

For now though, I would like to share the birthday card I picked up for my sis in Salem, MA. If you are as big a fan of Target as I am, you will love this card.




You can purchase this gem at http://www.fomato.com

My little sis, Kyle, turns 27 today. Happy birthday, girl! Vacation pictures start tomorrow. =)