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Holiday Lights When You Don’t Celebrate Christmas (Sponsored)

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Holiday DecoratingHoliday Lights in the City

Christmas is full of options when it comes to holiday lights and decorations.  There are so many ways to decorate for Christmas and I love seeing them all. From the elegant decorations in our friends’ homes to the over the top lawn ornaments in nearby neighbors’ yards Christmas has it all.  In Jewish tradition, Chanukah is meant to be a small celebration and there aren’t really many traditions for decorating the whole house. When we were little, Chanukah meant latkes, Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins) and lighting the menorah. We also had stockings but only because my godmother Fran had given me a stocking so we hung in by the fire and the rest of the family used a long wool ski sock. Stockings are definitely not a  Chanukah tradition.

Twinkle holiday lights in vintage canning jars.
I am in love with these little led lights on a timer. Every winter, I add them to my vintage canning jars and I love seeing them go on at night when I’m prepping dinner.

My mother was a fabulous cook, and the kitchen was always cozy and full of delicious smells. She hosted parties and cooked all our meals, but wasn’t big on decorations.  I love to decorate and can’t wait each year to set up holiday lights.  I have found my own ways of bringing the light inside during the dark cold days of winter.  I’m not religious, but I love sharing the Jewish traditions with my family, so for me, decorating for the holidays is about a little sparkle and extra holiday lights to push back against the cold dark winter evenings.

holiday lights in a vintage coffee carafe
More white led lights in a vintage coffee carafe. I love the starburst on this carafe and the white lights make the shiny metallics of the carafe glow.

Flickering Candles and Twinkling Lights

Chanukah lasts eight days to remind Jews of a time in history when the temple was destroyed and its lamp only had enough oil to last one day.  The miracle of Chanukah is that the oil lasted for eight days.  This is why we light a candle (and never blow it out) for each of the eight symbolic days.  It is also why we eat fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot (Israeli jelly doughnuts).  When the kids were little they were given menorah’s with little clay characters. They have since outgrown those childish chanukiahs and various parts have chipped off over the years.  A few years ago Henry and I made him a menorah out of Lego and Isabelle chose a more grown-up menorah that she will have on her own mantle some day.

Colourful led holiday lights in a glass dome.
I saved the colourful lights for the glass dome. These match the candles I got for the menorah this year perfectly.

No Blue and White for Us

Blue and white holiday lights seem odd to me (those are the colours of the Israeli flag).  Christmas has red and green, but Chanukah has no colors that define it. I think over the years Christmas colours have changed too from primary colours to whites, to metallics and back again to the traditional colours.    For Chanukah, I think of glowing candle wicks and the colorful candles, which always included pink, a light green, blue, orange and yellow.  My latest obsession are the little strings of LED lights.  I love to put them in various clear vessels around the house and near the menorahs for a little holiday bling.  It lets us have lights before Chanukah starts and after Chanukah is over.  This year I chose pitchers and carafes to fill with white holiday lights and a glass serving dome to fill with colourful ones.  In my kitchen I always fill a few of my vintage canning jars with lights as well that are on a timer and go on in the evening as I’m making dinner.  Every day objects can become festive with a little sparkle.

A menorah by the window.
I wonder if that Chanukah gelt will last until I get the dreidels out for Chanukah. I have a feeling they may slowly disappear before the first day.

Menorah Lights in the Window

My parents always told me that we put the menorah in the window so passersby will see that you are celebrating Chanukah.  A menorah in the window it’s a way of connecting with others and also sharing your identity with your community. I grew up in a town with very few Jews and I remember my mom coming into the classroom to show my classmates our holiday traditions with the dreidel and menorah. Just as I love seeing everyone’s trees twinkling by a window I love seeing the menorah in the window and feel a sense of connection when I see the candles flickering down.

Greenery and chocolate coins for Chanukah.
I love bringing the outdoors in. A little greenery with the sparkly chocolate gold coins is just right.

Holiday Lights a New Perspective

For the holidays some families stick with tradition, others try new things each year, I like to do a little of both.  One very old Christmas tradition, that was popular among wealthy Europeans in the medieval times, was to hang a Christmas tree upside down as a chandelier. I can’t imagine how they went about putting up the decorations! Although I love the plethora of Christmas decorations and holiday lights, when I see people outside with ladders and strings of lights I’m secretly glad we only celebrate Chanukah at our house.  I get to appreciate the hard work of others, but don’t have to pull out any ladders or water any trees.

Menorah ready for the 1st night of Chanukah
Ready for the 1st night of Chanukah which is on Tuesday, December 12th this year (2017 or 5778)
A Wayfair Giveaway

Wayfair and City Living (Boston) have partnered together for a $100 giveaway to help you with this year’s holiday decorations.  All you have to do is share in the comments below, which of these upside down trees is your favourite. I’d love to hear about some of your favorite decorations for the holidays too.

Wayfair.com $100 Giveaway

The post Holiday Lights When You Don’t Celebrate Christmas (Sponsored) appeared first on City Living (Boston).


The Procrastinator’s Gift Guide: Museums and Gift Shops

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Anchor Necklace from the USS Constitution Museum

Not Your Average Gift

There are so many types of gifts we buy this time of year. Big gifts, little gifts, meaningful gifts, gag gifts, useful gifts, have a laugh and regift gifts. With online shopping some of it is easy, but to find just the right gift, and just for your own sanity, it is a good idea to walk out the door and go somewhere. If you’re going to a museum you can either just pop into the museum store to shop and run, but if you have an extra hour (but even 30 minutes is something) take some re-group time and explore the museum it’s the perfect kind of holiday therapy to stroll through a museum. Museums and gift shops are not only places you can visit in person, but in a pinch you can shop online too. The USS Constitution Museum shop provided a necklace and nautical socks from their gift shop for review.

If you are going for a big gift, a membership to one of the museums is a wonderful (and generous) gift. We are in an age of decluttering and museum memberships take up no space and add no clutter. If you want to give a “thing” then you can always find something little to go with the membership in the museum shop. Another advantage of many museum memberships is that they are reciprocal and can be used when you travel to different cities. We love to visit the museums over February vacation so those museum memberships gifts get lots of use right off the bat!

USS Constitution Museum Shop Anchor Necklace

This anchor necklace, for example is a classic nautical necklace that I know my daughter would love. My husband’s aunt would love it too. It isn’t just a beautifully designed necklace though. It isn’t a piece of jewelry that you could just pick up anywhere. This necklace is made from reclaimed copper from the frigate of the USS Constitution. I think that’s pretty cool for a fellow Bostonian, a Boston gift basket or someone who is a history buff.

Anime movies as part of the special exhibit shop for the Takashi Murakami exhibitMFA special exhibit Takashi Murakami

Boston Area Museums: Just To Name a Few

When you mention museums everyone thinks first of the bigger more well known ones, which can be pricier but you don’t have to stop there. Whether it is for a membership or shopping for a unique gifts you have to look at all the different museums to cover everyone’s interests. Also, an art museum may not be just for the artists. There are artifacts, special exhibits that may work for those interested in music, theatre, pop culture, culture, travel, anime, history and science all in what one would typically think of as an art museum such art the Museum of Fine Arts.

10/52: {Photographer’s Choice} These 2 ♡ #eyecandyproject52

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Well Known

Museum of Fine Arts
memberships start at $75 / free via University Membership Program

Institute of Contemporary Art
memberships start at $65

Learning is all around you #museumofscience #boston #familyfun

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Museum of Science
memberships start at $90

Boston Children’s Museum
memberships start at $160

Harvard Museum of Natural History
memberships start at $50/ $35 student –
membership is for all four Harvard Museums of Science and Culture

We, the People. #nariward #bostonart

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New England Aquarium
memberships start at $109

Peabody Essex Museum
memberships start at $70

Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum
memberships start at $70

Beautiful ceiling of the @JFKlibrary. Thanks for having us! @sheswanderful

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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
memberships start at $45

MIT Museum
memberships not available

Lesser Known

USS Constitution Museum

Discovery Museums

Boston Fire Museum

National Heritage Museum

Concord Museum

Danforth Museum of Art

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

MIT List Visual Arts Center

Museum of African American History

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Even Lesser Known

Armenian Museum of America

Fruitlands Museum

Longyear Museum

Larz Anderson Museum

Metropolitan Waterworks Museum

Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History

Plumbing Museum

New England Quilt Museum

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens

Harvard Museum of Scientific Instruments

Nautical socks from Museums and Gift Shops such as the USS Constitution Museum.
Nautical socks are a great little something to include with a membership to the USS Constitution Museum.

Museum Gifts Many Ways

The obvious gift is a membership or something meaningful from the museum gift shop, but you can also get creative. A day at the museum together with lunch and a little spending money for the shop could be the perfect present for a parent-child, grandparent-child, parent-grandparent, best friend. Pick up a brochure from the museum and print out a lunch menu or you can get creative and design your own gift card.

Museums & Gift Shops Online

This week many of us will be doing our last minute shopping online and lucky for us, the museum shops are online too.  USSCM Shop, MFA shop, ICA shop, and Boston Children’s Museum shop are all online just to name a few.

 

The post The Procrastinator’s Gift Guide: Museums and Gift Shops appeared first on City Living (Boston).

I Am Show Girl Now: Boston Globe Travel Show

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I have been provided with passes to preview the Boston Globe Travel Show.

Until recently I had never really been to a convention center for anything. I guess I have been to the New England Food show, but that’s it. This year though, I had my first car show experience and I may be a little addicted. This weekend in addition to the New England Boat Show, The Boston Globe Travel Show opens.   I am really looking forward to both!  I am a researcher by nature. I think it ties into my control freakiness and also I just like learning new things. So, a giant room filled with all the options and the experts is pretty awesome.

Boston Globe Travel Show
Boston Globe Travel Show

Next up will be a different kind of show: The Boston Globe Travel Show. A travel show is a little less concrete than the other shows because the actual destinations, hotels, activities will not be there in the room with us. I’m always surprised even in this age of travel websites, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and travel blogs how much more information I am looking for when I plan a vacation. Some sites have no pictures of the common spaces, others neglect to mention 1/2 the amenities. The Boston Globe Travel show is an opportunity to check out some tried and true destinations and see what’s hot for 2018.

The Boston Globe Travel Show will have the destinations and hotels there for you to meet, greet and grill.  The Boston Globe Travel Show will be at the Seaport World Trade Center from Friday, February 9th through Sunday February 11th.  Tickets are $10 online or $15 in advance.  Children 16 and under accompanied by an adult enter for free.  City Living Boston readers get 50% off their tickets if purchased in advance here.

Top 5 Things To Ask Before You Book Your Hotel

  • Is parking included? Is there a shuttle to and from the hotel?
  • What family-friendly, workout-friendly, business-friendly, etc. amenities are available?
  • Will the pool(s) be open? Are there specific family times?
  • Do you have any special rates or packages available?
  • What type of neighborhood is the hotel located in?

Family Travel Magazine has a great round up of unique and exceptional hotel amenities

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7th, join Masshole Mommy and me on Facebook live at City Living Boston at 11:00 a.m. for a chat all about planning for February Vacation which is just around the corner!

 

The post I Am Show Girl Now: Boston Globe Travel Show appeared first on City Living (Boston).

Winter Vacation Week in and Around Boston

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While some families head out to the snow to get in some skiing and riding, others are running towards the sun.  The rest of us are settling in right at home, taking a break from the routine and staying home to enjoy what is going on in Boston.  If you are in town, here are some of the activities and outings you can enjoy for winter vacation week.

Hotels Pools and More

Find a hotel with a pool to enjoy this winter vacation week.  The Royal Sonesta has a large pool that is great for families.  The Langham hotel has a swanky small pool next to the spa and their famous Chocolate Bar.  The Charles Hotel pool is small but usually nice and warm.  The Revere Hotel has a nice rooftop pool with large lounge chairs.  Many Boston area hotels have pools.  Just be sure to check that they are open before you make a reservation.  Some pools may closed for maintenance and a few of the hotels only have outdoor pools which are open during the summer.

Checking out some tools at the Museum of Science in Boston.

For families with little toddlers, a visit to the local libraries is always fun and free.  The Boston Public Library (main branch) is an impressive place to visit and they have a wonderful children’s section.  The Cambridge Public Library (main branch) is also a wonderful space to relax and read with your little one.  Winter vacation week doesn’t need to be packed full of expensive outings especially when the kids are little.  Heading out into Boston for a day or so and having family time together is plenty. The Boston Children’s Museum has a fabulous room for children five and under.  It is a great place to take the little ones for an afternoon.  There is even a table in the kitchen where you can feed them lunch or snack.  The Museum of Science also offers a young children’s room that is designated or babies and tykes.  If you want to head out of the city a bit The Discovery Museums in Acton is also geared towards the younger children.

Isabelle skiing and pulling her baby cousin in the pulk.

We also like to stop in at local toy stores.  Magic Beans and Henry Bear’s Park are two of our favourites.  They children can play at the train table and parents can browse the store as well.  When the kids were little an outing to the local toy store was a must on an average weekend as well as for some winter vacation week fun.

Henry making giant bubbles at the Children’s Museum in Boston.

February Vacation Week 2018

Click to view slideshow.

Get The Inside Scoop

If you missed our Facebook Live from the Royal Sonesta Boston all about February Vacation options in the area, you can catch up here.  Masshole Mommy and I had a blast sharing all the Winter Break Fun.

Click to view slideshow.

 

 

 

The post Winter Vacation Week in and Around Boston appeared first on City Living (Boston).

Lindt Store: Easter Bunny Heaven

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Lindt Love

We tend to pop into the Lindt store in passing at the mall. The kids appreciate a truffle sample and I’m usually rushing everyone along to get to the car and off to our next errand. This week, I had no shopping bags in hand and no kids complaining about the list of errands we had to do. The smells, flavours, colours and variety for the first time had my full attention.  This time it all swept me away to a very happy space as I stepped into the Boston Lindt Store where I was a guest for the evening.

It is true that Boston has some fabulous independent chocolatiers, but for Easter both the price-point and the complex flavours can miss the mark. That’s when we head to Lindt. At Lindt, there is neither waxiness nor the nondescript sweetness of other large brandname chocolates.  The Swiss take great pride in their chocolates and for good reason.

What I have always loved about Lindt is the nostalgia factor. I grew up with the tiny European minis for special occasions or in my grandmothers crystal bowls of sweets in the parlor/sitting room. The European minis were squares of chocolate bars in miniature form each with their own characteristics and wrappers that matched the large chocolate bars. My dad would sometimes bring them back from trips to Europe after visiting family or traveling for work.

Lindt Memories

I also remember my grandmother once sharing her favourite chocolate with me. She grew up in Austria and lived in England. We would visit on occasion, but not often because it was a long trip from Canada. Every day or our visit was a special occasion since visits were so rare. One year, grandma brought out a chocolate treat wrapped in a deep red coloured paper with a picture of Mozart in the middle. It was with much reverence that I carefully unwrapped this precious gift. I bit into the bonbon and tasted so many layers of flavour and texture. The Mozartkugeln had a soft hazelnut cream center, a pistachio marzipan filling and is coated in chocolate.  My grandmother still lives in England and sometimes I’ll buy myself a Mozartkugeln and imagine her enjoying one with me as I unwrap the chocolate from the shiny crinkly wrapper.

This time, when I visited the Boston store I really delved into the world of Lindor truffles. My kids always go straight for the truffles but I think I never gave them a look because nostalgia always distracted me. In the Boston store, I had a chance to try a few different flavours, which was a bit like opening Pandora’s Box. I want to try them all and find my favourites. So far, I love the coffee flavour in the cappuccino Lindor truffle. I love the crunch of the hazelnut Lindor truffle. The hazelnut truffle has the classic smooth truffle filling and the milk chocolate shell has tasty, crunchy shards of hazelnut. I love that extra level of texture.  Then there is the almond truffle that has a marzipan like taste, but the inside is still a creamy chocolate.  As friends come over and I offer them a truffle, I learn what everyone is hoping to find in my Lindor mix.  Do you have a caramel?  Do you have something with dark chocolate?  Do you have a mint one? How about a raspberry?

Lindt For Easter & Passover

So there isn’t an Easter bunny for Passover and there is no afikomen for Easter, but what they do have in common is eggs, spring, a theme of renewal and life.  Eggs are an important part of both holidays and no one says they can’t also be in chocolate form.  Lindt has colourful mini eggs that are part of the European collection (they caught my eye and I remembered the foil designs from when I was little).  Lindt even has Kosher chocolates and truffles as well.  Ever since my visit to the Boston Chocolate shop, I have felt like the Easter bunny handing out a few chocolates, chocolate truffle eggs, and chocolate bunnies to anyone who has popped in for a visit at the house lately.  For those who have outgrown the Easter egg hunt, I suggest a trip to the Boston Lindt Store in the Lenox hotel where they can make their own Lindor mix and then a Boston outing together at the museum or an afternoon at the ballet.

If you want to make an evening or night of it, then Dinner at City Table in the Lenox hotel was delicious and they have my favourite Beekman 1802 products in the bathroom there too perhaps a family overnight in the city is in order!

The post Lindt Store: Easter Bunny Heaven appeared first on City Living (Boston).

Fresh Basket: Last Minute Guide for Easter Baskets

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Your one stop shop may be the Lindt Store where you will find treats for your little bunnies, grown ups and visitors from out of town. I love the Boston themed bags and packaging for out of town guests. If you want more than chocolate here are some other great ideas for the basket.

Colourful and tasty butter cookies from Quebrada are gorgeous on a platter for dessert or in an Easer basket.

Hi Rise has gingerbread cookies decorated for every season. I love the purple chicks and colourful eggs.

Okay so this collection of bunnies are all chocolates. The bonbons are from Serenade Chocolatier in Brookline. They are dark chocolate filled with marzipan. The blue bunny comes by mail from the delectable and creative chocolate shop Maggie Louise Confections out of Austin, Texas it is a dark chocolate with marshmallow filling and spiced graham cracker.

Spring cannot come soon enough. Buds are on the trees and the first crocuses are blooming but there is no green out there yet. These cute tattoos from Tattly are the perfect teen or tween basket filler. The leaf chocolate is from Maggie Louise and is filled with a peanut butter center. The bonbon is from Serenade Chocolatier in Brookline.

This basket had a super cute Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band purse from Target. A scented spa dough (like play dough but you will want to sneak it from your teen’s basket to play with when they are not looking) pinch me can be found at Quinstance in Lynnfield. An Armitron watch to help get your teen to the soccer field on time (Target). Old school Crayola box of crayons with the sharpener in then back of the box (Target). Tickets for the movies that you can purchase from AAA. A box of chocolates each with a special fortune in it from The Happy Chocolatier in Sudbury.

This basket is full of treats all non-edible. Sidewalk chalk ( tweemade.com), custom crayons (Etsy: art2theextreme), bubbles, nail polish (Target)

The post Fresh Basket: Last Minute Guide for Easter Baskets appeared first on City Living (Boston).

White Star Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

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As I mentioned before, stars and stripes are the theme I keep going all summer long.  I love the clean simplicity of it all and the stars and stripes have that nautical, beach feel too.  For this star ice cream sandwich, I bake the cookies first and then over stuff them with store bought ice cream.  Once the ice cream hardens, you trim the stars for a sweet, neat, summer treat.

White Star Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

White Star Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 of 1 quart of vanilla ice cream
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work area
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  1. Take the butter out the night before, or a few hours before you plan to start baking. If you forget, you can soften butter in the microwave.
  2. In a bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour, 1 1/4 tsp of baking soda and a pinch of salt. Mix together with a whisk.
  3. Cream the 6 TBSP of softened butter with the 3/4 cup of sugar.
  4. Add the egg and 1 tsp of vanilla into the creamed butter mixture.
  5. Slowly mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Do not over mix, just stir until combined.
  6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 10 minutes.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  8. Lay the plastic wrap out on the counter as you unwrap the dough and roll the dough out into 1/8 inch thick on the plastic wrap. You can also do this on a floured surface or a piece of parchment paper.
  9. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many stars as you can. Ball the scraps together and roll them out as well. Prick the cookies with a fork and lay them out on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Be sure not to crowd the cookie dough as it will expand slightly.
  10. Take the ice cream out of the freezer so it can soften a little.
  11. Bake the cookies for 8 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring them to a rack to cool.
  12. Once the cookies are cooled, overfill them with ice cream and set them on a cool cookie sheet (you can reuse the parchment you baked them on too). I like to overfill the ice cream so that I can then trim the cookie once they are frozen solid. That is how you get nice even lines and fully stuffed ice cream sandwiches.
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Pair this recipe with the red velvet ice cream sandwich recipe for a stars and stripes theme.  You can also add some sprinkles to the sides of the cookies for a little more decorative flair.

Star-shaped vanilla ice cream sandwiches can be filled with any flavour ice cream you like.
Star-shaped vanilla ice cream sandwiches can be filled with any flavour ice cream you like.

To serve the cookies, place them on a chilled platter, or you can wrap them in parchment or freezer paper sealed with a sticker or some twine and serve them individually.

The post White Star Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe appeared first on City Living (Boston).

The Row Hotel: Assembled to Perfection

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ROW Autograph-5

You can find me here in the morning with my coffee and the paper.

I have been a fan of Assembly Row since the day I stepped foot by the Mystic River.  That chilly fall day by the river, I watched a bucket loader full of Legos ceremoniously pour onto the skeleton of a spot that would one day become Legoland Discovery Center at Assembly Row followed by many other wonderful promises.  These promises have all been honoured.  From the Orange Line station that whisks you to and from Back Bay station in minutes to the mix of independent, new, local, and well-loved familiar restaurants Assembly Row has been well thought out.  The cherry on top though, has to be the latest addition: The Row Hotel.

Reception desk at The Row Hotel at Assembly Row, Somerville, MA
I can’t wait to check in! I love having a new option for family staycations, but this is also a fab new option for visitors to stay. We can meet in Boston or hang out at Assembly Row and catch up over a drink followed by a little shopping.

The guest rooms are all spacious which is not always easy to find in the city.  The classic guest rooms have either a king sized bed or two queen beds.  The larger guest rooms have a king-sized bed and a couple of sitting areas. The one bedroom suites have a powder room, a king bed, a sofa bed and large bathroom with a soaking tub. As a family of four with teens often one bedroom no longer works for all four of us.  The Row Hotel has adjoining rooms that are perfect for families or larger groups of friends, but even the regular rooms have enough space so that we aren’t on top of one another within the room.

Bedroom in The Row Hotel, Somerville MA.
Ready to move in here. As our family members gets older we all need a little more space. I appreciate that The Row Hotel has many options.

The other thing I look for when I’m booking a hotel are spaces outside our room that we can enjoy.  I look for…

  • a place we can go and play a game of cards
  • a spot where we can lounge for a while with our books
  • a corner to grab a drink and little moment together as parents
  • a quiet spot to take a quick phone call
  • a pool that is more oasis and less pool party
  • a gym to get in a workout that doesn’t feel like a treadmill in a closet

The Row checks off all the items on my list and more.  They even have a space called “The Pantry” with coffee, water, fresh fruit, and jars of candy.  That’s the perfect little errand to send a child on if someone needs a little break. “Hey, why don’t you go get an apple and a piece of candy from The Pantry while we make dinner plans.”

Click to view slideshow.

I know where I’m going for a winter getaway.  Just down the street to Assembly Row.  If the weather is great I’ll take the T into Boston and soak in all the holiday magic.  If it is not nice I can stay right here and I won’t get any kind of cabin fever.  The Row’s lobby eatery, Reflections, is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.  I’m already deciding between the heirloom tomato and Maplebrook burrata salad with crumbled olive, basil, and Maldon sea salt or the pollen dusted Salmon with sunchoke purée and I have to try the Uncommon Carrot Cake, which is carrot cake “fries” alongside a cream cheese dipping sauce and spiced golden raisin jam. Also the cocktail menu has a section called Elite Pours some day I’m going to find a reason for one of those!

I want to feel special when I walk into my hotel room and somehow The Row gets me because the rooms have Illy espresso machines and Dammann Frères teas from France.  It won’t be ready for a little while longer, but eventually there will also be an Italian restaurant in the hotel.  In the meantime, I’m trying to find an excuse for a party at The Row because we could have a lot of fun in the private event rooms.  The rooms are full of light and have some great urban views.  The spaces can be divided up for parties of 10 people to 150 people.  The combined event rooms can have up to 300 people which would fab for a conference or you know…a small Jewish wedding.

Click to view slideshow.

The Row has valet parking, or you can park at Assembly Row’s metered parking or garage.  The Row is located at 360 Foley Street in Somerville, MA at Assembly Row just steps from the Assembly T stop (orange line).  To book reservations or for more information, visit www.therowhotelboston.com.

The post The Row Hotel: Assembled to Perfection appeared first on City Living (Boston).


Traditional Bread Pudding with French Brioche (partner)

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I’m sure you are all set on pies you have your family recipe or have ordered from Community Servings. I hope you have most of your menu planned out for the big Thanksgiving feast already too. What often gets overlooked, however are the other meals that out of town guests may be joining you for.
This sweet treat is a great breakfast indulgence or it can be served with coffee the afternoon before Thanksgiving as guests roll into town. It also makes a great dessert for the non pie eaters at Thanksgiving.
Les Zygomates is a a French wine bar in Boston and this is Chef Guara Pimenta’s recipe. For breakfast I would skip the sauce and leave out the chocolate chips.
Traditional Bread Pudding with French Brioche
Executive Chef, Guara Pimenta at Les Zygomates
2 cups of granulated sugar
5 large eggs
2 cups of whole milk
2 teaspoon of vanilla paste
5 cups of cubed brioche ( Pimenta recommends a store-bought version like St. Pierre Bakery Brioche loaf * available at grocery stores nationwide )
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 stick of butter (unsalted) softened
1 cup pecans
1 cup chocolate chips (milk chocolate)
Sauce:
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 stick of butter, melted
1 egg
2 teaspoon of vanilla paste
1/3 cup of apple brandy
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together granulated sugar, eggs, chocolate and milk in a bowl, add vanilla paste. Pour over the cubed bread and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix crumble together, brown sugar, butter and pecans.
4. Pour bread mixture into a prepared pan, sprinkled brown sugar mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 45 minites until set. Remove from the oven.
For the Sauce:
  1. Mix together the granulated sugar, butter, egg and vanilla paste in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Stir together until the sugar melts.
  3. Add the apple brandy, stirring well.
  4. Pour over the bread pudding.
  • Serve warm or cold.
  • Chef Tip

    “The key to a delicious and refined bread pudding is brioche bread. [In particular,] the French kind, because of the butter content. St. Pierre Bakery in particular makes an authentic loaf that’s soft, moist and really takes bread pudding to the next level.” – Chef Pimenta

    My Tip

    I like all my desserts a little less sweet. I cut sugar in 1/2 for most recipes. If you are used to using full sugar try using 1/3 less sugar or a little less each time and you will see your palate will adjust.

    St. Pierre Bakery has sent me samples to work with for my blog.

    The post Traditional Bread Pudding with French Brioche (partner) appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker: Tiny Tweaks to Tradition

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    There are some things that I hope never change. The buzz and awe when you step into the Boston Opera House for Boston Ballet‘s The Nutcracker is something I hope never changes. The Opera House halls are all decked out for Christmas as are most of the guests from tiny tots in their jackets and bow ties and glittery little ball gowns to grandpa in his best winter evening jacket. I am lucky enough to take it all in every year as a guest of the ballet.

    This year, Boston Ballet made a few tiny tweaks to the production. Some worked well and others will have to grow on me. I do appreciate that the dancers in the Nutcracker have become a more diverse cast in the past couple of years, but I am still waiting for an African American Clara and Fritz. I think that will be a huge step in the right direction not just for Boston Ballet but for the world of ballet as a whole.

    Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Angela Sterling; courtesy of Boston Ballet

    The one change that Boston Ballet did make, that has to grow on me, was having Clara dance on pointe and selecting an older cast member to play the part. It created some disconnects. For example when Clara gets a pair of pointe shoes as a gift. It is much less exciting and momentous because she’s already dancing on pointe.

    I have seen productions with a more advanced student or a company member play Clara, but then the rest of the casting has to be adjusted too to have it be believable. The reason for this change, as told by Boston Ballet is for “enhancing the students’ learning experience and cultivating mentorship between Company and student.”. While, I think this connection already existed, there must be more to it behind the scenes. There didn’t seem to be that same dynamic between Clara and her brother Fritz or the other party girls. Perhaps as the show goes on that will develop but this was one tweak that didn’t quite work for me.

    That being said Mia Sneedle’s performance was flawless and (spoiler alert) she successful killed the Mouse King with her pointe shoe!

    Paulo Arrais and Misa Kuranaga in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Liza Voll, courtesy of Boston Ballet

    What I do love, that has not changed, are the sets and costumes. I love this production’s way of setting the tone for each scene. It truly is magical. Misa Kuranaga as the sugar plum fairy was exceptional and her partnering with Paolo Arrais was fantastic.

    Boston Ballet also officially began their season with newly appointed Music Director Mischa Santora. This is an exciting update as Boston Ballet had been having guest conductors throughout last season. Music Director Mischa Santora guest conducted seven Boston Ballet performances of John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet last season.

    Kathleen Breen Combes and Desean Taber in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Angela Sterling; courtesy of Boston Ballet

    The other choreographic tweaks are refreshing and subtle. For Arabian, the woman is no longer summoned with a clap of the hands but rather appears on stage of her own free will. Kathleen Breen Combes did an amazing performance, as always, performing Arabian and Desean Taber was a more than worthy partner in his own right.

    In Tea, the classic and perhaps overly stereotypical “chopstick fingers” were edited out of the choreography and replaced with more traditional ballet hands. The younger dancers had flowers in their hair instead of the Chinese caricature style hats that also gave Tea a more progressive feel.

    The last change that I noticed, is that this year Boston Ballet will not have a New Year’s Eve performance. Don’t worry though, there will be plenty of performances to choose from including special evenings such as: study break, all access (tonight), and corporate night.

    Nutcracker Study Break Night: Thursday, December 6 at 7:30 pm

    Boston Ballet presents the fourth year of Study Break Night, a one-night event for college students to relax during exam week with a pre-performance concert by the Boston College Acoustics and student discounts at the Boston Ballet Shop. 

    Corporate Night at The Nutcracker: Wednesday, December 12 at 5 pm

    Business leaders, clients, and staff are invited to experience the beloved holiday classic with a one-of-a-kind festive cocktail reception, character meet-and-greet, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, followed by the performance. 

    All-Access Nutcracker: Sunday, December 2 at 6 pm

    This performance will feature additional accommodations, events, and support designed to make the show more accessible and enjoyable for the community, including: large print programs, live audio description, audio-enhanced equipment, ASL interpretation, specialized seating options, and a digital “social story” to preview the Opera Houseexperience and story of The Nutcracker. In conjunction with the all-access performance, there will be a Touch Tour during intermission in the Opera House lobby, which will allow participants to physically and tactilely experience elements of the show such as props, costumes, characters, and movement.

    All 41 performances of The Nutcracker will take place at the Boston Opera House (539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111).

    Tickets start at $37. For more information, visit  bostonballet.org/nutcracker or call 617.695.6955.

    The Nutcracker performance length is approximately 2 hours including one intermission.

    Choreography: Mikko Nissinen
    Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Set & Costume Design: Robert Perdziola
    Lighting Design: Mikki Kunttu

    Misa Kuranaga in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; photo by Angela Sterling; courtesy of Boston Ballet

    The post Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker: Tiny Tweaks to Tradition appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Cookie Decorating in North Cambridge:

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    Making and decorating cookies with your kids can be a fun memorable moment. On the flip side, it can be a crazed stressful mess. This year you can take a shortcut and do it for a great cause.

    NOCA Provisions located in North Cambridge has begun theirKids for Kids” holiday cookie program. On Sundays in December, you can stop into NOCA Provisions with the kids and purchase one of its “Kids for Kids gingerbread cookie decorating kits which includes (2) cookies and (3) colored icings for $20.00 with 100% of proceeds being donated to Team No Kid Hungry

     It’s a fun way to get out during the holidays, but it’s more in keeping with the spirit of the season by empowering kids to help other kids and opening a larger conversation about giving,”

      NOCA Provisions owner Robert Harris.

    No reservations are required, kits are available for purchase onsite and decorating is encouraged at the restaurant with free hot chocolate available, or take your kits to-go. For more information call: 617-902-0764 or visit: https://www.nocaprovisions.com/

    The post Cookie Decorating in North Cambridge: appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Clara’s Nutcracker: José Mateo’s Ballet Theatre

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    There are as many unique dancers as there are snowflakes, and there may he just as many versions of The Nutcracker. The story is basically the same, with a few additional characters based on which country you see The Nutcracker in and which version is being performed. Some variations focus much more on the lands visited by Clara and her Nutcracker prince, but the ones I like best are like José Mateo’s Ballet Theatre’s version and feel much more like Clara’s story. Clara is the person the audience becomes. They go on her journey with her.

    Arlington’s Alexandra Kellie, Winchester’s Kennedy Luce-Burke, and Lexington’s Delia Wada-Gill alternate the lead role of Clara.

    More than 200 children ranging in age from 6 to 18 make up three Nutcracker casts ranging from mice to party children to angels and cherubs. Arlington’s Alexandra Kellie, Winchester’s Kennedy Luce-Burke, and Lexington’s Delia Wada-Gill alternate the lead role of Clara.All of the older dancers play many parts in one evening, and even the Claras are seen dancing nightly in their alternate roles from Angels to flowers.

    The professionals in the cast are José Mateo Ballet Theatre company dancers and teachers, they include local talent who join this tight knit community just for Nutcracker season and Ballet Theatre acknowledges all the wonderful dance schools in the community who have trained and worked with all the dancers: Roxbury Prep, 4 Star Dance Studio, Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet School, Brookline Ballet, Charles River Ballet Academy, Dance Connection in Stoughton, Dance Place in Arlington, Dance Theatre of New England, Dance Time, Dance Fit Brookline, Fresh Pond Ballet, Hazel Boone Studio, Hingham Community, Intergrarte Jamaica Plain, Dance Workshop, Jean Paige School of Dance, Julieanne’s Dance Workshop, Koltun Ballet Boston, Lexington School of Ballet, Lorraine Spada School of Dance, Lynn & Jen’s Dance Studio, and Miss Emily West Roxbury.

    In Ballet Theatre’s production, Clara is a strong character, who doesn’t put up with any of the boys’ taunting when she receives a rather odd gift from her uncle Drosselmeir. She has a soft spot for this rather mysterious character and even gets him to loosen up and join her on the dance floor during the holiday party. The evening of the performance we saw Clara was performed by Kennedy Luce-Burke. She danced beautifully and held her own with a cast of seasoned professionals and a plethora of José Mateo Ballet Theatre students. Kennedy Luce-Burke danced the role of Clara on pointe, and one thing I enjoy about watching any of Mr Matéo’s works is that he does not “dumb down” the choreography, but rather raises the dancer to meet his vision.Kennedy Luce-Burke definitely rose to the occasion with her artistry, strength and pantomime.

    Nutcracker previews in the grande studio at José Mateo Ballet Theatre school in Cambridge.

    The Nutcracker had the audience on a journey with many laughs from the cutest mice and Polichinelles to the familiar sibling rivalries and Clara kicking (in the most balletic way) the littlest boy trying to snatch away the nutcracker. From belly laughs to total awe and silence during the beautiful snow scene when the room is so quiet, all coughing and children’s excited chatter disappears as the music builds and like magic the snow begins to fall. I may or may not have teared up at the magic of the scene.

    Nutcracker previews in the grande studio at José Mateo Ballet Theatre school in Cambridge.

    On stage, you find dancers who have performed with companies big and small. The dance world is a small one and dancers will always be dancers whether they have other careers, make dance their profession, or are young dancers exploring what the art means to them. When they all come on stage together to do what they love, you see past any sickled feet, less than perfect splits or lifts and you see the story, the joy and the magic. I have seen only one or two perfect performances in my entire life, and I have seen ballet in many countries and cities. The true perfection comes when the choreography and artistry come together and outweigh any flaws in the dancing itself we are all human after all… even ballet dancers.

    Although, I love the big jumps and machismo of Boston Ballet’s Russian dancers, it was nice to see a different version. Cecelia Zeval and Henoch Spinola were a wonderful, energetic duo, with their flawless performance. Sabrina Appleby and Michayla Kelly in Tea were also perfectly together with a playful energy and joy they brought to the stage. I loved Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre’s Pastorale that had a Parisian flare with their pancake tutus and fascinator style hats. Angie DeWolf as sugar plum fairy and Spencer Doru Keith as her Cavalier had some wonderful partnering and lifts. I also felt that even in Arabian there was a strength to the female characters throughout the production that you don’t always get in The Nutcracker (and I’m not talking about just physical strength here).

    On stage you find former Boston Ballet Claras, and professional dancers, Mathematicians, academics from the world’s most prestigious universities, Physicists, Psychology students, ballet teachers, pianists, violinists, children who will some day become professional dancers, scientists, artists and heads of state. I especially enjoy reading about each dancer in a production like this because the cast is pulled together from within the school and the greater community.

    José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker is performed to recorded music, as ticket prices could not be so reasonable with a live orchestra. Discounted tickets can be found at Goldstar and Mayor’s Holiday Special.

    Performances are held at Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theatre & Dorchester’s Strand Theatre:

    Cutler Majestic- Boston

    Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
    Sunday, December 9 at 1:30 & 5:00 pm

    Click here to be redirected to the Cutler Majestic website where you can order tickets online or call their box office at 617-824-8400.

    The Strand – Dorchester

    Friday, December 14 at 7:30 pm
    Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
    Sunday, December 16 at 1:30 & 5:00 pm

    Friday, December 21 at 7:30 pm
    Saturday, December 22 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm
    Sunday, December 23 at 1:30 & 5:00 pm

    Click here to be re-directed to Brown Paper Tickets where you can place your order online.

    The post Clara’s Nutcracker: José Mateo’s Ballet Theatre appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Holiday Treats: Gluten Free Pecan Pralines

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    Candy without a candy thermometer? I was skeptical but willing to give it a try. They were actually that easy and delicious.

    Gluten Free Pecan Pralines

    Ingredients

    1 1/2 cups of pecans, chopped slightly

    1 cup brown sugar dark or light works

    ⅓ cups heavy cream

    ¼ cups butter, unsalted

    1 cup confectioners sugar (aka powdered)

    1 teaspoon vanilla

    1. In a medium saucepan, bring brown sugar, whipping cream, pecans and butter to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Make sure you get the edges of the pan too.
    2. Lay out a piece of parchment paper on the counter or table. Make sure you have a spot for the hot pan. You will be working quickly.
    3. Boil the mixture for about 1 minute. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.Stir mixture until powdered sugar has dissolved and thickened. Drop heaping spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto parchment paper and allow to harden/cool.

    The post Holiday Treats: Gluten Free Pecan Pralines appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Xfinity Has Chutzpah (Sponsored)

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    Sometimes progress is slow, but when a company has chutzpah, the kind of chutzpah Mrs Maisel has, you’d be surprised how fast things can change. We use Xfinity services at home and I partner with them as well on posts such as this one.

    I have been wanting to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel since it first came out on Amazon Prime. That was two full seasons ago. When I was invited to a screening of the first episode of season 2 I had the perfect excuse to finally watch the 1st season. Let me back track for a minute and 1st explain why I have not watched a show I had been dying to watch.

    I could watch Amazon Prime Video on my Alexa Show in the kitchen, but I wanted to really watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and not just have it on in the background. So, that leaves watching it on the Amazon Fire Stick but that was plugged into the tv at the kids’ art table/homework area and that space is almost always occupied. The other option, was to watch it on my iPad, but the kids usually leave it somewhere in the house uncharged and completely dead. By the time I’m ready to relax I have no time to let the iPad charge. But then…

    … the skies opened up and I heard choir music (or maybe it was just the holiday music on the radio and the light of my computer with an email from Xfinity. Here is where the chutzpah comes in. First Xfinity offered Netflix. Then you could take your shows with you anywhere you went. Now there is Amazon Prime Video too. So pretty much any platform you watch shows on, are integrated on Xfinity x1. So now you have no excuse not to catch up on our family’s favourite new show to watch together. For us it is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. X1 is the only platform to have Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. That’s a lot of holiday show options to catch up on! What shows are you watching?

    The post Xfinity Has Chutzpah (Sponsored) appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Blue Year’s Eve Party: The Perfect NYE Giveaway

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    Even before kids we never really had our act together for New Year’s Eve. My husband is an early bird and doesn’t do the “stay up until midnight” thing that well. Since kids, neither do I. We have always kind of floated around on NYE with no specific plans and it is a bit of a let down.

    What I realised recently is that our best New Year’s Eves have been when we have plans like the year we went to see Boston Ballet’s NYE Nutcracker. The year we stayed at The Colonnade and participated in First Night was also a blast. We have had a few parties at home too but we really love having plans out. They are not even really late nights but they are in our city and there is a festive contagious buzz around us.

    This year there is no NYE Nutcracker, but Blue Man Group has a NYE show that families can take in midday or midnight (in Portugal time – 8pm out time).

    “Each year we want to add something festive to the overall show experience. New this year, we’re spicing up our New Year’s Eve shows to make it a way for the entire family from kids to grandparents to celebrate the New Year, Blue Man style.”

    -Jonathan Screnci, Blue Man Group Boston Resident General Manager

    For the New Year’s Eve celebration there are four shows for the whole family on December 31st (11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm). The NYE show will feature party hats, noisemakers, and a “countdown” including a special musical performance by the Blue Men band to ring in 2019.Charles Playhouse will be serving seasonal libations during the holiday shows.

    Blue Man Group and I have partnered up to five away a set of four tickets to any if the NYE shows in Boston to one lucky winner this year. You can enter to win here.

    If you already have a NYE tradition, don’t worry because Blue Man Group has holiday shows going on from now through New Year’s Eve. Throughout December there are added matinees as well as merry photo props and a jolly backdrop that
    will be on display in the Charles Playhouse Lounge for guests to stage the ultimate seasonal selfies with the Blue Men after the show.

    More information on the holiday happenings at Blue Man Group Boston can be found at www.blueman.com

    The post Blue Year’s Eve Party: The Perfect NYE Giveaway appeared first on City Living (Boston).


    Cruise Boston: Classic Harbor Line Cruises

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    This fall I was invited on a fall foliage cruise with the Classic Harbor Line cruises and I was not sure what to expect. I had been on other harbor cruises in Boston and New York and found them to be cheesy. The décor tends to be dated, tour guides lackluster, and the food served could best be described as passable. Classic Harbor Line cruises made those old cruises a distant memory.

    While this classic Lake Champlain yacht kept the charm and some of the classic yachting vibe, it was bright, cozy and cute with plenty of instagrammable spots although everyone was having too much fun to remember to pull out their phones.

    The seating areas included tables and chairs in the dining area as well as comfortable couches in an indoor “living room” space with games from Uno and Jenga to Bananagrams.

    On the upper deck there were park bench style benches and fleece blankets to snuggle up under.

    Each cruise has a different focus. The yacht visits different parts of the harbor based on the theme of the cruise. For the holidays there are so many choices including the
    Cocoa and Carols, Holiday Brunch Cruise, Holiday Sunset Cruise, an Irish Christmas Carol as well as the Cocoa and Blues Holiday Cruise

    Tickets can be purchased online here

    Gather friends and family to celebrate the holidays together in a fun and unique way.

    The post Cruise Boston: Classic Harbor Line Cruises appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Come to Your Senses: Holiday Shopping at Stitch & Tickle and Vintage Garden

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    It feels like winter showed up at the doorstep an hour earlier than the time on the invitation. If you are not careful, the whole holiday season is going to catch you off guard. In order to float through the season gracefully, you need to get out and get on it. I suggest you enjoy your shopping rather than racing through over-heated, artificially lit, malls or scrolling blurry-eyed staring at late night online shops only to later end up with missed deliveries.

    If you live near the city, you can get a shopping run done in 30 minutes if you have to. If you want, you can make a it a 1/2 day of shopping and get more done while also enjoying lunch or dinner with your friends or family.

    SOWA may be full of art that goes on the wall and objets to make your room have a certain look, but two newcomers appeal to more of your senses than just sight. Stitch & Tickle has works in leather and shearling that will have you tickled pink. Next door, Vintage Garden awakens your senses with the scent of flowers, candles, soap, and living things even as the world around you slips into hibernation.

    The studio and shop at Stitch & Tickle is a beautiful tasting menu of leather bags, cases, and accessories made by the artist on site as well as a collection of housewares by other artists. The scent of the leather, the buttery softness of clutches, purses and handbags, as well as the beautiful pieces carefully curated in the shop leave you feeling like you have just tasted the best of every course; you will leave fully satisfied and slightly giddy. Whether you are browsing or looking for a gift Stitch & Tickle is worth a visit.

    Sophie Truong’s designs are just classic enough to make you want one of every style and yet each bag is a unique work of art. The softness of the leather and how it seems to fall into place with each hand cut and stitched piece makes you fall deeply in love with these bags.

    Just as Stitch & Tickle is more than a studio and artist’s storefront, Vintage Garden is not just sourcing and selling flowers. Cristina Lupica’s Vintage Garden is a flower shop and home style boutique during the day. By night, the SOWA shop transforms into an event space and workshop.

    The room is a beautiful blank canvas that can be set up for as few as 6 people for a terrarium class or as many of 50 for a soirée.

    With Lupica’s eye for design and experience with all the little details that a great party deserves, Vintage Garden is a gift to both the attendees and hosts.

    The post Come to Your Senses: Holiday Shopping at Stitch & Tickle and Vintage Garden appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Nice and Nauti Gift Guide

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    The reason I seek out nautical items for my home is that it reminds me of summer days by the water. I love the peacefulness and serenity of the seaside. That’s also why I think Nautical gifts are a great idea for those friends and family who are always dreaming of being by the water. Here are some ideas for those Nauti folks on your nice list.

    The USS Constitution Museum Shop has gifts for those who love all things Nautical but also plenty for your history buff as well. This beautiful bracelet is crafted from copper removed from the hull of USS Constitution during restoration.

    The USS Constitution Museum Store has apparel featuring USS Constitution‘s helm and anchor, Chelsea Clocks™, pens made from “Old Ironsides” wood, Constitution copper medallions, and more. Some items are available online but for a larger selection, visit the shop.

    The Museum store is open during museum hours. It is located at Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22 in Charlestown.

    Museum Hours

    Spring – Summer
    Open Daily | 9:00 – 6:00

    Fall – Winter
    Open Daily | 10:00 – 5:00

    Go big or go home! This golden cod definitely sets the tone in a room. It is handmade by Master carver Paul Kukstis of Kukstis Woodcarving. The attention to detail and craftsmanship will awe anyone who walks by this wall ornament for years to come. In addition to making folk art, house number signs, signs and quarter-boards Paul Kukstis offers carving classes.

    Kukstis’ studio and gallery is located in Scituate, which is a small seaside town located about 25 miles south of Boston on the way Cape Cod.

    Belmont Books has you covered for just about any kind of book your loved ones like to read. For your bibliophile friends who are also water lovers. Look around and you will find the perfect gift. If you don’t know where to start, ask the staff they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Belmont Books is located at 79 Leonard Street in Belmont and is open 7 days a week.

    At Grey Mist Studio & Shop in Huron Village, Cambridge, where they teach classes for making Nantucket baskets, there are gorgeous gifts for all ages. Grey Mist definitely has a nautical theme sprinkled throughout the shop. From housewares and clothing to jewelry and trinkets, Grey Mist has many unique and beautiful gifts. For the creative person who has everything, consider the gift of a basket making class. Grey Mist is located at 364 Huron Ave in Cambridge and is open Monday through Saturday.

    These beautiful ceramic ornaments are a nice touch for the Christmas tree. If you don’t have a tree, you can hang them on a light switch, a hook, or the corner of a frame. They also make beautiful gift toppers that can later be used as ornaments. The ceramic ornaments are made by Lori Dawn Ceramics. Lori Dawn is originally from New York. She has lived in England where she studied drawing and jewelry making at Bath Artists Studios, and then moved to Montreal and continued her art studies in ceramics at the Centre des Arts Visual. She then set up her studio at home after moving back to Massachusetts.

    Belles and Whistles in Belmont is another great spot to shop for nautical gifts. I especially love their Mariposa napkin holders and these cute baby gifts. Bells and Whistles is located at 68 Leonard Street in Belmont and is open 7 days a week.

    If you lived in the Boston area, you used to have to go online or find them in a catalog, but recently Sea Bags have popped up in their very own brick and mortar shops on Newbury Street and at the The Shops at Chestnut Hill among others. These bags are made from recycled sails. They are nautical through and through and come in all sorts of designs. These bucket bags and the wine bottle bags are one of my favourite gifts for the holidays. We use the bucket bags for everything from bringing card games and toys in the car to holding ice and drinks at the beach.

    Let’s hope that all your friends and family are nauti- and nice this holiday season.

    Nautical prints in the top of the story are from Marthablox out of Grove Street Studio in Salem, MA

    The post Nice and Nauti Gift Guide appeared first on City Living (Boston).

    Fantasy Thanksgiving Menu: Boston Area Thanksgiving To Go

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    I love to cook, so our Thanksgiving is prepared by me and my entire family with a few exceptions. We always have a selection of Fastachi nuts, seeds, and mixes for guests to nibble on while the turkey is cooking. I also love the ooey gooey deliciousness of Petsi Pies pecan pie so I always have to add one to our dessert table next to my mom’s and husband’s pie.  Many people would rather leave the cooking to others and luckily there are a lot of people making some amazing food to go. All you have to do is choose your menu and get your orders in on time.

      
    My fantasy menu:

    Starters:

    Mushroom bisque from Ten Tables ($16/quart)

    Roasted Squash and Leek Soup from Formaggio Kitchen ($6/ serving)

    With a choice of:

    Buttermilk Biscuits with Parsley and Sage or Double Corn Cornbread with Honey and Fresh Thyme from Flour Bakery ($2.95/biscuit $9/cornbread loaf)

    A slather of Sofra’s house made crème fraîche butter with honeycomb will go perfectly with the biscuits.  ($9/pint)

    For the cornbread and dinner rolls I’d serve Hi Rise’s own cultured butter. ($8.50/8oz)

    Turkey & Vegetarian Main:

    If you want to cook a little then pop in to Pantry, in Brookline. Pantry has everything measured and ready for you recipe, ingredients and all.  Their Turkey Roulade recipe serves two and all you have to do is pop in and pick up all the elements of the dish portioned out and all ready to go.  The Turkey Roulade and Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing with Mushroom Gravy and Green Beans ($24) is for two people. Each “Recipe Kit” is pre-portioned, locally sourced when possible, and simple to prepare. 

    Wilson Farm is happy to cook the entire turkey dinner for you.  Thanksgiving “to go” includes a 10 to 12 pound Plainville Farm turkey, 2.5 pounds of mashed potatoes, butternut squash, traditional bread stuffing and 2 pounds of green beans almondine. There’s also a 16 ounce jar of Wilson Farm cranberry sauce, two 13oz. turkey gravy and 12 soft dinner rolls. Then just in case your guests have room included is a nine-inch, pumpkin pie. (serves 6-8 hungry adults $129)

    We have, despite my initial trepidation, become a family that fries their turkey. If you, like me, are afraid of a huge bubbling vat of vegetable oil, let Summer Shack fry your turkey for you ($95/8-10 people) and it comes with gravy. Roasted turkeys and sides are also available.

    The vegetarian guests would get a generous slice of Butternut Squash Phyllo Pie with Gruyere from Sofra ($22 serves 4-6)

    One gravy is good but more gravy is better.  Flour has an apple cider, thyme pan gravy that sounds delectable. 

    Sides Galore:

    To me, the turkey is all well and good but the feast is really all about the sides.  So continuing along with the fantasy menu there will be.

    Scallion mashed potatoes from Formaggio (sm ($9) serves 1-2, med ($18) serves 4-6, lg ($32) serves 10-12)

    Brussels Sprouts with crispy garlic, pepitas and sherry vinaigrette from Sofra ($18 serves 4-6)

    Hi Rise’s glazed Brussels sprouts made with honey mustard and toopes with crispy morsels of bacon.

    Sofra’s Bread & Butter stuffing with leeks, celery and nigella seeds ($16 serves 4-6)

    Formaggio’s housemade sausage stuffing ($8/sm, $16/med, $30/lg)

    Mac ‘n cheese from Ten Tables ($16/quart)

    Since this is a fantasy menu I don’t have to choose, thank goodness, because I want both the meat steeped stuffing and the vegetarian one from Flour so there will be: classic herb stuffing with butternut squash, kale and apples as well as the duck-fat country bread stuffing with currants, winter greens, smoked bacon and shallots.

    Flour’s roasted cauliflower with almonds capers and golden raisins ($12 serves 3-4)

    Garlic braised dark leafy greens from Sofra ($14 serves 4-6)

    Formaggio Kitchen’s haricots verts sautéed with almonds because there always has to be green beans. Because I love my greens I’ll also take some creamed spinach ($9/sm, $18/med, $32/lg)

    We’ll take one can of cranberry sauce because there is always someone who wants that jelly, but then there will also be a few other options.

    Condiments:

    Maple onion jam from Sofra ($8/pint)

    Quince and cranberry relish with Syrian spice ($9/pint)

    Flour’s cranberry, ginger, and orange chutney ($7/pint)

    Cranberry relish from Hi Rise with apples, golden raisins, ginger, walnuts and Ruby Port (my homemade cranberry sauce always has Port) $12/pint $23/quart. 

    Dessert:

    A selection of Formaggio’s cheeses local cheeses (this is an all American holiday after all) paired with a little of Hi Rise’s fig and almond conserve ($12/9oz jar). 

    Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie from Formaggio Kitchen ($27)

    Sofra’s Candied Pumpkin Revani – Syrup-soaked semolina cake ($24)

    1 double crust apple pie from Flour ($26)

    a roasted pear and cranberry crostata also from Flour ($28)

    Hi Rise’s cranberry crumble because I secretly love an oat crumble more than pie crust ($15/6 inch or $22/8 inch)

    Pear, Almond and Golden Raisin Umm Ali from Sofra ($24)
    A pecan pie, an apple crumb, a pumpkin and a sweet potato pie from Petsi Pies ($24 each)

    South End Buttery’s chocolate salted caramel cupcakes ($18/ 1/2 dozen) because to some there is no dessert unless there is chocolate somewhere and for our little guests cupcakes are way better than pie.

    Because there can always be pie for breakfast, I will add in a frangipane and pear tart from Praliné ($20/ 4 servings, $30/6, $38/8)

    Now that is a feast!  

    This is just a small selection of what you can get and I love that Flour has thought about breakfast too with treats like: pumpkin spice bread with candied pepitas, gluten-free chocolate chip and coconut muffin cake, a delicata squash, goat cheese and onion jam crostata, old fashioned gingebread with coffee glaze just to name a few. 

    If you want to make any of this fantasy menu your reality- juat make sure yoi get your order in on time. Check online, call or stop in to meet the deadline.

      

    Unusual Places to Shop for the Holidays: A Breath of Fresh Air

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    I enjoy shopping, whether I’m window shopping, going to a few favourite stores at the mall (Nordstrom, Kiehls, Polarn O. Pyret, Victoria’s Secret (they have the best pyjamas), Williams Sonoma) or popping into local stores I love (Half Crown, Didriks, Hatched, Magic Beans, Henry Bear’s Park, Porter Square Books, Crate Escape/Raining Cats & Dogs, Polka Dog Bakery, Flock, Olives & Grace, Follain, Laura Preshong Jewelry Gallery, Art Beat).  On the other hand, a weekend at the mall this time of year brings out anything but Christmas spirit in me and a weekend at the mall or driving from shop to shop is not a weekend well spent in my book.  I tend to do most of my shopping before Thanksgiving just to avoid the crowds, but I always need a few more things.  My solution is to shop in unexpected places.  Then I can enjoy the experience.  Grab a coffee and shop for a few items here.  Stroll through a garden and pick up a few more gifts there.  Then the holiday remains something I look forward to and not something I resent.  Here are a few places to find great gifts without the crowds.

      
    Tower Hill Botanic Gardens has a beautiful gift shop.  Take the family to see their light display or just for a walk through the gardens.  Then stop in the shop for everything from books for the family gardener to colouring books for your tween, ornaments for your relatives, and edible treats for the hostess.  

      
    Huron Village is a fun little village to shop in.  With Observatory Hill just down the road you can have two shopping experiences in one.  If you bring the family, you can leave one parent at Full Moon with the kids for dinner while the other pops out to do some shopping.  Huron Village has: Susi, the Ouimillie pop up at Half Crown, Grey Mist, Marimekko, Magic Beans, Bryn Mawr Book Store and Easy Chair Antiques.  Observatory Hill will host their holiday stroll on Sunday, December 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Stop by Hi Rise Bread Company for their Holiday Bazaar, decorate cookies, eat freshly roasted chestnuts, shop, have your face painted, enjoy sweet bites and savory nibbles as you stroll and gget a holiday photo taken as well.  

       
        
     Pantry in Brookline is a great place for this busy time of year to grab the ingredients and recipe for dinner, a gift card for a local teacher, and believe it or not a few gifts for the cooks in your family (or soon to be cook – like your college student).  

    Hi Rise will have plenty of wares for sale from artisans at the Holiday Stroll today, Sunday, but they are also a great stop for holiday shoppping.  Their perfectly curated wine crates and shelves with whiskey, gins, and more.  There are coffee cakes, Panetonnes, spice cakes, jams and more that make great gifts as well.  

      
    Forge Baking Co. is another great spot to stop for your morning coffee and pick up some unique, fabulous gifts.  Their boutique has whiskey maple syrup, caramel sauce, gorgeous wooden cutting boards and so much more.  

    Gather Here is a fiber crafter’s paradise. The gift of a class for just the right person young or old will make someone’s holiday. If you are the crafter in the family then stop in and get materials for a short project (there’s still time!).  

    Praliné in Belmont is a newcomer and the definition of a hidden gem. It is a taste of Paris (some say even better than some of what Paris has to offer). In addition to being able to pick up a treasure box full of Macarons with flavours like blackcurrant violet, lemon, cookies and cream, chocolate and pistachio amont others, there are also classic French candies. There are also shelves full of beautiful dragées (sugar coated almonds), stunning tins of tea, French jams, and tiny jars of drunken cherries. For the holidays they also offer three types of Bûche de Noël (yule log) that you can order now for Christmas. I have my eye on the berries and cream yule log.

    Formaggio Kitchen has everything from condiments and pasta to their world famous selection of cheeses and charcuterie. Special maple syrups, jams, beers ciders, and even little gifts like soaps and lotions can be found near the checkout counter. 

    Fairs and Markets are not the church craft fairs that they used to be. You can still go to your favourite church bazaar but between the winter markets (Somerville Winter Market, Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market, Cambridge Winter Farmer’s Market or a market in your community), Eat Boutique’s pop up Holiday Market is fabulous and has parking (bonus!!), and all the neighbourhood pop ups there really is no need to head to a mall. These markets all have a great variety of gifts, the experience is a party in itself more often than not with little treats and sips for you as you shop. 

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