Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

8.02.2013

My Month in Rewind: July

Another month in the books. The older I get, the quicker time seems to pass me by. I think the perpetual work week has something to do with this phenomenon. I know I'm not alone when I say "I live for the weekend." There's truly nothing better than the feeling you get on Thursday night, knowing you only have to put in one more day until freedom at last. And the older I get, and the more routine my job gets, I've realized you have to make those two days count. So call your friends, make plans, get out of the house, cook a complicated recipe, share it with your family, wear all of your clothes that your sticky-fingers-nanny-job won't allow for (even if you're just walking around Target in them). Do something, because there's nothing worse than the Sunday night feeling (right Cait?), especially when you have nothing to show for the last two days.

So here it is. The month of July boiled down to a blog post. And wouldn't you know, weddings seemed to take over this four week period just as they did June. I'm not exaggerating when I say I might be the real life version of Katherine Heigl's "27 Dresses" character. The school vacation of my youth has turned into a three month wedding ceremony, and not that I'm complaining, weddings are a blast, but I think I'd be set with one per summer. I like my me time.


I also like the Fourth of July. Maybe more than Christmas. The amount of dips at a summer BBQ is pretty outstanding. Ending your night under a blanket of fireworks is real story book stuff. And the red, white, and blue color scheme is just the cherry on top of a perfect, American holiday.



I spent the 3rd on Whitehorse Beach in Plymouth, MA next to this HUGE bonfire.



My Fourth of July weekend was spent on these picnic tables, celebrating one of my oldest friend's, Ali, upcoming nuptials. It's the only picture I managed to take during our bachelorette party gone camping - Solo cups of sangria. We stayed in cabins on Martha's Vineyard, and while I did get to check something off of my Summer Bucket List, I think it's safe to say I'm past my camping days. Hotels just get me. 

While sleeping in the wilderness may not be my thing, taking in the island definitely is. We didn't do much besides relaxing on a beach and gorging on food and drinks, but it was exactly what we needed. I was in charge of our Saturday night dinner plans, and after a little research, I went with The Red Cat Kitchen in Oaks Bluff. It. was. incredible. Local, seasonal dishes, while Jaws played in the background was quintessential Martha's Vineyard. Creative vegetarian options are hard to come by on the island, but the chefs here blew me away. I went with the "vegetarian showdown," which was a combination of various plant based appetizers and sides the restaurant was serving up for the night, my favorite being the tomato, basil, and corn soup. I loved not knowing exactly what I would be eating until it was right in front of me. To wash it all down, The Red Cat has some pretty tasty cocktails on the menu - order the Sazerac, trust me. 


This is Ali. She's nuts. Ali and Chris got married at the Jones River Trading Post in Kingston, MA on the hottest day of the year. And although outdoor pictures were a no go for the sweaty face factor, at least it didn't rain. The venue was gorgeous, the band was a blast, and dancing all night with some great friends is always a good thing. 


A couple of my favorite couples. 


Between weddings, my weekends were spent on the beach with my closest friends and family, who all happen to live within 100 feet of me. Have I told you how great my neighborhood is? Here's a few shots on Saquish Beach. We piled ourselves between two boats and ten coolers, and spent the day eating, drinking, and thoroughly enjoying each other's company. 



My work week also vacationed on the beach. In Chatham. Not a bad gig. 


Especially when you get to look at these cute faces on the daily.


Outdoor eating. A must. And another check off the old bucket list.


Farmers markets are the sole reason I'll tolerate relentless weeks of humidity. My wallet thanks you.


Fancy hummus spreads are another market perk.


I'm just crossing things off of my bucket list left and right here. My brother's fire pit, which he built himself, is my favorite way to end a summer night. It's the best part of camping combined with a comfortable bed to go home to. I hear s'mores are a thing too. 


What? More weddings? A longtime family friend tied the knot here at this gorgeous church.


Obviously we had to take pictures of ourselves while we waited for the "I do's." Are photo sessions in churches frowned upon? These two beauties are my best friend, Britt, and my sister, Sydney. They're my people. 


Here come's the bride!


Time to party!!


Trav and Kritsy's wedding made all those summer vows worth it. The food was delicious, the company was even better, and the party never seemed to end. And even though my health nut self was trying to reject too many cocktails, all that dancing is sure to negate some of the over indulgence, right?


Me and my girls!!


Bedtime! 


Out with a BANG! And on to August...

7.08.2013

Summer Bucket List


Summer Bucket List
  •    make friends with someone who has a pool
  •    go to Martha's Vineyard
  •    go to a concert 
  •    read more, preferably on a hammock
  •    make more homemade ice-cream
  •    make popsicles, add booze
  •    go to the Wellfleet drive-in theatre
  •    pack in as many fire pit nights as possible (at my brother's)
  •    visit a pick-your-own blueberry farm, then make this
  •    go to the sandbar, a lot
  •    have a girls weekend in Portland, ME 
  •    eat outside whenever possible 

And most importantly...STOP PINNING, START DOING!!
(Above photos found on Pinterest, ugh)

I hope this inspires some bucket list creation of your own. If anything, it helps with the constant need to make a list of something, then cross things off. BTW, I promise some food in my next post!

7.02.2013

My Month in Rewind: June

While June no longer wraps up a long school year with three months of solid vacationing, it still brings lots of great things, most notably, warmer weather. And this June, we had wedding bells to ring in the summer. On June 1st, my brother, Luke, said "I do" to the love of his life, and one of my great friends, Caitlin. With a few straight weekends of gray clouds and thunder showers, Mother Nature was on our side as the wedding weekend approached. And although it could have been a little cooler (first heat wave of the season), the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and besides tears of joy, not a drop of water was felt. Their day was perfectly blissful, and like most weddings, not long enough. I can't wait until Cait gets the photographer's pictures so I can relive their day. I'd say a family dinner and slideshow are in order! Until then, here's a little summer fun...


Wedding Shower Q + A..."What are you most excited for?!"  #mamasboy


Cait + The Bridesmaids


Shower + Bachelorette Party + Rehearsal Dinner


Their photographer was AMAZING! If you don't know Nikki Lanoue of NEW[by Nikki], check her out! I absolutely adore the vintage feel of her photos...the colors, the lighting, the softness, it all works for me. And I love this giant balloon Cait made. She nailed the DIY stuff. 


Cait has the biggest + best laugh


Bedtime! 

And because nobody ever wants the wedding weekend to end, Cait's parents generously hosted a BBQ the following Sunday afternoon, for the bridal party to heal their hangovers with some summertime fare, and of course, more alcohol. Speaking of BBQ's, my absolute favorite part of summer would have to be the food. While I could pick my favorite foods of just about any season, nothing beats the fresh and local produce offered at this seasons farmer's markets. 


Fresh picked strawberries, please! 


We also celebrated this guy in June - for Father's Day of course! Not that I'm partial or anything, but my dad is the ultimate. He seriously can do it all. If there was ever a Renaissance man, this is the one you want, especially when you need new shelves, some cork flooring, and a complete rebuild of your computer. I don't think the man ever stops reading - which is not a bad way to live. Cheers to you Dad! I love you so much, I made you shrimp scampi (even though it really grossed me out). And you love me so much, I knew you wouldn't mind one of my "healthy" desserts to finish things off. More about the chocolate avocado mousse to come...


Ina Garten's Baked Shrimp Scampi over angel hair pasta - a hit! 

It's a good thing the food selection lightens up a bit come summertime, because beach days are in full swing in my neck of the woods. The neighborhood that I'm lucky enough to call home to is filled with all of my favorite people, and surrounded by the sand and sun. The beach is just a quick roll down my hill and as long as I've piled on the SPF and tucked an umbrella under my arms, that is where you will find all of us...kayaking, sandbar-ing, and grilling our days away. It's the best. 


And just as we opened June with my brother, he closed it out as well, as we celebrated his 28th birthday! We filled our night with lots of delicious cookout food - burgers, dogs, various salads, Mexican street corn, grilled veggies, sliced watermelon, and of course cake! Food is big around here. 


I hope you find your summer off to a great start as well. And it's only just begun! Woohoo!! 


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