Road Trippin'

It's nice to escape the city sometimes, and get away..to another city! We went to NYC for the day, and it happened to be the first spring-like day we had, which was perfect. I had an Emerson Alumni networking event and it was just nice to have some new scenery. It was my first time at Grande Central Station (too bad I didn't take pics inside, it's gorgeous!!!). And my first Mongolian BBG (I heart NY delis) and also my first time at New York Costume..I know where to shop for Halloween from now on! Every time I'm in NY there are firsts of lots of things, and its always a BLAST.

Grand Central


NY Deli with Mongolian BBQ. You pic all of the fresh ingredients and sauces and they stir fry it for you. YUM!



NY Costume..hundreds of costumes for every occasion! Inspiration to host a masquerade ball. :-)




I absolutely adore strolling through Times Square. The energy is amazing, and I think it is one of my favorite sounds. You smell the food being prepared in the booths, hear the street vendors trying to smooth talk you and also wisps of broadway melodies escaping from the theatres. It's kinda like the center of the Universe.

March Madness

The day before the Eastern NCAA Tourney, the Garden held an open practice. We made it in time to see the end of Pitt's practice, and watch Duke's hoops skills, as well as play around in the Sports Museum a bit.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Because of the Irish heritage here, Boston is one of the BEST places to celebrate St. Patty's Day!!! Vanessa and I checked out the parade in Southie..and despite the fact that we were wearing green, felt very underdressed. Next year!!!

Snack attack and a leisure reading recommendation

It seems I am a bottomless pit some days, and this is one of them. I was dreaming of a yummy snack that would satisfy my gigantic sweet tooth, but I'm a healthy girl (PLUS I desperately need to go shopping..) so I decided to get creative. I am a huge, dedicated fan of Wallaby Australian Style Yogurt (http://www.wallabyyogurt.com/html/home.htm). So, I started with plain lowfat organic Wallaby, then added a generous drizzle of New England Orange Flower Honey and topped it all off with some shredded coconut (unsweetened and finely shredded) I bought at Whole Foods Market on Beacon Hill. OMG. Move over Pinkberry!!! I may be on to something!!! I think if you substitute organic chocolate syrup for honey, we have just solved the problem for all of those Girl Scout Samoa addicts out there. See, creating a snack and making the world a better place all at the same time. <3





While I'm on such a productive vibe, I must mention a must-read book for those who have some spare time for an amazingly inspiring story. For Christmas, my sister Rachel and her husband Jared gave me a copy of The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. I finished it a couple weeks ago, and just recenlty rented the film version that was released last year. It is such a healing story. I read a lot, and I haven't read a book this good since, well, Twilight, but that's in a whole different category. You will laugh and cry and fall in love with the sisterhood in this book. Now, I am dying to get my hands on a copy of The Mermaid Chair, by the same author. Enjoy good food, and good reads! In fact, I would love it if you added me as a friend on www.goodreads.com, my new fave social networking site, besides twitter. Move over facebook!

SNOW DAY!!!

We had a snow day on Monday. We took over the playground near our house and had a blast!!!

California L O V E

I spent Valentine's Day in one of the places I love most in the world, my old home, Santa Barbara, CA. I lived there for nearly five years before relocating to Boston for grad school. I fell in love with Santa Barbara the first time I visited, and always knew I was destined to be a resident in this paradise. I stayed with my friend Ashley and got to celebrate the day of love with her and her boyfriend, Andrew. I needed to be back in Santa Barbara so bad, and it was funny, it almost seemed like I never left.



Beautiful Ashley and I



Oh, how I have missed these mountains!



Ashley's adorable Boston Terrier puppy, Odie. He chews on everything and loves the beach.



Summerland. View from Ashley's apartment.



Ready for the Pink Elephants and Champagne Art Auction Benefit, and a West Coast sunset.



Bubbles as we arrive!



This DJ ROCKED! AND he was spinning pink records, just for the day of love!!! <3



ART



Ashley and Andrew



Ash and Tia..oh how I miss her!!






I had to capture this cool surprise brunch on the beach date this couple had. :-)



After a leisurely post-Valentine's brunch, Ashley and I took Odie to play on the beach. We rolled down in our pajamas. Ahh..the sweet layed-back life of southern California beach towns.




Surf shop that I missed..



I had a sushi night with my old roommates, for old times sake. Arian instigated it in our home. Sushi night: A Cliff Drive tradition. Me, Pearl, Arian and Ashley.

Smackdown!!! AHHH!!

Noel and the guys took me to see Smackdown at Staples Center...

We were in a sky box, which was really cool. But in the end, we actually got down to the floor for the final match "in the cage". QUITE the experience!






I can't say that I ever thought I would witness professional wrestling in the flesh, but I did. And it was fun! Haha!





EPIC!!!



Boys being boys..