Adventures

Five on Friday - I LOVE BOSTON!
I am so excited to be heading to Boston today for a shower. It is a short trip and really I only have 1 day, but it got me thinking about what I miss about living in Boston. One thing I am not looking forward to is the snow they had last night and this cold front! Better drink extra red wine to stay warm!

1. The North End Food and Drink
This is where I lived for 8 of the 15 years I was in Boston. For those not familiar this is the little Italy of Boston. I love the fact that you can smell the garlic cooking on really cold nights, the coziness of having a big bowl of homemade pasta and lots of red wine followed by cananolis! I could go on and on about my favorites but here is the short list!
The wine Bottega many of bottles of wine bought and consume here!
Modern Pastry is the home of the best cannoli in Boston!
Monica's Food - Take out from the Mercato, Cozy Dinners at Trattoria or sitting at the bar at Vinoteca
2. Clarke's Nachos
We started going to Clarke's at Faneuil Hall after college since it was in Faneuil Hall, didn't charge a cover, no lines and $2 Miller Lite drafts. All the perfect requirements for recent graduates with no money. Over the years we also discovered their amazing pub food (love the fries) but the one thing that we loved the most was their nachos! Grilled chicken, nachos, Fresh tomatoes, loaded with lots of shredded cheese and of course the perfect chip with the correct amount of salt on it!! Many topics, ideas, and plans were discussed over these nachos along with our Miller Lites. Plus the nachos were a good dinner before dancing at the Bell & Hand. Side note you know a bar is classy when on the front page of the website it says largest and cleanest bathrooms in Faneuil Hall! Also the Miller Lights are $3 now!!
Best Nachos in Boston
I started to go to Flour when they had 1 little bakery in the South End for their amazing  sandwiches. Since then they have expanded into multiple locations and Joanne Chang (chef) has written 2 cookbooks. I have each edition signed by Joanne, although I probably creeped her out when I met her since I was so starstuck! If you are looking for the best baked good recipes try these cookbooks out. I have taken my chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to the next level! Not to mention I blame Flour for the 10lbs I gained while working across the street!! I am already thinking about their sticky buns. 
Flour Bakery
Photo Credit
4. Shopping on Newbury Street 
This is where I used to get into lots of trouble! From Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, H&M, Zara, and more. Of course brunching at Stephanie's on Newbury for Bloody Mary's was always a must as well on Saturday afternoons. 
5. These Ladies
These are the ladies that I have shared countless fun days and nights with! Eating and drinking at our favorite dives and most of all we all loved to dannnnce!!



So excited for to go see these ladies!! 

Happy Friday!!
Five on Friday - Hilton Head
We are in Hilton Head for a long weekend getaway! So excited to be here for the first time.

It took us almost 6 hours to get here (traffic, lunch breaks, Le Creuset factory store (no good finds), gas, etc!!), so after checking in we had the concierge make us reservations at the Old Oyster House.

Luckily we left the hotel when we did, after we sat down we had a lightning and rain show. Don't get me wrong our entire meal was soooo good! But my dessert was absolute heaven. I ordered the ice cream sandwich and asked them to use salted caramel instead of vanilla ice cream.
Did I mention that they served it in a "moat of hot fudge sauce"? The ice cream was made by Hilton Head Ice Cream shop and so delicious. I now have added Hilton Head Ice Cream Shop to my to do list to try more.

When we were leaving the restaurant I was able to capture this photo of a rainbow! Not every day can you see palm trees and rainbows!!

Here are the 5 things I am looking forward to while we are here. In addition to laying on the beach and relaxing poolside!!

1. Take the ferry to Savannah
Okay probably shouldn't start off with this one since it is my first time in Hilton Head and I am looking to leave. However, I have never been to Savannah and figure this is the perfect opportunity to get a quick glimpse! I also want to eat at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Does anyone have any recommendations of other things to do while we are here? 
2. Sunset and dinner at Skull Creek Boathouse
I was reading reviews and this place looks awesome, and not to expensive in terms of prices. If you have been here let me know what I should order!
We need to make sure we get some type of exercise/historical/scenic excursion into the vacation mix! This lighthouse is a landmark and we definitely need to make sure we go and take some pictures!
So after sampling the salted caramel ice cream at the Old Oyster Factory, I need to sample more ice cream from Hilton Head Ice Cream Shop. Not to mention we are on vacation so I plan on having ice cream every night. AND they have a cat as their logo (i am obsessed with my cat Armondo) Haha! I will be sampling the bananas foster and peanut butter ice cream definitely!
5. Mini Golf
So my husband and father-in-law will be playing real golf, I need a few more lessons before I start playing courses in Hilton Head. But I definitely want to get in some mini-golf! I am thinking Pirates Island but looking for recommendations. I need to show my husband that I might not be able to drive the ball 300 yards but I can putt! 
I am still looking for other things to do and restaurants that are a must see! So please let me know of any!! 

Happy Friday!! 

Adventures with Erin!

Anyone that knows me knows that I rarely sit still!  I am constantly on-the-go traveling on the weekends to visit all my friends and being a professional wedding guest!

I am so excited to share our inspiration for a trip to Austin I'm going on next weekend.  Not only am I going to celebrate my bestie and partner-in-crime's bachelorette party; this is also a completely new location for all of us girls!

Austin; la condesa; barbella; south congress; pinterestdreams


Of course, I turned to Pinterest and to help me develop our itinerary.  I also checked in with a colleague of mine that was born and raised in Texas!  They don't call her the human yelp for nothing!

On the Agenda:

1.  Lots and LOTS of Mexican Food and Tequila at La Condesa
2.  Shopping on South Congress Street

3.  Brunch at South Congress Cafe - This place actually has carrot cake french toast!
4.  Visit a food truck or two:  Chi'Lantro and Hey Cupcake
5.  Dance at Barbella
6.  Ride a mechanical bull and two-step at Rowdy's
7.  Hang out with guys in mustaches at HandleBar

With my friends, we never know where the night is going to take us.  I can't wait to see everything the city has to offer!

A side note, with all the weekend traveling I do, I am still the WORST at packing.  I discovered this awesome new blog called the Huddle Honey.  She has helpful carry-on tips for packing everything you need efficiently!  I'm sure my husband would appreciate it if I take her advice :)


I'll check back in after our trip and give a full review!  If you have any favorite spots in Austin I would love to hear them in the comments!

Happy Pinning!
Five on Friday - Memorial Day Weekend 2014 Adventure Stories 
We are visiting our friends this weekend and on Sunday went to the Georgia Aquarium. If you haven't been you have to go! This place is AMAZING!! We couldn't get over how big the tanks were. You should see the size of the sharks and whales. Our other favorite exhibit were the otters. Below see a few pictures of our adventure!


Southport - Oak Island
I am so excited that we are at my Mom's house in Southport for Memorial Day weekend. We haven't been to the beach in a while so we are super excited. We are planning on golfing, beach time, shopping, and of course taking the ferry from Southport to the Aquarium at Fort Fisher. If I haven't mentioned it before, my husband has a salt water fish tank and is slightly obsessed!



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