Tag Archives: a month in review

June 2016: In a Nutshell.

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Summertime in the city. June 2016.

Summertime in the city. June 2016.

Hello, June 2016- can you come here for a second?

Closer…

…. Closer ….

That’s close enough.

What the F*CK was your problem?!

Not since the month my father died (and the couple of months that immediately followed afterwards) back in 2012 can I remember a solid few weeks of my life that were as emotionally exhausting, maddening, and just plain weird as this past June turned out to be. By the time today rolled around I was practically tapping out on the floor and begging July to hurry up and take over- and I’m someone who is almost ALWAYS saying how time flies by much too quickly for my liking- so you know this month was seriously rough for me.

In my ‘In a Nutshell’ post from May- I had briefly talked about a longtime friendship/dating situation I was involved in reaching a turning point. In that post, I had expressed optimism that myself and the guy involved were on the same page and moving forward with newfound respect and understanding for one another. Literally hours after I published that cheerful outlook on life and love- things completely fell apart. Come to find out, said guy had a large closet filled with multiple skeletons and secrets- and they all came tumbling out to surprise me and open my eyes to a whole convoluted mess of a situation I hadn’t had a clue about for months.

The weeks that followed, even up until now- have been a mess of anger, heartache, confusion, more anger and heartache- and finally some much-needed clarity and a sense of self-awareness and empowerment that came from my realizing I was involved in an abusive situation- I was being mistreated, used and psychologically/emotionally manipulated- and finally ending it (friendship-wise and every other potential aspect) once and for all. It wasn’t easy by any means, especially given that me and this guy have known each other for well over a decade- but people change. Some for better. Some for worse, and the ones who have changed for the worse- who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions, who think only of themselves, and who show no remorse for their behavior or willingness to change it- need to be removed from your life as quickly as possible as if they were a cancer.

Not all was lost, however. I found an unlikely ally in another woman who was also being deceived and used by this individual (and who had alerted me to his deplorable behavior in the first place- approaching me from a place of mutual respect, understanding, concern and kindness.) Over the course of this month we’ve gotten to know more about each other and we’ve realized we have a lot of stuff in common apart from our terrible taste in some men. We have been supportive and honest with one another throughout this ordeal- refusing to turn on each other the way it sadly and so often plays out in triangle situations like these where the actual at-fault person is rarely held accountable- and even finally met face to face the other night where I personally had an awesomely fun time. She’s wonderful, and if making a potential new friend is the silver lining to what was an otherwise stressful situation for the better part of a month- then I’m content with that outcome and it would have all been worth it. Sisters before misters, y’all!

In between sorting out that part of my life and starting the healing process/moving on- June kept the punches coming. Health scare? Vandalized car? Fender bender? Broken lock on my car? (June was ALL about car problems) Awful-ness coming out of Florida every other day and Britain losing their minds? Oh yeah. You bet this month had it all. Is it any wonder I just wanted to fall asleep in front of my air conditioner until it was over?

I digress- there were some lighter, fun moments in June. They were far and few between- but they were there.

Fortunately, I’ve made sure to keep myself busy and distracted in July- and my friends are sticking by me to keep me company and my mind occupied, too. I’ve got some day trips planned (including a couple for this coming weekend!) and a few shows lined up that I’m excited to catch. The Comic-Con circuit finally reaches the Boston area this coming month, too- and I’m really excited to share my Negan-ette costume I’ve been putting together when I’ve had the time between work and… Well, all that other stuff I was dealing with this past month.

Here’s to better days ahead and a better Summer, overall. Please, July- be good to me.

More of this in July, please. Swimsuit and hat by Primark.

More of this in July, please. Swimsuit and hat by Primark.

xx

May 2016: In a Nutshell.

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5/29/16

5/29/16. Feeling better.

“April showers bring May flowers, but what do May flowers bring?”

While the smart-ass answer to that question is typically “pilgrims”- April’s showers cleared way for a lot of self-reflection, more than a little stress, a good amount of clarity- and a significant test to one of my relationships that came to a challenging crossroads this past May.

When it comes to my love life, I tend to be more private about things. Sure, I don’t shy away from crude/crass humor and sometimes gratuitous details about my sexual escapades and misadventures on social media outlets like Twitter or Tumblr (where those types of conversations seem to be fairly common and pretty normal) for a few laughs, and when people come right out and ask me about my dating situation or status- I’m always open for discussion- but I never really go in depth when it comes to disclosing my emotional attachment to whoever I’m seeing. I save that level of intimacy- the raw emotions, the tender moments, and even the not-so-pleasant disagreements- between him and myself. It’s something deeply personal and special- just between the two of us. In that respect- I try to keep it private.

However, May was the month where my relationship with a guy I’ve been dating for a long time was shaken up and my core values when it comes to relationships, self-respect, compromise and forgiveness were put to the test. A test I hadn’t studied for and was in no way prepared to face.

To summarize: I have been dating the same guy on and off for approximately fifteen years (yes, fifteen.) We met in high school, the way so many young, dumb- doe-eyed lovers do- and flirted shamelessly until he graduated two years before I did and headed off to college. We lost touch for a few short years, until fate (and MySpace- remember that mess?) brought us back together in our early twenties where we’ve carried on a pretty passionate romance ever since. There is a deep level of love, respect, support, understanding and patience between us. We may not always see eye-to-eye all the time- and we may even hurt each other on occasion- but I know we would do whatever we could for the other and I have been content with that for a long time now.

But this past month we reached a bit of a fork in the road as to where this relationship is headed and what is considered acceptable behavior from one another. We had differing opinions- which led to some unexpected revelations and hurt feelings- which prompted me to take a brief hiatus from social media (and from life in general, really) so that I could really do some soul-searching and reflection on my own without the distraction of others’ opinions or unsolicited advice.

The hiatus, however short- helped- as did taking the time to have a thorough conversation about how to proceed from here (and watching plenty of sad movies and having a good cry at some equally sad songs in my car.) I have opted to go down the path of forgiveness and moving forward through our challenges- but not without him compromising, too. It’s a two-way street, after all. One person cannot fix a relationship. It takes both people and a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and patience.

It really comes down to us still caring about each other tremendously. We owe it to ourselves not to let something like this break what we have built up together for so long. I plan on taking it day by day to see what happens- and ultimately letting fate intervene if necessary. It brought us together once before- and I’m confident it will step in again to direct me or give me a nudge in whatever direction if it’s needed.

Western Mass. 5/17

Western Mass. 5/17 – I come here to work out and think a lot.

As you can probably imagine, dealing with such an ordeal and so much re-evaluation took a toll on me this past month. I focused my energies into work, hitting the gym harder than what was probably necessary, and doing some remodeling to my home (photos will be up eventually!)– which left little to no room to blog properly. I had every intention of busting out some fun posts- but I admit I fell a little flat since I was emotionally and physically drained throughout 99.9% of May. My apologies for that one. That was all on me.

Thankfully, I feel I’m getting my strength, stamina, and motivation back- and I’m ready to do some serious catching up in June. I’ve made some travel arrangements for the upcoming weeks, I’ve started the rough drafts of some long overdue posts, I’ve moved my anticipated Springtime-giveaway to take place in early Summer, instead- and I’ve wanted to use my experiences in May to potentially focus on writing more personal posts/articles in the hopes of helping others who may be going through a similar situation- much like I did after my father passed away and I shared my struggle with coping with the consequent guilt/anxiety/panic attacks.

So here’s to bidding farewell to Spring- a season that fought hard to finally get here in New England- and left a trail of pollen in it’s wake (specifically all over my windshield) as it passed through and made plenty of room for 90ºF weather to march right in without warning. I’ve already got the air conditioning and fans set up and running steadily. It’s been brutally hot out lately.

I can’t complain too much, though. I do love the Summertime- as much as someone as pale as me can, anyway!

See you all in June!

xx

April 2016: In a Nutshell.

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How in the world are we already in May?! How did that happen? It feels like Spring only just started (with a little fight from the Winter with some final flurries and sleet a few weeks ago) and Summer is already on the horizon- getting ready to push itself into the picture. I’m still trying to organize and enjoy my Spring wardrobe, for crying out loud!

But before I get ahead of myself and go into all of the things I have planned for May and the impending Summertime fun, I have to tip my hat to April- one of the busiest months I’ve had in a while! The most notable thing about this past month was that I was rarely home for most of it. I had headed down to Virginia and D.C. for a long weekend at the beginning of the month, then divided my time between work and Western Massachusetts (where I ultimately turned down the apartment I had mentioned falling in love with back in March because it’s location was, unfortunately, not convenient enough for my commute to/from work after some research and test navigation)– and rounded out the end of April with a long stay near the base of Mount Washington where I got back in touch with nature in a pretty unexpected and thrilling way.

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Last weekend, Sean and I headed up to Bretton Woods, New Hampshire for a couple of days at the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort– a hotel we’d spotted during a weekend outing in the same area a couple of years ago and had added to our collective “To Do” list ever since. I had this past weekend (as well as this current weekend!) off due to some training at work I had participated in- so we took the opportunity to take a mini-trip together since we’ve both been so busy and preoccupied with our jobs and other plans.

For those who might think the hotel- isolated within a mountain range and with Mount Washington looming not far in the distance- looks a little like something out of ‘The Shining’- you’re not wrong! While the actual Overlook Hotel (really called the Stanley Hotel) is located in Colorado- hotel staff at the Mount Washington Hotel told Sean and I that Stephen King was inspired to pen ‘The Shining’ after a stay there way back when.

And I can see how he’d be inspired. Not only is the resort sprawling and MASSIVE– but it’s still got historical charm, too. The furnishings in the lobby, the outdoor promenades, and even our room- were elegant and old fashioned.

And yeah, the place is rumored to be haunted, too- with the room reported to have the most supernatural activity being just a couple doors down from where Sean and I stayed. We didn’t see any ghosts while we wandered around the property, though- not even late at night when most of the hotel’s common areas were pretty much deserted.

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The resort had plenty of room to move around and plenty to do- including indoor  & outdoor pools, a spa, gift shops, it’s own post office (!!!), stables for horseback riding, hiking trails, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, a small cinema, a former-speakeasy-turned-underground-bar, a cafe and an arcade- all of which Sean and I explored and took advantage of- and the food the hotel served was pretty incredible, too. After we’d arrived, Sean and I had dinner in one of the main dining halls where I’d all but licked my plate clean after wolfing down a REALLY good meal- and the following morning’s brunch- with a seat overlooking the mountains- was one of the best I’ve had in years (I ate so. much. salmon.)

The entrance to the resort's bar, 'The Cave'.

The entrance to the resort’s bar, ‘The Cave’.

When your hobbies follow you on the road.

When your hobbies follow you on the road.

On Sunday, our last day at the hotel and resort- Sean and I took advantage of the nearby ski area- signing up for an afternoon of hiking, rappelling, and zip-lining through and across the mountain ridges. I’d never rappelled or zip-lined before, but after a couple of hours of adrenaline rushes and dangling REALLY high in the air- I think I got the hang of it. Our tour guides were awesome, supportive, and very funny guys- and Sean and I had a lot of fun getting to know them and the handful of others in our group who had a similar idea and had fearlessly joined along with us.

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Those are just some of the shots of us in action. It was a BLAST- although it got pretty cold up there on the mountaintops!

Sean and I have already vowed to head back to the resort later on this Summer to participate in the warmer-weather activities (horseback riding! Swimming!) we didn’t get around to this time. I’m so excited. I loved the place and I definitely want to go back as soon as possible.

And now with May arriving tomorrow- and the weather FINALLY staying somewhat consistent in recent days/weeks- I’m hoping to spend even more time outdoors and on the road. I have a few more recipes up my sleeve, a couple more ‘Closet Crushes’ to share- as well as my Spring/Summer fitness tips & tricks for anyone else who is looking for some ways to feel a little better post-Winter-blues. I’ve also got a fun giveaway I’m finalizing as a little pick-me-up in preparation for Summer- and a whole lot more to share!

So long, April. You were beautiful, adventurous- and quite daring!

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xx

March 2016: In a Nutshell.

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Easter Sunday! 3/27/16

Good Morning, everyone! It’s almost Friday (and unfortunately it’s also almost April Fools Day, too. Work should be interesting tomorrow.)

But before I get into surviving a day full of pranks and what I have planned in the coming weeks- I have to bid farewell to the month of March- which was both busy and chaotic (in a good way) as I began my search for a new apartment, planned out a series of day trips and adventures for my days off from work, enjoyed a wonderful Easter dinner with my family at my mom’s house this past weekend- and got promoted to a new unit/position at my job! That’s right- my preliminary 90-day trial period is over and I’ve made the cut. I’m very excited to be moving into a new part of the office later on today and working with a whole new team- although I’m going to miss my daily geek-outs with my current crew!

Sure, they’re only a three-minute walk away from where I’m going to be- but it just won’t be the same!

While I get adjusted to my new office area and wait to hear back about the apartment I think I may have found (and fallen head over heels for) the other day- I’m preparing for an equally busy April. Next week, I’m making a 6+ hour drive to Washington D.C. and Alexandria (my ‘Walking Dead’ fanatic side is freaking out right now) to attend a wedding and spend the weekend with my dearest friend Duncan from San Diego- who is flying in on Friday night. I also have a couple of scheduled trips to NYC and Vermont coming up in April- so expect plenty of photos!

If all goes according to plan, I’ll have a few more recipe posts in April, too- and my first ‘Closet Crushes’ post in nearly a year! I’ll also have my yearly wrap-up of this season of ‘The Walking Dead’ following the finale this coming Sunday (NEGAAAAANNNN!) and some details on a giveaway I’m planning to celebrate the warmer seasons!

Here’s to March being the prelude to some amazing changes and adventures in April!

Easter Sunday. 3/27/16

Easter Sunday. 3/27/16 – Fruit Arrangement!

3/27/16. Easter Sunday! The PEEPS cake my niece made!

3/27/16. Easter Sunday! The PEEPS cake my niece made!

xx

February 2016: In a Nutshell.

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Up, up and away!

Up, up and away!

Happy Leap Day, everyone!

… And Happy Birthday to those of you who were born on this day and who have been forced to re-arrange your birthday celebrations every year between Leap Years. My heart goes out to you.

I’ll be celebrating this joyous intercalary occurrence in grand fashion- by working, of course- but I fully plan on savoring a delicious meal and an indulgent dessert tonight before I prepare for March and what I’m most excited for in the coming month- the arrival of Spring!

But what about this past February- a month where I truly had the best intentions to accomplish a great deal in terms of travel and blogging- but fell a little short as I got caught up in some pretty wild, unpredictable weather (we had a crazy thunderstorm the other night that downed a bunch of trees and power lines. A thunderstorm- in February!- Just days after we had snow flurries!) and working a whole bunch, instead? A month where the time spent outdoors shoveling snow was only matched by the time spent indoors watching the returns of some of my favorite shows like ‘The Walking Dead’, ‘Agent Carter’, and ‘Broad City’ (and also marathoning the cringe-inducing shot of nostalgia, ‘Fuller House’ on Netflix? I’m not proud of that one..)

Well, the good news is that my delayed plans will certainly make for an exciting and busy March. The bad news is that February’s ‘In a Nutshell’ post might feel a little uneventful to some.  I know me prattling on about my finally starting my new work schedule (I have Tuesdays and Sundays off as of this past week- which means there’s potential for some interesting weekday adventures!) and how glorious Rick & Michonne on ‘The Walking Dead’ are can be a little boring to everyone else but me- but that was essentially my month as I finally adjusted to my new routine!

So what do I have planned in the coming weeks? Quite a few day trips, for starters- including that one to NYC that I had to postpone due to a pretty dodgy snow/ice storm that rolled through here a couple of weeks ago- some new recipe/kitchen experiments to share (one being what I can only describe as the greatest dessert ever), some more urban exploration/photography posts now that Spring is on it’s way and I can venture outdoors for a little longer without freezing to death- and I’d also like to try getting a little more personal on the blog with posts about my relationships, career, health & fitness, struggles with anxiety- and some of my hopes, dreams and goals I’ve been working towards since New Years.

I may also be planning on channeling my inner Daryl Dixon with some crossbow lessons pretty soon. That recap (and the photos) should be pretty entertaining.

But regardless of how I spend my March- I doubt it’ll come anywhere near to being a glorious as Leonardo Dicaprio’s is now that he FINALLY won an Oscar last night! What an exceptional way to close out this month!

THE STREAK IS FINALLY OVER.

THE STREAK IS FINALLY OVER.

‘Til next time!

xx

January 2016: In a Nutshell.

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Getting my Mexican food and margarita on at my ‘Dirty Thirty’ birthday party last night!

My goodness! How on Earth have we reached the end of January already? It feels like just yesterday I was kicking off 2016 in Newport- and now here I am- preparing for February and recovering from my belated ‘Dirty Thirty’ birthday celebration my friends had for me last night with dinner and drinks at Papagayo in Somerville, followed by a screening of ‘The Boy’ at the theater around the corner (and it would have been last weekend, if not for Mother Nature gifting me with a lovely little blizzard like she does every year around this time!)

January was a whirlwind- and I attribute it feeling like it came and went in the blink of an eye to my being very busy most days- which is a good thing! I finally got into the groove of my new job (and am liking it very much so far!), began my usual beginning-of-the-year-cleanse-and-detox-program by vigorous cleaning, organizing, and healthy eating/exercise- and celebrated an influx of friends’ birthdays- including my own. It really is the Age of Aquarius right now!

Yes, indeed- I hit the milestone of turning 30 just a couple of short weeks ago- and I’m still getting used to answering “thirty” whenever anyone asks me how old I am- although it usually sounds more like “twenty-ni-oh, wait” at first (and God bless every single person who has seemed/pretended to seem genuinely surprised when I tell them my age in recent days.) Although I’m new to this whole post-twenties thing- I have to say it’s looking pretty fun and very promising so far!

January, of course, was not without it’s shocking and even sad moments (even the best of months have them!) My uncle, who has been on/off ill for a few weeks now- recently learned the reason behind his bouts of fatigue and nausea and is scheduled for a quadruple bypass tomorrow to fix a couple of tricky arteries in his heart. I’m visiting him a little later on today- but my whole family has been worried sick about it leading up to the procedure and have been trying to surround ourselves and immerse our minds in good thoughts and positive vibes.

Pop culture took a series of blows this past month when the world lost David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Eagles’ member Glenn Frey, and most recently, ‘The Godfather’s Abe Vigoda (“Tell Michael it was only business. I always liked him.”) – in quick succession.

In the spirit of things- my mother also had a Patriots-themed birthday cake made for me as a surprise.

In the spirit of things- my mother also had a Patriots-themed birthday cake made for me as a surprise.

New England Patriots fans took a blow when Brady & The Boys couldn’t quite clinch the AFC championship and a slot in Super Bowl 50 in last week’s nail-biter of a close game against the Denver Broncos (I swear, those final minutes aged me forty years.) The loss also marks my own losing of a high stakes bet made with a friend of mine in California who I got a little cocky and competitive with- and now we’re in the process of ironing out the details of my having to pay up in the form of a cross-country visit sometime within the next couple of months where I will undoubtedly be picking up a hefty bar tab after a night out…

… Although would it still be considered “losing” the bet when I adore San Diego so much and don’t mind being there at all? I don’t think so!

Anyway- what’s in store for February? Apart from working as usual- a trip to NYC, for starters? How about a couple of really fun collaborations I’m excited to share? Maybe a few recipe posts? And of course we can’t forget the return of ‘The Walking Dead’- which is set to make my Valentine’s Day even more romantic once Daryl Dixon is gracing my television screen again!

Post-snowstorm hike! 1/24/16

Post-snowstorm hike! 1/24/16

All in all, January was a very, very fun month- the perfect way to begin 2016- and I’m excited for the coming weeks!

xx

November 2015: In a Nutshell.

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Sunset during a hike in Western Mass. November 2015.

Sunset during a hike in Western Mass. November 2015.

How on Earth have we reached December and the last few weeks of 2015 already? It feels like it was just yesterday I was preparing for the Summer and just a week ago that I was cursing New England’s record-breaking snowfall while shoveling out my car and vowing never to stick around for another Winter here (and yet here I am, writing this from under a fleece blanket and listening to Christmas music now that Thanksgiving is over.)

But I’m getting ahead of myself. There’s still one more month left before 2015 sails off into the sunset and 2016 greets us (hopefully warmly)– and I plan to give this past year the proper attention, reflection, and review it deserves by December’s end- but November needs it’s recognition, too.

Yes, November- the month that felt like it lasted ten years.

It goes without saying that one of the biggest changes in my life happened in early November, when I was laid off from my job of five years and went through that never fun feeling of briefly having a rug pulled out from underneath me. Thankfully, I’ve since accepted an offer for a position within a new firm/company that I start in a couple of weeks- which has given me plenty of time to relax, take some time for myself to go on day trips (like to Newport, Vermont, or hiking in Western Massachusetts), begin the process of getting my Christmas shopping done by a reasonable time before the actual holiday- and occasionally be shamelessly lazy on my couch (I’ve played SO much PS4.)

I’ve also had the chance to take more time with my family and friends with my new found, although temporary, freed up schedule. Thanksgiving was a relaxing, fun day spent in the company of my siblings and cousins where as usual- I ate too much- but was able to sleep it off by staying in on Black Friday (instead of reporting to my office first thing in the morning to take care of things pre-weekend like I’ve done every year up until this point. Such a treat!) and later on tonight I have dinner-and-wine plans with one of my longtime friends who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like due to our opposite schedules.

All in all, despite the stress that comes with job hunting and having to smile my way through follow-up interviews- November was pretty laid back, relaxing- and even rewarding at times. More so than ones I’ve worked through in the past.

The Elms. Newport, November 2015.

The Elms. Newport, November 2015.

So what’s in store for December? Well, I’m hoping that with the remainder of my time off before I begin my new job, I’ll be able to finish my Christmas shopping and get my gifts wrapped and tagged to avoid any additional stress as December 25th creeps closer and closer- and can therefore enjoy the overall splendor of the holiday a bit more (for example: last night I took an opportunity to marvel at a beautiful holiday light display in Western Massachusetts.) I’d also like to get a few more recipe and photography posts up- the ones I had wanted to post this past month but didn’t get around to due to unforeseen circumstances- before I prepare my year-end round-up.

Here’s hoping for a happy holiday season and to sending 2015 off with a bang!

So long, November. Newport - November 2015.

So long, November. Newport – November 2015.

October 2015: In a Nutshell.

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I just love this costume so much.

Good Afternoon, but most importantly- Happy Halloween!

I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of my slightly modified Daryl Dixon costume in recent days- having teamed up with my friend Stef (who dressed as Carol) for a costume party in Reading last night. I’ll once again be wielding my crossbow for tonight’s festivities before I pack it away until the next comic-convention or ‘Walking Dead’-themed event I attend.

I can’t believe that it’s the last day of my favorite month of the year (and also my favorite Holiday!) and that tomorrow begins the treacherous descent into turkey dinners, premature Christmas music, and sub-zero New England winter temperatures. Please, October- can’t you stay with me just a little bit longer?

But before I prepare myself for the impending holiday madness and end-of-the-year-chaos that usually unfolds at the firm- I have to take a look back at the month that was, and this past October sure was something, alright!

October is typically one of the busiest months for me, and not just because I spend a lot of time watching and reviewing bad horror movies on Netflix and visiting haunted houses, pumpkin patches, cemeteries and overall creepy abandoned buildings, etc., but also because things typically (and inexplicably) pick up at work this time of year and I frequently pull in some overtime in my office to stay a couple steps ahead. By the time November rolls around- I’m ready to hibernate for the winter, myself.

Thankfully- this past October gave me the rare opportunity to take a mini-vacation to the West Coast for a few days where I had the absolute BEST TIME catching up with longtime friends in Las Vegas and San Diego. Attending my dear friend Kelsey’s wedding was such a wonderful and beautiful occasion, and being able to experience my best friend Sean’s first time in Vegas with him was so unbelievably fun. I’d love to go back with him again someday. There’s still so much we didn’t get to see!

Las Vegas, October 2015.

Las Vegas, October 2015.

And of course, the trip once again reignited the fire- and desire- within me to eventually make my way out to Southern California to live there once and for all, especially with winter swiftly approaching- but all in due time. I have to patient and finish planning and preparing, first.

So what’s in store for November? Well, apart from the aforementioned pre-holiday craziness- I do have a few fun Fall things planned before my beloved season kicks the bucket for another year- including a couple of stops in NYC and Vermont, dishing out plenty of recipes (just in time for Thanksgiving!) that I’ve been hoarding in recent weeks and haven’t got around to posting just yet, finally sharing some photo sessions I began working on at the very beginning of Fall and have nearly finished editing and organizing- for all your Urban Explorers out there- and just trying to stay motivated and focused for when December shows itself.

But I still have a few more hours of precious Halloween time- so I’m going to go get my costume back on, enjoy the last horror movie marathons of the season- and get ready for the Trick-Or-Treaters!

xx

September 2015: In a Nutshell.

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I take my apple picking very seriously.

If you’ve been reading ‘Legally Redhead’ for any good length of time, then you surely must know by now that October is hands down my favorite month out of the entire year. The New England weather, watching scary movies (the good AND the bad ones,) the return of ‘The Walking Dead’, haunted hay rides, houses and corn mazes, Halloween- and so much more! October has it all for me- and this coming one is looking to be one of the best and busiest yet!

For starters, I’m going to be doing a LOT of traveling in the coming weeks- including stops in Vermont, Las Vegas, San Diego, and NYC- just to name a few. I’ll also be doing some long overdue urban exploration shoots, cooking up some festive Fall-food, attending a couple of weddings, suffering through the worst scary movies Netflix has to offer for my annual ‘Horrors of Netflix’ series, and preparing for the long-awaited return of my main squeeze of the post-apocalypse, Daryl Dixon (and my flawless Queen, Michonne!)

I’m also in the process of putting the finishing touches on this year’s Halloween Giveaway! The details are going to be up very soon, but I can confidently tell you all that it’s going to be another good one! I’m very pleased with it so far!

But as excited and as eager as I am to lunge into the coming month, I must, of course- reflect on the relaxing transition from Summer to Fall that was this past September. When I was younger, September was almost always a hectic month for my friends and for myself. Returning to school, trying to adjust to a new schedule while shifting out of the late Summer nights mindset, and re-arranging my closet and shoe collection to keep up with the changing temperatures that would vary between unbearably hot and then ridiculously frigid- sometimes within the same day. It could get stressful at times- which is why I’m so thankful that I can just sit back and enjoy the Fall Equinox these days without the distraction of classes or homework. The varying and indecisive New England temperatures, however- will forever be a hassle.

I spent a good amount of September outdoors: enjoying the last lazy days at the beach, late afternoons hiking in the forest, picking apples at a local orchard, and more recently- watching the Super Blood Moon eclipse! I’m looking forward to doing more of that (and then some) in the coming weeks now that the leaves are starting to change colors. When I wasn’t outdoors, I was experimenting in the kitchen and putting in some overtime at the office. I also anticipate doing more of those things in October, too- but I don’t mind. I can’t have “Legally Redhead” without actively participating in the “legal” end of it, right?

So here is one final and fond farewell to September 2015, which was low-key and lovely- the perfect combination to prepare me for the coming craziness of October!

The blood moon eclipse- viewed from my backyard!

The blood moon eclipse- viewed from my backyard!

xx

August 2015: In a Nutshell.

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Back in July, when I had said August was going to be a very busy month for me- filled with adventures, conventions, concerts and catching up with old friends I hadn’t seen in a while- I wasn’t kidding one bit. This past weekend marked the first couple of days in what felt like quite a few weeks where I deliberately made no plans or commitments just so I could rest and recharge in the comfort of my bedroom (and in a long overdue bubble bath,) before bidding farewell to the month- and the Summer- and welcome in September!

But before I get into pumpkin spicing everything that crosses my path and pulling my scarves and sweaters out of their designated storage bins in a frenzy- proper respects must be paid to August. I hit the ground running from the moment the month began- kicking things off at Boston Comic-Con (which seems fitting since I ended the month with last weekend’s ‘Walker Stalker’ convention,) and reuniting with my long-time friend Steven- which led into a wonderful night at the House of Blues where I watched an incredible performance from Brandon Flowers.

Me creeping up behind Steven at Harvard University - August 2015.

Me creeping up behind Steven at Harvard University – August 2015.

I enjoyed the final weeks of scorching hot temperatures and spent a considerable amount of time outdoors in the sunshine in August- hiking, going for long walks through cute downtown areas in Western Massachusetts, photographing some abandoned places (while scouting for new locations to shoot in the Fall,) hanging out at the beach- and just driving around aimlessly with my friends with our car windows rolled down. I took in a couple of Summer blockbusters at the local movie theaters and discovered some recipes that re-ignited my love of cooking/baking (I have a few more “Quick Eats” posts lined up in the coming weeks!)

I also drew inspiration from the 70s’-inspired Fall fashion trends that have been gracing magazines and storefronts as of late, as well as from a recent experience at a local fondue restaurant I hadn’t tried up until then- to put together a themed party in the approaching cooler months for a group of my friends and colleagues. I’m still sorting out the details (and I’m truly grateful for the people who have stepped up to offer insight and help!) but I can’t wait to share everything once it’s in order!

So what’s in store for September? While the coming month will be considerably more relaxed than August was, it still marks the beginning of my favorite season of them all- and I have a few things planned to celebrate- from a bit of travel, to some Autumn-inspired recipes, and fun Fall fashion finds (say that four times fast.) I do also plan on squeezing in as much beach time as I can out of the next couple of weeks before it gets too cold to hang out by the coast- and the annual end-of-the-season Seafood Festival in New Hampshire is swiftly approaching- so I’ll be able to stock up on beachwear for next Summer, as well as discounted jewelry and my favorite all-natural soaps  (expect a haul post, is what I’m saying.)

All in all, August was tremendously fun and frenzied (in a good way!) and although I’m sad to see Summer slip away, I’m very excited for September- and especially October- but I don’t want to get ahead of myself!

‘Til next time!

xx