Travel Destination: Grindelwald, Switzerland

When my husband and I were planning our honeymoon we only had one things set in stone: We would be in Paris, in the apartment my brother gave us, for one full week. We knew that we wanted to travel around for another week or so and we looked at so many different destinations. One we settled on is Grindelwald, Switzerland. 

Grindelwald is settled in the Swiss Alps at the base of the Eiger mountain. It is literally a winter sport lovers paradise. And, being a winter sport lover, it was perfect for me. The town has about a dozen hotels, two dozen restaurants, 100 ski slopes, and a ton of friendly Swiss folks to welcome you. In addition to all of those amazing things, you can also catch a train called the Jungfraubahn up to the "Top of Europe" - the highest point in all of the alps. 

Here are some highlights in pictures (don't forget to click the link below to see the pictures after the jump!):

Closet Organization

Two weeks ago, as I was getting ready to walk out the door to work, I heard some really loud banging and crashing coming from, what sounded at the time, my staircase leading upstairs. I ran over quickly waiting to see a picture, the vacuum, some shoes or even a plant toppled over. There was nothing! I looked around confused, very confused, shrugged my shoulders and decided it must have come from the neighbors condo. 

I went to grab my coat, opened the closer door and there it was. My entire closet had literally collapsed in on itself. The whole bar had just broken off of the wall and fallen in a huge pile of shoes, coats, bags, cleaning supplies, and anything else we shoved in there. 

When we moved into the condo five years ago the closets were completely empty. And by empty I mean they were just big huge open boxes with no shelves, poles, or anything. One would find that exciting. However, I am not that adept at space organization and it was such a daunting task to me. We ended up just going to home depot and bought a pole/shelf combo - which, over the years has been weighed down by entirely too many hanging shelves.

Now that I get to start from scratch, I want to show you what I am looking at for replacing it. If any of you have ever done this too, please leave comments and send pictures!

Ikea Ivar Shelf

I'd like one of these on either side of the closet.

And maybe one of the drawer/hanger combinations in the middle with the high shelf on top.

I wish I could blink and have my closet look like this. Clothes included. 

And I haven't even got started on the storage space in the basement... or my kitchen cabinets. 

She's going to say... I do!!

This post is dedicated to my best friend of about 27ish years. Congratulations.

We have known each other since we were kids. We fought, we laughed, we cried and were able to watch each other move through life - with an incredible amount of support. We are so different and so similar at the same time. You are, truly, an amazing friend.

I couldn't be happier for you. You and Steve are an amazing pair and strive to make one another better. Which is an attribute that many couple's wish for is something you so evidently have.

I genuinely can't wait to see what the future brings for both of you and I wish you many lifetimes of happiness, health, joy, togetherness, and love.

When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. 

~Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally

xoxo

M

It's The *84th* Annual Academy Awards!

I hope you are watching.

The Weekend In Pictures

This weekend we had my nephew over for a sleepover on Saturday night. During the day we decided to head over to the PEM. They had an amazing exhibit called Shapeshifting: Transformations in Native American Art.

Polka Dots and Tiny Spots

Happy Friday to you! Today I received my replenishment of all of my Sabon products. I was getting really low and now I feel relieved - thankfully, I will smell fresh this weekend! If you use bath products like exfoliators, body oils and lotions, Sabon is a really fantastic line. They don't have any boutiques in Massachusetts but they do have an online shop that is always running promotions. The scents they carry are really, very unique. They have smells like carrot or, my personal favorite, Patchouli Lavender Vanilla. They even have an organic line with some great stuff.

I love mason jars. This craft may be just made for me!

There is nothing quite like a nice vibrant collared shirt.

Have you checked our Street Art Utopia yet?

Looking for something fun and free to do this weekend? Why not stop by Twelve Chairs for an art exhibit?

Don't feel like leaving Salem? Stop at the PEM.

xoxo

M





This Makes Me Laugh

Get Local: Farm Direct Coop

It has been an extremely unseasonably warm winter in Boston this year. Today, on February twenty-third, it was sixty degrees out! Due to this weather, my mind had tricked itself into thinking it is spring time. And, when I think of spring time, I think of farmers markets, warm weather, fresh flowers, clean fresh air. In the town that I live in, buying local and living sustainably is a very hot topic. We have a green grocer, a farmers market, several outdoor fairs and we just got a bike share! We are also lucky enough to have Farm Coop drop off in town courtesy of Farm Direct Coop. Farm Direct Coop is "a cooperative of up to seven hundred twenty members who receive fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, local cheese and/or bread during the summer and fall season".

The Coop contracts with 26 farms, 11 cheesemakers and 2 bakeries all in the Massachusetts area. It is my very first year signing up for the coop and I couldn't be more excited for June to come. The organic veggies, fruits, cheese and bread has my mind already spinning with recipe possibilities. Furthermore, supporting a sustainable, local lifestyle is something I can completely get on board with. My blog is sure to be filled with loads of pictures from this season.

xoxo

M

French Children and Art

Much has been said lately about how French people eat, raise kids and generally live life. I think there is something to be said about how Europeans choose to live, not just the French. However, I do want to share a couple observations that my husband and I observed we were in Paris.

The School Schedule

At any time during the day there would be kids on the trains as we travelled around the city. Children with all ages wearing back packs, hopping on and off the metro. My husband and I would look at each other puzzled, "Don't kids go to school?" we would whisper. After some asking around... Yes, yes they do. However, they have two breaks and an hour and a half lunch - which they use to stop in at home, play with their friends, or meet their families for lunch. I love that. I often wonder why, as Americans, we chose to make our work lives so strict and our personal and family lives so much harder to enjoy. Don't you agree?

French Children and Art

There are no museums in the world quite like the museums in Paris. Filled with people, paintings and sculptures; they serve as a deep source of inspiration for thousands. We spent countless hours in each of the museums and in each and every one, we found the same thing. Small gaggles of children, tiny ones, between the ages of four and six, huddle around large marble sculptures and colorful painting. They would lay on the floor, sketchbooks and pencils in hand, gaze up at the masterpieces and draw. We sat and watched a couple of the little groups for some time as they chattered quietly back and forth to one another in French. I love that the appreciation of Art is instilled at a young age. I would think it would spark imagination and creativity. Wouldn't it be great if all schools did that? Do you think that is something you would like your kids to do?

Matte Pink Lipstick

I recently just discovered the joys of lipstick, actually, on the day of my reception. I marched to my local sephora and picked up a Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella. It made me feel...sexy. It was also the first time that I had not felt like a child playing dress up. And, the bright red photographed really well in pictures.

Right now, I am loving a nice, bright hot pink for spring. I definetly don't think it's a work look - but I will rock it on nights and weekends. What is your favorite lipstick? How do you feel about bright colors?

The Inspired House of Wright

As I was looking online for some paintings and wasting time on Pinterest, I came across this online shop/blog called The Inspired House of Wright. According to their about page...

Josh and Rachel Wright are a husband and wife artists whom create modern and functional items for the home. Rachel focuses on paintings while Josh concentrates on concrete creations.

They have even been best friends since the 7th grade!!  Well, as I looked through all of their products I felt energized, inspired and wanted to know more. There is even a blog that Rachel runs that highlights some of her interest. I am tempted to see if she does interior design too.

If you are looking for an original unique housewares or a colorful, energizing paintings this is the shop for you. 





Step by Step Guide: Morning Glory Muffins!

OK. So... I heart muffins. What I don't heart is the volume of fat and calories that are in said muffins. In my company newsletter there is a column on healthy eating. Yes...I do actually read the company newsletter. Dork. This week they highlighted morning glory muffins. I had never, ever heard of them before. Ever.

So, I decided to see if there was an even healthier version on the web. And I came across this one! I slightly modified it and came up with this fantastical delight!

Mandy Glories

Recipe modified from Honey & Jam

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup white or brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt
1.5 cup carrots, peeled and grated
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened


1/4 cup dried figs (sugar free)

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dark sweet dried cherries (sugar free)
1/4 cup chopped pecans

3 large eggs
2/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce

2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract

1/4 cup fat free milk

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin, or line it with papers and spray the insides of the papers. 



In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the carrots, apple, coconut, figs, cherries, and raisins. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and milk. Add to the flour mixture, and stir until evenly moistened. Divide the batter among the wells of the prepared pan, filling almost to top. Sprinkle with pecans.

Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, until domed and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes in their pan on a rack, then turn out of pans to finish cooling.



Macaron Mania - An Update

A while back I wrote about the Macaron phenomenon. I am happy to report that, whilst in Paris, I did go ahead and see what all of the fuss was about. It was actually by accident. Paris is the type of city that you can stroll through for hours and hours. Each block will take you to a new era and each corner turns up new surprises. We had just strolled down the Champs-Elysees and took a left at the Ferris Wheel. We walked down Rue Royal and I looked up to see the sign:

I walked inside, purchased myself a single chocolate macaron and understood what all of the hype was about. I even picked up a cute box at Versailles for my friend Kate. She hasn't got it yet so I am pretty sure they are bad. But, the box is adorable. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the city of light.

xoxo

M

Little Shamanda's

OK. So I am going to throw this out there. I want kids. Like, a lot. A lot of little Shamanda's running around my tiny two bedroom condo. When I was a little girl, I used to get so excited about the Sears Holiday catalog. Do you remember that thing?! It was about five hundred pages worth of merchandise and commercial photography. Fantastic. I used to sit down with it and cut out the things I liked. Were they toys? Nope.

I used to cut out cribs, bedrooms sets, living rooms sets, handsome men, pretty ladies and adorable babies. I used to literally cut out the life that I wanted and there were always about four or five kids. And I, of course, still had the body of a commercial model. Perfect!

Well, I am at the time that I want one (or ten) and for whatever reason I feel like it may be a long road. So, I am going to kick off my quest with a new, healthy meal plan. This article talks about how important getting an adequate amount of veggies, nutrients and grains is. 

Fingers crossed. 

xoxo

M

Family Pictures in the House

Mr. M and I moved in together 6 years ago (this coming June). The house is STILL filled with hand-me-downs, Christmas Tree Shop pictures, and Home Goods clearance finds. I am really, really wanting to grownupify my house and I have been pondering doing a picture display on one of my walls and just cannot decide if I want to (because family photo's..y'know scream grownup). On one hand, I love the personalization of the space through family photographs. On the other, I feel like some local art or large graphic paintings can be just as personal as pictures.

I have acquired a great deal of pictures over the last couple of months with my wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon and I just keep on waffling on whether or not to put them up. I also found a large collection of old photo's in my parents house that I had restored. Maybe I will make this my very own Project Weekend.

How do you feel about family pictures on the wall? I found a great website dedicated to photo displays. I think I will study up this week...

Polka Dots and Tiny Spots

It is a little gloomy out today in Boston but it is a long weekend so my Friday is definitely brighter! On top of doing some projects around the house, this weekend we are having a family dinner on Sunday to celebrate my brother's birthday and Mr. M and I wll be having a late Valentines day romantic dinner for two at the Grapevine tonight. What are your plans?

Here are some links that I stumbled across this week:

I just bought one of these and I am so excited to use it tomorrow morning.

Maybe I will make breakfast to accompany the espresso!

Looking for a gift for a new Mommy? Wouldn't this be adorable?

Want something to do this weekend in Boston? How about a chocolate tour?

Want to learn how to use your new camera but can't find a course that fits your schedule? How about this?

I am really feeling stripes for spring.

I just might go out, buy a canvas bag and make one of these this weekend.

xoxo

M

Photo: Taken by me!