Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label in. Show all posts
Weekend in the bush
Weekend in the bush
Everything was packed and ready for take off as soon as we got home from work/daycare/school on Friday to be able to get to the forest as soon as possible. Got the military tent in place and the camp fire started with great teamwork together with the half of family Hansson and family Madeleine/Robin. The kids didnt ask for their Ipads once and handle the extremely casual weekend without any luxury what so ever very well. A but cold at night, but had crystal clear blue sky all days and could really relax and enjoy the beautiful forest of Skäralid.
Weekend in the bush
Shopping in Boston A few of my favorite things!
Shopping in Boston A few of my favorite things!
Since my beloved Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team is an amazing 9-0, we decided to head out to Beantown to see the Irish
We did all the historical attractions like Freedom Trail and the JFK Library Museum and it was absolutely amazing to walk in the footsteps of our Forefathers and to walk in buildings which were such a part of covert meetings and colonial think tanks. But then it came time to spend a little time shopping!
We headed to Newbury Street which is just outside Boston Common and Boston Garden area and it is just the most quaint little shopping area I have ever enjoyed. I felt like I was in a movie.
I am slightly crazy about Lilly Pulitzer crazy and since they closed the only signature store in Chicago, whenever I go anywhere on vacation, I always Google to see if there is a Lilly store in the area. And of course, being Boston, there was. And it just happened to be on Newbury Street! Imagine that!
So we had Lilly....
and Kate...
And Ralph of course!
They also had Cartier and Burberry but I felt way under dressed to go in - did you ever feel that way?
I love classic, traditional clothing - I always have. My two favorite colors are navy blue and pink and the preppier, the better. But this trip to Boston introduced me to two AMAZING brands that I simply had to share! The first is a line of accessories for men and women and the company is called Kiel James Patrick and his products are simply stunning! (All images are from kieljamespatrick.com)
He added his own twist to the preppy staple that is the Nantucket rope bracelet which gets better and better as it gets more worn and frayed. He has added color, his trademark anchor closure, various nautical knots and the result is to die for. If I had to pick - seriously I could not decide!
This is a bracelet. A BRACELET! Ahhhhh! TOO cute!
When I first saw these and fell instantly in love, I had to Google to learn more. I envisioned an old sea captain - sort of like Robert Redford - making these on his boat. NOPE.
Kiel James Patrick is a young, native New Englander and a former model. Alrighty then. :-)
Anyway, good looks and heritage aside - his product line is amazing and I cannot wait to start to build my collection! My J Crew rope bracelets have about had it - time for something new. Some women prefer diamonds, I prefer accoutrements of a nautical nature. Most of the time.
THEN.... my world blew up. I was sauntering through the streets of Boston suddenly my anglophile sense became quite heightened and there, on Newbury Street, I found it. The most amazing store EVER. Like EVER!
Jack Wills! Ever hear of it? ME EITHER - until now!
The store is like a mash up of Ralph Lauren, RUGBY, Abercrombie, Brooks Brothers and Vineyard Vines. The sweaters (aka jumpers) are gorgeous and the pillows and the hoodies and the socks and the handbags, and the list goes ON and ON and ON! Here are the pics I took in the store. It was decorated for Christmas and they even kept their signature color scheme of pink and navy consistent throughout the decs. ADORABLE!
Of course they have the Queen on the wall, why wouldnt they?
Yes this gorgeous sweater has gold sparkly thread - SO pretty!
Lovely tweed and faux fur vest!
Love the pillows and underpants!
Pearls on a flannel shirt with a pea coat and yet - it SO works!
The Union Jack made out of shot glasses!
LOVE the packages in pink and navy! ADORABLE!
Happy Christmas!
To learn more you can watch this adorable video: http://www.jackwills.com/en-gb/home
And then I have to finish by sharing the Brooks Brothers Christmas windows.... TARTANS galore!
First up - I am seriously dying over this chair!
Ok thank you for coming along on my shopping day in Boston. Cant wait to get back to my home improvement projects - I have something on tap that is very exciting for me. Stay tuned....
Shopping in Boston A few of my favorite things!
Parcher Road Loop In Pictures
Parcher Road Loop In Pictures
I finally got out for a ride on my new found route the Parcher Road Loop and remembered to bring along my camera. It was a Saturday and the weather was beautiful for an afternoon spin. One of my favorite things to do on my bicycles is just head off without a destination in mind and explore. Thats how I discovered this loop. I try to pick routes that keep off the busier state highways and keep to the rural country roads. Im still amazed that I can find roads and places Ive never been leaving by bicycle from my driveway and the town Ive lived all my life.
The loop travels west and north into Crawford County Ohio and comes within a couple miles of the county seat; Bucyrus, Ohio. The route is mostly flat rural farmlands but there is a few rolling hills where the loop intersects the Olentangy and Sandusky River valleys. I welcome a few hills on any ride to break up the monotony of the surrounding glacial plains.
On the western leg of my ride I approached an overpass that would eventually carry me over Interstate Highway US30. I kept hearing the sound of a small high revving engine coming from somewhere ahead on the other side of the overpass. I knew it wasnt coming from the highway itself because the sound wasnt the steady drone of a highway going vehicle. The motor noise was erratic; rising and falling in pitch and intensity. I scanned the skies above looking for a radio controlled airplane but no aircraft was visible in the brilliant blue.
Finally I crested the rise and from my vantage point I discovered the source of the buzzing engine. Someone was enjoying the afternoon doing their thing piloting a radio controlled gas powered speed boat around this pond. Ive always been interested in the R/C world but with a bunch of other hobbies and interests competing for the small sliver of free time I have I never got into model craft.
The boat driver is visible on the small beach on the opposite shore.
Beautiful day to be out on a bicycle.
I hung out for a while watching the little boat run laps around the lake. It was amazing. The craft could really get moving and throw up a nice rooster tail in its wake.
Further along the loop I noticed this Ohio Historical Marker and learned something new about my county.
KNISLEY SPRINGS FARM
Long known to the Indians for the mineral spring water, this land was purchased in 1819 by Samuel Knisley. After 1880 it was developed as a resort area by Dr. Jerome Bland, who also established a cattle and horse breeding farm. In 1930 the land became part of PICKWICK FARMS which in 1976 was the largest standardbred breeding farm in Ohio and known throughout the United States and Canada.
The farm grounds are huge and cover a whole country block. From the road the barns are a good distance and sit up on the high ground.
And it looks like the breeding program is still underway and successful as this good looking herd of Black Angus demonstrates.
I dont mind watching a little Discovery Channel on the television if its raining outside but in the end the bicycle wins hand down for getting out and exploring the world. There always seems to be something interesting just around the next bend.
Parcher Road Loop
Bike: Motobecane Le Champion
Distance: 26.8 miles
Ride Time: 1:57:05
Average Speed: 13.7 mph
Parcher Road Loop In Pictures