Florida, MA and a hairpin turn

Florida, MA sign going west on the Mohawk Trail

Absurd Florida, MA sign--Snow man and palm trees?  Really Troop 76?

Wacky hairpin turn driving down Florida Mountain into North Adams

In February, I started a weekly commute from Northampton to Williamstown for a contract gig at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.  There are numerous ways to get from point A to point B and none of them are very direct or on a major freeway for more than a few miles.  For example, I could take the 9, to the 112, to the 116, to the 8, and finally, to the 2, which would dump me off in Williamstown.  OR, I could take the 9 to the 143, to the 8, to the 7, also resulting in a Williamstown arrival.  My favorite of late happens to be the longest mileage but shortest duration is the picturesquely scenic Mohawk Trail route; the I-91, to the 2 (aka the Mohawk Trail)!  The Mohawk Trail twists, turns, spools, then unfurls, races against two different rivers, then climbs the microcosm that is Mount Florida.  The descent opens with a shocking 360 degree hairpin turn before you are whisked down the mountain into the industrial town of North Adams, Williamstown's blue collar neighbor.  At first, I found the drive sort of stressful and therefore, exhausting.  But after a few rounds at bat, I'm getting more and more comfortable and have started to really enjoy the natural beauty that envelopes me from all sides.  The Berkshires are known as the purple mountains and this morning I got my first peek as to why.  At a mid journey crest, I turned a corner to find a glorious Grimus colored purple peak staring down at me and fell a little more in love with New England.

just in time for spring

Found via {wit + delight}

A delightful and necessary addition to any afternoon bike riding adventure--a six pack holder for your bicycle!  That bike is pretty rad too...

Watercolor wedding

Fun with watercolors!

Final product

<3

Today's project was a trial of the watercolor escort map pins I'm DIYing for our upcoming nuptials.  I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out.  Now, I just need the final guest count and I'll send them to the printer!

RIP LCD

Member's Only? Me and Joe in matching white members only jackets.

Arcade Fire joined James Murphy on stage to sing backup for "All My Friends"

White balloon explosion

NYC for LCD at MSG!  We had an absolute blast at the final LCD Soundsystem show at Madison Square Garden.  Joe's brother Jon, and his wife Ali, were excellent pre-gaming and dancing companions for the evening--so much so that we were all a little beer hazy and sore the following morning. LCD's set capped out at a solid four hours.  James Murphy filled every minute with his beat happy, booty shaking hits--it seemed not a single one was left unplayed, giving both the fans and the band members themselves a proper chance to say goodbye.  He closed the set with a beautiful ode to NYC, using cityscape and cloud images that LCD requested fans to submit a few days before the final show.  As the final note was played, the release of white balloons suspended from nets above the floor seats seemed to symbolize a reverse ascent as LCD passed on, into music history.  While they may cease to produce new music as a group, their records will have a place in all of our Itunes for years to come.

Farewell LCD

Joe, Jon, Ali and I were lucky enough to score tickets to the final LCD Soundsystem show at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night. This landmark occasion will be my first and last time seeing James Murphy and his dance punk co-horts. The band requested that everyone wear either all black, all white, or a mix of both. I'll be adorned in all white with neon pink fingernails---the pink being the only color you'll be able to spot in a blur of white dancing fury. Epic? I think so.

A perfect circle

{Doughnut photo courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere}

{Milkshake and cookie sandwiches courtesy of Calder Clark}

What could be a more perfect circle than a doughnut.  Fried dough ensconced with sugary glazing, chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and what else....SPRINKLES.  Can you tell I've been dieting?  I have a serious sweet tooth with my premiere cravings being ice cream, cookies, and doughnuts.  Transforming one's diet is not a simple task but this time I'm committed.  Indulgences like these will be a once every few month treat.  A treat that will be savored down to the last crumb, sprinkle, or drop.

Tea time

{Bomb ass Kusmi Tea from Paris}

Whilst strolling the cobbled streets of Paris last September, I kept noticing the adorable store fronts of the Kusmi Tea stores.  After passing a few over a couple of days I finally decided to venture inside.  The rainbow colored spectrum of tea tins blew my mind and I took a few minutes to decide on my selection.  I walked out with a stack of five different flavors, one destined to become my die-hard favorite. 

I am both a coffee and tea drinker, my mood dictating the winning libation of that particular moment.  So, it's fair to say that I don't have a "go-to" favorite flavor of either warm beverage and just haphazardly choose whatever sounds good.  Pomegranate Pizzaz, sure!  Breakfast Blend, alright!  I hadn't reached tea drinking nirvana until I took my first sip of the Kusmi St. Petersburg Green Tea.  The dazzlingly fragrant flavors of caramel and red fruits with a citrusy punch was intoxicating and I knew I was hooked!  And lucky me!  I just found a local store, Cooks Shop Here, that sells my happy addiction!