Weekend Sunshine: Portland, ME Edition!

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Hey guys! Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine started last Tuesday. Yes, I had a sort of "staycation" again... similar to what I did in August sans the HOT weather. Rachael and I both had to use up some vacation time before we lost it so we decided to take a few days off and have a BFF weekend in PORTLAND! 

First, I need to thank MAL for providing us with a list of restaurants/bars that were all ON POINT. (Mal lives in Portland. It was her wedding that took place three weeks ago... and yes, she met up with us the day after she came home from her honeymoon. #solidfriend )

First stop... Central Provisions. See the sign? Good food. Strong Drink. These are TWO FACTS. We loved this place so much that we went back the next day to try more small plates. Favorites: Prosecco drink, roasted cauliflower, fried browne point oysters, bread and butter, chop salad, and raw beef salad.

Next up, we headed up to Sonny's for a cocktail. Their cocktail list was plentiful but, both Rachael and I think we made poor decisions. She got the "Number 1 with the Bullet" and I got the "Jalapeno Strawberry" drink. Rachael's was better than mine, but, the floor was super cool. I wouldn't blame the place -- I'd blame our poor decision making.

After some shopping and walking around, we headed to MJ's for wine and cheese. Yep, wine and cheese. Happiness all around! This place was AWESOME and the service was fantastic. The manchego platter was delectable. 

For dinner... we just got oysters and salads at Boone's and got to bed early. We woke up feeling great (perks of day drinking vs. night drinking) and headed to the gym for a solid workout. Ravenous, we headed to Central Provisions at 11:30. Hey, we didn't eat breakfast!

After "brunchish lunchish" we got coffees at Bard. I can say with 100% honestly that this was the best almond milk cappucino that I have ever had. It was strong, not bitter, perfectly executed with the espresso to milk ratio and of course... the presentation was adorable.

That afternoon, it was time for MASSAGES at Nine Stones. What is a vacation without a massage? It was incredible and so necessary.

Later that evening, we finally got to meet up with Mal at my favorite drink spot from our last trip to Portland... Hunt & Alpine Club. My favorite drink was no longer on the menu, but, the staff remembered it and made it for me. It has egg whites... it's delicious... just get it.

The 3 of us headed over to Eventides (a place I reallllly wanted to go to last year but, we never got to it.). The oysters and Prosecco were everything I ever imagined.

Sparkling Rose... yes.

Dozen oysters. Yes and 11 yesses.

We then headed over to Honey Paw... Eventides' sister restaurant (next door) for the rest of dinner.

I didn't take any food pics at Honey Paw, but, the spare ribs that were on special (and often are) were absolutely dreamy. Get them.

LOVE THESE GIRLS!

Rachael and I didn't wake up feeling as perky as we did the prior day... We woke up, headed to The Holy Donut and ate them so fast that we forgot to take pictures of them. #bloggerfail

We then decided that we needed more carbs so we went back to an old favorite... Flatbread Company.

See that salad? That's my favorite salad.

I love Portland. If you ever go - I'd recommend every place listed above. It's such a short trip from Boston and everything about it was easy. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown/Waterfront and joked that everything was a "0.3 mile walk or 6 mins" which was truly perfect. 

We headed back to Boston on Friday afternoon, just in time for Sarah's bday party. Rob and I had a really relaxing weekend, which was so necessary after such a fun-filled few months.  Relaxation, comfort food, family time, football, and wrapped it all up with dinner last night with my favorites for Rebecca's birthday celebration. It was awesome. 

Hope you all have a GREAT week. xo

NBGNO "Knock Out Cancer" Recap!

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Last week, we wrapped up the last NBGNO of the year with a cause very close to my heart... "Knock Out Cancer!". I can't think of a better way to close out the season than with an event that not only unites women but also draws attention to a disease that has touched the lives of so many people. Together, we dedicated our workouts to those that have been personally affected by breast cancer. We shared stories, we learned more about the disease, and we celebrated the 26-year-strong partnership of New Balance and Susan G. Komen.

During this 26 year timeframe, the LaceUp365 program developed by New Balance has raised approximately $30MM for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. What's the main goal? To someday have a world without breast cancer AND to live a healthy lifestyle EVERY DAY.

As NBGNO typically goes... we chatted, hydrated, and headed out for a workout with two of Boston's most fearless leaders: Eliza Shirazi and Susan Reardon from The Club by George Foreman.

Check out this setup! Eliza on the left and Susan on the right. Their energy is ELECTRIC! The workouts were incredible. I know that every gal walked away sweaty, confident, excited, and feeling like they just kicked cancer's ass.

FIERCE on so many levels.

When we got back to the store - the energy was incredible. Everyone got some appetizers and cocktails and then it was time to hear Dr. Priscilla Brastianos share her story. I was honored to have met Dr. Brastianos at both the Komen "Race for the Cure" and at the NBGNO event last year. She is beyond amazing. She is a woman on a mission with a deeply personal connection and passion for finding a cure for breast cancer. She has won numerous awards and accolades including being named a Komen Research Grantee.  Dr. Brastianos is the Director of the Brain Metastasis Program at Mass General and is part of the teaching faculty at Harvard Medical School. When she's not analyzing DNA, teaching, or saving lives -- she lives a healthy lifestyle -- running the Charles and writing poetry. 

This year and last, Dr. Brastianos shared a fact with us that HAS ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME... READY FOR THIS? 

-- REGULAR EXERCISE REDUCES YOUR RISK OF BREAST CANCER BY 20%.

If that doesn't motivate you... I don't know what will. 20% is HUGE. That is why it is so important to share our knowledge and participate in these types of events. Knowledge truly is power.

As the night carried on... we continued to share stories, mingle, and celebrate the night. 

It was a truly special evening. Thank you NEW BALANCE for an incredible season of NBGNOs. Until next year, my friends... xo!

Weekend Sunshine XLII

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Hi friends! Fall is back today here in New England (thank goodness)! It was icy cold the last two days. So, I have to tell you that I had written a post on the way down to Newport on Friday and it NEVER shared. I tried all sorts of methods and then it deleted. Not happy with my app. So... moral of the story is that I haven't been ignoring you.

Moving on, this weekend was a whole lot of fun. We had Dev & Em's wedding on Friday night and then pretty much relaxed for the entirety of the remainder of the weekend which was SO NECESSARY. Here's a glimpse into the sunniest moments!

I love when the trees that line Castle Island turn the most vibrant yellow color. It's short lived, but so incredibly beautiful.

Strolling through Newport.

Lunchtime cheers!

Here comes the bride!

Ocean Cliffs has the most incredible view!

The boys! How ah ya?

My girl!

The venue! (Gah! So pretty!)

Mr. & Mrs. Devin! (I stole this photo from Matt's facebook page - I couldn't get a good snap during the ceremony #failsherri) This one is so much better than anything I could have taken anyway!

Emily in all her glory.

Stumbling upon seafood-fest after a wedding? Perfect!

Gorrrrgeoussss Sky!

Matt & Emily - We are SO HAPPY for you! You are one of the most FUN couples that I know and I know you will have a marriage full of laughs. Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day. Everything was completely perfect. Enjoy that honeymoon - can't wait to tear up the dance floor in Southie when you are back! xo

Have a great week, everyone! xo