Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Recapping Patriots’ Day 2014!...aka The Best Day of the Year!

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Ah, Patriots Day, that one amazing day of the year where we celebrate life, runners, beer and baseball all while catching rays from the beautiful spring sun. I think we can all agree that this Patriot’s Day was especially poignant since this would mark the first Patriots’ Day since the terrible tragedy last year. Like so many others, when Patriots’ Day came around this year, we were going to stand up higher, cheer louder and let everyone know that Boston is not a place to mess with. 

For me, what was originally going to be a semi-quiet Patriots Day turned out to be an absolute great time from beginning to end. In fact, if I do say so myself, it was so fun that I had to blog about and share it with my other Boston & Patriots’ Day lovers. 

So, without further ado, my Patriots Day in pictures and writing!

Sunday Night: 

Sunday night began as a last minute invite to the Red Sox game so that I could help out with the ‘Flag Crew’ after the game was over. Before the game had started, I was asked to help with the Flag Crew and be down on the field to catch the flag. I’ve never been down “on the bottom” before, so this was a cool experience, and might I say a very emotional experience. Usually there is usually a military staff that comes out to help assist with catching the flag and carrying it off the field, the flag crew hides behind the flag and we stay as invisible as possible. However, this time it was different given that this was the 1st anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings. This time around, members of Prayers Canvas- America 4 Boston came out with the Boston Marathon Prayer Canvas that showed support and well wishes from people across the country. It was a beautiful sight, but on top of that *cue to tissues*, right before they draped the flag over the Green Monster, the survivors and families of those lost in last year’s tragedies came out onto the field with probably the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard at Fenway Park cheering them on in full support. It’s one thing to hear about these amazing people on TV or in magazines, it’s another to see them in their full strength walking out right in front of you…I’m tearing up as I write this.  Of all the Flag Crew’s I’ve been a part of, this was probably the best one by far. 

Behind the scenes of the Flag Crew!!

Volunteers! 

It's Showtime!! 

Normally, after the flag has been dropped and carried off, my friends and I usually either find a place to stand or go to the bar afterwards, but this time we were able to get seats in the Grandstand right behind- or a few rows behind- home plate. The game turned out to be a good one with an awesome ending! 

After the game, it was back on the field to re-roll the flag up and get everything ready to be back at Fenway Park bright and early in the morning. 

Great View!

Flag Roll-Up Begins!

Beautiful at Night!

Wrapping up the Flag Roll-Up Night!

Marathon Monday: 

Not a cloud in the sky that morning as I made my way up to Fenway Park for another day with the Flag Crew and seeing another great game.  For the third time in as many days, the Flag draped over the Green Monster without a hitch and our job was done- it was time to relax and watch the Sox!

I run on Dunkin' Donuts & Red Sox!!
This time, however, we were not so lucky to get tickets to sit all together; however, the tickets we did end up getting for all of us were not so bad. Since I was the single person there and the rest being couples, I had to make do and sit in the second row of dugout seats right by the ball girl by the 3rd base line with my friend’s aunt and uncle… actually, they were the coolest seats I’ve ever sat in!! Seriously, if you ever have the chance (or the money), you need to sit in this area!  The only times I needed to get up was to use the bathroom, the rest of the time we had our own personal waiter there to take our Fenway Frank and beer orders and deliver them to us. All I had to do was sit back, relax, soak in the sun and watch out for foul balls. I actually made it on live TV as a foul ball came our way and the Red Sox 3rd baseman almost had it, all the while almost falling into the crowd!

Seats right next to the Ball Girl!! Watch out for Foul Balls!

Great Seats!

Such a beautiful day!! Not a cloud in the sky!

MLB Network setting up!

After a good come back but eventual loss to the Baltimore Orioles, it was time to walk up to see how the Marathon was going. We made it as far as Boylston and Dalton Streets but were told we were not allowed to go past that area or walk down Boylston Street due to overcrowding.  Most people either stood there watching the runners as best they could, others walked away to try and find another area. We used our resources and figured out a way to get in past the barricades… which we did. We settled on the area of Hereford and Boylston Street meet where runners are on their last turn before the finish line. There were watched and cheered on runners and watching with hopeful eyes for a few runners we knew were coming around the bend. 

Congrats Runners!  You're almost there!

Little shade while watching the runners!

Blocked off at the finish line

Last few feet of the race!!...and awesome seats on the roof of Forum!!
After we saw the last of our friends run around the bend and make their way towards the finish line, it was time to go home- it had been a long past couple of days and I was exhausted. 

So there you have it, why Patriots/Marathon Monday can easily be called the best day of the year! 


Behind the Kitchen- Sneak Peak at Liquid Art House

Whenever I watch Sex and the City, I always think how cool it would be attend the grand opening of a restaurant or bar every single week…well a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to do just that!

This was possibly my very first Carrie-esque evening. 

For the most part, I find out about the ‘cool places to be scene’ restaurants and bars well after the cool phase and more into ‘everyone’s already been there’ phase. This time however, my eyes spotted an email from the BCAE about a new series they wanted to launch call R&D – Restaurant & Development – the concept begin soon to be opening restaurants  would come to the BCAE to have guests try out some of their dishes and go for a tour of the restaurant before they open to the public.

The first restaurant to be a part of the R&D series was the soon to open Liquid Art House - a restaurant with an eclectic mixture of food, drinks and art all under one roof.

A fairly large group of people met at the BCAE to give the new restaurant’s menu a try- I doubt anyone was disappointed.


Yuca & Chicharrones w/Pica de Gallo

Corn & Honey Dumplings
Georges Bank Scallop
Mici Skewers- Spiced Lamp w/L.A.H Puffy Pita
Coconut Rice Pudding w/Thai Basil Cake, Mango, Sesame Crunch & Passionfruit
White Chocolate Bites
After dinner and dessert, it was time to head over just a few doors down to get a sneak peak at Liquid Art House. Although it still had a few weeks to go, this place looked amazing. As soon as you walk in the door, there is a modern looking round bar and a magnificent chandelier which sets the stage for your dining experience.

Walking into Liquid Art House & Amazing Chandelier! 
Executive Chef & Owners, Layout of the Bar & Dining Areas 
"Back of the House"- Kitchen Setup
Liquid Art House will seat about 100 guests including a special “Chef’s Table” located right next to the open kitchen which allows a more intimate dining experience and where the chef will cook a special off the menu dinner that he created.

Area of the "Chef's Table- where the "food magic" happens!
I honestly can’t wait for Liquid Art House to open, with a great location right on Arlington Street, this will easily become the ‘hip place to be scene’, so mark your calendars for May 6th… or May 7th…or any time after that… it may be a bit busy that night! 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Spring is here! Time for a new ‘do at Camille Albane!

I think we can officially say it- Spring is finally here! The trees are starting to grow buds, flowers are starting to bloom, and I have a constant runny nose, annoying cough and hair that’s been in hibernation all winter long…and it really shows! So, I was very excited when I saw BlogandTweetBos bloggers’ event for a  hair treatment, blowout and makeup application at Camille Albane, a new salon located on Newbury Street (near Fairfield St.).  Camille Albane is based out of France (mais oui!) with its very first U.S. location right here in Boston.

Great location right on Newbury St. 
Back of the salon where the "magic" happens...love the bright pink!

I met up with about 15 other bloggers at the open spaced salon for some wine and hors d'oeuvres and one by one we were led into the salon row to get our hair spring ready. We were given two options for hair treatment- color enhancing or shine treatment. I chose to go with the shine treatment since this winter did a number on my hair, drying it out to look and feel like chopsticks.

I was warmly greeting by my stylist who took me over to the sinks and explained more about their own line of products including the shine treatment. After about 15 minutes of soaking in the shine into my hair, I was given a wonderful scalp massage (seriously, I think I’m going to start paying money to have someone give me a scalp massage every day!). I was then taken over to the styling chair where the magic of my blowout began.


Camill Albane has their own line of styling products

I was very impressed with the finishing results, big, soft curls that seemed to make my hair look longer.
Next up, it was time for my makeup application by Jen. The theme of Camille Albane’s makeup for the spring was “Blue Jeans” - perfect for someone with blue eyes. I was a little nervous that my eyes and face would be “too blue” and I’d end up looking like Mimi from ‘The Drew Carey Show’, but Jen did a great job creating the perfect balance of blue for my face.



By the end of the night, albeit it was a Wednesday night, I was ready for a night on the town! My hair looked and felt great and my eye makeup really made my eyes pop out. Best of all, my hair actually stayed looking nice for a couple of days after my initial blowout.

Before and After shots!! 
Camille Albane has reasonable prices compared to other salons on Newbury St. not too high, not too Supercuts. If you’re ready for a new spring ‘do or in the market of finding a new salon for your hair and makeup needs, I would highly recommend giving Camille Albane a try- tell them I sent you- I don’t think you’ll regret it!