Local Love 2015- Part 2 Recap

Yesterday, I posted Part 1 recap of Local Love 2015’s Pop-Up Market and introduced eight of the seventeen local and small businesses that came under one snow covered roof to their creative, one of a kind and scrumptious foodie treats, decorative products and everyday items. Here is the second half of my blog post. Enjoy and shop small!

SebellShavit Studio

Handcrafted right in Cambridge, SebelShavit Studio creates one of kind pottery to add that little extra something to your everyday kitchenware. Each Earth toned colored piece are both oven and dishwasher safe so there’s no need to worry pre and post cooking dinner. SebellShavit Studio’s Etsy shop changes quickly, so if you see something you like, snag it quickly, one of a kind only happens once in a lifetime.

SebellShavit Studio

SebellShavit Studio

Kitchen Millie

When your in the mood for something sweet, but don’t want to over do it with a giant chocolate bar or under do it with some strange juice mix, Kitchen Millie has just what your looking for. With a small snack size bag, Kitchen Millie offers mini two-bite size cookies with huge flavor. Just how your grandmother made them (Kitchen Millie is named after the owner’s grandmother), these cookies can brighten your day with taste and fill your stomach with sweet goodness.

Kitchen Millie

Kitchen Millie

Beach Memories

This winter really has hit us all hard and the idea of sand between our feet, laying on the beach and the sun warming our skin seems like almost a fantasy. In case you forgot what summer actually looks like, Beach Memories designs one of a kind, handmade sea glass art. Displayed in frames to keep the summer memories stored, Beach Memories can take your winter weary mind to the warm wonderful feeling of summer and the beach.

Beach Memories

Beach Memories

Extras By Alaina

When you’re in the need for a little extra special need to complete your invitations or you want something creative for our baby/wedding shower, turn to Extras By Alania to get the job complete. With original lettering prints, delightful stamps and modern calligraphy services, Extras By Alaina aims to please with the perfect, original design just for you.

Extras by Alaina

Extras by Alaina

Johanna Sprague- The Nomad Collection 

As I walked up to Johanna Sprague’s collection “The Nomad Collection”, I was immediately taken back to my amazing Southwest Vacation. Her work, created by sustainable products, brings the scenes of the vast, vibrant scope of the outdoor, travel and beauty and into the formation of earrings, necklaces and other brilliant designs to transport a home into a rustic landscape of art.

The Nomad Collection 

The Nomad Collection

Niche Urban Gardening Supply

For all the green thumb enthusiasts and “I can’t kee

p a fake plant alive” people, Niche Urban Gardening Supply is the one stop shop for all your indoor and windowsill gardening needs. Nestled in the heart of the South End, Niche Urban Garden Supply can assist you in making your tiny apartment become the urban jungle you’ve always wanted…or maybe adding a few oxygen generating plants to your lifestyle. Need a little extra help in keeping a plant alive or want to learn a new plant design; Niche offers monthly classes and workshops for everyone wanting to learn more on urban gardening.

Niche Urban Gardening Supply

Niche Urban Gardening Supply

Bash Studios- The Everyday Napkin

With so much waste going into landfills and not enough sustainable living happening, it’s time that everyone starts making small changes to help out Mother Nature. Bash Studios is paving the way wither her debut of The Everyday Napkin. Made with durable fabrics, The Everyday Napkins replace the throwaway napkins we all use and replace them with reusable napkins that are machine washable. With an assortment of colors and bundled in sets of seven, The Everyday Napkin is one small step in the cleaner, sustainable everyday life.

Bash Studios

Bash Studios

Pop & Circumstance

When some people see antiques and vintage items they think “someone’s old junk”, when Becky Shade sees vintage antiques, she thinks “the perfect restorative treasure”. Pop & Circumstance scours flea markets and antique shops to find the perfect vintage treasure to restore and help add a little rustic charm to your home. With all pieces being truly distinctive, you will find yourself treasures hunting for that one key item you just have to have.

Pop & Circumstance

Pop & Circumstance

Cameo Macaron

When traveling, there are certain foods you just need to try. In England, it’s fish and chips, Boston, New England Clam Chowder, of course, and in France, it’s Macarons. These delectable, sweet bites are full of flavor and with the right tea or Prosecco, you can almost see yourself sitting under an umbrella covered patio seat looking up to see the Eifel Tower. The best part about Cameo Macaron, is that they’re always on the run via a food truck, so be sure to be on the look out around Boston and snag yourself one or a dozen savory macarons!

Cameo Macaron

Cameo Macaron

What is your favorite Pop-Up Market to attend?

    

                                                                   

Local Love 2015- Part 1 Recap

Love was definitely in the air a few weeks ago, especially for me and my love of small businesses, when the BCAE hosted their 2^nd annual Local Love Pop-Up Market. A collaboration of 17 businesses came together under one snow covered roof to show off their creative, one of a kind and scrumptious foodie treats, decorative products and everyday items. Although the snow was coming down pretty hard, it didn’t stop me and my hungry stomach and a (budgeted) few dollars to spend to see what was in store at Local Love.

Here’s a run down of all the vendors at Local Love ‘15 (17 in all, so this is going to be a 2 part saga!)

Blackbird Doughnuts

The new kid on the doughnut block, Blackbird Doughnuts located on Tremont St. in the South End creates gourmet-flavored doughnuts from scratch everyday and these are no joke. Flavors vary from week to week, but with a selection ranging from Pineapple Habanero, to Raspberry Dark Chocolate, to good ol’ Chocolate Old Fashion, I’m thinking Blackbird Doughnuts will be added to your morning routines very soon.

Rows of Blackbird Doughnuts

Vanilla Glazed Doughnut

Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Doughnut

Fazenda Coffee Roasters

With a smooth, rich, bold taste, Fazenda coffee will surely wake you up on that dreary Monday morning. Made with Fair Trade Certified 100% Arabica beans, from around the world, Fazenda creates slow roasted coffee to ensure that every bit of flavor from the beans is used in the process of creating the perfect cup. You can find Fazenda Coffee in and around many cafes and restaurants in Boston, as well as, an online shop to create your own perfected coffee at home.

Fazenda Coffee Roasters 

Fazenda Coffee Roasters

Sign Here Nantucket

Nantucket- beach, sand, sun and style. That’s exactly what I think when I picture Nantucket on a cold and snowy day. What better way to have that picture hanging in your house all year long with one of Sign Here Nantucket’s hand painted city signs? Whether you want to reminisce your favorite city, picture the beach with words or wake up viewing inspirational quotes before you begin your day, Sign Here Nantucket has just the right words for you.

Sign Here Nantucket  

Sign Here Nantucket

Amanda Laurel Atkins

Bringing back the retro design, Amanda Laurel Atkins creates prints, cards and even paper dolls all beautifully detailed to reminisce the 1950’s.  Each portrait has a different style of lady with her own name and story. Amanda Atkins deigns are perfect to add a little retro flair to your office desk or to add a little inspiration to your daily life.

Amanda Laurel Atkins 

Amanda Laurel Atkins

Alison Storry Jewelry

Classic gold and turquoise meets everyday casual style, that’s the best way to describe Alison Storry Jewelry. Creating each piece by hand, Alison Storry Jewelry works with 18K gold, sterling silver, and beautiful gems of turquoise, onyx and pearl to form the perfect blend of elegant design with a flair of a casual look. When you’re in the need for an extra piece of sophistication in your everyday outfits, Alison Storry Jewelry has just the piece you need.

Alison Storry Jewelry

Alison Storry Jewelry

Posh & Prep

Are you ever looking for the one special, unique gift for yourself or someone else but not quite sure what the gift actually entails? You no longer have to guess with Posh & Prep, an imaginative design studio that creates everything from that perfect birthday card, to ‘nailed it’ coffee mugs with just the right saying to inspirational quote, framed and on your nightstand to wake up to every morning. Of course, what better way to show off your imagination than with the perfect, exceptionally you wedding/baby/birthday invitations!

Posh & Prep

Posh & Prep

Pure 7 Chocolate

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect chocolate bar that is not only delicious but also healthy for you? Now, open your eyes and view Pure 7 Chocolate. Made with raw honey (no sugar!), organic cocoa and sea salt, Pure 7 Chocolate is the sweet treat that boasts a strong flavor and absolutely guilt free feeling after you eat the entire bar (at least that’s how I felt after I ate the entire bar 5 minutes after purchasing one). Pure 7 Chocolate bars come in 8 delightful flavors: Pure 7 Dark, Espresso, Salted Almond, Peppermint, Orange Goldenberry, 100% Pure 7 Dark, Salted Licorice and Raspberry.

Pure 7 Chocolate

Pure 7 Chocolate

Scoopsies Ice Cream

Confession- I love ice cream. I mean ice cream all year long, even during the coldest Boston days and even during blizzards dropping two feet of snow onto the ground. What I don’t like are all the same exact boring flavors at the grocery store. I also don’t like walking or driving to an ice cream destination. What’s a girl to do? Enter Scoopsies Ice Cream, gourmet ice cream delivery service. That’s right, gourmet ice cream delivered right to your door when that sweet craving hits. And these aren’t you run of the mill vanilla flavors, think Friend Oreo Mint Chocolate Chip, Pho Spice Caramel and Orange Creamsicle Haberno (flavors change routinely). I don’t know about you, but I have this service on speed dial.

Scoopsies Ice Cream

Check in tomorrow to see what else Local Love 2015 had to offer!

 

Brunchin’ to the Beat with Boston Brunchers & Beat Brasserie

Ah Sunday, the best dining out day of the week for one reason – BRUNCH. Seriously, who doesn’t love brunch? You get to sleep in from Saturday night’s shenanigans and still wake up with plenty of time to enjoy your Eggs Benedict and lots of greasy bacon. Brunch can also be the perfect time to catch up with friends, I mean let’s face it, you’re getting a bit over the clubs and that music is just so loud, how can you even hear your friends?

Last Sunday, I did just that, catching up with some blogger friends and meeting new ones at the latest Boston Brunchers event at Beat Brasserie in Harvard Square, Cambridge.

Orange Surshine & Jazz

Walking inside Beat Brasserie, I felt a bit of déjà vu, although I haven’t dined her before, I feel like I’ve dined somewhere very similar.  My mind was on the right track as Beat Brasserie sister restaurant is The Beehive in the South End, a hip eatery known for their jazz/live music, delicious drinks and appetizing brunch.

We sat in a corner with prime view of the jazz band playing on stage. The acoustics were great as we were able to hear both the music and the people sitting right next to us.

 

Stage & Bar

We started off with sharing a Bohemian Platter, a generous selection of homemade pita bread, hummus, fried chickpeas, cheese, sun-dried tomato spread and olives. It was very light and tasty so it got our taste buds wanting watering and our stomachs ready for the main courses.

Bohemian Platter

 Next up we tried something very different, so different I wasn’t actually sure if it was legal. Buffalo Chicken…minus the chicken and add cauliflower. Yes, Buffalo Cauliflower and I’m telling you right now, if I weren’t told, I would have no idea it was cauliflower. These were surprisingly good with the same texture, buffalo sauce and taste, this is a must dish to try.

Buffalo Cauliflower

Main Courses:

Main Courses for Brunch!

For my main course, I went with the Ham, Swiss and Spinach Quiche, a basic sounding dish with plenty of taste and surprisingly filling.

Ham, Swiss & Spinach Quiche

A few other blogger’s dishes included, Eggs Benedict with House Smoked Salmon

Eggs Benedict with House Smoked Salmon

Eggs Shakshuka with Merguez Sausage- Poached Eggs, North African Tomato Sauce, Peppers, Polenta

 

Eggs Shakshuka with Merguez Sasuage

Of course, no brunch is complete without BACON!

BACON

Beat Brasserie is located right off the Harvard Square T stop so it’s a perfect place to grab a drink after work, have a great dinner date or settle in for a jazz brunch with the girls. No more excuses, go out this weekend and give Beat a try!

What’s your favorite dining destination in Harvard Square?

Note: Brunch was provided free of charge because you dined as a part of the Boston Brunchers. All opinions, whether you like them or not, are all my own.

Local Product Review- Organic Bath Company

I think it’s safe to say that we all agree that the second half of this winter can be summed up with one word – UGH! With soon to be three weeks in a row of snow storms and extreme cold, my poor skin is taking a beating; dry, itchy, and red, I feel like a snowman with eczema!

Thankfully, there is a saving grace in the form of Organic Bath Company, a local Boston company specializing in certified natural, organic bath and beauty products. Think a day at the spa with all the sweet smelling products, having your skin exfoliated to reveal glowing and softer skin, body oil with just the right hint of fragrance, nothing too overpowering, just enough that your body will soak in the scent of lavender or mint and finishing off with the same scent of body butter that keep your skin feeling soft and smooth all day. Now, imagine that happening during your daily routine in your own bathroom. That’s the wonder of Organic Bath Company.

 

Goodie Basket!

I received a few goodies in the mail to try out: Stress Less Body Oil, Organic Naked Sugar Scrub and Organic Mint Sugar Scrub.

I started with the Organic Mint Sugar Scrub. Although I’m usually not fan of mint, mainly because of the overpowering scent it sometimes gives off, however, Mint Sugar Scrub had a lighter smell of mint that brought a delightful surprise to my senses. All I needed were two small scoops in the shower and right away I could feel my skin being exfoliated and all the little dry, dead skin was being replaced by smoother, softer skin.

 

Organic Mint Sugar Scrub

For days I may not be in the mood for a particular scent, the Organic Naked Sugar Scrub was perfect for my senses and skin, as the Naked Sugar Scrub was unscented. Both Sugar Scrubs were the travel size versions (2.6 ounces), but even if used everyday, the bottle should last about 2-3 weeks, as long as you remember to use two little scoops!

 

Organic Naked Sugar Scrub

After a nice scrub down and my skin feeling fresh and new, I tried out the Stress Less Body Oil and I was not disappointed. Like the Mint Sugar Scrub, the Lavender scent was not overpowering, it brought on a light and airy feel to my skin. Although it says “body oil”, it didn’t leave an oily residue, in fact, the Lavender Body Oil felt more like a moisturizer on my skin. Just a couple of pumps and my skin was covered head to toe (minus my face) with the light and moisturized body oil and with that, I was ready to start my day!

 

Stress Less Body Oil

Organic Body Company sells their products online, as well as, Follain in Boston and Nantucket and other parts of the country. Winter is defiantly the perfect time to give Organic Body Company’s products a try, trust me, you’re skin will thank you!

What are your local go-to products for the winter? 

Note: I received these products complimentary; all opinions, whether you like them or not, are all my own.