After a day of corporate cubeism, taking to the street for an autumn walk with my little pup and guy seemed the right thing to do. I love when the sun dips behind fiery leaves, a coy nod to warm days and chilly nights. 
xo Al
Fall. Walk.
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Category Archives: Photography
Tennessee’s a Brother to My Sister Carolina
Without fail, by the time I reach baggage claim I feel a familiar tickle in my throat and a tired burning in my eyes. I have a cold. Another one. Ugh.
After spending the better part of the week in Chattanooga, Tennessee for work, I am currently snuggled in bed with lots of good reading material, some Coltrane on the stereo, and my cats and dog nearby. Business travel can feel so lonely – returning “home” from the office to a too-hot or too-cold room, with sub-par hotel coffee, and nobody to share the funny parts of the day with.
Chattanooga was beautiful and I got lots of work done but I have never been so happy to see that “Welcome to Portland, Maine” sign. I plan on nesting all weekend, and enjoying my house and all those who live in it!
xo Al
Creature Comforts – September
There are few things more delightful than a happy pet, birthday roses, a pie fresh from the oven, golden olive oil, or a birthday wish.
xo Al
Holy Boys Danger Club, 9/22
Took my new Nikon D3100 for a spin at the Empire last night. I’m still getting used to all the bells and whistles (and how to shoot in low light without everything being a blurry mess).
Here are some shots of the night and of my favorite local band, Holy Boys Danger Club.
xoxo Al
25: A Retrospective
25 has been a killer year. Lots of work, lots of play. As I round the corner to 26, closer to 30 than 20, I can’t help but be grateful for my friends, family, Michael, my home, my health and my animals. 25 was very special. 26 is going to be even better!! Here’s a look back…
September
September in Maine is marked by warm, amber-tinged days and cool cricket-filled nights. Everything seems to turn on a dime. The air conjures up that back-to-school nostalgia; I immediately crave new notebooks and pencils.
This particular September is one of big change for me. My little sister moved out after a summer’s stay in the guest room (to start her junior year of college! When did that happen?!) I will hit my three year anniversary of home ownership and I find myself “nesting” more and more. I am crossing that mid-twenties threshold and turning 26 on the 19th. A whole new chapter for so many reasons.
I welcome it with open arms.
Wednesday Date Night – Caiolas Restaurant
Miek and I wandered into Caiola’s this week for our Wednesday Date Night. Located on the West End, it’s a cozy, neighborhood gem boasting antique pendant lights, warm wood accents, and a bustling kitchen serving up thoughtful, inventive dishes.
It was very busy for a weeknight (next time we will make a reservation) – a testament to Portland’s strong foodie contingent.
After a root ginger beer Dark and Stormy and Miek’s usual Stoli soda, we were led through the kitchen to our table near the back patio. We decided to order a bunch of appetizers to sample the menu: a Gorgonzola sformato accompanied by a sweet-tart cherry compote and date shavings, polenta fries with a sinful cheddar-parmesan cheese sauce and red pepper and tomato fresh relish, the braised beef taquito with tempura fried peppers, mussels in a tomato broth spiked with toasted garlic and grana padano, and a caesar salad topped with fried oysters.
DIY Nailpolish Rack
It has been a productive evening – I am covered in wood glue and silver spray paint.
For a while I kept my nail polish addiction under wraps, neatly stowing bottles of color away in a bathroom drawer or in sundry cosmetic cases. As my love for nail art blossomed, so did my collection of polishes. I ran out of places to tuck them away. Soon I had a large bowl of the stuff in my living room, rows of bottles lining window sills, OPI and Sephora swag falling out of purses, carry-ons, my car. The first step to getting help is acknowledging you have a problem.
So I drove Jazzy the Jeep to the nearest Lowes, picked up some pre-cut oak boards, wood glue, metallic silver spray paint (got IDed to prove that I was over 18 – nice ego boost), and some nails of the hardware store variety. I didn’t measure anything really … I blame my “bang it out” impatience.
Regardless, I have a cool new nail polish rack that I plan on embellishing down the line with jewels and a nice moulding. I accidentally spray-painted some of my backyard, too. But that’s ok, it just looks like Tinkerbell paid a visit.
xo Al
Tigger’s Annual Visit
My best friend Brooke flew in from Brooklyn on Friday night for our annual summer sister visit. Our friendship is one of those rare and awesome ones that allows for sitting in silence together with good books, some sunshine and a glass of wine.
Portland Has A Music Festival
This past weekend, rows of porta-potties were set up, two stages erected on Portland’s East End, houses decorated and food trucks parked to welcome over 15,000 mustache-sporting festival-goers for Mumford and Sons’ Gentlemen of the Road stopover show.
My old Bates roomie and dear friend Emily took the train up from Boston to visit, and we grabbed a blanket, plenty of sunscreen and water and hit the hill.
The headliners put on a flawless show. The setting was beautiful, with a bobbing Atlantic as the backdrop, some anchored boats dancing in the ebb and flow of the water. As the sun set behind us, the sky turned pink.
This was all very lovely. However, my most-favorite moment of the day was HAIM’s set. Three LA sisters graced the stage, all middle-parted long hair and dangerously short cut-offs. Danielle’s stint with Julian Casablancas showed in her guitar solos. The bass player, pardon my language, kicked some serious ass. And all three closed their set with some primal drumming.
So good.
The fried dough wasn’t bad either.
Hot Off The Dress 