Chelsea Harper

Brand Crush—Minnetonka Moccasin

January 8, 2016July 24, 2016 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

My Sheepskin Hardsole Slippers. If they look “lived in” it’s because I rarely take them off in the winter.

For the last year and a half, I have been pretty deeply obsessed with Minnetonka Moccasins. My first pair were Leopard Kiltys, which I bought on clearance at my work, and I’ve been a fiend ever since.

*My first ever pair of* Minnetonkas, *purchased Summer 2014: the Leopard Kilty Moccasin*

I first heard about the brand through Sherri Dupree-Bemis’ Instagram. She is a huge fan—in fact, she has even been featured on their blog! When I discovered that my work carried them, I knew I had to try them out. I love moccasins, but the pairs I had owned in the past were poor quality and didn’t hold up. Quality is a hallmark of Minnetonka—these things have been a hit for 70 years for a reason.

*Sadly, these ABM collab Thunderbirds have recently sold out. Thanks to the amazing customer service team at Minnetonka, I actually ended up with the last turquoise pair in my size!*

In addition to their Eisley feature, Minnetonka is becoming know for its kickass collaborations. Last year, they teamed up with Elsie & Emma of A Beautiful Mess to create two whimsical styles of their signature beaded Thunderbirds. They also currently have a line with high-end retailer Opening Ceremony featuring blinged-out slippers and moccasins, as well as Minnetonka for Hello Kitty (not exactly my jam, but cute nonetheless).

*This ribbon style isn’t available on their site anymore. It came in this tan color and navy blue, and now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get the navy as well!*

Beyond quality, another hallmark of Minnetonka is their pricing. My jaw was on the floor when I saw how inexpensive these things are. An average pair of moccasins will run you from $38.95-$49.95, and that’s for genuine suede! They also have an array of other leathers that they use to craft their shoes. AND they have free shipping on all purchases over $65 (and free shipping promotions throughout the holidays!)

Free gift with purchase last fall!

Faux-suede fringed clutch w/ gold foil logo!

Minnetonkas are an awesome way to incorporate fashion-forward footwear into your life without breaking the bank or destroying your feet. The mocc motto is “comfort over everything”.

DSW & Modcloth, among other stores, sell Minnetonkas, but now I almost always go straight to the source to buy mine. Not only are the prices unbeatable, but the customer service is speedy and incredible.

*Classic Fringe Hardsole Boots—people freak out over how cute these things are*!

**As a (basically lifelong) vegetarian/flexitarian, I struggled for a long time with the decision to include animal products (leather, suede, etc) in my wardrobe. It just didn’t seem right. I could just be whistling Dixie, but to me, buying one pair of leather moccasins that will last years as opposed to a cheap pair of textile moccs that I’ll replace annually seems to have a smaller environmental and financial impact. The jury is still out on the impact of man-made materials (pleather, PVC), and since I avoid meat primarily out of concern for the environment (with a helping of concern for animal welfare, of course) I take a more traditional route when building my wardrobe.

2015 in Shows

November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

2015 has been a landmark year for music…and going to amazing shows! We started the year off slow, with back-to-back of Montreal and Father John Misty shows at the Paradise in March. Apparently, Josh Tillman had just filmed the Master of None episode when we saw him, because he referenced joining the ranks of “fake TV bands” such as the Shins on Gilmore Girls. I finally saw the episode the other day and it was so fantastic. Congrats, Aziz Ansari, on a different (but still very awesome) type of show.

*Phish at Shoreline Ampitheatre (7.24.15)*

We were treated to a Phish concert at Shoreline in the Bay Area in July. We never go to huge arena shows like that, so it was an awesome experience, even though I previously knew nothing about the band. Phish fans are hardcore. Matt, the husband of the cousin that took us to the show, has seen the band over 150 times! And, according to Instagram, Regina Spektor (who I saw in ’09) went to see them a day or so after we did (yeah, we’re cool like that).

The Sinclair in Cambridge has been THE place for shows this year. In the past 3 months, we’ve seen Chelsea Wolfe, John Grant, and Natalie Prass there. There’s no bad view at the Sinclair, so no matter what time you arrive, you’re guaranteed an incredible show (and Insomnia Cookies after the show).

We were lucky enough to win tickets via Facebook to see Nicole Atkins & JD McPherson at the Royale last month! Meeting Nicole was such an insane privilege. She’s one of my favorite singer/songwriters and easily one of our generation’s most remarkable talents.

Another “surprise” show was Dengue Fever at Brighton Music Hall. We didn’t get tickets until the last minute and I’m so glad we did. Nimol is an international treasure. The Dengue show might have been one of the most joyful experiences of my life. I don’t understand how this band hasn’t taken over the world.

My father and I went to see John Cleese at the Cutler Majestic Theatre on tour for his memoirs, So Anyway…

I can’t wait to read the book! It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go, so I didn’t have time to read it prior to the show, but regardless, Mr. Cleese was an absolute treasure, as expected. This clip of Cleese on Conan is a great little taste of what my experience was like.

*Left to right: Matt Hollenberg, Kenny Grohowski, John Medeski, John Zorn*

Last Friday was a twofer: it was my first time at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) in Boston and it was my first time seeing John Zorn in person! He didn’t perform, since the concert was for his “heavy metal organ trio”, Simulacrum, but it was still amazing. I wore earplugs, something I have only done once before at a local hardcore show.

*My brother! He got the blond gene, the bastard. (My glasses are Skunboy for Bonlook.)*

Sunday, the 15th, Fig & I were treated (by my dad) to tickets to see Bill Maher at the Providence Performing Arts Center. It’s so life-affirming that someone with such a wide-reaching voice shares (99% of) your opinions. It was also my first ever comedy show—HOLLA.

Tonight we’re seeing Cameron Esposito at Brighton Music Hall. Another stand-up, who you might know from Maron or the Meltdown. She’s one of my absolute favorites right now, and I was super stoked when Fig impulsively bought tickets to see her while we were at the Dengue show.

We’re capping off the year with Joanna Newsom at the Orpheum on her Divers tour. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Joanna live after nearly a decade of rabid fandom, so I’m pretty excited. Fun tidbit: Michael and I had our first actual date at the Orpheum–he took me to see Neko Case as a belated 22nd birthday present. It’s the first time we’ve been back together since then (I went back a few months later for Neutral Milk Hotel).

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One show I’m bummed I missed was Eisley with We The City and Copeland. I’ve never heard the music of the latter two bands, but this is the second time I’ve missed Eisley in the past two years—a major, major bummer because they’ve been one of my favorite bands for years. They’re currently on tour with only 1 original member (Sherri), 1 established member (Garron) and a whole crew of fam & friends. It would have been amazing to see, but as I’m already having Stacy and Chauntelle withdrawals, so it might have sent me into a spiraling depression.

Also, the Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, and the New Pornographers all rolled through town this year, but they’re big enough now to play the House of Blues which is not our fave venue.

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I hope we have as fruitful a 2016 as we did 2015. Amazing new music hasn’t ceased for a second (you can check my Modern Music page for updates on new releases).

What shows have you seen this year?

—DellaBites

“It’s the little things.”

October 21, 2015 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

…is something that my mother-in-law-to-be uses so frequently, that it’s a staple phrase in any impression of her. Normally, we roll our eyes at her clichés (i.e. “don’t sweat the small stuff” and “cherish the moments”) but today, I find myself really appreciative of one tiny, little thing.

My kitchen pegboard, you guys. I finally did it. (Disclaimer: I was 22 when I picked out those curtains, and was going for colorful country décor instead of my current vision of a neutral, modern space.)

I don’t know who officially “invented” this method of storage, but Julia Child (a.k.a. the life inspiration of us all) famously used it, and it’s no surprise why. It turns an otherwise empty, boring wall, into a functional work of art!

The cabinet/drawer situation in my kitchen is less than ideal, considering my love for cookware. I had been dying to do this for ages, so one day I just drove over to Home Depot and got my supplies! My father-in-law-to-be (I must really like these people, huh?) built a frame on which to mount the pegboard, and hung it up today. Now I have an entire cupboard for dry/paper goods! So much less counter-clutter!

Room by room, this former bachelor-pad is turning into a home. An inspiring space is so important to me—it allows me to feel refreshed and productive, a major plus considering this is my last year of college (FINALLY) and I have to knock it out of the park. I recently transitioned from using a wall-facing desk in my foyer/office/mudroom/misery pit, to making the kitchen table my home base. The kitchen is my happy place—cooking and eating are my favorite things to do—so working in a comfortable, familiar atmosphere has been so inspiring! My new view while I work is a piece of my art, brightly-painted tchotchke shelves, and our stereo—everything from writing papers to paying bills has been 100 times more interesting.

The kitchen is nowhere near finished. I’d still like an island and a new fridge, both of which are in progress projects, and to whitewash or paint our cabinets white, but in its current state, our kitchen is functional and aesthetically-pleasing. Like Pinterest Junior.

I don’t know if Ms. Child would be horrified that I made my version of (vegan) “Warm the Fuck Up” Minestrone from Thug Kitchen’s cookbook tonight, but I’m sure she’d be glad that women of my generation are still cooking, and relishing the process.

–DellaBites

Going Green

October 8, 2015July 24, 2016 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

So, as I may have mentioned here before, my fiancé and I try to be as environmentally conscious as possible. That means conscious choices such as recycling ALL the things, trying not to buy packaging that isn’t recyclable (or reducing the amount of packaging we buy in general), composting, making ample use of our garbage disposal, and using a water filter instead of buying bottled water.

However—that’s not what this post is about.

In addition to being “green” I happen to also love the color green. It’s my spirit color. My eyes are green. My birthstone is peridot. My teen bedroom was painted sage and my furniture was lime. I still default to green when purchasing everything from notebooks to throw pillows. I’m trying to be a little bit more neutral and mature in my decorating palette…but who said anything about my accessories?

My tuition refund from school has been processed (speaking of green!), so I decided to treat myself to a few presents before I have to do boring stuff with the money, like pay off my credit cards and save for my wedding.

Pack on Track Backpack in Kelly Green

I’m not a huge Modcloth shopper since my store buys from a lot of the same vendors that Modcloth does. However, we don’t carry Herschel Supply Co. goods. I think their minimalist style is so fantastic—it’s no wonder hipsters everywhere have glommed onto the trend.

I previously blogged about my Rebecca Minkoff dream backpack, the MAB. It is wonderful and will probably be buried with me, but I live in New England, so in the winter leather + outdoors = devastation. I knew I was going to have to get a second backpack that could stand up to a little snow. Finding this bag for 30% off on Modcloth, PLUS my Ebates cash back was a sign from the retail gods.

A word about Ebates: I had seen the commercials and was as skeptical as anyone. I blew it off for a loooong time. But my former boss who, like me, was addicted to shopping, told me that it has been an amazing resource to her, and to check it out. It’s literally free money, you guys. Just set up a (free) account, shop your favorite sites through Ebates, and then they send you a check (or a direct deposit) of a percentage of whatever you spend online shopping. That’s….it. Even 1% back on a small purchase is pennies that you wouldn’t have otherwise had. I highly recommend the service!

Solange x Puma Word to the Woman

Praise this. I slept on the last Solange x Puma collection, so when she released “Word to the Woman” I had to snag a pair. It was SO hard to choose a color/style, but in the end, I had to follow my heart and go with the green. It was just my luck that Nordstrom, which carries the shoes, offers free shipping, AND has 6% cash back on Ebates right now!

Screen Shot 2015-10-08 at 9.13.39 PM — images via Saint Heron (click through for link)

Now if we could get Solange to release more music…that would be a real treat.

Thanks for letting me share my current obsessions! I will be checking the mail obsessively for the next week!

—DellaBites

Detours

October 5, 2015March 23, 2017 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

Me wearing athletic sneakers = the apocalypse is nigh (they Reeboks tho)

So, maybe I’m having a nostalgia moment and listening to Teenage Dream by Katy Perry on a Monday night while I cook dinner. Maybe. It’s been a crazy week.

Without going into too much detail, my brother-in-law-to-be had a pancreas transplant last week. Obviously all surgeries are hard on the patient (and the patient’s loved ones), but this is an auspicious surprise. He has suffered from diabetes for almost 30 years, and now he gets a new lease on life. It’s truly amazing, and I am privileged to know someone who epitomizes survival. Seeing a family member go through such life-altering (and potentially life-threatening) procedure really puts things into perspective. Every day is precious, and should be approached as such.

The lesson I’m taking from this is to chase my own happiness. If I want to listen to a 5-year-old Katy Perry album and drink a hard cider instead of doing homework, that’s my prerogative. I will allot time for my responsibilities, and maintain my work ethic, of course. But when I look back on the past few years, some of my best and most cherished memories are spontaneous moments. Detours.

Detours are inconvenient, to be sure, but they allow you to reach the exact same destination. The past 5 years of my life have been a giant detour. I should have graduated from college in 2013. But if I hadn’t made the mistakes I’d made, and strayed from my path, I may never have met the love of my life and his incredible family. If I hadn’t dropped out of private school, I may never have discovered my passion for whole foods and cooking. If I hadn’t left a stable job that made me unhappy, I may never have ended up in retail/fashion.

Some of us stay on the straight & narrow our whole lives. Some of us are late bloomers. I’d argue that neither approach is “better”. Because we all arrive at the same destination: happiness.

October Musings

October 4, 2015March 23, 2017 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

October’s arrival is the bell that tolls the reality of the fact that I’m getting married. In a year. And nothing is planned.

I may have mentioned this here before, but I’m not a “wedding-oriented” person. Or even an event-oriented person. I skip the company picnic and the school dance. I’ve always been more of a fringe character, someone who has delighted in observing rather than partaking.

This is different, though. Balancing social expectations with familial obligations with personal desires seems like a disaster in the making. How do I reconcile wanting a traditional bridal shower and getting all the gifts with NOT walking down the aisle, writing my own tear-inducing vows with potentially taking my husband’s last name? How do I reconcile my life-long passionate feminism with my legitimate desire for a life that enacts traditional gender roles?

My wedding has unofficially been dubbed “Indecision 2016” because it’s the only way I can describe it. I know what colors I want to incorporate into the décor, but I don’t know when the hell this event is even going to take place. September? November? Tomorrow? Never?

I’m so fortunate that every day, even in my worst moments, I can glance at my left hand and know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am loved, valued, and protected. All I want is an occasion that reflects the warmth and happiness I feel every day. The Wedding Industrial Complex doesn’t seem to promote the values that matter most to me.

My 8-year-old niece said, hilariously, tonight at dinner, “It’s her wedding, let her do whatever she wants!” As wonderful as that sounds, I wonder how authentic I can be to myself, when evil forces like “money” and “family” come into play.

I’m sure everything will work out. I’m determined not to get stressed out or become a Bridezilla.

How could anything that makes me this happy be bad?

Remember that time I had a blog?

September 23, 2015March 23, 2017 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

The month of September has been a whirlwind! I started full-time school again, so I’m busy 6 days a week. As a life-long dilettante, the adjustment has been difficult for me. Things finally seem to be falling into rhythm, and I’m confident that I will be able to drop a mic on this semester in December.

A week and a half ago, I suffered a *very mild* head injury/concussion at work. It was nothing serious…an evening bag fell on my head. As in, those little clutches you carry to a wedding? Yeah, most embarrassing injury ever. My head still hurts though. There’s a huge tender spot, like a bruise I can’t see, that kills every time I touch it. But other, more positive stuff has happened recently, such as:

I went to go see Chelsea Wolfe. I mentioned that I was going in my “July & August faves” post, but man, was it a show. I am the WORST at going to concerts, as in, I want to fall asleep pretty much as soon as the opener comes on. However, I’m so glad I fought through my yawning and perked up for Chelsea Wolfe. She destroyed. She did a ton of new stuff, so we recognized almost every song. Fig bought ALL of her albums, plus a sick hat, at the merch table, so now I’m positively rolling in Wolfe-goods.

Less than a week later, I got the unbelievable pleasure of seeing the formidable Dengue Fever in concert! I never would have thought I could dig music with Cambodian lyrics so much, but I am so down! Nimol put on the vocal performance of a lifetime. It might be one of the top 5 shows I’ve ever been to. We were so close to the stage!

Now that the cooler weather has begun to arrive, this little jerk has become ten times more cuddly. Hanging out with us all the time, curling up with us on the couch, crawling under the covers and cuddling with us in bed…it’s sublime. I truly never thought I could be a cat person, but here we are, almost 2 years later, and I love her more every day.

Oh, and this other thing happened this month…

I bought my wedding dress! This isn’t it, but this was one of the runners-up. I can’t believe how fortunate I was to find such a beautiful gown for an absolute steal. It was everything I wanted: stark white, plain, and ON SALE. Music to my ears. Now we just have to do things like “set a date” and “book a venue”.

Of course, no outfit is complete without shoes. My fiancé is almost imperceptibly shorter than me. He doesn’t mind if I wear heels, but out of respect/embarrassment, I chose flats. And what could possibly be more me than Keds for kate spade new york?

Keds for kate spade new york champion glitter in silver

My weddings colors are black and gold, but I plan on wearing all white and silver/white gold in contrast to the décor. So, I splurged and got these. I saved megabucks on the dress, so why not spend an unnecessary $80 on sneakers? Seems totally reasonable, right?

Anyway, just checking in with the blogosphere! I have a ridiculous minestrone recipe to share this week, and I’m excited to start sharing all of my wedding progress when it, y’know, eventually starts happening.

–DellaBites

Easiest At-Home Pumpkin Spice Latte Ever!

September 10, 2015May 13, 2016 Chelsea Harper1 Comment

Fall is taking its sweet time arriving this year. Here we are, nearly mid-way through September, experiencing a veritable heat wave. Some schools actually let out the other day because without A.C., this humid heat can actually be dangerous. We don’t have A.C. I’m a survivor!

Actual screenshot from Tuesday. I was in a tank-top and shorts and still nearly died of heat stroke.

Since it is projected to cool down today, I wanted to celebrate with a pumpkin spice latte (also known as the siren song of all basic white girls). Pejoratives be damned, I love a pumpkin spice latte and will never be ashamed of it!

Here’s the thing about PSLs, though:

They don’t typically contain pumpkin. This is fine: they are pumpkin spiced, which simply means that they are flavored with spices typically used to prepare pumpkin pies.
Takeout PSLs are loaded with sugar, and certain syrups contain artificial ingredients and food dyes. Gross.
PS syrups can also contain sweetened condensed milk or powdered dairy, which makes them far from vegan-friendly.

So, PSLs, while being delicious, aren’t perfect. The great thing about our online Pinterest-y, DIY culture is that we can take our beloved (pricey) takeout and mimic it at home for a fraction of the cost and calories! Win!

There are so many amazing PSL recipes online. Some involve homemade simple syrups, others actually provide directions to making homemade pumpkin spice almond milk! I was looking to create a drink that could be whipped up with no prep in those last three minutes before you have to leave the house for work. Plus, my at-home PSL can be made entirely without dairy or sweeteners! However, I’m no hero, so the recipe will have 2 suggestions for the sweet-toothed among us.

Gear:

2 shots of espresso (my favorite system is the Aeropress)
almond milk (or your preferred alternative)
ice (or a milk heater/frother if you prefer hot)
Spice Islands Pumpkin Pie Spice (available for cheap at most grocery stores)
brown sugar to taste (or all-natural maple syrup)
a kettle (this one is on my Amazon wishlist)
filtered water
reusable cup and straws (optional, but encouraged)

Heat your kettle until boiling, and then set aside.

The first step is personal: how sweet do you like your coffee? Some days I want to be kicked in the face with potency, other days I want something “wimpy” with the sweetness of melted ice cream.

Place your desired amount of brown sugar or all-natural maple syrup into the bottom of your cup. Add two or three shakes of pumpkin pie spice (the flavor is surprisingly strong, so the amount you add is your personal preference). Next, add a tiny dab of hot water (more if using solid sugar, less for maple syrup) from the kettle, and stir until the consistency of your sweetener is syrupy.

The pumpkin pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mace, and cloves. So if you love flavored coffee but hate added sugar, you can just blend this with the hot espresso!

Next, it’s espresso time. As I mentioned, my favorite espresso-brewing method is currently the Aeropress system. It’s cheap, easy-to-use, easy-to-clean, and produces consistently great espresso. My favorite tutorial is below, from the ABM site:

Finally, milk! I actually add filtered water to my espresso, which technically qualifies this drink as an Americano, rather than a latte. I find lattes to be too milky and thick, and prefer a thinner, smoother beverage. For a hot latte, add your warm, frothy milk to the espresso and fill to the top. For an iced latte, fill your cup 1/2 to 2/3 of the way with milk, and finish with ice.

For decadent presentation, especially with a hot latte, sprinkle some pumpkin pie spice on top and enjoy! Tastes best with a doughnut, of course.

This morning I’ll be enjoying my PSL with Edith Wharton.

If you’re a pro at your espresso-brewing method, this whole process takes about 2 minutes, including grinding your beans. I usually put on my mascara while I heat my kettle—multitasking ftw!

What’s your favorite fall drink?

—DellaBites

Tunesday, Belated

September 2, 2015September 2, 2015 Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

2015 has really been a banner year for music. I can’t even keep up with all the new releases! Nothing upsets me more than the Music-Is-Dead attitude shared by so many (lame) people. I mean, if I subjected myself to the radio and heard the non-music it offers, I might share that belief. Not that I’m a pop-naysayer—I proudly own Katy Perry albums, obsess over Beyoncé’s every move, and am weak to Sam Smith’s voice. My hatred for Taylor Swift is even beginning to wane with each subsequent (forced) listen to “Style” and “Blank Space”. However, if this blog can serve as a space to turn even one person on to an indie or lesser-known artist, I’ll feel as though my evangelical mission has been fulfilled.

Here are a few of my July & August favorites.

Chelsea Wolfe, Abyss (2015, Sargent House)

Shockingly, previous to this album’s release, I had never heard the music of my name twin, Chelsea Wolfe. I always got a goth vibe from her, which I found off-putting. Obviously, my daily all-black attire and my metal-loving fiancé opened my mind to checking her out, and I’m so glad that I did. This album is amazing! So amazing that I’m actually going to go see Chelsea Wolfe at the Sinclair on September 5! Wolfe has this lady Trent Reznor vibe that I really respond to. The music is super dark and distorted, but her voice is very feminine and ethereal. In the words of every contestant on Project Runway ever, it’s the perfect combination of hard and soft.

And yes, I will be wearing head-to-toe black at her concert. Sue me. A PJ Harvey-loving goth adolescent lives within me.

Rising Fawn, Sifting Through Sadness (2015, Equal Vision)

On Friday of last week, Rising Fawn’s debut album, Sifting Through Sadness dropped! I’ve been looking forward to hearing their full-length since I picked up their EP at the Say Anything/Eisley show over 2 years ago.

For anyone not as deeply immersed in the Instagrams of celebrities as I am, Rising Fawn is a duet featuring Chauntelle DuPree of Eisley and her husband, Todd D’Agostino. Husband/wife duets are seriously my favorite. I fully aspire to one day be part of one.

Sifting Through Sadness is haunting and bursting with string arrangements. It contains shades of the moodiness of a Metallica ballad and Renaissance-fair vibes, which could have turned out terribly but actually really works perfectly with Chauntelle’s reverb-y vocals. Both Chauntelle and Todd are guitar players, so it’s really refreshing how tastefully and sparingly the guitar is used throughout. The last (bonus) track, “Hempstead” is a 12-minute instrumental, which is so badass I don’t even have the words to describe it. My favorite tracks thus far are “Ours for Taking” and “Forsaking Calamity” which features guest vocals from Sherri DuPree-Bemis, Christie DuPree, and Max Bemis, unless my ears deceive me. For anyone reading who is a super nerd about this stuff, the ending of “Forsaking Calamity” recalls the bridge of “Save My Soul” from Eisley’s last record and is seriously the best.

Tame Impala, Currents (2015, Interscope) Click through for the Pitchfork review!

And last but most certainly not least, Tame Impala! I wish I could hire someone to play this album on a boombox and follow me around all day. It is the fucking best album of the year. I’ve been a Tame Impala fan for a few years, but neither of their previous releases managed to instantly grab me the way Currents has. From the moment I heard them preview the first track on Conan, I knew that I would fall in love with this album. The whole thing is so lush. I’ve linked to the Pitchfork review above, I’m sure they can give Currents a more eloquent appraisal than I can.

Thanks for letting me share some of my recent picks! The new Beach House album came out the other day, so I’m sure that will make this list before long. For anyone who loves getting hipped to new music, I actually keep a record of the new releases we buy (once I’ve actually managed to listen to them) under the heading Modern Music on the blog.

24

August 26, 2015 Chelsea Harper1 Comment

A failed photo to represent my failure at blogging for the past...two weeks. — A failed photo to represent my failure at blogging for the past…two weeks.

Greetings! Things have been absolutely insane in my corner of the universe lately. This past week I turned 24, which is kind of a boring birthday. It’s the official entrance into the “mid-20s”, I suppose, but I still can’t rent a car in every state, so it’s underwhelming at best.

The night before my birthday, my work sponsored an outing to Muse Paintbar at Patriot Place. The concept: an artist gives you a step-by-step tutorial and you paint a masterpiece while sipping drinks. We of course didn’t drink, because it was a professional excursion, but the experience was an absolute blast! I didn’t think I could paint to save my life but my painting actually came out pretty cool! The owner of my store even asked me if I was an artist…oh, the flattery!

#TeamAccessories (I’m wearing: top/Free People, skirt/Urban Outfitters, sandals/Seychelles)

The above is the only known photo of my painting. It’s in my house now, but it feels vain and strange to take a pic of a painting that I did just to share on social media. Perhaps when it’s hung and our walls are painted, I’ll sneak it into a picture. I was glad that my coworker (above right) was able to make it to the event, so we could have an unofficial department photo taken. These are my favorite ladies. It was so great to kick off my birthday week with such a creative, interactive experience. I will definitely be doing my Bachelorette party there!

On the night of my birthday, my dad showed up at my place with a guitar! I now officially own a guitar! I grew up surrounded by them, and learned at a young age, but never had one to call my own. Best present EVER.

Since my birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, I didn’t get to celebrate until Friday. I spent the morning on a shopping spree with my mother, so I basically have an entirely new fall wardrobe. I’m pretty excited about it. I had made plans to go into Boston with my best friend, but since the timing and weather were iffy, we opted to drive into JP and coffeeshop/bar-hop. Yes, yes, yes, I know my last post was about quitting drinking, and as a rule, that has been the case. But it was my BIRTHDAY. The resolutions I made to myself about drinking guided me throughout my celebration, and responsible fun was had.

Disclaimer: clearly a staged photo. there were 5 adults sharing that margarita pitcher. top is lucky brand.

We kicked things off at 7 Pond, a relatively new and gorgeous coffee bar on (you guessed it!) Pond street in JP. The coffee was amazing, the décor was sparse and totally on point, and the barista working was cute as hell and very sweet. I’ll definitely be back.

Next we went to Brendan Behan Pub, which has been around for years and which everyone just calls “The Behan”. It’s a pretty standard Irish pub, but it’s got great beers on tap and the bartender had a freaking tattoo of JFK on his hand. I was sold. Apparently, it’s also a huge grad student haunt, which is how my friend knew about it. She just submitted her thesis—she was always the smarter one. I got a Downeast Cider, and then the cool bartender made me a cocktail involving tequila and grapefruit bitters. It was a revelation.

We were meeting my father, his girlfriend, and my fiancé for dinner at Acapulco, but were running early, so we stopped at Canary Square for a drink and a snack. I adored Canary Square. With the exception of the seafood smell (which some might find appealing, but I find revolting), it was the perfect spot for drinks. I had the house-made chips & dip and a Vida Loca, which is mezcal, aperol, triple sec, lemon, and grapefruit bitters. I can’t wait to go back to try their weekend brunch!

Finally, we capped off the night by eating way too many mole enchiladas at Acapulco. I’d say it was a very successful, low-key birthday.

top/Madewell, sandals/Sanuk, clutch/Imoshion (asking your fiancé to take pictures always results in embarrassing, awkward poses)

The rest of the past week has been a haze of work, redecorating, and preparing for school. My birthday always heralds transition: summer ends, school begins, the humidity eventually (finally) goes away. I’m glad I got to have one last hurrah before I turn into a zombie 6 days a week.

Until next time,

DellaBites

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