A Taste of Italy. G'Vanni's, Boston (North End), MA.

It's starting to get colder again here in Boston so I decided it was time to put my gift certificate to G'Vanni's to good use.

I took the train in from Northeastern and walked through Government Center towards the North End.  There were tour groups enjoying the day and the sellers at Haymarket were setting up for tomorrow's crowds.  As soon as I crossed the new Fitzgerald Greenway it felt like the mood changed.  There were old men sitting outside restaurants, even on this chilly day, families enjoying a late lunch and the typical construction crews blocking off half of Hanover Street.  I walked past Mike's Pastry and realized that this is probably the only time that there aren't crowds all the way out to the street trying to get some fresh canoli's.  Maybe I'd have room for one after my lunch...

I took a turn onto Prince Street and saw the maroon awning.  The hostess seated me near the window so I could watch the crowds, there were two couples and me and the dining room was dimly lit to give that romantic feel.  I was going to get some wine but realized that if the food wasn't going to put me to sleep during class, the wine surely would.

I ordered a chicken parmigiana panini and some Caesar salad.  The waitress was nice enough to let me know that she can't give cash back form the gift certificate so I should just order extra food and take it with me, I settled on the Pizza Margarita.  As I sat and enjoyed my meal and older man walked in and sat down at the front table.  None of the waitresses bothered him and I found myself wondering what his name and story might be when the hostess walked by and said "Hey Tony, what's up?"  The man didn't answer her or the other two girls in the restaurant but I knew that nobody took any offense.

I finished my meal that came to roughly $21 dollars and walked out with a pizza in my hand.  As I walked back towards America I was glad that I got to spend at least a part of my afternoon in "Italy."  Unfortunately there was no room for canoli's this time.

So...let's review...
1. If you are looking for some fresh produce you should stop by Haymarket, which is right next to the Haymarket subway station, on Friday or Saturday between 9 and 5pm.  Towards the end of the day the farmers drop their prices.
2. Mike's Pastry is a must if you are in the North End!
3. G'Vanni's is an affordable and very quaint little restaurant off Prince street in the North End.  Sit back, relax, enjoy some Italian food and maybe you'll get to meet Tony as well.

Until the next review!

Early Bird Get's to Enjoy a Yoga Class. Lululemon, Boston, MA.

As I mentioned in last weeks review, lululemon at the Prudential Center is holding weekend classes at their wonderful store.  The location itself is pretty exquisite, in the new wing of the Prudential, right across from Legal Seafoods, and right above Gucci.  Can it get any better? 

When I walked in this morning around 9am there were already some people set up with their mats for the Vinyasa yoga class being taught by Sarah Sturges from the Equinox gym.  As I walked around, I didn't feel like I was in a typical gym or yoga store.  There was a map where people had pinned where they were from, a lovely filtered water fountain for the customers to enjoy and an extremely comfortable leather chair for those who needed to take a little break. 

The walls were adorned with mannequins modeling the different work out pants which were organized in an extremely neat manner down below.  There was even a big flip book on the wall of nearby yoga studios, restaurants promoting healthy eating as well as some snapshots of celebrities practicing a healthy lifestyle.  You could also learn a little bit more about the founders of lululemon and the people working at the Prudential store.  There were so many great clothes that I would love to own that I was glad that I had not brought any money with me because the cozy sweat pants for apres ski lounging were really calling my name.

As the store filled up with over 30 early birds ready for the Vinyasa yoga class Sarah explained that while going though the movements we should focus on one thing that we'd like to attain once we leave the class.  It did not need to be something with a goal attached to it, just something we can work towards.

As the class began I found myself wondering if yoga was really for me.  I couldn't detach myself from my thoughts about several trips I would be taking in the next few weeks, all of the work I had to get done and on it went...I found myself just watching a woman next to me, as I have never been to a yoga class before, and went through the movements.  As the time ticked away I did catch myself not really thinking about anything, which is really rather pleasant.  We did several vinyasas and as the class came to an end I was still unsure of whether this really is for me...  I walked to my car which was parked in front of the Lenox Hotel and found myself really at peace.  People were walking through Boston, enjoying some brunch and perhaps one of our last warm weekends.

Yoga may not be something I do on a regular basis but I do think that it would certainly calm anyone after a stressful day or allow you to start your day on a more positive note.

So...let's review...

1. if you are looking for some great yoga apparel lululemon should be on your list of places to check out

2. yoga may not be for everyone but everyone could benefit from some stress release in their lives

3. be sure to check out the lululemon website to see if there are any upcoming classes you would be interested in

And before we end this review, Janice Thompson, the director of institutional advancement at the Athenaeum was kind enough to offer some correction to last weeks review.

I just wanted to clarify a few facts for your readers:


You are absolutely right; you do not need to know anyone within the Library to join. Membership fees are: $115 for an individual under the age of 41, $175 for a family membership for those under the age of 41; $230 for regular individuals and $275 for regular families. If anyone is interested, please contact Karen Beach at 617-720-7641 for more information about membership.


The First Mondays orientations and the biweekly teas -- as well as a whole slate of other programming -- are only available for members of the Library. However, the public may take docent-led art and architecture tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 pm. Call 617-227-0270, extension 279, to register.

Thank you very much, Janice!

Until the next review!

A Night at the Athenaeum. Boston, MA

If you are like me, you've been intrigued by this exclusive library behind the Fox 25 studios and next to the State House.  As the Boston Athenaeum Library's website states:

"The Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries and cultural institutions in the United States. It was founded in 1807. It grew out of a slightly earlier organization known as the Anthology Society which had been formed in 1805 by a group of Bostonians with the primary purpose of producing a magazine that they called The Monthly Anthology and Boston Review. In now creating the Boston Athenæum, their purpose was to form "an establishment similar to that of the Athenæum and Lyceum of Liverpool in Great Britain...The new Athenaeum flourished in culture-starved Boston and, as it voraciously acquired books, art, and artifacts, it grew rapidly...For nearly half a century the Athenæum was the unchallenged center of intellectual life in Boston, and by 1851 had become one of the largest libraries in the United States."

This past Friday, thanks to Suffolk University's Dean Reception, I got to spend some time on the first floor of the library.  After talking briefly to Paula, the director of the library, I found out that you do not need to be a part of a special group to join...you just have to pay a $150 yearly fee.  If I was residing in Boston, and frequented the library, and who are we kidding, had money, I think I would actually consider joining.

The first floor was a perfect location for a gathering like ours.  There was a wonderful feeling of being in an old mansion or in the foyer of somebody's home.  There were magnificent statues and books along the walls.  While everyone else mingled I decided to walk around and check out the rooms.  There were some great photographs in one room and a painting of John Singleton Copley in another.

By around 7pm I found a book about Latvia and tourism and decided to sit in one of the red leather chairs and get swept up into feeling like I was back home.

So...let's review..
1. If you are interested in at least taking a walk through the library, you can take a tour the first Monday of every month from 6pm-7pm.  There is no fee and you should register a week before.
2. If you are simply looking for a unique experience, you can also register for afternoon tea, twice a month on Wednesdays. It does seem like you do need to know a member in order to participate in this activity however.
3. On to a new topic...next time I plan on reviewing the lululemon store in Copley...they are holding free yoga sessions every Sunday this November.

Until the next review...

Hotel Chocolat, another great Hello Stiletto Shoe Club event. Boston, MA

Are you and your girlfriends looking for reasons to dress up?  Well, besides going out to dinner, or a show, or clubbing you could just sign up for the Hello Stiletto Shoe Club!  My first event was a couple of years back when there was a trunk show at a Neiman Marcus with a Kentucky Derby theme.

And on that note...I signed up for an event at the new Hotel Chocolat on Newbury Street, this past Saturday, this is the chocolate stores first U.S. location.  As I walked in, there was a tray of chocolates shaped into ghoulish treats, from sculls to tombstones, and the champagne and wines from Barefoot wines began flowing.

Towards the back, in the tasting room, there were some designer handbags from Genevieve designs which were exclusively made.

As the store filled up with more and more people wearing their finest fall heels, Melissa, the founder of the shoe club, invited everyone who was willing to take part in the pink carpet walk off.  Jennifer, the handbag designer, along with Vickie, the CEO of Hotel Chocolat, were the judges.  The runners up and winner were presented with different chocolates.

All in all it was a perfect event on a very rainy Saturday night in Boston.  I may not have walked away a winner but I walked away being happy that I went out by myself and had a great time sipping champagne and eating fine chocolates.

So...let's review...
1. Please consider signing up for the Hello Stiletto Shoe Club.  There are branches in various cities across the country and it is a great way to finally wear those shoes you keep in a box for special occassions
2. If you are in London, St. Lucia, or Boston and are looking for some great chocolate gifts, I would have to say that Hotel Chocolat is the way to go.

Until the next review!

Body Pump, at your local BSC gym.

Well, it certainly feels like winter time again.  Who ever expected snowflakes to fall on the 15th of October?!? 

Hibernation begins and people are off the streets and back in the gym.  Luckily, the BSC is finally providing some new and very effective classes.  I have yet to try the Body Combat class but can't wait until Monday, until it actually falls at a time when I am free.  I have however gone to two Body Pump classes and am loving the results already.  The main difference is that Body Combat involves cardio and Body Pump is weight training...I know that a few months into the winter gym routine, running will get pretty boring and I will be showing up to Body Combat on a weekly basis.

As for Body Pump, if you are looking for someone to kick your butt and get everything from your quads, back, shoulders, biceps and other muscle groups sculpted then this is definitely where you should be spending your time, even the music gets you in the mood to keep going and pushing harder.  So if you are looking for a change in your gym routine you should definitely try these new classes out and see the results for yourself!

So...let's review...
1. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, winter is upon us already...get out your shovels!
2. Thankfully, the gym has become more fun again.  For new cardio training check out BSC's Boot Combat class and if you do enough cardio you should certainly also be weight training on the side to build up your strength, so try out Body Pump.
3. If you are in denial and want one more fun fall activity, head over to the 45th Charles River Regatta this weekend!

Until the next review!

The Hatch Awards. Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA

It's fall and I think it's time to highlight some events!

The 49th Hatch Awards happened on October 6th at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
I have fallen into quite a fantastic group called the Ad Club, a big thanks to Suffolk University and one of their networking events.

This is the second event I have volunteered at with the Ad Club.  Unfortunately at the first I was unable to see the finished product due to other obligations but I was extremely excited to see the Hatch Awards through the end.

I, along with several other volunteers, came by at 10am and began helping out with getting the venue set up for the evening.  It of course took a lot of manual labor but I've realized that, if given the chance, event planning and set up is definitely the side of advertising that I would seriously like to explore.  We all assisted in getting the goodie bags made and made sure that the winning art work was hung up correctly.

Eventually, my time for the day was up and I rushed home to change and be ready for the evening. When I arrived it looked like more help was needed so I helped out with registration until one of my fellow volunteers came and we then decided to really enjoy the night.

The amount of people that showed up was incredible.  The night started off with cocktails and was followed by watching the Boston University drum line kick off the awards show.  There were a number of unique categories and student awards to be handed out, Arnold Worldwide and Hill Holiday, were of course among the biggest winners of the night.

The night finished up with more cocktails and "street food" to follow in the urban themed night.

Overall, this was once again a fantastic event and great opportunity.

So...let's review...
1. If you are looking for some great event planning/coordinating experience look into volunteering for the Ad Club or any other organization to get a better feel for the industry
2. There is always time to attend a fantastic event such as the Hatch Awards, so throw on your heels or a nice pair of slacks and put yourself out there!

Until the next review!

Honey Pot Hill Orchard. Stow, MA

If anyone was to ask me for a place to apple pick, I would without a doubt suggest Honey Pot Hill Orchard.
I have made this a yearly occasion and don't plan to stop any time soon.  The orchard is located on a beautiful hill in Stow, Massachusetts.  The drive to Honey Pot itself is worth the trip, especially if you come down route 27.

This is a perfect place for people of all ages.  There are hay rides, a number of animals to feed, pumpkins to pick, many options for sweet treats and depending on the season, you can also pick pears and blueberries.  You should also stop in the store to pick up some fresh apple cider, honey or perhaps some fresh veggies to cook with.

One note of caution is that the orchard does get pretty busy during the weekends, so if you are not keen on large crowds of apple pickers I would suggest you come during the week day when it feels like you have the whole orchard to yourself.

So...let's review...
1. If you are looking for a great apple picking location, I would strongly suggest Honey Pot Hill Orchard
2. Make sure to bring a camera for all of the great pictures you can take of your children on the hay ride or among all of the pumpkins
3. You absolutely have to have a caramel apple and fresh cider donuts!

Until the next review!