No matter how you pronounce it, New Orleans is one of those vibrant US cities that I like to describe as one that satisfies the senses (taste, smell, sound, touch and sight).
Puerto Rico: Old San Juan: A Hat Story
If you want an original panama hat, visit this friendly Mom and Pop-esque shop. In about 20 minutes and for $80, they will have you fitted for a hat. You get to write your own initials in pen on a piece of leather and they will still stick it into the hat for you.
Harvard Square: The Charles Hotel
We recently checked into the Charles Hotel in the heart of Harvard Square for a staycation in the city.
Savannah: Alex Raskin Antiques
In gorgeous, historic Savannah, every square is surrounded by regal, magnificent homes, rich in architecture and the promise of great stories to tell.
Cambridge: Antique Market
Location:
201 Monsignor O'Brien Highway, Cambridge, MA
Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Antique shopping or thrifting is not something I do a lot of, but I do enjoy it once in a while, especially when it's an outlet!
The Cambridge Antique Market is not an outlet, although with five floors of antiques, it's certainly got plenty to choose from. Having been there more than a couple of times before, I thought it would make for a perfect summer afternoon excursion with Ana and Alaina.
A few hours and dust-covered fingers later, we came away with a couple of scarves, a poster, some glass jars and a few tiny treasures, not to mention an appetite for pastries (but that's for a separate post)!
Here, an afternoon of thrifting.
Boston: H. Bloom
If Spring hasn't sprung enough for you already in Boston, soon H.Bloom, known for the most luxurious of flower arrangements, will be servicing Boston, Cambridge and Brookline, starting on June 11.
By using their app, it makes it easier to order flowers or other luxury gifts (in Boston, these will be treats from L.A. Burdick and cookies from Tatte), with their floral subscription service allowing you to set up recurring (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) flowers or gifts to be delivered to your home or office.
Best of all, subscription deliveries are free!
Photo courtesy of H.Bloom.
Boston: L.J. Peretti Co. Tobacconists & Cigar Merchants
Location:
2 1/2 Park Sq, Boston, MA 02116
Sounding like something out of Harry Potter, with the 2 1/2 Park Sq address, L.J Peretti's is a new discovery, for me, but an institution in Boston, having been in the city for over 140 years and has seen the likes of Bing Crosby, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Alan and Ginnie, who I introduced to you before in Amsterdam, were visiting with us in Boston last week, and Ginnie stumbled upon L.J Peretti's on one of her walks and wanted to take Alan (a pipe smoker and tobacco connoisseur) there.
Naturally, I wouldn't miss seeing a new (to me) place in Boston. I felt like I was in a Diagon Alley world!
Where the tabacco gives an earthy-ness to the air and the lingering puffs of smoke hover lazily above. Where a smartly dressed man smokes a cigar in the afternoon, sitting on a leather chair that is both sturdy and familiar. Where tins of tobacco and hand-made briar pipes line the walls and cigar boxes blanket every last inch of the counter.
The star of the show, though, are the brass scales. As classic as you can get!
I'm not a smoker, but after stepping into this historic society, I wanted to be a part of its world...and of course, anything with a "Co." in its name is a friend of mine!
