GUEST BLOG: Laura from Boston goes window shopping in Beacon Hill

Not only is Laura one of my best friend's in the world, she is also one of the funniest people I have ever met. I'm always telling her she HAS to do a blog. It could literally be a blog of her Facebook status updates...because they are...wait for it...LEGENDARY!

So I was thrilled when she agreed to do a guest blog post on Falls Design. Enjoy! (And let's all persuade Laura to do a blog!!!)

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Hello Falls Design Readers!

This is Laura in Boston, guest blogging while Heather is in wonderful Rome. Heather and I met in college (which I cannot believe was over ten years ago) and have remained the best of friends ever since. Here are some pics of the two of us, taken when Heather visited Boston last year.

While I don’t have Heather’s eye for home design, we share our passion for fashion…and shopping! So I thought I’d take you on a window shopping tour of my adorable neighborhood in Beacon Hill (with a few stops for delicious food and drink along the way). Hope you enjoy!

First, there really are few places more beautiful than Boston in the Fall. While anyone who knows me well knows I’d rather be in New York or Paris, it is pretty fab here, too. Here’s some snaps from my neighborhood:

Ok, let the shopping begin. In Beacon Hill, Charles Street is really the place to be – boutiques, antiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops…and not to mention an oddly high number of both liquor stores and manicure salons (druken mani/pedi anyone?). Plus it’s minutes away from the Charles River Esplanade, the State House and Boston Common and the Public Garden.

Start the day off right with an almond or cinnamon croissant and a chai tea latte (yes, Heather, the GOOD kind) from the super cute Café Vanille, winner of Boston Magazine’s Best Pastry Shop in 2010.

As you stroll along Charles Street during the month of October, you’ll notice many of the stores decorated for Halloween, a major event in this ‘hood: literally hundreds of children and their families, many decked out in elaborate costumes, visiting the even more elaborately decked-out homes. But I spied a few Halloween goodies I’d wear year-round. (You know, when I’m feeling all goth rocker chic). The below spooky baubles are from E.R. Butler and Co, and the sparkling tarantula cuff from Holiday.

 

I’m also having a sort of nature/wildlife-inspired moment right now. Obsessed with these framed butterflies from good, this turquoise bird plate at Marika’s Antiques and the vibrant bouquets at Twig.

And what about this whimsical giraffe-print shift from North River Outfitters? NRO is typically a little too prepster for my tastes but I’d rock this with some black opaque tights, motorcycle boots and a leather jacket (maybe the tarantula cuff as well.)

 

Time for lunch. Picnic on the Charles or in the Garden with some provisions from Savenor’s? Savenor’s, truly a Boston institution, is a butcher shop and local market where the lovely Julia Child used to shop while filming The French Chef on PBS. Not much of a cook myself, I love stopping in for gourmet cheese and crackers, fresh fruit and veggies and the occasional chocolate fix.

 

Um, P.S. – really check out that sign. When’s the last time you had Bay scallops with Applewood smoked bacon and lion (yes, lion – love the RAWR!) for Sunday game day? Maybe that would get me more interested in football…

Sustenance = time for a major purchase. I absolutely love this painting in the window of Boston Art and Framing. The yellow and orange are striking against the dark background, and the light/shadow in the folds of fabric really caught my eye.

 

Last but not least on the shopping front, a few must have Fall accessories. The picture below is slightly blurry, but the sky-high grey suede booties and leather messenger bag with gold hardware in the window of moxie are to die. I’d pair them with some skinny jeans and a long chunky sweater.

 

And…this funky gold necklace plus Asian-inspired earrings from Twentieth Century LTD, a vintage jewelry shop.

 

And…I never leave home without an armful of bracelets. The more noise they make clanking around, the better (to the delight of my coworkers, no doubt). I’d layer all six of these from Regency Antiques (if only I had the cash).

 

And now, finally, a girl’s gotta eat (again). I enjoy having a delicious glass (or two) of French wine at Bin Enoteca, followed by pizza at Todd English’s Figs. My favorite is so simple – arugula, caramelized onions, parmesan and mozzarella on thin crust. I’m in heaven!

Well, everyone, I enjoyed guest blogging for you! I hope you found my random musings entertaining…or at least interesting enough to consider a trip to Boston. I had fun writing and now want to go on a shopping spree (or at least buy a treat or two, followed by a nice Cotes du Rhone).