Tag Archives: new england

Getaway to Blue in Plum Island

Though I received my stay at Blue Inn free of charge, my opinions are 100% my own. In short, I’d pay to go back in a second!

I have never encountered a Lark Hotels location I didn’t love (I’ve stayed at Gilded in Newport, and dined at Whitehall in Camden), and last Sunday’s visit to Blue Inn, located in Plum Island, MA, was no exception. The Plum Island and Newburyport area have always been special to Jeff and me, because we took our first overnight trip there as a couple and also visited Plum Island on one of our first dates. Staying at Blue sounded great to us because we already know the area (well, Jeff does), so the trip felt like a staycation despite us being almost an hour away from Boston. Blue picked out a gorgeous ocean view king suite for us, which somehow managed to feel like a quaint beach house while also feeling fabulous and luxurious.

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I always appreciate a combo of beach and fall decor!

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On a Lark at Gilded

Long-time readers of this blog will know I have a love affair with Newport, RI and make a point of visiting at least twice a year. Last November I took my first ever off-season trip, and found it to be an ideal time to visit. Restaurants are less crowded, but still bustling enough. Hotels are WAY cheaper. And there’s something charming about a seaside town in the winter.

Like being able to use a hotel fireplace!

Like being able to use a hotel fireplace!

The November trip was my boyfriend Jeff’s first ever visit to Newport, and he loved it. So I thought returning to there during his birthday weekend was the perfect way to celebrate his special day. But instead of the usual big-chain hotel, we stayed in a more special place – Gilded Hotel, one of two Lark Hotels Newport locations.

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Long Newport Weekend

Once I got going writing yesterday’s post, I knew this recap of the long July 4th weekend in Newport, RI would have to be a two-parter. So many photos and so much to say! Thankfully I woke up at 5:30AM for no reason this morning, actually feeling quite well rested, so I was able to sneak in a quick run and sit down here to blog before starting my work day. Let’s pick up where we left off:

Sunday 7/6

So I woke up and despite feeling guilty about what I’d eaten/drank the day prior, I also just didn’t feel like going running or doing cardio of any kind. Our timeshare complex had a gym that I walked into and said…wtf? It had three machines, dumbbells that maxed out at 10lbs (not that I’m strong man or anything, but come on!), and not even a space to do abs and no bench. So I basically did arms for 20 minutes, abs from the now-longer-than-30-days ab challenge, and called it a day. I was happy to be able to hightail it to Mokka Coffeehouse down the street to get some work done!

The shop was adorable as you can see from the above photo, and the iced coffee DELICIOUS. I had it a few other days on my trip and definitely recommend this place, though Coffee Grinder is still my favorite coffee place in Newport simply because of the waterfront seating (unfair advantage). After plugging away for a couple of hours I got hungry and found out my family was having lunch at a diner. I just didn’t really feel like eating diner food, and OK I was having anxiety over it, so I decided to take my current read and check out Newport’s newest farm-to-table (this term is, to me, becoming overused) restaurant – Stoneacre Pantry.

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My First Nantucket Weekend!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Nantucket for the island’s annual Wine Festival! I worked the Saturday afternoon Grand Tasting pouring 90+ Cellars and Ironside Cellars, but the rest of the weekend was spent tasting wine and food, exploring Nantucket’s shops and restaurants, and drinking champagne. Lots of champagne.

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Jeannie and I hit the road Friday morning and JUST missed our high-speed ferry, but luckily we were able to walk onto a freight (aka slow) ferry so that we could get onto the island ASAP. Our next high-speed ferry option wouldn’t have had us on the island until about 6PM! The crew of the ship got a kick out of us for some reason and invited us up to steer the ship. Okay not actually steer, but I did get to sit in the captain’s chair and use binoculars!

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Positive Thoughts: Cold Weather

Remember to enter my giveaway for locally made natural & organic beauty products by Bristol Bliss!

Most people who know me at all (not even well) know I hate cold weather. I don’t make any secret of it. When I moved here (from Florida) in 7th grade, I was so excited to experience fall and winter. And I still really enjoy fall. But as the years have passed I’ve come to the point where I can’t stand cold, I can’t stand snow and how it’s always ruining my plans (yes I’m a control freak), and I can’t stand the dark days of winter.

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Linz wrote a post yesterday called “What I Love About Cold Weather” and as soon as I read the title, my eyes rolled. I try to ignore those happy go lucky winter lovers (just being honest) because sometimes I just want to bitch and moan about the cold. Don’t get me started on the excited Facebook updates that seem to flood my feed when we get our first real snow. But then I read these words in her post: “And truthfully, I don’t love cold weather at all.  But instead of focusing on the negative, I’m going to make a list of what I love about cold weather!”

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Cait Plus Rach in Newport – Part 2

Before reading this final post about my first two posts on my long weekend in Rhode Island, you can read the first two posts – about an afternoon in Providence and our first few restaurant stops in Newport – if you missed them!

Saturday Afternoon

After being sufficiently wined at Newport Vineyards, Rachel and I made our way back to Downtown Newport to try a new (only a few months old) spot we’d both eyed the night before – Midtown Oyster BarThe main allure came from the rooftop dining options, but the inside of the restaurant, with its multiple levels and huge open spaces, was gorgeous as well.

View from our seat!

View from our table!

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ALA Stair Climb 2012

Running a bit behind today. Busy, busy! But it’s OK because it’s a four-day week! Anyone else have Friday off?

The American Lung Association hosted their annual Hartford Stair Climb at the Hartford 21 Tower this past Saturday, and I participated for my second year in a row. ALA New England has done a ton for me – not only am I very, VERY anti-smoking, but they provided me with amazing market research and social media experience when I was an e-Philanthropy Intern for them in the Summer of 2010.

The old crew after happy hour at Margarita’s in East Hartford at the end of the summer!

One of my supervisors that summer, Britney Martin (in the black pants, above), was my team leader (we were the misFITS) and also organized the entire event! She did an AMAZING job. Britney is also a talented writer – check out her work!

Pre-climb #PlankADay #PROOF

I woke up before I had to head out for the climb, and took advantage by doing a home upper body and ab workout. 30 minutes later I was done, and finished it off with a little FitFluential #PROOF – of course 😉

I nommed on a banana with PB&Co Mighty Maple PB, and headed out to pick up my co-worker, Kasie, who kindly agreed to join our team after I started my fundraising efforts at work. I swear, I am still blown away by my co-workers’ support for me in this climb!

The event was extremely well-organized. Kasie and I checked our coats (boo for cold, rainy, dreary weather headed back to CT) and lined up to climb. Climbers were staggered by 20 seconds, and we were to climb 36 flights of stairs. For a StepMill lady like me, should have been no problem! And it wasn’t.

Had to cheese it while climbing.

I finished in 6 minutes even. I have no idea what my time was last year, so I can’t compare. However, I’m sure I was faster this year. How? Well, last year I was actually the most hungover I’ve ever been in my entire life and coming fresh off a rough night, in which I lost my driver’s license at a bar. You’ll be glad to hear I have not had another night like that one since!

Proof I made it to the top! (35 floors plus one "ground/lobby" floor).

I was glad I had Kasie to hang out with at the event. We took a photo at the top to share with our co-workers!

Rocking my shirt from last year!

Before we left, we of course had to go get our 2012 Climb shirts. We both wore them to work today! I love wearing “race shirts” right after a race. But I have to be honest – I don’t often wear them again!

Headed to work this morning – yes, we have a very casual dress code.

Whole Foods was also there handing out plenty of goodies. I LOVE FREEBIES! I’ll be tweeting how I like these.

Of course I hung my number up in my increasingly-decorated cubicle! Right next to my 5K PR number from the Santa’s Run in December.

Thanks to Britney and the rest of ALA New England for putting on a great climb for a good cause!

Do you keep your race numbers? How about race shirts – do you actually wear them ever again?

Have you ever done a climb of any kind?