The Good Girl Gone Blog: Boston

G3B's pro guide to (stylish and comfy) travel

Sep 2, 2010

I don't think you have to sacrifice comfort for style...or style for comfort, when traveling. After four years of traveling for holidays, family events, work trips and gallavanting around Europe, I think I've got this travel thing figured out. Here are my tips for stylish and comfortable travel...plus some photos of my outfit for today's flight to Boston. Enjoy:

Tip 1: When possible, leave the luggage at home. For short trips, travel sans-heavy luggage and fill up a nice sized carry on. I love my Betseyville Wheelie Suitcase, it's a great conversation starter and people are always more than happy to help lift it into the overhead bin. Plus, you don't have to worry about luggage getting lost, waiting in line at baggage claim, or extra fees. Oh, and I look ridiculous trying to lug a big suitcase on public transportation- it's no easy feat, trust me.

Tip 2: Choose the right shoes. Although not all airports require you to take off your shoes at security, many do. As a result, you need to wear shoes that are easy to pull off and put on quickly. No one likes that person in line that's spending 20 minutes lacing their shoes...or the person who can't get their baby stuff figured out, but that's another story. I don't recommend wearing flip flops, only because your toes might get cold on the flight. Personally, I like wearing pull-on boots like Uggs (sorry!) in the winter, but today, I'm wearing heels. Why? I find flats uncomfortable, and I like looking nice when I travel. This pair has a pretty thick heel and a platform for extra support- I'd call them "comfy heels."

Tip 3: Dress for a cold plane. No matter what the weather is outside, airplanes always seem to be about -50 degrees. As a result, I've learned not to travel with bare legs (think dresses) and ALWAYS bring some sort of sweater or jacket in case I get cold. Bonus: if you're not cold, you can use that sweater/jacket as a pillow.

Tip 4: Leave most of your toiletries at home. Because I typically carry on my luggage, I always run into the issue of liquid toiletries going over the 1 oz limit (although to be honest, I don't always separate my liquids or stay under the limit and have never gotten in trouble). Think about it this way- if you're going to a hotel, they'll have shampoo, conditioner and soap...and if you're visiting friends or family, they'll have all of that plus toothpaste. I really hate having to go into my stuff to pull out a clear plastic bag of toiletries- it takes too much time in line, and I sort of resent the slow people who waste time doing it.

Tip 5: Choose a seat in the front. I'm sure many of you have been doing this for a while, but it's a new concept for me. Not having to wait in your seat for everyone else to board? Great! Deplaning before you have time to get antsy? Fabulous!

Tip 6: Don't travel in jeans. I don't care what anyone says, jeans are not comfortable unless they're stretchy. Yes, I'm going there. I don't particularly enjoy wearing jeans, especially when I have to be sitting for a long period of time. Go for leggings or a pair of stretchy (but not frumpy) pants...or better yet, wear a dress and tights!

A strategic breakdown of my travel outfit:

Jacket: tailored and fun, but made out of comfy sweatshirt material. PERFECT for keeping warm and acting as a substitute pillow.

Headband: great for keeping hair out of your eyes when putting your hair up isn't an option (because it's uncomfortable in airplane chairs).

Soft, stretchy pants: see my rant on jeans.

Sleeveless top: because it's hot outside

Comfy heels: easy to remove in the security line or on the plane.

I need a little luck this weekend, so cross your fingers for me. Hopefully Hurricane Earl won't affect my travel plans. Boston, here I come! Expect some FABULOUS photos and a big giveaway announcement!

Outfit details: Jacket,shoes and pants- Loehmann's, tank- Target, belt- H&M, necklace- gift from Megan, headband- c/o Embelle Boutique

An announcement...and a request

Aug 25, 2010

No, I'm not pregnant. Don't get any ideas. (I feel like I made this joke the last time I had a big announcement. Hmm. Note to self: learn new jokes.)

Anyway- I have a bit of an announcement to make: guys, I'm moving back to Boston. I've been thinking a lot recently about my life, my future, what I want to be doing, etc. The more I think about it, the more I know I need to go back. Sure, when I left Boston, I couldn't wait to come home. I was dealing with the aftermath of a breakup, major changes at work and a big blizzard. I was homesick. I needed my parents.

But now, after living in Baltimore for the past 4 months, I know I have to go back. I miss living in a city, being able to go out and do fun things whenever I want without having to worry about finding parking or a designated driver. I'll be closer to my friends and hopefully will be a lot less lonely. I'll be in a city that offers many more of the job opportunities I want. In short, there's no reason why I shouldn't be back in Boston.

I know it's going to be hard- my rent will go up significantly, I won't have my parents as a direct support system (I spend at least 2 evenings a week with them- I go to my dad's for dinner and dog playdates and my mom's for dinner, laundry, Wheel of Fortune and...dog playdates) and I have to find a job.

I'm slightly terrified, but I've been getting a lot of help from family, friends and coworkers. The fact that they all believe in me makes everything a little easier.

So here's my request- guys, I need your help. You all know me pretty darn well at this point. I've been trying very hard to do everything I can to make this Boston move work. I've been applying to jobs, looking at apartments online...things are going well, but I can still use all the help I can get.

Here we go:

If you're from Boston- do you know of anyone looking to hire a savvy PR girl/fashion blogger with an eye for detail and great communication skills?

If you're not from Boston- do you have any friends in Boston who are looking to hire a savvy PR girl/fashion blogger with an eye for detail and great communication skills?

Also, does anyone know of someone looking for a clean, fun, roommate with an adorable, lovable pooch?

If you can't help with any of those requests, that's totally fine. But in that case, I could definitely use some moral support!

Thanks in advance guys. I know I have some of the best readers out there, and just having your support means so much to me.

* Thanks Dad for the picture. It's good to know I can steal pictures from you when I can't find anything of mine that fits.

Graduation

May 28, 2010

It's true, I've graduated. I'm a grown up. I have an apartment (photos to come), an internship with PayPal and a new car. Life is good. Only problem? I still don't have Internet. (I'm currently at my dad's house using my stepmom's computer.)

I promise I have a lot to share with you, and I will, as soon as I have Internet in my apartment. For now, here are a few of my dad's photos from graduation:

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Milestones

May 14, 2010

It's been all sorts of crazy over at the G3B residence. Lot of exciting stuff going on over here, folks. Because it's 12:00 and I have to leave my house in approximately six hours to catch a flight to Boston, I'm going to be especially brief.

Here's the deal:

At 4 pm this Sunday, my family and I will be attending my college graduation. Just two and a half hours later, I will be the proud owner of a diploma boasting my BS in Communication.
My apartment is on its way to becoming an amazing home. Though it's still missing most of my furniture, it is housing a majority of my shoes and clothing, as well as a two cute couches and a bunch of Cuisinart steals from Rue La La.
I got a job, at least for the summer. I start work on Wednesday and I'm going to get to do some really awesome stuff. Stay tuned.
My little sister comes home from Israel on June 3rd for the rest of the summer.
Thibault is coming to visit me for two weeks in June!

...and that's all for now. Hopefully all this excitement won't get in the way of me falling asleep tonight!

(C)han(n)uk(k)a(h) Love

Dec 11, 2009

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukkah, and I am sad to say I am sans-dreidel earrings and still in Boston...without my family. We're having a bit of a shindig at my apartment tonight in celebration of the holidays-we're calling it festivus- but it's just not the same as being home.

I think my favorite Chanukkah memories took place at my Bubbie's annual Chanukkah party. There was always tons of food- latkes, kuggel, gelt, etc. My Bubbie would go to the bank each year and pick up about a million pennies for her great nieces an nephew and grandchildren to use in a game of dreidel. We each got a baggy filled with exactly 100 pennies. At the time, that seemed like a huge amount of money. It was always exciting when you found a random Canadian penny in the mix.

I remember crowding into the hallway with my cousins and sisters and spinning various colored dreidels until we eventually got bored. I was always excited when I could get my dreidel to spin upside down.

It's around this time of year that I miss my Bubbie the most. She loved having huge family gatherings at her house, especially around the holidays. I know we'll all be thinking of her when we light the first candles tonight.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite Chanukkah videos:

Happy holidays everyone!

Flirting or Converting?

Dec 9, 2009

A few days ago, I mentioned a run-in on the T with an "uber Christian boy." I thought the story was too funny/interesting to pass up- so here goes. I will warn you, my roommates didn't laugh as much as I thought they would, so maybe it's not actually funny. Oh well, this is my blog :)

To set the scene: It was Saturday afternoon and I was sick of working on my Com Theory paper. All I could think about was my lack of London-appropriate clothing and the fact that Ann Taylor Loft was having a special shopping event with 30% off all full price items. Even though it was raining, I knew I had to go. So, umbrella-less and wearing my cropped red wool coat, flat boots and jeans and sporting a rain-styled hair do, I braved the elements. To summarize- I did not look cute.

When the T finally arrived, I pushed my way through multiple cars in search of a seat and ended up leaning on the wall. That's when a boy occupying a single seat said something to me.

"Would you like to sit here, I definitely could stand up and stretch my legs."

I glanced at him, immediately decided he was cute, and then looked at a strange nametag on his black puffer coat. Not wanting to stare, I turned away quickly. The only words I remember seeing were "church" and "Jesus."

I told him I was fine standing, but couldn't help checking out his reflection in the window. I felt like he was watching me, but I didn't want to turn around and make it obvious that I was watching him too.

Eventually, he started talking to me. He asked me if I was on my way to a date (I was not...it was 4 in the afternoon) and what stop I was headed to (Copley, to buy clothes for London). He asked me what I was doing in London (a PR internship) and if PR had to do with the government (no. It's sort of like advertising...my answer when I don't feel like explaining PR to people).

He then asked if I was going to come home with a British accent (no) and if I was from New England (no). He shared that he was from California (cool) and getting off at Park St. (0k). He had a bit of a lisp, which made him sound almost British and beautiful bright blue eyes. I had no idea how old he was because I didn't want to stare- for all I knew, he could have been in high school.

I wanted to ask him why he was in Boston and if it had anything to do with his special name tag. I wasn't in the mood for a whole Christianity spiel, you know, the one where I'm told I'll go to hell unless I find Jesus, so I kept my mouth shut. We said our goodbyes and I got off at my stop.

He was really cute and very Christian. I like to think he was talking to me because he thought I was pretty, but who knows. Maybe he would have gotten to the proselytizing if we'd talked for longer than the duration of 3 t-stops. Who knows?

Inspired by: Joshua Radin

Nov 23, 2009

After a very tumultuous and trying week, I almost forgot that I had tickets to the Joshua Radin concert last night. I've had a bit of a crush on him ever since my cousin Dahlia first shared his music with me three years ago. Jenni gave me some more of his music (and convinced me his last name was pronounced rah-din instead of ray-din...apparently she was wrong) and my crush only got more intense.

Flash forward to this summer in the springpad office. I find out one of my coworkers has Joshua's new-ish CD on his iTunes, and I can't stop listening. Rachel and I look him up on Wikipedia as part of the age guessing game and realize that he's short, like really short...and he's sort of 35. Still, even though he doesn't pass my height test, I'd still marry him in an instant...If only he were 10 years younger!

Flash forward to last night at the House of Blues in Boston.

I couldn't stop yelling "I love you!" to the stage, and I must have squeezed Rachel's hand about a million times in excitement when Joshua played my favorite songs. Seeing him in concert only reaffirmed my love for him. His stories were funny, his "whisper rock" breathy and beautiful, and his new more "rock n' roll" songs extremely catchy.

I think my favorite JR story described the inspiration behind the song "No Envy, No Fear," a song he admits to playing for himself every night. Joshua described the jealousy and self doubt he initially felt when entering the music business, and how he finally decided to do something about it.

Instead of being jealous of something you think you want, turn that jealousy into inspiration. If you can do this, you'll be a much happier person. And you know what? I think that's just beautiful, and I might make it into my new life mantra.

photo via

Sunday Confessional: I've been holding out on you

Nov 8, 2009

To my dearest readers,

I've been holding out on you. I admit I've been selfish, kept something to myself for close to two months. Though I hinted of its existence here, you'd have to either know me very well, or be at least an ammeter detective to figure it out.

So here goes:

I've been seeing someone and he's really quite amazing. It started out as another jdate. I had a nasty cold around our first date, but I spent two days staying home and eating chicken soup so I could meet him in person. We met at a fancy French restaurant and got to know each other over a bottle of wine. He was tall and blonde, intelligent, caring and easy to talk to.

The more he shared with me, the more I reveled in our similarities: 13 years of Jewish day school, divorced parents, a need to travel and see the world. It was like I'd finally met that one person who truly understood me. I know that's a hugely sweeping statement, but I think shared childhood experiences make for a great foundation for any kind of relationship.

I let him kiss me goodbye under my pink umbrella, forgetting about my cold and feeling horribly guilty when my cough came back after we parted ways. It's like I was so happy to be with him that I forgot to feel sick.

We continued our courtship, making time in our busy schedules to grab dinner or take a walk around the Boston Common. He met my roommates, watched chick flicks with us and even cooked me dinner. I'd make fun of the two sweaters he always wore on dates and he'd tell me he liked my new boots. We'd communicate via DMs on twitter and laugh at how nerdy we both were.

I think the best date we ever shared was a rainy day brunch together. We were both in need of caffeine and in search of a dry place with excellent food. After brunch, he came back to my apartment and endured my roommates' extremely loud chatter. I saw him fading and offered him refuge in the form of a nap. We fell asleep together for less than an hour, and only left each other so I could go to a cappella practice. It was a seemingly unexciting date, but it meant so much to me.

Though our relationship continued to grow, something dark and ominous threatened to tear it apart from the foundation: an expiration date. I leave for London in less than 6 weeks. I've tried to push that out of my mind, to live in the moment and to move forward, but that ticking clock was always there.

And now I don't know what will happen. Two nights ago, I called him after dinner, expecting to hear excitement in his voice after a week apart. Instead, I heard something else. Maybe it was dread, or nervousness. Something was wrong. When I saw the look on his face, I just knew.

And that's where we stand right now. We had a talk that lasted three hours. He voiced his concerns and I sat there listening, unable to cry. There were so many thoughts swirling through my head and I had no idea what to say or how to fix something that might be too far broken.

Maybe my life was going too well or maybe I was just too happy. All I wanted was for him to stay, to comfort me and hold me in his arms. But that wasn't what he needed. I guess I learned that when you care about someone so much, you have to give them space and let them go.

I hid my head under my covers, unable to watch the door close behind him. As soon as I heard the click of the door, I broke down. The tears I'd held back before finally surfaced.

Is it over? I don't know. Will giving him space help him figure things out? I don't know. Should I protect my heart and just move on? I don't know.

The one thing I do know: it's out of my hands.

So, as I sit here in my pajamas, hurt, confused and helpless, all I want is to help him, to make him happy, but I can't.

Girl's Night Out

Nov 6, 2009

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Shecky's Girls Night Out! It was particularly fun because I got a (FREE!) press pass and was allowed to bring a friend. So...I brought Arielle. Although I wanted to take pictures (I brought my camera and everything), I forgot my memory card.

Fortunately, Arielle brought her camera and took these photos:

We just had to stop and take a photo at "Lan Nail Salon" in the south end. I definitely need to get my nails done there and meet the other Lan.

One of those drinks is actually mine, Arielle's not an alcoholic!

x-rated flirtinis. Very delicious!

Jewelry from Emerge, an amazing foundation that empowers women who have survived abuse.

Overall, we had a great time. There were a bunch of vendors selling everything from handmade knits to jewelery. To be honest, Arielle and I weren't really there to do any shopping, we just thought it would be a fun and relaxing night out. A chance to enjoy free drinks, window shop and get a great goody bag.

If you're planning on going to a Shecky's event in your city, make sure you get there early- the lines got a little crazy!

Blogger seeking Cranberry Bog

Nov 4, 2009

A few days ago, I was greeted with an email from BU mail services saying a package had arrived...for me! And guess what it was-- my wellies! The box was gigantic, literally 2.5 feet tall. I carried it up to my room and immediately opened the box.

I slipped on one of my boots, and realized, holy-moly, these things are tall! They practically go up to my knees. And that's when I thought to myself- these would be perfect for a cranberry bog! And then the video below happened:

Thanks Kristyn and Izzy for letting me humiliate you online. (Actually, I didn't technically ask them permission...)