a Wirlwind Tour through Boston

"There's something missing here" is a phrase a came upon often when researching shops to visit during my week in Boston. Online, I was unimpressed by what city guides appeared to offer....however, during my weekend visiting my sister, I found a few fantastic spots, many of which have opened over the past 2 years. If you find yourself in Boston, here are the so-called missing links that are must-sees in the Boston shopping world.

Rescue

252 Brighton Ave. Allston, MA

www.rescuebuyselltrade.com

Rescue has only been open for a few weeks, but owners Jeralyn and Paul definitely have found a niche in the Boston boutique mix. The store was full of generously priced lightly used clothing, ranging from vintage Lord of the Rings t-shirts, to Betsy Johnson dresses. The eclectic mix of cowboy boots, well known designer sweatshirts, and plaid tops were complimented by brand new Cheap Monday jeans and jewelry by Alex & Chloe.Saving money and rescuing clothing never looked so good...

Salmagundi

765 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA

www.myspace.com/salmagundiboston

This place is out of this world, seriously. An accessory focused store, Salmagundi is home to many local hat, wallet and t-shirt designers. The super friendly owners could offer stories about each designer I asked about, and they were eager to show me products that they personally loved- such as a watch made out of a vintage tie, or a hand painted flask. The selection was so diverse, that any person who wanders in their door is guaranteed to find something to add to their christmas list.

My sister purchasing an awesome v-neck.

Karmaloop Boston

160 Newbury Street Boston, MA

www.karmaloop.com/boston

There's no doubt that the Karmaloop founders hold a place in my heart....from investing everything into a successful online boutique that features some of the hottest new lines right out of an unmarked office in Boston, to opening a flagship store right on Newbury Street near BCBG and Chanel....how could i not be inspired. However, visiting the shop reminded me of the first time I visited an Anthropologie store; I couldn't help but be a bit underwelmed. After years of viewing their fabulous online listings, my hopes were pretty high I guess.

The Milky Way

401 Centre Street Jamaica Plain, MA

www.milkywayjp.com

After a day of window shopping, we went to a local favorite in JP....a bar with a mini bowling alley. Many bands that have played in Rumors, such as Scream Club, have played in the Milky Way when they're up north. From the graffiti walls outside, to the crazy decor inside, not to mention offering a good selection of beer (the Sam Adams brewery is nearby), it's no wonder this place was packed.

Although I love Boston, you have to realize how lucky we are in Richmond to have so many great spots, all just a bike ride away from eachother.

Proud to be an Obamite

After hours of waiting in line to cast my vote I walked out of the voting center with a feeling of accomplishment and a "I voted sticker" on my chest. I had an abnormal amount of fear and excitement building inside of me and I couldn't wait for the votes to be counted.

To celebrate the election Casey and I had an election show. This Bike is a Pipebomb headlined and we waited anxiously to find out what the future had in store for us. I have always expected the worst and hoped for the best when it comes to most things in my life. But I felt I needed this. I felt the country needed this.

Bands played and I ran back and forth from Village Cafe looking at CNN news. Checking reports on my phone as well as online. I thought well if Obama doesn't win If Va votes Democratic I at least have something to hold onto. I ordered a shot of whiskey and I sat at the bar. VA VOTES BLUE>>>> i run as fast as i can to the store. I yell VA voted DEMOCRATIC>. the band plays on louder. I ran back to Village Cafe. They said. OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT.

I paused. then I ran back in the store. OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA. I got to tell a room full of people that Obama got elected. I couldn't stop crying. I could barely think.

I felt something building inside my heart. I didn't know what it was. Others felt something inside their hearts as well. It was pride. Pride. Pride. Pride.

The band was screaming and drums were beating tears were flying, and then we started to run. We ran down broad street yelling YES YES YES WE DID IT. I jumped on Ward Taft's shoulders (owner of chop suey books) and I viewed hundreds of people Black , White, Spanish, Asian ,Indian, young and old celebrating together. The cops nicely sat outside their cars making sure everyone was okay. And it felt like we were all one. The city strolled to the capital walking for hours cheering until the sun came up. I love Virginia. I love Politics. I love Obama. I LOVE AMERICA> I LOVE AMERICA.

i love the guy doing the O hands

you can vote however you like.... you can vote however you like.....

-marshe

nylon magazine.. ahhhhhh richmond is the shhhhh

so proud of my city.. so proud..

marshe'

Belgium holiday yet again. Why not. why not.

Drown me in beck while I avoid tram tracks while holding onto the back of bart on his bicycle. what am I doing here, how did I get here and why is it so cold on this side of the equator.

I arrived on Wednesday morning after a 9 hour flight. I sat by a friendly woman from Delaware who knows Biden personally and also thinks that the sex and the city movie was a bit ridiculous and over the top. Needless to say we fell in love over two bottles of red wine and turbulence while the horrible movie Man of Honor played in the background.

I love sneaking into first class. There's is something wonderful about stepping off a plane jumping on a train catching a bus and knowing exactly where you are going that makes a girl feel like an experienced traveler.

Ghent Belgium we meet again. You cold cold cold country. I run into my second home and I wake up my European boo and my European ladies. We screammmmmm how are you? you look great? what took you so long to get here? how long are you staying? how is America? how is the economy? how is Casey? tell us how Casey is? Where is Casey? WHERE IS CASEY.

This trip has been amazing. I'm staying in a house with my love Bart from Holland, Soud from Morocco, Edith from Belgium and Indie from Australia. The fashion here is just as diverse as the people who inhabit this household. When visiting the center everyone from ages 6 to 60 look amazing. Weather suited leather sheik boots. Thick jackets that are a mixture of pea-coats and trench coats. Beautiful lenins worn loosely around ladies necks. And new mothers with handbags to match strollers and strollers to match cellphones. Stores like Cream and Limits make my favorite Boutiques look like dingy thrift stores.

I shopped today for hours. The center is full of amazing shops and little boutiques. There are street signs directing you to where you can buy fresh chocolate waffles and even though it is freezing children are still eating ice cream and chasing each other around statues with Marx's quotes on them.

Another thing that is so comforting is the amount of amazing vegan and vegetarian restaurants there are. I thought Harrison street cafe in Richmond and Karen's in New York was as good as it gets but these burger spots here have endless menu's. " Texas Lentil Burger and a Jupiler for one.. alstublief, Dank U". I love Ghent Belgium.

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Tonight it is student nights. The streets are filled with students representing their groups and drinking madly on every corner. Bart and I are dressed in white with highlighter mustaches and glitter tops by Wowch. We are going to a private Flou party. A flou party is a fluorescent party where everyone packs into a small room plays horribly wonderful music from the 80's and 90's and the walls are lines with white yarn and plastic wrap and everyone is drawing on each other and pounding wine bottles and champagne bottles and Jupiler and jupiler and jupiler....

The economy in America is falling apart and all i can think about is which boots look better with my hot green pants.

Wear Your Soul on the Outside

Another season approaches and I ponder. How am I feeling? What do I want to express. I thought I knew but in the last 10 hours I feel like my whole life has changed. I feel like a new Woman. On the inside and Out. Here are some looks that inspire me. With a wonderful year to look forward to. I think of all the possibilities.

A wonderful new year approaches.

unashamed and inspired

free to run wild

to be cunning and dangerous

to be weird and absolutely crazy

free to open our eyes

freedom of uninhabited expression

Marshe'

Richmond street style: October

Autumn colors grace the streets of Richmond. Head to toe perfection

nice guys finish first. Flannel with a well fitted vest. Good job boys. Nerd fantasy accomplished

simple yet pulled together american apparelesque

Aenaes Aenaes Aeness.. always looking so good..

WRIR Monster Mashquerade Ball at NYDeli

I've always been a fan of costume balls.

If I had things my way people would wear costumes everyday. So I gathered up my ladies and we headed to the Monster Mashquerade Ball held at NYDELI. New York Deli is infamous for freely offering there space to non profit organizations to hold benefit shows. Friday nights affair was in honor of WRIR Richmond's public access radio. Samuel Adams October Fest was my costume of choice. And a special thanks to all the bands. Especially the pretend pretenders. Singing along to Brass in my pocket with Allison from Hot Lava was one of the best moments of my life.

WRIR 97.3 is completely community based. They offer music that you will not find normally on the radio. Some of the artist they play you can barely be found in most record shops. (not counting rumors of course because we have every vinyl in the world) Everyone who works for WRIR is amazing. I've personally never been let down by any of the radio shows.

WRIR radio for the rest of us. If you are interested in volunteering or having your own radio show. please contact them. They rule pretty hard http://wrir.org/x/modules/news/

here are some facts about WRIR....

-We are locally owned, and by charter can never be bought out by any non local entity.
-The station is operated by volunteers from the Richmond community. Our staff consists of your neighbors playing music, sharing news and operating the station.