From Your Loving Cup

This is the fine, fine moment that introduced me to Miss Sharon Jones. She's the shorter of those fantastic backup divas helping to create the amazing cover of Rolling Stone's "Loving Cup" from the album Exile on Main Street (most likely, the best album title of all time) with Phish at Festival 8. My brother and I drove home after Phish 3D listening to 100 Days, 100 Nights and I instantly became a forever fan of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.

I played her for my Dad yesterday and as he tried to guess who it was (a family game that keeps us musically in check), I kept exclaiming, "it's not Aretha, no not Tina either!" At 54 years old, an ex-prison guard, and a voice that could put any modern artist to shame, Sharon Jone's brings back the funk and revives the soul. My Dad sat with Sharon for a while and finally said, "it's great to hear that sound, because you never want to lose those roots of music." No, we never want to lose that, because then Katy Perry might wake up in Connecticut and not Vegas.

Here is a mix to keep you dancing under the sun, all weekend long!

Happy Memorial Day Lovies :)

Soup for Summer

I have always said that if I were to eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be a variation of soup (yes, I do think I could create a chocolate soup). I love to eat soup, I love to make soup, I love to come home smelling the aromas of soup, I just simply love soup! The problem is, when a day like yesterday rolls around (nearly 92 degrees), nothing except an iceberg seems appetizing. That's when I thought of the yummy stuff I tasted from here when I was here. Gazpacho soup is the perfect varieties of flavors for a hot, hot day and the chilled temperature make it comfortable to enjoy under the summer sun. So I decided to browse my favorite cookbooks, this and this, to see if I could whip up my own homemade Gazpacho for Memorial Day. Turns out Miss Mollie Katzen had exactly what I was looking for.

Ingredients

4 cups cold tomato juice (I use V8 juice)
1/2 cup finely minced onion
2 cups freshly diced tomatoes
1 medium bell pepper, minced
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
1 medium, seedless and peeled cucumber, diced
2 scallions, chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon and 1 lime
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
1 teaspoon each of dried tarragon and basil
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
salt, black pepper, and cayenne- to taste

Combine all ingredients into food processor and puree. Chill until very cold. 

I like to top with a dash of sour cream, a few diced tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Then serve with a fresh baguette or some Stacy's pita chips! 

Enjoy summer soup-ers!

The New Stars

Let's soar to a new galaxy and become stars for a different world

We'll be as careless and hopeful as before, building armor against our fears

So please, pack that what you desire least, we're on a mission for necessity

Bare all you fresh faced girl

Better luck next time.

[Photos from Detour through Wonderland]

Stars & Stripes

Memorial Day is right around the corner and I'm getting all butterflies in the belly just thinking about BBQs with my besties! We used to love dancing around our hometown parade picking up leftover candy that the kiddies missed in the overgrown grass, lighting sparklers as twilight rolls around, and stuffing our faces full with fantastic picnic grub. 

This patriotic holiday has always marked the beginning of summer fun for my girly group. Those lucky enough to have pools, open them up and prepare for months of chicken fights and marco polo. The town beach unlocks its gate with an incredible sand castle contest and everyone's favorite amusement park kicks off quarter night for townies every Friday. 

But there is more to be desired now that we are a bit older and will have much to discuss around the picnic tables this weekend. To prepare for  the inevitable "Congratulations on Graduation, now what to do with your life?" we must arm ourselves with many a patriotic pieces to distract from any abstract answers. Although, I can't help but brag, my girls can talk the talk better than the most embellished politicians, we just don't mind looking rather good while we're at it. 

TOP MEMORIAL DAY PICKS:

I'm enamored with this Starfish Ring and find it's salmon hue most endearing. These Tocca Sunscreen towelettes make eating a hot dog (or smart dogs, if you don't mind) and applying sunscreen simultaneously, a snap! How festive would that BBQ be with these Marine Flags? Of course we'll need appropriate Holiday attire, like this unique Sunwashed Shirtdress from Anthropologie. I have been searching high and low for a pint size bbq tool like this Picnic Grill! This Sea Bag is ideal for carrying all those parade goodies like this and this. As the day gets cooler, wrap yourself in this Flag Ship Throw to keep up your patriotism throughout the evening. I'm convinced a nautical Striped Suit is a summer staple, so why not kick off the season with this adorable J.Crew number?

[photos from OhHelloYouPrettyThings]

Farewell Sweet Caroline

I have had the most incredible week. It began with a few magical days snuggling close and kindly with my girl of girls and I quickly realized how excited I am to head back home and reconnect with ALL my fantastic girlies. I missed them quite fantastically during the college years and we have a number of things to catch up on.

Then I bid farewell to my Boston abode with some Sweet Caroline at Fenway park. Surprised? no? no. Despite numerous close encounters with high-speed foul balls (they really should tell folks to bring a helmet) it was a game to be remembered. A sunny afternoon, rounds of overpriced bud lights, and those awesome Sox fans. I found myself a bit teary eyed as I walked down Landsdowne a final time.

The rest of the week was spent working on EarthFest. A project I have been looking forward to since I began my internship here, just short of 5 months ago. It required heavy lifting and many early mornings, but the incredible crew, perfect May weather, and dedicated Bostonians who attended, made yesterday an absolute success. I could not have asked for a better celebration to end my time in Boston and welcome new beginnings.

Oh, good golly, did I tell you? This Miss Molly (that's me) was employed last week! Yes. Totally freaking exciting and most definitely lucky. How did I do it? Well, my horrific interview is entirely for another day's post. But I will let you know that interview season is also allergy season. I guess my hack-attack didn't ruin this opportunity but who knows. So all ya'll post-grads, I might recommend bringing a bottle of water and cough drops with that sparkling resume. 

Enjoy Some Sunshine Luvies!

[Are you not completely obsessed with these B&W's? Yea, girl blew me away. Check out the photos and this New York duo's incredible shop, here.]

Everything our parents said was good is bad: sun, milk, red meat, college!

I have to say, Alvy Singer, that's not completely true. College wasn't terrible, it was rather bearable and sometimes quite hysterical. I even think I learned a thing or two.

Friday was graduation. So if you were concerned that my disappearance was caused by Beantown's dirty water mishap or maybe a pack of Bostonian hungry wolves, you can put your minds at ease, I was only celebrating my final days as a student. As I walked across that stage and was handed my diploma, not a thing in the world could erase my smile. Maybe because our faces were on massive jumbotrons for a packed Bank of America Pavilion, but also because I finally felt that pride and accomplishment that everyone else kept acknowledging. Sixteen years of school, a couple down in kindergarten, and a small stint in pre-school is a really long time and a whole lot of learning.

Well MO, there is no plan. If there is something that sixteen years of education has taught me, it's that life changes far too quickly and enormously to live according to plans. So for now, dearies, I will continue to search out the most loveliest of lovely on our blogosphere and share it with you. I will discover opportunities like an explorer of a new world and keep on exploring when that land no longer feels like home. And of course, I will love the loves I have loved and forever try to love new loves! 

Congratulations to all those graduating in 2010!

{my roommate, Carley, and I at Simmons College Commencement}

Studded Statements

With a fan base including Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, Cate Blanchlett, and even, Russel Brand, it's obvious that Sass & Bide manages a universal interest. The brand's unique cuts, flattering ruching, and innovative designs keep people anxiously awaiting for every new collection. This season I'm loving the royal drama in their black and gold color palette and of course, the studded effects. It's all very femme fatale.

 See more here!

She's gone done it again!

That inspiring girl over at Contented Me has introduced us to more new and beautiful things. See, ever since I discovered Kristin's super-awesome Chicago blog, I find myself constantly adding items to the never-ending wish list revolving on my desktop. Most recently? Spool No.27.


Check it:

Spool's Native America affected collection allows for the most feminine details and colorful patterns. The designers combine salvaged textiles to create casual looks. I'm especially loving this for its unique triangle back and this for the sweat-not chiffon fabric. Being a huge advocate of the scarf, I'm thrilled about this sheer, oversized wrap I can rock all year. I have been determined to find a quaint, white, graduation dress and I'm proud to say this has ended my quest. I've been skeptical to purchase a romper, but this one just might be a summer staple. This mossy green necklace is the most darling detail for this ruffled tank that initially inspired today's post.