The Annual Annals of Peculiar Valentines

Games, toys, delicacies of the sea…this year’s gift selection for Happy Heart Day doesn’t disappoint. After making the annual search for weird and wondrous love bombs, four seemed to rise to the top, with a few honorable mentions not far behind. Trying to Connect Photo via Etsy Romantic but probably more annoying than the original: … Continue reading The Annual Annals of Peculiar Valentines

See You at the Movies: Maestro and the Mahaiwe

Hanging at the Mahaiwe with 600 of my closest friends, family, and neighbors A notable opportunity came my way in late November; an invitation to see an advance screening of Maestro at the historic Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Mass. Seeing the much-buzzed-about, Bradley Cooper-helmed film in a venue that couldn’t be better … Continue reading See You at the Movies: Maestro and the Mahaiwe

Paper Dreams Among the Seams

This week, my Blogtober travels included an Artist Talk with costume designer Christina Beam, the creator of In the Woods: a collection of full-scale, storybook-adjacent paper costumes. Snow White’s hood This display of fantastical finery, complete with several decidedly spooky ensembles, was highlighted as part of 2023’s ArtWeek Berkshires, and featured Beam’s work that is … Continue reading Paper Dreams Among the Seams

Count Crocula: Blogtober Retail Spotlight

A trip to our local outlet mall rarely goes by without a visit to Crocs, so my nine-year-old can add to her seemingly infinite supply of Jibbitz. However, this weekend the Croc store was chock full of frightful footwear in celebration of spooky season, and I was compelled to share some of the spoils. The … Continue reading Count Crocula: Blogtober Retail Spotlight

Fry Me to the Moon

Moon-inspired fast-food shines during Japan’s Tsukimi season In Japan, fall festival season starts with Tsukimi (月見), celebrating and honoring the autumn moon. Like most festivals, food is a big component with some long-held, traditional dishes, including Dango rice balls, Kenchin-jiru (a fall-vegetable soup) and virtually any dish modified with an ironically sunny-side-up egg meant to … Continue reading Fry Me to the Moon