They say that I'm a dreamer

One of my favorite stills from my trip to Monhegan Island.

It's true that only 65 people live on the island year-round. Seems like it might be kind of nice.

Perhaps one of these days Kev, Aspen and I can utilize one of their summer rentals. Maybe after we win the lottery.

Vactionland

The Maine state tree is an evergreen, so this is yet another trinket that makes me think of home.

My favorite part of this charm is definitely the star. It's the finishing touch this little tree needed.

Isn't it sweet?

Fifty nifty U-nited States!

AlterDesigns knows that it's possible to have love for more than one state. This is especially useful for me because I feel I have two "home" states. I was born and raised in Maine, but have spent just as much time living in Utah as well.


This Etsy shop offers TWO state charms on one necklace for only $23. You can pick silver or gold to further personalize your choices. If I had one of these necklaces, I'd have one of the most squiggly states juxtaposed against one of the most square states.

Monhegan Island artwork

The last time I visited Maine was in August 2009. It was a beautiful week; the first of the summer that was without torrential downpours every day.

My parents and I ferried out to Monhegan Island where it did, in fact, rain buckets on us. About 12 people live on the island year round (okay, maybe more like 60) and it's such a charming little island with local artisans flourishing.

I was so happy to come upon this Etsy shop that features lots of land and sea scapes- many including the Maine coast. It makes me wish I hadn't given up so quickly on painting when I was a teenager.

On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again

I'm going home to Maine in April (wish me luck, I'm flying solo with an 8 month old!) so I'm kind of on an east coast kick right now.

This, believe it or not, is a photo album made from a Maine license plate. Awesome! Kev has dozens of collected plates in the garage, and I bet we could easily make something similar. Check out the other designs in Lauren's Etsy shop.

East Coast represent!

Joanna Goddard shared this gem today and I couldn't help but pass it along. I wish my computer could transfer smell. I might have to invest in some for Aspen so I can manipulate her dreams to be about summers in Maine with her grandparents.

Maine-made

This tee is designed and printed by Bethany, a girl from my hometown of Freeport, Maine. We went to high school together and she's still up to her crafty ways. I admire her dedication to her talents and often envy the fun she seems to have with her designs- whether apparel or jewelry.

She recently started making these Maine tees and I absolutely love them!

I also love the Leaf tee; the fresh minty green is one of my favorite colors and it just screams good weather.

I miss the beach.

East coast represent (Volume III)

I'm homesick something fierce these days. Part of me wants to hang out on my mom's back deck and with nothing to do except read and watch her dog freak out about squirrels.

The collection of sea findings on this ring immediately made me think of Maine and spending time at Winslow Park, watching kids jump off the dock and kayakers float around the rocky coastline.

Star of the East etsy shop has loads of items that make me miss home. I especially enjoyed browsing the rings. Definitely check it out and plan your next trip to the coast. Say hi to my mom for me.

Sharing is caring!

Kev and I browsed some TOMS shoes at The Gateway Mall in April and I was not impressed with the selection... I know I'm a bit of a shoe snob, but seriously, all the styles were ugly. The mission of TOMS shoes though is to provide a pair of shoes to someone in need every time a pair is purchased, which is beautiful. So I've resisted the urge to tell everyone how ugly I think the shoes are. I've only told a few people.

I decided to look at the website to see if I've just overlooked some better styles that exist. I'm really glad I visited the TOMS site because they actually have great wedges that appeal to me much more than the popular canvas flats. Some of the designs on the flats are alright, but in person I really don't like how they're constructed. There just too granola.

This navy striped pair is much more doable for me. It's a summery style and it's a little more sophisticated than the flats, but still casual enough for jeans, bermuda shorts or a sundress. I know granola is the whole point of TOMS, but I'm happy to see that other options are also available for a snobby East coaster like me.

East coast, represent (volume II).

Being from Maine, I have to appreciate these earrings. (Pine cones are the state flower).

It's just too bad my ears aren't pierced. It's not like I never triedto get them pierced. It's just that I'm terrified of needles and when I was 12 my mom took me to get my ears done and the guy was about to mark my ear with the pen when I ducked out of the way and practically ran screaming from the mall.

So... I never got my ears pierced and my mom was pretty mad that I wasted her time.

PS don't forget to become a follower so I can host a giveaway on this blog!

I've always been a fan of breakfast.

Ok. Since moving away from Maine (for the second time) I've realized how much I like it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I suppose.


Something I never thought I'd be obsessed with is Maine-made maple syrup. Specifically the kind that comes from Breakneck Ridge Farm. My mom has a regular lunch meeting at Macaroni Grill in Maine and her server (for like, 10 years) is the son of the farm owners. He would get my mom the hook up on their amazing syrup. I don't remember how my mom got me hooked, but she did.


I ran out of the syrup a couple of weeks ago and told my mom she MUST bring some when she visits and meets the baby in August. It's the best thing ever for pancakes, french toast and even your scrambled eggs (oh come on... admit that you like the flavor of the syrup when it touches your eggs).

This week I was surprised to find a package from my mom on my front porch. In it was the biggest jug of Breakneck Ridge Farm syrup I've ever seen. I don't know how my mom knew I was planning to make myself french toast on Saturday, but apparently she did. And now I'll get to eat my french toast with REAL maple syrup instead of Wal-Mart's wanna-be maple syrup.

I never knew how bad artificial syrup tastes until I tried to real stuff. Please, do yourself a favor and invest in some of this. It is so worth it. Even Kev will put it on his pancakes and he usually eats his completely plain (no butter or anything!).

If at all possible, I'm even more excited to make my french toast on Saturday after my yoga class. To boot, I'm going to make my own bread, slice it thick, and use it instead of store-bought. Look at me go!

Home is where you rest your head.

I love these pillows. Wait, love is not a strong enough word. I think I adore them and want to bring them to the Pink House and look at them all day. I commend the artist's attention to detail. Did you get a good look at the Maine coastline?! It's unbelievable. I can practically see the beach where I spent summers as a child.

Putting a heart on the pillow to mark the location of the capital is a sweet touch as well. Although I've never been to Kev's homestate of Nebraska, I think of it fondly. Especially since I love eating cow. And that's what I think of when I think of Nebraska (who cares if Kev isn't from the country but instead is from the city?).

The good news is that custom orders are accepted, so if your state of choice is not currently listed as available in LoveCalifornia's shop, you can still get your mitts on one. Another great touch of personalization is the color choice- LoveCalifornia will let you choose what shade you want your state to be.

Yet another great deal is the size of the pillows. We're not talking teeny tiny hand-sized pillows. We're talking useful-sized pillows. The Maine pillow measures 17 inches from top to bottom. That's normal-sized! I hate finding something I love online only to discover it's miniscule. How am I supposed to appreciate something I can barely see?

Kudos to LoveCalifornia for making me want a pillow shaped like Maine.

Yes, I am obsessed with Canada.

Perhaps being born and mostly-raised in Maine is what instilled within me a great love for our neighbors to the north. Perhaps it's my life-long exposure to Anne of Green Gables that prompted me to become enamored with the luscious, cold, green land that is also known as America's Hat.

It's difficult to pinpoint the source of my adoration. But I just know that I love Canada.

This print can be found in English Muffin's Etsy shop (naturally, my go-to for art these days).

East coast, represent.

AH. Love this. Cute little lobster chubbikin. From here. If he was real, I would totally eat him. No butter, please.

There aren't any locks on the doors, for real.

I have a history with LLBean. It's in my hometown. When I visited Freeport this summer, my sister and I came across this display of every catalogue cover LLBean produced. So fun!

They have life-time warranties on their products. So my Grandpa's 20-year-old-worn-out-boots can be replaced for free.

It's open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. It never closes. So when you're bored and in Freeport, check out LLBean. Wander around. Buy a postcard. Try on a pair of famous Bean Boots.

Also, please please please try their chocolate covered cranberries.

I've always loved this staircase.

Built in the late 1800s, some of this house has original features that are quite indicative of New England charm and architecture.

The staircase at the front of my parents' house is one of those features. It's much more alluring than the 1970s addition in the back of the house. I think there are too many layers of linoleum on the floor to count, and I really really don't know why the previous owners had a hot tub in what became my room over the kitchen.

That didn't make any sense to me at all.

Anyway. You can obviously see why I love the staircase. If you can't, duh. Seriously. You need help. 

Monhegan Island

I am one tired tourist.

I'm losing my voice. My face is sunburned. My lips are chapped. My lobster from last night cut my finger open.

I also miss my Kev and Maddie very, very much.

But I'm having fun.

I spent the day on Monhegan Island with my parentals.

Then I made a quick trip to the mall with Sophia.

We bought coordinating jackets.

Here are about 6 kajillion photos for your viewing pleasure.

Leaving Booth Bay Harbor, Maine.

On Monhegan Island.

The D. T. Sheridan. It crashed on the shores of Monhegan back in the 40s. Poor little tugboat.

A dark storm rolled over the island about an hour before our ferry was scheduled to take us back to Booth Bay. 

It was a bit unpleasant. And so was almost tossing my cookies on the ferry when we were finally on our way. There has already been too much barfing on this trip!

Thankfully I held it in.

It was a good day.

Need I say more?

I am enjoying my vacation with my family.

It was worth the red-eye and puking in a little paper bag on the runway.