Photo Diary | Portland, Maine

I spent time in Northeast Harbor, Maine almost ten years ago now, one summer in college, and fell completely in love with the area. I had actually never been to Portland though so when it was thrown out as a location for our girls trip I jumped on it and luckily the rest of the group agreed. It is the perfect long weekend spot. A super easy flight from most of the east coast and just enough to do around the city to fully relax while seeing/doing a lot around town.

I arrived in Portland late Thursday night and was able to squeeze in some champagne and dinner right next to our rental at Otto pizza with one of my friends. It was the perfect casual spot to start the weekend.

The remainder of our crew arrived late Thursday and early Friday morning(after a flight mishap ;) so we grabbed breakfast at Rosemont Market, bagels croissants and a few cookies too and made our way to the boat docks.

Our boat ride could not have been more amazing. We debated on doing a morning or sunset boat ride but really the morning turned out perfect. We had breakfast and mimosas on the boat– it was the perfect start to our trip!

The views along the water just can’t be beat. If you’re able to get out on a boat, or even the ferry, I highly recommend it. We past lobster boats, kids sailing camps, seals and got to see some really gorgeous homes on the harbor! The company we used actually rents the boat on AirBnB too and does overnight sailing trips which I’m sure would be amazing on some of the smaller islands.

After our sailing adventure we went back into town and had locals beers at East Ender and a late lunch at Duckfat. I cannot recommend the duckfat fries and original milkshake enough. So simple but so delicious! Duckfat is a sister restaurant to Hugo’s, a local  farm to table staple, if you’re looking for a nice dinner - we didn’t try it but I’ve heard great things.

From here we walked around town, did a little window shopping and ended our evening at Eventide Oyster Co. for dinner. It’s a must if you’re in the area. Order some raw oysters (or fried if raw isn’t your thing) and do not miss the brown butter lobster roll in a steamed bun – amazing! Not too buttery to overshadow the lobster, just enough flavor to knock your socks off. We debated ordering a second round J Instead of we opted for a homemade coconut choco taco and ice cream sandwich and were not disappointed.

Saturday morning we grabbed coffee and potato donuts at Holy Donut. It was our first experience with Maine potato donuts, made from mashed potatoes not potato flour, and they were amazing! Some of my favorite donuts I’ve ever had. Don’t miss the Maine blueberry, fresh lemon, chocolate sea salt and Maine coffee brandy. We tried a few more(big eaters here!), but those were our favorites.

After donuts we made our way down to Cape Elizabeth to work off our breakfast. We walked along the rocky shore stopping what seemed like every 5 steps for photos and eventually made our way to the Portland Head light. It was a gorgeous morning and a quintessential Maine walk!

On our way home we stopped at the Lobster Shack (waited in the forever long line) and grabbed fresh lobster rolls, local beers and sat by the rocks and enjoyed one of my favorite meals of the trip. While this place is definitely crowded it’s worth it for a good fresh roll and the atmosphere sitting right along the water.

A must on my Maine list is ice cream from Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream. It was a small spot only in Bar Harbor when I lived in Maine and it was my absolute favorite. So when I saw they expanded to have a shop in Portland I knew it was a must. I highly recommend the Jack Daniels, Toasted Coconut and Madagascar Vanilla!

Saturday evening we ventured to Central Provisions. I read a lot about this small spot before our trip and a friend actually had what she described as “the best burger of her life” there on Thursday before the rest of us arrived so I was excited to say the least. We all shared small plates including, fresh halibut, an amazing cobb salad with candied bacon, steamed clams, fresh bread and butter with a poached egg and a few other delicious treats. Overall each plate was simple, fresh and delicious. We finished our night with champagne at the bar and it was perfect!

On Sunday before we left we grabbed breakfast from Standard Baking Co. ate on the ferry and made our way to Peaks Island.

We attempted to rent two tandem bikes and failed miserably (there’s a great video of our attempt though!) before deciding single bikes were best for our group! We rode the four mile loop around the island stopping at every turn to take pictures and take in the scenery.

We made a pit stop for a glass of 50 cent pink lemonade from the cutest roadside stand. They snapped a picture of the four of us too!

It was gorgeous, a highlight of our weekend! I would definitely recommend bringing a great picnic next time and finding a good spot on the rocks to sit and enjoy.

We grabbed one more lobster roll, a blueberry beer and I was off to the airport. As I write this I’m realizing how much we fit into our weekend, yet it still felt very relaxing. I’m always sad to leave these trips but it also makes me even more excited for next year! Moral of the story – go to Maine, it’s amazing!

- Heath

Photo Diary | the Hamptons

Heath mentioned that I went on a girls trip to the Hamptons recently and I'd love to share pictures if you're interested.  Warning!  There are lots of photos so feel free to skip over - I just love having these pictures and memories to look back on.  Eight of my best girl friends from college met in the Hamptons for a little reunion, and it was the perfect mix of exploring a new-to-most-of-us place, really good food, and lots of relaxation.  Pictures below if you'd like to see more...

We stayed in East Hampton in the house pictured at the top, an unreal Airbnb find!  We were visiting during off season, but I can only imagine how amazing this place would be during warmer weather.  Bocce courts, multiple amazing porches filled with hammocks, a heated pool, amazing kitchen....I could go on!  The night we arrived we stayed in and caught up, and started early the next day with a really yummy mimosa brunch.  We shopped around East Hampton (so many cute shops!) and spent the afternoon pilled in our huge rental van exploring the beautiful homes and trying to track down famous celebrities' houses. :)

 

After exploring East Hampton, we hopped in the car and drove along the coast out to the point of Mantouk.  It was chilly and so windy on the point, but we got to see incredible views and the lighthouse.  Plus it was a charming (not at all fancy) beach town, and my NY friend tells me it's quite the party town in the summer. 

 

That evening we piled back in the van and went to the town of Amagansett for dinner.  I loved this little area and wish we had more time to explore Amagansett.  We went to a really delicious dinner at The Meeting House - it was packed, and perfectly warm and cozy.  Our friend who unfortunately couldn't make it on the trip because of last minute work obligations sent us a surprise bottle of champagne to the table (plus Shirley Temples for pregnant friends!).  We of course toasted her and decided this was a new tradition - you have to send champagne if you miss girls trips!  The evening ended with a trip to get ice cream plus the Bruce Jenner special.  Girls trips are a little less wild these days!

 

The next morning we headed to the village of Sag Habor for brunch.  We walked around the harbor and all of the adorable shops.  All of us really loved Sag Habor and were tempted by several designer consignment stores.  Turns out consignment Chanel is still unbelievable expensive so we left empty handed!

 

That afternoon we headed to a local winery.  Who knew the Hamptons actually have a few wineries?  I certainly didn't until we started planning our trip, but wineries are definitely a thing there.  After lots of walking and shopping it was so nice just sitting and sipping wine for a while.  Half of our group couldn't enjoy the wine (we have lots of babies on the way!) but the four of us that could partake definitely loved it, and our pregnant friends enjoyed the cheese!

 

The last morning we packed up to head back to the city to catch flights home.  My friends know that I am OBSESSED with Ina Garten - all time favorite "celebrity", lame I know!  As we were leaving East Hampton my friend in the car ahead called and she didn't even have to say her name, she just said "MK look to your left."  I died and we all turned around to do a slow drive by!  I was too chicken to say hello.  We left East Hampton but stopped in Bridgehampton for brunch on our way out of town.

 

We all really enjoyed the trip so much, and I'd highly recommend it for a low key girls' trip.  All of us are really spread out and typically have to fly to see each other and it's so easy to fly into NY.  (You do have to make a two hour drive from the city to get out to the Hamptons, but with a carful the trip is part of the fun.)  We would have liked warmer weather for sure, but the off season rates were incredibly inexpensive.  I think mid-May would be perfect to be a little warmer, but beat the summer crowds and prices.  Overall, it was a charming place - lots of little villages and towns just 10 minutes from each other with really cute shops, good wine and really delicious food.  And good people watching!  Lots of chic people with their sunglasses on (indoors) munching on healthy food and sipping drinks!  A really fun trip overall!

 

~Mary Keller

 

p.s. thanks to my friend Kelly for all of the photos!!

Around Here

MK's spot in the Hamptons | dinner at The Meeting House |Virginia playing in the water at Discovery Place | Food truck Friday | Saturday charcuterie | Wolffer vineyard | Ina spotting on Main St. | Virginia on a Sunday stroll 

Happy Monday guys! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. MK is home from the Hamptons and her photos officially have it on my list of must dos! Her girls weekend consisted of lots of good food, shopping and a stop at Wolffer winery too. Sounds awesome!

Meanwhile Virginia had a blast here in Charlotte with her grandparents. They went to Discovery Place and took lots of walks on her favorite tricycle - with her sunglasses of course! Andy and I went to food truck Friday in Southend, did lots of errands on Saturday and ended the weekend with a yummy brunch with friends (and their sweet baby girl) on Sunday. Overall it was an awesome weekend!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

- Heath

Photo Diary | Pittsburgh

A few weeks ago we (MK, JD, Andy and I) took a road trip to Pittsburgh for a good friends wedding. We had the best time, and even joked with the bride about all moving back to her hometown with her! I've included a few pictures from our trip below if you're interested...

The Mt. Washington Incline - a Pittsburgh must! We almost skipped this and were all glad we didn't! Our Uber driver all but demanded we do it and took us to the Monongahela incline pictured above. The views were gorgeous overlooking the downtown area and it really gave you a feel for the city as a whole. If you're headed there anytime soon there is also the Duquesne incline. It takes you up the mountain in front of the point so depending on the view you're looking for it may be a better option.

View on top of Mt. Washington, across the Monongahela river, looking at Pittsburgh.  MK already mentioned how cool the entrance to the city is but this is why this occurs - you're driving through this mountain to get into Pittsburgh.

You guys this picture cracks me up! We had NO clue until the moment we walked out on to this observation deck, MK is super afraid of heights! She would not go beyond this point until we forced her backwards for a group selfie. She was frozen - too funny!

Fun fact - Pittsburgh, the city of bridges, is located at the point of three rivers (hence the old baseball stadium) the Monongahela, Ohio and Allegheny. You can see the point here on the left and across from that, Heinz field and the newish PNC park behind the buildings. So cool!

We stayed at the William Penn hotel and would definitely recommend it. I'm not a hotel person, usually whatever is cheapest is fine with me, but this hotel was impressive from the historic building and gorgeous ceilings, to the convenient location and huge room, just perfect! 

We really enjoyed the mix of architecture throughout the city. The modern skyscrapers mixed with historic buildings and churches made for a gorgeous city.

Friday evening we ventured to the strip district for dinner at Kaya and a welcome party afterwards at Bar Marco. Both were wonderful! We returned to this cool area on Saturday to check it out during the day as well. The area once used for various steel mills now is covered with small vendors and markets on Saturdays. It was so lively and the perfect place to spend a Saturday.

Another Uber diver recommended this place, The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, and guys it was awesome! For Italy/food lovers we were in heaven. We spend a good bit of time walking through the aisles and had good intentions of stopping by before leaving town but never made it back. Definitely put it on your list if you're in this area. 

We took full advantage of our short time here and fit lots in our day, including a stop at the famous Primate Bros original location in the Strip district. We all split their famous sandwich topped with fries and slaw! 

A quick stop by PNC Park located right along the Allegheny river and brunch at Meat and Potatoes and we were off to the beautiful wedding. 

Two things I realized from this quick weekend. One -  you can do a lot in short amount of time. We arrived around 7pm on Friday and every single photo here was taken on a Saturday packed full of fun. We were out of there early Sunday morning and back home in time for Masters coverage! Two - underrated/smaller cities are where it's at! I have no clue how long it would have taken me to get to Pittsburgh if not for this weekend, but I cannot express how great of a city it was. It definitely made me take a second look at so many lower profile cities in the future! 

Update - I forgot to mention this originally but I want to point out that Pittsburgh is a very proud city! I knew that going into this weekend as both of my friends from this area really love their hometown but after visiting it all really clicked for me. Everywhere you go people love Pittsburgh! Even the cab/Uber drivers, I swear they need to be paid by the tourism board because they spoke so highly of the city, made great recommendations and were overall just awesome. Such a great quality in a city don't you think?!

Thanks of having us in your hometown Missy, we all clearly loved it!

- Heath