I am not adjusting well to normal life post-vacation. It’s just not as fun…you know?
Anyway, fall is most definitely around the corner. The mornings are getting a little chillier, and the sun is taking its sweet time to rise. Also, it’s officially September - craziness! In today’s blog, I’m highlighting ways to make the most of fall in Boston. Enjoy!
today’s topic: a Boston fall bucket list
I will die on the hill that fall is the best season to be in Boston (or really anywhere in New England.) Here are a few of the things you can catch me exploring this fall!
Apple picking, and more importantly, apple cider donut eating! My college roommates and I went to Carlson Orchards in Harvard, MA a few years in a row and loved it! (Pro tip: after apple picking, be sure to head to their barn for a hard cider flight & their AMAZING barbecue chicken & peach flatbread!)
Spend a long weekend out of the city and enjoy peak foliage in New England -and make sure you don’t miss the best few days wherever you go using this fall foliage map!
Halloween in Beacon Hill! Some people take Halloween seriously, but Beacon Hill goes above and beyond. On October 31st, you’ll see some of the most spectacular Halloween decorations you’ve ever laid eyes on, with lights galore, artfully carved pumpkins, and ghosts on every lamppost. Not to mention the thousands of trick-or-treaters dressed to the nines! And yes…they give out the big candy bars. Be sure to find the most elaborately decorated houses on Mount Vernon, West Cedar & Pinckney St. - and Louisburg Square!
SoWa Open Market is held Sundays through the end of October, and it’s such a fun way to discover local artists, food vendors & shops in an open-air setting. Perfect for a stunning fall weekend - make sure to stop by, and make a day out of it by visiting one of the many great South End restaurants afterwards!
Newbury Street’s “Open Newbury” program is open Sundays through October 15th, if you enjoy being a pedestrian on the ~open road~! Closed to all vehicles, the street transforms into the perfect destination for shopping, dining & unique vendors each weekend.
Head to Cannonball Cafe to try out their new fall menu (did someone say spiced vanilla cold foam?!) Bonus tip: Cannonball is hosting a farmers market and “rhythm & brunch” on their ADORABLE (+ very Instagrammable) patio every Saturday & Sunday morning through the end of September!
An evening in the North End is made even more romantic with autumn leaves beginning to change color - stop by the Florentine Cafe for a fabulous espresso martini, Trattoria Il Panino for one of their delicious pasta dishes and end your night at Mike’s Pastry for a world-famous cannoli.
recipe of the week
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
This recipe started as an experiment on my evergreen quest to make myself like tomatoes, and would you imagine - it finally worked! These tomatoes are dangerously good - eat them plain, on pizza, with burrata, in a pasta sauce, as bruschetta…there’s no end to what you can do. I now have a batch in the fridge at all times!
Total time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (including 2 hours rest time)
Makes ~2 cups roasted tomatoes
Ingredients:
1.5 lb cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp dried oregano
salt & pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 250°.
Cut cherry tomatoes in half & spread into a single layer on a nonstick 9x13 baking sheet.
Smash garlic cloves & toss onto baking sheet.
Mix with olive oil, oregano and S&P and give it a good shake.
Place in oven and roast for 2 hours. Mix the tomatoes around about halfway through.
Remove from oven and enjoy in ANY recipe of your choice! You can’t go wrong.
current obsession
As a sneak peek at something VERY special coming down the pipeline…I got my first Rent the Runway order this week and it made my entire week. I’ve never been a big designer clothes girl but the RTR concept is everything - 10 rental items a month (2x 5-item shipments) that you can swap in and out! And you guys, I feel like nothing I order online really fits but everything fit PERFECTLY from my first order. Their size guides actually work!!
Special treat: use this link for 30% off your first month, or enter code RTRCUR17A905 at checkout! :)
what’s next?
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What’s up next:
A few favorite Boston date night spots
(More!) easy lunch ideas for the work day
Dinner party ideas
And so much more…let me know what else you’d like to see in a comment below!
See ya next week,
Kaitlyn | The Pantry Potluck ♡
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