When your in the mood for tacos and margs, everyone is quick to suggest Por Que No. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Por Que No, but Stella Taco is not to be overlooked. The atmosphere is a little more fun and relaxed, the decor is clean and bright and they use vintage cattle tags as the table numbers. A bit of a sleeper on Alberta, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Add this one to your Cinco de Mayo list!
xoxo,
MJ
The crazy nice weather last week has me so excited for summer! Living in Portland, there are endless things to experience come summer time. Below are a few of my favorite Portland summer activities:
Brew Barge – if you’ve done Brew Cycle then this is the natural next step. Grab 10 friends, a cooler of beer (or rose in a can) and head to Waterfront Park. On a beautiful day, this is an amazing way to see the city and not a bad workout either!
Oneonta Gorge – The Gorge is full of great hikes, one of the most popular in the summer is Oneonta Gorge. Make sure to go on a hot day, and go early. You’ll be completely submerged in water and it will be super packed in the afternoon.
Burgers & Brew – Portland has no shortage of food related events, and summer typically brings even more. One of our favorites last summer was Burgers and Brew in Fields Park. Be on the lookout in Portland Monthly and on Eater for upcoming events!
Barre 3 at Stoller Vineyard – This is Barre 3 in the Park taken to a whole new level. An outdoor Barre 3 class in the vineyard followed by an amazing lunch and wine tasting. I definitely hope they do this again!
Can’t wait for June!
xoxo,
MJ
So, I would not call myself a runner. I’m not in the best shape ever, but I like to stay active and I’ve always run occasionally and completed a few half marathons in the last couple years. In May of 2015, on my 29th birthday I set a goal. A goal to complete one half marathon a month for the next 12 months. December marked the 7th of 12 that I’ve completed so far (I had to skip October due to a ton of work travel, so I’m planning to make up the 12th in May. So far the journey has taken me to two states, two different countries and I’m really looking forward to the next 5 months. I’m planning to finish up in Vancouver BC, running with my mom!
Here’s what’s coming up next –
January – Oregon Winter Half Marathon (Hillsboro, OR)
February – Snow Joke (Seeley Lake, MT) I really don’t know what the eff I’m thinking with this one! My brother and his friends convinced me to sign up.
March – Shamrock Run (Portland, OR)
April – Race for the Roses (Portland, OR)
May – BMO Vancouver Half Marathon (Vancouver, BC) 12 of 12!
Wish me luck!
xo,
MJ
Some days you just need that post BurnCycle or pre work treat. Nuvrei is the spot you are looking for. Croissants and macarons are their specialties – pair it with Heart Roasters coffee and you’ve got the perfect pick me up!
North Portland location, less of a wait, same Scandinavian charm…what’s not to love about Broder Nord? I can’t get enough of the abelskivers and quirky Swedish decor.
Boston will always have a piece of my heart. I spent my freshman year of college at Boston University and have been back to visit several times since. If you can swing it, go on Marathon Monday – it’s unlike any other sporting event or celebration I’ve ever been to. It really is the BEST. On Marathon Monday I would recommend starting in Kenmore Square and walking towards Brookline. Cover as much of the race route as you can -it’s a super festive atmosphere and all the bars along the course are packed!
City Guide below –
Must Do’s:
Fenway Park. Even if you can’t make it to a game, just go. It’s magical. There was a great article in the NY Times last month about furthering development in the area, link here)
Freedom Trail. So. Much. History. And, if you take the ferry back from Charlestown the views of the city are amazeballs.
Duck Tour. Cute, quirky way to see different parts of the city.
More Faves (by neighborhood):
1. South Boston – Loco, 2. North End – Regina Pizza, 3. Back Bay – Alibi (inside what’s now a hotel, but used to be the Boston jail), 4. Beacon Hill – Tatte Bakery, 5. South End – The Gallows
Beacon Hill/Back Bay:
Beacon Hill Pub – the divest of dive bars. We went during the afternoon and there weren’t a ton of people around but you could imagine that it’s a hot spot on Friday nights.
Explore the shops in Beacon Hill – start on Charles St.
Flour – cute Boston area chain with great breakfast, lunch and coconut macaroons.
North End:
Mike’s Pastry – go to both Mike’s and Modern and then cast your vote for best cannoli!
South End:
Myers + Chang (one of the owners is on this season of Top Chef!)
The Butcher Shop – amazing cuts of meat, great sides and awesome neighborhood atmosphere. If I lived in Boston, I definitely try to make the South End my home. All the charming restaurants and row houses are fun to walk past.
South Boston:
L Street Tavern (the bar made famous in Good Will Hunting)
Shamrock Pub – doesn’t look like much from the outside, but seems like it was (and still is) a watering hole for local union workers. An interesting spot that you wouldn’t find in a lot of other places.
Other:
Eagle’s Deli (take the T to Cleveland Circle)
Pinocchio’s (near Harvard Square)
Michael’s Deli (in Brookline)
Hope you enjoy!
xo,
MJ
A belated Halloween post…
Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE Halloween. The combo of fall (one of my fave seasons), dressing up, candy and little kids in costumes is pretty unbeatable. I’ll consider this year’s last minute costumes a total win. All put together with stuff we had in our closets (minus the mask and suspenders). Such a fun, cheap way to get in the Halloween spirit!
Anddddd, another great excuse to break out the selfie stick.
If you’re looking for a little slice of Europe in PDX, look no further than La Moule. Located in a charming section of SE Clinton St. this is a gem that’s not to be missed. Now that the rain is here to stay in Portland, steaming bowls of mussels are perfect for a rain-soaked fall evening!
Earlier this month, I was super honored to have our wedding featured on Wedding Chicks!!
So fun to read the article, see the pics they chose and relive the day all over again.
Link to article here.
Looking for an In-n-Out style burger in Portland? Look no further than All-Way. Yes, it’s in kind of a weird location (random old bldg near Nordstrom on Broadway), but the burgers are delish. We went for lunch, but I think this would be an awesome place to go with friends before or after a night out. Great burgers, full bar – what more can you ask for?
xoxo
MJ
MOLLIE JO 