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BOSTON

BOSTON, FASHION

Fashion Update: Forever 21 Opens on Newbury Street

Forever 21 by Jessica Gioglio

Have snow boots, will shop!  While the weather may have postponed Forever 21’s January 8 grand opening event on Newbury Street, it didn’t discourage Bostonians from flocking to the trendy chain in search of fashion-forward bargains.

Located at the top of Newbury Street between Hereford Street and Mass. Ave., Boston’s Forever 21 boasts a whopping four levels, three of which are dedicated to the ladies and one at the very top to the gents.  Upon entry to the shop, I was struck by something that I don’t usually see at Forever 21: well-done visual merchandising.

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BOSTON

First Photo of 2011

Tree Near the MFA by Jessica Gioglio

Inspired by the unseasonably warm weather, I couldn’t resist getting my New Year off on the right foot with a long walk, followed by a dash of culture.  Thanks to a few kind Bostonians, I was tipped off that the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum was open – and free – on New Year’s Day!  Too bad there wasn’t a twitterer in line to warn me of the long line to get in!

While en route to the museum, I snapped this cool photo just before the Museum of Fine Arts.  I’ve always been inspired by bare tree limbs and love the contrast between the inky black branches and the late afternoon sky.

The photo was snapped with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 which I purchased following an unfortunate Halloween camera debacle. So far, the camera’s intelligent auto feature has made this sleek digital camera a solid sidekick, though I find myself turning off the flash more often than not.

While my museum trip may have been a bust due to the long line, I did enjoy a very long walk through the Fens, into the Back Bay and along the Charles River.

Talk about getting the New Year off on the right foot!

BOSTON

Welcome to 2011!

Before I fully embrace 2011, I couldn’t resist taking one last look at 2010.  The past twelve months marked another great year for The SavvyBostonian.  Site traffic has continued to grow steadily and I’m constantly delighted by the great comments, emails and tweets I see in response to my blog entries.

So, what better way to celebrate the end of 2010 than by shining a spotlight on my top two blog entries of the year?  Almost too appropriate, given that the tagline for my blog is, “Adventures Around Boston and Beyond,” the winners are:

Brownie Mix + Canned Pumpkin= Amazing Brownie Bites
I never thought that my number one blog entry for 2010 would be about food. Well, specifically, my delicious reduced guilt brownie bites that are SO easy to make!  In my quest to be a better home chef and entertainer, expect to see more blog entries on adventures in my tiny Boston kitchen in 2011….

Coppa: Italian Small Plates in Boston’s South End
For Boston, seems that the buzz surrounding Coppa in Boston’s South End lead people to the web – and luckily to the SavvyBostonian.  I really enjoyed my dining experience at Coppa with my favorite food blogger and hope to go back again soon.  Stay tuned for more restaurant reviews in 2011…

Thank you again for stopping by The SavvyBostonian! Without your comments and tips, this ‘lil old blog would not exist – or continue to grow!  So, what do I have in store for 2011?  A lot, actually.  But you’ll just have to stop in every so often to see for yourself!

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Friday, December 3: Social Boston Sports Hosts 3rd Annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at Bleacher Bar

SBS Ugly Holiday Sweater Party 2009

On Friday, December 3, embrace the spirit of the season with Social Boston Sports (SBS) as they host their 3rd annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at Bleacher Bar.  Kicking off at 9:00 p.m., wearing sweaters adorned with an unnecessary amount of sparkle, puff paint, bells, or bows will make you the star of this soiree.  You may even win a prize for outshining your fellow revelers!

Tickets to the event cost $15, though one third of all party revenues will be donated to several local charities, including Hospitality Homes, Starlight Foundation, and Play Ball!  Tickets can be purchased at www.socialbostonsports.com.

As someone who attended last year (I’m the 2nd from the right in the photo above), I can attest to how fun and festive this party is!  You’ll see ugly sweaters that will boggle your mind – so tacky, yet kind of a work of art in their own right.  Plus, if you don’t have an ugly holiday sweater, fear not – just wear something that showcases your holiday spirit.  Think cheesy, gaudy or sparkly – or a wacky Santa cap, or reindeer antlers!

Adding to the fabulousness of the event will be Smuttynose brews, live music from local cover band Pete From Last Night (PFLN), plus Bleacher Bar’s cool window peeking into Fenway Park.

Bleacher Bar is located at 82A Lansdowne Street alongside Fenway Park.

BOSTON, FASHION

Fashion Update: Fab Finds at H&M

Have you popped into H&M lately?  Is it me, or has the brand really been upping the fashion ante?  While I haven’t seen the highly anticipated new Lanvin for H&M collection in person yet, I’m pretty impressed by the band’s array of tweed blazers, sparkly dresses and open cardigans.  I recently bought the cool army green military inspired cardigan with silver chain detailing pictured above.

Also of note from H&M is a fabulous new fall/winter jacket, which has kind of turned into the new love of my life.  Available in classic navy, this collarless jacket has a modern ruffle detail along the pockets and a cinched waist that creates curves in all the right places. At $99, this coat is perfect for a brisk fall or warmer winter day and looks fantastic when paired with a cute scarf and knee-high boots.  It’s quickly turned into my new favorite ensemble to stroll throughout Boston in. Click here for a photo.

While I usually frequent the Newbury Street H&M, I’d like to give a special shoutout to the Downtown Crossing location.  I recently went on a Saturday around lunchtime and the store was incredibly well organized and not terribly crowded, making for a much more enjoyable shopping experience.  I loathe crowds, so the opportunity to shop undisturbed was a real treat!

H&M in Downtown Crossing is located at 350 Washington Street.  The H&M in the Back Bay is located at 100 Newbury Street.  During your visit, inquire about discounts for checking into Facebook Places on your smartphone to unlock a coupon.