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BOSTON

The Work Week in Boston: Monday, September 27 – Thursday, September 30

The Swapaholics Boston - Fashion Week Sip & Swap

Time flies when you’re having fun, right? The weekend may have passed in the blink of an eye, but Boston is once again keeping the work week interesting. In addition to nightly events for Boston Fashion Week, there’s networking with Boston World Partnerships and a lively night of belly dancing at The Beehive competing for your presence this week.

Monday, September 27 – Closet Couture at the W Hotel
Ever open your closet only to declare that you have nothing to wear? Happens to me frequently while playing the “outfit game” before work. Whether you’re seeking a fab find or a fun night out, head to the W Hotel on Monday night from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. for a fashion show featuring both high and low end pieces from Second Time Around. An after-party with Stuff Magazine and a Second Time Around Pop-Up store kicks off immediately following the fashion show at 10:00 p.m. Admission is free and the event is 21+.

BOSTON, EVENTS

The Weekend: September 25-26

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

Now that it’s officially fall, I’m treating every final burst of warm weather as if it could be our last. With temperatures on Saturday expected in the mid-80s and Sunday near 70, it’s a great weekend to get out and enjoy Boston. This weekend, free fun is the name of the game, especially when it comes to art and music. In addition to free entry at several of the city’s top museums on Saturday, there are a few amazing (and free) concerts to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Here are my top picks for events this Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, September 25

Free Jazz Fest in the South End
From noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, follow the sweet sounds of live jazz to Mass. Ave and Columbus Ave. in the South End for the tenth annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. Serving as the grand finale to a series of events and performances that have been happening throughout the city since September 15, this all-day, outdoor festival features three stages with great performers, including Al Kooper and the Funky Faculty, the Jonathan Batiste Trio, and more. For a full schedule of today’s events, please click here.

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

The Work Week in Boston: Monday, September 20 – Thursday, September 23

While walking through the city this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice a great energy in the air. Whether generated by the crisp fall air, returning college students, or store windows filled with fabulous fall fashions, it made me realize that there’s no time like the present to enjoy Boston.

Boston Wine Week

Luckily, there are a variety of fun events scheduled from Monday through Thursday this week that involve wine, fashion, rubbing elbows and indoor mini golf. Here are my top picks:

Monday, September 20 – Raise a Glass to Boston Wine Week

From September 20 through September 26, more than twenty participating restaurants in Boston are offering a minimum of six wines at $9 per glass, or $32 per bottle as part of the first annual Boston Wine Week. With the goal of making amazing vino more accessible to the masses, Bostonians can start their week in style by sampling wine and gobbling up complimentary pizzettes with the Second Glass at BiNA Osteria on Monday from 6-7 p.m.. For more information on participating restaurants and events throughout the week, please click here.

BOSTON, FASHION

Fashion Update: Coat-Obsessed at Zara

High Collar Double Breasted Coat, $169, from Zara

With a highly trafficked store on Newbury Street and suburban stores in Natick, Burlington and Peabody, Zara is slowly making a name for itself in Massachusetts. While the chain may be newer to the area, my obsession with the brand started during my semester in London around six years ago, when I visited the store’s locations throughout Europe, including Paris, Rome and Barcelona. At present, Zara sells clothing for men, women and children in Boston, but I’m hopeful that they will eventually bring their supercool Zara Home extension to the U.S. one day!

Since Zara opened in Boston, I’ve found myself gravitating toward their gorgeous blazers and jackets. Well-tailored and fashion forward, a great jacket or blazer is an easy way to embrace seasonal trends, or extend the wearability of your favorite summer pieces. This season, my wishlist is focused on classic pieces that I don’t have in my wardrobe yet, including a tan high-collared double-breasted knee-length coat that can play double-duty between the workweek and weekend. At $169, the wool-angora blend seems reasonable. To view this coat on Zara.com, please click here.

Gathered Neck Coat With Belt, $129, from Zara

Also on my wishlist is a cozy black and white fall tweed jacket with a gathered neck and belt. I love jackets with a high neckline and this one checks off all the right boxes with its figure flattering tailoring, hidden buttons and waist cinching belt. At $129, this wool-polyester blend coat is also affordable. I can just see it now with black pants and a colorful sweater for work, or skinny jeans during the weekend. Honestly, anything *but* the ensemble that they have it styled with on their website (re: socks and sandals are not my thing)! The jacket is gorgeous in person and the Zara.com website photo does not do it justice. For more information about this jacket on Zara.com, please click here.

Unfortunately, U.S. customers cannot purchase from Zara.com, but a store visit is always worth it. If visiting the Newbury Street store, I highly recommend going early before it’s jam-packed and not as organized. I’ve also been to the Natick Collection, which is smaller and much less hectic. It’s also a great location to hunt down coveted pieces that are already sold out from the Newbury Street store. Happy Shopping!

BOSTON, RECIPES

Sweatin’ in the City: How I’m Trying to Beat the Heat

Christian Science Center Plaza Fountain by Jessica Gioglio

Hot. Sticky. Humid. Oppressive. Unbearable. Just a few words that I have been abusing this week. In between sucking down water and fighting my urge to jump into the Charles River, here’s how I’ve been beating the heat this week:

Sip: Coconut Water. Sweating depletes both sodium and potassium, making this lightly sweet beverage a nice way to refuel. Offering more potassium than two bananas, sodium and sugar for energy, I’ve been sipping on one per day to replenish. Though there are many brands available, I’m partial to Vita Coco.

Stay: Air-Conditioned Office Building: I’ve never loved my office so much. Usually I complain about the overly cold air conditioning, but this week, the temperature feels just right. I’ve actually found myself staying a bit later than usual to postpone going back to my heat box of an apartment. Don’t work in an office building? If I didn’t, I’d be spending my time in public buildings, like the Boston Public Library, Prudential Center, movie theatre and local museums.

Splash: Christian Science Center Plaza Fountain: While there are several great fountains around the city, this one has attracts both locals and tourists equally. Though a shorted power cable temporarily disabled the fountain yesterday, it’s now back up and running. It’s not only little kids that can shriek in delight while running through the spiral streams of water! Who’s dashing through with me!?

Savor: Summer Soups. My friend Gabi has a fantastic food blog with oodles of soups, slaws, salads and salsa recipes perfect for cooling off after a hot day. I can personally attest to going gaga for her Summer Gazpacho and slurping the wine-infused Chilled Watermelon Soup with delight.

Splurge: Double Shot Affogato. When this Health.com recipe popped into my inbox this week, I was instantly taken back to Italy, where I first tried this yummy espresso and coffee ice cream dessert drink. Why didn’t I think to try and re-create this at home sooner? Click here for the recipe.

With scorching temperatures scheduled to run through the weekend, how have you been keeping cool this week?

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