neighborhood faves: beacon hill

while the north end has been my home for quite some time, and the south end is one of my newer obsessions in boston, beacon hill (and charles street specifically) has always been my favorite. it's the first neighborhood in the city I called home, housed my college right on the tippity top (holla suffolk!) and is the epicenter for preppy bostonians . I'm obsessed with the old world charm, the cobblestones, the old buildings, and the incredible boutique shopping and amazing restaurants. I've rounded up a few of my favorite boutiques for scoring the best pieces, and my favorite restaurants for incredible meals and the prettiest cocktails.

shop:

crush boutique has been one of my favorites forever. my broke college self was famous for window shopping/lusting after their pieces whether it was this location, or their other on newbury street. they carry a bunch of my favorite boutique brands like bb dakota, splendid, olive & oak, and plenty by tracy reese.

wish boutique is another one of my favorites. where crush is a bit more edgy and trend driven, wish stocks more of a classic look with timeless basics, which I love. the spot for the perfect fitting pair of jeans, a great dress for an 'oh so special' occasion, a tops that blend seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe. classic brands like j. brand, ella moss, theory, tibi, and vince are always my go-to's.

the beauty mark is the cosmetic and skin care destination on beacon hill. packed with harder to find brands like kai, duwop, julie hewett, and lipstick queen- it's a far cry from the glowing aisles of a sephora or ulta. the store also doubles as a beautification destination- have your lashes done, your makeup applied and a mini (or full) mani while you wait. definitely my kind of place!

dine/drink:

the king and I is hands down my favorite thai restaurant in boston. their pad thai is my favorite, and I've tried my fair share of pad thai (and nothing else compares). small location, but super clean, the staff is always friendly, and the food is always fresh and amazing.

the paramount is one of my favorite breakfast places in the city. I am a sucker for their french toast (caramel and banana) and pancakes (chocolate chip) and the giant line I'm always met with, tells me that the rest of the city is too! any restaurant that's managed to stick around since the 30's has to be doing something right.

the liberty hotel is an amazing mix of restaurants and bars that each have their own vibe/clientele. the hotel (a former prison- so cool!) is split into clink, alibi, liberty bar, the yard, and catwalk. clink and alibi utilize the old bars for the true prison feel, and feature framed celebrity mug shots. it's a tight space, it is a old jail remember, but a great place for grabbing drinks with your girlfriends or date night. liberty bar and the yard are located in the lobby (and the tiers above the lobby), and are the best for people watching. the yard is the outdoor space and fun if you have a table with a big group, or for a nice summer night.

what are some of your favorite spots on beacon hill?

xx, marissa

neighborhood faves: south end

working in the south end for the past year and a bit has given me a new appreciation for the neighborhood that I fell in love with during college. there are so many unique and interesting boutiques/studio spaces and some of the most amazing restaurants in the city, that it's easy to stick to the same places you know and love. based on recommendations from my bosses/their friends (some of who have lived in the neighborhood for 30+ years and seen the sub-par places come and go), I've branched out and tried new places/popped into boutiques that I may have missed. here is a round up of some of my faves:

DINE:

Myers + Chang- my hands down, favorite restaurant in the South End. whenever we're ordering in lunch for a birthday/celebration/just because at work, this is always my pick. it's fresh, real ingredient Asian cuisine, that will make it almost impossible to eat your standard Americanized Chinese food. the blackened udon noodles are my favorite, but their spring rolls, thai ginger chicken, and pork dumplings are all equally amazing.

The Beehive- is a restaurant that my roommate and I tried during last years Restaurant Week and instantly fell in love! during the warmer months the outdoor seating is the best- twinkle lights, small bistro tables, and perfect people watching. but inside and downstairs is what makes this restaurant truly amazing. the vibe is an old speak easy with a stage for jazz performers (every night!), small intimate tables, dark lighting, and thick drapes. there's also a great bar area that's perfect for grabbing drinks with girlfriends- the queen bee is my favorite (I'm a sucker for anything with champagne and elderflower). there isn't anything about this restaurant that isn't just the coolest. one of my favorite spots for bringing people who are new to the neighborhood.

Cinquecento- amazing Italian that defines it's style at "Roman Trattoria", whatever. gorgeous ambiance, perfect spot for a date night or girl's night out, or for after-work cocktails. my favorite dish is definitely the pollo al mattone, but the kale salad is a pretty close second (trust me, order it).

SHOP:

M. Flynn Studio- I may be a bit partial to this store for one reason or another, but if you're looking for a boutique that carries amazing designers (including their own in-house brand), unique & classic pieces, and great gifts at any price point, you've found your perfect place. everything from custom engagement rings/wedding bands to fun statement necklaces, gorgeous clutches, and vintage costume jewelry. or well known designers (like Alexis Bittar, Erickson Beamon, and Clare Vivier) and newer designers like (Les Nereides, Wevly Wilson, Doloris Petunia).

FLOCK- this store is a perfect mix of Anthropologie + Urban Outfitters = a cool indie boutique. the owner stocks her shelves with cool hippie inspired pieces, awesome jewelry, and cool trinkets that you can't help but scoop up. a lot of fresh and young pieces that are different from many of the boutiques in the area/Newbury Street.

PATCH NYC- the coolest place for unique housewares, candles and things that you never knew you needed to have, but totally do. this designer duo has had collaborations with just about everyone (Target, Anthropologie, and West Elm), and also have a studio/gallery space for their art work. the boutique feels like the perfectly curated home of your eclectic aunt/uncle or a worldly professor.

what are some of your favorite spots in the South End?

xx, marissa