This week I am opening the newsletter with something unrelated, and that’s the fact that social media has a way of killing things. In this case, I am talking about the memes from Usher’s vibrant Tiny Desk. Why vibrant was my word choice is beyond me, but social media has run this trend into the ground. I have seen people use the clip from the “Confession” intro to say things like this is what they say when people don’t believe that are getting their second plate of food, or to their partner, as they go to ball out in Target. Like, I get it, but let’s get let this go.
Now back to what I planned to write about today, my travel guide to Portland, Maine. Over the weekend, I got a chance to visit Portland with my girlfriends, and it was great. I tend to laugh a lot, if you know me, but it’s something about being with your friends and laughing until you cry that warms my heart. Below, I have created a scrapbook from my trip with a few recommendations and notes. Let me know in the comments if there is anything that I missed aside from Duckfat (I know, I know).
Cape Elizabeth, ME: Bite Into Maine and Portland Head Light
We went here for Lobster Rolls and to see the lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in the world. I got two Lobster Rolls to try: the Connecticut and one with Wasabi. The Wasabi one was a random choice for your girl, which I admit wasn't necessary. The Connecticut was good - lots of meat, but it was served cold with hot butter, which baffled me.
Also, my budget was like, "sis, why did you do that," because I spent $78 on two lobster rolls. So I channeled my dad's words, "Money is only here to fuel the experience," because I did. Another note is both destinations are footsteps away from each other. So you could get a roll and walk across to look at the lighthouse.
Boothbay, ME: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Part of this showed me how much of a city girl I am. I thought I was one with nature, but either nature or trolls are not my thing. However, I will say that the traditional Botanical Garden aspect of the park makes up for the trolls. It was beautiful and tranquil; I felt like I was walking through a Georgia O’Keefe painting. We also got to walk through a butterfly sanctuary and learned a lot of information about their hibernation schedule, their life span - they only live weeks and more.
A few other places worth sharing:
Coffee by Design - for you guessed it, coffee. Try the Tuxedo with Oatmilk. CHEF'S KISS
Solo Italiano - Their Focaccia bread was delicious. If you go here, though, realize either you need to get a few courses, OR you need to get something else to snack on after - big plates, small, small portions.
Red's Dairy Freeze - Their sundae was tasty
Downtown Portland, Maine for roaming around - Lots of cute little shops to check out plus many places to sit and people watch
The Bar of Chocolate - This is a cocktail bar with many choices. By the time we came here, we were all a little tired, and people were drunk and loud, BUT the Espresso Martini I had was pretty good. I will say, however, that the bar's name's odd, given that there weren't many chocolate options.
That’s that's of that. Here are a few other things I thought were worth sharing this week:
I made a few updates to my Summer Playlist and my Mellow Playlist.
I finally finished watching Anatomy of a Scandal on Netflix and thought about many things, including how fire Sienna Miller's wardrobe on the show was. Although the plot presents itself early, the way you get there is interesting. It put me in the same mindset as HBO's The Undoing, which starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. Both were based on books, The Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan, and the Undoing was based on the book You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz.
I loved this episode of the All The Smoke podcast featuring Desus & Mero.
Lots on reading: a new way to select your next book, and here are a few bookstores around the country that you should visit. Also adding in a plug for a few of my favorite bookstores which aren't on the list: New York's Strand Book Store, San Francisco's City Lights, and Portland's (Oregon this time) Powell's book store. One more thing to share about bookstores, which is a re-share from a few weeks ago, is the 65 best bookstores in Los Angeles if you're ever visiting.
I am sure you have seen this article floating around the internet about surrounding yourself with admirers, but it's a pretty good read.
Well, that’s ithat'sthis week; I’ll holI'll