While we love to be fashionable, we have to admit that we love comfort even more. The best of both worlds is when soft and luxurious fabrics also make us look good! We found plenty to tempt us at the recent opening of Peruvian Connection on Newbury Street. The new location is one of only seven brick-and-mortar shops for the brand, although in it’s more than 35 years it has accrued throngs of devoted fans online.

The Peruvian Connection started when Annie Hurlbut, an anthropology student researching women’s roles in the Andean markets of Peru, became fascinated by the exquisite handwoven textiles sold at the markets. Annie and her mother realized that there was demand for these beautiful pieces in the United States, and began importing a small collection of textiles which they sold through high-end department stores and by catalog. The business has grown, and so has the range of offerings, however the central thread continues to be artisan-made clothing in native Andean fibers such as alpaca and Pima cotton. Check out the shop the next time you stroll Newbury Street!

Peruvian Connection, 170 Newbury Street, Boston. Open Monday-Friday 10 am-7 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Phone: 857-753-4546. 

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A few weeks back, we took a day trip to Cuttyhunk Island, part of the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts. It was a brisk, cool day and the ferry just opened for the season. There’s something about fresh chowder, the salty sea breeze, and being on the open water. Plus, there were seals!

Cuttyhunk is a quiet place with only fifty-two year-round residents! There are no restaurants on land and certainly no bars, either. We totally loved that, though – the laid back, simple vibe was refreshing. We hope to go back at some point over the summer. It will certainly be interesting to see how vibrant the community becomes!

Have you been to Cuttyhunk before? What was your favorite part of the scenic island?

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Between yesterday’s humidity and the upcoming holiday weekend, there’s no doubt about it: summer is in the air. Although many people tend to jet out of town during the summer months (and we do, too, from time to time), there’s an abundance of events (and many free!) taking place all throughout the city and surrounding area. Boston is a wonderful place to be in the summer, that’s for certain.

The variety of festivals and outdoor splendor that enlivens Boston in the summer months is so wonderful. We’re already saving the date for several upcoming events, including the 6th Annual Boston Handmade Marketplace. We love finding gifts for a dear friend – and even better when local and handmade.

The Somerville Arts Council and Boston Handmade teamed up to create the Boston Handmade Marketplace, where more than twenty local artists and craftspeople sell handmade jewelry, ceramics, fine art, paper goods, and plenty more. They also invite arts organizations and craft studios, who represent an array of media and neighborhoods across the area.

If you’re in town, be sure to get out there and support this vibrant community of local artists and independent business owners.

6th Annual Boston Handmade Marketplace, Union Square (intersection of Washington, Prospect & Somerville Ave.), Somerville, July 13, 3-7pm, with a rain date of July 14. For additional details, please visit Boston Handmade online.

Image Credit: Boston Handmade

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The warmer months in New England bring about a multitude of amazing activities – whether it be a picnic, eating lobster along the shore, or cozying up with a book in grassy knoll. But our favorite of all? The farmers market. We love fresh food, flowers and breezy afternoons. Although you can get fresh, local produce throughout the year, it’s just not the same as roaming around one of the many outdoor markets that spring upon New England come May.

Many local markets are dusting off and opening for the season this week. To find a market by you, please visit the Mass Farmers Market website.

Image Credit: Natalie Chassaigne Kurtzman

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Hooray, the weekend is here! Here are a few of our picks for the next few days:

Flash Forward. This weekend, we hope to check out Flash Forward Festival Boston, featuring emerging photographers from the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Free and open to the public, the festival is hosted by the Fairmont Battery Wharf. The events includes indoor and outdoor exhibitions,including an installation on the Harborwalk, lectures, and nightly events.

Somerville’s Art Market. Strolling a market for handmade crafts and sampling dishes from Boston’s growing food truck scene are two of our absolute favorite ways to while away the weekend. Now in addition to the always amazing SOWA Open Market on Sundays, we can peruse the unique offerings of Assembled: The Handmade Arts Market in Somerville on Saturdays. We are so excited to check this newcomer out – the first market is this Saturday!

Treasure Hunting. Take advantage of the nice weather this weekend to get out of the city – the Brimfield Antique Market continues this weekend, and promises to be full of hidden treasures!

New Shades. All the spring sun in the forecast is further reason to stop by the new Warby Parker store, opening today on Newbury Street! We love their glasses for so many reasons, and the sales people can help even the most indecisive shoppers (that’s us!) find the perfect pair.

HarpoonFest. Harpoon is throwing a party this weekend! Celebrate local beer, local music, and summer at HarpoonFest, Friday from 5:30-11pm, and Saturday from 2-9 pm. More details on the event website.

Burger and Brews. Support music education for Boston Youth at this House of Blues event tonight, starting at 7:30 pm. Enjoy beer from Nantucket’s Cisco Brewers, burgers from Boston restaurants, a silent auction and more.

Do you have an upcoming event that you’d like to see listed on The Weekender? To be considered, send us a note at info@thebostondaybook.com. Have a wonderful weekend! xo

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The Dead Sea Scrolls came to light during the 1940s, found by a shepherd hidden in a cave along the shores of the sea. The scrolls, which had not been seen for 2,000 years, include the oldest known texts of the Bible, along with other contemporary writings. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times exhibit, opening Sunday at the Museum of Science, is an amazing opportunity to be face-to-face with fragments of these priceless scrolls, one of the most important archaeological finds of the last 100 years. The writings are contextualized within a collection of antiquities from the area, including a fragment of Jeruselem’s Western Wall, ossuaries from the time, and more. We can’t wait to delve into this fascinating exhibit!

PS. For those really interested in the topic, check out this special event on Tuesday evening!

Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times. On view May 19-October 20. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. Special timed ticket required: adults $32, seniors $29, children $27, members $8. Tickets available online, or call 617-723-2500. Exhibit created by the Israel Antiquities Authority from the collections of the Israel National Treasures, produced by Discovery Times Square and The Franklin Institute. 

Photo Credit: Darryl Moran/ The Franklin Institute

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We’ve had a crush on Warby Parker since they entered this world. Our feelings heightened with the introduction of Warby Barker, eyewear for dogs. I mean, c’mon, a monocle wearing bulldog? It doesn’t get much cuter – or more creative – than that.

Warby Parker has won us over for many reasons, including disruption of the eyewear market. By cutting out the middle man. Warby Parker is able to offer incredible prices, even on prescription lenses. Plus, did you know that for every pair of glasses bought, a pair is donated to a someone in need? We love that by picking up a new pair, we’re doing a bit of good.

In addition to prescription and non-prescription glasses, Warby Parker offers an array of sunglasses. We fell in love with the Mabel – aren’t they just fabulous?

Warby Parker has chosen our fabulous city as the spot for their second store (their flagship Big Apple store was first, of course), which opens its doors tomorrow! Be sure to stop in and meet the friendly people behind this great brand.

Warby Parker, 83 Newbury Street, 2nd floor (between Berkeley and Clarendon). Store hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, noon-6pm. For more info, be sure to visit Warby Parker online or call 508-658-7444.

Image Credit: Warby Parker

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This Saturday marks the kick off ASSEMBLED: The Handmade Arts Market at Assembly Row! The weekly market will be full of handmade objects from local artisans. Music and food trucks round out the event, and several dates will feature demos and workshops from participating artists. Each week a different group of artists will be featured – this week the spotlight is on Boston-based Etsy shops. (These cool fabric hoops are from Jillian Audrey.)

ASSEMBLED: The Handmade Market at Assembly Row. Saturdays 11 am-4 pm from May 18-September 21 (excluding holiday weekends). Grand Union Boulevard along the Mystic River, Somerville.

Image Credit: Jillian Audrey

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Have you been commuting to work this week as part of the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge or otherwise participating in the Bay State Bike Week? If you have, make time to celebrate your accomplishment at Friday morning’s Bike Week Celebration! From 7-9 am, join other bikers for free breakfast and refreshments at City Hall Plaza – local shops will be on hand to offer bike advice, and more! You can also join a group of bicyclists from your area to ride to City Hall together. If you miss it this week, the fun will continue with Bike Fridays once a month all summer long.

Bike Week Celebration, Friday, May 17, 7-9 am. Register here to let the organizers know how many people to expect. 

Image Credit: Daniel Bahcheli

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