a fenway treasure

Gosh, I just took quite the hiatus! Midterms week at the conservatory and a recital monopolized my time completely. I barely put on a nice outfit all week, let a lone had time for a shoot! Oh well, I'm now relaxed and rested after a little weekend skiing with family and will be back on top of things! It is lovely to be home in Maine for a few days before heading back to the city to get some work done over spring break. I never get over how quiet the nights are here.

A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts in between my morning and afternoon classes. As an arts student, I get free admission whenever I please, so decided to go in the morning before the school groups had arrived, and the swaths of retirees swarm the impressionist wing. What a magnificent feeling of solidarity, tranquility, and a rush of inspiration I felt walking alone in the marble rooms. It was just me and my relationship with some of the world's greatest art. Oh, and my camera!

 

Where do you feel most creative? Where are some of your favorite museums? What a magical place, the MFA!

classical columns

 

This week has been filled with unexpectedly fun experiences. For some reason, a few professors at my conservatory have decided to give midterm exams two weeks early. I wasn't exactly prepared for a whole mess of studying after such a relaxing and warm Valentine's Day week. I didn't want to study, do laundry, or anything productive around the apartment. All I want to do is throw on my headphones and walk. Walk anywhere really. 

I've been exploring Boston further and further this month. I've discovered not only more about the actual city, but have met a smattering of really genuine and interesting people in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and of course Berklee and Boston Conservatory students alike, rushing through the latte line at Pavement on my days off. These photos were taken next to the Back Bay Fens, Boston's very own swamp/garden/footpath/park that is around the corner from my street. The sun was shining so brilliantly at high noon, so my best friend Erin borrowed my Nikon snapped these!

 

I'm wearing my Marc by Marc Jacobs blazer, H&M black skinnys, some UO sweater set, and my $5 thrift store brown leather boots.  The brooch was my very first piece of vintage costume jewelry. I bought it at age 12. It's still my favorite. 

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a beacon hill valentine

 

The weather today was a Valentine's Day gift to all of Boston. Almost 50 degrees and sunny with entirely clear skies. I was stuck in bed sick almost all of last week, so I was almost giddy to get out of class and outside into the delightful weather. It was the perfect day for a long stroll, so I head down Mass Ave and onto Beacon Street to make my way to Beacon Hill. As a student, I like to walk down the fancy streets to day dream when I pass the gorgeous brownstones and wonder what sort of well-to-do lives inside. Today, I walked to Charles Street, the main street for the Beacon Hill neighborhood. It is home to some of the most lovely boutiques and specialty food shops. On this Valentine's Day, I stopped into Beacon Hill Chocolates to take a look around and snap some shots of their festive decor. (And also to try a truffle or two!)

Charles Street is almost like leaving the city. It doesn't have the normal vibe of Back Bay/Fenway area that I'm used that is littered with college students. There are families here. It reminds me of a small town. Reminds me of home.

hotel back bay

Finally! An outfit post. And after this week of apocalyptic weather conditions and a practically empty refrigerator I have finally ventured out to take some outfit photos. I really wanted to take document this blizzard against my poses, but the city has dirtied up the pristine white snow and has transformed fluffy piles into mud colored boulders piled street side.

This green door is pretty great, though. It's on Symphony Road, an apartment building that used to be an old hotel. This garage door was it's valet entrance, I'm assuming. The building still has it's old fashioned bulb-ed awning/overhang where fancy couples used to enter as a young door man greeted them to Back Bay, Boston.

The dress I'm wearing is one of my favorite Newbury Street finds from a few years ago at Soodee, a small women's boutique. I love the little Dutch couples dancing across the fabric! It's such a unique print! My blazer is a deal I scored at Madewell, and my boots are from Lucky. The fur is vintage (You might recognize it from my post last month!), and like always, I'm sporting my white ceramic Fossil watch.

wishing for fruhlingsglaube

So this week I have been a complete fail and haven't been taking outfit photos because school and working at Pavement have made me a recluse exclusive to work and school. I WILL do an outfit post this week in the beautiful blizzard that is now upon us Boston residence yet again. Today, we get 20 inches. The conservatory has decided to close at noon, so I have the rest of the afternoon to drink tea, start a new knitting project, and make cookies with my good friend Leia.

One of the pieces I'm singing this semester is a Schubert lied called "Fruhlingsglaube". I love Schubert art song and this piece has such a beautifully delicate line and an accompaniment that embodies the yearning I feel around this time of year for green grass, blue skies, and an abundance of yellow sunshine. This year in the conservatory is a year full of change. The shine has worn off that was once so bright during the first year, and voices are still too young to take on full roles. It's a time to refine technique and establish yourself as an important part of the conservatory's vocal department. This lied encompasses all that is my second year.

This piece, sung by German mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig is one of my favorite versions. Her sound is so full and warm, but tender and sweet. Simply gorgeous.

Frühlingsglaube (Spring faith)
Text by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787-1862)
Set by (Jakob Ludwig) Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847), op. 9, # 8; Franz Peter Schubert
(1797-1828), D. 686

The gentle breezes are awakened,
they whisper and stir day and night,
they create to all ends.
(and penetrate everywhere.)

Oh fresh scent, oh new sound!
Now, poor heart, be not afraid.
Now must it all, all change.
The world grows fairer with each day,

one knows not, what still to-come may,
(one does not know, what is still to come,)
the flowering will not cease;

there blooms the most-distant, deepest valley
(the farthest, deepest valley blooms)
now, poor heart, forget your torment!

Now must it all, all change.
(Literal translation and IPA transcription © 2008 by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC)

time away

It has been so crazy this past week. School is in session and this semester is not going to be a walk in the park. I haven't had time to shoot more photos, but this later this week or weekend I'll be sure to find time for some lovely ones.

Photo cred. to Adam Augustine, another wonderful friend.

The other day when I was thrifting, Molly found this tiny sailboat in the pocket of a trench coat at Goodwill. I loved it so much, she let me keep it. It is so special. I think there is some weird lint in this picture too, lolz.

burbank

Boston's Back Bay has some lovely little neighborhood gems. Last summer when I was wondering around the city I walked past this abandoned conviance store. Burbank Street, is actually only a few blocks away from my apartment and I had no idea these boarded up and collaged windows were there. I knew I wanted to use these windows in some sort of photo project. When I was thinking where to shoot this outfit, I imagined my dainty sweater and delicate lace collar would contrast nicely with the faded and dirty mess of outdated posters and graffiti. 

This is the new sweater that I picked up from Goodwill last week and I am in love with it! It is so snuggly and warm and goes with everything. The blue and white striped blouse is from 40 South Street, a small vintage shop in Jamaica Plain. The small brooch is also vintage. Those old black pants are from Marshalls, I think. 

School starts again on Wednesday. I'm ready for some structure in my life, that's for sure. I have some Schubert and Mozart I'm working on for my first lesson and I can't wait to see all of my voice class together again.

My lovely roommate/best friend Erin made some amazing brownies last night. Is it bad to have one for breakfast? ;)