Two alliterative dinners in a row, I’m a lucky girl! It started off as a really long day. I rolled out of bed right into my laptop and caught up with wedding plans and updated the GoChicago feeds. By the time I looked up, it was already 10a and I still wanted to get a run in before I met Margaret of MallNetworks for lunch in Lexington. (A string of alliterations!)
It all got done though, and lunch turned out to be more social, less business, so it was really enjoyable. After lunch, I headed up to Burlington Mall, which didn’t live quite up to expectations in terms of stores, but blew the scale when it came to shopping finds. Because it was such a standard mall, I wandered into “Everything but Water,” a store full of nothing but skimpy bathing suits. I knew I wanted something new for Kauaii, but I wasn’t at the point where I was confident enough in my body to buy something. But, I was so bored and had enough time to kill that I went on in. I grabbed a bunch of suits that I never would have tried on before and headed for the dressing rooms. Disposable panties on, I pulled on the first deep turquoise number. It had a flirty little skirt on it with gathered hems, and a twisted bandeau top. I couldn’t believe it, but it really made the most out of my body. It was, honestly, love at first sight despite the large bottoms and small top. Buoyed by the find, I started poking about for a cover up. The sales lady encouraged me to try on a couple Trina Turks, a brand I often eye, but never buy. Bright patterns, bold cuts, assertive and colorful. Probably the antithesis of my natural persona. But, one of the cover ups was so cute. White background, tropical pattern, comfortable, cute and sexy…and $170. I totally bought it. I justified it by saying that I didn’t get myself the fancy Blahniks I wanted, and that I picked up the Vacation Rental Pros gig, so I deserved the treat. Five hours later, I’m still so glad that I have a tissue wrapped treat snuggled in my luggage, along with the perfect turquoise bikini.
Post successful shopping expedition, I headed to Captain Marden’s for dinner. It’s your typical Boston seafood establishment, seersucker and Vera Bradley abounded. I grabbed a seat at the counter and ordered a half pint of fried clams and a lobster roll. The food was hot and fresh, but not as flavorful as I might have expected. The clams were wonderfully juicy and meaty, but I couldn’t taste the clamminess. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to chewy old clams that I couldn’t appreciate the real thing. Same with the lobster roll. It was piled, piled, piled with big chunks of lobster, and nestled in a thick piece of bread sliced just right. Light dressing, just the way I like it, and a dusting of chopped celery. But, the lobster flavor, it was just missing. I find it so hard to believe though, and part of me wonders if it’s just my palate that’s off.
Anyway, that’s all I have for today. Tomorrow, my goal is to get up extraordinarily early, update my GoChicago feeds, get another run in at the fitness center, and casually take off for the airport. It’s been a good, much needed trip, both personally and professionally. I arrived in Boston feeling like a worker bee, and I’m leaving feeling relaxed, accomplished and wow, even beautiful. :)
