home for the holidays.

oh hello there. hope this season finds you overwhelmed with peace and joy. i've been making merry these past few weeks and am excited to share that i'll be blogging over here now (and instagramming! @lovewestreading), all about what makes living and playing west reading the bees knees. so i'm SUPER excited to share that with you and to get back to blogging with an exciting new opportunity. i am thankful that my time off proved fruitful and refreshing.

so, to get things going, check back for my holiday glow post - a recap of ladies night on penn ave! and stay tuned for all thing happy and holiday in this beautiful little borough i call home.

[heart stopping ford truck at atwater winery in the finger lakes on saturday]

in the meantime, a huge bless up for the best sunday i've had in forever. watching the snow fall, sipping rose, making fresh tracks and falling asleep to the grateful dead movie. if that's not heaven, i don't know what is.

weekend wonders.

trail maintenance saturday morning on mt. penn with BAMBA. such a fun, sweaty, rewarding morning. we took to the trails to trim back the summer growth and get some poison ivy  and learn about some seriously cool trails BAMBA has been working on for the past few years; we can't wait to tackle them.

sunday morning stop at the west reading diner to fuel up for a long day of moving, followed by a snap of the most beautiful carrots from b&h organic. erica grows some dang pretty food.

it seems appropriate that the first meal at my new gently used kitchen table from just curious? was pizza, with my parents of course. the spoils of a sweaty day's work. 

so, welcome to west reading! i have arrived.

i work out.

[image via the reading eagle]

here. and i'm in the best shape of my life and it's only getting better. because it's a lifestyle thing not a diet thing. so get out there and be good to yourself and i promise you will reap the benefits. learning to love yourself inside and out is a daily practice and you totally deserve it.

friday fuel

doing my thang tonight. come hang out! 

lip service

click on over to bloom today to get the scoop on my sexy senorita red lip for valentine's day! dallas at the bell tower taught me a thing or two about scoring smooch worthy lips and pretty much the most perfect product ever to do so...

smooches!

christin 

best of berks - a bit late...

obviously best of berks was a blast and i am thrilled and thankful to rocking a fancy frock by best boutique winner (again and again and again) bella jules. this little number has taken me everywhere this season and i am digging the winter white. hugs and kisses to shop owner juli on her accomplishment and good taste! 

weekend wonders

bloom where you are pop-up shop this weekend was in full force - lovely people, products and a pretty place to host it! thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support. this is truly a dream come true! plus, saved by a grilled cheese from say cheese! and head over heels for this black cat by dentelion!

serious fiesta throw down on saturday night, not a dish left unfinished! (the best compliment to the cook ever!) coming up, the recipes for my two taco topping musts: cliantro lime yogurt and jicima and radish slaw.

centre park christmas house tour was incredible! these pictures don't even begin to do it justice people. make sure you put this on your holiday to-do list for next year, you will be blown away by the beauty and creativity in these amazing homes. (i have the BEST neighbors!) 

and the most rad poinsettia leaf ever, i had to buy him!

make your list and check it twice

come visit me at our bloom where you are holiday pop-up shop tomorrow at hello bluebird! we promise you'll find the perfect present for everyone on your list - and yourself of course! can't wait to see you people!

Join us this weekend for our annual Holiday Open House!

We can't wait to see you this weekend! Join us Saturday & Sunday for sweet treats, great local artists and handmade gifts, prizes, gift wrapping and more! Three "Pop-Up Shops" will be hosted on the 2nd floor, featuring local favorites such as A Little Sparkle jewelry by Kerry Rorbach, Dentdelion upcycled and eco-friendly childrens' toys by Dasha Gardecki, and Bloom Where You Are's favorite local finds (with Christin Kelley, Melanie Linder, Phoebe Canakis). Enter in-store to win one of 3 gift bags full of awesome handmade goodies! PRINT OR MENTION THIS EMAIL FOR 10% OFF OF YOUR PURCHASE (downstairs only).  Good through Sunday, December 9, 2012. HOLIDAY HOURS: (week prior to Christmas TBA) NOW OPEN MONDAYS, 12-4pm Tuesday 11am-6pm Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday 11am-7pm Friday 11am-8pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

Copyright © 2012 Hello Bluebird, All rights reserved.

what i want wednesday | holiday style

[druzey ring in green by betty carre, $195 at charles hutcheson fine jewelery]

so, i love charles hutcheson fine jewelry on any day of the week. but, i ESPECIALLY love them when i get there and it's NEW SHIPMENT day. (*please note, i should be turned away at the door on those days.) alas, i fell hard for this sparkly beauty by betty carre. i mean come on, it's totally perfect in it's raw organic roughness, so you can still be a little badass and don't feel overly girly, but sparkly enough you can dress her up and take her out. she's an everyday kind of piece, which i've professed before as my forever favorites.

so for those of you taking note (yes, that means you) this is pretty much all i want high up on my holiday wish-list (which you can check out at hutcheson, or make your own for your dad special someone to check!). 

and if you're smart you'll put it in the toe of my stocking because that's where the best and brightest present always is! (like when i got my betty carre stackable rings last year. hint.)

what i want wednesday

[some of the By Boe pieces I'm pining for at Bella Jules]

I'm pretty sure you can't have too much jewelry. And everyday pieces? Well, I believe you should have an arsenal of pretties that are comfortable, chic and casual. Enter: By Boe. Fun, fresh, pretty and simple designs for everyday. These pieces are awesome on their own or even prettier paired up - and great for any budget! But best of all? You don't have to leave Berks County to buy some Boe! Just stop by local boutique stockist Bella Jules and busy yourself with wearing and pairing her beautiful By Boe rings, earrings and necklaces. Happy shopping beautiful!

banana pancakes.

[penn state career fair | united way day of caring | golf tournament | bloom where you are launch]

That's how things have been lately - luckily the good outweighing the bad. So a few images to get you up to speed on what's been happening over here! Happy Monday :)

Art on the Avenue

Every third Saturday in June, West Reading Main Street presents Art on the Avenue. A true street fair filled with art, music and food, it is one of the main events of the area that I anticipate every summer. This year was no exception and I had the good fortune of attending with neighbor and friend Tadd. We perused the shops and street vendors, grooved to local tunes and finally refreshed with the best of the Bloody Mary's at Bistro 614. The perfect way to kick of summer and a wonderful reminder of how far the Greater Reading area has come, and continues to grow. Cheers!

[delightul little must-haves from Just Curious]

[a new feature this year - art on the avenue]

[the best bloody mary in the world from Bistro 614]