It’s Time For Some

Love, Love, Love.

I just got back to my overly-drafty-apartment in Manhattan after a lovely weekend at home playing guitar and going for walks in the snow. Upon sitting down at my desk I suddenly realized that I hadn’t blogged in a long while! The main reason for my lack of posts is because of school and work, as usual. Having time to explore and find hidden treasures in this city filled with commercialism and corporate this and that, is a true treat. Lately, due to my hectic schedule, I find myself only having time to discover new tunes.

I promised myself a while ago that even if I only had one band to share with you that I would post it.  I love this blog and it’s really therapeutic to just sit here and rattle off why I like bands and restaurants and so on.  About this time last year I was looking to express myself in a new way and I came up with this blog. I had no idea that it would change the way I look at the world.  Now when I go on walks I never neglect to look in every store window, wondering what that new or old place has to show me. Every time my friends talk about new music, I never knock it until I try it; some have turned out to be my favorite bands. I suppose the message I’m getting at is to try something new, it just may turn out to be your favorite thing.

This post is going to be about Love . It’s always the season to show the people you love just how much you do. These are some of the things that remind me of the people I love.

City And Colour

City and Colour is Dallas Green, guitarist and vocalist from the Canadian band Alexisonfire. I recently got his second album “Bring Me Your Love” which was released in 2008. It is a wonderful album filled with his personal stories about love and dealing with the world around him. This solo project is very different from the hardcore sounds of Alexisonfire.  “Bring Me Your Love” is mostly acoustic, with some harmonica, banjo and piano. The first song I listened to off of the album was “The Girl”, a beautiful song about understanding and respecting what people do for love.

“I wish I could do better by you,
’cause that’s what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work.

While I’m off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I’m yours to keep
My beautiful girl

When you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else’s dreams
I think I might totally be lost
You don’t ask for no diamond rings no delicate string of pearls
That’s why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl”

City and Colour is one of my new favorite bands. Dallas Green’s voice is so soothing and calm, his lyrics are honest, and the music is the perfect backdrop for everything.  Please listen, he will make you see love in a new and more poetic way.

City And Colour, Bring Me Your Love Album Cover

http://www.cityandcolour.ca/

Cupcakes

What better way to show someone how much you love them than with 40 red velvet cupcakes with pink frosting in a formation of a heart? I’m usually one of the most festive people around but on Valentines Day I usually tone down my decorating habits. This holiday to me is not a day to shower a loved one with expected chocolates and roses. It is a holiday that gives us all an excuse to leave the rest of the world behind and only focus on that one special person in your life. I like Valentines Day. It may very well be over commercialized but the day isn’t about that stuff. We all get distracted on a normal basis and don’t have the time to make grand gestures of love, this holiday makes everyone slow down for a minute to love and be loved. So this Valentines Day don’t get caught up in the annoyance of the media forcing you to plan the perfect date or buy the perfect gift. A day spent with the person or people you love is what this holiday is truly for!  If for some reason you have far too many valentines, bake everyone a red velvet cupcake…they always make me think of love

Red Velvet Cupcakes I baked

I’ll be spending this Valentines with a very special boy, I’m excited for whatever it is we decide to do… Maybe we’ll take a stroll in Strawberry Fields, go to an old bookstore, or make some dinner together .

My Valentines! www.TheLondonBroil.com

If you are me, February 14th is a VERY important holiday because it is my Moms Birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone, I hope it’s filled with lots of love!

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)

P.S. Little unknown fact about TheTravelingPickle! The ducks in the photo on my header were from a photo I took in central park last Valentines Day.

New Year

New Music

What better way to start off the new year than with some good tunes? I have been getting floods of new music and loving all of it. The iPod touch and record player I got for Christmas have already been put to good use! My winter break from college is almost done and it’s been quite rejuvenating to sit around for a couple of weeks and enjoy time with friends, family, and a cute pup. Now that it’s almost time to go back to the big city, I’m equipped with some great music to keep me calm and thinking about the ways of the world. I have three excellent finds for you, so get your ears ready for some magic.

Wakey!Wakey!

Wakey!Wakey! is essentially Mike Grubbs, a musician that now claims New York as home. Living the dream of coming to New York City to become a musician and succeeding, he is truly making the rest of us look bad. Wakey!Wakey! released their first EP, War Sweater, in May 2009. The EP consists of five powerful songs with a lot of piano and acoustic guitar (my favorites). The way Grubbs writes is very personal, there’s raw emotion that isn’t laid out into metaphors or similes about life, it’s just real and in plain terms. One of my favorite songs is “War Sweater”-

“New York is dangerous, littered with thieves
We’ve no morals here, we just do as we please….
But I don’t wanna go home where they all stare at me
cause I’m tattooed, and fired up, and drunk, and obscene…

You wear your religion like a War Sweater.
You ask for the truth, but you know you could do so much better,
and you sat on your fences, you’ve screamed no retreat…
So now what will your legacy be?”

There’s a connection that most young New Yorkers can feel towards this song and many others, without knowing Grubbs specific emotion behind it. In most cities it is easy to feel confused about the ways of people because everyone just does what they want to with no questions asked. That can be disconcerting on most days, but none of us want to go back home where minds are closed and confused as to why we wear our hair the way we do. Mike Grubbs has captured a very unique sound with his strong vocals, piano and easy strumming of the guitar, it is so easy to listen to. You can catch some of Grubbs musical stylings on CW’s One Tree Hill, he currently plays the bartender with a hidden musical talent. Wakey!Wakey! is a must listen to!

http://www.myspace.com/wakeywakeymusic

Wakey!Wakey!- War Sweater

Hockey

Hockey is a band that makes you want to move your feet.  They started out playing parties and evolved their sound to fit what people could groove to the most.  After the success of their upbeat first EP, Mind Chaos, it seems that Hockey IS the party. Their Bassist, Jeremy Reynolds describes the bands goal as “[wanting] to make dance music that was infectious, almost like: this is a band but it might as well be a DJ.” They released Mind Chaos with Capital records in September 2009. This includes eleven tracks that one could easily get down with. Just because their focus is on making people move  doesn’t mean that they don’t have excellent lyrics.  In fact, unlike most other dance music trends, Hockey’s lyrics don’t just simply repeat and annoy. I’ve been loving the tracks “Song Away” and “Learn to Lose”. They sound a lot like a mix of Head Automatica and The Strokes. If you’re looking for something fun and excellent for the New Year, then Hockey is a great listen!

http://hockeyband.ning.com/

Hockey-Mind Chaos

Broken Bells

Broken Bells consists of The Shins lead singer, James Mercer, and artist/producer Danger Mouse.  When I first heard about their project I was very excited for them to pair up. I just recently acquired their self-titled debut album and am completely hooked. It is the perfect mix of The Shins alternative rock and metaphoric lyrics and Danger Mouse’s experimental sounds and beats. They don’t have a foreign sound but it is definitely fresh. The vocals are played with but there is still a real sound, while the music is electronic but not over done. They have released a free download on their website for “The High Road,” an excellent sneak peak into a very sweet album.

“The dogs who ran all night
The son who hoped it would
Break from the warfare in your house
To each his own
The soldier is bailing out
And curled his lips on a bar
And I don’t know if the dead can talk
To anyone”

The full album will be released in early March 2010. They are such a smooth and enjoyable listen, and a wonderful pairing of musicians! Definitely check them out!

http://www.brokenbells.com/

Broken Bells-The High Road

On a side note, my good buddy Alec Milewski just released his three song EP ” Trialogue With Myself” on iTunes. It is much more developed lyrically and musically than his previous endeavors. Great acoustics with excellent lyrics such as:

“Through the glass can you see me? My breath fogs up but no ones there, Finger prints give me away. Catch me if you can.”

I’m very excited to hear much more from him but you’ve gotta check it out!

Alec Milewski

http://www.myspace.com/ajmilewski

I hope that everyone is excited about all of these new bands and tunes. You better be purchasing or downloading right now! Enjoy the good music and a Happy New Year to you

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)

Merry

Holidays!

I hope everyone is enjoying holiday festivities and/or singing Christmas carols very loudly and poorly. I am sorry for not posting in the past month but as a college student it is easy to get caught up in finals at this time of year! I’m now done with finals and sitting here in NYC looking out my window at the sun beating down on the fresh snow, listening to some Dean Martin “Baby it’s Cold Outside”. I know this post will fulfill your much needed holiday fix. I have some lovely finds for you to enjoy .

The Restaurant

Rolf’s is on 21st and 3rd avenue in New York City and is a true Christmas spectacular! I went to Rolf’s for the first time this past week with some friends for a holiday celebration and I was in awe of the decorations. Even though it’s a very a tight space filled with old wooden booths and a bar, they decorated the entire ceiling with garland and different colored ball ornaments. There are porcelain dolls and white lights in the garland, which creates a remarkable scene. The food is quite good, we ordered a couple things to share at the table, some potato pancakes, beef stew, chicken cutlets, and spetzle ( a German noodle). I was very pleased with the German menu and couldn’t stop eating the potato pancakes!  Rolf’s isn’t too expensive, each plate will cost between $10-$25. This is the perfect place for a fun holiday outing or date, you’ll feel like you’re at a loud family gathering!

Inside Rolf's

The Pie

I have never had a better pie than the one from Town Crier Bakery in Lahaska, PA. My parents and I enjoy going to Peddlers Village every year right before Thanksgiving to start Christmas shopping and pick up our pies for the holiday. Every year I crave for their apple crumble pie. I know that a lot of people are big on their pumpkin pies and other pastries but I cannot deny my need for this specific pie. It has a sweet moist crust with a perfect apple center and a gooey part cheese and sugar filling, with crisp cinnamon and sugar crumbles spread on top. The cheese might sound odd to you but it is AMAZING! What’s even more unique about this special shop is that they create, make and bake all of their treats from scratch. During the holiday season there are many bakeries and places to find your desserts but everything I have had from Town Crier Bakery has been delectable and delicious. It is a must try and their pies will soon be a must have for all of your holidays as well!

Apple Crumble Pie

http://www.towncrierbakery.com

I hope I have your mouth watering and your holiday cheer meter up! Go explore and find some holiday favorites of your own to share with me!

See some of my holiday festivities below!

A very plaid Christmas celebration with my friend alyssa

Rockafeller Center with my roommate Michelle

At Rolf's with my friend Sarah

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

-The Traveling Pickle (Kristin)

Sunday

Lovely Sunday

It’s the first nice day of the weekend. What a lovely Sunday, the perfect day to relax and calm down before the week begins. I’m finding that the more I use my Sundays to have a quiet mind, the more I enjoy my week ahead. So even though my post is short today, I have one of my favorite finds for you. I hope you are having a quiet Sunday as well. Enjoy .

Note Cards

About a year ago I met Julie Wions, an artist/actress/model and the creator of Creations by Julie. Julie was born in Hillsborough, New Jersey, which is right next to my hometown of Montgomery. Growing up, she was always very interested in the arts. Julie has since accumulated an extensive resume, beginning with her education in art at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Hartford. After college, she worked as an art teacher and is now pursuing modeling and acting. Julie is only 26 years old, but all of her artistic endeavors have already made for quite a unique business. Creations by Julie are note cards with her artwork on them. There are dozens of designs to chose from including Happy Birthday cards, Holiday cards, and just-because cards. I am a huge supporter of the lost art form of writing letters and sending cards. I think Julie does a fantastic job in making it cute and fun to send them. Creations by Julie are bright colorful cards that are left blank inside so that you may write whatever your heart desires. Julie’s motto for her company is “Dream Big”, a great message and a wonderful way to look at the world. Her cards are a direct reflection of the type of person she is, colorful and artistic and there to brighten up your day. Julie’s business also supports a great cause. A percentage of all Creations by Julie, LLC profits are donated to the ALS Association in support of research to find a treatment and cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease, in which her father was diagnosed with in 2002. Creations by Julie offers great pricing on cards, and depending on how many you buy, they can be $2.50 or $2.15 per card. Pick any cards you want, ten of one type or 1 of each, it’s all up to you. Then they are all packaged and sent to you for a flat shipping rate of $5, and on orders of 40 cards or more, the shipping is free. The holidays are coming up and I know that it is entirely too easy to just send everyone an e-card saying “Happy Holidays.” Instead, do something different, something personal and send an actual card. I send cards for every occasion, whether I’m thanking someone or just thinking about them, or wishing them a Merry Christmas or Happy Birthday. If you know me, you’ve received a card for something! So join in on my old fashioned band wagon and support a great business and cause! If you are from the Princeton area, cards can be found in stores like Chicklet books, Glen Echo books, and the Red Door boutique along with many others. You can also check out Creations by Julie at www.creationsbyjulie.net.

"Snow Man" and "Dream Big" note cards

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a relaxing Sunday. Now go write some cards to your family or friends and let me know how it goes. It’s time for me to go back to relaxing. Keep exploring!

-Kristin ( The Traveling Pickle)

Class Is…

CANCELED!

Isn’t it the best feeling in the world when you find out that your last class for the week is canceled? I am indeed incredibly pleased. This new found time also allows me to write a lovely post and tell you about some cool stuff to check out. Tonight I have two finds for you, one band and one cafe. Here they come

The Band

I went to The Gaslight Light Anthem concert a few weeks back and it was so awesome. They had 3 opening bands one of which I have already told you guys about, Murder By Death. Each band that performed had a totally different feel to them. Tonight I want to tell you about the band Broadway Calls. I arrived at the show during the tail end of their performance, but I was immediately hooked. They are a three member punk band from Oregon with an early 1990’s punk vibe. Broadway Calls has two albums out since starting the band in 2005. They have since toured with bands like Alkaline Trio and The Gaslight Anthem. Broadways Calls is signed by Adeline Records which is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong (lead singer of GreenDay), his wife, and Pro Skateboarder Jim Thiebaud. The label itself only has a handful of bands signed, but they are all great. It is obvious to me why Broadway Calls is signed to Adeline; they have a grungy punk sound that skateboarders love and could even be compared to the early sounds of GreenDay. This band is neither emo or hardcore, two genres of punk music that I usually do not relate to. They have a lot of fun with their lyrics, but I can still feel the emotion behind it. I just picked up their new self titled album that has 14 songs, and all will keep you jamming along until the end. They are fantastic. Check out the songs “Life Is In the Air” and “Call It Off” or slow things down with “Save Our Ship”.

Album Cover

The Cafe

On a Thursday night before my night class I can usually be found at Antique Cafe. It is well Known to F.I.T. students like myself, but to others it is virtually unknown. On 27th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, it is stuck right in the middle of F.I.T.’s campus, but definitely goes beyond your regular college coffee house. Antique Cafe was established in 1998 when two men, Jon Wolohojian and Marcial Cavero, decided that the neighborhood, Chelsea, needed a coffee house. They now have 2 locations in Chelsea, their original on 26th and 6th and now their newest on 27th. I love going to Antique Cafe because the staff is always so friendly and ready to make you any coffee concoction you would like, and they have an excellent menu of food, too. Their grilled cheese is definitely something to write home about, and all of the meals come with a small mixed greens salad. Their selection of baked goods is wonderful too. Last week, I tried an incredible pumpkin spice bread, and my roommate raves about their chai latte. Antique Cafe doesn’t only provide great service and a tasty menu, it is also a great place to grab a cup of joe and sit in one of their mismatched chairs while studying or getting some work done. It is truly cozy. I love going there to do my homework before my poetry class. It has all the right vibes to bring you back to a simpler time with just coffee and music. It has just the right atmosphere to have a nice conversation with friends or focus on a good book. Please check it out!

The Inside of Antique Cafe

I hope you have enjoyed my finds for this week. It’s getting quite cold outside so get your mittens on and a cup of coffee. Listen to some good tunes and snuggled up in bed until it’s Spring again .

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)

Happy Halloween!

Boo!

Oh how my festive juices are flowing! Autumn is here and I’m loving every beautifully colored leaf, bundling up in sweatshirts, and sipping coffee on those frosty mornings. Halloween is this weekend and I am very excited about getting dressed up and baking pumpkin-shaped cookies. Before I begin this post, I should warn you that I’m going to start changing things up on this lovely blog. I want to post more. Every post I have made has been in three parts, but sometimes I can’t post for an additional week or sometimes two due to my lack of a third part. I want to start posting every time I find a cool place or band or restaurant. So from here on in, I won’t hold back on you guys. Whether I have one or three things to tell you about, I’m posting! So this time around, I have one wonderful find for you .

Murder By Death

I recently went to see The Gaslight Anthem concert here in New York at Terminal 5. Murder By Death was the opening band and they were fantastic! They are a four member band from Indiana with a very original sound. The lead singer has one of the deepest voices I’ve heard in a while and has an awesome range. Attributing to their unique sound is the electric cello and keyboard which is used in most songs. I would have to say their sound is alternative country punk, but it’s hard to only classify them in those categories because they embody a lot of different styles. They have songs about everything from zombies to drinking whiskey. I bought their newest album Red of Tooth and Claw, and the first song, “Comin’ Home,” has the deepest vocals of the whole CD; its my favorite song thus far. With lyrics like:

“I got that taste in my mouth,
I got a hunger in my gut.
My skin has turned to leather.
My hair is banded rope.
My knees have buckled beneath the weight of doubt
but now i miss the things I have done without.

I’m comin’ home,
but I ain’t comin’ home for you.
I’m comin’ home and there ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.
Ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.”

Murder by Death taps into their life troubles and Midwestern roots for lyric inspiration. While listening to them, I feel like I’m in an old run down town in the middle of nowhere drinking my troubles away.

Photo I took at the Concert

Murder by Death is easy enough to listen to while doing work or painting; yet you may find yourself filled with a little more angst due to the tunes. I can’t write about them and not mention the similarity to Johnny Cash, the same deep vocals and simple ideas for songs but with more intense percussion and some bass and cello. A fantastic listen if you want to let your mind bring you to a dirt road out in Indiana.

Album Cover

I hope that I have satisfied your wandering minds. I know that this is a little different than my usual posts, but I hope you enjoy the more frequent finds. Now it’s almost Halloween, so get your fake spiderwebs out and listen to some band with a creepy name like Murder By Death or break out the classic monster mash . Happy Halloween!

-Kristin ( The Traveling Pickle)

Happy Autumn!

The October Issue.

As my loyal readers know, I am one of the most festive people. No matter the holiday or season, I have tons of fun decorating and celebrating in different ways. Now that it is Fall officially, of course I have already gotten my pumpkins and decorated with silly scarecrows and fake spiderwebs, although Fall isn’t all about Halloween for me. It’s my favorite season because the weather gets a little colder, the leaves start changing colors and I get to buy hot beverages to warm my paws. I have found some exceptional places and things for you to do this fall. Let’s get a little festive

Pumpkins

Recently my boyfriend and I went on a lovely trip to Wightman’s Farms in Morristown, NJ. It is a family run farm that has been around since 1922. They started out with just a few fruit plants/trees and have now grown into a full farm with a cider mill. During the fall season they go all out for families. It is really a one stop shop for all of your festive needs. They have pumpkin and apple picking, hayrides, and a bakery that makes delicious apple cinnamon donuts and freshly made seasonal pies.   During the fall they have daily hayrides for families with pick-your-own pumpkin patches. Wightman’s also has festive games such as a pumpkin sling shot, where they take all of the reject pumpkins and have people use a giant sling shot to try to hit a target.  It’s really a fun place to spend a nice fall day and it’s about $5 per pumpkin and $1 for “baby bear” pumpkins. If you are ever in Morristown, NJ you must go to Wightman’s Farms. I also must recommend that you try the apple cider ice drink, it is amazing!

Pumpkins!

http://www.wightmansfarms.com/

Peddlers Village

For most of my life my parents have been bringing my brothers and I to Peddlers Village in Lahaska, PA during Autumn. Peddlers village is a quaint little shopping village made up of unique shops and old restaurants. We go there every year at this time because they have an excellent scarecrow contest that spans throughout the entire place. Kids from neighboring schools all submit a scarecrow they created into the contest. At Peddler’s village you can get a cup of warm apple cider and then walk around and enjoy all of the silly scarecrows. The shopping area is filled with tons of shops but also a small chicken coup and bunny hut for the kids to feed animals and a scenic old fashioned water mill. There are always events going on and every Saturday in October there is a free hay maze for you to enjoy. One of my favorite things about Peddlers Village over the years was that it was so affordable and even if I couldn’t buy a doll at the very fancy doll shop as a little girl, I was still able to have fun. It is truly a place for anyone, there are over 70 unique shops and 6 restaurants. It’s a perfect place for a walk around on a cool fall day

Scarecrow at Peddlers Village

http://peddlersvillage.com/overview/overview.htm

Hot Apple Cider

Now this is my favorite thing about Autumn, Hot Apple Cider. I could give you a list of places I’ve gotten this before but I am not going to do that, I’m going to give you the perfect recipe to make your own delectable hot apple cider. For the past couple of years I have gotten together with  my friend’s to make a fire, s’mores, and apple cider. We have perfected our recipe and now I will share it with you. Start out by going to your local farmers market and buy a jug of apple cider, one orange, and some cinnamon sticks, that’s all you’ll need.  Then, invite some friends over and tell them to bring blankets. Put the apple cider into a pot on medium heat on your stove top, then slice the orange into about 5-6 round pieces, throw them in there, lastly put in about 4 sticks of cinnamon (or a bunch of cinnamon powder if that’s what you have) cover and stir periodically for 5-10 minutes. Then serve . This will cost you less than $10 to create and it is a fun way to be festive and enjoy the nighttime in fall. If you are in the city, like me, you can still enjoy this by having a bunch of friends over to prepare and make it and then put the hot apple cider in on-the-go coffee cups and go for a walk around Central Park.  Hot apple cider is so delicious and I think most people overlook how lovely it is and what a perfect mood it puts you in.

Some leaves changing colors

Although, I’m in the city wishing I was somewhere with trees so that I can watch them change colors, I have found little ways to enjoy this season here just fine. I love being festive because it’s fun and I don’t think anyone is too old or too busy to enjoy the simple pleasures of my favorite season. I hope everyone gets a chance to go pumpkin picking and to check out silly scarecrows, or at the very least make some hot apple cider.  Happy Autumn and happy exploring

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)

Under where?

Delaware!

I must apologize for my lack of recent posts, I think I’ve come to a transitional point in my life where I can either choose to get organized or lose my mind. I decided to get organized (I’ll let you know how the not losing my mind thing goes). I’ve recently taken on 2 new positions, one at my college as a Resident Assistant and one as a Freelance Designer for RileyRoo’s children’s shoes. Those two jobs mixed with being a full-time student is certainly getting the best of me but I’m learning to give myself much needed “me” time. I started this blog because I had a strong belief in supporting the little guy combined with a love for exploring and finding interesting new places. I also started this because I wanted to do something for me that hopefully would help people get out there to see cool new things. I do hope I’ve kept everyone excited about exploring and fighting against the ever-so-convenient chain stores and restaurants! I’m here to tell you that it’s time for a new post filled with exciting things from some new places I’ve never brought you to before.. buckle up we’re hitting the road! Yes we are going to Delaware!

Boardwalk Fries

I recently went down to Delaware to visit my Aunt Tricia and my cousin Sarah for a trip to the beach with my mom. We headed down to Rehoboth Beach, a lovely place that I haven’t been to since I was a youngster. I forgot how nice it is down there, and the beaches are completely free unlike New Jersey! During the day on the beach we decided to head to the boardwalk and of course I spot the first french fry place and knew exactly what I was having for lunch. Thrashers French Fries is a must go to on the boardwalk. They have been around since 1929 and haven’t changed much since then. They serve hand-cut fries with salt and the only topping they offer is vinegar. That’s right, no ketchup! Their portions were enough to fill me and they were freshly made.  The fries themselves are perfect for any fry connoisseur because they are neither too soft or crunchy. I love finding places that are so good that they only need to have one thing on the menu, and Thrashers is simply true to that description!

http://www.rehoboth.com/

Thrasher's French Fries

ThunderBird

While Walking around the nice beach town in Rehoboth I was able to check out a lot of shops and even hear a live band playing in the middle of the main strip. One of my favorite shops in Rehoboth Beach was the Thunderbird Shop and Gallery, a large store filled with everything from home goods and jewelry to a small gallery. Thunderbird has been around since 1954 and has since been buying and selling handmade pieces from Native Americans from the southwest. Some of the art pieces in the Thunderbird’s Gallery were so beautifully crafted, you could feel the culture that went into making the paintings on wood or canvas  just by looking at it.  Thunderbird Shop was one of the best Native American shops I’ve ever been to. I love dream catchers and handmade pieces of jewelry that are special just to you and the crafter. Even the candle holders and  wind chimes were crafted with care and all are unique. I’m a proud owner of 5 dream catchers from all over the country made by tons of different tribes. This time my little cousin bought her first dream catcher, and I was able to tell her all of the stories and legends about them. So if you are in the market for some beautiful art, your first or 6th dream catcher, or just want to check out a really nice shop, go to Thunderbird!

http://www.thunderbirdshop.com

Thunderbird Shop & Gallery

Willies Farms

So of course I had to go to a farmers market in Delaware! If you didn’t know it already, Delaware has tons of farms and in my opinion the best farmers market around. Willies Farms of Delaware is an exceptional farmers market on Route 13 that has been around since 1975. They are a family run farm and market with a full garden and produce center with hand picked sunflowers and endless amounts of fresh fruits and veggies. They also have a wonderful bakery that makes delicious blueberry cinnamon muffins! I could spend hours just walking around enjoying the exquisite colors of the fresh produce and flowers or the country-feel to their home accessories. My mom bought me a tall vase from Willies and it’s perfect to put one large sunflower in. If you are in need of very juicy tomatoes or a nice vase, please take a long trip down to Delaware and hit up Willies Farmer market!

http://www.willeyfarmsde.com

Juicy Tomatoes

I know all of you are jumping out of your boots with excitement to head down to Delaware but I promise that I’m not steering you wrong with these finds. They are wonderful places!

Writing this blog is one of my favorite things to do and as always I hope you’ve enjoyed my post!  Please share with me your own discoveries so that I can check them out too! Happy Explorations!

-Kristin (TheTravelingPickle)

Home is where

My Heart is.

My summer has completely blown past me. I spent the first couple of weeks in Europe, continued by extensive work on my portfolio, a great internship, and very little beach time. I didn’t get to explore home as much as I would have liked but I’m glad that I could bring few, but great, finds to all. I’m heading back to Manhattan to start my fall semester at F.I.T. I do love New York, but my soul is still longing for the Jersey shore and a nice boardwalk funnel cake. This post will be about some of my favorites from this summer. Enjoy!

Jackson

Many college students this summer found it hard to get a summer job, especially in the Princeton area. I was one of the many. I spent most of my days trying to find inexpensive yet productive things to do. Most of them had to do with one of my greatest loves, Jackson Gavin; my 18 month old golden retriever. We went on adventures of our own. We went running and hiking and on long walks. One of the best things we did was go to the Montgomery Municipal building Dog Park off of Route 206. It is absolutely free and there is always a cute furry friend for your pup to play with. The dog park is a great asset to Montgomery and is very close to my home in Belle Mead. It is a fenced in area with an obstacle course and plenty of space for even a dog of Jackson’s size to run around. I think it is very important to spend quality time with your pets. What better way than to get some fresh air and exercise while your dog has some fun. Please check out Montgomery’s Dog Park, it is a true treasure for all dog owners .

Jackson!

Music

Gaslight Anthem has been a well known punk band in New Jersey for quite some time now, however I just recently jumped on the band wagon. The band from New Brunswick is rapidly becoming more and more popular. I heard their song playing one day and was immediately drawn in by the lyrics “your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos”. Not only did the song, later to be identified as “Old White Lincoln”, bring me in with the lyrics, but also with the upbeat nature of the punk music with the deep smoky vocals. I have since downloaded all of their songs and have officially made them my favorite band of the summer. They embody a lot of lost punk band styles, not only with their clothing but with what they sing about and the way they play their music. While listening I feel like I’m back in the 1950’s, when rebels were just coming about with their leather jackets and white t-shirts, singing about anyway to get out of here. Gaslight Anthem is simply awesome and definitely worth a listen!

Gaslight Anthem

myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

Pizza Pasta

On South Main Street in Manville, NJ, one can usually find my parents at Pizza N’ Pasta on a Friday night. For the past couple of years, my parents have made a habit of eating here once a week. They know all of the waitresses, and the hostess is usually surprised when I am with them since she then needs to bring three menus instead of two. This summer I took full advantage of my parent’s weekly ritual to go out to eat and couldn’t have been happier. I quickly realized the reason why my family loves Pizza N’ Pasta so much is because the food is wonderful, simple Italian cuisine, with friendly Jersey girl waitresses and a great atmosphere. At Pizza N’ Pasta there is a long bar where you can catch the game or eat, a game room for kids, a classic dining room for adults and a great patio perfect for a summer dinner. They have one of the best Penne a la Vodka dishes I have ever had! They mix the parmesan cheese right in with the pink sauce to make an irresistible dish. If you are ever in Manville please go to Pizza N’ Pasta, it is decently priced and has something for everyone!

Pizza Pasta!

I hope you have enjoyed my posts this summer from home. Stay tuned because in the next post I will be talking about some of my travels recently and there are some great finds for you! Now please get out there and soak up the sun

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)

Princeton

The Calm of Home

As you know I am home from Manhattan for the summer and am spending most of my time where I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. I’ve lived here my entire life up until going to college in Philadelphia two years ago. As you can imagine, I felt that there was nothing left to explore or of interest to me after living here for 18 years. It also seemed to me that after living in Philly and NYC I would be bored with the finds here, but that was certainly not the case. I have been noticing that there are so many interesting things that as a kid I would have just passed by. Maybe my perception has changed since then. I’m seeing things from a more mature and definitely more curious eye. I have fallen in love with my hometown. Princeton offers something that you can’t find most places. You can find dozens of small shops and family businesses to support along with American history and a beautiful ivy league campus. It’s a calm town where you can take a Sunday stroll down Nassau Street on your own or hang out with your friends and get some delicious food. Enjoy the wonderful finds from Princeton

Nearly New

I love thrift stores and consignment shops. One of my favorite things about Princeton is their plethora of great consigment shops. This summer I went to Nearly New consignment off of Nassau Street for the first time and thought it was wonderful. Nearly New is a little hidden, I had to look for the sign on the side of a building and walk up a drive way to get to the door on the side. From the outside it doesn’t look like anything special, but once you walk up the old stairs and enter the shop, you are bound to find an excellent treasure. I found a great pair of barely worn white canvas flats with rainbow fish and swirls on them, and to top it off, they fit perfectly! It isn’t a very large space but the shop has everything from accessories to children’s toys and clothing. They accept donations on a seasonal basis so everything in Nearly New is ready for whatever season you are dressing for. All items are in great condition, and the prices are excellent! My flats were $6-what a steal! Nearly New is a very cool find and I hope you have the chance to explore it, maybe you can find your own perfectly fitting flats too!

Nearly New

Yoga

I do yoga on a regular basis. I think it is a wonderful release for the soul, mind, and body. I have taken classes at many different studios that all have their own methods and philosophies about the art of yoga. One of my favorites is Yoga Above on Nassau Street. I feel that yoga is meant to be a spiritual experience where you don’t worry about any outside distractions like money, competition, or any other stressors. Yoga is for everyone and shouldn’t have a price tag. Yoga Above has the same beliefs; they are a strictly donation based studio. For any class you choose to take they ask you to make a donation rather than making a set price for the class. If you can’t afford more than a few dollars, that’s just fine. The instructers and owner of the studio are open and friendly, which makes the classes have a nice atmosphere. There are classes offered in all styles of yoga- asana, ashtanga, hatha, vinyasa, etc. Their power yoga class left me shaking from working my muscles so much but the instructor and owner, Micheal Cremone, made the studio have an open and calm energy. Yoga Above provides a soothing environment to practice any style of yoga with any price you choose. If you have a passion for yoga or even want to give it a try for the first time, try Yoga Above, you will surely love it.

Yoga Above

Canoeing

Something that truely makes my summer at home is canoeing at the Millstone River/D&R Canal with Griggstown Canoe and Kayak. It is a super inexpensive way to have some fun. For about $10 you can rent a canoe and go out on the canal for as long as you’d like. The canal is very relaxing and the trees arch over the canal to provide the perfect amount of shade. It’s lovely to fish off the canoe, have a picnic in the boat, or just paddle around. There are never too many other boats on the water, so it can be a very quiet experience (unless you are as bad as I am at canoeing). One canoe can fit an entire family. My parents used to take my brothers and I when we were younger and we loved it. Now that I’m older, It’s fun to get two canoes and race with my friends. Whatever your skill level or age, it’s fun! Grab a sandwich and some chips around the corner at Plaza Deli then head over to Canal Road for a day out on the water. It’s quite a wonderful view of nature.

Canoeing

I hope you’ve gotten a nice view of my hometown and enjoyed my finds .  If you are ever in Princeton, check these places out!

-Kristin (The Traveling Pickle)