June 2019 – Blondie Birdie

June 2019: In a Nutshell

June 30, 2019July 4, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you’re all having a great weekend so far!

It’s always a little weird posting on a weekend- especially a Sunday- since mornings like this are usually reserved for coffee, laundry, and trying to squeeze something fun or entertaining to do in the hours between now and when I return to work bright and early tomorrow morning. But. it’s the last day of June- and a day like that needs some acknowledgment!

I will say that I am excited to head into July. It’s the height of Summer, I’ve got some vacation days coming up- and now that I’ve got the last of my furniture in my apartment and am feeling a little more “at home”- I can cook, decorate, and blog more freely and comfortably than I could a few weeks ago when I didn’t really have much more than a mattress and a desk while I was waiting for the things I’d purchased on back order to arrive and be delivered.

It’s nice to finally and really have my own little piece of the Pioneer Valley to come home to every day.

Looking back at June- a month that has, historically, always had it’s share of troubles and woes for me over the years and for whatever reason- can be a bit difficult at times. Is Mercury in retrograde? Are my brief moments of stress, inconvenience, and/or sadness some sort of annual sacrifice for the Summer Solstice? Am I just consistently unlucky for this one month every year?

I’ll never know- but June saw my full-time job become overwhelming at times, one of my part-time jobs here in the Valley become absolutely chaotic with last-minute changes, departures, and poor preparation leading up to major deadlines and milestones- and one of my dearest friends fall victim to a malicious rumor and subsequent gossip that has essentially robbed him of his livelihood and joy as he struggles to overcome it and get back on his feet.

It was, well- a LOT– to deal with these past few weeks. But, the month also flew by relatively quickly so at least it was quick? Silver linings?

I digress. June wasn’t without it’s nicer, calmer moments as well. I spent a really beautiful weekend showing my best friend around when he came to visit me, my blog celebrated it’s second birthday, I dove headfirst into one of my favorite immersive theater companies and experiences– and naturally I got to eat at some really, really terrific Summer shacks in the area, too!

So what’s in store for July? Well, my usual recipes and OOTD posts, of course- but I’m also going to be doing a little bit of traveling in the coming weeks, as well! Not anywhere super far away or anything- but I’ll be crossing more things off of my “Summer 2019 To-Do” list with trips to my favorite beaches, outdoor attractions, local hot-spots, etc.

And I’ll have plenty of photos and updates along the way, of course!

So all that being said- here’s to June- a month that was not without it’s ups and downs. I truly hope all of us who need it have a better July!

I’m off to get a few things done and set off into this hot and humid day. See you all again tomorrow!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

– Ashley –

Favorites: June 2019!

June 28, 2019July 2, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! We made it!

Next week’s schedule is a little bizarre- what with it being a holiday and everything. While I have Thursday, Friday, and then the weekend off from work- I’m going to attempt to maintain some semblance of a normal blogging schedule (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) since I have a lot to cover over the next couple of weeks!

This coming Sunday, the last day of June- will see my monthly “In A Nutshell” post detailing all the highs and lows of this past month while simultaneously giving a glimpse of what’s to come in July- but before I dive into that and the remainder of my weekend- I wanted to share some of my favorite things from these past few days/weeks!

In a month filled with unpredictable weather and plenty of humidity- a lot of the photogenic items/products are for taming frizz and beating the makeup-melting heat- but there’s a couple of other odds and ends I really enjoyed this past June, too!

Let’s get started!

With the exception of a Red Sox hat that doesn’t flatter me at all, I’m not much of a baseball cap enthusiast- but my mother had seen this multi-pattern one from The Niche while out and about and thought of me and my perpetual wanderlust when she spotted the insignia on the front.

I like this hat because it’s adjustable (and therefore doesn’t give me a headache or leave one of those weird red marks on my forehead) and matches essentially everything I own. I can wear it while I’m lounging, running errands, or just hanging out with friends in a casual setting and it’s super cute.

Another accessory for my head/hair- but not one I wear as frequently as the baseball cap- is this super sparkly set of Minnie Mouse ears that Troy picked up for me during a recent trip to Anaheim where he made an impromptu stop at Disneyland!

I had a set similar to these (not nearly as sparkly) when I was a kid and visited the Magic Kingdom for the very first time- but they broke shortly after my return home and I remember being devastated. I’d never had the opportunity to replace them- so Troy grabbing these after I had told him my story meant the world.

They’ve currently found a forever home on display in my apartment- but I’ll probably wear them out to an event at some point, I’m sure.

Of course, wearing all these hats/headbands amid all this humidity is a bad idea- so I’m glad I found this lightweight and moisturizing “Coconut Curl” styling foam from OGX to keep my frizz away and my hair super soft and conditioned!

This mouse has some serious staying power (without the crunch or stiffness) and smells divine- like a tropical vacation- so this is pretty much a must-have lifesaver for me in the Summertime now!

What would I do without this?! I shudder to think!

Moving onto Summertime makeup- I have to preface this by saying I have avoided L’Oreal products like the plague for years. They’d always make me break out, always clog my pores and otherwise damage my skin- but when I ran out of my medium-coverage Sephora foundation and was desperately searching the drug store to find something to get me through a scheduled work meeting in a pinch- I spotted this “Magic BB” cream and figured I didn’t have anything to lose.

And you guys? It’s amazing. The lightweight formula applies like an almost iridescent white color- but then it dries to match my skin tone perfectly. It hydrates, softens, covers imperfections and makes me look like I’m glowing when I have it on! Best of all? No breakouts, clogged pores or damaged skin!

This is my go-to for the Summertime and especially for beach trips! I love it!

I want my makeup to be quick, easy, sweat/waterproof and lightweight during the Summer- so I try to avoid powder shadows that can get flaky or clump together at the first sign of humidity. Liquid shadows are the way to go in the hotter temperatures- and I’m quite fond of this golden shimmer shade from ModelCo and their Eyelites collection.

This liquid shadow, highly pigmented- applies smoothly and dries to a shimmery, long-lasting finish that doesn’t feel heavy or “caked on.” My eyes have a fresh pop of color all day/night and there are no reapplications necessary during the day- even in those moments I’m desperately looking for air conditioning!

And for $12 a tube? You can’t go wrong!

Finally, no new base and eye shadow is complete without a new, long-lasting lip gloss, too! I turned to Rimmel for help in this department- specifically their STAY GLOSSY colors I’d heard so many good things about. With up to 6 hours of coverage (I got about 4, maximum) and a non-sticky formula- this pink/red shade is my signature Summer color and this gloss is something I’m wearing non-stop- be it at work, visiting friends/family, working out, etc.

It’s the perfect Summer color and an even more perfect hot weather formula since it’s lightweight and comfortable!

And that just about does it for the photogenic favorites, everyone- but a couple of other things made the list for June, as well!

– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –

“I Think You Should Leave” – Troy got me hooked on this short (each episode is about 20 minutes, if that) sketch comedy show on Netflix this month. It’s over-the-top, ridiculous- and so, so funny. I love bizarre, off-the-wall humor and I am OBSESSED with this show because it delivers! My favorite one so far has got to be the fully loaded nacho sketch, for sure!

“Archer 1999” – The tenth (and allegedly final) season of “Archer” has blasted the characters off into Space in an ‘Alien’ homage that has been super fun to watch this past month. The show is just as quick-witted as ever- and I really hope they bring everything full circle if it truly is the final chapter of the series when this season concludes!

And that just about does it for me, everyone. As I mentioned earlier- I’ll be back on Sunday to dissect this past month that was- but until then, here’s wishing you all a wonderful Friday and start to your weekend!

– Ashley –

The Summer 2019 Bucket List Is Underway!

June 26, 2019June 30, 2019by Ashley DeLarge3 Comments

Good Evening, everyone!

It’s later than usual for me to update “Blondie Birdie,” and I had wanted to get this post up and running earlier this morning- but life happens, and work happens, and errands- and sometimes my schedule just doesn’t go as planned. I’m here, though- resting comfortably in my air conditioned apartment with a sheet mask and a cold glass of lemonade after a long day at the office.

And I’m happy to report that my Summer 2019 To-Do/Bucket List already has one thing scratched off of it!

When I first moved to the Valley, I had talked about wanting to explore pretty much anything and everything there was to do- from off-the-wall attractions, to theater, to parks and museums- and really good places to eat. I’ve grown familiar with certain spots in Northampton I frequent regularly for coffee or dinner- but this past weekend while I was out running errands I happened to pass by Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack in Easthampton that I’d heard about through the grapevine but had never actually visited before.

The place looked pretty busy but not overcrowded- and I was starving- so I stopped with the intention of ordering some fries and a lemonade or something light to get me through the remainder of my afernoon. But, then I saw their lobster rolls- and I’m pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. I had to have one.

LOOK AT THIS!

It was huge, delicious and worth every penny- and I loved the thin cut fries that came with it, too!

If seafood isn’t your thing, no worries- they also had chicken, burgers, pulled pork, and plenty of sides to choose from! And the portions are massive. I managed to power through the lobster roll and some of the fries but there was no way I could eat all of it on my own in one sitting!

I know I’ll definitely be heading back there soon (they have a crab roll that is calling my name) but for now- I’m just glad I got to scratch “eat a lobster roll” off of my Summer Goals list this early on! Next on the agenda? Hitting the beach, obviously!

A little later on this week I’m going to be sharing my favorite things from this past month. There’s a lot of makeup and hair care included now that the heat and the humidity have arrived here in New England- but I’ve found some great products I’ve been loving and I can’t wait to show them off!

Until then, though- enjoy your night and your Thursday! I’ll see you all again on Friday!

– Ashley –

Immersive Theater: Sam’s Place…

June 24, 2019June 29, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

If anyone ever asked me what my earliest immersive theater experience was, I would immediately say “Sleep No More”– but not the obscenely priced incarnation that exists in New York City today- but the smaller, more intimate, more eager version that took place in an abandoned school in Brookline, Massachusetts circa 2009.

My best friend Sean was the one to discover “Sleep No More” that Fall when we were looking for new things to do around Halloween that didn’t involve tripping over children at haunted attractions or getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in Salem. This discovery, in turn, served as my introduction to immersive theater. For those who have never experienced it before, immersive theater is a play/production that goes beyond the limitations of a single stage and allows the audience to participate and explore the performance spaces freely, interact with the actors, and sometimes change the outcome of the performance with the decisions they make along the way.

It’s a very unique style of performance art and has quickly become one of my favorites over the years. I am by no means an actress or a seasoned veteran of the arts- but if given the opportunity to perform in an immersive theater play- I would absolutely agree because it’s not a matter of learning lines or the repetition of motions. Everything is spontaneous, off-the-cuff- and depends entirely on the audience member you’re interacting with. It’s improv- and like improv- you have some basic guidelines to drive your character. The rest is completely up to you- and the crowd.

“Sleep No More” has become the pinnacle of immersive theater- with hundreds if not thousands of people flocking to see it at it’s current home within the McKittrick Hotel in NYC every year. I’ve been to many of their performances and parties over the years- and I’ve always had an incredible and memorable time- but the problem with “Sleep No More” is that it’s so big, so expansive, and so easy to get off track. If you wander the wrong way for even a moment- you risk missing huge parts of the play/story, if not the whole thing. Actors/Actresses move from room to room, they separate and head into different directions- and with four or five floors with multiple rooms, nooks and crannies to cover- it’s easy to get lost.

I’ve seen “Sleep No More” possibly seven or eight times- potentially more- and I have yet to see the full performance. Even following guidelines that have been laid out by other enthusiasts online to help those in similar situations has left me stuck- roaming from empty room to empty room in silence until a stage hand directs me to the big finale and that’s it.

I’ve kept my eye out for other companies doing similar work but on a smaller, more tightened and less sprawling/confusing scale. Last year, my dearest Troy invited me to see an immersive theater performance he had been involved in called “Deux Ex Machina” which was put on at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls by Eggtooth Productions. I was blown away by the show- which encapsulated everything I loved about immersive theater but with a more reasonable price of admission and a venue that prevented audience members from getting lost and/or missing out on key elements and moments of the show. We were still allowed to roam freely- but there was always a cast or crew member to guide us back to the action if we were getting too far off track.

The sets, the costumes, the spooky, sort of otherworldliness of the story and the characters was spectacular- and I’ve since become a big fan of Eggtooth’s other works.

Since moving to the Valley, I’ve met a few people- friends of friends, etc.- who have been so kind, welcoming and enthusiastic about me being a part of the community now. Through Troy and my own curiosity, wonderful people affiliated with Eggtooth had encouraged me to come to their most recent event: Sam’s Place (which was also held at the Shea.)

The event spanned across three nights- with each night representing a different era in the club/bar scene. This past Thursday night’s performance was inspired by 1920s speakeasies. Friday night’s performance was a nod to 1960s folk clubs- and Saturday night- the event I went to, was a neon and Aquanet soaked throwback to 1984 and all it’s decadent glory. Although I didn’t really have a 1980s inspired outfit to wear- I did rock some teased hair and neon eyeliner- so at least I can say I tried.

I had an incredible time, and the multiple interactions I had with the cast in various areas of the theater were so wonderful. I left with a pocket full of mementos that were handed to me at various intervals (pictured above)– including a portrait of me that was done by one the actresses who never actually looked at the paper. She just stared at my face and drew. An uncanny likeness, if I do say so myself.

And closing out the night dancing to 80s club hits (I lost my mind at “Sheila” by Ready For The World) was a pretty perfect way to end an evening and wind down what had been a pretty long, tedious week.

Speaking of winding down- June is nearly done and over if you can all believe it- so the next few days will be spent recapping my favorite things from this past month as well as looking back at these past few weeks a whole in my “In A Nutshell” post (which will be up on Sunday!)

On Wednesday, though- I’m giving you all a glimpse into an incredible roadside Summer shack I discovered over the weekend. I’m still so full of lobster and fries as I write this!

Have a great start to your work week, everyone! Let’s see it through to Friday!

– Ashley –

Making a House a Home…

June 21, 2019June 27, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning- Happy Friday- and Happy First Day of Summer, everyone!

While I was in a full-Summer state of mind weeks ago when the temperatures first began soaring and I started wearing shorts outdoors on the weekends- I actually haven’t participated in any of the usual early Summer activities I’m typically diving into by now. There have been no beach trips, no lobster rolls, and no poolside hangouts- although there has admittedly been more than one ice cream cone in recent days.

A lot of my time, when not working- has been getting situated in my new apartment- where I’ve officially been for a month now! I’m still finding places for my things, still exploring my neighborhood and surrounding communities- and up until this this past Wednesday- I was still waiting on the last of my furniture to arrive. That’s not to say I didn’t make do without a bed frame. I’ve never been one to be too high maintenance to sleep on a mattress on the floor for an unknown length of time, after all- but this apartment never really felt like “home” until I had an actual bed and a couch in it. Now it feels more like “mine”- and I’m absolutely loving it.

There’s still a lot to do, of course. I need to get my TV mounted, actually decorate a little and organize my things- but I’m a lot more comfortable and cozy here and excited to see how my space develops over the next few weeks/months.

I digress, the point of this was also to say that now that it’s *officially* Summer and my life has a bit more stability in it- I can get started on catching up on that list of things I’m typically doing this time of year! The first thing is absolutely going to be eating a lobster roll, by the way.

Although prior to the arrival of my furniture on Wednesday- I did have an opportunity to drive one town over to a little farm in the area where people could pick their own strawberries. I’d never done that before, but let me tell you- it was FUN– and I got some really, really good pickings!

So, so delicious!

This weekend I’ll be on indie617 from 12-4 (Saturday) and then I may catch a performance in Turner’s Falls Saturday night. Then on Sunday, with lobster roll in hand- I might venture out to explore MASS MoCA for the first time. Or, if it’s hot enough- take a dip in one of the local lakes or rivers around here!

Regardless of where I end up and what I end up doing- you can count on plenty of photos on my INSTAGRAM and here on the blog when I return on Monday morning!

Enjoy that Summer Solstice, everyone- and the weekend ahead! See you all next week!

– Ashley –