I consider myself somewhat of an artsy person. I like art, art museums, art house films, art-rock, Art Garfunkel. Posters and prints and one or two original paintings, which were given to me as housewarming presents, hang in my apartment. My mother is a brilliant watercolor artist (with her big spring show coming up tomorrow. Go Mom!). And I’ve been known to clean out a jewelry booth or two at craft fairs like the South End Open Market (which kicks off for the season this weekend!).

Yet, until last weekend, I had never actually bought original art myself. When I did experience original art buying for the first time on Saturday, in true Bostonista fashion, I went all the way, buying not one, not two, but three fabulous pieces.

Carolyn Marsden—a friend, coworker, talented painter, kickass photographer, and all-around great gal—invited Bostonista to her show, part of Somerville Open Studios. I was sure her art would be cool. I’d seen it online and I commissioned her to make a hand-painted t-shirt for my mom’s Christmas gift. But to be completely honest, I went mainly for the camaraderie. And, because I heard there would be cupcakes. (more…)

Just moments after Pete the Boston mag mailroom guy dropped off today’s mail at our desks—and before we had time to actually open any of it—we and other members of the Boston media received this email from an anonymous aol address, with no traceable IP address: (more…)

I have a radio in pretty much every room of my apartment. Often I have several going at once, because I like the racket. In my bedroom, I have not one, but two: a Bose clock radio/CD and a Tivoli Audio clock radio (which, if you haven’t ever played with one, is badass. They sell them out of a cart at the Pru Center).

Anyway, I’m a stickler for audio quality, which is why my decision to replace a solid, though waterlogged, Zenith CD player in my bathroom with the cheapest thing I could find at Best Buy was so inexplicable. From day one, I absolutely hated it. (more…)

Facing the holidays with the perfect dress, hostess gift, and bag of goodies just became effortless. Portobello Road, a new store in Chestnut Hill opened by best friends Kristina Lyons and Marina Kalb, is a modern day multi-cultural bazaar filled with jewelry, home accessories, furniture, and clothing from around the world. It’s a serendipitous mix of style and substance. They like to call it “a store with a soul.”

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Jesse Turtle may be raising his family in St. Petersburg, Florida, but his heart (and his accent) remain in the Bay State.

Raised in Cambridge by a poet mother, the t-shirt designer has always known the importance of words. Turtle and his wife, a graphic designer, have created a line of 100% organic t-shirts for men, women, and kids that double as a catchy and humorous tribute to Turtle’s hometown. (more…)