It’s not quite fall, not quite winter (and, unbelievably, almost 2009). Foliage is over, skiing has yet to begin. So, faithful readers, I’m sure you’re wondering what Bostonista was doing in Vermont this weekend. The answer: A whole lotta nothing… in the best possible way.

Overstressed and overtired, we drove up to the Stowe area late Friday night, in good company. After a quick fish & chips fix at apres-ski mainstay the Shed, it was up the road to the newborn Stowe Mountain Lodge. Though we’d taken a hard-hat tour of the property last year, we never imagined it’d look like this. (more…)

Since we’re the first to admit when we’re slow on the upswing, we’re also allowed to brag when we come in way ahead of the curve, right?

Right.

Our latest visionary moment involves…water.

Because Bostonista HQ houses a fervent environmentalist, a couple of germaphobes, someone raised by a cancer survivor, and a devoted reader of the most insane health column ever, we were all over the bisphenol/toxic plastic/Nalgene problem well before BPA-free water bottles started popping up at Target.

(more…)

EquiFit owner Alexandra Cherubini has fused two of her passions—riding and yoga—with the AgSilver CleanMat, a yoga mat that incorporates AgSilver, a powerful antimicrobial ingredient used on horses (yes, horses) to rid them of infection and rash.

Woven throughout the entire mat, and not just on the surface, the CleanMat is guaranteed to withstand even the most rigorous power yoga-going routine, and prevent the growth of bacteria from your sweat or any one else’s. Unsavory image, sure, but that’s the facts. Hot rooms breed bacteria. This way, you don’t have to take it home with you. (more…)

From lighting and flowers to table cloths and martinis, Sara Campbell’s Dress for a Cause fashion show at the Boston Harbor Hotel on Tuesday night was brimming with pink (and sass) for a very charitable reason: breast cancer research.

Campbell paired up with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to raise funds for the clinical and genetic research for breast cancer. Part of their effort was a collaboration on four preppy products (a silk scarf, ruffle tote, pattern bag, and a long-sleeved tee), which will be sold at her design studio with 100 percent profits benefiting BCRF.

Contrary to your typical bone-thin model ridden fashion shows, an uplifting and unlifted group of breast cancer survivors strutted down the runway in Sara Campbell’s new Fall ‘08 collection. The group exuded high spirits and poise and kept the good humor alive: Laughter ensued when describing their cancer experiences, with one cheeky speaker noting her newfound pair of “ta-tas.” (more…)

The next time Bostonista accepts an invitation from Chowder for an evening on the town, you can bet your bile duct it won’t be a weeknight. Especially if said evening involves the bar at Eastern Standard. More specifically, an evening at Eastern Standard that entails a flight of cocktails numbering in the double digits.

(To review: Chowder, weeknight, Eastern Standard, double-digit cocktail flight, not happening again. Any. Time. Soon. Or at least not until August.)

Here’s how it happened. (more…)

You’ve always had a mean downward dog (and super cute yoga pants), but this summer there are even more options around town for getting in touch with your inner yogi.

On Wednesday afternoons throughout July, from noon to 1 p.m., perfect your pyramid pose at free outdoor classes in Copley Square. Weather permitting, all are welcome to slap down a mat in front of Trinity Church. Plus, participants can enter to win a year’s supply of SmartWater, a $100 Shaw’s gift card, and a $100 gift card to Back Bay Yoga Studio. (To sign up for this week’s class, drop a line to laura.smartwater@yahoo.com.) (more…)

While Boston heat waves (like the one we’re experiencing right now) usually transform the masses into frenzied A/C fiends, we usually get by just fine. But what about our four legged friends who share in that stifling misery?

We asked four area animal experts for advice on keeping your pets cooled down and safe as the mercury continues to rise. (more…)

Typically, it’s we here at Bostonista who dole out the style advice. We’ve helped you with blue cues and collar capers and even cleared up a few personal hygiene issues. Rarely are we at a loss during fashion 911s. But our current situation has us flummoxed.

Last week, one of us had reconstructive knee surgery. (We’ll spare you the visuals and vivid painkiller-induced dreams.) Being house-bound for a week was alternately horrid and therapeutic, the latter thanks to lots of TLC from the littlest Bostonista. But now that we’re up and working again, we’ve hit the biggest roadblock of all: Accessorizing a monstrous leg brace and crutches is no easy task. We have entered into precarious fashion territory a fellow editor has termed “gimp chic.”

(more…)

Now that it’s spring, Bostonians with chutzpah are remembering the bikes they’d left rotting in garages and basements. That coupled with the imminent environmental crisis makes this a perfect time to share a few riding pointers to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant trip. Here are my quals: I’ve been bicycle commuting for about 15 years in Boston and in Philly, daily distances ranging from 5 miles to 22 miles roundtrip, from 22 degrees to 102 degrees.

So let’s jump in! (more…)

Until Tuesday, I was fairly ignorant of the particular hazards of dry cleaning. Until Tuesday, I vaguely understood that the chemicals used in the process were not awesome, so I would be sure to tear off the plastic bag right away and let my clothes air out after picking them up. (I would also sort of try to hold my breath every time I stopped by the cleaners.)

But then Tuesday came. And what began as an extremely simple work-related query to the people in charge of a local dry-cleaning chain exploded into a hostage situation in which I was stuck on the phone for roughly 17.5 hours. But! I did come away with some (kind of) interesting information regarding dry cleaning solvents and practices.

Here, the very abridged version of What I Semi-Consensually Learned About Perchloroethylene. (more…)