Posts tagged #the berkshires

A Weekend in the Berkshires

Hi! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I spent most of it working on last years’s accounting for the The Girl Guide (not my favorite hehe) and so happy I’m almost done! The weather was actually beautiful in Connecticut, brisk but the sun was shining, and it made me so excited for what’s to come:)

I’ve spoken about my love for The Berkshires before. So much so that I created a Travel tab and included this location so that you too could experience one of my original “happy places”. As a family we’ve been going up to this area of Massachusetts since I was a little girl. First it was for short ski trips but eventually in my 20’s my parents bought a home in South Egremont that became a weekend escape for nearly a decade. About two years ago they decided they wanted to move closer to us in Connecticut and sold the house. I’ve really missed going up there. Last summer we went up for a John Williams concert at Tanglewood and stayed in a hotel. It wasn’t the same. I think for me the biggest thing is having a kitchen, especially with the kids but also because I love to entertain, pour a glass of wine, and hang. Last month we were chatting with our friends about going up for the weekend and I suggested looking for a house to rent. Collectively our two families have 5 boys under 5 so we knew we wanted space and something that we could “live” in (not too precious). Then I found this place. It was PERFECT! Not only is it beautiful and full of charm, it is also in the ideal location - 15 minutes in each direction to both Great Barrington and West Stockbridge - two towns that we always visit when we go up.

The minute we walked into Jacob’s Tanglewood it felt like home and our kids felt it too! The amenities were great and we found we had everything we needed. Fun fact (and one of the many reasons why I love social media): I posted a picture on instgram while we were up there of the house and one of my husband’s friends from college wrote him saying that the property had been in their family for nearly a century! His dad was born in the house we were staying in. Such a small world!

Looking for a weekend escape or a week in the country this summer? Send me a note with any questions!

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JACOB’S TANGLEWOOD

STOCKBRIDGE, MA


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Guidos Marketplace - We always do all of our food shopping at this local and independent grocer. They have all the brands you’ll ever want or need plus an amazing fish and meat counter.

Rubiners - If you’re hosting guests, staying as a guest, or just want to sit back and enjoy some delicious cheese and dark chocolate, we love stopping by Rubiners for all their artisinal offerings. Also don’t miss their little sister coffee shop in the side alley called Rubi’s.

Baba Louie’s - Getting in late on the first night? Our favorite pizza place offers delicious takeout which can be the saving grace you’re looking for after your journey.


A BERKSHIRE RETREAT


Lunch at No Six Depot

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA

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WEEKEND RECAP + THE BERKSHIRES

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We had the loveliest weekend in the Berkshires. I know I call a lot of places my "happy place" but this truly is. We've been going to Great Barrington as a family for almost 30 years. In the beginning it was for overnight ski trips to Butternut or Jiminy Peak. The proximity to Westchester and Fairfield makes it a super easy and convenient trip with kids and it feels like you're getting away.

When I was 25 my parents decided to purchase a second home in South Egremont, MA. For the next 6 years I would fall in love with the Berkshires...the air, the scenery, the people...it was all so calming for me and it felt like home. Looking back I wish I had been able to visit more but realistically my job didn't allow for it. Last year my parents decided to sell both of there homes and move to CT (closer to us...YAY!). This weekend was the first time we've all been up together since and we had the best time. Also there was lots of talk about finding a smaller place in Great Barrington. Day dreaming...

On Saturday night we went to Tanglewood to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform film scripts written and conducted by John Williams. If you're not familiar with John Williams he wrote the music for all the classics: Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future to name a few. Rain or shine the show goes on at Tanglewood so we pitched a tent (literally) and enjoyed a magical night with the kids. I highly recommend seeing a concert here if you're heading up to the Berkshires!

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RUBI'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

RUBI'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

DEPOT 6 IN WEST STOCKBRIDGE

DEPOT 6 IN WEST STOCKBRIDGE

THE BERKSHIRES

WHAT TO PACK



MYFAVORITE BERKSHIRE TEA AT DEPOT 6

MYFAVORITE BERKSHIRE TEA AT DEPOT 6

RUBY'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

RUBY'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

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PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO SEE


restaurants

Depot 6

Baba Louie's

Bizen

Prarie Whale


activities

Bash Bish Falls

Monument Mountain

Turn Park


shopping

hammertown

One Mercantile

Jane Iredale


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WALKING TO THE GREAT BARRINGTON FARMER'S MARKET

WALKING TO THE GREAT BARRINGTON FARMER'S MARKET

VEGETABLE GARDEN AT THE BRIARCLIFF MOTEL

VEGETABLE GARDEN AT THE BRIARCLIFF MOTEL

BRUNCH AT PATISSERIE LENOX IN GREAT BARRINGTON

BRUNCH AT PATISSERIE LENOX IN GREAT BARRINGTON

Posted on August 13, 2018 .

WHAT TO PACK

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It has been REALLY cold out this week! Luke's birthday is January 2nd and last year a full blown blizzard hit the east coast on the day of his party...everyone cancelled only a few hours before (sad face). I think I was more scarred than he was to be honest! After this week I'm seriously considering a lovely half birthday celebration in July:) Now they're saying we're supposed to be getting a bomb cyclone tomorrow, WHAT?! Fingers crossed for this year's party on Sunday!

Honestly my first what to pack post of the year should have been for the beach (hint, hint - I'm desperately trying to convince Frank of a weekend Florida getaway) but naturally my heart loves a good ski trip. We always go to the Berkshires but lately we've been talking about heading out west. Kid friendly suggestions welcome! I put a similar packing list together for a client of mine traveling to Europe for an annual family gathering in Switzerland. She wanted casual chic and to always feel "dressed" on and off the slopes. Another essential I had her buy was this face oil. It has been saving me the last few weeks! All these pieces can easily work on a trip to any cold climate! 

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