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Last Saturday, my mom and I hosted an immortal-themed murder mystery party for my birthday. Words can’t explain how insanely fun it was, so photos will have to do! See more after the jump. Note: To protect my friend’s identities, I’ve used their character names instead of their real names {except for those you already know}. Continue reading My Immortal 24th Birthday »  With all of the craziness that is May {birthdays, graduations, weddings, Memorial Day…}, I’m not having a big birthday bash until this coming Saturday. Though I’ve done pretty small celebrations for the past couple of years, my mom wanted to throw me an immortal-themed murder mystery party. So, this Saturday, a few friends and I will be dressing up as faeries, wizards, vampires, werewolves, or watchers {think Giles from Buffy, only more stylish}, and trying to solve a murder while also trying to keep our own secrets safe. Scandalous!
I, of course, chose a faerie character — the water faerie, Nineve. I found the perfect dress at Uptown Consignment, and Stan paid for half as part of my birthday present. My mom and I have been busy planning fun menu items {like salsa = “blood & guts” for vampires} and testing recipes {like this one for raspberry lemon cupcakes}, and I’ve been coming up with great DIY ideas for decorations and costume components, like the tissue paper pom-poms I created using this tutorial, and the candles Stan and I made together. I can’t wait until Saturday!
Yesterday was a beautiful, sun-filled and eventful day. Stan and I woke up early, ate a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, and whole wheat toast, and headed to New Britain for the Urban Oaks Green Faire, sponsored by Urban Oaks Organic Farm. I’ve gotta say, I’m really proud of my hometown for getting behind the sustainability movement. Stan and I talked extensively with a representative from CL&P about green energy and sustainability, and I was surprised to find out how many cool local “green” businesses there are in the area. Here are a few highlights:
According to their website, Chet’s Italian Ice has been around since 2007, and it’s a damn shame I didn’t know about them earlier! That being said, I’m very glad I found them today. I tried a scoop of Strawberry Patch and a scoop of Lemon & Rosemary {hidden under the Strawberry Patch} — SO delicious! They currently do not have a store front, but they do participate in farmers markets, street fairs, and offer catering for private events and weddings.
I chatted with Rose Valle, owner of Bayberry Meadow Herbs, based in East Windsor. Rose makes natural herbal soaps, solid lotions, salves, herbal blends, and sells teas and healing salts from around the world. I’m hoping to take a soapmaking class taught by her later this summer. Check out her Facebook page for upcoming events, and she also has an Etsy shop.
You’ve heard of cupcake trucks and food on wheels, but how about a pizza fire truck? Verona on Wheels is a wood-fired, brick oven, pizzeria on wheels {fire truck wheels!}. Verona on Wheels is typically stationed in Southington, but also does catering and special events. Stan and I enjoyed a {large} slice of buffalo chicken, and would have gone back for more had we thought to bring more cash! You can also check out owner Sal Ajro’s non-mobile Verona Pizzeria in Marion for the same, super-yummy thin-crusted wood-fired pizza.
Stan got his nerd on talking to one of the Engineering students from New Britain High School {my alma mater} about their solar powered backwards trike. He also took a spin on the two person, four-wheeled, human-energy-powered bike {quike?}, also from NBHS. All in all, it was a good day. There was no Rapture, and I may have even gotten a little tan! :)
Women balancing swords on their heads! Green dragons selling ice cream! Shameless theatrical nonsense! That’s what you’ll see at this year’s Robin Hood Springtime Festival, a Connecticut Renaissance Faire. There’s still one weekend left, and those are three reasons why you should go. Stan and I met a few of our friends at the faire in Guilford this past weekend. Though it was a little gray and drizzly, I still wanted to dress up, so I wore my faerie wings. The only downside of going to any Renaissance Faire is that there’s always so much to do, and you can’t do all of it! Here are a few of the things we did do:
We watched in amazement as women walked down the dirt path with swords on their heads — and you thought balancing a book on your head was hard! We also chuckled as Commedia Mania delivered, as promised, shameless theatrical nonsense in the form of a “Crucible” parody.
The ice cream-selling green dragon {my favorite recurring character at the Renaissance Faires} stopped Michele, Alyssa, and I, called us “princesses,” gave us silver beads, and demanded that our men buy us shiny things. He said that he is the “bling inspector,” and will be angry if “the men” don’t buy us what we want. My kind of dragon! Stan followed through — he bought me a beautiful leaf necklace {below}.
We also saw “Whippers Gone Wild” — two men using whips to cut the air and spaghetti. It was actually a little scary at times. The guy in blue had a penciled on handlebar mustache and spoke in a French accent. You just never know what to expect at the Renaissance Faire! xo Here are a few upcoming fair(e)s you should definitely attend in the next two weekends:
Brazen Betties 2nd Birthday Street Fair: Brazen Betties is celebrating its second year in business by hosting a street fair in Torrington on Saturday, May 21st from 4-8pm. Owner Julia Sloan will have tons of fun stuff going on, including a fashion show, live music, a hula-hoop contest, and even zombies! Check out the 20+ vendors, and make sure you pick up some of my soaps while you’re down there — I may even be there to hand them to you! <3 More info on the Facebook event. 
Robin Hood Springtime Festival {Renaissance Faire} — I love Renaissance Faires! My mom used to take us to the New York one every fall, and the last three years Stan and I have gone to the Connecticut Ren Faire in Hebron, usually around October/November. This year, we’re excited to go to the Robin Hood Springtime Festival for the first time! If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Faire, you are totally missing out. They have guards that ticket you for frolicking, delicious turkey legs, singing wenches, jousting, interestingly-clad cast members, sword-fighting classes, maypole dancing, fantasy and period costumes for sale, and so much more! {Can you tell how excited I am?}
The faire is only running for two more weekends though, so put on your best wench dress or wizard cloak and get to Guilford! <3 Click here for the Facebook event. 
Urban Oaks Green Faire: Lots of faires going on in CT this month! Although there probably won’t be green dragons at this one, there will be plenty of other “green,” because this faire is all about sustainability. Before you head to Torrington, stop by my hometown of New Britain between 10am-4pm for food, eco-conscious products and services, a drumming circle, and tips on how to “think globally by acting locally.” Sponsored by Urban Oaks Organic Farm. Confirm your attendance on Facebook. |
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