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A Day at the Ballet

December 8, 2014 by Emily Leave a Comment

Maybe my favorite of ALL Christmas traditions? Blame it on the dancer in me, but it’s one hundred percent going to see The Nutcracker in Boston. An indulgence that’s a bit difficult to do every year, which makes it even more of a treat when it does happen.

Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker 2014

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

This year was a Nutcracker year, and I was so, so grateful for the opportunity to see Boston Ballet’s rendition, under the creative direction of Mikko Nissinen. Set in the early 1800s, his production is based on Alexandre Dumas’s libretto The Tale of the Nutcracker, adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The Boston Ballet changes it up just enough every year, to keep things fresh, while still perfectly sticking to the story and parts we fell in love with as children.

Boston Ballet Costumes

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

The Nutcracker Boston costumes

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

The COSTUMES though. Those are what really make this performance magical. Robert Perdziola redesigned all of the costumes that grace the production’s 300+ dancers in 2012 [costumes are only redone every 15-20 years!]. 182 completed costumes appear during each performance, but over 350 were created for multiple casts. This slays me: The Sugar Plums and Dew Drops, alone, have over 3,600 jewels on their tutus and bodices, and over 2,000 yards of net and tulle were used for all of the costumes. Can you say, dream closet?

Robert Perdziola Costume Designer

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet Nutcracker Tutus

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

Best ballet costumes

Photo courtesy of Boston Ballet

Which brings me to my day-at-the-ballet look, obviously involving tulle and a bit of sparkle as well. This was the perfect excuse to don some of my girliest, most festive apparel, and to debut a darling LC Lauren Conrad skirt, and sweet new tassel charm bracelet from queen-bee-of-monograms, Marley Lilly.

Plaid Shirt, Ralph Lauren [similar] | Tulle Skirt, LC Lauren Conrad | Pearl Cluster Necklace c/o Francesca’s [similar 1; 2] | Monogrammed Tassel Bracelet c/o Marley Lilly | Green Leather Crossbody, Jesslyn Blake [similar 1; 2] | Patent Ballet Flats, Kimchi Blue [similar 1; 2]

The Nutrcracker is playing at the Boston Opera House and runs through December 31st this year, with performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30, Sundays at 5:30, and various 1pm matinees.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bostonballet.org, or over the phone at 617.695.6955. They start at just $29, so give yourself a treat this holiday.

Seriously not convinced yet? Read this:: Top 10 reasons to see the Nutcracker this season!

Full disclosure:: I was provided with two complimentary tickets to The Nutcracker for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have attended Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker in many years past, unsponsored.

Courtyard Boston Downtown

November 11, 2014 by Emily 1 Comment

The night before I moved into college in downtown Boston many moons ago, I stayed with my parents at the Courtyard Marriott right on Tremont Street in the Theater District. Many of my classmates ended up living in the hotel that year [funny story:: Emerson over-accepted!], and I lined up in its ballroom the morning of my graduation. Needless to say, it’s a hotel that is close to my heart.
And it just got a HUGE makeover.

Let’s back up though:: What is now the Courtyard Boston Downtown was first built in 1925 and served as an Elks Lodge and Hotel… the most expensive and lavish of its kind at that point. It became The Bradford Hotel after the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and has been home to a number of other chains since, until being turned into a Courtyard by Marriott in 2006.

We took a step back to the hotel’s early days last week to celebrate the grand re-opening post its multi-million dollar renovation. I’ll let the video do the talking…

We were lucky enough to spend a night in one of the GORGEOUS recently renovated rooms [they do not disappoint!], but what’s most notable about this downtown space is its capacity as a venue. It now boasts 7 meeting rooms totaling 13,000 square feet of function space. Boston brides:: Do NOT overlook this hotel! You cannot beat the atmosphere or the incredible downtown location, and I know should we have chosen to get married in the city, this would be at the top of our list. It’s truly a hidden gem.

The Empire Ballroom (pictured above) on the first floor is one of the loveliest, most versatile function rooms I have seen in Boston. Just a day before the party, I was working at a career fair in it– totally different vibe!

Upstairs, the 5th floor function space offers multiple additional venue rooms, including The Washington Ballroom with a view of Back Bay [PERFECT for cocktail hours].

[ old phone booths on the 5th floor! ]

There is nothing quite like being a tourist in your own city. We had the best stay at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown [amazing mid-week refresher], but I will most certainly be frequenting it for dinner & cocktails at its super chic Post No. 10 bar and restaurant [don’t forget breakfast after your stay!].

Whether you’re visiting Boston as an out-of-towner, are looking for a wedding/shower/bachelorette party venue, or just need a mini escape close to home, I cannot think of a hotel more charming—not to mention convenient—than this to recommend. I am blown away by what a transformation it has gone through– it completely celebrates its roaring 20s roots with an added modern sleekness.

[ Courtyard Boston Downtown ]
[ 275 Tremont Street ]
[ Boston, MA 02116 ]

Full disclosure: I was provided a complimentary one-night stay at the Courtyard Boston. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support shell chic’d!