Small Town, Big Feels: Portsmouth Escape

This past weekend my college girlfriend visited and we went on a New Hampshire adventure! Time spent with Allycia is the best -  it’s so easy and I know whatever we do will turn into one of my favorite memories. Originally we were going to do a classic Boston tourist weekend, but Allycia had the great idea of going up to New Hampshire instead.

Do you have friendships where you can do absolutely nothing and it means everything? She is someone I can talk to about absolutely anything, and she exudes such good energy and positive outlook on life. Allycia is someone who holds the same values as me and lives with full authenticity. 

We were pals in college, then became really close the last few years. She’s so special to me. Isn’t it funny how life works? 

We made the drive up to Portsmouth, NH after an amazing SoulCycle class on Saturday morning. Special thanks to one of my girlfriends, Shea, who went to UNH, and gave us incredible recommendations!

Portsmouth is a cute coastal town located an hour away from Boston…it was rainy but still so beautiful. The streets were lined with all different shops, restaurants, and special places. We parked in the Hanover garage, which was central to everything, and then we started bopping into little boutiques. 

The first stop was Opal and Oak Boutique, a fashionable emporium. But, as soon as we saw the $318 price tag on the jeans, we knew perhaps we would just be window shopping!  

All the shops had the most beautiful clothing, nautical themed décor, antiques, unique gift items and more. We stopped into The Mercantile store which is a beautiful storefront filled with antiques and cool gifts. I found a few great gifts for Mother’s Day!

We grabbed lunch at The River House, which was delicious. I had their lobster salad (which was to die for) and Allycia had a burger that looked amazing... We walked and shopped on the rainy day, and ventured into Deadwick’s Emporium to buy crystals and potions. Necessities of course! We shopped for souvenir matching sweatshirts atTug Boat Alley before finishing the day in another state…at the Kittery Outlets in Maine.  

The day trip turned out to be so inspiring to me. Not only was it time to catch up with a dear friend, but it offered me a chance to slow down and spend time outside while exploring a new city. Travel doesn’t have to be far-flung and expensive – you can stimulate and feed that desire with a simple drive north, east, west or south! 

Did I mention we didn’t go club hopping or drink the entire weekend? I’m in the process of shifting my diet, and this was meaningful to not feel like I had to have a cocktail with a friend at a restaurant. It’s part of a personal shift to make very conscious choices about my health and live in the moment.  We had just as much fun and woke up feeling refreshed. What a way to spend a weekend! 

More to come on my lifestyle changes, however I feel so inspired and ready to move forward this week. 

I’m also reflecting deeply on friendships that pour good energy out and make me feel like I matter. I’m too old, I'm realizing, to spend time with people who suck my energy out and take from me! It’s a shift I’ve noticed as I start to prioritize and love myself wholly now…and it’s intentional. 

Happy May! Here's to living authentically and intentionally. To choosing joy and people who fill my spirit.

Big hugs,

-Charty