Although Earth Day was yesterday, I’ve found myself taking more and more proactive, every day steps in recent years to reduce my carbon footprint, cut down dramatically on harmful waste (i.e.- using less plastic, turning to biodegradable packaging, repurposing containers, etc.) and playing my part in trying to slow and/or reverse the effects of global […]
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Last Spring, when we were at the height of COVID-19 uncertainty- with lockdowns, quarantines, and mass cancellations/closures- it didn’t seem like there was an end in sight. Everything looked and felt grim, and it was hard to see the bright side of pretty much anything given how much we’d lost and were continuing to lose- […]
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When I first moved to the Pioneer Valley nearly two years ago, my first weekend around my new town was spent getting acclimated to my space and familiarizing myself with the local shops, cafés and restaurants. I did a lot of walking over the course of those two days- but ultimately ended up at a […]
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When I started “Coffee & Chiffon” back at the start of 2020, one of the things I was most excited for was being able to write about and share some of my favorite local shops, restaurants and beloved attractions in and around my current home in the Pioneer Valley- particularly places I love(d) visiting in […]
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Another day, and another month comes to a close. It’s hard to believe that March is over and we’re getting ready to dive into all things April within a few short hours- including Easter, more Spring-esque weather here in New England- and ongoing vaccination roll-out phases (depending on your state/region, of course. I’m still waiting […]
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Despite their outdoor locations and some of the other surrounding businesses/attractions opening to limited capacity and enforced mask-wearing- a lot of my favorite local spots to visit here in Pioneer Valley during the Springtime remain closed to the public as a result of COVID-19. It’s frustrating for sure- but understandable- although it greatly reduces the […]
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It might not be Spring here in the Pioneer Valley just yet- but I’ve been preparing to and eagerly anticipating visiting some of my favorite local spots that are at their most beautiful when the flowers and trees start blooming. Fortunately for me, one of those spots is an indoor attraction that can control their […]
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Pre-pandemic, it was not at all uncommon for me to spend nearly every other weekend with my longtime friends Sean and Paulo. Be it going hiking, dining out, catching a scary movie at a crowded theater or just sitting around playing video games in our apartments- it was kind of a routine and definitely a […]
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Coffee & Chiffon 