I’ve always dreamed of taking a girls trip. That trip came true this August for me, my sister, and our cousins, Katharine and Jordyn. We’d been thinking about taking a girls trip for a while, and we finally decided to just do it. Our aunt and uncle are living in Athens for the next couple of years (they work for the embassy), so we figured we had to go visit them soon and take advantage of their current location!

We began our adventure in Athens. Our days in the city were filled with exploring Monastiraki Square, marveling at the ancient Parthenon, and soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Athens was such a unique city. It was so interesting to see such a modern city glittered with ruins in “random” places. It felt like history was coming alive.

We visited Monastiraki Square during the night and day. It was such different vibes during both. Even though it was as late as 10 p.m. at night, people were still just arriving at restaurants to eat! Back where I live, it’s normal for restaurants to close at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on a weekday. 

After a couple of days in Athens, we flew to Crete, which quickly became one of my favorite places.

The island had everything—breathtaking landscapes, warm-hearted people, and unforgettable food. Two beaches stood out: Falasarna and Elafonisi, each more stunning than the last.

Watching the sunset at Falassarna felt surreal, like a scene from a painting. At first we struggled to choose what the best beach would be to visit, but we picked the ones that were easiest to get to, and they ended up being stunning. Elafonissi beach is known for its unique pink sand and glistening turquoise waters.

One of the best things to do in Crete, in my opinion, is explore the food scene. Everything is so fresh, flavorful, and I love the use of herbs and fresh olive oil. After sunset at Falasarna, we dined at Gramvousa Restaurant, a beautiful farm-to-table spot with some of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted. My favorite dish was their Cretan Salad, and lamb wrapped in Filo. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The restaurant was on part of the farm, everything was open air, no mosquitos, and beautifully decorated. It honestly felt like I was in a movie. While we waited for a table to open up, we got some drinks by the outdoor bar which was decorated in grape vines and had beautiful flowers and garnishes on display. The drinks were unique and hand-crafted. We sipped them, roamed around the restaurant’s garden, and picked grapes right off the vine: a perfect way to wait for our table.

One of the trip highlights was wandering around in Old Town Chania in Crete. It was so walkable (which is nice because you don’t need to drive and worry about parking). The Old Town was bustling with energy. There were so many restaurant options, an old fort that we walked on to watch the sunset, and plenty of little pop up shops to explore into the night. We ended up eating at a waterfront seafood restaurant that offered us some free Raki for dessert.

On our last night, we tried another farm-to-table restaurant, Peskesi, which my aunt’s friend from the embassy recommended. The fresh bread and olive oil were incredible, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The menu was detailed and explained the source of each of their menu items, its travel distance to the restaurant, and how everything impacted the environment. Everything at Peskesi was done with such care.

Leaving Greece, its delicious cuisine, and my aunt and uncle was hard. The food alone was a reason to stay! This trip with family was the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and memories that I’ll always treasure. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Until next time Crete,

Rachael

When I first met Chrisanta of Married And Social, I was second shooting, and she was creating content for a wedding. Within a year, she was married, went full time, and now has two associates under her wing! Talk about a girl boss! When Chrisanta reached out to me about taking photos for her growing team, I was ecstatic! We looked at a few studios, but ultimately fell in love with the vibe of The Newburyport Studio. The clean walls, simple decor, and professional atmosphere was everything we needed. Chrisanta also brought a beautifully decorated (and delicious!) cake by United Cakes Bakery. Talk about a sweet surprise!

Thank you Chrisanta, Sasha, and Amber for allowing me to capture these special images. I can’t wait to see the beautiful weddings you get to be a part of in the coming years!

I called this post The Endless Summer, but the truth is that it’s so far from that. It’s ending way to fast. I only wish with all my heart that it wasn’t. This summer was somewhat unexpected. My cousins from Arizona visited and stayed with us for two whole months! We usually only see them once a year, or every other year if they can’t come down for Christmas. In the time they were here we tried to do everything. We went to Newport, went paddle boarding, ate ice cream, had Boston days, watched movies, played games, went up to Maine, went to the beach, etc…it was truly a summer that I never wanted to end.

My cousins went back to Arizona the other day, so I’ve been looking at the pictures of their time here. I sent in 5 rolls of film to Indie Film Lab and the scans recently came in. I love the photos. Some (ok, most) are blurry, but regardless, they bring me right back to the moment. This is the reason I take photos. Pictures are how I interact with the world, interact with my memories, and interact with my future self.

Until next time, cousins. Boston will be here waiting.

Apple picking in New England is a right of passage. When fall rolls around, New England is transformed into an autumn wonderland. The leaves display lovely shades of reds, oranges, and yellows, you start to see pumpkins on the doorsteps of houses, and everything and anything becomes pumpkin spice.

However, one of my favorite things is apple picking. Every fall we go apple picking at Tougas Farm in Massachusetts. There’s something special about New England apple orchards in the fall. It’s not necessarily about just picking apples, but it’s the experience of going to the farm.

My first visit to Tougas this year was with my cousin, Josh, his wife, Jordyn, and their daughter, Evelyn. While Josh grew up in Massachusetts, his family currently lives in Colorado. This made our visit extra exciting, because Evelyn had never been to an apple orchard! When we entered Tougas, the smells of fall filled the air-specifically, fresh apple cider donuts. That was the moment I truly felt like fall had arrived. And what better way than to experience that with family!?

What’s your favorite type of apple?

xoxo,

Rachael

When I walked into the Wilson’s apartment, I was immediately welcomed with love, laughter, and light. Emma, Sam, and puppy Penelope, have created an aesthetic and warm home. However messy it may be sometimes (as Emma was telling me), it does clean up nice. Neutral decorative pieces create a simple backdrop daily activities, and honestly are just inspiring to wake up to. The old mill turned apartment features exposed brick and high ceilings allow the sunlight from the tall windows to flood in and fill the home. It was my honor to capture Emma, Sam, and Penelope in the space that they have made home.

Every season comes with special memories and milestones. If you want to preserve these special moments, and look back with love and laughter for years to come – send me a message! Let’s make some magic.

Xoxo,

Rachael