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DTSB (you know, downtown south bend? yea, i'm using local slang since i've been here for all of 3 weeks) is probably one of the most relaxed downtown-areas that i've ever experienced. there are cute shops and boutiques, (what look like) cool bars, and some really great restaurants lining main street. it's as laid back as you can get.
the first place beau took me to when we were visiting south bend in january was the south bend chocolate company.
it's crazy! - you walk into the place and it's like you're getting 4-in-1: it's a cafe, specialty dessert shop (including their famous chocolate...covering every type of fruit, nut, and snack you can imagine), it's got it's own pastry counter, and one whole side is dedicated to lunch (which is awesome, by the way). there are tons of tables around the entire place, free wireless, and comfy couches - definitely encouraging it's patrons to stay awhile...which we did. if you're ever in south bend you have to check this place out.
as you may have read here, the athens farmers market is like none other in the state. it is the largest open-air market in ohio, and its goods are extremely unique to the athens-area.
sooo, you can bet i was thrilled to learn that south bend had their own farmers market! beau told me about it on wednesday (little sweetheart, he is) and i was ready to hop on over there that afternoon. buuuut, i can be a sweetheart too (muahahaha), so i told beau that i would wait till saturday so we could go together :)
saturday monring we marched our pretty little butts over there and let me tell you...this place was unreal. i'm not saying it was better than athens because, let's face it, athens is on a playing field all their own. no, the south bend farmers market was just different. it was more like a farmers market mixed with a little bit of Etsy - there was LOADS of stuff, not just food, and the place went on forevvvvveeeerrrrr. there were deli counters, italian bakeries, cupcake booths, vintage goods, and even handmade jewelry. i fell in love with this one chick - her jewelry pieces are absolutely to-die-for. her name is ali oesch, and you best believe i will be making a purchase (or two) with her very soon.
and to my dear athens - i still love you and your uniqueness :)
in an attempt to explore our new city of south bend, i'm going to use this blog as a way to force myself to get out of the house (away from all the boxes) and navigate around our new grid.
but first! why not start in the town i feel most comfortable in? yep...that's right - we're back in athens. i mean we couldn't stay away for THAT long, could we? [well, in all honesty, as part of the agreement with notre dame and beau's program, which will allow him to still get his degree, he is supposed to come back to athens three tuesday's throughout the quarter for class, sooo i guess we were kinda forced to come back].
athens has TONS of cute little coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques lining court street, but the one i have been to most often is definitely brenen's (you might recognize the outside of their shop from this post). they have great coffee and specialty drinks (their vanilla chai is a-mazing), bagels and breakfast sandwiches, and a HUGE lunch menu...lots of veggie options (their tomato bisque is fabulous). the entire place is has floor to ceiling windows, so it's an awesome place to pop-a-squat and get your work done [yes, they have free wireless]. i've spent many a-hour soaking up the sunlight through the inside of their cafe...the owner even knows my name...
on a side note, beau and i are alive! this is the first time i've had contact with the outside world since friday, so i'm trying to get as much in as possible before we drive back to south bend tonight...back to no internet and no 'real' tv.
the move was successful. my dad and beau did a bunch of work on thursday - picked up the truck and moved a bunch of boxes to the garage. then, those two heavy-weight lifters, and our gracious, gracious neighbor, spent six hours loading the 26' truck on friday. woke up at 6am saturday and drove six hours to south bend, spent four hours unloading the truck (with the help of beau's uncle and grandparents. yes...grandparents). and completely crashed that night. and crashed is probably an understatement.
it will take a few weeks to get our new home in order, but i'm up for the challenge :)
