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Confessions of Crystal

Adventures in Boulder and Books

3/6/2014

4 Comments

 
Sometimes (or actually a lot of the time) I get really, really obsessed with a book or series.  Such happened with the Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.  The trilogy is a prequel to her slightly more well-known Mortal Instruments series.  I love both series, but Infernal Devices  is set is in Victorian London instead of modern day New York, so that gives it a slight edge.  Also, the characters are really complex and the plot even more surprising.  I finished the second book on Friday and started the third book Saturday.  I fell asleep reading it both Saturday and Sunday nights and spend seven hours today reading it until I finished.  I loved the epilogue; it was such a great ending!  I don't want to give anything away, but go read it so I can discuss it with you!

Along with my adventures in reading, I also took an adventure of my own to Boulder.  Conveniently enough, Boulder Bookstore is a three-story independent bookstore.  On Saturday, I spent over an hour and half looking at various books and adding a copious amount to my already massive reading list.  Without even looking for it, I found the only copy of the Shadowhunter's Codex in the bookstore.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Infernal Devices and Mortal Instruments series, the Codex is the history and guidelines for Shadowhunters, which characters frequently reference.  I talked myself out of it and settled for a $3.50 copy of Gulliver's Travels instead.  When I returned the next day, however, the Codex was still there so I took that as a sign that I should buy it.  I'll probably start reading it tonight.  It has some illustrations as well!
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Now, I'll stop talking about the books and turn my attention to tea!  Our first stop in Boulder was the Celestial Seasonings tea factory.  It is one of my favorite brands of American-made tea.  The factory tours are free, there is a little station to sample hot and iced teas before and after the tours, and everyone is sent home with a sample of tea bags.  The tour was really neat and informative.  I especially enjoyed the mint room, where the smell of mint really cleared out my sinuses!  It smelled like Christmas!
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For dinner, we visited Native Foods Café, an all-vegan chain.  I had watermelon fresca, blackened tempeh tacos, and a carrot crème cupcake.  The best part was the fun paintings on the walls, including the elephants in the bathroom and their detailed explanation why!
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Saturday night, we explored the Pearl Street mall.  Outdoor malls make shopping slightly more enticing! On Sunday, we hiked a bit at Chautauqua Park, which is one of the few remnant Chautauquas from the original adult education movement.  Then, we visited the Leanin' Tree Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden and admired the western and cowboy themed artwork.  I also got a bit distracted by all of the gorgeous Christmas cards in the gift shop.  All of the cards are made right at the gallery! We ended our trip in Boulder with a Banjo Billy bus tour.  The tour was not only about the sights, but also ghost stories and trivia.  The house in the bottom right corner imported their fence from Pittsburgh (near my hometown!) in the 1800s.  Instead of typical bus seats, the bus had crazy couches and saddles.  It was a lot of fun!
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Colorado is such a gorgeous state and I am making a point to visit several cities this summer.  Any suggestions as to which one I should visit next?
4 Comments
Alex@vegginout link
4/6/2014 05:54:27 am

I think that the Infernal Devices should be my next series! I'm currently working my way through the Divergent books, but I'm always on the lookout for new books. I'm definitely going to have to go to Boulder or Denver this summer just to go to Native Foods Cafe. I looked their menu up, and I think I was in heaven just looking at all the options! Colorado is definitely a gorgeous state, and I feel like I should visit more parts of it too! I know my area pretty well, but I should explore and see what else our state has to offer!

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Crystal @ Confessions of Crystal link
4/6/2014 06:42:53 pm

Yes, yes, yes, read the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments! Then we can discuss how amazing they are! I still cannot stop talking about the Infernal Devices. I'm really obsessed. Native Foods was great; they really do have a ton of options! Try the watermelon fresca to drink if you like watermelon. I think it was just watermelon, water, and mint but it was super refreshing when it was so hot outside! I agree that Colorado has a lot to explore and am looking forward to seeing more of it!

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Katherine link
5/6/2014 10:00:33 am

First off, I just read your about me, and you want to study abroad in London? SAME! Seriously we could be best friends right now.

Anyways, I LOVE this book post. I just posted all about books, so we must be on the same page right now. I'm on Amazon (in another tab) trying to order the Infernal Devices books. You and Alex have got me all excited over the prospect of a really good book series.

I also love Boulder/Denver/Colorado in general. Besides the great food, gorgeous scenery, and countless things to do, I LOVE Celestial Seasonings. My mom and I did a factory tour last time I went to Colorado which was around Christmas time. I was like a kid in a toy store!

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Crystal @ Confessions of Crystal link
5/6/2014 04:46:25 pm

Hi Katherine! I'm so glad I now have a London buddy! I'll be studying abroad there next year; I think I should update my About Me page.

Yes, please read the Infernal Devices and then discuss them with me! I still haven't stopped talking about them and have resorted to looking up quotes and sketches of my favorite characters on Pinterest!

I bet the Celestial Seasonings factory is gorgeous around Christmas time! It was so cool to tour!

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    Crystal Chilcott

    Hi, I’m Crystal!  I love to travel and am currently a graduate student in Scotland. You’ll get all the best tips and insights from my experiences as a former ice-skating coach in Iceland and former study abroad student. Of the 27 countries I have visited, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis has been the strangest land yet.  Type 1 has not slowed down my travels and you'll learn how to take type 1 with you on the road! You can connect with me further on Instagram @CrystalChilcott, or send me ideas of where I should travel next via email: crystalmechilcott@gmail.comHappy Travels, Crystal

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