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I’ve always dreamed of visiting Maine, and this post has completely convinced me. The descriptions like “tiny wild blueberries, periwinkle-filled tidal pools, and fresh-caught lobster on butter-slicked buns” have made me fall even more in love with a place I’ve never been. Soon, I hope! 🦞🌅

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Aug 1Author

I really hope you get to go!! It’s such a magical place in the summer. So special

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Aug 10Liked by Suze

this is how I feel about Japan! 🇯🇵

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wow this feels like an essay that was truly designed for me, truly just a gift and a joy. you’re right in guessing that some of this exists in cape cod/other parts of new england, but now i’m really wishing that i had snuck out of humid NYC this summer and escaped to Maine!! it sounds amazing

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You really captured the essence completely, Suze! I married someone whose parents own a small cabin in northern coastal Maine, a world I never experienced having been born and raised in the Bay Area with midwestern grandparents. Both the Bay and Midwest are completely sprawling and don't really offer the homogenous, cozy cultural experiences that little New England towns do. Loved seeing this through your eyes and especially the abundant design inspiration! Lusting over every piece of packaging ✨

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Thank you Kira!! A small cabin in coastal Maine is my true dream...

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Aug 2Liked by Suze

So happy you've been Maine-brained

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Wow, I loved this. My parents have just embarked on a Montreal-to-Maine road trip and I already had severe fomo but this was just what I needed to scratch the itch. Especially would love to visit that chapel... the stickers !!!!

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Aug 2Author

montreal-to-maine road trip is something i have never thought about before but it’s now fully on my bucket list

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Love this one Suze!

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Also became obsessed with balsam fir incense after my brother moved to Maine. They are the coziest smelling thing in the world!

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Aug 1Author

You know, when first I saw them I thought I didn’t like the smell of balsam… but now I’m totally addicted especially after playing tennis every morning surrounded by actual fir trees!!

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Aug 1Liked by Suze

having verrrrrry similar feelings about returning to my brooklyn walkup from coastal CT... the nancy meyers part of my heart has quadrupled in size

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Aug 1Liked by Suze

The numbers on the board in the chapel are the numbers of the hymns to be sung during the service. Sorry for your lack of exposure to church — my bad!

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Aug 1Author

HAHAH THANKS MOM ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Suze I was already pretty excited about my upcoming trips to the Cape (Ptown, baby) and Maine next month, but this piece has me giddy! The coastal towns here are so special.

I’m not from Mass at all but living here for 10 years turned me into someone who dreams of retiring along the Cape or Maine anyway.

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Aug 2Author

they really really are so special! enjoy yourself, eat many lobby rolls

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I grew up in Maine and it really is that special/better than the other New England states (hello from New Haven, CT, which I love also but on the other end of the spectrum from what I love about home). My kid's dad worked at a medical device company attached to Paine's when my son was just a baby and the incense is a staple of my childhood. My wife (a firm Nutmegger from birth) loves the little cabin and I love how much she loves it.

I think you're right, though-- Maine isn't as precious about its design and material culture as some other states can be, at least inland and away from some of the more touristy coastal towns. One of my tattoos is, of course, a pinecone and tassel, taken from the signage at Popham Beach which was originally done in the 1960s and just keeps getting repainted in that same style.

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