Today marks seven years of Pop.Bop.Shop. Lucky number seven!
It all started on January 4, 2009 with a new year's resolution. When I wrote that very first post I was excited to start sharing my opinions and adventures, but I never could have predicted the way this site would generate new opportunities and rally a community of people who share my same passions.
I think my favorite thing about the Pop.Bop.Shop. experience has been the way my family and friends have taken such an active role in introducing me to new things to cover. Whether it's a book I have to read, a new boutique that just opened or an incredible meal, I regularly receive recommendations with notes like, "You have to write about this!" or "This place is so Pop.Bop.Shop." Forget Amazon or Netflix, my readers are the absolute best recommendation engine in the world.
Each year I mark the blog's birthday. If you've missed the posts from past years, you can revisit them here:
- 1st birthday
- 2nd birthday
- 3rd birthday
- 4th birthday (the Golden Birthday - 4 on the 4th!)
- 5th birthday
- 6th birthday
This year's milestone feels particularly special because the number seven is associated with good luck.
I feel incredibly lucky to have such wonderful readers. This year, the lucky number seven birthday celebration is all about you and what you want to see on Pop.Bop.Shop. in the year to come.
It's a birthday tradition to blow out your candles and make a wish. With that in mind, please leave a comment below with the one thing you wish to see here on Pop.Bop.Shop. in 2016. It could be a restaurant I need to check out, a hotel I should stay at, a shopping website you swear by, a movie you loved, a gift guide for a certain occasion - anything!
Birthday wishes for future posts will be accepted until 11:59pm ET on Thursday, January 7, 2016 (there's that number seven again).
One winner will be selected at random and that reader will receive a $100 jackpot!
Comments
meghan malloy
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:04
Happy Blog Birthday! I look forward to reading what's next!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:03
Thank you, Meghan! I love reading your blog for wine tips, recipe ideas (for the rare occasions where I brave cooking), beachfront escapes and of course, amazing international travel!
Lauren Backstrom
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:35
HAPPY 7th Pop.Bop.Shop (and Molly!) - and congrats on seven years! You should do a Portland weekend in 2016, so awesome, and DuckFat has got to be one of the best restaurants ever! xoxo
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:04
Thank you, LB! It's crazy to think this project started when we sat right next to each other. I am absolutely getting to Portland in 2016 and Duckfat is a must!
Mollie Searle Benoni
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:48
I think you need a weekend in Burlington, VT, M! And that The Farmhouse Tap & Grill (www.farmhousetg.com) is a MUST!
I also cannot wait for more of your parties coverage!
Congrats love!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:06
I would love to do a Burlington, VT weekend. I am not normally into long car rides, but I know how much you enjoyed your trip, which convinced me!
Lorianne Lacey
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:52
What a great idea! Happy blog birthday! :) Always love reading your posts. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures with the dog!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:07
Thank you, Lorraine! I assure you you'll continue to see a lot of Scout in 2016. I'm always looking for dog-friendly places. There are a few Boston hotels that welcome dogs that I'd love to try!
Lorianne Lacey
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:52
What a great idea! Happy blog birthday! :) Always love reading your posts. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures with the dog!
Lindsey Berlin
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 09:55
Congratulations on seven awesome years! I'd love for you to do a post maybe trying or recommending some of the wonderful Boston-based food items that can be shipped out across the U.S. for those of us in other states who still want to enjoy them! :)
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:07
Linds, what a great idea! I will absolutely do that!
Emily Fairbairn
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 10:37
Happiest of birthdays pop.bop.shop!! I can't believe it's been 7 years! I can't wait to see what this next year brings!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:08
Thank you, lovey! You have been such a big supporter since day one, always waiting patiently as I snap pictures and force you to describe your food. Can't wait to share our BranchLine meal!
Emilia Diamant
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:24
Happy Happy 7th!
This year, make sure you check out JM Curley's in Downtown Crossing. Good food, and an AMAZING whiskey list. A must for Boston!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:09
I am a huge jm Curley fan! Love their veggie burger, fries and their boozy milkshakes! Here's the review from my very first visit: http://www.popbopshopblog.com/2013/08/dining-out-jm-curley
Michele Moore Duhen
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:33
Congrats on lucky #7, and Happy Birthday PBS! I'd like to request a London edition of PBS for 2016. :)
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:10
Thank you, darling! A London jaunt would be absolutely incredible! I can see us now, strolling through the floors of Harrods.
Lauren Richmond
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 13:03
Dang! 7 years! Keep reviewing those restaurants because I use your blog every time I need to find a special occasion place, from parents visiting to birthdays!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:10
I love hearing that! It makes me so happy to know the restaurant list is an ongoing resource for special occasions.
Marisa Edelstein
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 13:27
I can't believe it's been 7 years! Incredible! Of course, I love all the restaurant reviews and party recaps. I also love when you cover special food or entertainment events like markets and concerts. Please continue the fashion and gift guides too! Finally, I just spent a few days in Cape May, NJ and thought "Molly would absolutely love it here!" I highly recommend it! Mazal tov on 7 years! Love you!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:12
You are far too kind! The NYC portion of the site should say "sponsored by Marisa Edelstein." You always recommend such stellar places. I definitely want to cover more markets, so you'll see more of that for sure. The restaurants, party recaps (Golden Globes this weekend!) and gift guides will surely continue as well. Ooooo, a trip to Cape May in 2016? Could be!
Daniel Fishman
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 14:29
Here's to a great 7 years and it's still getting better! I'd love to see a definitive Boston-area ice cream ranking. Maybe an ice cream week in the middle of the summer? Keep up the great work!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:13
Ice cream ranking? That I can definitely do. I assume you'll volunteer to be my partner in crime as I re-taste all the contenders? Oooo, also love the idea of ice cream week!
Amelia Sugerman
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 16:27
Congratulations to you Molly and to Pop Shop! Love seeing new restaurant postings here. Have you considered an all Asian tribute? Asian is actually an awesome choice for vegetarians and is quickly becoming one of my favorite cuisines!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:14
Amelia, that is such a fantastic idea! And you're absolutely right, so vegetarian friendly!
Becky Brackett
Tue, 01/05/2016 - 07:53
Ahhh 7! I feel like just yesterday you were celebrating the Golden Birthday! For 2016 I've been eyeing the Dean Hotel in Providence and would love to see your coverage of it here. There are so many great restaurants to visit in Providence & it's such a short trip away. Happy Birthday!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:16
I know! The Golden Birthday does feel like yesterday. I still love that giveaway so much. Ooo, I will have to check out the Dean Hotel. I love Providence, I went to college just 15 minutes north of there. Have you ever been to Olga's Cup and Saucer? Here's my post about it for a sense of it's charm: http://www.popbopshopblog.com/2011/09/dining-out-olgas-cup-saucer
Molly Marzalek-Kelly
Tue, 01/05/2016 - 09:38
wishing a very happy birthday to a blog that is very near and dear to me, since one of my nearest and dearest in the lovely author! I know I already texted you about this, but I really think you would LOVE "Year of Yes" by, the one and only, Shonda Rhimes. I thought of you often while I sped through it, and it even inspired me to start watching Grey's. Added bonus? Then I can actually understand all your posts about that show :) Cheers to the future and to many, many more posts! xoxo
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:17
After your suggestion the other day, I ordered it! Can't wait to dive in. Thank you for your never ending support and encouragement, Molls!
S Galler
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 08:02
To 7 more years of popbopshop as a go to resource for eat/entertain/explore in Molly's favorite places & new discoveries!
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:17
Thank you, Mama! Look forward to all our adventures together, even if you can't remember not to touch the food before I snap it.
Caroline Cammarano
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 09:44
Congrats, Molly!! I would love to hear what you think of Brick and Mortar in Central Square.
Molly
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 15:18
I will have to add that spot to my list! Central has gotten many great new additions in the past year alone. Plus, I love the vegan ice cream shakes at Veggie Galaxy.
Stephanie Blackburn
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 10:19
Happy Belated Birthday PBS! I am looking forward to a roundup of best hot chocolates in Boston this winter!!! Can't wait to see what the best one is.
Molly
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 21:18
Yes! I can't wait to start our hot chocolate exploration adventure!
Jessica Leeds
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 18:10
Happy birthday to this awesome blog! Maybe next year we can add another restaurant from rockland or Westchester !? Love ya lady!!!
Molly
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 21:18
Yes! I would love to add another Land of Rocks spot!
Emily Martin
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 18:13
I remember having some time to kill in NYC and MMK said "Molly did a restaurant right near there!" so I promptly pulled up the blog to get an address and find out exactly what I should (and shouldn't) order. Molly/PBS approved city guides could be really excellent! I hear DC would be a great place to start!
Molly
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 21:19
City guides are a definite possibility, especially by neighborhood! I would love to spend more time in DC in 2016.
Bevin Kennedy
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 21:08
Happy birthday PBS!!! I for one am MOST interested in your fave spots that come out of Portland!! Maybe Shipyard or Sea Dog brewing?! Wink wink!! Beer is awesome! Xoxo
Molly
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 21:19
I failed miserably at getting to Portland in 2015, so 2016 it is for sure!