How often is it that you pinpoint on a map what's halfway between you and me and land on a quaint little town with the perfect pizza place for lunch? Last Saturday, to celebrate my 30th birthday, that's exactly what my mama and I did and it was lovely. Growing up in Fairfield County {Connecticut} I can't believe I had never been to Mystic before. It's simply adorable and the beauty of the water and marina on this visit had me at first glance. Covered in snow from the blizzard the night before, there was something so serene about it all. We dined at Pizzetta, had lattes and hot cocoa at Bartleby's and shopped for spices at The Spice and Tea Exchange of Mystic. I picked out a sweet and a hot smoked paprika and the world's hottest hot black peppercorns, the latter for my husband. Next trip, we'll have to try Mystic Pizza, the Aquarium and the Mystic Arts Center. I'm so happy that we found this little town and were able to spend the day together.

I brought along my Canon 5D Mark III and Sigma 35 mm Art lens to snap a few scenic winter shots of downtown Mystic and the drawbridge over Mystic River. Enjoy!