The Self Says, I Am
literature
Poetry by Melissa Crowe
Say I’m clover and Queen Anne’s
lace, devil’s paintbrush and lupine.
I’m a yard of junked cars, each
with its corona of broken glass
Fashion Statement
fashion statement
Josephine staples to go from desk to dock
Working from a home office has a way of softening the edges of personal style—long hours at the computer can slip into a rotation of uninspired staples: slouchy knits, well-worn sweatpants, comfort over intention. At least, that’s where Karen and I found ourselves after a year of building MyMaine from the ground up.
As women who have always found joy in the ritual of getting dressed, we felt called to mark this milestone with a sartorial reset—packing away the overly casual and reintroducing pieces that reflect both who we are and where we’re going.
With an eye toward refinement and ease, we turned to Janet Kooyenga, owner of Josephine at the Shops at Falmouth Square, to curate looks that move effortlessly from daytime meetings to evening gatherings with friends—each ensemble capturing that luminous, golden-hour energy that defines a Maine summer.
Creating Regenerative Arts in Maine
arts & culture
At Hogfish in Cape Elizabeth, artists gather to create work that restores connection—to themselves, to each other, and to the world around them.
Regenerative arts—inspired by regenerative agriculture and indigenous wisdom to restore, revitalize, and heal ecological and social systems—began in the 1970s but gained momentum in the 2010s. Maine’s Hogfish in Cape Elizabeth has emerged
At the Edge of Maine
worth the drive
At Maine’s borders with New Hampshire, Quebec, and New Brunswick, culture, history, and flavor flow freely.
Geography nerds know one curious factoid about Maine:it’s the only state to border just one other state but two provinces.
At the edges of the country, Maine is pushed by New Hampshire into Quebec and New Brunswick. The effects of this oddity transcend lines on a map, however. Mainers living and working in communities on the borders see that the history and flavors of local life celebrate all that emerges from creative exchange.
Creating Luxury in Everyday Life
Mrs. West Approved
From Spain to Maine, lobster is a love language.
As we head into the summer season, my mind turns to all the amazing ways we get to enjoy lobster right here in Maine. Be it enveloped in buttery, flakey pastry at TWELVE, or crowning a pop-over with black garlic butter at Sur Lie, or New England style with mayo and lemon butter at Luke’s Lobster or even delivered fresh from Sopo Seafood Market—we are grateful to have fallen in love with lobster, again.
Beauty Tips from Paris to Portland
Get the Glow
Soft and playful set the tone for summer beauty.
My name is Jonathan, and I’m MyMaine’s new beauty editor. In the coming issues, I will share seasonal tips to enhance your skin, hair, and beauty routines to showcase your best true self.
Summer Festivals & Gatherings
worth the drive
There’s so much going on all over the state this summer. Hop in the car and explore what Maine has to offer.
Once Upon a Time at Madrid’s
arts & culture
On March 13, 2026, Live at Madrid’s opened its doors for the first time with a sold-out performance by Gina and the Red Eye Flight Crew, an energetic nine-piece band drawing members from other well-known bands, such as Rustic Overtones.
It’s a Maine Thing
literature
How an amazingly generous Mainer saved the life of another
“It’s go time.”
Three small words. One BIG meaning.
Someone to Show Up
Feature
Big Brothers Big Sisters changes the direction of young lives—one relationship at a time.
It started with a loaf of bread and some ducks.
The World Woven into a Wedding
fashion statement
From Ghana to Maine, saying yes to the dress and everything else!
From the day Coffee by Design opened in 1994, founder Mary Allen Lindemann (MAL) has focused on embracing and supporting the global community that is reflected both in coffee and in Portland. When it came to her November 2025, wedding to James Noel Hoban, she chose two designers whose story became a piece of her own.
Creating Luxury in Everyday Life
Mrs. West Approved
Book a date with yourself
Long before self-care was trending, I’ve been a firm believer in carving out me-time—putting time on the calendar to do something deliciously solo.
Money Sense
adulting
Six reasons to sell an investment—and two to hold on.
Knowing when to sell is as important as knowing when and what to buy, but the decision can be an emotional one. These tips from Merrill can help you time your decision.
Sustainability at MyMaine
The environment is of utmost importance to us at MyMaine, which is why we are proud to offset our environmental impact through certified reforestation and carbon offset projects.
Fresh Food Gardens
root & bloom
Drip irrigation changes everything.
Water is one of the most important parts of a successful garden, but at the same time it’s often the one gardeners struggle with the most.
Stilling Season
literature
Softness, like honey
catching the light and spreading
out to fill the spoon
Weatherbeaten
literature
at Winslow Homer’s studio, Prouts Neck
The studio
where he lived a long time alone
was an old carriage house. For privacy
he had it moved about a hundred feet
and kept the entry hidden from the road.
A Sanctuary of Sensory Delights
ROOT & BLOOM
How to create a home garden that awakens the senses
A fundamental principle of Terrapin Landscape’s designs is to showcase the juxtaposition of rugged Maine granite with both coarse and fine textured native plants for a timeless and elegant garden that blends seamlessly into the Maine landscape.
Family Stays
The magic of community in healing goes far beyond four walls.
Ezekiel’s arrival marked the beginning of a long neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Once Amber was discharged from the hospital, the reality set in quickly: the cost of hotels, the exhaustion of commuting from Waterville to Portland, and the constant worry about meals—all layered on top of the emotional toll of having a critically ill newborn. Then, just when they needed it most, they found Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine.
Bringing Broadway Home
worth the drive
Mainers needn’t travel to NYC to experience the best in theatre.
For nearly a century, Portland Ovations has brought extraordinary artists to Maine. In the 1930s, our earliest seasons featured classical musicians who filled Portland’s halls with virtuosity and wonder. It was not until the 1990s that National Tours of Broadway musicals became part of our annual programming.

