By Molly Donovan

In real life, I find pinboards clunky and unwieldy.� The cork is never pretty enough, the frame is never big enough, and my picture postcards and ticket stubs inevitably become lost under crumpled receipts and to-do lists from a (surely) very important week in 2010.

But in Internet life, Pinterest alleviates all these problems.�It’s a great medium for managing the items that are important to you, whether meaningful photographs, inspiration for your reading list, or 500 casual pictures of food for the everyday gourmand.

What’s more, you can also follow other people’s pinboards and see what shoes they’re coveting, what recipes they’re trying tonight, and what DIY projects they’re tackling this weekend.� The sheer volume of Pinterest users means that this ultimately leads to hours spent creeping on strangers.

Because anyone can have a Pinterest account, you might not know whom to follow besides your friends and the suggested Pinners the site recommends when you sign up.� It’s easy to end up seeing board after board of creepy imaginary weddings or thousand-calorie slow-cooker recipes, and that can make you feel kind of weird.� These seven pinners –�who all hail from the Boston area – each pin uniquely and prettily and are sure to keep you entertained and informed.

1. {av}

At first glance, {av}’s pinboards might seem like the typical overdone compilations of pretty food, pretty clothes, and pretty places.� A closer look, however, reveals an authenticity and an eclectic style that is a mixture of classic tastes and funky, modern designs.� Pinboards to check out: Signs of the Times, a unique hodgepodge of retro-style lighted signs, and Sip sip, a board of summery cocktails so pretty it could double as wall art.

2. Cameron Bruns

“Going green,” though admirable, can often feel like a daunting task.� How do you maintain a normal life and a normal budget without causing irreparable harm to the Earth?� Through her Pinterest account, green lifestyle blogger Cameron Bruns shares images that indicate a simple (and even aesthetically charming) transition to more sustainable living.� Pinboards to check out: Eco Beauty & Hair Prodcuts, a treasure trove of practical products that can replace your chemical-rich perfumes and shampoos, and Upcycle, a wealth of creative ideas for recycling everyday items into fun trinkets and practical furnishings.

3. Angela Raciti

This interior design student pins prolifically on specific design-related pinboards.� Her boards range from the tiniest details that add character to a room to broad collections of big furniture pieces she likes.� Pinboards to check out: Detail.� If you love pretty things, you might soon become obsessed with this board, which features everything from cool bookcase units to elaborate, artful staircases, and Outdoor Living, which culls together images of patios, pools, and porches–the perfect trifecta for summer.

4. Meghan M.

Meghan is the brain behind Travel, Wine & Dine, a Boston-based blog that focuses on (surprise) travel, wine, and dining in the area.� Her Pinterest boards reveal images of lush countryside (from New England and Europe), luxurious wines, and stately buildings.� Pinboards to check out: I love her Boston board, because it features quirky pictures beyond the stock photos of Fenway Park, the Swan Boats, or the BPL.� The images included herein feature fun shots of flowers at the Arnold Arboretum and a particularly unique view of the city skyline, as seen through a salty window.� Also check out Boston Marathon, which makes the viewer feel (almost) like she’s run the marathon herself, as it is replete with images from specific stops along the route as well as inspirational quotes and pictures.

5. Erica L.

Erica’s is one of the most specific food-based Pinterest accounts I’ve seen: she breaks her yums down into specific categories (with several devoted just to desserts).� A caveaet: don’t scroll through her account when you’re hungry, or you might just find yourself drooling over your keyboard.� Pinboards to check out: Feel like a gourmet chef on a random Tuesday by sniping recipes from her Pastas board, or select an actual chef to feed you from her drool-worthy Boston Restaurants board.

6. Hemenway Street

Sarah of Hemenway Street is a 20-something photo blogger, and the inspiration for her Pinterest account’s name derives from Boston’s very own Hemenway Street.� Her boards feature an eclectic mix of beautiful, black and white portraiture and vibrant outdoor scenes.� Pinboards to check out: Street Art, a collection of artwork found on the streets of Boston and Cambridge (then go check them out in real life), and I Want to Ride my Bicycle, a fun assortment of vintage ads, fashion pictures, and modern, no-nonsense photos of bicycles.

7. Lindsey Jones

Self-described as a food blogger and food truck lover, Lindsey pins decadent recipes and food images as she snaps shots from the streets of Boston.� Her preferences lie off the beaten path; she devotes specific boards to figs, beets, and tiny foods, among other interests. �Pinboards to check out: Boston, replete with images of food trucks, fresh baked goods from area bakeries, and links to restaurant reviews, will keep your mouth watering.� So will DIY Candy, obviously.

BONUS

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
One of Boston’s best treasures has one of the best Pinterest accounts.� The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum shares themed boards (Queen for a Day, Nasturtiums), which naturally feature images of artwork housed in the museum itself.� The most unique board?� Things Kids Say About Art, which couples artwork with real students’ responses for all to see and ensues in heartwarming hilarity.

About Molly:�I’m a born and bred Bostonian.� I love writing, reading, ice cream, breaking into various voices, and jokes so funny they make me snort. Follow me on Twitter @MHDonovan.

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