Birthday Weekend Round-Up

As I was walking to the Metro on my way to work on Friday, I thought to myself, "working on my birthday sucks." Then I remembered that growing up I had 18 years of not doing any work on my birthday and then I didn't feel so bad.

I also didn't feel so bad because Raisin Bread planned a lovely after work surprise!

We had dinner at Ristorante Piccolo in Georgetown. In my book, this is a pretty solid Italian joint. I ordered the veal piccata. Three thin portions of veal and a helping of vegetables. My only complaint was that the sauce was a tad on the garlicy side.

After dinner, we walked over to Brush n Blush for a painting class. We had previously looked into booking a class here but their calendar was fully booked for the remainder of the month. Raisin Bread stayed on top of it though and saw that there were two spots that opened up for this session. Brush n Blush offers a class every night where participants paint a specific painting. Tonight it was a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Très fitting! The "blush" part is that you it's bring your on booze.

This is the studio ready for us to start.

My first layer of paint on the canvas.

Me all done with my painting!

I would highly recommend Brush n Blush to anyone. I have never taken a painting class in my life so it was pretty intimidating to know that I would have to complete a painting in two hours, but as you can see, it was possible. Our instructor would have us stop after we completed certain portions of the painting so we could walk around and see what everyone else's looked like. It was so interesting just how different each one was, but they still all looked great. I would like to go again sometime now that I have a feel for how to use the different types of paintbrushes and know what acrylic paints can do. 

After our artistic moment, we went to Kafe Leopold for dessert. This place remains one of my favorite joints in DC. I have never had a bad order there. Since it was my birthday, I ordered my old stand-by: a fruit tart! Nom.

We made it home in time to pack our bags in 15 minutes before going to bed. On Saturday, we found ourselves in Bermuda! More on that later....

Ristorante Piccolo

1068 31st Street, NW

Washington, DC 20007

Brush N' Blush (CLOSED)

3210 Grace Street

Washington, DC 20007

Kafe Leopold

3315 M Street, NW

Washington, DC 20007

Happy One Month Anniversary!

Peep Show 2011

It has been awhile. Life is pretty hectic right now. I quit my job last Friday, so next Friday will be my last day at work and then I start my new job the following Monday. I am getting married in 21 days and I am going to Paris in 40 days. Plus, summer school starts next week!

In the meantime, here are a few photos from this year's Peep Show competition. Artisphere in Rosslyn is currently exhibiting some of the entries.

Spring in DC

Another week of one nice day and two crap days. Monday was a gorgeous 86 degrees and I found myself walking past the White House on my way to my Spa Week appointment. 

Tulips, Andrew Jackson and the White House.

  

A (Brotherly) Lovely Brunch at Rx

Hangar Steak Chilaquiles

Scrapple with apple butter

View of the city from my brother's lab

Rx Restaurant (CLOSED)

4443 Spruce Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Twenty Manning Grill - Philadelphia

Overnight trip to Philly to visit the baby brother.

Wild Berkshire Pork Chop with honeyed mission figs, melted gorgonzola, seared brussel sprouts

Roasted Scottish Salmon with haricots verts, roasted root vegetables

Twenty Manning Grill

261 South 20th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

ROAS

Crystal Couture ends on Saturday, February 5, 2011

Located in the former food court of the Crystal City Shops, the third annual Crystal Couture has been running since Tuesday, February 1 and will come to an end this Saturday. This year's theme is "Exotic and Elegant to Everything Everyday." 

I attended the media preview on Monday, January 31, where we heard from event producers including Mitchell Schear, President of Vornado/Charles E. Smith. 

A runway rehearsal took place featuring a variety of the designs being showcased at Crystal Couture. As you can see the clothing ran the gamut from active wear to evening dresses. 

Mini boutiques and pop-up shops were located around the venue selling merchandise from local designers including jeans, handbags, shoes, outerwear and bridal wear.

After the runway rehearsal, designers and their models posed for photographs for the media.

Crystal City may not be a big player in the fashion world, but having an event to attend that supports local talent in a fashion-challenged part of the country is a breathe of fresh air!

Location: Crystal City Food Court at 1750 Crystal Drive
Date and Time: Friday, February 4 and Saturday, February 5 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cost: Free and open to the public
What: Cash bar, body painting, hair and makeup makeovers, henna, live DJ, runway shows, and 20-plus boutiques

Runway Schedule:
Friday, February 4

6:15	Ibhana Creations
6:30	UGGLEE Collection
6:45	Boutique Hush
7:00	Kim Truong Collection
7:15	Toucan Boutique
7:30	Natalia Sanz Collection
7:45	CANTOIRE
8:00	Tashia Senn
8:15	Pacers Running Stores
8:30	Brand of the Free
8:45	Boutique Mix
9:00	Elizabeth St John / Amore Chic
9:15	Ke`Chic Boutique
9:30	L~Shandi Designs
9:45	Occasions House of Bridal

Saturday, February 5

6:15	Ibhana Creations
6:30	CANTOIRE
6:45	Occasions House of Bridal
7:00	L~Shandi Designs
7:15	Toucan Boutique
7:30	Natalia Sanz Collection
7:45	UGGLEE Collection (WPA)
8:00	Thembe
8:15	Pacers Running Stores
8:30	Brand of the Free
8:45	Tashia Senn
9:00	Elizabeth St John / Amore Chic
9:15	Ke`Chic Boutique
9:30	Kim Truong Collection
9:45	Corjor International

Participating Boutiques

Pacers Running Stores
Brand of the Free
Corjor International
Elizabeth St John / Amore Chic
Ke`Chic Boutique
L~Shandi Designs
Toucan Boutique
Occasions House of Bridal
Thembe Fashions
4EVER UGGLEE
Kim Truong Collection
Natalia Sanz Collection
Passport Boutique
Ibhana Creations, LLC
Consignment Diva
The Jeans Whisperer
Persnickety Bride
Capital Vices
West Potomac Academy
Tanta's Treasures
Dominion Pride
Aidah Collection
CANTOIRE
Tristan Blake Collection
Paul Mitchell the School
Hush Boutique
ADMK Jewelry
Tashia Senn
C.A.T. Walk Boutique
Jezabelle’s

Always a Tourist in Washington, DC

The sister and brother-in-law came for a visit earlier this month and rang in the new year with us! I served as their unlicensed tour guide and we visited a number of spots I have been to many times over the last year and some new spots. It's nice to always feel like there are new and unique things to do in the city you live in!

Across from the Ford's Theatre and next to the Patterson House is Lincoln's Waffle Shop!! Classy.

We visited the National Mall and saw the sunset over Lincoln Memorial.

Enjoyed lunch and oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill.

We took a tour of the US Capitol. It was my first visit there and thought it was an excellent thing to do. The amount of artwork in the Capitol is amazing. If I worked there, I would feel like I worked in a museum.

The painting at the top of the dome depicts George Washington as a deity, which I found slightly disturbing.  

But the trompe d'oeil work going around the interior of the dome is magnificent.

My sister and brother-in-law were enthralled with the native squirrel population. 

Their last chilly night was capped off with a visit to the FDR memorial. Good night, Fala!

Holiday Zoo Lights at the National Zoo

DC has a multitude of holiday-related events going on. I finally had a chance to do something fun this week when we went to Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. 

National Zoo Main Entrance

We saw entries from their gingerbread habitat contest. I loved this one because of the small details that the maker created. For instance, the Christmas tree had meat ornaments on it for the lions. Cute! 

Here's another example of the gingerbread habitats.

This was by far the strangest thing I've seen in a long while. It's a snowglobe with a dancing human dressed as a panda wearing a Santa Claus hat inside of it!

There were little displays around the zoo, including this ocean themed one.

We also got to go into many of these exhibits like the reptile and small mammal houses.

Big iguana

Merry Christmas, sleepy porcupine!

Giveaway: $35 gift certificate from CSNStores.com

I'm happy to announce an opportunity for one lucky blog reader to win a $35 gift certificate to CSNStores.com. If you still haven't had a chance to visit CSN Stores, they operate 200+ websites with thousands of products. While I enjoy checking out their travel accessories and cookware, they also sell everything from backyard furniture to barstool and lighting. continue reading--->