Happy Friday (May 29, 2014)

Summertime photo via Pinterest

 
Summer is here! Dive In! What are you up to this weekend?

Hop on your bike and get your beer tasting on, this Satuday at Tour de Fat. I can say that this event is a lot of fun.

Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran

The Phillips Collection will be showing Clive Owen's Film, Words and Pictures.

Step Afrika performs at Catholic University on Saturday and Sunday.

Also on Saturday, from 12:00- 7:00 pm, Glen Echo Park will be hosting the Washington Folklore Festival. There will be music, storytelling, dancing and crafts. This looks very kid friendly.

Lil Om Yoga has two great workshops this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a Mother Daughter Playdate Yoga for moms and their 4-8 year old daughters. On Sunday there will be a pre-natal workshop on Breastfeeding.

In other news.

On the beauty of writing letters to your children.

For those of us who don't go to the movies anymore, the Washington Post has a list of newly released DVD's.

Did you read about how hair length might be linked to success in the work place?

Loyola Law is telling students not to wear stilettos to their summer internships.  Leave the Louboutins for the weekend?
 

 

On the Pulse of the Morning (Maya Angelou)

Maya Angelou passed away yesterday.

I remember listening to Maya Angelou read her poem, "On the Pulse of the Morning," during President Clinton's first inauguration. I watched it in Mrs. Levy's American History class. Sure I was interested in the inauguration, but I was also happy to have over an hour to tune-out and finish up some homework.

That was until Maya Angelou woke me up. She read her beautiful poem about America's history. In less then six minutes, Ms. Angelou rocked my world. I thought about that poem for days and that weekend I found my way to Books and Books where I bought a copy of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Thank you Ms. Angelou, for inspiring my teenage soul, for writing great books, for making great poetry, and for leading an amazing life.

Godspeed. 

Weekend Packing List (Fashion by the Numbers)

1. Hat/2. Fatigue Jacket/3. Stripped Tank Top/4. Boyfriend Jeans/5. Dress/
6. Heels /7. Clutch /8. Swim Suit /9. PJ's/10 Silk Drawstring Pants /11. T-Shirt /
12 Hoops /13 Slip-on Sneakers /14. Weekender Bag

Travel light, travel right, it's only an overnight. 

My very chic aunt would say this each time I packed for camp or for a vacation. Now that I'm older and somewhat wiser, I hear her saying those words when I get ready to pack for a trip. 

Summer Bag Watch (The Herschel Novel Duffle)

We were away last weekend for my husband's college reunion.  One of the things I love about travelling and taking small getaways is that you get out of your routine and see things you don't see on your average day.

Now I could tell you about the lovely exhibit we saw, the new people we met, the music we listened to, and so on, but for this post I'm going to tell you about a bag I discovered: the Herschel Novel Duffle.

I love that this bag has a compartment for shoes that seemed large enough to fit sneakers or a pair of men's oxfords.  The interior of the bag also has several pockets so you could easily place things like your keys or sunglasses.  The cross body strap makes it easy to carry. 

Do you have a special bag for short getaways?

Happy Birthday to Me (The Best Birthday Gifts!)

 

This weekend we drove up to New England for my husband's college reunion.  It was our first extended road trip as a family of three, and I would say it was a success. 

 

My birthday also fell on the long weekend.  Since we were travelling we decided to hold off on any big celebrations until we returned from our trip.   

 

Happy Friday (Memorial Day Weekend 2014)

Heading out of town this weekend? The Washington Post says the best time to get out of town is before 9am Friday.

The Delaplane Strawberry Festival is this Saturday and Sunday. I've never been but it looks like fun.

If you are staying in town you probably already know that DC is probably one of the best places to spend Memorial Day. The Washington Post has a list of things you can do this weekend.

For starters, there is the National Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol Lawn. I've gone to this before and it is worth going to. Gates open at 5pm for the 8 pm concert.

I would tell you to head over to Good Stuff Eatery after for a burger but it's closed on Sundays. This is an open message to Good Stuff that they should really be open on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

Memorial Day weekend in the DC area also means that it is the start of pool season. Something this Miami girl never fully understood is why pools in this area don't open until Memorial Day weekend.

The Petworth Community Market is back—this week, country artist Jeff Smith will perform. There’s storytelling and arts and crafts for the kids. Fresh produce and locally foods.

This Saturday is your last chance to catch the Diva and the Bear at the Kennedy Center. The 11 am performance is sensory friendly.

Many of their contributions have been forgotten and are not recorded in today’s history books. The Women’s Memorial at Arlington Cemetery is changing this omission through a massive oral history and research project.

Summer Bag Watch (State of Escape, Escape Bag)

I'm loving this neon yellow bag from State of Escape.  It is roomy and bright.  Perfect for the beach or walking around town.  And get this, you can actually wash it.  The mom in me is very excited about the last part. H/T to Little Miss Party.

Picnic Party (Outdoor Tablescapes)

Our building has a grassy area that is not fancy but is perfect for playing and picnics.  There is a picnic table, a shady tree, and soft grass.  What more do you need?  Oh, how about gorgeous linens, funky mismatched tableware, and most importantly awesome friends.


Let's start with Margherita Missoni's wedding picnic.

The Drama Free Friendship Manifesto



Cartoon by Gemma Correll

Have you seen THIS blog post from Renegade Mothering.  I must say it is quite a complicated manifesto for the simple message it is trying to convey:  cut your friends some slack because we all flake out.

So here's my friendship mantra:

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. We all have our own struggles and I trust that we all do the best with what we have.  Sometimes life gets in the way. Don't worry about it, because I know we will both be there for each other when it really counts. I'm committed to cutting you some slack.  Hopefully you can do the same for me. 

Do you have words that you live by?  How have your friendships changed in recent years?

Picnic Essentials

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This weekend we had impromptu cocktails on the grass with our neighbors and their ten-month old. We brought an old blanket, a bottle of wine, roasted garbanzo beans, and toys for the kiddos. 

We had so much fun!

After our picnic, my husband made a list of what we needed so that we would be better prepared for the next time.  He is quite practical, so the list consisted entirely of things we already own.  I however decided to do some online browsing. 

Happy Friday (Happy Bike to Work Day!)

Happy Bike to Work Day! Hope you have a poncho and rain pants. . . 

If you are free at noon today, why not bike over to the Arts Club of Washington for the Story of Babar noon concert?

On Friday evening, Dance Place's step team is hosting Step it Up. Get ready for a night of crafts and step dancing.

The annual Dragon Boat Race is happening in Georgetown this Saturday. The opening ceremony begins at 8:30 am. If you find yourself up earlier, the setup begins at 6 am.

Shopping and drinking? Don't mind if I do.

• NYC-based fashion line Meg will have a trunk show at Cork Market on Sunday, May 18, from 1-5 pm.
• And at the same time, DC Flea will be at Marvin.

16 Restaurants that are great for vegetarians in Washington, DC

Commencement season is in full swing! Click HERE for a commencement speech that my Graduate School professor, Charles Wheelan gave. To date, it's my favorite.

Posted with Blogsy

Pink and White (Easy but Beautiful Table Settings)

 

 

I went to a flower arranging workshop last weekend and at the end of the workshop we learned how to make quick arrangements.  You know the type you can make by clipping a few stems and throwing them into a vase.  I've been looking on pinterest for tablesettings with simple flowers on white tables.  (put those words into a search engine and you find all sorts of beautiful photos).  Below are some of my favorites. Now all I need is a lovely white farm table. 

 

 

 

Rachel Riley Clothing (The Prince's Choice)

Rachel Riley has been well known for her children's clothing for years.  But, Prince George has brought the designer to a whole knew level of name recognition.

The Gap's Miami Collection (Serious Nostalgia)

Jacket/Shirt/Shoes/Jeans/Bracelets/Bag/Glasses/Watch

Have you checked out the Gap's Miami Collection?  It really captures the essence of Miami circa the late 80's/early 90's. 

Happy Friday (May 9, 2014)

Mary Cassatt's Child Picking Fruit
via the National Gallery of Art

Mother's Day is Sunday.  If you haven't made reservations then consider arranging a special picnic for the mom in your life. Pack something delicious then take her and the kiddos somewhere beautiful. Voila you have a wonderful Mother's Day brunch. 

You can pick something up at the store or prepare it yourself.  Bon Appetit has 25 Mother's Day Brunch Recipes. Some, like the Tortilla Española and the sticky buns, are portable.

And my favorite picnic locations are:

• The National Cathedral
• Rock Creek Park (Just of Calvert Street)
• The Portrait Gallery's Courtyard
• The Georgetown Waterfront followed by a walk along the canal.
• The Woodend Sanctuary in Bethesda
• The River Farm in Alexandria

Now for the rest of the weekend:

The EU embassies are hosting their annual open house this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

On Saturday night, head over to the Yards for an evening of circus fun, better known as the Side Yards. 

The National Gallery of Art's  Degas/Cassatt exhibit begins this Sunday and runs through October.

If books are your thing, Nicole Mary Kelby will be reading from her book the Pink Suit at Politics and Prose this Sunday at 5.

Lil Om Yoga is hosting a special Mother's Day event on Sunday night between 7 and 9 pm.

Goop has a great discussion with Brigid Schulte on motherhood, work, and the rest of it.   

The Motherlode has a list of books on Motherhood.

What are you up to this weekend?

Gifts for the Lady Graduate

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I'm pretty terrible at selecting gifts for guys, so I'm going to focus on the Lady Grad in your life. 

Minnie vs. Pixie

I've been a big devotee to the JCrew Pixie.  They are like leggings but the thick ponte material really makes them pants.  Last week, JCrew had a sale on their Minnies and to my surprise I found that I liked these pants as much as the Pixies.

Are you a Pixie fan or a Minnie fan?

Morning Entertainment (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Music Box Theater)

Photo via Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Saturday mornings post-baby sure are a lot different.  If you are lucky, the morning starts at about 6:30.  You could spend the morning in your home biding time until the nap, but let's face it, staying inside can be torture for everyone.  Life's a little trickier now, but that doesn't mean there aren't things for you to do with your little one before noon.    

This weekend baby girl and I had a morning date to see Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's (BMO) Moo Baa Neigh at the Strathmore. The performance was part of BMO's Music Box Series for children between 6 months and 3 years of age. It featured a clarinet quintet and story teller Maria Broom. 

You might remember Maria Broom as Marla from HBO's the Wire. But this Saturday she was Miss Maria, the expressive and sweet storyteller, who led kiddos through 30 minutes of dancing and singing to Mozart as well as some classic barnyard tunes like Old MacDonald.

Miss Maria gets the crowd going on Saturday.

I would recommend this event to other parents for a few key reasons.

Giraffe Gifts (Thinking Outside the Sophie)

1. Aiden and Anais Dream Blanket 2. Jonathan Adler Pillow 3. Foxy Vida Wet Bag 4. Jellycat Giraffe 
5. Honest Diapers 6.  Mud Pie Paci Clip 7. Giraffe Push Toy

I'm not sure what it is about giraffes that make them so lovable and therefore the perfect animal to go on just about any baby item. Perhaps it's the spots, or maybe it's the long neck. . . who knows. And while Sophie is a cute gift, there are so many other giraffe options out there. Just take a look.

Happy Friday! (May 2, 2014)

DC Artist Jean Maisel's painting on display at the Phillips Gallery

This weekend is the White House Correspondents Dinner.  Get excited to see celebrities descend on our nation's capitol. If you can't make the dinner itself, the event has morphed into a 5 day fiesta so hopefully there's something for everyone that wants to partake in the fun. 

It's sundress season, can someone please take me shopping this minute?

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo perform at the 9:30 club this Friday.  I won't be there :(.

But I will be going to the Strathmore to see Maa Baa Neigh part of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Music Box Series, for children between between 6 months and 3 years old and their chaparones.

Last chance to check out DC Artist, Jean Maisel's exhibit at the Phillips Gallery. 

Let's go ride a bike! A bunch of women are meeting up Sunday Morning at Jones Park in Alexandria for a bike ride called Women on a Roll. 

A Wall Street Journal article saying that DC is the most expensive city in the country, or is it?

A great piece from NPR on Nokia's unforgettable ringtone.

And links to some of this week's posts:

• A Mother's Day Gift Guide
• Mother's Day Tablescapes
• Changing Demographics in DC

Mother's Day Tablescapes

There's something nice about hosting your mom to lunch or brunch in the comfort of your own home, away from the crowds and the chaos that is Mother's Day Brunch.  Here are some nice Mother's Day inspired tablescapes from around the web. Just be sure to do all the clean-up afterwards.

Oh and, you might also like: My Mother's Day Gift Guide, How to Throw a Mother's Day Picnic, and Real Images of Mothers.



Blue gingham tablecloth with a hydrangea centerpiece for the preppy Mom via Shop Sweet Things

Our Changing District (The Urban Institute's Microtrend Series)

Have you checked out the Urban Institutes's series on Washington DC called Our Changing City? It's super interesting for the on again off again data nerd that I am.