It seems quite fitting that my 100th post on this blog should be about celebrating!
Get out your sombreros and call the mariachi band, it is National Tequila Day! Anyone can appreciate a day dedicated to such a polarizing alcohol. After all, tequila is cursed by some, loved by others and feared by many. Songs are dedicated to it and many a bad decision has been blamed on it. Ahhh, yes, tequila.
Bandolero’s house margarita comes on tap! (image courtesy of Bandolero)
Mike Isabella’s latest endeavor, Bandolero, is encouraging you to bring a partner in crime to participate in the celebration. All tequila drinks are buy one get one free! With more than 40 tequilas to choose from, you and your buddy are sure to find at least one you will enjoy – probably a little too much! The special lasts from 4:00 pm until close, so get there early to get the most for your money!
WhileEl Centro isn’t running a tequila special, it would be a crime to not encourage a tequila lover to visit DC’s premier tequileria. El Centro offers guests a choice of more than 200Tequilas & Mezcals. For National Tequila Day, they are boasting more than 250 types of tequilas! The restaurant runs a regular Taco Tuesday special, so you can also nosh on $2 chef’s choice tacos all night to help counteract the effects of that tequila.
(image courtesy of El Chucho)
El Chucho, Columbia Heights latest addition, is throwing an all out fiesta featuring a private label Tequila, Tequila Real. Be amongst the first in the US to try this tequila, with $4 shots of Tequila Real Blanco, and meet the importer who is a local resident. Being a guinea pig not your thing? Sip on $5 margaritas or one of the other 100 tequilas on El Chucho’s menu at 20 percent off!
If you’re part of the tequila fearer crew, but never one to miss out on a celebration, feast on some good Mexican cuisine at one of these locations:
Oh, it’s that time of year again! For what you ask?
Time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Apparel, accessories, shoes, handbags, makeup and more is on sale now at some majorly discounted prices. You can snag Fall’s top picks for a fraction of their regular retail prices. There are some good deals online, but you’ll find the best steals in-store. The sale is over August 6th, so don’t miss it! Here are some of my favorite items online:
Michael Kors ‘Bradshaw’ Watch: Sale: $183.90 After Sale: $275.00Michael Kors ‘Lucy’ Crystal Bezel Watch – Sale: $129.90 After Sale: $195.00
Michael Kors watches are classic, yet contemporary. They are one of my favorite accessories and I believe a girl can never have too many MK watches!
La Mer ‘The Collection’ Anniversary Set (Nordstrom Exclusive) ($325 Value) $270.00
I’m not sure I could justify nearly $300 on my face, but if you have the additional income and are looking to get rid of some wrinkles sans Botox, La Mer is for you. Renowned as the best skincare product in the business, La Mer always comes with a hefty price tag no matter how you slice it, but you can save yourself a pretty penny during the Annual Sale!
Frye boots should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. The quality makes the price well worth it, as you can get several seasons out of them. This price is hard to believe at $239.50 – you can save more than $100!
Bod & Christensen Leather & Ponte Crop Jacket Sale: $279.90 After Sale: $425.00
It is hard to think about leather when its 90+ degrees outside, but your bank account will thank you for thinking ahead with this purchase. You can save almost $150 on this jacket.
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Click on over to Neiman Marcus for an additional 25% off of all of their Last Call merchandise. You’ll find some top designer brands on sale, including Dian von Furstenburg, Rebecca Taylor, Michael Kors and even Lanvin. The best deals are on dresses, most of which you can expect to start around $100 and go up to as much as $1,200.
DVF Karin Tie-waist Dress Originally: $365.00 NOW:$127.00 (+25% off)
Need I say more? DVF under $100? Sign me up!
Rachel Zoe Krista Bubble Dress Originally $395.00 NOW:$138.00 (+25% off)
Another brand name, Rachel Zoe, at close to $100. Designer duds at dramatically discounted prices. Sizes are limited and the sale ends tomorrow, so start shopping!
Following on yesterday’s wedding-related post, I wanted to share a quick roundup of some fabulous Sample Sales happening at some of DC’s best bridal salons this weekend. Sample sales are not for everyone, but if you’re in the market for a wedding dress and don’t cringe at the idea of your wedding day garb being tried on by others, then you need to get your butt to one of these sample sales.
Hitched Sample Sale Soiree – TONIGHT from 5pm – 8pm As one of DC’s most popular bridal salons, Hitched features gowns from the industry’s top designers. You can snag a gown for 40%-80% off, from brands of the likes of Anne Barge, Amsale, Christos, Judd Waddell and my own personal favorite, Modern Trousseau. My wedding dress was Modern Trousseau’s Mika, which is incidentally available at the sample sale! Hitched takes all of the risk out of the sample sale process because all of the available gowns are on their website. To RSVP, email info@hitchedsalon.com.
I purchased my Modern Trousseau gown from Hitched! (Photo by Paul Morse)
Carine’s Bridal Atelier Sample Sale – also TONIGHT from 5pm – 8pm
Talk about competition! Carine’s is hosting their sample sale this evening at the exact same time as Hitched. Since both are located in Georgetown, if you’re quick -and determined, you might be able to pull double duty and make it to both! If you have the slightest inclination that you want to don a luxury brand such as Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier or Marchesa, Carine is your girl. Gowns will be discounted up to 50%-75% and no appointment is necessary. Give the salon a call at 202-965-4696 or check the salon out on Facebook.
Some of Carine’s Marchesa dresses in for the sample sale! (Photo courtesy of Carine’s)
The Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel Sample Sale – July 20th & 21st from 10am – 6pm
“Saks” is synonymous with luxury and glamor, so expect nothing less when you attend the Bridal Salon at Saks Jandel Sample Sale. This is THE place in DC to get your hands on some Vera Wang, so if you want to be a Vera gal’ this is your destination of choice (Reem Acra and Oscar de la Renta, too). Gowns are reduced by 30%-75% and prices will range from $690 – $13,890. You’ll want an appointment for this one, so call 301-652-2250 to see what’s left!
Sample sales are the BEST way to get a designer gown for a steal. So if you’re a bride with champagne taste on a beer wine spritzer budget, you might as well try your luck at a sample sale. You may find nothing, you may find a dress that surpasses your wildest dreams, but either way you will be spending a few hours trying on pretty, frilly white dresses. There are worse ways to spend your weekend, after all!
Weddings are expensive. Seriously, incredibly and unnecessarily expensive. If you fail to closely manage your wants, needs and budget, you will start your happily ever after with some massive credit card debt.
Wedding decor is one of the most effective areas to search for potential cost savings. I had to get creative with several aspects of my wedding decor in order to keep our costs down. There is a wealth of DIY projects out there for anyone with the slightest creative inclination. Arts and crafts aren’t your thing? What about introducing some personality to your venue by decorating the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling.
We hosted the dinner portion of our wedding in the Carriage House at our venue, Rosemont Manor. The space had wooden floors, dark brown wood walls and the most beautiful white rafters. The open space was perfect for our wedding, but I knew I needed to add something to soften the space and jazz it up a bit.
The Carriage House at Rosemont Manor. Photo courtesy of Rosemont Manor.
Since I didn’t have a wedding planner, coordinating any type of draping or additional lighting would be a huge hassle – and more than likely cost a fortune. So, armed with a $200 budget, I invested in an assortment of white and off-white lanterns in 3 different sizes from online decor site Luna Bazaar and some clear fishing wire, and with the help of my in-laws, MOH and mom, created this:
I purchased 100 lanterns in varying size and used the fishing wire to string the lights through the rafters. It took a few hours, but was well worth it considering the end result and the cost-effectiveness! Luna Bazaar offers all sizes, types and colors of lanterns, paper, plastic and metal. I stuck with the neutral colors since I chose colored linens and flowers.
Last week, I came across this gorgeous picture on Style Me Pretty which used paper poms instead of lanterns, which are another cost-effective decor option.
These colored paper poms add some warmth to an otherwise stark, white space. They add just enough color, depth and femininity to create a perfectly romantic ambiance and are significantly cheaper than some other decor alternatives. It is amazing to see how much simple, tasteful decorations can add to a wedding. Budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean cheap!
This is just one idea to save yourself some cash without sacrificing on your wedding style. I’ll be posting more of my “DIY” wedding projects in the future, so check back soon or if you have questions, comment below!
On Saturday, my friends and I began our day at the National Portrait Gallery and then moseyed on over to the US Botanic Gardens. Schlepping my laptop, sketchbook and camera across the city, I was thankful for my over-sized purse but wishing I had invested in a great tote for all my summer needs. Summer means more pool trips, beach weekends and more activity in general, which equals more stuff.
If you’re in the market for a good tote bag, take a few tips into consideration:
Size – Make sure it is big enough to fit everything you might need, but not big enough that it is too cumbersome to carry comfortably.
Fabric – In the summer months, stick to fabric totes and steer clear of leather. If a sun tan lotion spills or your bag gets wet by the pool, you can throw a fabric tote in the wash but a leather one will never recover.
Straps: Make sure the straps are comfortable. Some extra padding can never hurt and if you are going to fill this baby to the brim, you want to avoid it digging into your shoulder.
Color – Make sure the colors won’t rub off on to your clothes – or your skin if you sweat. This is more of an issue with brighter, bolder colors, so if you purchase one of them consider throwing it in the wash before you use it.
Price point – If you’re on a tight budget, don’t spend more than $100 on a tote. There are a ton of great options out there, many for around $50. You want something that is affordable and stylish, but not something that will cost you the better part of your paycheck.
Durability – Be sure to look at the construction of the bag to make sure it can hold up to the task of lugging your goods. If it isn’t, you could find your belonging strewn across a sidewalk courtesy of a tote tear.
Here are just a few ideas for your perusal. I highly recommend the Gap color block tote. I know two people who have it and it is their Saturday Summer staple. Any favorites?
Hair ties – can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Necessary at a moment’s notice to get the hair out of your face or for some reprieve from the summer heat. Throw one in the abyss of your purse and you might never find it again. So, there they sit on our wrists, ugly and distracting – and forever to remain…or so we thought!
Ladies, rejoice! A true “why didn’t I think of that” invention: Emi-Jay Hair Ties. These multi-functional hair ties are bright, bold and colorful, making them to look great in your hair AND fashionable on your wrist. Emi-Jay makes hair ties in neons, neutrals, patterns, polka dots, the possibilities are infinite but one thing is for sure. You can wear every option on your wrist like you meant for it to be there.
The best part (YES, there is more)? The soft, stretchy material is ideal because it does NOT dent your hair. All of that time you spent straightening won’t go to waste if your hair up!
The ingenious inventor even offers beaded styles to amp up the bracelet function and now sells headbands, too.
Check out some of the styles here:
The neon collection is the perfect way to weave in this season’s day-glo trend without going head to toe highlighter. $11.99 for 5 ties. (image courtesy of Emi-Jay)This bejeweled version is fancy enough to serve as arm candy on a night out and functional enough to get your hair out of the way when you’re showing off your dance moves. $12.99 for 1 hair tie. (Image courtesy of Emi-Jay)Don’t forget about the headbands, too! One of these can instantly turn a ponytail or bun into a chic hairstyle.
I bought the neon set this past week at South Moon Under. I have the green one on my wrist as I’m typing, and it looks pretty darn good! You can find other retail locations here, or just shop the Emi-Jay site to see how much you love them!
Since it’s Friday and most of our brains are fried, I thought I’d share some pictures form my recent trip to San Francisco. I had such a fantastic time! The trip was the best of all worlds – I was able to work during the week, enjoy the city at night with local friends and family and spent the weekend living like a local in North Beach, courtesy of Airbnb.
On Thursday, I walked along the Embarcadero for a few miles taking in the gorgeous views of the water! I took a million shots of this little tugboat, but thought it best to share just one. 🙂
I went on a run Saturday morning and came across this personable pup, which I affectionately named Rasta-dog.
I continued my run on a trail that lined the waterfront, up a staggering hill through Fort Mason which had some stunning views! Here is one of Alcatraz.
After our run, we went over to the Mission, chowed down on some Mexican food and yummy margaritas, strolled over to Dolores Park and hit up a beer garden, Zeitgeist. All very fun, very local experiences!
On Saturday afternoon, we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, a small waterfront town just on the other side of the Bay from San Francisco. The picturesque community was bustling with people dining at restaurants, perusing shops and art galleries and enjoying the breathtaking views. Sausalito was one of my favorite parts of the trip despite the fact that we were only there for an hour or two. I would have loved to have stayed longer!
A view looking out on to Angel Island, an undeveloped National Park in between Marin and San Francisco. You can take a Ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon and spend the day hiking the island. This was in the plans originally, but we decided to spend the day around San Francisco instead.
Some pretty flowers at the waters edge…
And I couldn’t talk about San Francisco without a picture of a trolley car! I took this at Union Square earlier in the week. I didn’t get too much time at Union Square but goodness, would I have liked to have spent an entire day there. Union Square has enough shopping options that even the most hard-to-please shopper would be laden with bags within the hour. Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Zara, Gap, J.Crew, BCBG, H&M (2 stores within a 4 block radius!), Lous Vuitton, Bloomingdale’s, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Barneys, Sephora, Tiffany & Co. – oh the list is endless! I was heaven, but due to my hour time constraint, my bank account was relatively safe.
All in all, it was an awesome trip and I think I’ll be heading back regularly! I did so much more than I captured here. We bounced around so many different parts of the city that I couldn’t possibly name them all.
Bikini season is on top of us like the hot fudge on that sundae we should probably put down right about now. Assorted quarter life crises are leading to us ponder life questions that should be reserved for Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. We constantly remind ourselves that we need to “give back” but we just keep giving to our shoe collection…
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m making these statements without an inkling of judgement. These are facts of life. Often, I get so caught up in the day-to-day that I fail to realize a week, a month and then a year have passed, all without my doing anything significant. Setting goals and reaching them is challenging, that is why life coaches, personal trainers and therapists are in business.
However, now is as good of a time as any to take up a new hobby, set yourself up to reach a new goal or cross an item off of your bucket list and I can recommend an excellent place to start your journey – Team in Training (TNT).
TNT is a national organization with local chapters that helps people reach their goals of completing an endurance event (read: Marathons, half-marathons, cycling and triathlons) while raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fight blood cancers. TNT provides participants with training resources for sponsored endurance events and, in turn, participants commit to a raise a specified fundraising goal. The fundraising goal can be between $500 – $3,000, depending on the event, and the TNT staff assists participants with fundraising, making it even less intimidating to reach your goal. To break it down, it is a change to feel good, look good and do good, in one fell swoop!
Feeling Good + Looking Good
The thought of a marathon or a triathlon might strike fear into the hearts of anyone, but TNT is committed to help you train appropriately, safely and sanely for an event. You don’t have to have any prior experience and the programs are designed for all levels of fitness acumen. The regimented training will whip you right into shape and the steady stream of endorphins will keep a smile on your face. The added bonus? You’ll meet tons of people, some just like you and others who are radically different, but all who are working together for a common goal, supporting one another and having a good time. You’ll have an entire team to rely on every Saturday morning and I would wager a bet that you’ll walk away with at least one new friend.
If you think a marathon should be reserved for that crazy Greek guy, then try for a 10 miler or a half! You don’t know what you are capable of until you try, I promise you! If you had asked me a few years ago if I would ever run one, I would have laughed in your face, loudly and obnoxiously. Yet, here I am currently training for my third marathon with Team in Training. I even managed to convince one of my best friends to do it too.
Doing Good
TNT-ers reasons for participating might all be different, but the single best part about Team in Training is knowing the impact you are making on the lives of those who are suffering. Each week, you will hear stories from cancer patients, survivors and their family members. Sometimes the stories have happy endings and sometimes they don’t. I’ve shed a tear more than once and I’m sure I will again this season, but I can wake up every day with the confidence that I am doing what I can to help people survive. That is sure to make anyone feel pretty darn good.
And, if you are still doing some soul searching and life questioning, consider this:
Understanding that you have the power to save another life is all you really need to find the meaning in your own.
Yours truly post Marathon in my Team in Training Gear! See, I’m still alive, and smiling!
If you’re still hesitant, I recommend attending one of their information meetings. The National Capital Chapter is hosting meetings for the Winter Season all over the DC Metro area. There is sure to be one that fits your schedule:
My love for eye makeup is no secret. However, I wasn’t born with my affinity for a good shadow, liner and mascara. I remember the first time I wore eyeshadow. I smeared on so many layers of that light, slightly sparkly beige Clinique shadow my mom had received as part of a Bonus gift, that you could almost see it. I snuck into her makeup bag and stole every complimentary eyeshadow she scored until I could finally purchase my own. I didn’t discover the power of eyeliner until my senior year of highschool and with one stroke, I was hooked. MAC, Clinique, Maybelline, black, brown, blue – I had it all. Too much of it all, in fact.
So, it is no surprise that I have dabbled in my fair share of shadows. I’ve used various brands and had favorites depending on the look I was going for at the time. Choosing eyeshadows can be hard. Sometimes colors can be deceiving or the texture isn’t quite right. Before you know it, you’ll have acquired enough shadows to open up your own makeup counter – and you might have to in order to cover the cost!
A great way to introduce fun, new colors to your makeup routine is to consider purchasing an eyeshadow palette from one of your favorite brands. A palette is a case with multiple shadows, usually 6 or more, in varying colors to provide you with a range of basic colors and a few bold shades to play around with. You can expect to spend $40-$50 on a high quality palette, but it will last for an extended period of time since there are more colors to choose from.
It is important to play around with the different shades to make sure you like – and will use – at least 75% of them. Make sure you are satisfied with the texture of the colors and how they look when they are applied on skin. If you have a favorite makeup brand, check out their website or Sephora to see if they offer a palette. Here are some of the best bets I’ve seen:
Too Faced The Return of Sexy Eyeshadow Palette – $48
This palette groups colors into sets to make it fool proof to achieve several different looks.
Tarte Femme Naturale Eyeshadow Palette – $44.
I own this and love it. I’ve worked nearly every color into a look at one time or another and the more neutral shades are perfect.
LORAC Pro Palette – $42
LORAC liners and shadows are exceptional quality and the 16 colors are all wearable.
Urban Decay Naked2 Eye Shadow Palette – $50.
This palette is so popular it sold out twice! You might want to get it now while you still can…
Do you have a favorite eyeshadow palette, color or brand?
A few days ago, I wrote a post about Uber’s awesomeness. Well, it turns out that said awesomeness is being threatened by the DC City Council.
Uber announced a lower cost service, UberX, which provides a less expensive Uber option by using an all-hybrid fleet of cars. They were unable to release this service in DC because the DC City Council is trying to make it illegal for Uber to offer lower rates in any form by passing an amendment to the taxi modernization bill.
The real reason behind this amendment is to keep Uber more expensive than taxis and pushing for Uber to be no less than 5 times a taxi’s minimum fare. The Council is voting on the Uber Amendment TODAY.
Now, I understand that Uber can seriously impact business for taxi drivers. However, Uber wouldn’t have such a strong market here in DC if the taxis provided satisfactory service. Too often, people are denied taxi service based on their destination and charged unfairly when there is a high demand. Uber provides a solution to this problem and is simply trying to make their car service available for as many people as possible.
If you don’t agree, no harm done, I am not trying to change your mind. However, if you do agree, take just 5-10 minutes of your time today and call or write as many City Council members as possible to let them know that you want your right to Uber. Their info is below and you can find more info on the Uber Amendment on Uber’s blog.
El Centro isn’t running a tequila special, it would be a crime to not encourage a tequila lover to visit DC’s premier tequileria. El Centro offers guests a choice of more than 200Tequilas & Mezcals. For National Tequila Day, they are boasting more than 250 types of tequilas! The restaurant runs a regular Taco Tuesday special, so you can also nosh on $2 chef’s choice tacos all night to help counteract the effects of that tequila.
