Nail Files

I've been feeling adventurous with my nails lately and I thought I'd share my latest look.

To create this look I painted my nails with Zoya Creamy and then dotted OPI Done Out in Deco, Julep Julianne, Julep Adrianna, Julep Minnie, and Julep Ingrid on top.  The look takes a little bit of time but since you're going for a collage effect, you don't have to worry about being too precise with your application.  It's also really easy to dot on some polish to touch up a chip.

Stuff I Like

1. Express Open Back Ponte Knit Dress

I bought this Express Open Back Ponte Knit Dress to wear on my birthday and it has proven to be the perfect dress to transition from work to happy hour in.  A cardigan makes it office appropriate but you can ditch the cardigan after hours and it's just right for a night out.

2. Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life

via MTV

Sorry I'm not sorry but I like Ke$ha.  My roommate and I have recently become hooked on her show My Crazy Beautiful Life.  She just seems like such a fun and down to earth person that you could actually hang out with.  I definitely enjoy watching the behind the scenes aspect of her life.

3. Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

via Starbucks

The number of calories in this thing is horrific but every once in a while you need to treat yo self and get yourself a Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappuccino.  It's the perfect mix of caffeine and sweet without being too sweet.  Plus, it's a nice way to cool down on a hot summer day.

4. The Great Gatsby

via Hollywood Reporter

C and I went and saw The Great Gatsby on Monday night and I absolutely loved it!  Baz Luhrmann is one of my favorite directors and I thought he did a FANTASTIC job with Gatsby.  It was theatrical, the soundtrack was wonderful, and the costumes were glamorous.  I know it wasn't necessarily a traditional take on the book but Baz really captured the book's essence and message.

5. 1905

via Yelp

 I met the ladies for dinner at 1905 last night and we loved it!  The atmosphere is excellent, the food was delicious, and the staff was friendly.  They have a great Tuesday night deal where you can get a mussel pot, beer, and fries for $15.  You seriously cannot beat that!

Money Ain't A Thing

So I wrote a Stuff I Like post today...but then I got in on a lottery pool for tonight's Powerball drawing and decided to create a $$ playlist.  Here are some tracks you can rock out to while you envision how you will spend those Powerball millions.

1. Jermaine Dupri "Money Ain't A Thang"
2. Jay-Z "Money, Cash, Hoes"
3. The Lox "Money, Power & Respect"
4. Fat Joe, Lil Wayne "Make It Rain"
5. Jim Jones "We Fly High"
6. Ludacris "Money Maker"
7. Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wane "Look At Me Now"
8. Puff Daddy "It's All About the Benjamins"
9. Tyga "Rack City"
10. The Notorious B.I.G. "Mo Money Mo Problems"
11. Lil' Scrappy "Money in the Bank
12. ODB "Got Your Money"
13. Swizz Beatz "Money in the Bank"
14. Akon, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy "I'm So Paid"
15. YC Worldwide "Racks"


Anyone have any other suggestions?

Weekend Wrap Up

Thursday

via Yelp

C and I are HUGE fans of Thursday night happy hours so last week we met the boys at Policy.  I'd never been before but they have excellent happy hour specials (and it goes until 8 which is awesome for us kids who work until 7) and really friendly service.  If you go, I recommend the Lynchburg Lemonade.  After HH we decided to check out the scene at U Hall.  We sadly took too long to get our act together and missed Sir Sly and got stuck watching MS MR...they weren't really our jam and we lasted through about 3 songs before we bounced.  We ended our night over at Solly's.  It was pretty empty but I've never not had a good time there.  It was the perfect opportunity to chat a bit and wrap up our evening.

Friday

This kid was in town for the weekend and on Friday we went out to celebrate!  We kicked off our evening with drinks at The Exchange with TD's softball team.  I'm not gonna lie...I had some bad flashbacks to freshman year of college when we used to hang out there too much for our own good.  It's fine.  Afterwards we headed down to U Street.  The rain on Friday was definitely keeping people in and it took us a bit to find a good spot.  Saint Ex was DEAD but when we wandered over to Dodge City there was a decent sized crowd.  The DJ was also most excellent and read my mind and already had Murder She Wrote queued up next when I asked him if he would play it.  We continued our evening with stops at Tropicalia, Lost Society, and of course...Ben's Chili Bowl.  We definitely got our dance on and had the best time!

Saturday

I went to my first Nats game of the season on Saturday!  There are few things more enjoyable than sitting outside, watching a ball game, and sampling so bad yet so good stadium food.  The Nats lost which is sad I guess?  (I'm a Red Sox fan so I'm indifferent to which team wins).  We then spent the rest of the afternoon at TD and CA's house snacking, visiting, and playing games.  We then picked up where we left off on Friday night and headed over to U Street to meet up with friends at DC9.  I was amazed at how many people we knew that we bumped into there!  It was so much fun to visit and catch up with everyone!

Sunday

On Sunday we celebrated "Not a Mother"'s Day...and toasted to many more...at Ping Pong Dim Sum.  The food was to DIE for and the make your own mimosa set-up was a lot of fun.  It was also our guest's first brunch experience so we were excited to introduce him to one of our absolute favorite activities.  If you go, I highly recommend the Honey Roasted Chicken Puff and the Spicy Pork Dumpling.  Since we clearly did not gorge ourselves enough at brunch....we headed over to Pitango for delicious gelato dessert afterwards.  We sat in the sun and talked and laughed for about an hour.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends!

Since we weren't ready to call it a day after brunch, C and I headed over to Meridian Hill Park to catch the drum circle.  I'd never been before and it was wonderful!  We ran into a bunch of friends, relaxed, and enjoyed the music.  It is definitely an activity I will be doing again.

Weekend Wrap Up

Thursday

via Yelp

On Thursday I met C, NR, and a few of his coworkers for happy hour at Black Jack.  I'd never been before but I absolutely loved it!  The vibe was fun but relaxed and the music wasn't so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation.  It was really nice to visit with everyone and unwind before the weekend.

Friday

via Hyperbole and a Half...keep this image in mind...it'll come up again later in this post

A decided to be a responsible adult on Friday (which is another reason you should check out the Hyperbole and a Half post this image came from) and clean/prepare for my party on Saturday.  I was super bummed I missed out on a night out with friends but it was definitely the right decision.  I NEVER would have been ready for Saturday if I had gone out.

Saturday

Derby Ladies

Derby Gentlemen...and me since I'm a lady bro

Jbunny and I hosted a big Derby party at my place on Saturday.  It was such a great time!  We cooked up a big menu of Southern inspired food like pimento cheese, deviled eggs, pulled pork, hot browns, black eyed pea salad, and Derby pie.  I also made a quart of mint infused simple syrup for mint juleps and some KILLER mint julep jello shots.  We don't mess around when it comes to entertaining.  After the party I headed over to Murphy's to CM's birthday party.  It was so nice to celebrate with him!  It did mean that I had to see P for the first time since we called it quits for good back in January.  It was surprisingly not weird at all.  We took enough time apart that the feelings have died down but after being together off and on for a year, there's this closeness that's still there...and I think it always will be.  It was wonderful to catch up on each others lives!

Sunday

I ended up crashing at P's on Saturday night...I know...I know...probably not the best idea I've ever had but it was fine...and it turned Sunday morning into a mad scramble to make it to Living Social's Beerfest.  I got there just in time to see Ghost Beach play (and dance with their adorable aunt who was watching their set too) and they absolutely rocked it.  Seriously...go listen to them...immediately.  After Ghost Beach we wandered around sampling all the different beers.  My two favorites were DuClaw's Sweet Baby Jesus! (a chocolate peanut butter porter) and Magic Hat's Elder Betty (and elderberry beer...served by a VERY attractive gentleman).

I respect a dude who loves Hyperbole and a Half as much as I do

Once Beerfest wrapped up, we headed over to Cantina Marina to celebrate Cinco de Drinko with coronitas....where I just happened to meet this lovely gentleman.  Seriously guys, this is the greatest shirt I've ever seen.  It is also completely appropriate as Hypberole and a Half comes back tomorrow!  I am practically dying of excitement.  But I digress...back to Cinco de Drinko...after enjoying some beverages and sunshine most everyone went home but C and I headed back to NR's place with him to make some guac and watch an episode of Hemlock Grove (I wasn't a fan).  It was the perfect way to unwind after such a fun filled day!  I had every intention of heading home and to bed at a decent hour but at the last minute, NR and I decided catch a late showing of Iron Man 3.  It was AMAZING.  Tony Stark is by far my favorite super hero (LC is convinced it's because we have similar lifestyles...except I'm not a fancy millionaire so I think homeboy is cray).  If you haven't seen it yet, you should take advantage of this rainy weather and spend sometime in your nearest theater!

Stuff I Like

1. Essie Fiesta

via Nordstrom

 Essie Fiesta was the color I chose during our Saturday pedicure adventure.  It's the perfect bright color for sandal weather.

2. Skinny Taste Lemon Feta Chicken

via Skinny Taste

 I made Skinny Taste's Lemon Feta Chicken on Sunday and it has potential to be my new go to summer dinner.  It doesn't  have many ingredients but it packs a killer flavor and is light enough for a dinner on a hot day.  Plus, you can eat 2 chicken thighs for only 200 calories.  AMAZING!

3. Bang

Getting my haircut by anyone other than my hair dresser in MA is always a hugely traumatic experience for me.  It never goes well and I sit in the chair like a nervous wreck.  I desperately needed a trim and finally bit the bullet and went to Bang in Chinatown on Monday.  Cat did the MOST AMAZING job on my hair.  I love the layers she put in and the styling tips she gave me.  I cannot recommend her enough.

4. I'm Married To A...

via Vh1

 My roommate and I like to watch really ridiculous things on TV.  Our latest obsession is I'm Married To A....  It's all about different couples and how their relationships work...ranging from cross dressers to dominatrixes.  At times it's a little absurd but it's also a really interesting look into how people with different lifestyles make their relationships work.


5.  Daryl Palumbo "Don't Leave Me"



I love everything about Daryl Palumbo and about this song.  It will absolutely get you dancing.

Weekend Wrap Up

I had the MOST perfect weekend...full of friends, sunshine, and fun.  Here's what went down.

Friday

After work on Friday, we went to the House of Walker event at the Living Social building.  It was seriously one of the best free events I've ever been to.  The night started with a film on Johnnie Walker and then a tasting session led by their US brand ambassador.  He went over all the different ways to taste whiskey (neat, with water, on the rocks) and how exactly each of those options impacts the flavor.  After that, we were free to roam the House of Walker which featured tastings of black label, double black label, blue label, and a speak easy room where all the cocktails were made with red label.  The blue label was to die for...and someone should probs give me $200 so I can buy myself a bottle.  Any takers?

via Yelp

After the event, we headed over to Ping Pong Dim Sum for a late dinner.  I'd never been before but the food was fantastic...especially the pulled pork spring rolls.  C met us there for a drink and then she and I continued out while the rest of the group went home.  First we hit up Zengo to partake in their late night happy hour.  I've been there for dinner and hh before but never to go out at night.  It was full of middle aged people breaking it down to the DJ.  It was amazing and I hope I'm that much fun when I'm older.  We continued our night with a stop at Penn Social where we made some new friends and dragged them over to Brixton with us.  When we got to Brixton we discovered PD celebrating his birthday with his dad/cousins/brother/the boys..so we obviously joined in the celebrations.  It was such an unexpected and fun end to the evening!

Saturday

Source: bollywoodshaadis.com via BollywoodShaadis.com on Pinterest

Saturday ended up being a completely amazing and random day.  It started off with delicious vegan cinnamon rolls from Everlasting Life (seriously...go get yourself some...immediately) at the boys' house and D and C suggesting we all go get pedicures together.  So we went on a totally random double pedicure date.  The boys were kinda hilarious and full of questions about each step of the process.  I was feeling totally relaxed afterwards and headed home to sit on my balcony, read, and enjoy the sunshine.

via Yelp

That night, I met back up with C and her roommate and we headed to H Street Country Club for a few drinks.  We had these unbelievable sangria margaritas.  I HIGHLY recommend trying one next time you find yourself on H Street.  After H Street Country Club, we were in the mood to do some dancing so we headed over to Rock n Roll Hotel where we ran into PD and his family again (I'm pretty sure he was stalking me this weekend haha) and danced until the bar closed.  After that we grabbed a bite at Dangerously Delicious Pies (the SMOG pie is exactly what you need after a night of dancing) and all headed home.

Sunday

via Yelp

I spent some wonderful time with the Junior League ladies on Sunday.  We brunched at Lavagna (the goat cheese omelet and bottomless mimosas are where it's at) and then walked around Eastern Market.  I scored a KILLER fascinator for my Kentucky Derby party this weekend.  I cannot wait to rock it!