Have a Happy Weekend!

Hi, friends.  What will you be up to this weekend?  I am taking the opportunity to enjoy a little staycation, relaxing at home and maybe enjoying a dinner with friends.  Hope that you have a lovely few days ahead.  xox

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I walked by Barcelona, a new tapas restaurant on 14th Street, last weekend.  It is gorgeous.  Like, I might want to move in.  Strong Yelp reviews, too.

Alternatively, if you are in Madrid (Some of you are!), you may like to check out Marta Argüelles's exhibit at La Portegna's store in el Barrio de Salamanca next Thursday.  Find details on La Portegna's Facebook page.

Not Martha's hilariously suspenseful Kinder Egg A Day series.

Products to keep your winter boots and shoes looking new.

What to expect from Game of Thrones's fourth season.  Gulp.

I have been listening to this throwback on repeat since hearing Alison Krauss's CMAs performance the other night.

The robin's egg color of this sweater is refreshing. 

Why isn't there a filtering water pitcher (Looking at you, Brita.) as pretty as this carafe?

I'll play my Native Southerner card and say that D.C. still needs good barbecue.  Here's hoping that DCity Smokehouse delivers.

A whole lot of delicious uses for cinnamon.

(Image is Urbano 12 by Marta Argüelles.)

Have a Lovely Weekend!

Hi, friends.  I'm waiting for some big news, and my nerves are at about a 22, on a scale of 1 to 10.  Needless to say, I am looking forward to the weekend and unwinding a little.  Tomorrow, I'm having dinner at a French place that I haven't been to in a while, which should be nice.  Otherwise, I'm expecting a pretty quiet weekend.  Will you be working through your Halloween treats, or maybe you've got something special lined up for Saturday, too?  Whatever this first weekend in November brings you, I hope it's good.  xox

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Banksy just wrapped up a month-long "residency" in New York with a graffiti-like tag, made from Mylar balloons and installed on the side of a warehouse.  See all of the recent NYC pieces here.

Uniqlo may be coming to D.C.  Fingers firmly crossed.

This clip of a dad lip-syncing his daughter's tantrum had me in stitches.

Beauty bloggers have been buzzing about this pressed powder, which gives you a glow as if you were in the most flattering light.

A nice interview with one of the men who you likely will see behind you bar if you stop into Off the Record any time soon.

Classic pieces for a fool-proof fall outfit.  (I'd say that combining neutral pieces made from natural fibers is a fool-proof approach to dressing year-round. :)

If you're looking for a sweet weekend project, this brown butter apple pie looks like a delectable option.

(Lip-sync video via Little White Lion.)

Happy (Rainy) Weekend!

Apologies for the light posting this week.  Things got busy!

One highlight worthy of special mention is happy hour at BLT Steak.  The place always seemed to fade into a particularly non-descript block of I Street, so I'd passed it by many times before I stopped in this week.  It turns out that BLT achieves the dark, cozy steakhouse vibe without being stuffy.  Think dark woods and leather, combined with warm metal accents and beige walls.  I am a fan.  The happy hour menu offers exclusively $5 treats: beer, wine, cocktails, and mini appetizers.  The complimentary trio of snacks (popcorn, olives, and an Asian party mix that seems house-made) may be the real winner and is totally addictive.  Dare I say that it rivals the similar snack trio (olives, wasabi peas, and mixed nuts) at Off the Record?  

Hope you have a great long weekend ahead.  If you are in D.C. or the vicinity, stay warm and dry!  I am expecting a pretty perfect weekend for breaking in my slow cooker, nesting a little, and maybe catching up with The Newsroom.  Here are some bits and pieces from around the web, including a few excuses to get out of the house if you want to brave the drizzle!  xx E.

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Fashion Art Design Georgetown is happening this weekend, and lots of local shops and restaurants are hosting events that look like fun.  The sale tonight at Tari and Saturday night's closing party at Malmaison seem promising.

Washington Post dining critic Tom Sietsema has released his Fall 2013 Dining Guide.  Do you agree with Tom's appraisals?  Three-starred Le Diplomate is one of my favorites.

My weekend cooking adventure may feature something along the lines of the Pioneer Woman's white chili.  You know how I feel about beans.

These evocative photos of abandoned places will transport you.

I love these pointed-toe, half-d'Orsay flats.

Fall beer tasting on Saturday at Politics & Prose.

Russian eatery Mari Vanna's keys-for-VIPs policy gets more interesting.

This song makes me want to shake it all out and jump around.

If you haven't settled on a Halloween costume yet, you may want to consider these hilarious ideas.

Some of Ginnifer Goodwin's pitch perfect (including many fearless) beauty moments.

(Image via Sandy a la Mode.  Abandoned places photos via C., and Halloween costumes via A.)

Dust

I didn't warn you as to a potential change of name or look, but it was on my mind and then it happened.*  So, welcome to Simple District, friends.  You may notice simplicity as a theme of this blog, moving forward.  I want to share with you my viewpoint of some of life's indulgences - style, beauty, food, design - enjoyed simply.

I'll be changing the Twitter feed and other social media accounts to reflect the blog revamp.  Watch for updates.  :)

*A certain friend, who knows who she is, helped me pull the trigger and came up with the new name during a post-dinner brainstorm at my house.  If Off the Record had white paper napkins, however, this is the kind of brainstorm that probably would have happened there.

(Photo from the State Library of Victoria via Illustrated Obscurity.)

We're back!

Rowhouses next to Mt. Zion Church, Georgetown, D.C., by Mary Belcher.

That's the royal "we", I suppose.  In other words, I'm back.  In the last year plus, I've experienced some pretty big milestones. (Finishing law school! Taking - and hopefully passing - the bar exam!  Most recently, a "big" birthday. :)  Now, the time feels right to return to this space and share my thoughts with you. 

For the near term, I'll focus on the blog, and my Etsy business will take a back seat.  I'll leave the sidebar link up, though the store will be closed.  (Feel free to browse through photos of past work on my facebook page.)  If you have special requests for handmade jewelry pieces, then please contact me, and we'll see what we can do.  :)

You can also follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.  If I succumb to the loving encouragement of my friends, I also may dip my toes into the world of Instagram.  If (when?) that happens, you will be the first to know.

Also, I'd love your feedback on the content that you'd like to see here.

Summer Drinks: Peach Rosemary Fizz

In warm weather, I tend to enjoy a chilled white or rosé wine or a clear mixed drink (usually some combo of vodka/gin and soda/tonic) with plenty of lime. On a day like today, when the temp feels like it’s 102, something to cool me down is especially welcome. But, why not celebrate the season by getting a little more fancy? Doesn’t this peach rosemary fizz look divine?

Jennifer Young for A Merry Mishap.

You might also try the same approach with different fruit and herb combinations. What about strawberry and basil, lemon and mint, or plum and sage? Do you have a favorite summer drink?

Fire Escape Date

So, Joanna posted yesterday about the dates that she and her husband have on their New York City fire escape after their young son goes to bed. What a perfect way to connect after a long day and enjoy a summer evening.

Joanna Goddard at A Cup of Jo

Unfortunately, no fire escapes for me, but D.C. does have lots of great spots (like here, here, here, and here) to enjoy a drink, a chat, and fresh, summer air.