Le weekend est arrivé!

It's been a super busy, fly-by week here.  One highlight was seeing the excellent documentary The Square, which I'll tell you more about next week. (Bottom line: See it as soon as you can.)  What will the weekend hold for you?  I hope it's a good one! xox

* * *

I really loved this Newshour piece featuring poet Naomi Shihab Nye.

Hand-etched wooden spoons would make a great cold-weather craft or holiday gift.  I can just imagine them sticking out of the tops of stockings at my house.

A kind of awesome foray into green lipstick, including tips for wearing an emerald pucker.

Gorge metallic leather coasters, maybe as a hostess gift?  Or house-warming?  Or for yourself, just because?

Have you ever made potato roasties?  This Middle East-inspired recipe calls for the addition of tart sumac.

Nicholas Nixon's beautiful series of annual photos capturing four sisters over nearly forty years. 

This Facebook status generator is hilariously accurate. 

Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!  Taste it tonight at the Embassy of France.

Kitties and cute men together are as great as you think they will be.

A list of D.C. bars and restaurants with fireplaces.  They left out the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton lobby, which serves s'mores on weekend evenings around 6. 

(Image via Design Sponge; lipstick link via The Cut; Beaujolais tip via Eater DC.)

Not a Gravy Boat

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you may be settling on your menu.  Since part of meal planning (especially this level of meal planning) is figuring out how to deliver all that food to your guests' plates, you also may be settling on which serving bowls, platters, and utensils to implement on the day of.

Which brings me to an all-important question: How do you plan to serve your gravy?

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

* * *

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.)

Whiskey Cider

The Halloween party that I attended last weekend was hosted by my friend, B., who is multi-talented.  Beyond being eminently kind and funny (I could go on!), he possesses a serious gift when it comes to creating delicious food and drink.  For the party, B. served a wonderful hot spiced (and spiked!) cider.  When I asked B. for his whiskey cider recipe, hoping to share it here, I had a hunch that he had just thrown the thing together, following his nose and trusting his palate.  I turned out to be right.  B.'s recipe follows.

Flattered that you want to blog about the cider! I'm afraid there was no recipe, it was sort of a last minute concoction before running to assemble my costume. I had two big pots and basically filled each with cider 1/2 - 2/3 of the way, in order to leave room for the booze. I used 2 gallons of cider total. My roommate had an old mulling spice packet - it was primarily cinnamon/sugar and a little nutmeg - which went into one of the pots, mostly just to use it up. I then did my own thing with both of them, which was approximately the following (very approx.):

- 2 tsp cinnamon (less in the pot that had gotten the mulling packet) 

- Some freshly ground nutmeg (we have a grinder, which is awesome), maybe 1/2 tsp

- a few shakes of ground clove

- freshly ground pepper, maybe 1/4 tsp in each, just to warm things up a bit

- orange oil/extract, 1/4 tsp maybe

- orange blossom water (the kind from the Middle Eastern bakery), a very small drizzle

That's all sitting in a big pot on lowish heat. At some point I dropped a couple ladlefuls into my blender with a couple decent sized knobs of fresh peeled ginger, blended completely, then poured it back into the pots. You could also just grate it in - or use powdered ginger I suppose ;-)

Once everything gets to be hot and start steaming, I threw in maybe a couple tablespoons of honey and stirred to make sure it didn't just sit at the bottom and burn.

Then, after the Cider is well spiced and I'd tried it out on its own, I added Old Overholt Rye Whiskey. Again, not exactly to each pot, but in sum the proportions were about 40% Rye, 60% Cider. You could use your favorite bourbon here, too - I might have, but Old Overholt is sort of a secret gem, by far the most drinkable by cost of any whiskey in my opinion. (I happily drink it neat and it's $16 for 750 mL in Col Hts, so I got 3 bottles for the price of one higher end bourbon.) A little Cointreau would certainly have been a good addition, but I didn't have any.

Then just cover it on really low heat or turn it off and wait for all your costumed guests (and party crashers) to arrive!

This stuff would be so lovely to try if you have a holiday gathering around the corner.  And, the recipe is adaptable, based on your preferences and available ingredients. 

Thanks for sharing, B.!

(Image via bon appétit. Check out their take on whiskey cider here.)

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

* * *

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.)

Have a Spooky Weekend!

Switching gears a bit: Halloween, OMG.  I'm going to a party this weekend.  I figured out my costume, which took a 180 from the idea I was planning on when I updated you last week.  If I muster up the courage, I may share a snapshot or two next week.  :) 

What are your plans for the weekend?  Will you be dressing up and going out, or staying toasty at home?  In any case, I hope you have lots of reasons to smile this weekend.  Here are a few bits and pieces from the web that I thought you'd enjoy.  xo E.

* * *

One hint as to my costume: it involves this lipstick, which is the perfect strong red (more orange/brown than blue in the undertone department) and very emollient.  I never really have been one for bright lip color, but am kind of excited about this.

If you have a pug to dress up for Halloween, here are a few hysterical ideas.

If you still need to figure out what to wear, these are some imaginative ideas.

Here are a bunch of DIY fall craft ideas that will keep your creative juices flowing post-crazy costume.  Start collecting those fallen leaves now!

I made a variation of this thyme-roasted sweet potato recipe last week, and yum.

Cleveland Park eatery Palena will transform its current café space into a coffee shop concept, serving coffee and fresh baked goods in the morning and moving into lunchtime fare at midday.  It's not clear whether the café will continue to offer dinner service, but let's hope it does.

Google Maps now show D.C. Metro lines.  Cool, huh?  The quirks mentioned in the link seem to have been fixed.

Here is a smooth, sexy tune from Spanish crooner Pablo Alborán.  If you like what you hear, try this one, too (The video gives a glimpse of my old stomping ground in downtown Madrid.).  And this one.  The sentimental lyrics brought a lump to my throat.

(Image from Apartment Therapy via House Beautiful; Palena tip via Eater; craft ideas via swissmiss.)

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

Busy, busy it's been around here.  For me, the weekend will involve friends and finalizing my Halloween costume.  Till now, it's been just an idea (a very simple one :), so it's time to assemble the pieces and determine details.  I'm looking forward to the fun, low-fuss project, which may evolve into something with more pizazz than originally planned.  We'll see....

What are you up to this weekend?  Whatever your plans, I hope you have fun and enjoy browsing a few bits from around the web.  xo

* * * 

A dating site sees a spike in D.C. activity, thanks to the federal shutdown.

Local chefs look forward to new players in the District's restaurant scene.

Graphite drawings that the artist says are the product of "daydreaming and keeping track of it."

I found these German chocolate-glazed gingerbread cookies in the grocery store, and they are SO delicious.  Maybe a little early for the holidays, officially, but the delicate warmth of the spice is so lovely for fall.

Quirky DIY kids' Halloween costumes that will make you giggle.

I may be coming around to the idea of the heeled bootie.*  A refined ankle makes all the difference.  These and these and these pass muster.

A slouchy silk sweater that looks like it would be nice to live in. 

Would you order a custom-blended lipstick? 

This gnocchi looks like a hearty, indulgent weekend meal.

For the Why Didn't I Think of That? file: apple cider sangría.


*Yes, I know that they have been a thing.

(Image via The Editorialite, gnocchi recipe via Epicurious on Pinterest.)

Wardrobe Essentials

Wanted to give you a heads-up on quite an amazing sale at Banana Republic -- 40% off of almost everything in the store, including lots of fall staples for work and play.  If you need to stock up on autumn essentials, this is not a bad time to do it.  I had been on the hunt for camel-colored wool slacks (not the easiest task, given that the vast majority of heavier-weight, office-friendly trousers are offered in black, navy, and grey) and was thrilled to find these.

And, Kate Middleton style watchers may be interested in this belted coat, which appears strikingly similar to (albeit shorter than) the Max Mara coat that was re-named for Kate after she wore it.

The sale ends today and applies to in-store and online purchases. Find the sale code here.

(Images via Banana Republic.)

Arrival of Fall

Quick little note to wish you a great week.  Fall weather is upon us in D.C., and the pumpkins and gourds are coming out! After a summer dedicated to bar exam study (i.e., LOTS of time indoors, missing out on summer sun and heat), I felt a little cheated by the fall season's quick approach.  But I had forgotten how lovely a brisk chill, and the accompanying opportunity to cook up a storm of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, can be.  After spending a great Sunday afternoon in Georgetown yesterday, I'm ready to welcome fall with open arms.

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.

***

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.)

Long Cardigans

Two (?) years ago, I picked up a long, beige, space-dyed cotton cardigan from J. Crew.  It's one of the open ones, without buttons.  I had not been on the long, open cardigan bandwagon until that point, and, honestly, it was a bit of an impulse buy.*  The piece was deeply discounted at the tail-end of one of J. Crew's big end-of-season sales, so I went for it, though I wasn't really sure how the relationship between that cardigan and me would pan out.**

Two-ish years later, that cardigan and me, we're still going strong.  The cardigan is made from a light-weight cotton, so it's great to wear year-round.  I've worn it with sundresses in the summer, and with jeans and boots in the fall.  It's one of those pieces that I often crave.  For casual occasions, it always just feels right.***  Now that we're on the cusp of cooler weather, I'm thinking about my fall wardrobe and wishing for a heavier-weight version of my beloved space-dyed friend.

Here's a collection of chic-casual long cardigans that might just fit that bill. 

Clockwise, from top left: Grey cardigan with pockets from Anthropologie, Leather (!) detail cardigan from Barneys New York, Oversize open cardigan from AnnaKastle, Grey open cardigan from Massimo Dutti, Camel stole cardigan from Uniqlo, Kimono sleeve cardigan from Zara. 

Do you have any wardrobe staples that always seem to feel right?  I'd love to know. 


*What on Earth was I going to do without buttons?
**Um, hello, it's a beige cardigan made from natural fibers.  I should have known.
***I am a textbook Virgo and feel very comfortable wearing all white and all beige outfits.  If I had to pick one color to wear for the rest of my life, I almost certainly would choose beige, as long as I also had chromatic latitude in accessorizing with scarves and large jewelry. 

(Top image via Polyvore.)