Have a Wonderful Weekend!

How was your week?  Mine was busy and good.  I continued on my bluegrass/country music kick, and ended up falling further in love with Blake Shelton.  Yes, I know that he's taken.  But, with songs like this one, he can't help but make me swoon.  My goodness gracious. 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  I'll see you back here next week.  xox

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Ten D.C. delivery and take-out pizzas to try.  I can vouch for Pete's (Sit on their patio in Friendship Heights if the weather's nice.) and Angelico.  And jumbo slice.  :)

Mystery-flavored Dum Dum lollipops, demystified.

Swiss artist and scientist Fabian Oefner uses gravitational forces to manipulate paint, then takes high-speed photographs to capture the result.  See his process here.

These gold leafed shell salt cellars (a mouthful!) would make pretty gifts for the holidays.

The annual Cheap Art Sale D.C., offering pieces for less than $50, is happening this Saturday in Mount Pleasant.

Oh!  And there's a phenomenal concert happening next weekend at the Kennedy Center.  The American Voices Concert will feature Renée Fleming, Alison Krauss (!), Josh Groban, and other national treasures.  Unfortunately, only the fanciest tickets are available at this point, but if you have two hundred bucks kicking around and an open dance card for Saturday, November 23, then I think that I just helped you nail down some plans.  :)

(Image by Serge Leblon for Elle, via Fashion Bomb Daily.  Lollipop link via Cup of Jo; Fabian Oefner link via Laughing Squid; Cheap Art tip via B.)

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 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

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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.)

Happy Holiday Week!

Fourth of July at Mnemsha, Martha's Vineyard.

Things at home base got busy at the end of last week, causing a bit of a delay in posts. Sorry about that! Hope you had a great weekend and managed to beat the heat. Here's some link love to get your Monday going.

Another simple, lovely hair tutorial, courtesy of Joanna. 

A cotton, geometric panel dress that would be fun to wear for the Fourth.
Dinner, or your Independence Day meal, on the grill.

Cocktails for those of the beer persuasion. (While I am not normally a beer fan, I had a michelada last night at Bandolero. Delish! Lighter than a bloody Mary, but with similar pizazz.)

For summer coolers sans alcohol, here's a slew of creative lemonade recipes.

Metallic cut-out sandals to kick your holiday wear up a few notches.

Affordable nail salons in D.C. I'd add Dupont Circle's Mimosa to the list.

Wild Poppies 2.0: DIY Dried Poppies.

Baby in a play tunnel. Doesn't get much cuter than that.

In case your Fourth of July dessert table calls for lemon meringue pie.

Happy Weekend!

The lovely Esther Williams, through the lens of Slim Aarons.

I'm not sure why this week has felt so long, but I am looking forward to a few days off! Over the weekend, I'll go with some friends to a concert at D.C.'s historic Howard Theatre. Beyond that, who knows! Don't you just love the freedom of weekend possibilities? Hope you have lots of fun this weekend and enjoy these bits and pieces from around the web.

More neon! This time in the shape of a beach-proof carry-all.

Phenomenal French countryside poppies.

Strawberry rosé spritzer. A great, seasonal twist on the classic mimosa.

These dove salt and pepper shakers from Jonathan Adler are simple, yet design-y, with just a dash of kitsch.

What adorable hair and makeup (not to mention the outfit).

Gauzy cardigan = summer perfection.

Awesome DIY crystal bottle stoppers.

Um, wow. This is like a blueberry version of chocolate lava cake. 

An NYC-based resource for house plants, via Sous Style.

Pixelated t-shirt. I'd pair this with white jeans.

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

Iconic Oval Office photo of John F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr., by Stanley Tretick.

Posting has been a bit light this week since I spent most of my free moments socializing with my guests. No weekend plans yet, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the (hot!) summer weather. Maybe some pool time is in my near future. Did you have a good week? Any weekend plans? Don't forget to tell your dad that you love him on Sunday (and as often as possible, really.). Here are a few bits and pieces for you to browse before I see you again next week:

Interesting (and somewhat surprising) stats on dads in the United States.

Father's Day gift guides here and here. Or you could even make something extra-personalized and thoughtful.

A green goddess grilled cheese sandwich. Mmmmmmmm.

Fantastic street art images from Melbourne.

Homemade lemon curd. In a clamp-lid jar. Who could ask for more?

These quilled wedding invitations almost look like living, growing vines and tendrils.

DIY travel tic tac toe game.

Exquisite hand-painted stationery.

Space-dyed striped canvas ballet flats. Could be a fun way to mix patterns for summer.

Super cute, simple, graphic (and inexpensive!) DIY kids' t-shirts. Same idea could work easily for adults, too.

Happy Weekend!

in the Eastern Market neighborhood, D.C.

Hope you've all had a great week. I have some special visitors coming into town tomorrow, so am excited to hang out and play tour guide. Also, the D.C. Jazz Fest is wrapping up, so we'll see if we can't sneak a show into our schedule.

What will you be up to over the next few days? Hopefully, your plans are either fun or relaxing, depending on the kind of weekend you need most. I'll see you next week. In the meantime, enjoy checking out these bits and pieces:

Even adults should have dresses that "make us do a giant spin."

Oven-roasted tomatoes: one of life's simplest and most pleasurable pleasures.

Faux leather strappy sandals in turmeric orange.

Box of beautiful vintage threads and sewing notions. How perfect these would be for embellishing a simple t-shirt.

Oh, this could be useful! Secret iPhone tricks via Not Martha.

Gorgeous ceramic and recylcled glass bowl/serving dish in midnight blue.

The best street markets (Including antiques! And junk!) in NYC via Nat the Fat Rat.

An especially lovely Napa Valley wedding.

A handy interactive seasonal ingredient guide based on U.S. locations.

Cute overload: amigurumi jellyfish in every color of the rainbow.

Happy Weekend!

I'm going on a little road trip to parts south and looking forward to fresh air out of the city. If weather cooperates, we'll get some beach time, too. A handy city guide from Design*Sponge will be one of my inspirations as I explore Norfolk. At the top of my list: fresh-from-the-docks seafood at A.W. Shucks, shopping at Thrift Store USA and Firefly Antiques, and a stroll through the Ghent neighborhood. Have you been to Norfolk? If you have any insider tips, I'd love to hear them.

Image via City Data.

I'll report back next week. In the meantime, enjoy some link love!

Low-tech iPad cases made of repurposed oil paintings at Anthropologie via Design*Sponge.

This seductive sequined clutch would be gorgeous with summer whites.

Adorable little bunny cookies.

DIY rolled paper pencils via Not Martha.

Japanese minimalist potted plants from Qusamura via Art Hound.

A whole bunch of simple, seasonal "farm stand" recipes.

DIY painted straw market baskets and accessories. They're silver here, but any color would work beautifully.

Random pretty images. Love those neon feathers.

Painfully cute pasta hair bows and art.

Chive blossom vinegar recipe.