Quick Hello

Hi, there.  Just a very brief (too brief!) note to say hello.  It's been a busy return-to-normal for me after spending Thanksgiving with my family in Florida.  I hope that you had a lovely holiday, too, however you celebrated.  This is not a "real" post, I realize, but I hope to deliver one of those, or a Friday link update, at the very least, to you by the end of the week.

I leave you with a YouTube stream of Above & Beyond's studio album, Group Therapy.  It combines tendencies that are trance-y and club-worthy (which I happen to enjoy, but admit the obnoxio-value :) with those that are graceful and a little melancholic.  I've been listening non-stop for the last several days.

See you soon. xx

(Image of Albrecht Dürer's violets via WikiPaintings.)

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

* * *

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.)

Alison Krauss and My New-found Bluegrass Love

After hearing Alison Krauss's Country Music Awards performance with Taylor Swift last week, I have been on a major bluegrass and folk music kick.  Pandora to the rescue: My newest station is influenced by Ms. Krauss and Sara Evans, with a dose of Sarah McLachlan.  The result is a revolving selection of songs with strong vocals, string instrumentation, and stirring melodies and lyrics.

My music tastes vary pretty widely.  Previous favorite Pandora stations have featured Australian electro-pop bands Sneaky Sound System and Empire of the Sun, flamenco-soul singer Buika, and hometown hero Tom Petty.  This new station takes me back to my North Florida roots, while speaking to my current stage in life, which has been marked by transitions that call for personal reflection.

Anyway, I thought that it would be nice to share new-found, unexpected favorites with you.  Click through for a few choice performances.

What To Do During the Government Shutdown - UPDATE

Since this is a "D.C. blog"*, I'd be remiss not to mention the federal government shutdown, which has affected many thousands of federal employees in the metro area, and millions nationwide.  The situation has obvious implications for government programs, large and small, and for individuals who depend on government salaries, benefits, and services.

Leaving the nitty-gritty of the political conversation to the pros, I wanted to offer advice, relevant to the scope of this blog, on how to handle the shutdown if you're among the D.C. folks who find themselves with some extra time on their hands over the next few days. 

Without further ado, here's what to do during the government shutdown:

Attend Sixth and I Historic Synagogue's Shutdown Central, with free coffee, food, West Wing episodes, and yoga.

Check out upcoming author lectures, held both during the day and in the evening, at Politics & Prose.  Make sure to stop downstairs for an excellent coffee.

Answer WaPo's reader poll: How long do you think the government shutdown will last?

Work out for free, or at a discount, with a federal employee I.D.

Eat and drink, also for free, or at a discount, with a federal employee I.D.

Or, come downtown and support the food trucks, which were still truckin' on the first full day of the shutdown. 

Try out a shutdown-inspired pick-up line. 

Take a drive out to the country and pick your own apples and pumpkins in Maryland or Virginia.

Visit one of the cultural institutions that will be open despite the shutdown.  The National Geographic Museum is offering free admission to furloughed employees for the duration of the shutdown.

Find a book at a D.C. public library.  This Town may be a good choice.

Write to your member of Congress.  :)

UPDATE:

If you decide to watch Netflix from the comfort of your couch, you won't be alone.  House of Cards would be an à propos choice, though Top of the Lake and The Fall are two of my recent favorites.

Ford's Theatre will stage two free performances of The Laramie Project between now and next Tuesday, October 8.

*If you don't know, now you know.

(Capitol dome image via Old Blueprints.)

Happy weekend!

What does your weekend have in store?  I'm going to head over to the District Flea for the first time since it launched two weeks ago.  It'll be fun to check out the vendors and see how the District Flea distinguishes itself from D.C.'s other open-air markets, Eastern Market and the Georgetown Flea Market.  I'm hoping for a healthy mish-mash of independent junk sellers and local artists.

Here are some links for your reading and browsing pleasure!  Hope you have a great weekend.

Churchkey will host a beer garden at the District Flea, starting this Saturday.

Saturday night, check out Art All Night in Shaw.  It's modeled after the Parisian Nuit Blanche and will showcase D.C.-based painters, sculptors, dancers, and other artists across multiple gallery spaces.

On Monday evening, an event organized by CrowdTrust will discuss how new SEC regulations impact start-up fundraising.  RSVP here.

With cooler weather on its way, I can't wait to try these Indian restaurant-inspired recipes.

Hopefully, we won't have occasion next week to listen to the City Paper's soundtrack for a government shutdown.

Hang on to some summer brightness with a watch in winter white.

Beauty bloggers have been raving about this eye shadow palette.  The last time I bought Wet 'n Wild cosmetics was probably when I was in middle school, but I'm tempted to try these shades! 

Jimmy Fallon's completely hilarious lip-sync battle.  The nine-minute video is very worth your time.  I cried with laughter.

For the New Yorkers out there:  A handy field guide (maybe a bit too generous a term) to Central Park fauna and some flora.

(Photo via Apartment Therapy, Fallon video tip via C., and CrowdTrust event tip via B., and Art All Night tip via J. :)

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.