Archive | September, 2010

The perfect Sunday lunch

26 Sep


I’m hopeful that Mario Batali’s new Eataly will become so massively popular in NYC that he’ll spread his culinary wealth a little further south to us in D.C.

Until then I’ll replicate his vision of a fantastic afternoon meal on my own with my own twist — scratch the orange bellini’s (I’m not a big liquor drinker) and go for a sparkly Txakoli instead.

The view from up there

26 Sep



These are the sorts of views I don’t get as a D.C. resident.

Because there used to be a law in place that restricted any building in D.C. from being built taller than the Capitol we lack tall buildings in this town.
10-13 stories is about as high up as you’re going to get, which is why visits to NYC always take a little getting used to on the first day. I get frustrated that buildings are blocking the sun, or a view of another part of Manhattan, but I then also adore the height.
It’s exhilarating riding to the top of a 30 or 40 story building, peeking out a window or looking over the ledge of a roof and seeing the city in all its glory.
Oh New York, New York…you are such a special place.

Next stop

21 Sep




Jeju Island, a volcanic island off the coast of South Korea.

So why go? Well, if the pictures don’t give you good enough reason than check this out — an area covering about 12% of the island known as Gotjawal Forest, remained untouched until the 21st century. Repeat that: untouched. How cool is that?
More to come on this island and South Korea in general…

Doable in DC

20 Sep



Amanda Brooks of Vogue fame might have demonstrated here how you can be both fashionable, a little daring and still work-appropriate in a city like Washington, DC.

We get a bad rap for being super un-cool when it comes to dress. Well, we’re not NYC and we’re never going to be. We’ll always be a bit more conservative (somewhat due to the industries (like the Hill/law firms)) that dominate the job market but DC girls still have style.
As soon as I saw Brooks’ outfit, I thought, “I could totally wear that to work and feel like I’m in something very unique, but classic” — which is work appropriate in my mind.

B.L.T.

16 Sep



Oh man….who knew that I could want a B.L.T. more than I do at this very moment? Doesn’t this look delicious? So simple. Why don’t I ever make these at home? It just never dawns on me. In fact, I rarely, if ever, make a sandwich. Maybe it’s time to do just that?

On her tip toes

16 Sep


A reminder of the days when my sister starred on the big stage.

(via julia.)

Hair hair hair

16 Sep


I could never pull it off without a wig but I absolutely love it on her.

(via Hanneli)

Bring on fall

14 Sep


Hurry up fall! Get here already.

This photo makes me think of cloudy fall afternoons made perfect with warm bowls of soup and back-to-back movies.

Scarves for the season

14 Sep




While we were in Argentina their winter was ending and spring was just around the corner. I saw a lot of lovely women — young and old alike — wearing gorgeous scarves on their way to work, out shopping, while eating in cafes.

It’s heading towards that time of the year for us so where should one shop for a lovely new neck accessory? Madewell.com has a bunch of fantastic options under $60. I particularly love the pink bird one above. What about you? Do you have any recommendations for other places online I could find unique scarves like these?

Argentina

14 Sep




Argentina was lovely. The scenery was magnificent. The meat and pasta were delicious. And as if there’s any surprise here — Malbec is now my new favorite grape.

People say that Argentina is the “Europe of South America” and while you can’t miss Italy and Spain’s influences on the culture, people and food, it’s very much its own place.
If you’re like me and have never been to the continent, I highly recommend “the ARG” as my sister calls it. The flight can be pricey but once you get there, accommodations, meals, outdoor excursion opportunities and transportation are all very, very affordable. We stayed in a flat in one of the Palermo barrios of Buenos Aires for about $45 a day!
If you’re thinking about planning a trip, I’ve offered a few thoughts on fun things to do, see and stay. It’s nearly impossible to cover the entire country in two weeks so I would recommend picking two or three spots that aren’t more than a 15 hour bus ride away from one another and explore those as much as you can.
Cool hotel in Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires: Costa Petit
Outdoor excursion company in Mendoza: Argentina Rafting
Fine arts museum in Buenos Aires: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MALBA is a cool building but I wasn’t impressed with their modern art collection)
Great street food: choripan (think: American hotdog but sooooo…much better)
B&B in Chacras de Coria (the “gourmet ghetto” of Mendoza): Posada Olivar
Tour Argentina’s National Congress (tours are a few times/week at 11am & 4pm)
Best small winery in Mendoza: Pulmary (run by a former art teacher who followed her passion for wine)
Wine tour company in Mendoza: Ampora Wine Tours (guides are bi-lingual & well-versed in the winemaking process & business)
Best meal of our trip: Clos de Chacras (just a few tables; simple food & ingredients)
Great day trip from the capital: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
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