Friday, April 24, 2015

Local, Natural Skincare on the Hill








One thing I wish we had more of on the hill is local boutiques. We have restaurants and bars for days, but not nearly enough places to shop. I was thrilled to stumble upon Hunnybunny Boutique on 8th Street a few weekends ago.

Hunnybunny offers soaps, face masks, and other skincare items that are free of chemicals. The owner, Leigh Byers, makes everything from scratch using only natural ingredients. I purchased a bar of soap and the sea clay mud mask. I have been using both products for a few weeks now and absolutely love them. I have very oily skin, the sea clay mask helps keep the shine off my face better than any mask I have bought from a drug store. I would highly recommend it!

My purchase came complete with a hand written note from one of the owner's kids, which I thought was adorable. Let's support our local businesses and keep our dollars flowing in the community.

Hunnybunny Boutique
311 8th St NE (between C and D)

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Mixing Prints









Let me start this post off by saying, in general, I rarely do prints. So when I put this look together, I completely surprised myself!

Prints date quickly, in my opinion. You could buy a print this season and it could be out of style in six months. If I'm spending a small fortune on something for my wardrobe, I want it to last me for years to come. For that reason, if you opened by closet today, you would find it to be 80% black, 10% cream, 8% navy, and 2% prints. This look is all about the 2%.

On occasion I buy something fun and trendy in a bold pattern. This floral tee, for example, I bought on a snow day in March because I wanted it so desperately to be spring I thought "Floral print, why not?" Also, it was only $12. I could wear it a few times and then throw it in the give-away pile and not think twice.

Now that temperatures have warmed up and the sun is shining, I find myself throwing on not only one print, but two! I loved layering my classic Oxford shirt with the fun floral tee. My blush fringe shoulder bag from H&M is everything to me right now, I take it everywhere.

Last but not least, let me tell you about these shoes. I have received more compliments on these Coral Pumps than my Ferragamos, and drum roll please...the pumps are from Payless! Can you believe it? Super comfortable in a lower heel, these pumps are perfect for work to evening events, and this pop of color lights up any room. Cheers to style on a budget!

Blue & White Striped Oxford Shirt by Banana Republic
Floral Print Tee by Old Navy
Rock Crystal Necklace by H&M
Blush Fringe Shoulder Bag by H&M (now on sale!)
Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans by Old Navy
Coral Patent Leather Pumps by Payless

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Weekend Wandering at The Hirshhorn

I spent this Sunday afternoon doing two of my favorite things, wandering art galleries and eating Indian food so spicy it made my teeth sweat. Ah, glorious days.

Since our news feeds are inundated with cherry blossom photos, I thought I'd share shots from my time at The Hirsshorn today for a bit of variety. Let your eyes feast on the gorgeous installations currently on exhibit. Keep in mind photography really doesn't do these pieces justice, take some time and visit for yourself.

Barbara Kruger: Belief + Doubt, 2012
Barbara Kruger: Belieft + Doubt, 2012
Ernesto Neto: The Dangerous Logic of Wooing, 1964
Dan Flavin: Untitled (to Helga and Carlo, with respect and affection), 1974
Dan Flavin: Monument, for V. Tatlin, 1967
Katharina Fritsch: Display Stand with Madonnas, 1956
Andy Warhol: Marilyn Monore's Lips, 1962
Mark Rothko: Blue, Orange, Red, 1961

Brunch at Mitsitam Cafe

Mitsitam Cafe has been on my list for over a year now. I had read multiple times how delicious and unique it was, but who would guess a Zagat rated restaurant would be in the National Museum of the American Indian? My husband and I decided to eat here on our way to the Cherry Blossoms this weekend, and I am so glad that we did.

Exterior of the Museum

When we first arrived, the cafe was still a few minutes from opening. Luckily, they had an espresso bar in the main lobby so we started our visit by ordering some lattes. The drink options were so exotic, my favorite was the Spicy Chocolate Blackberry Cappuccino (complete with cayenne pepper) for an amazing, unexpected morning latte.

Once the cafe doors opened, we found ourselves a bit overwhelmed by the menu. Mitsitam Cafe serves indigenous cuisines from across the Americas.  Each station, separated by region, depicts the ingredients and cooking methods of both traditional and modern native cuisines. Your choices to dine are in the Northern Woodlands, Mesoamerica, South America, the Northwest Coast and the Great Plains.

We decided to journey to the Great Plains where I ordered the Pulled Buffalo Sandwich, which was delicious. A bit sweet, plenty juicy, and very flavorful for having hardly any 'extras' added to the sandwich. On my list for future dining is the Ground Duck and Buffalo Burger, it looked so amazing while grilling in their open kitchen. I will most certainly be back for more.


Pulled Buffalo Sandwich

Friday, April 10, 2015

Date Night Outfit, Soft with an Edge







Happy Friday! It's the weekend, which means date night. It should be spring by now, but yet it's still chilly and a bit damp. I am so ready to embrace floral prints and flowing fabrics, but the season is just not yet upon us. In this look I wanted to feel spring-like while still staying warm while out on the town.

I paired this gorgeous pleated blush skirt with a silk camisole and asymmetrical black knit jacket. I loved mixing the softness of the skirt with the edginess of the jacket. My to-die-for leather heels from Steve Madden added that extra punch of sexy and cool to this date night look.

Silk Camisole by Banana Republic
Pleated Chiffon Skirt by Forever 21
Leather Cut Out Heels by Steve Madden
Acid Green Snakeskin Clutch by Banana Republic