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)

Happy Birthday Haute on the Hill!

My baby has turned 1 today! My blog baby, that is.

Haute on the Hill's first post was one year ago today, it's amazing how quickly the year has gone by.

I am so grateful for those of you who have shared, liked, and privately messaged me about how much you enjoy reading Haute on the Hill.  It is a labor of love that allows me to be my most authentic self, away from work and worry.

I did some data digging today. Of my 46 blog entries posted this year, with nearly 3,000 page views, the entries listed below were the Top 5 Most Viewed. Not surprisingly, the "Decade Later" entry about my self reflections from age 19 to 29 was by far the most viewed. It was a fun, personal entry to write - I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it!

If you missed one of the posts below, check it out now on what's sure to be a horrible commute home in DC (thank you, snow day, for making everyone miserable except school children).

Top 5 Posts from Haute on the Hill's First Year

5. Fashion Lecture with Costume Designers from House of Cards and The Americans

4. DC Photo Shoot with Mantas Photography

3. An Open Letter to DC Fashion Week

2. A Guide to the Best of DC's Performing Arts Winter Season

1. A Decade Later, Here is What I Have Learned

Photo by The Cake Merchant

I'm developing some great new content for the upcoming year. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see from Haute on the Hill, please let me know!

DC is an incredible city full of warm and engaging people. As for my neighborhood, I can't imagine living anywhere but Capitol Hill. Our community truly is like a small village thrown into the middle of a global city.

I look forward to connecting and growing with you all in 2015.

Cheers!
S.

District Doughnut: Damn Delicious

I anxiously crawled out of bed this morning to walk down the street and finally get a taste of our new neighborhood addition, District Doughnut.

As we approached we could see the line was most definitely out the door, but I can assure you, it was worth the wait. My husband and I purchased one of each available flavor and two cups of coffee, here are our findings:

The coffee was a great brew. Classic (but quality) coffee to pair with the classic breakfast pastry.

The Key Lime Doughnut was by far our favorite. Sweet, tart, and beautifully presented. (top left)

The Brown Sugar Doughnut was our runner up. Simple, light, and slightly sweet.  (bottom right)

The Dulce de Leche came in third. Quite sugary but with a delicious caramel sauce. (bottom left)

The Goodfellow was our fourth and final, and not because it wasn't delicious, it was just so much doughnut! Glazed in a Nutella Ganache with Crispy Bacon toppings, this was quite the decadent doughnut and not for the faint hearted! (top right)

I loved the overall vibe of District Doughnut. A clean, crisp interior design with carrera counters and accents of turquoise and lavender. This space was designed with a modern approach but oozes vintage vibe. District Doughnut has applied for a permit to provide outdoor seating, but for now it's either lean on the counters inside or take your doughnut to go.

District Donughnut
749 8th St SE (8th between I and G)
Eastern Market Metro Stop
http://www.districtdoughnut.com/

Happy Hilling!
S.

Elevate Your Education: Programs at The Hill Center

For those of you who have not yet been to The Hill Center, it's about time you checked it out.  We have an incredible community center in the heart of our neighborhood that not nearly enough people know about or partake in.

Here are just a few program offerings I have seen at The Hill Center:
- Yoga
- Classic French Cooking Classes
- Beer Tastings (including background, pairings, and insights)
- French Lessons (Beginners through Advanced)
- Coding for Kids (Using Mindcraft)

Photo by Tim Ebner/TheHillisHome.com)

The cost of each program varies but all are very reasonably priced considering the quality of content and instruction you receive.

If you are looking to learn a new language or some new cooking skills, check out The Hill Center and support your community.

And also, in case you have been living under a rock, Chef David Guas will be opening a location of Bayou Bakery in The Hill Center's carriage house later this year.  This spot will sure to be full of charm and delicious sandwiches and sweets. Check out the Washington Post article for more details.

The Hill Center (at The Old Naval Hospital)
921 Pennsylvania Ave SE
http://hillcenterdc.org/home/

Happy Hilling!
S.

Rental Round Up: Sunday, August 3rd

This week's Rental Round Up features properties that are all literally steps from the US Capitol.  If you are working for someone on the hill, these spaces are for you. I just finished reviewing the latest postings on Craigslist for the area, check out these rental finds and find yourself both working and living on Capitol Hill. 

Renovated 1 Bedroom in Historic Capitol Hill Row House, $2800 per month

This row house sits at the corner of 4th and A Streets SE, which is an unbeatable location. 5 minutes from the Capitol, Eastern Market, and Metro.  Brand new stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, and hardwood/tile throughout the apartment.  This rental is a major find, I would call asap.  And note on the post the landlord says no emails, only phone calls, for inquiries.

Charming Carriage House - 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, $2100 per month

This Carriage House is literally steps from the Capitol Building.  With an off street parking spot (amazing!) and the amount of space and privacy you would have, this space is far superior to anything you would find in a normal high rise rental property. Extra bonus, the Carriage House shares patio space with the Main House for grilling and outdoor entertaining. Open House today from 10am to 1pm - I'm sure this will go quickly!

Cozy English Basement with Modern Updates - 1 Bed, 1 Bath, $1700 per month

Admittedly, this post does not have the best photography; however, the space looks large and newly renovated.  I see a huge, new kitchen with beautiful counter tops and nice new tile in the bathroom.  If you want to live on Capitol Hill, love to cook, and need a space for under $1800 per month this place is for you!

Simplify Your Kitchen: The Spice Jar Project

Living in a 150 year old Capitol Hill townhouse has it quirks, especially when it comes to the unique architectural features you find in cabinetry and hardware.  One of my favorite quirks in our house is the picture frame window cabinet in our kitchen.

When we moved in, the obvious solution was to put dishes and glassware in the cabinet for both use and display. But then I had a different idea, what if we approached that cabinet in a country grocery store concept?

We could put our best cooking ingredients on display in glass canisters with hand-written and chalkboard labels. We would see all of our cooking ingredients clearly labeled in one place, which would majorly simplify cooking a meal. Also, the varying colors and textures in the cooking ingredients would provide a serious pop of color to the kitchen decor.


Now came the real challenge, how could I complete this project on a budget? I gave myself $100 for this pantry transformation. The bulk of this project would be the spice jars, because I had over 40 spices to repackage. With that in mind, I sought out the perfect spice jar first.

From both a budget and quality perspective, the Rajtan Spice Jars from IKEA were by far the best bang for my buck. They come in a pack of 4 for $3.49. With my left over dollars I purchased a few great Italian made hermetic jars with chalkboard labels for my sugar, flour, panko crumbs, etc.

See below for tips & tricks on tackling your own spice jar project!

What You'll Need
Small White Writable Labels
Fine Point Black Sharpee Pen
Rajtan Spice Jars from IKEA
Small Funnel

The Process
Step One: Clean out your existing spice cabinet. Get rid of anything expired. Make a list of each spice so you know how many jars you need to purchase.

Step Two: Decide where and how you are going to display the spices.  For my kitchen, I needed to purchase small acrylic shelves from The Container Store to put inside my window pane cabinet.  The shelves allow me to see the spices in tiers, making each spice visible without having to dig to the back of the cabinet.

Step Two: Purchase spice jars. As stated above, the best deal by far is the Rajtan Spice Jars from IKEA. The screw-on caps create a tight seal so your spices stay fresh and crisp in storage.

Step Three: Wash the spice jars the evening before and let them air dry over night.  You want to avoid any moisture staying in the jars.

Step Four: Write out each spice name on the labels so they are ready to place on the canister after jarring.

Step Five: Pour carefully, use a small funnel if needed, each spice into the jars.  Stick on the appropriate label.

Step Six: Stage and organize your now beautifully jarred and labeled spices however you like.

Step Seven: Find your favorite pinned recipe on Pinterest and get cooking in your newly simplified kitchen.

Happy Hilling!
S.

4th of July Events: Where to Celebrate this Weekend

Hey Hillers,

It's almost time to celebrate our nation's 239th birthday in our beautiful Capitol city.  My parents are flying in from Texas for the next few days so I've been scouring the web to find some great events and places to take them to. Here is how our weekend is shaping up!

Barracks Row 4th of July Parade - 10am, Friday, July 4th

Parade kicks off at 10am.  Marines and marching music down one of DC's best strip of bars and restaurants. Parade starts at 8th and I St SE and ends at Eastern Market. Start your 4th of July morning in Captiol Hill!

Nationals vs. Cubs - 11:05am, Friday, July 4th

What is more American than baseball, hot dogs, and beer? Come cheer on the Nats as they take on the Chicago Cubs at Nats Stadium. 

"A Capitol 4th" Concert - 8pm, Friday July 4th

Listen to an amazing free 90 minute concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, Frankie Valli, Phillip Phillips, and live cannon shots by the US Army Presidential Salute Battery.  Catch a stunning view of the fireworks from the sloping hill of the West Lawn of the Capitol. Gates open at 3pm.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Daily, 11:30am-5:30pm

As if there weren't enough reasons to take a stroll on the Mall on July 4th! Check out the awesome Smithsonian Folklife Festival between 7th and 14th streets.  Taste authentic dishes from featured countries Kenya and China as well as learn about their culture and traditions.  A unique experience only the Smithsonian could provide. 

Mike's Crab House - Daily, 11am-10:30pm

This activity requires a drive, but it isn't quite a summer holiday without eating Maryland crabs on the waterfront.  Our favorite is Mike's Crab House, located near Annapolis. Have a boat? Mike's offers free boat dockage. Head there early in the day, get your buckets of crabs before they run out! Have some cold beers on the deck, then head into Annapolis for some site-seeing in this charming town.  Mike's is located at 3030 Riva Road, Riva, MD.

Happy 4th of July!!!

S. 

Hidden Gems: A Cool Summer Spot Tucked Away on Capitol Hill

As we get into warmer temps in the summer months, it's nice to find a cool place to rest while exploring the city or during a long run on the mall.

I have long passed the Summerhouse as I ran down the north side of the Capitol building, but not until recently did I actually walk inside and explore the space. What a hidden gem!

The Summerhouse is a hexagon-shaped brick structure along the north-west side of the Capitol. It was completed around 1880 and was designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted (of The Devil in the White City book fame, also designer of Central Park in New York).

Olmsted was appointed by Congress in 1874 to develop and improve the Capitol's grounds. He proposed the addition of the Summerhouse as a response to complaints that there was not a cool place to rest or find a drink of water while visiting the Capitol.

As someone with a design background, I greatly appreciate simplistic, well-designed architecture.  The Summerhouse is not ornate or verbose, it is quiet yet bold, subtle yet impactful. Features include arched doorways, basket-weave brick patterns, and 'windows' that give the visitor a peak into a stunning little grotto.  Gazing upon and listening to the water splash over the rocks is the perfect soothing environment to cool off on a hot day.

Originally, the center fountain was used for drinking water that was piped from a natural spring.  At present, the center fountain only serves as a focal point of the design, modern day drinking fountains have since been installed to hydrate Capitol visitors.

Something I always wondered about was why the Summerhouse was only built on the North side of the Capitol, and not the South. Every other structure and design element on the Capitol grounds seems to follow a rule of symmetry. So why would this one particular structure be on only one side?  While researching for this piece I learned that Olmsted had originally planned to construct a version on the South side; unfortunately, it was rejected by Congress during construction of the north side Summerhouse.

On your next run around the Capitol or leisurely stroll to the mall, stop by and explore this hidden Capitol Hill gem.

Happy Hilling!
S.

What to do this Weekend: In and Outside Capitol Hill

It's Friday, Hillers!

Time to get ready for a weekend of no work and all play.  Here are a few goings-on to fill up your social calendar.

Annual Safeway Barbecue Battle
Get ready for some serious BBQ from major names like Red, Hot, and Blue and Dickey's.  Memphis style, Texas style, this festival has your BBQ classics covered.  Live music and entertainment as well! Saturday and Sunday, Penn Ave between 9th and 14th St NW.
http://www.bbqindc.com/index.htm

Live Music NOLA Style
Who doesn't love a great, legitimate New Orleans brass band? Hit it up the Hamilton tonight to see Bonerama, straight from the Crescent City. Tickets $20-$25.
Friday, doors open at 7pm. In true NOLA style, I'm guessing Bonerama won't go on until after midnight.
http://live.thehamiltondc.com/event/545911-bonerama-washington/

Ward 6 Family Day
Join Councilmember Tommy Wells for the 8th Annual Ward 6 Family Day. Food, fun, and games for the entire family! Support the homeless children of our community by donating a school uniform in conjunction with the Family Day event. You can purchase a uniform through this amazon link (see below).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/SGKH8FLM7WFU/ref=cm_sw_su_w
Eliot Hine Middle School, Saturday 1-5pm
http://www.tommywellsward6.com/2014/05/8th-annual-ward.php

FIFA World Cup - USA vs. Portugal
Support Team USA as they take on Portugal. Hit up any of our awesome Capitol Hill bars for game watching and cold brews.  Might I suggest the Ugly Mug? Sunday at 6pm, ESPN for you home viewers.

Marine Corps Evening Parade
It's officially summer, and that means every Friday night you see loads of Marine's wheeling in stadium seating on Barrack's Row for their weekly Evening Parade.  Come check out our nation's finest in full dress uniform for an evening of music, marching, and history.  If you haven't been, and I know it sounds touristy, it's actually wicked cool.
Every Friday night until August 29, 2014. 8:45pm start time.
Must have reservations, fill out the form here: http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/RequestReservation.aspx

Cheap Eats Series: Breakfast for Two for Under $20 in Capitol Hill

Recently, my husband and I were eating out on a Sunday afternoon at a local Capitol Hill restaurant. The food was, OK, certainly not great.  I had a sandwich and a beer, he had a burger and a cocktail, we split a side of their 'famous' fries that were seriously underwhelming.  Our bill, with tip, was $70. 

As we were walking home, I asked my husband "Was that meal really worth $70?" We both agreed absolutely not.  Now, I am not above dropping some serious money on an incredible dining experience; but, I really hate overpaying for food and service that screams mediocrity. 

Sometimes you want a delicious hot meal that doesn't break the bank.  With that, I decided to start a Cheap Eats series for Capitol Hill.  Places you can go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner where your bill (for two) is not more than $30, including tip.

My first Cheap Eats experience was at Jimmy T's Place on the corner of 5th St SE and East Capitol.

Jimmy T's is the kind of place where old men sit at the counter, wearing hats, and reading the Post. Regulars walk in with their kids and the sassy wait staff knows them by name.  The place looks like it hasn't changed much since 1960.  The restaurant is tiny with a few booths against one wall, a couple two tops spaced in the middle, and a dozen or so round bar stools for you to dine at the counter. But the place is loaded with charm.

Jimmy T's is a breakfast or lunch place, good news is they serve breakfast all day.  We arrived craving breakfast, and we definitely came to the right place! I had the perfect, simple breakfast sandwich with deliciously seasoned bacon, egg, and cheese for $5. My husband had a half waffle, poached egg, and side of bacon for $6.  Yes, that's right - you can order a half of a waffle. Genius! And the waffle was perfection - light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside. It was seriously heaven. 

I believe the most expensive thing we could have ordered was a fully loaded omelette for $8. Our two meals plus two coffees came out to $15, we left $20 on the table to cover everything plus tip.  

Important Fact: Jimmy T's is CASH ONLY.  Just pop by the ATM on your way there, grab a single $20 bill, it's all you'll need!

Jimmy T's Place

501 East Capitol St SE

Tues-Fri (6:30am to 3pm) and Sat-Sun (8am to 3pm)

http://www.jimmytsplace.com/

Happy Hilling!

S.

European Escape: Weeknight French Fare at Montmarte

Now that we Washingtonians are enjoying longer daylight hours and a bit of cool breeze in the evenings (before summer officially arrives), grabbing dinner on a patio during the week can be the perfect way to decompress after a long day at the office.

Most Hillers hit Montmarte for brunch on the weekends, my husband and I decided to try them for dinner instead.

The patio, of course, is fantastic. The space has the perfect amount of umbrellas to shade everyone dining, but it doesn't feel cumbersome or enclosed.

Watching people stroll past from neighboring Peregrine Espresso and Pitango Gelato gives this little sliver of Captiol Hill the perfect European vibe.

We started with the crab cake, which is full of flavor and cooked to the perfect texture. Slightly crunchy on the outside, which is the perfect contradiction to the lump crab meat center.  For my main course I had the Mahi Mahi, which was on special for the evening.  The Mahi Mahi was served on top of a bed of bok choy and bell pepper with a slightly tangy sauce.  The flavors were exciting but did not over power the fish. Lastly, we finished the meal with a light flourless chocolate cake paired with two delicious cups of espresso.  

My husband and I have been to France multiple times, and I can say from my experiences, no one dines better than the French. When we said 'l addition s'il vous plait' the waiter smiled, 'oui monsieur'.  

Montmarte was the perfect escape from the rush and worry of a normal week day, I encourage you to check it out and experience a European escape for yourself.

Montmarte
327 7th Street SE (Eastern Market Metro Stop)
http://www.montmartredc.com/

Happy Hilling!
S.

Fashion Finds on Capitol Hill: A Sunday Afternoon at Pinktini

Hillers - as you know, our neighborhood is completely starved for fashion boutiques.  

If we want to find the perfect outfit for date night, a quick gift for a girlfriend, or a new fun accessory we have hardly any options on the Hill.  We end up going online or to somewhere else in the city which is so unfortunate.  I was really excited to check out Pinktini, a luxury women's fashion boutique, located right here in Capitol Hill.  

During my afternoon of perusing at Pinktini I found a little bit of everything. Here are a few highlights:

- A super chic white linen jacket with a bit of frayed edging, simple (but with a twist) to make it special

 

- A gorgeous blush sheath dress with killer beading detail, perfect for a special date night or cocktail event

- A super fun black & white maxi dress with cutouts at the neckline and (hello! pockets!) which I love in any dress 

I also found some great basic jeans and casual tops which would be perfect for pushing the stroller around the neighborhood, running errands, or grabbing coffee on the weekends.

If you are looking for a new accessory this would be a great place to stop as well. I found some gorgeous high quality cocktail rings, infinity scarves, and hand bags.  The boutique carries everything from Lauren Merkin to Big Buddha - which are amazing options!

Women of Capitol Hill, we should rally behind our local business and spend some time shopping locally at this great boutique.  Pinktini has the basics covered but will also push you outside your fashion comfort zone and offer some new and fresh options.

Pinktini is located next door to Port City Java at Eastern Market, look for the pink balloons! They will guide you to your neighborhood fashion destination. 

Pinktini

705 N Carolina Ave SE

www.pinktini.com/

Happy Hilling!

S. 

Rental Round Up - Saturday, May 17th

Check out these great rentals that just came available in Capitol Hill, would love to see you in the neighborhood!

2 Bed/1 Bath, English Basement, W/D in Unit, Large Deck with Grill - $2500

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4474571183.html

1 Bed/1 bath, English Basement, W/D in Unit, Great Daylight - $1600

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4474497843.html

1 Bed, 1 Bath Duplex at the Car Barn, Walk in Closets,  Pet Friendly - $2075

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4457238643.html

Happy Hilling!

S. 

Walking the Neighborhood: The Perfect Comfortable (and Cute) Shoes

This post is for the ladies of Capitol Hill!

As we all know, we live in an incredibly walk-able neighborhood. And so much walking requires comfortable (but cute) shoes - whether it's for errands, meeting friends for brunch, or taking the dog out for an evening stroll.

A pair of peep toe Louboutins can't take a girl everywhere in this city, especially with undulating brick sidewalks that are 200 years old.

I have long struggled to find the perfect solution for being stylish, but not in total pain, as I explore Capitol Hill. Here are two shoes that I have found that totally fit the bill!

Sketchers Go Walk (top photo)
These shoes are amazing.  They are cute, slightly sporty, and by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.  They are breathable and wick away heat, odor (eww, but necessary), and have memory foam type soles.  They come in tons of colors and I will probably own at least three pairs. Sketcher Go Walks run about $50-$60 per pair, you can easily buy them online or at DSW. Oh, and if you haven't read Vogue lately, sneaker type shoes are all the range with a fashionable ensemble. Here is a link to just one article relating to the trend: http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/best-sneaker-street-style-of-fashion-week-2014/#1

Dexflex Ballet Flats (bottom photo)
These ballet flats are as comfortable a pair as I can find.  If my Sketchers are too casual for my outfit, these are my backup option. Dexflex comes in so many patterns and colors and they always release new designs for spring, summer, and fall.  I buy them for $20 online when they are on sale or at Payless.  Just because something is inexpensive doesn't mean it can't be stylish!

Happy Hilling! And walking. ;-)
S.

Free Tequila? Yes, Please! At La Plaza, A Capitol Hill Mexican Favorite

As a born and raised Texan I take my Mexican food pretty seriously. And I can tell you from experience, most of the time, the best Mexican or Tex-Mex food is out of a totally low key, unassuming restaurant with some kind-of weird decor.  So when I walked into La Plaza for the first time and saw the cartoon characters painted on the wall for the kids section, I knew I had come to the right place!

The first time my husband and I ate at La Plaza was actually on Christmas night.  We stayed in DC for the holidays, and without any family to cook for, we decided to venture out.  We had passed signs all week on Penn for this place called La Plaza that would continue their tradition of being open on the holiday.  Enchiladas and tequila on Christmas? Hell, with a meal like that we would practically be back in Texas.

One of the best appetizers is the Chroizo con Queso. My personal favorite main dish is the No. 5 - a super flavorful chile relleno with a cheese enchilada. You know how french chef's are tested by making a soup? Well, I think Mexican restaurants should be tested by making a cheese enchilada.  It's totally basic but can either be delicious or unexciting, La Plaza's is perfect.

And did I mention they serve refried beans? So many Mexican restaurants in DC serve black beans, which is incredibly odd and incredibly un-Texas like. Side note: I once asked the crew at Tortilla Coast why (as fellow Texans) they chose to serve black beans over refried. They said everyone kept asking for black beans so they kicked the refried off the menu.  Black beans as a side at a Mexican restaurant is just unnatural. Judge them by the refried beans, it's a sign they know what they are doing.

Now, let me warn you, not everything at La Plaza is incredible. The chicken burrito, chicken enchilada, anything with chicken, I have found to be vastly under-seasoned. I would recommend sticking to a veggie or seafood option, you will not be disappointed.

Now on to the beverages...the margaritas are stout.  Tasty, and stout.  And if you order a drink they will (surprise!) bring you a free tequila shot at the end of the meal. If they didn't have me coming back just for the food, it would definitely be for the liquor, of both the paid for and free variety.

La Plaza is located at 629 Pennsylvania Ave SE between 6th and 7th.

Happy Hilling!
S.

Who is That? - A Bit of Capitol Hill History

Have you ever passed by this statue and wondered who it was and what was the history behind it? This statue is located in front of a private residence near the corner of 6th Street SE and North Carolina Ave SE. It is very large and very mysterious and has had me wondering for some time. I decided to look into this statue and see what I could find out!

The statue is of Olive Risley Seward (1841-1908) and was sculpted by the artist John Cavenaugh.  The artist wished to provide a sculpture of someone from the Seward family, since Seward Square (across the street) did not have a statue or memorial in honor of it's namesake.

Olive was the adopted daughter of William Henry Seward, who served as Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson.  Olive was born in New York but eventually came to DC where her birth father worked as a civil servant for the Secretary of the Treasury. After the tragic passing of William's wife and daughter, and Olive's loss of her mother, the two met and developed a bond. To squash any scandalous rumors as to the nature of their relationship (with quite a few years of age between them), William Seward formerly adopted Olive as his own daughter.

At the time Cavenaugh created the sculpture he did not have a photograph of Olive to use as a reference. With no documentation to guide is creation, he modeled the figure as his ideal Victorian lady.  Ironically enough, a picture was later found of Olive and the statue does, in fact, resemble her.  Serendipitous, I think!

Happy Hilling!
S.

P.S. I'm looking for the next bit of history to research in the neighborhood.  If you have anything you pass by all the time and wonder "What's the story behind that?" please let me know! I'd love to research it and share my findings.

Cozy Capitol Hill Dinner: Rose's Luxury

Let me start by saying all of the hype you have heard about Rose's Luxury is true.  I have dined at Rose's for dinner three times in four weeks.  Yes, it is that good.


Rose's Luxury is the perfect modern day dining experience.

The food is sophisticated, but not fussy. The wait staff is knowledgeable, but not pretentious. The decor is elegant, but not over the top.

Rose's Luxury does not take reservations and yes, they are slammed on Friday and Saturday nights.  If you want to go on a weekend night, go at 6 or at 9:30pm.  If you show up at a normal dining time you will have a three hour wait.


Personally, I like to go on a Wednesday or Thursday around 6:30pm.  Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at the chic and cozy upstairs bar before being seated for dinner.

Considering the number of times I have been to Rose's Luxury I have now tried almost everything on the menu (which does change seasonally).  A few of my favorites are as follows:

1. Oysters - both Chicken Fried and Raw, absolutely delightful

2. The Bread - which is free, is omg-amazing.  The whipped butter with crispy potato skins on top, out of this world.  I could make an entire meal just from this bread and butter.

3. The Fried Chicken - drizzled with a bit of honey for a savory & sweet experience.  Try it with and without the Crystal's hot sauce.  By the way, shout out to Rose's for offering legit southern hot sauce to pair with the chicken.

4. The Brisket - juicy, savory, cooked to perfection. If you don't want the family style platter ask for a brisket sandwich - trust me, it's exactly what you want. Technically the sandwich is only on the bar menu, not the full dining room menu, but they will serve it at the table.

5. The Sourdough Donuts - mixed with the vanilla bean ice cream, this stuff is heaven.

Happy Hilling!
S.

Rental Round Up - Saturday, April 5th

Check out these awesome properties I came across over my morning coffee.  And make the move to Capitol Hill, life is good here. :-)

Fabulous 1 Bedroom at Stanton Park, Hardwood Floors, Fireplace - $2200 a month
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4401281245.html


Cute Bungalow, 2 Bed, 1 Bath with Open House Today 10am to 2pm - $1895 a month
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4408126246.html


Charming, Newly Renovated 1 Bed, WD in Unit, two blocks from the Capitol - $1800 a month
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4408033911.html


Happy Hilling!
S.

Capitol Hill Flowers: Fresh Cut & Arranged

One of the simplest pleasures I always treat myself to is having fresh cut flowers in the house every week.  I usually only fill one vase and put it in a highly visible spot, like the fireplace mantel, to keep it budget friendly but still have impact.

Up until recently I had been buying my flowers inside Eastern Market.  While that flower shop is convenient, their selection is limiting and they often run out of what I want.  I decided to go on a hunt for another source for weekly fresh cut flowers in Capitol Hill, and that's when I found Surroundings.

Located on the southeast corner of Lincoln Park, Surroundings is an adorable little shop that has a huge selection of fresh cut flowers.  They also do events, arrangements, and even landscaping.  Lucky for me, Surroundings is a quick five blocks from my house.

This morning I took the dog for a walk to the park and we stopped off at Surroundings.  I was in the midst of tying the dog to a bench when the shop worker told me I could bring her inside, dogs are welcome! I loved it!

The prices are fair and the flowers are gorgeous and they definitely won me over on the charm factor.  Buy your flowers local and support our neighborhood small businesses. You won't regret it!

Surroundings
1023 East Capitol St SE
http://www.surroundings.bz/
10am to 6pm, Monday thru Friday
10am to 1pm, Saturday
Closed, Sunday

Happy Hilling!
S.

Rental Round Up - Thursday, April 3rd

Do you have this weekend carved out to look for a new apartment?  Here are some digs that just came available in Capitol Hill.

If you live on the Hill already, you know you want to stay.  

If you don't live on the Hill yet, you know you want to move here.

Gorgeous 1 Bedroom One Block from Eastern Market - $1850

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4399178456.html

Stunning 3 Bedroom Row House at 6th and F Street SE - $3950

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/4395778297.html

Well Located Studio Apartment with Full Size W/D - $1300

http://yarmouthmanagement.com/today.html

Happy Hilling!

S.