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)

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

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

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.

Waffle Textured Moto Jacket by Forever 21

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

Tart Deco Nail Polish by Essie

The Glass Slipper Reimagined

In preparation for the release of the live action version of Cinderella this March, Disney asked nine of the world's best shoe designers to reimagine the glass slipper.

If Cinderella were living in 2015, and perhaps running down the steps of the Met Ball rather than the castle to flee her prince, which one of these beauties would she accidentally leave behind? My personal favorites are the designs by Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, and Nicholas Kirkwood.

The shoes will be available for purchase at Saks Fifth Avenue starting in March, but you may want to bring you Fairy Godmother's credit card with you, for these glass slippers are certainly out of Cinderella's price range.

The Collection

Photo courtesy of Disney

Nicholas Kirkwood

"Cinderella has both delicate and strong qualities as a character. The moment of transformation emphasizes both and gave me the design inspiration to create a piece that spoke to the film's magic." shared Nicholas Kirkwood

Photo courtesy of Disney

Jimmy Choo

"I think every girl desires a Cinderella moment in their lives. This story ignites a love affair and fascination with shoes that never dies. The power they have to transform is instilled from a young age and the fantasy remains alive forever. I wanted to create a shoe that felt magical, with alluring sparkle and a feminine, timeless silhouette evoking those childhood emotions." said Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi.

Photo courtesy of Disney

Stuart Weitzman

"Cinderella in 2015 has a timeless appeal. The diamond and translucent bootie enhance the vision I have of her." Stuart Weitzman said.

Photo courtesy of Disney

Best Dressed from the 2015 Oscar's

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy

People, this woman gave birth only a few months ago! Look at that tiny waist! Rosamund looks incredible here. The fit, the structure, the matching red satin shoes - this look is pure perfection for me. Hands down she is my best dressed of the evening.

Lupita Nyong'o in custom Calvin Klein

Let me start with saying there are 6,000 pearls in this gown. This piece by Calvin Klein is truly a work of art. The craftsmanship and beauty of detail is exquisite. Lupita knocks it out of the park once again.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford

Reese has pretty much owned the red carpet this season, I have loved every single thing she has worn at the awards shows and she did not dissapoint at the Oscars. I do wish there was something more going on with her hair, it seems a bit too casual for the Academy Awards but otherwise, stunning.

Dakota Johnson in Yves Saint Laurent

This is an example of dressing to the occasion but still being yourself. Dakota looks so elegant in this YSL number but keeps her youthful edge with a matching red lip and pony tail.  

Anna Kendrick in Thakoon

Anna almost always wears black so I found this blush/coral number to be a refreshing look on her. The jeweled neck and center cutout saves it from being too dull. 

Julianne Moore in custom Chanel

To be honest, I was worried for Julianne. She can be a real hit or miss on the red carpet but thank god Karl Lagerfeld called her and said 'Let me make you a custom gown." This sequined structure is a piece of art, just stunning.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab

Let's start with the color, I am loving this citrine green on Emma. The color contrast against her red locks and coral lip is spectacular. The overall vibe is very Old Hollywood to me but still elegant and modern.