brunch

Coral Crush

All too much lately, our D.C. summer days have not been all too summery with long spouts of humid, grey, rainy weather.  These rainy days have just been begging for a pop of color, so I was pleased to oblige with a sea foam colored skirt and a bright coral necklace for a “girl’s day” outing in Georgetown.

It’s funny how colors have the ability to change your mood.  After a quick smear of Clinique’s “Beach Coral” long last lipstick across my lips, I was ready to hit the streets of Georgetown to enjoy a few hours of sunshine with friends.  After shopping and brunch [$3 bellinis!] at Paolo’s Ristorante, the heavens opened up for an afternoon shower.  Let’s just say that ditching the bus stop and taking a quick cab ride home was worth the splurge!

Jackie Fashion Blog-11

Jackie Fashion Blog-8

Jackie Fashion Blog-10

Wearing: white button down: Old Navy // sea foam skirt: ModCloth // bib necklace: Stella & Dot

Jackietara

Brunchiness

As I have been dutifully completing #2 on my spring to-do list, I have been taking [mental] notes on a couple of local brunch spots in town.  Here are my favorites so far:

The Argonaut: Bottomless mimosas for $9.  The eggs benedict with smoked salmon was terrific the first time I ordered it, but overcooked the second time.  Needless to say, overcooked eggs benedict is not as pleasant an experience as perfectly cooked eggs benedict.  Although a little more expensive, the fish tacos are the best thing on the menu.  The fish is flaky and delicious, the cabbage-cilantro slaw is crisp and light, and let’s not forget the delicious rémoulade.  The guac is an additional dollar or so, but it’s well worth it.

Sixth Engine: The short rib hash.  How can you go wrong with braised beef, a twice-baked potato, poached eggs, and hollandaise?  Although not on the “brunch” menu, you can still order the cheeseburger off of the lunch menu during brunch.  Teddy swears it’s the best burger you’ll get in D.C., and I’m definitely with him on this one.  Big, juicy, made with house ground beef, topped with their own no.6 sauce, and served on a sesame bun, this is clearly a winner.  Sixth Engine also has amazing cocktails.  Try the Finocchietto Rosso, made with local Greenhat gin, muddled strawberries, fennel liqueur and lime juice, yum.

Belga Café: There is no reason to get anything but a mussel pot at Belga, ever.  Usually my favorite to eat at home is mussels “mariniere”, with white wine, shallots, and garlic.  This time though, Teddy convinced me to try the mussels “truffels en prei”, with leeks, truffles, spicy sausage, cream, red onions, and herbs.  Best decision I made all week.  And all mussel pots come with Belgian frites and mayo.  Bingo.

Teddy and I were not alone in our Belga Café brunch adventure.  My mom and sister, Natalie, joined as well, which gave me an excellent opportunity to be a paparazzo for the morning.  It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day and I had couple pretty good looking subjects to test my photography skills on.  So, why not?  Thanks to Teddy for giving me a few more pointers and also for taking a few guest shots!

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-3

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-2

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-8

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-7

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-9

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-12

2013-04-12_Shabbasana @ 6th & I-10

Spring To-do List

I love lists and it’s spring, so here is my to-do list for the new season!

1. Go outside!  This “task” may seem like a no-brainer, but working a 9-5 job and then some + teaching makes it hard to get outside during the day.  My goal is to be able to pry myself away from my desk for 10 minutes a day to enjoy the sunshine and get some Vitamin D.

2. “Live it up” and go to brunch.  Brunch has always been something I have viewed as a hoity-toity expensive and frivolous activity.  Having experienced brunch at District Commons and all it’s glory last weekend, I have decided that it’s actually a great way to catch up with friends after a long week, enjoy some comfort food, and have one of my favorite things in the world – mimosas.  I’m going to depart from my usual frugality and go to brunch more often, starting tomorrow ($9 bottomless mimosas at the Argonaut!).

3. Experiment with food.  Not in the Frankenstein or Flubber sense of the word, but to have more of an adventurous spirit while cooking.  Growing up with a French dad I have had it all, from escargot and pate, to venison and Cassoulet.  I am a pretty decent cook and I most certainly have an open mind when it comes to food, so I think it’s time to put the two together.  My first shot this week was making octopus salad (recipe and photos to come!).

4. Discover new music.  I have been listening to NPR’s podcast All Songs Considered a lot lately on my commute to work.  One of my favorites right now is Junip’s new song “Your Life, Your Call,” which reminds me of my best friend’s motto [in reference to all the stupid things that people do], ” it’s not my life.”  Never mind the disturbing video, the song is great.

The Flaming Lips’ new album, The Terror, will be released tomorrow, April 16!  Apparently I have an affinity for disturbing music right now, because The Terror has also been described as being “disturbing” by Wayne Coyne himself.

Another album I am anticipating is Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City.  Take a listen to “Diane Young.”

5. See the cherry blossoms.  Although, I think the storm this morning may have undermined by plans to go downtown tomorrow to see them.  This is how I feel about the situation in haiku form:

Pink and white blossoms
Disappear from the old trees
Untimely cruel storm

What are you planning on doing this spring?  Please share!