Touring Union Market

Not sure if I’m late to the game or ahead of the trend on this one… but I feel like I just uncovered a new hidden gem in DC: Union Market.

We stumbled upon the market a few weeks back and last weekend Sam requested a return visit for his birthday to grab lunch at TaKorean. You really can’t turn down the birthday boy’s request, even when it means driving across town just for kimichi. But I was very happy to be back!

The new Union Market building is hidden in Northeast DC behind the former rundown market shops. But inside is all bright and new! There are rows of local flowers, wine, cheese, produce, oysters, and yes, even pickles.

Our favorite thing to do is pull up to the bar at Buffalo & Bergen – an old fashioned soda shop, and order a float. Then we walk into Salt & Sundry – just hands down the coolest home goods shop. The place is full of large colorful art, soft dish towels, local DC cook books, and my barware. I would move right on in if they let me!

Union Market is now officially on the list of places to take visiting friends when in town. Since it’s right down the road from the Arboretum, another one of my favorite little DC secrets, I can envision many trips to Northeast DC very soon.

Passport DC Embassy Hopping

Exactly one year ago, I was in my car, driving solo up Massachusetts Avenue, heading north through the city. My errand for the morning was to tour a potential apartment in Glover Park – the one I now call home! However, as I approached the buildings along Embassy Row, large crowds of people caught my eye. In what looked like a mini-DC version of the Epcot World Showcase, each embassy was putting on a display of their national pride. Visitors were being entertained with steel drums, a Chinese Dragon, and many groups of dancers. In one hand they held a goody bag, filled to the brim with souvenirs. And in the other, various ethnic food.

As Sam likes to finish the story, as soon as my apartment tour was over, he called to see what I thought of the complex and the neighborhood. But instead of describing my future home, I answered: “It was nice! But I have to tell you about this Embassy Tour I saw this morning along the way there. We have to go!”

Unfortunately we missed Passport DC 2012, but we had 365 days to clear our schedules and prepare for 2013′s Embassy Tour. This post is a long time coming, so please excuse any excessive excitement or exclamation points.

Zambia

The Embassy of Zambia wins for being the most generous with their food! You entered into a large banquet room, where there was a huge potluck feast of local food. Things like chicken wings and sweet potatoes seemed appetizing… but when they got to the dried sardine fish and caterpillars, I let Sam do the taste testing.

Japan

Japan’s Embassy visit was crowded but entertaining. Everything from Honda cars, robots, geishas were all on display. And the friendly staff was there to hand out iced green tea and teriyaki chicken.

Afghanistan

The Embassy of Afghanistan was off the beaten track, hidden deep in Kalorama, so the crowds were not as excessive as on Massachusetts Avenue. Still worth the trip! We made our way up to the inviting second story garden for a cup of black tea.

Barbados

I should have known when we were greeted at the door with a poster of a scantily clad Rihanna that Barbados would be fun hosts, but I had no idea. When you entered the building, you did a typical tour to see the official tourism board photos and learn more about the country. As we headed out, they directed us to stop in the “Rum Garden” out back. We scurried to the backyard where there was rum tasting, dancing women, and lots of fresh food on the grill. I’m not the biggest rum fan, but when in Barbados, do as the Barbadian do!

Not to nerd out on you, but the Embassy Tour was a blast! We made friends at each of the embassies we toured. Some embassies were more fun and upbeat, others were a little more reserved. But it was great to get a peek inside the buildings I drive past every day.

Other Supleratives:

Best Food: Indonesia - curry fried rice sort of dish

Best Coffee: Turkey

Friendliest: Belize – we have a picture with the Ambassador to Belize to prove it!

Anyone up to join us for Passport DC 2014?

You’re Invited: Swap in the City

Looking to update your closet for spring? Join SNOBSWAP and Dewdrop for their Swap in the City clothing swap and fashion show event, all benefiting Becky’s Fund. Stop by and enjoy drinks, live music, a blogger fashion show and the main event: a clothing swap with remaining clothing donated to Goodwill.

Thursday, May 9th from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at 1776, DC’s most fashionable will be in attendance to swap clothing and accessories for a good cause. Be sure to purchase your tickets to the Swap in the City event here.

Flying West

This weekend I’m flying out to Denver, Colorado for a business trip. It’s be mostly different wedding events and schmoozing with clients, but I’m more than excited to be visiting Denver for the first time. All I know about the city so far is 1) mountains, 2) breweries…. which sounds like enough! For my trip I’ve got Justin Timberlake’s new album on my iPad, a new book, and snacks packed. So I am allllll set. Any Denver tourist/nightlife tips would be greatly appreciated!

AllPosters.com

As for what else I’ve been up to (outside the office), my number one priority these days is enjoying the summer weather!

Sushi at Kotobuki
Bottomless brunching at M Street Bar & Grill with a visiting friend
First Leinenkugel Summer Shandy of the season!
Tilly finally got her summer haircut
A double batch of French Toast Bake for the office
Celebrating 2 years of dating Mr. Barker
Becoming a shuffleboard pro at my neighborhood bar, Breadsoda
Sam models his new Warby Parkers
Explored Union Market and enjoyed Takorean for lunch

Wish me luck as I fly west for the weekend!

Hot and Cold

This past weekend the annual Gilt Warehouse Sale came through DC, so a group from work bought up some last minute tickets and made plans for pre-shopping bottomless brunch. But when you wake up on an early spring Saturday morning and weather.com reads 55 degrees, plans should be changed. Instead of a typical brunch inside, we hiked over to The Standard and were waiting at the gates when it opens.

By 1pm we were well into eating brats, drinking hefe weizen, and soaking up the sun. By 2pm we were sun burnt and tipsy — and perfectly ready to drop some major dough at the Gilt sale.

Once inside the Gilt sale, it was quite overwhelming. The dark large room was full of crazy women competing over overstuffed clothing racks while a DJ played loud thumping music in the background. It was enough to cause me to walk right out the door, but I was a woman on a mission. With a heavy handful of hangers I made my way to the dressing room where I narrowed down my goods to 2 items: a pink polka dotted silk Milly spaghetti strap top & white flared Seven jeans — straight off John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Both of which are perfect for upcoming summer days.

But things are weird in this place they call DC… one minute you’re soaking up the sun and one day later you’re slipping into your snow boots to walk the dog.

A scarf and three coffees and an extra sweater layer still couldn’t keep me warm today. All winter I begged for a snow storm and now that it’s March I’m counting the days until warm sunny weather again.

Be Mine

If my father read this blog post and found out I gave into the greeting card industry’s ploy to create a fake holiday, his heart would be broken. But something about Valentine’s Day makes this not-so-romantic blogger’s heart flutter. In case you’re still creating your Valentine’s Day wish list, here are few item’s I’ve been coveting that would make the perfect gift.

Plum & Bow Kisses Pillow – to match the giant lips pillow on my sofa
Macarons from Macaron Bee in Georgetown
Rose gold heart ring by Catbird
La Sardina lomography camera
Stickygram Instagram fridge magnets

For Valentine’s Day this year, Sam and I both tried to be sneaky and plan surprise dinners for each other. So we decided to keep both reservations at Graffiato and Jaleo and celebrate twice. Since we already had our first Graffiato restaurant week date this weekend, I went safe and gave him a homemade coupon for the cologne of his choice.

Looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day 2.0 on Thursday!

Catching up – holiday style

Go to the kitchen, brew a pot of seasonally-appropriate coffee, and settle in for quite the post. We’ve got some catching up to do! It seems like the holiday season has consumed the past few weeks. From Thanksgiving, to prepping for Christmas, I’ve been busy baking, decorating, and shopping too – thank goodness.

Right before Thanksgiving, my best friend of 10+ years finally came to visit DC from Atlanta! It was great showing her my apartment and life in this new city. Since it was her first visit to the area, there was a lot of sightseeing to do, including tours of the White House and US Capitol building. My inner-motive for her trip was to have DC win her over. She’d return to Atlanta, pack her belongings, and move to DC that very week. We’d live in the same neighborhood and have regular shopping outings and brunch dates. Unfortunately, as much as she enjoyed her trip, I think DC was just a little too northern of a town for my friend, the Southern Belle. Now that it’s my turn to visit Atlanta next, I can’t wait to return to my old stomping grounds and visit my favorite hometown.

Speaking of “tis the season” — this past weekend, Sam and I attended my work party on Friday and his on Sunday. The two nights could not have been more opposite. While my work functions go a lot like a crazy college party (yes, with tequila shots, break dancing, and tipsy coworkers stumbling), Sam’s stuffy work parties are… well, stuffy. Yummy and fancy food and such, but rather dull. The average age at my party was probably 25, at Sam’s party the average age was around 75. You get the idea. It was still a good time dressing up two nights in a row, heading downtown, and breaking out the heels.

The apartment is very festive for the holidays. As I mentioned while writing my Blogger’s Christmas Tree post, our Christmas tree is decorated and lighting the apartment. I love the warm glow of the twinkling lights that bounce of the living room walls. It will be a sad day when it’s time to take it down!

Here are a few things that I’ve been reading this week:

I Shot the Serif: fun typography game for graphic design nerds like myself
Despite my personal shopping ban for the week, I just ordered PB2 peanut butter powder, these kick-ass Madewell biker boots, and a personalized ornament for Tilly
In case you’ve been living under a rock this week, Pantone named their 2013 Color of the Year
How cool is this cheetah painting? I can’t get enough animal print
Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs – what do you think?
Definitely trying these galaxy nails out soon

Blogger crush: Young House Love

As much as I wouldn’t call myself a home decor blogger, I’ve got this strange obsession with reading every DIY and interior design blog I can get my hands on. I love reading what other bloggers are doing with their home. Even apartment-dwellers like myself can appreciate a design bargain or DIY trick.

My design blog addiction has even crept into my daily routine, with one blog in particular taking precedence over the others. Each morning when I get into work, I grab some tea, sit down at my desk, pull up Young House Love on my laptop, and wait for the caffeine to kick in. Over the years, John & Sherry Petersik have transformed their Richmond home into their personal dream house, all DIY style. Plus – any blog that features their dog as a cute sidekick definitely wins me over!

When I learned that Young House Love would be publishing a book this fall, it shot to the top of my Christmas wish list. Then to make things even more exciting, John & Sherry announced a book signing stop in DC this past week, and I RSVP’d faster than you can say “blogger groupie.”

Despite the long line wrapping around the amazing Flor studio, those in line were kept happy with a free (yes — free, as in $0) cookie & hot chocolate food truck. And upon entering the Flor studio, you were greeted with hot popcorn and a glass of wine. Best. Book. Signing. Ever.

The Petersiks were just as charming & funny in real life as I imagined. They were both incredibly energetic and welcoming to the hundreds of loyal readers in line. They’re both so bubbly and approachable, you wish y’all were BFFs in real life. Then Sherry told me I smelled good, and my face turned a bright shade a pink.

I’m already a quarter way into the book, and love the creative ideas they included for sprucing up your home. Books like these make me look forward to owning my own house one day. Despite the number of Property Brothers episodes I’ve seen, I’ll admit I’m not up for slinging away at dry wall, but geez – Young House Love makes it look fun.

So your mom is visiting DC

When your mom is in town, it’s your responsibility to show her a good time. It’s your goal to make her love your city as much as you do. Especially when it’s her birthday.

play tourist and see the sights // ride a double decker bus tour // narrate the city tour // point out favorite restaurants and locations // explain bus route on DC map

visit every single museum on the National Mall // walk through the sculpture garden // catch a cab // ogle over embassy row // order too many tapas

drive to Charlottesville // taste wine // taste more wine // picnic in the sun

visit a pumpkin patch // taste the world’s best apple cider

find the perfect pumpkin // watch football // cook your favorite white chicken chilli

teach mom sushi 101 // walk the streets of georgetown

catch a water taxi by the key bridge // snap pictures of the monuments

stop at shops along King St // olive oil testing // eat dinner with mom & the barkers // drink atop the national mall at POV

Did I miss anything? Pretty sure we crammed as much as humanly possible into three days.

DC Wine Week – Red, Burgundy & Plum

Morgan commandment #1: Never turn down wine.

Tuesday night I celebrated DC Wine Week at Lost Society with my favorite DC bloggers and the lovely host, A Very Busy Mama. After work, a glass of wine is just what I needed! With nights like these, I wish DC Wine Week happened more than once a year.

DC Wine Week, wine glasses, wine party, washington dc, reidmore, morgan reid

taste testing

Beautiful venue

Natalie, Me, Erika
DC Wine Week, DC bloggers, wine, reidmore, lost society, DC events

Erika, Ashley

If you’re still craving some good wine-time, be sure to check out my guest post on the DC Wine Week blog, where I share my favorite wine goodies.

reidmore

my quest for a good bargain, new friends, and the perfect margarita

Category Archives for Exploring DC