Inspired: Loafer Slippers

It may have just turned to August, but I’m done with the dog days and I’m ready for fall!!

Particularly fall fashion.

One piece that I’m searching for are a pair of slipper-style loafers. I love they can look both structured and delicately feminine.

Here are a few of my favorites from around the web:

Animal Print

Splurge: Michael Kors via Nordstrom: $139.95

Save: Nine West: $79.00

Pointed

Splurge: Sam Edelman via Zappos: $150

Save: Zara: $69.90

Hot Pink Leather

Splurge:B Brian Atwood via Zappos: $250

Save: J.Crew: $150

Is there a fall shoe you’re lusting after? Would you wear slipper loafers?

Always,

Recent Eats: Around the District

It has been such a whirlwind of a week in my neck of the woods. Last week, my family came down for a little getaway. It’s always exciting when my entire family comes down, we are all very close and I definitely don’t get to see them enough!

I also love when they come to town because I have the opportunity to visit some of our local favorites.

First stop, Matchbox!

I took my family to Matchbox last time they came to visit  and they haven’t stopped talking about it since. I thought I’d mix it up this time by taking them to the 14th Street location, which turned out to be a phenomenal decision.

While similar to its outposts in Chinatown and Eastern Market, the 14th Street Matchbox is much more open and airy than its counterparts. The architecture of the place is particularly striking, we were sat in one of the private booths that ‘floated’ above the restaurant.

Floating booth across from ours: WHAT!?

As always, the food was amazing, perfect wood-fired pizzas, and the ever-popular mini-burgers.

These disappeared approximately 5  seconds later.

The next morning my sister Lindsay and I woke up SUPER early to get tickets for a tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, so I decided to treat her to brunch at Founding Farmers.

Lindsay has had dinner here before, but I took her here for brunch for one explicit purpose.

Red. Velvet. Pancakes.

Pancakes descending from the heavens

As if the photo doesn’t make it clear enough, these pancakes are HEAVENLY. Lindsay is obsessed with any and all things red velvet, so I knew this brunch would be hit.

After a full day of trekking around the city (during the middle of a heat wave no less!) all of us were ready to kick back and relax. This led us straight to the reigning family favorite: Lauriol Plaza.

Lauriol Plaza is everything you want out of a restaurant: great food, great atmosphere, and amazing drinks! (Their strawberry & lime swirl margaritas are off the charts!) Every time my family visits we come here without fail.

This time around I ordered the Reynosa Grande: One chicken tamale, one chicken enchilada, and one chicken taco. It was a TON of food, but absolutely delicious!

While I’m always sad to see my family go, at least I’ll be dreaming about these meals for a long time.

With a full heart (and stomach),

A Moment for Cupcakes

DC is known as (among other things) a cupcake obsessed city, with the ubiquitous Georgetown Cupcake dominating the cupcake culture.

As a Washingtonian, I have proudly tested most of the local cupcakerys and I will say, Georgetown Cupcake is not my favorite.

Don’t get me wrong, the cupcakes are GOOD.   I even have a picture of Georgetown’s “Signature Swirl” print on my cabinet at work.

Cupcake Art

Usually, I just like the flavors at other shops better (and going to grab a cupcake at a place that doesn’t have a 30 minute wait and a line around the corner helps too).

Today however, I want to take a moment to rave about one of their July specialty cupcakes that knocked my socks off, the Blueberry Cheesecake Cupcake.

Half cheesecake, Half cupcake, and all blueberry, this cupcake had everything I could ever want in a summer treat. It wasn’t too heavy, and the cheesecake graham cracker crust was a very pleasant surprise.

You know something’s good when you’re still dreaming about it the next day. I HIGHLY suggest you head over to Georgetown Cupcakes (or maybe have some shipped to you!?) to snag this beauty before the month is over.

Have a ‘sweet’  day,

Out to Brunch Review: Estadio

I don’t need an excuse to try out a new-to-me brunch venue, but a gathering of close friends over a holiday weekend might be one of the best excuses out there.

I am big fan of the 14th street restaurant scene near the Logan Circle/ U Street neighborhoods in DC. With new venues popping up here what seems like weekly, its hard to keep up with my ever-growing list of places to brunch.

Thankfully Estadio did not disappoint.

Atmosphere

Estadio draws you in upon first glance. Located on the corner of Church and 14th Streets, its cozy location makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon some place familiar. Upon entering, I was immediately drawn in my the warm Spanish tiles, the wrought ironwork hanging on the walls, and the solid wood tables that give it the atmosphere of sitting down to a family dinner.

Drinks

The drink menu at Estadio is quite substantial but I came with only one drink on my mind, the Slushito.

One of Estadio’s specialties, the Slushito is exactly what it sounds like, a mini slushy, but with a kick!

I chose the Blueberry Slushito which included Cava and flavors of mint. It was absolutely phenomenal, not too sweet and a perfect way to cool down on a hot morning.

Food

Estadio’s menu seeks to impress with simple, fresh plates made from scratch. You may be able to skip the bread basket at some restaurants, but don’t do it here! Their bread is baked in house and the fresh and crunchy house bread with honey butter and sea salt was beyond amazing. I would probably go back there just to have this bread. It’s that good.

While my friends dug into Estadio’s homemade pistachio granola, I chose the Soft Scrambled Eggs with Goat’s Cheese, Mushrooms and Scallions. Never did I think a meal this simple could taste so great.

Review

Estadio was absolutely perfect in every way. Everything about the experience felt comfortable and unpretentious, exactly how a great brunch should. Only tiny complaint was our service was a little slow, but really not bad at all for a busy Saturday. Estadio is definitely going on my must-brunch list!

Atmosphere: 9/10

Drinks: 10/10

Food: 10/10

Enjoy the rest of your Monday!

Inspired: Floral Pants

I recently returned from a 9-month post grad fellowship to Indonesia.

Indonesia is an incredibly vibrant country.  The food, the people, and the fashion are equally colorful and bold.

Indonesian style is inspired by the diversity of its landscape and culture. One of the highlights of their unique fashion is a fabric known as Batik, which is traditionally imprinted with bold patterns and florals.

My Indonesian Friends and I wearing Batik

Inspired by this bold design, I’ve been lusting after a pair of floral trousers, mirroring Indonesian fashion in a modern trend.

A few that I particularly like:

From Forever 21: $22.80

From Asos: $37.33

Also from Asos: $47.52

The second ASOS pair has a particuarly batik inspired pattern

 Zoomed in view of Pants

Traditional Batik Pattern

From Nordstrom (Viva Vena!): $88

I’m liking the flow-y trouser feeling to these pants compared to the skinny, straight legged pants that dominate my wardrobe.

How about you all-Do you prefer straight legged or flow-y pants? Would you wear floral pants? I love reading your comments!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend, and for those of you who are working today (like me!) Hang in there! TGIF!

Happy Independence Day

Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed their day as much as I have. Yesterday Kelsey and I kicked the holiday off right with two of the most American things I can think of: Americone Dream and the West Wing.

Colbert knows how I like my ice cream 🙂

Today we ventured to Baked and Wired–my favorite District cupcakery– to grab some coffee + sweets before heading downtown for some patriotic festivities.

Iced Coffee in a Red Cup feels truly patriotic

All in all, today was a simply a perfect holiday with lots of time spent with great friends;

Eating Burgers;

and watching an amazing fireworks display

My pictures certainly don’t do it justice. I’ve seen the DC display 4 years in a row and I think this year was the best! They even had USA lettered ones!

Enjoy the rest of your 4th.

With freedom and fireworks,

 

Sweet Beginnings

A brunch is always the perfect beginning.

The past month has been a whirlwind of moving into a new apartment, settling into a full-time job, and trying to navigate ‘real life.’

With all the hustle, it’s been nice to have time to simply unwind with friends and enjoy a nice meal.

Sunday marked the first meeting of the Over Mimosas Book Club at my (and my roommate Kelsey’s) apartment, fondly known as “The Homestead.”

Here’s a sampling of some photos from day (from left to right clockwise):

A table scape….

Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups, Recipe Courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats….

My first self-designed recipe, Nutella and Strawberry French Toast Bake! (And I’m proud to say it was simply delicioso)

Our first club meeting was smashing success! I’m already mentally planning what recipes I want to try for next month.

I can’t wait to share more of my weekly bites, thoughts, and inspiration with you and excited for all the wonderful experiences this blog will bring.

Cheers to a new beginning!