Essentials for the long haul

necklace, dress, bag, sunglasses, popcorn, gummies, M&Ms, Garmin, sandals

Not only did I enjoy a country drive with Gman last weekend but a few of my girlfriends are taking a road trip from Florida up to see me in D.C. then head up to Boston for the Fourth of July festivities (remember when I went a few years ago?). So I got to thinking about car ride essentials, things for entertainment and nourishment. Here's a list of my long haul necessities:

A comfy dress for hours of sitting with accessories and sandals that are either easily removed or easily napped in (baggy pants would work too).

Candy and salty snacks for a special treat (am I the only one who gets the munchies in the car?) and lots of water to wash it down.

Sunglasses to combat the glare on the road.

Music! Gman and I love listening to satellite radio on long drives. We switch between music, listening to sports (I don't know why I like doing that, sounds boring right?), and the comedy stations.

A Garmin because you will get lost and your phone will die.

Are you taking a trip by car this summer? What are your essentials?

Mother's Day

Lotion, scarf, chocolate covered nuts, earrings, flats, perfume

So... Mother's Day is on Sunday. Did it sneak up on you like it did for me? I don't know about you, but my mom spends all her time and money taking care of everyone else but feels guilty buying decent hand lotion for herself. I always like to give my mom something indulgent, something she wouldn't buy herself (and usually I give it to her about two months late, just to keep her on her toes...).

Besides flowers, wine, and fancy coffee, here are my last minute gift ideas to help celebrate the one you brought you into this world. I'm sure she wouldn't mind a nice framed picture of you two either. My dad and sister are taking my mom for a beach picnic. I wish I could be there to join them!

Also, my all-time favorite Mother's Day video ever and some snarky cards.

Sprinkles Cupcakes, Washington D.C.

Here in D.C. cupcakes are still trendy. I really don't know how they will go out of style as you can eat cake more regularly and say to yourself, it's OK, I'm not being bad. I'm just eating this little cupcake. Since they are so stylish a snack, there are many options to choose from. People might ask you if you're a Georgetown Cupcakes person or a Sprinkles person. That's like asking if you're into buying local or exotic goods (Sprinkles originally started in Beverly Hills). I don't think it's wise to read into one's political choices based on their cupcake selections, but I can say I picked Sprinkles this time because there was no line. And I like their branding.

As always, I had a difficult deciding which flavor. So many choices! I finally went with vanilla because those sprinkles were indeed irresistible. My companion, Stephanie, choose red velvet, as she is a connoisseur in this flavor.

I've mentioned in previous cupcake reviews that I'm a cake person - vs. a frosting person. I think people like to add frosting to make bad or stale cake more appealing. You frosting people would just eat icing by the spoonful if you could. Don't lie! This cake was so moist, and just the right density. I swayed between inhaling it and savoring each bite. I even had a hard time scraping the frosting off this time, I liked the added texture from the sprinkles. I'm surprised that the experience of something that only took less than 5 minutes to eat is still lingering in my memory now (that's what she said...).

Review: Leopold's Ice Cream, Savannah, GA

I'm going to go ahead and say, this ice cream is freakin' delicious. Just look at that chocolate goodness dripping over the side of that tiny cup. Look at the mountain of perfection perched on crunchy cone. Can you imagine how cold and creamy it is? Can you imagine the delight of the first bite? And the disappointment of the last? Can you imagine that I ordered the tiny cup thinking I would just enjoy a taste? Can you imagine that I tried to eat Gman's and our companions' ice cream too? I almost hurt myself trying to get more of this most tasty treat...

Review: Eataly, New York City

I've been hearing so many good things about Eataly. How authentic it is, how delicious it is, how interesting people like to go there, and how it's an "it" place to go to in the Flat Iron District. You might recognize the names of one of the partners, Mario Batali. But what is it? I've always wondered. So on a very cold winter's day, I had to go and find out.

Eataly is a mix of grocery store, coffee shop, charcuterie, cheesemonger, bookstore, and wine bar all rolled into one little destination that is greater than the sum of its parts. Almost everything is freshly imported from Italy and is 100% authentic to Italian cuisine. Their philosphy is to consume the highest quality products that are produced in a fair, clean environment, and to share them with friends and family. There is a bakery with fresh breads, a chocolatier with decadent treats that look through the glass displays like puppies in a pet store - just begging me to scoop them up and take them home. Imported specialty jams, sauces, vinegars, and olive oils pattern every nook and cranny to an exhibition designer's dream and foodie's delight, as each package is new, exciting, and perfectly organized. At every turn I was overwhelmed by the impecably fresh selection, beautiful displays, crisp, modern design, and the hords of people. This is not a well kept secret! If it was 10 degrees when we went, I can't imagine the crowd when it's nice out. But still, I found myself drooling and wanting to buy everything I saw.

My girlfriend, Katie, eats here often for a lunch-time panini, so if you go, I recommend grabbing one of those, some freshly sliced cured meats, a cheese plate, oh! and some specialty chocolates, warm bread, wine, a cappuccino....

Exploring: Cooking dairy-free

I love cooking but don't make nearly as much time for it as I should (probably because I'm out of town half the time!). Thanksgiving is my excuse to spend hours a day in the kitchen, cooking my favorite meals and experimenting with new recipes I've been saving. Then testing it all out on my family and friends.

I mentioned yesterday that my sister is lactose intolerant. So this week I'm making special treats for her so she might indulge while she's visiting without feeling sick. I found this recipe for Oreo stuffed brownies via Cup of Jo, via Keven & Amanda. I started drooling as soon as I saw the pictures.

To make this dairy-free:

Switch out the ice cream for So Delicious Cookies-n-Cream coconut ice cream and switch out the fudge for vegan chocolate chips. Oreos are not "real" as in they have no dairy already, they are even vegan approved (Newman's Own brand oreos do have dairy so check the packaging). Some brownie mixes are already dairy-free too.  These are so rich, gooey, and decedent that you won't miss the dairy, I promise!

Destination: Washington, D.C.



Kennedy Center

Federalist architecture in Georgetown

My best friend from childhood, Jacqueline, came up to visit two weeks ago to see Wicked for her birthday. She used to live here and fell in love with DC through and through. We spent most of the weekend sampling food and libations from many neighborhoods in the city. As well as shopping in Georgetown and Eastern Market.

 

After a night of celebrating her return to the city at Ping Pong Dim Sum and The Passenger, Saturday brunch was a must. We headed to Dupont Circle to have granola, scones, chicken sausages, and chai tea at Teaism. We wasted no time going upstairs to our first destination, Secondi, known for its high-end consignment. It is located above Teaism, Starbucks, and a nail salon, Mimosa. Most Saturdays I browse in Secondi, get my nails done (while sipping free champagne), then grab coffee or tea to go. I like to call this the Saturday Morning Trifecta.

I always look at my food like that...

Shopping in Georgetown was also necessary. We both saved up our money in anticipation of a shopping extravaganza as we neither have self-control when around each other. Georgetown was hot, loud, and crowded. We soldiered on, determined to get all the shopping crossed off our list in less than 3 hours. I was disappointed that many of the clothes I saw in person were not nearly as beautiful as portrayed online and most of it didn’t fit either, including JCrew (eep!). I settled for chocolate covered gummy bears from Dean and Deluca.

Sunday we hit up Eastern Market for some shopping and had some homemade poptarts at Ted Bulletins. Then we spent a few hours watching trashy TV and flipping through fashion magazines before she had to fly home.

Although I clearly enjoy eating and shopping, the highlight of the weekend was getting to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center. I am usually cynical when it comes to musicals. I’m not the all singing, all dancing type and find some musicals to be just plain cheesy. However, as soon as Dee Roscioli, who played the lead as the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba), opened her mouth and started to sing, I got chills. I ended up getting completely sucked in; laughing and crying with the characters. I found the play to be a critical commentary on society and the age old nature vs nurture argument. Is someone born wicked? I suggest you book your ticket and go see it to find out.

Wicked faces

{photos courtesy of the fab. Jacqueline}

A Little Something Extra

Before ending your trip, leave a little treat in the car. It will make the drive home all the more enjoyable. 

photo my own, Mast Brothers Chocolate

Mast Brothers Chocolate is great choice to add more local flavor to your adventure as they are made in Brooklyn. Don't you just love the papers they are wrapped in? I'm such a sucker for pretty packaging!