A Flirly Girl's Night Out

This past Thursday, I was able to attend Shecky's annual Girls Night Out, curtsey of Flirly owners Anna and Janice. After starting their boutique business just over a year ago, these ladies have built a built a strong clothing brand that is trendy, modern, and flirty + girly (hence, Flirly!).

For those who don't know, Shecky's is a marketing and lifestyle company that focuses on empowering and nurturing modern female relationships. The organization may sound pretty familiar; it is the leading promoter of girlfriend social experiences, which take place through events around the nation. As a Shecky's member, you are able to access and discover curated brands and services from experts and contributor's (and get rewarded too!) while connecting with other women through advice, inspirations, trends, and tips.

Washington, DC's Girls Night Out took place at DAR Constitution hall. Tegan and I arrived around 6 and were first greeted by the fine, festive gentleman of the Rosa Regale bar.

I did some champagne promotion before heading over to the Flirly booth.

What is great about the Flirly collection is how diverse and eclectic the clothes are. It definitely feels like you are shopping in a chic boutique for a quarter of the price. The styles and patterns are very classy and could double as a work/evening outfits - which is what I am all about!

I had to control myself from not taking everything...

Definitely check out Flirly's website and make sure to follow them on Pinterest and Instagram. Thanks again to Anna and Janice for letting me snap so many pics, and for the Shecky's event invite!

Ladies, may I present, LadiesDC

The first time I had heard about Ladies DC was through my co-worker, Nicole. Being overly interested in getting involved with every type of networking event DC has to offer, I checked out the group's website after she sent me a link to their YahooGroup forum (which is a great place to post anything about everything: apartments, events, advice...)

Source: http://www.ladiesdc.com/

Talk about a well-organized, professional, stylish, and inspirational association. Set on the idea of "Women helping Women", LadiesDC was started by Lindsey Mask (a Texas native - go girl!) in 2006. With over 2,500 members today, the group has expanded beyond DC to New York, San Diego, Texas, and North Carolina. All of the chapters are centered around the idea of providing women with a supportive, connected network to advance member's professional and personal dreams via monthly meetups and virtual communication. After reading about the incredible, interesting women who comprises of the group's board, let's just say I was a bit nervous to waltz on in to their 2013 Summer Brunch with only a floppy business card and sun dress to make the first introductions.

Source: http://www.ladiesdc.com/

So I enlisted help (as any girl does) in the form of female partner in crime. More specifically, my co-worker, Brittany. Little did we expect that we would not only be the first ones to arrive, but subsequently have the chance to speak one-on-one with the speaker for the event: Angélique Roché. Angélique arrived shortly after we did, and together we broke into the bottomless mimosas as she explained to us bright pink bandaged arm (a unfortunate bike accident, but awesome cast). Other women began to filter in...and many mimosas began to be consumed. 

Source: http://instagram.com/ladiesdc

 

Angélique is a lawyer, policy expert, and Boardmember of the Women's Campaign School at Yale; but, more than anything she is  down-to-earth, engaging, and extremely disarming. Her talk, "Personal Development Strategies: Gaining Leadership Skills Inside and Outside the Workplace," expanded on how we can make the best use of time, resources, and opportunities in the crazy, hectic, non-stop city of Washington, DC to fulfill their dreams. She began her speech quite bluntly:"All of you are overqualified for what you are doing right now." I wanted to shout 'huzaaa'! Her wisdom, humor, and take-no-prisoners attitude continued to visibly inspire and actively engage us all. She communicated the importance of involvement in associations, professional societies, mentoring programs, and the importance of recognizing the value women bring to the workplace. She recommended keeping a close "advisory board" of colleagues and friends to tell you when you are off your rocker and when to pursue the crazy, daring dream. But what I loved most about Angélique's talk was her emphasis that time is a valuable resource and the avenue through which anything can be accomplished. Spend it wisely, and things will come your way. We enjoyed listening while chowing down:

The event was held at a lovely Dupont gem, Le Mirch. A combination of Indian cuisine with French influences, I ate my way through several plates of Masala French toast, scrambled eggs, hummus, vegetable curry, soup, salad and fruit. While I had never heard of Le Mirch before, I definitely recommend the little bistro for not only its authentic, flavorful food, but for it's attentive, smiley staff.

Source: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/le-mirch-washington?select=ZpiZbTz8TQMvYxrTDT960Q#ZpiZbTz8TQMvYxrTDT960Q

Source: http://instagram.com/ladiesdc

Source: http://instagram.com/ladiesdc

You can find LadiesDC on facebook here, and follow them on twitter here. Also, be sure to sign up for their newsletter to keep up-to-date with upcoming events, conferences, and activities.

Washington Post Pizza Making

As soon as I saw as email for a pizza making event hosted by the Washington Post's food and travel editor, Joe Yonan, you betcha I dropped everything I was doing to sign up. The fact that it was a event sponsored by the DC Vanderbilt Alumni Association was also a added bonus. Editors, alumni, and pizza? Who said you couldn't mix a little networking with cooking?

Joe has a fabulous apartment in DuPont, furnished just the way you would imagine a tasteful, urban, city living space of the Post's food and travel editor would be out finished. I tried to do my best and not be nosy, but I couldn't help gazing at all his cooking books, wall art, and of course his amazing kitchen (where all the magic happens).

It wasn't until I was checking out his website and his 'Cooking for One' cook book did I learn he was a fellow Texas boy. A alumni of both UT Austin and Boston Culinary school, Joe wrote for the Boston Globe and lists a impressive résumé of accomplishments, including being honored at the Association of Food Journalists. I nearly died with excitement to know there even was such a thing.

After introductions were made, our host gave us a rundown on pizza basics. This was straight up cooking advice from the boss-man himself. I am a little hesitant to share it, but as I care about your pizza well being, I think I can make am exception. I always thought of a pizza in terms off toppings, but Joe was quick to point out that a pizza should always be about the crust. Focus on the crust? I can dig that advice. Here is Joe's no fail, all around delicious recipie for fool-proof crust:

Joe's No-Knead Spelt Pizza Dough

1 1/2 cups whole spelt flour
2 1/2 cups white bread flour, plus more as needed
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dry active yeast (may substitute instant yeast)
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

I also learned that for best crust results, it is worth it to invest in a pizza stone or baking steel for optimal cooking. It was crazy to see Joe bake our pizzas, after having the oven preheated (to about 500 degree- hot!), for only about 2 minuets before they were ready to eat. It was literally faster than delivery! 

Anyway, enough rambling. Here are some of the glorious pizza creations for future pie making. My favorite was the roasted squash, chile-caramelized onions, walnuts, and Roquefort combination scattered with arugula and drizzled with pumpkin seed oil. This was my choice to make!

Next was Mushroomy bechamel, roasted mushrooms, and mozzarella.

But don't forget about Ricotta, roasted potato slices, smoked trout, preserved lemon, Greek yogurt or creme fraiche, and scallions.

They keep coming! White bean-tomato spread, black olives, and Pecorino cheese. 

Last was caramelized onions, dried figs, Taleggio, and radicchio.

Joe will be hosting further cooking experiences with Sidetour in the future. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for his classes and recommend signing up. Until then, I am going to be working of the ridiculous amount of pizza I ate...and probably making some of my own in the meantime.

On Being Cultured

As a anthropology major, the one word I should be able to define is 'culture'. Yet four years and lots of money spent on my southern education later, I find I still cannot provide anyone with a straight definition of what culture actually is. This isn't to say my southern education failed me. Rather, I think I learned the reason culture is so hard to articulate, elucidate, and interpret is that it because culture is everything we speak, think, act, and do. Its how we formulate our thoughts, construct our morals, and communicate to one another. It is the invisible mechanism through which we interpret our world and identity. As such, it is hard to step back and detangle yourself enough from culture to really reflect on its influence as a entity.

Lately, I have been thinking about the culture of twenty somethings. Like every generation, there are certain patterns, cultures, practices, and morals that instruct an define life at this age. Yet what makes the culture of twenty somethings so fascinating? As I thought of it more, I realized there were inherent inconsistencies and persistent paradoxes that could be found buried within the idea of what our existence should be in at this age. Doubt and success, maturity and youth, euphoria and depression, all make for a seductive and whimsical combination that endows the twenty something era with a certain degree of romance. And just because I like being a academic sometimes, I wanted to break down the culture of being a twenty something further. 

1. Learned Behaviors
At this age, most of us are most likely working from a set of learned behaviors we have internalized from what we have been taught growing up. Its the whole of idea of going to school, getting a job, getting married, etc. Its learning how to interact in a school setting and a professional setting, how to navigate both strangers and friends, and how to make in a world you are beginning to realize is completely your for the taking. Its fast and non-forgiving, yet electrifying and extraordinary.

2. Social Norms
A huge part of twenty something culture is practicing the complex and confusing dance of friendships and partnerships that give meaning in our relationships to each other. It means taking part in the social rituals that are the staple of life at this age: brunching, partying, and working. It includes taking part in the hook-up scene with instantaneous drunk connections, lonely one nights stands, and awkward morning encounters. Finding real love and fake friends, making causal acquaintances and deep bonds. More than anything, we practice all these conventions to feel connected to each other - to realize we are not alone in this scary adult world of responsibility and opportunity.

3. Common Language
Perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of the twenty something culture is the shared language that vocalizes our generation's comedy, wit, and dreams. Terms like 'unpaid internship', 'feminist Ryan Goseling' and 'social media' hold special meaning to us. Identifying with the same themes though vociferation is a physical manifestation of our culture. Expressing our emotions, values, and ideas through words correlates to a sort of secret code - the language of those who recognize themselves in one another. 

4. Spirit
Despite all the setbacks that come with being young clueless, at this age in life, I think it is our strong belief in our potential, power, and one another that binds each of us together in this strange cultural concoction of ambiguity and faith at the twenty something marker. Our culture is based in the belief that through persistent work and unforgiving enthusiasm we can succeed to become both profitable and philanthropic,influential and industrious,enlightened and relevant. That despite outdated social pressures and conflicting contemporary expectations we can transcend society's challenges to arrive at the end of our decade both fulfilled and nostalgic. So despite our passage from these years to the uncertain ones beyond, we must try to enjoy our particular confusion of dreams, fears, and madness. Because today is ours - and we are somethings that are making twenty count now.

January So Far

In a ideal world, there wouldn't be crazy work days or last minute obligations that popped up in the way of blogging. Unfortunately, real life often gets in the way that keeps me from my writing about my super interesting life and making snarky comments about something or another. But I figured now is the appropriate time to share some snap shots from the past month - or should I say, quality iphone photos.

Every twenty something knows there is nothing better than a throw back to the elementary school days...rocking some overalls and bopping those unforgettable '90s jams. Backstreet Boys. Britney. Third Eye Blind. Hanson. Spice. I could go on forever. But in this post millennium generation what is a twenty something to do to deal with the influx of that Beiber kid and his girlfriend...Selena is her name (Ok, maybe I love Selena Gomez and I'm ashamed to admit it)? Obviously, the answer only answer is to create a super preppy/hipster techno remix and rage like its 1999. Anyway, Meg, Madison and I did just that at Lady Gaga vs. Madonna vs. Boy Bands- A Dance Party with DJ lil'e  at the 9:30 Club on January 4th. Here is the one picture I have from the night:

That's pretty much a indication of how that night went.

That Wednesday before this crazy dance party took place, the roomies and I decided to be refined young professionals hit up The Phillips Collection after 5. So, here we were going into this art reception thinking we were going to study, contemplate, and deconstruct great art. While there is no lack of great art at the Phillips (I was amazed at how many classics they have - everything from Picasso to Renoir!) what we really did was hit up the free cheese and hummus samples provided by Arla. Scooping out free food and being a pseudo intellectual with impeccable taste is pretty much synonymous to being a twenty something. Beside eating cheese, the most time was spent on the Instagram Lego Challenge: to make a Lego sculpture inspired by Per Kirkeby's art and to share it on Instgram. What do you think of my Texas creation?

Don't we look hipster.

After a busy, busy week and a trip to Iron Horse, I meet up with my friend Becca from my college years. Because she is fabulous in general, Becca recommend we try a place called Mandu. I have never had Korean food before, but boy I realized what I was missing out on after. Mandu does not only have super friendly waitresses that didn't judge me for sitting alone for 30 minutes (my dining companion was held up by the ever reliant DC public transportation system) but they also have a kick ass happy hour. I am talking $3 dumplings and $4 drinks called 'Sojutinis' (a Korean vodka with juice usually). We went crazy. Very rarely do I have left over from DC restaurants, but I was able to feast the next day at work in my cubicle, dreaming about when I could return to Mandu.

That Sunday, Izzy and I decided to visit the Holocaust Museum. Somber stuff, but softened with a very beautiful message. The architecture of the museum really conveys the idea that the building is a memorial. Serene aesthetics of shooting ceilings and Gothic-themed windows embodies peace, memory, and hope. The most moving part of the whole experience was the last room visitors pass through before stepping back outside. It is a small sanctuary, flanked by rectangular windows, a simple alter, and a single flame. A very good place to sit and reflect about what you just saw.

Later that day, Izzy and I decided to stop by brunch at a co-workers basement apartment. While brunch is a staple practice of every twenty something, lets just say it ain't no cheap habit. So when our friend Tory invited us over for a homemade, delicious, *free* eat fest we were all over it. This is what the menu consisted of:

- leftover bagels from the office (yum)

- tomatoes cooked in grease from bacon (yum)

- cheap champagne and grocery store orange juice (yum) 

 
Who wouldn't want to eat that, right? But was really the best part of our cheapo brunch was the fire alarm deciding to go off for a good 20 minutes after a particular burned bagel episode. Much more entertaining than anything I could have ever paid for. Especially when we just decided it sounded more like a club siren than anything else...

Lindsay and I also decided to attend part deux of DC's newest themed variety show: The Encyclopedia Show. The basis of the show is that each performance is based off a random selection from the encyclopedia chosen at the one held previously. That is about the only concrete thing I am able to explain about it. Dancing, poetry, comedy, awkward moments, pop culture, hipster glasses... you really get it all (sounds like my teenage years there). We were especially wooed the first performance with the procurement of a delicious moon pie, handed out by a performing poet himself. Sadly no free cookies this the second show 'Bears'. Lindsay was suppose to in fact be a pre-desingated audience participant eaten by a bear, but you know got stage fright and forgot when she was suppose to go up. Some more unsuspecting attendee had to get eaten instead. But we got this awesome picture instead.

His sweater is from Macklemore's 'Thrift Shop' ps. Just saying. Until next time!