DC This Week ™

DC This Week is on HOLD until 2010 and wishes you a Happy New Year!

2009-12-21T13:27:00.015-05:00

DC This Week is on hold until the New Year! I'll be back in Texas for the holidays and then packing up that messy closet for the move in January. Have a wonderful time with your family and friends and I leave you with the Best of 2009. You can peep the Best of 2008 list HERE.

Summer fun: Brightest Young Things pool parties @ Skyline Hotel

Winter fun: The first snow storm of the season and having the day off from work

Weekend trip: Philly. See my guide to Philly HERE.

Shopping: Lucketts Virginia and downtown Leesburg vintage stores

Yoga: BIKRAM Dupont or Blue Heron Wellness in Silver Spring

Collaboration: The District Dish

DC Charity: Project Create

Bead store: S & S Beads in downtown Takoma Park

Rooftop: Donovan House and the W

Sandwiches: Jetties

Billiards: H Street Country Club

Hidden Gem: Jolt-n-bolt

Mexican: Mi Rancho in Silver Spring

Latin: Cafe Atlantico

Outdoor market: Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative

Website: Ready Set DC or Brightest Young Things

Shopping: Bethesda Row and Friendship Heights

Brunch: Perry's

Sushi: Kotobuki

Cheap lunch spot: CF Folks

Vegetarian: JAVA Green

Italian: Anna Maria's in Dupont or Olazzo in Bethesda and Silver Spring

Power lunch: Teatro Goldini

Power dinner: Blue Duck Tavern

New restaurant: Founding Farmers

Way to blow a wad: Adour at the St. Regis

Meat market: MASA 14

Cupcake: Georgetown Cupcake

Fries: Brasserie Beck

Boutique: Proper Topper

Hipster store: Commonwealth

Vintage store: Once is not Enough in Palisades

Vintage furniture store: Goodwood on U Street

High-end furniture store: VASTU

DC Designer: Tashia Senn

Local Musician(s): Thievery Corporation

Photographic Studio: SOTA Dzine

DJ: Trevor Martin

Art Gallery: Art Whino

Wine store: Bacchus in Georgetown

Wine list: Proof

Happy Hour: Vapiano

Chain wine store: Best Cellars

Bar: Church Key

Wine Bar: Veritas

Brightest Young Things Exposes My Messy Closet

2009-12-21T13:13:00.003-05:00

Check out BYT's Best Dressed List DC Style Profiles which exposes my incredibly messy closet HERE. With some of DC's most fashionable residents on this year's inaugural list one can only wonder - how the hell did I make it on? Two words.......color explosion.

Music for Your Monday: JUNIOR BOYS

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hear them HERE.

The Generation chair from Knoll Rolls Into VASTU

2009-12-18T14:38:00.005-05:00

The Generation chair from Knoll (designed by Formway Design) was a huge hit at NeoCon 2009, a popular furniture industry trade exposition, and is now available for purchase at Vastu. In Knoll’s own words, the Generation chair is “not a chair, it’s a movement”.

The Generation chair by Knoll features a flexible back, flexible top, flexible seat and dynamic suspension control to help facilitate comfort and a range of postures, including side sitting, throughout the work day. Stop by VASTU this weekend and consider as a gift to yourself this holiday season or maybe for that work-o-holic!

Vastu
1829 14th Street NW
Washington, DC
(202) 234-8344‎

New Year's Plans? DC This Week's Vote for the Hottest Bashes Leaving 2009

2009-12-18T12:10:00.008-05:00

Assuming I don't lay low NYE, I'll venture to Marvin. With Thievery Corporation, KEENAN and STYLUS on the turntables for a mere $20 and cash bar, Marvin is my pick for the best tunes this New Year's Eve. MORE DETAILS HERE. They are also accepting reservations for dinner that night for a prix fix menu.

Ring in the New Year at W Washington DC with live jazz featuring Marcus Johnson and DJ Oz and Jahsonic. Though there is only a two-hour open bar from 8:00-10:00pm and a champagne toast at midnight, you'll experience eye popping Alex Turco art installations furnished exclusively by LUXE Studio, video installations directed by Adrian Loving, a photo shoot produced and photographed by Jodi King, with Hair Designer Tyler Larish, Stylist Tara Papanicolas, and Makeup Artist Richard Bernal. Tickets are $89 in advance and $110 after Christmas. MORE DETAILS HERE.

Two words: OPEN BAR for $45. A bit far down South at Skyline Hotel - home of BYT's infamous summer pool parties, good luck getting a cab. BYT's solved that and has special rates at the hotel for the night for $89 a pop. With FATBACK spinning and a laundry list of other DJ's expect blow up dolls, mahem and dope pics from photogs for the night. More deets HERE. Tickets are $45 for bar and $10 for food.

Funk for your Friday: NEW LOOK

2009-12-17T16:18:00.002-05:00

Hear them HERE.

Zawadi Gallery Holiday Party this Saturday

2009-12-17T09:00:00.002-05:00

Zawadi Gallery, April Watts of WHW Web and Najeema Washington of DC WIN invite you to celebrate the holiday season with new and old friends. Enjoy cocktails and last minute holiday shopping while W. Ellington Felton elevates your mood.

December 19th, 2009
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Zawadi Gallery
1524 U street NW
Washington DC 20009
RSVP at http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/aekbnqjhk3z8rmy87

Ping Pong Dim Sum Now Open In Chinatown

2009-12-16T13:43:00.004-05:00

Ping Pong Dim Sum, a trendy dim sum emporium, has just opened in Chinatown (900 7^th St NW). Ping Pong’s celebrated collection of over 40 dim sum dishes is joined by a creative cocktail, wine and drinks list.

Dim Sum prices range from $4.50 to $7.00. There is also an excellent selection of vegetarian items as well as an outstanding range of desserts. Combination menus start at $10.00. Ping Pong will also tailor a party menu for any occasion. At 900 7^th Street NW, this first US opening represents the 15^th worldwide restaurant in the group. There are additionally 14 restaurants in the UK, Brazil and Dubai.

Jete Society Nutcracker Party this Friday

2009-12-16T12:42:00.001-05:00

DC Restaurant Week Coming January 11-17, 2010

2009-12-16T11:45:00.003-05:00

Restaurant Week in DC for me is like Christmas - in the form of Gourmet Prix-Fixe Menus. Book your restaurant week reservations ASAP from January 11-17, 2010.
I've already scored reservations at Adour at the St. Regis, Ruth Chris Steak House (where I go every Restaurant Week each year), Rasika and Zentan at Donovan House. My strategy for restaurant week is only going places where my meal would never cost less than $30. So stay away from places you can dine everyday and are average prices.

Enjoy special three-course, prix-fixe meals at participating restaurants for $20.10 Lunches & $35.10 Dinners. See the full list of participating restaurants and their meal options HERE. Prices are per person and do not include beverage, tax or gratuity.

Wool Exploratorium Gallery Launch this Thursday benefiting Project Create

2009-12-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

Thursday Night Join me at Martini's & Mistletoe: A Charity Event to benefit Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care

2009-12-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

EagleBank Bowl Kick-off Party @ POLICY this Wednesday

2009-12-15T17:38:00.003-05:00

Wednesday night celebrate the kick-off of the UCLA vs. Temple 2009 EagleBank Bowl at POLICY.

EagleBank Bowl is teaming up with POLICY and guests will enjoy a night of beer, appetizers and have the opportunity to hear from a retired U.S. Army officer who was injured in the line of duty. Claude J. Boushey Sr., a 25-year member of the Army who lives in La Plata, Md., will be on hand to speak about the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to assist injured veterans during their recovery and rehabilitation.

There is a $10.00 suggested donation, and all donations and a percentage of bar sales from the event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

POLICY
1904 14th St NW
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Light appetizers sponsored by Quality First Mortgage.
Drink specials include two for one beers, as well as $5 to $6beers, wine and specialty cocktails.

DC This Week's Men's Holiday Shopping Guide

2009-12-15T15:40:00.008-05:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And shopping for your man and "man friends" is always a challenge. So I asked my best "man friends" what they would want from their woman for the holidays and here were the goods on their picks under $500.

For the hipster: Custom Chuck Taylors $70 (pictured above)
For the playboy: John Varvatos 'Vintage' Eau de Toilette $50 to $80

For the work-a-holic: Cut-out halter babydoll lingerie from Victoria’s Secret and my girl wearing it $30

For the gamer: Sony PlayStation III $350

For the music head: Crosley Stack-O-Matic Woodgrain Turntable $200 or a new needle for my turntable $350 at Needledoctor.com
For the workout feen: Wii Fit Plus $100

For the city boy: Giant Simple Seven Cruiser Bike $500

For the biker: Custom Vehicle Operations™ Road King® Style Low-Profile Leather Seat for my Harley Davidson $400

For the fashionisto: Cashmere scarf from Bloomies or Club Monaco $100

For the reader: A subscription to Maxim, GQ or a gift card to local bookstore $20 to $50 or a SONY reader digital book $300.

For the artist: A subscription to ART FORUM magazine $50

For the foodie: Peter Luger steaks delivered to his door $160 to $275 for 2 to 4 steaks

For the foodie in DC: Dinner for two at KOMI (booked a month in advance) $300

Shop MiDCity for the best holiday gifts this Thursday

2009-12-15T13:38:00.003-05:00

For a list of participating stores CLICK HERE.

DC Charity Spotlight: Hands On DC

2009-12-15T09:49:00.003-05:00

An entirely volunteer-run organization, Hands on DC is in the business of producing transformations. Through projects and community engagement activities, the organization has recruited over 26,000 volunteers to improve the physical condition of more than 100 District public schools. Since its founding in 1994, Hands on DC has sponsored an annual spring Work-a-thon during which volunteers collaborate on over 300 projects at over 30 schools -- laying carpet, painting classrooms, sprucing up playgrounds, building library bookshelves, creating container gardens, and more.

It also works year-round, organizing Special Events Projects to meet the unique needs of individual schools, sponsoring Clean-out Day to clear junk and facilitate the good use of existing space, and creating Parent Resource Centers to encourage family involvement in the education of their children. Extending its dedication to higher education, Hands on DC now raises funds for no fewer than six $6,000 college scholarships per year, selecting public school recipients through a partnership with College Bound. Hands on DC strengthens the bond between students and their classrooms, between communities and schools. Won't you lend a hand?

Hands on DC is an all-volunteer organization, and theydon't have an office, but they do have a number of eager organizers who would love to hear from you. You can reach us by phone, email or mail:

202-667-5808
Hands on DC
P.O. Box 57094
Washington, DC 20037-0094If you are interested in volunteering: volunteer@handsondc.org
If you are interested in donating: donate@handsondc.org
If you have questions about the website: webmaster@handsondc.org

WISH LIST:
$100: glass and graffiti removal at 1 playground;
$500: 10 murals to brighten a student's day;
$1000: divider walls that turn 2 over-sized classrooms into 4

Lists for Life: My Interview with Author Rory Tahari

2009-12-15T05:00:00.007-05:00

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an Elie Tahari fasion show at Saks Fifth Avenue featuring his Holiday and Spring 2010 collections. The event benefited St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and worked to raise thousands of dollars for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

Part of the evening was also in celebration of Elie Tahari’s wife Rory. Her new book Lists For Life: The Essential Guide To Getting Organized and Tackling Tough To-Dos, is a thoughtful collection of more than 100 helpful lists to keep you organized.

Under Rory Tahair's direction, Elie Tahari's annual global revenues have soared from $50 million to more than $500 million in just 10 years. Rory leads the brand's advertising, marketing and public relations, and has transformed one of fashion’s most enduring labels into a fashion forward thinking fixture for women.

A Georgia native, Rory began her career as a television producer and it was on a fateful night in New York City, she was introduced to Elie Tahari at his 46^th birthday party. And so it began..........the Tahari empire was revived.

Mr. Tahari is a dedicated philanthropist and sits on the boards of The Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy, and the non-profit organization Friends in Deed, a crisis center for those with life-threatening illnesses. Additionally, she is involved with New Yorker’s For Children and Gods Love We Deliver.

Her most recent feat is the release of her first book, Lists For Life: The Essential Guide To Getting Organized and Tackling Tough To-Dos. The book is a collection lists breaking down life’s challenges and time-consuming tasks into easy-to-achieve steps.

As a certified OCD list-maker myself, I zoomed through the book this weekend and had the opportunity to ask Rory a few questions via email for DC This Week. Catch some of the highlights from my interview with the author, philanthropist and branding phenom below.

What is your list for your favorite things to while do in DC? Do you have any favorite shops or restaurants in the area?

I of course love Cafe Milano in Georgetown; the new bar at the St. Regis is fun and has a great crowd. When Elie and I are there alone we love to go to Cork, it is very romantic!

Shopping in DC is always fun, I love Muleh - it has a great mix of designers and their collection of contemporary furniture is always interesting.

I hear you have an iphone app for packing efficiently, tell me about it.

The Travel Packing Lists iPhone app makes packing so much easier. The app gets you started with an initial, detailed list, then let’s you customize it for your personal needs, family or travel occasion. You can save each list or send them to a friend. It will even help you make sure you get your last minute needs into your bag in time!

Who are some of your favorite fashion designers, besides your husband of course?

Aside from my husband, I love everything Lanvin, especially the jewelry. Some of my other favorite designers include Alexander McQueen, Roland Mouret and John Galliano for Christina Dior.

For more casual wear I live in Stella McCartney for Adidas and Jbrand jeans!

Above Rory and Elie Tahari in their Manhattan loft.

Free Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake Grand Opening this Tuesday

2009-12-14T13:56:00.001-05:00

Georgetown Cupcake is getting new digs and relocating their popular shop to a bigger, brand new store on historic M Street in the heart of Georgetown. And to help celebrate their new digs, the cupcakery will be giving out free cupcakes during their grand opening on December 15.

Stop by, chat with owners (and cupcake sisters) Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis, and enjoy a free treat to help make your holiday season a little sweeter.

10:00am-9:00pm
Free
3301 M Street N.W.
Washington, DC

Join DC Magazine for an exlusive Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Tasting this Wednesday

2009-12-14T12:55:00.003-05:00

Join Johnnie Walker, The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown and DC Magazine for

A NIGHT OF THE BLUES
Featuring Johnnie Walker
Blue Label

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Degrees Bar & Lounge
at The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
3100 South Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007

Enjoy a complimentary food pairing with Johnnie Walker Green, Gold and Blue Labels
hosted by John Heffernan, the official Master of Whisky, Saks Fifth Avenue fashions, Joe Daniels Duo Blues band and $6 Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktails for the night.

Complimentary engraving on Johnnie Walker Blue Label bottles purchased that evening at incredible prices! (Don't miss this opportunity to purchase one bottle for $139, two bottles for $129 each, and 3 bottles for $119 each.)

Space is very limited. Reservations will be accepted in order of receipt.

RSVP by December 14, 2009 Jackie_Geyfman@charmer-sunbelt.com

Gilt Groupe Partners with Wine.com to bring you hard-to-find vintages and the best reserves at great prices

2009-12-14T11:45:00.003-05:00

Expand your palette online HERE. Sign up for Gilt Groupe online HERE and receive 40% off select vintages.

Courage for Kids - Toy & Book Drive for Dr. Bear's Closet this Tuesday at Morton's

2009-12-14T10:10:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday, December 15th from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Courage for Kids will host a toy drive for Dr. Bear®’s Closet at Children’s Hospital.

Please bring new toys, games, and books to fill Dr. Bear®’s Closet, which ensures that every patient has a gift for holidays, birthdays and most importantly, a little something to serve as a reward for their courage in fighting an illness. The closet provides items to thousands of patients who are treated in Children’s inpatient units, the Emergency Department and Regional Outpatient Centers, and the Health Centers. Toys also help stock playrooms in the hospital.

Attendees will be entered to win a door prizes from Morton’s, Queen Bee Designs, Alchime Forever and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Tuesday, December 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Morton’s Steakhouse
1050 Connecticut Ave
Washington, DC 20036

The event is complimentary, however attendees must bring a new toy or book, or make a donation to Courage for Kids to be entered to win door prizes.

Venture to ZooLights at the National Zoo this Weekend and say Goodbye to Tai Shan!

2009-12-14T09:58:00.007-05:00

DCers of all ages will enjoy ZooLights, the National Zoo’s 3rd annual winter celebration, December 18-January 2 (every night except Dec. 24, 25, and 31) from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

I'm excited to venture to the National Zoo this Friday for ZooLights on Date Night (guess I need to start recruiting now for that date). Zoolights features amazing light sculptures, keeper talks, strolling musicians, costumed characters and special treats. Special activities and giveaways are planned for Dec. 18 (Date Night), Dec. 19 (SunTrust Night), and Dec. 26 (Hair Cuttery Night).

You can also bring a canned good and receive discounts at the gift shop. Tickets are $5 for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members and $8 for nonmembers. Date Night tickets are $15 for FONZ members and $20 for nonmembers. Proceeds support the National Zoo. Visit www.fonz.org/zoolights.htm for tickets and details.

Also, word on the street has it that Tai Shan, the Zoo’s adorable baby panda, will be returning to China in early 2010. I remember when the baby panda was born 5 years ago during the same summer as my first internship in DC.

Throughout the remainder of ZooLights, the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat will be open for extended hours so that participants can bid farewell to Tai Shan. So bring along your camera (and a hankie), so you can savor your last views of Tai Shan--and other memorable moments--at ZooLights!

This Holiday Choose Shoes with TOMS Shoes

2009-12-14T05:00:00.001-05:00

Holiday Happy Hour Benefiting the The Children's Inn @ Caddies on Cordell this Wednesday

2009-12-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

This Sunday Join me at Radiance Med Spa's Holiday Spa-rty

2009-12-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

Hope to see everyone there this Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Learn more about Radiance and their services HERE.