DC Cherry Blossoms

Last Friday after work my best friend and I met up and walked over to see the Cherry Blossoms at the DC Tidal Basin. The weather forecast included scattered thunderstorms, but thankfully we lucked out with a lovely mid-60 degree gray evening. A few darker clouds rolled in for a brief moment and there was a sprinkle or two, but we just used those moments to fully enjoy standing under the blooming trees. 

I jokingly told my friend, "wow, I only took 174 photos!"  She was shocked, but in previous years when I was down for a gorgeous sunny day and another morning at sunrise I took 400+ photos on each previous occasion. It could have been a combination of the weather, the fact that we were both hungry, or my rapidly dwindling energy supply. Chalupa Batman was kicking up a storm, which meant he was either have a grand ol' time (totally my kid!) or was over the entire situation (totally the hub's kid!). 

Even if we didn't make it around the entire tidal basin we had an amazing time. I'm trying to schedule as many girls dates with my friends while I still have the energy to move around at a decent pace. This might have been one of the best girl dates of all time because there's nothing better than the beautiful scenery in DC during peak cherry blossom season. The gray skies were absolutely amazing because they acted as a filter and made the focus solely on the blooms. 

Okay fine, if I could have had a glass of wine with my best friend at dinner that would have been nice addition to the night. I'm fairly certain our waiter thought I was a recovering alcoholic because my best friend asked while we were ordering if I minded if she drank a glass of wine and then again later when it came time to order dessert she asked about the tiramisu and if it was soaked in any liquor. I fully appreciate her looking out for me! 

Anyone else make it down to see the Cherry Blossoms this year? I felt that they were on the paler side this year and there were only a few truly pink trees. It could have been the muted gray skies or that I was there a day before the "official" peak. 

DC Cherry Blossoms at Sunrise

A few weeks ago my husband and I woke up at 4:45am in order to catch the sunrise over the DC tidal basin to see the cherry blossoms during peak season.  It wasn't his idea of how to start off his weekend, but he went along with my brand of crazy.

We came. We saw. We somewhat conquered what I wanted to accomplish. I didn't really know what to expect at sunrise, but I will say there were thousands more people there that early in the morning that I would have expected. Next year, I want a decent photo of the Washington Monument now that the scaffolding is down and I want to play around with a longer exposure to smooth out the water in the tidal basin.

Here are my cherry blossoms for the DC tidal basin tips:

1. Get there earlier than you think you need to. Seriously, we were parked and out of the car by 6am and I still felt rushed when the sun came up. That morning light goes quick!

2. Bring a flashlight. It is DARK that early in the morning.

3. Do macros or portraits over on Hains Point. There are actually more trees out there than on the tidal basin and you can take all the time in the world over there because no one is out there. Photos 4-6 above were taken at the trees next to where I parked my car.

4. Back to parking. Have a game plan and a backup plan.  Metro doesn't open until 7am on weekends!

5. If you get separated from your party (my hubs walks slow and I left him), open up Google Maps on your phone, zoom in as far as you can, take a screen grab of your photo, text that photo where you are to your friend. Although this isn't just for cherry blossoms and this is going to be my new favorite tip when traveling with people.

6. Put the camera down and just enjoy the blooms for a minute. My hubs is all about enjoying the moment and I'm really trying to do a better job of that and not worry about getting a photo of it, but rather living the moment. Thanks babe!

What's your favorite time to take in spring flowers - in the morning or the evening? I'm a sunrise over sunset person any day of the week!

Inspired at Marine Corps Marathon 2013

I absolutely love the running community. That welcoming camaraderie among runners was one of my favorite pieces of Bourbon Chase, yet it is probably the most difficult to explain. Runners are a crazy bunch, but I'm constantly inspired by other runners and if I could bottle up that feeling I'd never have to fuel again. 

This past weekend I went down to DC to cheer on some of my running group buddies as they trekked through DC to complete the Marine Corps Marathon.  I got to my spot on the mall just in time to see the lead women go by and then I started walking the mall to cheer for runners.  I only snapped a few quick photos because my hands were too busy clapping, holding up a sign, and doling out high fives to passing runners. 

I was inspired by the kids who strategically waited near the top of a hill to cheer on competitors with a safe, "you've got this hill!" In the world of video games, cell phone games, and a million other distractions it was amazing to see a group of kids stand outside for hours and never complain once that they were bored. 

Running a marathon is hard enough, but I can't even comprehend the strength it would take to push an adult the entire 26.2 miles. And this guy was flying! 

Inspired by the Marines who showed up well before I did and stayed far long after I left to watch the 5:30 pace group make the last turn around the mall to head over the dreaded bridge.  These Marines were cheering the entire time, but ready to provide assistance at a seconds notice. 

Inspired by our brothers in sisters in arms who ran in their gear and many honored their fallen brethren. 

Inspired by those that take a different path in life and say, "running a marathon barefoot isn't so crazy." 

Inspiring is watching Dorothy Beal run. Her 3:13 on Sunday was impressive on its own, but add to the equation that she's worked her way down to that blazing time from more earthly times and the work she's put in makes her marathon time super human. And she has three kids! Dorothy - you are an inspiration. 

And then there are the inspiring moments where words escape me. 

Dear Marine Corps Marathon runners. Thank you for the inspiration. My runs this week will be fueled by witnessing your determination. The strength and perseverance you displayed will guide me through my darkest miles in my next marathon. And for that I can never thank you enough. 

Man Repelling

Wednesday night I joined my friend Meaghan and a few hundred other bloggers/fans/stalkers to attend a book signing by Leandra Medine. She's the smart aleck behind the Man Repeller blog.  The book signing was hosted by BrandLinkDC at the W Hotel's P.O.V. rooftop bar. 

Measure of success for me: making a funny person laugh! 

Measure of success for someone else: writing a book and having the cover of your book made into an edible adornment on mini cupcakes. Because honestly just having your edible book cover on a regular sized cupcake would be bush-league!  Thanks Georgetown Cupcakes for the delicious treats.

Kind of random, but there were models sporting looks curated by the Man Repeller. I just thought the reflection of the lights were cool. 

Speaking of pretty lights - hello lover! 

Two things:

First - Back in February Leandra Medine spoke at the IFB Conference and one thing she said struck me. She was providing bloggers with advice on how to stay true to themselves and she said, "Niche Niche Niche Niche Niche.com" Recap here 

It was at that point in time that I was still slowly embracing my "Made in USA" motto, but after hearing it over and over again that having a small focused approach was better than having a wide approach I figured why not go with it. And since then I've been focusing on items made in the USA whenever possible. My friends used to think I'm crazy. They probably still think I am, but at least now they just go with it. 

Second:  I have the utmost respect for funny women. I vividly remember a very frank conversation I had with a highly respected grad school professor about life and funny women. This professor had just met my soon-to-be-hubs at a department social event and saw how crazy we were about each other. My professor was thrilled for me because there was an old adage that funny and successful women did not always have the best of personal relationships. The beginning of that conversation felt like a slap across the face with a hot iron. I felt like I had to make a choice in life: be funny and single or be not-funny and married. 

To sum up: I said "screw it" to the old world of thinking and I went ahead and married the hubs and we make each other laugh every day. Okay, fine I no longer do stand up comedy, but those engagements were few and I think my potential was held back by my lack of cursing rather than my happy home life. I can still crack a joke during the most insensitive of times like the best of them. 

All of this boils down to why I'm a huge fan of Leandra Medine's and many other intellectual, funny women. The old world thinking that women couldn't be smart, funny, and successful is just outdated. Nobody's got time for that crappy way of thinking! Smart and funny women do not repel men. They repel intellectually inferior little boys, but attract smart and funny men. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

What was a moment in life where you said, "screw it" and did it your way?

Fresh & Fit Cooking Class

My best friend turned 30 yesterday and for her birthday her loving boyfriend got us a group cooking class. Probably one of the coolest gifts I've ever received for someone else's birthday :)  We took a Fresh & Fit class at L'Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda. The class was taught by Chef Nichole Ferrigno and she was incredibly knowledgeable and offered a plethora of tips/ideas on how to make everyday cooking healthier.  In addition to being a chef she is also a holistic health coach. 

Ingredients for our lentil salad. 

Come to momma! I dream of having a Viking cooktop like the one above, but I'll never have a family big enough to justify the cost or space. 

I could do some serious damage with these babies. 

Prepping the eggplant

My bestie skillfully peeling the beets. 

First course: spiced lentil salad with beets, walnuts, and feta.  Honestly I can count the number of times I've had beets in my life on hand and after this salad I plan on drastically increasing my beet consumption. 

Second course: Asian soba noodle soup with tofu and veggies. I learned that these soba noodles were buckwheat and gluten free! Who knew! I sure didn't. 

Third course: roasted eggplant roll-ups with spicy tomato sauce, herbs, ricotta, and parmesan cheese. Confession: I've never cooked eggplant before. The hubs has cooked it a few times on the grill, but I've never been the one to actually cook it. That is also going to change.  

Fourth course: orange and grapefruit with lime mascarpone and honey. 

This was the first cooking class I've ever taken and I certainly hope it isn't my last. I consider myself a much better baker than cook and the eagerness I have to try new recipes begins and ends with baking. Like many people I am completely lost when trying to navigate fresh herbs and trying to break the repetitive cycle of what's for dinner. 

I know one of the biggest complaints of using high quality ingredients and making everything from scratch is the sticker price. Organic is expensive! Grass feed meats are even more expensive! But no matter how many daily vitamins I take I know that the additional cost of using high quality ingredients to create a well balanced meat is worth it. 

My goal is to start with a few simple, yet healthy meals each month and little by little get healthier. It's going to be tough, but it needs to be done.

I highly recommend to anyone in the Washington DC area to take a class with Chef Nichole Ferrigno. My friends and I stayed after the class and talked nutrition for extreme athletes and I came away with some really great tips. For starters, I'm picking up some buckwheat this weekend! I'll be honest I wrote off buckwheat completely based on it's name alone and now that I know it's gluten free I'm looking forward to bringing it into my stomach life. 

Do you have any suggestions for healthier cooking? What's your go-to healthy dinner? 

G.L.A.M. 2013

MADE IN USA: 

Top: Bobeau via Nordstrom // Leather Skirt: Vintage 

Imported/Unknown:

Shoes: Target (China) // Watch: Citizen's Eco (Japan) // Bracelet: iSanctuary 

It seems the left hand on the hip is the only "pose" I know! Can I claim that my right hand was exhausted from holding a camera and it was taking a break? 

For the second year my friend Meaghan, at District Sparkle, put on an amazing fashion event benefiting a local DC charity.  I've got to hand it to the woman who starts her own nonprofit organization while in her mid-twenties. Way to make the rest of us look bad! (clearly, I'm kidding) 

I was more than honored when Meaghan asked me to act as the official photographer for G.L.A.M.'s (Giving Labels A Meaning) big event to benefit Safe Shores DC, a local non-profit dedicated to helping victims of child abuse.  Maybe next year I'll actually dress like a photographer and not wear stilettos! 

Meaghan and her partner in crime Eden organized a fashion event in which local shops and fashionistas came together and all the proceeds went to Safe Shores DC.  For more information on G.L.A.M. and how you can donate to their cause please refer to their website. 

Cherry Blossoms

After work on Tuesday I headed down to the DC Tidal Basin with 8 million (okay, slight exaggeration) to see the Cherry Blossoms.  I made the mistake of going on the day the blossoms were labeled, "peak conditions," but Tuesday was the only day I could go during the week.  With rain in the five day forecast I didn't want to take a chance that the delicate petals would get washed away before I missed them (again!). 

The classic cherry blossom picture on the Tidal Basin. Just not sure if I like it better as a landscape or portrait shot.  Thoughts?

I love, love, love the variations in the colors of the petals. Most of the petals were whiteish when I was there, but there was definitely quite a few pink ones as well. 

I don't know why, but the photo above just speaks to me.

If I could get light this gorgeous during every photo shoot I'd be the happiest person in the world. Also, please note that there isn't a barricade on the edge of the path, so my fear of drowning was running rampant and this was the closet I got to the water.  Certain sections had a banister, but the majority of the tidal basin didn't. Craziness. I'm actually shocked I didn't see someone fall in.

If I had a favorite tree, it'd be the one above. That's saying something because I generally can't stand the color pink.

All in all, definitely a good time.  It was insanely crowded and just dealing with all of the people really started to grind on me.  I brought my tripod and had every intention of staying through sunset but after 2.5 hours of dealing with that many people I was over it.  Plus, I wanted to get back to the metro in some version of daylight. 

I'm really happy I took the few hours to walk around the tidal basin.  It would have been a lot faster if I didn't stop every 20 feet, but that was kind of the point.  I also lost track after 20 different people stopped me and asked me to take a picture of them with their camera.  One couple in particular said, "you look like you won't drop our camera in the water or even want to run off with it."  They were nice and took a photo of me with my iPhone.  I look like a sweaty mess in it :) 

Next year I definitely want to be there for a sunrise. I can only imagine how gorgeous that would be. 

So what do you think? How did I do my first time out there? Any tips or suggestions? Seriously, I'm all ears!  If anyone has a magic tip for making flowers freeze during the windy I'm highly interested in that tip!