Teddy and the Bully Bar, The Total DC Experience

If you like trendy restaurants with great food, creative drinks and a DC vibe, this is it! Teddy and the Bully Bar is located on 19th & M in downtown Washington, D.C. During dinner hours they serve small plates, 2-4 are recommended per person. All cocktails are create by the owner's & employees with ingredients made at the restaurant.  I'd love to spend time trying all of their specialty drinks, however they all are exceptionally strong, so it may take several visits to do so! The entire place is designed based on Theodore Roosevelt. The design is crisp and clean, using whites and creams offset by blues. (Blue was Teddy's favorite color.) Teddy and the Bully Bar is extremely elegant, a perfect choice for a date night. It is a bit pricey, but totally worth the experience. 

Crab and Avocado- Talk about refreshing, this was simply amazing. A tower of lump crab meat sits on fresh slices of avocado with fresh grilled corn on the side. This dish screams clean eating, it's irresistible and leaves you feeling good. Below are a few of the dishes I tried...

Oyster Fritters-  Ignore the "Oyster" in the title, this fish is fresh sea scallops and lump crab meat tempura style. I was a little disappointed, I was expecting more scallop flavors. The crab meat overpowered the scallop leaving the dish tasting like crab balls. 

Grilled Romaine- A fresh stalk of grilled romaine drizzled with a garlic vinaigrette is complimented by honey, grilled red onion, slices of parmesan and roasted tomato. Each item compliments one another perfectly, it is refreshingly flavorful.

Crushed Tomato Flatbread- Ordering a flat bread is a must, especially if you have a night of drinking ahead. The flatbreads are pleasantly large for a small plate menu.Smoked mozzarella, tomato, garlic and basil sit on a thin crispy crust. 

Steak- I was a bit disappointed in this plate, the steak was very tough. However, the horseradish balls severed with it were amazing! They were made perfectly with just enough flavor with being too overpowering. 

Teddy and the Bully Bar Website

Wine-O Wednesday

It only seems fitting that  hump day and wine night are one in the same. Last week I stumbled into a great Wednesday Night Wine Special in Arlington, VA. 

Piola, located on Wilson Boulevard serves $1.99 glasses of Pino Grigio (my personal favorite) and Cabernet with the purchase of a meal after 6pm. ( Yes, after 6pm which is perfect for those of us that are usually stuck in the office until 6pm and beyond.) Meal options include over 35 authentic pizzas, pasta, fresh salads and Italian specialty dishes. I chose the Arlington Pizza- whole wheat crust with sauteed mushrooms, garlic and black pitted olives topped with arugula and cherry tomatoes and the  Calvino Salad- a steak salad with walnuts, Gorgonzola cheese, cherry tomatoes, onions, and mixed sweet peppers in a red wine vinaigrette.  The food was delicious and my wine complimented it wonderfully. Don't miss out on a delicious meal at a great price. 

* Fun Fact: Piola is an international restaurant! They have several restaurants in 11 different countries! Give this place a try, it won't disappoint! 

Halloween in the Nations Capital

Halloween events are everywhere in this city! Below are links to events in full detail... enjoy! 

1. Fright Night at the Museum- $30, Friday and Saturday nights from 7-9:30pm. The Crime Museum is transformed into a walking nightmare! 

2. Nightmare on M Street- $22.50, October 26th, 5pm- 1am. D.C.'s largest Halloween Bar Crawl including 30+ bars, costume contest and food and drink specials. 

3. Back from the Dead Silver Spring Zombie Walk- October 26th, 8pm

5 Tips to Relieve Stress at Work

Recently, I've found myself extremely stressed with entering into the 4th quarter of 2013. I've found a few things that help me get through the day, week, month and year...

1. Stay Positive. If you're discussing an issue with co-workers make the effort to find a solution. Whatever it may be. Remember- Your attitude determines you altitude, positivity and happiness is contagious. Be the person to put everyone in a good mood.

2. A Support System. It's important to have people in your life that you can vent to. It's just as important to know when to stop the venting. Use your support system to help you forget about work and let loose. Don't harp on old issues, get it out and move forward. 

3. Take Breaks. It's important to get away from your desk. Walk around the office, step outside for fresh air, run an errand or two, whatever helps- do it. I've been blessed to have a shopping center equipped with Marshalls, Ulta, Old Navy, Target, HomeGoods... need I say more? Also- an after Starbucks coffee can go a long way! 

4. Be Honest with Your Boss.  If your boss ask you if you're overwhelmed tell the truth. They're there to help you. It can be hard to tell the person you're working to impress that you're overloaded so find a way to put a positive spin on it. For example- when asked about your heavy workload reply "I am busy, it's all coming along. Prioritizing is allowing me to meet the deadlines." Trust me, your boss will appreciate and recognize you for your extra efforts.

5. Coffee Talk. This is one of my favorite parts of my day. In the morning, as each team member arrives greet them & ask about their evening, life events, etc. It's important to get to know your co-workers. You spend most of your awake time with them. Sharing stories gives you and your co-works a personal meaning and makes everyone a bit more human (corporate america). For holidays plan lunches, it gives everyone time to get away from their desk and get to know one another. If your office isn't known for doing this- suggest and enforce it. I guarantee it will make all of your coworkers happy.

Fitness Made Easy

My boyfriend, being the work out junkie he is, recently introduced me to a great fitness website that I have to share. This website, OneResult.com, saves you time by producing a fitness regime and meal plan specific to your goals with the click of a button. After answering a few questions about your current body and your goals the site will give you a detailed work out plan along with suggested meals to help you reach your goals. I absolutely love this! After a long day in the office I like my evening to be smooth and seamless without having to thinking too much.   I always catch myself wish for a personal trainer to tell me what to do- this is the cost effective answer to your personal trainer. Enjoy!

* Favorite Feature: Picking the time of the day you work out. The program then alters your meal plan to be sure you are drinking protein shakes or eating protein bars at the right time. It's important that you plan meals out for your body to best utilize the nutrients. 

OneResult.com

The Transition: Summer to Fall Work Wardrobe

My favorite season in the Washington, D.C. / Baltimore region is among us!

A few fall fashion favorites of mine are pumpkin everything, over sized sweaters, boots, scarves, leather totes and bold colors. I can't get enough of this transitional season. As fun as it is to dress it up for a night out with jeans and bold pumps, or be casual in a sweater, leggings and fierce boots it's a bit of an in between season for work attire. In order to off set the switch from summer to winter clothing I like to use sweaters and bold colors. Mix and matching a few pieces from each wardrobe is the perfect "in between" combination.

Here is my #Monday look. I am loving the mustard color...

Cardigan, Black Sheet Top & Mustard Pumps: Old Navy

Black Capri Pants: LOFT

Elephant Necklace: Forever21

Brown Leather Work Tote: Target

Nail Color: Esse, Forever Young

P.S. If you're look for some staple pieces to add to your wardrobe at a reasonable price Old Navy is spewing with them! 

P.P.S. Enjoy this morning read with your PSL. Shit Bitches Love About the Fall

Humidity Control, Beat the Heat

Wow, I almost forgot I had a blog! Don't worry, I'm back and determined to post more regularly.

What brought me back? A few products I can't live without in this crazy humid Maryland, Baltimore City summer. I mean, ladies- can we get a break here? I know any woman with curly hear is cursing this humidity and rocking what I like to call "the bun" business profession, librarian, whatever it is to you- you know what I mean.

First things first- FRIZZ CONTROL. Nothing is worse then frizzing unmanageable hair, it's like the song that never ends. While it's important to eliminate the frizz, it's just as important to keep the body. I want to use products that won't weigh my hair down leaving it looking sloppy and over groomed.

The relaxed summer look is more work than it appears. It can be hard to keep it simple. Below are some products I have found to help keep my skin and hair happy. 

UNITE 7Seconds Leave in Conditioner- I don't travel without this (don't worry they sell it in mini's, how convenient!). It's the perfect spray in conditioner to protect and smooth your hair. Simply pump a few sprays in your wet hair after a shower and brush. You can feel your hair soak in the moisture immediately. This product also protects against heat, UV rays and serves as a color protector - who doesn't love a multi-tasker?

UNITE Luxury Aragon Oil - This is for all my ladies with the luscious curly locks... that tend to be hard to keep that luscious. This oil is light weight and only requires a very small amount to be effective. I've used the same bottle for over 8 months. (It's important to spread those dollars, as a young professional I am sure you understand.) I prefer this oil over any other brand, oils tend to make your hair look... well, oily. UNITE Luxury Aragon Oil does anything but. It gives you the protection you need while working overtime to repair previous damage. 

Nivea Body Happy Sensation - In addition to the a-ma-zing smell of this lotion, the aroma it gives off is clean, fresh and relaxing. Humid summers tend to leave you feeling sticky and weighed down. Nivea Body Happy Sensation is lightweight, fresh and effective. It leaves you feeling clean and moisturized without making you feel like you just rubbed a tub of butter on yourself. Good work, Nivea!

Secrets Clinical Strength Stress Response - This product is simple. 1. It works 2. It last all day 3.It smells lovely and, 5. It kicks in at all the right times. I know what you're thinking, how does my deodorant know when I am stressed?- Great question, I'd love to know too!

Let me know what you think!