Selfie #1

Since I babble on about clothes, accessories, etc. quite a lot, I thought it would be fun to post a picture of myself. Full disclosure: I got my hair cut and blown out yesterday. It does not usually look like this. (Jacob at Violet Salon in Georgetown is the very very best.)

White and Warren sweater, Michael Stars T-shirt, Urban Outfitters scarf, Old Navy jeans, Yosi Samra flats, Michael Kors watch, JPK purse. 

This picture was fun to take, even though I kind of look like I'm hatching an evil plan when really I have only had an iPhone for about two weeks and am still becoming friendly with the camera. I'll try to post some more pictures of outfits I really like soon! 

Store Spotlight: Tari Georgetown

Whenever I'm near Wisconsin and P Streets in Georgetown, it's hard to resist the temptation to go into Tari, a designer consignment store. (Click here to be directed to the store's website.)

I am such a bag person, and Tari has a phenomenal selection. High-end bags from Louis Vuitton to Prada mingle with unique bags at more accessible prices. I bought a terrific snakeskin envelope clutch for $38 and am so excited to use it. The store has an eclectic collection of jewelry as well. 

I always love looking for stuff for the dude, and the men's section of Tari was fantastic. I found some great Ferragamo and Vineyards Vines ties. I could look around there for a long time and will definitely bring him back to check out the store. 

The men's section was reflective of the clean lines that are part of the store's overall vibe. So many consignment stores have disorganized displays and seem to jam items into places where they are hard to really see.  Tari's items are spaced out and visible; along with the store's lighting, they make shopping there a much more pleasant experience. I also loved whimsical touches like this fireplace with shoes displayed on the mantel. 

Stopping by Tari really is a treat. For fans of consignment shopping, it's a really fun place to get a gift for yourself or a lucky someone! 

Crossbody Crushes

On a visit to Connecticut in Fall 2011, I bought a crossbody bag that I'd seen in Lucky magazine from H&M. I used it for a bit and then let it languish in my closet for quite a while. I would use it every once in a while, but not very often.
This winter, that bag has been a lifesaver. It fits exactly what I need and forces me to edit out what I don't. At the rate that I'm using it, the bag has a finite lifespan. I wanted to find a durable crossbody bag that I could use during any season. Here are three of my favorites!

Crossbody Crushes by emkroth featuring satchel handbags

Kate spade
nordstrom.com

Rebecca minkoff
rebeccaminkoff.com

Dooney Bourke satchel handbag
dooney.com

Kate Spade Sale Picks

I was creeping around on elle.com and they posted about a Kate Spade sale--click here for a direct link.  I found a ton of great pieces that will brighten up winter ensembles and transition seamlessly into spring and summer.
The clutches (which are more spacious than they initially appear to be) and earrings are great for jazzing up a basic blazer-top-skinnies going out ensemble, and the belt is really cool for bringing in a flowy dress.
I've loved that big quilted tote for a while. It's a classic made a lot more fun in gleaming gold. I have a vision of myself in my future dream career (still to be determined) walking in with that bag and a smile on my face to meet clients. There's certainly no harm in imagining!

Kate Spade Sale Picks by emkroth featuring kate spade

Kate spade handbag
katespade.com

Kate spade
katespade.com

Kate spade handbag
katespade.com

Kate spade
katespade.com

Kate Spade handcrafted jewelry
katespade.com

Kate Spade thin belt
katespade.com

Cautious Kitchen Adventures

I have to say that I'm pretty surprised to be writing this post.

I am someone who learned to love going out to dinner at a very young age. In my father's office, there is an article about him that mentions our weekly dinner dates at a local steakhouse. The article was written when I was about six years old.

As I grew up, going out to dinner had different meanings: a first date, time with friends, and getting to catch up with my family.

Up until the past year, I kind of enjoyed being "the girl who didn't cook." The idea of being in the kitchen (aside from baking cupcakes, which always relaxed me) didn't appeal to me in the least. Plus, the kitchen seemed like an excellent place for my neuroses to flourish (I am so, so scared of undercooked chicken) and I consequently avoided it.

In the past several months, however, the kitchen and I are inching towards a friendship. I think the difference is that I am building up gradually. I've started making simple salads or working with a premade meal from Trader Joe's and adding more vegetables. Now that the kitchen and I are becoming better buddies, I'm also getting a better idea of what I actually use the most. The result? Less waste and an increasing ability to see how different components of a meal can be mixed, matched, and paired with one another to create something new. It's certainly not rocket science and something that I should have learned sooner. But it is a good thing, and I will embrace it and hopefully let it evolve even more.

I am all for celebrating something new, so here are some of my favorite kitchen accessories.

From Left: Homewear, Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson, Martha Stewart Collection

Threshold

I'm no Barefoot Contessa, but I'm looking forward to learning more and more in my kitchen as the year continues! 

DC Restaurants, Florida Nails.

A little bird has started to warn me about the horrifying inconvenience that the Inauguration will bring. No way to get out to Virginia, no way to get into DC. Crowds everywhere. And I have to say, it is slightly disconcerting living in Foggy Bottom, where there are Port-a-Potties on the corners and my favorite Starbucks will be removing all of its tables due to the anticipation that it will be standing room only this weekend.

I was happy and surprised that a quick peruse on OpenTable showed that the city's restaurant scene remains intact. A search for two people for Saturday dinner showed that so many amazing restaurants have room. Some of the usual suspects are virtually impossible, such as Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons in Georgetown and Old Ebbitt Grill.

Here are some of my favorite options with availability:

Thunder Burger & Bar

Johnny's Half Shell

Paolo's Ristorante Georgetown

In a move that has nothing to do with food, I am loving coral nail polish that is half Barbie and half Boca Raton grandma. It is just sassy and fun and makes January a little less gloomy. Here are some of my favorite shades. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Inauguration weekend!

Little Happy Things.

It's been pretty busy these past couple of days. Work, wedding planning, apartment cleaning/organizing and subsequent fantasizing about much bigger closets.

Here are a couple of things that have made me smile in spite of the stress.

1. David Grey, Lost Songs 

This is just incredible. I used to fall asleep to it in high school. I finally bought it on iTunes and it was an excellent decision.

2. James Taylor Radio on Pandora

This is the most soothing thing and helps me get through some of my more monotonous tasks.

3. Hedgehog Valentines

Paper Source

Just plain obsessed. If you live in DC, the Paper Source store there has an adorable "Love and HedgeHugs" window display. 

4.  Phone chats with my sister 

Zappos

My sister is an awesome person and I adore and admire her to no end. She does not believe in B.S. and she pretty much gives the best perspective on everything. Talking to her just makes my day better. 

5. DC Oyster Bars

J. Paul's

(Dude and I had oysters here the night we got engaged, so it will always have a special place in my heart.)

Black Jack, the bar right above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

Both the oysters and appetizers are phenomenal. 

I want to try Hank's Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle next! 

Here's to more feel-good stuff happening this week.