This Friday at American University, campus radio WVAU is hosting a Washington, D.C. student-band showcase as part of it’s Capitol Punishment concert series. The show starts at 8:30 in the basement of the Kay Spiritual Life Center and is free to all. Nine-piece afro-jazz band, The Neologians headline with dream-pop group Western Affairs and singer-songwritter, Max Tani opening. RSVP to the Facebook event here and check out the listing on BYT.

–Emily White

Note: Starting this Wednesday, we’ll be featuring an event or artist weekly in a new segment called: The Limelight.

•            2/7/12

#1: Kubrick staircases

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•           2/6/12

#2: Good book. YA lit from Oz (that's Australia to you) "Raw Blue" by Kirsty Eager

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•             2/5/12

#3 Enough about the food truck renaissance...what about the *old school* food trucks. Love this one, in front of the Hirschhorn, seen through the car's window in the rain.

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•            2/4/12

#4: (fake) Snow leopard coat. For street-walking cheetahs with hearts full of napalm.

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•       2/3/12

#5: funny light fixtures

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•      2/2/12

#6: Urban sustainables at night. Sort of magic. Looks like fairy land at night on 18th st. (tho' I wonder how green it is of them to keep those lights on)

#7: safety orange

#8: another good book. "In the Garden of Iden" by Kage Baker ~ wild speculative fiction / alternate history

#9: The way light falls through venetian blinds

#10: Yellow and red painted rooms

I have this project, which I’ve started. It’s really rather fun. I have to take at least one photo every day.  The end result is an often charming, sometimes weird & wacky photo-journal. All the images are from my cellphone & un-retouched.  I really rather love it.

So, in lieu of the typical “Top 10″, I presenting this week’s top 10 — in photojournal form.

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•            2/1/12

1. Fun Bright Bedding...it's cold, so snuggle up.

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•           1/31/12

#2 Chicken & rice...Peruvian style

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•            1/30/12

#3 Vinho verde and pretty labels

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•            1/29/12

#4 Enter the Dragon ... lunar new year

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•            1/28/12

#5 Loving reflections & light through glass

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•            1/27/12

#6 Food truck renaissance... Red Hook Lobster Pound

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•            1/26/12

#7 Spartacus: blood and sand. (on Netflix)

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•            1/25/12

#8 Old school Pepsi sign in Baltimore

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•           1/24/12

#9 Beautiful cookies & cakes from Berger's in B'more

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•           1/23/12

#10 The night sky... in the form of an ya dystopia ("A Million Suns")

#10 Strawberry ice cream

Super Tacos

Don’t let this discreet “Mom and Pop” small Mexican restaurant fool you. It’s delicious. It may seem ordinary  from the outside, but Super Tacos is home to traditional Mexican food that will melt in your mouth without melting your wallet. The food is cheap and the owner is friendly and, as an added bonus, totally cute. The restaurant also has a full bakery offering up traditional cakes and pastries all week long.

*Tip: Super Tacos sells Orange Crush. In the original bottle. Can’t get more old school than that.

http://www.supertacosdc.com/

Founding Farmers

I can’t remember if I’ve ever included Founding Farmers in a Weekend Walk-In’s edition. Regardless, it MUST be mentioned. The restaurant is far from a best-kept secret in D.C. Pretty much everyone knows and loves this restaurant, but for the unique few that are reading this and have no idea what I’m talking about, allow me to enlighten you. Founding Farmers is the Mecca of restaurants in D.C. It’s chic, sophisticated, has a fully stocked bar, and is packed every night of the week. The food is amongst the most delicious I have ever eaten. Mind you, I’ve eaten food from over fifteen different countries- Founding Farmers is just that good. It’s a little pricey, but absolutely worth it. Make a reservation and take the person you like the most out to eat. Or just bring your mom. Just kidding. Love you, Mom.

*Tip: My personal favorite is the Skirt Steak Enchilada. It’s so incredibly epic.

http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

Beyond Therapy

Do you think your love life has a gone a tad bit awry? Well, join in the company of some eccentric characters as they navigate the complexities of their attractions in this weekend’s performance of Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy produced by Generic Theater Company in Foggy Bottom. Pick a night and be sure to catch one of the four performances this remarkable cast will be putting on tonight and tomorrow night in the Lisner Downstage.

*Tip: Special shout outs to my wonderfully talented friend and fellow actor, Matt Rist! Break a leg, Barfee!

http://www.facebook.com/events/234592563283258/

Pinterest.com

I always like to include an alternative to going out on these blog posts, just in case you’ve had a particularly tiring week and want to lay on the couch for an eternity…or just for a couple of hours or so. If that’s the case for you this week, I have brought you a special new treat: Pinterest.com. I discovered Pinterest back in October and have wasted countless hours on it ever since. The website acts as a virtual pin board where you can collect, organize, comment, and label images for yourself or on other people’s accounts. It’s like Google images meets Facebook meets . Whether you’re planning your wedding, redecorating your home, painting your nails, organizing your office, looking for date outfit ideas, cutting your hair, need a new dessert recipe etc. you can find it on Pinterest. Check it out. You will have a blast.

*Tip: When you’re starting out on the website, you have to be put on a “waiting list” before you can get a Pinterest account. Don’t be discouraged. It only takes a couple of days and then you’ll gain access. Patience is a virtue.

http://pinterest.com/

      Bodega

My roommate and I would constantly notice the ornate exterior of this Georgetown restaurant every time we went for a walk around town. Finally, we decided it was time to make a reservation and find out what the interior looked like. We got all dolled up for a girl’s night out and to little surprise, we discovered that Bodega was precisely the right location for a classy night in D.C. The restaurant is richly decorated in dark tones and decadent wallpapers and the tapas compliment the décor with their bold flavors and interesting combinations. The New Year deserves some adventurous new cuisine, and I suggest you start off with Bodega.

            *Tip: The Arroz Meloso al Azafrán con Gambas, or the creamy saffron rice with grilled shrimp tapas plate was our favorite. Perhaps it will be yours too.

http://www.bodegadc.com/home.asp

Award Season

            It is my personal favorite time of the year because it is AWARD SEASON. With the Golden Globes this Sunday, and the Oscars soon to follow, it’s time to catch up on this year’s best films, television shows, and performances before they announce the winners of those coveted golden statues. My personal favorites for this year include The Help and Midnight in Paris. What were yours?

            *Tip: For those teens reading this that will be going to prom in the spring, the best inspiration comes from award shows. Pay attention to the star’s dresses, jewelry, shoes, bags, makeup, and hairstyles. It is way easier to develop your own look with a little inspiration and the award shows can give you HOURS of it.

The New Year

            We are already a full two weeks into the New Year. Perhaps it’s the optimist in me, but I think the New Year is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your life’s course and change some things that may not be beneficial to you and your well being. Whether it’s a change in jobs, a new hobby, revamped eating habits, more exercise, a new haircut, or any other form of change, the time is now for a terrific new year.

PR at Partners Salon and Spa

            If your New Year’s resolution is to revamp your look, you should head over to the PR at Partners Salon in Foggy Bottom. I recently visited the salon to correct a botched hair-dye job and I could not have had a more pleasant experience. The hair stylists take the time to discuss with you your concerns, desired look, hair type, and management time before they touch anything. Aside from haircuts and coloring, the salon also does hair removal, facials, and other spa services. There are 14 other locations throughout D.C. and Virginia. This salon and spa also specializes in rejuvenating clients’ entire looks, from their hairstyle to their makeup and clothing through makeup and stylist consultations, perfect for New Year makeovers. For more information, check out their website.

            *Tip: Jonathan was my hairstylist at the K Street Salon. He was fabulous, extremely receptive, and most welcoming. He walked me through every step of the process, answered all of my questions, and was full of conversation. Plus, my hair looked excellent when he was finished. I highly recommend him.

http://www.pratpartners.com/

by Siara:

(via heyarnold.wikia.com, nickelodeon, & wiretotheear.com)

As a frequent Metro customer, I am always overhearing conversation. One reoccurring topic among the older generation tends to be about how things were different when they were growing up. Their stories tend to start with the phrase “Back in my day” and then they go on to recollect about life in the 40′s, 50′s, 60′s etc. But, I cannot venture that far into the past, so I will reminisce on what i remember growing up in the 90′s.

People rented VHS’s not DVD’s.
Rugrats, Hey Arnold and Doug were among the most popular cartoons.
Gas cost approximately $1.16 in 1995.
Kickball was the game of choice.
You used a walkman to listen to music.
$4.23 was the average price of a movie ticket.
It was cool to have shoes that lit up.
Road Rules was a big hit on MTV.
Bill Clinton was President.
You did not have a cellphone, but a pager.
Children had a digital Tamagotchi pet.

…These are just a few of the things I recall whilst thinking about my childhood.

#1 Happy Birthday, David Bowie

• #1  Happy Birthday to you, David Bowie.

Bowie’s b’day was yesterday, fyi.  And the thin white duke has the distinct honor of being 1 of 300 people, to decline HRH, the Queen’s offer of knighthood. In Ashley’s words: “How rock & roll of him”.

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this leads me to #2 this week, which is…

#2 a helluva album cover

• #2 DIAMOND DOGS

The awesomeness speaks for itself.

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#3 Manba, cover image via Japanese magazine "Egg"

• #3 MANBA… all hail the Japanese street look of the 90s

How cool are they?  The whole taking of Western surf culture…peppered w/ Ken & Barbie… and then, taking it to the EXTREME. Turning it into a pastiche. It’s just brilliant.

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and speaking of pastiches… have you seen this?

#4 Muppets mock Twilight. win.

• #4  MUPPETS POSTER — aka Muppets mock Twilight

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#5 teen dreams and beauty queens. the ep

• #5 TEEN DREAMS & BEAUTY QUEENS — the Beach Week EP is here

and it is great. You can have a listen and grab it for yourself at either CD-baby or iTunes. (yes ma’am/sir, those are hotlinked).

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#6 Thunder & Lightning. live.

•  #6 THUNDER. LIGHTNING. the way you love me is frightening.

OJBG favorite composer and person, Mr. Brent Katz, has a show coming up. So to those of you located in NYC, I highly recommend that you check out his upcoming show at the Glasslands.

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•  #7 OJBG’s upcoming EP

Yes, this is TRUE!   I was actually in the recording studio — of the very kind and talented music-guru, Ben Ozeki — just last week.  I was there with the lovely Ms. Ellen Winter (aka Sarah Roberts).  I am extremely excited. There will be 3 songs on the EP — all tracks written & inspired by tracks composed by Brent Katz, and then performed by members of the cast. There is even a song called “Me, I’m Afraid of Nothing” and it sounds like a Hawaiian/Western. It is my favorite.

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#8 Geek Chic, via etsy BongaChopShop

• #8 The FACT THAT THIS DRESS EXITS

It is made by “Bonga Chop Shop” (found on etsy). And all hail the New Orleans based designer who makes these charming and adorable finds. I wish I had known about her sooner. The wallets she makes would have made great stocking-stuffers.

Check out the etsy shop HERE.

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#9, Looking for Alibrandi

• #9 MOVIES FROM OZ

I’ve been on a kick lately — watching coming of age movies from Down Under. The above still is from the wonderful movie “Looking for Alibrandi”, which is based on the eponymous book, “Looking for Alibrandi”, written by Melina Marchetta. Marchetta is absolutely amazing. Her book “On the Jellicoe Road” was  one of the favorites that I read last year.

(*And PS if you haven’t seen Peter Weir’s “Picnic at Hanging Rock” from ’75 –then I suggest you go see it… run, NOW. It’s a staple of Aussie cinema. And it’s that good.)

And now for some “Honorable Mentions from OZ” :

#9 tomorrow when the war began

The above still is from the movie  ‘Tomorrow When the War Began” (which is based off John Marsden’s best-selling book/series of the same name).  Some reasons why it is great:  Post-Apocalyptic survival story. Bad-Ass female lead. Coming-of-Age element.  Lush Scenery. Strong Action Sequences with compelling cinematography.

#9 cont'd: "Puberty Blues"

And of course there is “Puberty Blues”.  I know, I know, the name is kind of cringe-worthy. But, don’t be fooled by the slightly-sacharine name. The movie  explores the extreme darkness and light of being 13, in the ’79 Sydney suburbs.  The movie is (like the others listed in #9) based off a book of the same name. Incidentally, the book created quite a stir when it was published (mainly because the authors were only 18 when it was published, and also because the book was a candid auto-biographical account of their experiences being 13, and dealing with sex, heroin, and surfing).

#9 cont'd more "Puberty Blues"

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• #10  SEASON 5 of Orange Juice in Bishops Garden HAS BEGUN!

Hip, hip, HOORAY!

Watch the trailer here…

I hope that you  like, comment, & enjoy.  The first episode of Season 5 starts THIS FRIDAY! And new episodes roll-out weekly from then on — always new, always Friday. xoxo

1. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

            Attention: another shameless publicity attempt by me to promote the show I am in this weekend. Opening night was a success and the shows will only get better from here. Really and truly, if you are around Georgetown or Foggy Bottom, jump on a Vern Express and head over to the West Hall Blackbox Theater to see the 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee until Saturday night.

*Tip: Sign up to be an audience volunteer. If you get chosen to volunteer, you will get to be on stage alongside the cast competing in the spelling bee. It is good fun, I promise.

http://www.facebook.com/events/254617587924971/

http://orangejuiceinbishopsgarden.com/blog/archives/3719

2. American Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker” OR GWU Balance’s “The Nutcracker”

            The classic ballet tale of a little girl on Christmas Eve will be in Foggy Bottom at the Kennedy Center and at George Washington University this weekend. Relish in some of your childhood memories; enjoy one of the major traditions of the holiday season, and go on over to one of these venues for a simply festive night with family and friends.

*Tip: To purchase tickets, visit the Kennedy Center’s website. If you are a little low on cash, GWU’s performance of “The Nutcracker” is free. It doesn’t get better than that!

http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=BMBSC

http://www.facebook.com/events/320010774675871/

3. Serendipity III

            I have always waned to visit one of New York City’s restaurant trademarks: Serendipity III. To my shock, I recently discovered that Serendipity III also popped up around the corner in Georgetown. Although I have yet to actually dine at the establishment, I can’t help believe that the food is excellent. The restaurant has been featured in three major films. It can’t be that bad.

*Tip: The Frooozen Hot Chocolate is the famed drink at Serendipity III. Doesn’t sound too bad to me.

http://www.serendipity3.com/main.htm

4. The release of OJBG’s MUSIC VIDEO

            Okay, so I lied, this won’t be happening until the end of the month. But, hey, it’s pretty exciting news. Although I cannot unveil any of the details about what we have in store for the OJBG Music Video, I can assure you all that it will be excellent. Stay tuned!

1. Best Macaroon in the District.

photo by me (Otessa Ghadar)

is at Paul, in Georgetown (1078 Wisconsin Ave, near M st, NW). The macaroons come in 2 sizes: small & x-large. Just look at this beauty — an extra large pistachio macaroon…it was so luscious and delicious, you would’ve sworn it had been freshly made at Laduree in Paris, specially for Marie Antoinette. Yes. It’s that good. See the pic?

Want more: read more coverage, here, at dc-eater.

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2. Big Bear Cafe, in Bloomsbury

photos by capitolspiceblog.com, flickr user "stereogab", Corbo E. (via Yelp), & Jim Malone (via dcist.com)

I haven’t been there yet but I am theoretically obsessed. Really need to make it out there.

PS Check out more of stereogab’s flickr pics: HERE. And check out more of Jim Malone’s photostream: HERE.

photo via bigbearcafe-dc.com

For more pics & reading… you can go: here (capitolspiceblog), here (Yelp), and here (dcist) for some interesting reading about the ANC5c v. BBC liquor license debacle.

To check out Big Bear’s website, click here.

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3. McMillan Reservoir’s Sand Filtration System

photo via Tyler Nelson flickr user "mediaslave"

Beautiful Urban Decay. Sigh…

I am going to be doing a follow-up post about McMillan, later this week, complete with more beautiful pictures.  So please keep a look out for that. The site is just too beautiful to just skim over like this…

In the meantime, see some more beautiful pics from mediaslave’s photostream: here.

Read more about the place and support it: here (@ ourmcmillan.com).  ps Thanks scoutmob for the “where is this” tip.

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 4.Hi-top fades

#1 (L) Kid 'n' Play and (R) Big Daddy Kane with some super-inspiring hi-top fades (photos via theurbanconnection.wordpress.com)

I really wish my hair could do this. This is like a metonymic representation of  a golden era for me (namely the late 80s and early 90s)  and it makes me all wistful for my childhood. Anyone out there rock them back then?

I feel like I’ve been seeing some bellwether trendsetters rocking these around the district… and it makes my day. Damn they look so cool.

Also, how great were Kid ‘n’ Play’s “House Party” movies?  Go have a marathon right now!

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 5. Ice Skating + Hot Chocolate at the National Gallery.

Photo © by Rob Shelley, National Gallery of Art (via dc.about.com)

It’s chilly, so go skating.  And then you can warm up by either drinking yummy hot chocolate OR by going inside afterwards to check out all the  lovely (*free!*) exhibits at the neighboring museums.  It’s ideal for dates of both the friendly, or significant-otherly kind. Also if you hate chocolate, they have delicious apple cider too…   Don’t you just love how everyone’s cheeks get all rosy after being out ice-skating?  …and how everyone is so bundled up and snug?  Ice skating is like a sure-fire serotonin booster. (bonus: even if you lack the ability of this high-ability-threshold sport,  it’s still oodles of fun.)

The skate rink is opened ’till 9pm Sunday – Thursday, and ’till 11pm on weekends. $8 gets you 2 hrs of fun, plus $3 for skates. It’s price- equiv. to going to the movies, but has more magic.  For more info go to the Official Site here.

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 6. 100% free Juice Joint … yay juice. yay free

#6 100% free juice, image via scoutmob.com

get the juice and app: here.  Juice Joint is downtown, @ 1025 Vermont Ave., NW.  You can also check out their website here . (How cute the site’s animated pineapple…?)

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And now begins the part of the Top 10, that  I will call the “Nerd Special”… it’s all geek themed, and 100% awesome.

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7.  60′s Star Trek fashion

BAMF's , via wikipedia

I mean just look at this — super inspirational.

Still don’t believe me…?

Check out these images from the primary/proposed pilot, “The Cage”… which DIDN’T feature Shatner, DID feature a smiling Spock (!?), and  proudly featured a female XO, aka “Number One”.

I need these .

Bill Theiss (the costume designer for Star Trek TOS) was a god.

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8. Leonard Nimoy

photo via mmwithemma.blogspot.com

He’s my hero.  I hope that one day I find myself sitting next to him on a plane, or at a diner.

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9.  Neverland Redux… or maybe scratch that. (Muppets anyone?)

Ok so Part 1 aired Sunday night, and quite frankly, I wasn’t impressed. (It seemed like they took out all the joy & magic.) Where’s the joy? Hopefully it will appear like a rabbit out of tonight’s hat, when I watch my DVR’ed pt2. You can watch it a 9/8central on Syfy.  Don’t even get me started on the scifi channel’s new name.

Actually come to think of it… maybe you should just watch the new Muppets Movie instead. Can we just re-elect a previous obsession to be this week’s #9.  Yes, I think we can…

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#10 support the DIY (e)book movement. Read the excellent short story "Hello, Moto" by Nnedi Okorafor. Check out TOR.com. (illustration by Goni Montes via tor.com)

10. Nnedi Okorafor. DIY (e)book movement. Nollywood. And the site that brings you this righteous flashpoint= TOR.com

Reading free pdf’s, of excellent short stories & books, on TOR.com  is awesome — also honorable mention to the TOR.com website. It’s excellent.

I do consider myself somewhat of an Analog Girl and I love the physical reality of a book…

But, I realized this summer, that so many DIY authors are putting themselves and their work out there, as free ebooks and pdfs. And I was really robbing myself of some brave new voices in literature by not immersing myself in the e-book world.  so–

Revel in the counter-culture of the new movement.  –As a starter I recommend checking out Peter Watts (try his “Starfish”, which is an excellent +bleak cyberpunk novel)and Cory Doctorow (who while a “serious published author” has also been a forerunner and strong proponent of self-published/creative commons literature.)  Click on the authors’ names in that last sentence to get their free books.  (hey thnx feedbooks.com!)

I’m especially psyched about a Nnedi Okorafor story that TOR has up right now.  (Read it HERE.)   She is a bright new voice in SF, who sets her work in a darkly futuristic Africa.  The story is supposed to be the perfect blend of witchcraft, science, and Nollywood. Oh, and what is Nollywood, you may ask… it’s a term heralding Nigerian film and its attendant  cultural/media boom.

1.   Ice-Skating at the National Gallery of Art

HOLIDAY DATE IDEA: ice-skating at the National Gallery of Art. “Break the ice” by falling on ice with your significant other. There is no better excuse for hand-holding like grasping each other’s hands for support on the rink. Top off the date with hot chocolate at the Pavilion Café and you can easily guarantee yourself a goodnight kiss.

*Tip: The rink is located in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. It does not get more romantic than that- unless you want to fly on over to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

http://www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm#admission

2.   A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theater

For all of the theater junkies out there, Ford’s Theater is putting on the traditional performance, “A Christmas Carol,” throughout December and January. Personally, I think seeing any show in Ford’s Theater is an added bonus considering you’re in the same theater President Lincoln got assassinated in. Maybe I’m a nerd, but that fact just never stops being eerily cool.

*Tip: If you want to see one of these performances, move quickly. Shows at Ford’s Theater get sold out VERY quickly. Visit the theater’s website to purchase tickets.

http://fords.org/event/christmas-carol-0

3.   Zaytinya

Behold, my personal favorite restaurant in all of D.C. If you are in the mood for a delicious blend of Mediterranean small plates, head on over to Zaytinya. The restaurant is sleek and stylish, the waiters are delightful, and there is patio-style dining for those sunny afternoons. An added plus: on weekdays, Zaytinya roasts lamb on a spit in the front of the restaurant for those who have a short lunch break.

*Tip: The grilled lamb t-bones are to die for. But, actually. Heaven opens its pearly gates with at the sight of this entree.

http://www.zaytinya.com/

4.   Holiday Music and Decorating

It’s officially December- December 2^nd to be exact. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanza, the time of every year when you are allowed to relish in holiday music, décor, and food has finally come. Whether that means putting up the tree, hanging the stockings and lights, or breaking out the dreidels, get to work. Yes, the holidays are not until the end of the month, but hey, getting there is half the fun.

*Tip: Take this month as an opportunity to learn more about your own family’s traditions. My mom and I bake chocolate covered pecans every year. What is special to your family during the holidays? Find out!