Jimmy Choo Taste on a Payless Budget?

Check out Shoes by Lara in Foggy Bottom! Unless you're a millionairess, sugar baby, or trustafarian, the odds are you'd like to have a closet mocking that of Kimora Lee Simmons or Victoria Beckham, but just don't have the budget to do so. And while DC just isn't New York City when it comes to sample sales and getting designer duds for way effing cheap, Lara brings everything from Stuart Weitzman to Giuseppe Zanotti to you during her Shoe of the Week Deal, in which she selects a high end shoe in the store and makes it available for next-to-nothing for one week only. Now, I'm not going to lie; It's one of those things that you have to consistently check in with in order to find your glass slipper.  But with locations now in Farragut North, Metro Center, and yes, over the bridge in Arlington, Lara brings shoe fabulosity your way while still leaving you enough money in your wallet to enjoy POV happy hours on the roof of the W.

Keep the Go-Go A-Goin'! At Rose's Dream

1370 H Street NE... It's definitely worth checking out for the 360 DC Experience!

Okay, so Chuck Brown's birthday may be over, and you may be on go-go overload after being forced to listen to it on 93.9 every day during rush hour, but if you want to experience DC's most delectable musical export in full force, check out Rose's Dream Bar and Lounge, a hip, teeny spot on the H Street Corridor that features everything from local go-go bands to karaoke to an urban feel that makes you feel just so DC by the time you're ready to peace out. Now, don't be fooled; if you're looking to be all fancy, don't even try doing it here. But with generous-pouring bartenders and two floors worth of bars, you'll get a bang for your buck and wish that you'd stayed longer. Who this place is NOT for? Hipsters, people looking to meet their future spouse, those who like Adam's Morgan, people who don't like go-go music, or people who don't know what go-go is (And if you've been reading this blog for as long as you have and consider yourself a TRUE Washingtonian, it's time to go on YouTube and listen to some go-go music if you have yet to do so). It may not be fancy pants, but Rose's Dream is a truly authentic DC experience, and having survived now for several decades, is a forced to be reckoned with.

Who's Been to Opera?

AKA the new DC club that's supposed to be the next big thing? Due to the hurricane and a late night dinner and OYA, I didn't have a chance to make it over to one of the grand opening events that the club was hosting, but am still so excited to see what the place has to offer. Apparently looking very LA-chic, the club is supposed to look like the interior of a modern theater (though I'm still clueless how anywhere can do that as well as SAX), and has some great mixologists and door staff that make the place a potential standout on the DC club scene. Produced by DC nightlife afficionado Mood Bacho, the club supposedly has a sound system, catering to house music, that is the only one available in DC (Known as the Funxion One Sound System...but honestly who cares). Featuring DJ Steve DiPietro this Saturday night and tons of celebrity DJs in the coming future, this club has the potential to definitely rank in nightlife popularity... but also has the potential to fail like so many DC clubs have the tendency to do. The only down side thus far? The place apparently has ceiling lights that make you feel like you're getting all dizzied up on the Gravitron instead of dancing in a nightclub; but who knows, we could get used to them. Any thoughts out there on Opera?

Irene totes ruined my weekend.

So instead of taking on DC by storm (literally), my boyfriend and I have resorted to a booze-free movie fest of a weekend while Washingtonians outside treat the latest hurricane like Jesus is coming. And while I discovered "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" on TLC (it's addictive, if you haven't seen it yet) and my boyfriend decided it was time to catch up on the Harry Potter movies (am I a perv if I think Daniel Radcliffe is dorky cute?), I've come to the conclusion that the hurricane means that it's time to get creative when it comes to entertaining yourself. I've done some of these things already, but looking to jazz up your time inside? Try:

• Cooking a new recipe that you have yet to do. Let's be honest, I'm not exactly Rachel Ray, and having the extra time on my hands this evening allowed for me to put together a chipotle-marinated chicken breast and mushroom risotto that I would have gone ADD and not bothered to make otherwise.
• Giving yourself a manicure. I'm obsessed with Sally Hansen nail stickers ($5, Target) and am about to give mine a zebra print makeover of their own. 
• Starting a new blog... Just no animal print themes, please...
• Pretending your bathroom is the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Wear a plush bathrobe, chop up some cucumbers, get a bubble bath going, and play some Enya; while DC is falling to pieces, at least you'll be relaxed.
• Reading The Help; the movie is #1 in the country right now and such a bomb read.
• Downloading stupid aps on your phone all night. Right now, I've been addicted to Bible Trivia which I found in the Android Market. So sad. 
• Making some prank phone calls. They're bad karma, yes, so don't take it too far, but pretending that you're billing someone for an escort service/strip club tab/adult store purchase or anything else embarrassing and incriminating is always a funny source of entertainment.
• Turning off all of the lights in your apartment and watch "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" episodes on YouTube. They were so scary at the time, and in my opinion, still are!

Anyone else have good tips for surviving hurricane boredom? Stay dry, leopards. 

Happy Birthday, Chuck Brown!

And who said that Kim Kardashian's wedding was the event of the week? For those of you who don't know who Chuck Brown is, I suggest that you resolidify your affiliation to the District, because the father of go-go music has turned 75-years-old today. As a subgenre of funk that came about in DC in the early 70's, go-go is a genre of music mainly popular in the Mid-Atlantic that combines street drums, electric guitars, and horns, AKA the type of music that can be heard on 95.5 around rush hour (and is blasted constantly in my Chinatown neighborhood). Though I've heard through the grapevine that the majority of hip-hop affiliated clubs in DC no longer allow go-go concerts because of the violence that the crowds who attend typically bring, it still remains prominent in DC, thanks to Mr. Chuck Brown, the guy who originated it all. And while you won't catch me with too much go-go on my iPod, for those of you who have an inkling of curiosity about what it sounds like, check out the "Pieces of Me" cover by Rare Essence- probably my favorite of all go-go tracks! And thank Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go, for giving DC its own genre of music that's still celebrated by hip-hop crowds today.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT RESTAURANT WEEK!

The delicious filet entre at Blue Duck.. it
definitely does the trick!

Unless you're poor like me and have next to nothing in your checking account. Take advantage of checking out the Restaurant Week menu at some of DC's finest eateries, with lunches at 20.11 for three courses and dinners at 35.11. While I continuously promote the Penn Quarter corridor when it comes to restaurants, I also suggest going off of the beaten path and trying something new that you've seen but haven't gotten the opportunity to try yet (I'm sure you've had one of those "OMG we have to try that place!" moments in the past month or so). Either way, I always recommend trying one of those DC staple restaurants that the majority of us wouldn't typically be able to afford if it wasn't for the prix fixe menu; Both Blue Duck Tavern and The Caucus Room are constantly frequented by DC celebrities (AKA Obama) with price points that could leave you hungry. While Blue Duck is minimalist in terms of its decor, The Caucus Room will have you feeling like you're in an old senator's library, with loads of pictures outlining the hallways featuring some of DC's finest. And you can't forget about Georgia Brown's; this gourmet, soul-food inspired spot combines DC's African-American influence with its knack for being one of the best restaurant cities in the country (go for the brunch!). Either way, take advantage about Restaurant Week.

The Salahis Pimp Themselves Out Yet Again

Hey, at least they make DC interesting....

Crashing a White House gala? Tacky, but I'm sure a maneuver that I would try to pull, not going to lie there. But these DC-wannabe socialites have taken it to a whole other level, attempting to get themselves on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills franchise (since probably only three people consistently watched the DC show) despite all of the madness occurring with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the untimely death of housewife Taylor Armstrong's estranged husband, Russell (who I encourage everyone to keep in your prayers). While it's not my place to judge their sensitivity on the situation (there is a chance that they could be extremely supportive to their potential cast mates, which I don't want to completely disregard), I'm baffled that these con artists continue to climb the social ladder, thinking that they could even compare to the fabulosity of a couple like Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky. Come on, guys; time to either get on some bogus show on the O Network, or end up on Celebrity Rehab. Either way, do you guys think that it's right for the Salahis to try to get on the Beverly Hills version of the franchise, even with the tragedy recently occurring around one of the housewife's husband's untimely death? I guess it's only in DC, people...

Rumor Has It...

DC nightlife staple, Fly Lounge, which has been shut down for months now, will be transformed into a new lounge, known as Heist! Though it's not official, the grand opening should take place within the next month and a half, and is being developed by DC club promoter and afficionado Anoosh Jahanian. Undergoing the thematic transformation from an airplane to the interior of a bank, Heist should bring in an intimate crowd with VIP tables, guest DJs, and the same upscale club atmosphere that Fly provided for so many years. And while none of this is official and simply just hearsay, there's a lot of buzz around town about Heist, and should definitely play a role in back-to-school nightlife. Think Heist will have the same success as its predecessor? Will it have what it takes to match up with its competitors in DC? Only time will tell, but keep a grand opening announcement on your radar soon...

Name Plate Jewelry is Back!

If Kim and Jennifer are wearing them, then why not?!

It was always back for me. Being from Rhode Island, you didn't officially enter adulthood until you got your name engraved on a gold or silver ring, sometimes with a thin row of diamonds underlining the base. These slowly evolved into necklaces, hoop earrings, and whatever else came to mind, becoming a staple of my high school career. As I do with most things, however, I lost my name ring years back, sadly not wanting to tell my parents and just acting like I've moved on to other jewelry. But about two years ago, in typical Angela fashion, my name ring appeared in the base of my purple Gucci bag (which I also haven't used in years), and since then, have yet to remove it. Now, I'm not the only one bringing back nameplate jewelry; Us Weekly and several other media sources have noted name jewelry a budding trend among the celebrity crowd. It's also something that I've seen to be a trend in the Capital right now, something that's slowly becoming more and more popular with the adolescent crowd. And while I wouldn't recommend that you wear nameplate hoop earrings to the office, the rings are completely professional and subtle enough to be worn regardless of the occasion.

Want to buy a nameplate piece of jewelry on your own? Eve's Addiction (www.evesaddiction.com) has tons of pieces reasonably priced.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball!

An icon who always painted the town leopard in her own right, Lucy has always been an idol of mine and someone who continues to capture the hearts of viewers of all ages. If you haven't watched an episode in some time, I highly recommend you do (plus, Ricky Riccardo was my first crush at probably age six). Here are some fun facts about I Love Lucy that few people know:

• Her birth name was Lucille Desiree Ball and was born in Jamestown, New York.
• In the 20s, Lucy worked on Broadway under the stage name Diane Belmont.
• Her relationship with Desi Arnaz was discouraged due to her being seven years older in age, which they claimed was a factor towards their divorce. 
• Lucy was a registered 'Communist' on her voting records.
• Lucy died from an aneurysm at age 77.

OYA is Still Doing Its Thing in DC!

Yes, it's definitely an oldie in terms of DC restaurant years. Having been an establishment in Penn Quarter for close to seven years now, OYA is the premier restaurant out of Errol Lawrence and Nancy Koide's Santoy Hospitality Group and the first of a trio (SEI and Sax now included in the mix) and serves a blend of Japanese, French, and American fusion cuisine. You'd think after several years and with several new hot spots opening in the District the place would get stagnant, boring, and become so yesterday. However, OYA continues to reinvent itself with both tapas-sized small plates and large entrees, seasonal specialities, and a fabulous wine selection from DC Sommelier extraordinaire Andrew Stover himself (www.chiefvino.com). I went with a group of girlfriends for the evening, and while the ambiance is just as impressive each time you go, continued to be wowed by the awesome dishes (LOVED the surf & turf small plate; didn't make me leave feeling bulbous as surf & turf has the tendency to do). Plus, the happy hour is reasonable and situated in the fashion forward lounge area, complete with chandeliers, marble walls, and cow skin rugs. With a friendly staff, gorgeous interior, and still delicious menu items, OYA is here to stay and shouldn't be overlooked.

Stay in Tonight and Watch Insidious!

Because, really, I haven't seen a scarier movie since The Ring. After too much partying throughout the week for many of you, I'm sure that a scary movie night would be a great way to recoup before the weekend's festivities, and I couldn't have picked a better one for you. Incorporating themes of astral projection, demonic possession, children (always a favorite in horror flicks), with an old school, Hitchcock-type flare, Insidious scared me even from the 4'' by 9'' screen on my airplane seat. Even worse? It features music from Tiny Tim's repertoire (for those of you who don't know, he's the falsetto singing, ukelele playing sixties singer who is creepy as all Hell... Google him), which is scary enough in and of itself. Nevertheless, if you're looking to stay in, watching this film is a MUST. You will NOT be able to sleep the night after...

Taking the Capital by Rooftop...

Yes, I'll be at Eden's rooftop celebrating Julianne Brown's birthday for the evening, but with the humidity finally breaking (through mildly), what a better way to spend a DC night in the summer but enjoying cocktails at one of DC's fance rooftop locales? While my heart will always be dedicated to Eden on a Wednesday night (thank you, Nick Sanchez and fellow colleagues at Night Life Agency), there are also tons of other spots to enjoy in the city, allowing you to fist pump and still get some fresh air:

POV at the W Hotel still remains one of my favorite
rooftop bars in the city. 

1. Eden Lounge: On the corner of 17th and I, explore the exclusive rooftop of Eye Bar, customized with vines and shrubs that will make you be asking for Adam's whereabouts by the end of the night. With great bartenders, fast service, little overcrowding (make sure you get on the guest list early), the normally house-oriented DJs will have you dancing up a storm.
2. POV: You can't deny that the W still rules the city. Everyone says that the clientele went downhill at this downtown spot, but the view is nothing that can be beat. Try one of their delicious speciality cocktails, and enjoy the low key yet upscale vibe. A great spot to take a friend who's in DC for the weekend and wants to feel like she's doing something Washington-esque.
3. Ozio's: If you hit it on the right night, it can be a good time, but keep in mind that this rooftop bar is one that centers around hip-hop music with a less formal feel to it. On the 18th and M corridor, this place has definitely built up a regular clientele base and popularity over the past year, and especially caters to a crowd that isn't interested in a house music fiesta.
4. Current: Smack on Connecticut Ave., Current's white decor and delicious sushi is also embedded with a fabulous roof top deck in the back of the club with tons of contracted DJs from across the country and its own special bar. With probably the best party in the city on Thursday nights, I recommend that everyone gets on the list early hear to enjoy this oldie but goodie when it comes to DC night life (www.nightlifeagency.com for guest list info).

I hope to see everyone at Eden tonight, or taking the city rooftops by storm one night in the future...