Velvet Lounge

I've always had this huge fascination with the hipster scene. The funky Ray Bans, the boxy-cut tops, the neon and the scarves; Even though I would never wear half of it, I feel like I've always had this alter-ego who wants to trade in my Volkswagon for a used Saab or Volvo. Unfortunately, I like shiny things, hoop earrings and cleavage way too much to convert myself over to a more Urban Outfitter look, but I'll always have one of those mornings where I wake up and put on a graphic t-shirt, bomber jacket, and leggings. Even though I'll probably never give up my obsession with night clubs, house music, and Louis Vuitton (not that I can afford it, but if I was Kimora Lee Simmons, I'd probably buy everything monogrammed in LV's, too), I recently decided that it was time to diversify my nightlife experiences to venues beyond Lima and Fly. Accompanied by two of my most fabulous and attractive friends, I blew off my normal Wednesday night routine of harassing every Persian man at Lima I could find and instead ventured to U Street with Reagan and Guil for a night of fun that would also satisfy my necessary hipster craving for the night.
After going to Nellys, which was cute (but not really me), we headed across the street to a little bar with Coke-bottle lightening and some of the most artistically dressed people I have seen in a while (no, I'm not talking about Commander Salamander or Urban Outfitter ensembles; these people were rocking classy vintage and pret-a-porter-no-name-necessary looks). Although I walked in wearing five inch heels and diamond studded-hoop earrings, I was immediately greeted by a friendly bar staff and Killers songs set to house tracks. This place reminded me of a small lounge in the Marais of Paris; velvet seating to match its namesake and alcohol pours in every drink that were competitive in comparison to its U Street neighbors. What was best about this place is that it was simple, inexpensive, adorable, and had no disgusting men approaching my friends and eye.
Ignore the poor reviews on Yelp.com; the reviewers obviously have no idea what they're talking about and are jealous of Velvet's organic feel. Instead, go for yourself and enjoy funk music, local bands, and $5 rail drinks before you decide to formulate a negative opinion. For all of the political junkies out there, Velvet serves as an excellent venue for showcasing different grass-root liberal organizations throughout the city (translation: lots of hipsters). They're very open to hosting new organizations and local DC businesses that align with what they stand for. Skip the club and try something different next weekend.
The only downside? Get a tetanus shot before you use the bathroom, or risk getting a public urination citation on U Street. I had to breath through my mouth the entire time I used their ladies' room and it was anything but pleasant. I guess that's what you get with $5.00 drinks. And personally, I'd take a $5.00 drink and risk holding it and winding up with a UTI any day.

Look Fierce This Halloween

And I don't mean in one of those ridiculous Legs Avenue getups. Sure, everyone girl wants to look sexy on Halloween night and unleash her wild side, but don't YOU want to be remembered for having the most double-takes of the night for your delicious originality (Plus, what are you going to do with your polyester-imitation dress sixty dollars later after you've have kamikazes spilled all over it all night?). Halloween's just around the corner, boys and girls. It's time to buck up and get serious about your costume before you find yourself in for a real scare when you arrive at Commander Salamander two nights before All Hallow's Eve and realize that you're only option for the night is a banana suit. Because of my full work schedule, I will only be celebrating Halloween on the actual holiday itself this year, in which myself and others will be dressing up as six different characters from Alice in Wonderland (Guess who's Alice?). But, if I had the opportunity (and the social status) to attend parties and galas all week in celebration of the holiday, I'd be sure to have several creative looks lined up so I could ring in Halloween with a bang (and a boo). Still procrastinating and don't want to end up as a banana? Here are some of the best costumes that I found for Halloween this year that I would wear if my other friends hadn't already bought their Mad Hatter and Queen of Hearts to escort Alice through the Nightmare of M Street. Because all of my leopards need to look amazing this year.

• Poison Ivy: One of my favorite DC socialite Maria Chaconas turned heads last year in her take of this classic Batman villain. Want to get creative? Buy a green leotard from American Apparel, get on the eliptical this week and cut the Cheetos so your legs look okay, get a sexy red wig, and head over to Michael's Craft Store and string your body with faux-ivy. You'll look sexy and fun, unless you're an idiot and buy a wig that's a rancid fire engine-red color.
• Lady Gaga: Okay, okay. We all know it's going to be a little bit over done this year. Regardless, it's an easy and fun way for you to be beautiful/dirty/rich for the night.  Get a black leotard, the highest boots you can find, some black Ray Bans, and a blonde wig with bangs. Paint a lightening bolt on your cheek and get bonus if you bring Kermit the Frog as your date.
• Sunny-Side Up Egg: Gwen Stefani could wear poop and still look amazing. Well, she got pretty close and decided to wear a sunny-side up egg costume for Halloween last year, remembering not to exclude the glamour makeup and an adorable braided head band, the egg will definitely be eye popping. Plus, you can keep eating all week and won't have to worry about looking chubby in a slinky costume. 
• Pilgrim or Indian: Excuse me, Native American. But be one step ahead of the game, because you know in twenty four hours the cornucopias and turkey napkins will be hitting the shelves. Plus, you'll shock everyone when they expect you to show up as a sexpot but instead you'll look like a Massachusetts Purtian.
• "Single Ladies" Beyonce: Showoff Beyonce's most memorable and booty-licious look of the year with a black leotard, some pumps, an afro-wig, and the biggest hoop earrings that you can find (which you better have purchased already if you're an avid reader). And you never know, if you look hot enough in the leotard you may just find someone to  
• King Kong & Jane: Want to do a couples costume but are you the better looking member of the couple? Get a blonde Farrah-Fawcett-esque wig and make your man put on a full monkey suit. That way, you'll still look hot and his below par looks will not take away from you on the special holiday. 
• Breathalizer: One of my friends in college Max Spector dressed up in one of these ensembles a couple years ago and I still want to see someone pull it off again. It's a twenty five dollar costume and it's so cheapy looking that by the end of the night when it's time to breathalize yourself, you won't even feel guilty about getting it messy. 

There's officially no excuse no excuse to wear something stupid this year for Halloween. I'm looking forward to seeing an array of sunny-side up eggs and guys sweating underneath gorilla suits on M street this Saturday. 

Andrew Stover IS Chief Vino

I could just never get into the wine thing. I tried watching Sideways, but got nausea from the Paul Giamatti sex scenes and had to turn it off. I tried going wine tasting in Temecula Valley during my last visit to San Diego, but drank rather than tasted and ended up alone and asleep in the car by the third vineyard. I even tried pretending that I knew something about wine when the man I was dating at the time asked me to bring him over a full-body white and I spent $38 dollars on the Pinot Grigio with the prettiest bottle (translation: lots of gold and embellishments). Needless to stay, we stopped dating shortly after. It wasn't until I found someone as in love with wine as I am with leopard print that I knew I would give the world of vino one last shot. 

Michigan-native Andrew Stover IS the Chief Vino. And that's not just in reference to his fabulous blog that receives over five hundred hits a day. No, one of DC's top sommeliers Andrew Stover turned a personal obsession into a full blown career through his charisma, richesse attitude and ability to articulate wine-speak for the plebes like me who, before meeting Andrew, couldn't tell the difference between a Pinot Noir and a Pinot Grigio (I just asked for whatever I wanted by identifying a color...classy). After beginning work at Breaux Vineyards over seven years ago, the obsession began to manifest to such a great degree that he now has over 500 bottles of wine in his apartment at any given moment. He now works as the head sommelier at Oya (9th and H Street NW) and Sei (444 7th Street NW) and also hosts various wine seminars throughout the city. Andrew, who holds a sommelier diploma from the International Sommelier Guild and a Certified Specialist of Wine Certification (that's big stuff right there) continues to hold VIP status in the wine world and has been invited to private tastings all over the world, ranging from countries like Argentina and Brazil to Italy and the UK. 

This past month, Andrew Stover's love for wine expanded even further, as he developed his own line of delicate, zesty fusion wines titled Vino50. The collection will showcase an influence of flavor profiles from all 50 states in the union and will be sold at various wine events throughout the city. The Vino50 Syrah remains the most popular at the moment (and Mr. Stover's favorite).

Andrew enjoys wines suitable for a variety of different palates. Below, I've listed some of Andrew's favorite wines, along with the type of individual that may be pre-gaming with it before their next big night out on the town:

• Merkin 2006 Chupacabra Red: For the type of guy who likes loafers, wind-breakers, comb-overs, but still appreciates the finer things in life. After downing the Chupacabra, he'll probably end up at Third Edition afterwards looking for his dream date who will probably be donned in Lily Pulitzer (vom). It doesn't help the situation that the lead singer of Tool helped to produce this wine, either. 
• 2007 Kinkade Ridge Viognier: For the beautiful brunette dressed from head to toe in Zara and French Connection who will leave her table every fifteen minutes for a cigarette break. She's classy, bourgeois, and loves complexity and spontaneity in her life. Catch her at Lima and then L2 for after hours (because the Viognier girl needs an after hours).
• Due Torri Pinot Noir 2007: For the power woman lobbyist who needs to relax during happy hour after a long day in the male-dominated political world. She wears a pressed, expensive interview suit and only has one glass (but it still does the trick).
• 2008 Bon Bon Shiraz Rose: For the idiot dude trying to impress his girlfriend on a date because of the adorable bottle it's presented in. It's a very decent wine and definitely a cute bottle for a group of girlfriends to indulge, but if HE orders this, she should run. Fast. 
• 2008 Left Foot Charlie Riesling: For the blonde girl who is the life of the party and fabulous. She's probably Greek or Italian and after indulging in this bottle with a group of girlfriends donned in Sky tops, will make her way to either Fly or Currents. She looks great in leopard print and when it comes to wine, the sweeter is always the better. 

Even though I used to think that wine gave me a headache, after meeting Andrew Stover, it never tasted so good. Now if I could only make it through a wine tasting...

Andrew Stover can be visited online at his site, Chief Wino, located at www.chiefwino.com. You'll find tips on wine handling and storage, along with information on tons of great wine events throughout the city. Cheers!

Recession-Proof DC

Even though most of us are still going out, partying, traveling, and spending way out of our means (most of us meaning myself), the broken record of the poor economy continues to raise our stress levels- apparently in the third most expensive city in the nation. Evictions are becoming as commonplace as a pizza delivery and layoffs continue from companies that guarenteed job security in the past. It’s safe to say that unless you’re Jay-Z in the flesh, you too could end up on Craig’s List trying to work some stupid talent gig to pay for your rent (Red Bull girls, anyone?). Because times are so tough, especially for recent college graduates much like myself, I’ve compiled a list of DC locales that not only seem to be recession proof, but very lucrative despite the tough times:

• Parking Enforcer for the DC Department of Motor Vehicles: With the amount of parking tickets I receive in a single week alone, I can assure you a salary much more consistent , exciting, and of higher pay than that boring secretarial 9 to 5 you would have been forced to take. Plus, it’s been rumored that many DC socialites will pay the parking enforcers the big bucks to avoid bootage. 
  
• Line Cook at Ben’s Chilli Bowl: Despite the fact that a boy took me on a date here once (and obviously never took me on a date again after due to my physical aftermath after the meal) and I had a miserable time, if Obama eats there it must be alright. Claiming themselves as having the best chilli dogs in the nation’s capitol, the line’s always out the door, you might get featured in Wale’s next video, and you’ll have a lifetime supply of free chilli...what’s better then that?
  
• Exotic Dancer at Camelots: Feautring “Washington’s most beautiful show girls” according to their official website, you’ll be given the company of some of DC’s most pretigious men looking for a night of entertainment. And with strict adult entertainment laws in DC, you won’t even have to touch any of them! It will be an incentive to stay in shape, and you’ll even get free breakfast when you decide to work the Legs and Eggs shifts. 
  
• Taxi Driver for Diamond Cab Company: Their cabs are always late due to a constant influx of phone calls and requests for rides. You’ll be able to sit down in a cushy yellow Lincoln Continental all day (translation: my father’s dream), make new friends, and take the longest route possible when you think your custumors are either drunk or from out of town. Not a bad life. 
  
• Tour Guide at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment: Apparently people care more about how the electric chair works then they do about paying their car payments, because every day when I go into work I see a line wrapped around 7th and F to get into this museum. I’m sure it’s great, but with all of the free museums in DC, I’d rather see history before my eyes at a Smithsonian for free then learn about the torture methods of Helter Skelter. 
  

So, please don’t go on Monster or Indeed or Craig’s List or any of those job search websites tonight. Instead, I think that you should give one of the five DC recession-proof jobs a try. And then give me a 20% headhunter fee after you accumulate your first few regulars at Camelot’s. 

Halloween Happenings in DC

And I don't mean going to see Paranormal Activities and being so scarred after that you're forced to sleep with your room mate for two nights (translation: me). Despite coming from New England originally and celebrating Halloween next to the home of the Salem Witch Trials and many other eerie colonial histories that lent themselves perfectly to the holiday, DC has a great deal to be taken advantage of (If you dare...just kidding). Due the fact that I'm not a housewife and my waitressing schedule does not allot me the time to go to many of these, I've already begged a few people to be festive with me this weekend at one of these boo-ti-ful events in the city (and will probably end up sleeping with my room mate again, part two):

• Six Flags Fright Fest: Not only are all of the rides still opened at Six Flags America (including the Bat Man roller coaster which gave me nausea for three days straight), but there are various haunted houses and characters throughout the theme park.
• Boo at the Zoo: Why wouldn't you want to go somewhere with a name this cute? Not only are there 40 trick-or-treat stations available, but there are tons of exhibits dedicated to Halloween-ie animals, like owls, spiders, and bats. Just make sure to keep your Purell on you; the zoo's loaded with kids and you sure as hell don't want to end up with H1N1 (translation: the new flu virus, for those of you who don't pick up a newspaper) and ruin the actual Halloween.
• Ghost Tours of DC: With Lafayette Square Park being known as the most haunted site in DC, meet there every Wednesday through Saturday night at 7:30 pm for a frightening tour with Washington Walks that will be sure to give you the willies. Spirits include the six apparitions in St. John's Church, the poltergeist of the Hay-Adams hotel, and Abe Lincoln himself still haunting the White House today.
• DC Drag Queen Race: Every year on the Tuesday before Halloween, join your favorite Dupont gays to participate in a parade of costumes throughout the circle (mostly featuring drag). Sponsored by the Dupont Circle Neighborhood Association, you'll be sure to see your fair share of Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian look-alikes.
• Greenbelt Pumpkin Walk and Carving Festival: Held October 23rd and 24th in Greenbelt, enjoy musical entertainment while hundreds gather for pumpkin carving. Although they look adorable when lit, I tend to pass on pumpkin carving each year since I've almost needed stitches close to five times after attempting it. Still should be fun though.
• Haunted Washington Scavenger Hunt: Actually sounds pretty scary to me. On October 30th, this adults-only scavenger hunt will lead to to the spots said to be haunted by Abe Lincoln, Abigail Adams, Andrew Jackson, and James Madison. Who knows, one of them could make a cameo and give you a story to tell at your next cocktail party. Meet at Lafayette Square at 7:30 to participate. 
• National Museum of Crime and Punishment: Featuring a "fright night" at the museum, enter the walk through haunted house if you dare, featuring a real electric chair from Tennessee that executed over a hundred men at the turn of the twentieth century, along with several apparitions (AKA actors) who won't touch you if you're lucky. 
• Nightmare on M Street: My personal favorite Halloween happening, featuring two dollar Miller lites, open containers, and free Jello shots all a block away from my front door. Spend your Halloween at one of the best bar crawls the city has seen. 

So get a good costume and treat yourself to a fright this Halloween. And I don't mean one of those ridiculous Legs Avenue get-ups, ladies. 

...Even though I'll probably end up in one. 

The Sky's the Limit at Fly Lounge

There are very few nightlife outlets in DC that are consistently okay. They either become monochromatic in population (white, black, Persian, Korean, you name it), have an amazing grand opener with very little promising to follow (and so much talk that you feel like Bungalow 8 opened in the District...and Bungalow isn't even cool anymore), or are the setting of a Wale music video causing the wrong crowd of teeny-boppers with fake IDs to tramp all over the place turning it into a pedophile's dream. Despite my disappointment with DC venues, I always know that if I have a friend from Rhode Island in town (or any friend from out of town for that matter, but they're usually from the 401), I can always take them to Fly (1802 Jefferson Place) to ensure that their night out will be a crazy one. 

Operated by DC aficionado Piero S. (no need for a last name with this guy, trust me), the club has minimal capacity once you are confirmed fabulous enough to be let in (translation: a friend of Jamie, Ezra, or Matt's) and models itself as the inside of a Boeing 30-737, fully equipped with windows showing the clouds on TV monitors and stewardesses so sexy that you thought you were on the Hooters airline. If you tend to fly first class, Fly's got the hook up for you with pristine bottle service and your own personal stewardess to be at your service for the evening. 

Apart from the beautiful decor, Fly features some of the most versatile DJs in the District with music that will keep you "oh-my-God-I-love-this-song"-ing all night long. With DJ Dirty Handz and DJ Vik playing the perfect blend of house, Euro, and hip-hop, you can check out Fly any night of the week for a guaranteed good time. 

Aside from anything else, Fly hosted my sorority every Thursday night during my college years and even gave me the hook up to meeting Sean Paul and the cast of the Real World DC (even though I was entirely unimpressed with them, although one of the guys was pretty cute). The intimate club feel (the capacity in 250) is very hard to come by in DC and haven't really experienced anything much like it since my time in Paris. Fly doesn't try to be anything it's not, but most importantly, has always made sure that every girl there gets enough Patron in her system to ensure a perfect night of partying. 

Fly is open seven nights a week and located at 1802 Jefferson Place right off of Connecticut Ave. Want to feel at home during your next ski trip? I recently learned that the owners also have a Fly in Aspen, Colorado, modeled exactly like its DC sister location. If only I could close my eyes and bring over Matt Sklar and Piero. S. too.

<3, 

Angela

What's Wrong With Faking It?

I'm not exactly what you'd consider a "natural beauty". I'm not saying that I'm ugly by any means (not to be taken in a conceited way, but it's safe to say that if you're well groomed, dress half-decently, and don't resemble Fat Joe in the bodice then you shouldn't fall under that category), but I'm far from organic-looking. We've all heard it; that girl who supposedly looks great when she gets out of the shower. Well, frankly, I look like a hot mess when I get out of the shower; my pores are huge, the circles underneath my eyes become enlarged, somehow my cellulite becomes that much worse, and my bangs are slicked back in such a way so that my rancid Widow's peak is exposed. Because I've discovered this from a young age and am fully aware that the phrase "nobody's perfect" is completely and totally applicable to my very being, I began to dive into the world of beauty culture and self improvement from a very young age. Sally's Beauty Supply was like a candy store for me and in the sixth grade recall forcing my mother to buy me hair mascara so that I could streak my hair with in what my mind resembled "naturally blonde high lights" (NOTTTT). I've had several slip-ups over the years- hot pink Manic Panic hair, butterfly clips, and white eyeliner probably being the most offensive- but gained some pretty good beauty techniques over the years that allowed me to fake adequacy in the looks department. I became so obsessed that I've even developed a passion for make-up artistry and was hired as an artist at Prep Cosmetics at Thames Street in Newport, Rhode Island last summer. Although I've already heavily stressed the importance of clip-in hair and hoop earrings as a necessity in every woman's wardrobe, I've compiled a list on behalf of my readers that will make your appearance pageant ready every day (Not quite. But sometimes in my head I feel like I am):

• Blackjack by MAC: This insanely precise black eyeliner comes as a liquid form in a small pot with a slanted brush for application. Not only will it highlight your natural eye color better then any other eyeliner on the market, but works great for cat eyes and those who want the straight across, Gwen Stefani-meets-Old-Hollywood looks. This is NOT a product for subtle people who wear Vera Bradley and like to smudge their navy blue eyeliner...ick. 
• Sephora Bronzer Brush 370: My favorite make-up brush, and it's only $13! Circular and dramatic, this brush is easy to use and contours your cheek bones perfectly. It gives you that professional, evenly- bronzed look for barely anything. 
• Kertain Treatments by Keratesse: Yes, I am living on a waitress/event planner's salary, but I splurge every four months on one of these Brazilian protein treatments that straighten out and condition unruly, kinky hair. It now takes me only ten minutes to blow out my hair while in the past would be forced to deal with my Mufasa mane for over an hour. I like to get mine done by Selena at Molecule (1800 M Street NW). 
• Crystal Pink by Napoleon Perdis: Probably the best lip gloss ever invented. Enough said. I kid you not, you will have huge, sexy lips that will make any Playboy Playmate envious. It is the best color I've ever worked with on such a wide variety of clientele. **If you get nothing out of this post, this product is the most important!!**
• Fiberwig Mascara: The best mascara on the market right now, and it's not even by a designer. If you're too much of a bum to deal with putting on fake eyelashes (even though they will change your look, I promise you), this excellent mascara available at Sephora contains tiny amounts of fibers that actually increase the length and volume of your lashes as you apply it. Even better, all you have to do for removal is rub them with a little bit of hot water while you peel the mascara off. 
• Linkin Park After Dark by OPI: I know what you're going to say. This color was "sooo last winter" and already way out of the picture kicked out by all of Rihanna's ridiculous neon stupidity. But I don't care. This color's dramatic eggplant shade continues to make any outfit look fierce. 
• NARS Concealers: Throw away all of the Bare Escentuals crap that you bought two years ago when you saw that informercial. No, you can't sleep in it, yes, it looks cakey, and yes, you're still breaking out! Invest in something a little bit lighter and forget about full coverage. The NARS concealers all come in lipstick packaging and are great for spot treatments, which is really all you need to cover that awful pimple plus a little bit of pressed powder. Swear off full-facial coverage forever, my baby leopards. 
• Fantasy by Britney Spears: I don't care what anyone says, but this is the best fragrance of all time. Because who doesn't want to smell like cotton candy-meets lavender? Exactly.
• Fake Eyelashes: Don't waste your $16 dollars on fake eyelashes from MAC that you're going to fall asleep drunk in and loose.  Buy Modlash, or any of the other $3 drugstore brands, but here's the trick; Be sure to buy a dark colored glue so that your eyeliner and glue blend in with each other. Too often do I see girls with white stripes across their lash lines, which resembles white eyeliner, and is a huge no-no. This is also one of the most integral parts of my personal make-up routine and pulls any look together. Despite what my mother says, I will NEVER stop wearing fake eyelashes.
• Belly button rings: Haha, just kidding. Wanted to see if you really read this far. I did used to have one, however. 
• Latisse: I'm not eyelash obsessed, but this is probably one of the greatest inventions of all time. This product, which is applied nightly, literally triples the size of your eyelashes. I began using it and saw amazing results, but couldn't afford the $125 dollar tube for each month's supply upon leaving my parents financial support as a young adult in the big city. If you can get it, however, it's probably one of the world's best inventions. 
• Airbrush Tanning by Solar Planet: The DC tanning chain has recently brought in a new system of airbrush tanning that is extremely impressive. Despite it's expensive price tag at $75 dollars a spray tan, you'll leave feeling bronzed and not orange and won't have melanoma. I hate Mystic Tanning, but highly recommend this new system.

I feel like Fran Drescher from the Beautician and the Beast right now (which is also one of my favorite movies of all time, I might add) but hopefully you too will understand that there's nothing wrong with a little bit of an illusion... 

I mean, if guys on Match.com can lie to me and tell me that they're 29 when they're really 42, then wearing fake eyelashes really isn't half bad. 

Bisou-

Angela =)