Salvage your Summer, Washingtoniennes!

Though DC is truly the best city in the world, there’s one thing that really bums me out when it comes to Capital living; DC summer humidity. Most people actually find it worse than Florida’s, and with that being said, literally causes me to be in the midst of an asthma attack every time I walk outside. And while health impairments are no fun, there’s one thing that’s even worse; humidity hair. Yes, if you have naturally curly hair like I do, DC summers are hair suicide, but having researched every product far and wide under the sun (No, John Frieda, Frizz Ease does NOT work), have discovered that a more costly investment does the trick when it comes to dealing with DC’s horrible conditions. The Keratasse Keratin treatment has truly saved my life, and while I typically get it done at Salon D’Talia when I go home to Rhode Island (best salon there is, call 401.349.0746 for an appointment and ask for Maria Corrente, she’s amazing!), I’ve been able to find a few economical locations in DC who do the trick without straight up skimping on the product itself. If you have a little bit of extra money to spend and are looking to salvage your hair for the summer months, check out these great locations for a DC-based Keratin treatment (unless you can make it to Salon D’Talia, that is):


• Bang Salon, Verizon Center. Ask for Sonam or Eden. It’s usually from $300-$350.

• Glynn Jones Salon, Dupont. It’s about $350, and haven’t heard a bad thing from anyone.

• Ibiza Day Spa, DC. $350

• Axis Salon, Dupont Circle. $375.

If you go anywhere else, they could still be great, but not economical (I went to a Dupont Circle Salon last year that wasn’t even that nice, and though I won’t slander their reputation, paid $450 for a mediocre Keratin treatment; not the best move if you have champagne taste on a beer budget like me). And while Keratin treatments are still expensive regardless, if you have kinky, unruly hair, it will change your summer and greatly improve the length of time that it would typically take you to get ready in the morning. I can’t recommend it enough.

Ginger's Rock: Miss USA 2011

Of course I watched this year’s Miss USA pageant with a piece of chocolate cake in front of the television. Not exactly the most confidence-boosting experience while watching the size 00 girls strut in their swim suits, but as an avid pageant aficionado, was so happy to see the underdog contestant win. Or, maybe not the underdog, per se; Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella, was beautiful, in amazing shape, and worlds smarter than the other contestants when it came to the on stage question. More importantly, she was the first red headed Miss USA to be crowned in ages (very Ron Weasley-esque), and is a pretty nice compliment to follow her successor, the first Arabic-American winner crowned. But even cooler, she graduated college with a 4.0, moved from the Jerz to LA, and has a Poison Ivy-like look to her that’s ass-kickingly fabulous and proves that Miss USA is more than just a t&a pageant (as I hear many of my Team Miss America friends say mockingly about The Donald’s renound brand). A future Miss Universe? Let’s not get carried away; I’m sorry, but Latin American winners are on a whole other level. But she could definitely place, and more importantly, reinforces that the Miss USA brand can reflect beauty and intellect as one.

I Heart J Boog

Even though he wore a towel over his head for the majority of one of the concerts I watched of his on YouTube (implying that, I guess, he has a very bald, sweaty head), J Boog is truly my new Sade when it comes to relaxation, chill music. Samoan by heritage and born in California, J Boog has slowly infiltrated the reggae scene with his smooth beats, islander accent, and delicious collaborations with some of reggae’s other finest. He’s saved me in the airport on multiple occasions when I’ve been close to having a panic attack waiting in security lines, and has released an EP of eight tracks that’s now on my most played list on my iPod. From his Hawaiian hit “Every Little Thing” featuring Fiji to his amazing cover of The Clash’s “Police and Thieves” (which, in all honesty, is better than the original), I feel like this guy’s going to go mainstream before you know it. If you’re a Collie Budz or Slightly Stoopid fan, or listen to any of the local Hawaiian reggae groups on Island 98.5, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t downloaded his music off of iTunes yet. Whether you’re in Rhode Island or DC, download J Boog (not to be confused with B2K's J Boog) and immediately be transported to the islands…And though he make not be the stereotypical type of hot throb, if you can sing like him and you’re exotic, what more do you need to attract the ladies?

SAX DC is SAXXY!

If you haven’t been to Sax Restaurant and Lounge in DC yet, you are truly missing out on the city’s newest gem. If you’ve been reading this blog on the regs, then you know that I like to feel like I’m Europe and/or not in America when I go out at night. Well, Sax does the trick; modeled after the Paris Opera House, this place as an ornate, Euro/baroque flare, with a comical edge. Frescoes line the walls and ceiling, but rather than capturing Archangel Gabriel or other Biblical muses, Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, and other Washingtonian specialties make you feel like you’re at home but give you a laugh in the process.


Most amazingly, the bar is adorned above with a picture-frame stage, and every half hour, guests are greeted by burlesque-like dancers performing mini-vignettes, making you feel like you’re watching a combination of a Lady Gaga concert and Eyes Wide Shut. With the red and gold color scheme, beautiful chandeliers, and probably the most good-looking staff I’ve seen in DC to date, decadence is definitely the operative word to describing a place as beautiful as Sax.

And the rave reviews don’t stop at the ambience; bring your friggin appetite, because this French-fusion eatery definitely gives other DC restaurants a run for their money. Developed by the Santoy Hospitality Group (who also helped to develop SEI and Oya, which, if you didn’t know, I’m equally as huge a fan of), the food is top of line, and like most of what they do in their culinary execution, combine unique flavors and truly encourage the guest to ‘taste’, rather than eat, when it comes to enjoying what’s in front of them. Though I can’t speak to the whole menu, as I was only there for the grand opening, I have heard nothing but incredible things and have loved everything I’ve tried.

The only downside about Sax? I don’t know if DC’s ready for a place this insane, but am happy that it exists. If you’re looking to feel like you’re in Vegas, Paris, or some other fabulous locale for the evening, make sure you dress to the nines, bring your hottest group of friends, and indulge in Sax Restaurant and Lounge.

Sax is located at 734 11^th Street NW Washington, DC. Reservations are preferred; Call 202-737-0101 to ensure the best experience.  

Gaga, why?

Clearly if you’ve read more than three entries on this blog, you’re aware that I’m a huge fan of Lady Gaga. And why wouldn’t I be? She has a fabulous voice, copied my bangs haircut from me (JK), has great dance tracks, and loves the gays. But I have a bone to pick with homegirl as of lately; sure, she’s trying to be original and whatever, but if I was a multi-million record selling artist and had access to all of the resources and dollars in the world, I would look like a million bucks; It would be extensions-, lipo-, rhinoplasty-, Louboutain- city. I would go to the best trainers, have my teeth professionally whitened, eat only the freshest sushi and arugula, and drink SmartWater whenever I wanted (let’s face it; that stuff is $3 a bottle and out of my plebey price range). With Gaga having access to this and God knows what else, I don’t understand why she would purposely want to do unflattering things to herself. I’m not perfect and by all means an expert when it comes to vanity, but why do things to yourself that you know aren’t going to look good? Such as:


1. The neck braces, veils, and other accessories that make her seem like she’s recovering after having been hit by a bus. But at least very fashionably, to say the least.

2. The spikes, or whatever the hell they are, protruding from her forehead. They look like tumors and there’s nothing sexy about them.

3. The black bangs and blonde hair. Cruella, anyone?

4. The shaven eyebrows and lack of fake eyelashes. If you have a schnoz, you need to balance out your face (trust me I know this from experience). Perhaps she’s just looking to flaunt her Mediterranean heritage, but a little false eyelashes and eyebrows never hurt anyone.

5. This new bandana look. She’s the queen of fashion, Haus of Gaga, lover of Chanel, whatever; but with this accessory, it appears that she’s channeling Brett Michaels.

Yes, Gaga, I love you. You’re great. Jesus is the new Black. Whatever. BUT; I can’t get over the fact that she doe such unflattering things to herself…Hopefully we won’t have a meat dress repeat.

Soy Enamorando Con Estadio!

I know, it’s old news, and I probably should have made the rounds over there by now. But in the deliciously fabulous ‘’gayborhood’’, also known as the 14th street corridor, there’s a sprinkling of restaurants and lounges that give NYC (AKA “the Citayyyy”, to be said in your most bimbo, Whitney Port-esque voice possible) a run for its money. One, which I frequented last night, was good on so many levels that I can’t wait to go back and actually have a full dinner.


Estadio is charming; its Spanish flare is totally unpretentious but still quaint in this tapas eatery, and the staff are exactly the same. While there’s definitely a formality in place with the service, I don’t feel like they’re judging the fact that I’m wearing Just Cavalli instead of Roberto. In fact, the place has got that casual chicness that brought me back to a café in Barcelona (even though I didn’t have the best experience there, but that’s another story for another day). What’s even better is that this place caters to whatever your night may bring; drinks with the girls, dinner date with the boyfriend, night out when the familia comes to DC, whatever, Estadio is a restaurant that is enjoyable and seems to cater to whatever the occasion.

My only peeve here? Half the reason I order champagne or cava is to drink out of the fance glass (yes, I am that girl), and the majority of cocktails at Estadio are served in short, skinny glasses that look like they haven’t been retired from my Yiayia’s pantry since 1962. I’m sorry, but if I’m going to be spending $10 on a cocktail, please do me a favor and hook me up with a sexy glass. Regardless, Estadio is lovely and a MUST if you’re looking to go for dinner and/or drinks, not be judged, and feel like you’re in Europe even if it’s only for a hot sec.