Spring Blooms

(Silence + Noise blazer, F21 tee, UO necklaces, BDG tights, Aldo heels, Club Monaco scarf)

I am so happy that spring has finally sprung! The weather in DC is very similar to that of New Orleans in that you never know what you are going to get. One second it's cold, the next it's hot. So for now, it is still a bit chilly - layers are in order.

Dumbarton Oaks, located in the heart of Georgetown, was originally built in 1800 for Vice President John C. Calhoun. Several additions have been made to the house over the years, including that of the late great architect, Philip Johnson. Today, it is a research center for Harvard University, and the grounds include a museum and a magnificent sea of gardens that seem to never end. Certainly the closest to a European garden experience one can have. A must see if ever in the DC area.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately - I have been stuck in studio for the past week preparing for my FINAL REVIEW next Tuesday. Stress levels are high! Hope it all pays off.. Wish me luck! :)

Philly. Check.

(UO Lucca Couture blazer, F21 striped bodysuit, Zara paints, H&M belt, Steve Madden platforms)

I love the layering of horizontal + vertical stripes. The pants are at kind of an awkward height, where the waist sits right above normal, but not quite "high".. Oddly enough, it worked for my body type - being that I have such a short torso (sigh) it didn't cut off my waist but sat high enough to give me the illusion of hips. It's still a little chilly in the NE so I think the outfit is a perfect transition into spring.

Okay. I know this is weird, but... (excuse the pun, you'll get it in a bit) my roommate the day of the trip says, "Rachel, I've been noticing.. you've grown a butt!" You guys have no idea how happy that makes me! LOL My nick name when I was young was "tic-tac" (flat all the way around). I was a late bloomer for sure. My sophmore year in high school I grew bubbies literally over night, but always top heavy. And now at 26, I finally grew a butt!

Wait.. did I just say 26?

I think it is unfortunate that when Americans think of travel, we always want to go outside of the United States. I am definitely guilty of this and want to dedicate more of my travel time within the US, particularly it's big cities. I have been lucky enough to see a lot but still have yet to visit Chicago, Seattle, St. Louis, Phoenix...

I recently took a day trip to Philadelphia and can now check it off my list. Check.

All of the hype about Philly, was revolved around this steak sandwich shop, Geno's, home of the original Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. Allegedly. Friends from Philly highly recommended it + reviews online were all positive. I am not a food snob in the tiniest bit, but I have to say, it was probably THE WORST steak sandwich I ever had, especially to say it's the original. They asked me if I want it dressed or not (by that they meant do I want onions or not, that's it.) for my cheese options: provolone, american, or WIZ - and when they say wiz, they mean Cheese Wiz - Not kidding. Service sucked too - not to mention I thought the bottom sticker at the windows greeting the patrons was pretty rude. I get so excited about good food, this unfortunately was a HUGE let down + kind of ruined our day. And after writing all of this...

I think I'm still upset. lol

My roommate usually likes everything too! It should be Ge-hell-no's

This was a must for our visit. The Comcast Center, designed by Robert A. M. Stern, is Philadelphia's tallest building at 975 feet (58 stories). In efforts to be environmentally friendly, such as use 40% less water than the average office building saving 3mil gallons of drinking water annually, it has achieved the title of being the tallest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in the US - a pretty high honor. The skin of the building is what is most attractive to me. It is an abstracted glass curtain that allows as much natural light inside while protecting energy loss to the interior spaces. The glass is so delicate it appears to be invisible.

The lobby is an amazing artistic experience - There is a huge 2,000 sq ft HD screen wall that generates remarkable video images. I have no clue why there are people walking along the structure of the building - but it looks cool.

Just one happy family.

PS - My amazing older brother buys me the best gifts. He welcomed me to DC with the Longchamp tote seen in the pic - so versatile and easy-breezy, it became my staple bag.

Of course we had to go the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Not just to see the amazing Picasso exhibit, but to run up the Rocky steps!

I think I lost my damn mind when I saw those steps, without warning I frantically sprinted up there in heels.

I can see the Stallone resemblance. Can't you?

The Liberty Bell

We had a fantastic time in Philly, despite the cheese steak rant, but then again you put me and Kelby in a car with a dash of Beyonce - it's always a blast!

Hope you guys had a great weekend too!! xx

French Quarter Festing

While studying in DC, I am fortunate to be able to fly home and visit my family about once a month. Of course the April visit was reserved for the French Quarter Fest, an annual weekend festival that celebrates everything New Orleans, particularly the uh-mazing food! The Fest stretches from Bourbon Street all the way down the Mississippi River, but the best of the best food vendors (Emeril's, Jacques-Imo's, Muriel's, etc.) are parked right inside the famous St. Louis Cathedral courtyard. Fortunately, we are great friends with one of these vendors, the owners of Trey Yuen, an award-winning and highly acclaimed Chinese Restaurant. We were able to beat-the-heat in the shade behind the scenes and sample all of the fabulous cuisines Trey Yuen and fellow vendors had to offer, like Crawfish in Lobster Sauce, Duck Po-boy, and authentic Boudin with horseradish dressing.

I was so excited to post pictures of my city and all of it's uniqueness. Unfortunately, the pictures stopped early in the day - somewhere shortly after I was handed a Hurricane cocktail from Pat O'Brien's. Highly recommended.

Tropical Isle: home to the Hand Grenade, Bourbon Street's most famous drink.

(Don't get the Tropical Itch because once you do, you can't get rid of it. Highly not recommended.)

A Mermaid's Purse

I know my hair is unruly - but sometimes I just gotta keep it real. lol

(FCUK beaded top, Zara jean shorts, F21 sunnies, CC Skye bracelets, Aldo booties, Club Monaco bag)

Every time I shop, my eyes are peeled for a leather fringe bag. When I saw this bag at Club Monaco, I fell in love from a far, but looking at it up close is when I knew it was the one for me! How awesome is the way it opens up?!

Fully open, it instantly reminded me of a shark egg - which is kept inside an envelope called a Mermaid's Purse. How appropriate.

I am visiting my hometown of New Orleans this weekend - it's French Quarter Fest!

Fantastic food + Free Music + Great friends + Drink Specials = A Happy Rachel

Can't wait to post pics! Be on the look-out.

I am still new to the blogger world, so your sweet comments mean everything to me + connect me to your blog!! I just love that.

A big THANK YOU to everyone for reading! xx

Potomac Stroll

Stroll home from brunch along the Potomac

My backyard :)

(F21 romper/one-piece, Steve Madden heels, Tom Ford sunglasses, Express bangle, Vintage necklace)

When the boyfriend came to visit me last, we made a conscious decision to make it the most laid-back trip possible. We enjoyed rolling out of bed past noon, staying in our pjs all day, and catching up on the latest On-Demand had to offer. The exception to the rule was a trip to the National Gallery of Art, since he had never been there before. Not only is it a must for the art - the architecture of the East Wing is superb. Done by the great I.M. Pei, who is most famous for his pyramid at the Louvre in Paris.

Famous corner edge of the building

Honeycomb skylights

I heart Degas

They loved pugs back then too.

Let's all give the bf a round of applause to welcome him to the new millennium. He will not stop taking pictures on his cell phone - and mind you he is part of no social network.

xx