More To Come Soon!

Hello everybody!

I know it's been a while... I've been quite busy lately with summer winding down and moving into my new place! I can't wait to share my apartment with all of you but I still have a few more finishing touches to add. More to come soon!

Frank Lloyd Wright: Pope-Leighey House (with Woodlawn Mixed In)

Something I've been meaning to check off my to-do list is see Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House in Virginia.  Ever since I took a spontaneous trip to Pennsylvania to see Falling Water, I have been hooked on FLW's minimal, mid-century modern design.  In fact, one of the few things on my bucket list is to see every FLW house that is open to the public.

The Pope-Leighey House's original location was in Falls Church.  However, the house was set to be torn down in order to build Route 66.  The owner at the time contacted the National Trust and the house was moved to the Woodlawn property where it sits today.  It's amazing to me how many of FLW's works have been destroyed through out the years.

Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed to be taken of the inside, but after our short, private tour I was able to walk around the outside and snap some shots.  The house is small with two bedrooms and one bathroom and is considered one of FLW's Usonian houses - very minimal and affordable for the average American.

The tour guide pointed out many of FLW's classic details.  For example, a small carport instead of a garage, low ceilings in the entryway and hallway, the continuity of horizontal lines, and modular furniture.  The house reminded me very much of the Gordon House in Oregon.  They have a very similar layout.

We were also able to tour the Woodlawn house that is on the property.  To be quite honest, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Pope-Leighey House.  The Woodlawn house is about 150 years older and, in my opinion, boring.

I'm so glad we were able to take this lovely little day trip to Virginia!  I also posted a picture about it on my Instagram account, so follow me over there as well!

Have you visited any Frank Lloyd Wright houses?? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear about it.

Xx Christy

Union Market

Photo courtesy of historicdc.com

This morning, I was in a certain mood.  It was such a beautiful morning and I was looking forward to going to the farmer's market in Downtown Annapolis.  Unfortunately, the local market wasn't open, so CJ and I made a quick decision to head into DC and visit Union Market.  I was so satisfied with our decision.

If you didn't know about Union Market, you would never know it was there.  It's tucked away into an underdeveloped section of NE, sitting amongst warehouses and industrial buildings.  Also, THEY HAVE AMPLE, FREE PARKING, which is basically unheard of in DC.  We arrived around 10:30 and the market was already buzzing with people enjoying nice weather and good food.

The quirk that I love about Union Market is the wide variety of stalls.  Like, where else can I get bread pudding, Korean BBQ tacos, and a professional Japanese cooking knife all in one place?  One of my favorite shops is Salt and Sundry.  It's such a small store but I could spend HOURS in there looking at every single thing.  They have an amazing array of unique and artsy dinnerware, barware, and general home goods, so naturally I'm obsessed with it.  It is very similar to the home section of Anthropologie in my opinion, but a little more affordable.

Another stall that I frequent is called Red Apron.  It's a butcher stand with huge variety of hard and soft salamis, like chorizo and pepperoni - "a candy store for meat lovers" as they call it.  I normally come here when I'm putting together a charcuterie board for a party or something similar.  It's a nice way to spice up a dish and make it more notable, rather than picking up the standard, generic meats at the regular supermarket.  Plus, it's super affordable and the employees are always willing to help out and offer recommendations.

On the opposite side of the meat counter is the sandwich counter.  The masterminds at Red Apron have created a handful of different sandwiches incorporating their meats, as well as other unique flavors.  I ordered a Porkstrami, which was pork and sauerkraut with whole grain mustard and came on fresh bread from the baker a few stalls down.  And honestly, I can't even remember what CJ ordered because I was so into my sandwich.

I've recently had a peaked interest in markets.  I love going to farmer's markets, the Amish market, and of course, Union Market.  I think that it's a great way to explore the community while supporting local businesses.  I'm in love with the concept.

Do you guys have any favorite markets that you frequent??

Xx Christy

WRNR's Private Artist Showcase feat. JAMES BAY

If you know anything about me, you know that my favorite radio station is by far 103.1 WRNR.  I am constantly raving about this station to all of my friends and family.  If I'm not listening to it in the car you can guarantee that I'm streaming it from my iPad. I basically listen to it 24/7.
If you are unfamiliar, WRNR is a local Annapolis rock and roll radio station that seamlessly integrates the classics with amazing new music from up and coming artists.  They are also a reliable source for the super cool events that are going on in Annapolis.

WRNR frequently hosts Private Artist Showcases: a small, intimate show, usually at Ram's Head On Stage, featuring a fresh, new artist and they were gracious enough to gift me tickets for the Showcase with James Bay.  With his signature chapeau, Bay played a four song set, including some of my favorites: Let It Go, When We Were On Fire, and Hold Back the River (#blessed).  It was such an amazing little show with big talent!

I've really been loving the solo artists coming out of the UK recently, like Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, and of course, James Bay.  I can't get enough of these fabulous artists! Who are some of your favorite new artists? Do you have any from Britain as well?

Xx Christy

A Little Update!

Hello everybody!

So, I know it has been quite a while since I've been here.  I've been very busy: I started a new job as a Labor and Delivery nurse and have been traveling a bit as well.

I've really been missing writing posts and sharing things with you guys, however, I am running out of beauty inspiration and am ready to take this blog down a different path.  That being said, I would like to turn this into more of a lifestyle blog.  I want to share with you guys my experiences and things that are happening in my life around Annapolis and the DC Metro area.  Not only that, I like the idea of keeping an online journal of sorts that I can look back on later in my life and remember the experiences that I had.

There are a couple of things I have coming up in my schedule and one of my favorites is the WRNR Private Artist Showcase featuring James Bay in Annapolis.  I can't wait to tell you all about it and show you pictures. I am SO very excited moving forward with this blog and I can't wait to share things with each and every one of you!

Xx Christy

Latest Obsession: Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush

Was anyone as exited as I was when Charlotte Tilbury launched her US online store?  I was ecstatic to finally be able to get my hands on some products from her line.  Many of her products really interested me, but none more than the Cheek to Chic blush in Love Glow.  I fell in love with this color.  It is a very warm pinkish color with bits of shimmer that really give off a glow.

This blush is also known as the "swish and pop" blush.  I checked out some videos on Charlotte Tilbury's Youtube channel to see what this is about.  So the idea is that you swish your brush around the outer circle of the blush and apply it to your cheeks as usual.  And then you take a little bit of the middle color and pop it on to the apples of your cheek so that they stand out a little more and it gives them some extra umphff.

And let's talk about the packaging.  OMG.  I love holding this blush in my hand.  I think that it's so sleek and chic.  Not only that, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box.  The outside just looked like a plain, old brown cardboard shipping box.  But on the inside it was a luxurious experience.  Like, I felt so special just opening this package.  The shipping receipt even came in a fancy shmancy CT envelope.  I felt so high class.

Anyways, I can't wait to try more of Charlotte Tilbury's products.  I've had my eye on her matte lipsticks and have heard amazing things about them.

What products are you excited to try??

Xx Christy

Fall LUSH Haul

This is one of my favorite times of year at LUSH.  They have a whole collection of Halloween products out and there's also the anticipation of the Christmas collection.  So, this weekend I popped into the LUSH shop with my sister so that we could check out the Halloween products!

1. Sparkly Pumpkin
I love this bubble bar! I think it is so beautiful and embodies the fall season.  I wanted to buy thirty of these and set them up all around my bathroom as a fall decoration.  I love the way the glitter looks on this cute little pumpkin.  This bubble bar has almost like a grapefruit candy type of scent.  A little more on the sweeter side, as opposed to the spicy side.  Either way, really excited to try it!

2. Northern Lights
Hands down, this is the most beautiful bath bomb I have ever seen.  When I was talking to the girl in the store she said it was supposed to be reminiscent of fireworks during the party season, as well as the Northern Lights obviously.  She did a demo while we there and the colors in this are truly mesmerizing.  This is more of a foamy bath bomb and I don't know if you can see in the pictures but it has these cute little pieces of glitter stars in it.

3. Lord of Misrule
This bath bomb is more traditional and I got it because I'm obsessed with the smell.  It's very spicy and herby (if that's a word...?).  I was also excited to hear that once the green fizzes away in the bath, the bomb changes to a deep purple and turns the water a very deep wine color.  A wine bath? Yes please.

4. Wizard
This is a new product I believe and I think that he is so adorable.  This is a bubble bar and it's actually my favorite product in the Halloween line.  I ended up buying two, because I love him so much.  This has a very spicy scent and will be the perfect addition to a bath on a chilly fall night.

So that just about wraps it up.  I'm going to try and use all of these this months so I can make way for the Christmas products!! I am so excited!

What are your favorite LUSH holiday items??

Xx Christy