Event Recap: Field Notes with Voto Latino President & CEO, Maria Teresa Kumar

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

Last night I had the privilege of attending Rent the Runway Georgetown’s first Field Notes: Local Workshops with Maria Teresa Kumar, President and CEO of Voto Latino.
“Voto Latino is a nonpartisan organization that empowers Latino Millennials to claim a better future for themselves and their community. United by the belief that Latino issues are American issues and American issues are Latino issues, Voto Latino is dedicated to bringing new and diverse voices to develop leaders by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change.” Which is a mission we all should be supporting.

Maria Teresa Kumar shared with us her Field Notes on starting a non-profit while balancing motherhood, and discusses the important role of being bi-cultural – both for her personally and for the nation. We got to listen and learn from her amazing journey and message. One of the things she said that really resonated with me was that she did the best she knew how with the tools that she learned from those before her until she realized that sometimes there were other ways and encouraged us all to ask questions and learn!!  It was a pleasure to get to hear her speak.  Then we got to shop and feel great about it because 20% percent of the evening’s proceeds went to Voto Latino. This is just the first in a series of talks that Rent The Runway has scheduled over the next few weeks.  See them all here and RSVP if you want to join, they are filling up quickly!!!

Posted in Entrepreneur, FieldNotes, GirlBoss, GirlPower, RentTheRunway | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: Fashion with District Closets and Shop The Capital

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

Guest of a Guest DC and Spicy Candy DC invite you to attend the third District Closets shopping event at Reddz Trading on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. Attendees will be able to meet, and shop the personal closets of, DC’s top style bloggers including Anchyi @ Work, 52 Thursdays, District Dress Up, Petite Flower and Let it Be Beautiful.

Guests will have the opportunity to shop designer clothing, accessories and jewelry at Reddz Trading in Georgetown while sipping complimentary champagne, snacking on delicious bites courtesy of &pizza, enjoying exclusive makeup touch ups by Makeup Factory artist Lindsay Ebbin and hair braiding by blo blow dry bar.

WHAT:          Guest of a Guest and SCDC Host District Closets

WHEN:          Saturday, September 19, 2015 1PM – 4PM

WHERE:       Reddz Trading 1413 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC 20007

shop the capital

It is indeed a fact that Washington, DC is the Nation’s Capital, but the best kept secret is how the city has emerged into a fashion capital!   Just in time for International Fashion Weeks in Milan, Paris and NY, Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel presents the 2nd annual SHOP THE CAPITAL – a month long celebration of local design talent that will allow hotel guests and area residents to celebrate the new fashion identity of DC, shop the collections of local designers and mingle with the city’s fashion community. RSVP here.

Celebrate with Accessory Designers Sophie Blake, Twisted Aristocrat, Denada Designs, Anna Bags, Drukker Designs, and Hernan Gigena

WHAT:          Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel presents the 2nd annual #ShopTheCapital Accessories Pop-Up

WHEN:          Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

WHERE:       Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel 1143 New Hampshire Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20037

Posted in DistrictClosets, GuestOfaGuest, Reddz, SCDC, SpicyCandyDC | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Events: Fit For Foodies

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

Sun Sept 20: Bitches Who Brunch Fall Brunchfest

bwb brunchfest

Sunday, Sept. 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at Long View Gallery.

Join Bitches Who Brunch and Heirloom Catering as we celebrate local businesses with a harvest brunch festival. Come feast on great food, enjoy live music by James & Emma, shop the fall line in the South Moon Under pop-up, and celebrate all things made in D.C.

Your ticket includes a catered brunch by Heirloom, bottomless beverages by 3 Stars Brewing, Ketel One, and Bulleit whiskey, and a swag bag full of goodies from some of our favorite local D.C. brands, including Olivia Macaron and Urban Stems.

RSVP here.

Mon Sept 21: A Beer Dinner, Denizens at The Daily Dish

Denizens_distressed_3 the dish

September 21, 6:30 pm (dinner promptly at 7)
5 Beers, 5 Courses, $70 Reservations Required. See Ticket Link.
Co-Owners Julie Verratti & Taylor Barnes will discuss the brewery & the beers

Social Starters – Bocho Gose
* Cherrystone Grilled Clams, Roasted Corn & Smoked Poblano Pepper Salsa * Creamy Tomatillo Dip, Daikon Radish, Pickled Celery, Crispy Corn Tortilla * Green Tomato and Beet Gazpacho *

Salad Course – Trainspotting Pale Ale
* Spinach Salad over Roasted Kale, Sundried Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Mild Feta, Cilantro Vinaigrette *

Seafood Course – Big Red Norm Red Ale
* Grilled Shrimp Brochette, Curried Sweet Potatoes, Ground Cherry Chutney *

Entrée – Lowest Lord ESB
* Roasted Goat Shoulder, Celery Root Purée, Roasted Green & Yellow Cauliflower *

Cheese Course – Drie Day Brett White IPA
* Grapefruit Sorbet, Kaffir Lime Panna Cotta, French Munster, Green Peppercorn, Aged Gouda *

Bring a business card to win fun stuff from The Daily Dish & Denizens Brewing Co,art by Jim Ritter. Vegetarian Options available. Please let us know when you reserve. $60 without beer. Reservations will require a credit card number. Cancellations after September 20 will incur a $50 fee.

http://www.facebook.com/events/528782837275296/

Friday Sept 25: A Tasting & Winemaker’s Dinner Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca Featuring Paolo Scavino Winery

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Bibiana Osteria Enoteca will host a guided tasting and winemaker’s dinner showcasing wines from Paolo Scavino Winery, the historic winery situated in the Barolo Region of Italy.  Founded in 1921 by Lorenzo Scavino and his son Paolo, Paolo Scavino Winery has always been a family tradition and passion. Today fourth generation winemaker Enrico Scavino, along with his daughters Enrica and Elisa, run the family estate. With over 60 years of experience, Scavino’s focus is to invest in important cru of Nebbiolo to show the uniqueness of each terroir.  Guests at this special evening will explore the wines with a four-course dinner created by Executive Chef Jake Addeo. Tickets are priced at $100 per person (tax and gratuity not included).  It begins with a guided tasting of vintages including Barbera d’Alba Affinato in Carati, Piedmont, Italy 2012; Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2012; Barolo 2010, and the Bric del Fiasc 2007. The complete dinner menu with wine pairings is posted below.

Join them on Friday, September 25th, 2015 at 7 PM, limited seating is available and reservations are required by calling (202) 216-9550. Bibiana Osteria Enoteca is located at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, 20005.

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Posted in Dinner, Food, Tasting, Wine | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Fitness: This week in Yoga!!!

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

So I may have mentioned my love of yoga before but it is a journey and I keep rediscovering my yoga joy everyday!! This week is full of yoga love and I couldn’t be more excited!!!

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Today is the first day of another awesome DoYouYoga Challenge – The 14 Day Power Yoga Challenge with Leah Cullis and I cannot wait to begin!!! DoYouYoga is a wonderful resource no matter where you are in your yoga journey, beginner, intermediate or advanced, they have all levels covered.  Many of their courses and challenges are free but they have some incredible paid classes as well (I’ve been using them since I found them on Kickstarter – more here) so I take advantage of both.  Sign up to join me on this 14 day journey because it is always more fun with friends.

If you need to get out of your living room, I will taking my practice outdoors with three AMAZING yoga adventures this week as well:

My first outing is actually inside at Flash DC on Wednesday Sept 16th to Daybreakers DC where I will start bright and early (which if you know me is not my thing so this is clearly epic) with Grip The Mat.  They get my day going right with an hour long yoga session followed by 2 hours of alcohol free grooving to the beat!! Check out the last one here and get your tickets to join here before they are all gone!!

https://instagram.com/p/7oETgLmaH7/?taken-by=gripthemat

My next yoga outing will again be with the Grip The Mat (clearly I think they are awesome) for their [Silent] Soul & Spirits event this Saturday evening at Carnegie Library.  I missed the anniversary party (bummer) but this promises to be their biggest event yet!! We start the night with outdoor yoga on the West Lawn of Carnegie Library debuting SoundOff (LED-headphones). The wireless headphones will stream DJ Neekola mixed with GTM yoga instructors to create a seamless outdoor experience amongst the hustle and bustle of the nation’s capital  followed by an indoor open bar + dance party. With an open cocktail bar by SkinnyGirl light fare by Cava Grill the fun doesn’t end when the yoga is over!! Plus there is a #SwagBag full of goodies from the sponsors – #Winning!! Get your tickets here before that sells out as well!!

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Posted in Dance, Event, Festival, Fitness, GripTheMat, Outdoor, Wanderlust, Yoga | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Opinion: White Woman accidentally impregnated with African American sperm

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

Okay so I started to write about this before but I kind of wanted to wait to see where the chips fell.  Here’s my humble opinion:

Wrong_Sperm_Lawsuit

Jennifer Cramblett (Source AP Images)

Let me start at the beginning for those of you who did not follow the story.  It all began with a couple, as it always does, who happened to be lesbian and wanted a baby.  Both woman are white and the story takes place in Ohio.  Jennifer Cramblett (pictured above) carried Payton.  First let’s not pretend that every couple does not come in shopping for a specific person.  Nobody comes in and says just give me the best in the house.  Everyone comes and asks for what they want.  A certain race for sure for some even down to specific hair and eye color.  It’s human nature to want offspring that looks like us and there is nothing wrong with that.  This couple did not get what they asked for, instead they were given a black mans sperm instead and now their daughter Payton is biracial.payton Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Donor Mistake, News, Opinion, Race | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: Compassion Through Fashion

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

As you all know I love fashion but I also love a great cause (especially for children) so I am excited to share about this upcoming fashion show!!  Hope to see you there! (Hurry before they sell out!)

compassion

Arco Iris America’s 5th annual Fundraiser Compassion Through Fashion is coming on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at La Maison Française, a stylish venue within the French Embassy in Washington, D.C.  Renowned French designer Jean-François Garcia will exclusively debut his latest collection during Compassion Through Fashion – a runway show fundraiser to benefit Arco Iris America.  Supported by the Ambassador of France to Bolivia, Michael Pinard, the event will also feature the elegant and sophisticated handbags by Bolivian designer Kathyuska Carrasco.

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Posted in Designer, Embassy, Fashion, FashionShow, French | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: Wanderlust 108 Washington, D.C. – Sun Sept 20

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

I am soooo excited!!! As many of you know, I’ve become a bit of a yoga junkie, I just can’t get enough of it.  This all day festival aka “mindful triathlon” is going to be the perfect recharge to enter into fall!!

So I’m sure your first question is – WHAT IS WANDERLUST 108?  “Wanderlust 108 is a triathlon unlike any you’ve ever known. This “mindful triathlon” brings three events together in your favorite local park: a 5k run, an outdoor yoga experience, and a guided meditation — but with a twist. Unlike most triathlons, we place community above competition, inner peace above power, and self-awareness above strength. We prefer slow food to fast run times. For us, winning is measured in laughs shared and new friends made. And unlike many events offering yoga and meditation, we combine our practice with a whole lot of fun. While we’re pretty sure you’ll be challenged during the day, we are equally sure you’ll have a great time doing so. From live bands and DJs on our main stage, to lawn activities like hooping, slacklining and acroyoga, to our local food and craft vendors, there’s a lot to do when you’re not on your mat.”

I am very excited to be attended this mindful triathlon and connecting with other link minded people in the DMV.  I would try and describe the day but they’ve done such a great job that I will just save my words for the recap of the awesomeness afterwards. Keep reading for all of the awesome details and schedule for this incredible day!!

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Posted in Craft, Dance, DC, Meditation, Run, Wanderlust, Yoga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Vacation Destination: Natural Retreats

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment
natural-retreats-house-hot-springs

Photo by Jessica of The Dining Traveler

Summer isn’t over!!!! And even once it is, Natural Retreats still has you covered!! The first thing I’m sure you want to know is… What is Natural Retreats?!?  “Natural Retreats are your guides to life’s most amazing experiences. We are guardians of quality time and understand how important your vacations are, in a world where time is more precious than ever.” So what does that mean?!? Well in addition to providing us with a beautiful scenic vacation location, they also provided us with a retreat manager to help us because “every Natural Retreats vacation is custom built to fit your needs.”

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We took the relatively easy (long but scenic) 4 hour drive from DC up to Homestead, Virginia.  As you pull up the home is beautiful and comfortably nestled into the beautiful landscape of trees, mountains and scenery.  The second best scene was opening the fridge to the wonderful assortment of local goods that our Retreat Manager had stocked to welcome us!!

welcome food

The first night we had the pleasure of having a home cooked meal in the chef ready kitchen made by the talented Jessica of The Dining Traveler.  It was an easy first night of relaxing with friends after our drive up after work.  The next morning we work up, and had breakfast together.

With Lacey showing us how to dress for breakfast!

After enjoying some breakfast with a fantastic view, we decided to venture into town for the farmer’s market and were delighted by all the small town had to offer.  There was also a local golf course, kayaking and a pool available in town to enjoy! (In the fall you can enjoy some skiing!)

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Posted in Destination, Food, Girlfriends, Natural Retreats, Travel, Vacation, Virginia | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: DAYBREAKER DC is my JAM

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

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Let’s start at the very beginning which is with an answer to the first question I always get when I bring up Daybreaker, “what is that?”  Well as described by its creators: “DAYBREAKER is a morning movement that will start your day off unlike anything else. It is about being in the here and now, surrounded by amazing people, beautiful music, and an incredible vibe. It is about dancing your face off before work and feeling gloriously healthy while doing so. It is about love, it is about mindfulness, and it is about mischief.”

I first heard about Daybreaker in the media and through friends who live in New York City, where it began, but I was not sure about the hype.  Disclaimer: I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. This is like the understatement of the century.  My mother has said that I am a different person, an unkind difficult person to put it nicely, in the morning.  Probably has to do with my night owl ways (as I write this it is about 4am) but I digress.  I say this to let you know that I find it hard to get excited about anything before around 10am.

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Weekend Event: SPLACE SCAPE Celebrates Baltimore Club Music

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Morgan of DCFunemployment

metro gallery

This weekend, venture outside of DC to the debut of “Splace Scape”, a celebration of Baltimore club music, brought together by Space is the Place Records, along with partners Club Kingz Entertainment and The Metro Gallery.  A two-night event, “Splace Scape” will celebrate the history and future of Baltimore Club and the global impact of the city’s regional sound.

These shows will run back-to-back during Baltimore’s 2015 Artscape weekend, and Space is the Place Records has enlisted Baltimore legends like Rod Lee, Scottie B, and DJ Booman and producers from the new generation, who continue to build upon the club foundation forged by the celebrated Baltimore originators. These newbies will include TT the Artist, Bond St. District, Mighty Mark, Matic808, HI$TO, Kate Boss, DJ Pierre, Normaling, & Baltimore’s premiere club dance squad, TSU Dance Crew.

Taking it outside of the city, Space is the Place also recruited some of Baltimore Club’s supporters to join in the celebration. Among them are New York’s incomparable party rapper, Dai Burger; Harlem’s maestro of the sub & Club, Tony Quattro; The Don of Space is the Place Records, Astrolith; and London’s Lvis-1990.

WHERE: The Metro Gallery | 1700 N. Charles Street | Baltimore, MD

HOW: Limited two-day pass for $10
Friday, July 17 ONLY advanced tickets here
Saturday, July 18 ONLY advanced tickets here

If you are really dedicated, join us for the after party!!!

after party

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