My dear friend Carey bravely drove through the Occupy DC camp grounds on one of of the coldest days of the year to eat lunch with me!  Her braveness was rewarded by a hot and steaming bowl of moules and frites at St. Arnold’s,  a small Belgium pub right in the heart of DC.  Every weekday, the pub features a different mussel recipe for $10 and we were lucky enough to sample their house specialty — duck fat and caramelized onions.

I know what you are thinking – - what the fudge? That sounds flippin’ amazing.  Let me tell you it was!  I am already looking forward to my next mussel domination power lunch already.

My favorite flower of the moment is craspedias also known as billy balls.  They are so bright and cheery and guaranteed to make anybody smile!  Since my upcoming nuptials have left me we with a budget of zero dollars for fun, play and whimsical decor I decided to make a few fake billy balls with some leftover yarn from Christmas time using this tutorial.

It was so quick and easy to do and the only materials I needed were yarn, my fingers, a pair of scissors and some floral wire!

I even made some extra billy balls to dress up a few Christmas presents as well!

I am temporarily working in DC for the month while my office goes through an extensive renovation.  My new workspace is located approximately two blocks from Rob’s office which means our new routine includes:

- Seeing who can wake up first to hog up our one person bathroom
- Driving to work together
- Eating lunch together / Or eating a virtual lunch together at our desks
- Driving home together
- Eating dinner  or going to happy hour together
- Debating about going to the gym together or watching our favorite shows together
- Going to bed together

I thought by the end of the first day I would be ready to punch my boyfriend (fiance!) in the face but it has actually been really nice.

Some of the stops we visited on our slow descent into diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure include:

Nando’s Peri Peri - – Our favorite South African roasted chicken spot!  It’s so good that you will want to pass up your only brother’s engagement dinner!  Also, a little Suburbanette bird just told me that it will be opening it’s first Virginia location at Pentagon Row this summer!

Crumb’s Cupcake – - Rob called me excitedly to let me know that the new shop right next to his office was giving out cupcakes!  The blustering cold did not turn me away from the thought of a nice, moist, fluffy cupcake with my favorite flavor of icing on top (FREE).

Barcode – Best happy hour in the city!  Tuesdays is half priced bottle night so a few girlfriends and  I was able to enjoy a smooth Argentinian pinot noir for the sweet, sweet price of $15.  Rob ordered the banana bread beer which I am happy to report lived true to its namesake.

Pho Sate – Rob and I found ourselves back in the burbs’ after visiting Baby Willow in the hospital.  Let me tell you there is nothing that soothes frazzled nerves like a hot bowl of steaming pho.  For more information on my favorite pho spot click here.

I recently featured Chef Frank and his Korean taco team on my post about budding underground food scene.  I am pleased to announce that Bulgogo will be dishing up their delicious bulgogi tacos and other good eats at the Chinese New Year Festival this Saturday at Luther Jackson Middle School from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

This free event will also feature a traditional New Year dragon dance, Chinese cooking lessons, kung fu demonstrations and an array of cultural dances from Southeast Asia.

I have an internet girl crush on the Pioneer Woman.  To me, she is the modern day Laura Ingalls Wilder only she doesn’t eat weird stuff like sizzling pig tails and bear drumsticks.  After perusing her website on a boring Saturday, I came across this recipe for pot roast that I just had to make.  Like right that moment.

So I did!  And thanks to my slow cooker the prep time took only 15 minutes.  Six hours later I came home to to the most tender, delicious and comforting meal.  The Van fam came over for dinner and it got rave reviews (except from Kassie – - she only eats things that are smothered in cheese).

Dinner Before

Dinner After

PS: By now you must be wondering – - does this girl do anything else but eat?  The truth is not really.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I am in the middle of an office move and this morning I woke up with my first case of pink eye. Woo-hoo!

My sisters, mother, and I extended our day trip in Virginia hunt country last weekend with a stop at the family-owned Morias Vineyard.   Even though the property is smack in the middle of Fauquier County, we felt like we were whisked away to a small European nation!  The building, only a few months old, was modeled after a hotel in Portugal where the owner is originally from.  They also have horses and a mini petting zoo on the property!

Can you tell I am in love?

I would never spend $400 on a dress but Kate Spade makes it so hard not to with her feminine silhouettes and fun bold prints.  Everything she designs is just perfect.

Stefania Dress | $398 | Purchase

You’ve met Kimberly, Kathlea, Kristina, Kevin, Kristopher, Kassie, Kat and Karelle…but have you met Dena, Annie, Marcus, Laicey, Laila, Willow, Cynthia, Diana, Richard, Nhan, and Lisa?

I have a HUGE family — and a very good looking one too I might add!  Things can get a little bit crazy with that many people around but I would not trade them in for the world!

I have not been to a Banana Republic store in YEARS but a quick trip last Saturday left me absolutely enthralled with their new collection.  My favorite being this black and white polka dot dress. I can totally picture myself wearing this with a khaki trench on a rainy spring day.

Large Polka Dot Dress | $130 | Purchase