Washingtonian's Unveiled Party

Today, Washingtonian Bride & Groom hosted Unveiled at the Mandarin Oriental. I managed to win two tickets in their sweepstakes last week so I went with my bff to sample cakes and cocktails, gaze adoringly at Cartier jewels, and watch a Kenneth Pool runway show. We heard a Q&A session from Ted Gibson from TLC's What Not to Wear (and I get to go to his spa for a 30 minute treatment!). Unfortunately neither of us won the four day trip to the Four Seasons in Hawaii or the 90 minute spa treatment at the Mandarin, but we had an amazing time!

Here are some photos so you can pretend that you were there, too:

I was so drawn to this cake...I think it was the color.

A very INTENSE flower arrangement.

Two of the gorgeous models posing for a picture for me.

I've had a crush on this dress for over a year, and couldn't believe I got to see it in person. If it was pink I could make it into one heck of a birthday party dress. Just saying.

OUCH

This morning, I woke up and got ready for a trip to my new gym (Golds). After washing my face, I looked at my eyebrows and thought to myself, "hmm..after I go to the gym, I think I'll go and have my eyebrows waxed."

So after a successful workout, I looked for a place where I could find myself on the receiving end of some well deserved pampering. I walk into a nail salon & spa type place with the intent of having my brows cleaned up. A lady sitting in a massage chair asked me if she could help me. I asked for an eyebrow treatment. She points to a room. I enter this room.

The "beautician" begins fixing me up and I start to relax. A few moments later, my left eyebrow starts tingling. A LOT.

Then the right one. And then the burning hits.

I silently ask myself, "Am I bleeding yet?"

As a veteran eyebrow waxing customer, I realize that this sensation is a bit odd.

So I wait with bated breath for her to rub some cooling gel on my brow. What does she put on my face? RUBBING ALCOHOL. (I would say that this feels a little bit like having multiple paper cuts on your hand and dipping it in lemon juice.)

I nearly jump three feet in the air while politely suggesting, "UM THAT BURNS. A LOT!"

So she finishes up and puts some Neosporin on my face. Interesting, that she keeps Neosporin handy.

Now I am sitting here desperately trying to minimize the swelling/redness of my face before my friend's birthday party this evening.

A few teachable moments for each of you:

• If you go to a salon and the receptionist DOESN'T EVEN BOTHER TO GET OUT OF HER CHAIR TO GREAT YOU leave. Don't pass go. Don't collect $200.
• If the salon you're thinking about visiting is sandwiched between two somewhat fast-food establishments, go home and look for something else online.
• If you start to feel like John Travolta in Face Off during a SPA TREATMENT there is a problem.

**UPDATE**

Upon further inspection, the eyebrows don't even quite match...one is arched higher than the other. Maybe she got freaked out upon realizing that she was destroying my face and decided to stop before I demanded a free service.

I will be resuming my search for an eyebrow place...suggestions welcome.

A Foray in the Kitchen

This Christmas I got a copy of Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis. I finally got around to making myself some lunch today and decided to prepare Cheese Tortellini in a Light Broth...

It was extremely easy, almost too easy to be called 'cooking.'

Real World DC

When it comes to reality TV I usually stick to the "Real Housewives" franchise (honestly, that's about all I can handle), though lately I've been playing catch up with The Real World DC. I haven't actually watched this show since the seven strangers were over in Paris. Or was it the San Diego one? Either way, I can't remember. I digress.

I started up again, because I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see some of my favorite places in town on national television. Plus a season in the nation's capital seemed way overdue. Here are a few choice items that I noticed:

1. The Real World people ate at a (new) favorite place in town: Lauriol Plaza...mmm

2. The blonde girl that thinks she's 'overweight' is the prettiest girl in the house...I want to send her to Georgetown Cupcake.

3. I can't figure out why the Baltimore guy's girlfriend dumped him...he's ONE HOUR AWAY.

4. They played the 'Never Have I Ever' game, which is a coincidence since I've been subjected to it twice in the last several weeks.

And in an only semi-related sidebar, I've learned something else by watching the last couple episodes of this show...

...Through my own observations in town and just in watching this show, I think I've gotten the 'DC Yuppie Uniform' down to a science (for the ladies...I don't shop for men's clothing). Here it is:

• Metal pearl earrings.
• A Longchamp bag. It almost always MUST be black.
• A smart phone...how else can one be expected to pretend to read one's e-mails whilst waiting in line at Starbucks?
• A shift dress with a complimentary colored sweater. Pastels are best.
• This outfit works in either hot OR cold climate, but if it's cold some sort of beige colored trench coat should go over the ensemble.
• A "Statement" necklace. Whatever that means... I think I bought one at Anne Taylor a few days ago, so I'm all set.
• A Mac.
• Jack Rogers sandals in the spring (I'm buying mine at the Pink Crab in Annapolis next week. Yes, I know it's January.)
• A pastel headband.
• A North Face jacket for cold weather.
• Just in case anyone is wondering...I'm not making fun of anyone. I happily admit to shopping for/owning almost all of these items.

So there you have it...a long overdue post on the Real World DC....