LottieBlog

This morning Taylor Swift performed on the Today Show and since I had a “late” morning I caught her perfomance of Love Story while I was getting ready to roll. It’s been in my head all day, so I had to watch the video on YouTube. Wow, totally awesome, maybe it’s because I miss my own lover or am a sucker for anything “period” involving costumes and Romeo and Juliet, but TAYLOR ROCKS!

If you need me I’ll be daydreaming of balls, Romeo’s and dresses

xoxo Lottie the 7th Grader

I have wanted to work with Puff Pasty dough for like a year now and finally the opportunity presented itself in the form of Ina Garten’s Easy Cheese Danish recipe. I saw her make them on her show, and then realized I also had a copy of the recipe in my Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook. Since I was in town for Memorial Day I made them for breakfast on Saturday morning and wow, they are amazing!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (I used fat free)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese (also used fat free)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 2 sheets (1 box) frozen puff pastry, defrosted (I got Peppridge Farm’s brand, you can get them in the frozen section of any grocery store)
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper (or you can use your trusty Silpat like me).

Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and cream them together on low speed until smooth. With the mixer still on low, add the egg yolks, ricotta, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest and mix until just combined. Don’t whip!

Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured board and roll it slightly with a floured rolling pin until it’s a 10 by 10-inch square. I actually don’t have a rolling pin so I didn’t even roll the dough, and it was fine, I just put it on a floured surface (the flour is necessary so it won’t stick).

Cut the sheet into quarters with a sharp knife. Place a heaping tablespoon of cheese filling into the middle of each of the 4 squares. Brush the border of each pastry with egg wash and fold 2 opposite corners to the center, brushing and overlapping the corners of each pastry so they firmly stick together. Brush the top of the pastries with egg wash.

Place the pastries on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry and refrigerate the filled Danish for 15 minutes.

Bake the pastries for about 20 minutes, rotating the pan once during baking, until puffed and brown. It’s amazing how much they puff up. Serve warm.

ENJOY!

Every week Kathleen and I have a special date in which we watch the Real Housewives of NYC and discuss how Alex is smart, Jill is gaudy, Ramona has crazy eyes, etcetc. Now that the NYC season has ended we’ve moved on to Dirty Jerz, which is even more cheesy, but what can I say, I.LOVE.IT.

So, it was much to my excitement when I learned today on Gawker that Bravo just announced a Real Housewives of Washington DC. Ever since Obamie came to office DC is apparently “trendy” (I beg to differ), but hey, this will be awesome, according to the press release:

A place for power and politics, Bravo is scouting the D.C. area to identify the city’s alluring and discriminating residents, those women who have their pulse on the most important cultural events, political galas, gallery openings and fundraisers in Washington society. These leading members of D.C. society are in the know and comfortable discussing everything from the economy to high fashion. They are the talk of the town in the most powerful city in the world.

Here is what I think, first off, there’s NO WAY any real power players wives will actually be able to be on this show, they would not submit themselves to that. I mean look at the “characters” from episodes past, nobody of real importance is on the show, Kelly Beensomeone? I mean COME ON. Plus, DC doesn’t really have many cool soirees, been there done that, unless it’s me, Barack, Michelle and Hedi and Spencer out for a night of dancing at Marvin’s, it ain’t that cool. So, here is my idea of who the characters will be. Enjoy and please know that this is all fictional and funny, I’m not really trying to stereotype DC…

Foreign Diplomats Wife: A foreign hottie who has been in the USA long enough to know about the show. This will be a leap for BRAVO, but necessary given DC is such a totally cool mixing pot!  Probably from a South American Country or Persian, but will be totally hot and have big hair (if Persian will be liberal and no veil,obvs). The fact that her husband is a “diplomat” will be VERY played up (think Count and Countess from NYC), but he’ll probably hold a position of minor importance, such as the receptionist. That said she will have 1 to 2 young children enrolled in the Washington International School, Macomb Street Campus, and will probably live in a rented house in the Cleveland Park/Van Ness area on a side street. Will film scenes at Zatinya because she is friends with the Chef (they met in ESL class) and go to benefits at embassies and will most def drive a car with a “Diplomat” license plate and mention it every chance she gets.

McLean Mom: Husband is high up in the Government and will lead viewers to believe he has some high clearance job, maybe at the CIA, but will really just work for OPM or HUD. Graduated from JMU or Radford (side note, is that REALLY a college website, Gheeettooo) and lives in a large McLean McMansion next to Colin Powell or a Saudi Prince and will go to exclusive soirees at said houses. Def has met Obama (ie got to shake his hand at a free rally in Fairfax that she waited 6 hours to attend) and went to one of the inaugural balls. She won’t stop talking about it, even though balls are cash bar and Obama stayed at each for 5 minutes. Children are High School age and go to Langley, defiently has son who plays Lacrosse (will film a scene at a game). And OMG she will be on the board of some charity and throw a soiree that Reps from the 63rd district of IL and other obscure politicians attend. Diplomat’s Wife will try and invite cool ambassadors, but they will decline.

Chevy Chase Princess: Comes from Old Money, but Richard from Gawker will make up awesome stories about her that rival Luanne’s escapades in the early 80’s. She was born and raised in Chevy Chase and lives on a very lovely street near Bloomingdales and Saks in a house her parents bought for her when she married high school sweetheart from St. Albans (she went to NCS, obvs) who also came from money and works at family lobby shop (think Ramona’s hubs, but a lobbyist instead of  jewelry designer). Actually does have some cool connections and got invited to a party at the White House once, so that they will be able to film an episode there (probably during the Christmas open-house that the Dems will actually get to attend this year and gawk at Michelle’s non-denominational holiday decorations). Has a few kids who also attend NCS and St. Albans and is VERY active on the PTA’s of both. Will probably be asked to step down from them once on the show, but Kathleen CAN’T WAIT to see them filming at least one scene near the Cathedral.

Georgetown “Scenester” Wannabe: This will be the one single lady on the show and will probably live in a trendy apartment in an “up and coming” neighborhood (ie Anacostia or the H St Ghetto). She has actually done pretty well in her career, first starting out as a hill staffer and now working for a media outlet of sorts, probably in a upper management role, but not an exec of course, or how else would she have time to be on the show and sleep with powerful men? Had an affair with a Senator or other politician when she first moved to DC after graduation, but didn’t get a book deal because Jessica Cutler already beat her to the punch. However, she does have a cool blog, which is how Bravo producers found her. Definitely dates some rich DC dudes and has def slept with Michael Saylor and is friends with K St Kate (who will probably weasle her way into some scenes since she is like so important and was Ms. DC  2003 or something) and Pamela of the Punch. Wannabe will def take us to some of the totes cool parties both ladies review on their blogs, such as Fashion for Paws (I just threw up in my mouth). Also was a frequent attendee of the Gryphon Room (until she got kicked out when they realized she was 37) and has been on “The List” at Smith’s Point for like 6 years. Will definitely be filmed out on a date at the Rookery.

Alexandria Poser: The most insignificant of the bunch. Got on to the show because she worked with Georgetown Scenester 5 years ago (as her assistant). Now is a “working” mom and has two young kids who go to (gasp) public school in Alexandria. Shops on King Street, Pentagon City and Tyson’s Galleria (but only when there is a sale) and mostly at Loehmann’s in Falls Church. Does have a fun group of Alexandria friends and a nanny who are on the show every once in awhile drinking margaritas in their Alexandria backyards. Hot husband, but thinks she’s still 25 and accidentally gets too drunk at the White House party which makes Chevy Chase Princess supes mad and they get in a fight over lunch at Carlyle Grand in Arlington and she is just like “evs.” Works from home for a Government Contractor, husband just plays a lot of golf. Her and Georgetown Scenester will most def take a weekend trip to Dewey Beach and try to make it exclusive, but it will fail miserably and episode will be cut.

I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

By now everyone knows how to do the fun smiley and hearts on GChat, but do you know how to do a pile of poop, or a lobster? Welp, my friend JoJo does, she was bored at work today and discovered the following symbols from the help of some friends:

~@~

V.v.V

: (|)  (the stright line in the middle is the key under “backspace” press shift to get it)

Copy them into your G Chat windows right now and see what happens…

Allie suggested I add a screenshot in case you mess up the first time.

Type all three together and as As JoJo so nicely put it:

JoJo: i love monkey poop  or i <3 : (|) ~@~

Then, Kathleen weighed in after I showed her:

Kathleen:  haha stink is the ~

So true Kathleen.

Then, by accident I discovered this one : (:) it’s kinda like a ManBearPig perhaps?

Oh G Chat, you will never cease to amaze me!

Note: I had to put a space after every combo of : and ( or else it defualts to a sad face, so delete the space if the symbol isn’t working, ALLIE!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending BB’s Fordham Law School Graduation party. This wasn’t just any “let’s meet up at a bar” kind of party, oh no, BB’s fete was probably nicer than any wedding I’ve ever been to and certainly more than mine would be! Apparently BB and her family are up there on the New York Social Register. Her older sister decided to be a socialite instead of getting a job after college… You know, Old Money.

We arrived at the member’s only Metropolitan Club at half past nine o’clock and were greeted in the marble lobby by BB’s Grandmary (I call her that because she was poised and regal and lovely, just like any proper loaded Grandma should be). The club was just straight out of an episode of Gossip Girl, you could picture Serena being annoying in a designer dress and Blair plotting who she will destroy next.

The club itself dates back to the 1890’s. As you know (since all my readers have class), Fifth Avenue and its environs are dotted with the (traditionally men’s) clubs which serviced, and still cater to, the very wealthy. When J.P. Morgan, William and Cornelius Vanderbilt, and their pals arrived on the social scene in the 1890s, established society (old money) still looked askance at bankers and financiers (new money), and its Downtown clubs were closed to Morgan and anyone else it considered less than up to snuff.

JP was like “eff that” and Vanderbilt was like “evs.” So to spite Buffy et al, JP commissioned Stanford White to design his  own club, bigger, better and grander than all the rest – and so the Metropolitan Club at 1 East 60th St was born. It was just the thing for arriving robber barons (and Fordham Law Grads and their friends). Kinda like Smith Point in DC, it’s too cool to even have a website, so sadly I cannot link to it, but I did find this.

After getting over the fact that Grandmary was cooler than us we plowed into the appetizer spread in the main foyer, it had a Mediterranean theme. The bar was also a first stop, full of top shelf wine, spirits and bubbly. Eventually the crowd meandered into the ballroom, which, amidst its red velvet curtains and grand atmosphere, contained even more libations and culinary delights, including but not limited to a sushi station (complete with a lady in a kimono), a pasta bar, kebab station and of course a filet station. There was plenty of food and drink to go around.

Mel, Christie, Beesha and I spent much of the early evening people watching and meeting Christie’s other non-socialite Fordham friends and checking out the socialites outfits. BB’s Mother also looked awesome, a blonder version of Grandmary, yet just as poised and polite. We went back and forth to the bar and food stations and admired the décor and atmosphere. The flowers were lovely, BB chose my favorite, peonies.

As the evening wore on we hit up the dance floor with the crowd, including Mother and Grandmary who both totally knew how to move. Not to be missed as the night drew to a close was the dessert spread, also in the main foyer. Delish, but to mine and Christie’s dismay, no make your own sundae bar, too bourgeois I suppose. Alas.

Also a highlight was when Mel and I climbed the grand staircase so Christie could snap a photo. We needed a few champagnes before the feat was possible, but well worth it. Can you spot us?

The evening probably ended with an after party at the Palace with Chuck  Bass or the Penthouse at the Gansevoort, but I was just happy to go home and sleep, dreaming of socialites and high society. Someday Lottie, someday…

Readers, sorry it’s been over a week since I last posted. As Beesha nicely put it, “Why haven’t you updated slutface?  Cinco is old news.”  Well Beesha, I’ve just had a lot of nothing that important going on and my creative juices weren’t flowing. I’ll have a fun post on an event I attended this past weekend up by tomorrow, but for now, here are some random thoughts, Karo style:

• Rotisserie chicken from Harris Teeter rocks. If you buy it on Sunday it’s always on sale for $3.99 and lasts for at least 4 meals!
• Cream cheese frosted brownies from Harris Teeter do not rock, even if they are on sale. They stick to the box and it’s impossible to eat them as a tipsy snack without cutting your finger off (don’t worry I still have mine, but it was a close call).
• Make sure that the DMV has your cell number on file because if the police ever catch a drunk chick jumping on your car they can call you on the spot and you can get her arrested or have her pay for the damages (I may or may not be speaking from recent experience here).
• Neiman and Saks are having warring sales this week on their websites, check them out. Both also are offering free shipping at any price (you’ll see the code when you get to the site). I got two Marc Jacobs tops and am going to return the one I like least, they are both yet to arrive.

Neiman Top

Saks Top

• Mandu in DC has the bestest Happy Hour ever, $3 beers. Bourbon in DC always has $4 Allagash Whites/Belle’s Oberon (I’ve linked to both enough by now, if you don’t know them SHAME).
• Does anyone know a good accounting tutor? I need a basic knowledge of the subject by August 31st!

That’s all for now. Again, apologies for my MIA-ness.

As I told my readers last year, Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1863. A lot of people think it’s Mexican Independence day, but that is just not the case! Independence day is September 16th, el diez y seis de septeimbre, that doesn’t sounds as cool as cinco de mayo, does it?

In honor of this special day I am going to give you a run down of some Mexican places in D.C. where you can celebrar the fact that the Mexicans did win on cinco de mayo, but then the French ultimately defeated them and Emperor Maximilian (Austrian) took the throne a few months later. Ay de mi!

Lauriol Plaza: I thought I’d start with the obvious, Lauriol. On warm nights it is absolutely hopping, the wait is long and their signature swirly margaritas (half strawberry half regular) are flowing like agua. Once you finally do get a table try and get one on the covered roof. It’s aire condicionadoed and super nice in the summer. The food at Lauriol is just fine, but nothing to write home about. They’ve got all your classic Mexican dishes and some good salads. You go here for the atmosphere and the margaritas, not the culinary genius. If you want to change it up sometime, try a frozen mango margarita. Buens.

Cactus Cantina: Not as many people know about Lauriol’s sister restaurant Cactus Cantina. It’s up on Wisconsin and Macomb Street, near Two Amy’s and Barfology (don’t go there). Our former President Bushie said it was the best attempt at Tex-Mex outside of Texas and went their regularly. I really like the place, the menu is pretty much the same as Lauriol right down to the swirly margs, but you don’t have to wait as long. They have less outdoor space, but they do have enough patio seating for warm days. They alos have a large bar area, which Lauriol lacks. A bonus is that they make their tortillas from an old fashioned tortilla press that greets you as you walk in the door.

Alero: Alero has three locations in DC, one in Dupont Circle, one on U st, and one in Cleavland Park. I’ve only been the the Dupont location. I argue that Alero has better food and better prices than Lauriol. Their margaritas are great and their sangria is strong. It’s a perfectplace to go when you are in the mood for Mexican, and don’t want to wait two hours for a table at Lauriol. They don’t have any outside seating, but that doesn’t really matter. Plus, there is never a wait – rare for a spot in Dupont. I’m sure their other locations can say the same!

Guajillo Grill: This is a hidden gem in Courthouse (Arlington). I went for the first time last month and wish I’d been there sooner. The food is wonderful, they have more authentic dishes, such as mole ,and do a great job with all their sauces. The sangria was some of the best I’ve had in DC and the margaritas (we had them on the rocks), were about the same as anywhere. This place really stands out for it’s cuisine, they always get voted “best enchiladas in DC” and are always packed. The atmosphere has a tropical feel and the service is friendly and fast. It’s worth the trek to Arlington and if you already live in VA, vamos ahora!

El Tamarindo: This place is right near my house and sadly I’ve never been! I always walk by it and look longingly into the windows, wishing someone wanted to go there with me. It’s right on the corner of Florida Ave and U St, a pretty large restaurant and always is bustling. The cuisine is El Salvadorain and Mexican, meaning basically all Mexican except papusas. It never looks packed, but people tell me the food is great and the drinks are greater. There’s not usually a wait, the service is good, and I’ll be going there soon. Who wants to come?

Casa Oaxaca: Another place that is right near my house, but I’ve never been! Rachel and MScott said it was great. Never a wait, small plates and large plates, reasonable prices, and good drinks. They also are pros at accommodating big groups.

Mexicali Blues: This is another Arlington spot, right near the Clarendon Metro. It was one of the first restaurants I ever went to in DC because my first landlord owned the place. When we moved in he gave us a gift certificate as a housewarming present. They have a lot of outdoor seating when the weather is nice, but it’s pretty small inside, so it’s always packed. The drinks are great and they always have happy hour specials. The food is just your regular Mexican, nothing to write home about, but I’ve never had anything bad. Sadly, my old landlord no longer owns the place, he sketched out and moved to Egypt. However, even though it’s changed ownership, nothing else has changed!

So mis amigos, this post makes me want to go get some enchiladas and swirly margs stat. Maybe I’ll see you out and about tonight celebrating Cinco. Next year I’ll do a run-down of Boston establishments, but I don’t know if Boston can beat Lauriol’s “scene.”

Felicidades!

Yesterday morning Elly alerted me to the fact that you can now change your language settings on Facebook to “Pirate.” I did a little researching and found Facebook unveiled this new language back in September of 2008, in honor of “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” However, to some user sadness, they took away the option for awhile to perfect it, and now it’s back and better than ever!

Truthfully, I’ve never been into all that Pirate funny talk stuff, but I took a jump off the plank yesterday (because I was bored) and changed my language setting to Pirate, and boy matey’s it’s actually kind of fun. For example, your newsfeed is your ”Home Port.” For anyone familiar with Facebook it’s pretty easy to figure out.

Here’s a screenshot of me Cap’n’s’ Log, but don’t go plunderin’ me information and sellin it to, or I’ll go Blackbeard on your a$$.

To change your language go to settings – language – and then select “English (Pirate)” and voila, you can scrawl on portraits, get called a wench, and mangle your litany (still figuring that one out). This morning a friend “left coordinates on my plank.” It took me a few minutes, but I soon realized he wrote on my wall. Most importantly, any email you now get from the FB will come from “Ye Olde Facebook.” It’s pretty fun, especially on a Friday.

Onward ho!