Around DC: The Eastern Market

It's crazy to admit that I spent most of my life living in the DC area and never once made the trek to Capitol Hill for the Eastern Market, the oldest fresh food public market in the city. Fortunately, I remedied the situation last weekend. My mom, sisters, Max, and I navigated into town, squeezed into a too-small parking space, and spent a couple of hours weaving in and out of the numerous craft, jewelry, and produce stands. It was the perfect way to spend a steamy Sunday and we left with lots of local fruits and vegetables, as well as some pretty baubles and inexpensive friendship bracelets. The peaches, corn, and tomatoes were all in their absolute prime of the season, and complemented various dinners throughout the rest of the week. I definitely recommend visiting the market if you find yourself in the DC area. I can't wait to go back next time I'm home!

Miniature eggplants in pretty shades of purple.

I'd never heard the term 'ecoganic' before.

Heirloom tomatoes that later made juicy BLT sandwiches.

Rows upon rows of colorful friendship bracelets. 

Vendors as far as the eye can see!

Panama hats in a variety of textures and colors.

Softball-sized peaches that Chef Max turned into pie for Sunday night dinner.

Gummy sharks at the candy shop inside the market.

Tiny, piping-hot doughnuts fried to order before being sprinkled with cinnamon + powdered sugar.

Movie Snacks

Between Monday's pigeon fiasco and tomorrow's Turkey feast, I'd say this candy goes along with the theme this week: birds!

Weekend Snapshots: Newport

New favorite snack: Trader Joe's organic gummy bears.


Morning mani with Essie's Borrowed + Blue.


Breakfast lately: cinnamon raison Ezekiel toast + fresh blueberries.


Toll booth before crossing into Newport.


Gorgeous sunset over the bay.


Twinkling bridge lights at dusk.


Blood orange margarita at Perro Salado.


My favorite piece of jewelry--a diamond Greek key ring I bought myself eight years ago.


Flower arrangements outside at Asterisk.


Mango Pinkberry, courtesy of Tiane's groupie pass!

This weekend was spent meeting a friend's adorable new baby boy, trying a new Mexican restaurant in Newport, shopping the Nordstrom anniversary sale, and watching more of Gossip Girl (season two). M and I kicked off a week full of his birthday celebrations starting with dinner and drinks outside in Newport. I just have to get through another week and a half of work before a week of vacation, too!

Impulse Buy

I was patiently waiting in the slowest express check-out line ever at Whole Foods earlier when I spotted this chocolate bar. Dark chocolate + tart cherries + roasted almonds sounded pretty tempting. I bought it because it reminded me of my mom. She probably would have bought it, too.

Cheers to Moms and Grads

I enjoyed a gorgeous day with my family celebrating my youngest sister's graduation from college and of course my amazing momma. My sister requested lobster as a special treat, so we steamed them up and had a lobster and crab picking extravaganza. I'm not a huge lobster fan, but don't worry--I made up for it by eating about 742 peanut m&m's.

Did I mention how much I love coming home?

Colossal Cup

Not a bad way to end a particularly bad day.

Enough with the snow already! Seriously.

Peeps & Co.

I just found out that there is an entire store dedicated to Peeps and all kinds of Peeps paraphernalia at the National Harbor in Maryland. I must go there! I don't even like the taste of the marshmallow treats but they're so cute (and iconic)! Who can resist their pastel shades and sugary goodness? I hear they have everything from Peeps pens to Peeps fine jewelry. I want to check it out when I'm home for a visit in April. The National Harbor looks pretty snazzy, don't you think?

Have any of you ever been there?
taylor

Easter Owls

These mugs are too cute not to share! I think the purple owl is my favorite and they even come filled with candy. Yum! I love My Owl Barn. They somehow manage to find some pretty cute and creative owl-inspired products. Check out their blog! Oops, I almost forgot, you can purchase one of these limited-edition mugs at Rock Scissor Paper. Hurry, they're only around for another week!

Gimme Some (Novelty) Sugar

This photo is great. I love the bright splashes of color against the greenish wall. Pez candy dispensers are so much fun. I think my favorite is Gonzo on the bottom right side (next to Big Bird). I always used to get a Pez in my stocking at Christmas and in my Easter basket. My youngest sister would never even load them into the dispenser; she'd just put the whole stack of candy into her mouth at once!

Do kids nowadays still like Pez as much?
I sure hope so.

Bouncing Here and There and Everywhere

I love fun and unique home accents and this product is no exception. It's a chandelier made from over five thousand hand-strung gummi bears! There are only ten being made so they are very limited edition, which makes me want one even more. It's probably important to mention that the gummi bears are made of acrylic (not sugar) in order to withstand hungry kiddos and the heat of a 75 watt light bulb. Of course, the price is available only upon request, which is never a good thing. Wouldn't it be fun hanging in a breakfast nook or a playroom? This is the cutest thing I've seen in a long time--so creative!

Happy Friday!
taylor

Coco-Nutty

I had the pleasure of attending a co-worker's bachelorette party on Saturday afternoon at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Providence. It was a laid-back spa party complete with manicures, massages, and lots of wedding chatter. I also got to sink my teeth into my new favorite candy: coconut Hershey's kisses. They're limited-edition (of course) and they've been out since August so they're probably not going to be around much longer. I must get my hands on a bag before they disappear. Who even knew there were limited edition kisses?! They taste like miniature coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate. Yum! Someone at the party also said there were now coconut m&m's. Is this true? Have I been living under a rock?!

Have you tried these coconut kisses?
taylor