I love me some ooops coupon codes--Botkier!

Coupon code: MOMDY80115

Going green--the fashionista way

So all the cool cities are outlawing plastic grocery bags, and you don't want to be caught carrying a nerdy TJ's bag...I've got the perfect alternative for you.

Meet Gracen's Premier Collection bags:
There are 4 styles to choose from, and they're Tres Chic! Totally machine-washable and not at all dinky--these babies hold up to 40 lbs of groceries.

Downtown ShopAround ends Sunday!

$30 card to get 20% off at the greatest stores and restaurants in Georgetown---a total no-brainer to benefit the DC Junior League.

"The Junior League of Washington is pleased to partner with area retailers to offer you the opportunity to both give and receive this spring. Purchase your Downtown Shop Around card for $30 and receive a 20% discount at our some of your favorite retailers. 100% of the proceeds support the Junior League of Washington’s community programs."

A Mano – excludes flea market & sale items
Bacchus Wine Cellar – excludes champagne, beer & liquor; all wine is 20% off
Bella Mama
Club Monaco – excludes sale merchandise
Everard’s Clothing – excludes custom or special order items
Fire & Ice
Fornash – excludes sale merchandise
For Your Home
Giotto
Hela Spa – 20% off medical treatments & products
Hitched – excludes wedding gowns
J.Crew – Georgetown and Chevy Chase locations; exclusions may apply – see sales associate for details
Jaryam
Kate Spade
Le Cadeau
Linen Press
The Magic Wardrobe
Maurine Littleton Gallery
Piccolo Piggies
Pink November
Potomac Wine & Spirits
Renu Med Spa – excludes physician services
Sassanova
See Eyewear
Sherman Pickey
Sugar
Susan Calloway Fine Arts – see store counter for exclusions
The Dog Spot – excludes food and services
Tommy Hilfiger
Urban Chic – excludes denim, sale items, and items under $50; Georgetown location only
Wink – excludes sale merchandise
Mie n Yu – offering complementary glass of champagne with meal Online Retailers:
Gigi Favela Shoes – use code: JLWShopAround20
Bird Dog Bay Neckwear – use code: JLW
Livie & Luca
Queen Bee Designs

The shopping continues

me = baker; J McG = photog

Don't mind the aluminum pie pan, these ghetto hungry people couldn't find our pie pan.
aaaaand this time I'll share the recipe ;) (courtesy of Martha Stewart...again)
Almond-Coconut Tart
Serves 8
For the crust:
2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:
1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons arrowroot or cornstarch
2 tablespoons almond paste
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup soy cream cheese, preferably Tofutti
5 tablespoons apricot jam
4 cups assorted berries

1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350*. Coat a 9-inch fluted tart pan with cooking spray. Combine remaining ingredients. Press into bottom and up sides of pan.
2. Make the filling: Scrape vanilla seeds into a small saucepan, and add pod. Stir in soy milk and 2 tablespoons sugar, and bring to a boil. Whisk yolks, arrowroot or cornstarch, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Add hot soy milk in a slow, steady stream, whisking until combined. Return to pan, and whisk over medium heat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Discard vanilla pod.
3. Beat milk mixture and almond paste with a mixer on medium speed for 5 minutes. Beat in almond flour and cream cheese. Spread into tart crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Cover edges with parchment paper, then foil. Bake until set, 15 to 25 minutes more. Let cool completely in pan on a rack. Unmold. Spread jam evenly over the tart. Arrange berries on top.
EAT!

I kinda like these...and they're available at a (new to me) local boutique

And just so C in SD realizes, I guess I don't hate all things Ella Moss related.
Exhibit A:

Not Ella, but I also like this:

**both items and many more great spring finds available at EmilyGrace

Get over to Alexandria today and tomorrow for some excellent shopping deals

I love the concept of Treat boutique, and they have the greatest finds!

About those 1 minute runs

It looks like my 1.5 year old Nike plus sensor is slowly kicking the bucket. It acknowledges my running data during and shortly after a run. But then that little stinker reverts to making my runs save as 1 minute endeavors, typically with a pace of oh I don't know let's say 116 minutes/mile. Awesome! Could you imagine me moving that slowly doing anything? ever? ha!

No fear, the UPS man has my new Nike plus sensor (did you know you could buy just the sensor? awesome!), the receiver on my nano is hopefully *not* the problem. If that doesn't work, I got extra back-up:

Restaurant Rave: Giovanni's Trattu

A few weeks late in publishing but...
Wow, yum, amazing, delicious!

During the birthday week celebrations, we had an absolutely tasty dinner at Giovanni's Trattu over on Jefferson Place ( just a block south of N St and West of Connecticut, around the SE corner of the Palm Restaurant).

It's a cute little restaurant in an English basement, tucked away. If not for yelp reviews, I really would not have ever noticed this place. Especially given the fact that in our 2+ years of being in the neighborhood, and walking by this on the way home from some Conn Ave rowdiness, I can't say I ever remember noticing that this place even existed.

We skipped the appetizers, opting for some indulgent entrees instead. J feasted on some Stufatino di Coniglio (Rabbit stew--is that even Italian?), mom & I went for the homemade Gnocchi di Patate della Nonna, and dad opted for the Filetto di Salmone alla erbe(?--in my 27 yr old age, I can't remember anymore). We shared some fabulous red wine, and then went over the top with an amazing Tiramiusu-like (but not so much that it would displease a coffee hater) decadence and some old Porto.

This restaurant really is a gem. Very quaint, not very many people dining on a weekend evening. The service was great, but the food was just over the top delicious! I really think Al Tiramisu has slipped to #2 in our list of favorite Italian eats. I think it's just the "hidden" location that keeps the crowds from finding out about this place (Giovanni's), but for now I'm ok with not having to share.

the countdown is on and momma is meeting me there!

and the bday goes on...

tear, so thoughtful

It's time to get training

Summy enjoying some of my favorite people

Yippee, another childhood tradition

This little poster caught my eye on the Metro last night:


I remember heading to Moffett field early on weekends for the annual Blue Angels show. At one point, I may have even thought I was going to fly a plane like that--ha!

Next month they'll be in the neighborhood, wahoo!

Martha's Passover Chocolate cookies

Even for the alleged chocolate hater, yours truly, these are pretty amazing :)

Just doing my best to help Sr. Grumpy make it through finals...

Caught in the action (can we say I love my new tripod?)

After a 4 year hiatus, it's marathon training time!