Checking Out the Baltimore Aquarium

I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I loved exploring the National Aquarium!  It's hands down one of the most amazing places I've ever visited.  With close to 20,000 animals (including birds, frogs, sharks, and dolphins), you'll spend a good three hours just walking around.  

The building itself was super impressive - I was definitely a huge fan of their architecture.  I loved that they had a big area with "open water," and I may or may not have spent a good 20 minutes or so watching a giant 3-finned sea turtle swim around.

...this wasn't him, but isn't he ridiculously cute?

I totally found Nemo here, but he was swam away before I could get a good shot of him.  You can kind of see him at the bottom though!

The aquarium had SO many amazing exhibits, but my favorites were Blacktip Reef, Shark Alley, Upland Tropical Rainforest, and Jellies Invasion.  You can read all about them here if you'd like! They also live stream videos of their inhabitants so you can get a sneak peek from home if that tickles your fancy.

Here's a shot of the adorable jellies I got to touch!  For those of you interested, you can "pet" different animals here (ie. stingrays, crabs, and the like).

Fossilized creatures!

A golden lion tamarin (my new bestie) from the tropical rainforest exhibit!

I didn't get to check out the 4-D films this time around, but I hope to do so next time!  They're apparently 3-D films brought to life with multi-sensory effects like leg ticklers, scents, enhanced lighting + seat vibrations. They're currently playing Happy Feet and Coastal Predators.  

If you're looking to have a fun day with the fam or a date, head on over to the aquarium.  There's SO much to do, and you'll enjoy it regardless of your age/gender.  Tickets are $39.95, and they're open 10-4 Mondays through Thursdays, 10-8 on Fridays, and 10-5 on weekends.  For the best possible experience, visit before 11 or after 3 to avoid the rush.  

Work Smart to Play Hard

I'm beyond excited to start the day because I'm spending it with the one and only DCFoodporn! I'll be updating a ton on instastories so make sure you follow along.  We'll be hitting up more than one place so it should be a good time - hopefully my food coma won't be TOO bad!

Then, I'm getting up early to teach on Saturday and heading to the Walters Art Museum to get my exploration on afterwards.  It's been years since I last went so I'm pumped!  On Sunday, I have a longgggg but awesome shoot planned with Jared Wolfe in Alexandria, VA.  I'm probably going to be there all day, but no complaints here!  We always get a lot of really cool shots so I'm pumped to work with him again.  What are you guys up to this weekend? Do you have any cool plans?

I used to be obsessed with working 24/7, but my mentality's changed quite a bit over the last few months. I genuinely DO think it's possible to have it all!  You can be a girl boss, while making the most of life.  Yes, sacrifice is obviously necessary, but if you work smart, your efficiency will allow you (at least) some breathing room.  Plus, it's all a crucial part of your education anyway so put yourself out there and try new things as often as possible.

I've been doing fun stuffs each week to challenge myself, and I feel so much happier which in turn helps my productivity.  See? I told you it was a total win-win!  So, join me on my journey to grab life by the balls and kick ass all day, every day.

Now, a few words on today's featured OOTD!  I decided to style a super casual look for you guys. I centered my getup around my new Laila Jayde tank and paired it with skinnies.  To battle the cold, I threw on a fab coat from Free People (I bought it at Last Call last year) and wore velvet booties to match.  I finished things off by carrying a statement bag from Handbag Heaven!  I don't know if ombre is still "in" or not, buttt I don't really care.  I like it, and that's all that matters, ha!  What do you guys like to wear on the daily? Describe your everyday "uniform."

 Tank:  Laila Jade || Bag:  Handbag Heaven || Jeans:  Aeropostale || Coat:  Free People via Last Call || Shoes:  Amiclubwear ($32.50)

Photos shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

SS Eats: Fyve Restaurant @ the Ritz

Pumped to share my latest nom adventure with you guys!  I'll be reviewing Fyve's lunch menu for y'all today on SS. Now, before we get into it all, here's an interesting tidbit:  the name of their restaurant was inspired by the Pentagon, which has five sides, five points, five floors above ground, five ring corridors per for, and a five-acre centre plaza.  And, like all Ritz establishments, the place oozed sophistication and class - I was beyond impressed with the decor, and the service was (unsurprisingly) impeccable.

While we looked over the menu, the bf and I were served fresh bread with a trio of spreads:  whipped butter, olive oil, and an artichoke dip that was ridiculously yum.  We started our meal with two delicious cocktails.  Both of them were on point, but I enjoyed the Puzzle Palace (the one with the flower petals) more.  Made with Bowman Brothers Bourbon, St. Germain and orange + walnut bitters, it was expertly mixed.  I definitely want to go back and sample their other drinks!

Our starters came out shortly after - we decided to share the onion soup ($11) and beet carpaccio ($13), and both dishes were perfection!  The soup came out piping hot (as expected) and was a bowl of cheesy magic.  The beet carpaccio was almost too pretty to eat.  The chef used red, gold, and candy beets for the app and garnished it with mizuna.  To enhance its flavor profile, he sprinkled pine nuts and goat cheese on top.

For entrees, we went with Ahi Tuna Sliders, Atlantic Salmon, and Shrimp & Grits.  The sliders came with wasabi mayo and pickled ginger and were accompanied by fried onion rings.  The salmon was priced at $25 and came with a yukon potato puree, yellow & green patty pan squash, sea beans, and red pepper coulis. I don't eat fish so I didn't get to sample either of these, but my bf said they were both phenomenal.  In fact, he took his leftovers home and ate everything for dinner so I'm assuming it was all delish!

Now, while my bf enjoyed his food, I destroyed my Shrimp & Grits.  I mean, just look at that plate! The photo doesn't do it justice.  They don't mess around here!  They give you five ginormous pieces that are cooked and seasoned to perfection, and the stone ground grits are to die for.  It also comes with artisan chorizo, which is a do on so many levels.  Hands down, the best shrimp & grits I've ever tasted. 

At this point, I was pretty much stuffed, but I couldn't resist trying their desserts because I'd heard so many incredible things about their pastry chef.  Everything sounded hella good, but Robby and I ended up getting the Mocha Latte Creme Brûlée and Chocolate Caramel Peanut Crunch.

The creme brûlée was topped with whipped cream and came with mini-vanilla chocolate madelines. The presentation was on point, but it tasted even better than it looked.  Like, I finished the entire dessert...by myself, ha.  Luckily, Robby preferred the cake.  If you're a fan of peanut butter, you need to indulge in this goodness STAT. The layers are as follow: Valhrona Milk & Dark Chocolate Mousses, Salted Caramel, and Peanut Feuillittine.  Then all that yum is topped with caramel sauce, VA peanut brittle and served with vanilla ice cream.

If you're looking for a fab place to dine in DC, hit up Fyve for an incredible meal.  A huge thanks to the Ritz Pentagon City for having us.

Find of the Day: The Mesh Ruffle Top ($17)

I'm a huge fan of mesh, and although I own a lot of clothes with pops of the fabric, never in my life did I think I was ever going to wear an entire piece made of it.  When I saw this piece online at ASOS, I immediately added it to my cart...only to leave it there unpurchased.  To be honest, I've always thought it was a skimpy and somewhat scandalous material so I wasn't sure I'd feel 100% comfortable wearing it.  Well, as you can see, I decided to take the plunge.  I mean, it was on sale for $17, plus I could always return it if I wasn't feeling it.

Needless to say, I'm beyond pumped that I decided to step outside my comfort zone.  I seriously fell in love with the top the second I tried it on!  The piece has a relaxed fit with an asymmetric ruffle hem, and it's ridonkulously cute.  For those of you wondering, I'm wearing a US 4, and it fits me perfectly.

I paired the top with a lacy bralette and high-waisted skinnies to keep things modest and threw on a moto jacket on top for extra warmth.  To finish things off, I carried my Chanel boy and slipped on my favorite animal print heels!

Shop my look: 

Jacket:  Boohoo (similar) || Top:  ASOS ($17) || Jeans:  Aeropostale (similar) || Bag:  Chanel (look for less) || Bralette:  Gentle Fawn (similar)

Photos shot by the fabulous Sung Shin.

4 Statement Necklaces You NEED in Your Life

It's no secret that I'm a HUGE fan of statement jewelry.  I mean, I talk about fabulous accessories on the daily, but I have yet to share my essentials all in one place SO I thought I'd feature 4 favorites for you guys today on SS.  The following necklaces are all available online at JWholesale for ridiculously low prices, and no, I was NOT paid to write this post so I'm making zero $$$.  Anywho, without further ado, let's tackle no. 1:

The Round Pendant Choker ($8.40)

If this necklace looks familiar, it's because it totally should.  I've worn it on SS several times already in both silver AND gold! The piece oozes steeze and elevates any and every ensemble.  I recommend purchasing it in both colors because of its cool versatility.  To see the full outfit post, click here.

The Fringe Necklace ($12)

I can't get over how cute this piece is.  If you're looking to elevate your style game for date night or a fun night out with friends, purchase this STAT.  It looks great with plunging + boat necklines and turtlenecks, and it's perfect for those of you looking to instantly glam up your OOTN!  To see more from this post, click here.

The Craft Bib Necklace ($12)

Hands down, my favorite by far!  I haven't found anything quite like it, and I just can't get enough of the design. Up your texture game tenfold with this gorgeous piece.  I seriously can't recommend it enough!  It looks WAY more expensive than it actually is and could easily pass as a designer item. Like the round choker mentioned above, this works for both casual and dressy settings!  To see more from this post, click here.

The Crystal Boho Bib Necklace ($15.60)

This stunning statement piece is a do on so many different levels.  It sparkles like nobody's business and steps up your everyday style game tenfold.  Wear it on top of a comfy knit + skinny jeans for a killer casual ensemble that slays.
Andddd that's it for today!  What do you guys think of these necklaces? Do you have a personal favorite?  Oh, and before I forget, I have to tell you guys about JWholesale's store policy real quick. You have to purchase a minimum of $50 to shop there.  I know that seems steep, but you have NO idea how much stuffs you can get there for that amount, and they have a gi-GAN-tic selection available so you'll be able to fulfill that minimum easily.  Let me know if you have any questions, and remember to check back DAILY - I've decided to blog 7 days a week so there will be new content EVERY day.

Cozying Up This Winter

It's time for another remix, everyone!  Last week, I dressed this fabulous cardigan up and shot it at Tysons Galleria with the wonderful Katelyn Mariko.  I definitely wear polished outfits to work, but I like to keep things rather casual when I'm off.  I used to rock sweatshirts and hoodies a lot in college, but I go for more sophisticated options now.  A cozy cardigan is equally comfortable yet a million times more stylish!

For today's OOTD, I re-featured many of my old favorites.  I wore magical skinny jeans from Stitch Fix and paired them with a simple tank.  Then, I threw on an oversized cardigan for warmth and went with animal print pumps for a splash of print.  

Other fabulous cardigans (all under $75):

Tank:  Chaser || Jeans:  Stitch Fix || Cardigan:  Gentle Fawn (also available in gray) || Shoes:  Off 5th

Photos shot by the amazingly talented Jared Wolfe.

DCFoodPorn's Top Picks for Healthy Meals in the DMV

I'm SO beyond excited for today's post because my frand, Justin Schuble (aka the one and only DCFoodPorn), is talkin' all about clean eating today on SS.  He spilled the beans on 6 fab eateries in the DMV that make healthy living fun and easy.  So without further ado, I'm going to let him tell you guys all about his fave joints!

1.  Chaia specializes in vegetarian tacos, offering seasonal varieties that are packed with nutrients and flavor.  This is my go-to place when I want something healthy yet hearty.  Everything can be made vegan and gluten free!

2.  Beefsteak (right) is a fast-casual concept created by one of my favorite DC chefs, Jose Andres.  The restaurant's name is a play on words (think beefsteak tomato) and veggies take centerstage here.  I recommend building your own bowl so you can get all of your favorite vegetables and toppings.  I also suggest splurging on the avocado - it's worth it!

3.  Little Sesame (left) is a shop that sits below DGS Delicatessen in Dupont and is a great place to grab a quick, healthy lunch in the city.  The menu is simple, with just a few bowl options. Hummus is the star of the show here so if you love hummus, you'll love Little Sesame.

4.  Union Market is one of my favorite places in the city.  Located inside is DC Dosa (left), serving up dosas (Indian dish similar to a crepe), filled with veggies and topped with bold sauces.  There are a ton of gluten free and vegan options here, but you won't even notice that you're being healthy!

5.  This fast casual spot is Middle Eastern-inspired and completely vegan (but you wouldn't even know it)!  At Shouk (right), you'll find a variety of pitas, rice bowls and salads as well as a creative selection of dips like cashew labneh and beet tahini.  The Shouk burger, which can be served in a pita or a bowl, is one of the best meatless burgers I have ever tried.

6.  I don't believe food has to be fat-free, sugar-free and flavor-free to be healthy.  To me, health is about embracing natural ingredients.  Glen's Garden Market offers fresh groceries as well as a variety of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and soups that are perfect for a healthy lunch.  I usually get a cheese-less pizza loaded with vegetables for something hearty and nutritious.

Andddd that's a wrap!  Have you guys tried any of these places?  If yes, leave me a comment below! Where do you all like to get your nom on when you're looking to eat clean?  Do you have any recommendations for us?

Exploring Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum

Pumped to tell you guys all about my latest adventure in B-more with Flow Zen.  Robby and I checked out the American Visionary Art Museum last week, and we're so glad we did!  It was a blast, and I was beyond impressed with the artwork and installations!  It was seriously one of the coolest museums I had ever been to.  Now, I hate copy and pasting, but I NEED to share this blurb with you guys - jacked from their site:

"The AVAM seeks to build upon the ancient Native American Vision Quest, and other similar self-revelatory journeys undertaken by visionaries in different times, cultures, and places.  We seek to draw attention to America's history as a mecca for forward-looking innovators, optimists, dreamers and doers - highlighting the sense that America is at her best when she actively remembers that many of her greatest citizens were very much self-taught, self-made pioneers."  Don't you just LOVE that?

Anywho, we started our adventure with a fab lunch at Encantada.  Located on the third floor of AVAM, this restaurant was truly exceptional.  Not only were their flavors out of this world, they were presented beautifully as well.  These culinary masterpieces were almost too pretty to eat! Click to see my recap in its entirety here.

After noms, Robby and I spent a good 2-3 hours exploring.  There was just SO much to see!  We started with the main building because we were already there - it housed three killer exhibits: YUMMM! The History, Fantasy, and Future of Food, Matt Sesow: Shock and Awe, and their updated permanent collection located on the 1st + 2nd floors.  I won't spoil anything for you guys, BUT I do want to share my favorite captures from the day.

Then, we walked over to the Jim Rouse Visionary Center and checked out pieces there! 

Anddd I couldn't resist sharing a snap of their shop, Sideshow!  Hands down, one of the COOLEST museum stores I've ever been to.  I seriously wanted to buy everything there - it all felt like such a throwback, and I mean that in the best way possible.  Original art, cool books, baller jewelry and accessories, you name it!  They have everything your heart could possibly desire, and the vibe reflects the spirit of the museum beautifully.

If you haven't checked out AVAM yet, you're really missing out.  Do yourself a solid and head on over stat for a fun day with friends or a SO.  They're open from 10-6 PM Tuesdays through Sundays and tickets are $15.95 per person.  If you're a student, remember to bring your ID to get a discount! Have any of you guys visited AVAM? If yes, what did you think?