Modeling for Main Street Ballroom

I'm super excited to tell you guys all about my latest adventure with Main Street Ballroom!  If you follow me on instagram, you've probably already seen behind-the-scene snaps via instastories.  I've been WAY more active with it all lately so make sure you come say hello.

Anywho, I had a really great time modeling for MSB - the building was absolutely beautiful and the creatives were all so ridiculously talented.  It was truly an honor to be involved!  For those of you located in the DMV + looking to rent event/wedding space, you need to check out Main Street Ballroom stat.

Based in historic Ellicott City, MD, Main Street Ballroom is the result of years of dreaming.  Owner Kate Ansari was planning her own wedding and was looking for a venue that felt like home.  She never did find a place with the perfect mix of style and flexibility, but six years after her big day, she finally found the venue she would have chosen.  Now, she's making it a reality for brides across Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  ALL couples are welcome at Main Street Ballroom, regardless of race, religion or gender.

MSB combines the charm and character of a historic building with modern amenities, including a salon-style bridal suite with built in hair and makeup statements, a state of the art catering kitchen and newly constructed bathrooms.  Your special event will be 200% stress free with their policies. YOU are the only even on your special day aka you'll have access to the Ballroom all day long, no overage charges for extra hours, no hidden fees.  To book MSB, call 301.742.0399 or email them at hello@mainstballroom.com to book a tour.

BTW, they have a list of amazing vendors who offer clients a discount!  Many preferred vendor lists are simply lists of companies who give kickbacks to spaces for recommending them.  MSB's cultivating the same list, but instead of keeping $$$ for themselves, they're passing 100% of that to their clients to get you the BEST deal possible.

Last but not least, a HUGE thanks to everyone involved in this shoot.  L.A. Birdie Photography, Mobtown Florals, Jewel Hair Design, Beauty by Jackie D, Elizabeth Cooper Design and Susie Saltzman.  Also, for those of you wondering, the other model is Andrea Youniss - such a gorgeous girl!

SS Eats: Encantada

I don't even know where to start.  I was totally blown away by my experience here!  Encantada is foodie paradise for real - if you live within driving distance and haven't visited yet, you're seriously missing out. Everything from decor to flavor is on point, and by "on point," I mean ridiculously amazing.

They partner up with local ranchers and farmers to offer the freshest products possible on the daily so their dishes reflect what's in season.  They choose their animal proteins carefully (those who have been raised humanely with a GMO free diet) and offer a "starring" role to veggies, grains and fruits! Many dishes are gluten free + vegan friendly so your vegetarian friends will have PLENTY to choose from.  

Anywho, for today's lunch, my bf and I got fresh juice to start.  He ordered Carrot Top (carrots, apple, ginger, lemon) and I went with Mean Green (kale, cucumber, kiwi, ginger, apple, parsley).  Both drinks were tasty + refreshing, AND they came with cute straws (!!!)  What can I say? I'm a sucker for presentation, and Encantada does NOT disappoint when it comes to aesthetic.  Everything looks as good as it tastes!

We got the following apps to start:  Deviled Turnips (think faux eggs w/ smoked paprika), Mussels (with herbs, butter, and pesto toast), and Buffalo Cauliflower (with pickles, drizzled with vegan ranch).  Each dish was nomtastic, but my fave was, hands down, the cauliflower.

Just look at all that deliciousness!  I seriously need to go back and get my fix STAT.  

For entrees, Robby and I got three dishes and shared.  We ordered the Roasted Portobello Mushroom burger, the Grilled Cheese sandwich, and the Grains & Greens salad.  Everything was (unsurprisingly) amazing!  

The salad was a giant mix of greens, farro, quinoa, tomatoes, goat cheese, and sliced pears topped with a light apple cider vinaigrette.  It was the perfect flavor combination, and as you can see, the serving size was ginormous!

A closer look at our mushroom burger.  These photos just don't do it justice!  It came stacked high with several portobellos, zucchini, and tomato with fontina cheese oozing out of the sides.  Everything was cooked to perfection!  If you're a fan of vegetarian sandwiches (or even if you're not), you NEED to try this dish out for yourself.  Trust me, your tastebuds will thank you!

Last but certainly not least, we're going to talk about my FAVE dish from today's meal: their asiago, gruyere, and cheddar grilled cheese with tomato and zucchini.  Words can't even express how amazingly nomtastic this sandwich was.  Each bite was gooey magic, and the accompanying sweet potato fries were incredible.  They were super crispy and had a barbecue-y taste to them, which I loved!

We finished our meal off with their chocolate cake, and it was the perfect ending to a truly spectacular meal.  I can't wait to go back and try their vegan carrot cake!  Anywho, if you guys are looking to try a new restaurant in the DMV, head on over ASAP.  Take a few hours out of your day to explore the American Visionary Art Museum and grab lunch afterwards.  You're welcome in advance!

A huge thanks to Encantada for hosting us!

How-to Transform Your Everyday Look in Seconds

I don't know about you guys, but I'm all about cute outfits that are comfy as hell.  I understand that looking fine entails at least a bit of pain sometimes, but when it comes to daily getups, comfort trumps all especially if I'm out running errands like a crazy person.  So, that brings me to today's post: two easy ways to elevate your everyday look.

1.  Throw on a fierce statement necklace!  I mean, it's really as easy as that, and it makes all the difference in the world.  Transform a potentially blah look into something much cuter in 2 seconds tops.  I get all my baubles from JWholesale because they have an amazing selection for a fraction of the price.  I have a giant collection of necklaces from them in varying styles and colors!  What can I say? I love having options.

2.  Wear cute boots over jeans!  I swear, this combo's a total godsend.  Personally, I prefer OTK boots, but tall ones work well, too.  Tuck your pants into these babies for a casual vibe that oozes polish and sophistication.  I own several different pairs, both expensive AND affordable, and I wear them equally depending on the weather.  

Today's boots are from Boohoo.  I got them a few years ago, and they're super comfy!  They were on sale for like $15 so I couldn't resist picking up a pair.  I wore them with my favorite skinny jeans from Aeropostale for today's low-key look.  My top's from Stitchfix, and my necklace, as I mentioned earlier, is from JWholesale.  To finish things off, I threw on my Style & Co moto jacket.

Shot by the amazing Sung Shin.