Sarawak Batik

Last fall I was shopping while in Borneo and discovered Sarawak Batik.  

The array of choices was impressive.  To make batik cloth is blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax onto it.  The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original color.  The process i then repeated to create more elaborate and colorful designs.  Here is a sample of what I shipped home.  

If you're wondering what I'll do with it...  stay tuned.  I plan on using them as lining for purses for the upcoming Kilometer 66 Fall Collection.  

Favorite fruit drink

Watermelon Juice

Watermelon Juice

It's almost Spring here in DC.  

One day it's sunny and warm and the next the fickle weather turns and it's cold.  So what's a girl who was born on the longest day of the year to do?  Why make herself some watermelon juice... turn on all the lights in the house (it's a depressing gray day today), put on some salsa music and pretend it's summer!

Here's a little music to get you in the mood.  OH>>>  The Gypsy Kings will be at Wolf Trap September 16, 2017.  If you're in DC let's take a picnic!  

Living Life Backwards

When I was in my early 30's Doug and I built a 5000 sq. ft dream home.  A decade later we built a 3500 sq. ft home.  One decade later and today we live in a one bedroom, open-plan condo that's less than 780 sq. ft.   BUT, we do have a killer 15 x 30 ft terrace overlooking the city!   

Normally people start small then gravitate to the large dream house.  

I guess you could say we have been living life backward.  <best said in Spanish:  al reves!>  But I have never been happier!

When we moved I knew it would require some new organizational skills.  I decided to start by moving only the essentials and only bring things to decorate this new home that absolutely made me happy to look at.  I wanted to surround myself with the things I most missed from our other home.  What a luxury to curate from nearly 35 years of married life!  I am happy to say that not a day goes by that I don't wake up grateful for this cozy place I call home. 

From time-to-time, I'll share parts of our home with you.  I'll share my love of "found objects" that make me smile.  Each little reminders of people I love or places I've been.  I'll tell the story of how that treasure ended up on my shelf.  So for now enjoy these pictures of our shelves in our living room.  Let me know what you're curious about and I'll start there.  

New Dim Sum in DC!

I have been craving some good dim sum lately.  I remember taking the kids to a little place in DC's Chinatown full of bustling carts, smells of Hong Kong, and large round tables with lazy susans.  Sadly, it's been knocked down to make room for a high-rise apartment building.

So I decided to google dim sum DC and see if there was someplace still serving dim sum with carts.  Alas!  Let me just say, I love 'the google'!  and I love my neighborhood!  Just down 14th Street, I found dim sum mecca!  

Every day, from 10am to 3pm, Da Hong Pao serves traditional dim sum with push carts.  To me, that's the best part.  You see what they're serving and you point.  Makes it easy when you don't know Chinese or what the dishes are.   

I'm going to have to go back for dinner.  The menu has over 300 items.  Including whole Peking duck, countless noodle dishes, and every possible protein.  Come on, they have an entire menu section dedicated to abalone and sea cucumber for crying out loud!  Not to mention the goose feet, jellyfish, duck tongue, frog... just to name a few delicacies.  Or, you can order fresh lobster or fish from the fish tank near the entrance.  They'll pluck it straight from the water for your meal. So what are you waiting for?  

Go!   I highly recommend the smoked duck.

at Da Hong Pao,&nbsp;1409 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 &nbsp;&nbsp;

at Da Hong Pao, 1409 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005   

 

,