Author:bluelollipoproad

November 9, 2008 In Uncategorized

Just like on prom night


I Had a good ol’ diner breakfast at the Amphora today. A friend used to frequent this place in high school 18 years ago between parties, after prom and at all hours of the night. She said it hadn’t changed a bit. This 24/7 spot was chucked full of all the goodies you get at a diner that’s open all night, like home made pastries lining all the counters, tons of locals, a huge menu and those fabulous hideous booths and light fixtures you can’t help but love and get all nostalgic about.

YUM. French toast coated in cinnamon. Slurp it up at Amphora.
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November 9, 2008 In Uncategorized

A delicious lid it was

If you’re feeling like Tapas and Sangria-hit up La Tasca next time you are in Old Town Alexandria, VA. The food and drink were de-lish-but even more fun? The story of Tapas that La Tasca has on their menu. I like it:

Tapas means lid, or cover in Spanish. At the end of a long work day, farmers and laborers would go to local ‘tascas’ for a well-earned drink, on top they’d find a piece of bread to protect it from the flies. Little by little the innkeeper would place things on top of the bread such as cured meats and sausage as an accompanying snack. This edible lid was the start of tapas as we know them today.
How cool? There’s your fun fact for the day!
My favorite eats at this spot were Pan a la Catalana (toasted bread topped with chopped garlic and tomato) and Patatas Bravas (deep fried potatoes in a spicy sauce.) And of course the Queso Manchego with olive oil and fresh tomato. YUM!
I’ll take another Sangria please…
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November 9, 2008 In Uncategorized

F*ck O’ the Irish?

Went to O’Connell’s in Old Town Alexandria, VA this weekend with a huge group of people and heard more F-bombs than in an episode of Sopranos. I had a perfect perch at the bar and could see and hear everything.

A random Scottish guy told the Irish bartender to F*ck off out of nowhere and for no reason at all. (I think simply to hear it back and listen to his accent, or just be an idiot.) 5 minutes later, another guy came up to the bar essentially to throw the big F around a time or twelve, just like the first guy; for no reason whatsoever.  Bizarre. Perhaps I was drunk and misunderstood that it’s a given that as soon you walk into an Irish Pub you should start cursing just to get in the mood to drink stout. Either way the scene was great. Hilarious.
O’Connell’s has sort of 2 1/2 floors, and different rooms/areas to drink, dine and throw around the F-bomb, along with a great rooftop patio off the second floor bar, and some good-looking eats . 
I’d go again for sure. Check it out-just cover the kids ears.
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November 6, 2008 In Uncategorized

Accidental conversation with strangers

Places like Panera and whatever local coffee joint (Like Lift, Common Groundz or Crossroads) that have free WiFi are a riot. These spots like being at the zoo-only better.

There are the people who are in sweats studying their way through med-school on random afternoons, ones that are loud and think no one can hear them, ones who pick their noses and think no one can see them, ones who have serious looking “business meetings” and finally, the ones who have camp. As in, it takes them 12 minutes to “set up” whatever they need to actually get to the part where their butt hits the seat to start “work”
I had an hour conversation with a bizarre and strange gentleman a few weeks ago at the Starbucks in Carytown. It started because our knees we practically knocking into each other as we both tried to steal a cushiony chair. (Free WiFi Bakers Crust has next door you can log on to by the way.) 
Order yourself up a coffee, snuggle in for an afternoon, watch and let the games begin. Sure beats working out of some boring office!
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November 5, 2008 In Uncategorized

Please tip me

Somehow I have made myself into the go-to gal for all things question. As in:

“Hey!”-

“Where should I go to dinner with my parents when they come to town this weekend?”
” Where can I get a good haircut?
” My co-worker asked me to help her rearrange her office this weekend. How much should I charge her? 
“Do you know someone who can print t-shirts?”
” My neighbor needs a babysitter, do you happen to know anyone who can babysit?”
” My cousin needs a job, do you know any companies that are hiring?”

I am always quick to respond and efficient. This typically results in someone having a great vacation, getting a fabulous job, finding the perfect stylist, meeting life-long friends, or the man/woman of their dreams.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to be that girl. I like to be a sponge of knowledge, the informer, explorer, friend, volunteer and sharer to others. I just need to put a tip jar out, or ask people to start sending me monthly “Thanks for helping me out so much”-retainer checks, so I can make a career out of this. I spend about 40 hours a week on this stuff anyway.
What do you think?
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November 3, 2008 In Uncategorized

Cough up the cash for these

I am the finder of sales, frugal girl who typically drives people crazy with the exclamation of: “I got this for ten bucks on sale from a hundred!” But even I, after a certain someone convinced me-will never be a cheapskate on these few things again:

*Jeans. The really good ones that fit like a glove. I like 7, Citizen, and Joe’s
Skip a latte or two and splurge it up. You’ll be in love.
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