Five Dope Cinco de Mayo Spots in the District

Happy Cinco de Mayo folks! Unfortunately, this historically drunken holiday falls on a Monday this year, and those of us who have to clock in the next day can't turn up as much as we'd like. But no fear! A margarita or two, or three, never hurt nobody! I usually don't do posts that are so hyper-local, but since I live in the lovely DMV and I love it, I decided to help my local folks out with a list of the best Cinco de Mayo spots. Enjoy!

Bandolero DC
3241 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 625-4488

As soon as you walk into Bandolero, you notice the dark design, a 5,000 square foot space reflecting a Day of the Dead motif. A D.C. hotspot that opened in May 2012, you'll find Chocolate City's socialites chowing down on authentic Mexican tapas. My fav? The mahi mahi and charred aspargus tacos. For desert, enjoy some mexican chocolate pudding. Get a couple extra miles in at the gym though. 

Lauriol Plaza 
1835 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-0035

This D.C. mainstay, located between Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle is a go-to for folks looking for huge margaritas, and simple Latin American faire. I love to go to Lauriol on a warm day and sit outside. It's a great place to gather with girlfriends/ My favs? The shrimp fajitas and of course, a pitcher of swirl margarita. Yum. 

Rosa Mexicano
575 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 783-5522

If you live in D.C., you've probably been to the Rosa Mexicano across from the Verizon Center. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? This brightly designed restaurant has some of the best guacamole in town (they make and customize it right at your table,) and delicious pomegranate margaritas... Mouth watering a little thinking about it!

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
401 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 628-1005

Oyamel is tequila heaven. With a vast array of tequilas and margaritas, this restaurant is perfect for anyone looking for a fun Cinco time. The famed chef Jose Andres who has a cult following is responsible for Oyamel's delicious dishes like tuna ceviche, Tamal Verde and the heavenly flan. Try the former and of course, any drink on the tequila menu.

El Centro D.F.
1819 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-3131

Authentic Mexican comfort food and fine tequilas are the draw of this 14th street restaurant. El Centro's dark, sexy decor and delicious drinks bring me back to this restaurant time after time. I recommend trying the Maldita margarita, and shrimp tacos. Yum. Did I mention there's an underground Tequileria and hot open-air rooftop with two bars? Love it up there. That's where you'll find my girls and I tomorrow, don't be a creep, say hi!

- Angel

A Festival Flower Crown DIY

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It's festival season folks! Coachella, Broccoli City Fest, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, the list goes on. I love to take any opportunity I can to dress up in what wouldn't be normally acceptable in everyday life. So you'll see me decked out for Halloween, Christmas, Easter (yes, Easter) and of course, festivals. The must-have accessory for any dope girl when it comes to festival apparell is a flower crown!

I'm crafty, and love anything customized, so I thought this year instead of buying a generic flower crown that I'd see everyone with at the festivals, I'd make one myself. It was simple enough so, thought I'd share my knowledge with you.

WHAT YOU NEED: 

Silk, velvet or whatever faux flowers (I bought mine from Michaels) 
Florist wire
Florist tape
Heavy gauge floral wire
Wire cutters
Scissors
Thumb thimble (optional) 

STEP 1
Measure the heavy gauge floral wire to fit around your head, leaving about an inch of give. Set that aside.

STEP 2
Once you have your flowers, cut the heads, but include about 2 - 3 inches of stem. Gather the single flowers in bundles of about 3 - 4, then wrap then with the florist wire tightly. You may want to use the thumb thimble here because the florist wire is kind of sharp at the end. Make about 10 - 20 bundles (depending on how big your head is) and set them aside.

STEP 3
Take the little bundles, and wrap them onto the heavy gauge florist wire sideways. Stack them one on top of the other going around the circle until you're at the end of your wire. 

STEP 4
Once you're at the end of the wire, re-measure it around your head, and use the florist tape to secure the end of the wire, wrapping it around the ends to connect the two tightly. Take your remaining bundles and place them on top of the closure, wrapping them with the florist wire.

You're done! Happy festival flower crowning!

- Angel 

Happened on My Birthday: Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth Opens

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It's my birthdaaaaay today! And being the nerd I am, I decided to look up all the historical events that occurred on my birthday. From freed slaves returning to Liberia in 1895, to the 1st U.S. National Wildlife Preserve (Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA) being established in 1870, to Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth opening in 1881! 

It's interesting how so many events that occurred on the day you came into this earth are so similar to your passions and interests. In celebration, here are some dope images of vintage Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth posters. 

Enjoy!

Birthday Woman,

Angel

An Artful Eyegasm: Christian Louboutin’s Painted Spring 2014 Campaign

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Jesus, I'm about to have an eyegasm. I already have a perpetual love for shoes, but add the impressionist artwork of Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Henri Fantin-Latour, and you have created an eye-paradise for me.

That's what photographer Peter Lippmann did for Christian Louboutin's Spring 2014 campaign. He added the coveted red soled masterpieces to literal iconic impressionist works of art, to create a baroque inspired look book for the French fashion house. The vibrantly colored shoes and accessories were artfully placed in paintings of floral scenery. Take a look at the images above! 

- Angel

Faces of a Revolution: EGYPT - Laura El-Tantawy

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While researching images for the "Witnessing the Evolution of Egypt" post, I came across dope British-Egyptian photographer Laura El-Tantawy's work. She captured sad, yet beautiful images of protestors in Egypt's Lotus Revolution, calling the set, "Faces of a Revolution: EGYPT."

Check them out, then view more of her photos of Egypt at her site. I love seeing women photo journalists from other country's that are brave and artistic in their work. It isn't an easy job to stay objective when capturing real emotion.

- Angel