Cake Love Open in Shirlington

Big neighborhood news. Cake Love is now open in Shirlington! I went in there tonight to take a peek before my pedicure, and lo and behold, Warren Brown was standing there frosting a cake! I thought it was him but wasn't 100% sure and didn't want to look like a star-struck idiot, so I just said hello and he said he'd be right with me. I wound up not getting anything immediately cause I didn't want to have to carry it into the pedicure appointment, but went back later and got vanilla/vanilla and chocolate/cream cheese cupcakes. At about $3 a pop, I was really curious how they would taste, and they weren't what I expected.

They were good, but not fabulous and I wanted fabulous. I really wanted to love, love, love Cake Love. I do, but only cause I think it's great what Warren Brown has accomplished with his life, and how he left his job as a lawyer to do what he loves in life. The cupcakes are not very sweet, and the cake is very dense, both of which I like. But they could have had a little more flavor overall. They had butter creme icing, for the most part, which isn't my favorite cause I admit I like cheap, sweet-as-hell, store-bought cupcakes! I would definitely go back, but next time I would pick a more exciting flavor (the vanilla/lemon was sold out when I got back after a 45 minute pedicure, so I guess sales are going ok there so far). The prices of cakes started at $40 for a small, so I doubt I'll be buying anything more than an occasional cupcake here or there . . . but it was mighty exciting to see the Food Network star there personally frosting cakes! They're having a grand opening on November 3, and participating in Shirlington's Oktoberfest on October 6, so come check it out!

Working from Home

I'm working from home today for several reasons: One: it's quiet at work this week so I'm trying to play catch up on projects that have been hanging over my head. There is one in particular that requires a lot of writing that I can't seem to finish in the office, no matter how quiet. Two: I just needed a day to sleep a little later than usual. Three: because I can! I'm not sure about the productivity of the day, when it looks something like the scenario below. However, I am just about done with my project, so I guess that's what counts.

Me: Sitting at computer, minding my business, doing work
Dog: Comes up and bumps wet nose against arm, causing typos
Me: Tell dog, “no, go lie down”
Dog: Goes away for 5 minutes
Dog: Comes and stands under desk, looks up at me and wags its tail, “can we go out yet?”
Me: Tell dog, “no, not yet”
Dog: Goes away for 5 minutes
Dog: Comes up and presses wet, slobbery toy against my leg, “can we play?”
Me: Tell dog, “no, I’m working”

Repeat pattern for the next 7.5 hours. . . .

Fall's A-Comin'

Jeffro and I spent the day driving out near Skyline Drive--friends of ours were having a birthday lunch out in Winchester. What a beautiful day! In the mountains, the leaves are already starting to change, much more so than here. So that means fall is definitely upon us. But I'm happy to hear we're supposed to have 80 degree weather this week. I'm not ready to let go of summer yet.

It's been a busy weekend . . . yesterday I had my Italian class then did some freelance work. So this weekend has just flown by and I have to go to work tomorrow. The next few weekends are equally busy. Jeffro's mother is coming down next weekend, and my grandfather and uncle are coming the following weekend.

Cape Cod: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We're back from our trip to Cape Cod, and it was a pretty nice time, although way too short and too much crappy weather. Here's an overview of what we did:

The Good

Had plenty of seafood and good meals at Vinings and abbicci.

Had a fun (yet rainy) day trip to Provincetown.

Took a wonderful ferry trip out to Martha's Vineyard (see photo), which was my favorite part of the trip.

Went to some cool antique shops and art galleries in the town of Brewster where we stayed.

Enjoyed our stay at Ocean Edge Resort. We had a great little apartment, complete with kitchen and living room separate from bedroom. Very spacious.

The Bad and the Ugly

The weather from Sunday through Tuesday really sucked. Cold and rainy, not my idea of a fun vacation. Plus I hadn't packed appropriately. We went to some beaches but they just weren't beautiful and sparkling like on a sunny day. My birthday trip to Martha's Vineyard got postponed by a day, which was a bummer.

Ciao for Now

Well, I had my first Italian class today, and considering that I didn't get to bed last night until like 2:30 due to Jeffro's gig, I think I did pretty well! The class is bigger than I thought, and the instructor seems like he's going to be molto bene. So we'll see. We leave for Cape Cod soon, so I probably won't be able to post for a little while. Ciao!

Friday Night Plans?

If so, cancel them and join me this Friday, Sept. 7 in Old Town, Alexandria at Bistro Europa to see Jeffro's band, Jeter. You might even catch me singing guest backup for one song . . . The show starts at 10:00 until ?? There’s no cover, so come on out, and bring a friend or twelve! Check out their MySpace site to listen to a couple of new songs. Hope to see you there!

www.myspace.com/jeterband

MP3: Lay Down - Jeter

Happy Labor Day!

Boy, am I glad we have a three-day weekend. I feel like I've been fighting off a cold, so three days to sleep in is just perfect. The weather has been gorgeous, and yesterday I enjoyed an outdoor BBQ at NOAAgirl's house. A friend of hers was visiting from Italy, so she decided to have a typical American cookout, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pie. It was a very fun time. Today is a cookout at my sister's for my nephew's birthday celebration. Tomorrow, thankfully, I have nothing on the books. Maybe I'll go to the pool for a last tribute to summer. Boy do I hate when it ends.