Holiday gifts

We've posted about holiday shopping events here and here. But what if that doesn't cover everyone on your list? Here's a few thoughts:

Biagio Fine Chocolate: I've posted about it a few times before but I'll keep doing it because I'm a little bit obsessed with this place. They have a great selection of interesting bars in all sizes and prices that are great for a stocking or Secret Santa. To take it up a notch go for the chocolates behind the counter, which come in an ever-changing array of classic and offbeat flavors. You can them in any amount and they cost about the same as the Godiva boxes at Barnes and Noble, but the lucky recipient will know they're getting something special.

GoMamago! I couldn't find a website for this place for the longest time because I've been thinking the sign says GoMango! Whatever it's called, this spot on 14th St. is tucked between other goldmines like Pulp and Homerule. It's got a great collection of household goods, gifts, and tchotchkes from around the world in all price ranges.

Grooming Lounge: $50 may sound like a lot for a shave; but if the preponderance of bowties on men under 70 in this city is any indication, there's plenty of young men who are looking to revive elements of old-timey grooming. If your man is one of them, he'll be bragging about this for months.

National Building Museum: Another Gone Out favorite. A solid spot for house stuff, toys, and books.

Not local but still feel-good bonus: OneWorld Gift Guide

Yeaccch

This has nothing to do with free ice cream or cheap happy hours but I had to share it- can you imagine anyone swimming in the Potomac today? And what exactly are the people in front doing?



Shorpy: Who Can't Swim?

Crab Soup Cookoff

I don't know about you, but, I really don't take advantage of the immediate access to Maryland Crabs that I have living in this area.

If you're the same, I would suggest checking out the CRAB SOUP COOKOFF (!!) in Arlington. For ten bucks you can sample a host of crab soups from participting restaurants. Other food, for sale, will be available from vendors as well.

Check out more information about the event here.

Free HOT CHOCOLATE at TangySweet.

Today. Thursday. Noon-11pm. 'nough said.

http://www.tangysweet.com/

Hoopla Closing Sale

I know that it is easy to be swept away by the amazing and unique designs of your corner Anne Taylor, but DC really does have some great boutique shopping. Whenever I walk into a boutique, I think to myself, "YES! Yes, THIS is how I want to dress." Then I look at the price tag of my new favorite find, and I look down at my H&M purse, and I look back at the tag, and I think (shoulders shrugged) "No, this is really not how I am able to dress." Sigh. And after going through this on a monthly (ha, weekly...what...fine...daily?) occasion, I have discovered that boutique sales is one of the greatest things to happen to my young professional wardrobe.

This sale, I'm a bit bittersweet about, because it is a closing sale. Hoopla is closing. This is a eco-friendly store with something for everyone. I could go with my art teacher mom, and my paralegal self, and we could both find something great. They also have jewelry and small house items, which would make great holiday gifts.

(Also, since I'm talking about boutiques, a friendly reminder that today is the Shopping Social on U-street. See previous post below.)

Free coffee at Commissary

In the month of November, Commissary is offering free coffee to customers who bring in a competitor's to-go cup. I believe there's a Starbucks on the same block so if one cup just doesn't satisfy you, it'll be easy enough to claim.

Cyber Monday Free Lunch

Another post about Christmas shopping? According to the stockings and candy canes in the dollar bins at Target, it's right around the corner! I never really understood the hype about "Cyber Monday" since by my understanding the whole point of buying gifts online is that you can do it whenever you want. But Shop.org is trying to get consumers typing away with a free lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, complete with laptops set up for shopping while you eat and raffles for giftcards. You'll probably have to fight your way through a few visiting packs of school kids, but a free lunch is a free lunch. And if you win anything you may have one less gift to buy, online or otherwise.

We Love DC: Free Lunch on Cyber Monday

Fotoweek DC!!!

If you are an avid lover of photography (like me) than this week of all weeks is definitely a great week to call yourself a resident of DC (or surrounding area). People, people, Fotoweek has arrived. It officially began over the weekend, but that doesn't mean that you have missed out on the gobs and gobs of photography events going on in this city. There are gallery openings, lectures...the works. And many of them are free.

Check out the events here.

Shopper Social - THIS THURSDAY

As mentioned in our calendar (see righthand side column - SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE!!), this Thursday, being the third Thursday of the month, is U-Street's Shopper Social. This means, that a number of the U-Street boutiques, Nana, Moojoo Ken, Mulah, etc. will offer specials on a number of their products between 5pm and 7pm (or the respective closing time). And if boutique sales aren't enticing enough, sometime you'll get cookies or a glass of champagne out of the deal.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Booty Market

Everyone's got someone for whom they have to be pretty conservative in the gift giving department. I have gotten my dad a book for every gift-giving holiday since Clinton was president, and I'm no hurry to break from the pattern any time soon. But if there's someone on your list who'll appreciate a little more creativity, this event with products from 20 artists in the area could be worth a look. There'll be snacks and gift bags for the first 100 customers.

Craft Mutiny Holiday Trunk Show
Saturday, December 13, 2008 -- 10am-5pm
Design Within Reach - Georgetown
3307 Cady's Alley N.W.
Washington, DC 20007

Don't go it alone

In these troubled economic times, free movies and cheap beer alone will not bring you financial stability (although it may make it temporarily easier to forget about). There's a ton of advice flurrying around out there, but if you don't have plans to buy a house any time soon and you're decades from retirement a lot of it isn't terribly relevant. Ramit Sethi's Save $1000 in 30 Days Challenge on the other hand is geared towards trimming everyday expenses but does "not include [outdated term for learning disabled] suggestions like 'Start a garden' or 'Buy day-old food from bakeries.'" So far he's only gotten through 5 tips but I think number 4 is one of the most helpful for young people: "Involve Your Friends in Your Savings Challenge." It's easy enough to say you'll save money on going out, but if you're the only one you know trying to do so you'll be pretty lonely. On the other hand, trying to get your friends on board will make it a lot easier to socialize without drinking away your budget, and you might even get people to rethink the dreaded group birthday dinner.

Free Makeup Consultations

Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8: Tim Quinn, a well-known celebrity makeup artist with Giorgio Armani, will be holding free group technique classes and personal makeup consultations by appointment only at the Chevy Chase Saks Fifth Avenue. The group classes will be lightly catered with Champagne, fruit, and cheese. For appointments, call 240-497-5206.

(from the Washingtonian)

Rob Riggle at Sixth & I

If you can't get enough of Rob Riggle's muscular idiocy on the Daily Show, mark your calendars- he'll be at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on February 19. Tickets here.

Election Night (Part 2)

If you have a pulse and a TV, chances are you're either sick to death of hearing about the election for the past two years, or so nervous about the results that if you can't distract yourself, you may get an ulcer. For those who want to get through Tuesday night without seeing a single red and blue map, here's a few non-election related activities. We can't guarantee, however, that you won't overhear someone whispering about the numbers from Ohio while furiously tapping on their iPhone.

Adams Morgan First Tuesdays: Restaurants and retailers in AdMo offer discounts on the first Tuesday of every month. Hit up Bourbon, Grill from Ipanema, or one of many other participants (scroll down a ways) with someone who promises not to address you as "my friend", and the two of you could eat and drink for just $25.

Tonic: It is both Wine Night- get a free bottle of wine with the purchase of two entrees and an appetizer- and Taco Night- 50 Cent Tacos and $ 4.00 Sam Adams Seasonal Draft. Sounds like a pretty great night either way.

Free Starbucks for voters

Bring proof that you voted-does the sticker count?-to Starbucks on Tuesday and you'll get a free tall coffee. Also, check out the heated debate in the comments section of the post linked below about whether the offer constitutes an illegal incentive to vote under California law. Nice to see that discussions like that happen outside D.C.

Starbucks Gossip: Vote on Tuesday and get a free tall brewed coffee from Starbucks

Leftover Turkey class

Target is already carrying Christmas decorations, which means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Make the most of the leftovers you scavenge from your parents' house with this class at the Tenley Whole Foods:

Wednesday, November 12th

7:00-8:15 p.m. |

• Turkey Stuffed Potato Cutlets - potato cutlets stuffed with leftover turkey and spices and cooked on a griddle
• Turkey Dhansak - a Persian dish that contains lentil soup with turkey pieces along with spices
• Turkey Keema - ground turkey with spices and green peas
• Spiced Rice Pilaf - an accompaniment to the Turkey dishes, this spiced rice pilaf is made with basmati white rice and whole spices.

Election Night (Part 1)

It seems like everyone in this city has to have a plan for watching the results come in on Election Night. Even trying your hardest to ignore it is a plan, although we'll tackle that later in the week. If you're looking for a festive atmosphere in which to watch John King play with his fancy map and maybe take the edge of the suspense with a cold one, here's a few spots.

Good Stuff Eatery Election Party: For the past month or so, GSE's been tallying the popularity of their McCain Burger(Monteray Jack Cheese, Chipotle Mayo and Red Pepper Corn Salsa) and
Obama Burger (Blue Cheese, Apple-Wood Bacon, Onion Marmalade and Horseradish Mayo). I don't know what Spike Mendelsohn's politics are, but I pity any candidate who's up against bacon. Vote with your taste buds, enter to win nosh for 10 at the "farm table", and check out a few as-yet-unspecified menu additions from 5:30 on.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: Watch the results on a big screen, hear commentary from local pundits (where'd they scare those up?), eat some "all-American food", partake in the cash bar, and the clincher- take your picture with cardboard cutouts of the candidates. It's free (aside from the booze), but RSVP is required.

Darlington House: Spots in this event, sponsored by Yelp!, will probably go fast. Watch the election on the Maker's Mark "War Room"; the "Lobbyist Lounge" with Canadian Club drinks, free shoe shines and the like; and the Imperia Vodka "Inaugural Ballroom". RSVP to dc@yelp.com by October 31.

Free Films at Bus Boys and Poets

In conjunction with Nomandsland, an organization which promotes "Films that Matter" Bus Boys and Poets on the occasional Sunday will exhibit engaging international films, and often followed by a Q&A with the director. All films screening are FREE, although patrons of the movie are expected to be patrons at Bus Boys - but with food like that, who can complain?!

Upcoming films include:

The Unbreakables (China)
Sunday October 12, 2008
8pm

Kabul Ping Pong (Afghanistan)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
7pm

Life is Drama (Austria)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
6:30pm

Bus Boys and Poets
2021 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

(please see Gone Out DC calendar for additional information on each film)

Ever thought: "Yeah, I might go to the wax museum, if it was free!!"

Well, you practically can!

The Washingtonian revealed that the ongoing birthday celebration at Madame Tussauds allows you to skip the normal $20 entry fee, and with a mere rendition of the "happy birthday" song, you can enter the museum for $1.

Check out the possibilities here: http://www.madametussauds.com/washington/

Taste of Georgetown

I have to admit my ventures into Georgetown usually consist of the movie theater, the Anthropologie sale section, alright, alright, all the sale sections...and a favorite gelato spot. Aside from a post Dean & Deluca post-shopping snack, I RARELY eat in Georgetown. Granted, Georgetown is filled with renowned restauarants, but most of the then are a little too eminent for my wallet.

If you are the same way, and even if you aren't a great way to check out the many fabulous Georgetown restaurants is the upcoming Taste of Georgetown. Five dollars gets you one tasting and a complementary wine. If you spend $20, you can five tasting (all for the price of 4!). Participating restaurants include:

o 1789
o Agraria
o Baked & Wired
o Bangkok Joe's
o Café Bonaparte
o Chadwick's
o Clyde's
o Fahrenheit Restaurant
o Filomena Ristorante
o Hook
o J Paul's
o La Chaumiere
o Los Cuates
o Martin's Tavern
o Mendocino Grille
o Mie N Yu
o Morton's the Steakhouse
o Neyla
o Nick's Riverside Grille
o Old Glory BBQ
o Paolo's
o Ristorante Piccolo
o Rugby
o Sea Catch Restaurant
o Tacklebox
o Third Edition
o Tony & Joe's

Taste of Georgetown
Saturday, October 11, 2008
11am - 4pm