Recap: Georgetown Blogger Crawl

Last weekend, I was invited by Spicy Candy DC and Guest of a Guest to be Ambassador for Pinstripes during their second annual #GTBloggerCrawl.  I don't get to Georgetown as much as I'd like, so this was the perfect opportunity and I happily agreed.  Besides, you can never really go wrong in Georgetown. It's one of D.C.'s most expensive neighborhoods, perfect for house gazing, and it has several retail stores prime for shopping.

Stop #1: Blue Mercury

I arrived at our first location, Blue Mercury, and was immediately welcomed with a mimosa and a bag full of beauty sample products to try.  

I don't know a whole lot about beauty products and what works best for me, so one of Blue Mercury's associates answered all of my questions and made several recommendations based on my skin type.  

What I love about stores like Blue Mercury is that they offer plenty of samples to try before investing in their sometimes very expensive products.  I walked away with a La Mer cleansing gel that my friend Julia has raved about, so the day was already off to a great start.  

Stop #2: Hela Spa

Next we made our way to Hela Spa, where we learned about their service and product offerings.

As a medical spa, Hela offers laser hair removal, photofacials, botox injections, massages and more.  I look forward to returning here one day soon for a facial. And maybe some botox.  Just kidding.  Kidding!

Stop #3: Dr. Martens

As soon as I walked into Dr. Martens, childhood memories came flooding back.  I loved my Dr. Martens boots!  

While I didn't purchase anything here, I did peruse their selection of boots and shoes. They've definitely expanded their products and are on trend with today's style.

Stop #4: Reddz Trading

I had heard great things about Reddz Trading so I was excited to see they were on the list of participating stores.  It's a little further up Wisconsin Avenue than I normally go, which is probably why I had never been in there.  We were welcomed with mimosas and all of the consigned designer labels a girl could want.  

I fell in love with a $650 Louis Vuitton messenger bag, but the rent's due, so that was a no go. I also tried on a pair of stunning pink Manolo Blahnik shoes that were only $120 (!), but they were slightly too small.  Guess it wasn't my day.  But other bloggers found dresses, shoes, purses and jewelry that they all loved.

Stop #5: Pinstripes

Our fifth and final stop, Pinstripes, is tucked away near Georgetown's canal but there's so much more to this family-friendly establishment than meets the eye.  

Pinstripes is surprisingly large inside, with bocce and bowling lanes, event spaces, and a restaurant-style bistro area.  We toured the entire venue and then learned how to play bocce. It's an Italian game similar to bowling but has elements of playing pool too (at least I think so).

Pinstripes' bowling area is completely soundproof, so you won't hear pins falling down outside. And if you forget your socks?  Forget about it!  They offer a complimentary pair to each guest. While bowling, we were served beef sliders, flatbreads, pizzas, and desserts...all of which were delicious and right on par with the Italian theme.

Although it was a rainy day in D.C., I still had a great time in each store, hanging out with old blogger friends and meeting new ones.  If you're in D.C., Georgetown is definitely one of the city's must see areas because of all it has to offer.

Photo Credit: Morgan Fykes

How To Tackle Barcelona, Spain in 3 Days

Barcelona is one of the most amazing cities in Europe, and certainly falls near the top of the list of places to go in Spain. With a mixture of thriving culture, jaw-dropping architecture, and natural beauty, Barcelona deserves a lifetime to truly get to know. However, many of us only get to experience a taste of this beautiful city. A weekend is just enough time to fall in love with the city and keep you longing to return. Here are some of the can’t miss spots of the city:

La Sagrada Familia

Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece has been in the works for over 100 years. If you look beyond the scaffolding and souvenir shops around the corner, it is easily one of the most astounding churches on Earth. It’s definitely worth it to pay the extra $$ to go inside – and order ahead to avoid the lines! When the sun shines in through either side, it gives life a magical array of colors that light up the entire church.

Pro-Tip: If you go after 6pm, you can get free entrance into the basement of the church, which has its own exhibit honoring the work of Gaudi.

The Old Bull Stadium

Just because you can’t actually see bulls fighting anymore, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the magnificent views from the top of the stadium-turned-mega-mall. Take the escalators all the way up to the top (stopping by a few stores along the way if the temptation is too much to bear), and grab lunch at one of the many restaurants. Sweeping views of the entire city are included with your meal, free of charge.

Park Güell

Being in Barcelona, you have to appreciate the impact the famous Gaudi had on the city. They love him there, and for good reason. Another one of his crowning gems is Park Güell, an architecturally stunning park perched at the top of the city. Don’t be distraught by the barren center or massive amount of tourists, but embrace the park for what it is. Be sure to get some snaps by the mosaic walls!

Las Ramblas

To truly experience a city, sometimes the best thing to do is to walk around and see where you end up. The best place to do this kind of exploring is Las Ramblas. This is a long stretch that travels from Port Vell on the shoreline (perfect spot for a nice beach walk or lunch on the ocean) up to Plaza Catalunia (ideal for shopping and bar hopping). Las Ramblas is full of culture, beauty, and a perfect mixture of touristy and more low-key attractions.

Opium Club

If you want to party like the Barcelona locals, head down to the beach on Passeo Maritimo. By the shoreline, there are several clubs lined up to offer partiers views, drinks, and dancing all in one place. One of the best spots on the lineup is Opium – a massive nightclub with a mixture of a D.J. and live music.  Think house music with live saxophone (you might have to experience that one to realize how great it is). The club also has a tremendous outdoor component with a more relaxed vibe, and even allows guests to step out on to the beach and reenter at their whim.

Montserrat

This one takes up a little more time.  But if you have a day to do it, climbing Montserrat Mountain is unquestionably worth it. You can take the train from Plaza España (which is a little bit out of the city) to get there, and then ride a trolley car to the top. To say the views are breathtaking would be a tremendous understatement. At the top, there is also a beautiful monastery fit for exploring.

A Note on Culture – Right now is a very interesting time to visit Barcelona. This part of the country, Catalonia, is in the middle of a movement towards independence, which is quickly gaining traction. In the city, a Spanish flag is virtually unseen, replaced by Catalonian flag. The language is heavily dependent on their Spanish dialect. As a tourist in the city, the situation will not have a large effect on your visit, but it is an important thing to keep in mind throughout your travels.  Happy traveling!

- Abby Rasweiler