Weekend Wrap-Up

Sandy Point State Park

I am having a hard time believing that summer is now all but officially over.  Time has flown by, and even worse, I hadn't had one beach day this entire summer.  Not one.  Now typically, I am a planner...I love putting together a night or a weekend or a vacation, making sure to hit up all the restaurants and must-see places.  But with everything that has been going on these past few months, I just let planning a beach weekend slip by me.  So, what's a girl to do then when Labor Day weekend is here and the beach availability has far been sold out?  Research other options...and did I find a hidden gem just an hour outside of DC!

Sandy Point State Park is a 786-acre Maryland State Park located on the Annapolis shore of the Chesapeake Bay.  There are boat rentals, crabbing, hiking paths, fishing areas, tons of areas for cookouts & picnics and best of all, a beach.  The beach is small, and the sand is an odd texture, probably because there isn't really a tide on the Bay, but hey--a beach is a beach!  There were jellyfish out, so I didn't dare get in the water, but the view was beautiful with the Bay Bridge straight ahead and sailboats crowding the water.  

Since we were in Annapolis, we had to stop for dinner at Cantler's Riverside Inn, my favorite crab shack in Maryland.  We feasted on boiled jumbo shrimp, seared ahi tuna nachos, hush puppies, and of course, steamed Maryland crabs.  If you've never been, it is worth the trip!  So delicious, and made for a very satisfying day!

Steamed Maryland crabs at Cantler's

The rest of the weekend was filled with relaxation, watching football, and some well-needed down time.  I finished reading both Divergent and Insurgent this week...fantastic books that I couldn't put down!  I am anxiously waiting for the last of the trilogy, Allegiant, to debut in October.  A bit of the stomach bug was still lingering, probably thanks to my crab feast, but it was worth it.  Hope you all had a fun filled and relaxing Labor Day weekend! 

Currently Craving: Game Day Dresses!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...college football kickoff week!  For a Southern girl, football is king, and there is not much more exciting than the start of a new college football season.  For me, it's the promise of a fresh start and new beginnings, and always a fun Fall full of tailgating, friends, watch parties, thrilling wins and (hopefully not) a bit of heartbreak too.

Sadly, I do not think I will be making it back to Arkansas this year for any football games.  But rest assured, I will be watching and Calling the Hogs from here in DC, all decked out in my Razorback Red.

Since football season starts off in the brutal August heat and (in a good year) ends in the cold winter month of January, a Southern girl's game day wardrobe usually sees both summer, fall and winter fashion.  It's like the first day of school...have to look your best for the first game of the season!  If I was planning on going back home for the Razorback game this Saturday, I would most likely be picking up one of these two dresses for these first few game days.  You want to be a bit casual yet stylish while tailgating and in the stadium, and since it's typically a very long day, comfort is key. 

1) Hive & Honey Double Layer Hi-Low Maxi Dress from Piperlime and 2) Rebecca Taylor Striped Dress from Shopbop

For any of you Arkansans in the DC area, our official Arkansas Razorback watch party location has been changed this year to Hawk n' Dove Bar and Grill (329 Pennsylvania Ave SE, approx. 2 blocks from Eastern Market metro).  Come join us starting this Saturday as the Hogs kick off the season vs. Louisiana-Lafayette at 4:00 PM EST.

Weekend Wrap-up

Robert Randolph & the Family Band at 9:30 Club

Have you figured out yet that I love live music?  Friday night I went to see one of my favorite live shows, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, at the 9:30 Club.  As always, he did not disappoint!  In fact, he didn't want to stop playing...after his second encore, the 9:30 managers had to make him get off the stage because they had a late night DJ coming in.  Boo!  But he was awesome, and thanks to my friend Chris, we got prime spots in the VIP booth to dance the night away.  Huge score!

I also hit up Paolo's this weekend, one of my very favorite spots in Georgetown.  My new favorite is their Seafood Salad...delicious, light and filling!  Probably should have eaten a bit more bread that night though, because one too many glasses of wine led me to George later on that night, which always ends in trouble!

I wore my new favorite Razorback Red dress that night...what do you think?  It's from Banana Republic and unfortunately no longer available, which is a shame because I love it so much I wanted to scoop it up in a few more colors.  It is super comfortable and the cut is perfect for me...exactly what buxom girls should look for in a dress.  It has a defined, natural waist line, room enough at the top for the girls, and the skirt floats nicely over the hips without making them look too wide.  And bonus, I don't have to wear my Spanx with it!

If you're from the South, then you know that football season is just around the corner, and this is the perfect game day dress!  Yes, in the South, we wear dresses to football games!  And a girl from Arkansas can never have too many Razorback Red ones hanging in her closet!  Sadly, I won't be making it home for any games this year, but be certain I'll be wearing this to a watch party or three this fall!