SHOP TO IT (SHOPPING AND INDULGENCES)

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, right? Two sparkling events are happening this week from the diamond industry. The Baubles and Bubbles event at Chas. Schwartz & Son in Mazza Gallerie tonight will feature special pricing on $5 million worth of diamonds (from 2 to 10 carats). Talk about bling! Mervis Diamond is also having their annual trunk show this weekend in Tysons. Stop by for a fabulous opportunity to get something sparkly for that special someone.

SCENE AND BE SEEN (EVENTS AND PARTIES)

Friday night just keeps getting better. Start the night at Midtown where they are rolling out the red carpet to host a charity event for Becky’s Fund, which is sure to be a blast. A $20 donation to fight domestic violence is suggested, and the happy hour starts early at 5 PM.

After that, make sure you stop by the City Tavern Club from 8 PM to midnight for a not-so-naughty drink in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Repeal Day. The Repeal Day Ball is a classy soiree featuring some snazzy drinks and jazzy costumes, so make sure to dress the part (sophisticated cocktail attire is recommended). It may be a recession, but we can still drink to old times. Visit www.dccraftbartendersguild.com to purchase tickets. Can’t get enough of the CTC? Their annual Santa Soiree is Saturday night. This black tie event is sure to be an affair to remember.

Get into the holiday spirit by taking part in a DC tradition. The Mormon Temple’s (no, not the Magic Kingdom) Festival of Lights is happening right now at their Visitor Center. Be dazzled by displays of Christmas cheer. For those with a wilder side, make sure to check out Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. Cuddle up with that special someone with date night at the National Zoo this Saturday, December 6th. Tickets are only $30 per couple for FONZ members and $40 for non-members. Starting at 5:30 PM, warm up the night with hot chocolate and gingerbread men, and a cuddly plush animal gift.

A personal note, the Alexandria Singers will be having their annual holiday concert, “A Mall and the Night Visitors” on Sunday, December 7th at 3 pm at Bishop Ireton HS in Alexandria. Come out for good family fun and an entertaining musical event. Yours truly will be there with bells on. Purchase tickets online at www.alexandriasingers.com. Make sure you mention my name when you buy!

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY (FOOD AND DRINK)

Holiday treats include on of my favorites, cookies! Check out Rock Creek at Mazza on Saturday, December 6th for Baking for the Holidays the Rock Creek Way at 10 AM. For $65 per person, you can enjoy a class from the pastry chef for healthy holiday desserts, including cookies and gingerbreads. That’s a deal when you factor in lunch and goodie bags! Santa will also be making an appearance at the mall from 9-10:30 AM, so come early to get in the holiday spirit!

A new matchbox is opening in DC. For those who love the Chinatown staple for great pizza, brunch, and more; make sure to visit the newest location at 521 8th street SE (near E). matchbox opens on Friday night.

P.S. For more great events – check out my latest issues of The Scene in Bisnow.

Of course, I am not happy about this change with the wintry weather. Having to park who knows where is not a happy thought with the frigid temperatures and random flurries. It also sucks knowing what shoes to pick out to wear, I can’t wear sneakers all the time! I’ve been wearing flats, but I much prefer heels, especially for work. I know, I have it better off than people who metro and walk…but I’m a wuss when it comes to the cold. That and I’m allergic to cold, I get hives! I know it’s really gross. It’s actually called cold urticaria. (I am pretty much allergic to air, I should live in a bubble.)

In addition to the new job (and thoughts of falling on the ice), the post title is referring to a number of bloggers I know that have moved over to WordPress in the past few weeks. I guess that’s what is hot in 2007.

In other news…wtf is wrong with Britney Spears. I hope that there are sane people caring for her children, because she has obviously lost her damn mind. Someone needs to just put her out of her misery. I also find it alarming that her antics get picked up by the news. Since when is celebrity gossip headline news?

And finally, I had another great weekend. Thursday I had a happy hour with some friends (turned out to be all guys, sorry for them) to celebrate / cry about my last day at work. That turned into a late night (actually an interesting boy story, maybe I’ll get motivated to share later) which led to a lazy Friday off. That night I met my friend for dinner and then went to hang out with some old coworkers/friends who had a little video game party type thing. Gears and Beers as they so named it. Man, they were hardcore because I ended up hanging out with them until 4 am. Fucking hilarious time though, I guess three guys polishing off four growlers from Sweetwater will end up being funny. Of course Saturday was another lazy day for me. It was good to have a weekend to kind of just chill out and hang out with good friends. Now, I’m reading up some more on my client for work, and trying to prepare myself to waking up earlier.

Enough rambling…City Sparkle, signing out!

Kidding of course.

But seriously, doesn’t the FBI have more important things to worry about? Shouldn’t all those conservative groups be busy fighting, oh, I don’t know…terrorists? Well, maybe not….

Seriously people, I’m all for family friendly places and overall decency for public consumption…but give me a break.

I’ve always been told to choose my battles wisely, and this would definitely not be one I’d want to stand behind.