ashleyd /

A Washington, DC Evening: POV Rooftop & BLT Steak

Good morning from Washington, DC!  I hope everyone enjoyed Becky’s Marathon+Moderation post yesterday.

Yesterday was another busy day exploring the Washington, DC market. The visit I’m on is called a “market visit.” During a trip like this, we spend time in area Macy’s store getting to know their needs, opportunities, and the market itself. Yesterday we drove all over the area, including Annapolis, Wheaton, Tyson’s Corner, and Montgomery. We’re at each mall for over an hour, walking the floor, talking with employees, and observing consumers. It’s a great opportunity though very exhausting!

After a long day in suits and heels, it was wonderful to spend sometime sipping cocktails on the rooftop of the W hotel downtown.  Around 5:30, when we arrived, the P.O.V Rooftop & Lounge wasn’t full so we were able to enjoy wonderful service and great seats! I can definitely imagine that this is a hot spot during summer nights as it combined wonderful cocktails (think fruity and gin filled) with fabulous views.

povrooftop (320x240)

The views were amazing and from what I hear, their specialty drinks were to die for! I stuck with a vodka seltzer with two limes instead of trying a specialty drink. I try to save those types of drinks for special occasions and instead stick to light beer, light cocktails, or wine on business travel. This is an easy way to keep a sense of healthy moderation on business trips which could otherwise easily become overindulgent.
IMG_2828 (640x478)

IMG_2829 (478x640)

However, by 6:30 when we left, there was a line 40 people deep waiting to head up the elevator. Based on my online research, it seems like you can make reservations in advance to avoid a line.

After cocktails, we headed over to Washington’s BLT Steak. BLT Steak is part of the Bistro Laurent Tourondel chain and has eleven locations worldwide including New York City, Charlotte, and Washington, DC. Their website describes it as a bistro steakhouse, and I’d fully agree with this description.

BLT STEAK

BLT Steak is our interpretation of the American Steakhouse and combines bistro ambiance with steakhouse fare. Indulge in our signature warm popovers, along with specially selected steaks, fresh seafood and satisfying sides. Weekly blackboard specials highlight seasonal flavors and local ingredients.

bltsteakoutside (186x139)

Since we were a group of 15, they sat us in their private dining room complete with our own dedicated wait staff, a flat screen TV, and comfortable chairs.

bltsteak (226x213)

This was my first time dining at BLT steak and I was very pleased with the overall experience. The service was very attentive and friendly, the food which was served family style for our large group, was fresh and warm, and the popovers were the star of the show!

IMG_2831 (640x478)

After a delicious dinner, we decided to enjoy the cool evening with a walk to the White House.

IMG_2834 (640x478)

It looks so small and peaceful at night compared to during the day when there are tourists, security guards, and lots of activity.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening!

Question: What are your tricks for keeping moderation during business travel? I’m going to do a post about this next week and would love some reader input.

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Marathons & Moderation Guest Post #6

Greetings from Washington, DC!

 I’m spending the next two days down here learning a lot about my new role and the business. This means that the next few days will be just like yesterday, going non stop with the customer until a late, amazing dinner and finally a midnight bedtime.

It’s exhausting but I’m learning a great deal so I don’t regret it one bit! I enjoyed an amazing chef’s tasting menu at CityZen last night and this morning I was up by 5:30 lifting weights and incline walking on the treadmill!

 

 

Before I head out for the day, I’m excited to bring you this week’s Marathons+Moderation Guest Post! Becky is an amazing and inspiring lady who has shared her journey to marathons on her blog, Beck on the Run. I first met Becky’s smiling face at Healthy Living Summit and most recently was able to spend time with her in New York City during the Mini 10K weekend!

I hope you enjoy this weeks guest post!

Hello, readers! Recently, Ashley asked me to participate in her Marathons+Moderation series.

My initial reaction was, “I can’t.” Why? Because last week I deferred my registration for the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

Last October I completed my first marathon in Newport, RI. It was a challenging, but truly magical day.

The marathon high lasted a long time. I wore my medal proudly and wanted to feel that adrenaline rush, that sense of accomplishment all over again. Without much thought, I registered for marathon #2 – National Marathon. I trained for that race through a snowy New England winter and completed 26.2 miles on March 26, 2011.

 

Those experiences bring me to today. I am not going out for a run. Instead, I will go to yoga and get in the pool for some laps. I am not training for marathon #3. Not yet. And that’s what I would love to chat about!

Marathons are demanding. They require strategic planning and a good amount of time. When you’re not running, you’re thinking about running, talking about running, stretching, eating bread, peanut butter, and bananas.

If you are training for a race with your whole heart, that’s exactly how it should be. There are so many ways for marathon training to enrich your life.

You bond with fellow runners during long runs. 

You learn about your body and what it likes.

You push your own physical and mental limits.

And you feel proud, happy, accomplished!

The key is heart. Your heart has to be in it to get the most out of the experience. Marathon training should not be a chore or a bore. There is no right or wrong time to train for a marathon. There’s no rule that you have to run a marathon every season or every year. When you feel ready to take on the marathon challenge, the time is right for you. I am a teacher enjoying the summer off. I have plenty of time to train for a marathon…but I’m not. I don’t feel 100% dedicated to the race, which means it’s not the right time for me. Someday, the time will be right again.

BeckOnTheRun is the place where I ramble about running and other random things. Running is fun. Life is fun. Enjoy every day!

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Friends and FlyBarre

This weekend was the perfect mix of rest, friends, and workouts!

Saturday after the NYRR Pride Race Bo and I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my best friends from college, Gavin. He was in town on business but was luckily able to extend his trip so we could spend some quality time together Saturday. We spent the afternoon showing him SoHo, the Village, Gramercy and a few parks in between before returning to our apartment for a round of cocktails.

DSC_0020 (640x426)IMG_2795 (640x478) (640x478) DSC_0021 (640x426) It was so wonderful to catch up with an old friend and plan a future visit out to see him in Los Angeles! I can’t believe we hadn’t seen him since our wedding in November 2009! DSC_0014 (640x426)

The boys had fun with the camera while I relaxed with a glass of red wine. DSC_0028 (640x426)DSC_0033 (640x426) We had to part ways earlier than we would have liked since we had plans uptown. Check out these incredible evening views!

IMG_2799 (640x478) IMG_2800 (640x478) A rooftop party was the perfect way to celebrate our friend Eric’s 30th birthday. His girlfriend Louisa was the hostess with the mostess, impressing everyone!

269160_754315877959_18802544_38091611_7020440_n (640x480) 262341_754316272169_18802544_38091623_359547_n (640x480)264397_754317983739_18802544_38091687_6294644_n (640x480) (638x478) IMG_2805 (640x478) IMG_2806 (640x478)

After spending almost the entire day outside, I slept like a baby Sunday night. In fact, I didn’t leave my bed until past noon!

I was lucky enough to snag a spot in Melissa’s free FlyBarre class Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, getting to the class was an obstacle in itself since the Pride Parade route stood between my house and the FlyWheel studio.

DSC_0003 (640x426) Check out the people watching from the windows! I would be so scared of falling!!

DSC_0004 (640x426) DSC_0006 (640x426) As you can tell, it was quite the event, especially after Friday’s vote to legalize same sex marriage. Luckily I made my way quick enough to sprint through FlyWheel’s doors a few minutes before class started.

DSC_0007 (640x426) I had no idea what to expect of FlyBarre except that it would be some sort of bar class.

DSC_0008 (640x426)

The first thing I noticed was the studio space. Unbeknownst to me, I’ve become quite accustomed to a more “spa like” space like Exhale, Pure Yoga, and Bar Method. The white lights paired with the white wall were a bit intense upon first entering.

I forgot about the surroundings within minutes when our energetic instructor Kolina started explaining the class. Many of the props are the same (band, ball, light weights, and mat) but the class is definitely different than any bar class I’ve taken. The “classic bar” portion is interspersed with an interpretive dance portion and dynamic arms.

DSC_0011 (640x426)My favorite parts of the class were the arm series and the ab portion. Using the light weights in new movements such as cross body was a refreshing and challenging change and my arms definitely felt it the next day. I also attribute this to using five pound weights for the majority of the class.

DSC_0017 (640x426)The ab section was centered around resistance bands and included cross overs which targeted the obliques and “pop ups” which focused on the lower abdominals.

DSC_0014 (640x426)Overall, I really enjoyed this class though I wish Kolina had spent more time adjusting the students. Many of us agreed that she participated in the class more than an average instructor and I fear that some students, who were new to bar type classes, may not have left understanding the proper form.  I would definitely take the class again and can’t thank FlyWheel or Melissa enough for the great opportunity.

Share Button
Follow: