The Sister Box

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The sister box arrived today! Yes, the sister box. A few years ago my oldest sister Charity sent me this box out of the blue. It was filled with tons of fun little gifts for me and then wrapped gifts for Katie. I was to fill it with gifts and send it along to Katie, etc. etc. I think it has been at least 4 years and the sister box has found its way to 3 apartments in DC, Cleveland, Orlando, Vancouver and Seattle. Charity saw this magazine clipping about a "sister safe" in Real Simple years ago and taped it to the box and went with the idea. I can't tell you what a smile it brings to my face when I see the tattered, taped, white, Priority Mail box arrive at the front desk. The sister box is SO fun! Today I had sooo many fun toys. New flip flops, a running tank, candy, flower headbands, awesome cupcake stationary and earrings and the list goes on. Sometimes I wonder if my sisters think that their 27 year old baby sister is actually 17 when I get lots of Hello Kitty and Candy theme gifts. However, lets be honest, I guess I still am at heart. 

The sister box is absolutely the best surprise to receive! I think it could work as a friend box or a mother daughter box if you do not have sisters. I know that I am LUCKY  to have the most amazing women that are my sisters. I know that even if its a box full of little knick knacks, I know that each was found as a treasure by Charity at Unique or at a little boutique in Seattle by Katie and whatever it is, they were thinking of me. Thanks D'Amato girls!!! You are the best sisters ever!!!! The box will go on till we are old and grey (however we might need a new physical box soon). 

xoxo

I love DC - #2

Farmer's Markets. I love the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market. Every Sunday morning, rain or shine, Dupont Circle turns into a fabulous organic market of local farmers. When I can, I try to make it there and buy fresh flowers, homemade breads, gazpacho (Chris' Marketplace!!!), produce. I love being in a city and being able to buy fresh from the farm ingredients. The market is always so crowded and so fun to people watch. On Thursdays there is a mini market in Penn Quarter that carries my favorite gazpacho and cherry vendors. I love being able to stop and pick up a few things on my way home. I hope Florida has some great little markets. I am sure they will have fabulous oranges :)

The Cake! The Dogs!

Today was the wedding I blogged about last week. The cake was delivered from NYC and was amazing! The flowers were gorgeous! I now truly understand the reason why Sylvia Weinstock is the "cake lady". The grooms cake was also, amazing. The cake was from Charm City Cakes (the well known Ace of Cakes team) and was shaped like a Maserti. The details in these cakes excites and amazes me. I have always thought of going to pastry school just to learn the skill, these cakes totally inspired me:)

I saw this post on Ritzy Bee's Blog and had to share it with. How amazing is this grooms cake, the Iphone! I fell in love with it. And I love the story of the bride's birthday cake. Maybe beau and I will have a windmill from Holland on our cake some day like in the photo, hee hee.

....I had to share a few pictures with you from the wedding set up today. The cake, yes, the placed a bride & groom smurf on the top! The tastings of the mojitos and lots of dogs pics. The bride, Tiwi's, dogs were too cute! I kind of want one now.

It was a beautiful day for a wedding! xoxo

Summer Running Playlist

I found out a few weeks ago that I got into the NYC marathon again. I am excited for marathon #4. The goal is, 5 by 30! I just started training officially this week and I realized that I'm bored of my music. I created a new play list to keep me going for the summer. I think it's a fun mix of old, new, dance, get you moving songs! I'm sure I'll have to add to it once the 20 mile training run comes (I don't event want to think of the Florida heat) ! Come cheer me on November 1st in the Big Apple! I took this picture two years ago at mile one, running across from Staten Island. Can't wait to do it again!

Becca's 2009 Summer Training Mix 

Ella Elle L'a - Kate Ryan 

Up Against the Wall - N'Sync

More More More - Kylie Minogue

Back to the Start - Lily Allen

Love Sex Magic - Ciara & Justin Timberlake

My Life would SUCK without You - Kelly Clarkson

Burnin' Up - Jonas Brothers

24 Hours (The Aston Shuffle A-Bomb Mill) - Terry Poison

Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

Toxic - Britney Spears

My Love - Justin Timberlake 

Radio - Beyonce

Love is Gone - David Guetta

Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack 

Ray of Light - Madonna

Take Me Home - Sophie Ellis Bextor

Party All The Time - Black Eyed Peas

Summer Hair

It is that time of the year again when I embrace my naturally wavy hair, I don't think I have much choice. I have always been a product junkie with a bathroom full of "potions" and new products (ask my sisters!)  Recently I have found a few summer hair products I love! The humidity in DC is awful this time of the year. I think the weather is going to be similar in Southern Florida, so its time for me to stalk up on Summer Hair products! Here are a few of my favs!

1. Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray $22 Gives you that wavy beach hair and it smells great!

2. Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray $38 Yes, I know, kind of pricey, but totally worth it! Oribe is a hair stylist to the stars! He is based in Miami, so who else would know humidty better then him. Its my new favorite product of the summer!

3. Kerastase Gelee Aqua Proof $34 Slather it on your wet hair when you are at the pool or the beach and it protects and keeps it soft and smooth. 

4. Aveeno Nourish & Moisturize Shampoo $7 NEW! Drugstore brand and price! I just bought it and have read about it everywhere. It is suppose to make your hair oh so soft. I'll keep you posted on my new bargain find. 

Inspired by Mr. Valentino

I had a great day off! I went to the Dupont Farmer's Market, lunch in Georgetown with Mariana and movies with Yasmin, a fun filled Sunday.  I went and saw the documentary, Valentino: Last Emperor.If you have not seen it, I highly recommend you go! I was so amazed and inspired by his passion and love for the work. The amount of time, people and work it takes to create his beautiful dresses was amazing! Amazing! The seamstresses are so skilled  and it was so interesting to watch the hand stitch EVERYTHING. I loved knowing the army it takes to create the beautiful garments we see in magazines and know the talent that goes into to every stitch. I was really in love with the party for his 45th celebration of his fashion house, it was nothing but FAVOLOSO! Watching the planning of the event made me excited and dream of what I want to do. The entire film left me inspired,  thinking about my passion and following my dreams of what I want to do. The movie is playing at limited theatres, so if you can see it...go! I promise you will enjoy it and fall in love with his five Pugs! 

xoxo

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Thanks for being an awesome Dad! xoxo

I love DC - #1

I moved to DC as an intern during the Summer of 2002. To be honest, I was not very excited to be living in the Nation's Capitol. I felt like everybody I knew worked in politics, it was boring and stuffy. I wanted to be in New York City, with the excitement, the high energy, my girlfriends from Syracuse. (I lived in a house with 6 college guys that summer, it was quite an experience being the girly girl I am.) Well, 7 years later here I am. I've been here since graduation and I have come to LOVE this city. I think D.C. is a wonderful exciting place to live and I will miss it tons. I thought I would start posting my favorite things about DC and have a comparison of what I'm looking forward to in Florida:)

#1 - The view! No skyscrapers, trees, huge monuments, its pretty! The pictures above are from my office view, an event at the Kennedy Center with DC in the background, the view you see when you fly in, amazing. When I fly into DC I always love seeing the Jefferson Memorial in the distance, its so pretty. When I worked at the Kennedy Center for 4 years, it still excited me to drive up to it at night when it was all lit up. It is a beautiful city. I have been lucky to be here and enjoy it. That being said, it will be fun to live by the beach for a few years and have palm trees, sandy beaches and the ocean as my view, I won't complain.

A Puppy to fit in my Purse

It's Thursday afternoon, in need of a laugh, ready to leave the office. This website makes me giggle! HOW CUTE are these puppies! http://www.pocketpuppies.com/Avail.htm Crazy, they are so tiny, but I love him! I need a little Pocket Puppy.

Rainy Day Reading

I woke up this morning to thunderstorms, rain and lighting. All I wanted to do is stay in bed and finish reading Eclipse! I am SO almost close to being finished. OK, so, I did not think I was going to be into this whole TWILIGHT  craze. Teenagers were going crazy over these vampire books, I found it weird. However.. things have changed.....I'm obsessed. If you have not read the first book of the series....go out and get it today! Edward, sigh, please, how can you not want to put the book down when Stephanie Meyer's describes his beautiful self so well. Like the vampires do, they suck you in! I am onto book #4 this weekend and can't wait! Read it. It is a fabulous series, and great for a summer read. I am SO looking forward to this Fall so I can throw a party for New Moon! (this party is fabulous!)

...thought I would add a little pic of our favorite boy Mr Pattinson for a nice Thursday morning eye candy;) 

xoxo

But they are on SALE!

                

Wednesday, middle of the week, ready for the weekend to come!

                                        

 

I'm daydreaming....surfing the web....a little too much! Oh my, I know, ya riiiiiight! But they are on sale. haha. My fabulous coworker Pam and I were dreaming of a pair of red soled shoes last week and came upon this sale! Riggggghhht, my beau REALLY would die if he realized how much I spent (as well as I might, but totally still love them). But they are quite fabulous, pink Loubuitions! I have also been stalking these shoes on Anthropologie. Please go on sale! I know they are a bit inpractical, but since when have I cared about practical shoes? I picture myself strolling around Palm Beach in these fun flower shoes. They are so fun. Are there any shoes you are dreaming of? 

The Planning! The Planning!

I love when I get a wonderful wedding couple! I have a wedding next week at work that was one of my FIRST clients who signed on before the Newseum was finished construction. Yesterday I spent almost two hours with Bryce & Tiwi and their great planner, Amy. They are having a beautiful wedding here in DC next week. Very modern and hip! The ceremony will take place on the 8th floor terrace looking over DC. Tiwi is having her little yorkie dogs walk down the aisle! They have a lot of asian traditions tied in with new traditions. This is the first of two events! The second event is in Singapore for 300 guests! Should be fabulous as well.

The reception will have lots of lounge furniture, couches, illuminated furniture. Dinner will be gorgeous! The picture above is the Bride's Tiwi's inspiration. All of the tables will be glass with Orchids overflowing. The cake queen, Sylvia Weinstock is doing the cake and Charm City Cakes is doing the Grooms cake. A cigar bar, mojitos, a guest dj, it should be a fun night. Oh the plannnnnnning that goes into these soirees! You know I love it!

I am looking into many options in my next move. I do love planning! And I have to admit....I would miss if I didn't have any weddings. They do hold a little place in my heart!

xoxo

OMG! ....I miss you!

ItsMonday....and I miss Gossip Girl! Summer tv, it's just not doing it for me. I so look forward to Monday night's guilty pleasure of Chuck and Blair, Lonely Boy and Serena, The Queen Bee group of girls and their crazy uniforms. I am dying for this shirt! Team Blair, I must get one. For now I'll enjoy watching reruns until the season returns. I'll rock my "Blair Bow" and look forward to see what happened after the amazing season finale. I have watched the Chuck and Blair reunion quite a few times.


Has anybody watched Bravo's new show, NYC Prep? It is suppose to be a real life Gossip Girl! OMG! Thoughts? Maybe I will add it to my DVR to keep my summer tv list full of guilty pleasure tv.


xoxo~ Becca








.... ooooo, here is a addicting GG site! http://www.gossipgirlinsider.com/


photos: me and my Blair Bow and the Blair shirt I must get soon!

Al Fresco Dining

I'm so excited that it's that time of the year again to begin dining outside! Last night I went over to my friend Mariana's fabulous apartment rooftop for dinner and drinks. I always LOVE dining outside in the summer. As most of you know, when I decide to have a get together or am invited over, its usually not simple...I LOVE to entertain! Yesterday when I was searching for recipes to make for the night I dreamed of having my own get together outside. Definitely something I get excited about being in Florida is the fact that almost all year round I will be able to do this. I better get shopping with my ideas, because I know my beau might say, do I really need more stuff?!?!? Oh you can never have too much to play hostess with! I dream of being the professional hostess with the mostess:) I am dying to serve the cocktail in the above picture while wearing this cute yellow dress! 

Tonight I think I will settle on to my couch and finish the last bit of blueberry crisp from last night. However, I will dream of my get together outside finished with this yummy looking coconut treat and a Royalty Cocktail.   

 

Dreaming of our next get together! xoxo

Summer Shades

So tonight I decided to skip my run and get a mani/pedi. Totally worth it! However, why every time when I walk into Cleveland Park Day Spa do I stare at the wall of  the little fabulous polish bottles so indecisive. Lincoln Park After Dark, Ballet Slippers, Pinking of You? It's summer, its sunny, its time for peep toes and flip flops! I decided to go with a little bright hot pink shade....Shorts Story. Maybe next time Neon Pink. Don't settle with Bubble Bath every week ladies, add a little brightness for the season. Here are some of my favorites. 

Orgasm - NARS

Exposure - Essie

Flirty Fuchsia - Essie 

Never Enough Shoes - OPI Sephora 

Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot - OPI 

A Flip Flop Feeling

Welcome to Urban Flip Flops! A couple of months ago I made a big decision that it was time for a change. After living in DC for 6 years and loving it, it was time for me to look at the options of meeting my Dutch Boy by the beach.... in Florida. I thought it would be a great time to begin blogging, centered around my thoughts, the things I love and share them with other people. Taking a leap from the city life to the beach life is a huge flip flop....my sister Katie captured the phrase perfectly. Instead of 100's of emails, Gchats, Facebook postings, Twitter, Phone Calls, texts....I'll be able to post everything right here. Ideas for a new get together, my favorite new online shopping spree find, new places to enjoy a cocktail. 

This picture was taken this weekend when I sat on the beach thinking, "This isn't going to be SO bad for awhile is it!?!?". Enjoy! 

xoxo