DomiCile Fall 2014

OMI

Fall 2014

ILE

Explore the Urban Dweller’s Paradise of

Logan Circle

Celebrate the Season with Fall Activities Shop Locally Made Fashions for Kids Go Beyond the Fence to Shenandoah Entertain with Thanksgiving-worthy Cutting Boards

domicilemag.com

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2 Soft Opening of Labor Day DC Harvest on Festival in H Street in Greenbelt, Md. Washington, D.C.

5 Check out the P.G. County Fair in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Curbside Cookoff in Washington, D.C.

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12 13 Weekend Prep: Join us for Check out Is Your Team #dmappleday2014! the Latest #1? #ShopLocal Don’t Forget for Fan Gear on FashionTrends the Cider! p. 43 p. 50

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Fiesta DC Latino Festival

#EatLocal for National Ice Cream Cone Day

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Ravens Home #ShopLocal This Opener in Week for Fall Baltimore Kids Clothing p. 34 14 Redskins Home Opener in Landover, Md.

Take a Stroll Through Logan Circle With our Guide on p. 14

The Star Spangled Spectacular Starts in Baltimore

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19 20 Get your Fall DC Vegfest Constitution Happy Hour Garden Ready + Day at The Prep: Read up With Help From Home Grown National on Green Hat Love & Carrots DC p. 44 Archives in D.C. Gin p. 28

Enjoy a cup From

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The Baltimore Crafty Bastards Book Festival in Washington, Begins D.C.

D.C. Fashion Week Begins

30 It’s Mulled Apple Cider Day

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3 24 Days Til Christmas

#dmappleday2014

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3 4 Gather up This In The Capital’s Summer’s DC Fest Postcards for a mid-week Craft in Washington, D.C. on p. 22

4 24 Days Til Christmas

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30 24 Days Til Christmas

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24 Days Til Christmas

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Pumpkin Festival at Taste of D.C. Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Md.

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Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.

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9th Annual Free (e)merge Art Make Your Fall The Graffiti Run Fall Begins in Fair Begins in Activity Wishlist in Baltimore Washington, With our Guide Upper on p. 66 D.C. Marlboro, Md.

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Baltimore Beer Week Begins

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Pigtown Festival in Baltimore

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Baltimore Folk Festival Begins

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Baltimore Running Festival

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Fells Point Vegan Soul Fest Haunted Pub in Baltimore Tour in Baltimore

#TreatYoSelf it’s Caramel Apple Day p. 70

Fredericksburg Fall Home & Craft Festival

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Aloha Hawaii!

Enjoy Comfort Cooking Recipes p. 52

King Farm Fall Try a new Festival in Consignment Rockville, Md. Shop This Week From p. 60

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Weekend Prep: Holiday Prep: Read up on RdV Spooky Snacks Vineyards p. 62 for Halloween on p. 68

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1 24 Days Til Christmas

October 3

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1 Washington Wizards Home Opener in Washington, D.C.

30 24 Days Til Christmas

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2 Washington Craft Show Begins in Washginton, D.C.

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8 7 Holiday Prep: Fall Harvest Tea Mistletoe Mart Send Thank You School 33 Lotta Begins in Cards This Year Art Benefit in & Tour at Tudor Westminster, for Veterans Baltimore Place in Md. Day p. 89 Georgetown

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24 Days Til Christmas

MetroCooking Foto Week D.C. D.C. at the D.C. Continues Convention Center

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24 Days Til Christmas

Line up at a #FoodTruck, it’s Fast Food Day!

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Visit Jordan Faye Gallery in Baltimore p. 90

Baltimore #BeyondTheFence Museum of Art Turns 100 to Shenandoah

Veterans Day + Capital Food Fight

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p. 76

19 Holiday Prep: Decide What Your Cutting Board Style is p. 94

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29 27 28 Thanksgiving Visit Old City Parades in Farm & Guild #ShopLocal on Small Business Silver Spring, for Local Saturday Md. & Christmas Trees Reston, Va. p. 82

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Sugarloaf Crafts Maryland Festival in Christmas Gaithersburg, Show Begins Md.

30 Small Business Retail Therapy: Sunday Market #ShopLocal on Details TBA Cyber Monday p. 84

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November

Director’s Letter Dear Readers,

It’s so hard for me to believe that this is our fourth issue! We’ve completed our first year! I’m so honored that you would choose to support our small business, and the local businesses that call this region home every season.

The summer really flew by! We met new neighbors, got to see businesses come to life, and had some amazing meetings over tea.

The fall is finally upon us though, and honestly, it is truly my favorite season. Between the leaves changing, the wardrobe choices, Halloween costumes, the fall harvest, feasts from old family recipes, and the fact it’s always feels like the start of something new, I can’t help but be excited!

I grew up loving the fall because it meant new school art supplies, seeing friends who went away for the summer, and getting to make new friends.

For DomiCile the fall means apple picking, pumpkin carving, seeing new businesses come to the region, and enjoying spending time with the friends we’ve made over the past year.

We have so many projects planned for the fall and the upcoming months, and I can’t wait to reveal them all. For now though, I’ll be sitting back, looking forward to my first cup of hot apple cider and being thankful for everything this region has to offer, including you, our wonderful readers.

Your neighbor, Tiffanni Reidy, Founder & Creative Director

Summer Instagram Highlights From Our Feed

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Family

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Tiffanni Reidy, Creative Director

Maya Brown, Managing Director

Angelina Cho, Social Media Contributor

Kavita Gadani, Graphics Contributor

Tinsley & Jason Stricker, Contributors

Sharon J. Burton, Contributor

Aaron Robbins Wiseman, Contributor

Rosa Loves DC, Contributor

Karen Curtis, Contributor

Jenna Golden, Contributor

Alison Marriott, Contributor

Jessica D’Argenio Waller, Contributor

Photos Heather Soskin, Photographer

Kelly Alfaro, Photographer

Josh Kumpf, Photographer

Gabrielle Marie, Contributor

Jeff Talbot, Photographer

Whitney ‘Nic’ James, Contributor

Teresa Johanna Speight, Contributor

Sean Scheidt, Photographer

Elizabeth Woolley, Photographer

Russ Crandall, Contributor

Corrine Marr, Contributor 7

Contents

DomiCile—Fall 2014

This Fall We....

Get to Know our Community 28 Meet Local Distillers: New Columbia Distillers 40 Artist Spotlight: Michelle Fraizer 44 Meet a Local Gardener: Meredith Sheperd 82 Meet a Local Farmer: Frank Asher 90 Gallery Spotlight: Jordan Faye Gallery

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Enjoy the Holidays 22 Labor Day Jetset Postcard Coasters 68 Spooky Snacks for Halloween 89 Veterans Day Thank You Cards 94 Thanksgiving Cutting Boards Savor the Season 26 Pick-Your-Own Farms 43 Dresscode: Summer to Fall Transition 62 Behind the Gates: A Taste of RdV Vineyards 66 Fall Thrills & Chills Shop Local 34 Fashionable Kids Love Shopping Local 50 We’re #1: Local Fan Gear 8

DomiCile Magazine We Are Local

domicilemag.com domiciledc domicilemag wearelocal@domicilemag.com

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On the Cover

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Shop Locally Made Fashions for Kids

Cover Image Photographed by Heather Soskin Back Cover Image Photographed by Tiffanni Reidy

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The Backyard: Logan Circle, Washington, D.C. Celebrate the Season with Fall Activities Go Beyond The Fence to Shenandoah Entertain with Thanksgiving-worthy Cutting Boards

In Every Issue 10 What’s in Season 11 Open Markets 12 #RosaEats 14 The Backyard: Logan Circle 52 Comfort Cooking: Hawaii Edition 60 Consignment Threads 76 Beyond the Fence: Shenandoah 84 Retail Therapy 97 Non-Human Neighbors 9

What’s in Season?

Photographed by Maya Brown and Tiffanni Reidy Here in the mid-atlantic we’re fortunate enough to have two fruitful harvest seasons. Fall seems to bring us just as much bounty as summer, allowing farmers markets to stay open for most of the year. This fall, enjoy all your seasonal favorites in addition to many from summer that can still be harvested in September. apples, beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, leeks, lettuce, melons, okra, onions, parsnips, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, spinach, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips

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Credit: KSM

Credit: Kathryn Andrews

D.C.

Maryland

Capital Harvest on the Plaza 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Fridays, 11 a.m–3 p.m.

Cheverly Community Market 6401 Forest Rd Every Other Saturday, Now–October and November 22 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Chevy Chase/Broad Branch Farmers Market 5701 Broad Branch Road NW (Lafayette Elementary School parking lot) Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Palisades Farmers Market 48th Place NW at MacArthur Blvd Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Columbia Heights Community Marketplace 14th Street and Park Road NW Saturdays, 9 a.m–1 p.m.

H Street FreshFarm Market H Street NE and 13th Street NE Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Open

Home Grown Farm Market 21078 Three Notch Rd., Lexington Park Now-Early November Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

November-December Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Credit: City of Falls Church

Virginia Falls Church Farmers Market 300 Park Avenue Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Arlington Farmers Market North Courthouse Road and North 14th Street Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Clarendon Farmers Market Wilson Boulevard and North Highland Street Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m.

Urbana Library Farmers Market 9020 Amelung Street Now–October 12 Sundays, 11a.m.–2p.m.

Great Falls Farmers Market 778 Walker Road Now–November Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Takoma Park Farmers Market Laurel Avenue between Eastern and Carroll Streets NW Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane Sherwood Regional Library parking lot Wednesdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Kensington Farmers Market Howard Avenue (Kensington MARC train station parking lot) Now–October Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market 7155 Wisconsin Avenue Wednesdays, Fridays, Now–November Saturdays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Markets 11

#RosaEats

@RosaLovesDC continues her food adventures around the region and shows us delicious independent eats for the fall season. Follow her local photos through our hashtag, #DCMxRosaEats. And as always, find Rosa on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest at RosaLovesDC and on the Web at RosaLovesDC.tumblr.com.

Cinnamon Doughnut Holes Bread Furst Washington, D.C.

Chocolate Chip Flapjacks Sixth Engine Washington, D.C.

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Farmhouse Salad and FrisĂŠe aux Lardons Hillwood Cafe Washington, D.C.

Baker’s Basket and Spreads Range Washington, D.C.

House White and House Rose Wines Redwood Bethesda, Md.

Brandied French Toast Matisse Washington, D.C.

Heather Soskin Photography 301-379-0523 www.heathersoskinphotography.com 13

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An Urban Dweller’s Paradise:

Written by Jenna Golden of Eat More Drink More Photographed by Heather Soskin

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I grew up just about 45 minutes outside of D.C. in Columbia, Maryland. Although it was just a quick car ride from the city, it was rare that we would take the time to come in and explore what D.C. had to offer. As I grew older, my interest in politics grew as well, and it became clear to me that Washington, D.C. was the perfect place for me to settle down and start my adult life. After leaving the area for college, I returned upon graduation in 2005, and I now realize it’s unlikely that I will ever leave. Between the people, the historic sights, the parks, the restaurants, and the professional opportunities, D.C. is the place for me.

Over four years ago, I made the move to the Logan Circle neighborhood of D.C. Previously I was living in the sleepy area of Foggy Bottom, and I was ready to be walking distance to local shops, restaurants, and culture. Logan Circle has been an ever-changing neighborhood over the past few decades, with the majority of the changes happening around the mid 1990s. However, the history runs all the way back to the late 1800s. The majority of the Victorian townhomes along the circle were built between 1875-1900, and today, Logan Circle remains the only all-residential circle in Washington, D.C. The circle is named after Major General John Alexander Logan, who was also a state senator from Illinois.

watching young families enjoy the best of city living.

I love to walk up and down the blocks admiring the beautiful homes, and the tree-lined streets. My first stop is normally BakeHouse for my morning coffee.

BakeHouse was opened by Niall Cooper and Lindsay Morse in 2013, via inspiration from living on a small island in Georgia with a lack of bakeries. As a result of this deprivation, Lindsey decided to develop recipes and learn to make beautiful sweet treats which can now be enjoyed daily at their shop. They serve an array of baked goods such as apricot and chevre scones (my favorite), and homemade biscuits with butter and jam; as well as Zeke’s Coffee which is a small batch roastery based in Baltimore.

After starting my day at BakeHouse with an iced latte, I then continue along by popping my head in at Redeem to search for beautiful clothes from independent designers. I also love to stop in at The Coffee Bar, which was opened in late 2012 by Cait

Today, the area has an eclectic mix of modern and industrial buildings that joined the neighborhood in the early 2000s, as well as gorgeous old rowhouses with character and charm that are hard to ignore.

The mix of the old and new is one of the things that I treasure most about my neighborhood. The newest Dolcezza Gelato just opened on the corner of 14th and P Streets NW in a building that was constructed in 1878. Owners Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman worked tirelessly to keep the integrity of the building, while, at the same time, creating a modern space for people to enjoy coffee and gelato. Ari Gejdenson, owner of Ghibellina, which opened on 14th Street in 2013, worked off of a photograph from 1920 to restore the facade of his restaurant to what it had looked like–a tire store. That was back when the area was known as “auto row” because of the many car dealerships that ran along the street. Even as the neighborhood turns, the small businesses that line the streets of Logan Circle continue to pay homage to its rich history.

On any given Saturday, I can stroll along 14th Street or around the circle bumping into friends, or

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Lowry in a historic rowhouse, built in 1880. The Coffee Bar provides a relaxed environment, free wi-fi, and great people watching. I often come here with my laptop to write, and I tend to get a lot of work done in this lovely spot. There is also a sizable outdoor patio, and they serve a mix of selections including the locally made Ceremony Coffee from Annapolis, Maryland.

In addition to a growing coffee culture, I love living in Logan Circle because of the thriving restaurant community. 14th Street offers an eclectic mix of dining options including Italian, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Belgian, and Ethiopian. The choices are endless, and the diversity of cuisine is part of what makes Logan Circle a dining destination. In my spare time, because of my passion for good food experiences, I write a local food blog called EatMore DrinkMore that focuses on the D.C. restaurant scene.

It’s wonderful that I don’t have to travel far for many D.C. neighborhood gems that I frequent regularly.

A favorite of mine is Cork Wine Bar. I love to perch here on Saturday nights, especially when I can snag one of the small outdoor tables. It was one of the first to start the restaurant renaissance on 14th Street back in 2008, and this quaint neighborhood wine bar is still one of the best. Cork serves up an impressive international wine list including regularly rotating wine flights such as sparkling rosés or chilled Italian reds. But they’re also known for their simple avocado toasts sprinkled with sea salt. Owners Khalid Pitts and Diane Gross live in the neighborhood themselves, and they opened Cork with the goal of creating a place for locals to gather. In addition to the restaurant, they also own Cork Market & Tasting Room just up the street which offers a generous wine selection, cheese and charcuterie, as well as specialty foods including fried chicken. It’s always nice to be greeted by the owners and their friendly staff, and it’s a place that’s a staple for the neighborhood.

I also love to dine at Ristorante Posto on a weekly basis. The doors opened in 2008 from the same team that brought us one of D.C.’s best power lunch spots: Ristorante Tosca. Executive Chef and CoOwner Massimo Fabbri along with Restaurateur and Co-Owner Paulo Sacco created Posto in a more casual fashion, hoping to draw in the urban dwellers of Logan Circle for pizza, pasta, and modern Italian fare. While dozens of trendy new restaurants have popped up along 14th Street in the past years, Posto 16

remains one of the most consistent. The menu changes regularly with the seasons, but I prefer to sit at the bar on weeknights with a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta. The restaurant is totally my style, and I always feel at home dining there.

Because my love for Italian food runs deep, I am thrilled that there are now multiple restaurant options in Logan Circle that pay homage to Italy.

Ghibellina is just steps away from my home, and a place that you will regularly find my friends and I enjoying wine and pizza after a long day at work.

This restaurant is particularly special to me as it is named after Via Ghibellina in Florence, Italy which is the same street that I lived on while studying abroad in Italy in 2004. It just so happens that Owner Ari Gejdenson, and his childhood friend Ralph Lee also lived on the same street, and decided to open this Italian gastropub in its honor. The big picture windows at the front of the restaurant open up on a warm day, and the long bar that stretches across half of the restaurant creates the perfect happy hour spot. How lucky to have a reminder of my home in Italy right next to my permanent home in downtown D.C. In addition to food and drink, there is also a design and furniture hub that has started to grow on 14th Street. One shop that I adore is Timothy Paul Home, which sells luxury carpets and rugs, customized bedding, and upscale furniture including bed frames and sofas. The original shop opened as a carpet store in 2003, with a sister bedding store located just up the street, until recently when they combined into one big gorgeous space on 14th between P and Q. I purchased my upholstered headboard from this locally owned shop, and the entire team that works at this outpost is helpful, friendly, and has great taste. Owned by Timothy Paul Worrell, and his wife Mia Backman Worrell, they have brought an elegance to the block that fits the sophisticated urban dwellers of Logan Circle.

When looking for nightlife I swing by The Black Cat which is an independent music venue that has been open since 1993. Over the years they have welcomed musicians such as Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Ani DiFranco, and The Shins. For some of the city’s best cocktails, I like to visit the elusive 2 Birds 1 Stone which is owned by award-winning Bar Director Adam Bernbach. He hand draws the menu every week, and puts a lot of thought and love into each cocktail that he makes. It’s hidden down a

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flight of stairs below Doi Moi, and is the perfect spot for a drink with friends. I love to come here and grab a table on the early side, but stick around parked in a booth as the place fills up for great people watching.

The Logan Circle neighborhood has style, diversity, sophistication, and culture. It’s a short walk to all of the imaginable conveniences, and is the perfect blend of old and new. For a young professional like myself, it feels the hub of the city, and because of what it offers I have been able to remain carless for over nine years, which I hope to be able to continue the trend for years to come. I am proud to call Logan Circle my neighborhood, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Follow Jenna on Twitter and Instagram @jigolden, and visit her on the web at eatmoredrinkmore.com and jigolden.com.

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Logan Circle Eats

Dolcezza Gelato 1418 14th Street NW Ghibellina 1610 14th Street NW BakeHouse 1407 T Street NW The Coffee Bar 1201 S Street NW Cork Wine Bar 1720 14th Street NW Ristorante Posto 1515 14th Street NW 2 Birds 1 Stone 1800 14th Street NW 20

Shops Cork Market & Tasting Room 1805 14th Street NW Timothy Paul 1529B 14th Street NW Redeem 1810 14th Street NW Home Rule 1807 14th Street NW

Plays The Black Cat 1811 14th Street NW The Studio Theatre 1501 14th Street NW

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Jetset Postcard Coasters

Written by Jessica D’Argenio Waller of MAKE TRIBE Photographed by Sean Scheidt

Savor the jetset vibe of summer by transforming your stack of travel postcards into a chic set of coasters to enjoy at your Labor Day party and year-round.

Follow MAKE TRIBE on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest @maketribe, and visit them on the web at maketribe.com.

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Materials

6 Round 4� Cork Coasters 6 Postcards (new or vintage) Mod Podge Decoupage Brush Foam Paintbrush

Pencil Scissors Wax Paper Polyurethane S pray (optional) 23

1. Trace the outline of one

coaster onto the front of the postcard using the pencil. Make sure the coaster is centered over the section of the postcard you’d like to use.

2. Cut out the circle from

the postcard. Trim the shape to fit exactly onto the surface of the coaster.

3. Use the foam

paintbrush to spread a layer of Mod Podge onto one side of the coaster.

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4. Place the postcard

circle on top of the Mod Podge, pressing to secure while smoothing any bubbles.

5. Apply a bit of Mod

Podge to the decoupage brush and cover the surface of the postcard in smooth motions. Be sure to coat the edges of the coaster and postcard so they stay sealed.

6. Set the coaster aside

to dry on wax paper.

Repeat steps 1-5 on the remaining coasters. To make your coasters even more water-resistant, coat with a clear polyurethane spray and let dry.

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Pick Your Own

If you’re looking to check out some pick-your-own farms this fall expect to find peaches, apples, pumpkins and other gourds to choose from.

Last year DomiCile took a trip to Baugher’s Orchard in Westminster, Maryland for #DMAppleDay2013 to pick from their delicious selection. Afterwards we visited the farm corral, shopped their market and had some delicious fried Oreos. With our huge haul we baked pies, made a crisp, made our own apple butter, and were able to enjoy the fresh fruits of our labor for weeks. This year we’ll be visiting another farm for #DMAppleDay2014, on September 13, and we hope you can join us. Look for details coming up on our social media sites.

Explore these great locations throughout harvest season.

Maryland: Huber’s Farm 11898 Philadelphia Road, Kingsville Baughers Orchard 1015 Baugher Road, Westminster Rock Hill Orchard 28600 Ridge Road, Mount Airy Larriland Farm 2415 Woodbine Road, Lisbon Butlers Orchard 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown Phillips Farm Produce 13710 Schaeffer Road, Germantown

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C and E Farm 11415 Old Pond Drive, Glenn Dale

Virginia: Hartland Orchard 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham Stribling Orchard 11587 Poverty Hollow Lane, Markham Brossmans Farm 14740 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg Crooked Run Orchard 37883 East Main Street, Purcellville Great Country Farms 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Wegmeyer Farm 38299 Hughesville Road, Hamilton Evergreen Acres 12801 Hazelwood Drive, Nokesville

Join us September 13 for #dmappleday2014 follow our hashtag for more details

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New Columbia Distillers

Written by Aaron Robbins Wiseman of Kicking Cooking

Photographed by Heather Soskin

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Michael Lowe and John Uselton are the founders of New Columbia Distillers and the makers of Green Hat Gin. With three recipes under their belt, New Columbia Distillers is a favorite with those looking for a seasonal gin made in the heart of D.C.

DomiCile: So what do you think was the reason for the lack of distilleries in D.C.?

John: [Michael and I] do a little bit of everything. I handle a good bit of the day-to-day production here and there, mashes and that kind of thing. Michael is definitely the regulatory guru, so to say. There are only three people that work here, so everybody’s gotta be able to do a little bit of everything.

Michael: Once Prohibition ended or sometime within a few years of that, D.C. established the statutes that regulated distilleries and would allow someone to put a distillery in. No one did it. My guess is, because there were 3 or 4 significant distilleries in Baltimore. And so, for several decades, a distillery meant either a guy out in the woods someplace with a moonshine still, or a great big industrial plant.

It wasn’t really until the 1990s at the earliest that craft stilling started up nationwide. And it just so happened that nobody had gotten around to trying a craft distillery here in D.C. until we came along.

Michael: John and I are the founders. Primarily coowners, but John’s also my son-in-law.

DomiCile: So were you big gin drinkers before you did this?

DomiCile: So how did this idea come about?

Michael: Yeah, I think so. We both have significant gin collections at home. You know, gin’s the traditional main cocktail spirit. Back in the 1920s, 1930s, gin was what you got in a cocktail, at least half the time. That was before vodka even showed up in this country, which wasn’t really until the 1950s and 1960s. Obviously there were whiskey cocktails, but a lot of people drank their whiskey neat. So gin really gives you a lot of room for creativity—not only in the flexibility you’ve got in making it, but in the

DomiCile: Tell us a little about New Columbia Distillers.

John: D.C. needed a distillery.

DomiCile: We definitely agree.

John: While they were exploding all over the country there were none in D.C. Since we had a real love of gin, we decided the best thing was to open a gincentric distillery.

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flexibility and wide variety of things you can make with it. So those are things that really appealed to us about gin.

DomiCile: How exactly did you start out?

We started doing experiments on our year-round gin.

So while we were doing our buildouts, we had done a bunch of infusions, and kind of worked out which of the 12 botanicals we were going to use for it. All we needed to do was figure out how many of those botanicals we needed to use in the still in order to get the final product that we wanted.

So we started doing a bunch of experiments, trying to figure out what those levels were. Eventually we got to the point that we were pretty set with the way we kind of liked it and so we released our first batch October 1, 2012.

As far as other botanicals that are common in gins: coriander is in almost all gins, orris root, angelica root, some kind of licorice flavor, fennel seed is common, those are all often in gins. Cinnamon, and usually also some kind of citrus.

Still, that leaves a lot of leeway for which of those you emphasize and also what other botanicals you include.

John: So you’ve got the year-round gin, our original gin that’s gonna be a little bit more herbal and earthy in character. We took several of those traditional gin botanicals including coriander,

DomiCile: How many cases did you initially roll out with?

Michael: We probably started off with maybe 35 cases or so. It took us a little while to get that process down so that we were getting everything out of the wheat that was available. We were still tweaking the recipe a little bit as far as changing some of the proportions and our botanicals. As of now we haven’t changed the proportions in close to a year in a half. So we feel we’ve locked that recipe in.

DomiCile: For anyone who’s a gin novice as far as what goes into the actual production (we know what goes into the consumption, that’s pretty easy!), what makes Green Hat Gin unique?

Michael: Well, the word ‘gin’ comes from the Dutch word for ‘juniper.’ It is by definition a juniper-flavored spirit. So you have to have juniper berries or it’s not gin.

Then there are different degrees of how juniper-y the gin is. In traditional London dry-style gins, they tend to be pretty strong, sort of sharply juniper-y with some citrus and not a lot else that’s noticeable in between. But we wanted to have a gin that wasn’t in that style. We wanted one that instead dialed back the juniper a little bit more so that we could introduce some more botanicals and get some other flavors coming through in the gin.

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obviously juniper has to be in there by law, fennel, and then we added some celery seed. I only know of one other gin in the world that has celery seed in it.

We also use a little sage.

So those, with the lemongrass that give us a little bit more of the citrus notes, but it’s a little bit different than just using the grapefruit and lemon peel. So that’s where ours differs from the traditional gin, traditional meaning, lemony dry style. We’re also going to differentiate in that juniper component. Our gins tend to be a little bit softer in the juniper, they’re not really juniper-forward. We went through and tried a lot of gins and the majority of them are either citrus forward or juniper forward.

DomiCile: Do you both have a favorite gin cocktail?

Michael: Probably not. We have five or six on a regular basis.

DomiCile: What is your current distribution radius? Is it just D.C. or are you moving out a little further?

John: We self-distribute in the District, and then we have a distributor for Maryland and Delaware.

We also deliver gin to Richmond, Virginia. There’s a lot going on in D.C., and sometimes I think a lot of people don’t realize how it’s changing. But that change, I think, is a big part of why we have craft distillers moving in, and as many breweries as we have now. Five or six years ago, people moved to D.C. to go to school or work at the Capitol, and then they were leaving. Now, even if they’re moving here for that, they’re staying after they’re done. So you have more and more people who are willing to invest in D.C. itself and be part of what’s happening here. ‘Oh, let’s open a brewery. Let’s open a distillery. Let’s make cheese. Let’s do the things that you find in all these other great cities, Chicago, San Francisco, New York.’ D.C. is like ‘we can do these kinds of things too, we just haven’t’. So in the last 5 or 6 years, we have, and I think now the rest of the country and the press is like ‘Oh, have you been to D.C. in a while? Because it’s great!’ There’s a lot going on. Walk down 14th street on a beautiful day, have some gin cocktails and some oysters! It’s really an amazing transformation.

Follow Aaron on Twitter @kickingcooking, and visit him on the Web at kickingcooking.wordpress.com.

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Our Favorite Gin Recipes Gin Rickey

Grapefruit & Gin

Ingredients: 2 Ounces Gin 1 Lime Soda Water

Ingredients: 4 Ounces Gin 6 Ounces Grapefruit Juice Mint Leaves Dash of Sugar

Directions: Fill a glass with ice.

Squeeze in the juice of half the lime.

Add gin, fill with soda water, and stir.

Garnish with slices of lime.

Directions: Pour grapefruit juice and sugar into a shaker with ice.

Add gin and shake.

Pour into a glass and garnish with mint leaves.

Found on Kicking Cooking kickingcooking.wordpress.com

Found on DC Girl in Pearls dcgirlinpearls.com

Grapefruit Rosemary Gin

Gin and Apple Cider

Ingredients: 1.5 Ounces Gin 1/3 of a Thinly Sliced Grapefruit 2-3 Full Rosemary Sprigs

Ingredients: Ice 1 Part Gin 3 Parts Unsweetened Apple Cider 1 Dash Orange Bitters per Serving Orange Peel, Cut Into Long Spirals, for Garnish

Directions: Add components to a mason jar, screw lid tightly and shake. Store in a cool area out of the sun for two days.

While most other liquor combinations will take longer to infuse, this rosemary gives the gin a quick kick.

When ready to serve, mix 1.5 ounces strained gin with 4 ounces grapefruit juice. Serve over ice.

Found on Healthfully Ever After healthfullyeverafter.co

Directions: Fill a rocks glass with ice.

Add the gin, cider and bitters, and stir.

Garnish with the orange peel.

Found on The Bitten Word thebittenword.com 33

Fashionable Kids L Photographed by Heather Soskin Modeled by Lennon, Finley and Harper

If there’s one handmade item we see at local markets more than anything else, it’s clothing for kids.

Those tiny designs are some of the most stylish we come across. From onesies to hats to booties, local designers know how to make your child look their best.

When shopping for your little one’s next favorite outfit or buying that perfect shower gift, shop small.

It’s shopping you can feel good about, and with items this cute, it’s easy to buy local.

Blue Elephant Sweatshirt, Mirasa 34

Love Shopping Local

Pink, Purple and Gray Sweater, Yellow House Knits

Apple Beanie, Hippity Hoppity Hats 35

D.C. Flag Onesie, Grow Wild Studio 36

Applique Denim Jacket, Studio Solaris

Circles in Leaves Booties, Yinibini Baby

Apple Beanie, Hippity Hoppity Hats 37

Princess Crown, Hippity Hoppity Hats My Monkey Onesie, Mirasa Whale Onesie, Lil’ Fishy 38

Koala Bib, Yinibini Baby

Multi-colored Headband, Jules and Nora Pumpkin Beanie and Princess Crown, Hippity Hoppity Hats Multi-Colored Striped Sweater, Yellow House Knits 39

Artist Spotlight:

Michelle Fraizer

Written by Sharon J. Burton of The Artinista Images courtesy of Michelle Fraizer Copyright, Michelle Fraizer, all rights reserved

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Michelle: I currently live in Adelphi, Maryland and I have lived in Prince George’s County, Maryland all of my life.

DomiCile: When was the moment that you knew inside that you were an artist?

Michelle: I never really felt inside that I was an artist, I just realized that I saw things differently, and that there is beauty in the simplest of things. Creating, for me, is connecting with that beauty and expressing it through art. The natural beauty of stone intrigues and challenges me to bring out its hidden qualities using the figure.

DomiCile: What inspires you to create? How does that inspiration show up in your work?

In the mid to late 2000s, I was active in the Women’s Caucus for Art’s Greater Washington, D.C. chapter as a way to jumpstart my personal career as an artist and curator. It was through my involvement with the organization that I met Michelle Fraizer, a local sculptor who is now currently the chapter’s president.

Michelle is a multi-talented figurative sculptor who works primarily in stone and ceramic.

Through her elegant and intriguing work, she celebrates the female form and explores emotions such as sensuality, strength, motherhood and everything in between. Subject themes are influenced by mythology, as well as contemporary social commentary.

Michelle’s passion for her chosen medium of sculpture is best described in her own words:

“Figurative sculpture has its history in ancient artifacts and has lengthy traditions in every culture.

It is the cornerstone of what has led to the unique breadth of three dimensional visual art of the 20th and 21st centuries--that has been either in reaction to the past or has incorporated new materials and concepts expressive of contemporary vision.”

I was happy that Michelle agreed to share her story with DomiCile.

DomiCile: How long have you lived in the area?

Michelle: To be honest, it could be anything. I am open to finding, exploring and experiencing new things every day. I take those things and reflect on their impact upon me and that provides inspiration. There are a lot of layers in my work, although with stone it is difficult to see them all. My pieces reflect a certain transparency that is thought provoking, quietly questioning and observing, which is often at odds with my screaming inner self. For me, the inspiration is often hidden in the details and its implications are seen in my work.

DomiCile: What is the best thing about being an artist in the D.C. region?

Michelle: This is a very diverse area which houses many styles and views about art which we are fortunate enough to have free access to see and learn from. As an instructor, I am able to bring 41

an artful experience to those who want to broaden their creative horizons and give them a sense of accomplishment in their artistic endeavors.

DomiCile: If you collect any art, what kind of art do you collect?

Michelle: I have collected a few pieces of work mainly from fellow artists and students. I have also purchased a few small pieces which are paintings.

DomiCile: How can people find out more about your work?

Michelle: I invite readers to visit my website michellefraziersculptures.webs. com, StoneWomynArt page on Facebook, see my work on view monthly at Touchstone Gallery, touchstonegallery.com, located at 9th & New York Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C. and the Women’s Art Collaborative Site zhibit.org/womensartcollaborative.

Images: Orange Bloom, Translucent Orange Alabaster, 2014 Geminis, Arcobaleno Alabaster, 2014 Wishes, Arcobaleno Alabaster, 2014 Follow Sharon on Twitter and Instagram @theartinista, on Facebook @ArtinistaArtAdvisory, and visit her on the Web at theartinista.com.

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Dresscode: Summer to Fall Transition Written by: Karen Curtis of Your Stylist, Karen Photographed by: Kasi Perkins

Summer in the DMV was epically memorable and equally as hot. There were plenty of day parties, Nationals baseball games and, of course, everyone’s favorite monthly food indulgence, Truckeroo! I will miss rocking shorts, rompers and my favorite swimming suit but I must admit that I am excited about fall fashion. The temperature has started to drop and it is now time to start transitioning the summer wardrobe to fall. I am a big fan of light layering because it allows for an easy transition to changing temperatures. Here’s how I plan to rock fall 2014 trends!

B O L D S

I typically shy away from the boldon-bold color combination, as lively colors are usually prevalent in the summer. However, it works well for fall when worn with heavier fabrics. This look is less Lily Pulitzer and more Jem and the Holograms! Make this trend your own by mixing fabrics and fun accessories like bright earrings and bags. Be prepared to turn quite a few heads if you rock this trend because bolder is better!

K N I T S

This fall, you’re going to see knits everywhere. Like head to toe, all knit everything! What’s cool about this trend is that it also falls in line with the monochromatic trend.

It gets nippy in my office so any trend that promotes warmth is one I will keep in heavy rotation. Knits tend to be more form fitting, so be prepared to keep that summer workout going!

W E S T E R N Pull out that chic fedora, the turquoise and silver jewelry, or even a cute thin bolero tie, because the Western trend is rolling out this fall. This is a way more sophisticated take though, and I like to think of it as “westernmeets-the-city”. Silhouettes are sleek and chic versus rodeo-girl friendly.

Follow Karen on Twitter @yourstylistkar, love her pics on Instagram @yourstylistkaren, and visit her on the Web at yourstylistkaren.com.

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An interview with Meredith Sheperd of

Love & Carrots

Photographed by Jeff Talbot and Tiffanni Reidy Photograph of Meredith Courtesy of Hannah Colclazier 44

M

eredith Sheperd is the founder of Love & Carrots, an organic home gardening service company operating in the D.C. metropolitan region. Love & Carrots installs gardens for private residences, businesses and community spaces. We were fortunate enough to catch her between installs to get a better understanding of what Love & Carrots does, and to get some first hand advice from someone with two green thumbs.

DomiCile: How and why did you decide to start Love & Carrots?

Meredith: The origin of Love & Carrots is rooted in environmental concern. I became passionate about the local food movement through my experiences learning to farm. I was traveling the world working on farms and reading books by inspirations like Michael Pollan and John Jeavons. I began to see that choosing what you eat daily is a decision that has great impact on many important issues: health & wellness, the environment, the economy, so I had to get involved.

After managing Chailey Farm in Virginia for several seasons growing food for local D.C. restaurants, I decided I wanted to shift to urban agriculture. Urban agriculture focuses solutions where the problems exist. I stumbled upon the idea of helping people grow food in their own yards while biking around the city to job interviews and observing all the open space D.C. had to offer. I gave up my job search, put out a flier, and never looked back.

DomiCile: Why Love & Carrots, where did that name come from?

Meredith: I wanted there to be a vegetable in the name. Love & Carrots is the remixing of “Love & Care” and “Peas & Carrots”. We provide “Love & care for your peas & carrots…”

DomiCile: Walk us through a typical installation process- start to finish.

Meredith: It starts with a consultation and site assessment, where we meet on site to talk about what the client is looking for and what makes sense for their space. I ask about how much experience they have growing, how much time they have to devote to gardening, and what vegetables they are most excited to grow.

Every site has its own set of challenges. I take sunlight readings, soil samples, and other measurements. Then we talk about how we can craft a garden and crop list that will best fit the space and maximize production.

We do a lot of landscape master plans in which we tie the vegetable garden into a native landscape and use fruit trees, berry shrubs, native flowers, and herbs in place of typical landscaping choices.

Once we nail down a plan, we get a materials deposit and pick an 45

installation date! We are usually booking about a month out, or up to two months during the busy seasons. The installations are all-inclusive, meaning we bring everything down to the last tomato start, plant label, and trellis.

After the installation is complete, clients have the option of signing up for Garden Care or Garden Coaching. Both programs entail a visit from one of our urban farmers every two weeks throughout the season, during which we provide all the materials and care the garden needs to thrive. We’ll even leave your harvest in a cooler. After each visit we email a “Garden Snapshot” detailing all that was done in the garden that day, what was harvested, any issues and any important garden happenings. For example “Your lettuce is ready to eat. Be sure to harvest in the morning when the leaves are the sweetest.”

Garden Coaching is the same service, but scheduled at a time when the client can be present to work along side the urban farmer and learn the tricks of the trade.

DomiCile: What has been your favorite install thus far?

Meredith: We installed a garden on Porter Street, NW where the homeowners wanted their entire sunny front yard to be in production and the surrounding landscape planted with native pollinator flowers.

I love front yard gardens because they make a show of the edible possibilities and how beautiful vegetable gardens can be.

At one installation in McLean, while digging, we found the couple’s long lost wedding band that had been a family heirloom! The gold was originally melted from the cavity fillings of soldiers!

DomiCile: What has been the most challenging install thus far?

Meredith: One roof deck garden installation was up 4 stories with no elevator access, so we had to carry all the containers, soil, everything in buckets up all those stairs. The result was well worth the hard work!

DomiCile: Do you have a dream install? Where would it be? What features would it have?

Meredith: My dream installation is a rooftop farm above a grocery store so the produce can be sold 30 feet from where it is grown.

DomiCile: Can you give advice to those just starting a garden in this region?

Meredith: One, Sunlight is the most important factor. Study the light around your house and do your best to position the garden where there are the most hours of light in a day. The garden’s success will be directly linked to the number of hours of sunlight. It may not be where you envisioned the garden, so be flexible! Choose a spot with at least six hours of light each day.

If you’re working in an area with less than 4 hours of light, focus on 46

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crops where the leaves are eaten like kale, lettuce, herbs, swiss chard, scallions. Large fruiting vegetables like squash, beefsteak tomatoes, and eggplant will struggle. An area with 8+ hours of light is full sun. Go nuts with that pumpkin patch!

Two, Start early and plant often. Spinach and peas are planted in late February! Plan for planting for the fall in August. Kale and many other delicious crops harvest into December.

Three, Don’t be nervous about starting big. Three or four raised beds is a good, manageable size and you can reap a meaningful and diverse harvest.

Four, Dripline irrigation is worth every penny.

DomiCile: Do you have any budget friendly install options?

Meredith: We do our best to work within people’s budgets. I strongly believe that budgetary constraints should not prohibit someone from having a garden! Clients can help out with the labor before and during the installation. We happily repurpose any materials they might have available. We accept payments in installments, and are happy to help put together projects in phases.

We’ve also been able to use the tools our for-profit garden installations have afforded us (trucks, infrastructure, and an efficient crew) to do several at-cost gardens for organizations. We have worked with a children’s health center, a pre-school, Brainfood (a summer camp at a low income housing community), and a home for women in need in Anacostia.

DomiCile: Do you have any upcoming fall events?

Meredith: We’ll be hosting the Eat Local First Edible Garden Tour this fall (details TBA). I’ll also be a guest speaker at two different D.C. Garden Clubs.

DomiCile: What are you growing in your own garden at home?

Meredith: At my house I have grapes, figs, raspberries, blackberries, garlic, kale, collard greens, tomatoes, basil, a lemon tree, ginger, lemon balm, broccoli raab, bergamot, sage, thyme, oregano, rhubarb, strawberries, asparagus.

Follow Love & Carrots on Twitter @LoveNCarrotsDC, on Facebook @LoveandCarrots and visit them on the web at loveandcarrots.com.

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Yolanda and Casandra are neighbors and friends but come fall both know who the best team will be,...

Baltimore Ravens—Yolanda My Baltimore Ravens are the best because…

1. The Baltimore Ravens have the best ownership and players!

2. The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV (Festivus Maximus: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants) and Super Bowl XLVII (Harbaugh Bowl: Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers)!

3. The most awesome Middle Linebacker of all time, Ray Lewis (future Hall of Famer), played his entire NFL career here with the Baltimore Ravens!

4. Baltimore has a long National Football League history including our time as the Baltimore Colts, who also won Super Bowl V before being moved to Indianapolis.

5. The Ravens have the second oldest marching band (“The Band That Wouldn’t Die”) which dates back to 1947.

Locally Made Game Day Essentials for Yolanda:

Baltimore Ravens Travertine Tile Coaster with Stand, East Coast Coasters 50

Raven Button Earrings, Astonishing Handmade

... and they both say,

”We’re Number 1!”

Washington Redskins—Casandra My Washington Redskins are the best because…

1. Robert Griffin III is our head quarterback and he is awesome!!!

2. The Redskins have won three Super Bowls (XVII, XXII, XXVI).

3. In their first nine seasons in Washington, they never had a losing season and won 5 NFL Eastern Division championships.

4. The team is the home football team for the nation’s capital, where I was born.

5. I live within walking distance from FedEx Field, the home stadium for the Washington Redskins and I can see the stadium from my parking garage!

Yolanda and Casandra Photograped by Tiffanni Reidy Product photograpy courtesy of respective boutiques.

Locally Made Game Day Essentials for Casandra:

Cowl Handknit Burgundy & Gold Infinity Scarf Wool, Nisees Needles

Washington Redskins Football Oven Mitt/ Pot Holder Set, Red Wine Vintage 51

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E i i a d i w t a i o n H

r o t f C m o o o C ki

ng

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W

ritt en an dP hot og A u th

e Ancestral Tabl

e

by Russ Crandall of Th or of The

raphe d

an M ic est m o D

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I spent seven years in Hawaii, from ages 21 to 28. While there, I met my wife Janey, and made a lifetime’s worth of new friends. The state had such a profound effect on me that I still consider it home, even after spending six years in the Baltimore/Washington area. For our family, the best way to connect with home is to cook its flavors. Here are three of my favorite Hawaii dishes, made gluten-free and paleo-friendly.

Mochiko Chicken

Mochiko is the Japanese word for sweet rice flour, made from glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice).

Mochiko Chicken is a popular fried chicken in Hawaii, often used for potlucks since it’s so easy to make a large batch of it at once. I like this dish because it has a comforting, deep flavor with minimal hands-on cooking.

Ingredients 4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces 1/2 cup tamari 1/2 cup mochiko 3 tbsp honey 3 tbsp potato starch 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp salt 1 tsp sesame seeds 1/2 inch ginger, minced 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup coconut oil 2 green onions, sliced Directions In a plastic resealable bag, combine all of the ingredients except the coconut oil and green onions. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours but up to overnight.

Open the plastic bag and squeeze out almost all of the liquid (about 90%). Heat 2 tbsp of the coconut oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, then add half of the chicken. Pan-fry until golden brown, flipping every couple of minutes, about 6 minutes altogether. Set the chicken on some paper towels to drain, then repeat the process with the remaining 2 tbsp of coconut oil and the other half of the chicken.

Top with sliced green onion and serve.

Serves Six. 55

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Meat Jun

Meat Jun is a Hawaii variation of Jeon, a Korean pancake made with egg and flour. While commonly served in Korean plate lunch restaurants in Hawaii for decades, it is just now starting to appear in mainland US. There are different specialties of Meat Jun in Hawaii, ranging from deliciously soft and soggy, to crispy and delightful; all forms are worth the price of admission. The use of tapioca starch in this recipe makes for a crispier Meat Jun. Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients

1/4 cup water 2 tbsp tamari 2 tbsp rice wine 2 tbsp honey 1 tsp sesame oil 4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound thinly sliced beef 2 tbsp Korean red pepper flakes 1/4 cup coconut oil or lard 2 tbsp rice flour 2 tbsp tapioca starch 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 3 eggs, beaten Directions

Combine the sauce ingredients. Place the beef in a resealable plastic bag and half of the sauce. Combine the remaining half of the sauce with the Korean red pepper flakes and blend into a smooth red sauce, called Gochujang; add water if too thick, then set aside. Refrigerate the beef and the Gochujang sauce for one hour.

Warm the oil or lard in a large skillet over medium/high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade and gently pat dry. Combine the flour, starch, salt and pepper. In batches, dredge the beef in the flour mixture, then the egg, then add to the oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute per side, then drain on paper towels. Repeat for the remaining slices of beef.

Slice and serve with rice and the Gochujang sauce.

Serves Four.

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Garlic Shrimp Garlic Shrimp is a Hawaii-style scampi, made popular by food trucks that exclusively sell this dish near the North Shore. These shrimp trucks are a staple for tourists and locals alike, but the price for a plate of Garlic Shrimp is often at a tourist rate. I developed this recipe more out of frugality than anything else. I love that I can make this delicious meal at home for a fraction of the regular price!

Ingredients 2 pounds raw shrimp (peeled or tail-on) 50 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup white wine 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 3 tbsp clarified butter (or ghee) lemon wedges (garnish) Directions Combine the shrimp, garlic, wine, olive oil, salt and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours.

In a wok or skillet, add the clarified butter and melt it over medium heat. Strain out the liquid from the marinade and add the liquid to the butter; bring to a simmer. Add the shrimp and cook in batches, until mostly cooked through (mostly pink and opaque). Fish out the shrimp with tongs (be careful not to remove the garlic) and set aside in a colander that’s placed over a bowl (to keep the shrimp from getting soggy). Repeat this process until all of the shrimp is mostly cooked. You should have a lot of liquid and garlic left in your wok/skillet at this point.

Increase the temperature to high, and reduce the sauce until the liquid evaporates and the garlic becomes golden brown and crispy, stirring constantly so as to not scorch the garlic, about 15 minutes total. At this point, the oil will start to accumulate at the top of the liquid, which is exactly what you want to look for. Return the shrimp to the wok/skillet and stir-fry, tossing often, until fully cooked, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice and with lemon wedges.

Serves Four.

Follow Russ on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest @thedomesticman, and visit him on the web at thedomesticman.com.

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Consignment Threads Written and Photographed by Whitney ‘Nic’ James

Rita G’s Chapter Two Boutique Fine Consign 4931 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, Md.

A native of Sweden, Rita came to America to work as a biologist. Little did she know she’d meet her husband, raise a beautiful family and one day own a consignment shop in Bethesda, Maryland.

Ranked as one of Bethesda’s top consignment shops in 2014, Rita G’s Chapter Two Boutique has been in existence for almost two years. Literally in her second chapter of life, Rita decided to open this quaint boutique because she, like many women, has always had a love for fashion.

The store can easily be described as a vintage fashion paradise. There are endless vintage earrings, necklaces and scarves to choose from. And of course, there is an array of designer handbags to swoon over. Hermes, Fendi, and Valentino bags are all nicely displayed in an antique showcase, while sequin garments and designer items from Diane von Fürstenberg and St. John’s adorn the racks. There’s even a vintage ostrich Gucci handbag on display– talk about a handbag lover’s dream!

Rita’s consignors bring in high-end items and more affordable pieces daily–no appointment necessary.

From there, each item is researched, entered into the system, tagged and kept on the floor to sell for three months. Rita takes pride in having constant communication via email with her consignors.

She frequently checks in with them, updating the consignor on the status of their items. Each consignor is paid at the beginning of every month for items sold the previous month.

The one thing Rita hopes is that the residents of Bethesda, and those living in the surrounding cities, come in and have a look for themselves. Once you’ve had a Rita G. experience, it’s hard to want to 60

shop or consign anywhere else. So be sure to stop

by Rita’s, located on the 2nd level, the next time you’re in need of a little vintage pick me up. You’ll be more than happy you stopped in!

Inga’s Once is Not Enough

4830 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, D.C. The next time you think of consignment shopping, think of Inga’s Once is Not Enough Consignment boutique in Washington, D.C. Dr. Inga Guen, a Prussian renowned neuropsychologist by day, has been the sole proprietor of this charming boutique for 20 years. She prides herself on being able to make a human connection with each of her customers, and ensures they all leave feeling confidently stylish and with a smile on their faces.

When you hit the top of the boutique stairs, your eyes are sure to dance in sheer amazement. There are racks upon racks filled with tweed Chanel suits, Eskandar tops, amazing vintage handbags and accessories. The boutique brings in new items daily and Inga’s consignors reside in D.C., Maryland, New York, and L.A. Top fashion houses even send certain items to her location—talk about one of a kind merchandise! Each consignor is required to consign at least 8 items. The consignor then has a 2-month window to sell. If, for some reason, those items don’t sell, they are returned back to the owner.

Named as one of the 62 Best Consignment Shops in D.C., Inga’s boutique carries high-end labels only including, but not limited to, Loro Piano, Marin, and Hérmes. Inga even has a section in the boutique that she calls “The Carrie Closet”. Carrie Bradshaw’s picture hangs behind the racks stacked with Lanvin garments and the breathtaking Christian Louboutin offerings.

Referring to her Palisades area boutique as a “dress agency”, Inga is a strong believer that if you look good, you feel good. Therefore, her main goal is to assist in styling women to look and feel their best. So, the next time you find yourself in the Palisades area, stop by Inga’s Once is Not Enough Consignment Boutique. You’re sure to find top-notch quality items and enjoy the warm and inviting spirit from Inga and her staff.

Follow Whitney on Twitter and Instagram @wnicjames, on Facebook @wnjblog, and visit her on the Web at whitneynicjames.com.

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Behind the Gates: A Taste of RdV Written and Photographed by Alison Marriott, Owner & Founder of Bon Vivant DC

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About 90 minutes southwest of Washington, D.C., set amongst the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Delaplane, Virginia, behind a stone wall and iron gates, sits one of the region’s most exclusive wineries.

Until recently, access to RdV—named for its founder, Rutger de Vink—was limited to industry insiders, national and international wine press.

In April 2014, RdV opened those gates to wine enthusiasts for tours and tastings for the very first time.

The $50 tour and tasting price surpasses other area wineries, as does the experience. Tours are offered every other hour, lasting 90 minutes each Thursday to Sunday. Individualized attention is given in the small group tours that are limited to 12 guests.

The tour begins with a glass of Pol Roger Champagne and then continues out onto the lawn, where guests can get a closer look at the vines.

The tour continues with a walk through the caves, a cool and dark winding expanse of French oak barrels that ends at a magnificent wall of granite, up-lit amongst dusty bottles of wine waiting to be labeled.

On the lower level of the rotunda, six tubes of granite are displayed on the walls. “This is RdV,” explains Master Sommelier and Estate Director Jarad Slipp. Thirty-five feet of granite core samples drilled from the land stand as art and testament to the unique terroir responsible for RdV’s outstanding wines and well-drained soils—a must in rainy Virginia.

Don’t mistake the high price of admission or iron gates for snobbery. The staff take the wines seriously, but there’s not an ounce of pretension once behind the gates. The estate is tranquil, offering a respite from city life, exquisite attention to detail and a comprehensive sensory delight.

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It’s a beautiful reminder of the terroir, but the vineyard staff also use the wall as something of a “canary in the coal mine.” Battling Virginia’s wet climate is a challenge for all winemakers in the area, and so they hope and check to make sure the wall— still gleaming wet in late June—is “dry by the Fourth of July.”

three finches—two looking to the future and one looking back to honor the past. de Vink’s Marine training is evident in the attention to detail, as well as a small floor tile engraved with the words “Semper Fidelis” in the caves. However, winemaking is equal parts art to precision, a truth that de Vink and the RdV team have embraced with vigor.

Every vintner in Virginia contends with this struggle.

A wet growing season promotes fungus and other harmful pests. The winemakers at RdV employ an approach they call “lutte raisonnée”, French for “reasoned struggle”. It is impossible to control the climate, but they manage the fickle weather with sound vineyard practices and a small army of vineyard technicians.

For visitors who want to take a piece of the exclusive RdV experience home, the winery offers access to the Ambassador’s Club. Although most wineries in Virginia offer a case club programs that offer loyal clientele perks and discounts, the Ambassador’s Club at RdV has taken this concept to another level.

While the price of admission runs higher than most case clubs in Virginia, the perks do too.

A shelf of work boots, gloves, and hats tucked just behind the beautiful tank room remind one that, at the end of the day, a vineyard is just a farm, and the land is ultimately in charge.

Some major benefits include exclusive wine dinners with celebrity chefs, such as José Andres, the exclusive opportunity to purchase the “Friends and Family” label, invitations to cocktail parties and hosting privileges in the wine library. The Ambassador’s Club has also raised the bar of the ubiquitous case club, giving its members complimentary access behind the gates to spend a quiet country afternoon on the impeccably kept grounds.

Continuing with the tour, guests enjoy the vineyard’s two cuvées in the tank room, accompanied by local cheese and charcuterie. RdV’s two wines, “Rendezvous” and “Lost Mountain”, are both Bordeaux-style red blends, retailing for $75 and $95 per bottle.

The wines are exceptional and not just by Virginia standards. Slipp describes them as exhibiting the “ripeness of California without the over-extraction . . . the restraint of Bordeaux.“ It is a marriage of styles appropriately reflective of the land on which the grapes are grown. These are serious wines that oenophiles will no doubt love, but accessible and delicious even to the untrained palette.

While touring RdV I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the exquisite architecture, courtesy of Andy Lewis.

The winery is centered on an impressive staircase in a silo, a distinct homage to the property’s past life as a farm. Wherever you are on the property, there is a glimpse to another part of the winery. I notice distinct reflections of the vines in the windows as I sip wine in the lounge with a view through to the silo.

There is an inherent sense of time, history, precision and rhythm to winemaking to which the RdV team adheres. Owner Rutger de Vink’s family is from Amsterdam, and the family name is Dutch for finch.

An homage to this lineage, the wine labels feature

The Club is growing, and counts First Lady Michelle Obama among its members. On a recent June visit she commented, “We need this wine in the White House” and then, “Can I purchase two bottles to give to Oprah?” No word yet on what Oprah thinks, but I’m betting she might be doing some couch jumping of her own after she gets a taste.

Visitors can make online reservations at rdvvineyards.com or contact the winery by phone to arrange tours.

Follow Alison on Twitter @districtwino, on Instagram @Bonvivantdc, on Facebook @BonVivantDC, and visit her on the web at bonvivantdc.com.

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Fall Thrills & Chills

October is a prime time for outdoor events in the D.C. metro area.

From haunted house thrills to neighborhood delights, our area offers a plethora of events guaranteed to help you make the most of the fall.

Here are a few of our picks for a great season!

Columbia Heights Day Date: Saturday, October 11 Location: 11th Street NW, Washington, D.C. This one-day neighborhood festival celebrates the best of Columbia Heights. It offers live vocal and dance performances, dozens of local vendors, pie and cupcake eating contests, food trucks, and plenty of activities for the whole family. All of the festival fun occurs rain or shine.

Bennett’s Curse Dates: Friday through Sunday nights from September 13 to November 2 (and additional nights in October) Beginning at 7 p.m.

Location: 8024 Max Blobs Park Rd, Jessup, Md. If you love haunted houses, you’ll love Bennett’s Curse. It features three haunted houses in one place: the House of Vampyres, the Sanctuary of Insanity, and Zombie Kingdom in 3D. The houses are not recommended for children under the age of 10.

Written by Gabrielle Marie, Creator of District Style

Maryland Renaissance Festival Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, now through October 19 Location: 1821 Crownsville Road, Crownsville, Md. Don ye finest festival costumes and head to fictional 27-acre village of Revel Grove, home of the second largest Renaissance festival in the United States. With so many performances, activities, and food options to choose from, you could go back more than once and still not have sampled it all! The festival occurs rain or shine.

Art on the Avenue Date: Saturday, October 4 Location: Mount Vernon Avenue between Bellefonte and Hume Avenues, Del Ray, Va. This one-day festival celebrates Del Ray’s multicultural and creative community, showcasing more than 300 artists, musicians, and food vendors. Activities are also available for children to enjoy. The festival, which typically attracts 50,000 visitors, occurs rain or shine.

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Boo at the Zoo Dates: October 24 to October 26 Location: National Zoo, Washington, D.C. This annual Washington favorite offers Halloween entertainment without any fright. Chocolates, healthy snacks, and more will be available from more than 40 “treat” stations, giving attendees plenty of goodies to enjoy. You can also chat with zookeepers, see animal demonstrations, and walk through trails decorated for the season.

Advance ticket purchase is suggested as this event typically sells out.

Bradley Farm Haunted House Dates: Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 (Kids’ Haunt is on Saturday, October 25) Location: 13159 New Parkland Drive, Herndon, Va. Though it operates for only one weekend, the Bradley Farm Haunted House is ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly scare this season.

Characterized as “dark, loud, and scary,” this Haunted House entertains without scenes of blood and guts, torture, or gore. For the Kids’ Haunt, the lights are turned up and the haunters do not try to frighten attendees, making it ideal for younger children. The first 400 children (10 and under) who attend the Kids’ Haunt receive a trick or treat bag that they can use to receive candy and other treats from the haunters.

This event occurs rain or shine.

Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from September 27 to October 26 and Monday, October 13 Location: 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Md.

WWW.CHRISTOPHERSCHAFER.COM

The Time for Tea is Now

Now in its 34th season, the Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard offers more than a dozen autumn activities, including hayrides, pony rides, and the pumpkin cannon. You can also try delicious baked goods or sink your teeth into a caramel apple and apple cider donuts. Yum! As some activities may be weather dependent, be sure to check with Butler’s Orchard first if the forecast calls for inclement weather the day you plan on going.

Follow Gabrielle on Twitter and Instagram @4districtstyle, on Facebook @DistrictStyle, and visit her on the Web at districtstyle.net.

DomiCile Readers!

Enjoy Free Shipping with Coupon Code domicile2014 at www.damnfinetea.com.

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Spooky Snacks

Written and Photographed by Cooking Shorts 68

These spooky snacks are the perfect ghoulish treats to serve before heading out for an evening of tricks and treats. They also make for a super fun, kid-friendly activity. Have your little goblins invite a few friends over and let the kiddos help make a snack.

Don’t forget to garnish each plate with some spooky decorations; they’re easy to find at your local party or dollar store.

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Creepy Caramel Apples Ingredients 9 Granny Smith apples – wash and dried thoroughly 8-ounce package individually wrapped soft chewy caramels, unwrapped 2 tbsp milk or cream Red food coloring – about 20-24 drops 9 popsicle sticks

Directions Insert a popsicle stick into the bottom of each apple.

Using the method of a double boiler, melt caramels with milk or cream. Whisk until the mixture has a silky sheen. Remove from the heat and add in the red food color. Start with 20 drops and whisk to combine. Add additional drops, as needed, until the caramel is bright red.

Dip apples into the red caramel, coating three-quarters of each apple. Let excess drip off and scrape the bottom of the apples against the side of pan. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Transfer the finished apples to the fridge to set for at least one hour. Keep apples refrigerated until you are ready to plate.

Tip: Before serving, grease serving plate with a little butter or non-stick spray. You can also cut out a piece of wax paper to lay inside the serving plate. This will prevent the apples from sticking to your serving plate.

Serves 9

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Cheesy Mummy Hotdogs w Ingredients Flour, for work surface 1 sheet of puff pastry (thawed) or 1 can of refrigerated breadstick dough 8 bun-length hot dogs 8 slices of cheddar cheese 1 large egg, beaten + splash of water 2 tbsp ketchup 1 tbsp barbecue sauce 1 tbsp mustard

Directions Preheat oven to 425F. Place puff pastry on a slightly floured work surface. Cut lengthwise into 12 strips - make each strip about 1/2 inch wide. If you are using the breadsticks, lay each piece out on a slightly floured work surface.

Take one hot dog and slide one piece of cheese underneath. Wrap the hot dog and cheese in the puff pastry or breadstick dough, creating a spiraling pattern that mimics the wrapping of a mummy. Transfer to a baking sheet prepped with non-stick cooking spray. Repeat process with remaining hot dogs. Brush tops of each wrapped hot dog with the beaten egg (this is to help the wrapping get golden brown).

Transfer baking sheets to the oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly and plate. Create eyes on each mummy by adding two dots of mustard to each hotdog.

Combine ketchup, barbecue sauce and mustard in a small prep bowl. Whisk to combine and serve with the wrapped hotdogs.

Serves 8

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with Smoky Dipping Sauce

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Dracula’s Trail Mix Ingredients 1/2 cup cashews 1/2 cup raisins 8-ounce package of individually wrapped soft chewy caramels 2 tbsp milk or cream Red food coloring – about 20-24 drops 1/2 cup of colorful gummy worms

Directions Preheat oven to 250F. Place popcorn, pretzels, nuts and raisins in a large glass bowl.

Using the method of a double boiler, melt caramels with milk or cream. Whisk until the mixture has a silky sheen. Remove from the heat and add in the red food color. Start with 20 drops and whisk to combine. Add additional drops until the caramel is bright red.

Pour caramel over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat thoroughly. Transfer to two large baking sheets, spreading them out in a single layer. Bake 20 minutes and remove to stir and bake for another 20 minutes.

Let cool completely, before adding in the gummy worms. Store in an airtight container until serving.

Tip: Prep bowl, spoons and baking sheets with non-stick spray to help prevent the caramel from sticking to them.

Serves 9

Follow Cooking Shorts on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest @cookingshorts, and visit them on the Web at CookingShorts.com.

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Go Beyond the Fence t

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to Shenandoah Written by Josh Kumpf Photographed by Elizabeth Woolley

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For a weekend trip away from D.C. it is hard to top the aptly named Skyline Drive, a 100-mile roadway running along the ridgeline of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Skyline Drive boasts breathtaking views, dozens of diverse hiking trails, plenty of exciting excursions only a short drive away, and the charming, centrallylocated Skyland Resort.

My girlfriend, Liz, and I set off for a weekend exploring Skyline Drive on a Friday afternoon in November. While we had been to interesting locations around the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, we’d not experienced Skyline Drive–despite frequent and passionate recommendations from friends and coworkers.

I usually relish planning a vacation agenda and researching great opportunities, but for this trip we decided to just set off west from the District and enjoy a relaxing weekend without the need to stick to a schedule.

The trip to Skyline Drive’s Thornton Gap Entrance Station takes a couple of hours and the National Park Service’s $15 entrance fee is good for a whole week exploring Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. The car trip through Virginia’s farms and fields served as the perfect prelude to the magnificent scenes that awaited us on Skyline Drive.

Rolling hills, harvested cornfields, proud vineyards, and Civil War historic sites abruptly gave way to the craggy cliffs and winding ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Turning onto Skyline Drive from the Ranger station, we were immediately treated to a drive through spectacular fall colors splashed across the maple, ash, and birch trees. The roadway itself is limited to 35 mph and winds up and along the ridgeline, affording extraordinary views of the mountains, dense, brambly woods, and the watercolor-painted Shenandoah Valley.

It was hard to drive right on by several enticing overlooks, but rumbling stomachs and our excitement to check in at Skyland Resort caused us to push on, leaving camera-happy visitors, vivid poplar groves, and panoramic views behind to enjoy another day. We arrived at Skyland Resort at mile marker 41 just as the sun was setting below the ridge.

Originally built in 1895, with numerous updates and expansions since then, Skyland Resort provides a commanding view of the Shenandoah Valley west 78

of the ridgeline. The Pollock Dining Room and Lodge dominates the resort grounds, situated at the highest point along Skyline Drive (3,600 feet above sea level). The lodge is rustic and cozy, with a grandiose dining room featuring 20-foot floor-toceiling windows taking advantage of every terrific view the resort offers.

After dinner we sat on the patio outside the lodge, chatting and relishing the opportunity to stargaze (a novel activity for those living near D.C.!). We luckily had a flashlight in our car from a previous camping trip; I would highly recommend bringing along a couple for wandering around the resort grounds at night. While the Skyland Resort offers amenities similar to any good hotel (if you’re interested in that), I would recommend packing as if going on a weekend camping trip.

We awoke early on Saturday, grabbed our park and trail map, laced up our hiking boots, and grabbed a light buffet breakfast before setting off on a couple of easy hikes. Forgoing the tempting full breakfast we decided to pursue what’s widely touted to be the best view in the area: Stony Man. Two trails lead up to and down from Stony Man, and both are accessible from Skyland with a short walk along the Appalachian Trail to the trailhead. We chose the Stony Man Trail, which is a 1.6 mile roundtrip trail that lazily ascends up to a spectacular overlook among steep, craggy cliffs. The trails were wellmarked, easy to hike, relaxing, and abundantly scenic. Despite visiting the park on the last weekend of the resort’s season, the trails were not crowded.

We reached the Stony Man summit (named for the natural profile of a man’s face set in stone viewable from the summit) in a little over an hour and sat down to eat some of the snacks we’d brought along.

The view from the summit was simply incredible at 4,000 feet above the valley floor below. The vivid red, yellow, and oranges of the fall leaves seemed to be swirled together like an impressionist landscape all the way down the mountain, before abruptly giving way to green fields and pastures stretching westward. The clear weather allowed us to see all the way across the valley to the opposite Appalachian ridge, an incredible distance to take in. Although we could have easily rested on the jutting ridge and enjoyed the view for hours, we were excited to descend not only from Stony Man but all the way down the Blue Ridge Mountains to the town of Luray, Virginia–home of the spectacular

subterranean galleries of Luray Caverns.

We descended Skyline Drive, making quick stops at three scenic overlooks to enjoy the views and take several dozen photographs, and arrived in Luray 45 minutes after leaving Skyland. Having enjoyed just a light breakfast, we were both hungry and excited to grab a filling, fresh-made, friendly lunch at the oftrecommended Artisans Grill. The unique restaurant is located in a restored, historic, red-brick building with bold green awnings on Luray’s undulating main street.

Artisans Grill is a pleasantly friendly and quirky establishment that takes deep pride in its historic roots, welcoming atmosphere, a fresh and wholesome menu, and straightforward delicious food. Once inside, Artisans Grill gives the impression of a deli-meets-soda fountain-meets-upscale pub.

Linen tablecloths and friendly, attentive service distinguishes Artisans Grill from many other runof-the-mill, busy-at-noon delis. The menu featured stylized re-imaginings of standard deli fare, but what really set Artisans Grill apart was the soda fountainstyle bar and enigmatic placement of the sandwich kitchen and grill in a corner near the entryway. It’s hard to question the quality of a gourmet deli that bares its kitchen and chefs to nearby patrons.

I ordered the Rembrandt–a beefed up delicious take on a reuben–and Liz chose the Monet, a grilled portobello sandwich. Both came with a dill pickle spear and sweet potato fries. The Artisans Grill experience was exactly as advertised on goldrimmed signs outside the restaurant: artful fare in a friendly atmosphere. While the menu is primarily deli staples, the quality and accents added by the Artisans Grill make this a memorable experience, both for the food and the atmosphere.

After lunch, we drove across the highway to our featured afternoon destination: Luray Caverns. The caverns are a privately-owned commercial cave network, one of the largest and most popular in the eastern United States. Entering the property reminded me of visiting a theme park: a sprawling parking lot, hundreds of people with excited children in tow, and a long line at the entrance. You can hardly complain about standing in line at a popular D.C. area destination on a Saturday afternoon, and our wait was just 30 minutes.

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We were organized into a tour group of about 25 other people and led by our guide into the caves. The sights were instantly awe-inspiring.

Lurary Caverns are like no other cave network.

The coincidence of geography and time created a spectacular experience for touring spelunkers as every gallery is filled with extraordinary formations.

Luray Caverns are essentially a “best of” cave network. There are no “less than spectacular” galleries, just simply incredible formations one following closely after another. Liz, a veteran of many of America’s greatest caves was pleasantly surprised by the amazing collection of formations in such a relatively small cave network.

The highlights for me were the “Dream Lake”–a three inch deep, mirror-like pool that reflects the cave’s ceiling formations in such a way that it looks nearly 10 feet deep, and the Stalacpipe Organ.

The organ was hailed by our guide as “the world’s largest musical instrument!”, and is essentially a system of wires, levers, and plungers connected to 80

a music box that plays quiet, haunting songs on the cave walls and stalactites.

Our mesmerizing tour of the caverns took just over an hour, after which we headed back up the Blue Ridge to enjoy the scenic overlooks passed up on Friday afternoon. Slowly driving up the winding Skyline Drive while stopping every 5 or 10 minutes at another breathtaking overlook is hard to beat as one of the best ways to spend an autumn afternoon.

After a couple of hours taking pictures, driving, and relaxing among the brilliant fall colors we decided to head to Big Meadows Lodge, another dining hall and lodge a dozen or so miles down Skyline Drive from Skyland Resort. When we arrived at Big Meadows, I was immediately transported to a Colorado mountain lodge ( just 10,000 feet of elevation lower!)

We explored the family-friendly living room of the lodge, with huge windows affording a wonderful

view of the valley, giant checkerboards, and rustic overstuffed couches. After that, we enjoyed another terrific meal in the Big Meadows Lodge grand dining room, surrounded by timber walls and a vaulted ceiling.

After our late dinner, we headed back along the now-dark Skyline Drive to the pub in the Skyland Lodge to enjoy live bluegrass music and a couple of drinks before retiring to our cabin for a well-deserved rest.

We awoke early the next day to hike one more trail before driving back to D.C. After a hearty breakfast we drove a few miles to the Limberlost Trail, a heavily wooded 1-mile trail through a veritable fireworks display of fall colors.

about the region, local history, and his family. The experience was deeply memorable, and we certainly felt like we enjoyed a familial afternoon full of southern hospitality and fine local wines.

A weekend exploring Skyline Drive and the surrounding area is perfect for almost anyone, given the sheer variety of things to do and locations to see.

After this trip I know that a weekend trip to natural areas of Virginia will certainly become an annual event for Liz and me.

Follow Josh on Twitter @kumpfj.

Afterwards, we descended Skyline Drive for our last time of the weekend; a quick call to Amissville’s Gray Ghost Vineyards yielded us a recommendation and reservation to the winery’s special monthly “library tasting”.

Amissville, Virginia boasts several unique wineries, and lies at roughly the halfway point between Skyline Drive and D.C. We arrived at Gray Ghost Vineyards and were quickly ushered in to their tasting room and wine shop by the family members turned cheerful employees. The vineyard grows their own grapes, a point of pride mentioned several times while we explored Gray Ghost’s beautiful, newly renovated tasting room. After completing our quick tasting of Gray Ghost’s five current wines, one of the owners emerged from the factory-like grape press room to lead our tour. A chemist-turnedvintner, Al Kellert, explained the name of his business as taking advantage of Amissville’s rich Civil War history. A self-proclaimed Civil War buff, he named the winery after confederate cavalryman John “Gray Ghost” Mosby, who engaged in battle near where the winery now stands.

The interesting and friendly tour soon led to the vineyard’s barrel room and wine library. A variety of cheeses and crackers were provided and Al described the five Gray Ghost wines that our intimate group of 15 would taste that day. The wines—a selection of different types and vintages, ranged from recent releases to wines made shortly after the vineyards opened in 1994. The library tasting lasted two hours, during which Al answered questions about winemaking and told stories

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Farming in the City

Written by Teresa Johanna Speight of Cottage in the Court

Photo Credit: Teresa Johanna Speight 82

It is nice to know that there is a farm in my hometown of Washington, D.C. Not just any farm with an average farmer, but an urban farm with a Pied Piper of Green, who touched a bit of concrete and created an oasis of positive energy in the Shaw neighborhood in D.C. Meet Frank Asher, owner of Old City Farm and Guild.

Utilizing a nomadic business plan, Frank has been successful in creating a green space for the horticultural community, a conduit for obtaining CSA produce from Lancaster Farms, and a resource to inspire others to garden as well. I spoke with Frank in the midst of this farm in the old city on an awesome evening. As we walked around the beautiful pottery and plants nibbling on red okra picked fresh from the farm, it was wonderful to hear the sounds of the city as Frank shared his story.

Frank started his mission by accident. Tired of seeing the tree boxes near his house filled with weeds, dog poop and trash, he began utilizing these spaces as spots of beautification. As the neighbors appreciated his random acts of kindness, they wanted to pay Frank to help beautify their personal space as well. Suddenly, this master gardener was in business. A community leader offered him a chance to open a green space and his first location at 9th and N Street NW became a reality. New development took over after four years and Frank relocated. With a name change and a new location, Old City Farm and Guild opened at its current location at 925 Rhode Island Avenue, NW.

once a concrete slab in front of the old Shaw Junior High School. Frank has also created a landscaping arm to his business called Fairy’s Crossing. The debris from various clients’ yards make beautiful compost and the worms flock to the compost piles that are also onsite. Frank shares his compost with the onsite farm, creating a sustainable gardening demonstration.

What’s next for Old City Farm and Guild? There have been school tours and tastings, classes on seasonal plantings and terrariums, evening movie offerings, and talks of Saturday afternoon jazz. The featured event of the year is Home Grown DC. This fall, Old City Farm and Guild will host Home Grown DC for its second year. Visitors will be able to purchase produce from inner city gardeners, public gardens and D.C. school gardens. There will also be food crafted from locally grown produce, music and perhaps even a petting zoo. The D.C. State Fair will also be on hand to share in the festivities. It promises to be a festival that will be enjoyed by all and definitely creates a deeper sense of community.

Mark your calendars and join in the festivities at Old City Farm and Guild for Home Grown DC on September 20, 2014 from noon to 7:30pm!

Follow Teresa on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @cottageinthecourt, and visit her on the web at cottageinthecourt.com.

Old City Farm and Guild brings movement, life and all things beautiful to an unused space that was

Photo Credit: Tiffanni Reidy 83

Retail Therapy Written by Corrine Marr, Owner of Carnelian Boutique Nubian Hueman Photographed by Tiffanni Reidy All other photography courtesy of respective boutiques.

Follow Carnelian Boutique on Twitter and Pinterest @carnelianb, on Facebook and Instagram @carnelianboutique, and visit them on the Web at carnelianboutique.com.

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Africa Inspired

Nubian Hueman 1231 Good Hope Road SE Washington D.C. What Draws You In? Tucked inside a gallery space at the Anacostia Arts Center, Nubian Hueman is a welcome addition to a neighborhood with few retail options. The store launched online in 2012 and the gallery space is approaching its 1 year anniversary. Chill music and a signature Nubian Hueman candle scent welcome you at the door, but the most intriguing element is the vibrant color found in the space.

What Will You Find?

The store offers a variety of items—clothing, accessories, beauty/home goods, and artwork.

Owner Anika Hobbs works with a diverse team of designers, including Simply Cecily, to bring unique and quality items to the store. Her goal is to work with brands and artists that give back by donating a portion of their proceeds to not-for-profit organizations, fair-trade, or socio-developmental causes. New merchandise is put on display once or twice per month, and prices hover around $80 on average for clothing.

What Keeps You Coming Back?

Anika has a background in interior design and retail, and this is evident in the flow and design of the space. In addition to selling her unique finds, she uses the space to host regular events including trunk shows and launch parties for local designers.

You may also see Nubian Hueman represented at various festivals and shows around D.C.

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Simply Cecily simplycecily.com What Draws You In? Cecily Habimana was a fashionista at an early age. As a child, her artist mother taught her how to make a dress and encouraged her creativity. She designed and sold clothing throughout high school and college, and officially launched her website in March 2013. Now, she sells directly to customers at SimplyCecily.com and also works with several local boutiques which help her designs reach a larger audience.

What Will You Find?

The clothing is a mix of African-inspired fabric with classic American style. Cecily originally used fabric from Senegal where she spent a year teaching.

Occasionally, her friends who live there send her new fabric, but she also sources some right here in the States. Her beautiful dresses range between $110-225 and skirts are around $85. There’s one design that really stands out – electrifying jumpsuits that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

What Keeps You Coming Back?

In addition to the website, Simply Cecily has a blog that focuses on profiling women on the rise and their success. It is clear that connecting with women and with culture is an important part of her brand. Cecily designed her logo using a West African symbol called pempamsie that means readiness, to which she also incorporated a woman’s silhouette. This logo helps represent her line, which is designed for the busy woman who has to be ready for anything in life.

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Mercy Earrings etsy.com/shop/MercyEarrings What Draws You In? Many women will tell you their outfit feels incomplete without a pair of earrings. With one glimpse at the beautiful, handmade styles from Mercy Earrings, this statement rings even more true.

Mercy Chikowore felt the need to “create something with her hands” and started making earrings in March 2013. To test her product, she asked friends and family to provide feedback in exchange for a free pair. Once she knew the fabric and design combinations were in sync, she started selling the earrings at local pop-up shops. Today, she also has an Etsy store that customers can shop online, and is very active on Instagram.

What Will You Find?

Mercy is from Zimbabwe, so you will see that manifested in the fabric selection for the earrings.

With prices ranging from $7-22, you can shop away without feeling a pinch on your wallet. They come in different shapes including circular “button” earrings and rectangular ones, which are playfully referred to as “skyscrapers”. Most of her customers are young women, but she has also found that her small button earrings are a favorite gift for moms.

What Keeps You Coming Back?

Many new things are in store for Mercy Earrings this season. An exciting line with brand new designs and material is on the horizon. Mercy will also be using her PR/marketing background to launch and promote a new website.

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Tradsloft tradsloft.com What Draws You In? If you are looking for affordable, fashion-forward African designs, then Tradsloft will be your new favorite. Co-owner Abisola Sofolahan was looking for something authentic to wear to an event and she realized that her options were extremely limited. A friend suggested that she design something herself and it quickly grew into a business.

What Will You Find?

With dresses ranging from $45-80 and blouses from $25-40, the prices at Tradsloft will make you feel like you are getting the deal of the year. All of the merchandise, which includes accessories and even a few options for men, is made in Nigeria. The design team launches a new line filled with exciting prints and colors approximately every 6 months. Abisola runs the business with her husband, Seyi, who says their mission is to “bring life to clothing”.

What Keeps You Coming Back?

Not only will Tradsloft offer you unique and affordable merchandise, but they will also tell you how to wear it on their blog. One popular video that received close to 2,000 views shows you how to tie ‘oleku twist iro and buba’ (a traditional blouse and wrap). You can catch new blog posts every week or two, and meet the designers in-person at one of the many events they attend including local fashion shows.

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Photo credit: G-day Photos

hanks Giving T

This time of year reminds us to be thankful to all those who have helped us get to this point in our lives. Friends, family and everyone in between.

Especially on Veterans Day, we are eternally grateful for the service of veterans to our country, and will never forget their sacrifice.

Giving thanks can be done in many forms, but we especially love the printed word. Here are two ways to give thanks while keeping it local.

TRUTHnote. Well Raised Thank You Card, Grey Moggie Press Thanks A Latte, Typecase Industries

Photographed by Kelly Alfaro

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Gallery Spotlight:

Jordan Faye Contemporary Gallery Written by Sharon J. Burton of The Artinista Photographed by Sean Scheidt,

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During the summer of 2011, Jordan Faye Contemporary came to my attention from a colleague who forwarded a video featuring the owner, Jordan Faye Block and the gallery based in Baltimore, Maryland. I was so taken by her passion for fine art that I decided to consider submitting my own artwork for one of her juried exhibitions for emerging artists.

Upon visiting the gallery and meeting Jordan, I was instantly charmed by the unique architecture of the space (located in the Federal Hill neighborhood at the time) also her enthusiasm was contagious. We talked a lot about how she got started, the artists that she works with and her particular interest in providing emerging artists an opportunity to show their work. Since then, I have continued to be a fan of the gallery and Jordan’s dedication to providing affordable, accessible contemporary art in a community-friendly venue in the city of Baltimore.

Jordan founded the gallery that bears her name as a platform to give emerging artists a wider audience. Established in 2006, the artwork highlights the work of early to mid-career artists as well as providing educational opportunities for emerging artists within the region. Through gallery exhibitions, the Salon Series program, off-site exhibitions and presenting works at international art fairs, Jordan Faye Contemporary exposes a larger community to the engaging and thoughtprovoking work of dozens of artists. Currently the gallery represents fifteen artists, who are now at various stages in their careers. The mission is to show work that is not only of contemporary interest but will be of lasting historical significance.

I was happy to reconnect to Jordan Faye for an interview with DomiCile about the gallery and her thoughts about living and working in Baltimore.

DomiCile: How long have you lived in the area?

Jordan: I came to interview for graduate school at Maryland Institute College of Art, (MICA) in 2003, . That first evening here, my host took me two places: one was on a driving tour up Historic Charles Street from the Inner Harbor to the BMA (Baltimore Museum of Art), and the second was his loft building in Canton. When we arrived the snow was lightly falling and we walked into this adorable square to have the most amazing dinner.

It just felt right and that began my love affair with

this city. I’ve stayed ever since (even after receiving my Master’s of Fine Art at MICA). That was 11 years ago and the city still surprises me with all the growth and change I see every day.

I’ve lived in the Mount Vernon neighborhood for almost 2 years now. It’s even grown quite a bit since then. I love this neighborhood–it’s filled with great people, major cultural institutions like The Walters Art Museum, Peabody, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, coffeehouses, and great restaurants too.

DomiCile: What made you decide to open a gallery?

Jordan: A dream I had when I was sixteen was to open a gallery of emerging artists and have a coffee shop in the front of it. Then, as I went through college, I came across some people who challenged what I was doing and others who knew who I was before I even did and so it just kind of happened. I fought to prove that I could be an artist and thrive! So, I founded an art gallery during my undergraduate years, called The Pip Gallery. At the time I was 22.

DomiCile: Why choose Baltimore for your gallery – why this neighborhood?

Mount Vernon is close to major cultural institutions, i.e. MICA and is walking distance to Station North. We are located in the Bromo Seltzer Arts & Entertainment District and are close to other galleries, so I find that to be a plus.

DomiCile: Can you describe the back-story of your business?

Jordan: I began my The Pip Gallery in South Baltimore, while getting my MFA, it was next to the Wine Market–which I love. Eight years ago, I branched out on my own and have had four unique venues (one included a former Enoch Pratt Library) across the city. The first location was in a 1300 square foot loft in Clipper Mill across from Woodberry Kitchen (another favorite restaurant of mine).

DomiCile: And today?

Jordan: I established myself as Jordan Faye Contemporary in 2006. Since then, my mission continues to be growing the careers of the artists

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that I believe in. I support both emerging and midcareer artists through our gallery’s program and our Salon Series. I represent 15 artists and travel across the country participating in major global art fairs from New York to Los Angeles to Miami.

DomiCile: What’s the best thing about owning a gallery here?

Jordan: I get to show people whose work I love and admire greatly.

DomiCile: Is Baltimore a good city for creating art?

Jordan: It is. My artists make phenomenal work here. I create here, not in the sense of putting paint onto canvas but in the way in which I see connections between the artists that I champion.

There is an art to good curation. I see that as the art form that I’ve embraced for the last 15 years. (The first show I curated was in 1999).

I sense an amazing energy in Baltimore, which is why I have continued to keep the gallery here after all these years. It’s a truly inspiring place filled with visionaries that see the potential in the city. Together we work to make Baltimore the magical place that it is.

DomiCile: Do you have any advice for people starting to collect art?

Jordan: Buy what you love. Also things that you may not fully comprehend in the beginning or that may shock you. Eventually these pieces and ideas will grow on you in ways you cannot even imagine.

DomiCile: How can people find out more about the gallery?

To learn more about the gallery, follow them on Twitter @jordiefaye, on Facebook @JordanFayeContemporary, and visit them on the Web at jordanfayecontemporary.com.

Follow Sharon on Twitter and Instagram @theartinista, on Facebook @ArtinistaArtAdvisory, and visit her on the Web at theartinista.com.

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Thanksgiving

Photographed by Kelly Alfaro

is the ultimate entertaining holiday. Complete your spread with these gorgeous locally made cutting boards. They are perfect for cheese platters, hors d’oeuvres and, of course, Tom Turkey.

Bonus: when working with a local designer, you can request custom designs! Looking to purchase a DomiCile Logo Cutting Board? Contact us at wearelocal@domicilemag.com.

Clockwise From Top Left: Personalized Pig Cuts Cutting Board, Bloxstyle - Walnut Cutting Board, Kala Studios DomiCile Logo Cutting Board, Bloxstyle - Baltimore Skyline Engraved Bamboo Cutting Board, An Etch Above - Live Edge Handmade Cutting Board, Carved in Wood by Hand 94

"PROMOTIONS OF YOUR SMALL D.C. REGIONAL BUSINESS"

DOMICILE MAGAZINE

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Did you know that DomiCile now has a blog?

Stop by and join us on the portico, or as we like to call it, the back porch. www.domicilemag.com/portico

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Enzo lives with Kelly and Nick in Mt. Airy, Md.

Say Hello to . . .

our Non Human Neighbors We at DomiCile love getting to know our neighbors—great and small.

Want to see your furry (or scaly or feathered) neighbors featured here?

Send your pictures to submissions@domicilemag.com.

Miller and Bella live with Justin and Sarah in Frederick, Md.

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What are your plans for winter?

Are you looking for a creative outlet?

Do you have skills you aren’t putting to good use?

Do you love learning about where you live and meeting locals?

Join our team and put that local passion to good use!

Send an email to wearelocal@domicilemag.com.

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