{day 13} Favorite Books

 Your 5 Favorite Books 

I read Animal Vegetable Miracle in college and it completely changed the way I thought about food. Honestly I knew things had a "season" but I don't know that I could have necessarily told you that asparagus typically "bloom" in March, or that onions are in season in the summer. These foods are always in the grocery store... so they're always "in season." This book really makes you reconsider your dietary choices, and the benefits of eating locally. 

I know everyone and their sister loves The Help. I'm no exception. I was a little dissappointed by the movie, but that's just because the book was that good. 

I finally picked up Tina Fey's book when I was in Ohio. I read the whole thing in two sittings. It's hilarious. I love her. 

Who didn't love the hunger games? I couldn't put down the series once I started. SO intense. LOVED it. 

This book really changed my life. In fact, I may read it again. It inspired my {25 before 25} project, and really just made me evaluate. I seriously think you should all go out and buy this book RIGHT now. Seriously. Go. I'll be here when you get back. 

Allow myself to introduce...myself

She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes

And I knew without asking she was into the blues

Hellew, gorgeous!  I’m Megan, fellow SEC-rooting, Southern-raised, single twenty-something living and working in our great country’s capital city.  I have recently partnered up with the amazing, stylish Emily as a contributor to BlueDogBelle, and I am elated to join the blog-o-sphere for the first time!  So what will I be adding to BlueDogBelle, you wonder…

I have a Carrie Bradshaw-level of adoration for my city, Washington, DC.  It is a little big town amidst an atmosphere of heterogeneity.  Any taste of life an individual could desire can be found here:  history, music, passion and activism, thoughtfulness, diverse backgrounds and perspectives, politics/policy/philanthropy, and all balanced out by the finer (literal) tastes of life, with a varied palette of globally-influenced spots to wine and dine.  One of the most surprising discoveries I made as a 22 year-old graduate was just how much of a role this last item plays in the DMV culture.  Restaurants and bars were obviously an area to socialize with friends, but post-college I came to the realization that this particular arena serves as a remote location for professionals from every office level to meet, to play, to network, and to wheel and deal.  We all have heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but in the District this saying transcends romantic strategy and overflows into the business of the city.  Of course, occupational drinks and meals aren’t a concept exclusive to DC - just the particular type of business dealt, and the power of the individuals at the table (or bar counter as the case may be), in these situations is nearly exclusive to DC, namely as the center of American politics.  

Which brings me to Blue Dog Belle!  I’m partnering up with my beloved fellow Southerner to dive into and celebrate DC’s Don Draper-esque scene, where bourbon meets business.  I’ll be bouncing around the District’s watering holes, both high profile and low key local favorites, and will jot down my experiences at each saloon, focusing on the style, the atmosphere, the crowd, the conversation, and naturally the highlights of the heart and barter of these spots - the libations.  Full disclosure, I’m afraid the meat of the true wheelings and dealings, as sexy as that would be to whistle blow, will not be the focus of my entries, as my attention will be on the spaces and the use of these spaces within the District. 

Thank you for visiting, and please stay tuned as I make my first entry this week!

{Day 12} and an Announcement.

what I would find in your bag

I know I've talked about it before, but I'm addicted to Lip gloss. I just counted and I have 22 various lip products in my purse. Ridiculous I know. 

Now... Big Announcement Ladies

I am welcoming a contributing writer. She is a good friend of mine who has wanted to get into blogging for a while now. She's going to be stopping by every now and again to update you on life inside the beltway. She's going to do restaurant and cocktail reviews like crazy--- so all you DMV gals, get excited. I'll let her introduce herself in a bit, but just wanted to get y'all excited!!

I, of course, am not going anywhere, and will still be bringing you beauty and fashion fabulousness in our nations capital. 

xo.

{Day 11} A Bucket List

 Write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die

Wow. What a topic. Here goes nothing. 

See all 50 states (by the time I'm 30 preferably).

Write a book

Travel the world for a year

Successfully bake a chocolate souffle 

Meet President Obama and have a conversation with him

Own a Chanel bag

Get a graduate degree

Make a difference in the world

Be a Mom

Dive with Great White Sharks in South Africa (in a cage of course)

Own a vineyard

Have an amazing garden

See Angkor Wat

Take a cooking class in Italy

Own a 67 Mustang. 

I'm sure I could go on and on... especially when it comes to travel... but I'm still working on this list. Do you have a bucket list? Are you making any progress on it?