Bonaparte just left to get Chippy from his overnight stay at PetSmart’s Pet Hotel and we arrived home a little while ago from DC.
Our overnight getaway was a combination of a Valentine’s Day gift and a celebration for my new job. I’ll write about the job this week. I’m very happy to be back into the swing of the work force and right now, I’m feeling like a stuffed sausage so I will be embarking upon a new weight loss journey because I gained weight during my unemployment stint.
Our trip to DC was a combo of Valentine’s Day and a celebration of my new job!
But for now, I’m concentrating on our weekend.
As is Bonaparte’s way, he loves me in dark hair. Lately though, I’ve become quite fond of the lighter locks and we reached a very pragmatic compromise. When we are together on date nights or out someplace special, I’ll wear a dark wig for him.
This was the look I was aiming for when we went out to dinner. Outre’s Perm Yaki 14″ is one of Bonaparte’s faves on me!
At work, and when I’m out and about, I’m transitioning into the lighter hair.
This is the look I wore on our way to DC. Lighter hair–April by Bobbi Boss, my J. Crew Dover blazer, a white shirt, jeans, a scarf and loafers. I also brought along a dressy black wool coat for the evening!
Saturday’s weather started out somewhat on the sunny side but cold. After all, it is still winter and will be for another four weeks! Snow was in the forecast but it didn’t stop us from driving from Philly to DC. We’ve done the drive many, many times. When Oona was at University of Maryland, we would always stop by to see her. Now we just drive straight through.
It started to snow just as we hit Maryland. And it got worse. And worse. By the time we reached our hotel, the weather turned into a true “Wintry Mix” of snow and sleet. But it still didn’t deter us in any way.
I started playing around with filters on the way down. Honestly–I didn’t see much of a difference. My original photo is on the top left. The subtle changes? I wish I could afford to look like the photo on the bottom left. Me–but a better version! I’m so shallow. Forgive me Lord!
We usually arrive at the hotel early enough to relax for a couple of hours but due to the slippery roads and low visibility from the falling snow, we had to dress for dinner a few minutes after we arrived to the Marriott.
No big deal though. It didn’t take long to get ready. I applied my makeup before we left home and I’m not that girl who reapplies makeup during the day. No touch up was needed. Just a change of hair, lipstick and clothing.
My hips just keep getting wider but I love this stretchy black tee and my J. Crew Pixie pants. I can eat and the pants stretch with my expanding belly! I also wore my $7.00 thrifted suede J. Crew shoes. And Bonaparte’s favorite wig!
We dressed very appropriately for the weather, which, was really bad when we left for Georgetown.
Our dinner was at La Chaumiere, a French restaurant on Georgetown’s busy M Street. We started going there after our favorite little place, Bistro Français, closed. And, although it was sad to see a well-established place no longer around, La Chaumiere easily won us over!
La Chaumiere! What a lovely restaurant and by the time we left, the line was out to the street!
It’s a cozy, warm, very homey and extremely busy restaurant with many old-school French favorites. Bonaparte and our server were communicating in French and my man was so happy. He really does become so comfortable when he is speaking in his native tongue!
View from our table! It’s a homey place and the food is excellent!
We started out with our Kirs while fresh, warm bread was brought to the table. And Bonaparte was in heaven because the baguette slices were just to his liking.
I don’t even remember taking this photo. I drank a lot of wine!
I began my meal with a terrine of duck foie gras in a berry sauce and toast. I have no idea why, but my Frenchman started with a salad. This—from someone who hates vegetables! He regretted his choice as soon as he saw what I had. And I realized this so, me, being the giver that I am, allowed him a few tastes!
This terrine and everything else was the bomb! I’m ordering it next time we return!
For our main plates, I had a veal chop which was great and he had medallions of beef. Both our entrees were fantastic!
Veal Chop, mushrooms, a cute potato patty wedge–it was delicious!
Bonaparte’s beef medallions. I ate the vegetables!
Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake! I sucked this in like a Hoover vacuum cleaner!
Dessert. And the sauce is caramel. I really need to start fasting!
The walk back to the car was a good one because by the time we left the restaurant the weather cleared up. We took a nice drive around the city and headed back to the hotel.
Here’s where the fun starts.
When was the last time you stayed at a hotel? I’ll be honest. We rarely stay at hotels these days. Our Paris visits were always at Daniele’s apartment. Our choice of hotel while in the City of Lights is the Hotel Prince de Conti. It’s in the same neighborhood as the apartment and we’re very comfortable in this hotel—it’s become like home. In the South of France, we stay at the apartment in Theoule.
When we do go to a hotel we try to find Marriott Hotels. Throughout Oona’s Irish dance competing days, we stayed at many Marriotts and we have always been pleased.
And when we go to DC, we stay at the Marriott in Falls Church.
A bit has changed since our last visit which was about a year ago.
The hotel no longer has the credit card type of “key” which you insert at the door. You now use a credit card “key” that you swipe over the doorknob area. A little bar at the top of the door knob area lights up green when the door is opened.
Bonaparte holding the “key”…..
You swipe the “key” over the doorknob area and that little white strip turns green and opens the door. It doesn’t–at least not all the time!
Sounds simple. Right? Not after a bottle of wine.
I would say we spent a good ten minutes swiping and no green light. It wasn’t until I started using naughty language that my proper husband went in search of assistance. And just as he came back with a staff member at his side, I swiped once more in anger and the door opened!
Call me old-fashioned, but I like those cards that you insert into a slot at the doorknob to open the door.
I’m not done. There’s another gripe. Lighting.
Since when did hotels stop using high-wattage lightbulbs in their light fixtures and lamps?
Who is this lighting for? And why is the lighting so low?
Now—mine eyes have never seen the glory because I’m half blind. OK? In fact, I can barely see two feet in front of me and at home, I need to apply my makeup in full on 200-watt lighting from two lamps and an overhead light fixture. I won’t even mention the magnified mirror I use.
This is where I applied my morning makeup–and I had a very hard time because of the lighting!
I swear I’m going to have to invest in a head lamp for the next time we travel. I can have better lighting when I apply my makeup!
While I realize that hotels may try to set the romantic mood during the evening, some of us need to see in order to get to that romantic place. For the amount of money people are spending to stay at a hotel, why is Marriott skimping on the lighting?
We got a great deal on the junior suite and paid nowhere near the $750 charge. But for $750 Marriott can’t provide decent lighting?
But I can’t complain about the bed. It was so comfortable that we ended up sleeping till almost nine o’clock this morning.
And one thing we love is the breakfast that this hotel has to offer in the overnight package (I sound like such an old person right now—but it’s true!).
Compete buffet with a great selection. I went with my usual egg white omelet with spinach, mushroom and cheese. And the asparagus and sweet potato hash on the side. Believe me, it’s the only healthy thing I’ve eaten since October!
The egg white omelet was delicious–but the asparagus and sweet potato hash was divine!!!!!!
And here’s where I have another complaint. This is big folks. Oh—this griped complaint is huge!
Whatever happened to dress codes?
Hotel guests arrived for breakfast dressed in pajamas. Yes. PJ’s. And flip-flops and those slides.
This is an exaggeration–or is it? But I’m telling you guests at the Marriott arrived for breakfast in pajamas. That is vulgar and vile!
A good number of the men arrived dressed as if they were auto mechanics getting ready to slide under their cars to fix or assess an issue. Filthy, baggy jeans, old tee shirts, baseball caps. What is going on here?
I’m telling you, not much offends me. But sitting across from a woman wearing pj bottoms, with her filthy feet in flip flops turns my stomach. To make matters worse, random children were wandering around while their parents paid no attention to them. And yes. The kids were in pajamas!
And let’s add flip flops to that as well!
Look. I don’t consider myself to be a snob—because I’m not. But there’s this thing called respect. And there’s this other thing called consideration. Respect for yourself and respect for others. And consideration for others is seemingly an intangible item that has gone to extinction along with the Woolly Mammoth.
Consideration, respect and dress codes are about as extinct as my Woolly Mammoth buddy–and he’s better dressed!
I can be crass, uncouth and loud. However, when out in public, I put my manners on and save the crass for the confines of my chateau! I grew up with the instruction from my parents to be considerate and respectful.
Unless I’m at the beach at a snack bar or at my blanket, I’m not wearing flip-flops to a restaurant. Nor am I wearing pajamas. I make the effort to get dressed. And you don’t need to get dressed to the nines. A good-fitting pair of jeans and a nice shirt will do. Since when is bedroom attire acceptable to wear in public?
Bonaparte was even more shocked at the way the guests were dressed. He mentioned that Americans are becoming more and more sloppy in appearance and I sadly, had to agree. Remember when people actually dressed to travel? Remember when people took pride in the way they looked?
Anyway, our plan was to go to the Holocaust Museum—we hadn’t been in a while and thought it was time to revisit. That plan went out the window when we saw the massive line out into the street.
We didn’t make it to the Holocaust museum or the National Gallery but I got a few nice pics!
We forgot it was President’s Weekend!! Tons of people were visiting DC this weekend—we headed over to The National Gallery but the line to get in was just a bad.
I’m always intrigued by the Washington Monument–it is a beautiful structure!
I love everything about this shot–the sun was hiding at just the right moment!
And so, we simply had a good chuckle and decided that next time, we should make sure we return on a quieter weekend. It’s so funny but I find as I age, I’m just not into crowds the way I was when I was younger. I don’t mind crowds at all, but when I go to a museum, I want to savor every exhibit and be there when the crowds aren’t. That’s all!
Our Nation’s Capital!!
So—tell me, what’s you take on the way too casual attire? Does it bother you? Do you think I’m nuts?
Let’s hear it! Have a great evening and for those of you who are off from work tomorrow have a lovely day!!!
Bonaparte likes to listen to Classical music and that’s what we were listening to in the car. Here’s one of my favorites by Chopin. Nocturne op.9 No. 2!
THANK GOD you canNOT blame that dress code on CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS on YOUR NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!!
HOW ABOUT ONE BLOG A WEEK SO I CAN KEEP UP NOW!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Hi Elizabeth! Oh….we need dress codes to be in place. I wrote to the hotel and thank you! I’m happy to be getting into a routine. Hey. If I do two posts a week I’ll be lucky!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Our parents probably had the same complaint when they saw young women without hat, gloves and stockings in public. Standards change and not always for the better
Hi Anne…Hehehehehehe! My parents would have strokes on the spot if we ever tried pulling wearing pajamas to a restaurant. But it would never happen anyway. My parents trained me like a pure bred dog!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Congrats on the new job! I agree with how people dress. I will never wear sweat pants outside of my house. I love the lighter wig, it looks marvelous on you!
Thanks so much! I don’t even have a pair of sweats and if I did, they wouldn’t see the outside either!!! Thanks–I’m loving the lighter color!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
La Chaumiete is an old favorite, but I haven’t been there in 2 years. So glad to hear it is still top notch with French speaking waiters.
I’ve never seen people breakfasting in public in night clothes, and I would not return to a hotel that permitted such behavisor.
You are so right about low lighting in hotel rooms., even in very expensive hotels. The explanation given is environmental protection. Perhaps we should bring our own bulbs?
Oh Sharon!!The restaurant is so great! We were just discussing our next trip back to DC and that restaurant. I was shocked at the line leading out the door when we finished! LOL–Yeah. I’ll bring my own lightbulbs next time!!! Oh and I wrote to Marriott explaining that a dress code needs to be put into place!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
LOL Catherine you seriously never fail to make me giggle. Loving the lighter wig and you had me smiling at the pajama part 🙂 congrats on the new job love xx
Thanks McKenz–It makes me very happy to give you a case of the giggles!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!!
That lighter colored wig is YOUR color. Looks beautiful on you.
Hi Sue! Thank you. Now if only I could get Bonaparte to love the lighter color as much as we do!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
OMG pajamas and flip flops in public!!!! I’m with you Catherine, that is wayyyyy to casual and sloppy. You are in a public space not a private one and need to dress accordingly. Even the serving staff look taken aback at those two girls in pj’s.
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Liz-I’m getting ready for work and have to fix the photo when I arrive home. I took the photo of the girls in pj’s off the internet-it’s from a Guardian article. I couldn’t take photos of the diners sitting across from us because it would have been too obvious!! But I’m writing to Marriott to ask them why no dress code!!!
I so agree about the way people are dressing here. I am the same age as you and we always dressed just to go to the store. I still do. Run a brush through my hair, freshen my lipstick and make sure I’m presentable. Then put on a smile and a “Hi, how are you?” to those I meet. It makes everyone’s day to have a little friendliness shown to them.
Patrice–exactly!!!! I “get ready” to go to the store!! What is so bad about taking a few moments to look presentable?? It’s called self-respect and having consideration for others. And you added the most important part–being friendly and smiling. Thank you!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I have to get organised do we can meet one day before I return to Australia. I’m glad you had a very good dinner. We also tend to stay st Marriott Hotels and have stayed in the hotel on near the Town Hall in Philadelphia. They are reliable and you will find that most hotels have moved to low lighting with often only lamps. Wearing pyjamas to a hotel dining area is outrageous. I’m shocked and there are no circumstances that this is acceptable for anyone over three years old. My husband continues to wear a suit and tie every day to work even though many colleagues wear casual. As you know we go to a lot of concerts and often Richard comes straight from work. It is noticeable the difference in attitude and assistance you receive when wearing a suit. My son wears a jacket and tie to his residential college dinner each night (its compulsory) and loves to dress well. You looked wonderful on your night out and we can all continue to set high standards even if just for ourselves. Y
Yeah Yvonne. I would really love to get together before you leave (when is that anyway)!! Oona and I used to stay at the same Marriott in Philly for many years for the Irish Dance regionals and the lighting was much much better! Oh..I remember when it was rude for a guy to show up at the dinner table with a baseball cap on. That is one thing my sons never did–I trained them well!
But I blame the establishments for allowing people to come half dressed and dressed for bed. It is not acceptable in any way. The slob look has gone to far!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I adore Marriott hotels as well! Oh my, I’ve yet to see people out and about in pajamas. I find it deplorable. I miss the days of elegance.
Hi Karen–Oh. I miss the days of elegance as well! Geez—my mother always made us get dressed even if we just went into the city for the day! And don’t get me started about air travel and airports!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Catherine, the lighting in hotels has been really low for years, and it is a big pet peeve of mine. I try to put the lamp on the desk practically on top of my head in order to do my makeup. I can only imagine how hard it was for you trying to apply yours. I always have the curtains fully open. If it is a cloudy day, it is awful trying to see.
I am someone who likes lots of light in my home, and if a hotel by some slip up happens to have bright light somewhere in the room, I am shocked, as well as full of glee! 👏👏👏👀💄🌅🌅🌅💡💡💡💡💡💡💃💃
Hi Anne! Oh..let me tell you, I’m ready to go to Target and pick up a head light to put in my travel kit just so I’ll have good makeup light. Who started that low lighting anyway? It’s horrific!!! Like you, I’m into a light and bright home!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Love this but can not BELIEVE people are going to breakfast in their pyjamas. My mouth literally dropped open in shock at those pictures. Haven’t seen this in the UK yet but I’m sure it’s not far away. Glad
You had a lovely weekend and you look great. Advice on workwear, please!
OMG. That was a stock photo from an article in The Guardian. I swear I couldn’t take a photo of the slobs in the restaurant. It was awful. Bonaparte and I were talking about that the entire drive home. It’s horrible!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
I am aghast to hear that people go to hotel breakfasts in their pyjamas! For heaven’s sake… what next?! I don’t frequent hotels often these days but a year ago I stayed in a well known UK budget hotel and was very pleased with my stay…. and no sign of anyone dressed inappropriately.
Also, cannot believe the prices of the rooms in the US! Thank goodness you got a deal.
Lovely to hear Chopin, thank you.
Bonne semaine. Xx
Hi Fiona. I think Europeans and those from the UK are more in tune with self respect and dressing unlike slobs when going out to eat. I’m serious. And Marriott should be ashamed as a corporation for not enforcing dress codes.
Yeah–the prices for a hotel room are ridiculous. We had a great, great deal and paid nowhere near the price that was taped to the door.
You like Chopin? Me too!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
We went to Washington DC about 20 years ago and were very impressed by it. Great atmosphere and as well as all those national monuments there are the Smithsonian museums, which are amazing. We managed to get into the Holocaust Museum, which had quite a queue. It was very, very impressive. I have never forgotten it.
And what! People wear PJs, in what I consider an expensive hotel???!!! OMG, no! I can’t believe it. Actually, why weren’t they politely asked to get dressed!!!! We stay in very bog-standard quite cheap hotels in the UK and everyone is dressed in proper day clothes, OK, some better than others, but I just cannot believe it!
The meal looked so good! And so did you! And finally congratulations on the new job! xxxxxxx
Hi Penny! Ye.ah–we enjoy our trips to DC very much–it is a cool little city of sorts!! Oh, things here in the US have changed. Americans have taken casual to new limits and it is an exercise in vulgarity. I’m disgusted and it is time to return to self-respect and consideration for others!!!! The meal was perfect! Thank you!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Great article Cath. Yes about PJ’s in public, I agree wirh you totally. You should take pride in your appearance. Some people just have no class… about your weight loss I’ll inbox you..
Hi Sissy! Thanks!!! Ugh..you’re telling me–what kind of classless fool would show up in PJ’s at a public restaurant?? Yes! Email me about the weight loss!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Oh you have no idea. We have had to explain to students (seniors looking for jobs) that they cannot come to work in their pajamas! They look at us like we just grew 4 heads.
Then there was the guy at a Philadelphia Orchestra concert dressed like a Trekkie …
Bridget. Are you kidding? I can’t even….but I will say that I’m very happy my boys wore a blazer, tie, proper trousers and loafers the first few years they attended school in NYC before moving to NJ. My boys (and my daughter) are very well versed in how to dress for any occasion!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Congratulations on your new job!!! Sounds as if you had a great time in D.C. I completely agree with you on the pajama thing – really unbelievable. That goes for this so-called trend we see where people are wearing silk pajama tops or bottoms all day long. J.Crew has even promoted that with some of their items and I just can’t get behind that one bit. I’m a little more lenient on flip flops if it’s hot outside, but even those are somewhat questionable considering that there are so many beautiful sandals available that are better for walking. Anyway, I’m salivating at the food photos – yum!!!
Hi Vava!! Thank you–I’m thrilled to be back making a salary and into a routine. I haven’t been stress-eating for a week! Oh…you know I love J. Crew, but when they promoted the pj look I almost stopped shopping there–it is a vile and vulgar trend. I have to say, when people have awfully neglected feet, they can make even the lovliest sandals look awful! Yeah–the food!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I went to this hoity toity spa retreat in Santa Fe and there was restaurant attached to the spa. People showed up in their spa robes……….yea. I feel ya!
Oh God! DG. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse than PJ’s, you mentioned the spa robes. My stomach just turned!!! LOL!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I so agree with you – both on the hotel lighting (lack of) and the dressing down. I’ve spent so many evenings in hotels sitting on the closed toilet seat doing my make up because the only part of the room with decent lighting is the bathroom! As for wearing pyjamas to breakfast – words fail me. I haven’t seen that in the UK yet fortunately though there have been various newspaper articles about supermarkets prohibiting pyjama clad shoppers. As you so rightly say, standards! Great article as usual.
Hi Kathy! Right?? The first time I noticed bad lighting was in Paris but my husband said the lighting in France isn’t as bright as in the US. Then I started to notice hotels were following suit with the bad lighting. It’s a very, very bad thing!!!!! Oh…the stuff I’ve seen on shoppers in the supermarket—is just as bad but here there are no rules because the store owners don’t want to “offend” the offenders!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Gah – the pyjamas in public thing – just yuck! Yes I have seen this delight wandering the streets of Maryhill (an inner Glasgow area) as I sit on the bus, first thing in the morning, going home at night – yes it is out there. Revolting. Not just revolting but really kind of sad – it is so easy to slob down but once you get there, it is so hard to unslob and haul yourself back up. I wish we had better grooming – I wish I had had better grooming (growing up in NZ, flipflops or what we call jandals were ubiquitous and making an effort was sneered at – now I wish I had tried that bit more and stuck my neck out), mum was in her heyday in the 1950s – she sewed and knitted and was an absolute fashion plate – the gloves, the hats, the coats the whole look – gorgeous. Going out was an occasion – now, so hard to have that sense of “occasion” everything is slightly “meh” if we don’t make that tiny bit of effort. It reminds me of the Dior exhibition in Paris – those clothes were sublime, you wouldn’t wear them with greasy hair or slouch about in them, I so wish we had MORE of that style. I am possibly one of the few in the office who wears make up (didnt always) but I like the ritual, the attention and time to myself – I also know when I make the effort I get more respect and more of the right attention, people have told me I look “put together” and much more “glamorous” than when I was younger. Those pyjama wearing women and their kids I feel really sorry for them.
Juliet–I started to really wear more makeup as I’ve gotten older too. And I love dressing for work. I may get my legs sprayed next weekend so I can wear skirts without tights. My freaking legs are just so fish-belly white.
I miss the glamour of the late 1950’s and 1960’s too. My mother would not leave the house unless she had lipstick on and was dressed to impress!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I travel with students a fair bit (12-18 year olds), and we always set very clear expectations on how pyjamas at breakfast is NOT acceptable (unless in Japan and you are wearing the provided yukata or jinbei). I give a pass for Thongs because I am Australian and they are basically our national dress, but you have to have clean feet. But I will NOT wear thongs on an aeroplane, I don’t know why that is my thing, but on an aeroplane I am normally in some form of shoe with some form of socks.
Interestingly I have worked in a job where I was asked to dress down, as my personal work wardrobe was making “clients” feel uncomfortable, I was too fancy!
Hi Q!! I’m so glad to know that you are teaching students the proper dress codes for different occasions! You got it right about the flip flops though. You need CLEAN feet!!!! LOL. I’ve been told as well that I didn’t need to dress up so much..but I like to!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Oh Lord…Pajamas in a Hotel Restaurant…Absurd. But perhaps this trend (I shudder to use the term) begins in the schools…I am sure I’m showing my age but I never dreamed of Pajama Days at School…even High School. Students and Teachers alike. Yuck. Talk about rolling out of bed and into class. Sloppy and Lazy. Good luck with the new job….Welcome Back to the Crazy Work Force. We Need You!
Jeanne—-maybe schools need to start hosting « dress up » days instead!!!!lol!!
I can handle the flip flops but I’m sure the PJ bottoms will soon be coming to a church near you. Unfortunately.
1. I’m with you on the lighting. Ridiculous. They charge a fortune and then save more money on terrible lighting. 2. I’m also with you about wearing PJs for breakfast. Really? I may not have all my makeup on when I come down for breakfast but I do look presentable. No flip-flops and no PJs. I’m sorry you didn’t try the African American Museum. It’s fabulous. Loved it. Always enjoy Washington DC. We usually stay in Georgetown so your restaurant is a good tip. We went to a fabulous Tavern, Of course, I don’t remember the name. But it was where John Kennedy asked Jackie to marry him. I love all of your many blogs. Keep it up. Congratulations on your new job. So happy for you.
Hi Sandy! Right??? The more money the hotels charge the lower the lighting. It’s robbery!! And you’re right. I may not have a full face on when I’m at breakfast but–I don’t show up in night clothing! We’re going to have to catch the AA Museum on the next trip. I’m telling you, DC was mobbed!! Ohh..definitely try to go to La Chamiere. I think you and your husband will love it!! And thank you!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!