Atypical 60

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!