DC National Cathedral

Some things just call out to be photographed, and the Washington National Cathedral is one of them. Along with the majestic beauty of the Cathedral itself, the blooming cherry trees and blue sky only add to it's grandeur. But along with the interior and exterior of the Cathedral, there is more to see. The National Greenhouse behind the Cathedral is worth a visit. Specializing in herbs, the Cathedral Greenhouse offers a wide and unique selection of flowers including annuals, perennials, topiaries and foliage plants, as well as pottery, statuary and gift items reflective of the Cathedral and its grounds. A series of red and clear glass hearts caught the eye and will add interest to various sills and vases throughout Arlington and Chicagoland.


The Cathedral Herb Cottage , located next to the Cathedral, also offers several interesting items from cards and posters to liquid soap to "wash away your sins," as well as "Holy Smokes" and "Bishop's BBQ" to aid with outdoor cooking. A sunny day, blue sky and Blogger Boy made this visit picture perfect.
Photo attribution: somewhat frank

National Cherry Blossom Festival

A lover of all things blooming, a recent stint in Washington D.C. to visit Blogger Boy included a stop at the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park to check out the cherry blossoms during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Not the only one with the idea, parking proved to be simple once patience prevailed. Stepping out of the car, the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of cherries. A short walk to the Basin and the flowering trees were in full view. Beautiful. The pink blossoms, the water, the Jefferson Monument --- memorable and worth the crowds. Peak season for blossom viewing is March 27 through April 3, though the blossom period continues through April 9.

A true photo opportunity, a video was filmed for Blogger Boy and pictures of forsythia, daffodils and magnificent magnolias were snagged. A traffic cone was moved (but returned in perfect form) to enable easier traffic flow to the next location. Monuments, the White House, Kennedy Center and Pentagon are all sights were viewing regardless of how many previous visits have produced the same result. The White House Museum Shop is always a favorite stop and the 2007 White House ornament will hang proudly with 20 previous ornaments on this year's Christmas tree.

Always one to pause and smell the roses, peonies or daffodils, the flowering plants throughout the District assures one spring is in full swing in DC and only a month or so behind in Chicagoland. Hope is on the way.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream

"The morning after never looked so good" if new Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream is applied at bedtime, according to Elizabeth Arden and Allergan, Inc. Sold at Red Door Salons nationwide, as well as medical offices, the product line has had good reviews so why not try the night cream? "Proof, not promises" is the product battle cry. Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream is proven to help "enhance skin's own natural repair process, restore skin's natural resilience for a firmer look, reverse dryness with intense hydration, and give skin a brighter, even toned, more radiant appearance."

Given three samples that would last about two weeks, this skeptical somewhatforty+ woman of multiple serums, moisturizers and wonder products put Prevage Anti-aging Night Cream to the test. Remarkable. The first morning was shocking -- no creases in the skin appeared. Rushing to the 10X mirror only magnified the results. Hmmmm. Told to only use the product every other night for the first week, I was intrigued. After two weeks I am hooked. On the nights I remembered to apply the product I awoke with no lines. Purchasing this product and using it nightly is in my immediate future. While $125 for 1.7 ounces seems like a high price to pay for crease reduction, Botox and injectable crease reducers cost $500 or more per treatment. Prevage is looking like a much better and certainly less painful deal. Give it a try. Maybe some old jars and tubes can even be thrown away and that would be remarkable.

Photo attribution: Elizabeth Arden

Milly Greets Minnesota

After five months in Chicagoland, 86 year old Milly returned to Minnesota last week to welcome spring and visit friends. The trip was carefully arranged so American Airlines would treat Milly royally, escorting her through O'Hare and delivering her to the Minneapolis-St. Paul arrival gate unscathed. If only her Minnesota grandson had picked her up on time, not two hours late, the trip would have been perfect.

How time can slip away when one's only obligation for the day is to pick up Granny is beyond me. Falling asleep on the couch for a short nap was the excuse, yet why would one allow one's self to do so, knowing full well travelling is difficult for some senior citizens? After calling the kid's cell phone for two hours he finally came to, or woke up, apologizing for his failure to deliver, or in this case pick up. Duh. Incredulous. Unacceptable. Awful. Ridiculous. Enough. Next time a paid driver will be waiting for Milly in Minneapolis -- one who has a watch and an alarm clock.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Happy Birthday Val

Another year older, another year wiser, that's you Val. As you celebrate your birthday today remember aging is optional, celebrating is preferred. Last year was the "big one," complete with guests, gifts galore and best wishes. This year is quieter, yet just as glorious. Each day is a gift. Enjoy your day. Don't eat sweets. Get plenty of rest. Wash your hands a lot. Pack for your trip to Switzerland. Hug Joe.

Sorry we can't be with you to celebrate tonight, but we will be thinking of you. And remember all who love you join me in wishing you a Happy Birthday. Cheers, to one more year. Next birthday celebration -- mine.

photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

What to Wear: Black-tie Optional

Never wanting to look like some body's mother, it is often difficult to decide what to wear to a black-tie optional event in Chicagoland. Black hose or natural? Long or short skirt? Hair up or down? So many questions to be answered before the April 3 event. So little time. According to Charla Krupp, author of How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better, "for all but the most ultra-formal affairs, any length (skirt) from knee to shoe is acceptable these days for black tie events. Choose the length depending on whether you want to show off shapely legs. But too long can look dowdy." Don't want to look dowdy.

Charla continues, "Long skirt: Whether you're looking at a casual version or a long gown for a black tie event, long can look OL (old lady). It's much more chic to show a little leg." Long skirt is out, short skirt is in. Covering one's legs in Chicagoland is also a dilemma, especially in early April when the weather could be quite chilly and un-tanned legs are unattractive. The authority on all things stylish, Charla believes the only thing to wear on one's legs so as not to look OL, are either black tights, sheer black nylons, small black fishnets, or bare legs.

What to wear? It has become simple -- an above the knee black pencil skirt, sheer black hose, black Italian pumps, and either a fitted black lace short jacket, or a fitted pink silk jacket. Both are couture, both are black-tie caliber, and both will work; the decision will be made on the day of the event based on weather and the moon. One more thing --- hair will be down and there will be only three pieces of bling: studs, necklace and beautiful Mary Francis purse. Added bling: good-looking son in his tuxedo.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Chicago CityLIGHTS Award Finalists -- TECH cocktail

For the past two years, TECH cocktail, the brainchild of Eric Olson (left) and Frank Gruber (right), has provided a venue to help start-up companies demonstrate their innovative ideas to others in the technology field. Now Eric and Frank have been nominated for the 2008 CityLIGHTS Award by the Illinois Technology Association (ITA). Honoring outstanding information technology companies, executives and advocates in Illinois, ITA will present the awards to the winners at the ninth annual CityLIGHTS Award Gala on April 3 at Union Station. The black-tie event will serve cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7 to over five-hundred technology specialists in the state of Illinois.

Among the competition for the CityLIGHTS Award, which is given to an individual who has made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community, are Ron and Jeff Galowich, co-Founders of Initiate Systems,
Bob Geras, president of LaSalle Investments, Brian Knudson, CEO of NogginLabs, Inc., Frank Gruber and Eric Olson, founders of TECH cocktail, and Brad Spirrison, president of MidwestBusiness.com.

TECH cocktail is a mixer event that allows start-ups the opportunity to strut their stuff to the local technology community at regularly scheduled mixers in the area. Several start-ups highlighted at previous TECH cocktails have been acquired and are able to continue their work as a result of their technology debut at TECH cocktails in Chicago, DC, Boston and Boulder. Kudos to Eric and Frank for starting a company that allows others to profit from their innovative sides. To continue providing information to anyone interested in innovative business ideas, the first TECH cocktail Conference will take place at Loyola University, Water Tower Campus, on Thursday, May 29, followed by TECH cocktail Chicago 8 at John Barleycorn that evening. Register for the conference while there are still slots. Congratulations to Frank and Eric for being nominated for this award.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus