As the lifestyle blogger of Stylish Heath, I thoroughly enjoy sharing personal style tips, adventures in travel or food that’s prepared in my own kitchen or reviewed from a trendy restaurant. Blogging is a great platform for those who enjoy interacting with others from various parts of the world who share a common interest. Designing the website is a wonderful creative outlet along with aligning the photographs for each post.
Summer is winding down ……  and many of us are looking forward to much cooler weather! The heat and humidity have taken a serious toll on how long we can stay outdoors. Our gardens at Heath have been obliterated by the sun and deer, but there are a few facets of the season I will miss. Traveling to the sea or mountains, watching phenomenal sunsets or tasting the delicious fruits and veggies of the midsummer such as broccolini and rambutan.
Here we are in the thick of summer and the living is easy……… well let’s just say I’m not sitting on the front porch in excessive heat during the evenings sipping a mint julip. As the days slip by, I’m inclined to stay in air-conditioned comfort instead of trekking outdoors. Living outside the District of Columbia and within the metropolitan area gives weekends a new perspective for exploring and relaxing. It’s a great place to escape from the ordinary.
Last weekend in northeast DC a friend and I went to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to attend the Lotus and Water Lilly Festival. Behind the Capital is an oasis of trees and ponds lined with cattails. Lillie’s sit on the water and lotus blossom’s rise from the same source. To walk around viewing this beauty is astounding. Each turn and wherever you look stroll there is so much to experience; dragonflies flitting across the pond’s, buds getting ready to open and every once in a while, the wind brushed passed our faces. Attending a park with such beautiful gardens is the perfect way to relax and be inspired.
Lunch at a quaint establishment called Rice Paper-Taste of Vietnamat the Eden Center on Wilson Blvd in Falls Church was the perfect spot to revitalize. After being in the heat, we started with a young coconut & juice drink that had sliced coconut and shaved ice in the glass. The Rice Paper combo platter was the perfect summer dish, made with seafood, pork, and marinated beef all grilled and served with grape leaves and vermicelli patties. Items are placed in lettuce and rice paper wraps and then dipped in tasty sauces for added flavor.
Nothing tops spending time with family at the National Museum of Natural Historyon 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW. My adorable niece and nephew had a wonderful time exploring dinosaur bones, and seeing the bull elephant along with the blue whale. It’s a great place to understand the natural world and to learn of our beginnings.
Stylish Heath 