Join in and fill your belly with amazing food from local vendors

One of the most enjoyable of many Arlington, VA events is the 25^th annual Taste of Arlington.  Coming this year on Sunday, May 20, noon to 5PM on Wilson Boulevard at the front of Ballston Common Mall, there will be over 35 restaurants serving their specialties.  Buy a book of eight tickets and test out eight different combinations of food and drinks.  Tickets can be purchased in advance but they are also sold at the event.  Over 15,000 are expected to participate in this year’s Taste of Arlington, but there is plenty of room, so come on over, Bennington residents.

In keeping with responsible citizenship, a portion of the proceeds from the event are contributed to local charities that support the Arlington community.

Many of the restaurants in the neighborhood participate in Taste of Arlington, so that you can get a first-hand review of places that you would like to try out later on.  Enjoy yourself and eat up! A full belly means a happy resident at The Bennington!

Photo credit: Joshua Rappeneker

Creating a home with a heart…

I hate clutter and unnecessary things (what are cushions for, exactly?) and already having a sofa and two decent-sized chairs I was slightly resistant to buying an extra sofa. But a couple of months back my wife persuaded me that a 33% sale at Laura Ashley couldn’t go ignored. Having friends round at the weekend made me glad I succumbed – what a lovely thing to have everyone gathered round, with a real fire as the focal point. Yep, I’m going on about the fire again but the winds tore down two big branches of the massive firry, piney type of tree in the front garden, which was just the excuse I needed to get out the axe and start a (rather smoky) fire. Anyway, my point being that in a sitting room, arranging furniture around a focal point gives it a heart and the more inward facing it is, the more sociable it encourages us to be.

Seán O

A room made for conversation…

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Table Envy

Now I know that I showed you some great hallway examples not so long ago, but I couldn’t resist blogging about this little beauty. Taken from one of our upcoming homes in the June issue of 25 Beautiful Homes (on sale 3rd May – don’t miss it!), I think it’s a great example of how you can make the most of a small space.

There’s a real combination of styles here, but the ornate wooden console table really comes into its own set against such a neutral background.

Love it. Want it.

Laurie

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Feature walls – who doesn’t love ‘em?

When is a feature wall not a feature wall? I guess it’s when its not screaming out ‘Look at me!’  Just looking through 25BHs latest gallery of feature walls, they come in all manner of styles and they’re not all in your face. But whether you’re using a wacky wallpaper for that wow factor when you enter a room or just want to add a different paint colour to make a room less samey, they all make a statement.
Seán O 

Blending in beautifully…

…or attention seeker!

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Dark and mysterious

Not all of us have the space to achieve a bedroom like this, but it’s a great example of how taking your time to really think about your scheme and what look you want to achieve can pay off.

I love the moody, dark tones of this room, with its elegantly draped curtains and period details. There’s just an air of grandeur about it, and the mirrors either side of the bed are a great way to bounce some light around if you have a small, dark room.

Laurie

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Regal Bethesda 10

7272 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814

• 21 Jump Street
• The Cabin in the Woods
• Dark Shadows
• The Five-Year Engagement
• The Hunger Games
• The Lucky One
• Marvel’s The Avengers
• Marvel’s The Avengers 3D
• Mirror Mirror
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits 3D
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits
• The Raven
• Safe
• Think Like a Man
• The Three Stooges

Search other theaters

Review from RottenTomatoes.com

Movie: 21 Jump Street

Plot Summary: In the action-comedy 21 Jump Street, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are more than ready to leave their adolescent problems behind. Joining the police force and the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover in a local high school. As they trade in their guns and badges for backpacks, Schmidt and Jenko risk their lives to investigate a violent and dangerous drug ring. But they find that high school is nothing like they left it just a few years earlier – and neither expects that they will have to confront the terror and anxiety of being a teenager again and all the issues they thought they had left behind. — (C) Sony Pictures

Rating: R

Critics Score: 85

Audiences Score: 89

Reviews: A smart, affectionate satire of ’80s nostalgia and teen movie tropes, 21 Jump Street offers rowdy mainstream comedy with a surprisingly satisfying bite.

Pet Name: Belle – URGENT! SPONSOR NEEDED ASAP
Breed: Spaniel
Age: Senior
Male or Female: F
Size: L

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Pet Name: Connor
Breed: Beagle
Age: Young
Male or Female: M
Size: S

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Pet Name: Jeffie
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Age: Baby
Male or Female: M
Size: M

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Pet Name: Gizmo
Breed: Poodle
Age: Baby
Male or Female: M
Size: S

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Honor the military during the Twilight Tattoo event in DC

Have you heard of Twilight Tattoo, Bennington residents? No, it’s not a tattoo parlor, but an event being billed as “a colorful military pageant.” The history of Twilight Tattoo started more than 300 years ago when the British troops were called back to the barracks from the local pubs with a bugle and drum call.

These days, it is known as “Tattoo” for short – a time during basic training when soldiers quiet down and hit the bunks.  Here in the DC area, for the US Army Military District of Washington, it is a tribute dedicated to the vitality of our country and the sacrifices made in order to make us a free country.  Washington’s Twilight Tattoo history dates back to the years before World War II when the traditional show in 1961 was revived and the talents of the ceremonial units were showcased.

The pageants take place every Wednesday night at 7 pm from April 25-June 27 at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall here in Arlington, and shows from July 11-August 29 will be held at Whipple Field.  Soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will participate, and audiences can enjoy a look back into American history with performances by vocalists in The US Army Band Downrange, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, US Army Drill Team and The US Army Blues.

Show of hands, how many of you Bennington residents will be at one or more of these free events? If you would like to reserve for a group, the US Army Military District of Washington can be contacted at 202-685-2888.  For more information and a program of events, click the link above.

Photo credit: theswedish

Save that money for an emergency or a rainy day with these tips

An emergency fund is something that is often talked about but seemingly hard to build.  It’s not impossible, though.  TheSmarterWallet.com has some great tips for how to build an extra savings account just in case you are in a situation where you need to access the money fast.  The first recommendation is to find a good online savings account like ING Direct to put your money in so you can get to it, but it will take some effort so it isn’t as easy to take money out when you don’t really need it.  Here are some other ways to build your fund, Bennington residents:

• Sell items on eBay.  Sometimes, it’s the things that you think won’t sell at all that end up going the fastest, so whether you have some used clothing, CDs, books or other things you don’t need anymore, take inventory and start posting online.  You’d be surprised at how much you can rake in!
• Work overtime if you can.  This might seem like an obvious one, but a lot of people aren’t doing it.  Ask your boss if there are any opportunities to put in extra hours, even if it’s just on a short term basis.  Obviously, this would only work if he’s willing to pay you.
• Freelance.  You can take on a side job here and there or regularly look for paid tasks to do on sites like Elance.  If you have a little time to set aside for freelance work, it’s worth the effort (and the cash).

How have you been able to build up your emergency fund, residents of The Bennington?

Photo credit: gabriel77

Help Arlington recycle by bringing your old goods to Market Common

If you’re looking for ways to make an impact on the Arlington community, April 22nd is one day where you can do just that.  Team up with Market Common Clarendon and local companies to help recycle in an event they are calling SpringGreen.

The two will be joining together to collect used items to recycle starting at 11 am.  Here are some of the items they are looking for, to be brought to 2700 Clarendon Boulevard (under 4 miles from The Bennington):

- Bicycles (with $10 donation requested to repair them for reuse)
- Bike parts, tools and accessories

- Cell phones

- Documents for shredding

- Computers and related equipment

- Portable sewing machines

- Electronics

Turtle Wings will be collecting electronics that will include:

- Answering machines

- Camcorders

- Electronic games

- Electric typewriters

- DVDs and DVD players

- Microwaves

- Fax machines

- Laptops/laptop batteries

- Radios

- Remote controls

- Tape players

…and many more items.  For a full list of specifics, visit the website linked above.  Will you be donating your used items to SpringGreen, residents of The Bennington?

Photo credit: iprole

$25 for One Month of Unlimited UV Tanning or Two Spray Tans at Hollywood Tans in Fairfax (Up to $56 Value)

Although once revered as a sign of royalty, today, pale skin only reveals its owner to be a photo-lab technician or a sock puppet. Lose cottony hues with this Groupon.

$25 for One Month of Unlimited Tanning in an HT42 Bed or Two Spray Tans (Up to $56 Value)

Clients can step into the HT42 standup tanning booth all month long or book two sessions in the Instant Tan by Mystic Tan, which coats bodies in moisturizers and a shade of the client’s choice.

Hollywood Tans

With more than 140 salons nationwide, Hollywood Tans has left its richly toned mark on bodies from coast to coast. Four varieties of vertical HT-manufactured booths welcome clients to bask in their UV glow and walk out 10 minutes later looking like a bronze statue of themselves. Instant Tan spray systems powered by Mystic Tan yield an even, natural tan in the shade of the client’s choice that lasts up to seven days.

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One or Three Games of DC: The Game Interactive Scavenger Hunt for Two or Four from Stray Boots (Up to 63% Off)

Early adventurers braved unknown lands armed with little more than all-terrain horses, a coal-burning GPS system, and plasma TVs useful only to barter for lukewarm porridge. Revel in the convenience of more advanced exploring with today’s Groupon to DC: The Game, an interactive tour from Stray Boots. Choose from the following options:

• For $10, you get two tickets to one of the three game zones (up to a $24 value).
• For $18, you get four tickets to one of the three game zones (up to a $48 value).
• For $24, you get two tickets to all three of the game zones (up to a $60 value).
• For $48, you get four tickets to all three of the game zones (up to a $120 value).

At least one player on the team must have a U.S. cell phone capable of receiving texts and a digital camera or camera phone.

DC: The Game is an interactive tour that sets friends and family members loose on an exhilarating, knowledge-fueled undertaking guided by text-message clues, trivia, and riddles. With tickets that allow access to one or all three of the game zones, players can meander through the diverse landmarks of Penn Quarter and Chinatown, gape at colorful works of art in five Smithsonian museums, and explore the famous buildings and trendy shops of Georgetown. In all three explorations, clues point the way to such cultural hot spots as the Chinatown gate, sculpture gardens, and historic bars where John Adams won countless karaoke battles.

None of the self-guided tours require previous knowledge of the city. Adventurers play at their own pace—most zones take two–three hours to finish—which allows them to spend more time learning about the city and photographing vibrant fire hydrants for aquacentric scrapbooks.

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$49 for $100 Worth of Paintless Dent-Removal Services at Dent Professor in Rockville

Auto shops fix everything from busted fuel pumps to frames bent by the hooves of vengeful, unemployed horses. Spruce up your mechanical steed with this Groupon.

$49 for $100 Worth of Paintless Dent-Removal Services

Technicians work dinged and dented exteriors back to their smooth finishes without having to repaint the car. Prices vary, starting at $75 for the smallest dings; a $100 credit should cover dents up to an inch, or roughly the size of a half-dollar coin. Customers should call in advance to schedule an appointment for an estimate.

Dent Professor

Wielding a master certification in paintless dent repair and collision repair, the founder of Dent Professor leads a school dedicated to restoring dents and dings of all sizes. The crew smoothes away dimples caused by hail, small fender benders, or falling objects, massaging the tarnished area back into a smooth surface without having to repaint. For larger accidents, a team of collision experts restores damaged frames, fixes bumpers, and spray-paints scratched exteriors.

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$7 for a Potomac Nationals Game-Day Package at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge on April 13, 14, or 15 (Up to $14 Value)

Baseball is a game of superstitions: hitters don’t wash helmets while on a streak, and managers don’t brush their teeth for weeks after a great argument with an umpire. Discover your own diamond rituals with this GrouponLive deal to see the Potomac Nationals play the Lynchburg Hillcats at Pfitzner Stadium. For $7, you get a game-day package (up to a $14 value) that includes:

• One ticket for general-admission grandstand seating (up to a $9 value)
• One slice of pizza provided by Little Caesars in Dumfries, Virginia (a $5 value)

Choose from the following games:

• Friday, April 13, at 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 14, at 6:35 p.m.
• Sunday, April 15, at 1:05 p.m.

Celebrating their 35th season as a club whose alumni include such stars as Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols, the P-Nats parade back onto the field during opening weekend at Pfitzner Stadium. After hoisting the Mills Cup in 2010 as champions of the Carolina League, the Washington Nationals’ Class-A affiliate made a strong showing in 2011, which saw a breakout campaign from infielder Jeff Kobernus, who walloped a team-best 138 hits while demonstrating his speed by stealing 52 bases before the pitcher could phone the police.

Inside The Pfitz, sizzling fastballs and skyscraping homers jettison across the field as fans catch views from grandstand seats. Following all three games, kids can charge onto the field to run the bases or stand in the same hallowed spot as their favorite umpire, and on Sunday, players bestow autographs during a pregame signing session in the stadium café.

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10 or 20 Dance and Fitness Classes at The Loudon School of Ballet in Leesburg (Up to 61% Off)

When you draw a crowd on the dance floor, it means you either possess awe-inspiring moves or are an ultra-dense quasar collapsing in on itself. Become a dance star with this Groupon.

Choose Between Two Options

• $49 for a 10-class pass valid for adult ballet, tap, jazz, Zumba, and fitness training (a $125 value)
• $89 for a 20-class version of the above pass (a $220 value)

See the 2012 schedule for class times.

The Loudoun School of Ballet

More than 10,000 students have honed their dance stylings in the Loudoun School of Ballet’s 6,000-square-foot dance facility, their steps echoing through three studios equipped with Marley floors and acoustic ceilings. The school’s graduates have gone on to careers at professional companies and on Broadway thanks to a rigorous year-round training program that starts as early as preschool. The studio’s accredited and award-winning instructors sometimes get an assist from guest talent, who encourage upper-level pupils’ artistic growth without filling their ballet slippers with fertilizer.

The studio also hosts an adult program geared more toward developing fitness than professional dance careers. Ballet, jazz, and tap courses grant students poise and the ability to conceal cheat sheets of dance tips in their leotards, and fitness courses and Zumba’s easy-to-follow Latin dance moves burn calories and raise heart rates.

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Two Custom Pet-Identification Tags or One Tag and a Lifetime Virtual Leash Membership from Dog Tag Art (Up to 66% Off)

Unlike humans, pets lack the ability to carry a map or recognize when a GPS is being sarcastic. Protect your naïve pooch with this Groupon.

Choose Between Two Options

• $15 for two custom-made pet-identification tags, including shipping (a $33.95 value)

Sturdy tags display pet and owner information on 1.25- or 0.88-inch-diameter circles with up to four lines of text. Designs include vintage and retro tags, humorous slogans, and breed-specific art. Owners can also design a custom tag with images of their choice.

• $35 for one custom-made pet-identification tag, including shipping, and a lifetime Virtual Leash membership with a lifetime guarantee (a $102.98 value)

The Virtual Leash program creates a unique website for your pet. The site lists emergency contacts who can immediately be notified via email, Twitter, or text message when a pet is lost or found. Pets’ tags direct anyone discovering the critter to the site, allowing them to get in touch with emergency contacts or view a pet profile with special-needs information and a map to the runaway’s address.

Dog Tag Art

Jack Carrier’s chocolate lab, Maggie, a wandering spirit, frequently disappeared, often wearing tags labeled with outdated addresses. While wringing his hands before the windows of his home, Jack became convinced that a company could relieve this chronic stress by creating a more reliable way to search for and return cats and dogs. With this goal in mind, he founded Dog Tag Art, which has since been featured in the New York Post and on Live with Regis and Kelly. The company’s dog tags come in a diverse range of styles, from sassy slogans and sports themes to vintage or floral-pattern designs. Pet owners can also design tags with an uploaded image of pups posing in the park after repeatedly rescuing a lucky penny from a well. Made in the United States, the tags use a special coating to permanently fuse bright graphics and pet information to a recycled-stainless-steel core. Dog Tag Art’s other services work in tandem with the tags; the Virtual Leash creates a website for each pet, featuring a profile with special needs, personality info, and an unlimited list of emergency contacts.

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Virginia State Inspection, Emissions Test, or State Inspection with Emissions Test at Automotive Express in Arlington (Up to 52% Off)

Like children, cars must be inspected annually to ensure they aren’t drinking too much gasoline. Keep cars in working condition with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options

• $8 for a Virginia state inspection (a $16 value)
• $14 for a Virginia state emissions test (a $28 value)
• $21 for a Virginia state inspection and emissions test (a $44 total value)

Automotive Express

Automotive Express’s highly trained, ASE–certified technicians maintain and repair vehicles with routine tune-ups, engine service, towing, and detailed diagnostics. Team members use ACDelco parts to fill in missing or nonworking components and fuse their services with convenience measures, keeping customers well informed with free, advanced estimates, online maintenance scheduling, and soothsaying hood ornaments capable of predicting impending speeding tickets.

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Surround yourself with cherry blossoms at this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival

Billed as “the nation’s greatest springtime celebration,” the National Cherry Blossom Festival is already in progress but will stick around until April 27th.  So, if you haven’t had a chance to take part in one of the many events going on during the festival, the time is now, residents of The Bennington!

The festival is in its 100th year, giving us the gift of trees and the chance to enjoy the DC area with activities like the Odyssey Cherry Blossom Dinner Cruise (running through April 7th) and the “100 Years of Kimono” exhibit.

That’s not all! There will also be a tremendous display during the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival on April 7th, located at the Southwest Waterfront on Water Street SW, of course.  Imagine 8 hours of free music, water-related activities, live music and yummy food, all in honor of the 100th anniversary.

If you’d like more information, click the link above, and if you get out to one or more of these events, make sure you take pictures and share with us on The Bennington’s Facebook page!

Photo credit:kkinjo

Layers in interiors: Pattern over pattern

image from Nuevo Estilo via HOH.

An Interior Design Blog.
Interior design consultation, styling and Decorating Services available.

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Food for Thought: Global Chic 6000.12: Elle Decor

“It takes little more than a few clicks of a mouse to fill your home with objects from distant lands.  But nothing can replace the experience of actually immersing yourself in another culture.  When the foreign becomes familiar and the exotic an element of the everyday, then you’ve mastered global style” Elle Decor, April 2012.

I uploaded this image to one of my Pinterest boards over two weeks ago not knowing it belonged to Lorenzo Castillo; a designer I have posted about a few times over a year ago, here, here and here.  The fantastic renovation of his “Hogar Madrileno” is featured in the April issue of Elle Decor.

And if you don’t know who else was featured in this April Elle Decor by now it’s time to wake up from your hibernation.  Hello, Spring!  The authentic home of the lovely Maryam Montague from My Marrakesh, that is.  “Alas Maryam! what a great job you did, your home is unique and beautiful.  It honors and reflects its immediate mother earth”

An Interior Design Blog.
Interior design consultation, styling and Decorating Services available.

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Leopard me so

To say that leopard is a trend would make Madeleine Castaign laugh in her grave, so I’ll not say that.  It’s undoubtedly in its heyday lately and women and men alike seem to love it a lot.  The small and continuous pattern takes leopard way ahead of zebra.  It’s more livable and easier to commit to than zebra as well.  Enjoy!

An Interior Design Blog.
Interior design consultation, styling and Decorating Services available.

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