Upcoming DMV Events 11/14- 16/14 -- Sorry for the Hiatus

I would like to officially apologize to every blogger that has taken a brief but unexpected hiatus from their blog due to life.  I really did not know or understand how hard it is to maintain this blogger lifestyle!  I had to travel last week to CHICAGO!  Sidebar:  I love Chicago!  The food, the architecture, the...everything!  Chicago is a real cool city and I hope to visit again soon!

 Me in the Cloud Gate (aka the Bean)...I'm under the smaller yellow flag!

Okay back to where I left off...

Here are your events for this weekend and beyond!

November 14 & 15, 2014
Gilt DC Warehouse Sale -- DC--GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
This designer warehouse sale will also feature an exclusive Spring/Summer 2015 Trend presentation.


November 15 - 23, 2014
MM. LaFleur Pop-Up Shop -- AIA District Architecture Center -- ADDED 11/12/14
Fashionistas covet New York City-based design house MM. LaFleur for its sleek silhouettes and tailored work wear pieces.  Expect to find dresses, separates and accessories that make perfect wardrobe staples for the D.C. power woman. Also, preview their latest collection.

Luxury Hair Affair Workshop--SOLD OUT
Hair demos, brunch bites, gift bags, shopping and more!

November 15 & 16 2014
The EmporiYUM -- Union Market DC -- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
The Emporiyum, a one-of-a-kind food marketplace that introduces in-the-know Washingtonians to the tastiest treats from around the country

November 16, 2014

LEGO® Build!-- National Building Museum DC

Join the National Building Museum and staff from Play-Well Teknologies for an exciting LEGO® Build, where you'll discover how to design buildings that can withstand even the toughest challenges.
From earthquakes to hurricanes, architects and engineers must plan for all kinds of disasters. Learn how real buildings are designed to stand up to nature, and then create a LEGO® building of your own that's built to last!


Future Planning...
November 20, 2014

Pop-Up Beauty Lounge 3 -- DC Area -- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 

An evening of fashion & beauty Benefiting the Red Sprinkle Fashion Boot camp educational program for area youngsters interested in fashion careers.  Get pampered:  complimentary lash extensions, polish changes by Sassy Nail Spa, makeup applications, nail decals, hair consultation, bites from Sushiko and &pizza, treats from Cake Love & more!

November 20, 2014
Sip + Sew Class--Union Market DC -- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Sip & Sew is a hands-on Mini Sewing Class (no sewing experience required). Join us and learn how to make (and take) a holiday stocking using fabric and sewing machine. All supplies and materials provided.

November 21, 2014
#AnnieSloanLate @OnthePurpleCouch -- Kensington MD
Come and Spend the late night with us.  Pop-up Shops, Demos, and furniture painting to support A Wider Circle.  Also door prizes and raffle.

November 21- 23, 2014
Stylish Patina's Rough Luxe Market --  Falls Church VA--ADDED 11/12/14
Hosting a Holiday Market & Thanksgiving Inspiration in 2,500 square feet of space chock full of re-imagined vintage furniture, modern accents and fabulous salvage.

November 28 - December 23, 2014
Downtown Holiday Market --  DC
Bringing a unique and festive shopping “village” to the heart of Downtown DC, the market features more than 150 regional artisans, crafters and boutique businesses of ethnically produced goods.

December 13, 2014--ADDED 11/12/14
MODAGE Style Holiday "Mystery" Goodwill Shopping Bus Tour -- DC--ONLY VIP TIX Available
Attention ecologically conscious and savvy shoppers, join MODAGE in celebrating their final shopping bus tour of the year.  This guided shopping bus tour guarantees vintage holiday inspired fun.  Conserve gas and enjoy a day of eco-chic shopping!  Lots of surprise along the way!

December 14, 2014
Grump Holiday Arts & Crafts Show --  Arlington VA
75 vendors, make and take, gift wrapping, music, snacks, fun!



Keeping it Resourceful,

The ResourceNista

Whatever You Do, Don't Call Him Cheap!

As a young girl, I remember asking my father for money to purchase something--God only knows -- and he started to question me about the item and why I wanted/felt I needed to have it.  Before I knew it, "Dad, you are cheap!" slipped right out of my mouth.  To which he quickly responded in a sarcastically corrective tone, "I'm not cheap, I'm thrifty, I'm frugal and I like nice things." All I knew was that I wasn't going to get the item I wanted because this man was cheap!

I decided to investigate the real meaning of those words up and immediately smiled because the old man was teaching me about money management.  I reflected over the tangible gifts he gave me and the things he placed value upon to understand his mindset.  Being "frugal and thrifty" can lead you to make better decisions that have positive impacts on your financial future.  Simple but necessary.

On November 3, 2010, Dad passed away debt-free and financial able to cover his medical and burial expenses.  His frugal and thrifty lifestyle is the legacy that he left for me. 

On the anniversary of his passing, I ask myself,

• Have I made the wise financial decisions over the past year?  Did I need another designer bag?
• If I am diagnosed with an ailment or disease that requires medical care, am I prepared?
• Am I prepared to retired?  Am I on target with my financial plan and goals?  And to retire to a lifestyle that is filled with joy and provision verses a life that is moments away from poverty?  

These and other questions have been the motivators for my "ResourceNista" lifestyle and all credit goes to my Dad!

If you do not already have one, please considering developing your own Financial Fitness Check-Up.  Select an important day in your life for that annual visit and then move forward making any necessary adjustments to stay in alignment with your plan and to meet your financial goals.


I Love and Miss you, Dad!,

Signed Your Baby (aka The ResourceNista)

The Blogs I Love and the New Ones on the Block

As a new blogger, I want to start my blogging journey with giving a shout out to the "Blogs I Love" aka "Oh, The Places I Go."  Why? Because these bloggers are the ones who inadvertantly inspired me to want to blog. They do what they do so well, they made me believe this was easy and that I could do it! While I've really just begun this journey, I think it is never too early to say, Thank You!

Look left--------------->

Until Next Time,

Keeping it Resourceful!

The ResourceNista

It is Business...Just Business! -- Upcoming Small Business Programs, Conferences, and Events in the DMV

It has been a crazy week!  I have been working on some posts but did not have everything to publish them.  I then went back to the true goal and purpose of this blog...highlighting resources for small businesses.  So,...

Calling All Small Business Owners!  This Blog Post is for you!
*More details are provided in the links.

November 16, 2014 -- 1:00pm to 5:00pm
"The Women in Business" Networking Brunch
Pure Nuphoria Bed and Breakfast
Fort Washington, MD

All Women Owned Businesses, Professional Women, Entrepreneurs & Women considering starting a business should attend.  This event will provide business owners with information and knowledge that will help them to achieve their optimum success sooner and with excellence.


November 25, 2014 -- 6:30 to 8:00pm

Small Business Property Ownership Program 

Washington, DC

This program seeks to offer small businesses technical assistance in identifying properties that are available for purchase or lease, and provides feasibility studies and evaluation of financial costs.  This is a bi-monthly event held on the fourth Tuesday.

Saturday, December 13, 2014 -- 10am to 1:00pm (PST)

Facebook and Twitter for Entrepreneurs & Small Business 101
Bethesda, Maryland

Learn how to leverage the power of social media and online marketing to improve your business, establish your professional reputation, and achieve your goals! With our advice and instruction we can help you succeed! This 3 hour class will provide basic information about how to create, manage, and use Facebook and Twitter professionally. It will be taught by our CEO and Founder who has 8 years of marketing experience and has taught blogging and social media at the Writer's Center and the City of Gaithersburg. You will receive a notebook of tips and instruction to take home with you. We will provide bagels and coffee! Note: Please bring a laptop computer with you!

More to come....

....A Few of My Favorite Things...October Edition

As you can see from the badge on the right, I've committed to #NaBloPoMo. By posting this badge, I am declaring that I am committed to this blog!

Let's start November by highlighting some of my favorite products, services, and experiences that Made OCTOBER special!

Accessories
I am really loving stud earrrings.  I really believe it is because I appreciate the simple elegance they bring to your face.  Whenever I can find them, I scoop them up...IMMEDIATELY!  When I saw these on the clearance table...I had to have them. The Coastal Grey Stud Earrings by J. Crew are my favorite this month.  They are well made and sturdy.  Unfortunately, they are no longer available in the store.

Makeup
I'm not a makeup person but my favorite makeup product is Mascara.  I'm loving Benefit's They're Real.  Truthfully, it is beyond a favorite, it is a holy grail product.  It helps make my eyes pop!

Food Item/Snack
Due to some recipe snafu, I would have been snacking on Starbucks's pumpkin scones.  However, Trader Joes's came to the rescue with Pumpkin-mania--every pumpkin flavored product a mind could conceive.  Check it out for yourself but go quickly!   Everything sells out fast and is not usually restocked,  So since I'm a pumpkin-loving person and the slapped the word pumpkin in front of it...it was my favorite snack!

Best Customer Service of the Month
Rolling Ribs Part II
I mentioned them in a blog post earlier this week and while the food was really good the customer service was absolutely the best!  I could not help but give them a second shout out for the week.

YouTube Channel
During October, I focused on DIY channels but cannot narrow it down to one.  Channels such as Be My Guest with Denise, At Home with Nikki, Very Keri, The Unfrumpy Mommy, and more filled my YouTube viewing time.  These women encouraged and inspired me to tap into my crafty and creative side,  As a result, I'll have a DIY to post here on this blog this coming Monday!

Event
During this month, I attended a couple of weddings, a home blessing, and a host of other activities that filled the October calendar page of my planner.  They were all exciting and joyous events.  I was extremely honored to be asked to be a part of those special occasions.  I was also able to include attending the Dance Theatre Harlem at the Sidney Harmon Theater as another special moment for this month.

Overall, it was a good month!  Let me know what made your month special.

Until next time,

Keep it Resourceful!

The ResourceNista

Is it the Weekend--Already?! -- DMV Events for the Weekend of October 31 - November 2

I had a great weekend!  While I was not able to participate in any of the events I posted last week, I was able to spend time with someone celebrating the purchase of their first home.  I enjoyed a Game Night with a group of Christian Singles on Friday and a Soup Tasting on Saturday evening with a group of dynamic women who Love the Lord and know how to laugh!  By Sunday, I was tired yet inspired.  So with a LivingSocial deal to Rolling Ribs Part 2 in hand, I pressed my way.   And I'm here to report, I now understand why my Godchildren's father exercises and tracks his calories to make sure he has enough to eat there!  If you like ribs, chicken, soul food sides, sweet lemonade, good cake and GREAT customer service, please give them a visit before they close out for the season on November 23, 2014.

Now on to your events for this weekend!

October 31, 2014
Truckeroo Festival--Navy Yard Metro Station
Truckeroo is a monthly festival held April thru October at the corner of Half St. and M St., SE showcasing food trucks from the Washington, D.C. area.

November 1, 2014
DC Meet Market
Our next market is filled with thankful activities ranging from a canned food drive, thanksgiving crafts for kids, and hearty food from Sloppy Mama’s. As always, the market will showcase over 40 local vendors selling their goods from home décor, handcrafted jewelry, accessories, and prepared foods!

Beautiful Woman Inside and Out, Inc--Omni Shoreham DC
The  "Beautiful Woman Inside and Out"  conferences are designed  to educate, empower and equip women to live their BEST lives. Our objective is to address the “whole” woman and provide the necessary information in a culturally relevant manner that allows women to make informed choices about their health/wellness with a focus on both their inner (health/wellness) and outer beauty (physical attributes). It is a fun, glamorous event that is a very special day for women.  Celebrity hair stylists, makeup artists, dermatologists, wellness/health professionals, fashion experts and fitness and nutrition specialistsa are all part of the lineup!  It is an over the top day filled with extravagant gifts, special treats and prizes.

Future Planning Dates
November 9, 2014
Live! at Montpelier Arts Center -- Laurel
"Jazz Giants of Washington, D.C." with Rusty Hassan

November 11, 2014
Concert for Valor--Washington DC and Variety of Media Outlets
The concert will feature a broad array of talent from the worlds of music and entertainment, including Jack Black, The Black Keys, Bryan Cranston, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J., George Lopez, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Bob Woodruff and Zac Brown Band, as well as special appearances by Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon among many others.

November 14, 2014 (Plan Early--Ticketed Event)
Gilt DC Warehouse Sale -- DC--GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
This designer warehouse sale will also feature an exclusive Spring/Summer 2015 Trend presentation.

November 15, 2014
Luxury Hair Affair Workshop--GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Hair demos, brunch bites, gift bags, shopping and more!

Keeping it Resourceful,

The ResourceNista

A Week Ago Today: Someone was Married and I Almost Missed It

Well, from the title you know what I was doing last friday.  But...I was not in the white dress, I was the one who made it to my seat in the audience with 7 minutes to spare!  My church starts everything on time!  So when attending a wedding, funeral, or Sunday morning worship at my church, we all know to plan accordingly (church word).

For this wedding day attendance, I had a well-planned day.  Dry cleaners, Hair appointment, quick conference call while under the dryer, quick errand, home to get ready for the wedding and out the door to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time.  What's the saying...the best laid plans go awry?  A awry, away from expected or proper direction, is definitely the perfect word.  I made it to the dry cleaners but I had to eliminate the errand, the conference call was scheduled earlier which threw off the start of my hair appointment, and the hair stylist was determined to work her magic a little slower than I would have liked.  All to say, I still left home on time but arrived 27 minutes after the published start time due to traffic.  But I hope you did not miss what I said, the published start time.  Yes, the  couple pulled a fast one on us and I've never been so happy to be deceived.

What I'm curious about is...is this now common practice...to publish a false start time to make sure your guests arrive on time?  Let me know.