Days in Dupont Circle

Flags at the Washington MonumentI spent the better-part of last week & weekend in Washington D.C. for work, which wasn't so bad really... I'd never realized that it's sort of a small town - or at least it has that small town feel for a big city. I hadn't been to D.C. since high school, so I'd also forgotten how beautiful it is. The architecture is quaint but stately, things are well-ordered, and it's, well, historic and all that...

The hotel I stayed in was right near Dupont Circle which is apparently a new hip enclave in "the District" and while I didn't get to spend too much time checking out it's hot spots - I did browse a few new favorites along Connecticut Avenue.

First stop was Kramerbooks and Afterwords - a great, bustling bookshop with a delicious cafe where I met my college roommate P.J. and his wife Michelle for a little late-night beer and berry pie. Bookstores quickly become a home away from home for many business travelers and this is one where I definitely saw myself getting sucked into hours of browsing - oh, and they serve good microbrews! What more could you ask for?

Just doors down the way I found Blue Mercury Apothecary. Wow! I was definitely hard-pressed to NOT spend my dollars here - all my favorite beauty & apothecary brands: Bliss, Dyptique, Creed,Tocca, Kiehl's...nothing but the best, hardest-to-find names - at least outside of Neiman Marcus! But here they are in an adorable shop in a little neighborhood - how delicious! When will the open a place like this in SF?

Another cute little find would be my to-die-for boutique grocery if I lived in Dupont Circle full-time: Marvelous Market. Yes, it definitely lives up to its name...gourmet treats and goodies, cheeses, scones, breads, olives...perfect for a little get-together with friends if you need something quick after work. Or how about if you just don't want to cook but still deserve a treat? Gosh how I wish something this cute and accommodating was steps from my own door!

Clearly, there's something to the buzz about the streets around Dupont Circle - far chic-er than my hood, yet just as relaxed...never mind that Federal formality!  

Kramerbooks & Afterwords - 1517 Connecticut Ave., NW @ Dupont Circle 

Blue Mercury Apothecary & Spa - 1619 Connecticut Ave., NW @ Dupont Circle

Marvelous Market - 1511 Connecticut Ave., NW @ Dupont Circle