No fly July just barely ended this morning and I am still down South working on the screened in porch. Round about this time of year we usually head up to Boston and see our good friends at the Hotel Marlowe. Sadly, this year’s plans call for a different route, so we can’t say hello as usual and break our no fly July travel drought in the most perfect way possible.
The incredible staff at the Hotel Marlowe has pooled together a donation to support the Team Tartan Leukemia Cup boat two years running. (See this post from last year and this one from two years ago.) I figured since this year we are skipping Boston, we might be out of sight, out of mind. But no. Joe Capalbo and his staff made a very sizeable donation anyway.
Team Tartan sails the Leukemia Cup in Kilts!
Just wow. You guys are the best. Thank you for helping us fight blood cancer!
When we hit our goal (a formidable $42,000 this year), we sail in kilts. We’re well on our way to that again thanks to Hotel Marlowe and Kimpton Karma.
You’re welcome to donate too, dear reader. Every penny counts.
DONATE TO TEAM TARTAN 2016 LEUKEMIA CUP
Special thanks to Hotel Marlowe from Team Tartan
Hotel Monaco Alexandria, Last Licks for Kimpton Before IHG Acquisition
December 16, 2014
This visit to the Monaco in Alexandria (across the river from Washington) was designed to perfection by GM Matt Hurlburt. Everything was all set before arrival. Even traffic in northern Virginia cooperated. Kimpton Karma. Hopefully not the last of it. (Now that IHG has bought the chain we will keep our fingers crossed that inner circle goodness persists. IHG also owns Holiday Inn Express??!!)
Room 403 is a nice suite with a great glass shower. A liquid amenity was just what the doctor ordered. Personal note, fancy cocktail, fruit and cheese (featuring apricots) and a bourbon flight for late night. Excellent.
Welcome to Monaco 403
The Virginia Gentleman made a great evening cocktail before the Leukemia Cup party at Port City Brewery.
Then it was off to the Leukemia Cup event where we were surprised to learn that Team Tartan was the 3rd biggest fundraiser in the nation in 2014! Thanks to all of our supporters, including the Hotel Marlowe staff.
Fundraising for @llsusa. 3rd in the nation. Thanks @philvenables and all our donors! Team tartan. pic.twitter.com/nUEjJyNPaV
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) December 16, 2014
A quick drive back to the Marlowe got us there just in time to meet Matt for a drink. We decided to go to Society Fair and meet the czarina of the eat good food group twitterz, Vina Sananikone. She turns out to be a video artist as well.
at @societyfair meeting the czarina of the twitterz https://t.co/rAFOSkXkEM
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) December 16, 2014
Matt and I had a Wine and Whiskey designed by Todd Thrasher and implemented by Justin Owens. It’s a great beverage, but complicated to make:
Base
Sauternes
Orange Peel
Cardamom Pods
Star Anise
Cloves
All spice
Cinnamon
Honey
Crush and toast spices. Simmer 30 minutes. Strain
2oz base
1 oz bourbon (four roses)
1 oz canadian whiskey
dash orange bitters
This one was a bit too sweet for my palate. Would skip the honey and maybe add some heat to the spices. But a nice cocktail all told.
After a cocktail and some time with Matt (a great guy), we headed over to Restaurant Eve where we opted for the Thai/Philippines inspired tasting menu. Delicious and absolutely packed with flavor. The first course was incredible. A delightful departure from Eve’s solid fare. Go chef go!
Then it was back to the Monaco for a late night bourbon taste.
Bourbon flight
And a dip in the tub?! That’s right. First time ever in the big Kimpton bathtub.
Bathtub with actual hot water, bourbon and a book
403 bedroom
403 sitting room
403 sitting room
this shower is not plastic
Anyway, five showerheads and a tub full of steam for the Hotel Monaco. Everything a quick visit could be! No fly noël can still include car based travel, and to great effect.
noplasticshowers Gives Back
February 2, 2013
As you can tell by our snarkier postings, those of us in charge here at noplasticshowers are spoiled rotten by our high-end lifestyle. This blog is one of the ways that we give back (to you, dear reader, so you can become as spoiled as we are). That’s not enough, though! We want to give back in a more tangible way by creating opportunity for those whose circumstances are less fortunate than ours.
Geek philanthropy good.
So we do. Through music, sailing, Kiva, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.
The noplasticshowers Kiva portfolio.
Where noplasticshowers touches the world through Kiva.
Where’s Aubrey philanthropy ($11,013 and counting). Raising money with our music.
Where’s Aubrey: Luminous
Sailing in the Leukemia Cup with Team Tartan ($20,355 in 2012).
Team Tartan in the 2012 Leukemia Cup.
The most important charity of all is a local one. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is an outstanding organization that helps alleviate hunger in my own county. For several years running, the noplasticshowers family has provided a monthly stipend of $210 to the food bank. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to go hungry in the United States of America.
We encourage you to join in. Giving back feels good, and it really helps.
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