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By Katie Bianco, Alice Levitt, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell and Michele Kettner
Nama-stay on the paddleboard
Finding balance (both physically and mentally) while doing yoga is one of the most beneficial parts of the practice—and the most difficult. Add a paddleboard on water underneath your feet and the balancing act gets a lot more challenging. But, to me, that also sounds like a lot of fun, which is why I’ll be heading to the Key Bridge Boathouse in DC this Wednesday to float and do yoga poses on the Potomac River at a standup paddleboard yoga class. You can find more dates for these classes here. Fingers crossed I don’t fall into the water. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.; Key Bridge Boathouse: 3500 Water St. NW, Washington, DC; $45
Yet another quarantivity
During the pandemic, my seven roommates and I have very much embraced the idea of trying new things. From sangria making to watercolor painting to playing tennis, you name it and we’ve probably tried it. We’ve loved embracing new hobbies so much that we even gave them a name: quarantivities. So far, my favorite quarantivity is definitely embroidering, but this week we are going to add a new one to our list that might knock embroidering to second place, courtesy of Tennessee-based Paddywax Candle Bar. The company recently launched virtual candle-making workshops, giving my squad and I the chance to make our very own soy wax candles from home. All we have to do is stop by the Reston location to pick up our materials and then log in for a 30-minute workshop. If you’re interested in joining along in the fun or learning more, check out our conversation with the brand manager here. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // 1816 Library St., Reston; $45-$32 per kit
Pizza makes everything better
I married into a big Italian family from New York and, pardon the stereotype, but my husband is very particular about his pizza. So much so, that he often makes his own. For Christmas a couple years ago, I bought him a portable, outdoor pizza oven and it’s become a family tradition to make our own pizza on weekends. In quarantine, as we continue to look for new and exciting ways to stay at home, I’ve got my eye on a socially distanced, make-your-own-pizza party in our backyard with another family in our quarantine bubble. We’ll each bring our own ingredients (there’s an ongoing argument in my house if pineapple is allowed on pizza) and my husband will man the oven. And to make it even more fun, I’m going to order a few of these pizza party essentials for a memorable summer night. -Katie Bianco, Editor
Take a hike
If staying at home the last four months has taught me anything, it is that my puppy, Reese, is a wild child. He always seems to know when it’s close to 5 p.m. and sits in front of the door with his sad puppy-dog eyes waiting to go outside and play. And every day he sprints out the door looking for the closest soccer ball or Frisbee to play with. He could probably spend hours running around in the backyard playing keep away. With temperatures cooling down later this week, I’m going to take him on a hiking trail to try and burn off some of that extra energy. Before we go on our little trip, I’m going to pick up some of these pet hiking accessories so we can both enjoy our time away from the house. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant
Blending in
I’m new to my job and so is Andrés-Julian Zuluaga, the new chef at Blend 111 about whom I wrote last week. I haven’t tried the Vienna restaurant yet, but according to this review, I’ve been missing out. I’m looking forward to trying dishes like sustainable scallops with charred corn and red chimichurri on the outdoor patio at this chill wine bar. -Alice Levitt, Food Editor/Critic
