Kastles Owner Brings "Sport for Social Change" to D.C.

Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein has not only brought the glitz and glam of World Team Tennis to Washington, D.C. with his celebrity-studded Kastles tennis matches (just last week he brought Ana Kournikova & John McEnroe to play with the team; in previous years it was both Venus and Serena Williams), but he's also helping to bring noble sports enterpises to the Metro area, as well.

This Friday night starting at 5 p.m., Ein, along with Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and Sheila Johnson, owner of the Washington Mystics, will sponsor Street Soccer USA, a not-for-profit soccer tournament played by homeless men and women from around the country.

Tickets to the 3-day event are free, which will be held at Kastles Stadium (located on the corner of 11th and H Streets NW). All they ask is that the public show up and cheer during the charitable game, also known as the "Sport for Social Change."

I caught up with Ein on the courts last week to talk a little tennis and about other ways he's giving back to the community by sponsoring sports clinics for D.C. school kids, which are led by star athletes. (Check out interview below.)

I also caught up with the Kastles doubles champ, Leander Paes, who talked about the amped up atmosphere of the crowd during the summer tennis season -- a mood of excitement that will no doubt be present during this weekend's soccer tournament.

xoxo,

Markette

50 Most Beautiful on The Hill and DC Housewives Premiere Partay!

50 MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ON THE HILL:

President John F. Kennedy called Washington, D.C., a city "of Northern charm and Southern efficiency." This city—the one I reluctantly call home—is indeed inefficient and charmless: The reason for the former should be obvious, though the latter can be blamed on those oleaginous hordes of pompous and self-important politicians, bloggers, and journalists that make D.C. “Hollywood for ugly people.”

50 Most Beautiful People 2010--according to THE HILL newspaper. Take a look at the bevy of beauties right here in our own backyard!

#5

Ben Dunham: Almost famous
Age: 31
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
Political party: Democratic
Relationship status: In a relationship

31-year-old environmental adviser to Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)

Dated January Jones of "Mad Men" for several months.

#4

Doug Thornell: Finding his path

Age: 34
Hometown: Silver Spring, Md.
Political party: Democratic
Relationship status: “Single but dating”

Communications Director in Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.)

#3

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: Supermom

Age: 43
Hometown: Hudson, N.Y.
Political party: Democratic
Relationship status: Married

#2

Laura Donahoe: The fan

Age: 24
Hometown: Selinsgrove, Pa.
Political party: Republican
Relationship status: Single

#1

1. Alexis Latifi: A rare gem

Age: 24
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
Political party: Republican
Relationship status: Single

Staff assistant for Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.).

Now that's what I call bipartisanship of beauty and brains. What did you think about the top five? For a list of all the hotties go to TheHill.com

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DC: WAIT NO MORE!

Don't miss out on the premiere party tomorrow night!

TIME: 7-11pm

LOCATION: EFN Lounge 1318 9th Street NW Washington, DC

http://efnlounge.com

See you all there!

Vanessa xoxoxo

Buff Body of the Week: the Old Spice Guy

This week's Buff Body puts the "Spice" in Old Spice...

His name is Isaiah Mustafa and can you believe that he was actually tending bar -- making gin & tonics for tips -- before hitting it big with this commercial:

Ha! I laugh every time I see that video; and even though my man doesn't find it funny, there are plenty of others who do. The commercial has garnered more than 15 million views on YouTube (as of July 23, 2010).

But just who is the so-called "Man Your Man Could Smell Like?"

Mustafa is a retired NFL wide receiver who had stints with the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans in the early 2000s before getting into acting.

He must have not managed his money right because People magazine reports that Mustafa was working as a bartender before hitting it big when his Old Spice commercial debuted during the Super Bowl.

Since then, he's undoubtedly the most popular guy in the deodorant aisle, making the inexpensive line of men's antiperspirant cool again.

xoxo,

Markette

P.S. -- Be sure to log on next week when I highlight Anna Kournikova and her visit with the Washington Kastles. Below: The Kastles Mascot (Photo credit: Tom Manning/www.tommanning.photoshelter.com)

Miss Ghana Finalist and Activist and We All Scream For Ice Cream

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: REBEKAH A. OFORI-FRIMPONG

It's great to have people in the community like Rebekah Frimpong advocating for such important global issues. Way to go Rebekah!

Rebeka A. Ofori-Frimpong is a current Miss Ghana Africa USA 2010/11 finalist in the Miss Africa USA Pageant, she is also a mentor, teacher, filmaker, and activist. As a Miss Ghana USA finalist she is pushing for a platform of Global Health for Africa and for Africans living in the United States. Check out her Website MaMa Africa.

Her message is clear--Sending Hope to Mothers. Mama Africa sends maternal care packages to at-risk mothers in Africa and in the United States. Many of these mothers do not have the needed resources to care for themselves or their newborn child. At-risk mothers are dealing with mental distress, poverty, and education limitations.MaMa Africa hopes to continue to allow and improve dialogue around improving maternal health care. For ways to see how you can get involved go to their Website and click on GET INVOLVED.

Rebekah will also be hosting a screening of her film "Vanishing Seeds" today at The Tank in Times Square @ 7:30 p.m. in NYC. DC on HEELS looks forward to viewing her film.

Rebekah's five year plan will be to continue her philanthropic work though community projects. In addition, she hopes to have completed a graduate education and start on the path to becoming a professor teaching in the field of public health with a concentrated view on how media can affect the public view of health care policies and influencing healthcare legislature. She hopes to have completed her next film project titled "I Luv Africa" about African people sharing real African stores that depict how they see Africa's future and their role in the continent's development. Outstanding work Rebeka!

I SCREAM U SCREAM WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM:

Peach-and-Toasted Pecan Ice Cream

These temps have not subsided one bit, and while today the sun may not be slapping us in the face, the humidity is relentless! So cool off with this delicious ice cream recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon table salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste*
• 1 cup peeled and coarsely chopped peaches
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk and whipping cream. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk egg yolk until slightly thickened. Gradually whisk about 1 cup hot cream mixture into yolk. Add yolk mixture to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in vanilla bean paste. Cool 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

3. Meanwhile, cook peaches and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Coarsely mash, and let cool 30 minutes. Stir peach mixture into cooled cream mixture.

4. Place plastic wrap directly on cream mixture, and chill 8 to 24 hours.

5. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat; add pecans, and cook, stirring constantly, 8 to 9 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).

6. Pour chilled cream mixture into freezer container of a 1 1/2-qt. electric ice-cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. (Instructions and time may vary.) Before transferring ice cream to an airtight container for further freezing, stir in pecan mixture.

*Vanilla extract may be substituted

Vanessa xoxoxo

Hot Jeggings and Celebrity Doppelganger

THE "PERFECT BUTT" JEGGINGS BY BEIJA-FLOR:

Every woman is constantly searching for that perfect jean that hugs you in all the right places, makes the behind look firm and perky, and is comfortable enough to run around in. Well thanks to Beija-Flor jeggings I don't have to look any further! What's a jegging? Jeggings are leggings which are styled to look like tight denim jeans. These Brazilian designer jeggings are made to fit the natural curves of a woman's body for a modern yet feminine appeal. Just like the music and culture of Brazil, Beija-Flor means quality, personality, individuality, soul, energy, motion and taste of the modern world. It also literally means "kiss the flower" Portugese for hummingbird. These jeggings are perfect for the day to run around town in, or dress them up by night with a cute pair of stilettos. So hot! Check out the curve friendly pattern, strategic pocket placement, and stitching detail. No matter your body shape or problem areas, these jeans are sure to flatter your figure. And the best part is that they are comfortable and stretchy and available in a variety of washes and colors.

Skinny jeans are NOT just for skinny people!

I love the Stacey Black Skinny jean and the Stephanie Blue Jeggings.

CELEBRITY DOPPELGANGER: DC ON HEElS FAN ALEX DOMINSKA

Let's watch Alex morph into her number one look alike Adriana Karembeu a Slovak actress and fashion model. Karembeu modeled for Victoria's Secret here in the States.

Vanessa xoxoxoxo

Kitchen Confessionals and Heel of the Week

KITCHEN CONFESSIONALS:

Cooking doesn't always come easy to everyone.. We've all at one point in our life had a kitchen disaster story. I'm sure even my hero Paula Deen has been there once or twice.

So Lauren DeSantis (of Capital Cooking), Markette, and myself decided to share our worst experience in the cocina with you--Spatula gone wild, chicken pot pie gone wrong, and pumpkin pie forgotten... What's your kitchen confessional? Leave us a comment below and share with us your kitchen story! But if the saying is true that you have to go through the bad to get to the good then it's all gravy baby!

HEEL OF THE WEEK:

Sometimes us girls need a lift, but we're not always in the mood to wear a heel. That's why a wedge is the perfect balance of height and comfort. I love this weeks heel of the week by Nina Cortney. This woven wedge has a 4" heel lined with leather and is the perfect fit to any summer day.

Vanessa's Pick:

Zappos.com">



Cortney by

Nina

And for only $100 and free shipping from Zappos it's a win win situation. That will put a smile on any girls face. So get to ZAPPING.

I don't want to leave the boys out as finding that perfect summer sandal can be a real challenge. So my advice and personal preference is for guys to keep it simple stupid--and opt for the classic Havainas Brasil. These flip flops are available in every color you could ever want, are super comfortable and casual and look great on anyone. Oh and for $21 buy a few pairs. Get your basic colors like black and brown and then throw in a fun color like the blue shown below! So there you have it guys. Now get to ZAPPING.

Vanessa's pick for the boys:

Brasil by Havaianas at Zappos.com">



Brasil by

Havaianas

Ciao for now

Vanessa xoxoxoxo