In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: “Doughnuts. Is there anything they can’t do?”

On a trip to Virginia Beach last weekend, I discovered Duck Donuts. Only a fool wouldn’t want one of these heavenly-holed pastries.

Doughnuts at Duck Donuts are made fresh to order and given to the customer still warm. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

I spent a long weekend in a rented house on Sandbridge Beach in Virginia Beach, enjoying four days without email, a cellphone or much else. Just friends, a pool, a hot tub, the beach and great weather. On Sunday night, we drove 15 miles north to the resort section of the city where the boardwalk is located. Although the boardwalk, which is lined with hotels and fancy restaurants instead of Thrasher’s Fries, Kohr Bros., Fisher’s caramel corn or Candy Kitchen like Ocean City, Md.’s boardwalk, was disappointing at best. But on our drive, we passed a Duck Donuts. And although it was closed, a friend raved about them and encouraged a stop on the way home to get some.

Duck Donuts is a small chain of stores founded in Duck, N.C. by Robin Griffith and Russell DiGilio in 2006. There are now 15 stores in Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, with another four scheduled to open.

When we stopped, it looked like any doughnut shop with a few seats at a counter, a cashier and a few clerks. But one nibble on a sugar-cinnamon sample, and we were hooked. They were warm, light, slightly crispy and not greasy, unlike the cake donuts we are accustomed to in the DMV. Duck Donuts offers custom doughnuts with homemade icings, unusual toppings and atypical flavor combinations, setting them apart from their doughnut-selling competition.

An automated machine drops rings of cake batter into the hot oil each time a customer places and order. (Photo: NC Triangle Dining)

The cashier explained that each doughnut is made to order, starting with a freshly fried yellow cake doughnut. In the fall, they add a pumpkin doughnut. An automated machine drops rings of cake batter into the hot oil. The doughnuts float along cooking before landing in a large bowl. They sit for a moment cooling and waiting to be decorated by an employee.

Then you can choose your coating – bare, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glazed, vanilla icing, chocolate icing, lemon icing, peanut butter icing, maple icing or strawberry icing. You also choose toppings such as shredded coconut, chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, chopped peanuts or bacon (the most popular). There are also daily specials like the Reese Cup with peanut butter icing and a chocolate drizzle, the orange creamsicle with orange icing and a vanilla drizzle, the Almond Joy with chocolate icing topped with coconut and peanuts, the Beach with vanilla icing, cinnamon and sugar, and French toast with maple icing, cinnamon and powdered sugar.

“Toppers” top the custom made doughnuts. (Photo: Ryan Dunn/Herndon Connection)

Although they are tasty cold, the best way to eat them is as soon as you get them when the doughnuts are hot and the icing is gooey. My favorite was the doughnut with maple icing and bacon – a lot of real, fried bacon.

I was delighted to find two new locations that opened in the DMV this year with another scheduled to open. There is one located at 10694 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, and another in the BB&T Center, 300A Eldon St., Herndon. Both are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. A third is set to open in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center, 211 N. Harrison St., Arlington, later this year.

The maple bacon doughnut s to die for.. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

Doughnuts are $1.20 each, $6.75 for a half dozen, $11.95 for a dozen or $16.50 for a bucket of 18. The stores also sell coffee, hot chocolate, iced tea, lemonade, fruit smoothies, orange juice, sodas, milk and other drinks, muffins, yogurt and fresh fruit.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Many DMV residents will being their weekly summer treks to the Delmarva beaches. That means miles-long backups at the Bay Bridge in Annapolis as you try to get out of town. Others will hit the pools and fire up the grills. But for those of us stuck in town and without a pool, there’s still plenty to do this weekend.

Green Line trains will operate at regular intervals throughout the weekend. Red Line trains will operate every 20 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont with trains running every 10-12 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet between 9a.m.-9 p.m.. On Saturday and Sunday, Orange, Silver, Blue and Yellow line trains will operate every 24 minutes. On Monday, Orange and Silver line trains will operate every 15 minutes, while Blue and Yellow line trains will run every 18 minutes. On Memorial Day, trains will operate on a Sunday schedule from 7 a.m.-midnight.

Preisdent Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the 2014 Memorial Day ceremony.
(Photo: Lawrence Jackson/White House)

National Memorial Day Observance

The annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military members includes a prelude concert by the U.S. Marine Band in the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Presidential Armed Forces full honor wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. followed by an observance program in the amphitheater. Seating in the amphitheater is first come, first served and space is limited to standing room only at the wreath laying ceremony. Gates will open at 8 a.m. Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the amphitheater for the official program. Large bags and backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, insulated beverage containers are prohibited.

May 25 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington. Admission is FREE! Free parking is available all day in the Welcome Center parking lot. A free shuttle service will provide transportation from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited.

Maryland Deathfest

A band performs at last year’s Maryland Deathfest.
(Photo: returntothepit.com)

For DMV metalheads, the annual Maryland Deathfest, which takes place in three venues around Baltimore, is the biggest – and loudest – event of the year. The concept is simple: bring the best and most extreme bands the underground has to offer to the U.S. Never conforming to trends, or being limited by genre restrictions, MDF is a showcase of what extreme music, both new and old, is capable of. With an emphasis on diversity, the festival brings together the very best death metal, grindcore, doom, thrash, hardcore, black metal and experimental bands from all around the world. This year, more than 90 bands will perform. Noteworthy acts include Finnish metal band Amorphis, Japanese noise rock band Melt Banana and Norwegian black metal band Tsjuder.

May 22-24 at Edison parking lot, 545 N. High St., Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place, and Ram’s Head Live, 20 Market Place, all in Baltimore. Tickets are $65 for a single day and $180 for 3-day passes at the door.

Jazz in the Garden

Concertgoers enjoy Jazz in the Garden among works of art in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.
(Photo: National Gallery of Art)

There’s nothing better than free outdoor music on a warm summer night. Pack a picnic and enjoy the music. This week marks the return of Jazz in the Garden, a Washington institution that is turning 15 this year. A different jazz artist will be featured each Friday during the summer. You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages, but beer, wine, sangria and mixed drinks must be purchased from the Pavilion Café. A special menu of appetizers, entrees and salads is also available at the café, while an outdoor grill will serve barbecue pork sandwiches, beef and chicken kabobs and chicken sausages. A gelato cart will also be available. Jazz guitarist Tom Lagana kicks off the festivities on Friday followed by vocalist Juanita Williams next week.

May 22 and every Friday through Aug. 28 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!

Luce Unplugged Community Showcase

Concertgoers watch a band perform at a Luce Unplugged Community Showcase at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Luce Foundation Center. (Photo: Smithsonian American Art Museum)

The Luce Unplugged Community Showcase series presents acoustic sets from District-based bands in the middle of a museum. Friday’s show features psych-rock group Young Rapids and synth-pop outfit Pleasure Curses. As a bonus, Hellbender Brewing Co. will have beer for sampling.

May 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Luce Foundation Center, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
 
 
 

National Memorial Day Concert

The program illuminates the night sky along the National Mall for last year’s National Memorial Day Concert. (Photo: PBS)

The 26th annual National Memorial Day Concert, held in support of veterans and active service members, will features performances from the National Symphony Orchestra and Gloria Estefan, among others. Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise co-host. Get there early to secure a good seat. Gates, which are located at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, open at 5 p.m.

May 24 from 8-9:30 p.m. on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, 100 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
 

National Memorial Day Parade

Soldiers march past the White House in the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade. (Photo: American Veterans Center)

The National Memorial Day Parade was launched in 2005 by the American Veterans Center in Washington, D.C. It is the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. It steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW and proceeds west down Constitution past the White House ending at 17th Street NW. Participants will pass by the nation’s monuments, museums and hundreds of thousands of spectators waving flags and cheering. The parade will include floats, high school marching bands, veterans, service members, local and national celebrities, service organizations and clubs, and much more! This year’s parade includes the veterans of World War II as the grand marshalls. Other participants include Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Robert Irvine, The Smashing Pumpkins, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev and American Idol 2014 winner Caleb Johnson.

May 25 at 2 p.m. beginning at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW. Admission is FREE!

Sexy Summer Getaways

Want to get away? Summer is right around the corner, so it’s time to start planning your perfect couples getaway. You and your loved one have worked hard all year, so you owe it to each other to take a week off and focus solely on each other.

Now the question is, what should you do? There are so many options, so make sure to plan ahead and avoid any last minute stress. This vacation should reignite any sexual energy you’ve been suppressing and are now ready to express freely.

When narrowing down you’re destination, think of something outside the box. Whether it be something the two of you have never done together or something that simply excites you both, make sure it’ll be something memorable.

Here are a few sexy, fun ideas to book for this summer vacation:

A cruise lets you get away from everything except your partner. (Photo: Daily Mail)

Sail away

A cruise is the perfect way to physically get away from everything. Couples get the chance to escape from it all, and spend time together away from technology and the real world. Cruises offer a vast list of couples activities from romantic dinners to spa treatments. This is the perfect couples getaway to focus on each other.

Thrill seeking couples may want to visit an amusement part. (Photo: Picture That Photography)

Adventureland

For our thrill seeking couples, an amusement park can be the best quick getaway. Take a few days off and take a thrill ride with your loved one. This is the perfect excuse to hold onto your partner extra tight and hold their hand all day long. This getaway will reassure you that your partner will always be by your side through the scariest of situations, literally.

Relax under the sun, and let go of your stress. (Photo: imgkid.com)

Beach bums

If you and you loved one need to detox from life, the beach may be your best bet. There’s something about sea breeze and waves that seem to take away all sorts of stresses. You and your partner get the chance to strip down into your itty bitty bathing suits and roll around in the hot sand together. Plus, nothing is more romantic than a summertime sunset on the beach next to your sweetheart.

Bottom line

You work hard all year and certainly need at least a few days to escape reality with your loved one. Vacation getaways are a great way to focus on each other both emotionally and sexually. Once you and your loved one comes back from vacation, you will feel more connected than ever. Plus, it’ll be nearly impossible to keep your hands off each other.

In the chance that you don’t have a significant other, but still want to treat yourself to a nice getaway, have no fear. Singles trips can be just as fun and offer you plenty of opportunities to find that special someone for the week. So whether you’re in a relationship or just looking to have some fun, go out and start planning. After all, we all deserve a break and some fun.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Many residents of the DMV will being their weekly summer treks to the Delaware and Maryland beaches. That means miles-long backups at the Bay Bridge in Annapolis as you try to get out of town. Others will hit the pools and fire up the grills. But for those of us stuck in town and without a pool, there’s still plenty to do in town this weekend.

However if you plan on getting around on Metrorail, there will be construction. Trains on the Orange and Yellow lines will operate at regular weekend intervals of every 12-15 minutes. Green line trains will operate at regular intervals of every 12 minutes except between College Park and Greenbelt, where trains will run every 24 minutes. Blue line trains will operate at regular intervals except that the Franconia-Springfield station will be closed and buses will replace trains between Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield. Riders should allow an additional 10 minutes. Red Line trains will run every 20 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet during daytime hours. On Memorial Day, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day, and parking will be free at all Metrorail parking facilities.

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor opens at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor

The $15 million, 16-foot tall Capital Wheel at National Harbor debuts Friday. Riders will feel like they’re sitting on the top of the world as they soar 180 feet above the Potomac River waterfront with incomparable views. From the top you can see the White House and Capitol, the National Mall, Arlington Cemetery, the City of Alexandria, Prince George’s County and the lush parklands throughout the DMV. The giant wheel has 42 closed, climate-controlled gondolas that seat eight for year round rides. Oh, and don’t call it a Ferris wheel. Ferris wheels have open seats.

Beginning May 23 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily at 165 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. The cost of a 15 minute ride is $15 for adults, $11.25 for children 3-11 and free for children 2 and under. Cost of the VIP gondola with leather bucket seats, wine chillers and a DVD player is $50. It seats up to four.

Maryland Deathfest

Visitors at the 2013 Maryland Deathfest. (Photo: WTOP)

More than 80 metal bands – with names like My Dying Bride, Cripple Bastards, Graves at Sea and Shitstorm – descend on Baltimore for a head-banging weekend. This year, Maryland Deathfest is spread across three venues: Rams Head Live in Power Plant Live, Soundstage (across the street from Rams Head Live) and an outdoor parking lot at 545 N. High St. The concept is simple: bring the best and most extreme bands the underground has to offer to the U.S. Never conforming to trends, or being limited by genre restrictions, MDF is a showcase of what extreme music, both new and old, is capable of. With an emphasis on diversity, the festival brings together the very best death metal, grindcore, doom, thrash, hardcore, black metal and experimental bands from all around the world.

May 22-25 at three venues near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor starting at 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday. Tickets are $55-$160 and available at the Edison parking lot at 545 N. High Street.

Jazz in the Garden

Concertgoers enjoy Jazz in the Garden among works of art in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. (Photo: National Gallery of Art)

Pack a picnic and enjoy music from Elikeh, an Afro-funk band from Togo, at Jazz in the Garden in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art. A different jazz artist will be featured each Friday during the summer. You can bring your own food and nonalcoholic beverages, but beer, wine, sangria and mixed drinks must be purchased from the Pavilion Café. A special menu of appetizers, entrees and salads is also available at the café, while an outdoor grill will serve barbecue pork sandwiches, beef and chicken kabobs and chicken sausages. A gelato cart will also be available.

May 23 and every Friday through Aug. 29 from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art, Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!

Summerfest DC

Summerfest at Half Street Fairgrounds. (Photo: Half Street Fairgrounds)

Sample more than 125 kinds of beer (including two gluten free) and 20 kinds of wines and seven ciders at Summerfest DC. Food trucks will be on hand dishing out grub.

May 24 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. or 4-7 p.m. at the Half Street Fairgrounds, 1199 Half St. SE. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $65 for VIP admission, which includes an additional half hour of drinking, access to the VIP party deck, full pours of five exclusive beers, snacks and a full-size glass tasting mug and are available online.

Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel (Photo: Art Garfunkel)

Singer Art Garfunkel has made an indelible mark on the music world as both a solo artist and half of the unrivaled folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. In 2003, he accepted the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with Paul Simon. He has also enjoyed a successful film career, published a book of poetry and released 12 solo albums. Despite parting ways with Simon in 1970, they are still famous for their songs including Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair, The Sound Of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. General admission tickets are $65 and available online.
 
 
 

Policy’s 4th Annual Crab Festival

Diners enjoy crabs on Policy’s upstairs patio. (Photo: Policy Restaurant & Lounge)

Policy Restaurant & Lounge’s annual crab festival returns for a fourth year with an all-you-can eat feast of crabs and fixings, along with beer specials courtesy of D.C.’s Atlas Beer Works. There will also be music and fun. It’s a perfect escape for a Sunday fun day – especially if you are off work Monday.

May 25 from noon-5 p.m. at Policy Restaurant & Lounge, 1904 14th St. NW. Tickets are $45 and available online.
 
 

National Memorial Day Observance

President Barack Obama lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the 2013 Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo: Arlington National Cemetery)

The annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military members is include a prelude concert by the U.S. Navy Band in the Arlington National Cemetery amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Presidential Armed Forces full honor wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. followed by an observance program in the amphitheater. Seating in the amphitheater is first come, first served and space is limited to standing room only at the wreath laying ceremony. Gates will open at 8 a.m. Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the amphitheater for the official program. Large bags and backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, insulated beverage containers and anything that could potentially be used as a weapon are all prohibited.

May 26 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington. Admission is FREE! Free parking is available all day in the Welcome Center parking lot. A free shuttle service will provide transportation from the Welcome Center to the Memorial Amphitheater. The last shuttle will leave the Welcome Center at 10:15 a.m., or when the Memorial Amphitheater is full.

National Memorial Day Parade

Soldiers march past the White House in the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade. (Photo: American Veterans Center)

The National Memorial Day Parade was launched in 2005 by the American Veterans Center in Washington, D.C. It is the largest Memorial Day event in the nation. It steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW and proceeds west down Constitution past the White House ending at 17th Street NW. Participants will pass by the nation’s monuments, museums and hundreds of thousands of spectators waving flags and cheering. The parade will include floats, high school marching bands, veterans, service members, local and national celebrities, service organizations and clubs, and much more!

May 26 at 2 p.m. beginning at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW. Admission is FREE!

The laid-back days of summer will soon be upon us, and that only means one thing – it’s time to bare it all.
Hitting the beach is something we all excitedly look forward to; however, the same can’t be said for the skin. The warmer months require us to be extra careful with skin care in order to keep looking radiant in the scorching heat.

After all, nothing oozes summer goddess like beach-ready skin, especially when it involves lounging around in a bikini. Complement it with a carefree hairdo and subtle makeup, and you are set to rock the season in style.

Get your skin looking fabulous for some beach side flaunting. (Photo: The Beachfront Club)

With all this in mind, here some top tips to get your skin looking fabulous for some beach-side flaunting. No personal training required.

Exfoliate

Body scrubbing is the quickest and easiest way to boost the natural radiance and smoothness of your skin. This becomes essential in summers as a layer of dead skin cells start building on the epidermis, which makes your skin appear dry and rough. And the lotion you apply has to work its way through these layers of dead cells to reach the top layer.

Slightly abrasive products will help in removing the dead cells and also help body lotion sink in effectively. Regular exfoliation has been found to prevent skin cancer and reduce skin imperfections like blemishes and uneven pigmentation. Additionally, the removal of dead cells speeds up skin renewal, which helps in easing skin discoloration.

Use body scrubs for your arms, legs and torso, as they tend to provide the gentlest exfoliation, while a washcloth can be used in conjunction to intensify the process. Use this washcloth with a mild exfoliator on sensitive skin areas, such as your face, as this is the gentlest solution to sooth and condition sensitive skin.

Remove unwanted hair

After prepping your skin for an all-over glow, you need to start with the basics of hair removal. Shaving is fine in initial stages, but on a holiday break the last thing you want to be doing is shaving morning and night. Waxing can be an instant solution, lasting 5-8 weeks; however it can become inconvenient if done on average three times over the summer season.

Laser hair removing technology is another viable option for achieving the desired hair removal result, depending on your skin type. Laser hair removal reviews for American Laser Skincare’s solution reveal that laser technology delivers a controlled amount of energy to the targeted skin area, safely destroying hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin.

Americanlaser.com reviews for its laser hair removal solution GentleMax Pro also point out that laser treatments provide fast results with fewer visits – making it more affordable than other options. And technological advances are making laser treatments gentle; many people have experienced increased comfort during the process. Also, laser treatments can be used to remove excessive hair from any part of the body.

Moisturize

Dull skin is never a good bare look, so make sure you do some prepping with hands-on moisturizer. Salt and sun can lead to dry skin, so moisturizing will also rehydrate it after a day at the beach. Moisturize your skin every day, especially after exfoliating, as it helps in retaining moisture levels.

Keeping the skin moisturizer also will help to keep it smooth and looking radiant. Consider switching your current moisturizer for one with lighter formulation and higher SPF to prevent freckles and sun spots. This is to prevent summer sun – in combination with heat and air conditioning – from wreaking havoc on your skin.

Apply an SPF moisturizer before hitting the sun, and use a richer lotion after and before sleep to keep skin hydrated and smooth. Other ingredients such as shea butter and cocoa butter also work to treat sunburn, which is great when you overdo it in the waves.

Consider a faux-glow

If you don’t want to strut across the beach like you spent the majority of the past few months inside a cave, you would want to add some color to the skin before developing a natural tan. Additionally, if you experience skin burning frequently, you can avoid sunbathing and achieve that skin glow with a sun-free tanner.

Self-sunless tanners utilize ingredients and technology that work to give your skin its own personal shade of tan. They uses amino acids to work with skin protections for creating a natural looking tan that lasts throughout the day.

Look for an option with glycolic acid, as it helps in improving the penetration of the tanner, reducing the time it takes to develop the color for a healthy glowing skin.

Article by Layla Davis. She is a freelance writer who loves painting, thrift-store hunting and everything in the color spearmint.