IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL.

Clever No-Carve Ways to Decorate a Pumpkin

If the mess of carving a jack-o’-lantern doesn’t really appeal to you, but having some fall fun does, try one of these alternatives to your traditional Halloween decoration. 

• Nail polish pumpkins. Don’t have a fully stocked craft cabinet? No problem! Nail polish pumpkins make use of beauty supplies you have stowed in the bathroom. Use your favorite shades to paint swirls on your pumpkin.
• Studded pumpkins. You might need to make a trip to the craft store for this one, but it will be well worth it. Pick up a package of silver or gold studs and use a hot glue gun to arrange them in vertical stripes along the ridges of your pumpkin.
• Succulent planter pumpkins. Want to add some greenery with your pumpkin project? Hollow out a few small pumpkins and replace the gooey innards with tiny succulents. They make for the perfect windowsill ornament or table centerpiece.
• Paint-streaked pumpkins. If you have kids helping out, this is the perfect messy craft. After laying down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth, place your pumpkins in the middle and arrange an array of different paints nearby. Then use small Dixie cups to slowly drizzle paint down and around the sides of the pumpkins.

75 Bootiful No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas to Add Fun to Your Halloween Decor [Good Housekeeping]
80 Best Pumpkin Decorations for an Easy, No-Carve Halloween Display [The Pioneer Woman]
Easy No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Kids [Parents]

DePaul’s Urban Farm: An Autumn Tradition Continues Near Central

Want a taste of fall in our little nook of the state? Visit DePaul’s Urban Farm this week! This lovely open-air market is a favorite of locals for fresh seasonal produce (apples galore right now), locally made products like jam and honey, and all sorts of fun seasonal decor items. And honestly, fall is the perfect time to visit! While it looks small from the road, it’s actually pretty expansive with a great selection of seasonal finds.

If you’re looking to spice up your fall decor scheme in your apartment, start with sweet little gourds! Their selection at the farm is huge and you’ll be able to find some that match your apartment design for sure. They don’t only have traditional orange pumpkins but you can also find smaller beauties in orange, white, even multi-colored! Whatever you choose will look perfect on your countertop or coffee table. 

Don’t leave without visiting the farmstand to grab some pumpkin and apple butter to take home. 

How to Make Your Apartment Extra Cozy for Autumn

With its shorter days and dipping temperatures, the fall season reinvigorates our desire for cozy, welcoming spaces. Here are a few tips to help you bring autumn into your apartment—in the snuggliest, comfiest way possible.

1. Toss up some twinkle lights. Twinkle lights instantly create a cozy vibe within your home, transforming a simple space into something almost magical. String up a strand above your bed or your favorite reading chair to illuminate the area in a warm, ambient glow.
2. Let it glow. Nothing evokes a cozy feeling quite like the flicker of candlelight.Luckily for apartment dwellers, there are many realisticbattery-powered candles that recreate the flicker of flame while still being safe to use in an apartment. Arrange them throughout your space (alongside some mini pumpkins and dried flowers) for instant autumn vibes.
3. Switch up your textiles. The autumn season calls for touchable textiles that encourage maximum snuggling. When switching out your pillow covers, throw blankets, and bedroom comforter, opt for heavier-knit fabrics in extra-soft finishes—think velvet, faux fur, and nubby fleece.
4. Create a “get cozy” station. Keep all of your cozy essentials close at hand by giving them a dedicated space within your apartment. Fold one or more blankets and place them in a floor basket beside your couch, along with your favorite robe and slippers. 

The Ultimate Fall Decorating Guide: 30 Ideas to Try This Weekend [Apartment Therapy]
8 Fall DIY Decor Ideas [Noelle’s Favorite Things]
DIY Fall Home Decor We’re Dreaming About [Southern Living]

The Angry Jerk Serves Modern Caribbean Cuisine Near Central

While The Angry Jerk’s name may not be super welcoming, this new Caribbean spot welcomes everyone like family. The restaurant is owned and operated by former pro basketball player Jason Miskiri, who has since turned his passions to culinary art! The fare is inspired by Miskiri’s grandmother, who instilled in him a love of cooking. The flavors at The Angry Jerk are bold, rich, and definitely worth a try. The main menu features rice bowls or tacos, with the jerk shrimp tacos earning rave reviews left and right. As for traditional fare, you can expect brown stew with fried chicken, a tasty whole snapper, curried chicken served with roti, a traditional Caribbean flatbread everyone loves, and more. 

Note that what makes The Angry Jerk different from other local Jamaican spots is that once they work out the opening kinks, they plan on serving rice bowls and tacos served up fast-casual style so everything can be customized for every order. For now, you order and they’ll prep in the kitchen and bring it out to you quickly.

Get Lost in the Beauty of Nature at Brookside Gardens

Located in Wheaton, just seven minutes away, Brookside Gardens encompasses 50 acres of natural beauty. You'll meander past beautiful flowers and plants, including red roses, snapdragons, and cacao trees, and more as you explore. There are many unique areas throughout the venue, from the Butterfly Garden and Rose Garden to their Aquatic Garden, Maple Terrace Garden, and Fragrance Garden. They have a visitor center, gift shop, and conservatory building to check out as well. 

Admission is free, making it a fun day trip for anyone who craves adventure. You can enjoy a relaxing visit with a group of family or friends to take pictures, have a picnic by the pond, and admire all the lovely sights surrounding you. They also provide venue rentals for special occasions, whether an elaborate wedding or business meeting. You can reserve The Hall building for a large gathering or one of their classrooms for a group of no more than fifty people. 

Connect With the Great Outdoors at Brookside Nature Center

Looking for new outdoor adventures for these final few weeks of summer? Check out Brookside Nature Center! The main building itself has both indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore that showcase all the wildlife you can find in this local natural habitat. There’s a wildlife observation area with a lot of local birds that pop by, as well as a live animal observation area that allows you to meet rescued animals the center is nursing back to health so they can return to the wild. The outdoor exhibits really feature Mother Nature! There’s a natural exploration area with fun things like sandboxes for the kiddos in the group, as well as a ton of ponds and gardens that are perfect for a quick visit to reconnect with nature. 

Another thing you could do at Brookside Nature Center is volunteer! They’re always searching for adults to lend a hand with things like gardening and scouting and group projects that need some adult guidance. It’s a great way to get outdoors and meet other environment-loving neighbors!  

Sip Your Morning Perk-Me-Up at Little Food Studio

Calling all java enthusiasts! There's a new coffee spot near Central! Little Food Studio on Upshur Street is the perfect stop to sip your morning or after perk-me-up. If you love coffee, warm pastries, and sandwiches, then look no further! This is the place to get the best food and beverages that will leave your taste buds happy. 

Next time you want to gather a group of friends together to catch up and chat for a few hours, take them to Little Food. Order yourself a Bianca sandwich (made with hot ham, mozzarella, pecorino cream, tomato, and black pepper on focaccia) and pair it with an iced latte for a sweet and savory combination. Whether you swing by with friends or come alone, you’ll enjoy the good vibes this cafe brings. Don’t wait another minute and see what the hype is all about at this new charming shop. 

Indulge in Specialty Cupcakes at Woodmoor Pastry Shop

Step back in time as you stroll through the doors of the Woodmoor Pastry Shop. This three-generation, family bakery is an absolute delight! As you walk in, the aroma of their classic buns will take you away and likely make you rethink what you are cooking for dinner. They pride themselves in baking everything fresh, with no preservatives, in house.

They can create custom cakes for any occasion whether it is a wedding, birthday or just because, once they know what theme you are looking for, they will be off and whipping up something elegant, delicious, and wonderful. You will be amazed with the creativity when you come in for pick up. Their seasonal, specialty cupcakes are exceptional and make great centerpieces before they are devoured. They also have the most scrumptious cookies, torts, pies, and tea cookies. All can be ordered online for curbside pick-up, so you can get your sweet treat and be on your way. This must try staple will soon become your go-to bakery as you are not just guests, you are an extension of their family. 

Find Respite From City Life at Acorn Urban Park

Founded in 1840 by a close friend of Andrew Jackson, Blair and his wife Eliza created a beautiful and serene urban park right in the heart of Montgomery County MD. Acorn Urban Park is a beautiful outdoor area reserved for people to enjoy the serenity of the outdoors without the hustle and bustle of the city scene. 

You can sit and read a book in the acorn gazebo, or take in the sights of the beautiful spring grotto located nearby. There are also walking paths, biking trails and an abundance of large shade trees to provide its guests with a full day of fun and relaxation, even in the middle of a hot summer day. 

Come enjoy the historic and rustic outdoor urban park, Acorn Park and get a release from the busy city life, even for just a moment. Open daily from dusk to dawn and free of charge. 

Save Room for Dessert at Negril, a New Jamaican Eatery Near Central

Authentic Jamaican cuisine was underrepresented in DC, which is why Earl Chinn, founder of Negril, decided to open his own quick-service restaurant serving authentic Jamaican fare. Earl is a native to Jamaica, living in the city of D.C. and giving the people what they want: real Jamaican food!

At Negril you can expect to find things like jerk chicken, Jamaican beef patties, coco bread, curry goat, oxtail, and curry shrimp all on one delicious menu. The chefs are 100% Jamaican with experience cooking authentic Jamaican food which makes this the perfect spot for the city dwellers to finally get their taste of the islands. Don’t forget about dessert either, as Negril has the best tasting banana bread, carrot cake, and rum cake you could imagine!