Kids PJ Party at Past Tense Studio

This is a really cool idea. Mount Pleasant's Past Tense Studio is throwing a pajama party for your kids. And sort of for you, too. 

On Saturday September 27 at 6:00 PM, you can drop your little ones off at the the studio (3252 Mount Pleasant St NW); along with their packed dinner. Between that time and the 9:00 PM pick up, they'll eat, play games, watch a movie, and of course, do some kids yoga. You're free to use that three hours to get dinner yourself, relax at home, or whatever really. As long as you're back to pick up the lil' ones at 9:00 PM. Past Tense will even give you a coupon for Beau Thai. Check here for all the details (under Kids Yoga).

The PJ Party workshop costs $30. However, Past Tense was nice enough to extend a discount to readers of The 42 Bus (you!). The discount is for 10% off of one purchase on all class passes, workshops, and kid classes; including the PJ Party. Use the promo code "The42Rocks" at checkout. Huge thanks to Past Tense for setting that up!

Nana Clothing Swap at Past Tense Studio

Mount Pleasant based Nana clothing boutique is hosting a clothing swap later this month. Nana is partnering with Past Tense yoga studio, which will act as the venue. Sounds like an awesome opportunity to part with some pieces you may be ready to move on from while being able to walk away with something new (to you). The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is the beneficiary. This swap is happening during the evening of March 29th at Past Tense Yoga Studio - 3253 Mount Pleasant St NW. Cost: $20. (fyi - buy in advance, no tix at the door). From the organizers: 

"Start Spring with some winter wardrobe cleansing while raising money for Avon’s Walk for Breast Cancer!

Strip your closet of everything that doesn't fit or doesn't quite work--all those pieces that looked great in the store but somehow never made it into rotation--and bring them to Past Tense Yoga Studio on March 29th for a clothing swap hosted by Jackie Flanagan & Team Devon. This way you can purge the old stuff and stock up on new finds, all at the same time!

Have you been to one of Nana’s swaps before? This is the fourth swap. They are crazy fun but tickets sell out quickly.  This year is even more special because every dollar raised goes to Avon’s Walk for Breast Cancer’s Team Devon. We are so grateful because many people have donated their time & resources to make this event happen.

So, how does it work?

1. Buy a ticket to participate! Tickets are $20. Once you have a ticket, just bring a bag of stuff to swap (it can be a big bag), and you get entrance to the event. Space is limited and tickets will not be sold at the door.

2. Drop off your bag of items to swap from 4-5 pm.

Women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories are eligible to swap. All items must be in ready-to-wear shape: dry cleaned, ironed, no missing buttons, stains or tears, etc. The swap will be multi-seasonal; feel free to bring summer and winter attire. No sweatpants, swimwear, intimates, jewelry, menswear, or workout gear please. All items must be checked in by 5pm to ensure appropriate time to organize the main shopping area.

3. Go explore while we set up!

This is a great time to explore the quirky Mount Pleasant neighborhood by shopping around or enjoying one of the many local establishments. It is happy hour, afterall! We’ll have a list of local haunts ready for you at drop off.

4. The swapping begins at 6pm.

Entrance to the swap starts at 6pm sharp and stuff goes fast so don’t be late. You’re welcome to fill one bag (please bring your own.) to the brim. Please note there will be no dressing rooms or mirrors but in past swaps everyone is friendly and happy to help with opinions. The swap will end promptly at 8pm. All items left at the conclusion of the swap will be donated to Martha's Table.

This is our fourth annual swap, and every year we've had more swappers, more amazing clothes, and more fun! Buy your ticket early!

What: Team Devon’s Clothing Swap

Where: Past Tense Yoga Studio (3253 Mount Pleasant Street, NW)

When: March 29th (clothing drop-off from 4-5p, swapping from 6-8p)"

Vinyasa and Vino + Book Club at Past Tense

Two cool events are being offered at Mount Pleasant's Past Tense Studio this month. 

This Friday July 12, the yoga studio is offering "Vinyasa and Vino," which is what it sounds like: an open level yoga class followed by a wine tasting. The class will be monthly and the wine tasting portion (free) will follow the yoga session (normal class price). The wine for this Friday's class will be provided by First Vine, a DC importer. They're bringing two reds appropriate for the summer season. If you'd like to attend the tasting only, that's OK, too. Either way, everyone needs to bring a current ID. Friday's class begins at 6:30 PM. Sign up for the class on the Past Tense website.

On Saturday July 20, the first Book Club event kicks off. The idea is that each Book Club yoga session will be inspired by that month's selection --July's is Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation-- and be immediately followed by a discussion of the book.

Past Tense is located at 3253 Mt Pleasant St NW at Park Rd.

Handmade Holly Mart + Gift of Fab, Saturday in Mount Pleasant

Handmade Holly Mart; one of two local, indie shopping events this Saturday.

Saturday is shaping up to be a busy day in Mount Pleasant! And that's a good thing. 

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Saturday is the first of a two-day tree sale at Bancroft Elementary School. That's from 10AM-4PM Saturday & Sunday or until the trees sell out. 

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Past Tense Studios is once again hosting the Gift of Fab, right in the studio space. Saturday 2:30PM-6:30PM. Gift of Fab has grown into a nice little tradition of three years young this year. Past Tense --at 3253 Mount Pleasant St NW-- will play host to other small, independent, local businesses offering both services and retail products. Think of this as an alternative to last week's "Black Friday" ridiculousness. If you're like me, the holidays mean more gift buying for...... myself. Aaaaand of course close friends and family. Past Tense will have its own booth at the event; and here are the other vendors (via Past Tense website, thanks!):

bLuGrn design: Jewelry created using elements of sky, earth and water. Sterling and 14kGF jewelry pieced into unique and fun vignettes.

EngeryThreads: Quality handmade yoga accessories, using organic materials and local talent. Currently producing a Deluxe Yoga Mat Backpack and a special Third Eye Pillow. Will have the new hand dyed collection in time for the holidays.

Mirasa: Makes contemporary, handmade and eco-friendly toys. Looking through the eyes of a curious child, Mirasa products are built on the dual theory that tactile stimulation is crucial for infant development and that child-directed pretend play helps develop children’s early cognitive development.

Mt. Pleasant Massage: Enjoy a chair massage at the holiday sale or purchase gift certificates for table massage, chair massage, pregnancy/post-partum massage, infant massage training classes, and more.

Simple Girl Designs: Offers handmade, unique jewelry by local designer Nadine Naskoviak. Girly and sassy, made with quality gemstones and vintage trinkets to make truly one of a kind designs.

Skincando: Handcrafted organic skincare with products made for everyone with an active to luxe lifestyle. The new Miracle Cream (think organic La Mer) is the must-have hydrating face cream of the season.

Yinibini Baby: Handmade clothing and accessories for little ones. Handmade out of 100% cotton and cotton blended fabrics, some pieces are reversible, offering babies stylish flexibility

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In addition to Gift of Fab, Nana boutique is hosting its first Handmade Holly Mart, Saturday from 11:30AM-7:00PM. Nana opened earlier this year at 3068 Mt Pleasant St NW. This Saturday they're hosting a small group of DC crafters, designers, musicians and  artists. Some are veterans of the wildly successful Mount Pleasant Temporium, which was hosted in the Nana storefront, before the retail operation had actually opened. 

There will be a total of 10 vendors, selling a variety of art (wearable and not), screen print pieces, jewelry, handmade plush (they better have squirrels!) and more. I don't have the full list of vendors at this time, but if the Temporium was any any indication, you'll want to swing through this mart. We do know that music will be provided by the Felt Tips (awesome name!) and Nana is being nice enough to offer refreshments, too. Pretty awesome event.

There you go. Two awesome events organized by owners of businesses right here in Mount Pleasant. They're not just asking you to support their respective stores, but they're acting as a vehicle for other creative small businesses and individuals to get their great ideas, products and services out there. If you have to shop at this time of year, do some of it at one of these events. I will. And yes, I'm mostly shopping for other people, but am really liking the idea of being able to get a good massage in the neighborhood. I really need one! Ok, see you there.

Clean Up Park Road, Then Eat Pops

Park Rd between 16th and Mt Pleasant Streets NW

Help clean up Park Road! Past Tense Yoga Studio has organized a clean up day on the of Park Road NW between 14th Street and Mount Pleasant Street. The clean up is this Saturday 9:00AM-12:00PM. 

The clean up will begin at park in front of Sacred Heard Catholic Church at 16th and Park Rd (this is the traingle park with the statue of Cardinal Gibbons). Meet there at 9:00AM. Organizers will provide gloves, garbage bags and other supplies.

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Afterwards, head back to Mount Pleasant for Popapalooza. Pleasant Pops is celebrating its return to the streets with a mini celebration. From 11:00AM-3:00PM Pleasant Pops will be at Lamont Park --Lamont and Mt P Sts-- with, yes, pops, but they'll also join three musical acts and two food trucks (a first for Mount Pleasant...?). Also, free face painting and some giveaways too. Lots-o-fun! So, a double duty Saturday; do some work, have some fun. Perfect.

Book Reading Tonight by Neighborhood Author

Local author Anna El-Eini will read from her book, Breaking Heart tomorrow evening at Past Tense yoga studio here in Mount Pleasant.  Ms. El-Eini has worked side by side with residents, organizing, right here in DC and saw first hand the struggles that helped inform the book. The reading is free. 

Breaking Heart is described as contemporary fiction depicting the trails of a young community organizer facing a monumental challenge to save a neighborhood just minutes form the marble monuments that visitors consider the real DC. As you and I know there is so much more to this city! The book explores political will, public policy, neighborhood power struggles and all the dynamics that sometimes play in your favor, and other times, leave you looking for a little help, please!

The reading will take place after the Happy Hour yoga session (6:30-7:30pm). Actually, it will start closer to 8:00pm. The reading is free and you don't have to attend the Happy Hour yoga session, just show up at Past Tense before 8. Past Tense is located at 3253 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. 

Have a great weekend!

Gift of Fab Sale This Weekend

photo courtesy of Past Tense

One great thing about spending the holidays in DC is that there is an abundance of altera-shopping opportunities. I visited this event last year and plan on stopping by this weekend, too. 

Gift of Fab is hosted by Past Tense Toga Studio at Park Rd and Mount Pleasant St NW. It's this Saturday December 4, from 2:00-6:00pm. A list of vendors/artisans, as of today: 

Mirasa: Eco-friendly, handmade toys for kids

Skincando: Skin care line; local to DC

Ella Sport: Athletic wear

Simply Girl Designs: Jewelery

Calamarie: Jewelery

+ a few more

Gift of Fab is free and the location is Past Tense Studios, located at 3253 Mount Pleasant Street NW, at Park Road. 

More alterna-holiday shopping options coming later this week. If you have one I don't know about, email me at the42bus at gmail dot com or message me on Twitter @The42BusDC.

Book Reading and More at Past Tense, Tonight!

A local author will do a reading form a fun and timely book tonight at Mount Pleasant's own Past Tense yoga studio. The reading is after the Happy Hour yoga class, which I hear is pretty fun. So get in a yoga workout and then get in the Halloween mood a week early.

From the folks at Past Tense:

Local author Eric Nuzum will join us after Happy Hour on Friday October 23 for an entertaining reading from both The Dead Travel Fast, his pop culture look at vampires and his forthcoming book Bring Me To Heaven, in which he visits to some of the most haunted locations in the country to find ghosts.

Selected for the 2007 Barnes and Noble “Discover Great New Writers” series for his last book, Eric will share some funny stories of his exploits searching for vampires and ghosts. During the event, Eric will demonstrate some of the techniques used by ghost hunters to see if there are any spooks lurking in the Past Tense studio! Come for Happy Hour, which starts at 6:30, or join us after class for this free event.

New Yoga Studio Opens on Mount Pleasant Street

Past Tense yoga studio opens today on Mount Pleasant Street. I squeezed in a visit to their open house on Saturday and was very impressed. The space looked great! I had been in the former offices of Habitat Real Estate once or twice and the renovated space is literally a breath of fresh air in comparison. "Open" is the word that comes to mind to mind. The owner and other staff, including instructors were on hand to greet visitors as well as explain membership options and reassure novice-yoga people (like me) that it's not as daunting as I had perceived. I'm still debating if or how I'll embark on a new yoga adventure. Either way, this is a great addition to the neighborhood commercial strip and I wish Past Tense well. The studio is located at 3252 Mount Pleasant Street, NW. Cool photo courtesy of the studio.

Calm Down, Yoga Coming to Mount Pleasant

A new yoga studio, Past Tense Studios, is planning to open on the northern tip of the Mount Pleasant St retail strip. The address is 3253 Mt P Street, NW. I suspect the building is owned by it's primary tenant, Habitat Real Estate. Habitat used to occupy the first floor space, but has been trying to rent it out for several months now. They still have offices on the second floor.

Past Tense (get it: past tense) may finally get me to become a yoga head. I have been toying with the idea for a while. Especially when so many of my friends participated in DC Yoga Week last month. The gym bores me and although I love bike riding, I should probably supplement it with another form of physical activity. Enter yoga. Everyone I know who does yoga LOVES yoga. And one fellow I know became an instructor after falling in love with yoga over the course of a year or so. Past Tense offer several different classes and don't seem too pie-in-the-sky for a newish yoga person, like me.

Maybe this is a sign. Yoga just blocks away from my home and right on the 42 bus line. And quite a plus for Mount Pleasant Street. Another new business not food or drink or laundromat related. Good luck to PT and maybe look for me there soon.