WEEKDAY MUSINGS

EATING // GP's enchiladas. Easy and delicious. These enchiladas are even approved by our 19 month old toddler. In fact, Henry asked for seconds - #WINNING! To keep it friendly for your mini, turn down the heat by using just one chipotle chili and half the adobo sauce OR simply skip those additions - they're tasty on their own.

HOME*WORK // With a week until Christmas you know our house is decked playfully merry. Need some inspo? Don't miss my 2019 holiday edit HERE or snag this bright multi-color pompom wreath. And don't miss the snippets of holiday cheer on my Instagram feed.

CRUSHING ON // Peloton's Cody Rigsby. For real this guy has gotten me into the "Century Club" in less than a year of riding. That's 100 rides, people! And serious but FUN business!

READING // Jonathan Van Ness's Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love. This memoir is chalk full of all the sparkle JVN exudes on Queer Eye but there's a healthy serving of real talk too. I'm engrossed in this and will come up for air likely by the weekend.

THANKFUL FOR // My hubs. He's my true MVP this week as the latest crud from Henry's daycare has consumed me. Being sick is the worst.

THINKING ABOUT // Creating our own holiday traditions with Henry. Now we have our own mini, I'm thinking a lot about making each and every holiday magic. My mom had a special ability to create mystery and enchantment around the holidays whether it was a from-scratch gingerbread house that we weren't allowed to eat until well into the New Year, an Easter egg hunt or discovering little green leprechaun footprints the morning of St. Patties' day. So I'm determined to do my darndest! Do you have any holiday traditions not to miss?

WATCHING // Impeachment coverage. No matter your party or interest in politics, it's hard to ignore what's happening in our country this week. Almost 21 years later, this is the second impeachment process to take shape in my lifetime and I can't help be saddened that this is the state of politics in America. But if you need a break for a smile or two The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back on Amazon Prime Video for a third season and it is just as fast paced and lovable as the previous seasons.

WEARING // Now I have these no-show Bombas, I'm wearing my Supergas sneakers on repeat. It's truly the smartest footwear choice for toddler chasing! And they clean up in a snap via a quick washing machine cycle on cold.

A Short Week in Washington DC

The tank is full after a week in our former hometown, Washington DC. It was a busy seven days of work, Thanksgiving and ALL the fun seeing family, friends and our favorite old haunts. Here's a quick rundown...

+ FOOD

Brothers and Sisters. Both the Hubs' parents have December birthdays we'll miss being back in Montana so as an early celebration we hit this fave from Erik Bruner-Yang. The casual restaurant is nestled into the lobby of the Line Hotel that by itself is a real stunner. The food is on point but get ready for the heat! The knife noodles in particular are a tried and true favorite but they pack a spicy punch.

Tears disappear with the magic of bake goods at Le Diplomate.

Le Diplomate. Post holiday, the Hubs and I have made a tradition of hitting this beautiful French eatery for a lunch of mussels, escargot, a burger and - don't forget the bread! Specifically the cranberry walnut bread that Henry just can't get enough of! Oh and bubbles - bring on the sparkling rose!

Little Pearl. Formally our neighborhood joint, Aaron Silverman's now michelin starred spot is a must on Capitol Hill. Per usual we feasted on the farro arugula salad with yogurt, lamb sausage and pine nuts AND the fresh green falafel and pita with tahini, harissa, sumac-pickled vegetables. We of course also shared a snickerdoodle and medium rare chocolate chip cookie too!

The metallic banana wallpaper that dons the bathrooms at Little Pearl is ALL joy!

+ GOODS

Coup de Foudre Lingerie. Hitting this bra shop is now one of my top "big city" errands. I've been frequenting this friendly local store since 2012 because of the beautiful lingerie, helpful staff and the variety of unique cup and band sizes for any and every body.

Salt & Sundry. Home to my favorite Sydney Hale Co. hand-poured candles and other small goods great for gifting, I may miss this shop the most. Even if you only have a few minutes to pop in, snag some time to peruse and inspire the home you dream about. And although I love their 14th Street location, the original Union Market shop is the best with the extra bonus of all the surrounding food stands.

Solid State Books. Relatively new to H Street NE, I love the size of this local bookstore. There's still something about printed books and how they bring people of all walks of life together that I can't shake. 

+ ACTIVITIES

Apple Carnegie Library. Okay I know! But this is another "big city" must do errand, especially if you need any kind of computer support. So roll your eyes and when you're done your jaw will drop because this global flagship store is a true show stopper. Last a tired and underutilized venue for rent, the Carnegie Library is a restored architectural gem that seamlessly combines traditional with the sleek modern look of Apple. You'll just have to see it to believe it.

Cocktails at 600 T. This quaint 25-seat basement bar makes its home in Shaw and is only getting trendier. The Hubs and I stole away a night at this "speakeasy" hotspot with friends and loved the cozy vibe topped by excellent cocktails.

The boys pre-slide at Stanton Park.

Parks. With a 19 month old in tow, our experience of a city we thought we knew changed quickly. We found Stanton Park on Capitol Hill the perfect hangout while I had meetings in Senate offices and Lafayette Park the ideal solution to Henry's restlessness because of its close proximity to the Hubs' parents house and Broad Branch Market - a great neighborhood post for coffee and penny candy.

The festive splash of holiday decor and THAT Farrow & Ball wallpaper. OK Framebridge, I see you!

Window shopping on 14th Street NW. Snag a coffee (and maybe my favorite blackberry lavender scone) from the Wydown and then wander down this stroller friendly street. There's something for everyone but make sure to stop in at Miss Pixie's (an eclectic second hand shop where you're sure to find a must have treasure) and Little Leaf for hip plants and paper goods. I also love being able to see furnishings from Room & Board and framing options from Framebridge in person. 

Life by Design

Although we don't quite have a routine down, we're 2.5 months into Bozeman life and feeling quite settled. We can park our car in the garage (although there is still an Everest size mountain of unpacked boxes...), we're fully furnished (I mean, check out those kitchen chairs talking to the Nelson Bubble Pendant - hubba hubba!), we're discovering our spots like the Market at Ferguson Farm (it's a mini version of DC's Union Market - squeee!), Henry is changing by the day with new words like "baby," "horsh" (horse) and "trut" (truck) and this stunning hand painted Juju Paper has completed our master bathroom.

Most days involve a pinch or two to make sure this is real life. But hey, we still have stinky diapers and unedited sticky snot to bring us back down to earth too!

Happy Wednesday sunnies - shine like a bright pair of new shoes!

Holiday Edit '19

It may be Montana, it may be the new house but I am VERY excited about Christmas this year. Mariah Carey has been on repeat since August. But can you blame me?! She sings like an angel... at least for the holidays. Here's a quick Mrs. edit to help get you in the spirit:

BULB WREATH // Only decorating in red and green is B-O-R-I-N-G, keep it bright with this joyful wreath.
SPARKLY FLAMINGO ORNAMENT // The word "flamingo" comes from the Latin and Spanish word "flamenco" which means fire. Very appropriate for this festive ornament that will take your tree to the next level.
THE CRAYONS' CHRISTMAS BY DREW DAYWALT // We were given the New York Times bestseller - The Day the Crayons Quit - and it's quickly become a favorite for Henry AND the Hubs and me. So a Christmas themed crayons edition? 'Tis the season y'all!
PRESERVED BOXWOOD GARLAND // We have a boxwood wreath we've put up year after year and are adding four of these garlands to our Christmas design this year. Boxwood is such a classic and the color is just right.
RESIN TREES // Now we have more surfaces to decorate I've been thinking about these decorative trees but I also love this acrylic option.
RED WOODEN BEAD GARLAND // Over the years, I've strung cranberries for our tree but we're ready to try the wooden version.
CANDELABRA // We were in need of a new candlestick holder and purchased the MUUTO candelabra for its simple modern function and the fact it can can be an MVP for any holiday.
RED VOTIVE SET // Everything by HAY Design is well worth it and these votives are full of cheer.
BEES WAX TAPER CANDLES // An easy Amazon purchase. I love the color, price and texture!
DISCO GNOME // We have this glitzy mirrored little man running on four years and he never fails to bring out a smile.

Weekday Musings

EATING // We ate without limits during our week in DC. Cookies for breakfast? No problem! Knife noodles for lunch? Sure thing! Afternoon scone? Absolutely! And you know we didn't skimp on dinner or dessert. Now we're back home, it's time to get back to the basics of three square meals a day and limit our snacking and sweets. It will be tough but challenge accepted!

HOME*WORK // Although it's only the first week in December, I feel wildly behind on decorating for Christmas. Maybe it's because of how late Thanksgiving fell on the calendar this year or that I have been listening to Christmas music since summer in anticipation? Regardless, I cannot wait to be reunited with our disco gnome and see our boy's reaction to its mirrored glitz. I also finally snagged this tree topper to be the perfect finishing touch when we decorate our tree this weekend.

CRUSHING ON // The fresh scent of Gorse No. 002. It's subtle, clean and citrusy with a slight scent of coconut without going full on tropical.

READING // Normal People by Sally Rooney. The jury is still out but 50 pages in and I'm very intrigued by this teenage love story and New York Times Bestseller. What's on your reading list? What should I read next?

THANKFUL FOR // The time we had with our friends and family in DC. It's funny how people can really make the place. We loved our time in DC and what the city offered but what we miss most is our people and we're sure thankful for them. You know who you are!

THINKING ABOUT // Settling in for the month of December. We don't have any immediate travel plans and I'm excited to work out an actual routine for every day living in Bozeman. Hey Bozemanites, any ideas on what our normal should look like?

WATCHING // The Morning Show. I'm a sucker for Reese Witherspoon and excited to see Jennifer Aniston back on the screen but you guys... Billy Crudup is the true MVP. He's a fast talking evil genius with a flare for the funny and worth watching every episode.

WEARING // This 525 America olive melange shaker turtleneck sweater on repeat. The color and weight is perfection, it's 100% cotton and it won't break the bank.

P.S. The archival print up top ("Van Nuys" by Sinziana Velicescu) is a small reminder to write your own story!