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. 

2018 Family Photos

You guys! I'm back and here to say we survived our two and half week adventure in Europe with our three month old! The Hubs, Henry and I took on three countries (Austria, France and Germany) in 15 days and although we're now battling some serious jet lag, it was worth every minute!

Buuuuut hold up... More on that later... For now, please enjoy a selection of our family photos from an intimate morning with Rebecca Thornton Photography. Throwing it back to when Henry was just 10 weeks old (insert ugly cries here...!!!) Thank you Rebecca for capturing ALL the L-O-V-E of our little family.

Happy Thursday folks and keep it here for a quick roundup of our epic overseas tour soon to come!! 

Brief Assembly Pop-Up

It's easy to be ALL consumed by my little man (I mean have you seen how cute Henry is?!) But I stole an hour away - okay let's get real... 45 minutes - to explore a new pop-up shop in DC's Union Market District: Brief Assembly. As stated on the website, this untraditional concept features independent designers and makers who specialize in apparel, jewelry, accessories, lifestyle, beauty and home decor. 

This shop is just the latest to grace the urban factory neighborhood and it does not disappoint. Although a close sister to Salt & Sundry around the corner, the goods here remain individual and you won't see many - if any - repeats. Know the bohemian vibe feels familiar but even if this is Salt & Sundry 2.0, I'm sure to return. Whether it's for unique gifts for girlfriends or maybe even an item or two for the Hubs, me AND Henry... I'll be back!

The details...

HOURS // Th-F 12-7 / Sat 11-7 / Sun 11-6

ADDRESS // 1287 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 

WHEN // Now through July 1st, 2018

Life by Design

Henry's first museum and exhibit... Burning Man at the Renwick, obviously!

Our best shot at living colorfully (photo via Josh)

This boy and ALL the patterns (one month!!)

Henry's first dinner out... Little Pearl (get the mussels and the burger with your wine, enough said!)

Lately life has been in the fast lane but in a really old and slow minivan... Let me explain... My days are now broken up into three hour chunks devoted to feeding, changing and easing Henry into naps. While individual tasks seem slow, life is in warp speed. How is our beautiful boy already five weeks?! FIVE WEEKS! You guys, that seems impossibly long because I swear we just came home from the hospital. Somehow the calendar says otherwise but I'm still in denial...

Regardless of my conflict with time, I am 100% loving motherhood, maternity leave and being home together as a family. As predicted, we continue to stay busy with walks, dinners, museums, family and friends. We are truly smitten with our life by design.. now just to get this boy out into the woods!

Life by Design

August and the first half of September were real whirlwinds with the Hubs and I both on the move. We stayed in Montana for almost two weeks and my heart couldn't stop swooning over the familiar old western street signs and crisp dry air (of course, when the wildfire smoke didn't get in the way!!) We snuck in a day trip to Yellowstone, which I've frequented since I was a tot. That place is still magic and everyone needs it on their bucket list. Is your pencil out yet?

We then headed back to DC for the work week but were back out West for a short but memorable wedding weekend of two very dear friends in Denver, Colorado. Before the wedding festivities, we brunched with a fellow GirlBoss and her daughter at the Denver Central Market, where I'm 100% positive I ate the best breakfast burrito to date. For real! The chorizo, egg, potato and green chili ratio must be a secret of science.

Knowing our schedules were a little hectic when we landed back in the District, I snagged an early weekday reservation at the Dabney to ensure the Hubs and I took a moment. And you guys! This restaurant is such a gem, it's one you can't miss. The food, decor and people were on point and I was fully delighted by the sneak entrance through the alley. The Dabney is the perfect date night but would also be great for visiting friends and family. And it was #22 on my 101 in 1001...

Thirty Two

August has almost come and gone but during these past few weeks, I had time to turn 32...!! You guys... THIRTY TWO, can you believe it?!  Taking a page out of my mother-in-law's book, the Hubs and I celebrated with "a day of Whitney" which entailed rolling around on my sweet new cruiser bike (thanks Hubs!), crab cakes and malasadas (Hawaiian style Portuguese doughnuts), a quick trip to the National Gallery to finally get my photo with Katharina Fritch's giant blue rooster and a spectacular mouth watering dinner at the Inn at Little Washington (#13 on my 101 list). My cup is so full and I have to say 32 feels just right. How do you celebrate birthdays? Any traditions? Please do tell, I'm all ears and I've missed you!!

Life by Design

Work has been busy busy and has us excited for our upcoming travels to Massachusetts and Montana!  We're even more elated to escape the heat... DC summers are no joke and with a heat index nearing triple digits, it's time to get out and save ourselves! 

But staying indoors in the A/C has lead to some new discoveries... like new paper goods from Constellation & Co. (thanks Paulo!) and P.S. Snacks' cookie dough. Although the texture is not quite there, the taste is good enough to satisfy your sweets craving and its chalk full of the good stuff like chickpeas, almonds and coconut oil. Ready to indulge with a clean conscience? Pick up this healthy snack at Union Kitchen Grocery and SHOP LOCAL (!!!) 

My day job includes several Capitol Hill fly-ins. This time our participants were guests at the new and trendy Pod Hotel in Chinatown. The Pod is attached to the Crimson Diner + Whiskey Bar. I still haven't tried this little gem's food and drink but their space (pictured above) is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s and was the perfect place to take a minute before hitting Member offices.

Weekday Musings

EATING // Last week for a GF's birthday, we headed to dinner at the Garrison (#24 on my 101 in 1001 list). The poppyseed gougeres are a can't miss. We loved the chicken liver parfait with pickled strawberries too! The service was divine and the ambiance romantic (all be it a bit too dark). Most of the meal was pretty heavy though so go hungry!

HOME*WORK // Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. As such, I bought this table fan for our kitchen and it is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! We've had it plugged in and on low ever since it arrived home and it is making these 90 plus degree days a little more bearable.

CRUSHING ON // Wide leg linen pants and jumpsuits. I'm more of a loose fitted dress girl these days but something about this trend has got me curious. My BF KTB rocks both styles and now I'm headed into my almost mid-thirties (GAHHH) it feels like it's now or never.  I'm obsessed with these Mara Hoffman striped pants and this Reformation jumpsuit in particular... Thoughts?

READING // I'm a third of the way through Into the Water and just like Gone Girl it's got me uneasy so I'm reading this one quick! It's the perfect thriller for the beach or a lazy day inside with the A/C and I can't wait to have all the pieces fall into place.

THANKFUL FOR // Bae's family. They always say when you marry, you marry your partner's family too and for me... THANK goodness!! I've had two minor surgeries the last couple of months and the hubs's parents have been there for us every step of the way. We love them to pieces and never will be able to thank them enough. I hope to say more about the surgeries at a later date but let's just let that be for now.

THINKING ABOUT // Portland. You guys! I still can't get our trip out of my head, ICYMI check it out here!

WATCHING // "The Big Sick" is easily the best romcom we've seen this year and dare I say ever?!?! Kumail Nanjiani plays himself opposite Zoe Kazan in this box office summer hit with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. My review? I sobbed for at least an hour - some happy tears and admittedly some sad tears - because it's that good. Thank gahd my hubby is one patient man and doesn't embarrass easily. Can someone please pass me a tissue? Just thinking about this movie again gets me mushy!

WEARING // My summer perfume... AKA bug spray! I'm terribly allergic to mosquitos so it's bug spray for me every single day. In fact, I never leave the house without it! I've found a few DEET-free options that do the job: Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard (this comes in an individual towelette version too that's great for travel/hiking), All Terrain's Herbal Armor (you may smell like citronella but there are worst smells) and Naked Botanicals' Lavender Insect Repellent (easily the best smelling and made in DC too!). Do you have any tricks? I'm all ears!

* Art by Ashley Mary.