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.