The big man's house

This week I finally got the chance to tour the White House. I had nearly given up on it, since you have to jump through so many hoops and red tape to get on the list (understandably of course). As excited as I was to go to on the tour, please don't think me unpatriotic when I say it was a bit disappointing. I don't mean disappointing so much as it just didn't live up to everything I had expected. For starters, you can't bring anything in that place - I had to leave my entire purse at the office and just bring my ID. Cell phones have to be turned off and there is absolutely no taking pictures, which if you know me is hard to resist.

But it was a cool experience to at least say I've done it. Mom asked if I got to see the Oval Office or any former living quarters, not quite, but it was cool to see the stately dining rooms with furniture and paintings dating back to 1800.

My favorite part was in the tourist entrance, they had photo collages lining the halls, each with a different theme. There were collages of presidents with their dogs, White House weddings and other especially memorable moments - Easter Egg hunt etc. These gave it so much more of a personal vibe, which makes it easier to relate to, if that's possible!

But of course, I was able to snag some photos on my phone outside:

It is a grandiose place!

Cheers my dears,
xoxo

City living

Despite the fact that I do frequently complain about it, I have to admit, I love the D.C. metro. Now don't let me get ahead of myself, I certainly don't love the delays and broken down trains, but there is something magical about living in such a bustling city. I just love the feeling of waking up and not knowing who you'll walk past, meet or sit next to.

Photo credit: Sun-sentinel.com




Photos courtesy of Flickr

I think since starting my new internship, I've become even more enticed by the metro system. Possibly because our building is practically on top of the entrance so I don't have to walk far in this sweltering heat, but more so, I think it has to do with the little old man that gives out the free papers every morning when you exit/enter. I just adore him for his excitement for life. Rain or shine, he's always out there, with his Express in hand greeting you with a "Good Morning!" Many probably ignore him in their early morning, pre-coffee state, but it makes my day to greet him right back.

Weekend Recap

This weekend I took a much needed mini-hiatus and headed down to South Carolina to visit mom & stepdad. Lucky for me, LW's fam is from Columbia too so I caught a ride with her, her bf and their pup, making to 7+ hour drive much more enjoyable.

Cuddled up with LW's pup, Laila, I finally got the chance to finish The Time Traveler's Wife, an amazing book that I completely fell in love with. Although, I'll admit, I was a bit confused at first with multiple protagonists at varying ages in one time period, I finally managed to wrap my head around the concept and then couldn't put the book down.

My backseat buddy, Laila.

Once home, mom and I explored her new town a bit. We found a restaurant/bar called The Flying Saucer which had well over 100 different types of beer on tap. We tried cherry, blueberry and even pear beers, which was an interesting experience! If you drink every type of beer they offer (and believe you me it's a lot), the restaurant honors you with your very own saucer on the wall. My favorites were "this will look good on my resume" and "I would have finished sooner if I didn't have a girlfriend." oh good times.

Poor iPhone quality, but the saucers on the wall were pretty funny.

Mom and I also went to go see Julie & Julia - and the reviews are spot-on! The movie really was absolutely delightful. I didn't even expect it to be as funny as it was.

Today, instead of being the usual first day back to school, I started my new internship in D.C. I am absolutely loving the company and the account I'm on! It's exciting to be in the epicenter of change and development every day. And on that note, I'm fixin' to take my tired bones to bed so I can be up and at 'em again tomorrow!

One of my favorite parts of home - my sweet Molly. Look at that ghost face, I can't believe it's been 10 years since we brought her home!

Happy Monday!
xoxo,

Mail time

Who doesn't love receiving mail - snail mail that is. Perhaps it's just another testament to my old soul or my Southern heritage, but I absolutely love stationery and sending/receiving mail. There's nothing better than opening your mailbox, weeding through the bills to find a few thoughtful, handwritten notes. It makes my day!

Here are some of my favorite stationery designers of late:

Linda & Harriet

Coyne & Pinckney

Ashley Brooke Designs

Follow Ashley's blog!

Lydia & Pugs

Hawk Designs

Wine-scapes

Yesterday afternoon, co-worker LW and I began discussing our affinity for design and wine (two great gifts in life). As she shared with me some great ideas for touring Virginia wineries we also began discussing how much we love wine-themes when decorating. As she and her bf have just moved into their first condo, she's been sharing with me all of her decorating ideas, which are fabulous!

I absolutely fell in love with landscape designer Scott Cohen, who's work she introduced me to. Featured on HGTV in the past, Scott Cohen not only does landscape design, but he also builds fiberoptic outdoor bars and barbaques that are made out recycled wine bottles. You'll also have to visit his Web site, where LW worked on some videos for him during grad school!

Are these not gorgeous and super cool?

Photos courtesy of Scott Cohen www.greenscenelandscape.com

TGIF my dears!

Oh life

Forgive me while I go into Carrie Bradshaw mode, but sometimes a girl just wants to write. As I look back at my blog, I've come to the realization that I so tentatively tip-toe around what I'm truly feeling. Maybe I'm afraid that I'll be tuned out or become vulnerable or maybe I'm honesty afraid to even admit to myself my own worries and insecurities.

Eight months ago, in early December, I broke up with my boyfriend of 2.5 years on my journey to find myself. I knew it was the right thing to do, and still do, despite the pain that I caused both of us. But as I sit here nearly a year later, my self-discovery still hasn't quite hit me. Its lead me to a different city, one where I have no family or best friends and even no permanent job. Although I know in my heart that this has been the best (and only thing) that I've ever done for myself, some days I still question my own motives and His. Here I am, 15 hours away from my best friend, 13 hours away from my dad and at least 8 hours away from my mom and I'm struggling to find myself in a city that's, some days, still completely foreign. Did I come to a big, new city because deep down I knew it would be a distraction from my tumultuous thoughts? Maybe. But lately, even this fast-paced new world hasn't been enough to outrun myself.

I recently finished the book Riding the Bus with My Sister and some parts of it hit just a little too close to home. Namely the fact that I, like the main character, have a tendency of bogging myself down with tasks, jobs and structure in order to skirt around the worries that pervade my thoughts and tickle my emotions. But faster and faster I'm coming to the all too obvious conclusion that I will never have everything perfectly scheduled out to fit in my ideal life plans. Sometimes you don't land the job of your dreams. Sometimes you pour your heart out only to realize that old adage "If you love something let it go, If it comes back to you it's yours, If it doesn't, it never was" is true after all.

And sometimes, you just have to have a little faith.

La Vie Boheme

A couple weeks ago, my PR pal, LW, and I attended a networking event that joined our organization WWPR with the Wolf Trap Young Professional Society. As we were not completely familiar with Wolf Trap at that time, we got to learn a little about their society and mingle around for the evening. Low and behold, a few days later, LW received an email congratulating her on her winning 2 tickets to the opera! So of course, we jumped at the chance to become a little more cultured with free wine tasting and opera tickets. How could we resist?

So last night, we headed out to Wolf Trap for the event and I am so glad we went! The opera was Puccini's La Boheme and it was absolutely gorgeous. Luckily since La Boheme is the opera that the now-famous musical Rent was based on, we knew the plot line and didn't have to solely rely on the subtitles.

But only only was the opera itself breathtaking, the venue was so unique and fun! Wolf Trap is a national park that also is home to a huge, outdoor performing arts center. The building is almost like an amplitheater, but a little more upscale and really architecturally interesting. It was the coolest experience to watch an opera, live with an orchestra and full choir, outside! The stage was gorgeous but it was really neat to have the shroud of trees as a peripheral backdrop. To make the night even better, it was an especially fall-like weather, cool and with no humidity. Oh, I can't wait for the leaves to change.

You can also get lawn seats, this is at their 'holiday sing' event.

Images courtesy of about.com & daviscrossfield.com

Happy weekend!

I need to become a DIYer

The Daily Candy e-Newsletters are quite honestly often the highlight of my mornings. A couple days ago I received the Washington D.C. e-blast and I was delighted to find a local furniture seller Primitive & Proper.

How adorable are their pieces? I'm lusting over some of these vanities.






I've always wanted a vanity in my room, I think they look so cute, Southern and old-fashioned. Perhaps I'll scrounge around Craigslist for one as well.

Happy hump-day dear readers!

xoxo

City Saturdays

Yesterday was another perfect Saturday in the city. I'm finding out here in DC, more and more, that Theta truly is "for a lifetime." Forgive me if that sounds completely cheesy, but I've met more Theta alum in the area that I could have ever imagined. So yesterday, JB, a Theta sister from my own pledge class who recently moved up here with her bf, and I decided to attend the DC Theta Alum Brunch Bunch. It was so nice meeting Thetas of all different ages and walks of life - we're really excited to continue this tradition.

Last night, I finally got to meet up with my little, who's also interning in DC but heading back to UCF soon. We've both been so busy that we hardly see each other. So last night, we decided to cross something off both our lists by visiting the Kennedy Center.

photo courtesy of film.dc.gov

Every night, the Kennedy Center does a free, small performance on their Millennium Stage. Last night we headed up there with a few of her friends to catch a jazz band perform and discovered our new favorite DC sightseeing spot - the terrace rooftop. At the Kennedy Center, you can take the elevator up to the rooftop terrace and relax with a drink or just peruse around. Seriously, this is the best view of DC I've come across since I've been here. You can see all the monuments, Georgetown and the Potomac. It's so serene and gorgeous. It'd be the perfect spot for a wedding reception (if I was rich). I've decided that DC is one of the most romantic places in America - with all the culture, sights and sounds there's plenty of cute 'date night' activities and the atmosphere is just wonderful.

The jazz concert at Millennium Stage

The view of the monuments/national mall

My favorite bridge in DC

Georgetown and the Potomac River

Georgetown at sunset.

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend as well!

xoxo