Tourist in residence...

This past weekend, with my dad in town, I got the chance to play tour guide and show off my city, one of my favorite things to do. Living in DC, there are so many things to do and see, that I’m always adding activities to my never-ending bucket list. With visitors, I always warn them to bring their walking shoes, because I’m all for maximizing time in the city and usually drag everyone around excitedly pointing out my favorite DC spots, leaving us all utterly exhausted by the time the weekend’s over.

And this weekend was no different. Saturday, we ventured up to the National Arboretum, which I’ll definitely be heading back to in the spring when everything’s in bloom again. We also walked all the way there from Union Station, through scenic Northeast DC (cue sarcasm), which, if you’re familiar with DC at all, was quite the hike and left me feeling a bit like Annie Oakley. But it was a beautiful once we arrived.

Sunday was the highlight of the visit, for me. Having lived in DC for more than a year, I’ve been dying to go to the Newseum—in short, DC’s museum of media. Given that I’m the in the public relations industry and a self-proclaimed media junkie, I knew I’d love this place, but I didn’t realize how much I would. It’s without a doubt one of my favorite places in DC now. Not only are the exhibits so interesting, but the view of DC is to die for. Walking through the exhibit, I kept thinking back to my favorite book when I was kid, “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” where two kids run away and spend the night in the MET. Seriously, friends, if I could move in I would. While I didn’t get to see everything, my favorite exhibits were, of course, the homage to 9/11 and the Pulitzer Prize winning photography from the last 50 years (some of these images are so searing and haunting, it’s crazy to think how quickly the moment might’ve passed by in reality). Walter Iooss, one of Sports Illustrated’s, most famous photographers also had an awesome exhibit, which I think is only there temporarily, so you should catch it while you can.

Until I upload my own, here are a few cool shots of the Newseum:

The building itself, awesome. Via Freedom Forum.

A giant quote of the First Amendment on the outside of the museum. Via Architecture Buzz!

The view of the Capitol from inside. Via Missouri School of Journalism.

The rooftop view, breathtaking. Via GoBackPacking.com.

If I ever get married, it might just have to be here, how amazing is the rooftop view of the Capitol?

Fourth of July: Midsummer celebrations

Happy back to work day! Hope everyone had an absolutely wonderful Fourth of July weekend. I have to say, being my first Fourth of July in DC, I think this year's was the best yet. Good friends, lots of time in the sun, fireworks, food, sparklers--life just doesn't get any better.

I'll be sure to post some updates of this year's glorious fireworks from our nation's capital, but for now be sure to check out the collection from my favorite DC blog: We Love DC.

Via We Heart It

For auld lang syne, my dear

Well, it's officially 2010, folks. There's something so wonderfully exciting about the beginning of a new year, with everyone filled with resolve, ambition and optimism. This year, I enjoyed my first D.C. New Year's Eve in great company, a sure sign of a wonderful year to come. And while I don't necessarily believe in resolutions, but more so establishing goals, I've certainly begun list-making things I hope to accomplish this year.

Image via Orlando Weekly

As one of my goals for this year includes staying on top of the blogosphere even more, I found a perfect quote shared by one of my favorite daily reads La Dolce Vita:

"May the best of the past be the worst of the future." - An Irish blessing

Also, in the spirit of list-making, the contributors to one of my favorite local blogs posted their resolutions for the new year. It's a great "to-do" list for D.C. residents or visitors and I've definitely put the majority of these items on my list as well.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

2009: At a glance

As I begin the obligatory end-of-2009 post at home in Florida, I can hardly believe how much this year has held. A year ago, I would have never imagined that a year later, I would be where I am -- in a completely different city, hours and miles away from everyone I know and love. 2009, I've found, has been nothing short of pushing myself to the limit, testing my own personal boundaries to find any innate resilience. It's hard to believe that a little over six months ago, I was still in undergrad with little idea that I would have my own D.C. apartment in a few months. And now, as a new D.C. resident, I'm so frequently asked the question, "Why did you move here?" And besides the cliched hope of following my career dreams, I don't have much more of an answer other than, "Why not?" What better time to push yourself and explore the world than in the moments after graduating college, where energy and excitement for the future still pervade your life.

So, now as I look into what 2010 holds, I think I've found the perfect New Year's resolution: To stop over-romanticizing the next steps in my life and enjoy where I am. Or, in the words of Ida Scott Taylor:

"One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Hope everyone enjoys their last few moments of 2009!

Map it

I've ultimately come to the decision that in a previous life, I must have been an urban planner. Despite my innate lack of directional sense, I have a serious penchant for maps. Maybe it's just my passion for travel, but I love the details in maps and the sense of exploration they evoke.

In case you share the same inclination, here are some of my recent, favorite map-like finds:

DIY Dove Ornament via Little Red Roost

Mileage Journal - Etsy via Bury the Hatchet

Custom map coasters and trays - Etsy via Carolina Cottage

Vintage map gift tags - Etsy via Tanith's Odds & Ends

Locally inspired, letterpress postcards - Etsy via Gooseberry Press

D.C. via Ork Posters

A favorite from my Eastern Market artists, D.C. by Mary Belcher

Hope everyone is having a lovely and relaxing Christmas Eve.

Snowpocalypse

This weekend, I experienced my very first blizzard-like snowfall. While I've seen snow before, never have I dealt with nearly two feet. It was quite the experience, needless to say.

Tomorrow, I'm headed back to Jacksonville for Christmas and I could not be more excited to see my dad, brother and friends! I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away, though. I'm still feeling unprepared.

Here are some highlights from this weekend's snowmageddon:

Christmas cheer

First of all, I saw this today and have decided that I absolutely need it. If only I actually had my home office set up... Alas, it may have to wait.



But nevertheless, I had an absolutely amazing weekend here in D.C. IT SNOWED! That's right, for the first time in 10 years, I witnessed legit snow. I saw the weather forecast on Friday predicting "rain/snow" for Saturday and everyone was telling me, "Oh, no, Ash, it's not going to snow, it'll just be cold and wet." But, I held my hopes high and sure enough Saturday morning the flakes began to fall. This of course quickly prompted me to call/text/message everyone I know to share my excitement.


Last night, the roomie and I headed down to Georgetown for the annual tree lighting. Despite the frigid weather (now lacking snow), it was lovely.


Happy Monday!

Weekend goodies

Another wonderful weekend in The District and it's finally feeling like fall.

My Eastern Market Sundays are becoming a rather nice tradition to look forward to, especially this time of year. If you're not familiar with D.C., Eastern Market is flea market plus farmers market meets craft show. Seriously, it doesn't get any better than that. And it's 90 percent outdoors, so people bring their pups and peruse the aisles and it's just one of my favorite places ever. And lucky for me, it happens every weekend just minutes away.

This week, I was on the lookout for some mini-watercolor paintings of the city, but I didn't find the right ones so that may have to hold off till next week.

However, we did bring home our weekly fresh flowers, which are looking beautiful on our newly finished (and Eastern Market find) table.

This week's find - gorgeous.

These are last week's - we're trying to dry them out. :)

There were pumpkins everywhere! I haven't invested in any yet, but I'm in love with all of the fall goodies.

Happy Monday!

Life in the District

It's weekends like this that make me firmly believe that I could be in D.C. forever. It couldn't have been a more perfect, October weekend. With high's in the low 70's, the weather was absolutely glorious and to top it off, my step-brother and his girlfriend came up for a surprise visit!

I've become quite talented at giving walking tours of D.C., I must say. Despite the fact that my family usually hates me when it's over and we all collapse in utter exhaustion, it's always worth it. And with blissful weather this weekend, I couldn't of been happier to spend time with family in a city I adore.

Monuments at sunset, my favorite time to visit the mall.

Step-sib lovin': Chris & me

Chris & Mal

To top it off, all of my teams won this weekend! UCF pulled out a win, Auburn and even the Jaguars. Surprising, I know. Now with less than 2 weeks to go until the UCF vs. Miami game, which I wish I was attending, I'm a little stressed for my boys. But let's hope they rest up next weekend.

New beginnings

What a whirlwind my life has been lately, leaving me absent from blogging for far longer than I prefer.

My new internship has been absolutely amazing, everything that I want in a job and more. I'm finally where I want to be, doing what I want to do and I could not be any happier.

In other news, this past weekend I moved in to my every own D.C. apartment. Crystal City (aka Arlington) is my new stomping grounds. I would just like to point out that living 14 hours away from your brother is not conducive to moving and building furniture, but at least I'm turning in to one handy girl. I've (almost) successfully built a dresser and a bed and bargained, bought, sanded and painted a dining room table. I believe I could start an entire new blog that chronicles this adventure, but for now I'll leave you with some photos.

Meet our dining room - classy, I know.

This buggie would have saved my life, had I found it before making 15 trips to my car. But, better late than never.

And on that note, off to work I go.

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.