Sand ART. 1 Nov 2013 9:27 AM (11 years ago)

Can we just take a second to admire the genius that is Bonnie Mably? I mean for real. LOOK AT THAT SAND. I want one of these to hang on our dining room wall. With a magnifying glass close at hand because you know those sparkles are amazing when they're big.

So. 23 Oct 2013 3:50 AM (11 years ago)

It's been a while. Let's not pretend it hasn't, but let's also just let that slide by. So much has been happening and eventually I'll let you in on all of it, though don't get too excited, it's all pretty ho-hum, nothing crazy. For now though can we talk about FALL? How amazing it is? How it's not summer anymore? Can we also talk about boots and buffalo plaid? The former I've never really been a fan of, until recently, and I've gone crazy for them. The latter has always been a favorite. So you can imagine my excitement when they both came into my life this week in their most amazing of ways. Loeffler Randall Frankie Moto Boots, Jack Spade Utility Bag I love you both.

Salted Caramel Brownies 20 Feb 2013 8:15 AM (12 years ago)

Poor MAS, he came home, after a month of being elsewhere, to me sick and in bed. For like, the entire long weekend. I'm thinking he didn't really mind, he slept even more than I did. In fact it might be ideal for me to be sick every time he returns from either a long trip or a European trip. He always comes back wasted, I am always overly excited and plan way too much, he sleeps in, I cancel brunch reservations an hour away that I made for 10 am (really, what was I thinking?). But this time was different. We slept. He made me tea. I re-watched and he started House of Cards. We slept some more. There was much more tea made. And then, after complaining for days that I just wanted a cookie, we got up and made the Smitten Kitchen Salted Caramel Brownies. We ate half the pan and went back to sleep. The next day we woke up and polished off nearly the entire second half of the pan. Went to bed and then come Tuesday (a whopping two days after we made the brownies) we fought over the last little gooey and oh-so-delicious corner. In the end it was a 50/50 split.

To say these brownies are delicious is to not say nearly enough. I'd like to have them around always, but then I'd eat them always, and that, would be bad. I'm thinking about making them again though. This afternoon. I might even credit them with making me well again. There was no sign of improvement until that entire block of brownies had been devoured. So if you've got that cold thing that's going around and can't shake it, make some brownies, worst case you'll be blissfully happy for the five minutes it takes you to eat them.

Things that may or may not happen when your husband is gone for a month: Part I 7 Feb 2013 9:34 AM (12 years ago)

1. Lights hanging from the ceiling - happened. I should thank Lauren for this as she sent me down the rabbit hole of DIY-dom. The instructions are not as easily found today as they once were, read IMPOSSIBLE, so I had to wing it from a list of supplies I found on Apartment Therapy. Overall I think in a month (or six) I might re-do the entire fixture with some sense of wiring and quality control. Also it needs a few more glass spheres, it's not nearly dramatic enough. But for now it is amazing and I love it. And it did not cost $1750 or whatever I had started to think we were going to spend.

1b. Getting that drywall on the other side of the living room patched up so I can finally finish painting the ceiling - did not happen.

2. Two dogs becoming a team - happened. It might be the fact that I've been forcing them to cuddle with me every night for the past 30 in an effort to stay warm and snoozy, or just the simple passing of time. Whatever it is IT IS HAPPENING. There is still some growling on Frances' part when shit isn't going the way she'd planned it to ... but they sit on chairs together and alternate peeing on bushes that ought not be peed on and every once in a while stand still enough to photograph. Or this could all just be because I bought them matching harnesses. Maybe that is the answer.

I may have also applied to graduate school, planned a trip to NYC in the spring, eaten my weight in meat sandwiches, discovered mint goes with everything so long as it's in a smoothie, headed back to yoga four times a week and started and finished House of Cards on Netflix. There is more, it was quite a productive month for me, but I'll fill you in on that later.

January Things 24 Jan 2013 8:06 AM (12 years ago)

January started with an epic trip south, way south, to Key West. I lost my favorite jeans, two sweaters and a mostly empty bottle of perfume. It was something like 10 days, no two spent in the same hotel, it's a miracle that's all I lost. It was also something like a million hours locked in a car with two dogs and a husband. It could not have been better.

Now I'm back in DC. After a most crazy weekend (hello Mr. President) the roads have been cleared of the scariest of metal fences and the people have all retreated to, hopefully, warmer weather. We got a dusting of snow last night that Anna has been romping around in all morning and Frances has been avoiding. I've been wearing my snow boots that I hastily ordered last year from J.Crew because they were just too good to pass up. Turns out, while they may be cute, they aren't exactly warm. I think I'll be tossing them and going with ye faithful Sorels for the rest of the winter.

I've been juicing a bit, and slowly, trying to take animal products out of our diets. Not like 100%, I love me some meat sandwiches (hello new cheesesteak place that I cannot get enough of) and will eat macaroni and cheese until it comes oozing out of my pores, but you know, when at home and for most of the time. It's time to up my veggie intake, like for real, and for ever.

Anna was spayed and de-dew clawed. She came home and was totally passed out for three days. It was terribly sad. Especially when she would wake up just to cry. That really happened. IT WAS SO SAD. She's totally on the mend now and has been approved for exercise despite those pesky (and disgusting) stitches in her back legs. They come out Monday.

Sometimes Frances will leave the confines of the bed and beg me to take her out-of-doors for a walk. Three blocks later she's so beyond done I've got to pick her up. Then we go back home, she lazes in the sun for a while, and two hours later begs to try again. Always the same results. Maybe once it's more than twenty eight degrees outside we'll have better luck with an actual walk.

January will be over soon and then we're on to February, which in DC I think means spring, I kid ... kind of. I think this year I will miss it, I think this year, January might have been exactly what I needed.

Frances is the undisputed road trip queen. She LOVES the car. She LOVES road trips. She LOVES her little nook in the back of the Prius filled with her sleeping bag. SHE LOVES IT ALL.

Anna on the other hand .....

Needs constant attention, a bajillion chewy things and a run before we actually enter the car.

Unfortunately the run before an 8 hour trip in the winter is not exactly what I call practical. It is cold outside. It is dark outside. And really, I'd just rather get there. This time both MAS and I made the trip and I think that got her overly excited. She did not sleep for more than half an hour on that entire stupid trip. The way back home was better, but still not exactly the most awesome.

Next up Anna, South Florida.

Living room lights. 27 Dec 2012 5:16 AM (12 years ago)

We need something to hang from the center of our living room that throws a decent amount of light upwards and doesn't blind you if you look in it's general direction. I'm liking this, but also considering making our own version of this. Then there is this one which MAS fell hard for on instagram. All viable options, yet we have failed to pull the trigger on every last one, maybe one day ....

This is the first year in about five that we will not be heading out on a boat for the second week in January. I made a fuss last year that our only vacation is the same year after year after year and was appeased with the promise of every other year. I don't want to sound like a total tart, but there is a lot of this world I have not seen that does not easily translate to six days on a boat in January. Also, I'm allergic to the sun and hate salt water.

But a few months back MAS was bemoaning the fact that we were not going to have boat time this year. It was, in fact, ruining his life. So, being the good wife that I am, I agreed. I mean we did take a road trip over the summer and that should technically count as a vacation not on a boat. We sent an email to our boat friends, everyone was excited, and then MAS realized he was scheduled to be in the UK for the about half of the time we were meant to be on the boat. Alas, our tropical vacation has be cancelled for 2013. BUMMER.

In all honesty, I'm kind of excited. I'm tagging along on his work trip and we're taking a few extra days to tour Wales. It'll be great. But it means I have ZERO reason to purchase this most amazing suit. Especially since the day we agreed to start planning our 2013 sailing trip I purchased a suit I still have not worn. Yes, my weakness for swimwear is ridiculous. But seriously, someone should buy this suit.

Shoes! 20 Dec 2012 5:18 AM (12 years ago)

Do you want these as much as I do? Because I want them BADLY. Mr. Pickles loafers by Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Vegan Week take Two 19 Dec 2012 8:07 AM (12 years ago)

The holidays are crazy, CRAZY, I tell you. We spent last week in Boulder celebrating with MAS' family and then soon we're off to Asheville for a very quick holiday visit with my parents. Meanwhile there are things like Eggnog and Christmas cookies and Panettone lying around our house. I don't think I'd eaten anything that wasn't a meat or a carb for three weeks prior to this Monday when we decided we needed a change. So we've gone vegan again for the week. We did it a while back and I've got to say, anything that can get me out of the cheese and cracker lunch rut that I so easily fall into is good by me.

So far we've had a series of really good meals, highlights being morning granola and almond milk (Although this round of almond milk making may have done our 8 month old blender in. LAME. I don't really want to buy a Vitamix, I mean come on with the price tag, but also buying a new blender every 8 months, that is not going to work. We're mulling this one over.). Oh and the Black Sesame Otsu from Super Natural Everyday was so beyond delicious. Last night I tried (and failed with) Butternut Squash Lasagna. I'm sure it's delicious when she makes it, but when I did it just tasted like a bunch of mashed veggies. Next up a few more Asian dishes. I always love an excuse to eat only Asian food for a few days straight. It's not our go-to in this house so it's a nice break.

Sandwiches, the best. 10 Dec 2012 6:25 AM (12 years ago)

It took us a while to try SUNdeVICH. I don't know why. I'll blame it on a complete lack of ability to get out of our house, or at the very best our neighborhood, during the weekends. It's not like I was ever confused. I always knew it was going to be good, I guess I just didn't know how good. Turns out we had one of the best sandwich experiences EVER. We got a Seoul and a Havanna along with some spicy cole slaw and brined veggies. Also, Sprecher Root Beer. It was delicious, I'd like to go back now please.

Lunch. 3 Dec 2012 10:19 AM (12 years ago)

The lazy man's best meal. Egg in a Hole. I can't remember when I started eating these, but they've since been my go to when we have no food in the house and I'm too pressed for time to actually leave and pick up something. It's ridiculously easy and ever so tasty. Cut the center of the bread out ... this time I used black pepper brioche from the Milk Bar cookbook ... yuuuuuuuummmmmmmy; place in pan; cook in butter until toasty; flip; repeat till your egg is cooked just the way you like it (which should absolutely be VERY RUNNY). Also a little bit of this hot sauce, because it goes on EVERYTHING, and salt and pepper.

Doughnuts and Fried Chicken. 28 Nov 2012 3:57 AM (12 years ago)

Hey DC, quit with the announcing of doughnut and fried chicken spots and start with the opening of them. Seriously, I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY?

{image via astro doughnuts & fried chicken, which as far as I can tell is going to be the first to open}

Want. 27 Nov 2012 5:07 AM (12 years ago)

THANK YOU CELIA. Thank you for introducing me to Joinery. Thank you for showing me that I need these boots and this pullover. Thank you for finding the best toilet brush around AND the best colander (we've been needing one).

Tree, we have a tree. 26 Nov 2012 10:45 AM (12 years ago)

This has got to be some kind of record for us. Normally we talk and talk and talk about getting a tree and normally it happens about a week before Christmas. Which is fine, but our schedule this year would not allow such things. So over the weekend we walked down to Eastern Market and snagged a 6 ish foot bundle of smell good Christmas tree. Like last year, MAS carried it home, it's becoming our DC tradition. I'm pretty sure MAS likes walking the five blocks home the most. He never gets covered with sap OR ruins jackets.

Beginners lessons ... sort of. 21 Nov 2012 4:54 AM (12 years ago)

I'm taking Intro to Ballet at a local dance studio and it's too advanced for me. As I am possibly the most uncoordinated person you've ever met, this is fairly unsurprising. I frequently roll my ankles, trip over my toes and lack any sense of rhythm. Top that with the fact that the last dance class I'd taken was when I was six years old. In fact, the only thing I remember about dance class, save for the AWESOME bag I carried my stuffs in, was my mom falling asleep for a touch longer than she meant to and picking me up late (i was assuaged by the staff with so much candy I may have vomited it all up by the time I got home, not a bad memory).

Turns out, I need to go back to that six year old Ballet class because I literally know nothing about ballet. And being a 30 something girl in America that signs up for an Intro to Ballet class, this is apparently unheard of.

It started like this, our teacher was 10 minutes late to the first class. AWESOME, one sixth of the class done! But it allowed all of us wanna-be-ballerinas to chit chat. I kept hearing from my leotard clad classmates "Ohmygod it's been sooooooooo long since I've been to a ballet class I wonder if I'll remember anything" over and over and over again followed by something like "Yeah it was high school the last time I put these slippers on" once it was even COLLEGE. It should be noted, I was not wearing a leotard, or tights, or even legwarmers.

Whatever, it WAS fine.

I mean the teacher has a really horrid habit of teaching to the most experienced person in the room, NOT ME, so when I'm asked to count it out (what the fuck does that even mean?) I can't, but no one really bats an eye and someone else does it for me. When the mirrors show everyone I am physically incapable of doing the arm things with the leg things I ignore them and surprisingly don't blush (a very bad habit of mine). I'm pretty sore the day after class and I really do think it might be teaching me how to not slouch (another horrible habit of mine). Also, it is kind of making up for the complete lack of good yoga in this city.

Now if I can just make it through Intro so I can start dropping into the Beginners classes, which happen more than once a week, I might actually get somewhere. Also there's an Intro to Hip Hop class calling my name, and maybe laughing with me at the thought, bust still, SO MUCH FUN.

Meet Anna. 20 Nov 2012 6:02 AM (12 years ago)

If you follow me on Instagram, this is old news. But if you don't WE GOT A PUPPY! Miss Anna is nearly five months old and only a little bit annoying. She was a rescue filled with worms (a lot of worms) and instalove for Frances. She followed me around non-stop for the first month and for the first week I had to have my hand INSIDE HER CRATE the entire night or else she'd loose it and no one would sleep.

Now she follows Frances around all of the time and sleeps happily in her crate on the other side of the bedroom. She absolutely needs a morning walk and an afternoon run in order to not drive me up the wall. Turns out yelling "I FUCKING HATE YOU TWO" does not stop the wrestling over toys. It's never mean, just typically taking place on my feet while I'm trying to work, and possibly even on a call. But this means I'm running again and that is not a bad thing.

Frances doesn't yet LOVE Anna, but we're getting there. Anna is allowed on the couch and the bed (Frances was in charge of the inviting, yes we have zero control of our older dog) and sometimes, SOMETIMES, she's even allowed in my lap at the same time as Frances. There has been one instance of cuddling and it was brief, but now that it's cold outside I have high hopes that it will become a regular thing. There has been no fighting, which has been a relief, and a lot of food sharing.

Frances is far more active, the house smells much more of farts and we're back to having to schedule our outings around a puppy that needs to be let out every four or so hours. All in all it's been a pretty good thing.

Oh and possibly the best part, her actual biological sister lives just a couple of blocks from us. THEY HAVE PLAYDATES. It is adorable.

Will travel for hot sauce. 1 Nov 2012 10:53 AM (12 years ago)

You guys, Artifact, the morning/mid-day food and coffee spot opened by the most amazing people of Woodberry Kitchen has us considering a move to Baltimore. We went last weekend after my FOURTH trip to the Baltimore Ikea for the same damn floor lamp. The trip was a success, we scored the lamp ('bout time) and then filled with excitement, and absolutely no food, we went bananas and ordered/bought just about everything we could see on the Artifact menu.

After lunch (grilled cheese with pickles, tomato bread soup, egg salad sandwich) and coffee (a dirty pumpkin) ... and maybe dessert (I can't remember) we continued our gluttony and came home with some Snake Oil (the best hot sauce possibly ever) and Pickled Carrots.

I'm making plans to go back ... weekly.

delayed/instant gratification. 7 Sep 2012 7:27 AM (12 years ago)

so, some time in early july, or was it late june? this package arrived at our door. it arrived at our door after mas had been super secretive with his emails and computer (something to do with my birthday present, he told me that much)... i mean he went as far as changing his password secretive ... for two or three months. and then it arrived while he was out of town. it arrived one month before my birthday. it arrive and it was from MOCIUN.

i did not open it. it was very hard to not open it. i waited. he was home a few days later. he ripped the package open, left the room, returned and handed me a small black and white box. it felt weird. it was not my birthday. it was not even almost my birthday. he had already made me wait SO LONG. why not a little longer? mostly because i think he was too excited to see my reaction, but also i'm sure he was a bit afraid that now that it was in the house there was really no chance that i wouldn't end up opening in my own super secretive manner.

so i opened it and fell in love. it's beautiful and made just for me. by my most favorite person and my most favorite designer. damn, that's a birthday well done.

{image via mociun, mostly because we tried to snap photos, but they all suck, and this necklace deserves a non-sucky photo.}

pearl dive. 31 Aug 2012 4:20 AM (12 years ago)

the other night we FINALLY made it to pearl dive oyster palace, a place i continue to call pearl dive oyster bar, over and over and over again. the palace is really throwing me off for some reason. whatever, it doesn't matter.

it's delicious. the oysters were of course spot on and the fried chicken (yes, they have fried chicken) is divine. also, the drinks. gotta give a shout out to the small, but so well done, drink list. i started with a fleur 75 and ended with a pearl cup. the fleur 75 was the palest shade of violette - so pretty - and the pearl cup came in a mason jar - totally fitting.

bathing suits. 30 Aug 2012 6:43 AM (12 years ago)

for someone who hates the sun, the warm weather and sitting on the beach ... or by the pool ... or anywhere exposed and hot really ... i've a major obsession with swim wear (exhibit a). so the fact that these might have jumped to the top spot of my must have list is both confusing and completely predictable.

{lauren moffatt swim 2013 via refinery 29}

flats, black ones. 29 Aug 2012 9:34 AM (12 years ago)

i'm a big believer in having a nice pair of black flats when september rolls around. i live in them. for, like, the entire fall and winter.

{cap toe flat, Messeca New York}

still summer here. 27 Aug 2012 9:02 AM (12 years ago)

typical case of the grass is always greener syndrome. i'm sure once may rolls around and the temperatures are steadily hovering around 45 i'll wish there wasn't evidence of my saying it, but summer ... go away.

that being said, maybe we need to take summer vacations to places that still have glacial ice? maybe that is the solution.

{image by olaf otto becker via but does it float}

August in AVL 22 Aug 2012 3:31 AM (12 years ago)

sometimes i use mas' insane work schedule as an excuse to take a break and head to the mountains. when we lived in eastern north carolina i was spending what seemed like half of my time in asheville. but then we moved to dc and i settled in. found local clients. found local friends. and now i'm making it back, what seems like, quarterly.

i'll fill you in on the details little by little over the next few days but the BEST PART EVER was the weather. my friends, i lounged around in jeans and flannels and light sweaters OVER BUTTONDOWN SHIRTS. i went for runs and did not want to kill myself. i had coffee, of the non-iced variety, in the afternoon.

oh dc, you've cooled, but you're not quite where i want you. winter can honestly not come soon enough ... though i would be willing to settle for fall.

our neighborhood rocks. 10 Aug 2012 11:43 AM (12 years ago)

the eddy, the bar inside of hank's oyster bar's new capitol hill location, has won my heart. our neighborhood was awesome before their arrival, but now, now we have a place where we can go and grab a not-too-fancy but utterly delicious drinks*. also, oysters. yay capitol hill! i love you more than ever ... which is saying something.

* to be fair our current favorite, the atlas room, fits the above criteria. dude is serious 'bout his drinks. but it's a touch further away, sans oysters and, really, it is always good to have OPTIONS.

{the old salt is a lovely combination of watermelon stuffs and tequila and etc. so light and refreshing and perfect for these fucking hot and humid days (and nights).}

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