Pumpkin Patch 1.0

We had our very first trip to the Pumpkin Patch this past weekend.  It was a little more than a pumpkin patch - maybe more of a fall festival at Cox Farms.  I should have realized when I hit bumper to bumper traffic a mile out on a 2 lane country road that what was in store was much more than pumpkins in a field...

I've been dying to go with my bestie Jen every since I saw her son's pumpkin patch pictures years ago, so we joined a few thousand (yes thousand) other families on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  A little overwhelmed by the swarms of people I left my good camera in the car, that in addition to our pumpkin outfit not in just yet and daddy being at the Redskins Games, our first visit to the pumpkin patch, most certainty won't be the last.

The pictures I did capture on my cracked and fading faster than I can update my apps iphone were pretty darn cute.

We baby bijorned through the corn maze.

 James was a little uncertain at first on the hayride.

How do I get off this thing?!

 He hung onto momma pretty tight

 My new facebook profile picture - thanks to our fall adventures

 James started to warm up to the hay- he had lots of fun playing with it.

 Hey, I like hay.

 Despite all the fun around him, what was the only thing he was interested in?  Hay.

 He finally found the pumpkins to be slightly amusing.

 Then the pumpkin hat got passed on from Jen

 I died a little bit

 We both had so much fun

 I love this profile.  He just has every last bit of my heart

Can't wait for more fun at our next adventure...
Pumpkin Patch 2.0

JLW Shop Around!

I get excited these days when I actually get to go to Target.  Right now, the grocery store requires a sitter or call to Josh. Good thing our sitter is back from vacation next week, because it's the Junior League of Washington's Shop Around! 

I literally had NO IDEA how good it was until one of the ladies planning it came to present to my council meeting last week.  Deals these good are far too good not to pass along. So I wanted to share with all my friends in the area who may not have already heard about it.  I never paid that much attention in the past because I'm silly - really - this is WOW AMAZING!

Tickets are $25.
* I don't get any rewards for selling tickets, other than the knowledge that the funds go directly to help the charities I work with.

Highlights (to me anyway) include a gift card for a free appetizer at PF Changs (ahh - Ahi Tuna, I'm still recovering from 10 months with no sushi), not limited to the week of the sale.

Kate Spade...no need for explanation

20% off at two local lilly stores - that's right a discount on in season Lilly.  I'm still not back to fitting in that short of a hemline, but that's what the discount to the Bar Method and accessories are for, right?

We've been putting off a trip to Brooks Brothers for some new suits for Josh, but with 20% off, I know what we'll be doing one day next week.

I have some gift cards to Dawn Price Baby which will go a lot further with 20% off.

I've also been wanting to try rent the runway and with 15% off orders placed before the 28th, I think I'll be sporting some neat outfits to some upcoming events.  The clothing can be "rented" for dates in the future, the online transaction just needs to occur before the 28th. 

Who knows, maybe I'll try the members only pass to George, I'm fairly certain I can't guarantee I won't have spitup on some part of my outfit, which is probably not part of the dress code, he he.   

There are lots of neat events that go along with the shop around, of course I am attending the gala for the organization I chair the committee for at the exact same time as the kick off party, but maybe I can figure out a way to squeeze it all in...

Tickets can be purchased here and a list of all the retailers participating are below.  Hope this is helpful to some of y'all!  Have fun shopping!!

PS - Today is the last day to purchase tickets, wish I had given y'all more advanced notice, time flies when you're a new mom!

Shop Around Retailers

April 21-28, 2012

Kate Spade – 3061 M St. NW, Washington, DC

J. McLaughlin – 3278 M St. NW, Washington, DC

Vineyard Vines – 1225 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

     *Excludes the purchase of Costa Del Mar Sunglasses

George – 3251 Prospect Ave, Washington, DC

                *All Card Holders will be allowed entry regardless of list status

Town Hall – 2340 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

                     *Excludes the purchase of alcoholic beverages

Betsey Johnson – 3029 M St. NW, Washington, DC

Juicy Couture – 3034 M St. NW, Washington, DC

                          1700 Galleria at Tyson’s II, McLean, VA

              1100 South Hayes St, The Fashion Center at Pentagon City

Appleseed Maternity – 115 S. Columbus St, Alexandria, VA

Le Village Marche – 2200 S. Randolph St, Ste 110-A, Arlington, VA

Ah Love Oil – 4017 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA

                        * Excludes all Olive Wood Products

Ten Thousand Villages – 915 King St, Alexandria, VA

Adolfo Dominguez – 5310B Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD, The Shops at Wisconsin Place

                                   *Excludes all Sterling Silver Jewelry

PF Changs – 5406 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD, The Shops at Wisconsin Place

                     *Free Appetizer Cards only

The Preppy Pink Pony – 1355 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA

Pink Palm – 4867 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD

The Bar Method – 750 9^th St NW, Ste 103 Washington, DC

                              *The 20% discount at The Bar Method may be used only for an

                                Introductory Class, the New Client Special, First time renewal package

                                and all merchandise.

Stuart Weitzman – 2001 International Dr at Tyson’s II, McLean, VA

Sixth Engine – 438 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC

Silk Salon & Spa – 2250 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA

                              *Excludes straightening and bridal hair

Artistic Nails & Spa – 1880 Howard Ave, Vienna, VA

Mason Inn – 2408 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

Breadsoda – 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

Duo Boutique – 1624 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

Urban Chic – 1626 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC

Dawn Price Baby – 3112 M St NW, Washington, DC

Sherman Pickey – 1647 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20007

Rent the Runway – Online retailer * 15% discount on orders placed by April 28^th

Brooks Brothers – 3077 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Door Prizes

Lilly Pulitzer gift bag worth $500

Juicy Couture handbag valued at $425

Two (2) tickets to Gold Cup with bus passes

Kate Spade merchandise

A piece of jewelry from Duo Boutique

Shopping party for you and your friends at Urban Chic with 15% off

Gift Cards to: 

·         Cheesecake Factory

·         Maggiano’s

·         Appleseed Maternity

·         Tesoro Italian Restaurant

·       Le Village Marche

Shakin and Quakin

We just had a fairly large, yet moderate earthquake here in Virginia.  It was a 5.9, and the epicenter was about 80 miles south of my house. 

I really didn't know what was going on, but headed to a doorway.  I don't think I ever made it there or if I did stayed there because I was distracted by pictures falling off shelves and the dogs barking (I'm watching my friends dog while they are on vacation).  The few minutes it lasted I tried calling Josh over and over to quickly find cell phones were not working.  I just wanted confirmation of what was happening, and someone to talk to about it!  I finally got him on our land line on his cell, where he told me he was evacuating his office building.

Then I turned to google-"DC Earthquake," nothing - then gchat, "um, was that just an earthquake" to all my open chats then more started popping up-are you ok?  I turned to facebook for confirmation, and my newsfeed was on fire.  Ok at least I know that it happened.  Texted my parents, and a few friends.  Turned on the news.  White House, Pentagon, The Hill all evacuated.  Ok, I felt better I know what it was and our house wasn't imploding-ha!

The news just reported that impromptu happy hours are breaking out all over DC, if only I could have a cocktail, it is a truly beautiful day to be sitting out on the waterfront in Georgetown...

Side note, the dogs are still very skiddish even though currently snoozing-the ice machine in the freezer just made a noise and they both started running around like crazy, I guess we are still on high alert over here!

Walking on Water

Well, walking in water.  In addition to climbing Mount Washmore, I also did a water walking class yesterday.  It was sooo fun!

A water park here in NOVA, closes it's Lazy River at 6:30 to the public for a water walking class.

We did stretches and exercises a la water aerobics and walked laps with and against the current.

One word.  Amazing!

My friend Chris told me about it and we went last night, it was sooo super fun.  We are sad we didn't know about it all summer, but will be making the most of it for the next three weeks.  I'm still getting used to all the pools closing Labor Day, here.  This FL girl is used to 365 days of pool time, but I'll be happy with what I've got! 

Big Decisions

I was faced with a real big decision today.  Go to the sneak peak of Bridesmaids with Lacey or go to Capitol Hill for a reception with the Florida Congressmen and elected officials.  To be honest it was a biggie-When 5 o'clock rolled around, I was honestly really wanting to join Lacey with a big tub of popcorn, some Junior Mints and laugh my head off.  But of course I chose to get Gatorfied and head into the city.  To be honest, although I live here I don't really hang on the hill.  It was fun to really feel like a DC Gator, and kind of made me want to hang on the hill more often.  Men in bow ties, it does something to me....

So now I am really able to confirm that DC is a small town in a big city.  While walking through Capitol Hill to the reception I ran into a great friend on the street, then at the reception I saw lots of my peeps.  My fellow board members, sorority sisters, Josh's friends, other folks I knew at UF, it was awesome.  I hob nobbed errr networked for a while, and then was persuaded to head over to the Florida State Societies Happy Hour.  Now don't for a second think that I went to hang with a bunch of 'noles... Most of the states in DC have State Societies, to get together with your fellow staters and party down errr network. 

Somehow on the way from Congress to where ever this secondary happy hour was taking place, I ended up in a Gator Entourage.  As we had all pertaken in happy hour numero uno and where headed to happy hour numero dos of the evening-we were a sight of Orange and Blue to see.  And then we created my best DC memory, and totally top 20 memory of all time.  We sang the Florida Fight Song, Alma Mater and We are the Boys while walking in front of the Capitol (take that fourth of July).  Wowzers combining the Gators and my love for America - AMAZING.  But wait, then I saw even more people I knew at happy hour numero dos.  I actually surprised my friends (and myself actually) at how many people I knew.  Wow, reminds me of the good old days when my life wasn't a constant stream of strangers.  I'm not going to lie though.  It's nice to be able to go to the grocery store without seeing someone you know on every aisle up here as I can get away in going in semi PJ attire instead of having to "dress" to go to Bayshore Publix across the street from my old house. 

So I have to share my gatorfied outfit, hopefully y'all will like it as much as Josh, plus how often do I get to tie on my vineyard vines gator scarf?  My OOTD-I take photos in the bathroom style.

Don't for a second think I'm not planning to catch bridesmaids.  But with how nutso my life is right now, it may not be until I get it in my mailbox from NetFlix...

All in a Weeks Time

It was just last week that I was reflecting on how my life was turning out just how I had wanted it to be.
Married to the most amazing guy - check
Moving and Groovin on a great career path - check
Packed social calendar-check


On Tuesday I was lunching with my bestie Lacey at Nordstroms, were we were talking about the amazing career opportunities that had come our ways in the past few months (I'm starting an amazing new job in Mid-April), decorating our homes, and the Spring Fashion Event I'm hosting at Talbots on April, 14th (save the date my DC and NOVA Friends)!

Later that night I lead a Junior League Project, which was beyond fun.  My Tuesday nights are always a rewarding experience if not the highlight of my week hosting a reading club with adults with mental disabilities.  The joy I'm able to share with these guys is beyond anything that I could even begin to explain.

Wednesday another busy day at the office followed by an incredible Hot Yoga session which is my new obsession.

 Thursday a wonderful reception for Josh's high school at the Old Ebbitt Grill across the street from the White House.  I had a blast meeting some of his classmates and an even considering transferring to the Junior League of Northern Virginia, I know all my DC leaguer's are shuttering at the thought.  As we were headed to get our car from valet, we randomly ran into good friends from Florida.  I finally felt a little connected in the Big City, small town that is DC. 

Although DC is beginning to feel more like home and as I feel more connected here, I loose more and more of my connection to Florida everyday, which is a little heartbreaking for me.

As my career grows it means I grow...older...and so do my parents.  It's a struggle to feel disconnected from them when I want to be there as they face health obstacles that seem to develop from nowhere.  I'm ready for the well worn path to and from the Mayo Clinic and Florida South from my parents front door to be the path less taken.

Another Tuesday, another lunch at Nordstroms, another chance to solve life's problems and maybe get a new spring outfit...

In The News

Well look-y-loo all that sorting donations made the news.  Too bad they didn't highlight my favorite item - fringed lampshades-  They are going to be all the rage I tell ya!

Seriously if you are in town, you should totally check out this year's Junior League of Washington Tossed and Found!

Holly Morris - Tossed and Found: MyFoxDC.com

Madame Butterfly

Last night Josh and I went to see Madame Butterfly at the Kennedy Center.  It's a real treat whenever I'm asked to accompany him on any corporate event.  Fancy catered dinner in the private dining room, a driver taking us into the city, and always amazing seats...what's not to love?!

The Kennedy Center is so stately and beautiful. 

One of my favorite things about living in this area, is that every turn I make, I am surprised by a glowing monument, historic building or statue in a park (I usually end up getting a pretty good view as I drive around a few times... I still haven't mastered all the roundabouts DC has to offer).  Anytime I come upon one, I always think of the references to Dupont Circle it in the movie American President.

The President asks, "You didn’t get stuck on Dupont Circle again? To which Sydney replies, "It’s not funny- I hate that place! Can’t you declare it a Federal Disaster Area, or something?"  --So true, but I believe all traffic deserves that title at rush hour around here.

Anyway back to the show...Madame Butterfly

Walking into the Kennedy Center is always so grand, the deep red carpet, the flags from around the world, it's just breath taking. 

What's not breath taking, the swarms of people in blue jeans.  I do realize that all types of events and shows take place all day everyday at the Kennedy Center, and that the matinees are getting out just as we would be arriving for an evening show.  I just wished people would "dress" for the events, but that just doesn't happen anymore.  

Once we found our way out of the Hall of Nations to the Opera House foyer, I was pleased to see most everyone was dressed appropriately-how fun!

Before entering the Opera House, I was on a mad dash to find at pair of opera glasses, or as I like to refer to it-optoculars.  Silly me forgot my glasses, and even though we had fantastic seats, I wanted to see the detail of the costumes and sets.  I could have sworn that at past events we were able to rent them, but not last night.  Into the gift shop I went with hopes of walking out with a pair.

How lovely, but at $90 Josh was not really thrilled to buy them for me.  We did however reach a compromise.  I wore his glasses and he got these (te he he)

 

The show was beautiful, my favorite scene was when Cio-Cio-San filled the house with flowers upon the impending arrival of her husband BF Pinkerton.  Pink and white petals floated down from above as the beautiful Italian lyrics filled the hall.  It made me so excited for spring to arrive!

We love every chance we have to go to the Kennedy Center, and plan to return soon to see Wicked later this season.

Don't you love

spending time with friends you haven't seen in a while and being able to pick up right where you left off?  I'm one lucky girl because I am blessed to be able to do this with all of my fab friends.  Life's journey has lead us to live hundreds of miles away, but the friendships we built (sharing pitchers at the Swamp and Grog House's beat the clock) have continued to thrive.

KMK, Keiper, K Pierno, K sara sara came to DC a few weekends ago to participate in a Human Rights Summit.  She flew in a day early so we could dance party USA, have a big ol slumber party, and try to eat as much cheese and chocolate as humanly possible.  Lucky for us Mother Nature decided to extend our party and gave us a snow day aka adult recess. 

A snow storm was rumored to hit DC in the afternoon she arrived.  I was able to slip out of work about the same time as all the Federal Government employees, but I guess ran to my car faster than everyone else and was a step ahead in traffic.  What should have been a 20 minute car trip, took us 2 hours, but took those who departed a few minutes behind us 8-10 hours.  I spent the car ride impressing Keiper with my mad snow driving skills, singing Ke$ha and entertaining both of us by fish-tailing on 495 one too many times.

Josh welcomed us home and built us a fire and broke out the Vino and snacks.  It was a fun filled night.  Just as Keiper introduced me to Gossip Girl a few years ago in Nashville, I returned the favor and introduced her to The Real Housewives of Atlanta-and her love affair with NeNe began.  We had a great night singing, giggling and all out laughing by the fire, but the real fun began the next morning with the snow day!

Playing in the snow!

 making snow angles

"leaping" into snow banks...

We had a great time together.  The next night we went out in DC.  There was this place I'd been wanting to go to right by her hotel on Embassy Row called ChruchKey.  Turns out the upstairs is the club/lounge Churchkey and the downstairs is Birch and Barley the restaurant.  As we begin climbing the stairs and the music and noise get louder, we turned to eat other and with just a glance knew we would rather be in the quieter restaurant area.  Once again my limiting my nightlife experience to revolve around food, I find it funny that I have only been "out" in DC once.  Don't get me wrong I'm in the city a few times a week.  I've been to countless happy hours and dinners, just never out after 10 with the sole purpose of grabbing a drink, dancing, etc.  We sampled a few wines and beer and share some amazing appys.  Include Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, which I recreated the following evening.  Best of all we talked and talked and talked some more!  We even had a mini photo shoot with my iphone.

I love knowing that we will be there for each other through life's ups and downs.  It's great to know you have a tried and true friend that will be there to sunbathe in the tropics or just be on the other end of the phone line when you are facing one of life's challenges.  We both miss that life isn't one big slumber party at the sorority house anymore, but are glad that we'll always have the memories and the chance to make many many more.

Success!

Great things are going on all around me.  I've gone to/am going to three four awesome places for restaurant week!  For those who don't know  R week is when all the top dining establishments in DC offer lunch and dinner at a pre-set price.  Some offer a pre-fix menu while others let you order an appy, entree and dessert off their regular menu all for the low low price of $35.11.  My goal is to find the latter - holla Chef Geoff's.  Anyway-Great Food, Great Friends-who could want more?

Well except for my gamma delta ladies at AU...

More, more, more - that's exactly what the Phi Mu Chapter at American University got on Bid Night!  They had a fantastic recruitment and ended up with quota plus additions - resulting in the largest new member class on campus!  The best part is they did it by being completely true to themselves, and were able to showcase their amazing friendships and sisterhood during recruitment (all the while ignoring my request to put on more lip gloss).  Gosh-I love them with or without a shiny pout.

Speaking of love, I am planning to fall in love with the hubs over and over again on the mini-moons we are taking this year!  Josh just booked us for a week in Greece-first class thank you very much, and a little over a week in Seattle to enjoy some time on the west coast prior to my fav red-headed-roommate's wedding this summer.  I was going through recruitment withdrawals, but now I get to start planning our fab vacations-can't wait!

Tonight at DAR

This evening at our Daughters of the American Revolution meeting we had a presentation on this history of American cookbooks.

America and Cookbooks, two of my very favorite topics.  If the spiked peppermint ice cream punch didn't already have me in a jolly mood, the evenings presentation did. 

First, I just love to read cookbooks, look-up and try new recipes.  I loved my mom's cookbooks and recipe card collection growing up.  Thumbing through the cards and figuring out new things we could try for dinner was always a favorite pastime. When I babysat for families in college, I would love to read all their Junior League cookbooks.  As out speaker said tonight, cookbooks reflect the society and time period in which they were written.  They really are a piece of Americana.  I honestly enjoyed the stories and history that went along with the recipes as much as the recipes themselves.

Then, once I became a member of the Junior League of Tampa, I saw how the cookbooks really reflect the women of the league and the community as a whole.  I learned so much about entertaining and being a good hostess from my experiences with these women.  Always bring a nice spread and a bottle of wine to every committee meeting!  Part of the spread better be a recipe from one of the leagues cookbooks-we knew and recognized every one.  A general membership meeting just wouldn't be the same without a hamwich, I need to make those for my Christmas Party this year.  The whole league is invested in the production of the cookbook, whether providing the recipes, testing the recipes, helping with the creation and layout of the book or selling them in the community.  It brought us all together, and we were proud of what we had to share.  I'm looking forward for my set of cookbooks from the Culinary Collection to be complete this year with the final in the series, Capture the Coast!  It's on my Christmas list, and I'm sure hoping it's under the tree.

I just loved being a part of that in Tampa.  The DC League doesn't care for cookbooks the same way the women of Tampa did.  I was at a meeting facilitated by the Chair of the Steering Committee.  The discussion was about planning our centennial celebration, but we would NOT be making a cookbook.  Sad face for me.

At least there are more cookbooks out there than I could ever imagine.  I'm looking forward to reading more and adding to my collection after tonight's presentation.  Our guest speaker had lots of great information to share with us, and it lead to a very fun discussion.  On of my favorite moments was when the elderly lady sitting behind me (we're talking 70's) said Google was her favorite cookbook-I about died y'all.  I was just tickled to death!

I hope everyone is getting out their cookbooks and making family favorites this holiday season!

An Affair in the District

We kicked off our fall wedding season with Johanna and Brian's wedding.  We knew it was going to be fantastic, but the event truly exceeding all expectations.  I was already excited that the reception was at the Swedish Embassy, but what I didn't realize was that the Swedish Embassy was the House of Sweden-on Georgetown's Waterfront - WOW!

The wedding was at a beautiful church in the district.  Johanna was STUNNING!

It was picturesque to watch them walk out of the church with confetti flying in the air.

 After the beautiful ceremony, they had a bus transport us to Georgetown-great idea in DC traffic!  The happy couple had a slightly better form of transportation...

Johanna left no detail unplanned.  We started the evening on the rooftop deck overlooking the Potomac and worked our way down each floor as the evening progressed.

The bride and groom each had a signature cocktail that was their namesake.  I had Brian's-it was so good-still not sure what was in it!

After a truly amazing cocktail hour, we heading down to the main floor for an amazing dinner.

Of course Josh was a little excited about the well planned favors, and may have eaten a few Swedish Fish before dinner was served.

Don't worry he saved room for the first round of dessert, too.  An assortment of chocolate covered cheesecake balls- this may have been what the serving platter looked like after making a round at our table.

 The toasts were outstanding.  Johanna's father started the evening with a heartfelt welcome in Swedish, which was translated by her maid of honor.  It was full of laughter and a few tears, followed by my first vodka toast at a wedding.  When in the House of Sweden...

If anyone came that evening who didn't already know how amazing Brian and Johanna were, after the speeches made by their wedding attendants there was no way to leave without knowing that these two make a truly a remarkable couple.

We had a great time and danced the night away.

We wish Johanna and Brian a lifetime of happiness together, and were so honored to be a part of their special day!