DC Weekends

These photos are two weeks old now but it was such a fun weekend that I can't let them just sit in a folder somewhere. We visit Capitol Hill quite a bit now, and it makes for a pretty convenient home base for fun activities such as the beautiful Eastern Market and rallies!

We've actually been to the Eastern Market a few weekends in a row - and since we have our CSA we're usually all stocked up on produce so it's kind of torture to pass this stuff up. We do take advantage of the wonderful cheese booth (we got limburger to try for the first time and it smells like death but if you plug your nose it's delicious) and a great artisan meat booth (we picked up sage and white wine flavored rabbit sausages that were amazing).

We headed in to DC super early to beat the rally crowds and we were so glad that we did. The city was just a zoo. Yay fall.

We keep getting ornamental squash like these in our CSA, they now cover half of our dining room table because we don't really have room for extra ornaments in our apt. I'm considering the time consuming task of cutting them up, tiny as they are, and cooking them because it's getting absurd but I don't want to just throw them away.
After crepes and coffee at the market we joined the stream of people headed down to Colbert/Stewart Rally to Restore Fear and/or Sanity.

I don't really like to talk politics since it seems to bring out the uncivilized side of people and this was a rally for people like me. It was humorous, and just the right kind of serious - acknowledging that we can all have our own strong opinions and still truly be nice to each other and have a discussion - no need for the biting sarcasm and extreme partisanship and complete ineffectualness that characterizes the two political parties. It was an inspiring afternoon for me and a wonderful event to be a part of. My brother phrased it well when he saw the photos, "It’s fascinating to examine my gut reaction to any photo where someone is waving a sign – instantly defensive – and then to read the signs and have that feeling unknot." And I'm already feeling more politically vulnerable than I like with just those few sentences so I'll leave the rest of the rally description to the photos (If you don't like politics either, even ones advocating moderation, then scroll all the way to the bottom for a glimpse of the Tooth Fairy).

The day after the rally was Halloween and we got completely cuted out with all the kids and their sweet costumes at a party on the Eastern Shore. This was the only photo I snagged before dark, the prettiest little Tooth Fairy I've ever seen.

Fall Fashion - Day 6

Today we're headed to DC for the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear - it should be quite interesting, no one knows what to expect other than a lot of people. We'll probably stay the night there at my sister's house on Capitol Hill so I think this is my last day of fashion week. It's been so fun meeting all the other fashionistas and remembering what I have in my closet. Until next time!

Shirt: James Perse thrifted

Belt: Thrifted

Pants: Hand-me-down from friend

Boots: Ruche

And Kelly's last day of vintage fashion at my other blog.

Fall Fashion - Day 5

I'm telling you it's been really hot this week. I picked up spiced apple cider and cinnamon cheese and a pear tart to have a cozy fall evening the other night and I had to sit in front of the air conditioner just to drink the hot cider.
Shirt: Forever21
Belt: Forever21
Skirt: Thrifted
Cowboy boots: Thrifted

Check out the hub of fashion week here and more fashion at my other blog here.

Fall Fashion - Day 4

Everyone else in this fun carnival is getting to wear all sorts of snuggly layers and tights and we've been hit by a heat wave out here. Like muggy if I walk ten feet I'm sweating heat. Even this outfit was almost too much for this weather.

Shirt: A dress from H&M

Belt: Forever21

Skirt: Thrifted

Oxfords: Forever21

Earrings: H&M clearance

More fashion at Emery Jo's blog, and my other blog.

Fall Fashion - Day 3

Today is rainy and dreary (but rather hot) and I'll spend it at work and then cozy at home reading Ulysses for class tomorrow. For all of you who have left sweet comments about my chandelier - it was very easy to make. I bought an old gold chandelier on Craigslist for $10, spray painted it black and had some nice guys at a light store tell us how to convert it into a plug-in light with about $10 worth of parts. Cheaper than buying a lamp!

T-Shirt: James Perse, thrifted
Cardigan: Charlotte Russe, thrifted
Belt: On loan from Axon who couldn't use it for a while
Skirt: J.Crew, thrifted
Boots: Ruche

Check out all the fashion week participants at Emery Jo's blog, and if you want more Annapolis fashion Kelly's rocking it at my other blog.

Fall Fashion - Day 2 - Date Night!

I'm not too sure how my husband will feel about this shirt. I'm not too sure how I feel about it - it's a risk for sure. But I've been trying to take more of those lately and when I saw this little number at Goodwill I figured I'd give it a try. At Urban Outfitters this type of thing sells for $70, at Goodwill it was $5. The great thing about it is that I can keep my ID, chapstick and an extra sweater in the sleeves, that's handy since I don't have a matching 80's vintage sequin purse.
Tonight we get to secret shop a local restaurant - we sneakily keep track of how long we wait for appetizers and how nice our server is, and get our meal paid for! I've never done that before, I'm a little worried that we'll be paying so much attention to remembering the temperature of the food we won't enjoy a free date, but we'll see!

Shirt: Passports Pier1 from Goodwill
Skirt: GAP from Goodwill
Shoes: ?? from Buffalo Exchange in college

Check out all of the lovely participants at Emery Jo's blog and Kelly's daily fashion at my other blog!

Fall Fashion: Day 1

It's time again! Time to dress up and get all posey and take a million photos of myself while my boy sits just out of the frame laughing at my contortions. But I get to meet so many nice people through Emery Jo's fashion week! Head over there and join the fun if you'd like!

Shirt: Anthropologie clearance
Skirt: F21 from Oliver's Buy, Sell, Trade
Shoes: Anthropologie clearance
This week I'm rolling out my new photography blog with a series of late summer fashion photos of Kelly from Oliver's Buy Sell Trade in Annapolis - pay a visit if you want to see some true workin' it!

Favorites: 2 Day Old Babies

Auden Parker - born on Friday.

I think it's OK to say, because her Mama said so first, that it's terribly adorable when she cries.

My Favorite Things: Granta

I'd been asking for a subscription to this venerable magazine for ages, so I was absolutely thrilled this Spring when it showed up in my mailbox - it took a bit of sleuthing to figure out I had my dear friend Elizabeth to thank for a year of Granta coming to me.

Since it's start in the late 1800's Granta has managed to discover some of the brightest stars who later became well known - A.A. Milne and Sylvia Plath were first published in Granta. Since then they get regular contributions from known and unknown writers alike.

It's not just stories, they also feature beautiful photography, poems, paintings and even these drawings by Dave Eggers. It's kind of a random mishmash of wonderfulness, I think of it as The Believer for grownups.

I get so excited when I get a new issue in the mail and it's the perfect thing for me right now with school, I can just read a little story before bed without committing to a whole book.

Favorite Things: When My Boy Comes Home

He travels for work a lot these days. And unfortunately I've gotten kind of used to my time alone. I hate that I'm used to it. And I hate that I eat potato chips for breakfast and popcorn for dinner when he's not home. But I do love how fun it is when he comes home and that first kiss after days apart and talking til late about our weeks and not having to make my own coffee in the mornings.

My Favorite Things: Surprises In The Mail

Isn't an unexpected goody in the mail one of the best simple pleasures in the world? Tonight I came home from work to a lovely surprise on my doorstep: a refrigerated box from Wanders Artisan Chocolaterie.

Last week I met with a potential CPA to begin sorting out the craziness that comes with starting a new business. Today he sent chocolates as a 'Great to meet you, can't wait to do your taxes' gift. Needless to say he has our business.

My Favorite Things: 4 Day Old Babies

Frances Eleanor Beck born last Saturday - so beautiful and the softest hair I've ever felt.

My Favorite Things: Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges

These guys saved me this week. Most lozenges just coat the throat with a minty slick, but Slippery Elm actually reduces the inflammation of a sore throat, so when it feels better it actually is better. Sweetened with Maple Sugar instead of HFC, and a cute box, there are lots of things to love about these lozenges. (Available at Whole Foods and many other places)

Late Summer Camping

Even though school started back up for me again last week we took our last Summer vacation over the weekend. My dear friend Axon is a trooper, she was determined to not let seven months of pregnancy slow her down so she planned the whole trip and wrangled a toddler and braved the heat and cooked almost all the meals. Meals consisting of butter, bacon, steak with butter, potatoes with butter, french toast fried in butter, roasted salmon with Yummm Sauce and other such deliciousness. Gourmet camping would sum it up.

I have an absurd number of pictures of Ro, because he was in his element and just too cute. He was all boy and free spirit and couldn't get enough of the dirt, bugs and fire.

Look at that face! No matter how many times he got a cleaning he was covered in dirt minutes later.

These people were there too.

There were caterpillars constantly falling out of the trees, and Rowan loved them to death, usually literally.

This was our favorite - it reminded some of us of an Indian chief and some a Vegas showgirl.

Ro and I spent a lot of time collecting acorns.

We mostly just sat around the campsite reading in between meals, a few quick trips down to a little lake for Ro to play in the sand.

Hopefully we'll continue the tradition next year with the addition of a Parker (and any other friends who can join :)