washington dc – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Fashion May 26, 2014

Happy Memorial Day (Sales!)

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

I love this holiday for multiple reasons:

It’s important that we stop and remember those who died fighting for our country’s freedom
It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and family
I appreciate all breaks from work right now – 9 days until the due date!
Last, and certainly not as important: Sales, sales, sales. The retail world unleashes some pretty significant holiday weekend sales, and I’ve listed some of my favorite stores’ discounts below! Happy shopping!

Shop BCBG for 30% off and free shipping

Shop Joie for an extra 20% off sale items with code MDW20

Shop Lulu and Georgia for 25% off with code MEMORIALDAY25

Shop Nordstrom for up to 40% off apparel, shoes and more

Shop Piperlime for an extra 25% off sale

Shop DVF for an extra 30% off sale items with code SUMMER30

Shop Equipment for an extra 20% off sale items with code MDW20

Shop Gap for an extra 40% off with code EVENT

Shop Saks for up to 55% off select women’s apparel

Shop Serena and Lily for 20% off everything with code SUMMER20

Shop J.Crew for 30% off

Décor March 3, 2014

Katie Del Castillo’s Gorgeous DC Home

Almost three years ago, I got a phone call that everyone dreads from one of my best friends, Kirby. She told me that one of our close high school friends, Dimitri, had been killed in Afghanistan. I was working on a project in Oklahoma City at the time, and I went into an empty meeting room and cried – not for my loss, as I hadn’t seen him in almost two years, but for his family, close friends, and his beautiful new wife – Katie. I had never met her, but had heard wonderful things from one of my friends who had. Dimitri was always the life of the party – he was funny, charismatic, athletic, and smart. We were in the same group of friends, and somehow all the girls were convinced to go to the Del Castillo’s house on the weekends to watch the guys play video games (wild high school years, right?). I have so many good memories of those days!

Anyways, I was so excited to see Katie Del Castillo’s gorgeous Washington, DC apartment featured on The Everygirl. Her taste is impeccable. I seriously adore every single element of her apartment – the ikat couch (reupholstered!), the decorated bar tray, the collage wall, the pink winged chairs? Love it all. Read the article for links to all of these amazing accessories and furniture pieces. Also, read her blog – Life with a Dash of Whimsy – for more indulgence!

PS I’d totally pick lunch with Kate Middleton too. I want to meet her so badly.

City Guide February 28, 2014

Washington, DC Travel Guide

I was in Washington, DC last weekend for a calligraphy workshop with Meant to Be Calligraphy. Mum came with me on the trip (she’s an amazing calligrapher!), and although we were only in DC for a day and a half, we put on our tourist hats and went all around the city. It was my fourth trip to our nation’s capital – I love it there (pictures of our trip two years ago here). We didn’t get to go to all of my favorite spots, mainly due to time constrictions, but I’ve compiled a “Best of the Best” city guide (according to me). Do you have any suggestions for my next trip to DC? I’m off to San Francisco today! Cannot wait.

Best Restaurants

Rasika (Penn Quarter) – Hands down, the best Indian food of my life – you have to go, and you need to try the crispy spinach appetizer dish

Founding Farmers (Dupont Circle) – My favorite restaurant in DC due to their extensive vegetarian menu (both veggie burgers are amazing), innovative daily popcorn flavors, and ambience

Neyla (Georgetown) – Skip the entrees and order a ton of mezze and you won’t regret it (I’ve tried 6 or 7, and they’re all fantastic)

Austin Grill (Chinatown) – It’s rare for a Texan to want Tex-Mex outside of Texas, but Austin Grill is worth it! Try the Bevo Salad

Zengo’s (Chinatown) – The grilled edamame – enough said – but really, every thing you order is also delicious

SweetGreen (Capitol Hill) – My favorite salad bar style restaurant in the world – add falafel or tofu (or a million other options) as protein to your salad!

Ted’s Bulletin (Capitol Hill) – I’m not a huge breakfast person, but this place is good (tasty granola and 10 Grain Hot Cereal) and always busy

Busboys and Poets (Various) – Books, music, and great good (the trifecta) with a solid vegan and vegetarian menu – go for breakfast, lunch or dinner

Must-Do Activities

Walk around the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (free)

Spend at least 2 hours at the Newseum ($22)

Take your picture in front of the White House (free)

Go to the Jefferson Memorial at night when it’s lit up (free)

Take a tour of Ford’s Theater and see the room in which he died

Visit the Old Post Office Pavilion (before it becomes a hotel!)

Tour the Capitol – or at least take your picture outside (great view from the top of the Newseum)

Shop in Georgetown (try a vegan Georgetown Cupcake!)

Have a drink at the rooftop bar at the W Hotel

Sip a cocktail amongst the ritsy at the Willard Hotel’s Round Robin Bar

Walk through the bustling Chinatown (and eat – see list above!)

Visit the WWII Memorial (and snap a picture in front of your state)

Take the metro and walk around the Pentagon (or take a tour inside!)

Go to the Arlington Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Walk down the Reflecting Pool to see the Lincoln Memorial

Absorb the chaos of Union Station

Visit the National Postal Museum (and make a stamp with your face on it!)

Being touristy in front of the White House

Sunset at the Capitol Building

I still prefer Texas’ Capitol building (can I say that?)

Get there early! The line at Ford’s Theater can stretch on and on and on

In front of the actual theater where Lincoln was shot

We LOVE snail mail

Can you imagine my pure joy? An Anchorman exhibit at the Newseum? Biggest fan ever

Other city tours here:

Paris, Durango (Colorado), Austin, Houston, Bali

Invitations February 25, 2014

Meant To Be Calligraphy Workshop

On Saturday, my mom and I went to Michele Hatty Fritz of Meant To Be Calligraphy’s Introduction to Contemporary Calligraphy workshop in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC. The course was held in the Karson Butler Events studio, which was decorated to the nines. I love it (see tons of photographic evidence below). The class was absolutely amazing. I learned so much – as did my mom. I want to go back and do it all over again – and recommend that you sign up, if you live nearby (or hey, if you want to travel to DC for a fun trip). Michele takes you step-by-step through the basics, then you get to spend the last 45 minutes practicing. I struggled at work today, as all I wanted to do was go home and pick up my pointed pen and write.

Want to see more of Michele’s work? Look at her wedding work (including ours!) and media features. Talk about learning from the best!

Michele’s incredible script above

Cute little favors from Michele and the adorable ladies of Karson Butler Events!

Baby February 24, 2014

Miss Ellery Grey

I was in Washington, DC this weekend with my Mum for a calligraphy workshop (post to come this week – see sample at the bottom of this post!), and as soon as I touched down in Houston, Sasha and I made plans to meet one of our best friend’s little baby girl, Ellery Grey. She was born on February 19 – the day after my birthday! Ellery is so cute, and I cannot wait for her and Isla to be best friends. Yesterday was my 100-days-left marker, so I’m in the double digits now. I hope the next 99 days fly by.

Isn’t Ellery adorable? I plan on taking a million pictures of her, just like I have with little Pierson.

I love this one – sleeping peacefully in her daddy’s arms!

This is what Matt and Sasha’s future looks like – and also a glimpse at their gorgeously decorated Restoration Hardware house

I landed from the airport and went straight to meet Ellery – stopping briefly to practice my new calligraphy skills for her gift label! We got her the monogrammed stroller blanket from Baby and Child – it’s so soft!

I need to practice more calligraphy, but loving it so far.