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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!)

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Being touristy in front of the White House

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Sunset at the Capitol Building

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

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

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In front of the actual theater where Lincoln was shot

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We LOVE snail mail

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

Other city tours here:

 ParisDurango (Colorado)AustinHouston, Bali

Simple, Clean Birth Announcement

Simple, clean black and white letterpress birth announcements? Swoon. And that name? Totally besides the point, but Jackson Dixon is so southern and absolutely precious (as is his cute little face!). I saw these announcements on Oh So Beautiful Paper by Lauren Chism and love them. The black-and-white makes them very classic – almost newspaper-esque (like these). What do you think? Too simple? Or simply perfect?

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Featured: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Design: Lauren Chism

Printing: Czar Press

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!
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Michele’s incredible script above

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

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.DSC_0358

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

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

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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.

Gold Foil Letterpress Glory

Love, times a million. Look at these gorgeous gold, white and corral letterpress invitations created by Alisa Bobzien featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper! I am seriously in love. The Carolyna font looks so good in gold, and the honeycomb pattern is so unique. The monochromatic map is the perfect finishing touch to this set!

What do you think about these beauties?Coral-Gold-Foil-Glam-Wedding-Invitations-Alisa-Bobzien4

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Graphic Design: Alisa Bobzien

Event Design + Planning: Viva La Diva Events