Photography – Page 12 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

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

Announcement February 26, 2014

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?

Featured: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Design: Lauren Chism

Printing: Czar Press

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.

Baby February 18, 2014

The Golden Nursery Progress

Isla’s room is making progress, but there is still a ton of work to be done! I feel like this is a never-ending project, but I only have 15 more weeks left. We’ve bought or ordered most of the furniture, but are still waiting on the glider and ottoman, curtains, two lamps (here and here), baby mobile, and a ton of prints/frames for our bare walls. I need to pick a wall color (or wall paper!), create a gallery wall, and fill these massive bookshelves with books and baby stuff. The baby registry is almost complete though, thanks to help from Annie Dean’s list and other new mom friends of mine. I have to remind myself not to keep buying things or there won’t be anything left for my upcoming showers!

I’m sharing a few pictures of the nursery (in progress!). The ENTIRE room was once covered with pictures of the items taped to the floors and walls – as more and more items come in, more and more paper comes down! I cannot wait until June 4.