Hello Huzzah

Sarah

Today is the 25th birthday of my oldest friend, Sarah. We met on a school bus in 7th grade; in true Forrest Gump fashion, no one would let me (the new kid) sit beside them. And then there was Sarah, who I guess is either the Jenny or the Bubba in this nifty little metaphor. It was best friendship at first sight. There have been periods in our lives when we didn't talk, months and even a couple of years at the longest point. However, we are always able to pick up like it as only been hours.


She was my companion through the truly awful  and awkward years of puberty. She was my maid of honor. She was also the first person I called during my most heartbreaking time.She is a wonderfully giving and forgiving person, beautiful in and out- generous and loving to a fault. I guess what I'm trying to say is- she is special. Like a comet that only appears every 70 years or a flower that only blooms once a year. She is like getting a letter in the mail or a 60 degree day in February. She was my first soul mate (sorry Jared).


I love you, dear girl.
Your BFF,
Janice

Old & New

My cousin's husband (and our good friend) John recently moved to the area for work- almost as soon as he arrived in the city we dragged him around to see some sights. So for the second weekend in a row, we ended up at the Air & Space Museum (although it's a wonderful museum, I've filled my quota for possibly the next two years).



Also, we took John out for a celebratory dinner and we actually tried a new restaurant- Shake Shack. Which, as A LOT of people know, has the most delicious burgers and fries EVER. For dessert, I had one of their signature 'concrete's- a blend of their homemade frozen custard and selected toppings. I chose the 'Presidential Sweet' which was incredibly delicious and included such toppings as marshmallow cream sauce and chocolate chunks. Yum.



P.S.
I just received some super cute rings from Etsy seller AdrianaSoto that I cannot wait to wear!

 
Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

Winter in the City

It is dark and dreary in the District. It takes great effort to leave our warm, dry apartment to explore the wet, slushy city- most days this doesn't happen. On Friday, we managed to make it out of our pajamas (husband had the day off) and out into the city to run a few errands and visit a museum.

We went to Anthropologie to buy a birthday prezzie for my friend, Penn Camera for film for our new, little camera and then to the National Gallery of Art for some relaxation, and to work on some projects we both have going on at the moment.


I can't wait for Spring, ya'll.
Really.
 
Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

A Few of My Favorite Things (Or- Good Stuff That's Happened)

• Jared and I were just asked to take part in an awesome project (I was very flattered and I hope it works out!)
  
  
• I got business cards like real people.
• The husband has a three day weekend- starting NOW.
• This.
• My oldest friend's birthday is this week.
• Finally going to get film for this.
• This is next weekend!
• The sound of coffee percolating in our kitchen.
• Icky's new haircut, courtesy of my dad.
  


• Acupuncture.
• Neil Gaiman's Calendar Tales
• Tax refunds.
• Bunheads. (Whatev. It's good.)
• GIANT chocolate cakes from Costco...
• Costco in general.
• I think I should list good things more often.

Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

Playing Tourists (A Love Letter to DC)

This weekend, we played hosts to my husband's parents. We also got to play tourists (which is mostly fun, expect when field trips invade the museums- there really is only so many rude 13 year-olds I can take). For their second trip to DC, we conquered the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Air and Space Museum in one day! And if that's not impressive enough- it was the Saturday of President's Day Weekend- AND there were SEVERAL field trip groups. So, I'm proud of us. (Also, it's a special treat when my in-laws visit and it was so nice to spend quality time with them.)


I adore this city. The architecture is beautiful, the independent businesses plentiful, and the movie theaters comfortable. I also love the vibrancy and the spontaneity of the people: the tourists who truly appreciate and respect the museums (especially the grown man who recited JFK's "Ask not..." speech in broken English in the American History museum yesterday) and the metro operators whose announcements range from sweet to sassy (but always entertaining/useful). It's not for everyone, this city. But it's for us. At least for now.
Also, I received a letter from my oldest friend (and pen pal), a new purse, and a tube of MAC lipstick (I'm feeling a little spoiled). Today, we are mostly eating chocolate cake and anticipating the season finale of Downton Abbey.

I hope your weekend was just as full of family and chocolate cake.
Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

I'd Travel All of Space and Time with You

Yesterday was Valentine's Day (duh); a perfect excuse to wear a crinoline and a flower in your hair, dress up your date in a bow tie and suspenders, and head to dinner at Ted's Bulletin. So that's what we did. And they were playing Some Like it Hot, which was terribly perfect. One of my all time favorites, that we somehow seem to watch every Valentine's Day.




Then we went to see Side Effects at the Courthouse Plaza 8- and not to hick out on you guys or anything- BUT THE SEATS WERE PLUSH and FULLY RECLINING. So, that was awesome. And the movie was thought-provoking. 

Earlier in the day I baked him homemade sugar cookies- double heart cookies. Doctor Who cookies. (You know...as in, you've stolen both my hearts)
The night was a winner. My date was a dream.



And  he is my everyday Valentine.


So, I'm a lucky dame.
Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

We live in walking distance...

...of the Southwest Library and a Z Burger franchise. Tonight- we took advantage of both. It has been FAR too long since our last library date. We got our library cards and I checked out Toni Morrison's Beloved for my (very) tiny book club; seriously, two members tiny. But we're looking for more!



And we got Z Burger milkshakes, because I'm simply obsessed with the pistachio flavor.


Also, have you seen the Archie's Girls collection at MAC? I used to con my mother into buying me Archie Comics every time we went to the grocery store. And my love for them has never ceased. I'm a big Veronica Lodge fan- the Betty 'girl next door' thing never did anything for me. I got the 'Prom Princess' blush- the bad, bad black mascara- and the black swan eyeliner. I also got the 'boyfriend stealer' lipstick, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive.


Hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day!
Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

Weekend Update(s)

Friday night, after our bed time, we went to the launch party of a local business, Sarah & Samantha Photobooth and Event Photography. (We met them at the DC Record Fair). I truly think our favorite part of the night was the bartender- a dapper, older gentleman with an eye-patch. I'm dying to know his story. We met some darling new friends, drank too much wine/beer, had our pictures taken, and ate the most lovely mini cupcakes. (I love small businesses - especially when they are women owned/operated! I think there will be many wonderful things in the future for Sarah & Samantha.)


(My dress is from Modcloth, boots are Hunter, coat is vintage)
 
The rest of the weekend was spent in small walks around the city and bad movie watching on our couch. (And my first chiropractor visit- I really do not think it's the answer, so I've made an appointment with a new neurologist; although, quite frankly, it feels hopeless.) But, cheers to better times and Valentine's Day on Thursday!

(I love this so much)

Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

It's been pretty quiet

...over here lately. Or quite boring, whichever way you want to look at it. We've mostly cuddled on the couch, waiting out the (hopefully) last few days of winter. This past weekend, we had an awful-movie fest (The Girl, Minnie's First Time, and Life Size). We made up/sent our our annual Valentines. And we gave each other our Valentine's presents early- I gave him a Star Wars mug set from Etsy artist Lenny Mud (best Etsy seller ever) and he gave me the prettiest little pair of red sandals (which I've already written about). We also watched the Super Bowl or attempted to; our cable cut out for the entire last quarter. (But we were very happy about the victors!)
(from the movie The Girl on HBO)

We're expecting guests in the next few weeks, mostly from my husband's family, so there will be lots of DC tourism posts in the near future. Until then, I have a myriad of acupuncture appointments (at Little Bird) and my first chiropractor appointment this Friday; I'm hoping very much for some relief. In the meantime, I will create too many collages on Polyvore and finish reading Auntie Mame. I just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and it was deeply moving and incredibly intelligent; a novel that EVERYONE should read. The husband is reading Neil Gaiman's American Gods and enjoying every page, with the occasional eyebrow raise.

We're both terribly ready for Spring and all that DC has to offer in the warm weather months.

Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared

Silver Linings

About a month ago, my neurologist recommended that I have an EMG and it was scheduled for this Thursday. The husband took off work to escort me to said torture. To keep my mind off the coming event, the husband bought me some gifts from Modcloth, and Wednesday night (when the weather felt so good that I forgot myself for a moment and started to feel optimistic) we went to Georgetown to go valentine shopping and also, for the cupcakes.



Early Thursday morning, we made the hour long journey to Bethesda. The test lasted for an hour, roughly, and is something I care to never repeat. I felt like Hermione in that one scene in the Deathly Hallows when Bellatrix is torturing her...but my sources (namely, my husband) tell me otherwise.
Afterwards, I received good news from the doctor and we decided to celebrate by spending the day doing our favorite things. We went to Politics and Prose for coffee (the best) and book browsing. We had lunch at 2Amy's, which I've already talked about too much. And then we went to go see Silver Linings Playbook at the AMC Mazza Gallerie and we adored it; the dance scene reminded me so much of our wedding reception. Also, the soundtrack is kick-ass. That night we snuggled on the couch and watched the Doctor Who Christmas special that we had been saving to savor. 


In a week that could have been (and was for some parts) scary and painful, there were some wonderful bright spots:

• warm weather (that inspired me to paint my nails a hopeful, springy color)
• mint green finger nail polish
• this video series
• this song
• planning a trip to visit my oldest friend
• presents from my husband (a new dress to wear to my EMG and a pretty pair of red Saltwater sandals for Valentine's day)
• And of course, my husband

Many Huzzahs,
Janice & Jared