Big news

Last week, I wrote that I was getting close to making a major decision. I have been practically bursting at the seams keeping this whole thing a secret. So, what's the good news? Jason and I bought a condo this past weekend! We had been talking about buying a place together for awhile now, and we had recently found a neighborhood in Annapolis, MD that we absolutely fell in love with. We went house-hunting a week ago, and found a beautiful 2-bedroom condo and decided to make an offer on Saturday. Within four hours of our offer, we had reached an agreement with the seller and we had a new home! We will be moving sometime in July.

So, yes, I will be trading in the hustle and bustle of DC for the laid back, small town charms of Annapolis. (I'm already imagining balmy summer evenings strolling along the Annapolis City Dock, or exploring the lush gardens and greenery on the campuses of St. John's College and the Naval Academy.) We will be commuting to our jobs in the city (I was able to get on a different work schedule to avoid rush hour traffic), so I'll get my daily dose the lovely Dupont Circle neighborhood, and will still have access to all the things I love about DC.

On Saturday afternoon, we scoped out our new neighborhood a bit more. I cannot believe how amazing our location is! We'll be within minutes of a fabulous new Whole Foods and a Trader Joe's, an Amish market (think incredible baked goods, handmade pasta, and fresh meat, cheese and produce, all from local sources) a yoga studio (sounds promising from the reviews), a FRESHFARM farmers market, Anthropologie, Lululemon, Target, the Rams Head (a great live music venue), the highly acclaimed Joss sushi bar, a fab cupcake shop, Mixed Greens (an eco-boutique with oodles of locally and sustainably made housewares, clothing, etc.) a sweet little wine bar, biking and running trails, not to mention the beautiful Chesapeake Bay (and everything that comes along with living near the water - boating, crabbing, jet-skiing, etc.).

Needless to say, we are insanely excited. I was going to post pictures of the condo itself, but the listing has been taken down because it's not on the market anymore. I will post pictures as soon as I can however. I have the feeling I will be asking for design tips and opinions because I know you guys have excellent taste!

Collage by me, comprised of photos by Flickr user Toshio, Destination 360, SoMdThisisLiving, Flickr user Iso100, and Flickr user RamisLevy.

This weekend

Why not...

Create an inspiring artspace for yourself; make a soy chai smoothie; try some restorative yin yoga poses; pet a puppy; learn to salsa dance; wear pigtails; spend Saturday in your comfiest slippers with a good book; get lost at an art museum; compliment a stranger; clean out your refrigerator; have your palm read (or read it yourself); organize your tea collection by color; go to the zoo and ogle the cute baby animals; add a new blog to your Google Reader (check out Lauren or Melita); make guacomole from scratch; grab a bottle of vino, some good cheese, and a baguette for an impromptu picnic; buy a basil plant from your local farmer's market and start an herb garden in your backyard or windowsill; check out some live jazz; go for a walk and take pictures of whatever catches your eye; laugh till your belly aches; paint your toenails bright red; stock up on refreshing, organic sparkling water; throw a lavender sachet in with your laundry...

Tell me, tell me, what are your fabulous plans for the weekend?

Image via WestElm.

Ten good things

Daydreaming about dining alfresco and sipping Cava at a cafe in Barcelona, wearing a little black dress and these fabulous shoes (pictured above).

Salads from Sweetgreen for lunch. I make my own with baby arugula, avocado, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, garlic pita chips, grilled shrimp, and champagne viniagrette...sooooo good.

Storypeople by Brian Andreas. I dare you not to smile.

Releasing your inner French girl. Très chic.

Curtis Sittenfeld's latest. (Engrossing and slightly scandalous...perfect summer/beach reading.)

Ina Garten's (aka Barefoot Contessa's) new house. Isn't it so pretty? I'm having total kitchen lust.

Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel facial toner. This stuff rocks. It's really gentle, but leaves your skin feeling super clean and fresh. Perfect if you have sensitive skin.

Taschen's New Paris Interiors. I love curling up in my armchair with a cup of tea and one of Taschen's gorgeous design books.

Chuck trash cans. Don't you love those designs?

"The Call" by Regina Spektor from the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack. Can't wait for her new album!

So, tell me everyone. What are you digging right now?

Image via Anthropologie.

She flies through the air with the greatest of ease...

Oh, this is just so cool! I've just learned via the Washington Post that DC is getting its very own Trapeze School! Who hasn't dreamed about flying freely through the air high above the crowd? Apparently, they have already had lots of requests for corporate team-building exercises, but I think it would also make for a fun and adventurous date, bachelor/bachelorette party, or even a daring solo artist's date. I can't wait to try it out! How about you? You can check out the class descriptions and schedule here.

Art by Timmy Kramp.

Good read

I'll admit it. I picked up this book because I fell in love with the image of the girl in the red dress dancing down the middle of the street. I totally judged it by its cover, but I'm so glad I did! Nina Wise is a performance artist and teacher, who has spent her career helping people reach their creative potential. Her workshops encourage people to use movement, storytelling, vocalization, and other forms of expression to discover and claim their own creative capabilities, with an emphasis on spontaneous expression. Now, she has compiled all of these tools, tips, and exercises into this book. The nice thing is that most of the exercises take ten minutes max, and can be performed almost anywhere. I particularly like the chapter "To Render Visible - Giving Birth to Images." As any artist knows (visual or otherwise), it can be exceedingly difficult to bring the images in our head into the world. Nina provides ways of "getting out of our own way" and allowing our creativity to flow more freely. For anyone that feels trapped in a routine, caught in a slump, or just plain uninspired, Nina's wise voice and powerful vision will invigorate and refresh your approach to your art and your life. Available here.

Image via Amazon.

Good things about today

• Perfect springtime weather - warm with a light, refreshing breeze.
• Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries for breakfast
• Artist's date after work - browsing at Kramerbooks and solo sushi dinner at Raku, people-watching and reading my new book.
  
• Taking the scenic route on my walk home, admiring all the pretty flowers and cute dogs along the way
• Absolutely amazing yoga class, which melted away the soreness and tension in my back
• Catching up on my favorite blogs with a mug of Yogi Kava tea.
• Getting closer to making an exciting decision. I can't say anything yet, but I hope that I'll be able to soon. :-)

Today's to do: Go to lululemon's website, download their manifesto (below), and set it as your computer's background.

Image via lululemon.

Gennine's Art Blog

I am really excited about this new blog I stumbled across (new to me, anyway): Geninne's Art Blog. Geninne is a freelance illustrator/designer, who blogs about her creations and shares neat little visual vignettes from her everyday life.

One of Geninne's illustrations. Pretty, huh?


And this is her studio, which I am kind of obsessed with.

Check out Geninne's Etsy shop for more bee-yoo-ti-ful stuff!

Images via Geninne's Art Blog.