election night in washington, dc

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I have long joked that Capitol Hill (or as I often call it, D.C.H.S)  is like a big high school. The hierarchy of staff parallel class ranks. There are rivalries. And oh, the gossip you'll hear in the cafeterias! That makes election night not unlike, say, homecoming as every one awaits the big announcement revealing who takes the crown. On election night in Washington there are celebrations all over the city - big, small, partisan and just party!

The party I went to last night (which you can read about over at Fedscoop!) was held in my favorite museum. I loved looking out the windows to see the Capitol and the monuments while watching election results.  D.C.H.S Pride, indeed!

pledging beta chi {charlotte bloggers}

Y'all know that my blog BFF is Dee from Dee's Adventures.   Last month I flew down to Charlotte to celebrate her as she awaits her first baby. I went to her baby shower (which had adorable, steal-worthy details - read about it here!) and got to meet some of her oldest friends - it was a great time!

I also got to meet a ton of  Dee's Charlotte blogger friends.

The Charlotte area seems to have a really great group of bloggers who meet up often and support each other  in the real world as well as the world wide web'ed one. I have joked in comments before that they should call them selves Beta Chi for Bloggers Charlotte. 

The Beta Chi blog class above features Classic Annie, Looks Like Lulu, Reporter Turned Mommy (like me, though, Kathleen is just a pledge - hee), Dee, A. Liz Adventures and Mr and Mrs. 

It was so fun to meet in person some of the bloggers I read often, and to meet new bloggers whom I've started following!

party politics

One of the first things that surprised me when I moved to Washington was how seriously people took televised political events.  After a while, I too was quick to add State of the Union addresses, convention speeches, and of course, political debates as a reason to have a party! Today over at Fedscoop (and in advance of this week's Veep debates!) I'm offering a two-party system for making a fun night out of watching the debates! You don't have to live inside the Beltway to get in on party politics...read more about it here!

be a Southern Living host with your own paper napkin interview

Southern Living magazine has a cute monthly feature called the Paper Napkin Interview where celebrities answer fun questions about their lives and their work. It always ends with something clever the featured guest has scribbled on a napkin.

As you know, I'm a nerd for a party napkin and prying fun facts from dinner companions.  I found these napkins recently in an Annapolis gift shop (and also on Amazon if you're interested) that I think would make the perfect addition to any kind of party!  

Each of the styles could double as place cards. Also, set out some blank ones with pens for guests to fill in any Call Me, Maybe information they may want to exchange.

I bought the ones on the right, the empty frames. I plan to scribble in questions and place throughout the next party I host. Conversation starters are always fun, but especially handy if you have a mixed guest list. 

What's the last thing you scribbled on a napkin?

Southern Nights in DC

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I grew up in Tennessee listening to country music and have remained a huge fan, especially of classic artists and songs. In fact, the older I get  the more classic I become, it's the old school stuff I love most. 

So, when I had the chance Wednesday to make a night in Washington a Southern Night by attending a special performance by Glen Campbell at the Library of Congress, I RSVPed yes in an instant. Then, I asked our new hire, a cute girl with college graduation just days behind her, if she knew who Glen Campbell is; she didn't. I felt old.  Patrick and Jocelyn do, however....

...and so they came, too!  Before the concert there was a reception, also at the Library. I had no idea there was this pretty garden nestled outside the Jefferson building....

That's where we spent most of our times stalking the catering staff for mini-bites of beef, lobster, shrimp and chicken salad... 

and also trying to casually find ourselves next to Jane Seymour, who was also there (obviously, with an open heart). She MC'ed the concert....

This night was hosted by the Alzheimer's Association....

You can find an open bar and free food around Capitol Hill on any night of the week, but it isn't always special, and this event was truly well done. 

Glen Campbell, who has been very public about his battle with Alzheimer's Disease, is on his final tour this year, playing hits old and new. I had tried to buy tickets for his concerts at The Birchmere, a cool dinner theater outside Washington, but all three shows were sold out! Last night's performance was so special, and I was just thrilled to get to see it. 

A Party: Life is Sweeter at 30

My friend Shannon turned 30 this month...

Paperless Post Invite

Jenni, Josh, and I couldn't let that milestone be marked without celebration!

Always humble, Shannon asked us to keep the party low key. So, we tried, by mostly just serving desserts...

and cocktails...

But 30 is a big deal (and we're not exactly a low-key people) so....

we had to light up the night just a little!

 Since we were going for a snowy, wintery look....

the 23,424,234 (or more like 50!) votives we used helped make things feel cozy, if not "low key"...

...as did the "snow" (it was just sugar) we sprinkled on the antique window panes used for serving up the sweets!

Just as I believe you can never have too much candlelight, you can also never have napkins that are too personalized - hee!

My favorite napkin vendor on ebay is Party Favors Plus.

These days, you can't have a party without some sort of Pinspiration. From Pinterest, I got the idea to hang balloons upside down...

It was perfect for framing the main food table, plus it was easy and very inexpensive (just toss in a marble before your hot air - no helium, obviously)! It's also a different way to use balloons without your affair looking like a child's birthday party, or a middle school dance.  I also saw this photo and knew I wanted to make pretty drink flags....

I used the same font from Paperless Post featured on all the party's papers, printed a page full of "Happy 30th Shannon!" lines on regular paper and just cut the "flags" down to size. Josh used a glue gun and attached the papers to drink stirs - so cheap to do and very easy!

We stacked the cupcakes on a cake plateau, which sat atop shiny fabric that covered a strand of white lights. With the main lights dimmed, it looked so pretty, as inpsired by this.  And finally, the sticks....

Or, as Dan - who oversaw the gathering, spray-painting, hauling from suburbs to city, and constructing - calls them, the *#!$ sticks! Though they didn't turn out quite like I'd Pinmagined, I couldn't not feauture them after all the curses, sweat and tears offered up by my wingman (we've been watching Top Gun at our house). This guy, however...

 

...he doesn't even need to mine from Pinterest. Josh made this pretty flowered "S" to hang above the fireplace all by himself!

Before guests left the party, everyone signed an empty recipe binder for Shannon, who loves to bake, with their ingredients for having a sweet, 30-something life...

It looks like the Birthday Girl is well on her way!

Happy 30th, Shannon!

A Fu Ball Watch Party

This time last week I was fielding calls from concerned family and friends who were checking in on Dan's emotional state after the Raven's heartbreaking loss in the final seconds of the AFC Championship game against Tom Brady's team. It's taken a week for hearts (mainly his, though I had started to search for good restaurants in Indianapolis, just in case...) to heal in our house. Enough time has passed now that we can recall, despite the loss, what a fun time we had watching the big game!

Our friends Kim + Dave have a perfect space for hosting watch parties in their  basement Tavern. The guest list is made mostly of their extended family who live nearby. Since BFFs Dan + Dave go to all the home games together, we're often honorary guests for watching games - a status we appreciate! Even though this game sent everyone home pretty devasted, the party rated up there as one of the most fun!

The day took on a Fu Manchu theme, seeing as how Raven's QB Joe Flacco had been sporting such a mustache throughout play-offs. 

So, too, did lots of these loyal fans...

including Kim and her mom, Mary Carole, who are rarely out-accessorized!

Growing up in Tenneseee, NFL football was never on my radar; we just cheered for the Vols. No one really paid attention at all 'til Peyton was drafted.  That is not the case in Maryland. For two week during play-offs everything was purple. It was so fun. Now, sadly, anticipating a Super Bowl without the Ravens, faces are clean shaven and hearts are mostly....blue. 

A Party Sketch...

Before I assmeble a tablescape for a party, I usually draft up something like this:

Last weekend, I co-hosted a 30th birthday party (details coming soon!) for my friend, Shannon, and had the above set-up in mind. The main table, however, ended up looking absolutely nothing like my vision.

This sketch proves two things:
1.  You can over-plan a party.
2. I have no room to judge people who make spreadsheets.

Christmas on Capitol Hill - A Party, A Recipe

So, it’s not Manhattan, but I do really love Christmas in Washington….

Capitol Hill specifically (cue every Washingtonian's favorite holiday song!).

Sometimes during December I’ll take the long way back home to the 'burbs, driving through neighborhoods on the Hill, peaking in windows to see pretty trees lighted and natty people mingling at parties. The scenes often feel, no kidding, straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Last weekend my friend Kerri hosted such a fete at her really beautiful home on the Hill….and while perfectly festive, magazine worthy I’d even dare say….

the tone was probably more Bravo! than Hallmark Channel. Think Real Housewives, only without the drunken brawls and Botox.

The food was just amazing, and displayed so nicely. Leave it to a Southern host to class up even Chick-Fil-A….

Though it isn’t fancy-schmancy, Kerri always serves up this pizza dip at her parties (as seen below) that is just rediculous (in the total opposite way of RH Atlanta, to be clear, though if you opted to sub sausage for pepperoni, you probably could). Seriously, it’s sooooooo good.

Seriously, I watch too much trash television.

If you’re still putting together menus for any holiday hosting you might be doing between now and New Years, you’re in luck because she gave me the dip recipe!

If you have a large crowd, you'll need to make two - there is NEVER any left!

Just three days til Christmas....are y'all ready? I have a to-do list longer than Santa's scroll, but I've really loved every minute of this December, and I'm very excited about the main event!

A Merry Little Christmas Now

I'm having such a Merry Little Christmas season. Last weekend brought more cards in the mail, more gifts wrapped under the tree, more movie watching and pomengranate flavored drinks*.

Mostly, though, I got to let my heart be light with faithful friends who are dear to us.  

EstroActually was relaxing and indulgent as always. I fell asleep here after dinner, and didn't even make it through Love Actually. It was a lovely winter's nap.

Shannon brought us all these ornaments to commemorate the the Royal Weddding Watch Party we all did together. I love it so much!

Also this weekend, Dan + I got to celebrate some parents-to-be where there were more bottles {of champagne and vodka} than I've ever seen at a baby shower.

Though it was a co-ed baby brunch, the entire time we were divided men and women....how 7th grade dance of us, no? It only made sense that we pose for pictures that way, too.

Next weekend, if the faits allow, promises more of the same merriment.  I hope the same for you, that you have yourself a merry little Christmas now.


*For a great Christmas cocktail, split this punch with champagne, and add a dash of cinnamon and pomegranate seeds!