We have AMAZING friends.

As many of you know, last weekend we took a quick trip home to look at a couple venues for the BIG day!  More on that, this week.  While we were home, we got together with some of our most wonderful friends.  

We are constantly amazed by how thoughtful, creative, and genuine our friends are.  Seriously, it's something we talk about on a weekly basis...at least.  Take a look at photos from the engagement celebration Joanne & Ben put together for us! 

Banner hanging in the hallway outside of their apartment door!

Another creative sign set up next to the AMAZING cake pops Joanne made!  Speaking of...

Seriously

freaking

aaaaaaamazing.

Personalized votive candle holders - Joanne printed out photos of us onto transparency paper and then wrapped them around the holders.  Just say it with us - AAAAAMAZING.

Hanging in the living room were these handmade "streamerations" (streamer/decorations. ha!) - over 300 circles were cut out to make these AMAZING decorations. 

Freaking fantastic flower arrangements. 

Tulips and mason jars make the world a better place.

Love, love, love all the little details.

Thank you to Ben & Joanne for always opening up your home and making us feel so loved.  Also, a big thanks to Brit, Dan, Mike, Engel and Erin for celebrating with us - we love you all!

Happy Little Surprises

Check out what we discovered while attempting to open the sprouts we bought at Wegmans!  A little slice of heaven, er...home.

All Hail the...

King and Queen?

In honor of President's Day, I sent my kids home with the task of writing down what they would do if they became president of the United States.  Here are a few that will make you smile...or, perhaps wish that adults looked at the world through the same fresh eyes.  

If I were president...

• I would give speeches to everyone!  So everybody could know the law about respecting each other, and being nice. 
• I would make good choices for the world.  I will help wars.  I will end slavery.   I will make equal rights.
• I would make people be kind to nature and be kind to all creatures.  I would also work with all the other countries presidents to make the world a much better place.
• I would make Monday's and Friday's days off.  I would live in the white house with my family.
• I would help protect the world and save the world.  I also would help people cross the street.
• I will help people given them food and water.  I will help them finding jobs.  I will give them free medicine and medical insurance.  I will give games and toys to the children and free movies with popcorn.
• I would help poor people.  People should live peacefully. 

Zebra Donkey

Did we tell you?!  We saw a striped donkey on the way home last Friday!  Well, assuming Zebras aren't roaming free in Northern Virginia.  Then again, we are talking about Northern Virginia (those of you who have visited, know what we mean).  Anyway, we drank to the striped donkey tonight!

Trader Joe's always comes through!

Wes used our new automatic wine opener (thanks Ashley & Ian!).

Which would you be?  

Saturday was F.U.N., so we thought we'd blog about it...

After Bikram and Brunch, our day went a little like this...

We found the Froggy Bottom Pub!  This is where the Limoli family hid out before the surprise engagement.  Unfortunately, we arrived a bit too early - bar closed.  :(

The Whole Foods Cookie Bar was a satisfying compromise!

Take a look at the high-tech checkout line device at Whole Foods.  As we waited patiently in lane C, our anxiety grew - would we be ready?  What if we hesitated, would they ban us from Whole Foods forever?  Registers 1-9 Straight Ahead, 10-18 to the Right...this was way too much responsibility for a Saturday afternoon.  Rest assured, we made it through successfully and enjoyed our cookies as a reward! 

Next up was a beer at Circa while we waited for Rylyn to get out of her 1st show.  They serve Speakeasy Prohibition, a delicious ale!  

We walked really fast over to Georgetown (it was extremely windy that day!).  "We" being, Jaime, Rylyn and headless Wes.  Don't worry, we stopped and picked him up a winter hat once we got to Georgetown.

That evening, we decided to visit Lyon Hall, the place where we went to dinner with our families, after our engagement, to reminisce and celebrate once again.  It was just as good the 2nd time around.  Rylyn surprised us and had a bottle of champagne awaiting us at the table.  So thoughtful. 


annnnnnnnd....they had Jaime's FAVORITE cerveza!  

Who's your Valentine?

Apparently, Wes is already taken. ;)

And then there were 2.

Today was a sad day - Apt. 421 lost a tenant.  :(  

We dropped Rylyn off at the airport earlier today, after her fantastic month long stay with us.  It was such an enjoyable month together, so we're super sad to see her go, but feel grateful for the time we had.  

We love you Ry!  

It's a Bikram and Brunch Kind of Morning.

Yum Yum Yum Yum!

Happy Saturday everyone!  After our favorite 8am Bikram class with Jose, we stopped by the Liberty Tavern for a delicious brunch!

Happy Friday!

Photo taken in DC, before the holidays :)

What state of mind are you in for this weekend?  Us?  A New York State of Mind, of course.  We're excited to come home next weekend to view a few possible venues and spend time with family and friends!  

Perfectly Poured Vanilla Latte? Yes Please!

Although we're many miles away from home, there just so happens to be a coffee shop not too far from our apartment that is so, so similar to Starry Nites. Same artsy vibe, great coffee with a surprisingly delicious food menu, indoor and outdoor seating, live music AND the place is located on a peninsula type corner! Check out the lattes Wes and I enjoyed last Saturday while we posted about the engagement...mmmmmm

A room without books is like a body without a soul.

DC has a HUGE public/flea market called the Eastern Market.  It's pretty freakin awesome.  Anyway, we took Rylyn there a couple of Sunday's ago and stopped in one of the markets most interesting vendors.  Check out the pics from Capitol Hill Books, a two floor, used book store that is literally packed wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor, with books!  The pictures don't even do this place justice.  It's incredible, and not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia, or fear of disorganization.    

"CAUTION: Lights hang low, are head-smackable."  

Wait, we're confused...

...do you really have a scary dog, or are you just trying to creatively express your religious agenda?

You can find this weird sign posted in a window, at the bottom of the stairs that lead up to our yoga studio.

Are You Ready for Some FOOTBALL?!

HAPPY SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!

It's not Carbones, but it will have to do.

Simple, yet Genius.

Meant to blog about this after the holidays.  We both found this idea to be genius.  How many times have you received a scratch-off as a gift, and then taken the next 5-10 minutes to look for a coin, key, or sharp object?  Of course, this question applies to those who prefer not to get that yucky silver film under their nails.  Well, Jaime's cousin, Diana and her husband Chris, solved this problem for us - just attach the coins to the card...DUH!  Love those thoughtful little details.

Gettin' sweaty with it.

With all the engagement excitement, we haven't had a chance to blog about Rylyn's visit!  The photo below was taken the night that she arrived (January 16th).  We went out to one of our favorite local restaurants:  Pete's New Haven Style Pizza.  They have, THE BEST, Arugula pizza....Rylyn agreed.  

CHEESE!

So, you're probably wondering why the post title?  Welllllll, Rylyn successfully persuaded Jaime to attempt Bikram yoga again (after a not so pleasant experience at the studio in Pittsford), and BONUS, Wes decided to give it a whirl, too!  We joined Bikram Yoga Arlington.  Here's a peek inside our experience...

This is the door that we enter.  It's not as scary on the inside.  Well, that's debatable. 

Inside.  See?  Much more pleasant.

Where it all goes down.

and now for what we look like after class...

Wes

Jaime