Cleanse

January is the month of cleansing to me. It's when I start going through EVERYTHING and either discard it or donate in the hopes that I can downsize and live simpler each new year. Usually I have the same crackpot idea about cleaning enough stuff out of our storage room that it can be turned into a tiny art studio. I swear that room is like something out of Mary Poppins. I keep finding STUFF in there and I can't even recall how it came to be. 

This month I cleaned and re-organized our bookshelf. The poor thing was bending at the ends and quite a few of the books were ones from college. None of them were conversations starters, "Wow, you guys have History of Theater and Writing Styles? You are so cultured and educated"; no one cares. So we came away with two bags worth of books to sell to a local bookstore. Anything that doesn't get sold will be donated to the Friends of the Public Library. 

Cole, when he saw what I had started.

I managed to find three tennis racquet's in the storage c̶a̶v̶e̶ room "Oh, I didn't know you played tennis Melissa", I DON'T! So those are out along with the jump rope and exersize ball that I convinced myself I needed and then never inflated. I'm the worst.

In the end I've made two trips to Goodwill and I'll be heading to the bookstore and clothing exchange this week. I'm still not close to getting my art studio but I'm slooooooooowly getting there.

How I feel

xoxo,

Melissa

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon was recommended to me by a friend of mine who spent quite a few years living in D.C. It's a gorgeous property, and I was told that they host wine tasting events in the Spring/Summer out on the lawn. I know what I'm doing this summer!

Aladdin was brought in for the Holidays.

A discreet outhouse

George Washington's dentures! They were actually made of lead, cow and human teeth. Not wood.

 After Mount Vernon, we went to Old Town Alexandria for some dinner and drinks. It's such a cute place and I would love to check it out during the day.

One last shot.


xoxo,
Melissa

National Museum of National History

Cole and I snuck into D.C for a day while we were in Virginia. We took the train in and bounced around to the museums that didn't make it on our itinerary last time(s). I really wanted to see the National Archives Building, so we trotted over there first to see the Charters of Freedom (Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights). I was in for a treat when we discovered that their special exhibit was on handwritten letters from various dignitaries, Presidents, and even the likes of Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra! There are no photos allowed in the National Archives Building (the flash can deteriorate the paper and fabrics at a rapid rate) so you'll have to see it for yourselves! It's quite awe inspiring and I did leave feeling a little more patriotic than usual.

After a quick lunch we made a detour to the National Museum of National History. It was closing earlier than the National Portrait Gallery, so off we went to see some dinosaur bones!

I just enjoyed how many Canadian flags were around the building.

Face to Face with his greatest fear. We can't go camping because of it.

Drinks at the W hotel with Obama in the background...way background.

As you can see, there weren't a whole lot of dino bones to take pictures of (we were also running around like maniacs because it was closing in 30min). We discovered during our mad dash, that they are renovating and expanding the dinosaur exhibit, so only a few were out while the rest are in storage awaiting the big reveal in 2019. Yes, 2019. We never made it to the National Portrait Gallery, but we've added it to our list as well as Newseum for our next trip.

xoxo,

Melissa

Ringing in the New Year

Cole's family flew us out to Virginia for the celebration of the New Year. This wonderfully thoughtful and generous gift came at the perfect time. We were both pretty bummed out that we would be missing my best bud's wedding because of the location and ticket prices, so instead of making raw cookie dough for one* and watching reruns of Murder, She Wrote*, we had an adventure!

*Note: Both of those things are delightful and I would gladly do them any day of the week, but in this case I would have been sad, and it's hard to appreciate how tremendous Jessica Fletcher is with tears in your eyes.

Stockings still hung by the fire with care.

We stopped for cocktails before our dinner party, and it was so festive!

Right before I ate 5lbs of lobster and put everyone to shame.

Happy New Year!
xoxo,
Melissa

Christmas Time in the City

I think enough time has passed, where I can post Christmas photos without any of you rolling your eyes. I am one of those people who busts out the decorations the day after Thanksgiving, so having to sit on this post was a challenge. As my loving boyfriend Cole says, "There's no break with you, it's Halloweenthanksgivingchristmas". I think it's from my time working in retail. He loves it.

Growing up in the suburbs of Massachusetts, there were always plenty of Christmas lights and decorations to Oooh and Ahhh at. Living in the city has it's restrictions, with many building managers prohibiting any sort of decoration (even flags that pledge allegiance to the Giants!), so when you do see Christmas lights on houses or apartment balconies, it's quite a treat. Here are a few from my walks around the neighborhood.

Union Square Christmas Tree always makes me giddy

Macy's always puts on a great display. But they kinda have to, being the department store most associated with Christmas.

You don't see these lights often! They're the big bulb ones that my Grandparents always used.

It's hard to tell, but these were blue and white lights. Representing our Jewish brethren!

There is a snowflake on every post on Downtown Market Street. It's quite lovely and the only kind of snow SF will see.

Far away shot of Bloomingdale's

Thanks for reading!

Melissa

Vanya Without Borders

For the past few weeks, I've been rehearsing a show to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. It's a 75-minute adaptation of Uncle Vanya. It's been pretty humbling to be apart of a production where everyone involved is donating their time, talent, and resourses to make it happen.

If you're in the Bay Area, check it out!

Where: Harry’s Upstage at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley

When: Dec. 12th and 13th at 7:30

How Much: $50 per ticket suggested donation- 100% of all proceeds go directly to Doctors Without Borders and all donations are 100% tax deductible. Again, this is a suggested donation.

Since this rehearsal when the photos were taken, things have changed a bit! I'll post some updated photos in a few days.

Thanks for reading!

Melissa

Friendsgiving

Yes, Friendsgiving. This relatively new (at least to me) holiday has become a great wind down after the stresses of gathering with family and traveling. Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy being with my family; but there's a different sense of relaxation when you're with your friends. For the second year in a row, Katherine and Anthony hosted it. Everyone was expected to bring a dish as well as BYOB. It worked out fabulously and after we were all stuffed with another full meal and wine, we switched gears and busted out the Christmas carols and watched Scrooged.

I respect people who keep a tidy kitchen whilst cooking.

Turkey (and buds) forever!

If any of you celebrated Friendsgiving this year, then I hope it was a blast!

Thanks for reading!

Melissa