Georgetown's French market in spring

Georgetown's annual French market was Friday and Saturday, and what a market it was. It seemed like nearly every shop along Wisconsin Ave. participated in the event. Vendors ranged from second-hand vintage clothing boutiques to shops with antique ceramics imported from Italy. Though the weather was cool and cloudy, not as nice as last year's, the market still managed to attract large crowds of Francophiles from across the District and region.

Of particular note was the $6 wine tasting at Bacchus Wine Cellar. Nestled among the shops along Wisconsin, but tucked just a smidge below street level, Bacchus is a true gem in the world of wines and spirits. With knowledgeable staff and an array of reasonably priced bottles, this shop is a must-visit for all winos in the twenty- to thirty-something crowd. 

Another stand-out were the pastries from PAUL, a French family bakery and patisserie established in 1889. Their mouth-watering sweets and a quick espresso were the perfect compliment to the cloudy day. 

Have you been to the French market? What did you enjoy most?

The kindness of a compliment

A compliment can make your day.
Make all the bad things fade away.

A simple nice thing that once said
breeds optimism and joy in one's head.

"I like your shoes."
"I like your hat."

Such easy words that mean so much.
Words of kindness that we should clutch.

So leave a note, or send a smile
Help kindness conquer for a while.

In this busy world that we all share
take the time to show you care.

A visit to the National Arboretum

My boyfriend and I had a wonderful weekend walking through the gardens at the National Arboretum on Saturday. Spring was apparent in every nook and cranny of the grounds, with beautiful blooms like the one above just becking to be photographed.

What's most astounding about the gardens though is that it's such a natural oasis in the middle of a concrete-clogged city. Step just outside the edges of the park and you're onto a busy highway with pollution and road noise. A few steps the opposite direction and you're encompassed in and awash with the beauty of our natural habitat. What an enchanting place.

This was my first time to visit the Arboretum in three years of living in D.C., and after such a magical experience this weekend, I do plan to return again.

XO,
Michelle

“I think that a good city is like a good party. If you ask a guy, ‘Was it a good party on Friday?’ Say, ‘Oh, my dear, I only was home by 5:30 in the morning.’ If people get involved in social activities they will forget place and time and just enjoy. That’s why I would say, do not look at how many people are walking in the city, but look at how many people have stopped walking to stay and enjoy what is there.” - Jan Gehl, in Urbanized.

'Post' Life

Life post-Italy and life post-Washington; transitions more similar than you would think...

I have a great internship this semester and some incredible friends and family I've come home to, but I can't help but admit the heartbreak I'm feeling at being halfway across the country from a place I feel I'm meant to be.

Update.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind.

I met with nationally-known and respected leaders -- Colin Powell, Bob Schieffer and Mike McCurry, to name a few. I visited with executives and founders from top news and media organizations. I participated in a panel discussion moderated by Schieffer that was webcast live back to TCU. I survived an earthquake, withstood a hurricane and window-gazed my way through two, five-hour long bus rides going to and coming from NYC.

This is truly a challenging and inspiring place to be.

Autobiography of a Small Town.

"I breed dreamers and lovers; connectedness among separation. I boast of the diverse characters I create; all unique, yet often predictable. Few love me, most leave me, and some return. I'm the control group in the experiment of life - a source for measuring progress, things learned and distance traveled. I am what I'm not, and this is how you'll remember me."