Category: Things to Do

Ryan and I have been trying to do something new around DC every weekend since I’m new to the City. A couple weekends ago, we went to the National Archives to see the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, and this past Saturday we went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. It was a beautiful day, and lucky for us, there were some great exhibitions.

I took some photos with my iPhone – won’t you take a tour with me?

Several of the exhibits had quotes painted on the walls to help you understand the surrounding art. This was my favorite, and Ryan mentioned all the quotes about art equally applied to entrepreneurship.

We didn’t know it, but there was an amazing Norman Rockwell exhibit going on, compiled from the private collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. I didn’t know much about Rockwell before the visit, but I definitely left with a huge appreciation for his art and storytelling abilities.  He was the master at telling a story without giving away the plot or ending so you would be intrigued enough to buy the magazine or read the article his work accompanied.

My favorite was this piece called the Juror where a solitary woman sits with a large group of men all around her, presumably trying to persuade her towards their point of view.

Next, we moseyed on over to the National Portrait Gallery where we found a great exhibit on Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer. The photos are from the point just before Elvis Presley was really famous, and I thought the collection was superbly curated. You really felt the energy of anticipation and stardom as you walked through the different rooms. I only wished “Hound Dog” was playing in the background.

Finally, we decided to head up to the top floor and check on the modern art. Most of the pieces seemed to fall flat (although we did get to see some Georgia O’Keefe, Jenny Holzer and Edward Hopper) after the richness of Rockwell, but this installation was screaming for our attention.

It seemed gaudy and obvious at first, but I learned each television and the images projected on it was the artist’s impression of that State – whether personal or associative. It was pretty fun finding different States and comparing the artist’s associations with our own.

This is the type of modern art I love – shapes, geometric patterns and such. The placard next to the painting explained that the artist said, “Screw stories” or something like that, which I thought was a nice contrast after seeing the work of Rockwell.

Finally, here is a photo of how beautiful the architecture was in this museum, which really added to the experience. I can’t wait to go back, especially to try working in the amazing Courtyard Cafe. Do you have a favorite museum or piece of art you like to go visit? Let me know in the comments!

What are you doing this weekend, my dears?

Ryan and I saw Wicked last night as one of our last Madison excursions. It was beyond good, particularly because the woman who played Elphaba had an amazing voice. Do you like Broadway shows? We have so much to do for the move and work and life that before the show I was willing to cancel our date and pack. Or sleep.

But Ryan insisted we go – even though the poor guy is just as stressed – and I’m glad we did. I was bouncing off the walls when we returned. Sometimes we forget how essential a bit of fun is for energy.

This weekend, we’re going to visit my mother while we’re still in the Midwest, and I’m excited for some poodle time… and some sleep. Next week, we’ll get back to packing and then the big move – whee!

Here are some photos of my time spent at the Mighty Summit.  Since some of the top lifestyle bloggers and women in media were in attendance, it was important to me that Alice.com do something unique as part of our sponsorship.

The women at the Mighty Summit had all put together life lists of the things they want to do before they go. Having read many of the lists and been inspired and entertained, we decided it would be great to do something that paid homage to their goals and their wit.

I worked with our Creative Director to create the limited edition prints you see below. The woman’s silhouette contains items from across all the different life lists as an artful reminder. The prints were a huge hit! I saved one for myself too and plan to put it up next to my desk.

Of course, we’re also providing the fabulous women gift cards to Alice as well. We don’t want them running out of toilet paper on their journey! A big thanks to all the amazing bloggers and women I met, as well as the Mighty organizers and Allison and Nathan from Fishbone Marketing.

What are you doing this weekend, dear readers?

Last weekend, Ryan and I went to DC (more on that later), and I arm wrestled this bouncer. Seriously, the guy was huge. I am happy I won.

This weekend, I’m going to California’s wine country, since Alice is one of the sponsors of Mighty Summit. I get to meet some of the most amazing bloggers from sites like Dooce and Chookooloonks and Knotty Yarn and the Spohrs are Multiplying. Whee! I’m so excited.

It’s fitting to talk about arm wrestling bouncers because the bloggers have all put together life lists of what they want to do before they go, and they include all the normal things, but also things like “Have a giant food fight,” and “Wear a sequin bikini to Carnival in Trinidad.”

I think I’ll fit right in…

I refuse to accept that it is Fall in Madison, because that means Winter is on it’s way. But yesterday Fall was trying real hard and it was a beautiful crisp and cold day for the Taste of Madison. I was a bit under the weather, but after being a hermit all day, I had to get out. Particularly because I spent most of the day watching all the people out our window migrate en masse to the Capitol Square. Ryan and I were planning not to eat anything – just go for a little walk – but oh the smells…

There was a lot of these sights and aromas floating directly to your nose and stomach.

The Capitol came out to play.

These were quite the tasty kebabs.

And these, these cinnamon roasted almonds were warm delicious goodness.

If you’re in the Madison area, the Taste continues on the Square from 11 am to 7 pm today. Definitely get the almonds.

Before celebrating Barbara’s birthday, we all came to the Misquamicut Beach on Rhode Island to relax. So if you ever find yourself there, you absolutely must go to Paddy’s. Besides having some of best lobster risotto ever, they also serve drinks in these delightful glasses… that you get to keep! I can’t wait to use Mr. Monkey again.

It was Ryan’s mom’s 60th birthday last week (hi, Barbara!) and we went to Connecticut to celebrate. His father Jack threw a huge party in Barbara’s honor, but I managed to sneak in these photos in the calm before all the guests arrived of just the Healy family and some neighbor kids.

Party preparations:

The birthday girl and my fellow virgo:

Big Jack:

Stocking the bar:

Ryan’s Aunt Alicia:

Ryan’s Brother Dan:

Delicious ceviche:

Flowers out and about:

Ryan and his dad:

Grandma Bee:

The Babenco women:

John, the neighbor boy:

Everyone ready?

My favorite of Ryan:

Concert on the Square is over for the summer but is a favorite tradition in Madison. The chance to be quiet , to talk , to be with each other face-to-face, not have to talk if you don’t want to or can’t – the chance to listen, to indulge in a bottle of wine, cheese and dinner.

Does your city have any great summer traditions?

Ryan and I are easily entertained, so movie critics we are not. However, it’s rare that he will admit to liking chick flicks (even though he will chuckle and hold me tight at all the right parts). But we both really enjoyed New York, I Love You.

I wasn’t expecting much (I guess it’s based off of Paris, Je T’aime which is supposedly fantastic), and we watched it last Friday night in. I loved the vignettes by different filmmakers, and felt like I had gotten a glimpse into each character’s life, kind of like how you imagine a person’s life in the moments they walk by you on the street.

For the 4th of July weekend, Ryan and I went to Taliesin in Spring Green, WI, which was Frank Lloyd Wright’s home during the summer months. This was my third time there. I wrote a bit about my fascination with Wright here. We weren’t allowed to take interior shots, but I took some good exterior photos using my iPhone camera.

This is Romeo and Juliet in the background.

The meandering entrance to the Taliesin home.

Back of the house.

Some of the gardens. This is looking towards Wright’s bedroom.

You get a bit of the sense of how the house is built into the hill here.

Gorgeous, calming views.

Bye, bye Mr. Wright.

Afterwords we drove back to Madison for dinner, drinks, and a cigar and new sunglasses for Ryan. Then we headed to James Madison Park for the fireworks show. It’s a day I will remember for a long time.