Life, Instagrammed

Good news!  Finally got confirmation from Chapel by the Sea yesterday that we’re all set for the new date and time for our wedding!  I got to talk to the reverend for a while yesterday (yes, I’m getting married by an actual reverend, though I have no idea what denomination he considers himself), which was calming.  We did a talk-through over the phone about how everything will work, and Chris and I pretty much just have to show up, look pretty and say our vows.  CBTS takes care of all the other arrangements.  Dig it!

As I mentioned awhile back, because of the itinerary change and all the family bailing on coming to the Keys for the day, Chris and I decided to have a reception when we get back.  Since we’re doing a cocktail reception, Christy and I were forced to endure several happy hour outings finding the perfect venue.
 

I do so love the King Street Trolley.  It’s free, and it runs up and down the main drag of Old Town, from the metro to the waterfront.  You can’t beat the trolley for after work drinking excursions.

The Grape+Bean is one of the places we seriously considered having our reception.  They have a stellar wine selection.  The place is cozy and quaint, and we would’ve rented the whole place to ourselves.  It’s wasn’t perfect for us, though.  I definitely will be returning for many a happy hour wine, however.

Starting off with a rose’ bubbly.

Continuing toward the waterfront, we stopped in the Spice and Tea Exchange.  The rows and rows of spices and teas and infused sugars and salts are absolutely delightful.

The next place we stopped was called Virtue Feed & Grain.

Sampling of Virtue’s appetizers and drinks.

So, as soon as we stepped foot into Virtue, I knew it was the place for our reception.  Chris joined us there when he got off work, and he agreed.  They are a farm to table restaurant, and the entire building’s interior has been designed with reclaimed materials.  They don’t even have a freezer in the place.  Their menu boasts hearty, fresh foods, and the bar features pre-prohibition era cocktails.  For the party, they have a game parlour in a back room of the second floor that accommodates up to 50 people, the perfect size for us as we’re expecting about 35-40 guests to confirm.  We’ll get to choose eight different hors d’oeuvres, and the bar will feature all the beer and wine guests can drink plus one of their signature cocktails.  And the room itself is amazing.  We won’t have to do much in the way of decorating.  I’m probably going to bring in some candles and flower petals, and aside from a cake and favors, that’s about it.

Moving on.  Labor Day weekend was packed to the brim with fun activities, including the wedding of our two good friends, Dan and Sam.

Of course, it was imperative that I go dress shopping before the wedding.  Picked up this little number on the Friday before.  I love it when I go shopping and find exactly what I’m looking for!

On that same trip, I also picked up this bad boy.  Thanks to Pinterest, I could not go a single day longer without owning a CrockPot.

Game night!  We broke out an oldie but goodie.

On Saturday, Chris, Christy and I went to see Cirque du Soleil’s TOTEM.  Um, can I just say that I was jaw-dropping gaping the entire time?  It was ah-mazing.  I had never been to a Cirque du Soleil show before, because honestly, I hear circus, and I think about the stinky elephant that my dad made me ride when I was, like, five.  I had no idea how incredible it would be.  And this one is all about the evolution of man.  Hello?  Could I have picked a better first one to go to?  I think not.

Some of the merch.  I wish I could’ve taken some pictures of the show, but it was strictly forbidden.

Afterwards, we did some browsing around the shops in National Harbor.  This is one of my favorite places to go into, Art Whino, full of amazing work by local artists.  We’ll probably purchase a few pieces for our new home after we move.

Then we stopped by the Public House for some appetizers and drinks.

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I couldn’t resist stopping by Tiki & Me for some treats for the pup.  And I have to admit, these things smelled and looked so good, that I had to try one for myself.  And it was delicious.

Finally, a stop by the Potomac Gourmet Market to pick up some beer to sample for the night.

Ah, good end to a good day.

The next day, Sunday, we drove our happy asses up to Reading, PA, for Dan and Sam’s reception.  Don’t we look dashing?

Christy looks quite dapper, herself.

Aside from the linens, these girls hand made everything.

Cupcakes!  And they were fucking delicious.

Really nice lighting in the place.  It had a great ambiance.

The blushing bride!

Chris, um, aggressively blowing bubbles.  Hardcore bubbles.

Heehee… I love this one.

Dancing to the song that Chris sang to me the night he proposed.

Cheese!

Dan and Sam… I love these guys.

Cutting the miniature cake on top.

So, um… yeah.  Out behind the building we were having the reception in was this daycare center of some sort.  Dan and Sam had placed disposable cameras on all the tables at the reception, and after a few… er, after several drinks we decided that it would be awesome if Chris jumped the fence and played with the toys.  I managed to capture the event on both the point and shoot and my phone.
 

This past weekend was pretty full of activities, as well.  Saturday, I bought all the supplies to attempt to make my own wedding cake.  It’s a work in progress, so maybe I’ll have some pictures of it soon — depending on if it actually turns out okay.  Ha.  Saturday evening, I baked three cakes, then Chris and I went to dinner with Rob and Evelyn.  Yesterday, we went to the Renaissance Fair with our friends, Rob P. and his wife, Tiff, followed by a couple of hours of kneading fondant and nearly chopping my finger off.

 

 
Yeah, that’s about half my ingredients.  I am SO ready for a bigger, gourmet kitchen.

So, in addition to trying my hand at decorating, I wanted to pick out my flavors.  I narrowed it down to three:  White almond sour cream cake with vanilla buttercream filling; chocolate cake with hazelnut whipped cream filling; and Italian cream cake with coconut almond cream filling.  Decisions, decisions.

Dinner Saturday night was at Founding Farmers in DC. Also a farm to table restaurant, their menu boasted some serious southern comfort food, which none of us were expecting.  It was a weird combination with their bar, which was featuring pre-prohibition era cocktails using gin, bourbon, and house made rye.

I had chicken pot pie.  It was delicious.

This was a weird water fountain outside the restaurant.  The lights and grooves in the wall made it do weird things with your eyes.

Last night I managed to slice into my thumb.  It doesn’t look so bad today all cleaned up, but it was pretty gory last night.  It’s about a half inch deep, and cut through my fingernail and all.  Yeah, I’m surprised I didn’t hit bone to be honest.  It’s got to be pretty damn close.  Anyway, I almost passed out.  Chris almost passed out.  Good times.

What can you do but deal with it?
 

Cheers!
Felina