Closing a Chapter

This post is a little heavy and personal, if you're here for the usual Friday's Fancies come back next week. Otherwise I commend you for indulging my need to document this major moment. 

I can't believe it, but the day is finally here. Today is my last day at work, tomorrow morning I pack the car and begin the trek to Louisiana. As I've been wrapping up my life in DC I can't help but feel a pang of sadness at the closing of another chapter of my life.

It has been a dream of mine to live in DC since I visited the first time with my Dad at 9 years old. Coming back for Obama's first inauguration in 2009 only solidified my hopes to one day make this city my home. A mere 6 months later I was back for an internship, and less than 6 months after that I made this city my home. Though I didn't arrive for good until age 21, I feel that this town is really where I "grew up" or rather, where I grew into an adult. I'm sure all of you know the feeling, those first few years out of college are pretty tough, but I've made it through and I'm so glad I did it in this city.

At one point DC almost broke me. I almost gave up. After a year of being verbally abused nine hours a day by our wonderful constituents, we lost our election and I was laid off.  Being laid off less than a year after starting my job was tough, but when the months of networking and endless hours writing cover letters weren't paying off it got tougher.  I was rejected from four different positions in 24 hours, I was going into debt, and babysitting odd jobs in attempts to support myself but it wasn't working, I was overwhelmed and then you kicked me in the ass with a parking ticket. Looking back now it seems silly that a $100 parking ticket send me spiraling like it did, but I let my self utterly fall apart that night. But somehow I got through the weekend. Monday morning I woke up bound and determined that I wasn't going down like that, my dreams were not going to be dashed so easily, and you know what? They weren't. Two weeks later I had a great job, I built myself back up and I took on new challenges like an old pro.

 While growing into an adult here has been hard, it's also been wonderful. In the world of politics DC often has negative connotations, but those of us who make this city our home know there is so much more to this city than our divisive politics. The diversity of this city pervades all aspects of the culture. The food, the people, the history, this city always has something new and exciting to offer. The beauty of the Capitol building often takes my breath away, and I'll always appreciate my time working in the halls of Congress.  Lazy weekend days spent at Eastern Market have been a favorite past time, as have the nights on H Street, and the weekends playing tourist. I met some amazing people who are going to accomplish some amazing things. I worked harder and learned more than I thought I could. Most importantly, I discovered a deep love for a good Gin and Tonic at happy hour.

Not only am I leaving this wonderful city behind, but I'm leaving some amazing friends. My two lovely roommates have been an amazing support system for me over the last few years, and I really couldn't ask for better friends. I'll miss you girls more than you know. KJ--- our morning rides to the hill have often been a high point in my day. I'll miss starting my day with our shared laughter at the inappropriateness of the Kane Show, the unpredictable DC traffic and your contagious good moods. BW--- I cannot really fathom life without you down the hall. You've always been there, every day, for the last 14 years. We've basically walked the same path since 6th grade, and for the first time ever our lives are going in different directions. While I can't help but be excited for this next stage, for both of us, it's bittersweet. I miss you both (and Oliver) already.

As I pack up and move on, I'm closing the chapter on this defining few years of my life. I came to DC with a naive dream to change the world and help people. Now I leave with the best memories, matured to what "real life" is like and a plan to change the world and help people.

DC. Thank you. I'll see you in 2016.  

To the City I love

Today is the three year anniversary of my official arrival in the wonderful district of columbia. I can hardly believe it's been so long, yet I can't imagine living in any other city in the world. As I am thinking about potentially transitioning to a new city this year for school, I realize how much I love this town. The sights, the history, the restaurants, the culture--- I love it all. So tonight I want to celebrate 3 years of being a big girl, on my own, in the city of my dreams. Here's to you Washington. Cheers. 

via

Allow myself to introduce...myself

She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes

And I knew without asking she was into the blues

Hellew, gorgeous!  I’m Megan, fellow SEC-rooting, Southern-raised, single twenty-something living and working in our great country’s capital city.  I have recently partnered up with the amazing, stylish Emily as a contributor to BlueDogBelle, and I am elated to join the blog-o-sphere for the first time!  So what will I be adding to BlueDogBelle, you wonder…

I have a Carrie Bradshaw-level of adoration for my city, Washington, DC.  It is a little big town amidst an atmosphere of heterogeneity.  Any taste of life an individual could desire can be found here:  history, music, passion and activism, thoughtfulness, diverse backgrounds and perspectives, politics/policy/philanthropy, and all balanced out by the finer (literal) tastes of life, with a varied palette of globally-influenced spots to wine and dine.  One of the most surprising discoveries I made as a 22 year-old graduate was just how much of a role this last item plays in the DMV culture.  Restaurants and bars were obviously an area to socialize with friends, but post-college I came to the realization that this particular arena serves as a remote location for professionals from every office level to meet, to play, to network, and to wheel and deal.  We all have heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but in the District this saying transcends romantic strategy and overflows into the business of the city.  Of course, occupational drinks and meals aren’t a concept exclusive to DC - just the particular type of business dealt, and the power of the individuals at the table (or bar counter as the case may be), in these situations is nearly exclusive to DC, namely as the center of American politics.  

Which brings me to Blue Dog Belle!  I’m partnering up with my beloved fellow Southerner to dive into and celebrate DC’s Don Draper-esque scene, where bourbon meets business.  I’ll be bouncing around the District’s watering holes, both high profile and low key local favorites, and will jot down my experiences at each saloon, focusing on the style, the atmosphere, the crowd, the conversation, and naturally the highlights of the heart and barter of these spots - the libations.  Full disclosure, I’m afraid the meat of the true wheelings and dealings, as sexy as that would be to whistle blow, will not be the focus of my entries, as my attention will be on the spaces and the use of these spaces within the District. 

Thank you for visiting, and please stay tuned as I make my first entry this week!

Weekend Recap

Is there anything worse than a rainy Monday morning? I don't think so. I really could have used a three day weekend, but work promises to be far too busy slash I will be here until probably 9 tonight (ugh) thus adding to my pain. This weekend those was one of those wonderful, only in DC kind of a weekend.  

Painted my nails. 

Sunday we brunched in Columbia Heights at The Getaway with a few friends, and let me tell you it was awesome. I got a spicy bloody mary and this gem of a sandwich. A Fried Green Tomato BLT. WHAT? I know. It was SO good. Fried Green Tomatoes. Bacon. Avocado Ranch. Goat Cheese. Brioche Bun. and Sweet Potato Tots. Are you dying yet? This place is right on 14th Street in Columbia Heights but you have to walk maybe 4-5 blocks up from the metro to get there (I doubt I would have ever found it if my friends didn't live next door)

Saturday Night we hit up H Street Country Club, which you know if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram. I was a posting fiend. 

also. I'm not trying to be that girl but can we talk about how tan I look? For reals. I've never been any color other than white. Sunless tanner is changing my life. oh and bronzer. and bronze primers. and maybe a little time in the sun. But still. 

dress is from Forever 21

Found some time for a Pitango stop at Eastern Market. Man I forgot how good that stuff is. Lemon + White Grapefruit Sorbet. my mouth is seriously watering as I type this. 

Saturday afternoon we went for a walk/yard sale-ing in the hood and did the obligatory stop at Big Bear. I wore a fedora so I would feel slightly more hipster and fit in. but lets be honest I will never pass for a hipster. 

Oh and this happened. 

I know its a very blah tweet. but still. Emily Eddington is like my makeup idol. I seriously worship her, and everything she does. and she tweeted me. I died. 

So. That's about it. Sorry it was all out of order, but that's how my photos loaded, and I didn't feel like changing them around.