The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 53: Interview with the Author
Welcome back to The Girl’s Guide to DC! If you missed last week’s issue, find it here.
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Got a Funny Date Story?
Sometimes, all you get out of a date is a funny story to tell your friends.
I’m putting out a call for your weirdest dating stories — and don’t worry, you can submit your story anonymously via this Google form. I’m hoping to do separate issues with guys’ stories and girls’ stories — so ladies, if you have a guy friend with a funny story to tell, send him this link and tell him to fill it out! Plus, I think we’d all like to know what goes on in a guy’s head during a date.
Interview with the Author
Well, I realized I ask a lot of questions when I do my weekly Girl’s Guide interviews, but I’ve never answered any of those questions myself. I hope you enjoy this interview with the author (me!).
What neighborhood do you live in?
My husband Nick and I live in Del Ray, just north of Old Town Alexandria, and we absolutely love it! It’s a really walkable neighborhood with lots of little free libraries, restaurants, and coffee shops. Right now, our Saturday morning routine is to make breakfast, walk down the street to the weekly farmer’s market, and buy lots of farm-fresh eggs, fruits, and veggies.
What does your life look like right now?
Life is good! We’re expecting our first child in November, and I cannot wait to meet our little boy or girl. When I’m not pondering how I’m going to keep a tiny human alive, I’m doing PR at District Media Group and writing articles for Evie Magazine on the side.
What’s your favorite coffee shop?
My favorite spot for a quick bite is Junction Bakery & Bistro in Del Ray (they have locations in Capitol Hill and Chevy Chase too). The Del Ray location is walking distance from where I live, and I highly recommend trying the ham and gruyere croissant or the cheddar-chive biscuit breakfast sandwich if you’re there for brunch. Junction is also known for their cruffins – a combination of a croissant and a muffin. If you can’t imagine what such a combo would taste like — you’ll just have to see for yourself!
Junction has a really laidback vibe in the evening – you might see a couple on a first date at one table and a crypto bro working on his laptop at the table beside them. Whenever Nick and I have writing projects at the same time, we like to go work at Junction after dinner. I’ve finished many an issue of Girl’s Guide sipping their peppermint tea until closing.
What’s something you wish you’d known before moving to DC?
A lot of people complain about the transience of DC, but I moved here intent on staying for a while. It took me a while to adjust to the fact that life moves so quickly here.
Your life is never going to look the same as it did a year ago. New friends will come, and old ones will move away. Even if they’re not switching jobs every year, people in DC change positions and employers much more often than in other places.
You can let the constant change depress you, or you can let it invigorate you. You’re not always going to be in the same social circle or have the same group of coworkers – so don’t let the fear of others’ opinions hold you back. Leave your deadbeat job, start a creative project, or just stop hanging out with people who make you feel bad about yourself. You’ll pick up people who understand you along the way. There are a lot of possibilities in this city, and most of the people you’ll meet are looking for real friendship just like you are.
What’s your beauty routine like?
I have a few favorite drugstore makeup products that I always stock up on! L’Oreal Infallible powder foundation is my go-to – you don’t need any cream products under it, but sometimes I’ll do concealer first.
I also feel like my lips get chapped SO EASILY but I always need a little color. I’ve worn Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms pretty much every day for years. When it comes to makeup in general, I definitely prefer cream to powder, so I also like Burt’s Bees lip and cheek stick as blush.
How would you describe your style?
If I’m being honest, my style is whatever I find at the thrift store. But lately I’ve been trying to be more choosy and create a cohesive aesthetic. I feel really stylish when I’m in simple, neutral, timeless outfits, like a pair of blue jeans and a white button-down. My aspirational aesthetic is French girl chic — you can’t tell me that Converse sneakers don’t go with everything.
Know a lady I should interview next? Send me an email at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com.
The Haps
Posing 101
Am I the only one who thinks I’m hitting the town looking amazing, only to see a photo of myself and rethink everything? If you want to look better in photos, check out my latest story for Evie Magazine on posing tips and tricks. The article focuses on tips from everyone’s favorite model/Bachelor contestant, Hannah Godwin! Read it here: How To Pose In IG Photos To Feel Less Awkward, According To Bachelor Alum Hannah Godwin.
Black Bear Spotted in Arlington
It’s not a Twitter hoax — there really was a black bear roaming the quiet streets of an Arlington neighborhood this week. “The bear seems healthy and is likely a male yearling moving through Arlington Co in his search for a new home habitat,” the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said in a statement before warning residents against approaching the bear. Read more about the black bear spotting in this WTOP story.
Bulletin Board
Congrats to EMMA WATERS, who joins the Heritage Foundation’s DeVos Center for Life, Religion and Family as a research associate. She was previously coalitions manager at American Moment. Congratulate Emma on Twitter!
Ask Evie
Have a question you want me to answer in the newsletter? Click this link to send your question anonymously! You can read my most recent Ask Evie column on friendship by clicking here.
Before You Go
Mamas, I would love to know what baby registry items you couldn’t do without (or, conversely, which ones you never used)! Drop me a line by replying this email or emailing girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com.