The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 21: The Ultimate Girl's Guide Reading List
Welcome back! If you missed my last issue, find it here.
I want this newsletter to be about you, the ladies of DC, so send me your feedback (and bad date rants) by replying to this email.
The Ultimate Girl’s Guide Reading List
You may have noticed a theme around here in recent weeks — reading! As a DC girl, the only thing I’m reading is a cocktail menu, but I hope these book recommendations can be helpful to you, if only to use as a coaster.
Here are the reading recommendations you ladies sent me plus one of my own!
“The Grace Year” by Kim Liggett
Bailey Mailloux says: “I initially read a similar thriller in book club and wasn't satisfied, so one of the women recommended ‘Grace Year’ because it took the idea of a dystopian future a little further. The development of the main character paired with the twists and creativity of the plot pulled me in so much that I couldn't put the book down until the last page. It was above and beyond what I had been told and now recommend it whenever I can! It's what I wanted ‘Wilder Girls’ by Rory Power to be.”
“The Daevabad Trilogy” by S.A. Chakraborty
Maggie McKneely says: “Mine is actually a series of books. Nahri is an orphan girl trying to make a living on the streets of 18th century Cairo until, through a series of events, she learns that she's actually a descendent of one of the ruling families of the Djinn (think Aladdin's genie, but more sophisticated). Nahri's story is filled with lots of mystical creatures and fascinating characters. Though it's marketed as a young adult series, the palace intrigue is top-notch (which is why I fell in love with it).”
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk
Harvest Prude says: “A couple months ago I read ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ by Bessel van der Kolk. Dr. van der Kolk was at the forefront of researching how PTSD impacted military veterans and others, and the book is a must-read if you are interested in how traumatic experiences impact people mentally and physically. Because of the subject matter, it is not an easy read at times, but it really was eye-opening and shifted how I saw struggles with mental health due to trauma related causes. The New York Times interviews the author here!”
“The Secret History of Wonder Woman” by Jill Lepore
This is my (Evie’s) recommendation. “The Secret History of Wonder Woman” is juicy, let me tell ya. Bet you didn’t know that Wonder Woman was invented by a polyamorous psychologist using her to push his specific brand of feminism molded, in part, by Margaret Sanger. The book was especially poignant since Wonder Woman’s popularity has grown in recent years with the release of “Wonder Woman” and “Wonder Woman 1984” starring Gal Gadot. I listened to it on audiobook for free via Libby, an app that uses your library card!
Interview with Katie Johnson
This week, I interview Katie Johnson, a real-life princess — Cherry Blossom Princess, that is! Connect with her on Instagram and Twitter.
What neighborhood do you live in?
Rosslyn — I love living in Arlington! Years ago, Rosslyn tried to market itself as “the Manhattan on the Potomac.” While that name didn’t stick, Rosslyn has come a long way over the years... we are much cooler now!
We have plenty of dining options, and the Rosslyn BID does a great job hosting (free) local events, concert series, and contests on social media. It’s also hard to beat the proximity to Georgetown, Clarendon, Theodore Roosevelt Island and Arlington National Cemetery.
What does your life look like right now?
Busy! For the first time in my career, I’m not working in politics — yet in comms, the work never stops! I currently do internal communications for an association in Alexandria. We just concluded our big annual conference in Las Vegas. In my spare time, I am being immersed in Italian culture by my very Italian-American boyfriend Anthony, plotting out a few more weekend trips this year, and attempting to meet the aggressive demands of my book club.
What’s your favorite coffeeshop in the DC area?
This is tough — I can’t just pick one! In DC proper: Ebenezers. They have the best honey lavender lattes. In Clarendon: Kaldi’s Social House. Excellent food, atmosphere, and comfy couches (a requirement for a good coffee shop).
What’s your top advice for someone new to DC?
If you’re new to DC (or even if you’ve been here for a little bit), I highly recommend joining your state society and supporting other state societies’ events! Most host events throughout the year — they’re great places to network and get a taste of home in DC. You’re probably already familiar with the most popular events, like Taste of the South, but some of the other state societies also host pretty fun events, like Go West Beer Fest (Western State Societies).
The state societies also sponsor the annual Cherry Blossom Princess Program, which is an educational and cultural exchange program for women ages 19-24 to represent their home state during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a week, the princesses zoom around on a coach bus, visit embassies and the Japanese ambassador’s residence, attend a Congressional reception, and ride down Constitution Avenue in the DC Cherry Blossom parade. The week's grand finale is Cherry Blossom Grand Ball, where the grand marshal spins a wheel and the princess from the state it lands on becomes Cherry Blossom Queen and wins a trip to Japan to represent the U.S. as a goodwill ambassador.
As a Wisconsin native, I represented my home state as Cherry Blossom Princess several years ago, and highly recommend the program to other young women. Cherry Blossom Princess alumni are everywhere — even in Congress! (Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Lisa Murkwoski are both alums.) The Cherry Blossom Princess program is by far one of the coolest opportunities I’ve had since living in the DC-area. Thanks to the program, I’ve made lifelong friends and have stayed involved with my home state society.
What’s your beauty routine like?
I obsessively haunt Sephora. (Kidding… sort of.) Right now I’m really into Vitamin C serums. I am really trying to go the clean beauty route and be more aware of what ingredients are in the products I use. In the morning, I use a light cleanser (Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea) + Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic toner + Olehenriksen Brightening (Vitamin C) Gel Creme. I try not to wear much makeup aside from eyeliner (I LOVE doing a cateye) and Charlotte Tilbury pink lipstick. At night, I wash any makeup off and use a light moisturizer — I also love The Mighty Patch and Peace Out Acne Dots for the occasional pesky blemish. Other brands I really like right now: Drunk Elephant, Eczema Honey, & First Aid Beauty.
How would you describe your style?
I really like girly and preppy things, especially seersucker dresses during the summer and A-line dresses with Peter Pan collars and pockets. I’ve been described as dressing like Jess from New Girl (although I haven’t actually watched the show). I also try to emulate the style of Ali MacGraw in Love Story (1970 film). Favorite brands include J. Crew, Talbots, and Eliza J, but I pride myself on never paying full price for things — one of my favorite places to look is Poshmark — you’d be surprised how much you can haggle for new-with-tags dresses!
The Haps
Bridgerton Comes to DC
Remember “Bridgerton,” the Jane Austen-lite Netflix show that swept the nation? Well, DC is one of four cities chosen for a top-secret Bridgerton ball next March (so secret the location hasn’t even been announced!). Read more here: Talk Of The Ton: An Immersive Bridgerton Pop-Up Is Coming To A Secret D.C. Location.
I have a feeling anyone with tickets to The Queen’s Ball will be envy of their coworkers next year. Send any tips for scoring tickets (or tea on the ball!) my way.
The Met Gala Didn’t Happen
I have decided the Met Gala didn’t happen. I do not care to see anyone’s opinions on the outfits because they don’t matter. I am choosing to believe the entire event was computer generated. Seeing celebrities mingle maskless while surrounded by masked photographers and event staff was insane. This column hits the nail on the head perfectly.
Here are more links to what I’m reading this week:
Lauren Alaina Gives Tyler Hynes a Country Music Crash Course in Hallmark's Roadhouse Romance
Kristen Stewart blows critics away as Princess Diana. She’s ready to talk about it
Congrats & More
ERICA JEDYNAK has joined the Board of Directors for the Institute of the American Worker; and separately was accepted to America's Future Writing Fellows Fall Cohort. Connect with Erica on Twitter here.
I have declared MYSELF the resident Pumpkin Spice Latte expert at District Media Group. Don’t believe me? It’s in my bio so it must be true.
Got feedback or an announcement to share? Email me at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com.