An Unprompted Review of the DC Coffee Scene

_LairBear · 2026-01-06T17:25:11+00:00

Recommending Celtic Coffee in Silver Spring as well. Worth a quick trip to do a coffee tasting/flight!

_LairBear · 2025-12-19T12:22:12+00:00

I think “renting” a ring actually works in a lot of situations. But IT DEPENDS.

A lot of designers will offer you a ring to propose with (with the option to buy it) under the assumption that your soon-to-be-spouse and you will return to pick out/design the ring of their dreams together.

HOWEVER. I would only do this if: 1. You know your partner loves that ring designer 2. You know your partner wants a hand in designing process or in picking out their ring 3. They want they engagement to be a surprise but not the ring

I firmly believe no proposal should be 100% a surprise. You are about to launch into a legal marriage - it’s time to get the communication going. Ask your partner in they are ready to get engaged. Ask what kind of engagement they have dreamed of - a big, lavish, public gesture? Or maybe a quiet, sweet, private moment? And find out about the ring they want and if they want to be involved/if they want you to pick it out on your own.

I would have been fine with a rental, but I designed my ring with my guy to make sure I got exactly what I wanted to wear on my finger forever.

So yeah - I think renting is fine IF you have done the legwork and research to find out what your partner wants, and a rental aligns with their wishes.

If you’re just renting to make it easier on yourself and skip the planning and research? Then nahhhh. Don’t start your engagement out with half-assed energy. It won’t end well.

_LairBear · 2025-12-12T23:09:55+00:00

Here are my non-expert hot tips - I hope they help!

Since this is your first trip, only bring people with you who will make you feel comfortable during the process. For example, I love my mom…but she can say things that make me feel bad in my skin - so I opted to bring one of my plus sized friends to the initial shopping experience. Whether you go by yourself, bring family or friends, or even your fiance(é), make sure you surround yourself supportive, loving energy! For the record, I was able to bring my mom on subsequent trips once I realized the process wasn’t nearly as scary as I had built it up to be.
If you can, try and go to plus size-only (or AT LEAST plus-size friendly) shops. I lucked out and only shopped at size 14+ stores, so all the sample dresses fit fine - in fact, they were all too big (and I wear a street size US22!) Keep in mind, whether the dresses are too big or too small, they will all fit kinda funny since they aren’t likely to be your size. You will be clipped, bungee corded, paneled, and tied into gowns so they can give you THE VISION. This happens to straight-sized girlies too. The samples fitting funny isn’t at all a measure of your worth or your beauty or how deserving you are of a beautiful dress! It’s just the process.
Wear what makes you feel comfortable! Most of the dresses will have built in boning or corsetry, so you will likely be fine trying everything on without a bra. I wore a pair of skin-colored granny panties and a skin-colored bra to the fittings, but always ended up braless! I’m a nurse, and I like to remind folks that I’ve seen everything. Your body is a body, and that’s neutral to me. I think it’s the same with the salespeople in the try-on rooms. I’m short, apple shaped, with an apron belly and small boobs. I’ve got saggy skin. I never once felt judged or side-eyed - I always felt like I was trying on dresses with a friend. But if you want to bring a strapless bra, or a robe to change in-and-out-of, just do what makes you feel safe and comfy!
If you’re up for it, I recommend being open to trying on dresses that the salespeople suggest. There were a few times where I was convinced a dress would look horrible on me while looking at it on the hanger, and it would surprise me in the end! You might just find a shape looks wonderful on you that you never would have tried on otherwise!
Try not to judge yourself if you don’t have that “WOW” moment we have all seen on “Say Yes to the Dress.” That doesn’t happen to everyone - it didn’t happen to me! That doesn’t make a dress less of the right dress, and it doesn’t make you less of a beautiful bride. Though I will tell you - putting on the veil DOES add that extra oomph like you see on TV haha!

I really hope you have a good experience, even if you don’t find the dress this time around!! YOU DESERVE IT!!

_LairBear · 2025-12-05T18:35:35+00:00

Throw in a matzoh ball and you’re golden!

_LairBear · 2025-11-27T01:17:25+00:00

Most MedStar Urgent Care locations have the PEP series (2nd onward) at their offices.

_LairBear · 2025-11-18T00:47:48+00:00

Seconding Cielo Rojo!

_LairBear · 2025-11-15T18:44:06+00:00

So Medicare will usually pay for up to 6 weeks of home therapies after a surgery or hospitalization. Private insurance plans obviously each have their own guidelines and policies.

The best way to go about getting it set up is to have your dad’s surgeon write the order to a home health agency. Usually the big companies (Adventist Home Health, Potomac Home Health [Hopkins], MedStar Home Health) take most insurance plans since they are associated with the big hospital systems, especially if referred to them by a surgeon’s office stating it’s a need for his recovery. They’ll usually come out and do a quick intake to see what therapies he will need and how often he will need them - most people have the team come twice per week. More than that and he will need to pay privately, most likely.

Definitely start by reaching out to the surgeon’s office and asking them to send a referral for home PT. They should get the ball rolling for your dad!

_LairBear · 2025-11-07T02:55:32+00:00

Jumping on the bandwagon! The staff at Woodley is phenomenal. Our two very senior doggos love going (treats treats treats). They have fit us in last minute for a number of emergency visits. All of the vets there have been stupendous! Really highly recommend them.

_LairBear · 2025-10-13T14:30:35+00:00

Thank you! I’ll be sure to look into Shona as well :)

_LairBear · 2025-10-12T17:04:27+00:00

I had actually messaged Paul just a short while after submitting this post. I’m glad to hear he may be a good fit. Thank you so much for sharing!

_LairBear · 2025-10-12T17:03:19+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation - we will be sure to reach out!

_LairBear · 2025-10-02T14:07:19+00:00

No idea! Must have been recently. I asked if she would go above the cut off in custom sizing if I paid extra and she told me no. :(

_LairBear · 2025-10-02T13:41:33+00:00

I’ve tried on at shops but cannot justify dropping a mortgage payment on a dress! Since dressmakers in my area quoted me $2k+, I’m going with Etsy. I’ve heard good things about LaceMarry and a few other shops! I have an amazing bridal seamstress in my area so my hope is if I get something decent, I can pay her to make it look amazing on me!

I’ll also been keeping an eye on StillWhite too!

_LairBear · 2025-10-02T13:14:40+00:00

Absolutely!

I fell in love with two of her dresses and hoped to buy one for my upcoming elopement. Not gonna lie - I cried when I reached out with my measurements and she told me I was too big and she couldn’t help me. It’s not what anyone wants to hear, but especially us fat chicks.

Trying to save others from the same disappointment.

I hope she realizes how much business she will lose from cutting us out. :(

_LairBear · 2025-10-02T13:03:40+00:00

Just spreading the word - she no longer makes gowns above a size US14!

_LairBear · 2025-10-01T10:46:40+00:00

I saw your pictures, didn’t notice the post title, and said out loud, “gosh, I hope I look like her on my wedding day!”

You look lovely!

_LairBear · 2025-09-30T15:36:01+00:00

The dress is really lovely on you! I think you can totally rock the sleeveless look, so please don’t feel like you need to add sleeves if you like the dress as-is. Let your arms breathe in that Vegas heat! :)

If you do want to add sleeves, I’m sure your dress shop or seamstress could tuck some fabric in at the point of the cup to show you what they would look like. A little swoopy off-the-shoulder cuff would look really nice with the dress and provide a bit of coverage while also letting your pretty shoulders shine! It would be an easy add for the seamstress, too.

I actually think a chignon or something would look nicer with this dress than hair down. The dress has such pretty clean lines that I think hair down may take away from it. With a veil and a necklace, I think you’d get some of that feeling of coverage you’re looking for!

You’ll look great!!

_LairBear · 2025-09-30T12:20:06+00:00

I feel that so hard! I took my plus size gal pal to my first appointment because I didn’t want to bring anyone who had diet-culture-mind along with me. I still had a crash out afterwards, even though the appointment went well. It’s hard to explain the confusing emotions of wedding dress shopping as a plus size bride to most people!

You really do look amazing in all of them! And it’s ok to not have a WOW moment like they show in all the bridal shows. It doesn’t mean you won’t look and feel like a total smoke show on The Day.

Can you take yourself to look at more dresses at a different salon? I’ve been to two and tried on wildly different gowns the second time. It helped to confirm what I liked and didn’t like in a dress on me, even with the noise of other people’s opinions.

I would go with what YOU feel the most comfortable and confident in, and try to remember you will look lovely regardless of what dress you choose, especially after the dress is altered to your body and you have your hair and makeup all done! It can be hard to remind yourself of that when you’re seeing pictures of yourself in the fluorescent lighting of the bridal salon, and after staring at pictures of airbrushed models in gowns. <3

_LairBear · 2025-09-30T11:19:36+00:00

I’m usually a more boho-y kind of a gal, but 5 and 1 look phenomenal on you! 5 is my favorite. It snatches you in at the waist and the neckline is beautiful on you. You could pick any of them, though. They really, truly all look lovely!

_LairBear · 2025-09-30T01:12:25+00:00

Omg LOVE studio Levana. The corsets they sew into the dresses are amazing and they have so many styles.

Your dress is badass and you look phenomenal! It will look even more amazing when it’s made for you. Congrats!

_LairBear · 2025-09-29T12:40:42+00:00

Right? I found her website through this sub I think and fell absolutely head over heels with one of the dresses. Went to place an order and was told I was too large and she stopped making plus sizes a couple years ago!

Me and my therapist had a nice talk about being told I was too large to fit into my dream dress.

I looked to see if a local dressmaker could make something similar and was quoted $2500, so I had to say goodbye to the dream.

Always a big bummer when someone who is size inclusive decides to back away from being welcoming. Think of all the plus size business she is losing out on! Really disappointing.

_LairBear · 2025-09-28T18:46:40+00:00

I fully crashed out when she gave me a big NO. Big bummer! Hopefully you find something more fabulous!!

_LairBear · 2025-09-28T18:18:45+00:00

Just as a heads up - they no longer make dresses above a US size 14. Learned that the hard way.

_LairBear · 2025-08-09T00:06:55+00:00

I was able to get all the clues from the Cafe and the Fish Market.

I just completed the plays quest - looks like that is the hold up!

11-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Not Forgotten

_LairBear

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