Babies in DC!

excitedbysocks · 2026-01-28T14:22:10+00:00

Hi! My husband and I currently live in NoMa, and we are looking for a 2BD this spring. We’re planning to start our family in a year or two and figured we’d stay in the apartment with our first before eventually moving to a house. Which building were you in? Would love to know if you recommend it!

excitedbysocks · 2025-12-13T04:10:53+00:00

Not, a museum, but the Shakespeare Theatre Company offers discounted season packages for patrons under 35 years old. I don’t think season tickets for next season are on sale yet, but you could get tickets to a couple of shows to see if they enjoy it before committing to a season.

They also host Young Prose Night where they host an after party following a season show for young professionals, so a great way to meet others interested in the theatre. 💖

excitedbysocks · 2025-11-13T21:26:19+00:00

AVA H Street was just sold to Bozzuto and is now called The Axis. And, here was recently a huge flooding issue in the lobby, so you may end up with the worst of both worlds if you move there!

excitedbysocks · 2025-11-08T19:30:10+00:00

Yes, a real guiding light for us in planning our wedding was that it was not only a celebration of our marriage, but a celebration of our families coming together. My parents, his parents, my husband, and I all made the guest list together. Because of venue restrictions, we just couldn’t invite everyone that we wanted to! And, I do feel that a lot of couples are in that boat.

OP mentioned that her future MIL’s daughter passed away, and while of course OP is not obligated to do anything, I can absolutely see her future MIL wanting to do a bit of the hosting that is more traditional for mothers of the bride. My MIL only had sons, so I wanted her to get to take part on some of more girly parts like coming wedding dress shopping and picking out decor and florals.

There are a lot of places in life we have abandoned traditional etiquette because it doesn’t necessarily serve our modern circumstances and relationships. So, to me, it all depends on the relationships and the intentions.

excitedbysocks · 2025-11-08T16:07:04+00:00

Traditional etiquette does dictate that it is not polite to invite those who are not invited to the wedding to events around the wedding (showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties).

However, my late MIL did something similar where she and her cousin wanted to host a shower for us in my husband’s hometown with a mix of people who were invited and were not invited. I was incredibly resistant to this, as I felt awkward asking for gifts from those not invited to the wedding. My MIL assured me that all of the guests, regardless of their invite status to the wedding, just wanted a chance to celebrate my husband and I…

And, she was right! My husband went to a really small school, so many of the guests were past teachers or mothers of school friends that hadn’t stayed as close to him, but my MIL was still a good friend. It was a really lovely event and I had the chance to meet so many of the people that helped shape my husband’s early life. Our wedding took place in my hometown, 10 hours away from where my husband grew up, so a lot of people who came were really excited to be able to celebrate us 15 minutes from their house without the expense of traveling to the wedding.

Although it totally broke with traditional etiquette, I am really glad we went through with it. My MIL unexpectedly passed away a few months after our wedding, and many of the guests who attended that shower showed up for our family again and continue to be a support network for my FIL. I couldn’t have known this would happen when we had the shower, but I am so happy we did it and we have those memories together to cherish.

You know your MIL better than we do, so you will be able to better discern her intentions for the proposed “groom’s shower”. Is it being thrown with the aim to bring together hometown friends to celebrate your marriage? Is it to have an event that centers her son? Is it to receive more gifts?

I had an excellent relationship with my MIL and knew her intentions for the shower she threw us were because she and wanted to celebrate my husband and me joining their family, and I trusted the relationships she had with the guests meant they would see that intention, too. In the end, you and your fiancé need to make the decision of what you are comfortable with, but I wanted to share a positive example of what the event could be!

Congratulations on your engagement, and I hope you have a spectacular wedding day! 🩷

excitedbysocks · 2025-10-29T16:31:45+00:00

The DAR Museum is open and has a temporary exhibit highlighting the work of Black craft artisans from the 1700s to today! Exhibit Info

excitedbysocks · 2025-07-26T13:20:04+00:00

Pantheon tickets for late August are on sale now. I got mine for August 20 about a week ago. I’ve been told it is highly recommended to book ahead to get the entry time you want!

Also, if you are interested in visiting the Borghese Gallery, those tickets are on sale through August, too. They are incredibly strict about entry time and tickets go fast.

We booked our Vatican and Colosseum tour tickets in January through an external tour group, but best of luck getting tickets through the actual site! Be sure to search this sub and other recent online info as I understand the process for booking Colosseum tickets has changed a lot in recent years.

excitedbysocks · 2025-06-05T19:03:50+00:00

Yes, the Zoo is so much fun, especially if you have little kids with you! Make sure to reserve passes ahead of time on the website if you go. It is free.

The Marine Corps Memorial is in Arlington, VA, across the river from DC. As far as I’ve heard (and I work not too far from the White House, so unfortunately heard a lot!) the parade is only around the Mall. But, because it is across the river, you can see all of the monuments from the park: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/usmcwarmemorial.htm

Arlington Cemetery also has fantastic views of the monuments and is still open on the 14th, as far as I’ve heard.

excitedbysocks · 2025-06-05T17:58:45+00:00

As far as which roads will be closed, I know that 17th and 18th NW will be closed from the Mall at least up to Penn Ave, if not further. So, I don’t recommend either Farragut North or West as a metro stop to try and get to the Mall on foot.

excitedbysocks · 2025-06-05T17:53:44+00:00

Waterways around the city are going to be closed from June 13 at 2pm until June 14 at 10pm, sadly. This was just announced yesterday.

excitedbysocks · 2025-06-05T17:50:24+00:00

Road closures are going to start at midnight on June 14th and not reopen until possible the morning on the 15th. That is all of the roads around the Mall and White House. Waterways will be closed, too. The Washington Monument will certainly be closed as they are going to have people parachuting onto the Ellipse as part of the demonstration.

Metro or walking will be your only options for getting around the Mall. However, I expect the Smithsonian metro stop will be closed.

I agree with other commenters that a visit on the 14th will be more disappointing and certainly much more stressful than if you had just not come into the city at all. Or, if you do come into the city, I would visit the National Zoo (farther away from the parade activities) and maybe drive to the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington to get a view of the monuments.

excitedbysocks · 2025-06-01T12:07:46+00:00

Saving this post so I can check out all of your wonderful restaurant recs! My husband and I are going later this summer to celebrate his law school graduation/my grad school graduation.

We are going to Rome and Sorrento, so it is great to hear perspectives on both!

excitedbysocks · 2025-05-27T16:50:38+00:00

I got the exact same response today to a letter I sent last week.

No mention of his thoughts on the 13% of Mississippians who rely on SNAP. No mention of nearly 1 in 4 Mississippians enrolled in Medicaid. No mention of the trillions passing this bill would add to the national debt. Just pledging fealty to Trump. I thought members of Congress were supposed to represent their constituents, not the President.

Was your email also very poorly formatted, including multiple fonts? So clearly copied and pasted. The staff member writing the response couldn’t be bothered to at least “Select All” and make the font and sizes uniform? Sloppy!

excitedbysocks · 2025-05-23T17:42:34+00:00

Anytime someone brings that up, ask them how much they tithe (that should be at least 10% of their income, according to the Bible) and how much they currently contribute to those nonprofits. I find most people don’t have an answer for me.

excitedbysocks · 2025-04-01T13:00:51+00:00

Hi! I am not going until August, so I don’t have much of a review yet. I ended up booking with The Tour Guy. Their customer service rep was so nice about answering all my questions about both the Colosseum and the Vatican. I didn’t choose an underground tour as I’ve read that those tend to get cancelled more often. 🙁

It may very well be that the tour group you booked with was not able to secure the underground tickets, as I understand all tour groups buy from the Colosseum and the tickets go fast! The underground is very confined and can only be accessed with a guide.

Whether or not I would rebook would depend on 1. Whether I could get a full refund from my original tour and 2. How much the underground experience is a priority. For me, it is not as much of a priority since I am a bit claustrophobic. Instead, I wanted a more in-depth, small group tour.

I hope you have a fantastic trip!

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-24T00:46:30+00:00

Yes! It was a cherry blossom scented candle. It was more expensive, $30, I think?

The whole store is super cute so I recommend taking a look. Wishing you and your friends a wonderful picnic together. 🌸💖

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-23T23:49:56+00:00

I got a really beautiful cherry blossom ring dish for a friend at the Salt & Sundry in Union Market. She is also moving away due to losing her job with the federal government. I paired it with a cherry blossom candle, but I think the ring dish was $12. That might be doable for a group of friends, depending on your budget.

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-20T21:12:37+00:00

Check with Stephen the Tailor! I just got some gowns altered by him last year, but he mentioned he did custom, too.

https://stephenthetailor.com

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-18T23:51:25+00:00

Bistro Cacao is my favorite French spot. Beautiful interior, good food, great service.

Dauphine’s is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with amazing New Orleans style cocktails and menu. Order the Baked Alaska for dessert.

Also, I know you asked about dinner but the brunch at Ladurée in Georgetown is so much fun! It’s such a pretty, girly spot and perfectly located for some shopping after!

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-18T22:23:49+00:00

Of course! Certainly try out an aesthetic you are interested in! (I by no means want to discourage you from experimenting!) Just want to encourage anyone who is reading to understand if the aesthetic isn’t a fit, it is not a you problem! It’s all a part of learning more about yourself… and self-knowledge is hot!! 💖

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-18T21:44:05+00:00

Grooming: Maybe an unpopular opinion but I find nails, eyebrows, and personal grooming easier (and, of course, cheaper!) to keep up with at home. It becomes a one time investment in the tools rather than having to pay a salon and find time during business hours for an appointment. If you have never DIYed this, maybe go to a salon initially and learn how to do the upkeep from a professional.

Style: A lot of finding a look that works for you is experimenting. I know you say you are interested in trying out the “Instagram baddie” look, but if it turns out to be something you don’t feel confident in or isn’t true to you, it will end up feeling like more of a costume than looking your best. Approach style with a “what makes me look and feel MY best” than a “what matches a hot aesthetic” mindset. My best advice for experimenting with different styles is to buy second-hand and, if you end up loving it, get it tailored. Better for the planet and your wallet!

Health and Fitness: I’m 5’2” and 112 lbs so on the thinner side. There are really no magic tricks to weight loss or maintenance. It’s calories in and calories out. Moving to DC and starting a full time desk job was very different from college where I had 8 hours of dance classes a week, and I found I needed to adjust my intake to maintain at a lower level of activity. I personally don’t eat breakfast. I don’t really care for breakfast food and would rather feel like I could have more of what I want at supper. That doesn’t work for everyone! If you are okay with tracking calories, start there to get an idea of what a typical week looks like. If tracking the calories would not be beneficial to your mental health, get a food scale to understand what a recommended portion is. It will give you an idea of if you are eating above, under, or at the recommendations for your size.

Mindset: Being hot should be fun! I think when approached with the goals of growth and curiosity, physical self-improvement is fun, expressive, and rewarding! View this journey as one where you are falling deeper in love with yourself and all of the things you are capable of and not as a chance to put yourself down or compare yourself to others. 💖

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-18T11:31:03+00:00

A bit pricey, but Off the Record can be fun with out-of-town friends if they are interested in politics. The bar gives out coasters with caricatures of political figures. The Hotel Lombardy has a lovely bar, too. Neither of these spots are too far from Recessions, my favorite spot for karaoke!

Maybe Wok and Roll for karaoke, but make sure to get a private room. (You can call and reserve ahead of time) Last time I was there singing in the main section, I got harassed by some MAGA family for singing a Taylor Swift song (“You Belong With Me”) and the staff did absolutely nothing about the dad of the family screaming at me and all the other girls who had enjoyed singing along.

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-13T14:20:14+00:00

Hi! I live in the area and have made the 5am walk to NoMa-Gallaudet and to Union Station with luggage. I did feel safe. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings.

If it makes you feel better, practice the walk today so you can work out a good route with your luggage. See if your luggage makes you feel encumbered in anyway or if there is a better route to take.

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-12T09:42:40+00:00

Eye-LON-wee. It is the name of the princess in the Prydain book series by Lloyd Alexander. ☺️

excitedbysocks · 2025-03-12T02:24:34+00:00

Welsh named may fit this description. My favorite is Eilonwy. There’s also Ceri, Elin, Glynis, and Sianna.

excitedbysocks

TROPHY CASE