We’ve just had our first snow of 2019 in DC, so I had to go out and play around. It was incredibly nice to venture out into the fresh snow as it fell. I laughed a lot and was glad I didn’t stay inside.
So, when is the last time you acted like a kid and played in the snow, or sand, or grass? (Whatever is seasonal in your part of the world!) As grown-ups (ahem), sometimes we can get caught up in the monotonous, day-to-day tasks of life. But playing is actually good for us, even when we’re older.
This month, I thought about booking a flight out of town. The travel bug almost bit me again. But then I thought about the fact that I live in the nation’s capital. And there are tons of things to do hereāmany of them freeāand I can keep myself busy at home. Every. Single. Day. And save my money for another big trip abroad. (More on that later.)
CityCenterDC
For instance, in mid-December I dropped by an ice sculpture exhibit at CityCenterDC. This complex of 10 acres in downtown DC includes a plaza, luxe shopping, restaurants, pedestrian walkways, and a hotel, along with living spaces for those who want to make a home there.
Channeling Cruella de Vil at CityCenterDC’s visiting ice exhibit. (The coat, however, is faux!)
We had to wait in line to get into the event tent, but the reward was seeing sculptures that rose up to 12 feet tall and that were carved from 50,000 pounds of ice. The exhibit has since departed, but it’s an example of the cool events that sweep into this space. (Literally and figuratively cool, in this case.) Not seeking any event in particular? The shopping and dining options are worth a stop, too.
A pedestrian walkway by CityCenterDC shops. The archway look changes during the year.
The Warner Theatre
I also bought a ticket to The Nutcracker ballet at DC’s Warner Theatre, which first opened in 1924. The theater design is lovely and intricate, and the location is metro accessible. So convenient. If you want to visit at other times of year, check out the events calendar, which includes everything from comedy to concerts.
Look at this ceiling at the Warner Theatre. Gorgeous.The stage before The Nutcracker started. No photos were allowed during the show, but I can tell you the scenes were whimsical.
Construction on this gingerbread display honoring Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) began in November 2018. It took more than 350 hours to complete.
The Take-Away, Plus More on Instagram
These are truly entertaining times in DC. I haven’t even mentioned the museums I’ve visited and all of my dining and social activities. (I heard live music, too, and I definitely followed my own tips for hearing protection.)
Just casually lounging on a table at a luxury rental in Molokai, an island of Hawaii. š SEE, these are the fun, non-bloggy things I’ve been doing.
The last time I was really here was 2013. Wow. With reference to my last (beyond old) blog post, clearly Halle Berry is no longer pregnant. But I do still think sheer fashion can be chic. And the clothes in my closet still support this theory.
Not sure why I was away from my dear blog for so long, but I’m back now. I was busy during these intervening years. Thank goodness.
My day job also changed; I’m now a health writer, so I’m no longer at the luxury lifestyle magazine where I had been senior editor. But I still live in DC, so I can still give you the details on events around town.
And I’ve been on several, big amazing, trips abroad in the years since, including to France, Spain, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, and more.
So, I mean, there’s a bit of an excuse to have been gone so long. But I’M PLANNING TO DO BETTER.
Please stick around and visit to see my thoughts and writing on all things health, lifestyle, and travel. And of course, please keep an eye on my website’s other pages,Ā which I have been updating.
Also come say hi and follow me on Instagram and Twitter. I’m @lesliequander on both (though more often on Instagram, I admit).
Talk soon! Definitely before another five years, I promise.
Last year, I became senior editor of a luxuryĀ magazine in DC,Ā and have since been covering a variety of events. (For instance, I did red carpet coverage whenĀ Ellen Degeneres received the 15th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.)Ā This weekend, the city is hosting tons of parties and events in honor of President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, and I’ve been keeping up!
I was delighted to appear on DC’s FOX5 morning news to chat about inauguration events,Ā visiting celebs, and the First Lady’s style.Ā (Isn’t she a fashion maven?) View this video from the newscast for moreĀ on inaguration festivities.
I also wrote a fashion roundup for DC’s inauguration events, so if you don’t know what you’re wearing this weekend, have a look at my luxe picks. (I think these options can work for other occasions, too.) Happy celebrating!