Birthday Weekend Getaway!

"Epic Birthday Getaway!"

(Me enjoying the lobby common area of The Melrose Georgetown)

Hello Luvs, I'm super excited to be sharing my Birthday weekend getaway to DC with you all, we had so much fun exploring Georgetown DC. I also can’t wait to tell and show you all about the luxury boutique hotel we stayed in called The Melrose Georgetown, located at 2430 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC 20037.  WOW where can I start? We arrived at the Melrose on a Friday around noon, and we were more than pleased to find out that the hotel was just an 8-10 minute walk from the center of Georgetown, right where all the great shops and restaurants are. Once we left our car with valet we checked in and headed up to our suite, wow was the entrance and common area more than grand. It’s covered in all types of classy decor covered in marble and granite, as I told Rob if this is an indicator of how amazing the suite will be I think we are really going to love our time here. 

 (Front lobby entrance and bar)

 (Lobby common room in the Melrose)

(Grand entrance and front desk)

Boy was I right, the suite was beautiful. Just as you walk in the door the is a cute little office with a desk just off to the left. I really enjoyed how they themed the cedar around the constitution, perfect touch for DC. The as you proceed straight ahead you walk into the living room area complete with a cozy couch and coffee table to the right, an arm chair and ottoman to the left, right next to the dresser and big screen television. Then there was a huge picture window with a great view of of the area, and finally down the hall to the left was a bedroom with a queen sized bed and another big screen television. A little further down the hall to the left was the bathroom, all decked out in marble tiles in a law and white color combo. It was more than enough room for Rob and I to spend the next couple days, and OMG the bed was super comfy with crisp clean bedding and pillows. I’m one of those people that finds it very difficult to feel at home in hotel beds, at the Melrose I had no problem relaxing in and sleeping soundly. Once we got settled in and hung up our clothes we got dressed and walked down to the Georgetown waterfront to look for dinner. 

 (Office)

 (Bedroom)

 (Living room)

 (Bathroom)

The weather was absolutely perfect and because it was a Friday night there were so many different people, all scattered about and walking around just enjoying all the many restaurants to choose from. There where yachts docked on the peer and the sun was just setting so e sat down at some outdoor tables and just enjoyed the scenery. Nothing is more fun than eating a good meal and doing a bit of people watching...lol! After we finished eating  we stopped into a gelato shop that we saw on the walk up... for a couple scoops of course. Then we headed back to the hotel to relax and rest up for a day of birthday fun, we had plans to do a couple shoots and go out for dinner. When we made it back to the room we enjoyed some fruit, cheese and a glass of wine before turning in and because we slept both cozy and comfortably, we were able to get up bright and early the next morning. 

(Fruit, cheese and wine at The Melrose before bed)

We made sure to stop into the hotel restaurant on our way out and boy was it good. I had an egg white omelette and Rob had the waffles topped with fruit... both were amazing. Needless to say we ate breakfast there the next morning as well, it was that good. Once we filled our bellies we set out for Main St in the heart of Georgetown, there is a great little spot up there called Greenworks Florist, it has pink floral walls that are beautiful and I was very eager to take some pictures there. On the way back we stopped into several stores and shops to look around and explore though I have to say I didn't buy anything but an ice-cream cone. We did stop into Kate Spade where I saw thee single cutest little french bulldog bag, only bummer was to small, I could barley fit my wallet so that was a no go. We also came across some cute walls, so you know we had to stop and shoot a couple pictures. By the time we got back to the hotel it was almost 4pm and we were exhausted, so we settled in and relaxed until 7pm when we had a reservation at Jardenea the hotel restaurant. 

(The old Greenworks Florist in Georgetown)

(Cute alley mural we came across in Georgetown)

(Blind Whino Painter Church)

Wow that was a dinner to remember, everything from start to finish was delicious. First I ordered the barley and lentil soup and Rob ordered a fall and mixed greens salad, as well as some cheese brioche’ dinner rolls. For our entrees I got the fillet and Rob ordered the blackened rainbow trout, both meals were seasoned just right and cooked to perfection. It's very rare that we both love everything about our meals, and eat everything on our plates...or in this case everything they put on the table. The dinner rolls were sooooo good with their cheesy centers. Finally for dessert I got the southern pecan pie and ice-cream, Rob got the vanilla cheesecake and chocolate ganach. My pecan pie was so good and perfectly paired with the vanilla icecream because it was still warm. Let’s just say by the time we left the restaurant we were stuffed and more than ready for bed, plus we had to get up early the next morning for breakfast and start heading back home. 

(Soup and salad appetizers at Jardenea) 

(Filet at Jardenea)

 (Pecan pie and ice-cream dessert at Jardenea)

It was a bummer the weekend was over so fast, but as they say time flies when you’re having fun. I just had to make one pit-stop before we checked out at noon, you guys know I don’t go anywhere without finding the amazing sweet treats that the area has to offer so I can share it with you. I did some area searches and realized that not one but two spots I had my eye on for some time were not that far away from our hotel. I was more than excited!! The first one is a place called The Salt Line, they have some amazing desserts and freak shakes that I had been reading about for a minute. Not only are they delish they are also super decked out with all kinds of yummy toppings like donuts, candy, marshmallows and then some. Plus they aren't just a sweet shop they're also a full serve restaurant and bar with fresh seafood. 

(The Salt Line Freakshake)

(Marion Berry from IceCream Jubilee)

I also stopped into Ice Cream Jubilee which is about 2 or 3 blocks away, you know I had to stop into both. I got a double dip of Marion Berry at Jubilee, it was all piled high in a fresh rainbow sprinkle waffle cone, OMG you guys it was amazing. The flavor profile is epic...a yummy berry flavored ribbon, mixed with graham cracker and super fresh vanilla. If they sold it in gallons I would have bought 5, that's how yummy and rich it was. They make their icecream fresh daily and are always combining so many unique and amazing flavors that all work together, like a harmonious song that make your tastebuds straight up want to sing. These are 2 great spots I whole heartily recommend to you guys if you are in DC, trust me your tummy will thank you. Well after our icecream escapades we headed back to the hotel to pack and set out for home, back to Baltimore. On the way Rob and I made plans to make it a yearly tradition to get away on our birthdays, to basically take some time to ourselves to just relax and recharge. I have been learning to pay more attention to self care, it's always important to take time for you, especially when you have hectic on-the-go busy lifestyle like we do. I know one thing, we will definitely be going back to The Melrose. I plan to see what other locations they have in the US because I’m excited about the adventures and possibilities ahead. For more info on The Melrose Georgetown check out their website at: www.melrosehoteldc.com, see if there is a location near you. 

 (Me relaxing in the Melrose Lobby)

(The view from our suite)

(Breakfast at the Melrose)

(Me enjoying the cherry on top)

Read More

Blogger Babe Tees with Custom Ink

This post is sponsored by Custom Ink and all opinions and experiences are mine and mine alone.

"The DMV Blogger Brunch!"

I’m so excited to be putting this post together, as most of you know we love putting together fun blogger events, that way I can hang out with some other ladies in the area so we can bounce ideas off of one another. This helps me to be the best blogger I can be, as well as getting to know my peers. We recently had a little DMV Blogger Babes Brunch in DC this past weekend and I thought what could be more fun then to make DMV Blogger Babe Tee’s. So I started my search for a good spot, that’s when I came across Custom Ink in Bethesda. They are fantastic because they make the process so easy and their employees couldn’t be more helpful. All I had to do was go online to their website and make and appointment to stop in. 

They have the coolest atmosphere where you sit down and work with your designer to create a cute logo or design. They have amazing in depth programs on their computers that include every niche’ you can think of and in every color. It doesn’t take long and if you aren’t quite sure what you want no worries, they can more than help you with ideas to create something that puts a smile on your face. Then they deliver it right to your front door for an unbeatable price. I was surprised at how patient they were because you know I take Piper everywhere with me and this particular day she was being more than obnoxious. Add Rob running around with the camera taking pictures, then moving things about and you have a real circus. 

They have much more than t-shirts too, Custom Ink can put your fab new personalized design on just above anything. Jackets, cell phone cases, water bottles, bags, hats and much much more. The t-shirts I got were an absolute hit because they were so soft and luxe feeling, not to mention the fantastic logo we came up with made everyone make that cute ahhhhh sound when they saw them. I was definitely going for something I knew everyone would want to wear on a regular basis, something that would match just about anything. I realized that you can’t go wrong with light pink and a v-neck when you have a group of female bloggers. In fact Custom Ink made the process so enjoyable that I’m already thinking up ideas for the next Blogger Babe get together. I can say I more then recommend them for all of your customizing needs. 

I think for the next meeting I may have some phone cases and zip up hoodies made for the cold season. They had some amazing Under Armour and Nike hoodies that looked and felt super soft and warm, I know the girls would absolutely love those. Sound off below and tell me what you would make if you could, and give your girl some good ideas. With all the different choices they have, I just don’t know if I can decide. I was thinking perhaps a brunch picture, like a little mimosa or Bloody Mary design/logo, that may be super cute and fun.

Well Piper and I have to get packed, we will be staying in Washington DC for the next 3 days so I better get going. In the meantime definitely keep Custom Ink in your memory for your future needs, you definitely won’t find better. Just check out their website to find a location near you, because there are many stores. 

Have a wonderful day luvs! 

Read More

Baltimore - DC Spring Vibes!!

It's Spring in Baltimore!!

(Piper and I at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC)

Don't let me drown you guys with all the killer spring vibes, I just couldn't help sharing them with you. I love this time of year so I go a bit overboard with the floral shots, I even have an Instagram account that is ONLY devoted to floral photography. It's a big big love of mine, as most of you know I was a floral designer for darn near 15 years. It was the only job I have ever had that never felt like a day of work, kind of like being an influencer. It's absolutely true what they say about feeling passion for whatever you do, it's the key to success for sure. Ok I'll stop chatting your heads off, we will make this post a mostly image post and let the flower shots do the talking. After all flowers are plain just good for the soul! My favorite flower is the Stargazer Lily, hence my Instagram username @DanaStargazerTruitt, and my flower page @_StarsFlowers, check them out and tell me what you think. If you don't follow yet please do. I look forward to your input/comments on the flowers shots. I'm also running a HUGE GIVEAWAY on my flower page as well, 2 people will win $1000 cash. 

Above is Piper and I in Mt. Vernon Baltimore Maryland, just across the street from the Washington Monument, and surrounded by magnolias. Below is another Magnolia shot in Druid Hill Park by the Baltimore Zoo, just outside of the Rawlings Conservatory. Piper was definitely trying to eat a bee she saw fly bye. 

The shot above is the Patterson Park Pagoda, which is also in Baltimore. It too is completely framed by magnolias in the riches shades of pink and purple. Last but not least is one of my favorite pictures of Piper to date, I call it Piper prancing through the tulips, and this too is at the Rawlings Conservatory. They always have thee most amazing flowers on display all year round. Doesn't Piper look absolutely gorgeous? Of course I am a bit partial to Pip and those tulips are so colorful, it's especially special because they all match her harness. 

Read More