I’m sad that I’m leaving D.C.; I’m going to miss Kona’s little face, exploring the gorgeous city, being around my brother and Karlee and the treadmill I bonded with. But, I get to go home to Mr. Grumples, my friends, and I have a fun mountain weekend coming up.
It’s going to be pretty rainy and gross out today, so hopefully the drive goes smoothly.
We all sat up on the rooftop Saturday night and had wine, brie with wheat crackers, honey, and dried cranberries, and my light 60 calories brown crisp treats.
We called it a night after 9:30 and I was in bed by ten!
Sunday, I watched the Lions lose while running the treadmill. I don’t know what the “weight” is set to on this treadmill, so the calories are not accurate.
After my run, Karlee and I walked to King Street to grab coffee at Misha’s. When I saw these little wild flowers in the alley, I had to use them in my photo 🙂
I ordered their pumpkin spiced latte with skim milk and a Cardamon Date Kate bakes Bar. Those are literally the most delicious bars ever. I had it last time I was in D.C. and I’m about to order an entire box for my place.
We walked past the Sugar Cube shop in Old Town Alexandria. In the window, there were about 20 jars of different flavored fruit slices. I felt like Charlie staring in the window at the candy shop. Fruit slices have been my favorite since I was a kid. When Karlee said she had never had them before, I was shocked! We went into the shop and I grabbed some for us to try. I bought the watermelon, mango jalapeño, and the pineapple guava. Karlee is now a new fan of the candy slices.
Old Town felt like Halloween town. Everyone was dressed up with their furry friends and Halloween decorations were everywhere.
We walked back and then hopped in the car to pick up Kona from doggy day care. It was so rainy earlier in the morning, and the he had so much energy, so I took him to play with his buddies for the day.
We picked up Potbelly’s for dinner on the way back.
After giving Kona a bath and an awesome blow out,(He’s literally the only dog I know that genuinely loves baths and the blowdryer. He’ll sit in the tub randomly during the day) I had my favorite salad ever! It’s not really my favorite salad ever, but it is my favorite salad from a fast food place. Their fat free vinaigrette is out of this world.
I get the chickpea veggie salad with feta, croutons, cucumber, tomatoes (picked off), chickpeas, and lettuce. Their salads are ginormous.
Kona and I watched the Panthers vs. Eagles and the Cowboys vs. Giants play, then fell asleep.
I decided to go up on the rooftop and catch the sunrise Monday morning. I bundled up, grabbed my camera, coffee, and Kona. We were on a sunrise mission.
Waking up early is beautiful.
The wind was blowing and my hands were about frozen off, but it was worth every minute.
Kona also loved the view.
I loved watching the planes appear through the clouds and disappear as they landed.
After our rooftop time, we headed down for a walk. When you’re up there, the skies are so colorful and once you’re back on ground level, the skies are just plain blue. Crazy what is out there that we can’t actually see, unless we go out of our way to find it.
Karlee and I headed to King Street to shop. I needed and outfit for a wedding dinner rehearsal and the wedding. Luckily, I scored with a really cute outfit under $100 (I’ll blog soon).
As we were walking, a man asked for money for food. I didn’t have any cash on me, so I just went into Whole Foods and grabbed him a giant Italian sub. He was very happy. Sometimes, you have to stop and thank the Lord for the life you’ve been given because it could be so much worse.
It takes one minute to do something nice for someone. It’s easier to walk away and forget about them, but one little kind act can change someone’s entire day. Even if it’s something as simple as a sandwich.
I’m sharing and posting this to inspire you guys to do something nice for someone else.
After picking up my outfit, we were hungry for lunch. We walked down towards the water.
It took us extra time because I had to take pictures of everything.
That is what fall is all about.
One of my readers left a comment about trying out Jackson 20, so we decided to have lunch there.
Coffee first.
I decided to go with the build your own salad on their lunch menu. My cute little ceramic tray had romaine lettuce with salmon, quinoa salad, cucumber dill salad, and broccoli salad. Their salmon was cooked perfectly; just the way I like it.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere was fun and reminded me a lot of Nan & Byron’s (my favorite Charlotte spot). The staff was super friendly and the manager came out to check up on us a couple of times. They genuinely cared about our dining experience. I’m sad I can’t try breakfast there…maybe next time!
We stopped into Kilwin’s to check the place out. We always walk by it and couldn’t take the curiosity anymore.
They asked us if we’d like to sample fudge…of course!
I tried out the toasted coconut and pumpkin walnut. HOLY FUDGE! YUM!
The toasted coconut was my favorite and I ended up going back in yesterday to grab tons of flavors for my family and Nick’s parents (who are coconut lovers). My dad will LOVE the pumpkin walnut.
They also make jumbo caramel apples. Talk about fall <3
They also had festive fall flavored ice cream.
Karlee ordered the apple pie ice cream and I had a bite of it. It was incredible. This blows all the ice cream I’ve ever tried on king street out of the water. It had that homemade taste and ice melt texture.
Plus it was photogenic.
I wanted to try the pumpkin, but I was fighting a stomach ache.
We decided to walk around a little bit more and explore the shops. It would take an entire year to explore every single shop down here.
I found these at a little gift shop and thought they were the coolest. Their soap balls made from lama wool. They smell so good and they look cute. Karlee and I must have been living under a rock because apparently these are a thing…
Then we walked back and I had to take pictures of like 139435783045 doorsteps.
If you go to old town, make sure you walk on all the side streets. They’ll take your breath away.
If fall is this festive here, I can’t imagine what Christmas will be like.
Beautiful mums <3
Gorgeous cobblestones.
Gotta love the pumpkins with warts…
9 out of 10 of the town homes had fall decorations.
I felt like Spring never left and joined fall.
That tree was crazy looking!
That was one of the most beautiful walks I’ve ever taken. I wasn’t feeling too great when I got back, so I ended up relaxing the rest of the day and then watching Dancing With The Stars.
I had a horrible headache yesterday, so I skipped out on running and decided to just do weights and strength training for 30 minutes.
I’m going to miss these two redheads.
I headed to Alexandria cupcake to picked up some for the family. I chose one of every flavor.
I also stopped at Blueprint Chocolatiers. It’s an adorable little shop on the corner. It has unique chocolate and espresso drinks. The chocolatier talked to us for a while and let us know all about the flavors. She had some fun seasonal ones and they were beautiful crafted. You could tell she loved what she does!
I bought a pack of six with different flavors. Karlee and I tried the seasonal flavor while we were there. It was made with maple rye whisky from Gimli, Canada, milk & dark chocolate with a pinch of smoked sea salt. (YUM)
Talk with you guys soon!
Allison says
Gorgeous photos! Who is your favorite front runner for Dancing with the Stars? I was surprised Hayes went this week!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Allison!
You know, it’s weird! Every season I have a favorite couple, but I’m pulling for all of them. I think they’re all really good contenders. I think Bendie and Derrick have been flawless consecutively. I was also surprised he went home. I though they were really good and he improved each week. Their dances were always really creative.
Kara B says
If you are interested in Old Town at Christmas time, I suggest their “Scottish Christmas Walk” parade! Tons of doggies participate and observe. Very small-town cute and festive.
http://www.campagnacenter.org/scottishwalkweekend/parade
Taralynn McNitt says
That is so cool.
I’m going to pass this along to Shaugna so she can take Kona! I hope to make it up there.
Thank you.
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life says
Your pictures are seriously so gorgeous. Makes me want to visit! Love love love these posts <3
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you so much Lindsay!!
Emily B says
You are KILLING me with all of these gorgeous pictures! I was in DC/Old Town Alexandria in August and I just loved walking around Alexandria. Such a beautiful part of the DC area.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Emily!
Alexandria is my favorite next to Georgetown!
Anonymous says
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks 🙂
Shannon says
Oh my goodness we have a Kilwin’s in Fort Collins and it looks exactly the same! My mom loves their chocolates I send them for Christmas every year 🙂 I had no idea there was more than one!
Taralynn McNitt says
I saw that they had several locations. MAYBE they’ll get one in Charlotte 😉
Their chocolates looked so good and super cute for fall. Their fudge is literally out of this world, it’s a must try!!
Jenn says
I love Potbelly’s dressing, too! The brand they use is Hendrickson’s Original Sweet Olive Oil and Vinegar. They carry it at my grocery store so now I don’t have to splurge on Potbelly everytime a craving strikes!
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s seriously the best! You just made my day…I have been looking for “duplicate” recipes of that dressing for years! I am literally going to order a gallon of that stuff! This is amazing! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Jenn says
Happy to help!!!
Shalyn says
Excellent photos! You made me want to go visit. Have a great trip back and be safe!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Shalyn. If you do visit, you won’t regret it! Gorgeous.
Hillarie Davis says
One day I will go to Maine and DC just to see what you have shared via your camera lens. Love it!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Hillarie! Maine and D.C. are both great places. You can knock them both out in one trip! xo
Sarisha says
The pictures you take are amazing and so so beautiful. You capture all of the colors so well. Glad you’ve enjoyed your time in DC – I always love visiting family there. Wishing you safe travels back home.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Sarisha.
I’ve been trying to step up my photography game. That means a lot! It’s great having family there isn’t it!?
xo
Tara says
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!! I’m sure it will be nice to get home. Hope you have a fun Halloween!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Tara!!
Hope you have a fun Halloween as well xo
Linda @ The Fitty says
Simple acts of kindness certainly make the world go round.
Taralynn McNitt says
Absolutely!
Allie says
Where did you get your brown booties Tara? I love them! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Old Navy outlet;)
Hannah says
OH MY GOSH! I’m a little obsessed with this town! I want to visit now!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
YOU MUST! 😀
Sharni says
I love all the pumpkins people have left out on their stoops. I live in Australia and we don’t really celebrate Halloween 🙁 (it’s spring here at the moment). I’m the only person I know who has decorated their whole house in pumpkin EVERYTHING! The streets there just look magical.
Taralynn McNitt says
I learned that off of Dancing With The Stars the other night. Bendi Erwin mentioned it! When I was in France last year, they didn’t celebrate either! You can always come to the states to celebrate:: I do LOVE that you celebrate anyways though! You sound like so much fun.
xo
Tayna says
The D.C. newspaper or Alexandria paper should use your photos! Exquisite.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you! That would be cool 🙂
Alyssa says
Love seeing all these beautiful falll photos!! What do you use to edit them?! Im apologize if you have answered this before! LOL and i am going to have to try a PSL with skim milk, i’ve never had one because they have so many calories!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Alyssa. Do a PSL with skim milk and ask for just one pump. I think they add WAYYYY too many. 🙂 I just use pic monkey! I add a little saturation and change the lighting 🙂
Nicole says
Gah, I have lived in Arlington for 3+ years and never knew there was a Kilwins in Old Town!! Good for my waistline, but my Kilwins obsession has missed out. It’s the BEST!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hahaha, it’s totally worth it!
Melanie says
Beautiful photos Taralynn! I want to visit D.C. and now I know to go in the fall.. It looks so pretty!
Wasn’t DWST awesome on Monday night?! I love the Halloween themed dances. I was bummed Hayes went home, but everyone left is so good! It will be interesting to see what happens next week 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
THANK YOU MELANIE!
I love love love Halloween night! I can’t believe Hayes went home either! i loved their werewolf dance.
Kim says
So I was in Alexandria again the other day and I have some recommendations you should check out next time! You should tour Christ Church and the Apothecary Museum. Tons of history and it was really cool.
We ate lunch at Virtue Feed and Grain. The quinoa salad was amazing. My friends had the burger and said it was great too 🙂 the atmosphere was great and the food was very fresh and largely locally sourced. Try next time for sure 🙂
Also Misha’s has the cutest menu. I love it.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Kim!
I’m adding these to my list!!
Kelsey says
I too was on the treadmill watching the game.. I had a better day than you tho 😉 go Vikings!! ??
Taralynn McNitt says
yeah yeah yeah 😛
Sarah says
Your photos are beautiful! I love fall colors!
Taralynn McNitt says
THANK YOU:
Kristjana says
I got so excited that the maple rye whiskey was from Gimli! I’m from Manitoba and its so cool that something from my province was mentioned on the blog, and is being used in DC! Your pictures are all so pretty, and I’ll miss seeing Kona too!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you Krisjana! (gorgeous name btw)
That chocolate was out of this world! SO thank you Gimli! 🙂 I’ll have to post some Kona updates and hopefully I’ll get to watch him again soon:) xo
Kristin C says
Oh wow! I didn’t realize Kilwins was a chain. They have them in Asheville too!
I’m jealous of your DC adventure! It looks awesome!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Kristin! THEY HAVE ONE IN ASHVILLE?!!?
sophie says
I simply love your blog 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you sophie!