Ikea-not-so-awesome

I'd like to take the opportunity to recap my excursions this past weekend...

Let's begin with my horrid and long drive up to the DC area. Now I think we can all agree that DC traffic is beyond comprehension. It is just that bad. Throw an accident or construction into the mix and you can find yourself trapped for hours. Think taking an "alternate route" will get your around the 95 gridlock? Think again. EVERY roadway is discustingly packed (If you think of the US as a human body, DC is the constipated bowel). I don't think there has EVER been a time that I have been in the area (visiting or just passing through) that I didn't spend a significant amount of time giving my right foot a workout...gas, break, gas, break, gas, break...you get the picture. I should have monster calf muscles my now. So, of course, my trip this weekend was no exception to the DC traffic rule and it ended up taking me just over 2 hours to get to POTOMAC MILLS (a mere 80 miles from my humble abode). I am pretty sure the monsoon like storm had a lot to do with the bad traffic (people tend to forget how to drive as soon as a raindrop hits the windshield), and I was somewhat entertained by the fact that I couldn't even see 2 cars in front of me thanks to the rain. Thank goodness for Cosmo radio on XM...I don't know how I could survive such a boring trip without it. 

And onto Potomac Mills. If you follow me on Twitter (yes I Tweet. If you don't, then don't judge. You can't possibly understand Twitter unless you actually participate. So get over your social media fears and "lack of time" and follow me) you will know that I didn't have the greatest of times while visiting this outlet-shopping mecca. For some reason EVERYONE in the DC area picked 3pm on a Saturday afternoon to do their shopping (ok I should have known better) and I spent a large part of my time debating whether or not my purchases were worth standing in 50 person lines. I mean come on Nordstrom Rack!! TWO CASHIERS?! Needless to say, after all was said and done I didn't walk away with much. 

Ikea was pretty much a crash and burn experience for me too. I had practically no room to walk around, let alone swoon over the delightful Swedish bounty. I did end up scoring some nice art for the dining room though, so I will consider that my success story for the day. Observe:

I also bought some dark chocolate frames to go with the rest of the dining room decor. Now all we have to do is figure out how to rig fishing wire to make these babies hang. 

The rest of my trip consisted of a lot of wine, cheese, Georgetown, crepes, and *gasp* more shopping at Potomac Mills. The ridiculousness of my night out with the girls must be saved for another post, but I promise you are in for a treat...

But yes, you heard me correctly. After swinging by Tyson's Corner with Lo to purchase this...

...I decided to head back to Potomac Hell and scope a few last minute gifts for Brian's birthday. I also HAD to stop back in at Nordstrom Rack and purchase a birthday gift for myself, A Le Sportsac tote that will become my gym bag. The print is "Delight" and I got it for $45 off of $110...go me. 

Delight.

Overall, the trip was a success and it was SO NICE to hang out with Em and Lo. Now, unfortunately, I am sitting home sick. I really thought sickness was a winter thing. Oh well...