So lovely readers, it is with great ado we announce that this is our one year anniversary week! Yes, it is true.  Jess and I made it through one year of CityGirls, and we must thank all of you lovely readers for your unflagging interest, comments and support.  We could not have done it without you, so it is with heartfelt emotion (if not grammatically correct English) that we say: You guys rock!!

So to celebrate this august occasion, we are doing something that we think is amazing (to us).  We are taking a week off to wash our hair and wander into the sunlight celebrate. Yay. YAY!!  But do not fret, as we will be back on the Tuesday after labor day daily with more opinions, insight, and random (and hopefully hilarious) observations.  Oooh, and did we mention giveaways? Monitor our twitter feed! It’s on!

But did you also know that before there was CityGirls, there was Christie and Jess? And so to that end, we *may* during this week of hiatus post a hilarious picture or two of life before the glamor of blogging took over our friendship.  Stay tuned!!

What luck! I stumbled across an attractive, successful man while out to dinner with a girl friend. Who would have thunk that a casual night at a nearby restaurant would net in great food, wine, company AND a handsome new friend! Ladies, meet Tony…

Name: Tony

Age: 28

Hometown: Truro, Massachusetts (near Provincetown & Cape Cod)

Favorite Thing About DC: Unlike so many other major cities on the East Coast, DC changes and grows so fast. It’s cool to see. I’ve been in DC since I graduated from Tufts in 2004 and so much has changed. I like that DC is clean but has some grit, too. [Side note: DC-Native Gal About Town LOVES this answer!]

Ideal Quality in a Woman: She needs to be laid back in nature, someone who appreciates the simplicity of relationships.

Fun Fact: Tony studied economics, finance and entrepreneurialism at Tufts. It’s no wonder he has been the proud owner and general manager of 1905 since June 2009.

Favorite Dish on 1905’s Menu: Executive Chef Matt Richardson’s filet is phenomenal. His most creative and most complete dish is the crabcake (see the menu here). It’s a perfect combination of warm and cool – flavors AND temperatures.

Lauren’s reflections on fun things towards the end of the work-week.  She’s brilliant!!

1. To start off with the obvious, I love the Washingtonian. I don’t set my weekend plans in stone until I pick through every post, article, thought on the Washingtonian’s website or mag. There are tons of blogs and newsletters out there with DC-focused activities, but this is the only one that gets it all. Hopefully, you’re on Twitter (insert stern look here) and are already following @washingtonian
2. Primer. My face and eyelash primer can (mostly) hide the negative effects of sleepless nights or early morning workouts. My make up lasts a full 12 hours and my face feels soft. We at CG Central use various brands which we’ll review.
3. Pets. Most city-dwellers live such busy and complicated lives that it’s easy to concentrate on yourself, your career and your extracurricular activities. Nothing brings you back to earth than having to care for a living being. I’ve heard kids have this affect but since I’m too busy living the life of an urbanite, I’ll stick with pets. No, ladies, boyfriends don’t count. They. Are. Not. Pets.
4. Books. I have a pile of books that I am *so* excited to read. I know what you’re thinking – how do you (or anyone else) have time to read? 20 minutes before bed can relax my Type A mind just enough for sleep. 20 minutes on the metro heading to HH pulls my mind out of the work day. 20 minutes during lunch (yes, some people take lunch breaks) can trigger creative juices which might even improve your work product. Lots of ladies push reading or other methods of “me time” to the last of their to-do lists. Try just a few minutes for yourself every day – please!
5. The little things. Rainy day ruining HH plans? Brighten up with lime green galoshes. Too stressed at work to get to the gym? Buy leg weights and wear them around your apt. Cant afford that unique dress you saw online just yet? Buy a fun, bright, out-of-your-comfort zone nail color and polish those babies away. Bummed out by your S.O.? Call your parents/grandparents and catch up with them. We lose sight of the little things, but it’s the little things that build on each other to make the great, awesome, mind-blowing big things. (NO, I did NOT lead a life as a cheerleader)

(photo courtesy of MrPessimist under the Flickr creative commons license)

Editors Note: Our lovely WorkingGirl has been at it again.  And “it” is well, trying to work!  Catch up on her story here!

Pt 4.

Getting into this luxury goods job, I thought I might be over qualified and have a hard time relating to other employees- I’m such a snob, I know.

Well, actually, these sales people are quite possibly the most awesome group I’ve ever met. Not only is there a fellow Nittany Lion, but I also work with fashion stylist, a government contractor, an admin assistant for a senator…

Then there’s me- The struggling opera singer. Who feels foolish?

This girl, right here.

Pt. 5

During this whole process, I have started to jot down my favorite quotes from interviews and friends:

“Isn’t it a shame to realize your degree is useless.” (uuuuh… to whom?)

“You’re in the Arts? Oh, I’m sorry- The Arts so disrespected in this area. Good luck.” (How do you even respond to that?!)

“Maybe you should consider getting another degree..?”
(I have 3 and I’ve only been out of grade school a month… give a girl a chance!)

Life is a lot like those Twix commercials. You know which one I mean….