needles & vectors

We’ve been in Alexandria for a little over a week and it’s finally starting to feel like home. Despite the fact we’re still living out of a hotel, that is. While I have yet to have any idea whatsoever where the highways go or fully understand that inner loop/outer loop insanity, I am getting to know where some of my favorite things are located:

1. Shopping: There’s a Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Ross all about 500 feet on the main street of town. One of my first full days in town I found this out and spent just over a hundred dollars for two sweaters, four long sleeve tees, and a pair of jeans at the Gap Outlet. Also nearby-ish is Tyson’s Corner, a fancy schmancy shopping mall which reminds me of the best parts of South Coast plaza – with much better parking.

2. Restaurants: We’ve so far found a good Five Guys and Chipotle as well as a place for fish and chips (Eammon’s), quick weekday lunches (Cafe Eve), amazing flatbread sandwhiches (Perfect Pita) and fast Americanized Asian (Red Mei). We’ve really tried to limit out eating out, despite still have per diem because, well, even with two burners and no oven you can still make good, simple dinners. I’m still looking for a good place for subs and a coffee house but I haven’t exactly tried anywhere for those yet.

3. Wine Shops: In a random strip mall next to a Giant grocery store there’s a great little wine and beer shop we’ve already visited twice. We were happy to learn that they carry several Central Coast wineres as well as a great selection of wines of Alsace and Burgundy. Matt was also happy to learn that they carryAugusteiner beer, his favorite from when we were in Munich a few years ago.

4. Grocery stores: Due to Matt’s love affair with cooking he really loves grocery shopping. Our first few days we visited at least five grocery stores in search of ingredients he needs to cook the way he likes. I’d say our favorites are Harris Teeter, My Organic Market, and Balducci’s although I’m sure we’ll visit the very nearby Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods locations.

5. Knitting Store/Group: If we get the apartment we want, I will live only four blocks from a yarn store. Knit Happens is a small shop that carries nearly every single Rowan and Debbie Bliss yarn along with many, many yarns from local dyers, farms, and spinners. They also have a great staff who is super helpful and friendly, something I never really found in the two stores I frequented in Long Beach. I first went to the store during their Wednesday night knitting group and returned two days later just to sit and talk and knit. The ladies are amazing knitters and are mostly very close to my own age. It’s nice to talk with others facing the ups and downs of being still in or freshly out of college.