July 23, 2025

June 2025 was full of cuteness.

Here’s how it was cute:

My husband and I took a week long trip to D.C. because he had to work in the office.

While he worked, I vacationed.

When we lived in the Sterling/Chantilly/Centerville area, we used to love the restaurant, Chaisin’ Tails, in Sterling, Virginia. It was our weekly spot where we feasted on fried shrimp, fish, or the occasional seafood boil.

As a Carolina Girl, you know I love the seafood.

It had been five years since my husband went to the office for work. After my husband’s first day back in the office, we wanted Chaisin’ Tails. I informed him the location in Sterling had been closed, but we could go to the one in Falls Church.

You guys . . . it was so cute there.

To my knowledge, this one had been open since before we left Virginia.

When we first arrived, they asked if we had reservations. We were taken aback because we never needed reservations before. The staff was dressed a little more elegantly than we expected. The décor had an upscale aesthetic — shiny black décor, soft colors splashed in the décor around the room, and the menus were even different.

My husband and I split a fried fish, shrimp and alligator plate. I had a citrus salad and fruity drink.

That was a beautiful night.

The next day, while he was at work, I did something I never did when we lived in Northern Virginia. I walked through a small section of D.C. by myself. I left the hotel room and found a taco spot on my exploration.

Thank you, Talkin’ Tacos, for great service and tasty food. I’m a sucker for shrimp tacos and devoured mine.

That evening, we hung out with his old work friends for ramen. It felt great seeing all the fellas together.

Other activities that week included the D.C. zoo, a wild thunderstorm, a beautiful gender reveal, and an escape room. Also, how could we forget Joe’s Seafood in D.C. The cost is hefty, but the food is not mid.