Marching the streets of DC!

One thing that I love about working with Jen is that we both are driven when it comes to this book.  We have taken a cruise, bus, metro, and many ubers to take us to where we want to be.
This video gives a glimpse of what our October 29th 2018 day looked like, and below we will take you on a journey to see what Poetic Illustrations completed within 24 hours!

October 29th 2018 was a big day for us.  We woke up with a very specific mission and goal.  That is typically how we approach any trip really.  We started off with a collaboration with ModCloth (www.modcloth.com).

ModCloth is an online retailer of indie and vintage-inspired women's clothing.  They provided us with four (roughly 20 lbs in weight) boxes to donate to local organizations in the local Virginia/Washington DC area.  We were much honored to help ModCloth is providing the donations to Empowerhouse (an organization that provides support for women in domestic violent relationships) and to Loisanne's Hope House (a homeless shelter for women with children).  We greatly appreciate ModCloth for their kindness and generosity.  Please visit their website, they have pretty amazing items :)

After the adventures with visiting the two organizations in Fredericksburg, Virginia, we just HAD TO stop at Katora's Coffee shop!  Oh my...that place is A-maz-ING.  You are drawn in every corner of the shop; with the graphics, wall art, items to shop, and of course their none other than vegan chocolate chip muffins!  I have never seen so many varieties of teas!!  (www.katoracoffee.com)  Not only did Jen and I have our amazing mid-breakfast break, but made a new friend with the owner of Katora Coffee shop, Ms. April!!

Of course we had to say our goodbye to April, and head out to our hair appointment!  Oh yeah.  Jen and I had our do's done.  We had a big event in the evening and needed to look our best.  So we headed out to Winning Image in Stafford, Virginia (https://www.winningimagesalonanddayspa.com/)

and during our appointment, we goofed off just a bit.  Jen even did the "vogue"!  I have the video...I may share it one day.  ha.

So after a grueling 3 hours of twirls and swirls, and 20 cans of hairspray...We were ready to head out to DC!  We ventured with the metro, and met with Larry Moffi from Settlement House Press at -Old Ebbit Grill.  It was great to meet "Larry the Man."  (Jen and I have knighted him with that nickname--and yes---we do give nicknames).  Food was fabulous, and so was the company.  Super nervous about the event and not knowing what to expect, the Catalogue for Philanthropy (https://www.cfp-dc.org/cfpdc/index.php) event was so much fun!  We had a wonderful opportunity to meet great individuals that help out their communities.  In order for a non-profit organization to be in the Catalogue, they must apply and go through a vigorous process.  We recall one organization applying three times, and they were extremely happy that they made it!  The Catalogue for Philanthropy provides opportunities for many of the non-profit organizations to receive financial support and awareness within the community.  That evening we met incredible individuals from:

1. artivate (www.goartivate.org)

2. The Arc (www.TheARcofNoVA.org)

3. Gandhi Brigade Youth Media (www.gandhibrigade.org)

4. dcgreens (www.dcgreens.org)

5. Thomas Raffa (www.raffa.com)

6. Matt Gayer-Catalogue for Philanthropy

Not only did we build relationships, but friendships.  But that is what we do.  This book is not just another book.  It is not just another poetry book, or an illustration book.  It is about connection, relationships, friendships, humans bonding around the community, nation, and the world.  No matter what the storm, barrier, conflict, that comes our way, we face it head on.  On this trip, we did just that when it was crazy windy!