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By Katie Bianco, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell and Jennifer Zeleski
Lights, camera, action
This Sunday, thousands of people will gather into the Dolby Theatre of Los Angeles to celebrate all things film for the 92nd annual Academy Awards. And while the likes of Saoirse Ronan and Leonardo DiCaprio will be in the front few rows hoping to walk away with that famed gold trophy, I’ll be on my couch with popcorn and wine in hand, watching intently. Before then though, I have to see all nine films up for Best Picture, as I always do prior to showtime. So far, I have four down (highly recommend Marriage Story for those who haven’t witnessed the romantic intensity of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver), five to go. Lucky for me, Alamo Drafthouse is screening all nine films at various times throughout the week until Wednesday, Feb. 5. You’ll catch me there Monday through Wednesday, taking in all the hype surrounding The Joker and Parasite before I force my roommates to watch the drama unfold with me on Sunday. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant // Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn; through Feb. 5, times vary; prices vary
I want my HGTV
I have a confession to make. After almost eight months in my studio apartment, with its blank white walls and minimalist furniture, I finally bought throw pillows. Trust me, it was a small step toward brightening the space and I still struggled, even rolled my eyes at myself. After purging an estimated 75% of the “stuff” my partner and I owned before moving more than 300 miles away from our prior home, I didn’t have a desire to necessarily decorate or buy even more stuff. But in 2020, I’ve decided to add more color and design to our shared space. This week, you can find me at Steadfast Supply for the DIY Pom Poms Basket Workshop with Rock Paper Plant. I’m eager to learn how to make my own pops (or should I say pom poms?) of color on a boho-chic basket, which will be home to another future house plant. Here’s to hoping my cat won’t try to nibble off the strings. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant // Steadfast Supply:
Doughnuts > Wine
My husband and I had a rare date night last weekend. I had exactly one glass of wine, but, since I hardly imbibe these days (two early-riser children will make the risk of a hangover totally not worth it), I practically fell asleep at the fancy restaurant. But that doesn’t mean I want to miss out on NoVA’s amazing winery scene. Luckily, I think I’ve found a solution. The Winery at Bull Run is hosting a series of Donut and Wine pairings this weekend. Price of admission gets you three glasses of wine, plus three doughnut holes from Duck Donuts. I’m thinking I can trade wine for doughnuts with my husband and end up with a sober sugar rush. Don’t worry, I’ll also serve as designated driver. -Katie Bianco, Editor // The Winery at Bull Run: 15950 Lee Highway
Let sleeping dogs lie
You want to know my favorite time of the day? It’s when I crawl into bed, letting my head hit the pillow, and I feel all my muscles let out a sigh of relief. I just love sleeping. I also love reading before bed—it helps calm my brain down and is far better for my health than staring at a screen until it’s time to close my eyes. This weekend, I’m combining my love of sleep and reading (plus my love for dogs) at Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Reading Tails event. The 90-minute program includes a guided tour of the shelter and then children read aloud to shelter dogs and cats as they settle in for bed. I’ll be chaperoning my young niece, as she practices new vocabulary words and gets more comfortable around animals. Want more ideas on how to spend time with your family this month? Click here to see 24 kid-friendly events happening throughout February. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor // Fairfax County Animal Shelter: 4500 W. Ox Road, Fairfax; Sunday, Feb. 9, 4-5:30 p.m.; free, registration required
