My first podcast appearance ever -- Studio 78 with Nache' Snow

Nervous about making my podcast debut (eek!), but Nache’ Snow made it so easy it just felt like talking creative businesses with a good friend. Here is the link to the episode (and you can also find it on your favorite podcast app). I have been making my way through the archives and I learn so much from every episode and am honored Nache' had me on. Would love to hear if you listen!⁠

Here's a short description from Nache' about what we cover in the episode: In this episode, Heidi discusses why she chose to be a lawyer by day and an artist during her “off” hours. We discuss how the 100 Day Project gave her momentum, the importance of being intentional with your business, and why setting clear goals are important. We also chat about how she’s been able to use her art to celebrate and support lawyers of color, to include partnering with others to support funds for future attorneys. Additionally, we discuss the impact of COVID on her business and how this mental health advocate took the time to slow down.⁠

🎤🎧 Studio 78 Podcast⁠

📷: headshot by the talented Elizabeth Moon.

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LOCAL II Crumbs & Whiskers Cat Cafe

Desert 2 District II Crumbs & Whiskers Cat Cafe

As you'll know if you follow me on Instagram, I am a huge cat lover. My husband and I have adopted two cats together--Data and Mo--from different animals shelters in Arizona and D.C. and I love to support animal adoption and organizations that help homeless animals. Naturally, I've been in love with Crumbs & Whiskers, D.C.'s first and only cat cafe, since it opened and I'm so happy to spotlight them today!

Desert 2 District II My visit to C&O

Not only is the cafe beautifully designed, light-filled and full of friendly staff, adorable cats and punny merch and coffee drinks (I loved my "Meow You Doin" coffee sleeve!), but they also do so much to improve the lives of homeless cats. To date, they have gotten 627 cats adopted,  donated $22K to animal charities, and saved 1,394 from euthanasia. 

They also give cats a lovely home while they await adoption. All of the cats at the cafe are available for adoption--and believe me, it'll be hard to not fall in love with one of them while you're there. 

LOCAL II Olde City Farm & Garden Spotlight

Desert 2 District Design II Olde City Farm and Garden

The first day of spring was earlier this week and, even though it snowed that day, it got me excited to visit one of my favorite places in D.C.--Olde City Farm & Garden.

The farm and garden, located on Rhode Island Ave. NW in Shaw, is the perfect outdoor oasis in the middle of the city. I love to go there get away from city life and wander the rows and rows of plants. It's a large space that's full of all kinds of plants--from vegetables to flowers to trees for your landscaping project--and extremely knowledgeable and kind staff. They love what they do and it shows. Their selection also changes with the seasons so you can get pumpkins in the fall and a fresh Christmas tree in the winter. 

They also are a wonderful community space as well and they host all kinds of fun events, including yoga classes and arts festivals. You can find me there a few times a year during their festivals, along with other awesome D.C. creatives and local businesses. I'll be updating my fairs & events page with upcoming events soon if you'd like to follow along. 

The farm and garden is still closed for the winter, but you won't have to wait long to visit. They reopen at 9am on March 31st. Can't wait to stock up for my spring garden!

LOCAL II Compass Coffee Spotlight

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Happy Saturday! I'm continuing my new D.C. local biz series with one of my favorite coffee shops in the city--Compass Coffee!

My Compass Coffee soy latte from a coffee break earlier this week.

I'm actually sipping some of their coffee right now that I brewed this morning. I  love the vibe and design of their brand, but what keeps me coming back is their delicious coffee. I make a lot of coffee at home, usually a big batch of cold brew that I use throughout the week, and their coffee is great no matter where you make it/how you brew it.

I painted their 7th Street location, which is the original and the place they roast their coffee. It's a lovely location, but if it's not near you, there are now so many options for you to get your caffeine fix from Compass. They have a bunch of other locations AND their coffee is served in a lot of other local businesses, like Union Kitchen Grocery and Buttercream Bakery.

If you do have a chance to go to one of their locations, I highly recommend their nitro cold brew coffee. I honestly haven't had anything like it elsewhere. It's the perfect light coffee for a warm day and since it's cold brew, it lacks the acidity or bitterness of traditionally brewed coffee, which keeps my stomach happy.

If you're like me and like to brew your own coffee at home, they have fantastic coffee and a helpful labeling system so you can choose the coffee that most suits your taste. I am also a little obsessed with their canisters and have a small collection of them that I re-use for all kinds of things, including pen holders (you can actually see one hanging in my art area post--I've just covered it in old paint palettes) and planters. This picture is from a few months back, but you can see my little plants growing happily in their Compass Coffee canisters.

Desert 2 District Design II Compass Coffee canister window garden

Let me know if you check them out! If you have any other ideas for how I can re-use my canister collection, let me know in the comments as well. 

LOCAL II Shaw Yoga Spotlight

Desert 2 District Design II Shaw Yoga Spotlight

I'm starting a new series that I'm really excited about--each Saturday I'll illustrate one of my favorite D.C. small businesses and share about it here. My business is still a baby, but I've been so overwhelmed by how supportive and amazing the small business and art communities in D.C. are so I want to keep spreading the love.

First up... Shaw Yoga!

This place has become my yoga home. We're lucky in D.C. that there are so many great studios and teachers to choose from. Before I found this studio, I bounced around from studio to studio, trying out their new member specials (most studios have a 1-2 week special price for new students) or hopping around via Classpass. I started at SY in a similar way, purchasing their new member special ($20 for 2 weeks of unlimited yoga!) and I was hooked. There's something so special about the teachers here and the community that the owners, Parker and Liz, have built. I've been going to classes, volunteering (even updating the chalkboards!), and making friends, there for over a year now and it has truly become a home away from home for me. 

If you're a fellow yogi or aspiring yogi, I highly recommend checking out this studio. They are tucked away in the cutest alley, Naylor Court, off of 9th Street NW, between N and O, across from Sundevich. If you're on 9th, turn left into the alley before you get to A&D.

I painted their illustration before they got their beautiful mural (painted by the talented Billy Colbert), but you won't be able to miss Ganesh welcoming you to the studio!