Georgetown On My Mind

They say when humans make plans, the gods laugh. That certainly felt true not long ago when the government had shutdown, flights were being canceled left and right, the weather was storming, the National Guard was roaming cities and, for all the astrological followers out there, Mercury was readying to retrograde (a period when we're warned us against making elaborate purchases and plans).

And, yet, a book launches when it does, and so I found myself on tour for my latest novel, Backslide , amidst maximum bedlam. This most recent book is a contemporary romance with dual timelines—‘90s New York City when the main characters, Nellie and Noah, are in high school and then Sonoma County, California in present day—and I was beyond excited for my panel at Politics & Prose bookstore with Audrey Belezza and Emily Harding, the authors of modern-day Persuasion adaptation, Anne of Avenue A , moderated by author Tracey Livesay .

Still, that’s a lot of moving parts in a time of chaos. So, let’s just say, I was feeling a little…anxious.

The moment I arrived at the Rosewood Washington D.C., I relaxed (despite the capital being a kind of epicenter of drama). First, the suite was beautifully appointed in calming neutrals from stark white bedding to a leather couch and even featured a clawfoot tub—plus Diptyque shower gel in my favorite 34 Boulevard Saint Germain scent and a pouch of bath salts! (I was deeply obsessed with the tiger’s eye style mosaic tiles on the bathroom walls in my particular room, as well.) There was a proper desk with ample outlets (big news for someone like me who works at her kitchen table!) and even a sweet view of the street below.

This 5-star property boasts 57 rooms, including 12 suites and eight townhouses—all an aesthetic blend of modern and stately. And they take real care of their guests. They pressed my dress for my event, provided umbrellas when it rained. I was able to meet a friend for a proper dinner at CUT DC , the Wolfgang Puck steakhouse downstairs, stuffing ourselves silly with impossibly tender wagyu beef, but also modernized and delicious appetizers like an open-faced hand roll, spicy tuna on crispy rice (a favorite of mine from LA that has finally gravitated to the East Coast!) and a shrimp cocktail that far surpassed the norm.

But perhaps the most notable thing about this property is its location. Georgetown is a beautiful little enclave with residential (sometimes original cobblestone!) streets, abundant flowers and so much retail. There’s nothing you could need that you couldn’t find here. So, when in fact there was a wrench in my plans and my closest D.C. friend with whom I planned to spend the bulk of my time got sick, I was still able to entertain myself and get wherever I needed to go.

For me, that included a Pilates class at Toolbox Pilates , followed by a solid matcha latte from Dolcezza and a delightful walk back beside Rock Creek Park from Dupont Circle. It included daily vegan cupcakes from both Sprinkles and local spot Baked & Wired bakery (I have a dairy allergy), plus a stop into Catbird to ogle a gold chain I’ve been coveting and to Clare V. for some cute socks. Perhaps best of all, it meant a visit to Flor. , a locally beloved, impossibly sweet café and bookstore—a cottage with buttercup-colored shiplap with a bright red door—for avocado toast and browsing.

And the event? It went off without a hitch. As always, Politics & Prose threw a wonderfully welcoming author conversation—this time at their newer Union Market location which wasn’t far from The Rosewood. We laughed, we read, we talked bodily autonomy with abortion access organization All* Above All . And, afterward, we crossed the street and celebrated at Pastis with French fries and Salad Niçoise.

In the end, as I left The Rosewood Washington, D.C. the next morning, I looked back wistfully at my lovely suite, sad to leave it behind—and surprised to have found a kind of peace in the craziness.