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A favorite bag

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I found this amazing antique bag at a Goodwill a few years ago and I always get compliments when I wear it out. Not exactly Goodwill pricing, but here is an identical-looking one on eBay.

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Boots, BBQ, and a self-indulgent gun shot

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

My vacation in Austin included dancing with gentlemanly strangers with boot-scootin’ skills at The Broken Spoke, a silver-lame-masked bartender at The White Horse in East Austin, coveting objects new and vintage, for men and women, at Stag and Uncommon Objects along South Congress, and more meat than a person should consume in a day, let alone one midday meal at The Saltlick on the way out to the Hill Country, where I stayed at a friend’s family ranch called Broken Foot. It got its name more than 20 years ago, when the owner was clearing trees alone on the property and fell some thirty feet, shattering his foot. He crawled to the (stick-shift!) truck and drove himself to the hospital 30 minutes away. There was wide-open space, laidback but luxurious hospitality, gun-shooting with same expert-shot owner, impromptu dance parties til 4 am, firepits, and the offer to return – and put the “work” back in work, something I feel missing in my daily life – for July peach season. I’ve still got dust on my boots and Austin in my heart.

{Avenue Barber Shop on South Congress]

{Uncommon Objects}

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Announcing: our winner

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Our winner for tickets to see ‘Ann’ at the Kennedy Center January 4, Holly Marshall, wrote in with some images of the item in her wardrobe that makes her feel most powerful: cowboy boots! “Smooth black leather boots sewn with multi-colored stitching and inlaid with white cowhide in the shape of a longhorn heads on the front,” to be exact. She writes:

“Over the years I’ve gone on a rampage of gratitude for these boots. What do I wear while standing tall and ready in sweats in the kitchen for that phone interview, surrounded by scripts of talking points? My cowhead boots. How about that meeting with my VP of Marketing? The favorite Levis, a silk blazer, and the cowhead boots.”

She’s worn them on daytrips to Charlottesville with a strappy summery dress (in the pic shown), dancing, and to the Texas State Society Inauguration Ball.

“Ann was strong, bold, and unique. She was a superhero because she had all that–and the fun.
When it comes to power, if you’ve got not just strength and bravado but also a sense of fun and humor, you’ve got the scales tipped in your favor. Wearing these boots, I always get that second interview and usually I get the job.”

Looks like those boots aren’t letting you down this time, either! Congrats, Holly, and enjoy ‘Ann.’

p.s. Readers: I’ve just been packing and I’ve decided that if it can’t be worn with boots, it’s not coming with me. That seems about right.

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Austin!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

{photo by torgy2k]

I fly out for Austin, TX Thursday morning, where I’ll divide the time between the city and a house in the Hill Country. I’ve been doing a little internet research, including listening to “The Road Goes on Forever” by Robert Earl Keen (who sort of reminds me of “I’m Good Now” by Bob Schneider) and tunes by tortured troubadour Townes Van Zandt, who, as it turns out, I’d already been listening to without realizing (Steve Earl, Willie Nelson, the Cowboy Junkies – To Live’s To Fly! – Bob Dylan and oh, like everyone else has covered him).

All the more fitting that I return to check out ‘Ann’ at the Kennedy Center! In terms of what to pack, I’m not sure yet. Except for my Tony Lama boots, which are all oiled up and ready to go. I feel like I somehow need to pay homage to the “Keep Austin Weird” motto and pack something bizarre…

Any Austin must-do/see/eat/buy recommendations? Sounds like South Congress is the way to go for vintage and shopping generally (though this Roadhouse Rags sounds like an experience). Lustre Pearl looks like a good time. We might try out The Salt Lick on the way out of town. Let me know your favorite spots!

I’ll be back tomorrow eve (while I pack!) to announce the winner of the ‘Ann’ tickets. Thanks for all the email comments – it’s so fun to hear from you all, and there have been some awesome, and lengthy, inspirations.

For now, I leave you with Townes, Ke$ha style:

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Giveaway: Tickets to ‘Ann’ at the Kennedy Center!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards told it like is. She also (for better or for worse) helped define the 80’s power suit look in Washington, with its wide shoulder pads, large buttons and straight lines. In many ways her power suit became one of her key striking visual elements, her superhero outfit. She was known for speaking her mind in the great tradition of the powerful Southern woman, and was known for killer political barbs and smart humor. She once said of women in politics: “If you give us the chance, we can perform. After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.” I had heard that quote before–maybe you had, too? but didn’t realize it was Ann Richards.

“Ann” at the Kennedy Center is played – and produced and written – by another powerful female figure in her own right, veteran and impeccably-cheekboned actress Holland Taylor (read about her research for the play at POLITICO here).

One lucky winner will score 2 tickets for the 7:30 show on January 4. Show (email me a pic – to rachel(at)projectbeltway(dot)com) or tell us (by leaving a comment) your “power suit:” What do you put on that makes you feel powerful? It it one thing? A go-to badass outfit? Hilarious or downright serious, talk about that outfit that makes you feel in charge.

“Ann” runs from December 17-January 15. Check it out here.

Enter before 8pm December 27. Good luck!

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WH Holiday Cheer

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

I went to the White House for a holiday party and what can I say?! It was as gorgeous and special as you would hope, and truly an only-in-Washington experience. Our President and his Lady have such star power and were as gracious and funny and somber as you’d expect when they made their appearance, thanked everyone, and spoke about the meaning of the holiday season.

I loved this tree!! And look at this pretty food…

There were Bo-the-dogs everywhere! Also: I’m sitting in cool White House furniture. Fun!

Thanks, White House! See you next year?

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Holiday Wish List

Saturday, December 17, 2011

I missed Holly’s Refinery29 deadline for a roundup of local blogger holiday wish-lists by a hair, so here you go! Here’s what I’m lusting over for the holidays; if you’ve still got shopping to do, many of these are available in town, and maybe your girl will like them too!

The just-released Autobiography of a Fashion Designer: Ralph Rucci ($195; Bauer and Dean)
Ralph Rucci is one of the most underrated American designers in the industry. He was the first American designer to receive an invitation to show at the Paris couture shows since Mainbocher in the thirties. This book would look great in my new apartment, resting on my coffee table, as I watch Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House.

Classes at The Bar Method
I grew up in dance classes and I miss the rhythm of being in a studio.

Cartier’s Baiser Vole perfume
Somehow they’ve bottled freshly cut lilies. It’s a gorgeous, gorgeous scent. I always recommend including small sample vials of a perfume when giving a scent as a gift – they are perfect for stowing in a clutch and for travel.

A Tiffany blue Tiffany handbag
I recently found myself at the Tiffany store in Chevy Chase and was completely blown away to discover that Tiffany even had a handbag line, but also that they are all completely gorgeous. The designers behind Lambertson Truex are responsible for the designs; many of which include some way to include the company’s signature eggshell blue. The Tiffany Reversible Tote, above, is a simple design in a gorgeous color, and it’s reversible to a metallic leather in an act of thoughtful day-to-night construction. This was just one of a number of handbags that I admired–including one clutch featuring a strap that can be removed and worn as a necklace. It’s a brilliant, well conceived line.

Cozy Knits: A knit Cowl scarf and Slouch Beanie from De*Nada
Local designer Virginia Arrisueno’s knits are incredibly soft and stylish, and have the exact-right amount of heft and drape. Form and function in one warm, cozy place.

Major Earrings
I’m scheming an accessories plan for the year ahead that involves big cuffs bracelets and big, bold earrings. Right now I’m loving the Black Teardrops from local designer ARTAYA (she has a trunk show this weekend at the Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase; details are on her website) and various styles from Etsy seller DolorisPetunia, including the watercolor rhinestone lovelies above.

Happy holidays!

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