Well hellooo Friday!

Friday, May 16, 2008

I’m so so excited for the chat today. There has been a FLOOD of questions and they are all so, so good. I hope everyone likes our thoughts and advice! I’m in full chat mode today so I thought I’d leave you with some fun eye candy before the chat at 3.

I’ve had jersey dresses on the brain recently because I’ve decided that they, along with cheerful flats and little jackets, will be my uniform this summer. Summer in Washington is no time for anything complicated, fussy or uncomfortable, and jersey is a great option.

The fabric is pure breathable comfort, and so many retailers offer them in great colors and for good prices. Velvet carries a nice array, but the other day I found myself wanting ever.single.one of the offerings on - yes, really - victoriassecret.com. You could wear a bra easily under this one, which has a nice waist, this is a nice tall glass of green for a maxi style, and this one is office-perfect. And fun colors! Taking the dress to the utmost versatile level is this Rory Beca dress, an innovative take on the wear-it-many-ways dress….with no confusing tying!

The girl above is totally rocking the uniform: simple flat sandals, easy hair, and a comfy, pretty jersey dress in a great color.

Filed under Everything Else, On The Street, Men, Women | 6 Comments

Pastels and Madras and Whales, Oh My!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Here’s one for the smart-move file: preptastic clothing company Vineyard Vines has moved into the old Wet Seal in Georgetown, still Washington’s premier destination for the embroidered-whale set. The owners were on hand at an opening party last night and the Smith Point crew showed up in their Gold-Cup best (including hats!). The Bachelor Andy Baldwin was there munching on sushi and cupcakes and getting eyed by the women in the room, while guys and girls (mostly the guys, natch) rocked whale foam hats.

The only misstep? A mother-and-daughter pair who came to exchange an item they’d purchased earlier in the day and were not allowed in. “It’s for her graduation though, we can’t come back tomorrow.” Sorry, ya can’t come in. “We won’t eat or drink anything!” No dice.

The good life I guess, but only for those invited!

Filed under Around Town, Men, Women, Events | 11 Comments

The Aspirational Shopper

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

These two looked totally smashing walking down the sidewalk together on Sunday. I was standing outside of Ruff n Ready with Kellie Crawford, who I’m sad to say is moving home to Detroit to help with an illness in the family. I’ll miss her laugh and the gorgeous clothes & handbags she carried at On Lokation.

I adore poking through secondhand stores, particularly ones like Ruff n Ready where you really have to dig to find your treasure. I like to go in and daydream about what I’d do with giant metal letters or old lamps or three foot-tall robot toys from the eighties (wish I’d gotten a photo…seriously, they were great). I’m also a big fan of well-priced Miss Pixie’s, which recently moved from Adams Morgan to a bigger space just down the street on 14th.

Usually I just look, but occasionally I’ll buy something and bring it home, with of course exactly NOWHERE to put it. This drives my roommates crazy since we’re not exactly decorating our dream home. I’m realizing that I VERY often do this with clothes too - I’ll fall for some really over-the-top vintage skirt that doesn’t fit my life or existing wardrobe in the slightest…but….someday, right?!

I fell hard for these mounted antlers at the entrance to the store. But for $157 (every price in the store ends in 7!)…I just couldn’t do it.

These enamel pots have character. I love the pure white and black trim.

This would make for a handsome planter. The handle adds a functional element that makes it pleasantly unfussy.

I adore these little busts and busts in general. Good Wood on U Street, another favorite used-furniture place, often sells the larger ones. They’d be great for displaying jewelry!

Filed under Everything Else, On The Street, Men, Women | 4 Comments

Fashion-Chat-Friday!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

This Friday at 3:00 Betsy of Fashion is Spinach and I will be hosting a fashion chat at Washingtonian.com! This is your opportunity to pick our brains about anything and everything fashion-related. Ask us where we’ve been shopping lately, get tips on pulling outfits together in the morning, and find out what fashion retailers we’ve been bookmarking (for quick access once we win the lottery of course).

A top stop for me is Topshop (curses to the exchange rate though) — today, I love these pink suede (read: usually very comfortable) flats.

Basically, you can ask, “soooo, what are you wearing?” and we won’t think you’re being obnoxious. I think we’d like that very much, in fact.

So please join us Friday for what amounts to pretty much the perfect Friday afternoon activity. See you then!

Filed under Shopping Events & News, Only in Washington | Leave a Comment

Now Open: Profile

Friday, May 9, 2008

There’s a new boutique on (my!) block: Profile. It’s in a townhouse space 11th Street at the corner of U, and has nightspot liv and Bohemian Caverns as neighbors. Tala Rassi, above, owns the store along with her partner Kourosh Chitfaz and has her own line of swimwear, casual clothing, and a “couture” line, which will soon be carried in the store. Rassi is young and smart as a whip, and the racks of colorful, feminine clothes make it clear that Rassi knows what’s up. Long story short, I want a LOT of what I saw.

Rassi says what’s there now is about 20 percent of what she’ll carry, so I hope that won’t overcrowd things, because the store seemed nicely stocked already. She also plans to bring in lines like Valentino and Cavalli, which is definitely not being done elsewhere in the neighborhood. It’ll be interesting to see how that works. Other labels currently include Corey Lynn Calter, Custo Barcelona and the John Varvatos-for-Converse line for both men and women.

The party on Sunday featured a big platter of potato salad spelling out “Profile,” which I thought was funny, cupcakes, and plenty of alcoholic drinks - which Rassi plans to always keep on hand for customers.

Cool cowboy statue in the middle of the men’s section. Lots of Brazilian designers on offer for men, but I liked the well-made casual stuff from John Varvatos for Converse the best.