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Flaunt It.

Posted on April 28, 2009
Filed Under Around Town, Events | 2 Comments

I’m so proud of the talented group we’ve assembled for Flaunt, which opened this weekend. Heard some funny stories from a few of the designers/photographers, including the guys from Durkl. Adrian (above), their deliciously-grungy-in-an-Almost-Famous-kinda-way model, changed in the middle of the Connecticut Ave & K Starbucks – as in, did not wait for the bathroom to become available – and then sauntered out in the middle of crossing-pedestrian-traffic to capture two incredible, spontaneous images.

Maria from Righteous ReStyle and Lesley Benn (well, her hair anyway)

Cute!

The model from Meaghan Gay’s “Fashion Suicide” series.

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Weekend Winner & More

Posted on April 27, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | Leave a Comment

What a whirlwind of a weekend! Saturday night’s opening of Flaunt was a huge success: the photos are amazing – I can’t wait to tell you more about the designers and the back-stories of some of these collaborations. June 6, when we hold the fashion presentation, is going to be a great night. Save the date. And then Dana’s show yesterday was packed. Photos galore coming….

In the meantime, I want to announce the winner of the Freebie Weekend contest for the Chickdowntown top and scarf as Mary, who envisioned herself wearing the scarf at home, around her head a la Little Edie, for a Saturday morning on the couch. I loved reading everyone’s styling ideas, and thought it was great that some of you suggested wearing the scarf as a belt, on the head and around the wrist. You all had great ideas for this contest – I’m insanely jealous of the handful of you going abroad in the coming weeks – send me photos! Buy some great cheap scarves while you’re there! This contest gave me some serious shoppinglust, and now I can’t stop drooling over these unapologetically sweet earrings from Rachel Leigh and the summery sandals from Mystique.

A now, a few things:

++14th Street boutique Redeem is throwing one of their fun, DJ-infused, Red Stripe-sponsored parties called Three Labels Three Cities on Saturday, May 2. You’ll meet the faces behind New York line Love Brigade, Ohio-based men’s label Wrath Arcane, and DC’s own Plastic Heaven, launching a line of dresses inspired by the book The Secret Garden by Francess Hodgson Burnett.

++Dupont boutique Terra is presenting “Fashionably Fit: Style For Your Body on Your Budget” tomorrow from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Darlington House (1610 20th St. NW, 3rd floor). RSVP hello@shopterradc.com.

More later….
XoRachel

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Freebie Weekend: Clothes from Chickdowntown

Posted on April 25, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | 13 Comments

There’s so much going on this weekend: the Flaunt opening tonight, and the Get Trunk party on Sunday in Adams Morgan. In fact, the two items in this very awesome giveaway from Chickdowntown would be great to wear to either. First up, one of the gorgeous Tolani scarves from the site, and a super-soft tee from Nation LTD. Nothing beats a perfect, white, soft cotton t-shirt.

As much as I’m totally dying to add both of these to my own wardrobe, one of you lucky ladies deserves it more. So tell us what you’d wear it with, and where you’d go. I’ll choose the winner Monday around 11 AM. Here’s what I’d do:

White t-shirts remind me of summer in such a delicious way – ideally, I’d throw it on over a bikini top after a full day at the beach on the Outer Banks with my family. I’d be on the deck of our old beach house (sold years ago now) with a gin & tonic in one hand, a slice of watermelon in the other, the scarf tossed loosely around neck, blowing in the breeze as I watch the sun set. My hair will have, of course, achieved that perfect, salt-infused wavy pieciness that’s impossible to re-create with hair products.

Sigh. Anyone want to give me a vacation?

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Freebie Friday: Facial From The Still Point

Posted on April 24, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | 13 Comments

Do I even have to explain? It’s a FREE FACIAL from one of the top spas in the area, The Still Point. Need I say more? Well, I think I will, because I treated myself to one the other week, right before I headed out of town for the weekend, and it was so incredibly relaxing and restorative. Sara Damelio uses only 100% organic skincare products like Sensatia, The Body Deli, Kimberly Sayer and Skincando, her own line. They also use organic seasonal produce from the Takoma Park Farmers Market like Blue Ridge Dairy Yogurt and Patterson Farms honey, as well as herbs from their own garden. Sara’s approach is to feed the skin the same way you’d feed yourself (if you didn’t like vodka so much).

Whoever scores this one is one lucky, lucky reader! To win, tell me about your style. Describe your favorite outfit, current style obsessions, trademark pieces. Tell us what looks you’re interested in trying out.

So for instance, here’s mine: “On a daily basis, my style revolves around structured black and white pieces (well, mostly black. I’m a spiller). I love an almost nineties-minimalist look, and I really like boyish pieces. I’m on the hunt for a spoon ring – my high-school boyfriend gave me one and I’d love to replace it. I recently got a pair of slouchy boyfriend jeans that I’m determined to make part of my signature look for the spring and summer.

Happy entering, and happy Friday! Also, I still have stuff, so I think tis contest will extend into at least tomorrow.

Xo
Rachel

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Freebie Thursday: Pretty Underthings from Belabumbum

Posted on April 23, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | 23 Comments

Wow, the guys totally brought it yesterday, ladies. What a fun conversation. Let’s have one of our own, shall we? I’d like to hear whatever’s on your mind today, be it any of the topics below or something else. Rant, rave.

You’ll be the winner of today’s prize, a perfectly pretty spring nightgown from locally-based, nationally-known lingerie line Belabumbum (so fun to say). I love this women-powered company for its affordable, feminine pieces and for their development work in Brazil – they work with socially conscious manufacturers there l to ensure optimal working conditions and job security to over one hundred low-income Brazilian families.

And if I ever become pregnant (shudder), I will want a drawer full of their pretty-yet-functional lingerie and maternitywear.

So again – say whatever you want. But if you get stuck….topics:
Did you like Michelle Obama’s looks for her European visit? Did you feel that they were appropriate, or not? What item of clothing or style would you like to see her wear?

Thoughts on the DC dating scene?

What are your thoughts on Robin Givhan? I had no idea that she was such a divisive character, but people either love her or well, seem to blame her for all of DC’s “style problems.”

What’s making DC cooler? Is it the Obamas? Something else? What defines Washington’s cultural scene?

Contest will end tonight, around 11:00 p.m. Happy entering!

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Freebie Wednesday: Men’s Edition

Posted on April 22, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | 48 Comments

This one is for the guys. It’s a very cool watch from Orient. You can find all sorts of other men’s watches that I think are pretty darn stylish…I had to choose between a few models, to I turned to a trusty male friend, who happens to be very stylish of course, and he praised this one in particular for its “classy and vintage-looking” face. Want it? All you have to do is talk – that’s right, sound off, guys! We just want to hear what you’re thinking, really. If you’re stuck, some topics:

Your style rules.
Does dating in DC suck? Why?
What do you think of Barack’s style? What jeans should he wear?
Coldplay. Discuss.

Whatever you want. It can be about style, or not. Just let ‘er rip. Catch up with yall later, around 9:00 tonight, to pick the winner.

Xo
Rachel

p.s. Here are the specifications the kind folks at Orient provided, most of which kinda go over my head:

Product Specifications:
- Movement: 21 Jewels Orient Japan Automatic Movement with seperate 24-hour hand
indicator
- Power Source: Automatic Winding
- Case: Stainless Steel
- Window: Dome Glass
- Bracelet: Stainless Steel Solid
- Caseback: Stainless Steel Snap Back
- Water Resistant: 50M
- Gift Box: Orient Premium Gift Box
- Color: BLACK

Product Features:
- Mechanical Watch with Automatic Winding Kinetic Motion Inspired Mechanisms
- Oscillation Frequency: 21,600 oscillations per hour(6 beats per sec)
- Shock-proof bearings
- Continuous Operation Time: more than 40 hours
- Scratch Resistant Mineral Crystal
- Day-Date Calendar
- Unique Dome Glass
- Design Engineering in Japan
- Limited 1 Year warranty

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Bonus Freebie…

Posted on April 21, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Shopping Events & News | 8 Comments

…….aaaand, GO! First three commenters each receive:

A two-week supply of Crest Whitestrips Advance Seal (I always find it interesting that month after month, year after year, companies find ways to reinvent products, like toothpaste and now, whitening strips. These things do work, though!

A pass for you and a friend for Shecky’s Girls Night Out this weekend (plus goodie bag). You can go to either Thursday, Friday or Saturday, even though the goodie bag tix are officially sold out. And then tell me what you thought of it…I have never been and am curious.

A Shop Around pass from the Junior League of Washington that gets you 20% off discounts at a bunch of stores, including Karen Millen, Current Boutique in Arlington, and National Jean Company.

…and this luxurious Cleansing Oil from local natural-skincare company Athena’s Olive Tree, winner of 2008′s Daily Candy Sweetest Thing contest! As a facialist recently explained to me, I don’t have oily skin like I thought – I have dry skin, and the oil that comes to the surface is my skin’s way of replacing moisture that I’m stripping away with face wash. Apparently, “oil-free” washes are NOT a good idea! The oil has a zillion uses and is one of her top sellers.

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