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Beached.

Posted on July 25, 2009
Filed Under Around Town | 3 Comments

Photo by Howell Walker/ National Geographic.Etretat, France, 1959

And I’m off to the beach! Got a stack of books and my vintage swimsuit all packed. I’ll be back at the end of next week; in the meantime, enjoy this gorgeous beach scene from the Kodachrome Culture exhibit at the National Geographic Museum here in DC. This one, taken in the 1950s at a beach in Etretat, France, has me psyched for the trip (check out the brunette with the red skirt and white top – so chic!). There are more wonderfully retro images here, all taken with incredibly gorgeous/saturated Kodachrome film, which was sadly discontinued recently by Kodak.

She Sells Seashells,
Rachel

365 Black

Posted on July 23, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else | 1 Comment

No, not the weird ad campaign from McDonald’s – my new obsession is The Uniform Project, the creator of which has pledged to wear the same LBD every day for an entire year (today’s is above – so cute!). Each day, she transforms the simple garment into something completely new through styling. It is inspiring on so many levels: it reminds us how little we need and invites us to remember that loving clothes and fashion is sometimes a little like playing dress-up. Plus, the goal is to raise money for The Akanksha Foundation.

Here are a few of my favorite looks so far:

For Tomorrow: Take Your Pick + Summer Reads

Posted on July 21, 2009
Filed Under Around Town, Events | Leave a Comment

I can’t go to ANY of these, but that doesn’t mean you can’t.
UPDATE: Not sure why I thought the party at Ginger was today – it’s actually next Thursday (?!!?)…

First up, in a hilarious feat of Photoshop, the Mervis Importers “Diamonds and Chocolate” party from 4:30-7:30 (they seem to have forgotten to list that sorta important info on the event page). I’ll take two of those little chocolate thingies, thankyouverymuch. RSVP online via the link.

Over in Georgetown, Stacy London makes a cameo at Urban Chic, probably wearing some sort of pretty sheath dress, accessorized by her long, glossy hair, expertly toned arms and overall quippy awesomeness. DAMMIT WHY CAN’T I GO?!! The unfairness of it all! I love Stacy London and What Not to Wear. Can someone ask her to please bring the show to Washington, just once?! RSVP to Lauren@urbanchiconline.com.

In Bethesda, Ginger hosts local writer Cathy Alter and her now-in-paperback book Up for Renewal, which, by the way, is the perfect beach read (wickedly funny, inspiring). RSVP to rsvp@thepattongroupinc.com.

I leave for the Outer Banks this Saturday, and plan to replace my laptop with a stack of great books. In the pile (aside from Cathy’s book), thanks to recommendations from friends: The Devil in the White City, Middlesex, and The History of Love. And definitely Concord, Virginia – a set of short stories written by Peter Neofotis, an old friend from Lexingt..I mean, “Concord.” He gained momentum in New York telling these as one-acts (New Yorkers love the South) and I just heard that he’s here for the Fringe Festival!

A Pretty New Frock

Posted on July 20, 2009
Filed Under Around Town | 5 Comments

Last week I made a rare trek across the Key Bridge (I still get a rush of I-live-here!-excitement when I drive across) to Clarendon for an informal shopping party at Farinelli’s. It was hosted by Em Hall, former blogger for DC Goodwill Fashionista and who now works for the USO. She’s also doing the women’s buying for the store, allowing the owner, Mauro, to focus on what he does and knows best: denim and menswear, their core (at the moment) business.

Even though I told myself I would not be buying anything, I came away with the most gorgeous silk Vena Cava dress, for $100. Which is considerably less than you might find for it elsewhere online (take that, online shopping!).

I actually wore it out of the store, not because I have zero patience, but because I stumbled in the dressing room and busted the zipper of the Trina Turk high-waisted skirt I wore in. A delicate flower I am not! So, ladies, take note – they seem willing to negotiate on their spring and summer stock to make room for fall shipments (things move quicker than a fifth-grade romance in retail). I’m certainly looking forward to their womenswear stock in the coming seasons.

Now I just need to find shoes….

Watching the world go by

Posted on July 15, 2009
Filed Under Around Town | 2 Comments

At Hollywood Fashion Wigs in Old Town Alexandria.

Behind the Sidewalk Stylers

Posted on July 7, 2009
Filed Under On The Street, Only in Washington | 5 Comments

Washington is a city of about 600,000 fascinating people, and I’m reminded of that every time I go out in search of a new Sidewalk Style subject or street-style photo for this blog. Over the past few weeks, I’ve photographed a talented jewelry designer with a penchant for cheapie shops (more on that in a sec), a teen hoping to become a professional dancer, and a graphic designer who, when not working to bring PBS into the new-media age, turned out to be half of the group DC Design Babes. It’s proof that each person walking our city streets has an interesting story to tell.

Paula Mendoza was a drive-by (as in, I saw her and abruptly circled the block to park and chase after her. Not the first time I’ve done this!) I didn’t realize who she was until I approached – Paula and I know one another, though I didn’t know her well until we had our interview. She showed me a few vintage dresses she’d just picked up in Paris, and then we explored the hat selection at Hit Item Wholesale (1406 14th St. NW). Like me, she loves little sketchy cheapie places. There are great summertime fedora-style hats to be had here for $10. Wear one with something girly, like a boho-style flower-printed minidress.

Valli Ravindran is this week’s subject. While we were discussing Indian designers, she mentioned that her wedding dress was designed by Manish Malhotra. She graciously sent her wedding photos over. She also mentioned the designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, which got me looking up more on Indian design.

Also regarding Washingtonian: you may have heard that they are taking submissions for their next Best-Dressed list, and you should also think about attending their annual Best Of Washington party July 15. It’s always a feast for the eyes as well as belly – this year’s theme is East Meets West, so you can expect dragon dancers, Asian street artists, and A LOT of awesome food and drink (including an after-party at CoCo Sala). PB readers get $10 off the ticket price when they enter BESTFRIEND at checkout, so buy tix here.

A Linkage Celebration

Posted on July 2, 2009
Filed Under Around Town, Events, Everything Else, Only in Washington | 1 Comment

{summertime street art at the corner of 14th & P}

Sales and a random assortment of things on my radar:

- Today, The Washington Post launched Scene In, a new video fashion feature highlighting style in different DC neighborhoods. I’ve been on a computer with no sound all day, but the production looks jazzy and there are some really gorgeous shots. Overall, it makes DC look super-cute and diverse and interesting. Which you know, it actually is!

- Can some skinny girl pleeaase wear this to one of the ZILLION pool parties suddenly cropping up across our fair city?! (BYT, Donovan House, Liaison…ok maybe just three)

- After more than 30 years in the biz, Harriet Kassman is retiring and closing the doors of her eponymous shop in Mazza Gallerie. Everything from sportswear to eveningwear is 30-60 percent off, while all things bridal are 50-75 percent off. Go for that, and for the chance to chat up HK herself. She is a trip and a real DC institution.

- Speaking of sales, celebrate the 4th by taking 40 percent off at Ginger.

- If you’re in Old Town, Diva is doing refreshments and 25 percent off anything red, white or blue in the store (very cute).

- Murderous bitches run Washington in their pastel suits! Not really. But seriously, how much do you love Jane Stanton Hitchcock right now (and Bob Schieffer, who is simply too adorable for words)?! Clearly a seasoned social Washingtonian, she manages to come off neither snobby nor jaded. I want this book! I want to drink scotch and trade stories with her, and I don’t even drink scotch! Not sure I’ll be able to make it, but there’s a reading at Nathan’s next Thursday.

- This museum just gave me a reason to go to Baltimore.

- On July 8, the lifestyle boutique Apres Peau is teaming up with local accessories designer Featherbrains (I liked ‘em back when) for a trunk show next Wednesday, July 8. Kristin Wilcox of Featherbrains will debut new styles, and it all benefits Nest, which supports female artisans in developing countries. There’s actually a bunch of cute stuff on Nest’s site, like these throw-em-on $6 necklaces and this bright tote made from vintage clothing from Guatemala. Eco-friendly and socially responsible. Nice.

- Finally, if you’re in town this weekend and want something equal parts spectacle and fashion, check out Artomatic’s Art in Fashion tomorrow eve (Friday).

I’m headed down south to Lexington. Happy 4th!