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Handbag Crush.

Posted on October 13, 2009
Filed Under Only in Washington, Shopping Events & News, Women | 2 Comments

A serendipitous path led me to Ralston, a new handbag line from DC-based Paige Ralston Fromer, who used to be on the Hill and at the RIAA. A friend who met her at a local restaurant told me about her, and soon I was lusting over several of the handbags online while she and I exchanged an email or two (and in full-on Web 2.0 obsession mode, I even googled her and looked her up on Facebook…and saw that we had a few friends in common). Then, one day when I happened to be in Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase, I was heading out the door when a bag caught my eye. I went over to admire it, and sure enough, it was Ralston, and there was Paige standing among them (on a white horse! Kidding.) Something drew me to the line, and fate led the way!

The Ralston “Cindy”

The Ralston “Raquel”

I’m crushing on two bags in particular: the Cindy (LOVE the studded details on the upturned sides of the bag. Ladylike and quietly subversive at once!) and the Raquel, which would be the perfect work-to-cocktails option. One’s fun and one’s serious. Can’t a girl have both? Which do yall like?

I’ll quickly add that she’s planned two trunk shows with Bloomingdale’s – November 14 in Chevy Chase and December 5 in Tyson’s Corner. But hands off my bag(s).

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Having a Talbots Moment

Posted on October 9, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else, Uncategorized, Women | 4 Comments

Loving Betsy Lowther’s style piece in today’s Express about once-stodgy brands that are now suddenly, and surprisingly, chic. Talbots in particular has really stepped it up, and I can’t believe I’m even typing that because of what my family now calls “a Talbots moment.” It refers to the time when I was shopping with my mom and sister Brenna a few years ago, and we stopped into Talbots because my sister Elizabeth had found a surprisingly cute dress there, so we’re thinking, ‘ok, let’s just see…’ we go in and oh man, it was a sea of awful: pleated chinos with embroidered lifesavers, scene-sweaters, droopy pastel knits. Before we knew it we were competing to find the most hideous thing (“Come look! It’s a sweater with a pearl necklace attached!” “Oh my God, a denim jumper with a Christmas theme! And it’s our lucky day…it’s on SALE!”) and soon enough, we were red-faced and laughing uncontrollably and unable to stop. And had to run out of there because the shop-ladies were giving us nasty looks.

From that moment on, uncontrollable laughing jags, clothing related or not, were referred to as having “a Talbots moment.”

So naturally, I’ve found myself with raised eyebrows on more than one occasion as of late, admiring an item in Lucky magazine, for example, only to then realize that it was Talbots. I’m so glad to see these companies putting out pretty, well-designed, classic and affordable clothes, and in particular I’m loving the longer, ladylike hemlines on these dresses (oh, and this belt and this classic, preppy jacket…). Looks like Talbots is having a moment of its own!

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Shiseido Inspired for Fall

Posted on October 8, 2009
Filed Under Events | Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago I found myself at what is possibly my favorite media invite ever – Shiseido’s seasonal collection presentation (you might remember me waxing poetic about it and the brand last time). It’s funny how the collection always seems to speak to me in some way. This time, I tried and fell for a vibrant yellow eyeshadow called Solaris. It sounds scary, but with the red lipstick I was wearing and a swipe of mascara, the look is high-impact but simple and quick to do (I have an okay photo of me from the evening…on my other computer, so yall will just have to wait…in the meantime, the model above is wearing it in a more ethereal look).

To-tally obsessed with this eyeshadow. Also obsessed with this fashion spread in the most recent Allure. Two reasons: love the bold eyeshadows, and love the coats paired with bold gloves!

Some recent shopping-and-styling-my-closet efforts have turned up a pair of neon orange long gloves (long gloves=very much on my shopping lust-list this season) and my great-aunt-Dot’s black fur jacket. Belted at the waist, I’m loving my new early-fall look.

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Awesome.

Posted on October 6, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else | 3 Comments

I just clicked through the entirety of a newish blog called My Parents Were Awesome. It’s a refreshingly simple format based on submissions from readers – some of which are mundane, a few funny, and more than a few are fashion-inspiration fodder. They remind me of my own very awesome parents and some of the great shots I have of them and others I’d like to have.

By the way, that’s them above with my sister Brenna, and my mom looking naturally, effortlessly glamorous, and my dad when he had a huge puffy beard…awesome! Truly, life (and style!) happens in the in-between moments, and we should all remember to take pictures of those times.

Some favorites:

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At Crafty Bastards – Saturday

Posted on October 5, 2009
Filed Under Around Town, Events | Leave a Comment

I adore these nattily attired animals from Ryan Berkley Illustrations.

And this pretty much sums up the demographic – from top to bottom: “Beards Not Bombs”, “What Would Tom Waits Do?” and “What Would Amy Sedaris Do?”

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Wear whatever you want to work today…

Posted on October 2, 2009
Filed Under Everything Else | 1 Comment

How often do you hear that from your employer? Well, never! And it stinks doesn’t it?! You have to buy things to wear to work to look appropriate but you don’t really *love* your job so you don’t want to invest in suits and cardigans and PANTYhose….but you kinda have to. So you buy stuff, but not super-expensive stuff, and so you wind up hating most things in your closet except for the special vintage things and the “fun” clothes you buy for like, your REAL LIFE.

It doesn’t have to be this way, friends! Treasury, quickly becoming one of my favorite vintage boutiques, has decided to open during the week and therefore they are looking for a lovely, special, sales associate. Read on:

Treasury Vintage is looking for a Sales Associate!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic fashion lover who has an appreciation for and basic knowledge of vintage clothing and accessories. Must have retail experience (and references) and live within DC limits. Sewing and blogging abilities a plus!

Availability:
- Tues-Thurs 12-7pm will be the base schedule
- Occasional weekend and holiday hours will come up too.

Hourly compensation plus a generous discount will be provided. Please get in touch with us at info@shoptreasury.com with questions and resumes.

Think of it! You could sleep in, leisurely make yourself an omelette, slip on your cage skirt (PLEASE SOMEONE buy this…I’ve been staring at it with my mouth open for the past hour) and head off to your office, where you can listen to your favorite music and dance around when no one’s there (though I’m sure dancing while people are there is fine too).

It’s a fun daydream job idea to mull over on your Friday, mmm? And, sorry I’ve been neglectful about the blog this week. I only did it so you’d miss me.

Leaf piles,
Rachel

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