Obama sends a Blackberry message

Posted on May 23, 2011
Filed Under Only in Washington | Leave a Comment

Politico just ran a story about the President rocking his Blackberry in France. Does this bother me? Actually, no. As I said to writer Julie Mason, I think it says a lot about the kind of leader he wants to be. Communication in all its forms has always been Obama’s best weapon – we saw the success of it in the first campaign and will see ready-access technology play a huge role in the upcoming; it was evident in speeches now and all the way back to that DNC breakthrough in ’04. And wearing it conveys a sense of duty and approachability to us all. I find it neverendingly fascinating to see the ways in which political figures send messages via the clothes – and, for better or worse, devices – they wear. If a Blackberry is Obama’s best weapon, I’m happy to see our Commander-in-Chief with his at the ready.

keep looking »

Banana Republic After5

Posted on May 23, 2011
Filed Under Around Town, Events | Leave a Comment

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Banana Republic event last Thursday! I had a blast meeting new blogger friends, playing dress-up and gossiping and bonding over fit in the dressing rooms. I ended up buying shorts in the process (eek).

When I arrived, I had my own special little dressing room.

I was wearing my boots and I tried on this lovely jersey gown with them. We declared the look very Ralph Lauren.

Here are some pics from the event, including some swatches of fabric I loved. Thanks again, BR, for making this happen!

keep looking »

happy birthday

Posted on May 19, 2011
Filed Under Inspiration | 1 Comment

grace jones & malcolm x

keep looking »

Bethesda Row Gets Fabulous

Posted on May 17, 2011
Filed Under Events, Shopping Events & News | Leave a Comment

The third annual Front Row at Bethesda Row event starts this weekend! Starting Thursday, The Row will host an entire weekend of fashion/beauty/foodie events (and sales, and free things). You’d be insane to not go to at least something, because it will be WHERE to be, eat, and shop this weekend. Nuff said. Click here for the full details. RSVP on Facebook to get all of the details and be reminded of things.

Thursday*: screening of the Bill Cunningham documentary you loved, saw and now want to see again (for free!) Prepare to be photographed (obviously)! Also, there will be vintage bicycles because that’s how Bill rolls!
*Go to this if you’re not coming to my event in Tysons. Look at you, so many parties to attend, so few physical bodies to attend them in!

Friday:
5 pm book signing and appearance by Kelly Cutrone, who just wrote Normal Will Get You Nowhere. I confess to having never seen her show (I know I know) but I of course know of her, and she strikes me as smart, inspiring, funny and frightening all at once. I am getting this book and possibly her previous tome, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside. And as a nice girl from the South, probably taking much of both to heart.
7:30 fashion show

Saturday:
“Chic Children on the Row” events, including beignet-making and building fashion capitals from Legos, both of which sound awesome for just about anyone.

keep looking »

Backs to Basics with Banana Republic

Posted on May 13, 2011
Filed Under Shopping Events & News | 6 Comments

Let’s take an inventory of my recent purchases, shall we? Here we go: Ralph Lauren cerulean blue silk palazzo pants, (completely) sheer polka-dot silk tank, vintage pink polka-dot party dress. Aside from my obvious addiction to silk and polka dots, one thing is clear here: I do NOT like to shop for basics. I do not OWN the basics that I think a lot of women have multiples of. I do not want to buy anything unless it is special. I refuse to shop for having an office job. I think part of me is holding on to some ridiculous idea that I won’t REALLY have to work/go into an office all day, and that my daily wear should and will consist of things like vintage silk loungewear.

But.

This is not the case, is it ladies? And truth be told, it is impossible to wear our special pieces without the basics that allow them to shine. And when it comes down to it, the simplest and quietest pieces are often the most beautiful and elegant. I had just been contemplating this issue (as, in a state of half-dress, I stared down a favorite pink brocade swing coat with beaded edging and wondered what.the.heck.to wear it with) when something of a lucky thing happened: the lovely folks at Banana Republic asked me to participate in their After 5 Event next Thursday at the Tysons Corner store, which has an enormous selection, including the lovely Banana Republic Signature line.

It involved me picking out pieces from the store and styling them in my own way. Go to the experts in clean, wearable and affordable basics, and special them up with items from my own closet: are yall reading my MIND?! Genius.

Here are some pics of me trying on basics in the dressing room. I went to a tiny BR store that did not carry the Signature line, and I think this helped me stick to the basics
:

I actually liked both of these but didn’t take either home. I might need to go back for the pants. I hate pants. I need pants. Sigh.

This pink strapless dress was cute, but too big (the size 2 was too big. God bless vanity sizing) and um, a strapless pink dress isn’t so basic, is it. But look! how great! with my brocade pink coat! That’s a lot of pink…

As you see above, I took home this look. White is the loveliest shade for a basic, especially in the summer. This white eyelet pencil skirt is really well-made and I’ll get a ton of wear out of it this season. And eyelet makes it…special, no?

Event Details:
Thursday, May 19, 5-7 p.m.
Banana Republic Tysons Corner
25% off a $100 or more purchase
Chance to meet me, my co-hosts Vyque from Fassonaburu, Liz from So Much to Smile About, and E from District of Chic and get our styling tips
AND enter a raffle to win a free 4-day, 3-night trip to Los Angeles, compliments of Banana Republic and Virgin America (flight + hotel room)

SEE YOU THERE.

keep looking »

This Weekend: ARTAYA at Bloomie’s

Posted on May 12, 2011
Filed Under Only in Washington, Shopping Events & News | Leave a Comment

Local jewelry (and now, also, fashion) designer Dana Ayanna Greaves is one of my very talented friends (I first wrote about her in 2007, wow!) and she has caught the attention of the folks at Bloomingdale’s. They’ll be hosting a trunk show of her ARTAYA jewelry collection work this weekend (Friday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

I love the whimsical sophistication and vibrant color palette of her pieces. Whenever I wear either the necklace or earrings of hers I own, I always get a ton of compliments. Dana created a special collection of vibrant earrings for Bloomingdale’s in hypercolor shades like berry, neon chartreuse and pistachio – above, perfect for Spring.

keep looking »

rag & bone + the DIY Project

Posted on May 12, 2011
Filed Under Around Town, Events | Leave a Comment

On Monday, I attended an intimate dinner in honor CFDA Award-winning designers David Neville and Marcus Wainright of rag & bone. The dinner celebrated the opening of their first store outside of New York City – right here in lil ol’ Washington, in Georgetown (click it over to Urban Daddy for the scoop and pix). I am excited to announce that I have been chosen as a Rag & Bone “DIY Project” Ambassador. The marketing campaign features a small, hand-selected group of DC’s influential and stylish, and will focus on personal style. Each member will offer their interpretation on how to wear pieces from the Fall/Winter 2011 collection. Here are pictures from the event at Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s delicious (anything seafood is particularly insanely amazing) new Penn Quarter restaurant, Fiola.

I wore blue silk Ralph Lauren palazzo pants and my red Bibas.