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What I’ll (and you should) be doing for FNO

Posted on September 2, 2011
Filed Under Only in Washington, Shopping Events & News | 8 Comments

OK…FNO this year is shaping up to be off-the-charts awesome. I have to say, the energy in this city for fashion and the fall event season is buzzing right now, and Georgetown’s work to bring FNO to Washington has been a big part of that excitement.

I’m honored to be a Host Committee member for FNO this year, and starting at 8:30 that night, I’ll be helping guests shop and doling out style advice at TARI. Voted Best Vintage Store in the Washington City Paper’s 2011 Best Of list, TARI stands out for designer vintage and consignment (men’s too!). The owners and event conceptualists Art Soiree have put together a night that will be both glamorous and see-and-be-seen and intimately private, thanks to their outside private lounge and event space, to be revealed that night.

You can shop for free of course, but $20 gets you admission to the outdoor event, complimentary antipasto, and Lambrusco. We’ll be playing La Dolce Vita on the big screen, encouraging playing dress-up and photographing you in your new outfits (oh, and if you end up purchasing something, you get in the event for free). Also, the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador will be onsite, which is just as exciting as it was for me to get to ride in one for my thirteenth birthday (it was ALL I WANTED at the time).

Check out event details and RSVP here. See you there, all you fabulous, sexy Washingtonians!

UPDATE: I’m giving away a pair of tickets to he TARI party! Enter to win by telling me something Italian that knocks your socks off: a particular dish, movie, designer, whatever. We’ll pick the lucky winner Wednesday, September 7 at noon. Good luck!

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Just another DC Party

Posted on August 26, 2011
Filed Under Events, Only in Washington | 1 Comment

Last Saturday night I found myself at Wonderbox for Mighty Aphrodite. There was a firebreather.

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Fashion Steps Out in Georgetown

Posted on August 11, 2011
Filed Under Around Town, Events, Only in Washington, Shopping Events & News | 1 Comment

Last night I donned my Favorite Black Wrap Dress (thank you, Mango a few years ago!) and cabbed over to CUSP Georgetown to join my fellow Hosts to celebrate the countdown to Fashion’s Night Out on September 8 in Georgetown. With the stamp of approval from Conde Nast and a bunch of great shopping + events planned (hint: hot air balloon!), the event has me super-excited for the fall season. Last year I left a red-carpet party on the waterfront, hopped a (free!) pedi-cab up to the now-shuttered Proper Topper, and hosted what has become one of my favorite events in the city – an intimate, candlelit fashion chat with Jenn Barger and Katherine Boyle from FW/Express and the dashing and wise Walker Lamond. We were joined by a wonderful group of fashion enthusiasts and a few curious and wonderful neighbors and their dogs. I can’t wait for this year!

Shauna…I might just take you up on the borrow offer.

Event-design extraordinaire Andrew Wells in a custom RL suit and vintage cufflinks.

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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.

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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.

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Having a Ball

Posted on May 2, 2011
Filed Under Events, Only in Washington, Women | Leave a Comment

{photo courtesy Revamp}

At this moment, Karl and Tori and Kanye are partying with the Annas (della Russo, Wintour) at the Met Ball. On Friday, I had my own bit of glamour at the 56th annual (!!) Corcoran Ball, to which I wore my beloved Mischen (RIP, so upsetting) thirties-esque color-block silk gown.

Many others went out and partied at the White House Correspondents Dinner and parties on Saturday, but I opted to stay home and read Eleanor Dwight’s biography on Diana Vreeland. I’m barely into it, and already I’m certain Dee-Ahhhna would have a permanent seat on my ultimate dinner table guest list.

The Corcoran Ball is so elegant! Everything, from the flowers to the custom linens and chair cushions and amazing table settings to the location in the galleries is so special. I mean, speaking of the ultimate dinner table… **UPDATE: I got a few email questions about the decor, etc…that’s the collaborative work of Occasions Caterers and Jack Lucky Floral Designs – who both go beyond what their names say and go into full-on event-planning/conceptualization.

NEXT at the Corcoran: BFA Class of 2011 is up, and I loved the playful relationship between the art and the decor in some of those galleries; this one in particular. This is one of Forest Allread’s paintings, the background is this lovely white fuzzy fur. It’s whimsical and wonderful.

The Women’s Committee of the Corcoran orchestrates the event each year. One member, Jeannette, wore a custom dress that she has had for years. She had it made so that the bottom third of the skirt can be removed via discreet buttons, for a cocktail dress. I love this thoughtful, old-school approach to building a wardrobe. And that elegant drape of crystal beads cascading down her back – fantastic!

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wiggle wiggle

Posted on April 29, 2011
Filed Under Events, Only in Washington | 3 Comments

This is the dress I wore over to the Patron’s Party last night (in the Corcoran’s elegant bathroom, which features a very femme full-length mirror). I tweeted about how hard it is to hurry in a wiggle dress yesterday – had to explain ‘wiggle dress’ to a few people – so here is the dress. I found it at Meeps….it’s pristine vintage, with the most amazing details, including the star pins that are sewn into the dress. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore…

And here is one of my favorite guests from the party last night:

More photos after the jump!

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