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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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Hot-Hot-Hot! Weekend Wear

Posted on July 26, 2011
Filed Under Shopping Events & News | 3 Comments

{pic courtesy Vincent Gallegos}

My new favorite thing to wear when it’s unbearably hot? A vintage cotton bustier! I wore mine to our pop-up this weekend – which was fabulous, thank you to everyone who came out – and got a ton of compliments. I’m telling you, there is nothing more fun, fashionable and heat-proof than one of these retro pieces. Wear one with a high-waist pair of shorts or a skirt for more femme/pinup effect. I found mine on Etsy; there’s a similar one here, a less girlie version in leather here and a really cute gingham one here.

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Sunday Shopping with Butler + Claypool

Posted on July 21, 2011
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Butler + Claypool will set up shop at the ReadySetDC fashion mixer this Sunday. We’ll be selling awesome stuff. Get it’s while it’s hot (and damn, is it hot).

Details here.

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Pretty People Grand Opening This Weekend

Posted on June 30, 2011
Filed Under Around Town, Shopping Events & News | Leave a Comment

So excited that the Grand Opening of Pretty People is here (I announced the soft-opening back in May). I’m personally looking for cool statement necklaces to punch up work and weekend outfits….and Annie has tons of incredible finds. On tap for the weekend, themed according to the “a new kind of animal” credo: “wild card” sale of 15-30% off an item, “jungle juice” and animal themed treats/snacks, a free gift with purchase of $100 or more, and chance to win a seriously awesome Marc Jacons leather clutch that I have been drooling over since the giveaway was announced on the Pretty People Facebook page yesterday.

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UPDATED//What I’ve been Up To: B+C Vintage Bazaar

Posted on June 9, 2011
Filed Under Shopping Events & News | 1 Comment

…collecting pretty vintage finds for all of you lovelies! Join me and B+C…and Pretty People Vintage, Hugh and Crye, and Uesa Robinson as we pack Brightest Young Things’ vitaminwater uncappedLIVE event space with so much stuff you’ll want, you’ll be eating (chilled) Ramen for weeks.

UPDATED:
AND while you’re in the area, swing over for Lost Caravan, staging Saturday and Sunday (note Apartment Therapy’s handy guide to repairing and restoring furniture for inspiration). You might as well get a ZipCar to haul off all the great stuff you’re going to score.

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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.

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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.

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