Holiday Wish List

Posted on December 17, 2011
Filed Under Inspiration, Shopping Events & News, Women | 1 Comment

I missed Holly’s Refinery29 deadline for a roundup of local blogger holiday wish-lists by a hair, so here you go! Here’s what I’m lusting over for the holidays; if you’ve still got shopping to do, many of these are available in town, and maybe your girl will like them too!

The just-released Autobiography of a Fashion Designer: Ralph Rucci ($195; Bauer and Dean)
Ralph Rucci is one of the most underrated American designers in the industry. He was the first American designer to receive an invitation to show at the Paris couture shows since Mainbocher in the thirties. This book would look great in my new apartment, resting on my coffee table, as I watch Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House.

Classes at The Bar Method
I grew up in dance classes and I miss the rhythm of being in a studio.

Cartier’s Baiser Vole perfume
Somehow they’ve bottled freshly cut lilies. It’s a gorgeous, gorgeous scent. I always recommend including small sample vials of a perfume when giving a scent as a gift – they are perfect for stowing in a clutch and for travel.

A Tiffany blue Tiffany handbag
I recently found myself at the Tiffany store in Chevy Chase and was completely blown away to discover that Tiffany even had a handbag line, but also that they are all completely gorgeous. The designers behind Lambertson Truex are responsible for the designs; many of which include some way to include the company’s signature eggshell blue. The Tiffany Reversible Tote, above, is a simple design in a gorgeous color, and it’s reversible to a metallic leather in an act of thoughtful day-to-night construction. This was just one of a number of handbags that I admired–including one clutch featuring a strap that can be removed and worn as a necklace. It’s a brilliant, well conceived line.

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Cozy Knits: A knit Cowl scarf and Slouch Beanie from De*Nada
Local designer Virginia Arrisueno’s knits are incredibly soft and stylish, and have the exact-right amount of heft and drape. Form and function in one warm, cozy place.

Major Earrings
I’m scheming an accessories plan for the year ahead that involves big cuffs bracelets and big, bold earrings. Right now I’m loving the Black Teardrops from local designer ARTAYA (she has a trunk show this weekend at the Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase; details are on her website) and various styles from Etsy seller DolorisPetunia, including the watercolor rhinestone lovelies above.

Happy holidays!

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Cheery Winter Street (sort of) Style

Posted on December 13, 2011
Filed Under On The Street, Women | Leave a Comment

I met Gabrielle Fouche Williams at Pulp the other night and promptly abandoned all urgency fr purchasing a wedding card to peppered this gorgeous stranger with outfit questions: where did you get that amazing scarf? (it’s called a kanga, and she got it while in Kisarawe, a village in Tanzania, where she was volunteering for her uncle’s organization, AHEAD) I love those funky but classic boots (Tommy Hilfiger ‘Sadie’ available at DSW)!

That perfect-fit, cheery cherry red topper? A size tall from J.Crew, the only tall sizing that truly looks great, she said. And oooh, that ring! (YSL). Who else is inspired not just by the fact that smart, interesting and cool people are this easy to trip over everywhere you go in DC, but also by this fantastically colorful winter look?!

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Instant It-Girl

Posted on July 27, 2011
Filed Under Inspiration, Women | Leave a Comment

I do love a yellow gown on a red carpet. What better to convey It-Girl-status – or trumpet an “I’m back!” reemergence from romantic-heartbreak-fallout – than a canary-yellow frock on a crimson background?

To wit: Jessica Chastain in Zac Posen at Cannes, as featured in August Vogue, Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci at the 2007 Golden Globes, and Michelle Williams in Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars.

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My favorite new vintage store in town

Posted on May 10, 2011
Filed Under Around Town, Shopping Events & News, Women | 1 Comment

Annie Lee is back! And better and more affordable than ever – with her new vintage concept, Pretty People Vintage, that just opened in Old Town (yes: Awesome vintage in Old Town!). Those of you familiar with Annie Creamcheese – often overpriced & inconsistent, if you ask me – will see that Annie took her well-practiced eye with her to Old Town when she parted ways with Annie Creamcheese, and has opened a feminine, quirky store with a an appealingly boutique-like feel in a sunny little space just off King Street, near Bellacara and the adorable Misha’s coffeeshop.

Shopping here feels like shopping in your best friend’s closet – the one who has amazingly cool and interesting style. On that front, the store offers contemporary and vintage clothes and accessories, so what you’re getting is a selection of pieces hand-picked by Annie for ultimate personal, wearable style. It is impossible to not find something gorgeous, special and wardrobe-shifting at this store, and typically for around $40. If I hadn’t agreed to help her with promoting the store, I’d want to keep this to myself (but I love you all too much to do that). Go.

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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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Sock Hop

Posted on April 27, 2011
Filed Under Everything Else, Women | Leave a Comment

Today I am overly excited to have discovered that I have a pair of shoes in common with Jane from Sea of Shoes. I scored these flawless Biba platforms on eBay. Worn with pointelle ankle socks from American Apparel. I’m wearing these socks today, not with the Bibas but with my new platforms from Gap.

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