“We’re going to have to lower Barbara’s purse…”

Harvard-educated-architect-turned-jewelry designer Sylvia Gottwald ’s wearable art, which feature sustainably sourced shells and pearls, will be on display March 12-April 16 at Bistrot Lepic in Georgetown. This Saturday from 3-5, the public is invited to a viewing with complimentary French wines and hors d’oeuvres.

LOU DOILLON & GONZALES FOR VANESSA BRUNO from DILLINGER#MAGAZINE on Vimeo.

Lou Doillon for Vanessa Bruno. I want to do everything in this video over and over again.

I went to an advance screening of Alice and Wonderland last night and it’s all I can think about today. I may need to see it several more times. As you’d expect from Tim Burton, everything is just a little bit off – at times outrageously so, as it should be. And just when you think it’s getting a bit too box-office (explosion/chase scenes, girl-power cliches), some camera angle or line throws it back into fantastical delirium. The clothes, notably Alice’s wardrobe, are gorgeous – there’s a long blue gown with straps criss-crossing it (above), an unfinished-looking red dress with a tulle skirt, and a long pajama jacket with pants and sandals…somehow both costume and ready-to-wear at once. I’ve read a review or two suggesting that the clothes look “too runway” for this story, but I think they fit perfectly into Burton’s imagining of Alice as she teeters on the precipice of adulthood, learning love and instinct over fear, trusting the internal and exploring the external, and discovering the distance between impossibility and possibility. If fashion is fantasy, then these clothes are ideal for the film (and don’t we all want the fairy tale?). In keeping with Burton’s vision – the story is an interpretation – an expansion, if you will…they remind us of an Alice we knew, or thought we knew – before.

One of my favorite makeup looks of late is a bold, poppy-bright lip. It looks so feminine and glamorous, but is actually very easy to do, since it looks best with a near-naked face. So many of us reach for lip gloss that we forget the impact a bold lip can have. Try it tomorrow morning, and take note of how much more you are noticed (shades on my list-to-try: MAC Ruby Woo, Estee Lauder Cherry Ice, Chanel Gabrielle…anyone have a favorite?).

There is something so womanly and self-possessed about a woman applying her lipstick. To that point: observe Vanessa Paradis, the face of Chanel’s lipstick line, Rouge Coco, singing and whistling What a Day for a Daydream, engaging in the semi-private ritual in the “behind-the-scenes” campaign video, far better than the final edited version.

I got a sneak peek at the video during a preview for the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, going on through Sunday (awesome free gifts w/a minimum purchase – so definitely go if you buy any sort of nice makeup and need to re-stock)

I’m positively smitten with Vanessa at the moment: her overall French sex-kittenishness, her comments about her relationship with Johhny Depp, the Joe Le Taxi video (omg!) and especially this video, which is making me want an old barn and a kitty.

Occasionally some combination of light and settings goes all crazy on my camera and I end up with these wild, gorgeous, colorful mistakes. Sometimes the things you don’t plan on end up being kind of amazing.

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Before the days of face paint, sparkly spandex and embroidered windbreakers, winter sportsmen and women dressed in sportier versions of clothes they wore regularly.

Check out this fantastic set of historic photographs from the University of Washington Libraries Digital Collection, including incredible landscapes and action shots, plus some fashion gems like an old-school curling team, lady skiers in skirts and the dapper University of Washington ski team circa 1930.

And these two photos, just genius.

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The District Sample Sale is back – tix went on sale to past shoppers at 10 am. That means that those who attended in the past are snapping up tix right now….so I’m blowing the cover off of that in case you want to buy yours before the to-the-public date of next Tuesday (VIP tix are always the first to go). If you’ve never been, it’s really fun – great shopping but also a fantastic party. And as always, the charity is fantastic: City Dance Ensemble’s Early Arts program. Dance taught me, among other things, so much about respecting and loving my body, so I’m thrilled that they’ll be supported. As for the shopping, I’ll be sure to post some tips & guidelines for doing the DSS right next week. Buy tickets EARLY here.

Betsy Lowther of FW/Express and awesome blog Fashion Is Spinach is hosting two great parties next week. Get your photo taken for Lucky’s Style Spotter feature on Thursday (RSVP here), and then shop Betsy’s personal collection of vintage clothes and accessories at sweet prices ($20 for a great vintage dress? yes, please!) at Proper Topper Georgetown.

I’ve been meaning to check out the shamelessly girly-sounding Bras & Brunch event that takes place once a month at Sylene (plus, love the retro bullet bra on the invite there). Invite on Facebook here, or call (301) 654-4200 or RSVP here.