The Look for Less: Studded Pumps

At the Cusp in Georgetown these studded pumps caught my eye. These unique 3-dimensional pumps are definite must-haves for the Resort season. Made by daniblack, the shoes retail for $175.

You can achieve the same look for less by rushing down the block to Zara Georgetown as they also have a studded pump which is on sale for $39.99! 

The difference in the two shoes is that the daniblack shoe is about 2 inches taller and fully studded while the Zara shoe is studded on the toe. The Zara shoe is also a half  d'Orsay while the daniblack shoe is a full pump.

Whatever your preference and whatever your price-point, you've got to add a pair of studded pumps to your Resort shoe repertoire. 

Check out www.daniblack.com for more styles.

Shop Op: Sassanova

Great shopping opportunity at Georgetown shoe shop Sassanova. Thanks to our friends at CityShopGirl, we've got the inside scoop on an exclusive sale! Mention CityShopGirl and get 20% off the newly arrived resort shoes from now until February 15th!

The trendy boutique with its leopard carpet and pink walls carries handbags, accessories, and shoes from contemporary designers like Oscar de la Renta, Guissepe Zanotti, and Tory Burch.

Check them out at 1641 Wisconsin Ave. NW and get geared up for the season.

http://www.sassanova.com/

Shop Op: Fly Betty Boutique

An amazing shopping opportunity tomorrow at Fly Betty Boutique in the Historic U St. Corridor

The boutique will be having free drinks and food on the 1st floor tomorrow Saturday January 24th from 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Specializing in women's clothing, handbags, and accessories, Fly Betty appeals to sophisticated women who want to look fly without breaking the bank because almost everything in the store is under $100!

Stop in for food and drinks and of course stellar shopping at 1935 11th St. NW

www.flybettyboutique.com

the DistriCt Launch Party

This past weekend we had the Inaugural Launch Party for the DistriCt. Check out the official launch video screened at the catered cocktail event as well as the pics below.

Preparation before the guests arrive

My amazing caterer Brittany Miller of Party Like Me Events. Contact her for your next catering event Brittany.Erin@gmail.com

White cheddar and berry tray to get our appetites ready

Brittany's Parmesan crisps and home made spinach dip

Brittany's spicy garlic wings

Enjoying the house margarita with mixed berry skewer

The bartenders heart the DistriCt

So happy to see great friends and supporters show up

Fly people like my guest Jennifer Matthews adding to the fashionable ambiance

The event was a huge success

Ty Johnson looking dapper as always

Guests enjoying the White Wine Sangria

Guests had such a great time, they didn't want to leave

Guests listening to me talk about the blog and preparing the premiere the official launch video

Shoppers for Obama

Area stores are gearing up for the influx of President Obama supporters looking to commemorate today's historic inauguration. For those trying to do it in STYLE, Urban Outfitters Chinatown is the perfect place to do it. Check out this awesome window display.

This Barack N' Roll t-shirt is on sale for $9.99 and looks great with these leather leggings and chunky knit scarf.

This Obama Yes We Did t-shirt (above) and the New York Time Obama t-shirt (below) both retail for 32.00 and will look great with a pair of jeans over beers with buds celebrating or dressed up with a blazer sipping champagne.

Either way you pair it make sure you're celebrating tonight!

Obama Blue

If you plan on popping champagne for Barack's campaign tonight and toasting to hope for a change in this country over the next four years then you may want to consider donning a blue dress for the occasion. With our new Commander-in-Chief being the first Democratic president in the White House since the 1990s, ladies, we may want to represent for all the blue states that showed up to the polls to make this historic inauguration possible.

I know the last blue dress we remember from our last Democratic president was his home-girl Monica Lewinsky's infamous blue dress...so ladies if you plan on breaking out an older blue dress make sure you get it dry cleaned.

If you plan on rocking a new blue dress, here is one to consider...

We found this Vera Wang Lavender Label dress at Cusp in Georgetown. With it's asymmetrical neckline and rouching at the bodice, the dress is sexy while giving a classic Jackie-O feel.

What makes this dress a great find is that it originally retailed for $355, was reduced to $276 and is now 50% off!

 
Check out the leather, lace, and felt detailing. The top stitching modernizes the crepe silk.

So while you are popping champagne tonight, make sure you're doing it in Obama Blue!

Baby it's cold outside

Obamas February 2007

While everyone is trying to figure out what dress Michelle Obama will be wearing to the Inaugural Ball, I'm trying to figure out what she will be wearing for the actual Inauguration; the swearing in. With the weather projected to be about 30-some odd degrees outside, I'm trying to figure out what kind of designer (or discount---because we all know how much she loves J. Crew) coat Mrs. Obama will be wearing to keep herself warm while looking especially chic for the historic occasion.

Let's flash back to February 2007, the day her husband announced his candidacy, our girl Mich (i call her Mich because I feel like I know her) had a black belted coat with a purple scarf and a wool bucket hat. Fast forward almost a year, and since then she has upgraded her roller-set flip to a chic bob and has been dubbed a fashion icon.

As a result...she will not be breaking out the bucket hat for this momentous occasion.

But forget the headgear...what will Mrs. Obama be wearing to keep herself warm next Tuesday?

We checked out one of her favorite spots, J. Crew, to see if the retailer had anything stately and especially decadent for the incoming First Lady to wear. We came across the Gstaad Shearling ($3,000).

J. Crew hooked up with a famous Italian house and created this longhaired shearling with sheepskin leather. The coat hits at the thigh and has a slight A-line silhouette.

I'm sure the the Georgetown J. Crew or their Friendship Heights location wouldn't mind placing a custom rush order on this baby just in time for the swearing in.

Check out what some former First Ladies wore to keep warm at during the swearing in....

Laura Bush in 2005 in an Oscar de la Renta Coat


Laura Bush in 2001 in Dallas, TX designer Michael Faircloth


Hillary Clinton in1997 in an Oscar de la Renta coat


Hillary Clinton in 1993 in a Connie Fails suit

Neiman Marcus Welcomes Lobbyists

From January 16th to the 21st, Neiman Marcus will be offering Inauguration Makeovers in the lobby of the St. Regis Hotel at 923 16th St NW. Located just two blocks from the White House, the hotel is the perfect location for those braving the cold to make a quick stop to freshen up for the historic occasion.

The concept is to create an in-lobby boutique complete with makeup services at their "Eye Bar", bow-tieing services and a Manhlo Blahnik shoeshine.

The St. Regis lobby "boutique" will also include merchandise from Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, Loro Piana, Judith Leiber, Brioni, and Ermengildo Zenga, for those looking for last minute inaugural party items.

Neiman Marcus consultants will also be on site to coordinate a courier between the St. Regis and their store in Mazza Gallerie for any fashion emergencies, last-minute alterations and purchases.

Anyone looking to lobby for style this inauguration should definitely hit up the St. Regis Hotel!

White House Black Market wants that GREEN

This past summer White House Black Market became the retailer on every fashionista's lips when Michelle Obama wore their dress on ABC's The View. The retailer is further capitalizing on the popularity of that moment.

Brand President Donna Noce said “Back in June, we were thrust into the spotlight when Mrs. Obama wore us on ‘The View,’ and since then we’ve been on a journey with her and we wanted to take her to the inauguration,”

Noce also said “Our tag line is ‘From Our White House to Yours.’”

So from this Friday up until Inauguration on the 20th the company is transforming their Union Station store into inaugural party headquarters with an array dresses ranging from $148-$278.


As an added bonus, the company has also designed four one-of a-kind gowns to auction with proceeds benefiting The Clothes off Our Back Foundation

Now through Jan. 15, you can bid on one of the dresses at Clothesoffourback.org

So after you bid on one of these dresses for a good cause, head to the Union Station location and check out some inaugural party dresses to get all dolled up for a good time!

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/

The Look: Dani Evans

Dani Evans

Have you been wondering what Dani Evan, Cycle 6 winner of America's Next Top Model, has been up too? Nope? Well me neither. But she has been on the scene rocking a pretty cute look. Dani has been on various red carpets sporting a cropped motorcycle jacket.

She was seen in it last night at the Oxygen Network's "America's Next Top Model: OBSESSED" Launch Party.

Paired with a little black dress and her extra dark tresses with the blunt bangs...she looked smoking!

Dani Evans, Ursula Stephen, Michelle Williams

Dani was also seen rocking that motor-mini at celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen's birthday cocktail party in New York last November

Do you want to recreate the look?

We found this awesome motorcycle jacket at Urban Outfitters in Georgetown. The classic silhouette is cropped at the waist. This broken-in faux leather is worn at the seems and is zippered on the pockets and at the cuff. This bad boy retails for $128.00.

And for my biker babes on a budget, this motorcycle jacket was found at Forever 21 in Pentagon City. This fully lined faux leather jacket has an asymmetrical zipper, epaulets, and zippered pockets. It retails for $54.80

Throw one of these jackets over a black American Apparel mini dress for $36 and you're guaranteed to turn heads.

I guess our girl Dani Evans has been working since her ANTM days; shes been working the red carpet with this winning look!

Style Find:Dawn Richard at Oxygen Network Party

Dawn Richard

Last night the Oxygen Network hosted a party for the launch of "America's Next Top Model: OBSESSED" at Gotham Hall in NYC. The network will now be airing all seasons of the show including Cycle 12 which is currently in production. Dawn Richard, of Danity Kane fame, was in attendance rocking a multicolored abstract Catherine Malandrino tank dress.


We found this dress at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie in Freindship Heights. The dress retails for $525, has a jeweled neckline and is 100% cashmere.

Beyonce Knowles

Beyonce Knowles was also seen rocking this dress over the holidays during her vacation with hubby Jay-Z in St. Barts.

Golden Globe Awards: Lock and Load

Kyra Sedgwick

Olivia Wilde

Kate Winslet

Hollywood screen sirens had the look down pact at last night's Golden Globe awards in belted monochromatic gowns. While the MTV VMAs is the place to rock out in something wild and crazy, and the Oscars is the place to get glamorous in something avant garde; the Golden Globes is where you play it safe. Simple, chic and sophisticated.

The combination of the unilateral color of a long monochromatic gown and the waist cinching belt do nothing but accentuate the female physique.

Star of television drama the Closer, Kyra Sedgwick, looked stunning in a crimson Oscar de la Renta gown with pleated sweetheart neckline and sophisticated train.

Olivia Wilde, the breakout actress of drama House M.D, was a whimsical confection in her lavender Reem Acra strapless gown.

Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet made quite a showing in a black Yves Saint Laurent gown with asymmetrical neckline and bow detail.

Looking to rock your own belted monochromatic look? We found the perfect dress at the Cusp in Georgetown.

This silk cranberry Rebecca Taylor strapless dress belts at the waist and has a gathered skirt. It retails for $345.00.

You will definitely be able to lock and load your goodies in this sexy little number.

Ladies and Gentlemen... the BRO-och

At last night's Golden Globe Awards, Mr. H-to-the-Izzo caused quite a stir. Not just for finally walking the red carpet with his spouse, Sasha Fierce, but for sporting a smart looking brooch. When the word "brooch" comes to mind I will forever and always have the image in my mind of a church-going grandmother with a Sunday hat on and a glittery ornament on her lapel

OR even worse...Of the especially creative teachers in my elementary school who wore crazy holiday inspired brooches on their crazy holiday inspired sweaters if they felt the season permitted.

Brooches are coming full circle and are coming all the way around to men.

So for all sakes and purposes of coolness (and masculinity), Jay-Z's Golden Globe brooch will heretofore be mentioned as a BROoch because the brother was looking especially dapper in his.

She want that old thing back...

I was just thinking to myself...When was the last time I wanted a Dooney & Bourke bag? Middle School? High School maybe? Actually it was this past weekend when I peeped a District resident trolling the streets of Georgetown with one slung across her body.

Robin, 21 received this bag from her older sister who got it in college in the 1980s

It was a vintage Dooney & Bourke All Weather Leather Bag straight out of the '80s. The company became famous with these bags that debuted in 1983.

Founded in 1975 by Peter Dooney and Frederic Bourke in South Norwalk, Connecticut. The company started out making surcingle belts and suspenders in the equestrian tradition using bright colors. Eventually they expanded to making fashionable equestrian bags and tack cases. Continuing in the equestrian tradition, the young company had its breakthrough 8 years later with the All Weather Leather (AWL) Bag.

What made people LOVE these little treasures was pretty simple: they were ALL weather! The waterproof bag was made out of cowhide which causes water to practically shed off of them. They are also easy to clean with mild soap and water.

I guess all that soap and water has caused these babies to hold up over the past 20 something years. Enough time for fashionistas of the 80s to pass them down to the fashion forward pounding this city's pavement.

Check out the company's newest collection at http://www.dooney.com/

But if you ask me...They may see a crazy increase in revenue if they just bring that old thing back.