Order in the Skort

I read a story yesterday titled “Teens Hack Into PR Database to Get Into Fashion Shows.”  Even style-addicts would agree it’s not worth it to break the law for a fashion show. You could be behind bars faster than Tory Burch’s sale items are sold out and before you know it you’re in the clink without your W, Vogue or DC Magazine to pass the time.

Luckily for you, I know a place where you can legally obtain a front-row seat to the catwalk and enjoy uber-chic styles as they’re paraded down the runway.  You can also shop the merchandise of  ultra-talented clothing, jewelry and handbag designers while you and your friends enjoy a glass of wine or beer to the beat of top DJ tunes…and it’s FREE!

Sound too good to be true? Well it’s not. It’s happening right now in Crystal City and you’d be a fool to pass up this opportunity. Get your stylish little self over to Crystal Couture, stat! I’m not kidding. The selection of designers and merchandise is outstanding and several items are one-of-a-kind, like the adorable sweetheart back-knot sundress my fashionista friend Kathy scored from Toucan Boutique. Or stop by and visit Meagan Kurtz of ADMK jewelry and adorn yourself with some of her unique and pretty designs.

Even though it’s a week-long event, I’m already kicking myself for missing the first 2 nights – and that’s only because I was out of town. So what’s your excuse? Here’s just a few highlights of what you (yes, you!) are missing  if you don’t check it out:

rachelleceline  – I saw a pair of Rachelle’s earrings across the room and had them on my ears within 10 minutes – that’s how pretty her designs are. Feminine, cool, delicate, stylish. You don’t want to miss her! Visit her site for more information or to host your own rachelleceline showing.

MiMi Dabo of BoutiqueMix –  She’s got an eye for fashion and style is second-nature to her. MiMi’s fun, fresh clothing and Stella & Dot jewelry selections will have you wanting one of everything!

Belafigura – The runway show for this gorgeous swimwear features Minoo Mobin-Ventura’s lovely creations designed for cancer survivors.

Philissa Williams of Thembe Fashions – such cool, on-time designs and fabrics. I barely had a boot in the door when I spied a gorgeous black & gray striped knit sweater with lines so hip, I immediately had MJ’s “Bad” playing in my mind as I put it on. Sold!

There’s so much more, but it’s time for this girl to put on her Holly Golightly sleep mask and dream of what’s in store at Crystal Couture tomorrow night. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………..

Holiday festivities seem long-gone, the New Year is here to stay (whether you’re ready for it or not), and the winter blues are trying their best to settle in. What’s a girl to do to shake things up? The answer is crystal clear: you need to cheer up with some serious fashion & fun! 

Stop counting the days until spring and start counting the days until Crystal Couture! Get ready to slip off the cozy slippers and sweats and throw on a fun frock & faux-fur – you have less than a week to prepare.

From Feb. 1-6, a storefront in Crystal City is transformed into a fashionista’s paradise with hot designers, photographers, DJs, sample sales, trunk shows & runway shows. What’s even hotter? Great prices on most of the featured merchandise, and the entire week-long event is FREE.

 Here are a few teasers to get you in the mood:

Aidah:  this collection brings eastern chic to west coast fashion. Each garment is handmade and adorned in hand brushed design, making every piece unique.

Artistic Sole:  best known for its custom hand painted kicks with a graffiti twist, Artistic Sole was created by Imani K. Brown, an emerging name in the urban arts industry. 

Belafigura:  gorgeous swimwear designed by a beautiful woman for other beautiful women.

Bernos:  “Two guys a girl and a t-shirt idea. That’s how it all started…” Stylish t-shirt designs based on Afrocentric themes.

Brand of the Free:  a fresh collection of organic graphic tees & totes.

Denim Bar:  with two locations in the DC area, The Denim Bar with its denim experts has become the place to find premium designer jeans.

Malek Naz Freidouni Photography:  uber-talented photographer Naz covered Crystal Couture last year and she’ll be back next week to wow us again.

Nido:  Spanish for “nest”, Nido was created to feature crafts of DC-based artists and designers. Even their Web site is cool.

Rachelle Celine:  love the delicate femininity of her jewelry designs.

Shake Your Booty:  fashionable fun for your feet! Be sure to check them out!

Stella & Dot:  visit MiMi Dabo of Stella & Dot and BoutiqueMix. This girl knows her stuff.

Thembe Fashions:  Philissa Williams, the creative mastermind behind these chic designs, has made a name for herself in the DC area by creating wearable art with vintage materials.

TranquiliT:  Kimberly Wilson has the right idea with her eco-luxe lifestyle threads, claiming “green is the new black”.  A portion of all sales goes to charities that support women’s empowerment and creativity. Now that’s one Hip Tranquil Chick.

Project Stitch:  can’t wait to see the students of the West Potomac Academy Design Department feature their designs at Crystal Couture!

See you next week!

Amidst a sea of umbrellas, the 2010 Golden Globes kicked off with a rainy Red Carpet. Even though skies were gray, purple reigned as the color of choice this year!

Sandra Bullock was gorgeous in a shimmery violet chiffon strapless Bottega Veneta gown with beautifully uneven cascading tiers. Zoe Saldana pulled off a gown that not many could – a pretty strapless Louis Vuitton number with layers of ribbons & ruffles in shades of plum and cranberry.

Rose Byrne was pretty in purple Lanvin and Fergie contained herself in a pale purple Elie Saab design that seemed at odds with her dark tresses and eyebrows. Her main accessory was (now forgiven?) husband, Josh Duhamel.

All eyes were glued to the exquisite Halle Berry as she glided across the stage to present an award in her impeccably fitted Kaufman Franco gown. You could have heard a pin drop inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Escorted by fiancé John Krasinski, Emily Blunt glowed in a pink-infused champagne tulle gown by Dolce & Gabbana. The asymmetrical rough layers wrapped around her frame perfectly. Speaking of adorable A-list couples – the eternally lovely Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford could not hide the fact that they’re crazy for each other.

Kate Hudson wore a dramatic structured white Marchesa dress that fit like a glove and Cameron Diaz was hard to miss in a bright red Alexander McQueen gown with black Ferragamo peep-toes.

Jennifer Garner, always gorgeous, chose a Versace gown that was too matronly for such a fresh-faced beauty. I’ve also seen Jennifer Aniston make more exciting fashion decisions – I wasn’t wowed by her black, hip-high, asymmetrical one-shoulder Valentino.

January, January, January…what were you thinking? Even Lanvin couldn’t cut it for you. That severe black dress and headband would have been mocked by Betts and Francine (as they smoke up a storm in the kitchen while the kids are napping) on Mad Men.

Kristen Bell wore a white strapless dress that fell at an unflattering point below her knee with heavy-looking black shoes and Christina Hendricks managed not to spill out of her dress – her saving grace: the craftsmanship of the gorg gown’s genius designer, Christian Siriano.

Note to Chloe Sevigny: grow up! I’m horrified at your babyfits throughout the night – first that there weren’t any “tarps” lining the red carpet in the rain and then berating a presenter in the middle of your acceptance speech for ripping your gown!  That behavior may fly on the compound but not at the Golden Globes.

Big baby and Big Love.

Models…designers…photographers…racks of beautiful designs…not to mention a swanky city view…

No, it’s not Project Runway – although it certainly felt like it! I’m talking about the rehearsal & fitting for the models, designers and retailers who have been selected to show and strut their stuff at Crystal Couture’s week-long event, “6 nights, 1 theme – Wild, Sexy, Fashionable Fun!”

Brought to you by the Crystal City BID, for one full week (Feb. 1-6) at Lowe Enterprises, Crystal City is transformed into its own version of Bryant Park. With at least two fashion shows every hour and over 25 boutiques featured each night, you can shop ‘til you drop or be treated to free makeovers, food, specialty drinks and dancing, while enjoying the sartorial spinnings of  DJ Neekola and DJ Heather.

I was thrilled to be a guest of the Fantastic Ms. Fox, President of the Crystal City BID, and Abbey Frank of Scott Circle Communications Sunday afternoon at the 220 building in Crystal City. I had a ball mixing & mingling with the designers and models as they met & prepped for their roles in what is fast becoming the area’s most stylish event of the year.

I met the girls of long-time local favorite boutique, Shake Your Booty, including President Kathy Amoroso, and  chatted with MiMi Dabo of Boutique Mix Fashion and Stella & Dot. I also had the pleasure of meeting Minoo Mobin-Ventura, the innovative Designer & Owner of Belafigura (“beautiful figure”) swimwear who was soaking up the scene with her Marketing Director Krystal Ugo. See Minoo’s recent profile in the Gazette. What a creative, talented and beautiful group of gals. I can’t wait to see them all again in February!

Mark your calendars and start planning your outfits – and tell your fellow-fashionistas to do the same! You don’t want to miss this.

And yes, you’ve read it correctly – I’m talking about Crystal City. In case you’ve been living under a rock the past few years, she’s come a long way, baby.

Oh Nicky you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind, Hey Nicky!

I. Love. Nick. Verreos. Love him!

Most of you probably remember Nick from Season 2 of Project Runway. These days when he’s not reporting live from the Red Carpet or instructing and sharing his fashion industry-insider knowledge with lucky FIDM students – you’ll find him designing for his Nikolaki line (“Little Nick” in Greek), worn by celebs including camera-loving Eva Longoria Parker and supermodel and Project Runway host, Heidi Klum.

The designer & his designs

My very fashionable friend Marissa and I were among the lucky guests to meet him last night at the Corcoran Gallery of Art for “An Evening with Nick Verreos & FIDM”. Clad in tweed blazer, white shirt, black patterned tie, fab purple skinny jeans, cool black boots and Gucci classic green & red stripe double-G gold clasped belt – he took time from his glam west coast dream-life to share the inspirations behind his designs and the next generation of fashion.

BFFs: Dolly, Nick, Marissa

He talked about traveling at a young age with his family because his father was a Diplomat. He fell in love with the uniforms of the flight attendants on TWA and Pan Am (acknowledging that they were much cuter back in the 70’s!) If his parents went on a trip, his mother would always bring him notebooks back and he would fill them up with drawings as quickly as he received them.

Nick’s earliest memory of a muse was his mother – he recalls her wearing elegant gowns befitting the lifestyle of a diplomat’s wife. He also used his sister, a one-time Miss Venezuela, as a dress-up doll for his designs. She had several friends who were models, so it was a win-win for everyone. He was able to hone his craft, and his sister and her friends were the envy of all in his chic and glam designs! I have to confess I felt a tinge of jealousy that he wasn’t my brother…

Following the lecture, he took his fans to the front row of a west coast fashion show for a special viewing of FIDM’s Debut 2009, which celebrates the work of its top design students and included a tribute to Barbie’s 50th anniversary. Nick was featured in this portion of the show and his Barbie dress was the icing on the cupcake, complete with an oversized pink bow down the back of the gown – gorgeous!

His fans were able to meet him afterwards at a wine & cheese reception where he graciously chatted and signed photos. He gave Marissa and I each a big hug and asked us about ourselves as we gushed about him. He was so cute, even commenting about my dress, “Oh is your dress blouson? Very cute…oh, and love the boots…” (Thanks, Banana Republic & Stuart Weitzman!)

Sigh… you had me at blouson, Nick.

Picture for a moment Full House residual checks arriving to my mailbox.  During meetings, my mind wanders to this happy place.

Channeling my inner Mary-Kate (she’s the real brains behind that operation), I have carefully selected these luxuries for my Christmas wish list.   And thanks to net-a-porter.com, say goodbye to meddlesome crowds.

Roland Mouret’s Phoebe dress, a blend of silk-tulle and tweed dress, radiates confidence whether you’re coming or going.  Pair it with this season’s it shoe, the cutout boot, and you’re the It Girl when out for cocktails.

Have mercy!

The aptly-named Very Jaws 140 pumps definitely have some bite to ‘em.  For petites like Mary-Kate and myself, a little height is required and this Christian Louboutin (the god of shoes) pair rises to the occasion. Take that Kimmie Gibbler!

2010 is my year to shine.  With many milestones to celebrate - the start of a new decade, my 40th birthday and more to come, shine and sparkle I shall in this One Vintage jacket.  I’d wear this old-school glamour piece with jeans to punch up weekend excursions or layer over an Elizabeth and James dress (the twins’ fashion collection).

If you had Olsen Twin money, what would be on your Christmas wish list?

I’m sure you’ve seen the dresses. They’re everywhere.  Basically, they’re the worst of the color-block trend: the top half  is one color, the bottom is another color, and the waist band is (you guessed it) yet another shade. What I need to know is, when did this so-called trend start – and more importantly, when will it end?

Blah and blah.

No wonder the girl above looks so annoyed – she has buyer’s remorse. Her dress doesn’t even fit well. What drives a girl to purchase this? And what is running through her mind when she wears it for the first time? I’m guessing something along the lines of, “Oh look at me! I’m wearing a dress that is one color on top, and a different color on the bottom! But wait, it gets better! There is also a third band of (insert any color) at the waist – how clever! I’m such a fashion risk-taker!”

Celebs aren’t exempt. Even with Kelly’s belt and Miley’s beads it’s still just a boring, cookie-cutter dress.

Famous blah and blah.

This look bored me to tears the first time I saw it, and it will continue to, until the trend dies. It’s not that the dress is necessarily hideous – I’m sure a girl could look cute wearing it (I’ll concede “cute” to Miley above) – but what’s unique, fun, or fashion forward about it? Crickets chirping…

Some attempts have been made to seasonally update it – with cap sleeves, short sleeves, even ¾ and long sleeves – but really, what’s the difference? Same snoozefest, different sleeves.

Maybe I’m in the minority here and I’m sorry if you have one hanging in your closet (and if you do, feel free to let me know what makes it so fab) – but as Tim Gunn would say, I’m just not “wowed”.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….. wake me up when this excuse of a trend has run its course…

Have you ever been shopping and found that perfect outfit? The one that as soon as you see it you know it was made for you? Now if you only had a fun place to wear it….

You imagine yourself at a posh party, gliding across the room in that perfect little party dress, cocktail in hand….looking so glamorous as you sing along with other partygoers while some dapper gent tickles the ivories and smiles your way… then you discreetly fix your lipstick and mingle some more, occasionally tilting your head back to laugh at all of those witty handsome men trying to amuse and woo you…

Then you snap out of it and realize this party is only in your mind.  Or is it?? Get your pretty little head out of the clouds -  it’s time to make that dream a reality. Start shopping for that chic little number and mark your calendar, party girl, because I’ve got an invitation for you!

What:     The Party Of The Year

When:    Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Where:   Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar, National Harbor MD

Now picture yourself at Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar – yes, dueling. As in 2 uber-talented piano players playing your requests – while you and your friends sing along and shimmy to the music in your fab party frocks. These gifted musicians take every measure to accept any and all requests – from Bon Jovi to Beethoven, James Taylor to Jay Z, Meatloaf to Mozart.

Join the fun and “Sing In The New Year” at Bobby McKey’s, National Harbor’s hottest venue! Highlights include drinks, light buffet, party favors, champagne, and discounts at local harbor restaurants and hotels. Start planning your outfit and make your reservations today!

Black Friday is just so…three days ago. I was greeted this morning with a handful of emails announcing special deals for Cyber Monday – and I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised! Retailers are doing their best to make it worth your while to shop online today so be sure to check out the fashion, beauty, and travel offerings out there. Shop from the comfort of your office or home office – not to mention there’s no crowds and no lines (or chance of picking that dreaded “slow line”).

Black Friday or....

Cyber Monday?

Most sites are offering 20, 30, and even 40% off of regular and sale-priced items, as well as additional perks such as free shipping or other gifts if you purchase online today. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there so far this morning:

Ann Taylor Loft – 30% off your entire purchase, plus free shipping when you spend $100. Visit their Gifts under $50 section and start checking holiday gifts off your list.

Aveda – complimentary shipping for orders over $25 and choose 4 free samples.

Banana Republic, Gap, Piperlime, Old Navy & Athleta – today only, all 5 brands: 20% off everything, plus free shipping on any order. I just ordered some over-the knee warm lace-up boots from Old Navy.

Bath & Body Works – 25% off your entire order. Check out their $15 and under stocking stuffers.

Bloomingdales – you need to spend at least $250 to get $50 off today online.

Clinique – complimentary shipping with any $50 purchase and choose 2 free samples.

Forever 21 – free shipping – not too shabby when the clothes are a steal to begin with!

Lilly Pulitzer – free  shipping all day. Check the site for some supercute agendas that are “full of intricate die cuts and monthly surprises”.  I’ve already snatched one up in the pink monkey “Trouble” pattern

Papyrus – 25% off of everything and 20% off of custom printing today only. As if I need another excuse to buy some more pretty stationery!

South Moon Under – 20% off of everything and free shipping on orders over $50. Pretty sweet deal, considering everything in the store is so cute.

The Limited – 40% off of everything, free shipping, and to further sweeten the deal, receive an adorable ruffle scarf FREE when you make a minimum $50 purchase (while supplies last).

Starwood Hotels and Resort – all dressed up with nowhere to go? Starwood has a Cyber Monday sale, with discounts of up to 45 percent at dozens of hotels worldwide including the Westin St. John Resort and Villas (starting at $289) and the W Fort Lauderdale (starting at $229).

Other online stores such as Nordstrom, Anthropologie and J. Crew may not have a specific Cyber Monday deal but are still offering some type of free shipping or other discount during the holidays. For year-round discounts on quality merchandise, some favorite sites I recommend are Bluefly, invitation-only shopping boutique Rue La La, and Gilt Groupe.

Ok, you have until midnight, ladies! Happy Cyber Monday!

The whimsy! The creativity! The pre-holiday sass! Kate’s got it in spades, so I’m raising a glass…

‘Twas the night before last, when all through the house
The only thing stirring was the click of my mouse.
Unable to sleep and needing something to do,
I started checking my email and scrolling through…

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a message from Kate Spade full of holiday cheer.
I clicked to her page and was tickled to see
The cutest holiday list in front of me!

“Delight in the holiday spirit” the snappy site says,
Offering “20 ways to merry-make” in the festive days ahead:
From decking your heels and swinging from chandeliers,
To meeting your crush under the mistletoe this year.

Click on each picture to find a treat,
Like some pretty jeweled pumps to adorn those feet.
Channel your inner rockette with fab colorful tights,
And buy a pair of bright yellow mittens to help hail a taxi tonight!

The purpose of this list seems pretty clear-
(It’s no secret they’d like to sell you their cute festive gear).
They’re providing stylish tips for your merry-making, too-
So whether you just visit or buy is all up to you…

Black Friday sales are less than a week away – so get that gift list ready & check out KateSpade.com today!

This early holiday post was inspired by: the chic and classic creativity of Kate Spade designs; Channel 433 Seasonal Music television and 97.1 radio stations (now playing holiday music 24/7); my lucky lineage which includes festive forebear Clement C. Moore; and my love of both fashion and Christmas.