Style Dilemma: Chicago on Foot

We're taking The Bean on her first plane ride Saturday. BabySis lives out there (with new baby!) and H has a conference. The Bean and I are going to play corporate family.

So once we got all the logistics settled (hotel room with two rooms for sleeping through the night, very nice friend teaching us to install and uninstall carseat, travel potty...the joys!), now we're down to the Very Important Stuff.

What to pack.

Granted, I have to figure out her wardrobe, too, but she's lucky enough to have inherited some adorable stuff from dear friends. A relative no brainer.

But Mama? That's another story.

Weekends now I usually live in jeans and cargos, a totally What-Not-to-Wear target. Ambush Makeover's waiting around the corner for me. My work wardrobe isn't particularly child-tourism friendly.

And lord knows what the weather will be on The Lake in April. Monday they had snow.

So off to ponder the packing...

Style Dilemma: KC Jazz

Unfortunately not Kansas City jazz, but it'll have to do that dear friends invited us to dinner and a jazz performance at the Kennedy Center tomorrow night.

But what to wear?

Not feelin' the newly reliable Ali Ro.

Definitely jonesin' to don the lillybee platform sandals.

Just don't think I can pull off going the way of the bluefly.com commercial where the hostess, well, where she can't find anything to wear.

Thoughts?

Learn Style: Urban Chic Fashion Seminar

What: Fashion for Moms on the Go

When: 27 March 2009, 9:30-10:30am

Where: Urban Chic Bethesda, 7126 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda MD

Why: Kid-friendly way to update your look

Style Dilemma: Static Cling!

Tights are the perfect way to stay warm in winter and transition through these wierd spring showers - no May flowers yet (sorry, just couldn't help myself). But, like conflictedthimble writes, there's that nasty static cling issue...

dear dc celine,

i have a great outfit today. black button-front shirtdress (vintage gap) over black tights with my donald pliner ankle boots. my problem? how to i get the dress to stop sticking to my tights??? nothing like feeling confident in your look to have the skirt ride up while walking around the office, not to mention the inappropriate factor!

help!

conflictedthimble

Thimble, I hear ya. If your skirt/dress isn't lined, you have a couple of options.

1) Go even more vintage and hit Ye Olde Department Store for a slip or two. If you want to feel really old skool, go for a full slip, rather than half (which personnally make me feel about 500 years old and more unstylish than I could imagine - elastic waists will do that to a girl).

2) Dryer sheets. Yup. Carry a stash in your purse or keep them in your desk drawer. They work. You'll have to "refresh" periodically, but it'll help. (Also go a long way in keeping dust off your tv screen/computer monitor if you "dust" with one.)

Let us know what works!

Shop & Give in Style: Debrief

Dateline: Arlington, VA, Wednesday, 18 March.

DC Celine pulls a quick-change artist act in her cube, colleagues on the lookout. Yes, it's a shopping event she's attending, but darn it! it's the first event she's been to in almost a year, so she'd better look good. Camera ready!

Mad dash across the Key Bridge, forgoes any attempt at street parking, heads straight for garage at The Shops at Georgetown Park. Notes parking level. Hits the ATM (MAC machine, thank you very much), knowing full well that, while cards work at the DSS, cash = fast.

Hoofs it up M Street in her Aerosoles heels (can't beat style and comfort), black Loft tights, and Ali Ro standby. Rationale = Ali Ro short enough to play tunic when trying on bottoms, thin enough to try on jackets and tops. Black tights preserve any remaining modesty (not really much left, frankly, but for others' sakes) and still thin enough to not throw off trying on pants.

Stands in line. Listens to gabbing, introduces herself to DC Scout writer also in line. Air kisses and waves with the fabulous Babsie D, her Mighty Assistant, and Joyce of Be That Mom. Notes hose - yes, hose - nude - on two young women in front of her. Sigh. Maybe DC hasn't gotten as far as she hoped.

Nice Mary Washington fashion students hand out programs/maps. Very useful for planning the VIP hour strategy. Goal = black flats, suit. Targets = Sassanova, simplysoles, then suit shopping. She knows DSS isn't necessarily the place to buy a suit, but separates, especially a jacket, can certainly be found.

Enter.

Upstairs to shoes. Scan, scan. Nada. Neither shoe purveyor has anything particularly basic (not surprising), but there are some beautiful shoes not in her size (9s are notoriously difficult to find at sales).

Sangaree's right there, so off to the racks. Pencil skirt, several sizes, but just not quite right. Oooh! grey higher-waisted, cuffed trousers. Lovely lighter color and weight for summer. Up with the Ali Ro, on with the trousers. Yup. Perfect. $99. Not bad, but not great, so peers at the label. Ports 1961, originally $525. Ok, then. Score deal #1. Attempts the matching jacket, but needs one size larger to accomodate Germanic shoulders and frame. No diminutive Italian here.

(Regret - completely missed that Mona Assemi of mona assemi jewelry was paired up with Sangaree. Lovely baubles. Just wasn't focused on accessories, so didn't pay it no mind. Ooops.)

Through the door to scan some more. Imagine Fashion Apothecary, a place she'd hoped to visit, but just hadn't made yet. Jeans all over the place. Another quick change, and score! a pair of $200 Stitch's bootcut jeans (the softest, comfiest jean ever on the body) for $100. Not on the list, but will replace the very nearly see through Citizens hanging in her closet.

Scan, scan...rush, rush. Assumes her hour is nearly up. Stops by Periwinkle to check out potential suits and jackets by Rochelle Behrens. Lovely, lovely stuff, but just not quite the right fit. Jackets with just a little twist of a big collar for standing up or laying down. Perfect pencil skirts. Fine fabrics with interesting textures.

Not feeling confident in finding anything else, and just about shopped out, stops for food. Mmmm...roasted red pepper, proscuitto, and cheese "grilled cheeses," mini southwestern wraps. Not terribly imaginative, but substantial enough to energize for a trip back downstairs. Helps to run into bundle of energy better known as the Queen Bee.

Ginger. Must visit. Another door not yet darkened, despite ridiculously close proximity. Bean-having is not conducive to boutique shopping. Flip, flip, flip, pretty things, but no inspiring deals. Until she spies a woman about to crouch down by the desk. She goes in and does the same. Said woman nicely backs off, as she thinks DC Celine was there first. A 9.5 and 10 in Modern Vintage riding boot. Kidding, right? Quick, quick, try on. Price check? $50 from somewhere in the $300 range. Promises nice woman she'll "pay it forward."

Pays it forward when she chats with Ms. Spinach, who was looking for well-heeled attendees to capture on film, and known for seeking - ahem - larger sized footwear. They're now boot twins.

That's it. Enough. No more. Food. Water. sweetgreen and georgetown cupcake. Le Parisien (sucker for a champagn vinaigrette) and lemon raspberry. Lenten fast be gone.

Finds a table at which to perch herself - and chat with Kelly of cityshopgirl.com. Has a lovely catchup, and realizes that the crowds still haven't decended. Checks watch. It's not even 6:15 yet.

Wowza. Did all that shopping in about a half hour. Brilliant. Men everywhere would be astounded.

Fast forward through meeting McLean of Deacon Does DC and observing much craziness as the crowds roll in. Finally finds Joyce and crew, and follows them around for a little while (Joyce was just dying for someone to buy a gold formal coat, since it didn't fit her - no dice).

About ready to leave. One last round, say the girls, then drinks and food. Sitting down.

simplsoles. Not interested in anything, already saw this stuff.

But then...crapola. What size are those? 10? Well, suppose they're worth trying.

Crapola. Perfect. One last deal, and discovers that Cassie of simplysoles has started her own in-house line, lillybee. $195 for $60.

Phew. What a night.

Shop & Give in Style: Take II

Well, I didn't make it anywhere near a store this weekend. Fate took over and knocked me on my tuckus with double ear infections and a lovely accompanying 103.8 fever. Wish I could've made it to Give & Get - anyone go? If so, share your loot!

So it's only been 2 years since I was last able to make a DSS. 2 years. I can't tell you how excited I am to just be out for the evening (yes, the smallest things get really important) and see some of the lovely women I've literally only spoken to on the phone since The Bean was maybe 3 months old and we managed a lunch.

Oh yes. Then there's the shopping.

Not that I'm one to tout illness as a weight loss technique, but an appetite of zilch does drop a few pounds. I'm not back at my complete fighting weight again, but nearly, and definitely in better shape to rapid-fire try on a few items tomorrow night.

From my last experience - when I was preggers and not really interested in buying slinky clothes (may not have even been telling people yet - can't remember), the accessories can be great steals. Not that I need another bangle, mind you, but I'm hoping for maybe a sparkly or shiny or two...or maybe a pair of shoes. With sassanova & simply soles there, pretty sure I'll be able to find something!

See you there!

Reminder: Give in Style

Don't forget! Gap.com (and Banana and Old Navy) is giving you a chance to save big - and give big this weekend.

What: Gap Give & Get - 30% off (using the online coupon), and 5% of your purchase goes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

When: Starting today! through Sunday.

Why: Duh.

See you there! I'm pondering this adorable Old Navy keyhole dress (from an already affordable $24.50 to $17.15, and .$85 goes to LLS)

or maybe this polo dress for The Bean.

Or maybe this lovely red knit

Or maybe this fun orange wrap dress that looked so gorgeous on my cousin

Or...

In Honor Of

Yesterday, I had to attend a service for a friend and colleague. 52, just remarried with a son who'd just joined the Navy and a stepson who needed him. A fun, vibrant human being with stories to tell and a ready laugh.

It wasn't such a terrible thing, picking out my clothes yesterday. It seems trite, I suppose, to be worried about a thing like that when others have lost their heart. All I had to do was reach in the closet and pull out a dress. T can't ever reach next to her, where B's hand should be, and touch him, just to know he's there.

Yesterday's service got me thinking about the last few I've been to...my cousin, last fall. At 37. I'm sure I thought about it, but have no idea what I wore. He wouldn't have cared, of course. My grandmother, last March. Then, I just had to worry about - ahem - access, since I had to pull out ye olde pump in the car on the way there and back. My grandfather, a few years before that...couldn't tell you.

But about 3 years ago, I had the awful chore of getting ready for the type of funeral (as if there are any) you never, ever, want to have to go to - a child's. He was 17, the only son of friends. He'd had a heart condition, and went into what should have been relatively routine surgery to repair his heart, and never woke up. The grief is unimaginable.

I was pregnant. I was torn. I in no way wanted to be pregnant in front of his mother, the woman who had just lost her baby. I tried on every outfit in my closet, asking H each time which one made me look the least pregnant. I couldn't bear the idea of hurting her any more. Looking back, I'm sure there is no way she would have ever noticed in her grief. How could she have seen anything at all?

But what struck me at the time, and still does, is the delicate dance of showing respect. Clothing may not be important at such a horrible time, but we still use it to try and honor. We probably fall short, but still, we don our grey and black, and wear an appropriate solemn face. Our servicemen and women - whether military or law enforcement - pull out their dress uniforms and shine their buttons.

We tell ourselves it's to honor. I wonder if it's really to sheild.

Style Dilemma Solved: Ali Ro & Vintage Romanian

Well, apart from the attempt at abstaining from the Snow Queen vodka and Kazakh "cognac," the embassy dinner was a blast. The lovely Defense Attaché hosted our table, at which we were joined by a company VP who definitely enjoyed the, ahem, meal (accompanied by his delightful daughter, a mom and infant massage therapist) and a missile defense expert (who sported - not kidding here - one of his three Super Bowl rings). A few more company VPs and their wives tagged along, as did a retired foreign service officer and his pre-school teaching wife, and two Washington women connected to the Washington Choral Arts Society (their gala was the event bringing us all together). The ambassador's crew was rounded out by his wife and the Deputy Chief of Mission and his wife, a concert pianist. Just a few accomplished people in the room.

1) Did you know that just about everything was invented or grown first in Kazakhstan? Seriously. Lots of things had their origins in the region...I have a little research to do to confirm some of their claims.

2) Snow Queen vodka goes down very smoothly. Something about 5x distilled?

3) Ali Ro dress and my vintage Romanian coat and fur hat. The Kazakh women and the ambassador all noticed and loved them (the coat and hat, not the dress). I was quite pleased, as I'd picked them on purpose - a little nod to the Carpathians.

If I get my hands on any pictures, I'll be sure to pass them along.