I come by it honestly?

My mother. This morning.

Shop in Style: Pretty is as Pretty Does at National Harbor

What: Spring Shopping at Simply Soles, National Harbor - deals, complimentary makeovers by Amor Mona, and raffles! Plus, hostesses Kassie Rempel (Simply Soles' amazing founder) and Andrea Rogers of the hip site, MissA will be on hand to guide your style.

Where: National Harbor. If you haven't been yet, go! Fun stores, fun restaurants, and the DC landmark that was transplanted to Maryland, The Awakening

When: Saturday, April 30, 12-3pm

Why: Do you really need to ask? Oh, there's a Peeps store there, too. With all sorts of candy standards. As if we haven't gorged ourselves on Easter candy already

Shop in Style: Malandrino + Online + Direct from the Designer = Dangerous

this is bad. very bad. one of my absolute favorite designers is now available direct online (vice having to go through a Neiman Marcus or some such retailer).

this is one of the very, very few times when i'm happy i'm still too large to fit into that 8 or 10.

then again, maybe she's blocked me from her site for reneging on my adoration of and agreement with her stance on flats: she will never, ever wear them, even if they're absolutely on trend.

so i'll dream for a little while. of the pretty crocheted dresses and bathing suits, rouched and draped dresses, and breezy eyelet tops.

then, by june, i'll snap one up.

Malandrino Summer 2011 Collection by DCCeline on Polyvore.com

Lacoste + Malandrino The Drape Dress
Malandrino Chloe Dress
Malandrino Summer 2011 Collection
Malandrino Noelle Blouse
Malandrino Margaux Dress
Malandrino Juliette Blouse
Catherine Malandrino by Pascale Richard

Shop in Style: All A-Buzz with Glitter

Yeah, I said it. Sorry for the awful pun. But nevertheless, as I sit here, feeling quite glamorous and oh, so pretty in my triple-strand green quartz Queen Bee jewels, I'm almost sorry I'll be down tha shore this weekend instead of at Allison Priebe Brooks' Hive for her trunk show. Almost.

What: Queen Bee Designs trunkshow & sale
Where: at the Hive, 1410 Cool Spring Drive, Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday April 15th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday April 17th from 12pm to 5pm
Why: Because all that glitters is good. And she's local. And she's fabulous.

Warning: Once you start, you won't stop. Her designs are gorgeous, and will make you feel as such. Do not attempt to go and not buy anything. It. won't. work.

From her invite: The Queen Bee's Famous Trunk Show and Sample Sale! All jewelry and accessories will be offered at wholesale prices up to 50% off web and retail - current Queen Bee collection earrings and bracelets prices start at $15 and necklaces from $30. The famous Queen Bee CLEARANCE ROOM will be open with samples that have never been seen before with prices starting under $5!

Please feel free to come with friends and family who may be interested in attending the show at the lovely home of designer Allison Priebe Brooks for this elegant and personal shopping experience. We hold these shows in our home/studio 3 or 4 times a year. We will have six rooms on two levels filled with Queen Bee merchandise - so much in fact you will not believe your eyes! This is where we treat you to champagne, offer our deepest discounts, and really wow you! Catch the Buzz this Spring Season with Queen Bee - a gift that keeps on giving!!

New lease on life: critical undergarments

You've heard it on every style show known to man. I've written it before. But I'm going to say it again: if you haven't gotten fitted for a bra in the past year, get thee to a reputable lingeré department or store. Now.

I've been slowly whittling away at my extra pounds. And with the first 5 suckers gone, I already feel an improvement in the way things fit. It's incredibly encouraging.

Then, because H had to pick up some suits from tailoring at Nordstrom, I stopped in "Women's Intimates." Now that I'm no longer a food source, I can wear regular bras again. The Bean joined me, enamored with the triple-mirror in the dressing room. The saleslady measured, and brought samples. We found the right size, and oh, my, goodness.

I feel like I've lost 10 more pounds.

I stand up straight, my clothes fit better, and my hourglass figure is, well, hourglass.

That's not to say I won't maintain my healthier lifestyle. I will (though the Easter Bunny can be cruel). But if ever there were motivation, it came in a D-cup.

Last little bit - tips from the lovely saleswoman:

• Have 5 bras in rotation. Seems like a lot, but, see rule #2.
• Never wear a bra 2 days in a row. They need to recover, so they don't stretch out too much.
• Always buy a bra on the tightest hook. I've lost the logic of this one since Saturday afternoon, but it has something to do with stretching.
• If it's sliding up in the back, you're wearing a band size that's too big (all too common, she says).
• It really should lay against your skin between the girls. And it can. I didn't believe it until Saturday. Huge, huge difference.
• The whole "lean forward, pull 'em up, tuck 'em in?" It works.
• Bras last 6 months. 9 if you're really, really kind to them. (I did ask her whether this was some sort of bra industry ploy to get you to buy more. She assured me it was not.) H has now decreed that I have to go every 6 months. He likes it when my bras fit.
• Being kind to them includes hand washing and no Woolite. In fact, most detergents have some sort of chemical that break down the elastic.

So there you have it. Go forth. Get measured.

Hot Mama

Hot Mama by DCCeline featuring a pleated skirt

there was a nice post. it disappeared. and now i'm too tired to redo it. but just know that this is for a dear friend with 2+ boys and an incredible sense of style

Mind Reader: Jaunty Spring

For the Infinitesimal Readership and followers, it's no secret that I'm madly in love with anything nautical this spring. I'm also an absolute Simply Soles devotee. So when Kassie posted her "What to Wear Wednesday" (and I emerged from under a work rock), I figured I'd just crib her style advice. My only change? Swap the navy wedges for the kelly green version, and I'm hooked.

Admission? I'd pretty much decided to stick with my fab Target woven sunhat this season - it's durable, floppy, and flirty. And then I saw this Helen Kaminski again. Sigh.

Shop in Style: District Sample Sale Score

 

 

District Sample Sale Score by DCCeline featuring enamel jewelry

Lillybee wedge heel shoes, $75
Clutch, $70
Enamel jewelry, $25

No traffic, no illness, no brand new babies. I made it. And one of these days I'll drag a friend (why, friends, why, do you never want to go with me?).

But in the meantime, here's my scoop.

Yes, the prices were different at DSS - $50 for the shoes (sample size happens to be mine!), $15 each for the Fornash pieces, and a sample of Combat-Ready (VIP swag bag).

Pieces I couldn't find online (or clippable pics), but love love love: deep blue Lillybee patent loafers, popchips, a Laura Mercier lipstick (that I have to track down) in grapefruit, and Allison Priebe Brooks' Queen Been Designs triple-strande jade quartz necklace and gold-toned mesh cuff.