Give in Style: DC Shoppers, Start Your Engines for the Fall 2013 District Sample Sale

I have - since its inception - loved the District Sample Sale. It's a lovely, well-thought out event. The vendors have interesting pieces - clothing, shoes, and accessories - oh, and the bags, and the sips and tastes are always worth the nibble.

L-R, from top: @travelinjames and the danglers she found; the silver lambskin "space vest" I scored; the faux reptile skin sheath Chelsea found for me (and subsequently earned a "Love the leather!" from The Stacy London as she signed my book); Chelsea, her ruffles, her animal, and her bubbles; me, travelinjames, and Chelsea with our packages; the Queen Bee Designs stunner that always makes me feel like Cleopatra when I wear it; the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania tunic/dress I adore and don't wear enough. (More pics from last year's fun here)

Never mind the monies raised for charity. This year, it's N Street Village. As the DSS website shares,

"N Street Village is the largest provider of women-focused services for D.C.’s homeless and low-income women, offering 1,400 women each year comprehensive services including affordable housing, employment, integrated health care and addiction recovery. The DSS Fall 2013 donation will specifically fund the Bethany Women’s Shelter at N Street Village, the drop-in day shelter that offers up to 100 women each day safe respite from the streets including breakfasts and lunches, shower and bathroom access, a place to receive mail, laundry machines and clothing closets as well as activities, resources and opportunities to help them move from homelessness, including crisis care, 365 days a year."

So. If for some odd reason you live in "the DMV" and haven't yet gone, here's the scoop. Tickets went on sale this morning, so get yours now. If you can swing the $100 VIP version, that extra donation is well worth the hour of masses-free shopping.

Tickets on Sale: Here
When: September 24, 2013, 5:30 (VIP, General Admission 6:30) - 9pm
Where: The Sphinx Club, 1315 K Street NW
Why: Do I really need to explain this again? See you there!

Week in Style: Shopping and Goals and Punks, Oh My!

More DayJob insanity, so here's a quick and dirty on the erstwhile style insanity...

Ready, set...GO!

1) New Nordstrom Rack in Tyson's - if you follow any of the DC style blogging set on Instagram, you saw all sorts of fabulous fashion finds getting scooped up in a sneak peek. The grand opening was last night (Thursday). My favorite shot? This one of Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen in the jacket I made her promise to buy so we could go out in our badass jacket and Union Jack skinnies together. (Here's Allie's feed, btw)

2) District Sample Sale - Duh. TravelinJames, The Chelsea Chronicles, and I scooped up crazy bargains in their first ever DSS. Since I haven't gotten to a real post on it, check out our finds over in my DC Celine facebook album, here.

3) I hit my true end weight goal and earned a big ass star on Weight Watchers. There's a lot more behind this, much of it having to do with the real results of #healthyme, trying on boutique clothes, and getting stopped by strangers, but still, that star is one I never thought I'd get. Now the real fun begins.

DSS Morning After shot at my gym, following a TrainerJen workout, and 2 days before the weigh in where I hit goal. Jacket: Nordstrom Rack (Friendship Heights); Necklace: Queen Bee Designs (DSS); Tank: Target; Skirt: Banana Republic (yes it's too big now and it's one I bought for #OperationBoothBabe); Belt: Banana Republic; Not pictured, Python Platform Pumps (Stuart Weitzman from Simply Soles)

4) The Metropolitan Museum of Art Announced a New Costume Institute Exhibit - book your tickets now. To quote the press release, which blissfully arrived in my inbox yesterday, "The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today that the spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute will be PUNK: Chaos to Couture.  The exhibition, which will be on view from May 9 through August 11, 2013 (preceded on May 6 by The Costume Institute Benefit), will examine punk’s impact from its birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence on high fashion today." I'm envisioning all sorts of ridiculously wonderful insanity of punk, with a dash of the Anglomania exhibit and the eye for a exhibit design that will blow our minds.

Left: Sid Vicious, 1977. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph © Dennis Morris - all rights reserved; Right: Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913), 2011. Vogue, March 2011. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by David Sims, both via

Think I can get myself invited to the May 6, 2013, Gala Benefit with Co-Chairs Rooney Mara, Lauren Santo Domingo, Riccardo Tisci, and Anna Wintour?



Healthy Style: Ooops! I Did It Again, OR Being a Warrior, and Not in the Way You Think

It's been a while since my last #healthyme update. In some ways, I'm much farther along in this journey than I ever imagined I'd be. And I've also learned, acknoweldged, and accepted, that while I've had some incredible "non-scale victories" lately, like walking into Nolita boutiques during #BeanintheBigApple and just picking up a dress, trying it on, and having it fit without batting an eyelash, or looking forward to buying more than shoes and accessories at the District Sample Sale in a few weeks, this is truly a lifelong journey. Readers and online friends have been incredibly kind and receptive when I've shared. So I thought I'd share a little bit more. So here's where I am, today.

This image, by Steven Meisel of Karolina Kurkova from US Vogue 2004 (via), is, to me, a picture of pure, graceful, and vulnerable warrior strength. Read on, and I'll explain.

I lowered my Weight Watchers goal weight 3 more pounds. This is now the 3rd time I've lowered my goal weight.

I've thought a lot about this. A LOT.

I hope I've challenged myself and my assumptions and my perceptions and my processing of others' comments about how I shouldn't lose any more weight and I should be careful and, and, and... Because no matter what I'd love to say about how important those comments are to me (preferably not so important), they are. Very.

A sage, strong woman I've met in the Weight Watchers Online community (and, who, by the way, butchers some of her own meat and fly fishes; she is my hero) described her "happy place" this way: "xxlbs, which means no muffin top in the size x skinnies, and I can't pinch an inch." xes because the number is not important. It really isn't. It is, however, important to me that there's no "dent" at the top of a fitted pant, that my VPL are not from a too-tight thong waist, and that when I wear a fitted knit dress, there's no bumpy stuff on either side of my bra. Vanity is reality.

It's also about health. It's also about sense of self. It's also about feeling and being strong. It's also about being patient and kind to my Self. It's also about being a warrior.

I was lucky enough to get an inadvertent private yoga session today with TrainerJen. Let's just say getting to yoga is long overdue for me. I struggled. Well, my brain wanted to struggle. And so TrainerJen kept reminding me to use my breath, let my breath carry me, and to just let the chatter be (because the brain will chatter, so no use in working to get rid of it).

I teetered. I tottered. My breath caught in places I didn't want it to. I couldn't get my chest to open up, or my heart to soar. And we repeated sequences over and over, opening a little more with each caught breath, returning to each breath, and shifting a hip, an elbow, a chin, or a shoulder to find that place where, as TrainerJen reminded me, "you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

That one is hard.

On and off throughout the session, I noticed that my breath and eyes were nearing a sob. That's not unusual for me in a yoga session. I don't suppose it's unusual or unexpected for a lot of people. For whatever reason, it didn't come. And that's just fine.

After the last Om and namaste, we chatted. We chatted about what it means to be a warrior. There's an assumption in our western world that "warrior" equals "aggressor." Instinctually, I know that's not the case. A warrior is patient, noble, strong, and deliberate. A warrior acknowledges her strength and her self. A warrior understands her softer places and her vulnerable places, then builds those places into her strength.

A warrior also understands that help - and accepting help - is a loving gesture. That, perhaps, is the toughest thing to acknowledge, for me. My shoulders want to carry the world. Whether they take that upon themselves on their own, because I'm me, or whether our lives have taught them that, I'm not sure. But I'm going to try to acknowledge my limits, and patiently accept even my own help, in the form of deliberate, noble, strong steps. Those steps can be simple: making a list and checking things off one by one. Those steps can be complicated: asking for help from a place that has strings attached. But I'm going to do it.

And with that acceptance, and that sense of my warrior self, I will continue faithfully on this path of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Warrior, heal thyself.

Healthy Style: Building a New Closet

I got up this morning, got The Beans started on breakfast, then went to my closet.

I haven't shaved my legs recently, so despite the humid heat, I wanted to wear pants.

I tried on 3 pair: a 6+ year old (but favorite) grey chalkstripe Banana Republic suit pant, a post-Bean initial weight loss pair of brown plaid KORS trousers, and a never-worn-because-I-actually-need-to-have-them-hemmed grey wide(r) legged pair of Ports 1961 trousers I picked up at a District Sample Sale after The Bean.

This is my #wearing tweet from this morning. Clearly, the trousers didn't work.

The issue? The pants were all hanging off my proverbial fram, loose in a way that's not just cool slouchy. They looked bad.

Yes, the hashtag for this should be #fashiongirlproblems.

That being said, and with even my standby dress collection (I'm a huge fan of the "one-and-done" dress option to narrow down early morning sartorial choices) dwindling, it's time to overhaul my closet.

I can't do a complete overhaul. It would simply cost too much. I need to do that dreaded closet assessment all of the stylists recommend, I need to have some things altered, and I need to plan my purchases. All quite organized, isn't it? So here's what I'm going to do.

I hope.

Step 1. Continue to try things on and put them in piles of "Worth Trying to Alter" and "Donate." I may add a "Consign" pile, but that's a heck of a lot of effort for me. The "Worth Trying to Alter" will be around how much I love a piece, how much it's literally still worth, and whether or not I think the type or scale of alterations are even possible.

Step 2. Attempt to hold off on buying anything new until my plan is in place.

Step 3. Get things altered, and see where I stand. Getting this done is a huge step for me. I'm notoriously bad [insert H cackling here] at getting around to doing stuff like this. But it's necessary in this case.

Step 4. Collect ideas and formulate a "Buy List." Thank goodness for Pinterest, now. It does make it easy. That being said, I also have to be realistic about inspiration, what will work on me, and what will work in my closet. I've started a "Creating a New Closet" board, and am also pulling from some other boards, like "Just Plain Pretty," "Ladylike," and "Rocker Chic(k)." I'm also open to ideas: if you see something you think might work for or inspire me, just cc: me in your pin! Or if there are enough nosy busybodies out there, maybe I'll open "Creating a New Closet" up to folks who want to help. Thoughts welcome!

What I already know about myself - or perhaps assume is a better word - is that I'm drawn to anything that remotely looks like Katherine Hepburn would wear it (read: higher-waisted wide leg trousers), simply ladylike dresses, and now that I feel like my frame can handle it, neckwear. I'm definitely pulling from a time gone by (see also: "The Way It Was"). Perhaps I should revisit those assumptions. Ok. So that's Step 4a: Find My Personal Style.

I'll tweet ideas periodically, too, and continue to blog about things. Look for the #NewCloset hashtag on, you know, every form of social media available.

Step 5. Go get a Style for Hire consult at Westfield. It's there. It's free. Why the heck not? Someone who doesn't know me as well as other folks may have some useful perspective on what will work for me. (Thanks, Allie, for the review of the service!)

Step 6. Buy. This will probably not happen until September or so, so my inspiration is happening on a distinctly cooler trajectory than appropriate to July.

So what other steps have you used to build or rebuild your wardrobe?

Shop & Give in Style: Snobswap's Got Mary Amons & Lynda Erkiletian's Closets TODAY!

We're all very proud of our DC Housewives. Personally, they're the most relatable (though perhaps that's part of why they only did one season) of all the cities. I also covet their style the most. At last Friday's The Front Row fashion show, I drooled over every. single. dress they wore. From Cat's filmy, 20s-inspired cream number to Stacey's bright pink-orange dress to Mary's ecru, dramatic sleeves and Lynda's flirty blue and white shirtdress, I would wear all of them.

Picture via Revamp.com

So when Elise & Emiliy of SNOBSWAP announced that they've talked Lynda and Mary into opening up their closets in the name of charity? Hel-LO! It's ONE DAY ONLY (yes, this is all-caps worthy).

Given that H, the first time he saw Mary at a BrandLinkDC event (District Sample Sale, perhaps? Or maybe the Suited for Change reception 6 years ago? Who knows.), fell head over heels with her 60s retro white shift and white gogo boots (he's a sucker for a tall, strong woman), I'm currently pouring through the pieces in their charity collection. Maybe, just maybe, those boots are there. If not, I'll take this to-die-for architectural piece from Lela Rose, and hope that my sessions with TrainerJen get me to a size 6 one day soon. Realistic? Probably not for body or wallet, but a girl can dream.

Picture via SNOBSWAP.com

From Elise & Emily: Proceeds will benefit local Labels for Love charity, which is raising money for Cancer Schmancer and Girl Power 2 Cure. All of their clothes and accessories are up for cash offers so don't be shy and make an offer!

Cancer Schmancer's mission is to save lives from cancer by early education, prevention, and detection, which is led by Fran Drescher, The Nanny. Girl Power 2 Cure is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for treatments and a cure for Rett Syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder that almost exclusively affects girls.

Forgiveness in Blue

Desperation calls. The eternal search for The Perfect Jean.

It's almost as bad as the search for a New Bathing Suit.

If you follow my tweets, you'll know that I'm a devotee of Stitch's and Gap jeans. I have an amazing pair of NYC-bought fancypants jeans, but, well, I bought those on my honeymoon. And in the back of my closet I have my beloved first pair of Designer Jeans, bought well-pre-wedding at Nieman Marcus. They're now worn and perfect, but even now I can't quite make it into them without them threatening to finally wear through in one of those spots.

My Stitch's I bought post-Bean #1 at a DSS. They're incredibly forgiving (despite what you'd think from the website of scrawny mavens in skin tight jeans), if even a bit too stretchy. It's the problem with jeans with a little bit of stretch - they do. I'd have included some in the set below, but their site doesn't "clip" well. So pooh on them.

My other two standby pair are both Gap - one a trouser jean with a nautical flair and the other a 1969 Long & Lean that, well, is. Or rather, makes me appear so. I tend to the trouser jeans right now, as they're a little higher cut, and therefore make me fuss less with ye olde muffin top, but I still adore my L&L pair.

So my recommendations for the vast majority of us, who carry a little bit of extra, um, padding? Pretty straightforward: high(er) waisted (go totally high-waisted for an amazing finished, modern Kate Hepburn look), head straight for those "curvy" labels, and yes, a teensy bit of stretch. Boot cut isn't as reliable as you'd think (some of them can get pretty skinny on you), but trouser jeans are usually a sure bet. A little bit of tailored denim goes a long way in making a girl feel slim.

So yes, the set below is long on the Gap pair, but there are a couple of high-end outliers, with the purveyors of my favorite cords, Ann Taylor LOFT, thrown in for good measure. Those light trouser jeans might cause some trouble in the hips with those pockets, but I just love the look, and think they're worth a try.

Forgiveness in Blue by DCCeline

Things I Hope Kassie Brings to DSS

Things I Hope Kassie Brings to DSS by DCCeline featuring bettye muller shoes

Bettye muller shoes, $328
Bettye muller shoes, $199
Lillybee summer shoes, $75
Suede shoes, $75
Bruno Magli sling back shoes, $360
Shoes, $238
Tory Burch sandal, $495
Chie mihara shoes, $75
Green Patent Wedges by Butter, $325
Metallic Strappy Sandals by Kelsi Dagger, $88
Suede Coclico Sandals in Red, $338

Please, Miss Kassie, please. You know how much I love me some simply soles.

The Big Climb: What Made It Into My Closet (or in a shopping bag on the chest in my bedroom because I haven't managed to put them away yet)

As promised, here's what I did buy in my 3 hours, 4 stores whirlwind tour of Chevy Chase (read: Friendship Heights. Let's get real, people. The places I shopped are not the Shops.)

Loehmann's: I bit the bullet and annoyed the Fitting Room Lady with too many items. I actually had no interest in trying on anything. At all. But I did. And despite the MICHAEL Michael Kors dresses not fitting, and the German-designed (designer totally escaping me at the moment) blouses being wonderfully

structured - but not for my current body, I didn't lose hope. I only ended up with a dark mocha pencil skirt, but I did walk away with inspiration for The Climb.

J. Crew: As I tweeted day of, I was very disappointed that this shop (and I do still need to research whether it's a company-wide policy) doesn't carry anything above a 12. Seriously. That's why I went there. Because I know I can get well-tailored, good quality, classic clothes in sizes that fit. In my bag going out the door? A great black & cream sailor T with shoulder buttons (to satisfy my apparent obsession with All Things Nautical and 4 (cream, grey, black, white) cami/tanks I can wear underneath things like Big Comfy Sweatshirts.

Banana: Ah. Home. Here, my frustration was that the 12s and 14s were not. At all. I'm certainly willing to concede differences in cut, but really? You know when you start to try something on, get it only so far, then find yourself saying, out loud, "Uh, no"? Yeah, that's what happened with the trousers I tried on. I did, however, walk out with a cute navy ruffle-front T, a pale blue sort of ballet crewneck sweater, and a Wrap Dress That Fits (oddly with no online picture). I have an eternal struggle with any belted dress, the supposedly flattering on everyone but not really wrap dress included. So when I found this graceful cream and navy version in a weighty, elegant jersey, I was thrilled. I haven't worn it yet, but that's just because I can't bring my self to put tights on with it, and, well, sometimes a girl lets things go longer than she should in the winter.

Gap: My two rouched Ts, black knit dress, and poppy dressy T with flowy scarf neck (bought without trying on at the counter) were the only things of interest in the store. Seriously. I find that The Gap ('cause that's it's real name, and I refuse to change it) goes through long periods of Nothing. This is apparently one of them. The store was filled with Bad 80s and Grey. I'm in love with Grey. Love. But this was too much. Entirely too much.

Cafe at Mazza: mango smoothie and spinach and feta croissant to inhale on the way home to take The Beans to the playground

Still to go?

Buy new shoes. I have a Girls' Weekend coming up next weekend here in Jersey. We're planning a trip to the outlets in AC. If I don't find anything there, I'm banking on ginger and simply soles at DSS. All but one of my Go To pairs I scored there at those boutiques.

Get healthy. Getting there. H and I are vegan for Lent. He's Orthodox, and it's the way they do it. So I'm supporting. I'm not strident about it (evidenced by the Break Day today, in which chili and ice cream were both ingested), but I can tell. Even after just a few days, I feel less well having had my Break Day. So back on the bandwagon tomorrow.

Buy a few pieces I love NOW. Started. And still working.

Keep going. Yup. Am still going.

Climbing out of the Doldrums - Check, and almost check

My next steps in the Big Climb?

First was a haircut. Check.

Second was shoe shopping. Almost check.

Wednesday, right after I posted, I picked The Bean up from school and took her to lunch. Because she was having such a lovely time playing with one of her little friends, we invited LittleFriend and HerMama to join us at Kafé Leopold. While the girls climbed all over the banquette, almost behaving, our VeryNiceWaiter tolerated us and the Mamas chatted. We felt positively normal. And the girls had a great time. (oh yes, and they did let us in, despite my absolutely schlumpy duds)

Note to self: go more often. It'll keep me from seriously jonesing Austria. At least for now.

After lunch, we swung by my favorite (as if you couldn't tell, since I wear their shoes almost every day) boutique, simplysoles. And while Miss Kassie wasn't there (off getting the new Richmond location ready for it's opening this weekend!), we did a quick browse, and bought two headbands - one for the bean (which she's worn proudly non-stop since), and one for Mama. I set my sights on a couple of pairs of shoes. Now. Do I take the risk and wait for DSS? Or take the sale prices now? Hmmmm...

Then we dashed off (the Bean nodding off "Mama, I love you" in her carseat) to Franz Sebastian to see Miss Jae. Scrubbed and coiffed, I felt 1001% better. Still do, in fact. We got in a bit of style gossip (have you heard about Erwin?), and The Bean got to have her bob trimmed. Such the little lady. Or Diva, as her sitter calls her. When I asked her later who do you like to do your hair (she's been to H's barber, and MIL's hairdresser, too), she answered "the girl with the team shirt." Jae was wearing a fun sports-jersey-esque top. That's my girl.

So...two more items down, a bunch more to go. Up next?

Get healthy - this will be a long road. But maybe I'll have some extra fruit today. Or even some veggies.

Buy a few pieces I love NOW. Not for the future healthy me, but for the Rubenesque, Now Me - starting that this afternoon - a stolen afternoon jaunt to Friendship Heights, to see if I can get a couple of tops or lightweight sweaters I'm happy in. Even if it's one, it's one more than I have now.

Keep going. Even when I'm distracted or have relapses into UnshoweredWorld, I will get. back. on. the. wagon.

The Doldrums

As I sit here at Marvelous Market, alternately reviewing government documents that will continue to make my life hell for the next two months, facebooking, tweeting, and emailing what feel, like long-lost-friends, I'm in the Doldrums. Not the naval phenomenon, and not those Milo runs across in his wacky literary adventures (gold star if you get the reference), but the I-haven't-showered-or-washed-or-cut-my-hair-and-hate-everything-in-my-closet kind.

Part of it, if you've been following my tweets, is that I've been working ridiculous hours. I miss my kids and H, we have no food cooked in the house (popchips and Masala Art takeout are staples right now), and the last thing on my mind is putting together a reasonable outfit, let alone putting on makeup. I know better. I know that, if I've been working all night, haven't slept, and need to keep focusing, that showering, putting on makeup, and at minimum a coordinated outfit without babyfood stains will make me feel better. I learned that a long time ago, from a dear friend whom I will purposefully never see again. You've heard me say all this before, I know.

Part of it is that I've gained weight. A lot. I've matched my highest, pre-wedding (not baby-induced) weight. Which is not a good thing. I'd lost weight after Bean #2, but then gained it back. Eating like a pig and indulging as comfort...well, not helpful. I haven't made it to any kind of workout or yoga class in months. (I ran into my yoga teacher from last semester at Politics & Prose last week. She was, as every yoga instructor I've ever encountered is, kind, patient, and understanding. Which doubled my guilt at not going.) Nothing in my closet fits except for my "fat pants" and two pair of beloved LOFT cordorouy pants that fit like blessed gloves and miraculously don't make me feel like a sausage.

The last part is that I just don't have time. I don't have time to shop. I don't have time to iron. I don't have time to drop and pick up drycleaning on the 3 things I own that make me feel good. So I don't. I feel like crap because I can't be bothered. I haven't even bothered to wear my favorite shoes (lillybees, I'm lookin' at you, kids) because my months-old pedicure is so nasty that I can't even fake it under fishnets in peeptoes. So I wear my grey booties daily. Which is all fine and good in icky weather, but when the sun starts to peek out and buds (or bugs, as The Bean calls them) are flirting with breaking through their barked cocoons, grey ankle booties just won't cut it.

So I'm slowly plotting my return. Slowly, people. I can't take more than that. What's the plan, you ask? Well, it's been underway for a leeetle bit. And I'll keep you posted, but here we go...

1) Go out in public with real clothes and talk to non-work people. Check. I went to last week's launch of Jill Kargman's hilarious (laughed out loud during my bathroom reading) Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut at ginger. I squeezed myself into a girdle (let's face it, it's not a "shaper"), put on tights, lillybees, a dress (crazy, but now I can't even remember which one), and a vintage astrakhan coat from my MIL. I chatted with Jill, the incomparable Babsie D, and a lovely writer I've met before. Just three people, but they were people.

2) Get a haircut. Almost check. I see Jae today at 3pm.

3) Buy new shoes. Since I'm not happy with my body, I can play with my feet fashion. Almost check. Taking The Bean with me to the Georgetown simplysoles outpost today.

4) Get healthy. Ok. That's a much longer term one, but I'll get there. And if you have it in your hearts to help me, reminding me along the way, I'll take whatever support I can get.

5) Buy a few pieces I love NOW. Not for the future healthy me, but for the Rubenesque, Now Me. First stop: March 29 DSS.

6) Keep going. Even when I'm distracted or have relapses into UnshoweredWorld, I will get. back. on. the. wagon.

And I'll kiss the Doldrums goodbye.

Sad

The change of clothes is packed (recently purchased 9 West shift dress, lillybee peeptoe pumps or grey booties), as is makeup, hairbrush, and other primping things. Just in case.

But the way I'm feeling right now, I just don't know if I'll make the DSS tonight. So so sad that I'm even thinking about missing it. Darned first-cold-of-the-season-The-Bean-brought-home-from-preschool. 3 hours of school, total, and three of four of us are sniffling and sneezing.

The Teenager Me - Recycled

It took me years, literally, to find a pair of "riding boots" that I loved - and that fit my muscular calves (I have dainty ankles, but inherited my Pop's calves, which are great, but not good for tall boot wearing). Finally, Ginger came through at the DSS, and I scored a perfect Modern Vintage pair (thanks, in part, to a lovely lady who didn't play the mean evil shopper and let me go first). I wear them constantly in cooler weather.

Then, today, my facebook feed displayed these beauties.

Boden, a funny, sophisticated British venture that started out with 8 menswear items, had posted these. I think they did it just for me. While a small fortune at 179 pounds, they might just be worth it. There's something to be said for the English fashion aesthetic - at least the one that's not all tweed and jodphurs. In your face, snarky, and always a little twisted, the Brits have a way of saying it all - louder than you'd expect them to do in a quiet demure tearoom, of course.

I adore, and always have a soft spot in my heart for lace and bodices and refined, soft colors (yes, I devour historical novels). That's one Teenager Me, dreaming of her Gilbert (yes, yes, I know that's a Canadian story, but you get the picture). The other Teenager Me stomped around in what she thought was cool and not-like-anyone-else in her daddy's plaid blazer, her mother's "paint" jeans, and vests and blouses that should've stayed at the thrift store. That same Teenager Me hung with the theater crowd, which in our school was an odd mix of punk and hippie. (The same dear friends who post their kids' pics on fb one minute, and announce their attendance at a Depeche Mode concert the next, and incidentally, just gathered for a mini-reunion I missed at a local winery owned by the parents of one said friend. I raise a glass, my dears.)

Four years ago The Met had an amazing exhibit on British fashion - in which McQueen, Westwood, and the Royals all played a part. And I fell in love again. I should've done it then, and hopefully I'll do it now, but it's time to bring a little Brit punk to the world - if I can swing a 179 pound pair of boots into the budget.

Shop in Style: DSS Fall 2010

While I strongly suspect I'll be buying accessories only (last time I found my beloved Modern Vintage riding boots at Ginger and my Stitches jeans), as I'm not quiiiiiite where I'd like to be, size-wize, maybe this fall's DSS will be my re-launch into StyleLand. We hope.

I gave in to trend...

I hit Tyson's on Saturday afternoon, hoping beyond all hopes to add some roomy but stylish garb to my wardrobe (I'm in a terrible between phase, where most M clothes look huge and cow-like on me, but "regular" stuff is iffy. Even my new beloved Phillies jersey won't button over my bump. Sigh.).

I did shop, and I did find a few things, including today's Pretty-Woman-polo-scene-inspired dress. Granted, it's navy & white rather than brown & cream, but it's shapely and sweet, and I can wear my Modern Vintage riding boots (score from the spring DSS) with it.

H yelled at me when I got home, because I'd bought bags of things for The Bean, Original Version. She needed things, daggoneit. Thin cotton pants won't do for an October playground, and sunhats are only good for so long...a pumpkin beret and two courdory caps were necessities.

The big purchase, though?

Booties.

Sigh. Never thought I'd go there. I couldn't stand them in high school, the first time around. They've been wearing me down this time around, unlike their blue/black plaid lumbershirt counterparts (shudder, seriously). BlueSuitGirl and I were both coveting a particular military-inspired grey pair on a pitstop to our Girls Weekend a while back.

So I bought them Saturday (on sale, too!). If my back weren't killing me today (sigh again), I'd be wearing them, paired with tights and a skirt. Can't wait to show them off.

Lest I forget...

looks like the timing of The Bug is going to keep me from going to the DSS Wednesday. SO not happy about it, but what can a mama do?

Shop in Style: DSS is here again!

Ticket are on sale NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW - well - in an hour.

What: If you don't know by now, well, you don't deserve to go.

When: Tuesday, 9 September, 6:30-9:30pm (VIP hour from 5:30-6:30)

Where: The Galleria at Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street NW

Why: Repeat "What" 100 times

Tickets available at 10am today here.

Shop in Style: Sangaree Designer Sale

Grandma gave you Christmas money. And fortunately, Aunt Libby opted for the check instead of the gift card to Toys R Us (she's finally realized you're older than 10). What to do, what to do? Deposit it in your savings account for a rainy day? No, that would be too Grown Up. Instead, hit Sangaree, one of the newest arrivals on the DC Designer Boutique scene.


What: Sangaree Designer Sale

When: January 3-31, 2008

Why: Up to 65% on the entire fall and winter collections of exclusive international designer apparel and accessories, including this fabulous Benedikte Utzon winter coat. Other designers include Derercuny, Dilbar, Lisa Ho, Louis Verdad and Palmer-Jones. Plus, statement accessories by Sissy Yates Designs, Ben-Amun, Matt & Nat, Elisa Atheniense and on and on...


Not to mention a Free Gift with Purchase: Receive an exclusive Sangaree candle Free with any purchase of $300 or more.



Where: 3288 M Street, NW

Shop in Style: About Town

Just a couple of goings on while I'm out of town (The Bean and I are visiting Grandmom & Pop-Pop in the country - she smelled her first pig manure this morning - exciting!, then meeting H down the shore - it's glorious not having a set work schedule - we'll talk abou the lack o' sleep and multiple rounds of "Old MacDonald" another time)

12 September: Unless you've been under a rock, you'll know that there are only 2 days left to the District Sample Sale.

15 September: H Street Festival Fashion Show

15 September: Ananas founder/designer, Jennifer Baum Lagdameo, appears at the Tyson's Cusp location

23-30 September: DC Fashion Week. Yup, we have one.

Ongoing: New to DC: Urban Chic's offering personal shopping during and after regular store hours at their Georgetown location

...and help a vacationing blogger out - if you check any of these events out, shoot me an email or post a comment...let us know how they were.

Shop in Style: District Sample Sale's Up Again

The Bean's first major shopping event is on the schedule. She should be fine in the sling, right?

What: District Sample Sale - shop and donate. We all win.

Who: Anyone who's anyone. If you care about style, you're there.

Where: 3303 M Street NW

When: Wednesday, 12 September, 6-9pm

Oh, and then there's the VIP preview (only 100 spots available, so put your fingers on the keyboard at 9:59 on 23 August), after party, and the great feeling you get from a steal and helping people all at the same time.

Shop in Style: Urban Chic Summer Sale

Sale and Fall collection preview - sounds like a cool way to spend the weekend...