Updated: The Beginning of the End

[No, I don't have time to blog. No, I don't have time to post. But I'm taking 5 minutes out of what will be an incredibly long day (last two have logged 13 and 14 hours respectively) to share. So pbbbbbbt! proposals!]

There are certain joys in life. One of mine is getting an out-of-the-blue email from Dariaux, with whom I probably share some blood somewhere. We're oddly similar - same likes, same outlook on life - it's eerie at times. Made my day when I saw her email pop in my inbox.

To: DC Celine
Subject: you'd understand
From: Dariaux

You are one of the few people I can share this with . . . just bought my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes :-)

To: Dariaux
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: DC Celine

Ahhhhh. Best part of that email? "First". Which ones?

To: DC Celine
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: Dariaux

Pigalle 100 patent leather pumps.  Amazing.  Want more.

To: Dariaux
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: DC Celine

Sigh. Don't tell me that.

To: DC Celine
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: Dariaux

they had an adorable pair of fishnet/suede kitten heels but not in my size.  Oh, they let me try on a $5500 pair of crocodile shoes - gorgeous!

To: Dariaux
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: DC Celine

where did you buy?

To: DC Celine
Subject: RE: you'd understand
From: Dariaux

At the Christian Louboutin shop in the Palazzo in Vegas. 


Updated 25 August 2011, after I sent a long-intended email with a snapshot of my new Oscar de la Renta sandals...


To: Dariaux
Subject: Oscar
From: DC Celine


The have red insoles rather than red soles, but still. 

Amazing.



To: DC Celine
Subject: RE: Oscar
From: Dariaux



very nice :-)   

I love these shoes. I want more.  Did I mention that they are perfectly balanced??



To: Dariaux
Subject: RE: Oscar
From: DC Celine


No, you didn't. Stop. Now I'll want some, and I'll have to weigh the cost of my shoes against my children's education or something. 

I love mine, too. I just don't want to wear them anywhere they might be harmed. First wearing I nicked the heel. Pooh.



To: DC Celine
Subject: RE: Oscar
From: Dariaux



I can't help it.  They are awesome.  Absolutely NO breaking in time.   I want more.  Grrr.   
I know the feeling.  I wouldn't wear my CLs outside for the first few days b/c I didn't want to ruin the sole . . . but that just got crazy, so I'm wearing them all the time now :-)



To: Dariaux
Subject: RE: Oscar
From: DC Celine



exactly. they were made to be worn. 

i just need a driver.

Promises, Promises : Beachfront Blogging on Hold

Well, I have a bunch of posts in the works, including the long-overdue details on my First Runway Show Ever. (yes. it's true. The Front Row was my first. and left me wanting my beach gear. but there just wasn't enough time for me to hit up the Bethesda Row stores before we jetted - ok drove slowly, with lots of stops - up 95 to the Jersey Shore.) If you're jonesing a recap, check out my date, Elizabeth's, post, here. She got some great shots of both the runway and the atmosphere. You just can't beat an outdoor fashion show, methinks (says the runway virgin).

While I am taking some vacation time here down tha shore - during which I'm more likely to actually put blogging fingers to keyboard - I'm also working remotely, which has it's own challenges. And, given that I have a large, strategic proposal I'm working, well, I kinda have to focus on that.

But I do promise posts in the near future, and in the meantime a few tweets here and there. Anyone catch my #jerseylicious toes?

Style in Film: Bill Cunningham New York

I'm doing this for the Infinitesimal Readership not in DC. Because they've already torn this from our grasp. Its run ended here on 12 May. Pooey.

Last night, I was privileged - and I mean that sincerely - to peek into the life and mind of an icon: Bill Cunningham.

I won't wax poetic about the film, nor about the man. Plenty of folks (including this great piece at Slate) have already done so. I will say just a few things.

If it's anywhere near you and you haven't already seen it, Go. Now. If it's not, get thee to Netflix or YouTube or whatever other means you can to see it.

When you do see it, you will laugh, and you will cry. And you will be inspired.

It's not often you get the opportunity to try and understand a contemporary monk. This film grants you that opportunity.

It's not often you get the opportunity to view a much-viewed place like New York City through a different lens. This film grants you that opportunity.

At 80+, it's possible we won't have him with us much longer. And I'll be on the first plane, train, or in the automobile, The Bean in tow, to pay homage to him in whatever way they let the public do so.

On a little bit of an aside, I was thrilled to have H as my arm candy last night (and meet up with two online gems, Ally from Wardrobe Oxygen and Elizabeth from So Much to Smile About). He can't rave enough about the film (rather than movie, btw, because it's that elevated). He's been quoting since we left:

His runner-up favorite, in which Bill explains why he tore up many a check for his work, especially the one when the original Details, of which he was an integral part, sold out, "If you take money, then they can tell you what to do."

His favorite, which occurs as Bill is showing his press pass to a Paris runway show flunky guarding the door at some prestigious show - and who doesn't recognize the man who has been documenting clothing since the 1960s. Another flunky - complete with greying ponytail - notices, and pulls Bill past the ignorant flunky, saying, "Don't you know this is the most important person on earth?"

Sent just now in an email to me about attending the next The Front Row event tonight: "have a great time tonight – and always remember that, 'fashion is the armor to survive everyday life.'"

Which is, my friends, the sum of it.

Shop in Style: Banana Republic After 5

Shamelessly plugging for some stylish online friends.

In case you don't have plans for this rainy, stormy day (or have time to kill before going to The Front Row's screening of Bill Cunningham New York), swing by this fun event. I've been to one of their events before, and while the sales weren't anything more than a regular sale, it's always fun to shop with a glass in hand.

What: Banana Republic After 5
Where: BR Tyson's
When: Today, 19 May, 5-7pm
Why: Because E, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Vyque are on hand with style advice, plus 25% off purchases of $100 or more.

You could, just supposing, pick up something new and stylish to show off before you dash of to watch a movie.

After 5 Event Picks by DCCelin

Dine in Style: Blatent Plagarism of an Email Announcement

I'm not going to pretend to rewrite this email announcement that hit my inbox yesterday (if you haven't signed up for Chef Wiedmaier's emails, do. it. now.). I'll just say these few things: Our first trip to Marcel's was 7 years ago (veteran waiter Jonathan looked it up last time we were there). We've been back, um, a few times since. We're using a trip to Marcel's for The Bean's 4th birthday as a bribe for good dinner table behavior. I'd never eaten mussels. Ever. And dove, without even a smidgen of reservation, into a huge plate of Chef Hagan's (Mussel Bar) Wild Mushroom, Pancetta, Parmesan, and Truffle Cream version last week (and snuck a few bites of H's Classic Roasted Garlic, Shallots, Cream and Sauvignon Blanc pan) only having a single frite, just to taste. I didn't want to waste tummy space on even fantastic spuds. We consider it a sin of sorts that we haven't made it to BRABO or Brasserie Beck yet. We're almost considering delaying our trip down tha shore by one day - putting us in the middle of Memorial Day Traffic - just to go to this. And now, in the chef's (or his PR folks') words: Full Circle Chef - Spring Harvest at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier Thursday, May 26th, 7pm 1600 King Street, Old Town Alexandria at the Lorien Hotel and Spa All of Chef Wiedmaier’s restaurants reflect his European heritage, in particular his links to Belgium, creating a full circle between his family, legacy and life in the United States. For his whole life, Wiedmaier has been involved with food from the source. His five restaurants reflect a specific culinary influence from his past, and like five intertwining rings, they are each intrinsically linked by the same respect towards utilizing what is local, what is home grown, and what is personally caught or selected – ensuring that the circle is never broken. A seven-course ‘Full Circle’ dinner will take place at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier, gathering Chef Wiedmaier and the chefs de cuisine and sommeliers of all his restaurants.The local farmers and purveyors highlighted in each course will also be present. This seven-course dinner, featuring beer and wine pairings is $125 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Amuse Bouche Fluke Sashimi, Pickled Radish, Fennel Puree Roderer, Champagne, Brut, ‘Premier,’ France, NV - Duvel Chef Robert Wiedmaier First Course Rappahannock River Oyster Rockefeller Crispy Prosciutto, Parmesan Tuille, Baby Spinach, Brown Butter Vinaigrette   Domaine Naudet, Sancerre, France, 2009 – Malheur 10 Chef Matt Hagan Mussel Bar and Rappahannock River Oysters Second Course Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut, Grassential Farm Pork Belly Confit Baby Potatoes Morel Ravigote, Wild Ramp Butter Domaine Séguinot-Bordet, Chablis, Grand Cru, ‘Vaudesir,’ France, 2008 – Straffe Hendrick Chef John Engle, Brasserie Beck, Matt Rails of Grassential Farm, Steve Turnich of Northern Neck Third Course Quails and Snails, Carrot Ginger Puree, Crispy Quail Leg, Crystallized Ginger Crowley, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, ‘Entre Nous,’ Oregon, 2008 – Brooklyn Local 2 Chef Paul Stearman, Marcel’s, Javier Azare of Huntsman Fourth Course Randal Lineback Veal Tortellini, Morels and English Peas, Crispy Sweetbreads Dominio IX, Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge, Washington State, 2008 – AleSmith Grand Cru Chef Chris Watson, BRABO, Joe Henderson and Reagan Duncan of Chapel Hill Farm Fifth Course Martin Angus Strip Loin with Braised Short Rib, Turnich Farm Swiss Chard, Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Beef Braising Jus Château Loudenne, Medoc, Bordeaux, France, 2005 – Rochefort 8 Robert Wiedmaier, Bill & Holly Martin of Martin’s Angus Cheese Old Chandler Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Panna Cotta, Strawberry Sorbet Icardi Moscato d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2009 – Deuss Beer de Brut Joanne Decoux, BRABO, Mollie Visosky of The Fresh Link Wine and beer pairings selected by BRABO Sommelier, David Kurka, Brasserie Beck Beer Sommelier ,Thor Cheston and Beverage Director, Ramon Narvaez To Reserve, call 703-894-3440