All tied up (with lace)

The most prevalent "must have" as far as boots go so far for this fall, is the lace up boot; from Wang to Rag & Bone.
Above: Alexander Wang's pointy toed boot.

Desiree Rogers adding a little spice to DC and NY Fashion Week

Mrs. O may be a no show at New York's Fashion Week (much to the dismay of all) but she has certainly sent a representative. Desiree Rogers the very fashionable White House Social Secretary appeared front row at Donna Karen and Carolina Herrera next to Vogue's Anna Wintor. Needless to say, that is quite a coveted seat...
Rogers was recently featured in the February issue of W Magazine as a, "huge fashion fan" who notes Isabel Toledo, Valentino, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Bottega Veneta and Viktor & Rolf as some of her faves.
The native Chicagoan will hopefully add a little more spice to the DC scene.

Hello Wu

Fashion darling Jason Wu presented his Spring 09 RTW yesterday in New York at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
The First Lady's golden boy kept it clean, simple and polished. Wu focused heavily on dresses, mixing styles from flapper(my fave!) to dreamy gowns...and I simply love it!

No sight of Mrs. O at Fashion Week (yet) but anticipation of her "possible" arrival continues....

New York Fashion Week 2009

Fashion Week is well under way with shows like BCBG, Jason Wu and Charlotte Ronson (which LiLo made an appearance w/Samantha Ronson DJing of course) having already taken place.

Currently being day 2 of Fashion Week, we still have a long way to go. Click here for the official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site, complete with schedules, press and collections. Also check out their link to Fashion Week Daily.

Cork Wine Bar

Last night I enjoyed dinner at Cork in DC, quickly becoming a favorite restaurant of mine. Enjoyed a fantastic Italian wine flight, Duck confit and THE best mushrooms I have ever tasted, the Sauteed Wild Mushrooms with Madeira and marjoram...I swear its worth going to Cork just for these!
Cork also features wine tasting events, click here for more info.

And click here for the Washingtonian's review on Cork.

"Behind the First Lady, a Shadow Stylist"

More often than not, there is a genius behind the man/woman...think Karl Rove to George W. or Rachel Zoe to Hollywood bohemian chic....
Cathy Horn and Eric Wilson of the NYT present, "Behind the First Lady, a Shadow Stylist," highlighting Chi-town stylist/boutique owner, Ikram Goldman's role behind the newly crowned fashion maven that is Mrs. O:

"MICHELLE OBAMA has become the mistress to American fashion. “The first lady the world’s been waiting for,” blazes the March cover of Vogue, where Mrs. Obama appears in a fuchsia dress by Jason Wu, the young talent she helped turn into an overnight star. No first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy has had a more instantaneous impact on fashion. Whatever Mrs. Obama wears, people notice and very often buy."
"Despite the close study that people have made of Mrs. Obama’s style, it is not known that her wardrobe is being managed largely by a boutique owner in Chicago. Ikram Goldman, whose store is called Ikram, has played an unprecedented role since the election, serving as gatekeeper between the fashion industry and the first lady."

To check out Ikram Boutique click here.

Valentine's Day Goodies

Now THIS is a Valentine's Day treat! Local bakery MallowDrama presents, Valentine's Day cupcakes for that special someone (or just for yourself!).
My favorites are the "Sleep Tight" cupcakes below.
Call (703) 758-1474 or info@mallowdrama.com to order. Better hurry! Valentine's Day is Saturday. (Cupcakes available until the 15th)

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"The Gossip Graduate"

Harper's Bazaar features some steamy photos of Gossip Girl's always handsome& dapper, Ed Westwick and model Helena Christenson.
Enjoy.

Balenciaga agrees with Jennifer Connelly

I know that I just posted about Jennifer Connelly, but the woman is on a roll! Promoting her new flick on CBS's The Early Show, Connelly shines in this Pre-Fall 2008 Balenciaga get up with Louboutin Mary-Jane heels.
Thanks @RedCarpetFashionAwards

Welcome Vogue's March CoverGirl: Mrs. O

Mrs. Obama will grace the cover of Vogue in March according to The Washington Post.
Annie Leibovitz beautifully photographed the First Lady in Jason Wu for the cover and Vogue's Andre Leon Talley wrote the article. It's about time Mrs. Obama graced the cover of Vogue.

Photos: Style.com

The Corcoran Gallery presents Artini

Don't you just love that graphic...
The Corcoran Gallery of Art will reopen its doors in March with the Corcoran Gallery of Art's 1869 Society month long event, Artini.
Artini will include 12 participating area mixologists all competing for the coveted title of most artistic martini. On March 28th, the Corcoran will then host an event from 8pm to midnight, where you can sample artinis and tour Maya Lin's, "Systematic Landscapes." Click here for more information.

Oh yeah...it's Valentine's...

Now, I have never been a big Valentine's Day person. I don't really buy into the whole 'chocolates and Hallmark cards' thing. I do, however, love a little romance & a fabulous meal with fabulous wine (Duh, who doesn't?)
If you plan on being in Washington over the weekend and plan to celebrate Valentine's, the Washingtonian made finding a restaurant much easier by compiling this list of romantic spots.

Below: Art&Soul on Capitol Hill

Definitely a Fave

Just love love loving this! Jennifer Connelly at the premier of "He's Just Not That Into You," wearing, this emerald green, bold-shouldered look from the Balmain Spring 2009 collection. However, it would be hard for this woman not to look good (I am referring to Connelly's Balenciaga ads)

M.I.A. not so M.I.A.

BAM! Gotta give M.I.A. credit for performing at the Grammy's alongside Jay-Z, T.I., Lil' Wayne, and Kanye. The woman was about the bust, quite literally, due to the fact that Sunday night just so happened to be her due date. Gotta hand it to her for performing under such conditions.
Though some did not find this House of Holland piece suiting for her... I say to hell with that. When you are THAT pregnant and still rock, I say wear whatever you want!
(Picture cred @212/Blog)

The DC Wine & Food Festival

The Washington DC International Wine& Food Festival is going on this weekend. The event includes 600 wines from 150 wineries and will also feature demonstrations from several area chefs (including former Hook chef Barton Seaver.) The festival costs $85 per day or $140 per two-day ticket. For tickets and more info: wine-expos.com. And check out other sweet ideas for this weekend from the Washingtonian.

I still can't take my eyes off you....

I am still so infatuated with these, even though they have made the rounds....

The Chanel platform sandal complete with 90mm gun heel (just in case you encounter some rough streets) from Cruise 08/09.

And my ABSOLUTE favorite; the Chanel light bulb heel. Talk about creativity....the light bulb heel is actually functional.

Dear Alexander Wang: Will you be my Valentine?

My friend Cassie and I were simply obsessing over this the other day, and I just HAD to include it. Alexander Wang RTW Spring 2009 collection.
This is all I want for Valentine's Day. Y-O-U.

If I were to throw a dinner party...

I was pondering this idea the other day... if I were to throw my dream dinner party (meaning guests are way too famous to attend and/or dead) who would I invite? Well here is what I came up with: (it's quite an eclectic list)

My Guest List:
Karl Lagerfeld
Brian Williams
Mark Rothko
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen
Steve Martin
Bill Clinton
Diane Von Furstenberg
Jon Stewart
Andy Warhol
Meryl Streep
Ayn Rand
Barack and Michelle Obama (the adorable kids can come too)


Then I would invite Ina Garten aka Barefoot Contessa to cook

















And to top everything off, I would make everyone wear one of these (perhaps to break the tension):
















The Dress For Dinner Napkin, designed by Héctor Serrano

Introducing Looklet.com

Enter into your fashion fantasy: an online styling studio where you can make your wardrobe dreams come true. Looklet.com allows you to create your own looks from their enormous virtual closet. You begin by getting an online code, enter in and let your creativity flow. This is no joke, you pick your model, your set, and choose your outfits from nearly 500 items. It is essentially a grown up girl's fantasy!

[Warning: This can be very fun, to the point of distraction. Best not to play while at work]

My look above: Vest by llse Jacobsen. Heels by Gucci. Swimsuit by H&M. Tights by Topshop.

The 2009 Academy Awards

Tonight I went to see Milk, and oh how wonderful it was. Sean Penn= amazing. Story of Harvey Milk= amazing. Milk made me tear up but yet I left the theatre wholly uplifted.
After tonight, I have seen 4/5 of the nominated films for Best Picture (all but The Reader). The official line up reads like this:
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
The Reader
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
After seeing four of these fantastic films, I am placing my money on the lil' film that could: Slumdog Millionaire. However, honestly I would like to see Milk win, or at least see Sean Penn win for Best Actor. We will have to wait and see on February 22nd at the 81st Academy Awards.

The Old Streets Have Style Afterall

I call the streets of Old Town my home, and watching Old Town's style blossom has been a great treat, with much help from fabulous restaurants (most from genius Cathal Armstrong, like the Majestic and Restaurant Eve). The area has seen the addition of several boutiques, such as Hysteria, The Shoe Hive and Periwinkle.

The Fifth Annual Old Town Boutique Warehouse Sale is going on at the George Washington Masonic Memorial from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 7 (this Saturday) and will offer great sales from the area's boutiques. Be sure to check it out!
For more click here.

Chanel Couture

I think this little number is my favorite from Chanel's 2009 Spring Couture collection...

"The September Issue"

Vogue Magazine is not simply another fashion magazine, it is THE magazine, the fashion Bible. If Vogue is the Bible, then editor-in-chief Anna Wintor is God of fashion (so to speak).
A documentary on the media shy fashionista has certainly been a long time coming. Finally director R.J. Cutler has made it happen. Recently shown at the Sundance Film Festival, "The September Issue," has been picked up by Roadside Attractions and will be released this coming September (of course).
Click here for a clip from imdb.

Attack of the Shoulder Pads!

It seems that every designer from Dior to Marc Jacobs has jumped on resuscitating the 80's...and by the 80's I mean the "Working Girl" shoulders. These bold, super-sized shoulders are seemingly a very popular item amongst the 2009 Spring couture collections. 

These are fabulous for couture! But I'm really hoping this doesn't trickle down to the masses.

Letterman gives us GOLD

Though I was trying to get to bed early last night, when I found out recently ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was to appear on the Late Show with David Letterman, I quickly changed my plan. Just read a little of the transcript:

Letterman: "Why exactly are you here? Honest to God..."
Blagojevich: "Well, you know, I've been wanting to be on your show in the worst way for the longest..."
Letterman: "Well, you're on it in the worst way."


GOLD! Letterman was definitely on his game last night and it was a nice attempt in getting that talking head of hair to stop proclaiming his "innocence" and comparing himself to Ghandi and such...

Bla-lego-vich

One Life: The Mask of Lincoln & the closing of Ballyhoo!

The exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, "Ballyhoo! Portraits of Portraiture," will close this Sunday. If you haven't seen it yet, hurry up! The exhibit features 60 posters ranging from show posters, to wartime propaganda to famed film posters. Includes: "Folies-Bergère La Loïe Fuller" and "Dylan" by Milton Glaser, 1966 (pictured above)
Click here for the online exhibition.


I saw the Ballyhoo! exhibit in December and also the spectacular:
"One Life: The Mask of Lincoln"
This exhibit will run through July 5th 2009 and commemorates the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth with an extensive collection of Lincoln portraits, "a collection that charts Lincoln's passage from a fresh-faced Illinois congressman to his grizzled isolation as president."
Below: Portrait of Lincoln in 1863 by Thomas Le Mere.

The One and Only Hat

It really escapes me as to how I have managed NOT to post anything on this topic...
As you all know, Aretha Franklin's hat at Barack Obama's Inauguration on January 20th created quite a stir...you know, the whole giant hat with the bow with Swarovski crystals... Well according to Washington Post's Names & Faces that ridiculous hat may be moving in town for good. The Smithsonian Institution has asked Mrs. Franklin to donate the now infamous hat to their collection (along w/Jason Wu's gown that Mrs. O wore).
As Project Beltway said: R-E-S-P-E-C-T the Hat.

Blinded By The Light

These Christian Louboutin "Mirrored Platform Pumps" are simply devine. I really don't think I need to say more...

A Guide: DC Restaurant Week

Washingtonian's food guru Todd Kliman has posted his guide to maneuvering through Restaurant Week in the form of 4 tiers. Click here to take a look for yourself. Restaurant Week runs from February 16th- 22nd, so you no procrastination in making reservations.

Above picture of Hook in Georgetown. (Where my last birthday celebration took place, might I add)

The Donovan House: Cha

I have previously posted about the chic Donovan House in town (which I am dying to spend the night in at some point) Well the anticipated restaurant Cha (an asian fusion restaurant) will finally open its doors late Feb. in the Donovan House. Can't wait.

What do you get when you cross "The Hills" & Barack Obama?

The answer: this video...just watch, you'll see... (Thanks at Shenanigans)

Boyish Charm

Simply put. Simple charm. (The Sartorialist)

Shine On My Friends, Shine On

Featured on the The Moment's The High Low this Eryn Brinie sequin skirt will only run you $95 and is quite fantastic. Find it here at Eyrnbrinie.

The Controversy of Tom Daschle

When I speak of the controversy surrounding Tom Daschle, I am actually not speaking of the current controversy over his taxes...I am speaking of his red frames.
Now, I may be all alone in this...but I love them!
What do you think?


(Photo: NYPost)

What's up at 9:30

There are some great artists hitting the stage at the 9:30 Club in the coming weeks including; Chan Marshall aka Cat Power, Mos Def and Fujiya & Miyagi.
Cat Power (one of my faves) is playing this coming Sunday to a sold out audience, but I am a big believer in, where there's a will, there's a way...
Fujiya & Miyagi will rock the stage the 19th, tickets are $20. Mos Def will play two shows on Monday the 23rd. (an early show and a late show) Tickets are only $35.
Check out these shows if you can! I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

Don't put those sweaters away just yet...

Talk about a Debbie Downer...Punxsutawny Phil says six more weeks of winter. (Dcist) That Groundhog doesn't look too pleased...

Pretty Pretty Lanvin

Spring 2009 sees Lanvin going soft, literally. Lanvin's ad campaign takes a sharp turn from the past and into soft lighting. Me likey. (Fashionologie)

"Home Sweet Museum in Washington"

(Above: The Kreeger Museum)

Today's Sunday New York Times travel section had a lovely article on some of Washington's lesser known and more elite art museums titled, "It's Home Sweet Museum in Washington." Most the museums were once palatial homes to Washington's well-born, yet now serve as homes to some wonderful art collections.
The Kreeger Museum, built by famed architect Phillip Johnson (well known for his Glass House) highlights works by Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Chagall, Rodin, Miro, Moore, and Kandinsky.
The list titled "Capitol Style" includes: Hillwood, the Kreeger Museum, Dumbarton Oaks, Dumbarton House, Tudor Place, Anderson House, Woodrow Wilson House and the Textile Museum.

Styling Down the Rabbit Hole

When I suffer from a lack of inspiration I turn to the ethereal and dream-like images from Lewis Carroll's classic tale, Alice and Wonderland, which stir the senses and the imagination.

Vogue tapped Annie Leibovitz to create a new spin on the classic tale with Natalia Vodianova as Alice. Featuring Steven Jones and Christian Lacriox as the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, Marc Jacobs as the Caterpillar and the ever so inventive Karl Lagerfeld as the one and only Queen.

Also Amanda Seyfried (of Big Love and Mean Girls fame) was photographed for Vogue Italy in April'08 is definitely channelling Alice.

In related news...for those of you still unaware, Tim Burton

is currently working on his unique spin on the legendary fantasy. Set to open in March of 2010, Burton's Alice will star; Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter (how fabulous will this be?!), Mia Wasikowski as Alice, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, Burton's muse Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar and Michael Sheen as the Cheshire Cat.

What a fantastic cast, I cannot wait until we find out more.

Until then...

(I must give credit to Ms. Cassie Marie for always aiding in my inspirations)

Hello Lover

These Helmut Lang leather skinny pants will run you $875. If you can handle it, find 'em here at Shopbob. But if not, you can find something slightly similar at American Apparel and Love YaYa.
So Fab.