Up, Up and Away

Okay...so I know I just kind of blasted Disney, but the new Disney/Pixar movie "Up" is something I just cannot wait for! Set to release May 29th. Check it out!

Disney in DC? Say it Ain't So...

Okay, I am not okay with this....
The Washington Post is reporting that the Walt Disney Co. has bought 15 acres at National Harbor, for a cool $11 million. The future 500-room hotel resort has no set date for opening as of yet, and despite the economic downturn, development plans are underway. The Disney Co. believes that National Harbor is a prime spot for Disney fun, and seeks to further National Harbor as a national convention destination.
FamousDC offers some ride name suggestions, such as Dodge the Diplomat and Pelosi’s It’s a Small World.

Ridiculous, simply ridiculous.

Behind the Shades

The dust has settled after the airing of Morley Shafer's highly anticipated interview with Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. It is indisputable that Wintour is an icon, and a mysterious one at that. However, someone was a little less than thrilled...the New York Times fashion critic, Cathy Horyn. Horyn, addresses her qualms on her blog, One the Runway.

"No one would bother disputing the assertion that Wintour is the most powerful person in fashion, and that she exerts her power in a variety of directions, beyond editorial decisions. But what’s the impact of all that power? And, more, what’s the downside? It’s also surprising that CBS didn’t put up a countering view of Wintour’s influence. Grace Coddington and Andre Leon Talley were candid about their boss, saying that she can be intimidating and so forth. But the segment needed outside opinions."

Mrs. O on the arts in Azzedine Alaïa

Mrs. O selected a different look to wear to last night's American Ballet Theatre's Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House. The First Lady wore a sparkling metallic black Azzedine Alaïa dress, along with a Thakoon jacket. Mrs. Obama, who was introduced by fellow arts advocate Caroline Kennedy, spoke of the crucial role the arts play in our society;

"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it," "Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."

"The president and I want to ensure that all children have access to great works of art," "We want all children who believe in their talent to see a way to create a future for themselves in the arts community, either as a hobby or as a profession."

Barton Seaver's Blue Ridge

Barton Seaver's newest adventure post-Hook was set to open April 1st, however, quite obviously that date has come and gone. Seaver's new restaurant Blue Ridge aims to add another neighborhood favorite to the very neighborhood favorite friendly Glover Park. The new spot will include an upstairs lounge and a unique menu with expertise focus on food. A friend at the soon to be bustling restaurant, informed me that its opening will come in the next few weeks.
Seaver, is also behind Sonoma on Capitol Hill and Redwood in Bethesda (along with Eli Hengst.)
The coolest thing about Blue Ridge? "85 percent of our ingredients are sourced locally," and from the Blue Ridge Mountains themselves no less. Look out for upcoming updates!

Click here to check out the Blue Ridge menu. (includes Catfish yum! and a great looking brunch menu!)

Definition of a Chic Parisienne

Charlotte Gainsbourgh; daughter of Serge Gainsbourgh and Jane Birkin (aka stars aligning to create what in modern times we think of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.) Not only is she a truly modest, yet stellar style icon; but also a great singer/songwriter and actress.
The image above is a shot from Gainsbourgh's appearance at the premiere of Antichrist at Cannes Film Festival
Gainsbourgh's natural cool is highlighted here in faded denim and leather jacket. A+++!

OMG OMG OMG: Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox

Now, for starters- I hate using little acronyms such as omg and lol, but this is appropriate usage I swear. The oh-so fantastic Wes Anderson will release his take on the famous Ronald Dahl book, Fantastic Mr. Fox. The stop-motion animation film is set for release Nov. 13th, 2009 and check out this cast; George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman and Angelica Houston. Seriously? that list alone deserves a million OMGs.
If that wasn't great enough, Jarvis Cocker is working with Wes Anderson on the soundtrack.

Romping Around Town

Simply cannot contain my excitement over my purchase of this beautiful Sunner romper today via ShopBob.
However, if you are not looking to spend $275, Silence & Noise offers a great alternative for $68, but online only at Urban Outfitters.

The Studio Theatre: Radio Golf

One of the country's most reputable contemporary theatres, happens to be snuggled in the Logan Circle neighborhood, right here in the District.
The Studio Theatre is an artist-founded and artist-driven theatre, creating some of the most inventive and entertaining modern scripts and shows today. Last summer I ventured to the theatre to see the hilarious, Jerry Springer: the Opera. After witnessing the magic of a singing Jerry Springer, I was hooked.


This Wednesday, May 20th, August Wilson's Radio Golf will open at The Studio. "Tackling gentrification and one African-American man’s bid for elected office, Radio Golf is the culmination of August Wilson’s ambitious 10-play cycle covering every decade of the 20th century."
A seemingly appropriate topic given the recent history made after the last national election cycle- with a comedic twist, which Studio plays have a knack for. This final installment of Wilson's 10 play cycle is a must see.
Click here to purchase tickets.

Style: a philosophy

Confidence is key
Natural style is a simple concept; you have it, or you don't. For those who do, they are fantastic specimens to admire, however the most basic thing about natural style is that its all about confidence. The saying goes, "wear the clothes, don't let the clothes wear you." Well, this my friends is the most essential part of my philosophy; style is your own unique artistic canvas- an individuals source for expressing oneself. You can tell so much about a person by how they dress and how they carry themselves- and by NO means do I mean that style means money....quite the contrary, just because you can buy top of the line designer duds, does not mean you have style. I often find the trendier or the louder the person/clothes, means less natural style (and often a cry for attention.) Also, it is essential to remember that arrogance is very transparent.

The key to understanding style is understanding yourself. You can deduce so much about a person by the way they carry themselves, act in public and dress.

I believe that confidence is key, but also minimalism. Your mother always told you, "less is more." Well, she could not have been more spot on. The most beautiful and stylish people around the globe know that simplicity IS style. Look at Karl Lagerfeld; the genius has worn the same outfit for decades now, but it never gets tired.

Above all, style isn't just about fashion. Style is your own unique artistic genius, that you can constantly mold, reinvent and explore.

Below: Hunter S. Thompson from The Rum Diary, Woody Allen and Diane Lane in Annie Hall, Manolo Blahnik's Mary Jane, Mary Kate Olsen, Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, Coco Rocha in a fantastic boyfriend blazer, and the incomparable Karl Lagerfeld.

It was only a matter of time...

The legging trend continues to chug along into fall 2009; spurring even a pant-less craze (think Lady GaGa and Ciara.)
It was only a matter of time until someone created a metamorphosis of the legging.
Introducing TopShop's "Jeggings." Yep, that's right.


Leggings + skinny jeans= "Jeggings." (Treggings, to the Brits)
I say genius.
Now, I only wish I could wear some "jeggings" to the Nationals game tonight...however, I don't think that would go over too well...or maybe it would...

Who needs armor, when you've got shades?

Couldn't resist borrowing this image from my friends over at 212/BLOG, isn't it great??
Any-who...this Sunday 60 Minutes will air their much anticipated interview with the very reclusive Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.
What's the best part of the interview you ask? Well the answer is most definitely this little gem Wintour told 60 Minutes Morley Shafer as to why she is rarely seen without those infamous shades:
"They are seriously useful.. I can sit in a show and if I am bored out of my mind nobody will notice.. At this point, they have become, really, armor."
Check out video that CBS has released via The Cut, and be sure to watch the full interview this Sunday on CBS at 7pm. I'm definitely checking it out!

Adding a dash of neon to the everyday

One of my favorite looks to hit the town in recently is to pair neon brights with black accesories. For example, take the below image of Star Trek maven Michelle Monaghan popping in pink.




Or these fantastic Christian Louboutin's courtesy Jak&Jil.


Or, perhaps neon time...

A Washington Weekend

There is much to do this weekend in the nation's capitol.
Here is a run down of my best bets:

1. The Shins tonight at 9:30 Club
While this is a SOLD OUT show, the lucky ticket holders out there are in for a treat from this west coast group.


2. Three days of style at Bethesda Row
The Front Row will consist of three full days chalked full of events, including a screening of "Valentino: The Last Emperor," and an appearance by "Project Runway's," Christian Siriano. Click here to visit Bethesda Row's website.

3. The 134th Preakness
The 134th Preakness race at the Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore will take place this Saturday, May 16th at 4:30 pm est. Race fans will surely want to witness if Mine That Bird, the Kentucky Derby winner, will take the coveted Woodlawn Vase.

4. House of Sweden After Dark
Saturday, May 16th come check out Swedish art, while listening to DJ spinning Swedish tunes on the House of Sweden's rooftop deck-quite a view! The catch; you must wear a "green" costume or mask in part to their focus on living green.



5. The Smithsonian Young Benefactors' Roaring Twenties Gala
The Roaring Twenties Gala will be held Saturday, May 16th at the National Portrait Gallery and will also feature a silent auction.

The Bullpen

As the Washington Nationals prepare to host the Philadelphia Phillies this Friday, the Bullpen prepares to open its doors. The Bullpen seeks to offer a family friendly entertainment venue for Nationals fans.
The Bullpen is another adventure for Georgetown Events in partnership with Stroud Productions (others include Surfside, Rookery, SmithPoint.)
The Bullpen is located on the corner of N and Half Street, across from the stadium. Check out the Bullpen website.

To check out a full list of the Nationals 2009 schedule, click here.

The 2009 White House Correspondent's Association Dinner

This Saturday, Washington's power elite will trade in their work attire for a little glitz and glamour. The 2009 White House Correspondant's Association Dinner will be held at the Capitol Hilton, and will feature comedian Wanda Sykes. Sykes will be given the rare opportunity to make fun of the president- to his face. Sykes may have a tough job creating laughs amidst the current economic situation, but certainly isn't short material.
The dinner is typically a glitzy affair; pitting celebrities with politicians and journalists. This year, however, attendees are choosing to tone down glamour and bow down to reality. The Washington Times reports that the trend this year isn't; who are you wearing? but rather, when did you last wear that? Evening gown/tux recycling versus red-carpet indulgences seems appropriate; yet it is still possible to be sensible AND glamorous! Instead of digging through your closet, complaining of nothing to wear; see it as new opportunity to jazz up old threads by altering them or adding accessories. Even though I am no where near lucky enough to be on the guest list for the event, this trend certainly inspired me to root through my old things and create new ones!

The WHCA Dinner will donate proceeds to various charities, along with giving $132,000 toward journalism scholarships for students.

Photo above of W. at last year's dinner.

America's Polo Cup

This weekend the US Polo team will take on Australia at the Capitol Polo Club.
The America's Polo Cup event will take place on Friday and Saturday, May 8th & 9th, and features live entertainment, including Will.i.am who will perform Saturday at 2pm. The weekend also includes the Rockin' the Runway fashion show on Friday, sponsored by Fashion Washington.
Purchase tickets here.

All that Jazz

How appropriate, given the current times, to unwind and dance the evening away at the Smithsonian Young Benefactors, Roaring Twenties Gala and Silent Auction. This calls for your finest flapper attire. The event will take place Saturday, May 16th at the National Portrait Gallery.
For more information click here and to purchase your tickets here.

Don't forget: Ball on the Mall

Don't forget theTrust for the National Mall L'Enfant Society's Ball on the Mall gala is tomorrow night, Friday May 8th!

Avedon Fashion 1944-2000

Richard Avedon: Avedon Fashion 1944-2000
May 15th- September 6th 2009
The International Center of Photography, New York.

The Corcoran Gallery recently featured an exhibit showcasing famed photographer Richard Avedon, titled Portraits of Power. The exhibit was a spectacular collection of the late greats portraits; everyone from Ted Kennedy to Karl Rove to Barack Obama.

The International Center of Photography in New York gets ready to open a comprehensive look at Richard Avedon's revolutionary fashion photography. Avedon transcended between high art, commercial art, fashion, advertising, and pop culture to create some of the most iconic and artistic fashion photos ever taken. The exhibit will present over 200 works by Avedon, including pieces from Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, The New Yorker.

If you are planning on heading to New York anytime this summer, be sure to make a stop at the ICP!

Oh Chuck.

Oh, Ed Westwick, I love you. So much.
Read all about him and his counterpart Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl in Interview Magazine.

MET Gala 2009

Post Fashion Week there is quite a dry spell aka a looong hang over to get over.
Then, welcome in the MET Gala.
And, despite the retched economy (which did seem to damper the event) life must prevail.
I previously posted about Kate's dress, which I loved.
Another favorite of mine was Ashley Olsen, and I also loved Rihanna's look.


Check out Coco's Tea Party for a fantastic Anna Wintor rating system.

A little bit of England heads our way

Little (Sporty Spice look-a-like) British rapper Lady Sovereign will hit the 9:30 Club this Saturday.
I will bet anything that will be a fun show and for only $20.

Oh, Hooray for May

It's officially May! (my favorite month of the year.)
What's not to like? Spring in Washington gorgeous, it's time for new dresses and DC is a-buzz with activity.
Not enough social events on your calendar?
Well Juli B can be of some assistance...
Check out the May guide for all things Washington here.

World Cocktail Week

Well, say no more and sign me up. Today is the first day of World Cocktail Week, the one week dedicated the the wonders of mixed concoctions. The DC Craft Bartenders Guild has organized nightly events here in the nation's capitol.
Here is the lineup:

Wednesday
Gin Rickeys at Bar Pilar

Thursday
'80s Cocktails at PS 7's

Friday
Punch Club at the Warehouse

Saturday
Pisco Drinks at Sova

Sunday
Tikis with Tiffany at the Gibson

Monday
Museum of the American Cocktail Dinner at Proof
This is the BIG event folks. The American Cocktail Dinner is a $145 per-person
fundraiser that includes a 5 course dinner from Proof and 10-count them 10 cocktails!
Make your reservations by e-mailing Karen Chan at karen@proofdc.com.

Tuesday
Happy Hour at Sonoma

Wednesday
Reverse Happy Hour at the Tabard Inn
The events culminate on the official World Cocktail Day, May 13th.

Like Christmas Morning

G-g-g-gorgeous!
Kate Moss, co-host of the Costume Institute Party of the Year accompanied by Mr. Marc Jacobs on the red carpet.
Wrapped up and ready to go, donning a turban and looking like Christmas morning.

Lucky #8: Mine That Bird takes the Kentucky Derby

The 50-1 long shot, Mine That Bird took home roses Saturday at the 135th Kentucky Derby. Jockey Calvin Borel guided the horse to victory at Churchill Downs, winning a cool $2,177,200.

This was my first Derby experience, and it will certainly not be my last! Mint Juleps in hand, I put my $ on Mine That Bird and won! I am no gambler, but I liked holding that winning ticket. Mine That Bird will race May 16th at Preakness.

The Art of Walead Beshty

Today was the opening of LA based artist, Walead Beshty's "Directions: Walead Beshty: Legibility on Colored Backgrounds" at the Hirshhorn Museum.
The exhibit will run through September 13th, 2009.
Beshty's work is a fascinating look at photography fused with modern art. They are mesmerizing.
He is a modern pioneer of the photogram, a camera-less procedure first conjured up by revolutionary artists such as Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Man Ray.
If you are into modern photography, be sure to check out the Hirshhorn.

Green Champagne?

As I was perusing some of my favorite sites this evening, I came across this little gem on Nylon.
Green. Champagne.
Yes, folks. The green movement has breached into our partying ways.
Hey, I'm all for it. My college did not even recycle glass, so after party damage guilt was quite massive. And, I am not a hippie my friends, but I do try to do my part not to trash the earth.

Introduce: POP Green!

"French vineyard Pommery just introduced POP Green, a champagne made with less glass to reduce fuel emissions during shipping, recycled paper for the label and wrapping, and alcohol made from sustainably farmed grapes." (Nylon)
It'll cost ya $49.99 at liquor stores nation wide.

Best of Old Town ala Washingtonian

The Washingtonian offers a nice little "best of" places to eat in Old Town. I agree with the majority, including The Majestic, Restaurant Eve, Brabo, Vermillion and Grape+Bean.
However I have some personal hometown favorites not on the list; Taverna Cretekou a fantastic Greek family run establishment that offers live Greek music on Thursdays. It's a must if you like Greek food. I also cannot help but love Landini Brothers, the long time Old Town establishment.

NYT to Downsize Fashion Spreads as Newspapers Continue to Suffer

In a matter of weeks (May 10th to be exact) the New York Times will scale back on its fashion coverage. The NYT will relegate all fashion and photography to T Magazine published every few weeks, and Sunday & Thursday Style sections.
The cut back is obvious in this economy and especially with the newspaper industry being in such an uncertain state.
“The hope and expectation remain that the pay cuts and the spending cuts outlined above will get us through the year without the need for other significant reductions," said Bill Keller, executive editor.
This is only a small portion of the significant losses that the newspaper industry is feeling as they attempt to bridge the gap between traditional news mediums and the rapid increase of new media.

Purple Fantastic Out-of-this-World

You may love this or absolutely hate this, but this color is fantastic! Welcome spring!
Via Sartorialist.

Joey Potter redeems herself

Katie Holmes impressed me immensely in this black Alexander McQueen number. Her Fall Miu Miu ads were ehh in my book, but this is fantastic!

Gold Cup & the Kentucky Derby

While you in DC will be enjoying the fabulous Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races this weekend at Great Meadows, I will be in Louisville, Kentucky for the 135th Kentucky Derby!
Visit the official Kentucky Derby website here.
The Kentucky Derby is even TWITTERING!

A Taste of the True South

There is a certain pure simplistic beauty to southern living...and you cannot wholly understand it without living in it. No state sums up the south like Alabama.
This past weekend I ventured to Orange Beach, Alabama for THE most southern festivity you can possible partake in...the FloraBama 25th Annual Mullet Toss (as in the fish...not the hair.)
While I did not personally throw a fish in this classic competition, my poor friend Cassie did get hit in the face with a mullet (coming from at least 100yards away no less.)
Knock it if you must, Alabama knows how to have a damn good time!
The beach, the sun, the Bushwackers (Pirate's Cove for you native southerners) the boating...seriously, what could be better??




Side Note: As I was enjoying a lovely boat ride to the FloraBama, my sunglasses decided to fly off of my face...Wish List: Ray-Ban in gold= simple goodness (and for the record...never trust me with sunglasses)

Sweet days ahead @930 Club

Okay, so this is way in advance, but June 7th through the 10th, 930 CLUB is hosting some pretty awesome bands. These include; the Hold Steady on Sunday, TV on the Radio Monday and Tuesday and wrapping up with Santigold on Wednesday.
I die. You die. These shows are going to be AMAZING! The downside...they are all sold out. But hope is not lost! Savvy (but slow) concert goers can often find tickets via eBay and Santigold tickets are still available at tickets.ramsheadlive.com.