"Feeling unique is a habit you shouldn't give up."

- Alberto Fermani



"Anyone can get all dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress in their off days that is the most intriguing."

-Alexander Wang



6.25.2012

Summer in the City

Summer in the City

Shorts can be hard to pull off. I sometimes find it tough to wear shorts, be comfortable, and look stylish all at the same time. But, between these cute army green lace shorts from Anthropologie and these adorable shoes by Pour la Victoire that I picked up ON SALE at the Shoe Hive, I think this outfit manages to accomplish all three.

6.21.2012

Bringing Black Back

Gucci dress at http://www.netaporter.com/



With all the color in fashion these days, I've been hankering for good 'ol black. (Not for summer, however, as today was 99 degrees and I can't image having anything black on.) But as I immerse myself in the impending fall looks, I plan on bringing black back to my wardrobe in a big way. I won't fully exclude color but I'm imagining a darker and a little edgier look.

The HRC Annual Dinner is in October and I've been perusing the net-a-porter site for the perfect dress. Their sale is going on so it's the perfect time to find something designer for much less. The Gucci is still painfully out of reach...


Jay Ahr gown at http://www.netaporter.com/
Alberta Ferretti dress at http://www.netaporter.com/

Richard Nicoll at http://www.netaporter.com/
 One more- I can't ignore this Richard Nicoll gown becuase it looks so comfy. But there's that color thing again.

6.12.2012

Alexis Bittar Does It Again

Sometimes, just when I think a favorite designer has tapped out on inspiration, they pull something new out of their hat that gets me totally re-obsessed. Alexis Bittar, long a favorite of mine and who I have several pieces by, was starting to look a bit obvious to me with regard to his lucite pieces. But then I came across this- The O'Keefe Antique Silver Skull Bracelet. Inspired (of course) by Georgia O'Keefe and her love of New Mexico, Bittar came up with this color and pattern infused lucite bangle that is tough(think horned skull) and yet feminine (think crystal details). Did I mention that there are also some rockin' O'Keefe lucite hoop earrings sans the skull that I covet? BUT, using my new and improved shopping filter, I declined. C'est la vie... I've got the bangle and I'm wearing it constantly!

6.03.2012

The Party of the Year!


It’s time once again for the annual Bubbles and Bluegrass event, a killer party thrown by Give Back Alexandria to benefit their two nonprofit partners – this year, the lucky groups are ALIVE! and Higher Achievement. The party is being held for the first time at Carlyle House and is featuring the musical genius of Over Under Down Yonder performing for their third straight year so you KNOW they must be good!


But now let’s get to the nitty gritty. What to wear to a party that encourages “black tie and blue jeans or anything in between?” How are we to decipher that? Lucky for you, you’ve got me to translate and I’ve been to this party every year since its inception so I know what I’m talking about.

Ladies- Feel like breaking out those cowboy boots? Do it! They’ll be comfy on the lawn of Carlyle and they fit perfectly with the bluegrass theme. No boots? No worries. Just consider a shoe that won’t have you aerating the grass all night. As for the bubbles part of the theme, its champagne that’s being alluded to so keep that in mind. Do you drink bubbly in your sweatpants? I think not. Keep it festive and fabulous but, most of all, original. Summer cocktail dresses, jeans and sequins, maxi skirts and fringe jackets… you get the point. Top it all off with your cutest cowboy hat- or not. That’s the “anything in between” part.

Gentlemen- If you don’t make an effort for this event, you WILL be sorry. The ladies never disappoint and, last year, the men stepped it up, too. Go for the tried-but-true jeans on the bottom, tux on the top or go bold with a denim-on-denim and bolo tie ensemble. It’s your time to shine, cowboys, so do it brightly. As for all you prepsters (and Alexandria is full of them!), what to do? Never fear. Hike up your khakis, change out those brightly striped socks for some with horses, and toss on your official Wyatt Earp cowboy hat. Prepster perfection and original, too!

Looking forward to seeing ya’ll there. Oh and one more thing. Don’t forget your checkbooks. This is for charity, after all!