Time to Get Your Savings On!

Successful shoppers leaving OTBD Annual Warehouse Sale.
photo from www.oldtownboutiquedistrict.com

Hey party people! We all know it's sale season. For me this reads "boorrring." I get annoyed picking through picked over clothes. That said, if you find the right sale, it is like the greatest conquest ever. So, to help you skip the snoozers and hit the homeruns, here's just a short list of some of my fave sales right now.

1. THIS Saturday! Old Town Boutique District Annual Warehouse Sale at the Masonic Temple. Follow the link for details but let me tell you- there are some FAB local stores at this sale so you really need to be there if you can. Btw, wear leggings and a tank so you can try stuff on; there are no fitting rooms available.

2. Alice and Olivia. Talk about some serious discounts on some really great dresses! And there is still good variety in the sizes. Go now!

3.Shopbop.com. The sale is huge- up to 75% and the quantity is huge, too. I suggest searching by departments and/or level of discount to make perusing this easier. And a glass of wine.

4. Charm and Chain. Probably my favorite overall jewelry website for sheer quantity of available designers. Get ye to the sale quickly before you miss out. The Dannijo and Alexis Bittar is going fast.



bracelet by Alexis Bittar at www.charmandchain.com
was $450 now $315



Indigo dress by Alice and Olivia at www.aliceandolivia.com
was $440 now $110

Seeing Stripes



Photo by Fillmore Martin Photography
Courtesy of The Scout Guide
www.kathryn-martin.com


Stripes aren't going anywhere. At least not this Spring. If you think you've been there, done that, think again. These aren't the nautical stripe of yesteryear. These are bold, graphic STATEMENT stripes. Everyone from Balmain to Alice and Olivia to ASOS is offering this chic take on jailbird. And, for all you stripe-haters that think the look has been way too horizontal, give it another chance because these stripes have gone AWOL- and they look good!

Stripey by milkbreadfashion featuring tibi

Alice + Olivia dress / Dolce & Gabbana cotton sundress / Rouched dress / H&M short dress, $32 / Alice + Olivia beaded shirt / Long sleeve shirt / Bardot stripe blazer, $125 / TIBI / Marc by Marc Jacobs twill skirt, $395 / Alice + Olivia / Marc by Marc Jacobs marc jacob, $350 / MSGM , $285 / ASOS / Skinny leg jeans, $40 / Alice + Olivia leather pumps / Dune nude patent pumps, $79 / Edie Parker black and white handbag / Lulu Guinness black and white handbag

Partying with the President

The Inauguration balls are right around the corner. I sincerely hope you have your dress by now- after all, balls like these should not be taken for granted even if this is not your first trip to the rodeo. So, assuming the dress has been handled, let me ask the really important question. How will you accessorize?

I"m a big believer in dressing appropriately and, especially if you're attending an official ball, you should keep this in mind. But the way you can set yourself apart is with how you accessorize your look. Do something amazing with your jewelry, shoes, and bag. You might only break out the gown once a year (maybe less), but you're sure to be able to use the accessories again and again. Don't "save" your money in this department. The tiny, pave diamond studded half hoop earrings are not going to cut it. But jewelry doesn't have to be fine so go straight to the department store today with an open mind and start looking at the costume stuff. Also, some boutique jewelry stores will rent the real stuff to you for a night. This is your chance to wear a vintage piece or pieces that you could never afford in real life. (Check out Lawrence Miller and Co if you like this option.) When it gets down to it, your dress can be pretty plain Jane but, with the right accessories, will turn every head in the joint and have all those photogs asking, "Who's that?" And you won't even half to wear a midriff-baring red sari to do it.

Inauguration Jewelry by milkbreadfashion featuring a cuff necklace

Maxi dress, $160 / Amrita Singh bangle bracelet / Forever New bangle bracelet, $26 / Noir Jewelry bib necklace, $335 / DANNIJO collar necklace / Cuff necklace / Alexis Bittar art deco jewelry / Oasis bracelets jewelry, $23 / Nina cuff bracelet / Amrita Singh chandelier earrings / Kate Spade statement necklace / Amrita Singh turquoise jewelry / Baccarat bangle bracelet / Alexis Bittar / Rachel Zoe jewelry / Suzanna Dai tear drop earrings / DANNIJO stud earrings / Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian stud earrings

Inauguration Shoes by milkbreadfashion featuring high heels

Alexander McQueen high heel shoes, $1,010 / Pumps, $175 / RMK high heels, $74 / Nine West high heels / Nine West high heel pumps / Alejandro Ingelmo leather heels / Brian Atwood high heels / Ankle strap shoes

Ooooo! A Dress Up Party

I'm throwing a masquerade party with a couple of friends and so, as usual, I've become obsessed with the details. This week, my obsession is focused on the mask portion of the party; clearly, a HUGELY important part of a masquerade. You may be surprised to know that etsy has thousands of masks to choose from and some of them are truly magnificent. I can't tell you which one I chose (that must be saved until after the party) although I can say that it has a 20s flair as does my dress and jewelry. For your viewing pleasure- or in case you're heading to a masquerade or mardi gras party of your own- here are a few great ones I've found.

http://pinterest.com/kjmshopper/masquerade/

Awesome Outerwear

Last week, when I walked outside, I knew. We have officially moved into what is the real winter season of the DC area. You probably noticed it also. And so now we move into that time of year when your outerwear is at least as important as your under-wear. (hehe. I mean the clothes under your coat, not your actual underwear.) Some of you might wonder why even bother? But fear not! Here are a couple of options for your perusing pleasure that promise to keep you as interested in the outer as the under. Happy clicking!

Awesome Outerwear by milkbreadfashion featuring a puffy vest

Denim & Supply by Ralph Lauren asymmetrical jacket, $390 / Rachel Zoe double breasted coat / Wallis gray coat / Padded jacket / Puffy vest / Calvin Klein feather coat / ASOS faux fur hat / Inverni wool hat, $175 / Kate Spade mitten glove / Levi's mitten glove / Rabbit fur glove, $110 / Valentino leather glove / DC Shoes , $34 / Juicy Couture / Dorothy Perkins leopard hat