Going Vogue

Escape

2012-01-30T11:10:00.002-05:00

I'm craving an escape from the city and the winter blues. Below are just a couple of destinations I'd love to run away to. Where would you like to go?

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Shelly on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Shelly on Pinterest

Source: superstock.co.uk via Shelly on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Shelly on Pinterest

At the National Portrait Gallery

2012-01-27T14:36:00.003-05:00

Just Beachy

2012-01-27T11:31:00.007-05:00

So every single one of my facebook friends have all decided to go on beach vacation at the same time (yes all 400 of the I swear) and post meticulous accounts of their day-to-day beach activites. So unfair when all I'm craving is a little sun. Hopefully the little collection below will help me beat the winter blues without running off to St. Barts.

Just Beachy by sundaygirl27 featuring yves saint laurent sunglasses

Milly, $265
Violet Lake swimwear, $225
Rachel zoe shoes
Saint Tropez floppy brim hat, $54
Yves saint laurent sunglasses
IMAN Luxury Moisturizing Lipstick Iman Red, $10
Decorative Seaside Shells Decorative Accents Wisteria, $26
Chevron Bar Earrings by Lori's Shoes - New Arrivals - Lori's Designer..., $19
Thick Woven Chain Bracelet by Lori's Shoes - JEWELRY - Lori's Designer..., $15

Desserts from Restaurant Week

2012-01-25T09:23:00.005-05:00

Last week the boyfriend and I headed out to two different restaurants for Restaurant Week, PS7 and 2100 Prime, which is located in the Fairfax Hotel.

Food wise I thought both restaurants we very good and we got good sized portions at both. At PS7 we did end up having to wait 30 minutes after our reservation time for our table. So I definitely reccommend trying to get as early a seating as possible if you do go there.

I actually was surprised by how much I enjoyed 2100 Prime. Formerly, the Jockey Club, it still has horse pictures on the wall and the most intricately carved wooden bar that I have ever seen. It was very low key and great place to spend dinner with friends whom you haven't seen in a while and want to catch up with. Also, they definitely had my favorite dessert hands down.

The vanilla cheesecake from 2100 Prime. It was like a giant oreo cookie.

I don't specifically remember the name of this dessert from PS7, but it was something along the lines of "chocolate, toffee, fudge and caramel, oh my!"

The lemon fluff dessert from PS7. Holy pajamas was this lemony. It was kind of refreshing after the chocolate etc. dessert.

Orange and Navy Color Block

2012-01-24T12:00:00.007-05:00

I was really inspired by this orange and navy color block dress from Top Shop (as I'm sure you can tell). Now that I'm beginning to think a little bit more about spring I really just want to wear a lot of color block. How cute would it be to paint your nails half orange and half blue?

Orange and Navy Color Block by sundaygirl27 featuring open toe sandals

Wal G block dress, £34
Dolce Vita open toe sandals, $190
Ruby Kats 24 karat gold jewelry, $155
Vionnet double buckle belt, $468
See by Chloe mohair shawl, $164
essie nail polish - meet me at sunset, $8
essie nail polish in mezmerised, $8
Celine red leather colorblock passport cover BLUEFLY up to 70% off..., $91

Giambattista Valli Couture Collection

2012-01-24T10:23:00.004-05:00

What's black, white and magenta all over? The Giambattista Valli Spring 2012 Couture Collection. A couple of my favorites are below.

(image via Fashion Gone Rogue)

(Image via Style.com)

Fashion MacGuyver

2012-01-17T17:05:00.001-05:00

No clear nail polish. No hairspray. My fix for stopping a run in my stockings today.

Culinary Adventures: Making Cheese!

2012-01-12T18:48:00.000-05:00

For Christmas I got my boyfriend this adorably packaged cheese making kit from Make Cheese on Etsy. All you need is a gallon of milk and everything else is in the bag. The particular kit I purchased can make 8 batches of mozzerella.

This is what an entire gallon of milk looks like in a cast iron pot in case you were ever wondering.

After a bit the curd starts to form and you being to think about Little Miss Muffet. So this is what she was eating?

Then you drain off the excess whey and it begins to take on a more cheese like consistency.

Eventually you end up with mozzerella. I'm sorry to say ours ended up looking a little bit like brains, but it was still very tasty.

You can then make ricotta with the left over whey and oh my goodness this was so delicious. It was so creamy. Definitely my favorite part.

The finished ricotta. We didn't actually eat it with the avocado. I just thought they looked cute together.

Finally you can make a norwegian cheese called mysost with whatever is left over. I don't think my mysost was made correctly as I kind of ended up something that had the consistency of dried plaster of paris. Not exactly what you want in your cheese.

So that was our culinary adventure last weekend. It only took about a half an hour to make the mozzerella and ricotta and I think they turned out pretty well. I'm definitely looking forward to the next seven batches!

Not related to the cheese, but also a culinary adventure in and of itself we also made pizzas from scratch. Really, though, I just wanted an excuse to post this picture because I think it's awesome.

Snow!

2012-01-11T11:42:00.002-05:00

It snowed for just a few hours in DC on Monday and I had a chance to snap this pretty, pretty picture of the Library of Congress. I was kind of sad the snow melted so fast. I haven't had a chance to wear my snow boots at all this year.

Outfit Snapshot

2012-01-09T10:14:00.004-05:00

Smocking and polka dots

Nail Fun

2012-01-08T21:41:00.001-05:00

Two tone metallic nails using OPI's Keep Me On My Mistletoes and Already Famous with a matte top coat.

For New Year's Eve I Pretended to be Martha Stewart

2012-01-05T20:42:00.009-05:00

Inspired by the book "Atlanta Cooks for Company" published by the Atlanta Junior League Music Club in 1968 my Boyfriend and I decided to throw a 1960s themed New Year's Eve Party. We had a menu of throw back cocktail party foods based on the menu provided in the book and I made most of our decorations by hand. Everyone dressed up in their best swanky 60s cocktail attire. It was a really fun way to ring in the new year.

The Menu:

Bacon Wrapped Tidbits (basically different stuff wrapped in bacon and baked. Yum!)

Deviled Eggs

Cocktail Wieners wrapped in Puff Pastry

A Good Old Fashion Cheese Ball (So easy mix two packages of cream cheese with 2 cups shredded cheddar, splash in so Worcestershire and hot sauce, form into a ball and roll in crushed pecans. It was a hit!)

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Crudites (in a top hat no less) with three types of dip

Shrimp Cocktail (served on a shell shaped platter of course)

As you can see we weren't the first ones to use the New Year's menu

For the decorations I scoured the Internet for home made decorations that would fit into the look I was going for.I decided on a red and gold theme to match our vintage cocktail glasses.

First up a banner saying "Cheers!" I wanted something that could work for both Christmas and New Years. It really made our apartment feel festive. For this I just created a pattern and printed it out on alternating red and gold paper. Then I cut the circles out and used double sided tape to fix them to the wall. I think it came out great. Also, we had the Yule Log up during the entire party and it added a nice cozy atmosphere. Did you know that the Yule Log has credits? It totally does.

Next I used the excess paper to create a garland. I used this tutorial as the basis for my garland. My boyfriend was big help on this one. It was actually somewhat tedious cutting out all those circles and gluing them to the string. Luckily we had plenty of "It's Always Sunny..." to get us through.

We put the garland on our little tree before Christmas and then moved it over the bar between our kitchen and dinning area for the party. I like that it was so versatile.

Finally, I fell in love with these tissue paper pom poms that I saw at a party store a few months ago and figured there had to be a way I could make them myself. Of course Martha Stewart, ever so reliable, has a tutorial for them on her website. I loved having the option of choosing the colors I wanted for them. It was pretty easy to do as well. Probably the most difficult/annoying part was ironing the sheets of tissue paper. You probably don't have to do that, but I think it makes them look a little bit nicer. I love how this look so much I may keep them up permanently.

So that's the run down on our party. I was excited that everyone was game for participating in the theme. It was a great group. I've already started planning next years. Any suggestions on the theme? Great Gatsby perhaps?

Outfit Snapshot

2012-01-05T11:16:00.001-05:00

Patterned tights for work. Love 'em

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-04T11:53:00.004-05:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to get more involved in the community and meet new people. It's one of the main reasons I'm teaching a course at the Hill Center starting next week. I'm really excited about being able to share my experience with others and hopefully meet some friendly new faces.

What's your resolution? If it happens to be "learn something new" you should stop on by.

http://activenet19.active.com/hillcenterdc/servlet/registrationmain.sdi?source=adet.sdi&activity_id=75

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T20:08:00.001-05:00

That's Professor Sunday Girl to You

2011-12-12T22:51:00.001-05:00

I'm officially teaching knitting classes at the Hill Center in January and I'm super excited. Check it out. I'd love to have you all in class!

http://www.hillcenterdc.org/programs.php

2011-12-10T15:37:00.001-05:00

Sparkly nails to get in the holiday mood!

Images from Pinterest

2011-11-20T19:44:00.006-05:00

Are you guys on Pinterest yet? It's kind of awesome. Basically you find pretty things on the internet "pin it" to a board and it will record will you found it. You can also browse through images that other people have pinned. It's particularly handy for bloggers like myself to keep track of where we found that awesome image so we can give credit where credit is due when we repost them. Below are some of my recent faves. Enjoy and go check out Pinterest.

Via Julia Blogg

Via Material Lust

Via FFFFound

Via Piccsy

At the Hill Center open house

2011-11-19T13:17:00.001-05:00

Hello NOLA!

2011-11-19T11:31:00.001-05:00

Some shots from my trip to the Big Easy. And by shots I mean pictures not the kind you drink. Although I may have taken a few of those as well.

Missoni Mission

2011-09-14T14:25:00.004-04:00

It's no secret that people have gone absolutley bananas over the Missoni for Target collection to the point where the Target site was down for most of the day due to all the traffic. I had pretty much given up on getting anything when that happened, especially since I was too lazy to check out the nearest Target figuring that most of the stuff would be gone anyway. So imagine my surprise when at 9 pm last night my Mom calls from her local Target and tells me that their shelves are still fully stocked and that she had already gotten me rain boots and a tote. Then she asked me what else she could buy on my behalf. How awesome is my Mom? I think between myself and my sisters she bought out most of what they had at Target.

The most fun part was simultaneously being on Ebay to see what her purchases were going for. In some cases the sellers were asking ten times the original price. It will be interesting to see if people are actually willing to buy at those prices. Since as much as I love the collection I wouldn't want to buy something at a designer price that is Target quality (Not that I don't love Target, because I do, it's the low prices that are part of the appeal)

You can see what my Mom managed to get below. Did I mention my Mom's awesome?

(All Images Courtesy of the Target website)

DC Fashion Night Out

2011-08-19T15:02:00.004-04:00

DC's Fashion Night Out is Scheduled for Thursday, September 8 from 6-11 pm in Georgetown.

Last year I was in SOHO in NYC for Fashion Night and it was pretty crazy and amazing to see everyone dressed to the nines in their most fashionable outfit. Seriously, you never saw so many girls teetering around on very, very painful looking shoes. Also, I saw the back of Gwen Stefani's head through the window of Sephora and Usher being escorted into a limo by big burly security guards. It will be interesting to see how the DC version compares. It looks like there are a bunch of events and sales going on. Definitely worth the trip out to Georgetown for a peek.

Oh dear...

2011-08-18T13:57:00.001-04:00

I walked into Anne Taylor innocently enough this morning to just have a look around and walked out with a sequin skirt, satin pants and two shirts. What? Don't give me that look. It was 50% the sale price and I needed stuff to wear to work. Geez. Did I mention I scored the satin pants for $10? Ok, then.

To Cut or Not to Cut

2011-08-17T12:36:00.002-04:00

Right now my hair is kind of ri-darn-diculously long and I kind of want to keep is that way. However, this coupon on Livingsocial is making me think about getting a little style change up. Currently I have side swept bangs ala LC:

But I'm thinking maybe it would be fun to have some straight on big bangs ala Camilla Belle:

What do you think? To cut or not to cut that is the question.

Apropos of nothing I am really in love with this braid!

(Image via FFFFound!)

A trip to the beach

2011-08-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

My dears I had such a wonderful time at the beach last weekend. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time on Topsail Island in the Outerbanks of North Carolina. Topsail Island is a very laid back beach experience. The beaches are fairly uncrowded and the house we were at was five steps from the ocean. It really doesn't get any better than that! Enjoy some pictures from the trip!

The Intercoastal Water Way. The Outerbanks used to be Pirate county because the Intercoastal Water Way provided such great cover for the ships.

Topsail Island used to be the site of top secret missle testing. Here you can see one of the observation towers used by the military.
(Image via WWAY Channel 3)

And here you can see a house that was once a missile observation tower. I love how something that was once so sterile can become so inviting. Wouldn't it be lovely to spend a weekend here?

By far one of my favorite parts of the house we stay at is the enclosed outdoor shower. Have you ever used an outdoor shower before? It's so refreshing and wonderful to hear the waves crashing outside. It's such a unique experience and I always feel like singing "Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of my Hair"

Look up and you see nothing, but the sky...

...Look down and you see the see grasses coming though the deck.

A trip to Topsail wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Crab Pot restaurant. They have the best hushpuppies. I don't know why but the word hushpuppies always makes me giggle.

The outside of the Crab Pot. This is where I imagine that every and all Shag contests takes place.

Shag classes! Yes, please! I didn't know about this soon enough to take them this year, but I'm planning on doing it next year.

No offense to the Crab Pot, but we always make our own crab feast. This is the fishing boat that caught our crabs complete with shell souvenirs in front.

Yum!

The table all set for the crab feast. Complete with a newspaper table cloth.

And finally, an advertisement for Cheerwine, an awesome cherry flavored soft drink that's made in North Carolina. It's difficult to find it outside of the south, but if you do I highly recommend you try it. It's really tasty!

Back to reality...

2011-08-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm back from the beach and I want to go back already! I'm putting up more pictures of my trip tomorrow, but in the meantime enjoy a couple of pictures that I manipulated in Photoshop to look Hipstamatic. Sadly, I don't have a smart phone so I have to use what I have. These are from a walk Charlie and I took on the beach. Enjoy!

And I'm off!

2011-08-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm headed to the beach in for the next couple of days for my own personal Sun Fun Festival. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

(Image via Being Glorious)

(Image via The Daily Beast)

One more day!

2011-08-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Just one more day before I head to the beach! I've got all my packing done.

U Street Shopping Trip

2011-08-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

My friend Wendy and I head down to U Street to check out the Dog Days sales. See what we found below:

First stop a trip to Treasury to check out their nicely curated selection of vintage and contemporary clothing.

I'm also lusting after this purse. It would look great with a cocktail dress for a night on the town.

Wendy showing off a gorgeous 1920s shift. I'm dying for that print.

Next up a stop at Dr. K Vintage. Dr. K's feels a little like your grandmother's basement, where if you do a little digging you will be rewarded with an awesome find. I could sit in that chair and watch people try on vintage all day.

No shoplifting! I see you!

Last, but not least, we finished our trip at Ginger Root. Ginger Root sells revamped vintage clothing as well as jewelry.

My eye was immediately drawn to this ring. I love the polished geode.

Some revamped ties complete with funky pins.

Thank you! Come Again!

2011-08-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm testing out my teaching skills by teaching my friend Lauren how to knit. So far it's going well. Perhaps I have a new career ahead of me...

Go Martine!

2011-08-05T12:00:00.005-04:00

My friend Martine and her awesome street style blog, Beyond Boston Chic, were featured on CNN! Congrats Martine!

Not to brag (or actually to totally brag) I was once lucky enough to grace BBC.

(Image via Beyond Boston Chic)

"A bubble flip is much better for shagging."

2011-08-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

Just in time for my trip to the beach in North Carolina next weekend Vogue.com has done a feature on one of my favorite movies of all time, Shag. I think this means I will have to switch my vacation wardrobe from "Things to Wear on the Lanai" as originally planned to "Things to Wear to a Shag Contest." I will also be uploading the entire sound track to my Ipod.

And because I couldn't resist, a couple aweseme screen shots from the movie:

I'm still amazed that waitress can dance in roller skates.

I like to call this "Oh Nadine, do you really think I could win?"

Thanks to my super chic sister Tracy for pointing this out!

My birthday is only 111 shopping days away...

2011-08-04T09:09:00.005-04:00

Thanks to the Daily Candy tip off on the consignment and vintage site The Syle Armory, I know what I want for my birthday and it's this necklace:

(Image via The Syle Armory)

I love the tribal feel without going overboard on the trend. I'm picturing it as a nice show piece against a simple black dress. Now, if only I could just suggest it ever so casually to the boyfriend...

About Town: Mid City Dog Days

2011-08-04T09:00:00.003-04:00

Mid City Dog Days are happening this weekend, August 6-7. It's two days of side walk sales from businesses on and around U Street. You can find the complete list of participating businesses here. I hope you find something awesome!

Favorite Things

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

This post may veer strongly this into the schill-ish category (yes, I'm making up words now). What can I say when I like something a lot I want to tell people about it. Especially when that something comes from an independent designer who does amazing work. Va De Nuevo is a company based in Costa Rica that takes used leather jackets and pants and turns them into amazing bags. I discovered them on Etsy when I was looking for a unique leather bag that was sturdy and still looked fashionable, but not too trendy that it would be out of style in a year. I ended up with this bag:

It's incredibly well made and includes clever details, such as the cuff turned pocket. I always get compliments on it and feels good to know that I have a completely orginal bag. A bonus came in the personal email I was sent by the designer letting me that the bag had been shipped with a nice note about the bag. A little touch like that just made it all feel a bit more personal. Swing by the website and check out the other drool worthy bags if you have a moment.

(All images courtesy of the Va De Nuevo website)

Oversized Bun Courtesy of the Beauty Department

2011-08-02T09:30:00.005-04:00

My lovelies have you discover the Beauty Department yet? It's Lauren Conrads site dedicated to trends and tips for hair and make-up. It's a great site that has simple how-tos and nice explanations on what the heck that brush is used for. I've always been team LC and now even more so.

My favorite part the very nicely photographed and easy to follow tutorials. Today I attempted The Fun Bun:

(Image via The Beauty Department)

My version unfortunately was falling down when I took this picture. Still, I feel very late 1960s Oscar attendee. Fun!

2011-04-17T08:21:00.004-04:00

I'm really intrigued by this tumblr that is just film stills smooshed together (I think, I'm not sure how it's done) and sold as prints. It's really interesting to see how the story of the film can come across through color (Don't believe me? Just look at Singing in the Rain, you can't tell me you don't know which Gene Kelly dance sequence corresponds to which color). You can also see how the color, or lack thereof, conveys the tone of a film. It's really beautiful. I just wish they sold them as silk scarves as well.

Now you too can have Blade Runner in it's entirety up on your wall.
(image via Moviebarcode)

I [Heart] Bill Cunningham New York

2011-03-27T07:50:00.003-04:00

(Image via the Zeitgeist Films website)

Yesterday I went to see the charming documentary Bill Cunningham New York about New York Times street style and society photographer. It's a really interesting portrait of both street style photography and the man himself (did you know that he lived in Carnegie Hall up until being evicted last year?).

I must say I don't think I could do what Bill Cunningham does, he really and truly lives for his work. He rides around on his bike every day (he is well into his 80s), taking pictures during the day and then off to society functions at night, with very little personal life to speak of. Even though he is so ubiquitous on the New York fashion and society scene, he still manages to keep himself separate from his surroundings. He says at one point that he tries to stay invisible while photographing. Still the film is very charming and Bill comes across as very endearing. It's a truly fascinating glimpse into the life of someone who have a very unique experience and eye. I highly recommend if you have the chance to see it.

Check out the trailer below:

Almost there...

2011-03-06T10:01:00.002-05:00

I bought myself flowers to celebrate the first little hint of Spring yesterday (in addition to rewarding myself for some heavy Spring cleaning). I love the way fresh flowers can transform a room. What are you doing to get ready for Spring?

Jessica Simpson: Fashion Mogul?

2011-02-14T00:47:00.005-05:00

(Image courtesy of NY Mag.com)

I have to admit that I have on several occasions picked up something that I thought was cute only to realize that it was from the Jessica Simpson line. Then I carefully put it back and look around to make sure no one else saw me.

Of all the celebrity lines that pop I am surprised that the her line is doing so well (Seriously, they do $750 million dollars in sales every year). Take a gander at the recent NY Mag article on her line. It's an interesting look at how much involvement celebrities have in the fashion lines that bear their name, functioning more as consultants once everything has been designed rather than design directors. Although that sort of an arrangement should be a surprise to no one.

Regardless, Simpson comes off as very endearing when she talks about what she wants for her line and her customers. Does it mean I'm going to buy that pair of J Simp shoes that I will inevitably pick up while shopping? Probably not, but it seems the rest of the country is.

Wishing For Spring

2011-02-10T19:33:00.004-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Audrey Hepburn on a bike with a yorkie:

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Obssesion: Downton Abbey

2011-02-10T19:02:00.004-05:00

Confession time: I, Sunday Girl, am addicted to Masterpiece Classic (formerly Masterpiece Theatre). Make a costume drama based on classic literature with Maggie Smith and I am down for the count (or at least occupied by my TV for a couple of hours). Recently, PBS ran Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Classic and I became even more smitten. (You can still catch it online for free!)

The story follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff at, you guessed it, Downton Abbey. The action all takes place between the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and the beginning of WWI in 1914. It tackles a lot the social issues going on at the time in addition to the emotional drama within the house. I've always been a fan of Edwardian fashions, but even more so after this series. I was very inspired. Take a look:

Not such a shabby place to hang your hat in is it?

I believe that when Dame Maggie Smith was born her parents took one look at her and said "Yep, she was born to play cranky Dowagers." On an unrelated note, I love all of the beading on the gowns here.

I feel like if you made this picture black and white it would be difficult to tell when it is taken. It looks like everyone is well behaved here, but the real drama on the show is in the servants quarters.

I can't get over how awesome the hats are!

Finally, I was most inspired by all of the great neutrals in the summer garden party scene. After the long winter we have had thus far, this pictures looks so refreshing. I just want to step into it and have some tea and talk about the possibility of war with Germany. (Ok, maybe not the war with Germany part)

Get the look:

Like I said I was really inspired by the neutrals from the garden party scene. Items clockwise from the top are: Beyond Vintage Beaded Silk Blouse, JCrew Livia Chain Mail Necklace, Topshop Camel Felt Floppy Hat, Rag and Bone Combat Tail Coat, and Cordani Martina shoes

Clothing in a Can

2010-10-18T23:35:00.002-04:00

I've been in hibernation the past few months due to some life/location changing things. Hopefully things are getting back to (a new) normal and I 'll be able to devote more time to the little old blog. In the meantime enjoy the strangest fashion news I've heard all week about spraying on clothing. Enjoy the link!

More from the Garter Girl Lingerie Photo Shoot

2010-06-22T14:31:00.004-04:00

Be sure to go to Elizabeth Ann Designs and comment to vote for us!

Rooftop Rendezvous Vintage Fashion Show

2010-06-21T11:40:00.012-04:00

Friday night I had the opportunity to attend the Rooftop Rendezvous Vintage Fashion hosted by Sandro and Tati. The event took place on the rooftop of the West End 25 apartments with a gorgeous view of the Potomac, Georgetown, and Downtown DC. It was a perfect poolside location to check out some great summery vintage looks (the swimwear was my favorite). Check out the pictures below. Sadly, this was an event which made me realize that I need to save up for a new camera. I still managed to find a few diamonds in the rough. Enjoy!

The location itself was gorgeous and really made me reconsider living in a town house. Perhaps my landlord will decide he wants to put a pool on the roof.

The event also included an Opera singer, so awesome. I'm glad I managed to capture his hand movements.

The Fashion Show:

These two outfits just make me want to go to brunch and then shopping at the farmers market. Perfect for a casual summer Sunday.

I love the bright print on this skirt and that the blue matches his hat. I'm really happy to be seeing more bright prints like these. There is just something so happy about them. And I will never get enough of necklaces with huge beads.

Sadly this was the best picture I got of this orange knit dress. As a knitter I can appreciate the work that goes into a bulky knit dress, especially one that looks as sexy as this one.

The lighting at the time that this dress came out was perfect to show off the sequins. Such a fun look for a night out.

This dress makes me want to go out on the lanai with a pitcher of Sangria. The only thing missing for me is a big floppy hat. I think the best clothing tells you where to wear it and this dress certainly does. One of my favorites of the night.

Another of my favorites was this lace bathing suits. It looks so great on this model. The sheer effect is sexy without going overboard. Lovely!

These two outfits have convinced me that the next time I go swimming at night I must wear a bathing suit with white on it. Specifically white piping. I will never get lost!

One final time around the pool.

Katherine Limon of My Signature Look, one of the organizers of the fashion show.

The After Party:

Two of the fashion show guests Sarah and Bailey. I liked their outfits and got them to pose for me. Bailey is a recent graduate of the Art Institute in Fashion Design. I love Sarah's use of the red lipstick trend. It's a nice color contrast with the black of her dress and accessories.

Sadly, I didn't get a good picture of this fabulous gold dress during the show. The model kindly posed for me along with Chris Rushton and Ninette Oommen who were responsible for the gorgeous hair and make-up.

Check it out!

2010-06-17T09:43:00.004-04:00

Photos are up at Elizabeth Anne Designs for a photo shoot I styled for Julianne Smith from The Garter Girl. Go check them out and comment on the post so that Julianne wins the contest! It was such a fun day that it's nice to see that the pictures turned out so well!

Seersucker Social

2010-06-14T16:04:00.006-04:00

Sadly I was working all day Saturday and could not go to the Seersucker Social, a bike ride and social where everyone puts on their best vintage duds. The event was sponsored by Dandies and Quaintrelles who also organized the Tweed ride last fall. The Washingtonian has a great slide show of the event. Enjoy all the vintagey goodness and start stocking up on your vintage tweed for the Tweed ride!

Image courtesy of the Washingtonian

Update: More pics over at DCist.

Image courtesy of DCist

Yet another update! Reader Candice clued me into this great video her brother made of the event:

The Seersucker Social from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

Inspiration: New Dress A Day

2010-06-11T09:49:00.003-04:00

Right now I'm kind of web obsessed with New Dress A Day, a blog where instead of cooking her way through Julia Childs cookbook, the author modifies a dress every. single. day. Oh, to have the time and closet space! Plus she spends a dollar of less on each outfit. Looking at the blog all I want to do is buy large over sized caftans to turn in to cute sundresses. That and live in the desert and drink sangria all the time. In a word, it is very inspirational.

I'm on the Worn Magazine Blog!

2010-06-03T22:03:00.002-04:00

One my vintage modifications was featured on the Worn Magazine Blog. It's about mid-way through the post, the turquoise terry cloth dress. I hope to have more of modifications at Junction soon.

Maryland Sheep And Wool

2010-05-21T10:14:00.007-04:00

Hey Friends! Sorry I've been MIA for a while, but I've had a busy couple of weeks doing lots of fun things. I promise to share all of them with you. First up is the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival which took place the first weekend in May. According to the website it's a festival that "is sponsored by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc., a non-profit organization. The Festival's purpose is to educate the public about sheep and wool." [Hence, the name Sheep AND Wool] So not only are there a ton of vendors selling yarn, but you can also see the cute little animals that produce it. Don't worry none of the animals are harmed during the production of yarn, so it's one of the more sustainable methods of clothing production. I'm a knitter, so this was like knitting heaven for me. Pictures below!

Of course there were plenty of sheep to be seen. I just love the sort of "What up" expression on their faces.

Along with adorable little lambs. So cute!

It was a hot day so I was kind of glad to see their coats shorn and have some relief from the heat.

Close up!

There were a ton of people spinning the yarn into wool as well. It took all of my will power to not pick up spinning as a hobby.

I had to use that will power again to not take up weaving. A girl can have only so many hobbies.

Just a sampling of the yarns available.

And some more. Heavenly.

Of course you can produce yarn from other animals too. Including alpacas...

...and baby bunnies! Of course the bunny yarn was the first to go, so it was long gone by the time I got there. The bunnies themselves, however, were still hanging out and taunting me with their cuteness. Pictured is Sam from Thistle Down Alpacas.

There was also a felt yurt that you could go into. It was surprisingly cool in their and provided a nice escape for the hot day.

The yurt from the inside.

They day ended with an impromptu junk band concert by the kids.

Overall, it was a great day. And while this post is not really fashion related, it's a good chance to reflect on where our clothing comes from. That wool sweater* you're wearing was once on a sheep. Think about it.

*Ok, maybe your aren't wearing the sweater right now since it's almost 80 degrees, but the principle is still the same.

A Conversation with Stephanie Ward of Punk Rock Bride

2010-04-29T22:48:00.007-04:00

I had the pleasure of sitting down with DC designer Stephanie Ward of Punk Rock Bride on Monday night at her studio in Capitol Hill. Below she dishes about how she began designing wedding dresses, her inspiration, and what it's like to be a designer in DC. Enjoy!

How did you begin designing wedding dresses?
About 2005 a really good friend of mine, named Meredith, was getting married and had a really hard time finding a dress that she liked in stores she had been to. I had never really designed a wedding dress before, but for some reason she asked me to do her wedding dress. It was exciting, but kind of scary at the same time. I ended up doing it and it was really fun. It was nice to be able to work one-on-one with somebody, which I had never really done before. It was custom design, but she is a good friend, so it was fun to have that camaraderie.

Did she have a lot of input?
Not really as far as the design goes. She had a few specifications, she had to have a pink petty coat. I tried to talk her out of. I hid it so you really couldn’t see it. She was, of course, a great customer because she was my friend.

Of course!
Then while I was working on her dress, this girl up in New England was looking for someone to do her dress. She knew about RISD [Rhode Island School of Design] where I went to school. She found me and I found her and ended up working on her dress at the same time. She was paying me to do that one, which was really cool. From there I just started getting referrals. At first I would do anything I could. I would do alterations. I would alter a bridesmaid dress, anything just to get the word out. Then, in 2006 I just said “I’m going to register a company,” and then launched the first collection in 2008.

How did you come up with the idea of a “Punk Rock” bride as opposed to something more traditional?
I wanted something original and that would get noticed. I had no interested in designing stuff that was similar to what was already out there, because I didn’t like it. I felt like there was a void and this was a good opportunity to fill the need for something. To do that I felt like I needed a really catchy name. I was in my car one day listening to the radio and I heard “Punk Rock Girl” [by the Dead Milkmen] come on. Then it would not get out of my head. It was around the time I was thinking of the name and I said “I’m just going to do it, I love it!” Everyone hated it. My dad asked me, “Are you serious? Why don’t you name it Elegant Bride?” It sounded so generic! But that’s my dad, he isn’t really my consumer base. It’s gotten really good feedback since I did it. I still like it.

Looking at your website I noticed that all of your dresses are named after women. Do you design with a specific person in mind or it just an easy way to keep track of the styles.
I don’t design with anyone in mind, but they are almost all named after people I know, friends or family. The one with the corset and champagne colored skirt is called Meredith, after my friend Meredith whose is the one dress I started on. One this season is called Grace and that’s after my great-aunt who actually used to make wedding dresses when she was my age.

It’s all come full circle now.
Yeah, I think it’s in my blood.

Going on the idea of inspiration, where do you get your inspiration for your dresses?
It’s really hard to say. People ask me that a lot and I wish I knew. If it was a place I would go there, but it’s really from observing. Looking in a lot of magazines and noticing details on clothes or even jewelry. I might see a detail here or a detail there and just put them all together, rework it and then it’s done.

Do you have any tips for a bride who is looking for her wedding gown?
I would just say the first thing is to try on as many dresses as you can, because you really don’t know what’s going to look good on you. It’s different than regular clothes. Usually I think you can tell if something is going to look good on you in a regular store, but with bridal for some reason it’s different. Maybe because you’re not used to wearing this kind of stuff, like strapless gowns. So I think the more styles you try on the better.

Second, I would say to find something that suits your personality. On that day especially you should be yourself. You don’t want to just conform to this version of what other people think you should look like, what tradition says you should look like. I think you should feel comfortable and be wearing something that you love. Whatever you want to do. I think anything goes nowadays.

I just thought of another thing that inspires me and that is fabric. I can see fabric and I’m dying to use it. I’m sure you know what I mean.

I know! I always find fabric and know how I’m going to use it. I think a lot people will think of something to make and find a fabric that conforms to it. I’m a little bit opposite.
I’m a little of both. I definitely prefer finding the fabric first, but sometimes you can’t.

Who are some of your favorite designers bridal or otherwise?
Probably my favorite designer right now is Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. If I was a bazillionaire that’s all I would wear. Other than that I love Stella McCartney, she is one of my favorites. Zac Posen, obviously, everyone loves him. I don’t know why, but there is something really young and edgy about those guys. It’s stuff that I would want to wear. I can appreciate other designers who design for a different audience, but I’m always drawn to people who make stuff that I would want to wear.

What do you think about the fashion scene in DC? What is it like to be a designer here?
I think DC gets a really bad rap for being frumpy and not very fashionable. I think it’s changing a lot. I’ve been here for almost ten years and now I see people walking down there street that are actually catching my eye that I never used to see before. Especially in certain areas like U Street, Adams Morgan, and even around the Hill. That never used to happen, so I think it’s changing, which is great. There’s a lot more unique shops around, like on U Street, which is great. It’s not all chains anymore.

But it’s hard to be a designer here, because there aren’t many of us. In some ways that’s good, but it’s hard because you are alone. It’s great, because I do feel like I’m filling a void. A lot of people when they come here they say “I’m so glad you’re here.” There’s not much else around here that’s like this. We get brides from New York who come here, which is really cool, because they have a lot more options. I guess it’s a good opportunity being here.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop in DC?
Let’s see. I probably do most of my shopping at Zara to be honest. I don’t know why, but their clothes fit me so well for some reason. Sometimes I go to H&M, especially in the summer to get fun stuff that’s not going to last forever, but fun to wear. I actually honestly don’t shop that much, but when I do, I don’t shop online I always go to stores. I do a lot of shopping when I go to my hometown in Florida, we have these really good outlets. We have a Banana [Republic] outlet. We have a BCBG outlet. I try to take advantage of those places. I wish that I spent more time exploring what’s around here. I know there’s a lot of cool shops. I don’t know why I just feel like it’s dangerous for me to go into them.

Inspiration: Missoni Scarves

2010-04-23T12:25:00.004-04:00

I was looking at Missoni scarves today for some print inspiration and was inspired in a completely different way altogether. I've always known that scarves are a great layering piece and always pack one to go on vacation, but I never imagined much beyond a wrap or tying one on a purse. Look at the clever ways that the folks at Missoni have come up with to use scarves:

As a shirt

As a bolero

As a necklace

As a bag(!)

I feel like my wardrobe possibilities have now doubled. I may just spend the rest of the day tying my scarves in new inventive ways.

[images courtesy of Gilt]

Sweat Shop Cafe

2010-04-21T10:21:00.003-04:00

As if I needed any more reasons to want to move to Paris, now they have opened a sewing cafe. According to their website Sweat Shop Cafe is a "cafe couture" where you can rent sewing machines by the hour, take classes, and collaborate with other DIYers, all the while sipping on a latte and eating a scone. As a frequent attender of Stitch and Bitch and sewing circles I love the idea of an entire cafe devoted to people of the same interest. It's always nice to be able to bounce ideas off of other people and get help with any problems that come. And it looks so French too! If there wasn't a volcano erupting in Iceland I would book a ticket right now.

Chloe

2010-04-17T11:16:00.002-04:00

I'm kind of obsessed with this Chloe commercial and I don't know why. The actresses/models in the commercial are Clemence Poesy, Chloe Sevigny, and Anja Rubik. I kind of think it would have more clever if they had used only women whose names were actually Chloe. Ah well. The song is CSS-Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above.

Fun fact: Chloe is my Mom's favorite perfume. They were going to discontinue it for a while and my Mom would buy it whenever she saw it. I guess her plan worked and she single handily brought Chloe back from the dead. So, I guess in a round about way we have her to thank for this commercial. Go Mom!

Picture Fun

2010-04-14T22:21:00.002-04:00

Via Ffffound!

Garter Girl

2010-04-12T15:19:00.004-04:00

Last week I had an opportunity to go to Vastu last week for the launch party of the new collection of The Garter Girl by Julianne Smith. Her garters are handmade and a lovely alternative to the traditional wedding garter. She can even customize her garters to match the color scheme of your wedding. I loved how the garters were displayed on bouquets and grass and felt that it worked well with the modern furniture in the store. Guests even received a garter shaped cookie as a party favor! Some of my favorites are below, but check out her website to see the full line.

Saturday at Eastern Market

2010-04-08T09:00:00.002-04:00

I spent Saturday afternoon enjoying the perfect weather day at Eastern Market. Here are some pics from the day:

I always make a bee line to TinaBaby Collections whenever I go to the flea market at Eastern Market. They have an excellent collection of vintage handbags.

Had Matter not only has a clever name, but gorgeous decorative mixed media shelves. I want to put this shelf up in my bathroom to give a travel theme.

Fuzzy Ink has giant plush mustaches. Need I say more? Ok, they also have some pretty clever t-shirts too.

This is a bit older (hence the jacket), but it's too good not to share.

This is a currently abandoned building on Penn and 10th Street. It's apparently an old Navy hospital and there is apparently some disagreement on what its use should be. It looks like something out of a ghost story, but is still so beautiful. It's a shame it's not being used.

Finally, we had to go take a peek at the Cherry Blossoms. These are located at the Senate Reflecting Pool by Union Station and there was barely a tourist in sight. A wonderful end to a wonderful day.

Wandering around U Street

2010-04-07T15:54:00.002-04:00

Tooth and Nail Craft Fair Tommorrow!

2010-03-26T09:00:00.002-04:00

The flyer says it all. See you there!

Shop: Nana

2010-03-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

If you want to dress like Zooey Deschanel the best place to do it would be Nana a delightful boutique on U Street. They sell many of my favorite brands including Hobo and Built by Wendy. They also have a selection of vintage clothing. Not only that, but I found the decor itself very inspiring. Check out the pics below:

Even the dressing rooms are cute! I loved the striped curtains, it reminds me of a beach tent on the French Riviera.

I like the idea of framing a purse. It's giving me ideas for my own apartment.

More fashion as decoration. It's nice to see fashion recognized as an art.

A taste of spring

2010-03-23T11:53:00.001-04:00

This weekend was so lovely which is why it is so sad that it so rainy now. The good news is that we have the Cherry Blossom Festival to look forward to this weekend.

Want

2010-03-21T17:08:00.001-04:00

I want these posters from Heads of State for my apartment so bad! If only they had posters for Boston and Madison and then I could have the whole collection of cities I have lived in.

Inspiration: Zooey Deschanel

2010-03-19T23:59:00.002-04:00

The new album for She and Him comes out on Tuesday and I've already got it pre-ordered through iTunes. I'm so excited since Volume 1 is on constant rotation on my iPod. Also, ever since I saw the video for In the Sun I've been obsessed with finding the perfect pair of navy flats to pair with an opaque navy tights.

I can't help myself I want to steal everything in Zooey Deschnel's wardrobe. Every time I see a picture of her I want to go out and buy and her exact outfit. Have you seen 500 Days or Summer or Yes Man (her clothing is the highlight of the film). Her style is reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, yet always feels fresh.

Oodles of Photographic Evidence Below:

Is is just me or after looking at all these pictures do you want to ride a bike with a basket through a field a flowers on your way to a picnic where you will drink Pellegrino and play the Ukulele? No? Ok, then.

2010-03-19T00:16:00.000-04:00

Love this picture of Grace Kelly. Where can I get a cover up like that?

Obsession: Brooches

2010-03-17T22:35:00.000-04:00

My new current jewelry obsession is brooches. Perfect for putting on the lapel of a blazer or spring jacket, holding scarves together, or pinning to a hat or headband, I just can't get enough of them. Not only that, but they also tend to be a little cheaper than most other jewelry. Below are the two culprits responsible for spurring my obsession. Both I purchased from Junction located on U Street.

I also went on a very looong etsy scavenge to find the best of the best. Below are some of my faves.

I love the use of felt in this brooch from AAliciaAccessories and how it looks like it is part of the neckline of the shirt.

I think the mix of different materials in this pin by Shury make it really special. So lovely.

Another one of my current obsessions is mustaches, so how could I not feature this adorable mustache brooch by LittleAngelsJewelry?

I'm also really digging all of the state themed pins. This Arkansas pin by MrPS is great because of it's simplicity.

The Georgia Brooch by Tea and Laundry adds a little something extra for the crowd.

This brooch by NoaSharonDesigns is so modern and yet so delicate. Love!

This wooden monkey pin from PonyParade is so whimsical. It would look perfect on a colorful scarf.

Another wooden pin from Palomina. The faux bois adds a nice touch to the typical heart shape.

This Knotty Pretzle pin by RubyVegas is so sculptural. It's like wearing a work of art on your lapel.

I'm a sucker for the classics and can't help but love this classic filigree brooch from WhoopKat.

Another vintage brooch this one is from Sifteddocta. The leaf looks like it might disintegrate between your fingers if you touch it.

This Gunslinger pin from Proteales is so precious. Would work great as a tie pin for your guy.

And finally, this black brooch from AnastasiaJamin caught my eye because it was so different from everything else I have seen.

Third Thursday Tomorrow Night!

2010-03-17T16:47:00.000-04:00

MidCity Third Thursday is tomorrow night! It's you chance to check out all the cool stores on and around U Street with extra discounts, food, and music. All stores will stay open until 9 pm. Bonus is that it is supposed to be gorgeous tomorrow and you can finally wear all your cute spring clothing again!

Goodbye New York! Hello DC!

2010-03-17T16:39:00.000-04:00

I've recently moved from here:

To here:

Not such a big deal except when you consider the fact that I'm a fashion designer and DC is not really known for it's large fashion design community. Well that's what I plan on changing. So far in the six weeks that I've lived here I've managed to find a vibrant fashion community filled with unique boutiques and creative fashionistas and I'm going to bring them all to you dear readers. It's time to look past Hilary's blue power suit and Michelle's great arms and see what DC fashion is all about. Hold on to your hats, it's going to be a fun ride.