Bethesda's Front Row

Oh my, oh my...Bethesda gets fierce?? Yes ma'am. Starting Thursday Bethesda Row will be transformed into The Front Row, a three-day style mecca with real live fashion celebs including Project Runway's Christian Siriano ("so fierce"), a screening of the Valentino documentary "The Last Emperor," a reading from the new Jimmy Choo biography, a runway fashion show, and events in every shop along Bethesda Row--that means four streets worth of fun, food and fashion. Check out the latest from Diane von Furstenberg at Urban Chic and Yansi Fugel at Wear It Well, learn how to do your hair at Salon Cielo and meet celebrity chef Maria Liberati at Bella Italia. And that's just a sampling. Not your mama's Bethesda, or even your Bethesda if you've been here awhile like me. I for one will be there, cheering on my little newbie fashion town as it stretches its wings into fashion-land. And yes, of course, I'll do my best to get you a steady stream of photos and updates as the days go on. The Front Row could be Bethesda's Fashion Week(end)? Fashion as art = culture = a fiercely good thing. www.bethesdarow.com

Sippin' at the Ritz

Sip 'n Blush Diaries
Whew! Am back in town and can finally spill on Sip ‘n Blush last Thursday night at the Ritz in Georgetown - definitely not the easiest place for this Bethesdite to get to in rush hour - especially after coming from getting my car serviced miles away in Rockville. But I wanted to 1. support Suited for Change; 2. have cocktails at the Ritz bar; 3. get a makeover--which I really really need; 4. and not miss a fun CityShopGirl event. Hassled and wet from driving through rush hour in pelting rain, I recklessly abandoned my car to the valet (instead of circling for a meter) and entered the bar. My eye immediately went to the jumbo-size box of Armani skincare and cosmetics (thanks to Saks Chevy Chase) poised temptingly near the jar of raffle entries. I never win raffles. But I really wanted that Armani. A beauty product junkie, I have recently slumped into an unsatisfying beauty "routine," grabbing whatever is in the shower. I needed age-appropriate skincare. After I entered the raffle, I saw my friend Zena Polin having her already beautiful face made over by the creative wizardry of Saks cosmetics whiz, Nimati Nazhat.

Zena pulled me and my pinot into the chair and said, “you’re next.” Right. Do me. And Ms. Nazhat did.
She started by taking off my 9-hour old faded makeup, and smoothing on moisturizer, then eye cream. I touched my face. I couldn’t believe it. It was dewy. That was only the beginning. Then she used a combo of blush, eyeshadow and –I couldn’t believe this one—eyebrow pencil on my already black brows. WOW! I glowed. I looked younger. I looked completely natural, but "different," polished, like I had on real grownup makeup. I told her she was a genius and ordered eye cream and foundation on the spot.

As I was ooohing and aaahing over myself, our hostess, Kelly Collis Fredrick, started the raffle. Zena won dinner for two. Then Kelly started fishing around for the second prize, which I really really wanted. About $1,000 worth of Armani skincare and cosmetics in a big box plus the opportunity to have a private makeover party with these makeup artists at Saks with five lucky friends. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists…I wanted to win so bad…AND I DID!!! Mine; all mine!! I won my first raffle, had fun with my friends, got a new face, sipped drinks AND supported Suited for Change. Not bad for a Thursday night.

StretchAlicious Healthalicious

I work out fairly often, when I’m in town, not on a deadline and when I get up in time. Okay, so maybe not as often as I would like. But there is someone at my gym, one of my corps of regulars who inspires me to keep going, who is almost always there, Spinning, working hard in Pilates, maintaining her firm, tiny dancer-like body with grace and a sense of fun. And she’s always wearing unusual clothes I know she got at StretchAlicious. Her latest outfit involved a top with lattice work in the back; I couldn’t resist snapping a strap, asking, “New StretchAlicious?” “Yes,” she said laughing. The pants were Margaritas with big blocky puzzle pieces on them. A French woman in the store when she bought them told her to wear them with platform heels. She thought not. Her pants, she says, “are the best ever.” One size will hug the smallest body and stretch to accommodate the most voluptuous curves ever (women sizes 0-22). Your body doesn’t adapt to suit them. StretchAlicious is run by five area women, one of whom is a breast cancer survivor and two who have children on the autism spectrum. And they frequently host events benefiting autism, cancer and other causes. Right now they’re co-sponsoring the Gazette newspapers “Healthy Challenge,” promoting healthy eating and fitness, and had contestants from both the Red and Blue teams in the store Tuesday night to try on workout clothes in their respective team colors. And yes, men got dressed up too.

My friend Sharon at the gym carrying an Ed Hardy bag--also from StretchAlicious


Kim Bryant of the Red Team (right) with trainer, David Sumner


Co-owner Jessica Lilienfield of StretchAlicious and Cliff Chiet of the Gazette


Note the detail on the back of the top

Have an arty little mother's day

Don’t let Mother’s Day this year be an after-thought—nightgown, flowers, same old thing. Instead check out the unusual arty finds at the Sharon Fine Gallery at 5504 Cornish Road in Bethesda. Sharon is hosting a two-day Spring Celebration and Mother’s Day shopping event at her fabulous home gallery starting off with a May 6 evening reception (7:30 to 10) with photographer Dan Coyle. The next day (May 7) from 11 to 2 go by to browse pottery, jewelry and art from artisans Yomphana Adams, JonMarc Edwards and Pamela Hagerhorst. There are also lovely painted trays and trivets by local artist Soraya Jones. It’s a win-win. Mom gets a unique gift and you get to see great art and enjoy refreshments as you shop!

a few of my (new) favorite things

"Raindrops on roses and mittens on kittens, lalalalala tied up with string"...okay, it's obvious I don't know the words and no, I'm not Googling the lyrics. I recently discovered Vivre.com on Facebook of all places. And a few of their finds just said "must-have" to me in the voice of my favorite style icons Marc Bolan (of T. Rex) and the inimitable Karl Lagerfeld. And all (even the plate) would look great with my vintage Lagerfeld opera coat (that I bought for a song at Chic to Chic). (And no, they’re not paying me. It’s really just pure lust.)


Black Serpent Ring by Lotus Arts de Vivre...Ah, yes.


Gold Lotus Clutch by Lotus Arts de Vivre...Note the perfect silver corners


Nacre plate with crayfish by Lotus Arts de Vivre...This is just nasty pretty

Mad for Hats

Off to the races, it’s time for the Derby! The juleps are chilling and we're ready for a post-time party. Please don’t say you don’t have a hat. Shame on you. Luckily, the fabulously stylish Sharon Bullock can save the day with a whimsical creation from Metamorphosis, her Silver Spring boutique.

This just in...

Julie O'Brien and Chris Jacobs, the local pair behind the scenes at DC Girls in the Know are currently running special May savings on their site for the Ted Gibson Salon and Hela Spa. So, if you enjoyed reading about celeb stylist Ted Gibson here a few posts ago (The Surreal Life of Hair in April), and want your own "Ted look" (at a discount of course) here's your chance to go for it--for less.