The stars come out for Porcelanosa's opening party

When a tile store has a world-renowned chef, an Argentine supermodel and the Spanish ambassador attending the opening party, you know it must be special. And that's after guests were greeted by a four-beam spotlight blazing from the parking lot.

The superstars as well as designers, clients and friends showed up to celebrate Porcelanosa's new location Thursday night on Rockville Pike and Nicholson Lane. The upscale showroom offers cutting-edge flooring and tiles--glass, ceramic, porcelain and stone--that have graced well-furnished homes both here and abroad, including Prince Charles's royal residences. The store also carries luxury bath and kitchen fixtures.

Well-heeled clientele --there was no shortage of Chanel, red-soled shoes and great haircuts--filled the streamlined store and knoshed on authentic Spanish tapas. Most interesting to me were the "liquid olives" served in a spoon. At first I thought they were clams, but the man proffering the tidbits told me to just "put it in your mouth, where it will work its magic." I did as I was told and was greeted with a silky, liquified version of an olive. Delicious.

The guests also included my own kitchen contractor, Eugene Zagoskin of Z&P Construction, who's been working with Porcelanosa for 15 years. Another guest was my son's former volunteer baseball coach, a designer with Kitchen Land. Here are some examples of the kinds of streamlined, European designs you'll find in the new store.

Love this giant shower head

One of many powder/bathroom displays. This happened to be my favorite. 

Liquid olives

The sleekest range hood

Early guests in the airy showroom

Just had to do it--snagged a photo with Chef Jose Andres and a Porcelanosa owner.

Let it Snow! Apres Ski on the W Hotel Rooftop

Though I was nearly breaking a sweat in my Chanel-esque white wool jacket on a balmy 60 degree night, the Apres Ski Lounge at the W Hotel's rooftop bar last night was a virtual frosty wonderland.

Between the actual skis on the Ski Chalet display, the bright red glittering Ugg boots, the s'mores and the introduction of several new hot toddies, guests were transported to a wintry lodge complete with bright snowy branches, reindeer antlers-and skis. 

 

 The fete, put on by Gilt City, was preceded by a media preview of wonderful warm winter cocktails:


Hot Apple Butter Rum
Rum, Apple Butter, Spices

Four drinks photos by Geoff Chessman for W. Washington D.C. 

Pumpkin Cider
Vodka, Pumpkin Cider, Spices

Whiskey Skin
Scotch, lemon peel, sugar, hot water

Sheridan’s Coffee
Jameson, brown sugar, cream

Guests who knocked themselves out on the Kinect winter sports games appreciated the Bliss massages--all guests scored a swag bag full of Bliss products and a brownie bite. The best touch was that the festivities took place high above the city. We were all treated to amazing views of the White House, the Washington Monument and even the blazing spires of the Air Force Memorial off in the distance. Let it snow!

Voli! Come to Mama!

Voli (read: VOdka LIte) just burst onto the DC scene in a wealth of delicious flavors, and right on cue as the holidays approach. Though we love sipping on a cocktail (or two), we hate fighting the battle of the bulge that often accompanies holiday (and everyday) indulgences.

Hence, Voli steps up to the glass with a premium vodka crafted in France from natural spring water and wheat—and no more than 81 calories per serving. A nice addition: electrolytes to help ward off a hangover. It comes in five delicious flavors like pear vanilla, lemon and raspberry cocoa. If you still want to be creative and mix a drink, below are some fab ways to mix it up.  Though I didn’t spot Voli yet in Montgomery County liquor stores, it is available in area Sam's Clubs and in other locales around Maryland--including near Ellicott City and the Baltimore area. To order online and find a list of vendors please check www.volispirits.com

The Blushing Berry:

1.5 oz Voli Lemon

¼ oz Chambord (raspberry liqueur)

2 oz cranberry juice

top with club soda

135 calories or 100 calories if made with diet cranberry juice

The Winter Wonderland:

2 oz Voli espresso vanilla

1/2 oz Bailey's

Shake and strain

150 calories

Passport to Style

Driving rains didn't keep the crowds away from the Passport to Style event at The Shops at Wisconsin Place in October. Kelly Collis of Fresh 94.7 emceed the fashion show, which showcased area stores including Bloomingdale's, White House Black Market, Adolfo Dominguez, Eileen Fisher and BCBG. Those BCBG looks were straight off the runway and not available in all stores. Even the dogs donned their Halloween best and enjoyed a night in support of their kind. Patrons could choose from an array of food from area restaurants (sliders, lettuce wraps, cupcakes and more) and wine from The Tasting Room and were treated to a stocked swagbag. All $20 ticket sales benefited either Fashion for Paws and the Washington Humane Society or Hope for Henry.

Awarding Local Creative Talent at the County Exec's Awards

On Oct. 24, The Music Center at Strathmore will present the annual County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. The event celebrates community cultural leaders  and will feature performances from various county arts and humanities groups including The Bog Band, Coral Cantigas, The Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble, Eubie Blake Quartet, Lumina Studio Theatre, Christopher K. Morgan and the Washington Printmakers Gallery. The performances and award ceremony will be followed by a dessert reception. Best of all, it is free and open to the public--no RSVP required--and a great way to get familiar with local talent. Not to give anything away, but the Lifetime Impact award is going to choreographer Liz Lerman. For more information, please visit www.creativemoco.com/executives-awards.

Best-Dressed Windows in Town and a glimpse behind DRESSED, the film

Don't walk by Ginger in Bethesda Lane without stopping to check out their windows. Always innovative and very clever, they are clearly the best-dressed windows around. I snapped these on designer Thursday during Bethesda Row's Boutique Week. That night we met furniture designer Barclay Butera at Urban Country and then wandered over to Landmark Bethesda Row for a screening of DRESSED.

Afterwards, we met the designer and subject of the documentary film, Nary Manivong and the director, David Swajeski. What I especially liked is that the story shows the power of perseverance and the results of stubbornly following your dreams. Swajeski told me that they are taking it to different schools--most recently in New Mexico--showing it to students to convey the message that no matter how bad it seems, there really is a way out. Manivong was an abused child whose parents finally abandoned him and his siblings when he was 14. He went from living on the streets to designing a collection for New York's Fashion Week--and after a series of mishaps, finally showing that collection. The documentary shows the gritty side of the fashion world and the hard work it takes to succeed. Manivong told me he was inspired by the pictures in magazines and thought, "I can make people look like that." Fashion was also his disguise--his escape--from the brutal reality of his life. As Tim Gunn would say, he certainly "made it work"--in a big way. He has partnered with Ally Hilfiger to form the NAHM line, which launched this fall. The name is comprised of Hilfiger's and Manivong's first and last initials. It means water in Manivong's native Laotian. Here are some snaps from the after-party at Jaleo.

Nary Manivong posing with a guest

...and chatting with another

The  most fabulous shoes (Nine West! she said)

Mingling, chatting

I loved this ensemble--coat, hair, the whole thing.

David Swajeski chats with a guest

Countdown to tonight

Are you ready for this?

And this?

We are. If you're not, you should check out the Bethesda Row site, RSVP and start getting ready. The apex of Bethesda Row Boutique Week events happens tonight when hot designer Barclay Butera appears at Urban Country for a meet-and-greet amid cocktails and appetizers. We'll be there. Afterward, we're heading straight to Landmark Bethesda Row cinema for the Washington premiere of DRESSED, the documentary about designer Nary Manivong's epic journey from homelessness to New York's fashion week. Following the film, the director and designer will be available for a Q&A. Right here, tonight. I don't want to give away any secrets but I'm old enough to remember when going to Bethesda meant a trip to Pines of Rome (still good white pizza) and a shop or two. Now it's all this. Here are some shots of Butera's designs and also some stills from DRESSED. Enjoy.