Street Glam: The Video

video by PDB Group Venture

While every picture tells a story, a video is better. Here's great live footage of Downtown Silver Spring's Street Glam 2010 event from PDB Group Venture. For more about this event read our recap here.

Neiman Marcus Fashion's Night Out

I hate to miss all the fun of Fashion's Night Out in NYC Sept. 10, but we can share the love and celebrate international shoppers' day at  great events locally.

Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie is planning a celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. with a live performance by U.S. Royalty; a Lafayette 148 runway show with designer Edward Wilkerson; complimentary Bobbi Brown makeovers and a digital photo booth. Of course there will be cocktails and cupcakes--and even something for the men--drawings for Washington Capitals' tickets. For every $25 donation you make to the Trust for the National Mall you'll receive a key that could open one of three Tumi suitcases crammed with fab prizes.

Bloomie's celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Marija Temo

Don't miss this. On Sept. 18, Bloomingdale's White Flint will present a special performance by renowned flamenco guitarist, vocalist, composer and dancer Marija Temo in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The 2 p.m. event, in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy Latin refreshments and enter to win two VIP tickets to the prestigious, invitation-only Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 29.

Silver Spring glams it up

Judging by the crowds, Downtown Silver Spring's second annual Street Glam fashion event was a huge success. MC'd by Delegate Craig Rice and Lawrence O'Neill, glam models strutted the runway accompanied by thumping tunes by PDB Group Venture, presenting a diverse collection of cutting edge fashions by local designers. Though a certain male model sporting a bare chest under an open shirt stole the show, there were many highlights: including the unusual artistic opening, in which a lazy geisha, lying on the runway in her undies, is dressed in traditional kimono and shoes by a team discreetly hiding her behind black curtains. The models were fantastic and deserve a special shout out. Designers presented fashions most notable for their fashion-forward sophisticated take on current trends. Just to name a few, Booshie wowed with its flirty, creative take on the dress; Ksara Boutique showed off their sophisticated, urban style; Thembe presented a line of very cool wearable art. KAS Collections, newly opened at National Harbor, presented the best in trendy; Silver Spring boutique Kustom Looks Clothier showed off hot men in suits featuring--shorts. Kellie Chafin, Miss Silver Spring Outstanding Teen, was all dolled up in a lovely dress of her own and glittering tiara in the front row.

Kellie Chafin

Afua Sam of Studio D Maxsi and Christine Cropper of GWFCC

The opening act

Sharon Bullock of Metamorphosis Boutique

Metamorphosis: Love that hat!

Bloomie's first-ever outlet opening in Potomac Mills

Bloomingdale's is opening its first-ever outlet at Potomac Mills on Friday, Aug. 20. We all made the schlep when IKEA came there; now we have an even better reason to make the trip. The official 10 a.m. public opening is preceded by a press event featuring a corporate ribbon-cutting with entertainment by Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir of Washington, D.C. The 25,000-square-foot store will carry women's shoes, jewelry, handbags; and clothing for men, women and children. 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Suite 307, Prince William, VA 22192

Street Glam in Downtown Silver Spring

If you haven't gotten your ticket yet, now is the time. On Saturday night, Downtown Silver Spring presents the second annual "Street Glam" fashion event outdoors at 908 Ellsworth Drive. The runway show features local designers like Amore by Elizabeth Stajka, Kustom Looks Clothier, Kas Collections, Ksara Boutique as well as retailers like Metamorphosis. A VIP ticket is just $50 and gets you into the pre-show reception and preferred seating. General admission is $25; standing room is free. Go to  http://streetglamrocks.eventbrite.com/ for tix and more info.

Fall Fashion at Neiman Marcus

Thinking about fall fashion in the thick dog days of July, is well, escapist. And I was very happy to run off to see fall trends displayed last Wednesday at Neiman Marcus's  fashion show at the CityShopGirl fete. Among make-your-own cupcake and champagne bars (mine came in the cutest little red can with it's own petite straw) were mannequins displaying the trends to be shown. Because I was unable to stay for the actual 7 pm fashion show and was desperately snapping pics of the displays, I got a little love in the form of a private fashion show of my own (which I give back to you). Thank you, Liberty Jones.

Neutrals, leggings and ankle booties--not going anywhere. Note the softly wrapped military style jacket and textural bag.

Military styling is in charge this fall, but only with feminine touches, like this Ali & Ro anorak decked with ruffles. Even the studded clutch commands attention.

Neiman's Liberty Jones shows how to wear the cape for day or night.

Lovely silk and cashmere Trilogy lace wrap edged with fur. 

Warm up that anorak with a furry layer

Cupcake break!

Fine tailoring, ruffles, lace and neutrals

Love the little bubbly in a can

DSS! DSS! Tickets go on sale today

Get your shopping pumps on and elbows ready. This fall the District Sample Sale benefits the GW Mammovan (George Washington University's mobile mammography program). This huge all-volunteer sale for charity, founded by the now-Real D.C. Housewife Mary Amons, features the area's best boutiques with merchandise slashed to near ridiculous prices. Don't let the lines and near hysteria stop you. Get in there! I snagged a cashmere cardigan last year from Daisy Too for a mere $70 marked down from $350, Bettye Muller purple suede pumps, and a nifty little Donna Morgan dress I wear all the time. And I'm a very frugalista shopper. Boutiques present are from both D.C. and MoCo: Urban Chic, Wink, Lettie Gooch, Daisy Too, Luna, Imagine, Emily Grace, Ginger, Hysteria, Cupcake, Sassanova, Simply Soles and...more...The sale will be held Sept. 16 in Georgetown at 3336 M Street, NW. 

General Admission: $40
Admission to the sale from 6:30-9:30pm
Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres
VIP Ticket: $100
the above plus:
Admission to the VIP shopping hour from 5:30-6:30pm
VIP Goodie Bag
Benefactress Ticket: $250
 the above plus:
Admission to the VIP shopping hour from 5:30-6:30pm
Benefactress Deluxe Goodie Bag
Listing as a Benefactress Sponsor in the program and signage

VIP and Benefactress tix are first-come, first-serve.
.

Happy Birthday, Redwood!

Party, Party! Tonight Redwood restaurant in Bethesda extends its dinner service to 11 p.m. in honor of its second anniversary. The party starts at 7 p.m. and includes live music, happy hour specials, appetizers and a special screening of TV show "Top Chef D.C." Redwood is known for primarily using local, organic ingredients and has a fantastic location with large windows opening out onto Bethesda Lane and outdoor seating. 7121 Bethesda Lane, 301.656.5515

Healthy Happy Hour

If you're looking for a happy (healthy) alternative to drinking after work, try  Zumba, a cardio class inspired by Latin dance. Hot. During the entire month of August Washington Sports Club is opening their  Zumba classes to the public--free and no membership required. So, if the liquid alternative isn't working for your wallet or your bod, try moving Latin-style and see what happens. Classes start at 7 p.m. Thursdays in South Bethesda. Classes are also offered in Columbia Heights, Saturdays at 1pm; Dupont Circle, Fridays at 6 pm; and Glover Park, Thursdays at 7:30 pm.

Love, love, LOVE Bishme

Thanks to The Glamazon Diaries for first introducing us to Bishme Cromartie, local Baltimore design wunderkind. When he was just 16, he had his own show. Now three years later, his sophisticated fall line is out and really needs to be seen around town. Tim Gunn, what do you think?  I think Bethesda would be a great place to showcase this local Cromartie's Ying Edge line, no? Architectural shapes, sophisticated styling; it all looks impossibly new and fresh and unbelievably refined--for anyone, much less a teenager. You can be sure that we'll be following him and reporting back on his fantastical visions and edgy sensibility. Wow. Stay tuned.

Housewives and Cupcakes, Naughty and Nice

I actually had something else planned for you all today, but because my friend (and MoCo native) Kelly Collis of CityShopGirl was on the radio talking about my two current obsessions, tomorrow's premiere of the Real Housewives of D.C. and D.C. Cupcakes (about Georgetown Cupcake, which I was eating again last night), I decided to leave you with this clip with a little parting spin of my own (I'll be in L.A. for all the premiere/premier party hubbub). Though the gate-crashing, wine-tossing Salahis may be good promo material, I am more intrigued by the nice, "normal" appearing Stacie. She seems a little less predictable. I'm riveted by the dirt, but need a little side of nice. And I also enjoy shopping the District Sample Sale, Housewife Mary Amons' cause, and am curious to see any hints of that crowd in action. Oh, and back to those cupcakes... Just talked to someone last night who reports that there ARE indeed lines in Bethesda. Long ones full of people who need last-minute birthday treats or who have traveled all the way up the coast for a cupcake. Too bad they waited till closing time to get in line and had to be turned away. Hey, TLC, can't you go out to the unscripted squabblers trying to push into the doors? MUCH more fun than doing that signature swirl.

Posh Spice, Baby Spice, Scary Spicy Housewives

As we wait in eager anticipation of Thursday's Real Housewives of D.C. premiere, we already feel like we're in it to win it--the "scary housewives" prize that is. (Posh Spice--N.Y.; Baby Spice--O.C.; Sporty Spice--N.J.; Atlanta--Ginger) So far, trailers have revealed one indignant wifey (of a photographer) who can't believe the POTUS didn't RSVP to their invite (Afghanistan be damned! No jobs? Who cares? There's a party going on). There are also reports of a man-on-woman wine toss in L.A. (White House gate-crasher Salahi husband peevish at model agency owner tosses red wine all over her dress.) Ugh. There's even squabbling behind the scenes about which premier/premiere party is the REAL one, and did I detect a a whiff of a fake British accent? Washington can be bland. Powerbrokers just don't toss enough wine (in public anyway), which is why we need this little D.C. behind-the-scenes escapist fantasyland to break up the monotony of stiff upper lips, discretion and, well, power.  The heated players bubbling beneath the surface look to be far more entertaining, albeit a tad scary sometimes. Can't wait to see bright-spot appearances by style man Paul Wharton, charming celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson (interviewed on this very blog-LOVE him) and other familiar faces and places. As T.O. says, "Get your popcorn ready!" We're in it for the long haul.

Buff up your bumpit and do the Jersey Core

Ahhh, the spreading tentacles of the reality show Jersey Shore have finally reached the faraway land of Bethesda. On the runaway reality hit, Jersey boys like 'The Situation' flaunt hair gel and magnificently ripped abs. You too can work on getting those Jerseylicious muscles at the "Jersey Core,"  a full-body workout class offered at North Bethesda's Washington Sports Club this Wednesday and next at 9:30 am. I love the video--the elegant, amazing Libby leads the class, and....drum roll....our fave trainer Madeleine Watkins, above in green shirt and incredible abs already, takes it. Stay tuned....she gets interviewed.