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

Hammers and Heels!

OK, here's a new one for you: CityShopGirl reports that Strosniders hardware store is having two "Hammers and Heels Ladies Nights." The first is in Silver Spring this Sunday from 6:30-8:30; on May 2 the Bradley Shopping Center location in Bethesda holds the fete; and the party moves to Potomac May 16.. Is this kinda like we can bring home the hammer and hit the hell out of that nail? Whatever--watch out. The hammer will be at a 15% discount as will your entire purchase during the 2-hour party. Fun includes massages, wine tasting, how-to demonstrations and giveaways. Subscribe to CityShopGirl for a special that entitles subscribers to a free sample of Fresh Wave natural deodorizer. Click here to print the required invitations for the events.

CityShopGirl's Birthday Party

First off, I must apologize for a very tardy post and then also for not posting much of anything at all. It is awful when things like travel, work and family get in the way of blogging.

Saturday night started off with a lively cocktail party for those of us who ventured out to Lotus Lounge to celebrate Kelly Collis Fredrick's first year as publisher of CityShopGirl and the culmination of her enterprising citywide Scavenger Hunt in which subscribers gathered items from local businesses from clues on CityShopGirl emails, Facebook and Twitter. Sara Damelio of Skincando, who partnered with Kelly for the Scavenger Hunt, was there with a supply of Combat Ready Balm. We gave a $5 donation to help supply our troops with the soothing balm and also got a raffle ticket. Though I was in Japan for most of the Hunt, I did enter the raffle--and WON A PRIZE! YAY! Two free deep conditioning treatments at de la ines salon worth $50 each. Micha Weinblatt of Crooked Monkey (who recently had his own fab party) came with his roommate to wish Kelly well. Stylists from Bella Bethesda
Salon did makeovers and hair. I mostly sat at the bar and gossiped with my friend, Zena; Kelly worked the gig all night in stunning skin-tight leather pants. As she walked by, someone whispered, "She's a mom with two kids, you know." Ya know--so am I. But I looked as though I was separated at birth from my pal Zena Polin, who also chose to wear a print jersey dress and black boots. Great minds! The grand prize winner of the scavenger hunt was VERY happy to receive over a gift basket with over $2,500 worth of prizes. Wow! Congrats Kelly! Congrats Sara! You pulled off a massive undertaking supporting our local businesses as well as our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. And we loved the party too!!

CityShopGirl Citywide Scavenger Hunt!

CityShopGirl is turning 1 in October! And like most birthday parties, fun and games are involved. But this one, a scavenger hunt, involves the entire metro area, a good cause and fantastic prizes. To join the fun, you must 1. Subscribe to CityShopGirl  2. Follow the clues on @cityshopgirl on Twitter and CityShopGirl emails  3. Show up at the cocktail party at Lotus Lounge Oct. 17 when the winners will be announced and the prize, worth over $2,500, awarded. The creative and enterprising team of Bethesda native Kelly Collis Fredrick, publisher of CityShopGirl, and Sarah Damelio of organic skincare company Skincando teamed up to promote local businesses and support Skincando's Operation Sand Flea. MoCo participants include Ginger, Urban Chic, National Jean Company, De La Ines Salon, ILORI, Sweetgreen, Still Point Spa, Red Dog, Crooked Monkey and LA Boxing, plus more from DC. There will be a suggested donation of $5 (and well-deserved) at the party to support Skincando's Operation Sand Flea, which sends burn- and itch-relieving Combat Ready Balm to our troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Subscribers can sign up as individuals or a team (up to 4 members) by emailing rsvp@cityshopgirl.com

DSS afterglow

The DSS VIP line

What fun it was last night at the District Sample Sale in Georgetown. Just getting out and about is always fun enough for me, but shopping with friends (writer Cathy Alter, publicist Zena Polin, Kelly Collis Fredrick of CityShopGirl, Barbara Saylor of Capitol B, Makeda Saggau-Sackey of The Glamazon Diaries, publicist Jill Collins), plus champagne, great food and tons of clothes just about sent me over the edge. A reticent shopper not in awe of crowds, I surprised myself at the number of terrific buys I found. Fabiana Zelaya of Daisy Too gets the credit for getting me started and giving me that initial push into fashionland. She said she knew a Jae Basilio cardigan would look great on me, and she was absolutely right. So I got the long taupe and plum sweater for $68--marked down from $341. The bargain of the night. I followed that up with a pair of plum suede Bettye Mullers (from Simply Soles). And...I went from there. A black jersey dress from Emily Grace and a teal graphic Donna Morgan (perfect for my upcoming trip to Japan), champagne, a snack and a chance to say hi to many MoCo shop owners. And as always, kudos to Barbara Martin of The Patton Group. Am I gushing? Yeah, a little. Morning-after glow.

Ginger owner Gretchen Hitchner and friend, Cathy Alter


Cathy Alter, Zena Polin, Kelly Collis Fredrick, Maurisa Turner Potts, Jill Collins, Barbara Saylor

I Second That

As a subscriber to CityShopGirl I am privy to the site's deals and specials around town and want to share Friday's  "Deal of the Day." I checked out the "up and coming" designer Francoise Olivas' website and fell in love--gorgeous retro-y romance with a social conscience. The best news is that the up and coming designer is having a trunk show in Chevy Chase today from 11-5 at De La Ines Salon. Here's the scoop from CSG:

Up and coming NYC based designer Francoise Olivas, whose design resume includes a stint at Nanette Lepore, will showcase her whimsical designs.  Francoise seamlessly combines ‘traditional craft’ and ‘modern industry’ to create an innovative line of socially conscious and earth-friendly garments.  Her spring and summer collection will be 20-50% off, with prices ranging from $20-150.  She will also preview her fall collection and show one-of-a-kind pieces.  Trunk show hosted at De La Ines Salon in Chevy Chase on Sat. July 24 from 11-5.

De La Ines 5520 Connecticut Avenue, #3 Washington, D.C. 20015 202-362-4280 www.francoiseolivas.com www.de-la-ines.com

CityShopGirl Wows Fans at Mayflower Hotel

By 5:45 p.m. when I arrived at the Mayflower Hotel in DC, a line snaked through the lobby as CityShopGirl online subscribers queued up to enter an event that site founder Kelly Collis Fredrick put on just for them. “Two hundred people came through the door,” Kelly says. “There was a waitlist of 300.”  Kelly, dressed for the event in a Proenza Schouler skirt, provided attendees with complimentary mini manicures, makeovers by Beauty 360, massages by Relax and Rejuvenate and hairstyles by Salon Cielo. Kelly’s friend Dr. Lauren Gavaris (a Holton Arms school grad like Kelly) was on hand to give information about the new eyelash product, Latisse. Bartenders mixed cocktails at two bars and there were also plenty of nibbles—mushroom truffle dip, olive tapenade, breads, little marinated onions and more.  Everyone got to leave with a gift bag, a new hairstyle, a massage, fresh makeup and great nails.  Here are highlights from this VERY fun event:

Shopping for Labels for Love

Last night I attended the Labels for Love charity shopping event hosted by CityShopGirl and Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase, not only for the great clothes and drinks, but because I wanted to meet CityShopGirl Kelly Collis Fredrick. Once I got in I immediately went to the bar for my Bloomie's Martini (a perfectly chilled Absolut concoction with pineapple) and there she was! Saying hello to me because...I already knew her. But as Kelly. (So there, my memory isn't as bad as it seems.) After we chatted I took my drink and bruschetta (courtesy of Lia's) to lean on a checkout counter where I met two women from Arlington. I don't usually go to Arlington because I always get lost. But one of them not only had sisters in my hometown of Albuquerque, she also had spent time in Tucson and had a fabulous purse and necklace she had made herself. More new friends. Now it was time to make the supreme sacrifice and shop to "give back." This was a charity event, after all, giving a portion of proceeds to Labels of Love, which supports local women's and children's causes. Ever crafty, I used my 20% coupon for a Laundry dress, which was already 40% off. Score! Weekend dress problem solved. That plus one more from BCBG made the night a shopping success. I made new friends, reconnected with old ones, had a martini, great food from local restaurants (Lia's, Lebanese Taverna, Georgetown Bagelry) helped support Labels for Love and saved money. All in one night.