Meet Stacy London today in Bethesda

Stacy London at Puro Cafe, Georgetown

The famous Stacy London of TLC's "What Not to Wear" is in D.C. and Bethesda today launching her new nationwide company, Style for Hire. I have been a fan of the show for years and especially love the emotional transformation many of her former fashion victims experience when they clean up their look.

She will be appearing at the following Bethesda/Chevy Chase shops. Bring a garment that you don't know what to do with and have Stacy's team build an outfit around it.

2:30 - 2:45 Piazza Sempione, 5471 Wisconsin Ave.
2:45-3:00 Sylene, 4407 South Park Ave.
3:30-3:45 Urban Chic, 7126 Bethesda Lane
3:45-4:00, Sassanova, 7134 Bethesda Lane
4:00-4:15, National Jean Co., 7301 Woodmont Ave.
4:30-4:45 Denim Bar, 4939 Cordell Ave.
4:45 - 5:00 Daisy Too/Zelaya Shoes

(FTC disclaimer: yes, I received a gift certificate for a service; no I haven't used it yet and would recommend Stacy with or without said cert.)

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

District Sample Sale Next Week!

There are still tickets available for the biggest sale event of the season, D.C.'s District Sample Sale, which benefits Rachael's Women's Center, a D.C. daytime shelter for homeless women. The sale takes place Sept. 16 in Georgetown at 3336 M Street, NW. Browse designer names from fave MoCo boutiques like Daisy Too, Ginger, Imagine, Luna and Urban Chic and get huge discounts on apparel, shoes and accessories. There are a host of other shops there as well, including Wink, Periwinkle, Caramel and Simply Soles. While VIP tickets are gone, you can still enjoy the sale for $40 or as a benefactress for $250. Enjoy nibbles from DC restaurants, cocktails, a silent auction and bargains, bargains, bargains.

More of Me Maternity Please

Saturday I got to meet local designer Jessica Boulanger, the creative talent behind the DC-based More of Me Maternity. The designer appeared at a trunk show at Bethesda boutique Daisy Too showcasing her very first collection for More of Me Maternity--a summer line of dresses, tanks and maxis suitable for moms-to-be or not. Leave it to Daisy Too owner Fabiana Zelaya to find the best new mom-to-be lines to add to her shop. (But of course she would. She's expecting a baby herself in August.) Jessica, a former press secretary for Rep. Roy Blunt, just had her second baby in May and was in the store showcasing her line of dresses that, really, are way too chic to only wear for nine months. "I wanted them to look non-maternity but it's that fit that's so important...You really need that maternity fit," she says. I remember stuffing myself into "regular" clothes not wanting to invest in a whole new (and back then slightly weird) wardrobe during my pregnancy. Now women can wear Jessica's designs from "Yes, You're having a baby" till long after "It's a boy/girl!" Jessica was wearing a blue jersey maxi that was far more flattering than most filling stores right now. The cut is slimming, the V-neckline flattering, with "bra-friendly" straps to keep things neat. Her "Cupcake Tanks," are tank tops cut a bit longer for moms-to-be-- or women like me with long torsos. The line also features silk dresses and a linen dress that comes in a shimmery champagne or Jessica's signature orange that work with or without a baby bump. I wish these existed when I was in the baby biz. But I would get the maxi-dress now anyway. And, there are no babies looming on this horizon.

Calling all Hot Mamas

Last September personal trainer Vionna Jones opened her Hot Mama Fitness Studio in Bethesda just for you expecting and new hot mamas who want to get in shape and stay in shape. This Saturday, Hot Mama is hosting a special Mother's Day event for all mothers--veterans, grandmas, new moms--full of fun and freebies. In addition to free seated massage bring the babies for Hip Mama Bellydance and Mother/Toddler yoga. Kids can enjoy special activities and Devra Renner will be on hand in the morning to sign her book, "Mommy Guilt."

Also be sure to check out the new maternity lines at the always chic Daisy Too on St. Elmo. Owner Fabiana Zelaya is expecting her second child in August so knows from where she speaks. We'll be checking out a trunk show June 5 and 6 when local designer Jessica Boulanger of More of Me Maternity will showcase her new lines.