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

Kicking off fall at the District Sample Sale

After a long, hot August waiting for fall, we were sooo happy to get out to last night's District Sample Sale. This event is always fantastic, but this fall's was off the charts. The venue was HUGE; exceptionally excellent nibbles (I was rhapsodizing about the Black and Orange Rogue slider) and deep discounts on clothes to wear NOW. I scored big on shoes. My three pairs really should have been four: At the last minute I found Oscar de la Renta open-toed stilettos that said "lady" but screamed "sex"--and what did I do? Dither, dally and ultimately pass. Don't do that, people. It's never worth it. Those shoes were originally $695. Last night they were $120 at Sassanova--that's exactly two fattening nights out at Rio Grande with my husband. I can make my own Mexican food, but not those shoes!! Another regret--not snagging a beautiful Madison Marcus blouse for $80 that I ogled this summer for over $200 at Emily Grace. Fail.

Okay, enough beating myself up. Here's what I did score: Seychelles black suede booties with hot studs for $25,  Dolce Vita dressy, sexy black suede booties for $69 and buttery leather, all-season slingbacks for $50. And, suddenly, my friends and I were all smitten with a $10 tee from Imagine that said Peace, Love and Fashion. Ok, why not? We had shopper madness and it's really cute. We finally paused at that point to have dinner: sushi, baby burgers, gelato and cupcakes. It's almost embarrassing to go on. But I will. There were also tables loaded with brie, artichoke dip, crackers, hummus--all my faves. The DSS was my official fall kick-off event. If you missed it, I hope you know not to let that happen again.

Calm before the storm at Sassanova

Sassy is all ready to go

And yes, you got two flavors with each serving. Pumpkin: unreal

 It's still the VIP hour so you get first grabs in a peaceful setting

Cocktails, wine, champagne and soda. We loved stopping here. 

 Gretchen Hitchner of Ginger awaits the onslaught. 

You could do some serious damage at the elegant Belina

 Julia Farr (far left) is working it. The madness has begun.

Hot style in the city

And the Fourth comes marching in--and it promises to be a scorcher. I remember our neighborhood block parties with red-faced kids cooling down with giant water guns and adults running in an out of their houses for a sneaky respite from the heat. I'd be wearing some sort of quasi patriotic garb, and praying for snow--and cringing at invitations with the words "picnic" "pool" or "yard" involved. But this year we found these pretty ways to stay cool--and never let 'em see us sweat. Here are our faves from Ginger on Bethesda Row:

This Envi dress is a simple, uncomplicated way to  stay cool. Just add a pair of sandals and you're dressed.

The Joie dress takes it up a notch for a night out on the front porch or at a table alfresco downtown. 

Yoana Baraschi, my favorite. I want to put this on and never take it off. 

Going, going...gone!

Don't miss out. If you've opted for a staycation this holiday weekend, step away from the grill and take a little shopping break. Everyone's having big sales; some notables are Ginger's sidewalk sale, which includes a $10 bin and 30% off shoes, and Urban Chic's the more you buy, the more you save extravaganza. If you get to downtown Bethesda in time, you'll run smack into the Red Hook Lobster Truck's lunchtime stop near Barnes & Noble. And, don't miss the big Montgomery Mall event: Nordstrom's annual half-yearly sale.

Front Row Recap

Here are highlights from the runway at the Front Row fashion event in downtown Bethesda Friday night. Kelly Cutrone ("Kell on Earth", "The City") was a riot... more on her next. Check out her shoes! Shbooties? 

Redwood bartender extraordinaire Nate Mann busy mixing martinis for the thirsty crowd pre-show

 Nate still showing grace under pressure

Kelly Cutrone signing her book, Normal Gets You Nowhere

Kelly Cutrone still smiling. She didn't stop until EVERY fan got their book signed

...including my daughter, Madeleine Watkins

Real Housewives of DC Mary Amons (right)--can you believe she has like five kids???

Photographer Abby Greenawalt setting up

MC Eun Yang 

I love this model. So stunning in separates from Ginger

Gorgeous lace Yoana Baraschi from Ginger 

Model Kate Michael glides in a Joie maxi from Ginger

The men WOWED the crowd

 Love the retro crocheted look from Luna--especially with a ribbon and bow

 If only boys REALLY looked like this in shorts--get them to Daddy & Son!

Fab print dress by J. McLaughlin

Ok, this guy won over the crowd hands down, eye-candy-orange pants and all. See guys? You really can wear color.

Kate Spade separates in pink and multi all topped with a hot pink hat by Christine A. Moore at Sassanova

Love it--would risk hat head for this

I like this look from Wear It Well. It's a little blurry, but the femmed-up military jacket plays well over the print maxi.

A vision in classic lace from Lilly Pulitzer at The Pink Palm

 One of the prettiest floral prints I've seen. Love it! 

DVF print is fresh and edgy. Urban Chic

Another great print-this one from Pink Palm

I want this Waverly Gray wrap skirt from Ginger

So hot--Daddy & Son again. 

One of my faves, Ronen Chen from Wear It Well

Clap, clap, clap

 Tommy McFly of 94.7 FM wraps it up