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.

Baby Love and shoes at Sassanova

Norah O'Donnell, Elizabeth Thorp and Isabelle

Baby shoes, grown-up shoes and Norah O'Donnell signing her bestsellling cookbook, Baby Love , is what was in store last night at Sassanova in Bethesda. O'Donnell of MSNBC co-wrote the book with her husband, local chef Geoff Tracy (Chef Geoff).  The book presents healthy, organic alternatives to processed baby foods that the authors say are simple and easy to whip up (they have three children and work all the time so should know). We also loved looking at all the shoes, including the cutest little ones for kids, and meeting Elizabeth Thorp of poshbrood.com and her daughter Isabelle.

Bethesda Row premieres 'Boutique Week'

All next week, starting tomorrow to be exact, Bethesda Row is celebrating Boutique Week, eight days of in-store events, celebrity appearances, trunk shows, specials book signings and guest bloggers (including moi) hosting daily events. The week kicks off tomorrow with free Equinox yoga classes in Bethesda Lane (weather permitting, of course) and 20% off outerwear at Wear It Well. Don't miss Monday night at Ginger for a chance to meet DailyCandy D.C. editor Annie Lou Bayly, and The Devil Wears Prada author Lauren Weisberger, as she signs copies of her new book, Last Night at Chateau Marmont. Tuesday brings AskMissA's Andrea Rodgers to J. McLaughlin, a Kenneth Jay Lane trunk show and beauty samplings from Aveda; Wednesday is Shoshanna Day all day at Urban Chic along with Betsey Lowther of Fashion is Spinach; Thursday Norah O'Donnell and local chef Geoff Tracy will be signing copies of their new book, Baby Love at Sassanova. Friday is a full day of fun at lululemon athletica with a Function as Fashion show at 7:30 p.m., healthy tips, fitness gifts and ... MoCo Scene! I look forward to seeing you all there! Saturday (Oct. 9) visit Luna for a Soft Joie trunk show.  Click here for more details on all events.

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.)

Bethesda Row does Black Friday!

Plaiding It

I did plaid way back when. I sported a bright plaid maxi coat that was not only fit for inner-tubing down mountainsides, it caught my then-boyfriend's eye. So with a rich plaid history that cannot be outdone, I prefer to try something new. But then I saw these Bettye Muller shoes at Sassanova:


and this Nanette Lepore "Walk of Fame" coat (which kind of, in name at least, reminds me of my famous coat):

and suddenly I'm less plaid-resistant. Both of these make a fabulous foil to basic black, which except for chocolate brown, is my constant winter-chic color of choice. Plaid away, little schoolgirls!