Courage for Kids spotlighted at Hela Spa

Holli Thompson, George Worrell, Emily Villalva

Courage for Kids was the beneficiary of Wednesday evening's "Mirror Mirror" event presented by Hela Spa in Chevy Chase. The salon, while no longer affiliated with NYC stylist Ted Gibson, hosted  guest speakers Holli Thompson of Nutritional Style and event-planner and personal stylist George Worrell. Each made a presentation as guests enjoyed an assortment of treatments ranging from the latest in nails--Gelish and Minx--to Botox, Juvederm and brow shaping. Guests who donated $20 to Courage for Kids were eligible to receive complimentary treatments. Barefoot Bubbly provided the sparkling beverage, while Sushiko provided, yes, the delicious sushi. We loved hearing about stylist George's journey from homeless man to style maven, his upbringing in Atlantic City and style dos and don'ts. We can't wait to read more in his book, On the Other Side of Style, available on Kindle and Amazon.com. Holli Thompson shared tips and her journey from Chanel to her current career as a nutritional stylist. We also learned that in addition to a physician who provides Botox, Hela Spa now has an acupuncturist available for treatments.

Holli Thompson and MC Andrea Rodgers

Love the belted vest.

When crime hits close to home

It is with heavy hearts that we post this blog about lululemon athletica in Bethesda. The last time we got to write about the store was a happy and lighthearted occasion--when MoCo Scene was lucky enough to be part of their fashion show last October. Not so today. We want to express our deepest sympathies to everyone at lululemon and most of all, to the families of the beautiful young women who were victims of the brutal attack that took place in the store this weekend. Like many people in Bethesda, we shop at the store frequently. My daughter, a trainer, buys all her workout and training apparel there. We even picked up warm sweatpants for her boyfriend, deployed in Afghanistan, who calls the cheerful staff  his "lulufriends." Each purchase was always accompanied by the smiles of these two women and those of the rest of the staff.

 These women are part of our daily lives and of course, our community. Their eager smiles, energy and enthusiasm made every trip to lulu special. This event is a sad and horrible reminder never to take those people we meet along the way for granted, and to appreciate all that they give--and gave--us.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/12/AR2011031203629.html

Friday Bites: Lunch at Matchbox

Photo from the Matchbox website

This first Friday Bites finds us at the new Matchbox in Rockville. Though I've never been to the one downtown, I have come to this one before for dinner. We loved it for lunch as well.

Without a miss, the chef here knows all about flavor and texture--both stood out in the "mini trio," an appetizer plate of doubles: two scallops, two bunless mini-burgers and two crab cakes. Each teeny was perfectly executed--in seasoning, "just right" doneness and, yes, even petite garnish. The scallops were succulent and fresh; the crispy outside was the perfect foil to the buttery texture within. Mini burgers? A hit with a smear of gorgonzola and a crispy onion topping. And last but not least, the crabcake. Meaty, mild and tasty. With a side salad, this appetizer will be my next meal here.

We had two entrees--the marinated chicken muffaletta on house-made foccacia and the grapefruit salad with a requested portion of salmon. The salmon was dark pink and smooth inside, with a crispy, grilled exterior. But to me, the lettuce was the star of the show. Accented by Marcona almonds, goat cheese and of course, grapefruit, the generous oak leaves remained firm yet butter-lettuce soft, fresh and crisp. The sherry vinaigrette was slightly sweet and tangy and as my daughter said, "incredibly refreshing."

The muffaletta was GIGANTIC--fresh bread held together an olive tapenade, chicken breast, sundried tomato, provolone, chicken and serrano. A little gnome could've been in there, too. Next to this was a pile of crispy homemade "bistro" fries--skinny little waffle chips we devoured.
Score -- 5 stars. 

The crowd loves Jill at Ginger

The Crowd (all photos by Mark Silva)

Writer Jill Kargman and Michelle Jaconi

Writer Jill Kargman filled the house last Tuesday at Bethesda's Ginger boutique, as friends and fans gathered to help launch her latest book, Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut, a compilation of nonfiction essays and musings. I went home and read most of the book on the spot--mouth ajar--and feeling like I'd found a soulmate. What? Sometimes you heavily relate to flamboyant gay guys?? ME TOO! (Someone who finally gets Johnny Weir's Balenciaga tree!) You obsess about nail polish colors?? ME TOO! In fact, when I asked her to sign my book, my de facto soulmate pointed to my newly shellacked nails and exclaimed, "Wow! What color is that??!! I'm getting it tomorrow." Plus, and this is big, she had the names "Edward Gorey" and "Tim Burton" on the same page--under "Obsessed." When I was finished studying her impeccably cool outfit (trim lace dress under gray leather jacket, hair in edgy NYC-style bun), I shopped, drank Prosecco and nibbled on goodies from the amazing spread. Well done. Another glamorous event on Bethesda Row. (Photos by Mark Silva)

Poshbrood.com's Elizabeth Thorp and NBC4's Eun Yang

Hostess Stacy Kerr, shopping with her sister, Elizabeth Kerr

swag!

Today's the day...tix on sale for the District Sample Sale

You won't want to miss out. Today's the day to get your ticket to the area's most fashionable sample sale. Over 20 boutiques will be deeply discounting apparel, shoes and accessories at the March 29 event. Go for the $40 general admission or spring for the $100 VIP, which gets you a goodie bag and an extra hour of shopping before the crowds hit. Information and tix available at www.districtsamplesale.com.

Get your elbows ready--It's back! DSS set for March 29

Tickets go on sale this Tuesday, Feb. 22, for the biggest, best--and most charitable--sale of the season.  Don't miss out. The District Sample Sale, set for March 29, offers deeply discounted merchandise from over 20 of the region’s best designer boutiques, including Urban Chic, Ginger, Julia Farr, The Shoe Hive, Wink, Caramel, Sherman Pickey and Hysteria, and Baltimore’s Babe, Cupcake and Poppy & Stella. It's a stellar way to knock off a few items off the wish list, have a night out, and give to a local cause. A limited number of VIP tickets ($100) are available that get you through the doors at 5:30 for a loaded goodie bag and a private hour of shopping before the crowds hit. General admission tickets are $40--and for that you also get the ultimate shopping experience with  music, hors d'oeuvres, cupcakes, cocktails and even hair styling and blowouts, courtesy of sponsor One80 Salon. Other sponsors include Bethesda Row, and Vornado/Charles E. Smith. This spring's event moves from Georgetown to 2101 L Street, NW.

The District Sample Sale has raised over $200,000 for its past local women’s (fall) and children’s (spring) chosen charities. This spring's event will benefit the  E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. Founded in 2004, the school’s mission is to ensure high levels of academic achievement for students of every race and socioeconomic status. In 2009, 80% of students scored proficient or advanced in math on the DC-CAS and 66% scored proficient or advanced in reading.

For tickets, a complete list of retailers and more information, please visit www.districtsamplesale.com.

Founders Jayne Sandman, Mary Amons, Barbara Martin, Shannon Haley and Liberty Jones

Lila Castellaneta's spring launch

The ultimate Valentine's Day shoe. Sexy, feminine, hot. Ladylike is in for spring. So you won't want to miss this. Designer Lila Castellaneta is celebrating the launch of her spring 2011 shoe collection on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, from 10-4. Ms. Castellaneta was one of Washingtonian's Best-Dressed women in 2006 and said the best-dressed man in DC was her husband. Sweet. Enjoy informal modeling starting at noon. For more info, call 240.497.5317