Andy Cohen brings the mazel to Bethesda's Front Row

Bravo's Andy Cohen's new book,
Most Talkative

The 411 on Bethesda’s Front Row fashion show:
Bravo’s Andy Cohen will be the three-day event’s VIP guest
It’s official: The date’s been set for Bethesda’s fourth annual Front Row fashion event—Thursday through Friday, May 19-21. And this year, Fashion show Friday's VIP guest is reality show master Andy Cohen, an executive producer at Bravo TV in charge of all of those Real Housewives as well as host of the network’s offbeat talk show, Watch What Happens Live. Front Row VIPs in previous years include publicist and author Kelly Cutrone and fashion designer Christian Siriano.

The Front Row kicks off Thursday, May 19, with the Washington premiere of God Save My Shoes, an appropriately fashionable documentary exploring the enigmatic relationship between women and their footwear. The eclectic cast includes celebrities as well as design luminaries Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik. Friday night is a live runway fashion show including Bethesda Row boutiques Ginger, Luna, Wear It Well, Sassanova and Urban Chic.

Saturday, May 21 brings style to the kiddies with their own special fashion event. All three days will be filled with sales, trunk shows and special events. Though this is what’s on tap so far, there may be more in the works. Please check the website www.bethesdarow.com for updates.  All events are free and open to the public, though some may require RSVPs.

Meeting Vicky Tiel

Coffee and book talk with Vicky Tiel  at Cosi, Bethesda 

Last fall I got to interview fashion designer Vicky Tiel whose trendsetting designs caught the eye of Elizabeth Taylor and other Hollywood icons of the '60s including Ursula Andress and Kim Novak She also designed costumes for movies including "What's New Pussycat" and "Pretty Woman".

I was just a little daunted when she suggested a sit-down at Cosi in Bethesda. I soon discovered there was no need.

She couldn't have been more warm and ingratiating.  A sharp businesswoman, Tiel was driven to live her life exactly how she envisioned it. "I was born to make dresses," she told me. And she still does. Just yesterday I saw one of her gowns on a show on Bravo. I'm convinced that's why at 68, she still has a youthful twinkle in her eye, a big sense of fun and a terrific sense of style. She was influenced by photographer Irving Penn and during a time of frill and fuss, went for spare, clean lines in her designs.

I already felt like I knew her because I'd done my homework and read her recent book, It's All About the Dress, which reveals so much of her. We talked about men, friendship, sex, growing up in Chevy Chase in the '60s, being a cheerleader, sex, being a geisha, men (read the book). We tried on coats down the street at Snowimage.

Now she's happily married to a (younger) man (remember, "geisha") and creating gowns for the Home Shopping Network. She still has her shop, Vicky Tiel, in Paris. Needless to say, I took in every word, eager to absorb the atmosphere around a woman who manages to retain her youthful energy, power, sexuality and creativity at age 68. Rock stars do it. Vicky does, too. 

Read more from my interview with Vicky Tiel in the Shop Talk column in the January/February issue of Bethesda Magazine. 

Vicky drawing a sketch in my book 

Book signing

"Smile!"

New year, new outlook

 enobytes.com

 As we leave 2011 behind and look forward to 2012, I just want to wish my readers all the best in the new year. Most of us ritually make resolutions and I'm hoping that all of you have some dynamic plans and hopes! There's nothing like a fresh start to renew and inspire, whether it's finding your true passion, a great love, a new job, a new business, a terrific book--all ways to help leave a mark on the world.

I'm looking to change up this blog with new eclectic thoughts, sightings and visuals. And finding time to pursue all the things I love most.

Here's to a new start in 2012, bringing in the new and letting go of the dull and rut-like things in our not-so-comfortable "comfort zone". Cheers to all and have a happy, healthy new year!!

Friday Fit: New Year's Resolution = Fitness Done Right

Strong IS the new skinny. Working out
at CrossFit Done Right in Rockville

Here we go, New Year’s resolutions. “I will lose 20 pounds.” “I will get sleek, firm arms like Michelle Obama.” “I will run an eight-minute mile.” We say these kinds of things every Jan. 1.

This time, why don’t you seriously, really do it?

If you’ve been slogging around with the same old routine—15 minutes on the elliptical, a weight machine circuit, a class here and there—yawn—maybe it’s time to try something new.

I don’t have a lot of time to wander around a gym trying to figure out what to do or the money to waste on programs that don’t work. At the suggestion of my trainer, Madeleine Watkins, I started taking classes at CrossFit Done Right in Rockville.

As a group of people ranging from military vets to new mothers to middle-aged men, we run, we squat, we stretch, we jump rope, we do pull-ups and sit-ups. Can’t do any of those things? No problem—you work at your own ability and pace with whatever props and help you need. That’s the point. Though the workouts come  “as prescribed,” the gym acknowledges the fact that most people require different prescriptions.

You’re in there for you. Want to lift weights and stoke your metabolism? Do it. You won’t be fiddling around with 3-lb padded dumbbells, you’ll be hoisting a barbell with plates. Granted those plates may not be as heavy as the big guy’s next to you, but who cares? It will not only make you stronger and more confident, it will totally blast the fat from your amazed, slacker self before you know it.

And that’s the best part. You won’t feel like a slacker for long. Once the clock for the workout of the day buzzes to start, you’ll feel like a kid on the playground, trying your best to beat it and having fun in the process. Everyone spends a lot of time cheering each other on. Then boom, it’s done, you’ve worked out as hard as you can and it’s time to stretch and go home. Every day is a different workout; there’s not much time for you—or your body—to get bored.

The coaches there, in addition to Madeleine, are certified and top-notch. They’ll help you with nutrition, skills and training and give you individualized instruction. There’s no wasted time and wasted effort. And you’ll love your new body and confidence—both inside and outside the gym.

For more information about classes and kids’ programs, visit the website at http://www.crossfitdoneright.com or contact Justin Bacon or Rob Koebke at 301-535-1316. Plans are in the works for a program to prepare runners for MoCo’s Pike’s Peek 10K race on April 29.

12160 Nebel St., 
Rockville, MD, 20852, 301-535-1316, www.crossfitdoneright.com 

Midnight at the Mall: Our guest blogger lives to tell the tale

Photo credit: web.appstorm.net

By guest blogger Will Watkins, 21, a college senior home for the holidays who hit Montgomery Mall's midnight Black Friday sale

Thanksgiving is one of the few days my friends from home ever feel too tired and full to go out, and so we found ourselves with a Thursday night and no idea what to do.  The night quickly took a turn toward the aimless nights of high school, with a group of guys piled into my car and no destination in mind. We headed to the Shell station next to Montgomery Mall—yes that was our best idea—and on our way we noticed cars streaming into the mall parking lot.

“Should we check out Black Friday?” I asked the group.

“Nah, there’s no reason to go.”

“Dude, we’re actually hanging out a gas station.”

After the aforementioned argument quickly took care of itself, we pulled into the mall and miraculously found a spot on the first floor of the jammed garage adjacent to the movie theater. We entered the mall--it was packed. As we walked into the food court, we were instantly brought back to our days of Walter Johnson open lunch: high schoolers were everywhere. 

Even so, we took note of the surreal nature of being in a crowded shopping center at 1 a.m. on a holiday. Hollister and Abercrombie had their half-naked models out in full force, and a DJ near one of the cell phone stands was blasting Miley Cyrus for the whole mall to enjoy. 

I realized I could pick up some toys for my sister. The gym where she works, CrossFit Done Right, was hosting a 5K race in support of Toys for Tots. After  stocking up on Matchbox cars and Batman action figures at Smart Toys, we were back in the food court waiting for my friend Tom to get Chik-fil-A (I guess Thanksgiving wasn’t enough?).  While we were waiting--and waiting--I realized that I needed a new pair of jeans. Tom echoed my sentiments. 

Our first destination was Old Navy, which promised all adult jeans at only $15 a pair. This was enough to get us into the store, but the line stretched from the cash registers all the way to the back wall. Given the fact that the Old Navy checkout lines are dreadfully slow when the store is empty, I decided that the savings were not worth the time.

Our next stop was American Eagle, which offered 40% off all purchases made before 9 a.m.. This too was attractive, but once again the line was too much for us to handle. 

Just as we were ready to leave, I spotted the sale advertisement at Aeropostale: 50% off everything in the store, with an additional 20% off before 9 am. I sped into the store. After some initial puzzlement about whether or not I was looking at men’s jeans, I found a pair that looked good and was roughly my size. It was marked at $49.99, and with the discount and tax they came to about $20, a great deal for good quality denim. As were waiting in line, another friend, Kyle, suddenly decided that the deal was too good to pass up. He went back for a pair and handed them off to Tom with some cash. Kyle needed shoes too, but he decided that DSW on a regular day was cheaper than anything in the mall on Black Friday.

We left the mall feeling satisfied with our purchases. I am definitely planning on returning to Black Friday next year.

The stars come out for Porcelanosa's opening party

When a tile store has a world-renowned chef, an Argentine supermodel and the Spanish ambassador attending the opening party, you know it must be special. And that's after guests were greeted by a four-beam spotlight blazing from the parking lot.

The superstars as well as designers, clients and friends showed up to celebrate Porcelanosa's new location Thursday night on Rockville Pike and Nicholson Lane. The upscale showroom offers cutting-edge flooring and tiles--glass, ceramic, porcelain and stone--that have graced well-furnished homes both here and abroad, including Prince Charles's royal residences. The store also carries luxury bath and kitchen fixtures.

Well-heeled clientele --there was no shortage of Chanel, red-soled shoes and great haircuts--filled the streamlined store and knoshed on authentic Spanish tapas. Most interesting to me were the "liquid olives" served in a spoon. At first I thought they were clams, but the man proffering the tidbits told me to just "put it in your mouth, where it will work its magic." I did as I was told and was greeted with a silky, liquified version of an olive. Delicious.

The guests also included my own kitchen contractor, Eugene Zagoskin of Z&P Construction, who's been working with Porcelanosa for 15 years. Another guest was my son's former volunteer baseball coach, a designer with Kitchen Land. Here are some examples of the kinds of streamlined, European designs you'll find in the new store.

Love this giant shower head

One of many powder/bathroom displays. This happened to be my favorite. 

Liquid olives

The sleekest range hood

Early guests in the airy showroom

Just had to do it--snagged a photo with Chef Jose Andres and a Porcelanosa owner.

Let it Snow! Apres Ski on the W Hotel Rooftop

Though I was nearly breaking a sweat in my Chanel-esque white wool jacket on a balmy 60 degree night, the Apres Ski Lounge at the W Hotel's rooftop bar last night was a virtual frosty wonderland.

Between the actual skis on the Ski Chalet display, the bright red glittering Ugg boots, the s'mores and the introduction of several new hot toddies, guests were transported to a wintry lodge complete with bright snowy branches, reindeer antlers-and skis. 

 

 The fete, put on by Gilt City, was preceded by a media preview of wonderful warm winter cocktails:


Hot Apple Butter Rum
Rum, Apple Butter, Spices

Four drinks photos by Geoff Chessman for W. Washington D.C. 

Pumpkin Cider
Vodka, Pumpkin Cider, Spices

Whiskey Skin
Scotch, lemon peel, sugar, hot water

Sheridan’s Coffee
Jameson, brown sugar, cream

Guests who knocked themselves out on the Kinect winter sports games appreciated the Bliss massages--all guests scored a swag bag full of Bliss products and a brownie bite. The best touch was that the festivities took place high above the city. We were all treated to amazing views of the White House, the Washington Monument and even the blazing spires of the Air Force Memorial off in the distance. Let it snow!