I hadn’t intended to do a New Year’s post, but I woke up this morning to my friend Ada’s New Year’s resolution blog post and now I’m super inspired to do a little writing myself. Sorry this isn’t my typical style-related blog post, but it’s a little insight into this little blogger’s personal life, so maybe you’ll enjoy this…or at the very least, enjoy a glass of champy while reading this!
1.) To learn conversational French
I’ve been teaching myself very little French for a few years now. If you’ve read my blog, you know I’m a bit of a Francophile, so naturally, learning the language of my adopted people is a must. I JUST purchased all 5 levels of Rosetta Stone French, so I am so excited to improve upon my French. My goal is to learn conversational – meaning being able to converse at a moderate level – in French by this time next year. Wish me luck (or bon chance!).
2.) To read 2 books per month
This is possibly my loftiest goal of all. I’ve been so bad about reading the books I want to read. I have SO many books piled up on my nightstand for MONTHS that I’ve yet to crack open. I’m in a book club that meets about every 6 weeks, but there are books that I want to read that I have just been bad about actually doing. So one book a month will be my book club book, and the other will be MY book that I want to read. And I’m really excited about this!
3.) To give back more
I have been SO blessed and fortunate, and I remind myself about that all of the time. My cup truly runneth over – I have a job I love that allows me to live the life I want to live, I have the BEST friends in the world, I get to travel, etc. etc. – so really, I have every reason in the world to give back. Be it my time and financially, I really want to find a charity or nonprofit organization that I feel passionately about where I can both volunteer my time and donate money to.
Feel free to post YOUR suggestions below in the comment section!
4.) To learn to do the splits
Haha – I know, this one is a funny one, but this has been a lifelong goal of mine forever! This one I actually want to accomplish by my 20-10th birthday this year, so look out for a photo of me doing the splits – I’m gonna get all Kyle Richards on you people!
5.) To frame and hang my photos
This is one that’s on EVERYONE’S list! I have beautiful photos and artwork from Paris, Provance, Mexico – all of my travels, and I desperately want to hang them up. Framing. however, is definitely the most daunting part. Nonetheless, the thought of being surrounded by photos of the places I have traveled just makes me SO happy, and I am all about the happiness!
6.) To make my love life a priority
I have a GREAT life, and I am very content as a single woman. But who doesn’t enjoy having a special person to share your great life with? 2011 has had some ups and downs in the love dept., but I’m an optimist and I’m going to say I’ve had more ups than downs this year. I’ve learned so much about myself and what I want and need in a relationship. I truly believe it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. My mom seems to think 2012 is my year for love. I won’t go as far as to say that, but this little hopeful romantic is looking forward to all the possibilities that 2012 will bring…and if you happen to know any eligible bachelors…wink!
So those are my New Year’s resolutions for 2012! Now it’s your turn! What are your New Year’s resolutions??
Want to win a Camelback-style Eddie Bauer backpack?? Keep reading to find out how!
A few weeks ago, I was invited by Eddie Bauer to come check out their new Holiday Collection at the Tyson’s Corner location. My first thought was “Have they met me?? I don’t camp. I don’t do mountains.” But once I got there and saw the collection, I was WRONG, baby, wrong.
Once synonymous with L.L. Bean and outdoorsy attire for the upwardly mobile, Eddie Bauer has gone through a veritable makeover in the past few years. Dare I say, much of what I saw in the store was not only cute and contemporary, but on trend.
As part of their “Blogger’s Day” event, I was asked to style one men’s look and one women’s look from the Holiday Collection (how fun!). I love the casual “boyfriend” look of both the men’s and women’s styles. The layered look is once again very chic this season. The rumpled look works best when it’s still fitted to your body!
So without further ado, the Eddie Bauer 2011 Holiday Collection (as style by yours truly!):
My favorite pieces from the collection:
- Diamond Blanket Cardigan ($149)
- Sherpa Cabin Sweater Coat ($149)
- Relaxed Fit Eddie’s Favorite Flannel Shirt ($39.95)
- Classic Fit Button Fatigue Fisherman Sweater ($59.95)
What do you think of the Eddie Bauer 2011 Holiday Collection? Will any of these items make your holiday wishlist??
CONTEST: Would you like this Camelback-style Eddie Bauer backpack?? Simply Tweet this: “@DistrictCouture I want the @EddieBauer backpack! http://bit.ly/u0WHyO” and I will choose a winning Tweeter at random!
*Disclosure: After arriving to the blogger event, I was told I would be receiving a complimentary Eddie Bauer gift card.*
While we’re lucky to be having a mild fall in DC this year, winter is just around the corner! Most of you know how unpredictable winter in the metro-area can be – 5 feet of snow followed by 60 degree weather in the middle of February. Precisely why it’s important to be prepared with a fabulous winter coat!
Contrary to what you might see walking along K Street, winter coats do not have to be drab, dark and dowdy! Quite the opposite, winter coats are one of the most chic items of clothing a person can own. A great coat gives you form, makes you look tailored and put-together, and best of all, can dress up an otherwise casual outfit.
So my friends at Let’s Talk Live on Newschannel 8 (aka TBD) asked me to come on and talk about this winter’s hottest trends in winter coat couture! Click the video below or watch here.
Curious about how to warm up in style this winter?
- The top trend in coats and outerwear this 2011-2012 winter season is FUR! Of course, faux fur is the ONLY way to go (real fur is so Lower Paleolithic…)
- Break out of your colorless winter rut and go bold with a bright coat!
- Patterns are also huge! Try a muted skin print or a neutral plaid.
- 3/4 sleeves on coats are so chic! Grab a pair of black opera gloves and you won’t have to fret about the frost!
- Get a cape! Capes are very chic, and such a fun, glamourous throwback to yesteryear.
Looking for the coats featured in the video?
With the changing of the seasons, sometimes our hair does a little changing of its own. Perhaps you might be feeling like your trusty old conditioner just isn’t rising to the challenge? Renowned hair stylist to the stars, Frederic Fekkai, feels your pain! That’s why the Fekkai salon in Saks Tysons Corner invites you to stop by on Thursday, October 27 for ‘Calling All Conditioners’ day to trade in your old full-size conditioner for one full-size (8 oz.) Fekkai Advanced conditioner of your choice, a $25 value, while supplies last. That’s right – receive a FREE bottle of Fekkai conditioner when you bring in any full-size bottle of your own!
The “Calling All Conditioners” day is part of the new “Hair by Fekkai, Life by You” campaign from Fekkai. A Fekkai team representative will be on hand to offer customers a personalized consultation complete with a corresponding conditioner of your choice. Conditioner options include: Brilliant Glossing Conditioner, Salon Technician Color-Care Conditioner and Full Blown Volume Conditioner.
For additional information about Fekkai’s “Calling All Conditioners,” please visit www.fekkai.com.
Fact: Fashion and retail employs millions of people worldwide and is a multi-billion dollar industry, generating $50 million on average annually, and contributing to local and global economies.
On Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 6pm – 11pm, Washington, DC will turn into a capital city of style as thousands of local residents head out to Fashion’s Night Out Georgetown! Essentially a block party on steroids, over 100 boutiques, restaurants, merchants & salons will come together to host an extraordinary evening of shopping, entertainment and neighborhood-wide fashion events during the global shopping celebration to promote our local fashion, retail and shopping industry.
Called the ‘best fashion party in history,’ FNO Georgetown (also referred to as DC’s Fashion’s Night Out) is a star-studded event coordinated by the Georgetown BID in partnership with FNO sponsor Capitol File Magazine. Fashion’s Night Out Georgetown will kick-off with an exclusive VIP/Media champagne reception at the L2 Lounge in Cady’s Alley at 3315 Cady’s Alley NW, Washington, DC.
Check out the red carpet as local photos get a glimpse of the stylish host committee including Mary Amons of Labels for Love, Annie Lou Bayley of Daily Candy DC, Kelly Collis of City Shop Girl & co-host of The Tommy Show on Fresh 94.7, Paul Wharton of Evolution Style, and yours truly, Marie Coleman of District Couture and the DC Style Examiner.
Parties will be held all over Georgetown – from up M Street to down Wisconsin Ave., shops are extending their normal store hours, offering sales, gift bags, DJs spinning in-store and more champagne flowing than a Jay-Z video. Worried about getting from store to store in style, not a problem! FNO pedicabs will be out in full-force offering free rides with purchase receipt from participating stores!
Georgetown’s Fashion’s Night Out promises shoppers the most memorable fashion industry celebration DC has ever seen. Hope to see you on the 8th!
Where to Shop
Click here for a complete list of participating retailers.
Shop for a cause – purchase a $10 signature Georgetown DC eco-friendly tote bag and $15 t-shirt from participating stores or at the BYT Lounge at Dean & DeLuca. 100% of proceeds benefit Labels for Love. Labels for Love is committed to raising funds and awareness for women’s and children’s organizations in the Washington, DC Capital Region as well as national and international areas in need.
WINK – 3109 M Street NW – Stop by from 8-9pm to meet me & get style tips as you shop! I’ll be hosting a special party with Wink’s owner Paige. Shop the Fall 2011 collections from designers like DVF, Vince, J Brand, Receive a free gift with purchase from 6 – 9 pm!
Fornash – The Shoppes at Georgetown, 3222 M Street #7 – Stop by from 7 – 10 pm and meet the ‘Georgetown Angels’: Kassie Rempel of Simply Soles, Heidi Kallett of The Dandelion Patch and Stephanie Fornash Kennedy of Fornash along with Andrea Rogers of AskMissA.com. Sip on Skinny Girl Cocktails, nibble on sugary treats, indulge in champagne and enjoy a wine tasting. 20% off regular priced items and enter the Angels raffle!
Betsey Johnson – 3029 M Street NW – One of the hottest parties during DC’s Fashion’s Night Out is the Betsey Johnson CandyLAND Garden Party! Come by to meet Paul Wharton & Lolly Amons, sip on drinks from Potomac Wine & Spirit featuring SKINNYGIRL Margarita’s! Plus, check out Betsey’s live Candyland Models!
Vintage en Vogue – Citronelle at The Lantham Hotel, 3000 M Street NW – Join famed chef, Michel Richard and MyDCStyle.com’s April Jones Firoozabadi in the lobby of The Latham Hotel for a catwalk and culinary adventure. Enjoy designer wineries, hors d’oeuvres and the hautest looks for the fall.
What to Do
Look for the FNO Georgetown Hot Air Balloon hovering high above Wisconsin Ave & M St. There will be the roaming dancers rockin’ the streets of Georgetown and the FNO Fashion Flash Mob at the PNC Bank parking lot (at M St. and Wisconsin Avenue) at 7 p.m. – feel free to join in!
Watch 50 lucky couples compete for their dream wedding at the “Get Hitched in Georgetown“ competition. Couples will compete to win the ultimate Georgetown wedding package compliments of 20 Georgetown merchants – including a designer wedding gown, tiered cake, five-star wedding suite, invitations and even a waterfront reception – in what will be an unforgettable showdown. Couples will compete in several entertaining, must-watch activities in the TD Bank lot (1611 Wisconsin Avenue) at 8:30 p.m.
Dance and drink in between fashion events at the swanky BYT Lounge at Dean & DeLuca. Brightest Young Things is hosting this funky and fashionable lounge complete with wine tastings, “flower power” accessory making and an FNO photo shoot wall for glam photo ops. 6 -11 pm Dean & DeLuca 3267 M Street, NW. ·
Step into the FotoDC FNO FotoBooth for a snapshot and see your 10’x14’ portrait projected onto the PNC Bank building and enjoy a free take away photo.
The Host Committee
Georgetown’s Fashion’s Night Out is being hosted by a special committee of DC’s most style-savvy media professionals, stylists and personalities. The host committee is generously giving their time and support to the event, and we look forward to toasting with them in Georgetown on September 8th!
Mary Amons, Labels for Love
Annie Lou Bayly, DailyCandy DC
Katherine Boyle, Fashion Washington
Kelly Collis, CityShopGirl & 94.7 Fresh FM
Marie Coleman, District Couture & DC Style Examiner
Rachel Cothran, projectbeltway.com
Jeff Dufour, UrbanDaddy
Lynda Erkiletian, T.H.E. Artist Agency
Angie Goff, DC News Personality & http://ohmygoff.tv/
Walter Grio, Shoot for Change
Philippa Hughes, The Pink Line Project
Samy K, Hot 99.5
Svetlana Legetic, Brightest Young Things
Kate Michael, KStreetKate.net
Sarah Schaffer, Capitol File Magazine
Janice Wallace, The Capitol Fashionista
Andre Wells, Events by Andre Wells
Paul Wharton, Paul Wharton Style
Stay Up-to-Date
Stay up-to-date on all the fashion, parties, discounts and FUN at FNO Georgetown! Check out the website and follow us on Twitter. I’ll be checking in on FourSquare, posting photos to Twitter and Facebook throughout the evening!
FNO Website: http://www.fashionsnightout.com/
DC FNO Website http://www.fashionsnightoutgeorgetowndc.com/index.html
Follow @FNOGeorgetown on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter @DistrictCouture
About Fashion’s Night Out
From Manhattan to Milan, Atlanta to Australia, the after-hours shopping extravaganza Fashion’s Night Out is back! Fashion’s Night Out is an unprecedented global initiative created in 2009 in a partnership between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy, and put the fun back in shopping. Since then the event has grown exponentially, expanding nationally in 2010 to over 100 cities and globally into 15 countries.
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