DC CHARITY EVENT: FANNIE MAE & BLOOMIE'S TEAM UP TO HELP THE HOMELESS

The Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Program is teaming up with three Bloomingdale’s stores in our area to help raise awareness about homelessness in the Washington metropolitan region. On Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, shoppers can help impact the lives of thousands of homeless individuals in our community by making a purchase at any of these three Bloomingdale’s locations: Friendship Heights, White Flint, and Tysons Corner. Shoppers simply need to tell the associate at check out that they’d like their purchase to support the Help the Homeless Program.

Since 1988, Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program has raised more than $85 million for nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving homeless people in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Each year, tens of thousands of people get involved in the Help the Homeless Program by walking in the walkathon on the National Mall, walking in community mini-walks, making a donation, being a sponsor, or volunteering their time to support organizations dedicated to serving homeless people.

Get to shopping!

DC STYLE EVENT: Artaya Takes Over Bloomingdale's

For the first time, Bloomingdale's will feature the contemporary
jewelry line, ARTAYA, during a weekend trunk show hosted in Chevy
Chase, Maryland. The event will take place on Friday, May 13 through
Sunday, May 15, 2011 near the fashion jewelry counter located on the
first floor. The show will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. when
designer Dana Ayanna Greaves will greet guests and answer any jewelry
questions.

Characterized by a whimsical sophistication and vibrant color palette,
Artaya jewelry is hand crafted in Washington, DC by the designer. The
collection draws upon multicultural influences and is made with fine
and recycled papers, sterling silver, gold-filled metal, and
eco-friendly materials. Each piece reflects Greaves’ playfulness and
balances unique textures with structured shapes.

WHO IS DC's TOP ARTISTA?

And DC's Top Artista is...

Rachel Cothran, Project Beltway

Last night, some of DC's most fashionable babes (including yours truly) participated in an art competition to be DC's Top Artista! This collaborative idea between ArtJamz, Becky's Fund, and Bloomingdales sought to raise money for Becky's Fund, an organization that puts on a variety of programs in order to further its mission of preventing domestic violence. Bloomies donated 10% of all purchases during the event to Becky's Fund!

Competing for the prize last night, along with me, were Kelly Collis (The City Shop Girl), Kate Michael (K Street Kate), Holly Thomas (Washington Post), Elaine Mensah (FashionBS), Rachel Cothran (Project Beltway), and Pamela Sorensen (Pamela’s Punch). Each of us were given a dress to use for inspiration. Our challenge was to use our creative energy to render on canvas our interpretation of the perfect accessory to complement the dress. ArtJamz supplied all of the artistic materials including a canvas, easel, paint and brushes. At the end of the two-hour period, the audience choose the winner.

It was so great to finally meet ArtJamz founder, Michael Clements and his staff. They provided very useful tips that helped us tap into our inner artists. It was also amazing to finally meet Becky Lee of Becky's Fund. I so love what she is doing and her cause is one that is so very important to me. I will always raise my hand to help where empowering women is concerned.

Here are some pics from the night including my design:

My dress and my design


Holly Thomas (who was first runner-up)



Kelly Collis


Kate Michaels


Pamela Sorensen


Elaine Mensah


Many, many thanks to Heather Guay and Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase for hosting the event.

ArtJamz, Paint, and Some Fashionable Babes

Here's the deal! On April 21st, some of DC's most fashionable babes will be competing to raise money for Becky's Fund, an organization that puts on a variety of programs in order to further its mission of preventing domestic violence. Bloomies will be donating 10% of all purchases during the event to Becky's Fund! So fab.

Yours truly, along with Kelly Collis (The City Shop Girl), Jennifer Barger (Washington Post), Kate Michael (K Street Kate), Holly Thomas (Washington Post), Elaine Mensah (FashionBS), Rachel Cothran (Project Beltway), and Pamela Sorensen (Pamela’s Punch) will be vying for the title "Washington's Top Artista." ArtJamz founder, Michael Clements, is putting our creativity to the test. ArtJamz will be supplying the artistic materials including a canvas, easel, paint and brushes. Our challenge is create a painting to match the season's hottest looks. At the end of the two-hour period, the audience will choose the winner.

So come on out and see who will be crowned "Washington's Top Artista!" I can pull together a fab outfit in minutes. But we will see if I can channel Jacob Lawrence or Wassily Kandinsky to pull this off!

Here are the deets:

Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase
5300 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

When: Thursday, April 21, 2011
Time: 6:30PM to 8:30PM


Hosted by: Bloomingdale’s Genki Media LLC, and Becky’s Fund
It's free and open to the public and you can register at Washington's Top Artista.

FASHION REPLAY: Ports 1961 Supports Refugees International

Our Marketing and PR Rep, Chauncea was on hand to attend a very special fashion event. Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase and W Magazine were the hosts for a special showing of the Ports 1961 collection.

Hors d' oeuvres, pastries, & champagne were served as folks had a chance to peruse the fabulous Ports 1961 collection in this fashion show with a distinct purpose. Ten percent of all purchases towards Ports 1961 would go to Refugees International.

Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. Refugees International help people return home and rebuild their lives when wars end. They also seek to improve peacekeeping in crisis areas. Refugees International also provide internally displaced people with the same levels of protection and assistance as refugees who have crossed borders. There are 41.2 million refugees and internally displaced people worldwide.

You can visit Refugees International to learn more about this organization and how you can help.

What I Want Now - Statement Jewelry: Kate Spade

One in each color, please. Kate Spade @ Bloomingdale's.

Capitol Fashionista Outing: A Fab Weekend

What an amazing weekend. I took full advantage of the gorgeous weather. Here's a recap of the weekend:

Thursday

Attended the Labels for Love event at Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase. Labels for Love is a 501 (c)(3) charity that stages fashionable events to raise funds for and bring awareness to women's and children's charities. There were martinis (of course), a DJ, and special discounts on everything and I do mean everything. Even clothes that were already on sale. Loved it! Walked out with a lovely BCBG Max Azria dress that I can't wait to wear and it was for a great cause.

Friday


Headed on over to Constitution Hall with my girl, V to Shecky's DC. Again, martinis were overflowing sponsored by Skyy Infusions. The X-Rated Flirtini was very tasty but the Midori Margarita was deadly. There was pretty much nothing that could fit us. So we didn't buy any clothes but I bought quite a few beautiful pieces of jewelry and V bought two gorgeous handbags. We left and had dinner at Old Ebbitt's Grill. It was marvelous. It was my first time there and I was trying very hard not to curse out the hostess who deliberately overlooked us. But the meal was stupendous.

Saturday
Headed up to Brooklyn for a Wedding Blogger's Conference. I also blog about all things weddings over at The Bridal Wishlist. For a complete update on that event, head on over there for the recap. I had a ball. It was good to meet my fellow wedding bloggers.

Sunday

Brunch with some of my girlfriends. I just realized that I had not seen them since last year. I missed them so it was good to catch up. We had brunch at Busboys and Poets. I had french toast because I love it so much. Isaiah Washington came and sat with a lady near us and was acting brand new. The waitress was trying to talk to him and he acted like he wasn't who he really was. What a jerk! After he left, the woman with him apologized to the waitress. He was the one who should have been apologizing. So we caught up, ate and laughed like fools. It felt good. It was beyond hot but I was loving life. Left my girls and headed over to H&M to see what trouble I could get into. Bought a few things and headed home to watch my beloved Capitals put a hurting on the Rangers. It's on to Game 7 at Verizon Center. Go Caps!

What To Wear To Brunch

A bright and cheerful outfit for brunch. From top to bottom: Dress, Karen Millen; Earrings, Forever 21; Bracelet; Anthropologie; Handbag, Kathy van Zeeland @ Macy's; Shoes, Diane von Furstenberg @ Bloomingdales.