Links à la Mode: A Touch of Frivolity

A Touch of Frivolity

Edited by Retro Chick

It’s been a long time since pay day and this weeks Links à la Mode brings a touch of much needed frivolity as we crawl into the second month of a new decade. Idiosyncratic Style takes Scooby Doo’s Velma as her style inspiration, Dirty Hems is inspired by dolls houses and Ode to Awe shows off her leopard print nails. Want something for nothing? A few Goody Gumdrops has an Aspinall of London bag to giveaway and Retro Chick (that’s me!) has 2 Valentine goodie bags to giveaway worth over £100 each. We’ve also got some great designer interviews and some practical advice.

On a more sober note there’s some timely tips from Sway, Sway, Sway! on how you can continue to donate to Haiti without getting scammed, Shoe Daydreams discusses Tanya Golds “Why I hate Fashion” article and Ventures of Jenn shares her opinions on the body image debate.

Bring on February!

Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: January 28th

• 39th and broadway – 5 Questions To Ask Before Beginning a Career in Fashion


• A Few Goody GumDrops – A Few Goody Gumdrops and Aspinal of London are Giving away an ever-so chic and sophisticated beige patterned skin clutch!


• Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style.


• Bonne Vie – Invest in Quality Denim; featuring How-To Tips from Denim Debutante


• Cafe Fashionista – Style Secrets: Cowboy Boots Made Classy


• Cindy Whitehead – The Modern Snow Bunny


• Denim Debutante – Aeropostale Gives Back with Teens for Jeans Campaign


• dirty hems. – In the Dollhouse – Miniature inspiration and a teeny resulting DIY


• Dramatis Personae – a feature & interview with the designer behind i am dorkas


• Fasshonaburu – I challenge myself to follow my own dress code regulations in order to wow up my day to day ensembles.


• fête à fête – Clarins debuts first certified organic beauty soap


• Idiosyncratic Style – Inspired by the sartorially underrated Velma Dinkley.


• Independent Fashion Bloggers – IFB Presents : Evolving Influence Conference NYFW 2010


• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – Interview with Janeane Marie Ceccanti


• Ode to Awe – I review Minx Nails, plus my glamourous Russian Garnet cocktail ring


• Oranges and Apples – Vintage teenage hair inspiration


• Retro Chick – Valentines Day is on it’s way and Retro Chick has 2 goodie bags worth over £100 each to give away to help you celebrate!


• Shoe Daydreams – Fashion Influences (?)


• Style Eyes Fashion Blog – I have avoided eco and ethical fashion in the past because of the price but I have just discovered it is affordable and stylish.


• Style Symmetry – How to Choose Items at a Clothing Swap Party


• Sway Sway Away! – A passionate plea from a member of the global community to her fashionable brothers and sister: help Haiti!


• THE COVETED – Suzy Menkes, Facehunter, LeMads & The Coveted talk about fashion blogs


• ventures of jenn – on body issues

LOCAL SALE: Treat Winter Sale

Treat is having their final winter clearance salet his weekend with a bang. For one day only, save an additional 30% off all already reduced fall and winter clearance items, for total savings of up to 80% off retail. Their new spring merchandise begins arriving next week, so this is the last opportunity to save big on cold weather attire before it heads to their Alexandria Warehouse Sale next week!

What I Want Now: Nanette Lepore

This flirty little leather by Nanette Lepore should be on your "must have" list for Spring 2010. If not, put it there. Get it at Neiman's.

See You Later, Alligator: Fada Bangle

Lovin' this textured faux alligator bangle. Get it at Dress Up Boutique.

Fab Vintage Find: Vintage Bling Bling @

Oh my, vintage bling. This is the perfect accessory for your "red carpet" look. Get it at Whimsical Vintage Jewelry and Collectibles.

Fab Vintage Find: Designer Fashion and Vintage Halston

How fab is this vintage Halston dress? There are very few vintage frocks like a Halston vintage frock. Designer fashion at its best. Get it at Two 4 Letter Too. Measurements: Bust: 25 to 32 Inches, Waist: 24 to 28 Inches, Hips: 28 to 36 Inches

Fashion Deal of the Day: A Little Embellishment @ Spiegel

This is the cutest dress and it's $29.00 @ Spiegel. Get it before it is gone.

Links à la Mode: The Heavyweights

The Heavyweights

Edited by Dramatis Personae

Fashion’s getting heavier– and I’m not just talking about the rise of supermodels like Crystal Renn. This week we’ve got meaty posts covering ethical topics like the sustainability of bamboo at Awakened Aesthetic while Bonne-Vie covers the the implications of buying items made in China. We’ve got not 1–not 2, but 3 AMAZING Interviews this week at Alice in Stilettos, kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS, and White Rabbit. Even Gala Darling’s post on her 2010 Style Direction could serve as a paperweight, it’s so chock full of inspiring images, details, and notations.

As usual, there’s a fabulous collection of links in the forums for your continued reading pleasure!

Links à la Mode: January 21st

• Alice in Stilettos: – Interviewed brilliant 18 year old designer, Nathan Gerard!


• Awakened Aesthetic: – How Green is Your Bamboo?


• Bonne Vie: – At Bonne Vie, we talked about the impact of conscious spending on your wardrobe (and one girl’s journey to not buy “Made In China”)


• Cafe Fashionista: – Style Secrets: Stormy Sophistication. A comprehensive guide for the girl who wants to remain fashionable even in the midst of a monsoon!


• DailyDivaDish: – Vintage Broaches: 8 Unique ways to wear these treasures & more — includes many pics of different broaches & a DIY idea for reusing those with broken clasps.


• dramatis personae: – Following Your Instincts…When Meeting New People, When Shopping, When at Work, and When in Love


• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Ponders the significance of the C. Finley Wallpapered Dumpster Project


• For Those About to Shop: – nternational runway sensation Stacey McKenzie inspires aspiring models to be themselves.


• Gala Darling: – 2010 Style Direction: Psychadelic Ladies Who Lunch


• girl friday : – DIY Ribbon Necklace & Bracelet. tutoirial on how to make your own ribbon necklace.


• hello beauty! – In my post on Hello Beauty, I wrote about the new Bobbi Brown campaign. She’s using friends – not models.


• Idee Fixe: – Fashion and the arts charities supporting Haitian Relief on Idee Fixe


• In Life & In Fashion: – Make a “Most Coveted List” to avoid silly impulse spending! Includes tip on how to create your own list and what is currently on mine!


• Independent Fashion Bloggers: – How to Create Your Media Kit


• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – My exclusive interview with Inbar Spector, an Israeli London-based designer whose renowned avant garde Bjork-inspired designs have been worn by celebrities such as Rihanna.


• Model Max: – A special report on the history of male modeling – from the 1980s to the present time, with short profiles of selected male models who remain successful even after modeling.


• Oranges and Apples: – Top tips for organising your wardrobe


• Retro Chick – The 4 things I’ve always wanted but never owned


• THE COVETED – Marion Cotillard and Franz Ferdinand team up for Dior


• the fashionate traveller: – the rock/burlesque/voodoo vibe that is alternative Sydney label Baroque & Roll.


• White Rabbit: – Introducing Sorcha Gillet, the Irish born textile designer and blogger.

Miu Miu For Me, Miu Miu For You

If you know me, you know that I totally adore Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu line. Her line is so full of vibrancy and life. I haven't seen one thing that I would not wear. This beautiful dress is no exception. Now to find $1330... hmmmmm

Available at Net-a-Porter.

Smoking Hot Designer Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Boots @ ModCloth

Who else would put together a "work boot" and ruffles? Only Jeffrey Campbell - the man pushes the envelope with every shoe or boot that he puts his name on. Love these. A little tough and a little sweet, all at the same time. Get a pair, where else but ModCloth.

Coach Leatherware: Not So Traditional Anymore

I am a pretty traditional person when it comes to my handbags. I am a big fan of Coach. I have Coach bags older than my children. LOL. But I only buy the very safe, very traditional bags because I really don't buy into fads. But this cutsey graffiti bag from their Poppy Collection got my attention. I could totally see me sporting this to brunch with my girls. See this and their entire Poppy Collection here.

Fashion Designer Spotlight: Sikara & Co

Sikara & Co is the brainchild of Mousumi Shaw. Shaw helped her mother, an immigrant from India, start up her own jewelry company in the United States. Fourteen years later, Mousumi decided to launch Sikara, which incorporates her passions for art, jewelry and other cultures. Her international collections spotlight amazing designers and their cultures from all around the globe.

Here are my favs. You can see her entire collection on here.

Fab Vintage Find: Timeless Fashion Elegance @ Meat-Market

As usual, this amazing, gorgeous dress would be mine but my body is not cooperating. My jaws dropped when I saw the back of this dress. So not only are you WOW-ing folks coming but also going! That is how a true fashion diva does it. Up for auction at Meat-Market. Auction ends tonight @ 18:45:45 PST. Measurements (muliply by 2): bust: 15.5" to 17" max, waist: 13" to 14.5", hip: 25",length: 41

Fab Vintage Find: Rockstar Appeal @ Saffron Vintage

This jacket is so totally rockstar! It is a Holly Harp original (designing diva for Fleetwood Mac). So it is worth all of the $125 that Saffron Vintage is asking. Hop on it quickly because it is a Buy-it-Now deal on eBay.

Fab Vintage Find: Fashion Trend - The Cape Coat @ Thrifted

Capes were a huge fashion trend this season. So if spending $2000 - $3000 is not in your budget, go vintage. This cape coat is fab. It is up for auction at one of my favorite eBay stores, Thrifted. Auction ends on January 19, 2010 @ 17:28:39 PST.

DC Fashionista Event: Champagne Brunch @ Fresh

Get your shop on today at Fresh Boutique from 2 pm to 4 pm. Sip a little champagne and enjoy delish cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes while you shop. All items are $59 or less. Happy Shopping.

And The Winner Is...

Thanks to everyone who entered. The winner of our Anniversary contest is Carol from Dandelion Vintage. Congratulations Carol! Please email me your information to: thecapitolfashionista@gmail.com or DM me on Twitter to @stylish_in_dc.

Capitol Fashionista Outing: Modus Union 2010

What a fab event! Modus Union 2010 featured the gorgeous clothes of one of my favorite designers, Lela Rose. Lela Rose brought her amazing Spring 2010 line to DC Fashionistas. Modus Union 2010 is the brainchild of Mary Schmidt Amons, founder of Labels for Love, Inc. Amons started Labels of Love, Inc. in 2006, to produce fashionable events to raise funds and awareness for the foundation's chosen causes. The recipient of last night's proceeds is the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children's National Medical Center. What a great cause. You just couldn't go wrong with the ABA Agency, Ted Gibson and Jelena Marjanovic backstage pulling it all together for you. There were delish hors d'oeurves and open bar (we had a wonderful mojitos and a spot of champagne). As a fab surprise, Kate Michael of K Street Kate was a model. She looked amazing. Not to mention the hilarious TV crews from The Real Housewives of DC and the Real World DC hanging around filming. I hope this is not a sign of things to come this summer.

So here I am with my PIC, VB. VB had on the most amazing red and black shoes. Folks were giving her big compliments all night. Funny enough, we turned around and a woman was taking a picture of my brown tights (that were fab by the way) and her red/black shoes.



There were artists abound including Maggie O'Neill pictured in the blue dress which she was painting on. Loved that. There were other artists including Lolly Amons, Roxanne Christie, Don Patron, Rodger Schultz, Matt Sesow, and Karen Suderman.





There were these forms which were works of art that were up for auction.

Links à la Mode: Style - An Introspective Approach

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

This week, some of us looked back at icons of the past, such as // Fade to #c5c5c5's Marchesa Luisa Casati, Fabulous Finds Gal 's Horst photography post, and Cafe Fashionista's take on Diana Vreeland's famous quotes, while others looked at how far we've come, such as The Curvy Fashionista's plus size fashion observations and A Dress & A Bike 's thoughts on what it means to be sexy. Each post brought a unique angle to the subject at hand, and raised important topics of self-expression, style, adaptation, trends, individuality, and acceptance. It's fascinating to examine our own fashion-related introspection, and think about how our inner selves, thoughts and feelings, are reflected through the clothing choices we make, the pairing of certain looks, and of course our writing and blogs.

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode: January 14th

• // Fade to #c5c5c5 - Marchesa Luisa Casati inspire artists, designers and authors till this day, more than 50 years after her death


• A Dress & A Bike - Discussion of the trends of 'sexy'


• Alice in Stilettos - Runway Review: The Colors for Spring!


• Bonnie Vie - Discussing retail hell and how both customers and sales associates can contribute to better shopping experiences for everyone.


• Cafe Fashionista - Why Don't You...? In the spirit of Diana Vreeland; a post featuring luxurious things one can do to make themselves feel fabulous!


• 'cause I'd rather waste my life pretending - Bites sized interview with Stephanie J, Editor In Chief of N.E.E.T Magazine


• Cool Mama Style - Is there an ideal pair of panties?


• Dedicated- Gets downright nosey with Nadia Izruna of the gorgeous & girly indie label Nadinoo


• Denim Debutante - teaches you about discrepancies in denim sizing


• Dramatis Personae - How to Custom Order Goods from Your Indie Friends


• Fabulous Finds Gal - Horst photography is a study in elegance, style and rarefied glamour that spanned 60 years


• Fashion Pulse Daily - Finds the Habillees series on the Sundance Channel to be the perfect elixir for another hectic fashion week soon approaching!


• Fasshionaburu - Reviews an indie label from Australia she discovered called Evil Twin


• Independent Fashion Bloggers- How to cover fashion week....when you're not there.


• Le Quaintrelle - A collection of Hermes-inspired outfits from my own closet.


• M.I.S.S. - She's Crafty - Safety Pin Epaulets & Fringe Lapel Pin


• odetoawe - Love for the movie Cry-Baby, and how to get Traci Lords' rockabilly look


• Rags to Reverie - Fantastic plastic to slip on your fingers


• Skinny Buddha - Sending out some love to the artists creating handmade items


• Style Symmetry - Interview with Audi of Fashion For Nerds


• The Coveted - Snow boots? Winter comfort or style?


• The Curvy Fashionista - Plus size fashion has picked up major steam, inspiring both yeas and nays for the latest in V magazine- stating it just a trend- or is it?

What Sexiness Lies Beneath Fashion: Tashi Lingerie & Loungewear

I am a lingerie freak. It is almost as bad as my shoe addiction. I love how a frilly bra and panty can make you feel so girly. It is your little secret but when you look at yourself, you can't help but smile. When you think about fashion, you have to think about lingerie. Enter Tashi. Tashi Lingerie and Loungewear offers lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear and accessories from lingerie staples Eberjey, Huit and OnGossamer to labels-on-the-rise including Clo Fortuna, Eco Dream and Luva Huva. So if you want to add something sexy to your lingerie drawer, head on over to Tashi to see their delightful choices. As a special bonus to TCF Readers, please enjoy 10% off total on purchases placed now through 2/14/10, using code SRM33259 – just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The Capitol Fashionista is Turning One!

On January 16th, The Capitol Fashionista will turn One. Yeah for me. I started this blog out of my love, no, my obsession with fashion and all things fashion-related. I also believe that D.C. is a fashionable town despite our politicrit roots of gray suits and black wing-tip shoes. So my continuing mission is to bring the most fab stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories to DC fashionistas (and fashionistas everywhere) so that she can make the best choices in crafting her unique personal style.

So to celebrate we are giving away stuff. I love giving stuff away.

WHAT CAN YOU WIN

• 1 - Germs-B-Gone Trio from ShopGoGirl


• 1 - fab Hanna scarf by Nepali by TDM


• 1 - $50 Gift Certificate good towards purchases on N-Fini Shapewear (courtesy of RichPR)


• 1 - Samantha Chemise in Black from Affinitas Intimates {I heart Affinitas. I have items from the Samantha line and I love 'em} (courtesy of RichPR)

HOW CAN YOU WIN THESE FAB PRIZES?

It is so simple, all you have to do is to click on the "Follow" button under Fashionistas in the Know. That's it. A winner will be randomly chosen at noon on Friday, January 15. Good luck to you all.

My Fashion Obsession: Modern Vintage Hits My Fashion Spot

One of my fashion obsessions is the mixture of modern and vintage. I am always sold on fashion that successfully blends the two. So this unique Victorian style black swing coat is a winner in my book. Get it at one of my favorite stores, Nasty Gal.

Rain Boots With Fashion Sense: Dollhouse

These are the most stylish rain boots that I have ever laid eyes on. I could not believe that these were rain boots. But Dollhouse says that these are definitely for the rain. So get a pair.

The Best of Designer Fashion: Donald J Pliner

This is the best of the best of designer fashion and designer handbags. Donald J Pliner won me over quite some time ago. But now I am completely in love. This python handbag is to die for. Just need to figure out where I can get the $1245.

DC Fashionista Event: MODUS UNION 2010 - Labels For Love

This will be the place to be on Thursday, January 14th. Labels For Love will be holding a benefit Fashion show featuring Lela Rose. Proceeds to benefit the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease at Children's National Medical Center. Click on image for more information and ticket purchases.

The Revolution Has Been Televised: For the Love of Kelly Cutrone

While trying to catch up on my fashion blogs, I came across this video by Kelly Cutrone, the brainchild behind the PR/Marketing firm, People's Revolution on the 39th and Broadway blog. When I saw the mention of Disney, I had to check it out. While there was a moment about an astrologer that threw me for a loop, for the most part, I agreed with her every word.

She talked about beautiful, confident, smart women who make $100,000+ a year but cower to their parents incessant harassment about finding the perfect man and having 2.5 babies. She talked about "the order" and how Disney has given most women a false sense of reality. Disney is so guilty of selling little girls that fake reality and how true that mothers have put us on that warped path. Disney sold us happy endings and knights in shining armor sweeping in to rescue us. Rescue us from what? Who said that we have to follow that Disney script? My sons never watched any Disney movies except for the Pixar movies (Toy Story, A Bug's Life, etc.). That was it. No Snow White. No Cinderella. No Disney. Period.

I also think that Sex in the City movie (not the series, i loved those independent creatures figuring themselves out) inadvertently put those images in our heads. Now, don't get me wrong. I am a hopeless, ridiculous romantic. But didn't it make you wonder if Carrie would have still been happy even if she didn't reconcile with Mr. Big? Wasn't the ending just a little too neat and perfect? You know, like Disney's Snow White? Unlike most SITC fans, I did not want her to go back to him. Why would she? He never treated her well. What was so great about him? Had the man that stood her up at the alter really changed? Now Harry, that's a man I could love forever.

What I know now, I wish that I knew in my twenties. I have learned that what you really want is what really matters. It really IS about your happiness, your peace, your truth. Many young women have fallen victim to adhering to "the order" even though it is in conflict with what they really, truly want for themselves. Instead of us working to re-write the scripts to fall in line with the way our society has changed with women obtaining higher levels of education, high post careers and the high post salaries that go with it, VP titles, and Louboutin shoes with Chanel suits. We allow the traditions of the past to hold us back - literally. How do we really expect to be equal if we don't raise the bar up to that level? Hence, Kelly's "no crying in the office" rule. Doesn't that just make sense?

We need to be free in our minds to write our own rules for our individual lives. What I think works for me, would surely not work for you because I am basing my rules only on what I want. You need to base yours on what you want. Not what your girlfriends want, not what your parents think that you need or even the man or woman in your life. It has to be about you and only you. When you come to that truth, then and only then, will you be free to live, love, and pursue happiness. In whatever order things make sense to you. End of story.

Kelly Cutrone, I salute you for telling it like it is and shining the light. I will be first in line to buy your book, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside ... And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You. You are right, there is absolutely no crying in business.

Fab Vintage Find: The Family Vintage

You just have to love peach North Beach leather jacket. I know that I love it. It is the reason why I love vintage. One of a kind finds that help you to set yourself apart from the rest. It is up for auction over at The Family Vintage's eBay store. Auction ends on January 16, 2010.

Fab Vintage Find: Statement Jewelry @ Rusty Charm

Every girl needs several pieces of amazing statement jewelry. It is even better when the jewelry is a vintage piece of jewelry. This gorgeous rhinestone, sapphire and opalescence necklace, believe it or not, is only $18.99 @ Rusty Charm.

Fab Vintage Find: Pop Fizz Vintage

Velvet is a big trend this winter. Definitely a vintage shoppers dream since vintage was used in abundance in clothes in 40s. This lovely black velvet dress has capped sleeves, a fitted bodice with satin piping ribbon trim wrapped around waist and hip pockets. Measurements: BUST: 34, WAIST: 24, HIPS: 36, LENGTH: 44. Available at Pop Fizz Vintage for $69.99.

Deal of the Day: Lace it Up @ Caché

I am lovin' the lace detail around the neck of this blouse. Perfect top to pair with dark wash jeans and your most fab black ankle boots. Get it at Caché for $34.50.

Links à la Mode: Bring It On

Bring It On

Edited by Dream Sequins

My job as editor this week was difficult as many bloggers decided to follow the fierce directive of that cult cheerleading movie, Bring It On. It’s a new decade, and the IFB community decided to “bring it” and then some. (Just to clarify, I’m talking about the original movie starring Kirsten Dunst, and not the subsequent, watered down sequels; because as fashion bloggers, we all have original stories to tell!) This week’s links explore topics such as winter trends, vintage fur care, biker chic style revelations and profiles of 70s and 80s style icons and are so good that they make me want to lead the group in a cheer.

Links à la Mode : January 7th

• 39th and Broadway – NYC Brings Opportunity to Emerging Designers


• A Typical Atypical – My style revolution takes me into the realm of the biker chick, and doesn’t look back!


• amanda lee dot org – Essential sewing skills for wardrobe maintenance


• Bobbins and Bombshells – Fashionable History – Airline Travel


• DailyDivaDish – Indie jewelry designer Debra Mitchell’s newest piece: Tibet. Part of the new SALVAGE line, this necklace is convertible and each contains a piece salvaged from Tibet.


• Darian Darling – The blonde fashion icon of every 80’s Hair Metal skank and rock star’s girlfriend!!


• denimaniac – Woolrich Woolen Mills S/S 2010 Lookbook


• Dream Sequins – A studio visit with designer Katie Gallagher


• Fashion Pulse Daily – We Love Colors will fulfill your legwear fantasy, as Fashion Pulse Daily quickly discovers!


• ferOHHHsh – Bryce d’Anice Aime S/S 2010 RTW … chic LBD’s, pops of red, and those spiked shoulders Rihanna made famous


• Gotham Hipster – Once you’ve indulged in Babycakes there’s no going back


• HiFashion – How to roller set your hair


• Idiosyncratic Style – The Personal Style of Costume Designer, Melissa Stewart


• Oranges and Apples – On the importance of critique in fashion blogging


• Retro Chick – 5 New Years Resolutions you can’t fail to keep


• sighsandwhispers – A history and analysis of the style of a notorious teenage groupie in the 70s, Lori Maddox


• Style on a String – An interview with Judy Kou, owner of the fabulous online dress shop – Sunday Brunch Dress


• Styletastic – We’re finding it hard to adjust to a new year at Styletastic, but here are some things we can all look forward to!


• The Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire – I already knew I was going to wear a black sequins belt and beret for NYE, but I wanted some fun shoes to add to the mix; I couldn’t find anything I liked though, so I decided “when in doubt, make your own”


• The door in my wardrobe – How to choose a vintage fur and take care of it – plus DIY repairing & maintenance for the brave of the heart


• wit & whimsy – The winter trends you should be wearing

Back to the Future: Halston Heritage

How can you improve on an icon?

You can't.

As Halston Heritage proves hands down. So instead, you dig into the designer archives and resurrect the most beautiful, stylish, iconic pieces for which you are best known. Nothing says Halston like the one shoulder cape dress. Right?!? Halston was everywhere during the Studio 54 disco set. Jumpsuits, long flowy dresses with a split straight up to the heavens and sexy, sassy pleated dresses were the quintessential Halston look. Love it. Thanks Halston for bringing sexy back. The entire Halston Heritage line is available at Neiman Marcus.