DC Happenings

Fashion’s Night Out: The countdown begins!

Do you have plans for next Thursday? Not yet? Well, now you do.

DC’s Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) kicks off in just one short week! From 6pm-11pm on September 6th, shoppers can stroll the streets of Georgetown to take advantage of special discounts, store events and dining deals.

In fact, there is SO much going on, a plan of attack is imperative. if you don’t narrow down your options, you run the risk of hitting up your first store and finding yourself in Twilight Zone-esque time warp. Start sipping on that champagne, perusing rack after rack, lost in fashionable gorgeousness until you suddenly look up and realize you’ve spent your entire evening in one store.  Or worse, you’ll end up trekking from one side of Georgetown to another, spending more time walking the streets in those fabulous FNO-worthy heels than in the stores, racking up blisters instead of credit card debit.

After reviewing the list of discounts and in-store happenings, here are my recommendations:

Get Shopping

ALDO Shoes – 3237 M Street, NW
Score 10% off on all regularly priced items and a surprise gift with any purchase!

Anthropologie – 3222 M Street, NW
One of my all time favorites, Anthropologie will not disappoint. They are hosting an evening of one-on-one styling.

Join us in celebrating Fashion’s Night Out with an evening of one-on-one styling and after-hours shopping Thursday, September 6th from 6pm-11pm.

Charm – 2910 M Street, NW
Sip on champagne, take advantage of massive discounts (up to 50%!) and enter for a chance to win a prize at “Charm’s Bubbles and Baubles Night Out.”

CUSP – 3030 M Street, NW
“Toast Fall Fashion” with CUSP and DC Scout! Peruse merchandise with music and refreshments and enter for a chance to win a $500 CUSP gift card and a styling session with Meredith Liberty. RSVP required.

Urban Chic – 1626 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
When else can you enjoy a Rebecca Minkoff trunk show accompanied with a 15% discount and free gift with purchase? Oh, and for any shoppers spending $250 or more, you’ll receive a complimentary, custom illustration of you in your new purchase courtesy of artist Inslee Haynes. Wanna spend for a cause? Donate to Habitat for Humanity and Easel Hair Studio will style you with some sexy beach waves a la their in-store beach waves bar.

Get Pretty

All of your new purchases wouldn’t be complete without a little beautification.

bluemercury – 3059 M Street, NW
FREE mini-facials and makeup consultations? YES, please! Spend more than $150 and you’ll score their September Anniversary Bag.

Nectar Skin Bar – 1633 Wisconsin Ave, NW
In partnership with IPSA, Nectar is hosting its “Feels like Fall, Fashion and Fresh Beauty” event featuring Oribe dry blowouts, a lipstick bar and quick polish changes!

Get Fed

There are 20 restaurants offering FNO promotions, so everyone can truly find something they’ll enjoy. However, my picks are Bandolero, Dean and Deluca and Pie Sisters. Bandolero because it is just plain delicious; Dean and Deluca because they are hosting the BrightestYoungThings soiree, complete with with ESL Music and Fatback DJs spinning all night; and Pie Sisters because they bring a whole new meaning to pie – especially for $2 per cuppie (personal sized pie). Pies aren’t your thing? Sprinkles is offering buy one get one free cupcakes.

Where are your must-go spots for FNO?

 

Fashion + Food = What more can a girl ask for?

For me, this week has inched along about as slow as the Kardashian-Humphries divorce proceedings. Seriously – you were married for 72 days, why do you feel the need to make the divorce process 5 times longer than the marriage?

Ah, but I digress. Perhaps this week has been so long because I’ve been looking forward to today since LAST week! I’ve got a busy evening ahead of me with two events in Georgetown and a dinner with girlfriends for Restaurant Week. Talk about the highlight of my week!

I’ll be headed to Madewell’s Styling Session in Georgetown from 6:00-8:00 pm to check out the new fall collection! You can find more details on the event’s Facebook page, but here is what you need to know:

  • Get styling advice from Madewell’s expert staff
  • Donate a pair of jeans and you’ll get 20% off your jean purchase
  • Liking your looks? Tweet or post pictures of your styles tagged with #mixwellwithfab for a chance to win a Madewell gift!

I have my eyes on the Ardot Blazer ($138) – the perfect edition to any Fall wardrobe!

After Madewell, I’ll mosey on over to Gap for Refinery29’s Modern Vintage Mashup to meet their local editors, peruse the new merchandise and style it with some of Refinery29’s vintage pieces and of course, sip on cocktails! I’ll also be scoring 30% off of any regular-price item and be entered to win one of three outfits from Gap styled by Refinery29. I’m thinking it might be the perfect time to pick up some colored denim or one of these adorable pencil skirts.

Once I’ve shopped ’till I dropped, I’ll get my eat on at DC-staple, Kinkead’s. The Restaurant Week menu is positively mouth-watering and I can’t wait to try it!If you haven’t taken advantage of Restaurant Week yet, there is still time! Book through OpenTable and check out Washingtonian’s Restaurant Week tips if you’re a first timer!

I’ll give a full recap of all events, purchases and food eaten but if you’re interested in either of the events, register using the links above! Maybe I’ll see you there!

 

Saturday Steals at the Old Town Sidewalk Sale

Shoppers, set your alarms for tomorrow morning. Old Town is at it again, hosting its 3rd Annual Old Town Alexandria Sidewalk Sale. Get there early to score some awesome bargains from more than 60 participating stores, ranging from clothing to interiors and even purchases for your pup! Many stores will open at 9 am and all stores will feature a unique promotion or event in-store. Be on the lookout for discounted summer merchandise, with many stores offering up to 80% off! A full list of participating stores can be found here.

Old Town’s wide range of eclectic shops will make sure you do not walk away empty-handed. However, as with any big sale, make sure you have plenty of time to peruse and arrive ready to do a bit of sifting and searching to find exactly what you want. Nothing great ever comes easy, after all! When I visit Old Town, I have a select group of stores I make sure to never miss and they are all participating in the Sidewalk Sale, so be sure to check them out if you’re looking for something special!

First up, Current Boutique! I’ve been a customer at Current since back when they only had one location in Courthouse. Current offers new and consignment clothing and accessories. The store offers a killer selection of new dresses and jewelry, so be sure to visit if you’re looking for a hot new outfit and you can score 20% off your entire purchase! Here are some of the recent arrivals at the Old Town store:

L.A.M.B gray leather peep toe heels | Size 6 $152.95
(image courtesy of Current Boutique)
BCBG yellow satin bow w/ black embroidered skirt dress | Size 6 $104.95
(image courtesy of Current Boutique)
Tibi green and white floral silk dress | Size 12 $110.95
(image courtesy of Current Boutique)

Mint Condition is another must-stop-shop, however it is all designer consignment merchandise, so make sure you’re ok with some gently-worn merchandise. Mint has a great selection of all types of clothing, ranging from designer jeans to dresses and superb footwear from the likes of Tory Burch. Chanel and Michael Kors!

Check out this adorable ensemble they put together for 4th of July!
Shoes are Michael Kors size 8.5 $48 and dress is Rebecca Taylor $118, NWT size L. (image courtesy of Mint Condition)
The Shoe Hive is another great find and with summer merchandise discounted 60-80%, your feet will thank you. I stopped by this gem last summer and was drooling over all of the designer shoes and jaw-dropping prices!
These DVF Senegal wedges were originally $250 – and you can find them for $75!
You’ll also want to check out Lou Lou, which I’ve already named one of my favorite go-to’s for accessories, where you can get 20-60% off of specific items.

Once you’ve shopped your heart out, grab a glass (or bottle, I’m not judging) of wine with your girlfriends at Grape + Bean and congratulate yourselves on purchases well-made!