2009 July | Little Black Blog

What’s cookin’, good lookin’?

Published on 07/31/2009 in FashionWire and Home. 0 Comments Tags: aprons, cooking, fashion.

Haute Hostess Aprons Glam It Up Collection in Jacqueline

In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve hit an economic slump. So while we may be cutting back on services or items that are actually essential, like health insurance, air conditioning, or eating foods higher on the food chain than legumes, some fashion addictions are hard to kick. How can one justify spending half a month of rent on shoes, especially after finding out that rent prices have gone up for the next year?

While I enjoy going out to lavish dinners and swilling crazy cocktails that are mostly sugar water, I realize it’s time for a much more realistic means of getting my sustenance. I set out to find a way to glam up the dreaded “dinner in tonight,” and discovered some scrumptious cooking apparel to entice even those capable only of making toast or spaghetti. These little treats are both easy on the eyes and low in carbs.

For those subsisting on a Ramen and pilfered cracker-from-the-cafeteria diet, invest in a standard half apron to throw on over your LBD (hey, you can still go out afterwards!) Opt for brighter, bolder colors, like orange or yellow, for a fun, weekday supper. But for a more glamorous aesthetic, try a ruby red hue with pearls and matching lipstick. You can one-up Bree Van de Camp’s apple pie any day! Just make sure to grab one in the freezer section when you purchase your apron at super discount places like Wal-Mart or Kmart.

If you’re still longing for those sumptuous dinners of economies past, try a more high-end design. Nashville’s own Elizabeth Scokin makes two sassy collections of these aprons, in both the half style that ties around the waist and the full that goes around the neck. Inspired by the classic cocktail dress, Ms. Scokin created the Give Me Sugar and Glam It Up collections of her Haute Hostess Aprons line to add style to any kitchen encounter. They’re a little more expensive, but they’re currently having a 50% off promotion for Mother’s Day. Check them out at elizabethscokinproductions.com/products/index.asp. Throw in the frozen dinner, and the oven won’t be the only hot thing in the room.

So now you can enjoy the same fanfare in getting ready for a domestic night in as you did for a wild night out. Use that extra money you saved to buy those shoes. You’ll need them to wear with your new apron.

As written for Examiner.com.

Break a sweat in workout gear fit for a celeb

Published on 07/30/2009 in FashionWire and Home. 0 Comments Tags: celeb style, fashion, Lululemon, Nike, summer, workout.

Reasonable workout clothes: Stella McCartney for Adidas.

It’s summertime, and that can only mean one thing for between-school adolescents and soccer moms alike: extended pool time and fewer square inches of body covered. This can be a harrowing realization upon thinking back to the turkey stuffing, eggnog, and Bûches de Noël from the holidays. However, if you’re like me and that sometimes isn’t enough motivation to get yourself in gear, check out the luxury workout wear being produced by athletic companies. While not altogether reasonable, what better way to get yourself moving than to be the best dressed in the gym?

For exercises like yoga and pilates, try Lululemon, a high-end athletic design company that specializes in basics for these disciplines. While we don’t have a Lululemon here in Nashville, you can find one in the Morningside Show Room of Atlanta. Alternatively, order from the comfort of your own home at lululemon.com. I love this store because it offers stylish workout gear for both men and women, making it a one-stop shop for the fit, fashionable couple.

If you’re looking to glam up your workout, try knee-high softball socks that are equal parts fashionable and functional. Though not ideally designed for high-impact workouts, these little numbers a great way to add retro flair to your exercise wardrobe.

You can also personalize your workout clothes to add more panache to your routine. Check out nike.com and play around with the NIKEiD program, which allows you to customize your running shoes with your name, team colors, or anything else that will get you on a treadmill. Just don’t trip over yourself while you’re admiring your stylish kicks.

As written for Examiner.com.

Summer styles in full bloom

Published on 07/30/2009 in FashionWire and Home. 0 Comments Tags: fashion, fashion show, florals, Ossie Clarke, summer, trends.

Summer Florals

As the fabulous Anna Wintour-inspired character Miranda Priestly sarcastically snorts in The Devil Wears Prada, “Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.” Yet althought the concept of flowers for Spring and Summer trends is nearly trite with symbols of rebirth, growth, renewal, blah blah blah, designers these days are finding a way to bring an unexpected twist to floral designs on the runaway, making them–dare I say it–groundbreaking. These certainly aren’t your grandmother’s florals.

Check out Ossie Clarke’s take on florals for the Spring/Summer 2009 runway show, where the floral print is large, isolated, and on a full-length, long-sleeved caftan. Even the cut of the dress is unusual for the season, yet sheer fabric and a bold indigo color pair surprisingly well with the more edgy, less delicate, mustard, chocolate, and ivory organic matter splashed insouciantly down the bottom center of the piece. But while some designers are changing the size and color of florals to refresh their look, others are adding a third dimension to provide texture and interest to the pattern oft-associated with septuagenarians. Elie Saab has attached handcrafted rosettes to many of his dresses and gowns, which are otherwise simple and classically cut. While his color palette is mostly demure–Saab draws from nontraditional pastels like muted seafoam and dusty rose–the flowers, with diameters to rival the length of a legal pad, are anything but.

To keep your posy-printed getups from looking frumpy, keep the rest of your look a bit more wild, with bright accessories or supertall or otherwise impractical shoes. Speaking of, take a look at the intricately carved wooden Italian shoes, featuring chunky heels with etched with flowers. Despite their folksy whittled appearance, these Miu Miu shoes are more fit for a after-work happy hour than the Appalachian Trail.

While a staid bun with a poufy-sleeved floral pattern is too stuffy, you can still rock the conservative yet sexy floral look: the unusual flowery peplum by New Look is not only casual enough for everyday, but also provides a reasonably priced way to get in on this hot revised trend. You could even pair it with a brightly colored cropped cardigan for a flirty fall look.

Another approach couture clothiers have taken to keep the flowers fresh? Supersaturating the colors offers a postmodern spin to an otherwise wholesome 1950s sundress. Alternatively, surprising cuts, like supershort skirts on high-cut necklines and longer sleeves or thistight bodices atop ballooning skirts are another way to take a dress from tea party to cocktail hour. Take a look at Badgley Mischka’s saucy version, a ruffled halter dress which features technicolor flowers in fuchsia, cerulean, and tangerine. Neon-white picket fence not included.

So look for these luxurious floral pieces in boutiques and high-end department stores. Far from boring, these newer styles with bolder colors, cuts, textures, and shapes are the freshest way to renew your closet.

As written for MYiLIVE.com.

Beauty Night Out at Beacon Hotel

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs and Home. 0 Comments Tags: beauty, DC, events, fashion, health, recessionista, summer.

The Style and Image Network threw its annual Beauty Night Out (BNO), and this was the perfect one-stop shop for the recissionista looking for a stylish splurge but definitely getting the bang for her buck. Vendors were nestled into every corner of the luxurious Beacon Hotel’s downstairs ballroom. Canapés stuffed to the gills with delicious treats, like vegetarian spring rolls, spinach and brie quiche, and beef beggar’s pouches were perfect alongside a bar featuring smooth Winter’s Palace Vodka and beer and wine: a sumptuous feast for a decadent “girls’ night out” event.

Attendees enjoyed a relaxing complimentary massage in between shopping for jewelry, clothing, and hair accessories, while a manicure station served up today’s freshest summer colors like coral, bubble gum pink, and a classic red. New to the scene was a perfectly nude nail polish, which elongates the fingers and slenderizes the wearer’s arm.

The makeup team from Beauty 360 provided free makeup touch-ups, making its booth an excellent destination for young professionals coming straight from work or youthful Hill interns looking for a fresh pick-me-up after a long day of constituent corresponding. Jerome, one of the consultants, made up plenty of dramatic eyes for the evening, prepping champagne-fueled guests to ditch their plans for an early night and instead opt to hit the town with their new looks.

The stylists from PR at Partners, which has a whopping 14 easily accessible locations around the District area, offered an impressive array of complimentary services. They offered more than just a simple blowout: BNO girls enjoyed hair straightening, curling, and designing while spitfire hairdresser Alicia Renee Jones dished her opinions on everything from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” to TI’s stint in prison in between recommendations for deep conditioning and coloring suggestions. Gracious marketing director Natasha Laws coordinated the gaggle of women clamoring for makeovers with aplomb, divvying up eager guests among the many PR and Partners stylists for eyebrow shaping, makeup application, and hair styling.

There were plenty of retail options around, too, for those looking for complete wardrobe overhauls. Magic Body, which specializes in streamlining figure shapers, showed an inspiring collection of before and after photos from women who invested in such unmentionables, while vendors like Cookie Lee offered earthy, beaded necklaces and bracelets to facilitate a complete beauty overhaul. Feathered headbands and rhinestone accessories for hair were also a “must have” from the fabulous event.

While the pampering was certainly luxurious, the best part about the event was the packed-to-the-gills swag bag overflowing with tons of beauty products, like makeup, lotions, and creams, and gift certificates, like a week-long membership to Equinox gym with personal guided workouts. A scrumptiously scented candle was thrown in for good measure, allowing any BNO swag bag recipient to create an at-home spa experience long after the event. While many ladies are being forced to cut back on beauty expenditures, Beauty Night Out definitely provided a recession-busting approach to staying stylish in a financially responsible way.

As written for Examiner.com.

Chukkers, ponies, mallets, and divots: of course I’m at the FedEx Polo Classic

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs and Home. 0 Comments Tags: DC, events, fashion, hats, philanthropy, polo, summer.

Photo creidt: Rachael Wang

The 2009 FedEx Polo Classic to benefit the National Rehabilitation Hospital was held in Chetwood Park in The Plains, Virginia on June 13, and despite the tumultuous economic state, no expense was spared for this lavish event. Even more exquisite than the fois gras hors d’oeuvres, custom champagne and crème de cassis cocktails, and beautiful polo ponies were the fashions that showed up on the fabulous guests.

Polo events are certainly a great opportunity for parading one’s style, especially when the weather is as beautiful as it was on this glorious afternoon. Women wore sundresses in fabrics as light as linen and as luxurious as crepe de chine. While pastels are customary for events like this “afternoon in the country” themed polo game, guests traded in demure baby colors for bold and sassy hues like chartreuse, lemon, and coral. Jewelry was, as expected, pearl and diamond dominated, with extravagant settings and gemstone pairings.

Despite the impracticality, ladies pulled out teetering heels and playful wraparound lace-up pumps—nevermind that the recently dampened grounds meant sinking heels and potentially ruined shoes. It was delightful to see women eschewing formal black for flirtatious and bright colors to pair with the sea of Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines apparel. More sensible guests opted for Jack Rogers sandals, which are both preppy and well-suited to field spectator games like this one.

While the women were dressed to the nines, the men were not to be out done. Dapper in pocket squares, bowties, and ascots, male attendees were every bit the dandy for this polo event. Lighter suits, like khaki, white, and ivory, were all the rage, while Nantucket reds held their own with the younger crowd.

The food was to die for, featuring incredibly rich French cuisine like coq au vin and steak au poivre, perhaps in honor of the visiting French opposing team. The politely rowdy silent auction, which featured luxury items like a gorgeous Hermes saddle, kept the mood chipper while guest swilled drinks from the bar. The event raised money for the Washington DC NRH, a not-for-profit facility that specializes in treating persons with neurological and orthopedic afflictions. This event is certainly a wonderful way to combine philanthropy and entertainment.

While all the décor, food, drinks, and guests were wonderful, nothing was more exciting than to see the hats worn by the guests. Large hats, small hats, round hats, geometrically-shaped hats, hats that were feathered, bejeweled, appliquéd, embellished, and otherwise adorned drifted around on the heads of proud fashionistas. Even young girls took part in this tradition, including an adorable tot who had selected a lovely hat just too big for her head, causing it to slide down over her eyes. Men donned Trilbies, fedoras, and Homburgs. With the balmy weather, cheerful guests, and lively atmosphere, this was certainly a day of well-mannered frivolity.

As written for Examiner.com.

A doggone good time for humans and dogs alike at Bark Ball

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs and Home. 0 Comments Tags: black-tie, DC, dogs, events, fashion, pets, philanthropy, Washington Humane Society.

Photo Credits: Yee-Ming Woodward Pu

The Washington Humane Society held its 22nd annual Bark Ball Saturday at the Washington Hilton, and while allowing guests to bring their dogs to the gala was a daring move, the show seemed to go on without a hitch. Although the cute pooches, which ranged from tiny toy poodle to a Rottweiler almost the size of its master, remained tethered, the Bark Ball attendees unleashed some very exciting fashions.

Beginning with a lovely reception, the ball featured a silent auction filled with luxurious items. To allay the restless puppies, guests carried their dogs and fed them the delectable gourmet dog food treats that looked so appealing, I mistook one for a cream puff and almost ate it. While the event was black-tie, owners got created with their four-legged best friends, dressing up the dogs in everything from tutus and tiaras to a full-on doggy suit and miniature formal gown, worn by an adorable Schnauzer couple. See more innovative ensembles in the slideshow at the end of this article.

While the pets kept their clothing creative and costumey, many of the human patrons were dressed in couture summer clothing that was both colorful and light. I felt like I’d stepped onto a fabulous country manor, where the household members were immaculately dressed and well-behaved, and well-groomed dogs roamed about as they pleased. Even the cocktail waiters added to this hospitable effect, jovially serving from full bar for humans and purified water for the dogs.

Most adorable were owners who color-coordinated their pups to themselves, like the decorated member of the armed forces with his equally decorated dog’s leash, as well as the tuxedo-decked black dog, whose curly hair was almost as dark as his clothes. His proud owner wore matching formal wear.

The food was, as expected, completely vegetarian, as the mission of the Humane Society is to protect the health and well-being of all animals. Passed hors d’oeuvres included falafel and vegetable canapé, while the entrees were a mélange of legumes and greens. A rowdy live auction entertained guests before dinner, while live music and a continued open bar kept everyone happy until midnight.

While all fashions were formal, many chose to incorporate their love of canines into their outfit. Items such as a blinged-out doggy collar and bejeweled dog bone earrings kept the event festive and glittery. Some looks were completely domestic, however, as many attendees came to support the Washington Humane Society despite not having a dog themselves.

So dog lover or not, everyone had a great time dressing for this event. One standout piece? Gladiator sandals ramped up in stiletto form, covered in rhinestones and tied up to the knee. An excellent black-tie interpretation of one of summer’s hottest trends, though not so practical for a dog.

As written for Examiner.com.

Fashion for all ages at Fight for Children

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs and Home. 0 Comments Tags: DC, education, events, fashion, philanthropy.

Naturally 7 in their streetwise performance gear. Photography by Ryan Shon.

When developing a passion for fashion, it’s important to start early.

That’s how Fight for Children does black-tie: with many impressive childrens’ performances, a spunky, Grammy-winning host, and A-list celebrities like Wyclef Jean to get the fashionable crowd up on its feet.

Fight for Children hosted its annual “School Night,” and there were many stylish attendees. While the invitation to this swanky benefit said “cocktail attire,” many took liberties and opted for an even more formal look. The theme of the party was French courtyard, but the most interesting piece of décor was….a model, dressed as Marie Antoinette, passing hors d’oeuvres around on her bountiful skirt, innovatively laid overtop a serving table that rolled along with her.

The fashionable crowd ranged many ages, from a sassy young diva-in-the-making who danced in the center stage during the entertainment, to a foppish older gentleman wearing an impeccable slate gray suit with a pearl pink shirt. This look, surprisingly, was not at all for wussies, but instead brought an old-world charm to this night of charitable giving and teaching.

The colorful table arrangements were lovely, while the low-lighting and star-spangled backdrop created a celebrity feeling for each guest. The organization’s colors are an eye-catching shade of orange, tempered with a soft powder blue, and these hues decorated the walls, banners, and even smaller accents like linens and napkins.

While the headlining act was Wyclef Jean, Naturally 7, an a capella and beat-boxing act, gave an incredible performance in street-style stage get-ups, featuring an assortment of black leather and denim. Music groups were myriad at this event, with the opening act being a very young jazz ensemble, with the percussionist being 13 years old, while other acts such as a local school drumline and Sheila E and the E Family Project kept the gala upbeat and exciting.

Nothing is as fashionable as giving opportunities to those in need, and while School Night raised money and awareness for inner-city, low-income families and students, the event also showed people of all ages and backgrounds that one can accomplish these tasks in unique and glamorous style.

Written for Examiner.com.

Sugary fashions decorate the runway of Sweet Charity Fashion Show

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs and Home. 0 Comments Tags: DC, dessert, events, fashion, fashion show, philanthropy, summer.

The appropriately brunette Chocorella. Photography by Hilary Rocks

The Heart of America Foundation hosted its eighth annual Sweet Charity Gala at the swanky Mandarin Oriental hotel. This sugary benefit featured dozens of local area chefs, who served up everything from candied confections to fresh scallops and citrus jicama salad. The fashion show was just icing on the cake, with delectable marzipans and bonbons spangling stylish outfits for both men and women.

Sweet Charity has been named one of Washington’s Top 100 Events by Bizbash, and this seems a fitting award given the spectacular setting. The moment I walked into the benefit, I was transported into a celebrity world: I strutted the red carpet while media outlets took pictures, and I was even gifted with a valuable swag bag. The VIP section was rightfully exclusive, and the privileged few to garner a pass to this restricted section were dressed to the nines. In the main rooms, live models wearing decadent, dessert-inspired designs punctuated the chic, sexy lounge areas created and lit by Syzygy Events, Digital Lightning & PSAV.

The food was, as expected, absolutely divine. Although most tasting stations offered sweet treats like spun-sugar violets atop a buttery cupcake a la the chef june B sweet, others brought delicious savory foods to cleanse the palette and offer a counterpoint to the mounds of chocolate, white chocolate, and exotic fruit delicacies. Being a recent transplant from the South, the beef brisket on biscuit immediately caught my eye. These delicious, smoky sliders went fast—when I came back an hour later for another, they had already run out. I quickly moved to the seafood stations; being from the inland state of Tennessee, fresh seafood was hard to find. Not so at Sweet Charity, however, where stations like Black’s Bar and Kitchen and Bobby Van’s Grill served up scallops, black cod, and shrimp in presentations to rival even the most exquisite fondant wedding cakes.

The desserts were interesting, beautiful, and phenomenal. A gelato station was nestled amidst the rows of artistic chocolates like those by Artisan Confections, which offered immaculately intricate chocolates like the hand-painted apricot-tea truffle. Meanwhile, Savagely Good Fudge had a fabulous selection of more rustic chocolates—the Cherry Blossom Fudge featured the colors and flavors that would go perfectly for a holiday spread.

The Boxwood Winery served up spicy and bold Bordeaux-like wines, while Capitol City Brewing Company had both a light and dark beer on tap. Although the lighter beer was more refreshing and better suited to my rather feminine beer tastes, the porter was creamy and smooth, a perfect pairing with semi-sweet and white chocolates that lined the ballroom’s walls.

The fashion show was exhilarating, with models strutting the catwalk in costumes and gowns adorned with extravagant props like a sugar-spun sword of Excalibur and Cleopatra’s murderous white choclate asp. Inspirations for runway designs were quite diverse: there was a 1920’s flapper with white chocolate pearl fringe, a savage Adam and Eve with chocolate powder “dirt,” a sugar plum fairy with sugar-blown bulbs, and chocolate-wigged Heidi in treacherous 6-inch platform sandals. Most impressive was the Queen of Hearts, who displayed a full skirt and deck of pastiage cards that dotted her gown. The fashion show featured all shapes from full skirts to form-fitted (and sugar-bejeweled) sheaths. See the slideshow below for an array of marvelous designs and impressive candy creations.

The attendees were stylish fashionistas and young professionals, while high-profile guests like Miss District of Columbia and local news anchors populated the VIP section. Although I was reporting for fashion, the arts of food and fashion seemed to blend together in one delicious package at this fabulous Sweet Charity event.

As written for Examiner.com.

Colors, feathers abound at Monique Lhuillier show

Published on 07/29/2009 in Affairs, FashionWire and Home. 0 Comments Tags: fall, fashion, fashion show, feathers, lady antebellum, Monique Lhuillier, Nashville.

I had the privilege to attend Monique Lhuillier’s fall fashion show at the Schermerhorn Nashville Symphony, and it was more impressive than I could have imagined. I met Ms. Lhuillier for a few questions, and she was certainly the most modest person I’ve ever met under five feet tall.

This diminutive powerhouse, who can thank her French and Spanish ancestors for her beautiful exotic looks, launched her Fall ’09 collection to enormous acclaim. The petite designer wore a scrumptious black and nude lace form-fitted frock, showing off her svelte figure. But curvier girls, take heart: during the press conference, Ms. Lhuillier was adamant that creating a long, lean figure is her mantra and that no matter what size, her dresses will compliment. While flattery and elegance united the collection, the 50 models who trotted the runway donned everything from tea-length dresses to autumn coats that were both elegant and avant-garde.

Just a few years ago, the Monique Lhuillier collection was described as: a collection characterized by ruffles, bows, and pleats in soft fabric and candy colors of vanilla, mint, pistachio and butterscotch. Though she stated that she draws inspiration from anything and everything, perhaps spurred by the harrowing realities of the economy, Ms. Lhuillier opted for bolder colors and less froth this season. Her line featured unappologetic sapphires and garnets, in addition to dramatic, plunging necklines and skirts full enough to make Scarlett O’Hara envious. Furthermore, flying in the face of PETA, Ms. Lhuillier tacked on ostrich feathers to evening wear and wedding gowns alike, creating graceful, fluid silhouettes on the models as they strutted the U-shaped runway.

Adding to the magic of the evening, Nashville’s Grammy-winning country juggernaut Lady Antebellum hosted the affair, closing with two songs from their best-selling self-titled album. Hillary Scott of the music trio gushed over her navy full-length Lhuillier gown, and its tiers swayed beautifully during the group’s live performance of “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” Ms. Scott said she was thrilled to be hosting for the designer, who had only a few months prior designed the dress she wore on the red carpet at the Grammys.

As written for Examiner.com.

<!–[endif]–> <!–[if !vml]–>

<!–[endif]–>

About Little Black Blog

Published on 07/10/2009 in About. 0 Comments

Press release

Welcome to LittleBlackBlog.net. If you’re my age, you probably think of blogs as completely self-absorbed outlets where nerds who eat their hair can post about the newest gaming strategies to an adoring following of other geeky, possibly adolescent, Internet-crazed dorks.

We’re working on that stereotype. LBB is for those who are proud to be informed, but enjoy being fashionable, social, and well-read. LBB is not any of the following: personal diary, open forum for bad poetry, a place to trash wannabe celebrities, an area to learn cheat codes.

Here you’ll find out about hot events, up-and-coming starlets (and man versions of the starlet), the trendiest fashions, the sleaziest politicians, and everything in between.

We love an open mind almost as much as an open book. So next time you’re avoiding productivity in the workplace, take a look at LBB. We promise it’ll be way more interesting than refreshing the same stale news site. Enjoy!