1. To start off with the obvious, I love the Washingtonian. I don’t set my weekend plans in stone until I pick through every post, article, thought on the Washingtonian’s website or mag. There are tons of blogs and newsletters out there with DC-focused activities, but this is the only one that gets it all. Hopefully, you’re on Twitter (insert stern look here) and are already following @washingtonian
2. Primer. My face and eyelash primer can (mostly) hide the negative effects of sleepless nights or early morning workouts. My make up lasts a full 12 hours and my face feels soft. We at CG Central use various brands which we’ll review.
3. Pets. Most city-dwellers live such busy and complicated lives that it’s easy to concentrate on yourself, your career and your extracurricular activities. Nothing brings you back to earth than having to care for a living being. I’ve heard kids have this affect but since I’m too busy living the life of an urbanite, I’ll stick with pets. No, ladies, boyfriends don’t count. They. Are. Not. Pets.
4. Books. I have a pile of books that I am *so* excited to read. I know what you’re thinking – how do you (or anyone else) have time to read? 20 minutes before bed can relax my Type A mind just enough for sleep. 20 minutes on the metro heading to HH pulls my mind out of the work day. 20 minutes during lunch (yes, some people take lunch breaks) can trigger creative juices which might even improve your work product. Lots of ladies push reading or other methods of “me time” to the last of their to-do lists. Try just a few minutes for yourself every day – please!
5. The little things. Rainy day ruining HH plans? Brighten up with lime green galoshes. Too stressed at work to get to the gym? Buy leg weights and wear them around your apt. Cant afford that unique dress you saw online just yet? Buy a fun, bright, out-of-your-comfort zone nail color and polish those babies away. Bummed out by your S.O.? Call your parents/grandparents and catch up with them. We lose sight of the little things, but it’s the little things that build on each other to make the great, awesome, mind-blowing big things. (NO, I did NOT lead a life as a cheerleader)

(photo courtesy of MrPessimist under the Flickr creative commons license)

I want the humidity to end. The Fall breezes to kick in. I want pumpkins. I want hayrides.

And I want jeans.

They’re sitting neatly and lonely in my bottom drawer. I’m starting to look at them longingly. The right jeans make everything look good. They go with everything. They’re comfy. And they make my butt look good.

And now I ask myself, is my denim wardrobe ready for the new season?

Skinny jeans aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. This, we know. I’m happy with the ones I have although I feel I need to add a pair in faded grey denim.

Next up, I’m loving the rolled up boyfriend-style jean. Could it get any easier? The trick, I think, is to pair them with very sexy footwear (or you risk looking like you’re out for a day of “creek stomping”). Ideally, I’m thinking I can make this happen by rolling up some of my old (and now out of style) bootcut jeans… What do we think?

The ones I really like are the true-blue loose cut jeans with all the right fading and rips…

What about you? Are you denim ready?

Well we have Generation Y to thank for this. Haul Vloggers. Honestly, it sounds like some kind of crazy sci-fi creature plodding through the sand in a Star Wars movie. Seriously.

But no, haul vloggers are basically young women who shop and then show off their purchases on YouTube. As random as it sounds, these women are taking a really common behavior —women showing off their shopping spoils to their friends— and going viral with it.

What I love about it is the chance to see clothing and beauty items in a real life setting. Not with the glitz of packaging or advertising but on real people. And it’s especially useful to someone who doesn’t have a car and has been known to indulge in late night online shopping binges…

Here are a few famous haul vloggers. Are there others that you follow?

Chanel Blue Satin

All That Glitters

JuicyStar07Blair

–Tashia Senn

So, Marc, my fantastic stylist, introduced me to a cool new designer who is up and coming AND very awesome.  CG fans, may I introduce you to Tashia Senn?

Tashia is super cool.  She’s got kind of a timeless, elegant, feminine sort of glamor about her clothes, and her dresses are full of fun detail and very VERY cool buttons (also, did we mention the feathers?). And when she’s not creating cool outfits that I desperately want to fit into, she’s working for her non-profit called SAVVY GIRL — an organization devoted to helping mentor and develop young women.

So, upon meeting her I was a fan.  But more importantly, I was interested in learning about her secrets.  You know, those crazy designer secrets that we all want to know about?  Things like: “Why doesn’t this look good on me?” and “What are my best colors?” and “No seriously, why can’t I fit into this?”  Hard hitting questions abound!

Anyway, Tashia was awesome, and explained some of the challenges that a designer can face:

1. You can’t find a good seamstress anywhere!  Apparently if you aren’t in the designer Mecca of NYC, it’s hard to find a seamstress to execute on designs well.  As a customer, I rarely think about what goes into the construction of a garment, but if you are a high-end fashion person, the construction is everything.  Therefore, a great seamstress is worth her weight in gold.  Or feathers. Or fur.  You know, whatever is trendy these days!

2. Clients are challenging.  When working with a designer on a custom look, it’s important to be open.  Trust in the designer to have ideas and execute a vision that you will love AND will look good on you.  Second guessing and thinking that those MC Hammer parachute pants will work for a black tie event and not make your thighs enormous…bad plan.  No one understands a woman’s body like a designer — so give them some guidelines and ideas, and let them work!

3. Do not bring a picture of something and demand exactly that.  Dude.  Not only is that not exactly on the right shade of legal to copy another designer’s work, but that sort of defeats the purpose of hiring a designer in the first place, no?  It seems so simple, but hey, apparently not.

We also asked the tough question of: “how much exactly would it cost to get one of these dresses or a custom dress?” and found out that the answer is not as expensive as we thought.  Several hundred dollars can net you one of Tashia’s less formal dresses, up to several grand if you are looking for something totally custom and totally formal.  Not bad, when you think that every dress you order is made expressly for you, so the fit will be perfect…kind of makes some of the pricier off the rack dresses a little less interesting, no?

Plus, Tashia herself is so cool.  When we asked how she got here, she said: “Do your thing. With hard work and determination you can achieve anything.”

I think we’ve developed a girl crush!

Check her (and her fabulous pieces out) at www.tashiasenn.com

These days everyone but your neighbor has had his shot at a reality TV show gig. After watching various forms of reality TV over the years, I can’t help but wonder.. how would I personally handle the fame?

Here is my list of the things I would do as soon as my star began to rise. What have I missed?

1. Call my parents before the show airs and beg them not to watch. Also, to apologize. They’ll understand why soon enough.

2. Contact all my ex-boyfriends/dates and offer them “financial incentive” not to talk to US Weekly. Blackmail? Yes. And probably underutilized.

3. Get hair extensions. I don’t need them but I feel this is required, no? Is the same true for breast implants? Botox? That’s where I draw the line.

4. Have my agent call Scott Speedman’s agent to get a headstart on our wedding plans. We are WAY behind. Come to think of it, this should probably number one on the list.

5. Invest in expansive collection of bikinis and cases of champagne (hot tub scenes).

6. Hire a shady accountant to claim teeth whitening, manicures, spa visits and possibly shoe purchases as tax write-offs.

7. Failing number 6, pimp self out for product endorsements that afford me free luxuries. From what I hear, reality TV doesn’t pay that well.

8. Find a therapist trained in table-flip and hair-pulling survivor counseling.

9. Start incorporating phrases like, “bitch, please”; “it’s an injustice”; “You don’t even know me”; and “I’m sorry but…” into my everyday speech. Practice tone of voice that conveys faux concern.

10. Have a lawyer draw up a copyright claim outlining my absolute rights to any and all sex tapes that may surface now and forever into the future (a girl should at least get a chance to airbrush).

[Photo Credit: Photo by Helga Weber on Flickr on a CC license]

So, Jess was recently here in DC (waves at Jess! Hi Jess!) and insisted that I stop carrying my new iphone (waves at iphone! hello iphone!) around in the box, because the stupid Apple case program takes months to send your case, and my last phone was some sort of sad LG that did not need a case or any love, but did react badly to diet coke being accidentally poured on top of it.

Anyway, Jess mandated I get to the mall and sort myself out (but much more politely.  Jess is far more polite than I am), and I decided to listen to my wise fellow CityGirl and get off my couch.  And so I began my epic (3 hour) journey (short walk) to shoe heaven and back again (Nordstroms).

So,  after a partially successful trip to Apple (no case–sold out, but I did get a new Mac operating system), while I was wandering the mall looking for other iphone 4 case purveyors, I managed to stumble into Bandolino which is Going Out of Business.  Going out of business sales are like my crack.  And, without even having control over my feet I found myself inside.  I had promised, PROMISED myself that I was not going to spend any additional non-mac related dollars, as the mac-related ones recently seem to be so consistently high.

But there were cute shoes, and they were an ADDITIONAL 50% off! It was a siren call of happiness that I could not ignore, and thus found myself trying things on and buying a cute pair of metallic wedges to give me options beyond that of DC flip flops or painful heels on my metro commute.  Feeling excited about my find, I went to the cash register to pay and found out that the shoes were only $19!!! $19! That is practically free in my book, and gave me license to pat myself on the back and wander off in a blissful state of mind.

The gold wedge, coyly flirting with my plants

And then my wanderings took me through Nordstroms.  And in my defense, I was attempting to exit out the mall (iphone case finally in hand due to a lucky run-in at the AT&T counter) and leave with willpower intact…and then I saw them.  Beautiful, perfect, tall TALL boots.  In every color of the rainbow, including a beautifully impractical purple suede, and a lovely light caramel pecan.

Without meaning to I wafted closer.  The boots called to me.  They wanted me to come.

So I tried them on.  In a moment of strong will I denied myself the purple, but caved with the caramel.  And when I slid them on and looked in the mirror…I was enamoured, and they had me.  How? HOW?? I don’t need more boots, in fact, at last count I have….more than one.  Or two.  Shut up.

But I didn’t have this color.  And when the sales lady leaned in and said: “This is the last size 10 in the store” I broke.  And got out my credit card. And they were mine.

I feel the need to have a moral to the story here….but since I don’t really have one I’ll have to go with some working morals.  Things like: The best time to buy boots is August and September? Or, Don’t walk through Nordstroms when trying to keep hard earned cash on your person? Perhaps: Shoe happiness can be found at every price point? How about I leave you with these fine words: “A shoe in hand is worth two men in the bush.”

Pretty new boots, just chillin' on the balcony with me!

Again?

Really?

Screw it! It’s summer and time to drink! Or, at least plot what we will be drinking later tonight to counteract the dog days of August. Who’s in? (!!)

Anyway, two of our favorite cocktails are simple, easy to make, and awesomely refreshing.

1. Vodka Lemonade (Warning: Goes down toooo easy)

* Take a pitcher, add yellow or pink crystal light (we are classy here at CG Central), a stern measure of vodka, and some fresh mint and ice.

*Stir.

*Drink!

2. Sparkling Sorbet (Warning, can promote…cough…. dangerous liasons)

*Take bottle of bottom shelf champagne, and pour into champagne saucer

*Add vodka

*Throw in a dollop of berry sorbet

*Drink

*Repeat

It’s time to throw more ice into our glass.  Happy Monday!

(photo courtesy seattlemet.com)

When working with a designer or a professional stylist, you learn key things. Here is a list of my (totally relevant and completely on point) lessons-learned:

• You can find amazing deals on the sale rack of the swanky department stores. No really. It’s because of my second bullet that it makes so much sense.
• Get everything tailored.  Unless you have perfect proportions, almost nothing fits perfectly.
• Places like Nordstroms and J.Crew will alter your clothes before you purchase them practically on the spot.  Seriously.  And Nordstroms will alter clothes you bought somewhere else…for only a slightly more expensive price
• Tailoring is tailoring.  Deconstruction is taking an entire garment apart and putting it back together in a slightly different way
• Tailors can put pockets in almost anything!!  My dress collection is about to be revolutionized!
• Don’t be afraid of color.  Pair random things in the store when walking around to figure out new color palettes
• Accessories make the outfit. I know, I know, stating the obvious.  But, many accessories you have can be adapted or layered to make an outfit fresh.  Adding brooches, flower pins etc can change a necklace!
• Wear your heels around the house to break them in before wearing them out. Do dishes, wash clothes, and water plants in the Prada prior to walking the streets
• Shopping is tiring. This is not the time to forsake carbs. Carb load! You need the energy!
• It’s totally ok to find a nice dressing room sofa and hang out to get your game back
• But if you do that, it helps to try on some clothes first

So, I was smoking crack when I posted photos from Chronicles of a Stylist, Part I.  Here are some BETTER photos of the before and after in a couple of looks Marc pulled for me.  For more on Marc, see yesterday’s post!

My "too lazy to dress well for my stylist" wear

Voila! The finished outfit!

I think these little shoes are pretty adorable although better for the long-legged (sigh, haven’t we heard that before?).

For summer, you pair them with super short cut-off jean shorts. And maybe a billowy tank top. I pretty much loathe the idea of wearing shoes without socks. Doing so in the SUMMER?? That’s madness. But the cut-out versions like 2 of those pictured below, they might work.

For Fall (which I hate to mention is around the corner….), you can pair these with a pair of transparent tights (I’m thinking ribbed) and a mini pleated skirt. Does that sound familiar? It should because it’s called the “school girl look” and as far as I can tell, it never ever goes out of style. Just changes shape a little from time to time.

Some of my favorite, and surprisingly affordable, picks below.

Happy hunting!

1. What are your favorite stores?

A: My favorite stores? I’m a sale junky, lol. I enjoy J. Crew, Banana Republic, Club Monaco. Above all, Bloomingdales! They always have a great deal!!!

Marc-Aiden, hard at work in Nordstroms

2. Where do you tend to find the absolute best deals?

A: Omgizzle, I find the best deals at like Filenes Basement! Its always so random too! Although, I did find THE BEST deal at Bloomingdales about 3yrs ago!

3. Do you have any favorite online sites?

A: Fashionphile!!! I love a good tote/duffle and they have such a collection its sickening! I also enjoy Gilt, I check it everyday @ 12p…sad I know. Also Resolve clothing is amazing too, there’s so many different ones. Lol

4. What are the biggest mistakes that women make when shopping?

A: Paying full price! In addition to that, please ladies understand this–it will save you… Every trend is not for YOU! Understand your proportions and know your limits. Finally, labels don’t lead! The Fashion was never about names, houses and etc. Fashion is all about expression, it allows one to release through their garments.

5. When working with a designer/stylist, what is it that you wish women would keep in mind?

A: Trust their creative process and vision. When your working with someone in this industry keep in mind, their an artist.  Having said this please know that what they do is WHO they are, allow them to be. Relax and be open.

6. What are your recommendations for making your outfit fashionable, yet conservative enough for DC?

A: Making an outfit “fashionable?”…hmmm the thing is, fashion is all about expression, to me the best way to make an outfit “fashionable” is to simply be you in the garment, make it yours. Accessories can both make and break any “look” too much can bring the class of a garment down. Use your accessories wisely, Also, don’t be afraid to try new things with your accessories! Make a necklace from bangles, etc.

7. Who is your favorite designer?

A: My most favorite designer is a young man named Afriye Poku, he is a mens wear designer who is simply amazing! His stuff is insane! What makes him my favorite is his passion and dedication to his craft. His family doesn’t support his vision/dream but EVERYONE can clearly see his ability to be an exceptional designer.

8. What is your favorite fashion magazine?

A: Bon magazine, its a beautiful magazine, it has some of the most amazing spreads and it takes huge risks.

9. Favorite ladies shoe designer? And, is there anyone who makes comfortable shoes…yet fabulous ones? Or are we still smoking crack?

A: I like Joan and David, I believe they’re comfortable, I’ve never worn a pair, lol. Most of my girlfriends enjoy them as well. Of course designers such as louboutin, and rossi have a huge following but they’ll tell you they’re not that comfortable.

10. If we were to buy only one piece of essential clothing–what should it be?

A. The perfect black dress.

11. In magazines, you often see pieces where they take 1 or 2 items and show you how to dress them up differently for a whole week.  We think this is crap, as throwing a denim jacket on top of a cocktail dress and keds does not constitute “a day look” or “office professional.” Where do you stand on that?

A: I think its all in the accessories, and hair. Some women  don’t realize it but if you take that blazer from your two-peice off, raise the skirt up a bit, add some bangles and a nice temple braid or a nice/quick up do, there you are! You go from 5p to 8p in a matter of minutes!

12. Building on 11: How can we create a true “capsule” wardrobe that will stand us in good stead for say, a week of work or a long business trip.

A. I feel like I’ve said this a thousand times already, lol. It can’t be said enough, KNOW your proportions, and be honest! Of course the black dress, perfect denim, and correct accessories will take you far! Keep in mind the purpose of each garment, to express you!

13. What are the biggest lies that the fashion world peddles to us normal gals?

A: That labels lead. So many women spend too much time and money on the name of a garment than they do on the quality.

14. If you were a cocktail, what cocktail would you be?

A: I would be a sparking cranberry with lime!

15. If you were a pair of shoes, same question

A: I’d be a pair of driving loafers! Comfortable, Classic and timeless!

16. What is your best piece of advice to all the CityGirls out there?

A: Simple, love yourself enough to care. Be true to you and what you believe. Accept the harsh truth that fashion is factual, and style is fictional, it is simply made up. Create the best looks for you! Never follow trends, set them.