Scandal ended with an unexpected turn in last night’s season finale // Rihanna is suing Topshop for $5 million // Factory owners in Bangladesh, as well as Western apparel retailers, have faced intense pressure from governments, consumers and labor groups to improve workplace safety there after a building containing five garment factories collapsed a couple of weeks ago outside the nation’s capital, killing more than 430 people // Gucci lost its 4 year legal battle against Guess in Italy and also loses 7 trademark registrations in Europe // Jennifer Lopez adds her name to a list of performers at The Sound of Change Live, a concert hosted by Chime for Change and launched by Gucci, joining an impressive list, including Beyonce and Olivia Wilde //  Forever 21 is suing discount stores for trademark infringement // The Kardashians’ Khroma Beauty saga, played out in multiple lawsuits over multiple months, has finally come to a close // The class action lawsuit against Hearst for using unpaid interns at its magazines was dismissed, but the disgruntled former coffee-fetchers will continue the fight // Costco is fighting back against Tiffany’s multimillion-dollar trademark suit over the discount warehouse club’s sale of cut-rate “Tiffany” engagement rings. That is all. Have a good weekend, folks! Photo

We’re all busy – with our work duties, personal lives, and social calendars. It’s hard to cram everything in sometimes and be everywhere we need to be when we are expected. Better late than never? How late is fashionably late? And how late is just plain rude (like showing up to Ne Ne crib three hours late for dinner)? Photo

It’s Goodwill Industries Week!

Believe it or not, Goodwill is more than just a place to drop off your old stuff or to find a great deal on someone else’s old stuff. Do you know why goodwill accepts your donations? Do you know where the proceeds from those retail sales go?

Simply put – they help people find jobs. Not just any people – people who live in our community, people whose kids go to our schools, people who are sitting next to you on the Metro. Goodwill of Greater Washington’s primary mission is to provide job training and employment services to people with  disadvantages and disabilities. Their goal is to give the populations they serve the tools they need to become self-sufficient.

In 2012, Goodwill directly affected the lives of more than 3,200 of our neighbors. These are people who have re-found the dignity that comes with being a contributing member of our society. Goodwill also diverted over 20 million heaps of trash from local landfills through their donation program.

In addition to training people for jobs, placing them into jobs, providing consumers with access to quality, low cost goods, and acting as one our region’s largest recyclers, Goodwill is also a job developer. With each new store and donation center that Goodwill opens, 25-30 new jobs are created.

Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission is summed up by its tagline - “Transforming lives and communities”. Now you know how they do it.

If you’d like to learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, find their nearest store or donation center, or get involved, please visit http://www.dcgoodwill.org or download their free mobile app from the iTunes app store. #blogforgood

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Room and Board Summer Kickoff party. It was as cozy as ever. I first started dropping in Room and Board several years ago. I used to attend an annual conference right across the street from the Chicago location, and would spend breaks and entire afternoons browsing and lounging. It’d been a while, so it was good to get acquainted with some of the new pieces.

1. Separates – rather than buying a suit jacket and pants that only go together, invest in pieces that go with more than one other piece in your wardrobe – a blouse that can go with pants and a skirt, and a blazer that can go over a dress or a skirt, for example.

2. Mix basic and bold – Unless you work for a fashion magazine, you should still want to maintain a level of conservatism. Therefore, I suggest pairing traditional work pieces with less traditional ones.

3. The real secret is in the shoes – Even on those days when you just don’t have the time or energy to mix and match, a traditional suit paired with quirky pair of shoes, socks, or tights can spice things up.

While doing a little dpring shopping recently, I noticed a trend throughout the mall: printed jeans. I bought these Tropical Print jeans over the weekend. What do you say? Feeling the trend? Can do without these fancy pants?

Here’s wishing you a relaxing weekend. Recipe

Just lots, and lots, and lots of leg. Shoes: Alexander Wang Photos: 1/2

There’s something…whimsical…about being able to be comfortable…anywhere.

Photos: 1/2/3/4

It was such an honor to stand up next to one of my best girlfriends this weekend, as she got married – in one of the most pretty ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed. In the days leading up to the ceremony, she wined and dined and pampered us bridesmaids like true beauty queens. There was even Garrett popcorn!

It had been a while since I had participated in a wedding. Since I am in two this year however, and have helped out with some of the planning, I have come to find some really fun wedding dresses, accessories, and party favors on Etsy, like this vintage 1930′s Art Deco Inspired wedding dress, these floral crowns, these save the dates, this pink silk cocktail dress…

As with any event, each bride strives to make her special day one to be remembered – striking the proper balance between traditional and extraordinary. What are some ways you plan to make your day memorable?

I’ve never really been a fan of Nicki Minaj because everything about her is so over-the-top. But, I really like her made-under look for the cover shoot for Elle April 2013. To me, it’s consistent with the  average-girl personality she’s shown as an American Idol judge. What do you think? Is she reinventing herself, taking on a new, understated personality? I like it.

Of course, effortless-looking doesn’t actually mean effortless…which look do you prefer? Over-the-top? Or effortless?

Start each day with words of affirmation. Photo

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Laughter – When I moved to DC, I couldn’t have imagined that I would find a group of people who could be as dear to me as family. My family is tight! And because of that, I feared moving so far away would be difficult. But, as my good fortune would have it, I have found the most amazing group of friends here.

At one point, we practically all lived together in a reality meets situation comedy called “The Halfway House”—the story of 7 transplants trying to make it in the nation’s Capital. We would just sit around and entertain one another in times that still generate conversations beginning with “remember when…” and followed by laughter.

Over the years, however, as each of us became gainfully employed, and emotionally involved or otherwise independently absorbed outside of the group, the occasions for us all to get together have become less frequent and even more meaningful—Sunday brunches, birthdays, job promotions…and, most recently an engagement. We welcomed the groom-to-be into the group on a particularly wild night, one November. He fits right in—a character in his own right. I can’t wait for the wedding.

Cheers, my friends! …to the times we all get to share together, laugh and make memories together, and to grow old and wrinkly together.

QUOTE

My co-worker often teases me about being grumpy on Monday mornings. Accordingly, this morning I arrived to the following message: “Morning. I expect you to be in your usual Monday mood. Looking forward to it.”

To her surprise, when she later stopped by, I was not in my typical Monday mood, which she acknowledged. I am not a morning person, but I want to become one. To that end, I have changed my attitude about the morning time. They’re not so bad after all. I have also scheduled several weekly, early morning meetings, to get in the practice of waking and getting things done. So there, take that Mondays! -Photos

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LEISURE: My father has always said, “first you do what you have to do. Then you can do what you want to do.” That is probably the reason that as an adult, I schedule leisure as a “have-to-do.” This has been a week full of “has-to’s,” with no leisure included. Thus, I look forward to a weekend of slumbering on Saturday and celebrating a friends engagement on Sunday. Have a great weekend!

I pledged to cook more often this year, and I am not off to a bad start. Two of my favorite dishes so far have been from coconut curry salmon and portobello parmesan recipes. I have been known to incorporate sweet potatoes into nearly anything I can. Sweet potatoes are said to make your skin glow. Although, they turned my sixth grade teacher’s skin orange (he ate them everyday)…I’m not kidding.

What can I say about this sweet potato patty melt? The gooey, sweet, salty, and crispy potential for deliciousness kind of speaks for itself. While the recipe calls for chorizo, I would either make it meatless or substitute it with a turkey chorizo. The only problem is, I don’t like buying bread because I never eat the whole loaf. Whoever comes up with the idea for the half-loaf is sure to make a killing. So, then the only question now is who’s coming over for lunch?

This Week’s Haute Links: Chrianna cuddled up at the Grammy’s on Sunday/ On Tuesday, I called it, FLOTUS wore a Jason Wu dress to the SOTU address/ Naomi Campbell promoted her new show, “The Face,” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon wearing a black velvet and crepe wool dress from Alexander McQueen’s pre-fall 2013 collection/Bloomberg said Coach’s lack of brand personality is hindering its growth/Applications are now being accepted for the Fashion Law Bootcamp 2013 at Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute/ RECAP: DC Bar’s “For the Love of Fashion: Protect Yourself” Event/ UPDATE: on the Louboutin v. YSL dispute/ The NFL and the federal government have teamed up to fight against counterfeit Super Bowl Merchandise/ Beyonce is covering The Gentlewoman magazine/ I am coveting this J. Crew blouse/ Finally, Marc Jacobs closed out NYFW on Valentine’s Day looking like a tall glass of water, and if you haven’t had enough fashion week by now, here are 200 street style photos to hold you over til fall. PHOTO

Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember the bridal shower I went to a couple of months ago? Well, the Bachelorette party was this past weekend in Las Vegas. I know that everything that happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but nothing really happened ;)

1. I arrived on Friday afternoon and met two of the other girls at the airport and we hopped a cab to the MGM together. As soon as we walked through the door. Miranda observes, “It smells like strippers!” It really did. What is with the cheap smell in the hotel lobbies? We got checked in. Our suite was grand. We freshened up and set the room up for the bachelorette to arrive. The Maid of Honor had also gotten all of us other girls gift bags with a ton of fun stuff in them; 2. Fast forward to the morning of day two. Whooooo. I needed coffee; 3. The afternoon of day two was full of random acts of fun, including tongue tattoos and video taping married strangers with advice for the bride-to-be. For some reason, the tattoos caused quite the social media uproar. My mother called me on Sunday evening to say that I was getting “wild” on my Facebook page, and my cousin commented that the picture was “on the edge.” You think so? I mean sheesh! If a candy tongue tattoo is racy then…is it because I’m thirty?; 4.-5. The Wicked spoon in the Cosmopolitan Hotel is the bomb nom nom!! Think gourmet buffet; 6. That night we took in Thunder from Down under; 7.-8. Oh! I also found the Garrett’s Popcorn that just recently opened up in Vegas. Rumor has it that they are opening up a second location there as well; 9. After the girls left on Sunday morning I hung around for a few more days to hang out with my dad, who lives there. One of my best girl friends from high school also lives there, and we had dinner at Lemongrass at the Aria Hotel on the night before I left. Very good Thai food. It was a wonderful trip. Next up, the wedding in Dallas!!!!

Follow me on Instagram @Kitycatwalk!

Roses are red, violets are blue, this chocolate kiss is just for you. Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXO

Ever just feel like hiding? I’m horrible at disconnecting. When people call, I answer. Ask for a favor, I say, “yes, of course!” Because of that, I have reserved Saturday mornings for myself. Don’t call, cause I won’t answer. Have an event? Chances are I won’t be there. Is it Saturday yet?? How do you disconnect? Photo

February is American Heart Month. Accordingly, in the past week, you have probably heard something about the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and partner organizations’ national campaign called The Heart Truth. The centerpiece of The Heart Truth is the Red Dress, which was introduced as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 by NHLBI. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action.  As an icon, the Red Dress tested well with women across the country who cited its ability to get attention, convey the seriousness of heart disease, and change the perception that it is only a man’s issue. Source

Each February during Fashion Week, The Heart Truth hosts its annual Red Dress Collection Fashion Show. To see this year’s show click here and follow along with Jen over at Comme Coco here for live and other coverage. For information on other The Heart Truth events, including National Wear Red Day, click here.

Here’s how you can help: post a photo on Twitter or Instagram with #showyourheart to trigger a donation from Diet Coke to heart health programs. See my photo here.

I have so many interests, and dare I say – talents – that it’s hard to find the time to do everything that I would like to do and to master my craft, so I must start choosing how I spend my time much more wisely. But, what interests and activities most deserve my time and talent?

Desperate for an answer, I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflecting recently and putting things into perspective, simultaneously setting some goals,  and  seeking input from people that I genuinely trust and validation through my faith. What I have learned, so far, is that: 1. I do not give myself enough credit. I have accomplished a lot of things, including with this blog. People like what I have to say, and look forward to hearing it, and 2. I must get over my fears (of both complete failure and continued success), and take some risks in order to make a real impact. What am I really afraid of, anyway? What I have decided is that whatever I choose, I will do so with the benefit of others in mind, and not myself; recognition from others is not on my list of goals. With that, things are becoming more clear.

I am confident in what lies ahead, although I’m not certain in what direction my decision will lead. For now, I will proceed with the insight I have gained and the commitments I have made on the road to becoming a master servant. Still with style (I was born with that) and grace (I am a work in progress) of course, but with a  renewed sense of purpose and with sanctified ambition.

What strategies have you used to discern your purpose? How do you decide what activities are really worth your time? (pictured with Brea of What I Wore Tip To Toe after a FABB Girls Club brunch)

This post is in the spirit of NYFW, which I sadly will not attend (I will proudly be on bridesmaid duty). Are you going to be in NY for fashion week? What events will you attend? What are you looking forward to most? Fashion shows? Blogger conferences? What hotel will you stay in? What will you eat?? So many questions! What are your best tips for survival? Emily started a list over on Capital Style. Check it out and add your tips! -Photo

I wish every day was dedicated to spreading love, not just a few. I fervently believe that love is a choice and a commitment. We choose to love or we choose not to love. Love is controllable; it does not just happen to us. And, if we only love others on and off like a light switch, or just on holidays, we do not love others like God wants us to love. Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6:32 NIV)

Anybody can love those who love them. Becoming a master lover means you learn to love the unlovable. It’s when you love people who don’t love you, when you love people who irritate you, when you love people who stab you in the back or gossip about you. – Rick Warren/Daily Hope

This may seem like an impossible task. That is why we need God’s love in us, so we can then love others: “We know and rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:16 NIV)

When you realize how much God loves you — with an extravagant, irresistible, unconditional love — then his love will change your entire focus on life. If we don’t receive God’s love for us, we’ll have a hard time loving other people. I’m talking about loving the unlovely, loving the difficult, loving the irritable, loving people who are different or demanding.

Do not be misled, I still believe in lots of romance….and gifts… With Valentine’s Day coming up, here are a few ideas for spreading some love to your sweeties:

Valentino leather heels, $765/Love bracelets, $18/Elle Macpherson Intimates lace bra, $66/Pink Buttercup bouquet, $17/Godiva chocolate cigars, $15 /Moet Rose champagne, $60/Essie nail polish, $8.

Photos: 1, 2, 3

I began this year differently than most – with a bang – in hopes that it will end on an equally high note. I have given myself through the weekend to develop and finalize my personal 2013 plan. And, I look forward to growing and connecting with you this year. Happy and prosperous new year, and thank you for your continued readership and support. XOXO

Be a part of history. The Presidential Inaugural Committee 2013 is seeking enthusiastic  volunteers for the upcoming inauguration activities. Sign up today!

It feels good to be back in the midwest. There’s not much snow here in Chicago. However, Iowa got a ton last week. The kids were out of school for two days! I miss snow days. These pictures are from a cold, snowy day in Iowa that my friend and I decided to go get lunch at Gateway Market Cafe in Des Moines and then play in the snow and test out my new camera.

The stockings are hung, the cookies are out. Christmas is in a few hours…goodnight!

My beauty operator talked me into cutting my hair recently. I love it! I’ve even gone shorter since these pics were taken last week. She’s also talked me into not getting a relaxer. It’s been 6 months. I don’t know how long that will last…that means sweating is not an option, which is  much more difficult than you might think. I started sweating yesterday eating a jalapeno! Plus, I’ve been all the way natural before, and it is just as difficult, if not more difficult to maintain. But, for now, I can’t stay out of the mirror. No complaints here! Will you change your look for the new year?

Cocktails were created by mixologist and co-host Julie, cupcakes provided by Sprinkles, hair styling by Skylar, and beats by Jerz.

I mentioned before that I had really enjoyed planning my birthday party, and that I have even taken on some freelance party and event planning. Over the weekend, I went to a party that I helped plan for a friend. Here, I was reaping the benefits of my labor making sure everything was going as planned. Cheers to my party-planning partner in crime for another job well done! Occasion: Birthday Party; Theme: All black + Hollywood Glam; Photography: Marco Kay; Entertainment: Late Eighties Music and Entertainment and PoshBooth; Food: Emblem Events; Drinks: Bacardi and Grey Goose; Dessert: Sweet Themez Bakery.

The moral of this story: don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Clothes, accessories, and other adornments are little more than everyday costumes. Even ratchet girls wear pearls.

A while back, I wrote about how, through calculated consumption, we can accurately depict the image that we would like others to have of us. Our style choices are merely an extension of the products we consume.  What do your style choices say about you?

Photo: Beauty is Diverse

Should you want to participate in your own cookie exchange, here are some fun recipes: Reindeer are my favorite here are 1, 2 fun recipes to try.  Here are 1, 2, 3 cute little melting snowmen, which seem to be popular this year. Christmas trees are also popular, like these 1, 2, 3, 4; and finally, ornament cookies have been yummy since I was a kid, like these 1, 2, 3, 4. These are for Santa. And, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind washing them all down with a little Christmas Cookie Martini. Eat, drink, and be merry! Photo: Lulu the Baker

What are your favorite parts about the holiday season?

I have never been a fan of pink. But, fuschia is different. It is bold, girly, and sophisticated. I’m not sure any other color offers the same attributes. What colors are you crushing on? Photo: For the Home

]]> http://hauteoffthepress.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/event-outfitted-holiday-pop-up-shop/feed/ 0 honeybeflyy Outfitted http://hauteoffthepress.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/get-on-the-warby-parker-bus/ http://hauteoffthepress.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/get-on-the-warby-parker-bus/#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:03:23 +0000 Lauren http://hauteoffthepress.wordpress.com/?p=4755 Continue reading →]]> Georgetown – November 18, 2012 – Warby Parker Class Trip stops in Georgetown for the weekend.

My eyeglasses have inadvertently become a part of my signature style. I have worn prescription glasses since the eleventh grade (I wore a red, non-prescription pair of glasses for the entirety of the fourth grade).

My taste in glasses have evolved over time, and I have even worn contacts from time to time. Both glasses and contacts have traditionally been very expensive for me, because, well, I inherited my mother’s expensive taste, so my frames cost a small fortune, my vision in one eye is pretty bad, making my lenses expensive, and I have astigmatism (luckily only in one eye).

I always wondered why frames were so expensive, and was rather furious after watching a recent news segment on the monopoly in the eyeglass industry, which dispelled the uninformed, benefit-of-the-doubt conclusions I had drawn about the situation. However, I am relieved that companies, such as Warby Parker, are shaking things up in the industry by offering affordable and stylish choices for eyeglass snobs, such as myself. I am really impressed by their selection and the price-point – around $95 for a complete pair.

The Warby Parker “Class Trip” is touring the nation on a school bus, visiting nine cities in six months. The bus is currently in Washington, DC, and I dragged a few friends along with me on the bus to help me pick out a new pair of frames. You’ll never guess which ones I picked…

Follow their adventures on the road at http://warbyparkerclasstrip.com/!

I love to entertain, and since I hadn’t played hostess in a while, my thirtieth birthday was the perfect occasion to go all out with planning. I had a vision in my head of a sophisticated carnival. Several of my girl friends bent over backwards to help me pull it off, and made sure it was everything I envisioned. I am extremely blessed and am forever grateful for my wonderful friends, several of whom flew from afar just to celebrate with little old me. Here are a couple of pictures from the party:

A lot came of the party-planning process: I created the Party All the Time! Pinterest board, a collection of ideas for turning any occasion into a celebration, and I became a part-time event planner! I have finally turned a hobby into a hustle.

I love to write and send personal letters. Always have. Ever since I can remember, even as a kid, I have had my own personalized stationary. Each year, sending Christmas cards is one of the holiday traditions I look forward to most. I have also been a lover of graphic design, since my days in visual communications class as an Advertising major. Lately, I have been finding myself lusting over the designs at several boutiques,which brings me to Moglea:

I was first drawn to Moglea design and letterpress studio by the graphics. They spoke to me. One of the first cards I came across said, “Home is Where Your Mom is.” Feeling rather homesick, we were speaking the same language. Then, I found out that the company was based in rural Iowa, my home state, and grew even more fond of the products. But, my opinion isn’t biased, Meg Gleason’s designs also captured the hearts of buyers at Anthropologie, where her Happy Birthday Loop card is now being sold. Shout out to Meg, for putting Iowa on the map.

Photos: Meg Gleason