DC Metro Mom

It's true, Missoni is the latest high-end design house to collaborate with Target to bring luxe housewares and clothing to the masses.  The 400-piece Missoni for Target Collection will hit stores on September 13th.  Get there early or jump on your computer.  These items will go quickly!

Even the Real Housewives of Washington DC come out to play at the District Sample Sale.  This event is a lot of fun and tickets always sell out.  Expect lots of fabulous clothes, fun cocktails and a memorable night with your friends.  Get your tickets now!  Visit this LINK.

Fall in love with the Alex and Ani - Joie de Vivre Expandable Wire Bangle Set.

It is now on 30% @ http://www.couturecandy.com/alex-and-ani/joie-de-vivre-expandable-wire-bangle-set/product.html.

DC Area Mom and Author of Wear This, Toss That!

I wandered into J.Crew to see the latest arrivals and found this adorable ruffled tee.  It comes in lilac, black, ivory and antique stone (tan).  So cute and it is only $35.00.  It pairs nicely with jeans or capri pants.  It can be dressed up with  the J.Crew jewelry collection.  LINK

My evening in Georgetown at the District Sample Show did not disappoint!  The setting...a brick exposed two story venue on M Street was the backdrop for over 20 DC Metro area boutiques selling their end-of-season wares.  

Ok...I will admit, while I love fashion, I take my cues from safe sources like fashion blogs, celebrities, magazines, etc.  I would not classify myself as a true Fashionista.  My girlfriend on the other hand knows what she is doing.   When she heard about the District Sample Sale she demanded that we attend.  In a word, awesome!

Admittedly I spent more time sipping champagne and watching the fashion frenzy than actually buying...but it was still pure fun and worth every penny.   The event married high end fashion, cocktails and charitable giving all into one fabulous evening.  While my friend stalked a gorgeous hand beaded dress, I headed for the terrace overlooking the Potomac River and downtown Arlington.   It was easy to make friends and take in the evening.   Lots of ladies attended the event with their BFFs and soaked in DJ Seyhan Duru, scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, tasty desserts from Georgetown Cupcakes, goodie bags and cocktails including Malibu Mojitos.  Yum!

This was a great evening for a great cause.  All of the profits from this year's event went to http://www.kidpowerdc.org/.  Kid Power is a non-profit youth organization that provides youth development programming to 250 youth from underserved communities in the District of Columbia.

One of my new favorite places to shop is Second Chance Consignment boutique in Bethesda, MD.

I love this white and navy sleeveless dress by Courreges circa 1960, with a white current Gucci belt. The dress sells for $220 and the belt is $180.

Along with vintage, Barbara Blesi, the very savvy and fashion forward owner, carries current designers including Prada, Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik, and more.

(not my actual kids)

Whether you are shopping locally or going out of town,

Here's how to find the perfect place to shop...

StoreAdore

I love this website.

I am in the market for a pair of flat, yes flat riding boots. I normally wear high heels-but my feet are tired. I plan to wear them with my casual dresses (knit sweater dresses) as well as with jeans tucked in them.

I found two pairs that I like...

Ferragmo has a great pair-The Neser Riding Boot $1090. http://www.bloomingdales.com/ They are currently having a sale-spend $1000, get 30% off!

I LOVE shoes. Really. I think shoes can totally make an outfit. Some of my favorite shoes are bright colors that I usually have no more than one outfit they work with. Currently I adore my teal sling back pumps. Coolest thing is that I had an hour to kill on the way to give a presentation. I ran into a DSW looking for teal pumps. And there they were - in my size! LOVE THEM! I also adore my suede faux-crocodile pink pumps. Currently I have nothing to wear them with, but I love them just the same. I also love my shiny merlot patent-leather pumps that kill my feet. They look so awesome...I just need to be sitting down.

When we were building our addition last year, one of my criteria was that I never wanted to want for closets again. So, our bedroom looks like a cross. It started as a square, but all four corners are used. One is our awesome master bathroom with huge shower. The other three are closets!!! And two are mine. Here is my favorite thing in my big closet - my shoe shelf. Not all my shoes are in there yet, but I LOVE it. I feel like I am in a shoe store when I go in there in the morning to pick out my shoes for the day.

My favorite place to buy shoes - Endless.com. Great shoes, good deals, and free overnight shipping.  Free returns too.

Cross posted on http://www.threetimemommy.blogspot.com/

Capitol Moms founder Teia Collier spent a few minutes chatting with fun, laid-back, new momma and founder of the wildly popular diaper bag and accessory company Petunia Pickle Bottom DeNai Jones.

Here are some of the highlights:

Why Petunia Pickle Bottom? With the encouragement and support of my husband, I sought to fulfill a dream and a void in the market for a diaper bag that was functional, stylish and designed for the mama to serve the needs of the baby, rather than the other way around. There wasn't anything like what we created and after some convincing the stores picked us up -- from there it all began.

How do you balance running a successful company and motherhood? We have a lot of help; our family is here. They help with the boys (she has a brand-new little one) and get to build special memories with their grandparents. Balance is always something that you work at, but it helps that we put our family first.

What's next for Petunia Pickle Bottom? We always have something new on the horizon to keep things interesting and to give our fans something new and exciting. (There are also a new line of slings in coordinating fabrics launching in stores this month.)

Yesterday, Capitol Moms went scouting out for some great luxe products for Mommy and Baby. While out, I caught the Tory Burch Spring and Resort Collection fashion show and found a several pieces that I can't wait to share.

Since I have recently had a beautiful little boy, yes, I am a little biased, I've got my anteanae out for styles that have an ease about them, not too body conscious, but with great color and a little glamour to help a new momma get her groove back.

One of my favorites of her line are the tunics, particularly the Tory Tunic. It comes in a variety of colors, my favorites are the nautically inspired navy linen trimmed in a crisp white and the punchy pink print on cotton voile that just screams, "Welcome to the I'land, Mon". Pair it with a great pair of jeans or a pair of flowy linen pants and metalic sandals and you're good to go.

And I also love this dress. It comes in an easy silk jersey that pack well, shows a little of that fabulous new momma cleavage, and has great detailing that will draw all attention away form any remnants of a baby bump. Tory Burch Resort 2008 Martin Halter.

Locally available at Neiman Marcus or at http://www.toryburch.com/