Fashion – Page 6 – Perfectly Eventful

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?

CoverGirl Coverup: B.B. Cream

Awhile ago, I gushed over the wonder that is B.B. cream and its introduction to the US beauty market. A quick refresher:

B.B. stands for Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm
B.B. creams offer a slew of beauty benefits ranging from spf to moisturizer to anti-aging and of course, skin coverage
Basically, this is makeup that is good for your skin

Garnier’s version was the first one to pop out on the drug-store priced scene. I raved about this stuff, and rightfully so as it was the perfect combination of light to moderate coverage with healthy skin benefits. The only downside was that the texture is somewhat thick, with a slickness that could prove challenging for oily skin types. Nobody wants to glance in the mirror come 3 pm and see a shiny, oily reflection staring back at them no matter how good B.B. cream is for your skin.

So, I resolved to continue my search for the perfect, budget-friendly B.B. cream. Dare I say, perfection in a tube is NOT too much to demand.

Imagine my surprise and excitement, when I strolled past the CoverGirl section in my local CVS and happened to spot their newest release, a CG AquaSmoothers B.B. Cream! Prior to discovering Garnier’s B.B. cream I was a CoverGirl tinted moisturizer addict. It was all I wore for nearly 10 years, so my enthusiasm at discovering this new B.B. cream product was completely genuine, particularly with a price tag of $7.99.

I purchased the item without question, in hopes that I had just found the holy grail of B.B. Creams. The next morning, I opened up the packaging and went to town applying the product liberally. The first thing I noticed was how similar the texture and coverage was the tinted moisturizer product I had previously sworn by. As I am admittedly a huge fan of the tinted moisturizer, I can’t say this was a bad thing, but I expected more coverage…and well, just more from a B.B. cream. That was when I decided to take a second look at the packaging, which clearly advertises the product as a B.B. cream, but then not so clearly states that it is a tinted moisturizer + sunscreen. So which one is it, CoverGirl?

After doing a bit more digging, I am sad to say, the ingredients in the B.B. cream are exactly the same as the CoverGirl CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisture product. Now, before I rant a bit, let me say that the tinted moisturizer is a good product that offers light coverage, moisturizer and SPF in one nifty little product. However, for CoverGirl to market this is a brand new product and as a B.B. cream when there are no additional skincare benefits is just plain sneaky. It is no wonder we haven’t seen any advertising for the product!

Moral of the story – don’t get duped. If you’re searching for a budget-friendly B.B. cream, stick to the Garnier brand for now or, if you want to spring for a higher end item, check out Sephora for a dozen (literally) of options that are $30 or more. I’ve heard excellent things about the Smashbox B.B. Cream, perhaps I will splurge on that one next to review. I’d also be interested to see the contrast between a makeup brand B.B. cream and a skincare brand B.B. cream such as Boscia or Dr. Jart+. Leave a recommendation or suggestion in the comments section!

Save on summer workout gear

I can’t believe Labor Day weekend kicks off on Friday. Summer really has come to an end. As we say goodbye to our bikinis, we all have the best of intentions to commit to maintaining our bikini bodies.

But every girl needs a little help staying motivated. Let’s face it, those pictures of Victoria’s Secret models you taped to the fridge only makes you open the door a bit faster so you can avoid the image of their perfectly toned abs and thighs glaring back at you in disapproval.

Time for a new approach. To keep up a gym routine (or encourage you to start one) why not supplement it with some stylish new additions? The end of summer is the perfect time to stock up on workout wardrobe staples. Warm weather items are put on major discount due to the change of seasons, but when working up a sweat, summer’s tanks and shorts are ideal.

It is no secret that my favorite workout gear outfitter is Lululemon, which is great news for me since their sale section is currently stocked up with great finds. I scored this polka dot racer back tank last week for $29.

There are plenty more items in the sale section on Lulu’s website, aptly titled “we made too much.” Amongst the tanks, sports bras and spandex shorts, you can also find some great deals on long sleeve shirts and jackets. Check the stores for even more great options, as the store typically has a different selection of sale merchandise than the website.

Check out stores like Athleta, Target and even Old Navy. To score the best deals, look for summer’s bright, bold and neon colors which will be banished to the sale racks. Stock up on staples in these colors, such as sports bras and basic tanks. If you’ve been on the fence about that running skirt, now is the time to try one out without spending a fortune. Basic running and spandex shorts will also be on sale.
If you’re a resident of a warm weather state, do some online shopping since summer staples might not make your local sale racks.

The first step to looking good is feeling good, so go ahead, treat yourself to a new workout outfit and debut at the gym – again, and again, and again!

Collar Necklaces

Collar Necklaces by kerrychannon featuring a collar necklace

Statement necklaces are taking a whole new shape this fall. Enter the collar necklace. They started popping up on the runways last Fall and made a full fledged debut this Spring. While the word “collar” tends to conjure up images of leather, spikes and other punk-influenced fashion (let’s resist those 50 Shades of Grey references), these babies are about as sweet and feminine as they come.

The collar necklace is pretty self explanatory; it’s a necklace designed in the shape of a shirt collar. Simple enough, yes, but these bejeweled, sequined and metallic beauties are anything but!

I’ve included some of my favorites above but the options are endless. Some look exactly like a Peter Pan collar while others offer a more decorative aesthetic. The biggest advantage of the collar necklace? You can wear one with almost anything. A sequined version would take center stage with a black cocktail dress (or a little pink dress!), adding a fun, quirky twist to any black-tie outfit. You can also pair it with a simple t shirt for a funky look. Imagine how darling one of the beaded versions would look with a simple sweater in the fall.

Like all accessories, they range in price. DANNIJO is one of the most expensive brands, which I’ve included above. However, you can snag some budget versions at ASOS, Forever21, H&M and even Etsy!

Start your collar necklace collection with a budget-friendly version to see how you like the trend and then spring for a pricier version if you’re into it. This style screams “trend” to me – I’d be surprised if these are around by next Fall. So, I’d shy away from spending the big bucks, but that is no reason to not have some fun with this super cool trend, particularly since there are so many low cost options available! So, go forth and get your collar on!

The Little Pink Dress

We all have a Little Black Dress in our closet. Or, if you’re like me, it is probably more accurate to say you have 5+ LBDs in your closet that you like but don’t really love and therefore just keep collecting additional LBDs that you hope will fulfill your needs. Until you release that there is a whole big, bad world of color out there that can give you just what you want.

Sure, black is a staple. You’ll always need it in your wardrobe for something and the supposed slimming effect is always a confidence boost. However, an LBD of a different variety – a Little BOLD dress – can give you that same confidence boost by leaving you looking flat out radiant.

I fell in love with the J Crew Lucille Dress a couple of months ago and finally purchased it a few weeks ago on sale. As a fine Irish lass, I had been eying the kelly green, but all that was left in my size was the bright pink, so my pale-skinned, reddish-haired self took the plunge into pink – and I couldn’t be happier. I wore it last week to the Madewell and Gap fashion events and got tons of compliments, particularly with the aqua color pairing. I put together almost my exact outfit below. I am a bargain girl, so my real life outfit featured leopard flats from Kohl’s and my necklace was a turquoise version from Ann Taylor Loft.

A Pop of Pink by kerrychannon featuring leopard print flats

The bright colors of summer can easily transition to fall with the right color combinations. Once the colder weather comes, I’ll pair this dress with a cream-colored cardigan, some brown riding boots and patterned tights. Keep your eye out for greens, blues and purples which will work well into fall and winter and make sure you choose a frock with a classic, feminine cut if you want it to serve the same functions as an LBD. A tailored, slim-waisted look is essential for a dress to span wardrobe needs ranging from work, to special events, to date night.

So, the moral of the ~~story~~ post? Next time you are in need of a basic, staple dress, don’t be colorblind. You’ll be surprised at what a little color can do!

The Little Pink Dress

We all have a Little Black Dress in our closet. Or, if you’re like me, it is probably more accurate to say you have 5+ LBDs in your closet that you like but don’t really love and therefore just keep collecting additional LBDs that you hope will fulfill your needs. Until you release that there is a whole big, bad world of color out there that can give you just what you want.

Sure, black is a staple. You’ll always need it in your wardrobe for something and the supposed slimming effect is always a confidence boost. However, an LBD of a different variety – a Little BOLD dress – can give you that same confidence boost by leaving you looking flat out radiant.

I fell in love with the J Crew Lucille Dress a couple of months ago and finally purchased it a few weeks ago on sale. As a fine Irish lass, I had been eying the kelly green, but all that was left in my size was the bright pink, so my pale-skinned, reddish-haired self took the plunge into pink – and I couldn’t be happier. I wore it last week to the Madewell and Gap fashion events and got tons of compliments, particularly with the aqua color pairing. I put together almost my exact outfit below. I am a bargain girl, so my real life outfit featured leopard flats from Kohl’s and my necklace was a turquoise version from Ann Taylor Loft.

A Pop of Pink by kerrychannon featuring leopard print flats

The bright colors of summer can easily transition to fall with the right color combinations. Once the colder weather comes, I’ll pair this dress with a cream-colored cardigan, some brown riding boots and patterned tights. Keep your eye out for greens, blues and purples which will work well into fall and winter and make sure you choose a frock with a classic, feminine cut if you want it to serve the same functions as an LBD. A tailored, slim-waisted look is essential for a dress to span wardrobe needs ranging from work, to special events, to date night.

So, the moral of the ~~story~~ post? Next time you are in need of a basic, staple dress, don’t be colorblind. You’ll be surprised at what a little color can do!

So long sweet summer…

Summer is coming to a close. The days of heat stroke inducing humidity are retreating and soon we will no longer have to live in fear of pit stains at every turn. We can put away the bikinis, short shorts and other assorted skin-baring clothing in exchange for Fall’s wardrobe of pants, long-sleeves, jackets and scarves.

While my inner fat kid is rejoicing at the impending lack of dietary restrictions which go hand in hand with the lack of bikini-wearing, I can’t help but lament the fact that summer has gone by so quickly. There was so much I wanted to do that will have to be tabled until next summer or hopefully, squeezed in during the little time we have left!

Well, we’ve only got a few weeks to go, so let’s make the most of it…by staring at some awesome summer-worthy outfits. As we prepare to bid adieu to a heat record breaking summer, let’s make the most of our seasonal favorites, show some skin and break some head index records of our own!

Here are some of my favorite short-shorts looks. All of you who have gams worthy of such baring, wear away:

So long summer… by kerrychannon featuring shorts

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!

5 looks with 1 pair of pants

5 looks with 1 pair of pants by kerrychannon featuring summer shirts

Recently, a friend of mind purchased a pair of these hunter green Gap slim refined pants. The purchase itself was heavily debated, as the slim cut and slightly stretchy fabric led her to purchase the same pair in black a few months ago, but the color present a challenge. Just what exactly can you wear with green pants?

If you’re asking me, which she did, pretty much anything!

This year’s bold color trend has everyone embracing bright and bold as the new neutral. Nearly any color can act as a neutral, pairing well with prints, patterns and even other bright colors. These Gap pants, similar to my favorite J. Crew Minnie pants, have a slim, tailored look which makes them great for work, play and everything in between. Add a funky tee and some bright accessories for a fun, casual look or a printed, ladylike blouse and bold pumps for a night out. Everyone has a white blouse in their closet, making it an easy outfit solution. Button up shirts are office appropriate, but chambray and leopard are an unexpected departure from the norm. Monochromatic looks are also an excellent option. With these hunter green pants, a breezy mint green top would pair perfectly!

Bold color on the bottom doesn’t mean you have to go safe with your choices on top. Just make sure your colors aren’t competing (neon yellow and neon green is an ode to the 80s) and if you do go for a basic top, punch up your look with fun, bright accessories.

The best part? Gap just extended their Friends and Family sale through today, so you can get these pants for 30% off! Enter code “GAPFRIENDS” at checkout for online purchases. Happy shopping!

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!