Street Style in Petworth
I ran into Jesse in Petworth. Doesn’t he look incredible?
Such a great mix of pop culture references in one outfit – Beatles shirt, Superman chain, NY cap, and check out those neon Nikes! Here’s a better look:
I was just reading on Refinery 29 how the neon trend is moving from the summer into the fall. They have an example of how it is being done in LA, so I was excited to see that bright neon here in DC too!
Thanks for letting me stop and take your picture, Jesse!
Closet Caucus in the September issue of Washingtonian Magazine!
I am just tickled pink. Washingtonian Magazine has featured Closet Caucus in their September issue! I can’t tell you how surreal it was to pick up a copy of the magazine and read about my business.
For those of you in the DC area, look for the “Cheap Eats” cover. (My fav annual issue!)
My lovely client, Beth, has a full-page photo on page 126. You can read more about Beth at her wonderful blog Beth’s Journey.
Closet Caucus is also listed on page 133 in an article called “A Fresh Eye.”
We also did some filming when Beth had her Wardrobe Edit. I’m not sure when it is going on the Washingtonian site, but I will link to it if / when it goes up.
Thanks for letting me share my excitement!
Fashion Blogger Meetup Event at Violet Boutique
After I attended the DC FABB fashion blogger meet-up at Violet Boutique last night I made a decision to completely reject the statement, “DC has no sense of style.” So many beautiful, interesting, kind women turned out, and I just couldn’t get enough of what everyone was wearing.
And, people were so amazing with the details! Every time I thought I completely grasped an entire outfit I noticed a small choice with an accessory or a shade of lipstick that made me oooh and ahhh. It wasn’t just about the clothes, either. There were so many strong people with such interesting perspectives and backgrounds. Basically, I came away with the notion that this group of bloggers could pretty much run the world.
Can you tell that it was a great event?
Here are some pictures for you to peruse!
That’s Julie on the left and me on the right. Julie is the dynamite owner of Violet Boutique. She helped me pick out the dress that I’m wearing (which came from her boutique, of course!). She has such an eye for color! She encouraged me to try on the dress and I just fell in love. I highly recommend you get yourself over to Violet Boutique and talk with Julie! Trust her instincts – she’s amazing!
This is Jen. She writes the blog Sew Frugal & Fashionable and is just a powerhouse. She has challenged herself to not purchase anything new this year, and comes to events in stunning outfits that she either made, refashioned, or found at Goodwill, consignment, or thrift stores. If you live in DC, MD, or VA you can find her teaching sewing with the Silver Spring Sewing Sisters.
On the left is Liz from the blog So Much to Smile About. She is also one of the co-founders of DC FABB.
This is the lovely Emily from Capital Style. You can follow her blog here.
The amazing Ujji B from StylesByUjjiB.
On the left is fashion designer Tamika from House of KAS.
In the middle is model and stylist Dana who writes the blog The Diary of Franky J.
On the right is Ujji B.
Here is Alina from The Hyperbalist. It’s always a joy to see what Alina is wearing and how she puts outfits together. (You can see another True to Style pic of her from a vintage event here.)
Excuse the blurriness of this pic, but I still had to post it to make sure you got a look at her shoes. Perfect. Just perfect!
This is Lacey, the other co-founder of DC FABB and author of the wonderful blog A Lacey Perspective.
Finally, some product shots from Violet Boutique, because there is always such great merch there!
Did you attend the DC FABB event? Let me know about your experience or link to your blog below!
What Banana Bread is Teaching Me About Business
I know I’ve already shared how baking actually helps me with fashion. But, yesterday I got a great business lesson when I made banana bread. Because I completely failed at it. It came out of the oven completely burnt to a crisp while smelling like ash and…well…burnt bananas. Not pleasant.
My Dream
My Reality
Completely frustrating.
I’ve made this recipe a number of times, and the first time it came out perfectly. The other four times something went terribly wrong. Since I started baking six months ago I’ve had lots of success with sweets, but I’ve continuously failed at all variations of breads. It’s my baking Achilles’ heel.
Later on in the evening I decided to read a few chapters of A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg (who writes the highly successful blog Orangette).
In the book she gives a recipe for banana bread with chocolate and crystallized ginger. My first thought was, “I’m gonna give that a shot,” even with the fumes of burnt bread still wafting in from my kitchen.
Business has taught me quite a bit about failure. I seem to always be volleying between success and ruin. I love, love being a fashion consultant, but the market is incredibly difficult and the possibility of shutting down my doors is always lurking around the corner. I’m trying to learn more about when to keep pushing through and when it is best to throw in the towel. It’s a very fine line.
What I’ve learned is that there are no absolutes. I’ve got to learn how to hold on to the important part of my vision while remaining flexible enough to allow it to grow if life is pushing me in another direction. I’ve got to be willing to make colossal mistakes and have everything burn to a crisp. Then, I need to get my head back in the game and get back out there.
Failing at baking is teaching me how to take my ego out of completely messing up. It’s not personal – it’s banana bread. I obviously did something wrong, and I’m trying to backtrack to see what went awry so I can learn from my mistakes. In business I’m trying new things, learning, and meeting new people. Some of my ideas are going to go down with a thud. Some of them will stick. But, the true test is to continue to continue.
The dream of perfect banana bread is a goal. The dream of dressing men and women so they feel attractive and confident while realizing a true connection to what is internal and what is external is my passion. I’m going to keep fighting for both visions.
Banana Bread with Chocolate & Crystalized Ginger
from A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (from about 3 large ripe bananas)
1/4 cup well-stirred whole-milk plain yogurt (not lowfat / nonfat)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Set a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees. Grease a standard-sized (about 9 by 5 inches) loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.
In a small bowl, microwave the butter until just melted. (Take care to do this on medium power and in short bursts; if the heat is too high, butter will sometimes splatter or explode. Or, alternatively, put putter in a heatproof bowl and melt in the preheated oven.) Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the chocolate chips and crystallized ginger and whisk well to combine. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork. Add the mashed banana, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla and stir to mix well. (The same fork works fine for this.) Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir gently with a rubber spatula, scraping down the sides as needed, until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter will be thick and somewhat lumpy, but there should be no unincorporated flour. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top.
Bake until the loaf is a deep shade of golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 minutes to 1 hour. If the loaf seems to be browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil.
Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then tip it out onto the rack, and let it cool completely before slicing – unless you absolutely can’t help yourself, in which case, dig in.
Note: Fully cooled, this bread freezes beautifully. And it tastes delicious cold, straight from the freezer. To protect it from frost, wrap it in plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil.
My Favorite Makeup Product of the Summer (and Possibly Ever)
This summer I discovered the wonder of Intuitive Cheek color by Smashbox.
It has been on the market for awhile, but it was a new discovery for me and it blew me away.
Basically, it is a blush that comes in gel form. And, here’s the kicker – it comes out of the bottle clear, but then switches colors according to your personal skin tone. Amazing.
I was a little skeptical of the product at first and ended up getting a sample of it at Sephora. (Side note – I totally appreciate that Sephora will let you take a sample of a product home. It makes all the difference.) When I touched the gel it turned hot pink on my skin, which again made me nervous. How could hot pink be the perfect shade for my skin?! But, when I placed it on my cheeks the most amazing thing happened – the bright pink, once blended, gave me a beautiful glow. It didn’t scream BLUSH, but rather just enhanced my complexion by giving me a pinkish glow. Gorgeous.
Everyone who came into my apartment that week I had to try it out. House rules. I was excited to see what color the product would turn on each person. It always came out pink, but varied from my hot pink to a rose color to a lovely shade with peach undertones. And it matched everyone perfectly each and every time.
O-GLOW Intuitive Cheek Color by Smashbox
$26.00
Have you ever tried Intuitive Cheek Color? What was your experience?
How to Buy a Button Down Shirt
A white button down shirt is a wardrobe staple. It can be mixed and matched, dressed up or down, and basically can be the glue that holds an outfit together.
But, finding a white button down shirt that is flattering can be quite tricky! Here are some things to look for when you shop:
1. Make sure that the shirt is tailored to fit your shape. If not, it is going to be boxy. If it is boxy chances are it isn’t going to be very flattering.
2. Look for darts. Darts give the shirt shape (and can prevent that “box” shape).
3. Look for a shirt that doesn’t have pockets on the chest. I call them boob pockets! Instead of the eye traveling up and down it will be drawn directly to the pocket. Which means directly to your boobs. If you get a shirt that has one or more pockets that’s okay! It isn’t a fashion faux-pas. It’s just preferable to have a clean line.
4. Look for a shirt that has a round cut at the bottom versus one that is straight across. This will give you the option to wear it tucked in or outside of your pants. Again, it isn’t wrong if you have one that goes straight across. The rounded bottom will just make things look more complete.
Now, where should you get this elusive white button down shirt? It’s a difficult question. Because it is a staple many stores carry variations of this shirt year-round. But, they are all made a bit differently and the cut can change from season to season. I’ve had some luck at bigger department stores like Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. I’ve also completely struck out at those stores, too.
The big thing is to keep these tips and mind and to keep your eyes open for one that is really going to flatter your shape. If you purchase one that is made correctly it can last for years while being the go-to shirt for a beautiful outfit.
Have you had trouble finding a white button down shirt? Have you been able to find one? If so, let us know where you found it!
Liz Lemon Cookies (and What Baking Has to Do With Style)
I bake to think about clothes. It may seem like an odd combination, but I find that baking is a way to problem solve. It’s not that I’m necessarily a great baker. In fact, I’ve caught my oven on fire numerous times and still can’t make an edible loaf of bread to save my life. Instead, baking is a way for me to think about clients, writing, life, and next steps with business without actually engaging with clothing.
It’s very similar to taking a shower. Have you ever been stuck with a problem and found that you came out of the shower with a great idea or answer? Somehow the back of your mind continues to work even though you are engaging with another task and poof! the answer reveals itself.
This weekend I baked lemon cookies.
(It’s amazing what a bag of lemons can do for a room. Placing them all in a bowl just cheers up everything.)
I found the below recipe for Lemon Tea Cookies on the blog My Madison Bistro, but I have renamed them Liz Lemon cookies.
Why Liz Lemon Cookies?
Okay, so really these cookies have nothing to do with Tina Fey, but trust me when I say they are tart in a sassy kind of way and completely irresistible.
Liz Lemon Tea Cookies
for the cookies
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. cornstarch
1/3 c. confectioners sugar
for the frosting
3/4 c. confectioners sugar, sifted
1/4 c. unsalted cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
Cream butter, lemon zest, and juice until fluffy.In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients and mix into butter on low speed.
Divide in half. Shape each half into a 8×1 inch log and roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Cut into 1/4 inch rounds. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool and frost.
The texture of this cookie is delightful. They dissolve on your tongue.
Did I figure out my fashion / writing / client / business questions while baking? Well, sort of. I came away with a few new ideas. And lots of great cookies.
Beth’s Mix & Match Session
Yesterday Beth and I finished up our last styling session. It was Day 2 of our Style Workshop, and it was all about mixing and matching!
Mixing and matching clothing is one of my all time favorite things to do in life. It’s so much fun to show clients how to create different looks out of the clothes they already own.
Beth loves this skirt but was having trouble figuring out how to wear it. So, we played around with different tops and accessories so she could wear it in various seasons.
It is so exciting to hear clients go from, “I don’t have anything to wear,” to, “I have so many options!”
To read more about our evening of mixing and matching go over to Beth’s blog here.
To read about the first part of our Style Workshop (and to get the inside scoop on our story in the Washingtonian) go here.
What’s your favorite thing to mix and match?
Black & White Stripes
I noticed the lovely Brittany at Chinatown Coffee this weekend. She looked incredibly cool and pulled together on such a humid DC afternoon.
I loved her combo of a summery black and white striped dress, plaid purse, and nude shoes.
She matched it with the perfect shade of red / coral lipstick.
Outfit breakdown:
Dress – Forever21
Shoes – Urban Outfitters
Purse – Urban Outfitters
Thank you for sharing your beautiful summertime style, Brittany!
Quotes From The Thoughtful Dresser
I just finished reading “The Thoughtful Dresser: The Art of Adornment, the Pleasures of Shopping, and Why Clothes Matter” by Linda Grant.
It’s a lovely read that explores the role of fashion throughout history as well as a personal autobiography and fashion manifesto. It completely verbalized many of the reasons I decided to become a fashion consultant. Here’s a gathering of my favorite quotes:
“…if you were to gather all the clothes you have ever owned in all your life, each baby shoe and winter coat and wedding dress, you would have your autobiography.“
“Sometimes clothes are more than clothes, and throwing them away is too much like amputation.”
“I looked at the clothes that remained in my wardrobe and wondered what would eventually happen to them. They had been kinder to me than some people I knew.”
“Nothing more cruelly reveals the business of our aging flesh than sticking to the same clothing, makeup, and hairstyles for the whole of our lives.”
“That was Dior’s gift, to make you fall in love with clothes.”
“When academics write about the language of clothes and describe the various messages that are encrypted in garments, they seldom include in that vast vocabulary the word rejoice. Clothing as social and cultural signals, but not these piercing feelings of joy that new clothes can bring to the wearer.”
“Those who take no particular interest in clothes will, by accident or passivity, go with the fashion flow. Appearing never to update their wardrobe, they nonetheless alter their dress over the decades, changes not necessarily observable to the naked eye because of the glacier like slowness of their movement.”
“Caring about what you wear is one small but not entirely insignificant dimension of existence.”
“Creatures of surface, mirrors have a simple story to tell us and fail over and over again to reflect back the gift of our inner beauty and hard-won wisdom.”
“I’m tired of fat men telling women whose bones do not show through their skin that they should lay off the doughnuts.”
