Category: Uncategorized

adventures at the district sample sale

my finds from the District Sample Sale

In a continuation of a week of DC fashion firsts, I hit the annual District Sample Sale (DSS) last night.  For the uninitiated, DSS brings together a number of high-end boutiques who offer their goods at discount prices in one big location complete with music, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and oh – the real purpose is to raise money for charity.

When DC Celine said that I had to go with her and that I furthermore had to buy a VIP ticket to allow me an hour of access before the masses were let in, I of course did what she told me. (Though I would not cut the line to join her at the front because I was afraid someone would impale me with a stiletto.)

I was warned to dress in something that would allow me to try on items absent a real changing room, so I wore a pencil skirt (my big goal was to score some jeans and I figured I could shimmy them up under the skirt or as least under enough of the skirt to be respectable) and a blouse, but more importantly, a pretty bra (do I ever wear any other kind?) in case I really wanted to take off the blouse in front of hundreds of strangers to score the object of my desire.

Luckily, it didn’t come to that.

In the end, I walked away with a hammered cuff bracelet and two fantastic necklaces from Queen Bee Designs and a wrist full of leather wrap around bracelets from Fornash. (I promise photos of these items on me when my poison ivy clears up.) I did not try on any jeans, and the only top I tried on, well, I did it over my blouse and there’s photographic evidence of it on DC Celine’s instagram feed. I had to try it on not because I was really interested in purchasing it, but because I was so curious about the construction. Imagine an off the shoulder sweater that’s tunic length. Then imagine sewing a bra into the neck of the sweater. With step-by-step instructions from the helpful Muleh sales associate, I figured out that you first put on the bra component, then you tie the sleeves around your waist. Yeah, no 42-year old mom is going to find use for this item, but it was fun to try.

Lessons learned? If you’re going to the DSS, go with a kick ass woman who clocks in at close to six feet tall and can wear Union Jack skinny jeans because you (or rather she) will get noticed. As I was forewarned, do not hit the food and drinks until afterwards as it’s hard to balance shopping with treats. Have a plan, but have fun too. You probably won’t score exactly what you come in expecting to find, but you may discover a hidden gem.

weekend warriors

Last year, I wrote about the “book club for home improvement” group that I belong to, Weekend Warriors. My friend Kara already expressed how fantastic this group of families is on her blog, so instead of repeating her declarations of love for these friends, I’ll let a picture (or collage) tell a thousand words.

On Saturday, the Warriors came to my house, read the list I had prepared in advance, and conquered my projects. We painted the living room. We installed surround sound (and by “we” I mean a team of guys led by Neil, an Emmy-winning sound technician for NPR) and the backyard was laboriously cleared of the weeds and debris that had been encroaching on my house. The kids potted flowers for my front stoop. We painted the exterior of my front and back doors. Emily (and kids) power washed the side of my house. Curtain rods were hung in the playroom-slash-office, and Ritzer removed the door that had served as a barrier between this room and the rest of the house. Rob (and kids) made a cork board out of exactly 128 wine corks. Afterwards, we ate three different types of chili. We drank beer. We drew for 2013 months.

There had been a moment as we neared the four-hour mark when I looked around and thought to myself, “I have a long night of work ahead of me once the whistle blows and everyone leaves.” But no one put a brush down or otherwise stopped working until the work was done. In fact, a few guys are coming over later this week to make the wires to my speakers “pretty.”

The entire process made me teary, though by my own rules, there’s no crying in Warriors. There is dreaming though of my 2013 turn, coming in April, a perfect month to really landscape that yard of mine. In the meantime, I will enjoy the process of participating in other people’s projects. (It’s much less stressful to go into someone else’s house and tackle their needs than it is to manage your own.) And every time I see the results of the hard work of these good friends, I smile.

Currently Coveting…

I curse my expensive taste in handbags!

When I received a very nice email from the folks at Loeffler Randall informing me that they were about to launch a new handbag collection, I really didn’t think twice. While I am a huge admirer from afar at their funky shoes, I like my handbags more on the classic side, and I assumed their new line would be too uber-trendy.

Then I saw these two bags:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=54956824

While the bag to the left has a definite rocker vibe, I believe it is executed in a fashion that could remain timeless on the arm of the right woman. If you embody the idea that red is a neutral (which I do) the bag on the right has limitless possibilities.

I am smitten.

The price on these puppies makes blush the Kate Spades I usually buy through a special sale on the sale, and Loeffler Randall items do not quickly get marked down. So I shall merely covet these beautiful babies from my computer screen, and live vicariously through anyone who makes the splurge.

jubilee

In January and July of each year, SimplySoles holds its three-week Jubilee sale. A gambler’s sale, the way it works is the first week, select items are 30% off, the second week they are 40% off and the third week, remaining items are between 50-80% off. It’s a great way to score an investment shoe at Nine West prices, unless of course, you are cursed with the ever-so-common size 8 foot like I am, in which case your dream shoe is almost always sold out by the third week.

Usually my approach to Jubilee is to roll the dice the first week of the sale under the premise that if the item(s) I covet is still available the second week, then it was meant to be. Rarely do I risk the third week, though in January I did wait and scored the Stuart Weitzman Tango for a mere $67.00.

My friend Adrienne is more daring than I am. She waits until the last week and more often than not, ends up with shoes by Bettye Muller, Butter and Dana Davis at highway robbery prices. But this July’s sale, her patience paid off greater than normal dividends. In fact, she said she feels like she’s stealing shoes from Kassie by getting the deals that she got.

The catch is that Adrienne can afford to wait. She has a size 11 foot.

By her own observation, many of the shoes she picked up in this week’s haul were the last remaining shoe of that style. Thus they were marked down the entire 80%. She didn’t have to worry (like I do) about the little “1 remaining!” alert next to the sale price because of her confidence that not a lot of other size 11s are out there competing with her. As such, on Tuesday, the beginning of the third week of Jubilee, she bought six pairs of shoes. The original price of all would have totaled $1062.00. But when you calculate the sale price and subtract the $50 “sole saver reward” she used, her total came to $242. That’s over $800 in savings!

So next time you large-footed friends of mine lament your shoe size, I’m going to remind you of Adrienne and the benefit of sales that us average-footed women never get near. I would posture that savings like this is worth the few hundred water ski jokes you’ve had to endure over time.

 

sale on the sale

J. Crew did it to me again. They know when I’m weak. This long sticky summer has me beat down, and therefore I was more susceptible than usual to the additional 40% off all sale items offer even though usually by this time of year, I’m planning fall and winter purchases instead of scooping up summer deals.

But with temperatures soaring in the 100s, my favorite season seems eons away, and I’m tired of being hot. So much so that I broke a major rule of mine and bought shorts from the said sale. I hate shorts. I hate the way I look in them and after a few years of trying, I finally gave up. But I have been lured back in by the pictured versions for $21. I went with one 4-inch inseam and one 5-inch because I just wasn’t sure, and 3-inch seemed too I’m twentysomething and haven’t had babies yet.

I also had to have the orange version of the beige espadrilles I have been living in this summer, thanks to my friend Laura who initially pointed them out to me. The flat espadrille might be a little too much like Toms in practice, but I hate flip flops and need something to run to and from the pool in this summer.

I’m not usually a tunic-wearer, but have discovered them this summer as a great way to cover-up from unwanted sun rays in a manner that is easy breezy and not as stifling as hiding under a towel. Both those pictured here will work great with my fuschia bathing suit.

Of course, if my track record with J. Crew holds true, I will end up returning half of my purchases (the half that weren’t final sale, that is) though I hope that at some point, my retail luck changes. Maybe, just maybe, all six items will work. And I’m sure that once I’m totally geared for the dog days of summer, fall will surely make an appearance.

 

must have monday: change

We all get stuck in the rut of our lives. We set our alarm for the same time every morning. We perform the same workout. We eat the same breakfast. We wear the same outfits, have our same conference calls and attend the same meetings. We order the same foods at the same restaurants and we shop at the same stores. We come home at night, and if we are single mommies who work full time, we make the same dinners. Those same dinners, of course, being the ones we know we can prepare fast and, more importantly, our kids will eat.

But this week, when compiling my grocery list, I rejected the menu that has become our usual. After all, what a waste to have kids with a somewhat adventurous palate if you aren’t going to push buttons. And since I’m working from home this week – a camp-less week that had been designated for vacation time with mommy until I was overtaken by events and failed to plan anything that qualifies as away fun – I feel like I need to do something to make it interesting.

So in addition to daily swim lessons (“why do we need swim lessons when we know how to swim?”) and art class every afternoon (because mommy is working from home, not on vacation) I deemed this “try a new food every day” week. And when I made the grocery list, I consulted my little eaters.

Me: Will you eat salmon?

Jack: Well, we had it a few years ago at Jaxon’s house and we didn’t like it, but I like going fishing, so maybe we should try eating more fish!

Bingo.

Last night, they tried my chili-infused dark chocolate. They liked it. Tonight, we had teriyaki salmon and while Colin complained, he ate nine-tenths of his piece. Jack cleaned his plate. Tomorrow night, we’ll stick with the taco theme, but instead of filling them with beef, we’re having fish tacos. (I’m going to work that “I like fishing” angle as long as I can.) Wednesday night they’re with dad, but Thursday we’re going to see Spiderman, and I already suggested a stop at Oyamel to try grasshopper tacos after the show.

They’re into it.

We’ll try a new flavor of ice cream (cinnamon) in our maker on Friday and then regroup over the weekend, perhaps visiting the farmers market and picking out some interesting new items together.

While we aren’t spending a week on the beach or in Paris or some place exotically educational, we are making our own fun and pushing our limits.

But if I’m going to survive the week, they need to stay out of my dark chocolate stash.

 

 

fab find friday

A Senate-staffer friend of mine whom we will call Clementine gave me the brilliant suggestion of offering a fabulously inexpensive fashion find every Friday. I had the equally brilliant idea of asking her to be a guest contributor for the first (and perhaps more) in the series. On that note, if you make a budget friendly discovery and feel it is your fashion duty to share it with the world (after you score one in your size, of course) please do not hesitate to let me know, and I can feature it here in the future.

Fab Friday finds (click for purchase information) from Clementine:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=53132852
fab find friday

Dear Chelsea Chronicle Readers:

My go to summer uniform is a tunic and leggings, but I try to keep it interesting. Check out this black and white option for under $30 from Urban Originals. I plan to finish it off with a brightly a colored flat like this fuchsia one also from urbanog for a mere $20.

New from Zara and coming in at under $60 this is THE dress that I will finish summer in style with by adding my skinny gold belt and strappy flats (but please, not those pictured). I will add an arm full of bangles for easy day to night. The ones pictured here are all from Forever21, which offers lots of options to mix and match at super cheap prices.

For work, let’s admit it: the halls of Congress aren’t always forgiving when you walk them day after day in 4-inch heels. But these snakeskin kitten heels by Bandolino are a steal for $21.99 and won’t leave you limping out the door (or to the Senate floor) at the end of the day.

If you follow the Chelsea Chronicles on twitter (@chelseachronicl)  you know that she is a BIG fan of Biker Barre. These crops are by far the BEST to cycle in, and Under Armour is offering free shipping for new customers w/ code TW9PWT6A

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/womens-heatgear-lunge-17-capri/pid1228167-001

Enjoy my finds and be sure to share yours!

Yours in affordable style,

Clementine

must have monday: me time

The last three days felt like three weeks.

I don’t do well in record-breaking summer temperatures as it is, but I most certainly do not thrive when those conditions are made worse by lack of electricity and water usage restrictions during a weekend when I have the kids.

But now I hear the sound of kids at summer camp. (For those of you who don’t have kids, this means silence.) No one is complaining that they are bored or hot. No one is asking why the pool is closed or if I can just check one more time to make sure the power is really off and not that I just blew a fuse.

(Oh, I blew a fuse.)

I know these are the rants of a spoiled person. Believe me, I’m most grateful for the amenities I have and was relieved to have power restored and water restrictions lifted yesterday. But today, day one of a modified stay-cation, is going to be a day dedicated to me. And the ability to have a day like this is certainly going to be all the more appreciated after what we just experienced.

From dry cleaners to mani-pedi to lunch (by myself if I can’t find a date) to an appointment with my aesthetician to a drop off at the cobbler and plans for an evening workout, today will be about taking care of me.

We all need and deserve a little self-maintenance once in awhile, and the timing of my such day could not be any better.

accessorize this dress: take two

‘Tis the season to get married.

As I mentioned last night, two women, two weddings, two dramatically different dresses, two requests for help with accessories. While I presented Chani with only two color options for her boldly printed dress, the green dress that Terra bought for her event is open to a whole spectrum of possibilities, even more that I presented here. (Don’t be shy. Add your ideas to the mix.)

Terra is the guest of a wedding in Buffalo, NY next Saturday. The groom is her “best guy friend” and the venue is a winery, though most of the festivities will occur indoors. Terra tells me she plans to wear nude peep-toe pumps with her kelly green dress, which further allows an open palette for her jewelry options. Now, I’m at a tiny disadvantage with Terra because I have never met her. I don’t know her style profile (sexy? girly? sophisticated? daring? conservative?) or what she might already have in her own closet that could work. But with that said, my ideas:

I love turquoise and green together, as if you couldn’t tell by the collage above. In fact, it was hard to limit myself to just one suggestion. (Believe it or not, I edited out some.) I thought of basing my entire recommendation on this color pairing, but I buckled under the pressure to provide options. Just in case Terra hates the color turquoise.

True confessions of a serious color addict: I also love orange and green together, as well as fuchsia and green.

If color-blocking is too bold for Terra, she could wear a necklace and earrings in which the gold features more prominently than the color of the stones. Gold and green are gorgeous together and she could easily deck herself in a multistrand gold necklace or layer a bunch of gold necklaces of varying lengths. Finding the right ones could be a fun project if she likes thrift or consignment stores. Or if she has a box of “vintage” pieces from her mother, grandmother, great aunts.

The main message I want to impart on Terra is that she really can’t go wrong, regardless of what she chooses. This dress is a blank slate and she can make it funky, edgy, pretty or bright.

What’s most important is that she make it hers.