A Few of My Favorite Things...

To get in the spirit of the holiday season, I thought I would share with you a few of my FaVoRiTe things. We'll start with my favorite of favorites...

My Favorite...Boutiques

Treat Boutique, Old Town Alexandria
I'm careful about timing when I visit this sample-sale boutique store, because I know I can never walk away empty-handed. Don't be fooled by the sleek, clutter-free layout of this designer-laden shop--you can always find something to fit your budget! Beautiful coats, leather handbags, Kelsi Daggar shoes (oooh la la!), and a great selection of dresses make this a go-to for any fashionista while visiting Old Town Alexandria. You get wonderfully made and designed clothes at a discounted price. There are only 1-2 sizes of every piece, so keep in mind to visit there on Thursdays or soon after--Wednesday is when they get their weekly shipment. You may want to keep that secret to yourself...
http://www.shoptreat.com/

Gossip on 23rd, Arlington (Crystal City)
Say "hello" to the owner, Katherine for me, one of the most friendly people I know! Her newly expanded boutique sells great Los Angeles brands (just like her sister-store on Melrose in Los Angeles) and is well organized, with color-coded sections of tops, sweaters, dresses, jewelry and an added gift section (with books, baby clothes and Vintage pieces) as a bonus! Every piece of clothing is under $100! A little customer service goes a long way, and Katherine has it all! Don't forget to tell her that I sent you...
http://www.gossipon23rd.com/

Three Sisters Boutique, Old Town Alexandria
Funky jewelry, bohemian-inspired frocks, frilly scarves and mittens, over sized sweaters, embellished jackets...I could go on forever! I could spend hours in this store--it is FULL of some very unique clothing--which brings it to my "favorites" list! If you're in need of that perfect necklace or bracelet to complete an outfit, this is the place to go! http://www.facebook.com/shop3sisters

Lou Lou, Multiple Locations in the DC Area
This store is decked out head to toe in accessories, and most of them are nickel free (which is great for people like me, with sensitive skin!)--keep that in mind when buying for friends for birthday gifts or the holidays! With a wide range of prices, from affordable nap sacks to genuine leather HOBO International wallets and bags, you'd be disappointed to walk out of here empty handed. I've always found something that I can't walk away without buying. Budget at least an hour of your time, if you're going to make the most of it!
http://loulouboutiques.com/index.cfm

Current Boutique, Arlington (Clarendon/Courthouse), Old Town Alexandria & DC
Another lady's junk is another's treasure...I'm a firm believer in that statement, especially after frequenting this boutique. You can find used and new clothing like shoes, handbags, shirts, dresses--and don't forget to browse their small section of designer consignments (I've had my eye on some Chanel flats for the past few months--I'll let you hunt them down though!). They also carry my favorite Los Angeles brand of dresses: Ark & Co.
http://www.currentboutique.com/

My Inspiration: Oma Hess Knows Best

Time to get personal! If you know me at all, you may be very familiar that I'm very proud of my German heritage. A lot of that stems from growing up spending a lot of time with my Grandma, Augustine, a person I will always look up to and consider a courageous and admirable woman. While working in post-WWII Germany in Munich and Nuremburg beer halls, she raised 5 children on her own. Life did not come easy for her. My Grandma and Grandpa met while he was in the Army, and in 1955, they were married in Nuremburg. He swept her off her feet, and brought her and her children back to Iowa with him to live on the farm. 

My mom and I were going through boxes of vintage photographs that we obtained while moving Grandma out of her apartment, and into assisted living this Fall. What I found was amazing, and told me so much about her--and a lot about myself. I'm beginning to wonder that if my sense of thrifty fashion stems a bit from the hours spent digging through her closets and jewelry boxes as a child. Memories I will cherish forever, that shaped me into who I am today. With what little Grandma had, she always managed to appear happy and fabulous, despite her hardships. Please note the webbed-wedge platforms, and the mink coat! I hope she can be an inspiration for us all...

Heels Have You Down Instead of Up?!

Repair Them, Instead of Replace!

High heels: We love them, and wear them, and wear them down, to the ground! Especially walking around as much as we do in this city (or for my long distance beautifiers, walking around anywhere!)...

Depending on the quality of the shoe, a major problem I've had in the past is the tip of the heel wearing off. And there's nothing more irritating than the sound of the metal nail from the heel rubbing against pavement. Instead of a click-clack you are a click-shriek! Eeek!

What should you do if your favorite pair of high heels is starting to wear out? I take them to my favorite shoe repair shop(s). That way, I'm spending between $10-12 and can still keep my favorite pumps, rather than spending $75 on a new pair! They'll shine them up with mink oil (depending on the material), and have them ready to go within 24-48 hours! The best thing is, you'll feel like you have a new pair of shoes, and have some extra $$ in your wallet to go out and show them off!

Here are my favorite spots around town to get my heels fixed (and thanks to my DC girlfriends on their insight to your favorite DC location!):

Best Foot Forward (Pentagon Row)
1301 South Joyce Street 
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 703-413-0444
(*TIP - there is free 1 hour metered parking right out front, but I would avoid going during rush hour times--you may literally have to fight for a spot! You could also park in the Harris Teeter Pentagon City lot, and walk over to this store from there.)
Website: http://www.bffshoerepair.com/

Simone's Shoe & Luggage Repair
1309 Old Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-893-8782

Cobbler's Bench Shoe Repair
Multiple Locations in the DC Metro Area (Great for those of you working downtown/or without a vehicle!)
1801 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-789-4141
Website (please visit for many other additional locations): http://www.cobblersbenchshoerepair.com/locations.asp

If you're not in the DC area, search online for a local shoe repair shop! They are often combined with a dry cleaner/alterations shop.

Have fun strutting your stuff in your recycled heels, ladies!

Downy Wrinkle Releaser - My Favorite Way to Start Any Day

If you don't own a bottle, I suggest you go buy one! It is called Downy Wrinkle Releaser, and it is a staple in my morning routine.
I know most of you don't enjoy ironing. My favorite roommate is a culprit! This is a simple solution (for most articles of clothing and fabrics) for a quick wrinkle fix. I just cringe when I see young ladies (and men, for that matter) with wrinkly shirts and clothing.


We've All Been There...

• It is the night before a big work meeting, and you have to give a presentation to all the big-wigs. Outfit is picked out. You try on in the morning, and since you washed the shirt yourself to save some money at the dry cleaners (who can blame you?), your shirt is a little wrinkly!
• You're on vacation, and you take your favorite sundress out of the suitcase (and who has time to iron on vacation?!) only to find it wrinkled from the great packing job by Y-O-U (luckily you bought the airline regulation-safe, travel size bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser)! Tip: If you can't find a travel-size bottle, buy a travel-size hair spray bottle and wash the liquid down the sink, and rinse out bottle and sprayer a few times. Then, let dry overnight. Rinse out again in the AM, and then pour some wrinkle releaser from your large bottle, in the recycled hair spray bottle. You're all set! 

How to Use...

Of course there are instructions on the bottle that you all should read. But as you know, I have my own ways of doing things. 

I put the shirt or pants on a hanger, and hang up on my closet door/flat vertical surface. I then douse the article of clothing with about 4-6 sprays of Downy Wrinkle Releaser all over the piece (or just concentrate where the wrinkles are if they are only in a certain area). Your garment will appear a bit damp, but don't fret, it dries rather quickly. I make sure my hands are clean, and I simple smooth out the piece with my hand, directing the wrinkles out while gently flattening the material. Then, I wait a few minutes for it to dry before trying on, and usually the garment is wrinkle-free. 

If you're a bit concerned about a certain material, you can always spray a small portion on the bottom of the shirt to test.

Downy Wrinkle Releaser is also a great pressing agent, for those of you that do have the time and patience to iron. Spray the piece of clothing before you place on the ironing board, and your clothes will look professionally dry-cleaned and pressed--as if you paid for it! What a great feeling!

It is also a great agent in reducing static cling!

Grab a bottle at your favorite grocery store (I find the best prices are at Wal-Mart & Target) and join me in my morning routine!

Donation Location(s)!

After you've done a clean sweep of your closet(s) (with my help ;), here are some great places to take those items you no longer have use for! 

Please do NOT take your old clothing/furniture to the dumpster! Although, I've been known to dumpster dive for my bedroom furniture (or you can for your closet organizer, wink wink ;) Remember This: Another woman's junk, is another's treasure.

Goodwill - http://www.goodwill.org/

Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Home

My Personal Favorite: A Simple House - http://www.asimplehouse.org/

*Tip: If you keep a running list of what you take to your desired Donation Location, most of these places will give you a receipt upon request. This is great to keep in preparation for tax season early in the year!

To Keep or Not to Keep: That is the Question!

In helping a good friend determine which items to-keep or not-to-keep in her closet, it reminded me you all may need a few pointers...

Real-life example: How many times have you gone through the ritual of trying on the pair of jeans (that have been on the hanger and in your closet for three years, unworn)--saying, as you try to squeeze the button clasp closed as your love handles grow over the belt loops, "I'll work out and fit into these!" Or, "These are my skinny day/week/month/year jeans...?" Honey, by the time you will fit into them, they will be out of style. You probably shouldn't have bought them in the first place, even if they were on the sale rack.

Not to be a "negative Nancy" here, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Reward yourself by buying a NEW, flattering, in-style pair of jeans, after meeting your weight-loss goals. Washes, fabrics, dyes, and leg-opening widths are all trends! Close your eyes and let go, throw those bell-bottoms and low-rise, hip-hugger jeans in the give-away pile!

To-Keep?

• This one is so easy, and short and sweet, just like me! I've heard again and again on the Today show, "If you haven't worn it in a year, throw it out." Which, I don't always believe to be true. For any piece of clothing, try it on, and if it fits and flatters, then keep it, and wear it--and most importantly, feel great in it! If it looks good on you (and obeys my "not-to-keep" rules, below), you shouldn't be afraid to wear, you should want to wear! 

Not-to-Keep?

• Items of clothing have stains on them. Enjoyed one too many french fries at the wine fest? Ended up on your favorite shirt, didn't they? Grease stains are ugly. Stains are unattractive. Period (no pun intended). Put any clothes with stains, in the give-away pile,and save that white silk shirt for a night you're drinking vodka sodas and not red wine.
• Fabrics that are discolored or faded. That black Express dress shirt faded after years of washing and wearing every once a week, 9-5, or, your green swimsuit has seen more sun-filled vacations than I have. Adios!
• Shirts/dresses that are starting to pill. If you start to see little tiny balls forming on your clothing--that piece is down to its last leg. And no, your little battery-operated lint remover won't help. Count down the times you have to wear it left like 3-2-1. (Tip: Wash your cotton and jersey clothing by hand and hang to dry, this will pro-long the life of the garment).
• Items that do NOT, and I repeat, do NOT, flatter your body! As we grow older, our bodies change, and so do fashion trends. Things that flattered in the 1970's, may not flatter as much today. You may have lost 10lbs since 2008. Therefore, your body shape has CHANGED.  If you feel like you look good in it, you DO! If you don't, then give away! (Tip: buy a great pair of straight-leg jeans. These will stick with you--not to you--through thick and thin).