Back from Hollywood Hills!

My God, I want to move to LA! I was there last week, and it was 80 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky! I have never seen so many Bentleys in my life! I had the best time wandering around Beverly Hills, looking at beautiful clothes and jewelry, and of course the beautiful people. My star sightings:

Terrence Howard was at Dulles Airport
Martin Short on my plane
The Diet Coke guy was at the 101 Diner which was attached to my hotel
Saw the crazy girl from Nip Tuck while I was eating Brazilian food on Beverly Drive

Can't complain! All that in 4 days!

I visited the store where the stars shop, Lisa Kline. Apparently they lower the curtains over the windows when someone famous shops there so the paparazzi don't harrass them and they can enjoy a relaxing shopping experience. They did not draw the curtains for me. But I did get a long grecian gown by ingwa; melero:




Mine is like this, but long and the material is a pastel space dye knit. Hard to describe... but the draping in the front is just amazing.

What else did I learn in LA? That a lot of strange things pass for "work" in that town. Like, making online videos of yourself, hiring out French waitresses for money, pretending to be a Ninja... I have been in the wrong business for too long!

Unearthen

I'm in love with these necklaces. The website is beautiful, too. Have a look:
UNEARTHEN

Is Fur Glamorous?

This fur coat is made of RATS!!!!

I hate to say it, but the photograph and the model make rat fur look spectacular. From a distance, at least.

Read the whole article here: http://fashionista.com/2007/11/gareth_pughs_rat_coat_an_essay.php

My favorite line is "...the Gucci Group, who would skin zebras and kittens if it meant the latest It Bag." Pretty sick, but certainly true. I can attest to Gucci's ues of exotic skins personally, having visited their factory in Scandicci, Italy. There were many skins hanging in a special room, pink alligators, green crocodile, yellow ostriches. You could see that the entire animal had been skinned... they were whole pieces of animal skin, from head to toe.

The discussion about animal products could go on forever, so I'm going to stop my post here for now. Enjoy the rat coat.

SHOPPING & CHAMPAGNE AT TOPAZ HOTEL

Fun local boutiques are participating in this event, and they will be raffling off some pretty sweet high-quality bags to raise money for Martha's Table. Stop by, it's free, so why not?? I'm sure there will be many beautiful things there. The Topaz is a gorgeous venue as well.

Details here: Shopping & Champagne at Topaz Hotel

Dodged a Bullet...

My husband's brother almost bought a Dooney & Bourke purse for his wife the other day!!!! Thankfully, he called my husband BEFORE doing so, and asked my opinion about it. Well, I let him have it. I explained that I hate Dooney & Bourke, because of the cheesy logo fabric, the unoriginality of the designs, the product placement, and ESPECIALLY THE DUCK!!! Why on earth would I want a Duck on my handbag??? Why would ANYONE want a duck on their handbag?? I just don't get it. He had "bonus points" to spend on a purse, so I gently guided him to a much better product, Kate Spade. His wife is very conservative so Kate Spade is perfect for her, and I am not going to get upset with him now. It might be a bit conservative for my personal taste, but I do think the designs are fresh, uncomplicated and often colorful. WHEW...

U-CARE Shopping Fundraiser!

What could be better than shopping for charity?? This is a benefit to raise money for Sitar Arts Center, an arts education center for low income residents of Adams Morgan. Spend money on yourself while simultaneously helping others!



Specials, Events, Sales & Giveaways throughout the evening...

Simply Home
25% off any regular price merchandise in their store, and a special buy one drink get one free deal at their restaurant.

GoodWood
$50 gift certificate raffled off at the end the night for people who drop off their business cards.

Junction
10%-25% off the total purchase amount.

RCKNDY
Enter to win a gift basket valued at over $100.00.

Moojoo Ken
25%-60% off selected items.

Wild Women Wear Red
30%-60% off selected items.

Nana
10% off all purchases.

Caramel
Raffle for a $75 gift certificate at the end of the evening.

Sitar Arts Center
Celebrating Kids, Arts, & Community

About Sitar Arts Center...
Sitar Arts Center was founded in 1998 in response to a lack of affordable arts education for low income residents in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Sitar Arts Center provides young people in its inner-city community the opportunity to discover their gifts through music, dance, visual art, creative writing, and drama.
The Center’s programs are built on the knowledge that exposure to the arts dramatically enhances learning skills, cognitive development, social awareness and self esteem. The Center now accepts residents of Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. At least 80% of the Center’s students live in low income households and 25% live below the national poverty level. Sitar Arts Center is a community arts organization currently serving 300 students. The programs are accessible and affordable for neighborhood youth; most students only pay a $15 fee per semester for unlimited classes.

How you can help...
In addition to the 10% retailers contribution from the U-CARE Shopping Social, you can further support Sitar Arts Center through monetary donations, volunteering, and in-kind donations of supplies such as musical instruments; art supplies; dance shoes and clothing; art books; and photography equipment (to name a few). Sitar Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions to the Center are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. To make a charitable donation today, visit www.sitarartscenter.org/support_us/ For more information on how you can help, visit their website at www.sitarartscenter.org or call them at 202-797-2145.

TONIGHT - Femme Fete Event

I wish I could go to this, but I can't:

Join more than 30 rising designers, boutiques, and
beauty vendors for an enchanting evening of
live music, wine, shopping, and pampering.
List of Designers

Date: Tuesday, November 20th
Time: 6:30-10:30PM
Location: Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC
Attire: Cocktail/Business

Admission: $30

MARRIAGE, ANYONE?

These dresses make me want to renew my vows...


Junko Yoshioka



Claire Pettibone

Fendi IS Urban Hippie.

I would die for that top one!!!! Fringe is TOTALLY Urban Hippie, and so is Native American (second one). Finally, the bottom one is super cool... sequin fish scales and fringe... RAD!!!

My Husband

I am so in love. I know I married the right man because he told me last night:

Mike: "Gillian, now I know what I want to do with the rest of my life."

Gillian: "What?"

Mike: "Wear designer clothes and go to the gym."

I thought to myself, that's exactly what I want to do! He was experiencing the heady, confidence-building effects of wearing his new Ferragamo coat, black nylon, 3/4 length, sporty but classic, with the Gancini zipper pulls. The one he coveted on Cockney Bob in Florence 2 years ago, and patiently searched for until he found it this season. I'm so proud of him. He knew what he wanted, and he patiently searched the Ferragamo departments at Neiman, Saks, and Nordstrom stateside, internationally in stores in Naples, Sicily, even the Milan airport until he found the exact size and shape in Florence, at the Ferragamo Flagship at Palazzo Spini Feroni.



That's my Baby!

Rozae Nichols

I'm a huge fan. I came upon this designer in Seattle in 2000, and fell instantly in love. The fabrics she uses are top quality... in fact, she designs them herself. Diaphanous layering of silks in various shades, rich unexpected colors, softest leathers and suedes. My favorite piece is a suede and crepe cardigan with covered snap buttons, in a very unusual deep blue with rust stitching. It's a cardigan so it can be worn as a simple basic, but the fabric and color are anything but. It's 100% appropriate for a conservative work environment, but you won't look like every other person wearing Ann Taylor.

I wish I were wearing this dress to the Gala (Naomi's Hope for a Cure) on Friday... I'm not, as of this moment, but that could change...



The belt is so unexpected and gives the dream-like dress a harder edge. I have the perfect shoes to go with it too... better freeze the credit card again!

Rozae Nichols also launched 2 other lines:

A Common Thread (Notice the emphasis on travel... it's calling me... I'm a "chic traveler"... I NEED some of this line! Husband, are you listening??)

RN Convertible - Calling Rick Owens...

All are produced using ethical business practices. Urban Hippie loves ethical business practices.

ASK A NINJA!

I'm going to this party! How exciting!





Ask A Ninja

FOR SHAME...

From The Washington Post, Nov. 5, 2007
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts

One woman's booty is another's bargain: The ill-gotten treasure chest of former Washington Teachers' Union president Barbara Bullock went on display Saturday in advance of this weekend's live auction of the luxury goods.

Bullock, now serving a nine-year prison term, spent approximately $800,000 on these designer purses, furs and pricey knickknacks with money embezzled from the union. The seized items sat in an FBI warehouse until this past summer, when Stephanie Kenyon of Sloans & Kenyon in Chevy Chase sent a truck to collect them for auction, with the proceeds going back to the union. "This stuff is new, high-end, glitzy, luxury, status-symbol-type of material," she told us. "Some of the Fendi purses are really wild."

The purse-obsessed Bullock spent tens of thousands on Chanel, Hermès and Judith Leiber handbags, which are estimated to sell for $500 to $800 at auction. (That's about a quarter of their original price; ditto for the minks and jewelry.) The top lot: a 288-piece Tiffany sterling silver flatware service (Chrysanthemum pattern) purchased for $100,000-plus and estimated to sell for $25,000 to $35,000. Too much? Well, the Buccellati sterling wine cooler is expected to bring just $3,000 to $5,000. The feds also seized electronics that will sell at another auction -- except for the TV that union officials kept for headquarters.

Absentee bidding already started on eBay; the live auction begins Saturday.

OH, I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO THIS!!!!

Now, she is a horrible person and should be ashamed of herself for embezzling funds from the DC school system. But I must admit... she spent it on things that I would have spent it on... so I have to give props for what she bought. And maybe her jail sentence will lead to a special bargain for ME!!!!! Woo hoooo!!!

Some Purses for You

David & Scotti "Nepal"



Dautore



This shape is soooooooo beautiful... and I love the mixture of patent and regular leather, and the medallion. This one might be coming home with me someday...

Trunk Show at The Purse Store in Bethesda

Beeeyooooootiful

Prettiest thing I've seen in ... a few hours
Katherine Kwei

ArtWhino Event November 9

Please Join Us!

Rick Reese Solo Show and Art Whino's Collaboration Featuring 20 New Artists

Friday, November 9th, 2007, 6-11 pm

717 N. Saint Asaph St Alexandria, VA 22314

Rick Reese Solo Show
Southern California born but Northern California raised, artist Rick Reese has been painting and drawing for as long as he can remember. He got his start in the Comic Book and Toy industries where he continues as a freelancer to this day. Rick spends his days painting, surfing, or teaching at Cal State Long Beach where he indoctrinates his students and paints on things that don't belong to him.

Rick's Paintings are compilations of his experience. His work frequently juxtaposes found objects, fragments of signs and advertisements, and graphic images intertwining to create an active surface. Space is both flat and infinite. Layers and imagery are sanded or painted away leaving only their ghosts, like overhead whispers. The narratives in the work are often opened ended, allowing small glimpses into the artist's mind, while leaving room for the viewer to bring their own experiences to the pieces as well.

The graphic style of comic art, graffiti, surf and skate culture, advertisement lettering and illustration from the 50's and 60's, as well as the art of his contemporaries inspire Rick's own art. Combing these and many other influences, his work continues to evolve, be free and most of all fun. Rick loves what he does, and its apparent in his art.



Art Whino Permanent Gallery
The addition to 20 new artists to the Art Whino Permanent Gallery features the work of its artists' collaboration from around the world. The permanent installation takes places on November 9, 2007 from 6-11pm, and will include music by HoneyLab's DJ David Christ Superstar. The music will be broadcast live by Orcradio.com.

Art Whino's collaboration artists, Decoy, will showcase a live art installation during the show which one lucky person will get to take home!

Additionally, Art Whino has launched a partnership with a local DC non-profit. In this continuing effort to promote arts in our community, Art Whino is happy to announce that we are working with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative on this event. We will be donating proceeds of this and future events to further help with their mission. To read more about them go to http://www.dccollaborative.org For more information on the event please visit www.artwhino.com



Alan Defibaugh, Anna U Davis, Aunia Kahn, Brooke Grucella, Decoy, Emily Greene Liddle, Erase, Fanatic Ladies, Gregory Ferrand, Jason Daniels



Jason Snyder, Julie Steiner, Laurel Hausler, Candace Keegan, Lisa Selby, TMNK, Richard Alan Haugh, Richard Salcido, Rosemary Covey, Shawn Huddleston

Handbag Bubble?

I've been so concerned about the real estate bubble bursting that I almost didn't realize there was a handbag bubble afoot!! Really... I'm heavily invested in both markets, I should have been paying more attention.

Moojoo Ken

My favorite spot in DC. When I walked into Moojoo Ken for the first time, I had a spiritual experience... when I laid eyes on the Massachussetts Avenue boots, I knew I had found something special. They are light blue canvas with a Pucci-esque print, pointy toe, stiletto heel, with a corset-like sheer ribbon lace-up at the top of the boot. At first, I thought, "The owners have really good taste." Then, I found out they DESIGNED THE BOOTS, RIGHT HERE IN LITTLE OLD WASHINGTON, DC! I was shocked and excited. And that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the store is concerned. The whole place is beautiful, from the exposed brick wall, the branches crafted into clothes hangers, curly wooden sticks and rope holding shoes and handbags, and the selection of merchandise. I knew I wanted to work here. And so here I am.

Tom Binns Jewelery

Wow, just found this jeweler, and WOW! Skulls, rhinestones, safety pins made of gold, and grenades.





Tom Binns

Fashion Fights Poverty

I had the distinct pleasure of attending this event in Washington, DC on October 26, 2007. I never thought DC could be so fun! I've always thought of DC as a Fashion Hinterland, overrun by Ann Taylorites and Eddie Bauer heads, and headed downhill fast into a sea of black pinstripes.

I was wrong.

I was thrilled to find out about this fashion show in time to actually attend it. I seem to have a habit of finding out about fashion events AFTER THEY HAPPEN, sending me into a blind rage and Neiman Marcus to soothe my nerves.

It was a feast for the senses. The location, the Carnegie Library, easily could have been located in Italy or France, with its sweeping balustrades and lofty ceilings. I did not know DC had such a venue.

I knew DC had the second most gay men in the US, second only to San Francisco, and they were all there! They all came to this event. I'm pretty sure of it. And they are so darn pretty!!! God, I love gay men!!!

Jaci Wilson Reid took the stage in the most awe-inspiring Roberto Cavalli dress I have ever seen (BELOW). Occasionally, Mr. Cavalli overdoes it with leaopard prints and bling bling, but this dress was simply incredible. Made me weepy with nostalgia for Tuscany... I just drove by his villa not a month before the show, on my way back to Florence from my friends' villa in Chianti. (I wasn't invited into Cavalli's villa, but I did visit the Cavalli Cafe...)



I did find some pictures of a party at Lotus Lounge, and some from last year's FFP in Miami, but none from the show I attended:

FFP on Flickr

My favorite designers were, in this order, Elizabeth Muir, Ecliptica, and Orangia's frothy pieces. I was lucky to meet Elizabeth Muir in person and purchase one of her stunning pieces, straight from Afghanistan (yellow mirrored coat in picture).




I'm working on buying something from Ecliptica. They should be sending me their 2008 catalog in the near future. The sisters' design team is as gorgeous and chic as the designs. One of them had the most incredible brown drapey jumpsuit... backless, flowy and striking. I noticed it immediately. Those girls got game.

YSL Resort Dress with STONES

I WILL DIE IF I DON'T BUY THIS DRESS:

Neiman Marcus

Aphrodizia DJ's at The Space

Interesting event I found on http://www.districtcreatives.com/. This new lounge looks very nice as well.

What is an Urban Hippie?

I found this description on http://www.urbandictionary.com/. However, it's not really glamorous enough to describe my aesthetic.

"A modern day hippie, someone who incorporates both urban and hippie lifestyles. An urban hippie may listen to hip hop, but also smoke blunts underneath trees while wearing sandals. He/she has very liberal viewpoints and uses drugs occasionally, and also might use the slang of West Coast rappers naturally. They are street smart to survive an urban atmosphere, and they are not afraid to speak their liberal mind using big intelligent sounding words and gangsta lingo as well. An Urban Hippie may be any race or gender. They are also the tightest people you will ever meet.
When I am riding in my chevy listening to Dr. Dre's The Chronic while wearing my rainbow sandals and "Let's Hug It Out" shirt, I feel like the Urban Hippie that I am. Oh, and i'm smoking weed simultaneously."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Urban+Hippie

Now, I like Dr. Dre as much as the next person... but I won't be caught dead in a pair of "rainbow sandals", or Crocs for that matter. And let's be clear... I will NEVER be hairy-legged, hairy-armpitted, unwashed or smelly. Also, I am not into weed, personally. If you are, more power to you. Power to the People. Legalize it, I'm not going to stop you! But pot is just not glamorous!

My definition of an Urban Hippie is a well-traveled, open-minded city dweller who is attracted to different cultures, foods, colorful and exciting fashions, the latest artists, musicians, etc. One who seeks to be surrounded by beautiful things at all times, whether that beauty is found in clothing, handbags (my obsession), artwork, sculpture, a beautifully executed piece of architecture, fabrics, or someone's generous spirit, helping others, eco-friendly businesses, fair trade fashion companies...

As far as FASHION goes, which is what this blog is all about, Sienna Miller is the typical spokesmodel for the Urban Hippie. She has a way of wearing bohemian, earthy designs that still manage to look cutting-edge and hip. THAT is the Urban Hippie. We are the grown up deadheads, goths and punks who insist on looking fabulous... now that we can finally afford it!

However, my personal favorite Urban Hippie is Hansel from Zoolander. "He's so hot right now!!!" He embodies the look like no one ever will....





A few favorite designers:

Matthew Williamson (see dress above... OH.MI.GOD.)

Henry Beguelin - Made by hand on the Italian island, Elba. (Yes, where Napoleon was exiled... rough life for him.) The essence of Italian craftsmanship, passed down through the centuries from father to son. The bags and shoes are a perfect melding of top quality leathers, tanned using ancient methods, and recycled materials with innovative and exciting forms. The little stick figure is cute, too. I have a pair of wedge platforms made with brown leather and tan snakeskin. (photo to come)

I will be featuring designers on a regular basis. Check back often...