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The kitties were nestled all snug in their beds...

Friday, December 25, 2009

...while visions of tuna treats danced in their heads...

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Happy Feet. And Happier Feet.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sunday:

Tuesday:


I'm in South Florida with the family this week. Posting will either be a) light, 'cause I'm out in the sunshine; or b) frequent, should it start raining. The trip is our Christmas gift, so I'm not expecting much from Santa this year. (Which means I may do a teeeeensy bit of self-Santa-ing. OK, OK, I might've already started with Macha Jewelry's super-cool Rockwell studs.)

But I'm curious: What do you hope Santa brings you?

Also: D.C. Blogger Party!

Monday, December 14, 2009


The inexhaustable Makeda of The Glamazon Diaries has finally accomplished what we'd always hoped to: A D.C. blogger meet-up! If you blog about fash, food or lifestyle, come hang out with Makeda, Kate, Angie and the FW team (including yours truly) this Wednesday at Sweetgreen from 6-8pm. We are already contemplating outfit choices...

On the fourteenth day of Christmas...


...We start thinking hard about New Year's resolutions. Among them: A new commitment to sewing projects. Starting with an exaggerated Peter Pan collar, inspired by the YSL spring collection...

On the tenth day of Christmas...

Thursday, December 10, 2009


...More inspiration! One of the things we really, truly enjoy in life (besides handbags, Lanvin and "Glee" ... we can't be the only one who cried at last night's fall finale?), is Cintra Wilson's "Critical Shopper" column in the NYT. It never fails to be equal parts hilarious, insightful and intellgent... much like the woman herself, it turns out. Our friend Johanna snagged a fab interview with Cintra for her blog on Elle.com. It's full of awesome gems. For example (when asked how she'd blow 5K at Barneys):
"For the record, I have never in my life had 5K to blow at Barneys, but if I did, I’d probably end up buying something boring, sensible, indestructible thing that I thought would last the rest of my life for about 2K… and then I’d buy all my Christmas presents.

If there was a gun to my head and I was forced to be frivolous and self-indulgent, I’d head right for the Rick Owens, Lanvin and Givenchy and probably end up with a long, bruise-colored garment, platform bondage boots and/or some tarted-up variation on a big black bowling bag."

The whole interview is a must-read for aspiring fashion writers (um, and we so can't wait for her upcoming book). Enjoy!

On the 8th day of Christmas... {again!}

Tuesday, December 08, 2009


...Some inspiration! I don't mean to spoil the January issue of O (for those of you who haven't gotten it yet), but fashion journalist Lynn Yaeger is featured in a piece called "Do you love the way you look?"

Writes Yaeger: "I had long admired women with strong signature looks — Anna Piaggi, Diana Vreeland, Isabella Blow — for whom the fashion world seemed to make an exception." And so, Yaeger was inspired to create her own eccentric, original style. Of course, her look isn't for everyone. But doesn't it make you want to be a little more daring every day?

I've already stuck the magazine picture on my inspiration board. And now, when I'm feeling in a bit of a style rut (because some days are just like that...), I'm going to ask myself: WWLYD?

On the eighth day of Christmas...


...A little nostalgia, if I may... When I was home for Thanksgiving, I was tasked with cleaning out all the crap I've been storing in my parents' basement since, oh, the age of six. Into the garbage went tons of notes passed in sixth grade; off to Goodwill went my college poster collection (Blues Traveler! whoo!), the J.Crew sweaters I basically lived in throughout high school and my small stash of Barbies, most of whom suffered very unattractive haircuts over the years.

Of everything, it was the Barbies that made me the most sad. Say what you will about unproportioned waistlines and whatnot, but I loved my Barbies growing up. It was probably my first introduction to fashion: All the extravagant little outfits, the teensy accessories, the tiny shoes! (And don't even get me started on the awesomeness of the dream house...)

The Barbie collector shop (where I went looking for the Comme des Garcons Barbie Susie B. blogged about, prompting this whole trip down memory lane — and no, they did't have it) features a number of vintage reproduction Barbies, including the 1985 Peaches 'n Cream Barbie (above, center), which featured heavily in my youth.

Some more editions I can remember below, via the extensive Barbie media site... and yes, I really kind of want that purple-edged asymmetrical skirt in an adult size...

On the sixth day of Christmas...

Sunday, December 06, 2009


We were feeling very busy! (But also very happy about the big, flaky snowstorm this weekend... Finally, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!) We're also enjoying The Boston Globe's Big Picture annual advent calendar of Hubble Space Telescope pictures. (That's day one above. Purrrrrty.)

It is almost as good as the Obama Advent Calendar I've got set up at work. Alllllmost. {In related news: Just 19 days to go!}

On the second day of Christmas...

Wednesday, December 02, 2009


...Inspiration! I was on a quest for something else entirely when I came across this amazing Flickr archive from myvintagevogue, an absolute treasure trove of fashion mag images from the 1920s to the 60s. (There's an image-driven daily blog of the same name.) It's the perfect offering of nostalgic whimsy and new ideas to curl up with on an otherwise rainy night.


Which reminds me! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention two extra-special things that just happened (Santa came early to Spinachland, it seems). First: Today marked the launch of a new weekly fashion-pop culture column I'll be writing every Wednesday for The Washington Post Express. I'm pretty excited about it, and not just 'cause I can finally put my decades of dedicated People and Us reading put to good use. (Dear mom, See? It did come in handy! Love, me.)

And second: I was surprised and veryvery flattered to be named to the Best Dressed List: DC (um, apparently none of the judges saw me running around town in my jammies and ball cap yesterday after oversleeping. Phew.) Many of the others on the list are people who I personally admire for their ability to totally rock a truly original style, and to be listed among them, well... It's enough to make a fashion blogger all verklempt.

On the first day of Christmas…

Tuesday, December 01, 2009


Happy December, everyone! We are tree-trimming and wreath-hanging and party-hopping in these parts (and celebrating the fact that it's finally — finally! — cold enough to break out the Wolford dernier 80 tights, because zomg, they are awesome). For the next few weeks, I'm going to do my best to post at least one thing per day — a seasonal tidbit or décor thought or, hint hint, gift idea — leading up to my favorite holiday of the year.

First up! The most popular (and cutest) Danish Christmas beer, Tuborg Julebryg. It's only available for a few weeks per year — and, as far as I can tell, not in the U.S. at all — but the packaging is so adorable, I just cannot resist.