Forgive me for going all history teacher on you, but I have a newfound obsession with rotundas. There's just something unbelievably breathtaking about the inside of the domes — the symmetry, the detailing, the construction, the colors.

Of course, we have an amazing rotunda here at the Capitol Building in D.C. (above), but there are incredible ones all over the world, including many, many U.S. state capitals. (A flickr search confirms it. Plus did you know there is actually a "ceilings" section on Allposters? Amazing.)

Here are just a few that have me thinking round today…

Phew. And yay!

A good chunk of our time lately had gone into planning the FW first anniversary party, with special guest Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, which went off with a bang at Masa 14 on Monday night.

It was beyond awesome (if we do say so ourselves, which we do), and we kept remarking that it felt like our *own* birthday party, what with all the familiar faces, Lady Gaga tunes and general merriment. Our full party report is over here. (In case you're wondering, we wore our very very favorite Anamika Khanna silk trench dress, which is only brought out for the most specialest of occasions.)

And now, if you'll excuse us, we are off to take a very long nap. Pix from the party will go up {Update: Photos are up!} on the FW site today! And we'll be back to our regularly scheduled fashion blogging shortly…

{Photo: Dakota Fine}

Big Bows! (Subtitle: I Fear I'm Becoming Incredibly Predictable)

Let us ignore the pink eyeshadow, door-knocker earrings and the fact that this is marketed as a Halloween costume. How badly do I want this oversized bow headband? (Um. So, sooooo badly. Can someone invite me to a bow-centric party so I can justify the $68 price tag?)

If the gals and I hadn't decided to do the '80s-Let's-Get-Physical coordinated dance thing for the Village Halloween parade -- well before we saw this week's Rachel Zoe Project, I might add -- I would so find a way to make this my costume. Even if I just had to go as Girl With Huge Bow on Head. Or Minnie Mouse. Via style redux.

The Sartorialist is Coming! The Sartorialist is Coming!

If you missed my a) posts on the FW blog; b) excited tweets; or c) occasional loud squeals that probably woke the neighbors, you might not know that for months (and months), the FW team has been working on the D.C. book launch party for our favorite street fash blogger, Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist.

We've got one week to go until next Monday's ultra-fashionable event at brand-new, super-chic 14th Street restaurant Masa 14 (which opens its doors today!). But, if you don't have an invite to the cocktail fete (which also serves as a celebration of FW's first anniversary), please come meet Scott afterwards from 9-10pm at Masa 14. (Yes, it's slightly late -- but have dinner in the neighborhood and then pop by!) I'll be there late into the evening, dressed in a) '50s vintage; b) Yohji; c) bright purple or d) '80s vintage. No, I cannot decide.

Also: above, the proper way to rock to the boyfriend jean, courtesy of Scott.

Homemade Saddle Shoes

Because you know I have been coveting saddle shoes for some time. This DIY version is just. Genius. Excuse me while I go to Payless now.

(Also: Why did no one tell me James has a blog? It is beyond fantastic.)

Rach and Brad (and Rog and the cute hairstylist) Go to Paris

It's my first lazy weekend in a long while, so of course I'm catching up on my Tivo. (The Office wedding? Made me bawl like a baby.) The TV-fest brought back some fond memories: namely, long before Rachel Zoe got to run around Coco Chanel's private apartment like a kid in a candy store, we (and a host of other fun bloggers) had that exact same pleasure.


31 Rue Cambon, perhaps the most famous fashion address in the world

I don't think I posted many pix of my Chanel-laden adventures in Paris back in 2007 (so long ago!), mostly because so many others were sharing their own snaps and it felt a little like Coco overkill on the Internet. But now that I've seen Rachel and Brad running up and down Coco's famously fabulous mirrored staircase, I had to pull out all my old Paris photos again.


the famous "CC" chandelier...

so did rach and brad get to hang in coco's living room with susie bubble? no, they did not.

closets of chanel clothing in the VIP fitting area!

Speaking of Paris — aka probably my most favorite city in the world, except maybe New York... and possibly Tokyo — YSL recently asked me to be part of a online project where a few bloggers shared their favorite Paris sights and spots. On my list: the Velib bike system, the scene in Amelie with the sound of the spoon cracking the creme brulee, colorful macarons, the highly delicious Rue Mouffetard! Check it out, if you'd like.

Fashion Icon: Glee's Emma Pillsbury

My inner Broadway geek can't get enough of Glee, this season's must-watch high school glee club comedy. (It's created by Ryan Murphy, also behind one of my very favorite teen dramedies of all time, Popular. Gosh, I love that show.)

Other than the pop hits sung ensemble, my favorite part of the show is seeing what colorful outfit Emma, the obsessively neatnik school counselor, is wearing. She's a master of the J.Crew-meets-vintage mash-up, slightly prim but always cheeky and colorful. It's fantastic inspiration for anyone who has a more conservative work environment but wants to show a little quirkiness. And a good reminder that, often, when it comes to getting dressed, less is usualy more.

We Will Now Pause for Lanvin

You can always tell when I'm having a crazy week (or, um, month) because I tend to drop off the internet completely. It's not just the blog that's being ignored. I haven't even been shopping online.* Yes, it really is that busy.

Of course, there is always time for a little Lanvin. I'm frightfully behind on my Paris runway reviewing -- so behind that I might just forget it all and wait for Vogue Collections to come out -- but, of course, I'd never miss a click (or three) through Lanvin. Love the simple colors and careful construction of these looks -- Mr. Elbaz at his best.


*Um, I maaaay have been shopping a bit in real life though. But only because there was an Isabel Marant jacket from Hu's Wear that was yelling my name very, very loudly.

We Love: Pandahead Mag

I am eternally impressed with the talent and hard work of fellow D.C. fash blogger Morgan, who just debuted the first anniversary issue of her indie-cool online fashion/arts/all things hip webzine Pandahead Mag. The photo shoots are clever and creative, but my favorite part was the music video of four local bands, shot during a camping trip. Love the grainy, sun-dappled pictures, love the catchy song, love the cheerful, 70s-ish feel. It made me feel happy. Happy birthday, Pandahead Mag.

Serious Bootie Lust

Hmmm... Would I rather have Hannah's amazing Coclico Odanak pair (above, $350, but 20 percent off with her code NEWFALL20), or Rumi's awesome Aldo option (below, $140, and part of an assortment of cute foldover booties they're offering this season)? Decisions, decisions...

Yes, Please: Gripp Jeans

Via Because I'm Addicted, how great are these simple, sculpted pieces from Aussie line Gripp Jeans? Love.

Fashion Wisdom From a Food Icon

Along with the stack of fashion books on my bedside table — John Fairchild's The Fashionable Savages; Who What Wear from the super-cute Who What Wear website gals; the hilariously insightful Retail Hell by Freeman Hall — I've got a stack of food books (not that I can actually cook or anything, but a girl's got to be well-rounded).

I'm halfway through Julia Child's memoir My Life in France (just. delightful!), and I was really struck by a comment Julia had made after she cooked a terrible meal for a friend one day.

"We ate the lunch with painful politeness and avoided discussing its taste. I made sure not to apologize for it. This was a rule of mine.

I don't believe in twisting yourself into knots of excuses and explanations over the food you make. When one's hostess starts in with self-deprecations such as "Oh, I don't know how to cook...," or "Poor little me...," or "This may taste awful...," it is so dreadful to have to reassure her that everything is delicious and fine, whether it is or not. Besides, such admissions only draw attention to one's shortcomings (or self-perceived shortcomings), and make the other person think, "Yes, you're right, this really is an awful meal!"

...The cook must simply grit her teeth and bear it with a smile — and learn from her mistakes."

My immediate thought was that this mindset should apply to fashion as well. Often, when we can be feeling out of sorts or unstylish — even those of us who do this for a living — we quickly start making self-conscious, self-deprecating comments about our outfit or appearance. Well, no more. Julia's right — it just calls attention to what other people probably aren't noticing in the first place.

In short: If you're having a bad hair day, don't offer apologies. Just rock it. You'll do better next time.

Tuesday Night Fash Talk at Neiman Marcus

Forgive the interruption of fash week musings, but just a little reminder that tomorrow (Tues., 9/22), I'll be hosting a fall fashion talk at Neiman Marcus Chevy Chase (in the Mazza Gallerie) from 6-8pm.

The details:
1) I'll give a run-down of the big fall trends -- but, more importantly, some thoughts on how to wear them. (I'm loaded with ideas from fashion week!)

2) Champagne and treats, of course.

3) Free giveaways! Neiman Marcus will be giving away a $500 shopping spree, two $25 gift cards and a basket of beauty goodies to some lucky attendees! (Um... if no one shows up, does that mean *I* get the $500 shopping spree? Because that might be what it would take to get over the sadness that no one showed up.)

It should be a fun time -- lots of fall inspiration, pretty clothes, free swag and all that good stuff. Please come! Quick update: We'll be in the Chandelier Room, on the second floor of Neiman's. Just ask if you can't find it!

Photo by Nina Leen.

In Case You Missed It: J. Mendel

Yup, still in bed. But at least it gives me time to pore over all the New York shows I missed. J. Mendel? Phenomenal. Love the idea of pale grays, taupes and creams -- with just a touch of color -- for spring.

Oh, Oscar...

Can you tell I'm home sick today? Sigh -- I was hit hard and suddenly with the fashion week flu. About the only thing I'm good for is lying in bed and surfing the internet.

Which brings me to... Oscar de la Renta might not be one of fashion's more daring, directional designers, but season after season, he turns out some truly beautiful, elegant stuff.

Sculptural Shapes in the new FW

The fall issue of FW: Fashion Washington, The Washington Post's fashion glossy where I'm an editor, came out this week. It's my favorite issue thus far, and not just because of the cover shoot featuring architectural fashion, which I was lucky enough to get to style. (But, okay, a little bit because of that...) It was a massive undertaking, involving hours and hours (and hours!) of planning by our whole team, but the results were worth it.

If you're in D.C., you can pick up the new FW at any of these local locations. Of course, I'm already deeply immersed into our next issue, out in November...

Phenomenal.

The Avedon:Fashion exhibit wraps up Sunday at the International Center of Photography in New York, and if you're able to stop in, you should absolutely go. Luckily, ICP is right across from the fashion week tents, so I was able to check it out between shows. To see these photos on a large scale...? Words can't express the utter amazingness.