Gossip Girl: Remains of the J

(desperately trying to catch up on my Gossip Girl posts)

This episode revolved around Jenny. Which means that it was TERRIBLY boring and frought with bizarre class controversies and social hierarchy.

Well, there will be no mention of Jenny's bang-mullet or whore eyes here.

But! They covered Serena's boobs!

With this gold Phillip Lim Racerback tank. Wow. She actually looks mildly age appropriate.

But, once again, Blair's outfits take the cake. First, in this Milly back bow shift (currently unavailable on the interwebs except ebay.)

Then in this DVF Little Ann dress in blue (altered for straplessness) and a gorge necklace of unknown origin.

Later, for a bizarre scene which melds the worst of Catcher in the Rye, Sleepless in Seattle, and Romeo and Juliet, Blair berets it up with a fab pair of Sperry Top-Sider Pelican Wedge Sadie Rubber Boots.

I dare you to say that ten times fast.

Then, in a display of shockingly poor judgement befitting a teenager, she gets back together with Nate.

Right, let's move on, shall we?

Hot N' Kohl

Don't you love my terrible cliche post titles? I'm like the cheesiest person ever.

Here's the thing.

I really wanted to like the L'Oreal HIP Kohl Eyeliner. Like, for realz, I wanted to like it.

The shadow itself was a great intense navy blue with shimmer and I was having all kinds of fantasies about my smoky eyes and whatnot. The applicator was interesting, basically a conical stick to which the loose powder sticks and then you apply it to your eyelids.

Well.

Let's just say it was a big FAIL.

Normally, when I go out with my husband, I'm given maybe ten minutes to apply makeup and if I start futzing around with a new product, let's just say the questions never end.

Men seem generally confused by makeup. Why is that? Every woman uses it. There are ads everywhere. Yet they still seem baffled by the fact that you have to put it on every day and take it off every night.

Anyways, I was going out with a girlfriend and decided it was the perfect time to try this out.

Let's just say it's a good thing I started early, because I got so much blue eyeshadow on my face it looked like I went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

I actually had to wash my face and try again.

Eventually, I managed to get a nice smoky eye, but it involved many Q-tips, eye makeup remover, and a reapplication of blush. And I'm still not sure people didn't think I was secretly involved in a fight club.

So, bottom line?

Not worth the hassle. Although, being a suspected fight clubber is pretty badass.

Unless there is a secret to kohl liner that I was never taught in my school of beauty hard knocks.

Plus, don't even get me started on how confused my husband was when he saw blue sparkly powder all over the bathroom sink.

You Be the Fudge: Battle of the Brownies

You know that time in the afternoon when your stomach feels particularly empty?

The grumblies take over and you begin to wander over to whatever interest group is having a reception in Rayburn (sure, my boss is interested in the National Association for Pencil Pushers who wear Green on Tuesdays!) and graze on the non-outside caterer crudites to stave off certain doom.

Then you see it.

A brownie.

It looks awesome, but once you grab it you realize that it is a chocolate looking triangle of not-worth-it.

Disgusted that you wasted the calories on that crumbly mess, you drown your sorrows in four glasses of white wine and wind up at home sitting on your couch eating toast with mustard for dinner.

DON'T LET THE VICIOUS CYCLE CONTINUE.

(this had never happened to me. i swear.)

Bliss Spa, which realizes that you should waste your time on a brownie not worth the calories, is inviting DC to vote for the brownie supplier who gets the Royal Warrant.

The brownie squad will be stationed around town giving out samples! Voting is open now (I'm partial to Baked and Wired) and will continue until June 30th.

Vote early and often! Don't let anyone at a spa ingest a brownie of regret and shame.

For All the Dudes in the House

The following is a totally true story.

I arrived home one day to find one of those UPS "we tried to deliver a package, but you weren't home in the middle of the day because you have been working like crazy and don't live in a nice doorman building like your mom and dad wanted you to, so we'll just leave this message instead of the package so your crazy neighbors don't wank your stuff.  Sorry for the inconvenience, but yeah.  That happened."

Having not ordered anything, I asked my husband.  And he confirmed that he had been waiting for a package.  Assuming it was a new set of Family Guy DVDs or an Ovechkin jersey, I asked what it was.

"Ummm, just stuff.  Face wash.  You know, from Sephora."

At which point I almost hit the floor.

Yes, my darling manly non-aesthete husband spent one evening in my absence perusing and placing an order for men's cosmetics stuff on sephora.com.

But hey, who am I to judge?

So, the loot?  Zirh Wash Mild Face Wash.  And with Father's Day right around the corner, I offer it up as a suggestion for a gift!  Because, if my husband takes time out of his busy Stanley Cup Finals/NBA Finals/regular baseball schedule to wade through the eyeshadow filled website of Sephora, it must be good.

Also, here are some other Zirh products which he might like!

Show Face

Cleansing your skin is one of the first steps in any skincare regimen and ZIRH makes the experience a refreshing one with Clean, an alpha hydroxy face wash that cleanses skin without stripping it of necessary oils. For a deeper clean, Scrub is a gentle, aloe based exfoliator that works to remove surface dead skin cells to reveal newer, younger looking skin. Lastly, Refresh is an invigorating astringent that not only tones and cools skin but helps to reduce excess sebum.


Protect Skin With SPF

Protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays is necessary for protecting a healthy complexion. ZIRH facial moisturizer Defend is light for everyday use and suitable for sensitive skin types. Defend contains an SPF 15 while also helping to maintain skin’s natural elasticity. For the ultimate lip protection with SPF 15, ZIRH Lip Balm is made with beeswax and natural oils to maintain a hydrated pout. Available in four flavors: Vanilla, Black Cherry, Peppermint and Unscented.

The Ultimate Shower Gear

Summer days require the need for a revitalizing shower and ZIRH has the perfect gear. ZIRH Warrior Shower Gel Collection features five gels based on ancient warriors – each offering a sexy, yet masculine scent. Try Julius Caesar – this blends citrus notes with sweet almond fruit extract.



The ZIRH Cocktail Bar Collection can make any shower a happy hour. A classic body bar with a fun twist! Each bar is formulated after a signature cocktail – whether he fancies a Long Island Iced Tea or a Sake Bomb, his skin will feel detoxified and nourished. The light scents and vibrant colors make the perfect summer body pairing.

Insert Obvious Bliss Joke Here

Hello.

I'm Capitol Hill Barbie.  And I'm a bad blogger.

Yeah, but seriously?  Healthcare reform.  Oh, she is a cruel cruel bitch.

And very bad for the health of all the lobbyists in DC.

There are other reasons for my recent hiatus, a vacation, a massive project at work, generally just feeling yuck and not in the mood to write about beauty.

So, consider this my peace offering...

BLISS SPA IS OPENING!!!!!

That's right chicas!  Almost three thousand feet of pure relaxation pampering awesomeness!

This summer!!!

And there will be brownies!  

(A total overuse of exclamation marks!!!)

Are you doing the Charlie Brown happy dance yet?  I am.

Check out Bliss World for a preview of the services and budget accordingly.  There is something about a 75 minute massage that sounds like it will be perfect after the week of July 27th.

more to come, I promise!!

Bliss Out

That's right boys and girls, DC is finally getting its very own Bliss Spa.  I've had to endure my mother and sister brag for years about how they gave and got certificates for oxygen facials, Blissage, and the like while sticking out down here and buying my products at Blue Mercury.

(this isn't really tragic, but I have a bent for the overly dramatic in me.)

Well, Bliss is having a hiring spree (it includes some of the other vendors in the brand new W hotel as well).  It started yesterday, but goes until tomorrow, so stop by and apply!

What: Bliss Spa Hiring Spree at the W Hotel Talent Center

When: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, May 3-5, 10-6 pm each day

Where: W Hotel Talent Center, 3307 M Street NW in Georgetown (the former Staples space). The W Talent Center, designed to look (and even smell!) exactly like the W, is the hiring center for the W Hotel, Bliss Spa and Jean-Georges restaurant, J&G Steakhouse, that will all be opening this summer at 515 15th Street, NW; the new W will be the closest hotel to the White House when it opens this summer.

How: The talent team will be hiring for 30+ Bliss Spa jobs including licensed estheticians, massage therapists and nail technicians as well as guest service associates and spa attendants. Applicants must have valid license with them for positions that require (all but spa reception); on the spot interviews will be conducted!

This hiring program is in addition to the 200+ jobs that the W is hiring for the hotel and restaurant, ranging from mid-level “talent coaches”, Welcome and Whatever/Whenever and several F&B positions for J&G and destination rooftop bar, wine bar, and living room bar and banquets. Applicants that bring significant Wow with them need apply.

Gossip Girl: The Grandfather

Ok, this episode was full of good outfits.  Even one from Serena that didn't show her pneumatic breasts.

Blair shopping in a Diane von Furstenberg trench coat.  Alas, people are a-wailing on the interwebs that it is sold out form the resort collection.

Serena's outfit here was nice.  Sparkly, but not as boobi-licious as usual.  Well played.

The top is 3.1 Philip Lim.

But the winner in this episode?  Blair's outfit at the party.

Dress by Herve Leger, cardigan by Joie.

Now, right after this episode aired, I got an email from my sister who said a friend had pleaded with her to find the necklace that Blair is wearing in this shot.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, I started searching.  But this was not easy.

My best guess is that it is actually two necklaces, a double strand of pearls intertwined with a nautical themed necklace.  I thought the necklace was Betsey Johnson's Nautical necklace, which apparently was also featured in Confessions of a Shopaholic.

However, more searching and better eyes than mine have pegged it as Tomassini.  While it's also unavailable, I like the idea of layering the necklaces.

Until next time...well, you know the drill.

Gossip Girl: Age of Dissonance

Ok, I can sum up the origin of the outfits in this episode in one word:  Marchesa.

Marchesa.


Marchesa.
Oh, and Nanette Lepore.

I can also sum up the plot in one word: 

Wait, no I can't.

Let's just be happy that this foray into Edith Wharton is a passing phase, although guessing by the other allusions (Lily and Bart together?) I feel the writers fancy themselves New York literary buffs.  

If they start swiping plot lines from Bright Lights Big City, I'm out of here.

A Philosophic Question

If a Tweet goes out on the Internet, and no one is following it, does it really exist?

I guess we'll find out, because that's right kids...I've joined Twitter!!

(ohgodwhathaveIdone?)

In a fit of supreme ego, I decided that people might care to hear what I'm doing and/or wearing.

In 140 characters or less.

(Actually, I just decided if Joe Barton was twittering during a White House Summit on healthcare reform, it was high time I found out what the fuss was about.)

So!  I promise to keep my tweets beauty-fashion-shopping focused and let me know what you think!

Cutting Back

Like any good taskmaster, our Economy demands certain things from us.  Certain sacrifices.

Yes, I have anthropomorphized the economy.  What of it?

I like having a nice hand soap in the bathroom and had a particular obsession with Molton Brown's Naran Ji scent.

But as the Economy started thrashing in its death rattle, something about spending $25 on hand soap felt a little wrong.

Not cheating on your taxes wrong, but maybe swiping some pens from the office wrong.

So I searched for an alternative.

Something that would be pretty on the sink, have a light scent, but not cloying.

And I hit the nail on the head my first time out.

Kiss My Face Almond Moisture Soap.

It smells awesome, is available at my local Whole Foods, and best of all, costs less than a complicated order at Starbucks.

Much better for These Economic Times.

Enough!

People!

Stop it with the footless tights!

I mean it!

That is all.

Just Another Day at the Office

A week or two ago, I was standing with two co-workers hotly debating some of the intricacies of healthcare reform.  Specifically, pharmacy benefit management.

Hot, right?

We came to a standstill in our conversation and one co-worker blurted out, "You have the most beautiful skin."

And I think I turned about eight shades of purple as my second co-worker agreed with her.

I'm not trying to brag, but the word "radiant" came up.  Oh, and "peaches and cream complexion."

Now, in an office where I desperately strive to over come the fact that I am not yet 30 (ugh!) and want people to take me seriously when I am talking Part D formularies (policy wonks, you feel me.), I was at a loss for words.

So, the first thing I thought of was to tell them that I was trying the new Olay Professional Pro-X skin care line.

The kit comes with the Age Repair Lotion with SPF 30, the Eye Restoration Complex, and the Wrinkle Smoothing Cream for nighttime.

The lotion is nice and light, and who doesn't love a little SPF?  The eye cream is nice, but I overdid it the first few weeks by putting it on both morning and night.  

Hey, I've never used an eye cream before!  I'm not even 30!  Cut me some beauty slack!

I can't say that I love the night cream, but the rest is pretty sweet.

So, I guess if you plan on erasing some of the stress lines caused by the call to finish a massive healthcare reform by the end of the year (what now?) get yourself some anti-aging goo!

I Gave Up

I blame The Sartorialist.

I added it to my RSS feeder as a means of getting some new fashion inspiration during the great Gossip Girl drought of early 2009.  It features just the coolest, hippest dressers all over the world.  And while 99.99% of the outfits would never fly in, on or around me, I certainly appreciate the eye candy.

But after following the posts, you start to notice trends.  Lots of layers in dark colors, huge wrapped scarves, flood pants, turbans and one thing I noticed about many of the women was that they all wear shooties.

(yeah, that's right.  Shooties.  Shoe-booties.  Shooties)

And they look awesome.

But it was this picture that sealed the deal for me.

So...I started looking.  

And I started at the top, trying on a fantastic pair of Christian Louboutins.  While they looked good, they were light years away from what I was willing to pay for a trendy shoe that I'm not even sure I can pull off.

So, I kept looking and looking and looking.

Until I finally found them.  In Aldo.

Pretty kick-ass, yes?

They look crazy good with tights now that it's still chilly, also great bare-legged for warmer weather, they are comfortable and the best part?  Even my husband liked them.

Do you think The Sartorialist will take a few pics down here?  I'll layer up and grab my turban.

You Know What They Say About Great Minds

I got to take a quick jaunt through L.A. last weekend.  It was just a 24 hour marathon visit tacked onto a business trip, just enough time to see two of my good girlfriends from college, Don Johnson, two actors from Heroes, and Vera Wang.

You know, the essentials.

It was great to catch up, but the weird coinkydink moment came when my friend, who I have written about before, met us for lunch and all I could do was stare at her nails.

They were a smooth grey with a hint of purple.  Darker than the color that I was crushing on this fall, but still totally chic.  And, I never found a light grey that met my specifications.

So, after we got through the niceties of how-are-you, how-is-work, significant-others-etc.  I couldn't contain myself any longer and I blurted out...What color is your nail polish?!?!

I mean seriously, you can't take me anywhere.  I have no social graces.

She looked a little taken aback (I mean literally, she had gotten through"work is goo-" before I jumped in) but said that she was shocked at how many comments she had gotten on it.  And that it was OPI by Sephora.

And I knew exactly which one she meant.

Metro Chic.

I know, because I have been to Sephora, oh, maybe 20 times to look at it.  It's the closest I've seen to what I want, but I was unable to pull the trigger and just buy the damn thing.  

Well, no longer!  Because my friend also said the magic phrase.  She told me that it was - nojoke- the best nail polish she's used.  No chips and going on 10 days.  Well, that seals the deal.  I plan on heading for that little bottle like a fricking heat-seeking missile or an intern for the cheese platter at a Rayburn reception.

Yeah, it's on.

After the nail polish issue was cleared up, I did get all the life scoop from my friend and catch up and everything.  I take this as reaffirmation that we are meant to be friends.

Oh, she also was carrying the bag I was about to buy last week.  Freaky, yes?

Welcome Back, Givhan

Holy Balzac people.

Surely a sign of These Fashion Times, Robin Givhan - columnist for the Washington Post, follower of MObama, critic at large, and general badass - will be relocating from New York to Washington sometime before summer begins.

Now, many of those in our Nation's capital who regularly read Givhan's column might be surprised to hear that the Washington Post employs a fashion critic/columnist who doesn't actually LIVE in WASHINGTON.  

Hell...I was.

But no, she lives closer to my parents than I have since high school.  So, as soon as she sells that 1BR prewar co-op on the Upper West Side, she'll be moving south of the Mason Dixon.  

Actually, this could take longer than she thinks.  Co-op boards can be a real pain in the you know what.  Someone better have some serious cash capital and a very quiet pet-slash-child.

Ostensibly, this is so she can keep a close eye on the First Family and their fashion plate ways, but I also think it's a sign of how far DC has come fashion-wise.

Yes, we still have girls roaming Georgetown in huge sweatpants tucked into Uggs and popped collar shirts (ps what is UP with that?  Gross.) and women in short sleeved shoulder padded suits in sneakers taking the metro to work.  And Lord only knows when people will STOP. WEARING. ACRYLIC. FRENCH. MANICURES.  PLEASE.  STOP. IT. HURTS. MY. EYES.

On the other hand, we have Hu's Wear and Relish, our very own little Ikrams.  We have Inga's and Remix, two very cool secondhand stores.  We have Target and their gorge spin off lines which is accessible by public transportation.

So, welcome Ms. Givhan!  But you are nuts if you think you can get decent food delivery under 45 minutes.

My Future in PR Might be Short

Sulfates are totally the high-fructose corn syrup of the beauty world.

Yup, it's true.

Picture the ad now:

Scene in a beautiful Hamptons cottage, two women in yoga clothes chatting over coffee while orange juice and muffins sit idly by, uneaten.

Woman 1 (owner of the house): So, do you want to shower before we head out to meet the guys for brunch?

Woman 2 (her guest):  Well, sure.  But I forgot my shampoo back in the city.

Woman 1: Oh, just use mine, I don't mind.

Woman 2 (conspiratorily) :  But yours has sulfates in it.

Woman 1 (snottily): So?

Woman 2 (baffled): Well, you know what they say about sulfates!

Woman 1 (authoritatively): What?  That it's a kind of detergent and it gets my hair clean?

Woman 2 (broken): Ok, ok...  I guess I'll take that shower then!

Awkward frenemy laughter ensues.

Annnnndddd...scene.

I think I have a future on Mad Men.

Seriously though, there has been a lot of talk on the interwebs and in magazines about the dangers of sulfates, but not a lot of people know what they are or what the alternatives are.  

Well, the Beauty Brains does.

I, myself am hopelessly devoted to Pantene Pro-V, event though it is similarly maligned on the internet.  But, in the interest of being "trendy" and "natural," I gave L'Oreal's EverPure shampoo and conditioner a whirl.

It smells just like the Aveda Rosemary Mint products and lathers up nicely.  The main difference was that my hair felt heavier throughout the day.  Almost like day-after washing hair.  The smell lingers, which is nice, but I couldn't get past the heavy hair.

So, if you are really concerned about sulfates, or just love the Aveda smell without the trip to the salon, check out L'Oreal's EverPure line.

If not, just try to make your friends feel dumb by stumping them with the lines above.

Gossip Girl: Carnal Knowledge

Long time no blog, right?

Let's just say I've been on strike as long as Gossip Girl has!  Well, not exactly.  Work has consumed my life much in the same way crappy plot lines and whiny pathetic teachers have consumed Gossip Girl.

At least the fashion is still good.

Nelly Yuki and Blair rock some sweet coats out on the school patio.  Nelly's is French Connection and Blair's is H&M, but neither seem to be available online anymore.

Following the theme of things not being available, Blair's cardigan is the Nanette Lepore Songstress.

For once in this show, Serena is all covered up and weather appropriate!  Sporting a Rag and Bone coat and DVF boots.  Also, sadly, not available online.

WTF?

The lead time on the styling is getting a little absurd.

The bag is for sale...but it is north of three grand.  Oh.  My stomach turned just thinking about it.

Ahhh, finally, you can take all that moolah you saved not getting any of the aforementioned items and get Blair's Catherine Malandrino Floral Sleeve top.

Until next week...here's to hoping the Kubrickian plot twists and irrelevant adults vacate premises.

The Big Day

That's right...Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

Well...I kind of hate Valentine's Day.

Sorry.

I'm not a fan of conversation hearts, Russell stover, overpriced restaurant menus served by surly waiters, scratchy pink underwear given to you by someone suckered by an ad with big feather wings.

Washingtonian posted a special roundup of Blogger Beat all-stars best and worst Valentine's stories which is a pretty good read.

And as for my plans this year?  

Buying myself yet another pink lipgloss.  I am my own best Valentine.

Gossip Girl: You've Got Yale

Well...the surrealism continues.

First of all, yes, private school heads have a great deal of leverage in getting students into top schools.  But, no way in hell Serena would be getting one of those spots unless Bart had dedicated half of his fortune to a building with her name on it.

Blair, on the other hand, probably already has an endowment in her name.  Unless it was spent on her Milly fitted check coat and Valentino Jardin Rose bag.

Underneath the coat, she's sporting a Brooks Brothers Black Fleece jacket and H&M skirt.  But based on the prices, this is not your grandfather's Brooks Brothers jacket.  Ouch.  I'll also ignore her coffee filter sleeve blouse.  

Ok, no I won't.  Yuck.

Serena shows a rare moment of restraint in face of the New York January cold spell by covering up in a Lauren Moffat coat.  Don't worry, she bares her boobs for a night at the Opera.

Oh, another point of order?  Teens don't go to the opening night of the Met and make out in box seats.

But when Blair gets dressed for a date with her headmistress, she smartens up in a D&G coat from Fall/Winter 08.  My problem is this:  I caught a glimpse of Blair's shoes.  Mustard patent high heeled loafers with a velvet ribbon.  I know I've seen them before, and I CANNOT FIND THEM.

Please help.

Please.

Gossip Girl: Gone With The Will

Double Header tonight.

The past few episodes have digressed into totally unrealistic territory what with seventeen year olds inheriting multi-billion dollar public companies, attending readings of wills without representation, and throwing brunches and whatnot.

Blair picks up on one of my favorite trends here - grey tights.  They are reputed to be from Urban Outfitters, but I've also seen them in Bloomies and American Apparel makes a pretty kick-ass version.  She pairs it with a Diane von Furstenberg navy and black suit and Flavio Castellani cape.

For a change, Blair shows her boobs instead of Serena!  It's like a blue moon or getting to a sample sale when there's no line.  This is a stunner of a dress is Dolce and Gabbana from Fall/Winter 04-05.  Boo.

Ahh, just to put things right in the world, Serena shows up at a fancy brunch in a skintight Diane von Furstenberg sweater dress, but she's upstaged by Blair in a Milly blouse and See by Chloe skirt.

Until the next totally unrealistic ep...