Diner en Blanc 2015

Gilt City D.C. Warehouse Sale

Bring your girlfriends to sip on complementary cocktails, shop hundreds of brands, for this 2 days

Events: 2015 National Care Conference

While much of what we write about is fun, we are also women with heart so I had the privilege of representing SpicyCandyDC at the 2015 National Care Conference.

Events: VinoFest 2015

Events: Georgetown Blogger Crawl

The Georgetown Blogger Crawl (#GTBloggerCrawl) came just in time for the holidays.  We had the privilege last week of attending another amazing Blogger Crawl put on by NeuProfile and SCDC Agency.  This time was a little different, starting earlier in the day at the wonderful recently opened Dog Tag Bakery.  As soon as I walked in, I fell in love with the place but when you hear the amazing story you fall even harder.  They are an organization founded in 2012, that provides a new model for work-study program that supports veterans with disabilities and spouses.  The name was chosen because dog tags are universal across all branches of service. The bakery serves as a place for veterans to come and put into practice the skills they learn in collaboration with Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies, who developed a specialized certification degree in 2013 and had it's first class of fellows in June 2014.  It was the perfect match for Jessica of The Dining Traveler who loves food and served!! Everything there was delicious and the wonderful story behind it is icing on the cake!

Our second location was Luigi Parasmo Salon which has become even more amazing with the addition of the second floor spa.  Now in addition to a great hairstyle, you can nails, make up or your brows waxed.  This location was the stop of choice for Kara of Politics of Pretty.  I have always been a big fan of Mr. Luigi because he is always so warm and welcoming and that comes though in the warmth of his space and staff!!  Definitely will be back spend some quality time in those delightful pedicure chairs but for the crawl everyone was able to get a festive braid or do and some cute nails!

While half the group was there, others spent time in the adorable Egg by Susan Lazar.  I now know where I will be doing all my shopping for my future (but currently non existent, calm down this is no announcement) child.  Susan Lazar had success in the early 90s with a contemporary women's clothing line but in 2003 she decided to launch an affordable luxury brand for babies and children.  She chose the name egg because "All eggs might look the same on the outside, but inside lays infinite possibilities." This location was a great match for experience mom Angelica of Clarendon Moms and Mommy-to-be Tammy of A Loyal Love.

Next was the always fun Reddz Trading second home in Georgetown.  Reddz first store is still located in Bethesda and both store offer a wonderful, ever changing selection of gently worn fabulous clothes, shoes and accessories.  They offer cash or trade in for your items and in a city like DC that is full of people who cannot be seen in the same look twice, this is a great solution!!  Meaning you can get some great pieces that have only been worn a few times (or sometimes they are still new)!!  What better place to play dress up than a treasure chest of quality finds which is why Abbey of District Dress Up was the perfect match.

After we headed to CB2 which was a beautiful store that I had not visited before.  CB2 is basically the hipster sister to Crate and Barrel and first opened in 2000.  It is " affordable modern for apartment, loft, home" which means I loved everything in there and wanted to take it home.  If you need inspiration just go stand in the store for a while and you will begin re-imagining your apartment and how it can greater.  It was a great match for the decorating expertise of Sara of the Style MBA.

New to the crawl this round were a couple of Gents and our next stop was at Jack Spade for Chris of Off the Cuff DC.  Jack Spade is the brother store of Kate Spade and comes from the idea that "useful products could also be stylish".  It is a great place to find a great gift for any guy in your life from the highly fashionable to the fashionably bankrupt (as in your dad that occasionally needs editing - yes I'm talking about you dad, no being color blind is not an excuse!!).

Our next stop was American Holiday, another store I had not had the pleasure of visiting before.  Another great home store, being in American Holiday made me want to go buy a house and decorate it with the all the wonderful wares in the store.  I cannot wait to frame the print of DC that they gave us!! If I was E from District of Chic, I would have a hard time deciding which item I loved most in the store.

What can be said about our next store other than it is an American classic!!  Dr. Martens is a brand that has survived the test of time.  A favorite of many when I was growing up, they have stayed true to their brand which has made them a brand that exists almost beyond trends to being timeless.  Their style was a great fit for Carlis of Spicy Candy DC who I know will rock out in her new Oxblood boots!

Next we moved on to the Kate Spade Saturday Store.  The store is adorable and fun and captures the spririt of the name.  It's called Saturday because they are "bringing weekend spirit to every day of the week with good, easygoing style and a sense of spontaneity".  Adorable fun items decorate the store but the details definitely add to the experience, such as the dressing room which has call buttons labeled "Whatever you need, girl!".   Definitely was the perfect fun fit for Lacey of A Lacey Perspective.  Saturday's tag line sounds like it could have jumped right off of Lacey's blog!

The final store, was certainly not the least and like the rest had a really interesting and great story!  Ike Behar is an American brand with an amazing history.  Ike's son Lawarence came down to join us and share the family legacy.  Some of the highlights were learning that from 1969 to 1981, Ike Behar factory made all of Ralph Lauren's shirts.  When they started sourcing overseas, Ike Behar decided to roll the dice and start making their own clothes and have been in Neiman Marcus consistently since 1982!  Such an incredible story and history that we had the pleasure of learning.  We also received an awesome tutorial, demonstrated with the ambassador Joel from What Do I Wear DC on how to tie a bow tie and pack a suit!!  One of the best gifts of the day.
All Photos By:Sebastian Marin
After a wonderful end to our tour of Georgetown, Reston Limo met us again and kindly drove us (and our accumulated swag) to the Renaissance Dupont for some cocktails and brunch bites!
Thank you so much to everyone who made this day such a wonderful success, especially our fearless trailblazers Jessica and Carlis for another successful outing!!! For more information on the shops and great gift ideas for the season, check out the post on each store from our brand ambassadors linked above.  Happy Holidays everyone!!

#GTBloggerCrawl LookBook, click HERE!

Events: Rent The Runway Georgetown Now Open!

Photo Credit:Joy Ascio
Monday night in Georgetown should have included a runway because it gave me flashbacks to the AMAs the night before!!  Rent the Runway has arrived and it is 4,354-square-foot of fabulous!  Located in store in Washington DC’s historic Georgetown district, I was delighted to learn that this is their largest retail location to date and second freestanding store.  I also found out that it will feature a rotating selection of 900 dresses and 500 accessories from over 200 major designers, including Monique Lhuillier, Elizabeth & James, Clover Canyon and Badgley Mischka.  I have always been a fan of Rent the Runway in concept but I have not used it as often as I should because fear of my unique shape made me doubt that I could  order online without trying it on.  Well fear no more, there is a store!!
Store Photo Credit:Joy Ascio
Store Photo Credit:Joy Ascio
The store very spacious but cozy with the feel of shopping a friends closet.  For a $25 fee, customers can book an appointment online and create their style profile.  When they get to the store, they will be paired with a personal stylist to provide a styling consultation as they try on dresses and accessories for a complete head-to-toe looks for an upcoming event or even an entire season of events.  Fitting rooms will be equipped with iPad minis that have scan-to-screen capabilities for stylists to upload each dress tried on and add comments for future reference. Walk-in appointments are also welcome.  Customers will be able to reserve rentals for future events or take dresses and accessories with them directly from the store.  You also no longer have to wait for everything in the mail!  DC area customers who place an order online will have the option to pick up their rentals in store and try them on upon arrival.   If something does not fit, you can exchange your rentals!!  You have the option to mail it back provided pre-paid mailing envelope or simply bring it back to the store to return it!  Have a group event coming up?  Rent the Runway will offer exclusive packages in-store for private events and weddings. Private event packages will allow you to rent the space for a two-hour or full-day with personal styling services.

Photo Credit:Revamp
What Carlis and Katya wore to the Rent The Runway Grand opening. I wore a Christian Siriano dress and got the chance to also meet the fabulous designer! Visit @spicycandydc IG for more fun event photos.
Photo Credit: Kris Konnor/Getty Images
The beautiful founders of Rent the Runway - Jenn Hyman & Jenny Fleiss

Located at 3336 M Street NW,Washington, DC 20007
STORE HOURS:
Monday-Tuesday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Wednesday-Friday: 9:00am-9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm

Events: #OTBloggerCrawl

Recently, Carlis Sanchez of SCDC Agency and Jessica Hoy of NeuProfile/Ink Blot Army launched the first ever Blogger Crawl event in Old Town Alexandria. It was a beautiful Friday night for walking around the beautiful boutique district, learn about all the store, pick up some fun swag and do some shopping. Since some of the bloggers reside in DC, we kicked off the night with a gorgeous black limo bus from Reston Limo waiting for us at Dupont Circle to whisk us off to Old Town Alexandria. Thanks to Howard Homecoming traffic was HORRIBLE (but we still love the Bisons), but who cares because we were riding in style!! The areas top bloggers came out to take the journey through the 11 participating stores. 


We started off our night at Red Barn Mercantile who welcomed us into their adorable store and made us fall in love!! I want everything in that store in my house! They gave us an adorable bags for our goodies during our blogger crawl! From there we worked our way down to the water. Next, we made a stop at Current Boutique to see the latest fashions and hear about how to consign there (which I do all the time, so fun and easy!!).


Our next stop was Bellacara, which made me realize I need to step my makeup game up!! If you need some beautiful quality products, this is the place you need to visit.

Next we visited Bloomers which made me rethink my underwear. It is a great place to go and get beautiful grown up undergarments that will look great and make you feel beautiful.


Next we went to Bishop Boutique where we were greeted by a doughnut spread like I have never seen before. The shining doughnuts and lovingly decorated stemware was only outdone by the incredible variety of accessories and shoes.


Our next stop was to Mint Condition which is a wonderful designer consignment boutique where you can find current high end styles that have been well taken care of for prices you can afford!
We then got back on our Reston Limo and dropped off our swag thus far and made the trip down to Coco Blanca. Probably good to have empty bags there because I would have been a bull in a china shop amongst all the beautiful items in the store. Great place for decorating your home.

Our next stop was a store that a few of us know and love and were excited to introduce to the rest, She’s Unique. When we arrived it was like going to your girlfriend's house and browsing her jewelry collection except you have the option to buy it and take it home. The best part was getting a first look at She's Unique newest addition, Flash Tattoos (#FlashTatFridays). There was a lovely flash tat station where each blogger was able to get a flash tattoo of their own to try on for style!! I got to put on some beautiful angel wings that made my night shine.


Our next stop on the crawl was 529 Consign, an adorable store that every parent or adult with little people in their life should know about. It is a great collection of the latest designer styles for mom, baby and child as well as great gift items for that upcoming baby shower you may have.

Our next stop was Hysteria. It is a definitely a store that gets this group of ladies because it reflects a love of fashion that we all share. They have a some great brands you know and some brands you did not know about but will fall in love with.

Our final stop was at The Shoe Hive and was all the site of our finale party complete with a Poshbooth pop-up digital photo booth and garden party styled by Petite Social. It felt like our own magical enchanted garden and I loved every second of it. Thanks to each of the stores who invited us in for the evening.



Our bloggers for the night included Jessica vanDop of The Dining Traveler, Mariella Cruzado of Splendor Styling, Tammy Preston of A Loyal Love, Alicia Chew of Alicia Tenise, The Smith Sister of the StyleSmiths, Krystin Hargrove of Be Loud Be You, Natalie Pinto of The Fashionably Broke, Melissa Burgos of Rock Yo Rizos, Angelica Talan of Clarendon Moms, Anchyi Wei of Anchyi @ Work, Lacey Faeh of A Lacey Perspective, Mel of LaBelle Mel, Kate Michael of K Street Magazine. Morgan Fykes (lol aka myself) of DCFunEmployment.

Thanks to Carlis Sanchez and Jess Hoy for putting together such an incredible night. Also thanks to Julien Garman of It's Julien handled all the photography for the night! Special thanks to Flash Tattoos, Skullcandy, Reston Limo and Poshbooth for helping to make our night even more incredible.

PS: The Mini guide/Lookbook featuring all the boutique and bloggers above, comes out this week! Stay tuned for release date and remember to shop local! ;)

Events: Chefs Behind Bars

No Kid Hungry hosted the third (and final for this year, but more to come we hope) fun installment of  Chefs Behind Bars at The Gryphon DC.  I believe that any time you are greeted at the door with free shades, it's going to be a good time!!
We walked in to be greet by eight of DC's top chefs standing behind the bar whipping up their cocktail creations. This exclusive "Chefs Behind Bars" happy hour supports the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America.  The featured chefs included host chef Joseph Evans, as well as Chefs Jason Gehrig of Mason Dixie, Danny Lee of Mandu, Tiffany MacIsaac of Buttercream Bakeshop, Andrew Market of Beuchert's Saloon, Harper McClure of BRABO, Matt O'Herron of Sona Creamery, and George Rodriguez of Tico, all mixing up their favorite libations.



DJ Neekola was on the turn tables looking beautiful as always and making sure to play just the right tunes to keep the party going strong! As we sampled the different cocktails, we also got to enjoy some delicious passed bites from The Gyphon. 

There were two winners from the 8 chefs, one for critics choice award and that award went to Tiffany MacIsaac delicious creation (who also gets my vote for creativity for bringing #TreatsForTips to bribe people to tip and bribery is totally allowed when it's for charity).  There was also a people choice award that went to the chef who got the most tips from the night which went to our favorite of the night "The Melon of My Rye".  Made of Whistle Pig Rye, melon soda, hot pepper shrub, shishito bitters and hyssop essence it was a spicy sweet treat that made us want to go back for more.  The real winner for the night was No Kid Hungry who raised over $1000 in tips alone from the competing chefs.

SCDC Events: Washingtonian Style Setters 2014

Last week was the party to celebrate the Washingtonian Style Setter Edition.  This years tagline was "secrets to great style from ten Washingtonians who dare to break the rules" and they do break the rules in all the best ways. We entered a backroom off the lobby of the W Hotel and were greeted from the awesome sound of DJ Neekola, who was rocking the pink hair before it was trending so she fit right in!! The room was aglow with lights and sparkly jewels, dresses and bags!!

The featured guests were Leigh Daily is a hairstylist and makeup artist who calls her style bohemian glam-rocker. H. Frank Neely is an Acupuncturist who says "Never pay full price.” S.E. Cupp is an expecting writer and CNN political commentator, who it might surprise you to learn has a BA in art history from Cornell and a master’s in faith studies from New York University (see it's okay to not work in your field!). Reginald Love is Vice president and partner at Transatlantic Holdings and a former special assistant to President Barack Obama who uses Trunk Club because he doesn't like going to stores. Melissa Burgos (One of our featured contributors at District Closets)is a Management analyst for the Department of Health and Human Services, who amazingly served ten years’ active duty in the United States Navy. Freddy Reyes Jr is a Brand marketer, who likes to push the boundaries of fashion in Washington. Linda Daschle is President of LHD & Associates, and is the glam-mom aka Mimi to 5 grandchildren but still manages to channel her icons Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn. Michael Deltette is the Director of special events,Park Hyatt Washington who understands my hatred of ill fitting suits (everyone should know a tailor and know your size). Will Byrne is Cofounder and CEO of Groundswell who also plays the drums! Monling Lee is an Architect, who can’t get rid of her mother’s vast collection of pencil skirts, tailor-made in Taiwan in the ’80s (and I don't blame her, I feel if you can fit them, keep them!!). In addition to the guests of honor, the party was filled with the fashion forward DC crowd including both the founders of CapFabb, Lacey and Liz (which is rare now that Liz is in law school, GO GIRL!!), Anchyi (from Anchyi @ Work, who was wearing an awesome dress she picked up at Secondi, Old Towne Boutique district owners, Katya, Elizabeth and Kelly as well as a number of local fashion bloggers like Tammy of A Loyal Love and Natalie of The Fashionably Broke.


Photo by:Revamp
My fashion for the night was inspired by this Mean Girl being reformed, You Can Sit with Me was my message for the night. Of course you can't have a party without some food and drinks. Lit up high on the wall was a beacon to all bloggers aka the Bubbly Bar sign. Cheers!! They also had some delicious passed hors d'oeuvre to snack on while we mingled. (You can put in the bubbles bar if you like with and the couch photos of us toasting for sure) After the party everyone moved upstairs to the recently renovated POV on the roof (they did a wonderful job because it looks GORGEOUS. We all had a "Sex and the City" style toast with some delicious pink cosmos and danced the night away.