More Comes to Town: Five Tips to Successful Style

Post by Sharon Stringer, Guest Writer for Pamela’s Punch

For the first time in its four-year history, More magazine brought its women’s convention to the District.  The magazine used a cast of accomplished women to share advice on how to reinvent, refresh and reinvigorate your life.  More than 500 attendees had an opportunity to experience a spa for the spirit.

Anyone looking for the courage to make a change in her finances, attitude or her appearance had only to take a seat in one of the more than dozen sessions convened at the Ronald Reagan Building Monday.

Judy Coyne, executive editor of More, said that the nation’s capitol was the obvious next choice for the convention when she remarked, “Washington is the center of so many decisions that relate to women.”

Fresh off the Oscar runway fashion commentator Mary Alice Stephenson pleased the crowd with answers to their fashion questions and advice she gives to the stars.  “With celebrities we fit to the worst part,” she said.  Another item that helps the stars look so spectacular is that they use shapewear to get a smooth look under their clothing.

“Great style is not innate; great style is learned,” said Stephenson.  Stephenson was joined by Susan Swimmer, contributing editor to More magazine. She said that everyone could look good with a cheat sheet that included a list of must haves:  shrunken, fitted jackets, sheath dresses, coats of mixed lengths and jewelry that makes a statement.

Also important to good style, she said is good fit.  “If it fits the body, it looks great.”
Swimmer gave five quick tips to successful style:
Add a belt.
Try a bold piece of jewelry.
Wear sparkle for a day.
Invest in a good handbag.
Update your jeans.

*Special thanks goes to Whitney Stringer’s lovely mother Sharon, who stepped up to the plate while in town to partake in the More magazine convention.

Oscar Night DC for the Red Cross of the National Capital Area

Post by Felice Cherry of http://www.cherrypickedstyle.blogspot.com/

I always knew I was destined for the Red Carpet (pictured above on the right with Laura Oyini and Arch Campbell in the middle)!  And so I knew I was in the right place for Oscar Night Sunday evening, March 7, 2010 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.  Oscar Night DC provided we snow survivors the opportunity to get dressed in our finest, walk the red carpet, sip champagne, and view a live telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in perfect style. The lovely Pamela Brown, news ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor (and fellow Tar Heel) served as our guest emcee for the evening.  Cameras were definitely flashing everywhere, and everyone looked amazing.

A silent auction allowed attendees to bid on items, such as a Kobe Bryant Autographed NBA basketball, a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by Chef Laurent Lhuillier, 2005 National Pastry Champion, a doggie gift basket from Barkley Square, a mink shawl from Miller’s Furs, or two 18-hole rounds of golf at Dominion Valley for four. Pictured above Angie Goff from WUSA 9

Although my pick, Avatar, didn’t take home “Best Picture”, Oscar Night DC was definitely a winner. Pictured above: Greg Baroni and Linda Mathes – CEO of Red Cross National Capital Area

The American Red Cross within the National Capitol Region, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people in our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies.  Funding from Oscar Night DC will be used to benefit local communities around the national capital region.

Pictured above the scene at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Oscar Night DC for Red Cross NCA

Bustin’ Loose

In case you missed (and you would be sorry you did) any part of the inaugural Bustin’ Loose weekend charity shopping event, here are some photos below. I was completely wowed by the quality of the 40 national vendors who traveled to Arlington’s Waterview Conference Center to display and sell their inventory.  You could find anything from one-of-a-kind jewelry designs to hand painted ceramic dishes, to housewares, deeply discounted designer jeans, to paintings, sports memorabilia, handbags, and so much more.  Designers and artisans came to sell at this special event to benefit the Lombardi Breast Cancer Research Center.

The CW’s Paul Wharton (pictured below with models) and I emceed the huge conference center space found on the top of the CEB/Deloitte building, whose views are just breathtaking.  Hence, one of the reasons I love the Rosslyn area of Arlington.  You get to look at the monuments and the river.  Thanks to all of the generous sponsors, including Work It, Girl! Networking, Reston Limo, and of course to IMPACT Events Group and Live Breathe Dance Presents for the event production. Also, special thank you goes to Tsyndyma, who dressed me in a deep purple knit sweater dress ($700) for the evening.  Her high-end designs are found below on the rack photo, the bright tops in the larger photo, the model photo with Paul Wharton and the last photo.

Bustin' Loose Charity Shopping Event at the Waterview

Sex, Blogs, and Rock n Roll

Former lawyer turned sex-pert and relationships advice blogger City Girl (just who is she anyway? CG wishes to be anonymous – see above) turns the big ONE and she wants you to celebrate with her. She could be this decade’s and this city’s version of SATC (and how excited are you to see the SATC II movie? exactly.)

It’s Tuesday, March 9th 6pm-9pm at Black Finn in DC (1620 I Street, NW)

http://bit.ly/9J7yrw

Great door prizes will be given out by PR @ Partners, Clyde’s and Dascha Boutique. Also, guests have an opportunity to make a donation to Global Giving’s project with Save the Children in Haiti – a charity close to City Girl’s heart.

RSVP: http://twtvite.com/ih0mjx

I’m O.K. You’re U.K.

We’re all U.K together. Calling on budding designers (Micha Weinblatt of Crooked Monkey, that means you too!).  The British Embassy announced today a competition for the general public to design a new t-shirt which will raise money for two charities that support wounded soldiers from the United Kingdom and the U.S.

The tees will be judged by the British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald, himself, along with newlywed/journalist/POLITICO social columnist/Twitter King/MSNBC “Morning Joe” regular Patrick Gavin, and David Lisoski, manager of the Georgetown branch of British fashion brand Reiss.  The prize is big. You will be named VIP visitor at the May 8th daylong EU Open House Day and receive a special prize from the Ambassador.  I will personally enter if the prize is a roundtrip ticket for two to London…not that I would have any chance of winning.

In addition, your winning t-shirts will be worn by British Embassy staff at the EU Open House and sold to raise funds for Azalea Charities and the British Army Benevolent Fund in America, both of which support the welfare of British and American servicemen and women and their families.

More on the rules and the EU May 8th Open House event here: http://www.eurunion.org/EUinUS/eu-open-house

http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/news/tshirt-competition

Girl Power

It’s interesting that the two head-to-head potential winning Oscar “Best Picture” nominees were 1) directed by divorcees 2) had to do with war (one current and one in the future) and the human-side of the effects.  Congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow who made history by being the first female to win “Best Director”. It only took 82 years.  Let’s keep it up.

In case you didn’t know, March marks National Women’s History Month.  There’s a lot going on to celebrate outstanding ladies.  You can find out about events to attend here: http://womenshistorymonth.gov/.

April 1st (granted a day out of our month) is the Bisnow Breakfast and Schmooze “Where to Women Stand” featuring a panel of the most powerful women in Washington business today: Anastasia Kelly (Former General Counsel, AIG), Sheila Johnson (Co-Founder, BET Networks), and Maureen Dwyer, (DC Managing Partner, Pillsbury).  Sheila Johnson also happens to be the Philanthropy Honoree that Street Soccer USA will award at the May 20th Sport for Social Change Awards Benefit, so we salute her in her continuing achievements in our community.  Pillsbury law firm also has been a past supporter of SSUSA, so we thank them for donating funds for ending homelessness.  SSUSA is also for the first time involving a women’s team in this year’s US Cup held here in DC July 30th-August 1st 2010 at Kastles Stadium.

By the way, today, Monday March 8th is International Women’s Day.  Take the time to acknowledge the women in your life who influence you, better you, love you, and mean the most to you.