Category — Think Pink!

The highlight of SATC 2? Besides seeing it with my fab friends? Carrie & Big’s digs! J’adore their apartment’s chic decor; I can imagine Holly Golighty and Paul Varjak living in a jazzy pad like that after they find Cat at the end of Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

I’ve read the SATC 2 reviews, darlings, and I don’t entirely disagree. We’re not talking Oscar material here - it’s supposed to be a fun escape.  In a nutshell: we get to see the girls in their New York habitat before Smith Jared (looking hotter than ever) hooks Samantha up with a potential PR gig that gets the girls an all-extravagances paid trip to Abu-Dhabi. You had me at personal butler, champagne and macaroons.

Carrie bumps into Aidan (in what I swear is the same Middle Eastern market where Indiana Jones had a sword/gun fight in Raiders of the Lost Ark); a dreamy Dane strikes Samantha’s fancy; and Charlotte and Miranda have a heart to heart. There are some LOLs along the way - but unfortunately they’re peppered with too many cheezy, forced double-entendres.

Now back to The Prestons‘ Posh Pad! Check out this dining room, with a peek into the kitchen…

Look at the chic and cozy living room…love the table.

Love this sunlight-flooded corner….

His and Her closet.  Cute and cute.

I thought the story of Carrie and Big trying to find their footing in their new marriage was sweet and one of my favorite parts of the movie. This picture of Carrie propped up on a pretty blue ottoman (where can I get one?) is from one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

The clothes on SATC 2 were a bit of a let-down with the exception of a few cute Carrie concoctions:

Last but not least, I’ll leave you lovelies with some SATC 2 eye candy for good measure.

Who knows if there will be a SATC 3? In the meantime, all you die-hard fans - there’s always TBS.

What better way to celebrate spring and enjoy yourself than a night out with the girls? My pretty pals and I kicked up our heels and got our shop, drink, and swag on at Shecky’s Girls Night Out last week at Constitution Hall.

Shecky’s knows what a girl wants: fashion from talented designers at discounted prices; delish cocktails; latest beauty treatments; and Shecky’s popular swag bag. Of course the icing on the cupcake is sharing it all with your girlfriends!

Cocktails were flowing – and sloshing & splashing around  – as we tried to navigate the crowd while juggling our drinks, shopping and swag bags. Cheers to anyone who managed to stay splash-free throughout the evening!

There were scads of accessory and jewelry vendors this year, but a couple that really caught my eye were Katie Thompson’s KT Collection of handmade jewelry…

…and one of my favorite boutiques, Fornash. Thanks to the inspiration, creativity, and stylish eye of owner Stephanie Fornash Kennedy, clients and fans will always be delighted with colorful, beautiful and classy pieces.

One of my primo purchases this spring is this lovely lucite chandelier necklace. It makes any outfit party-ready, à la Holly Golightly.

My chic friend Carolyn snapped up this darling wicker clutch perfectly suited to her classic style.

They were a little light on the clothes this year which was a tad disappointing for this frock-loving girl, but the designers on-site were a delight, especially LaKisha Cameron and her pretty Marzee collection.

We made a bee-line for Marzee as soon as we arrived. My savvy shopmate Dee scooped up a gorg saffron shift with ruffle trim down the side that looks like it came straight from Fashion Week. Be sure to visit the new Marzee Boutique in Georgetown!

My fab friend and sassy stylista, Sherry, scored oodles of goodies including strands of beautiful sterling and brushed silver filigree necklaces from La Bella Destino, and some glam gauzy tunics from Mad Clothing.

Although I was impressed once again with how well-organized the event was, I have one question, Shecky’s: when will you decide to have some nibbles for us? Some of those cocktails were pret-ty strong and we could have used some tasty cupcakes or other treats.

If you missed it, there’s still a chance to catch them in another city or when they’re back in DC in the fall. In between, you can get your fix at the Designer Lounge!

Girls Night Out, Shecky’s style – who could ask for anything more?

“I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors, for trees, for birds and flowers.” ~Audrey Hepburn

I share Audrey’s passion. Give me some beautiful blossoms & gorgeous gardens and the winter of 2010 is a distant memory. Spring, you sassy thing, you sure know how to make an entrance! Your blooms are so vivid they’re in Technicolor.

A harbinger of spring in DC, the cherry blossoms kick off the season on the National Mall as people from all over the globe trot to the Tidal Basin to see the blossoms. Under the most beautiful azure sun-filled skies, my mom, sister and I visited the Mall on Friday, where I was able to snap some pics.

The cherry blossoms may be the popular press darlings this time of year – but what about the other blooming treasures in the area?

Just off the beaten path on the north side of the Tidal Basin (between the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial) you’ll find the Tulip Library.  Since 1969 gardeners have been prepping the floral beds each autumn to hand plant over 10,000 tulip bulbs flown from Holland.

A family friend recently recalled visiting the Library as a child, and being confused when she couldn’t “check the tulips out.” I think she was on to something! In the meantime, you can check out these photos from Friday.

Not far from the Tulip Library, the Smithsonian Institution grounds are home to some of the best kept secret gardens. When my parents moved to DC several years ago, after visiting the Smithsonian Castle one day they accidentally strolled into the Ripley Garden.  Shortly after, I visited the garden with them and I’ve loved it ever since.

Tucked away by the Arts & Sciences building, this garden was the inspiration of Mary Livingston Ripley, plant scholar and wife of Smithsonian magazine founder Sidney Dillon Ripley. Fun fact: Mary first met Sidney when they were in the OSS. Her roommate at the time? A woman named Julia Child.

The garden is peaceful and serene with a fountain in the middle and benches scattered near the raised beds of flowers and plants. It’s hard to imagine the location was at risk of becoming a parking lot before Mary stepped in.

From the Ripley head down Independence Avenue to the Enid Haupt rooftop garden, another pretty and peaceful hideaway. Then be sure to visit the Smithsonian Castle, another favorite spot of mine, and grab a snack at the café.

Now slip on that cute sundress and some sunblock and take advantage of the sunshine! It’s time to get out there & re-introduce yourself to our gorgeous city.

Photo credits: The Medestrian, The Medestrian’s Mom.

In the game of Trivial Pursuit, I always win in the “Pink” entertainment category, which covers art, fashion, movies, literature and television. Of course it helps that it’s named after my favorite color and includes most of my favorite things!

A guilty pleasure of mine that helps me keep my “pink” edge is the weekly tabloids: Us Weekly, In Touch and Life & Style.

I prefer not to purchase issues with covers featuring boring train wrecks like Britney, Milkaholic Lindsay, John Mayer, Kate or John, or any other run-of-the-mill reality show personality.

I look forward to snaps of chic celebs – both on and off the red carpet – which these days usually includes pics of their beautiful bébés and trendy toddlers. Seriously, how cute is Harlow? Or Violet and her babydoll sis, Seraphina? I just want to squeeze their cheeks.

Precious Shiloh’s beauty shines through even though her mother tries to sabotage it by dressing her like a little boy lately. I guess her older sis Zahara gets all the cute girly frocks in the family now.

Meanwhile, Suri’s dainty ballet flats have been replaced with sassy-heeled shoes.  Be warned, Katie & Tom. If you keep indulging her every whim, one of these days her kitten heels are gonna walk all over you.  

One of my least favorite sections is “Who Wore It Best?”.  Here’s what miffs me (besides Jesse James): what if neither of the stars pictured wore it best? Just because a girl is famous does not guarantee she has fashion sense – just as a dress with a designer label does not make it stylish by default.

There will never be another Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly or Natalie Wood.  I’ve accepted the fact that these glamour girls – my silver screen style icons – are irreplaceable. (That’s a subject for another upcoming post.)

Even so, my heart remains hopeful that I’ll see today’s stars make exciting style choices and take fashion risks that pay off.

That’s one thing I love about fashion & Hollywood – and why I look forward to these magazines each week. There’s an endless opportunity to be delighted and inspired. If not, at the very least you’re guaranteed a few laughs.  

Now that’s entertainment!

Jessica, Jessica, Jessica…

I think you mean well. You seem like a very nice, kind-hearted girl.

What I need to know is – why were you on David Letterman last week, embarrassing yourself in front of the world again?

Not only did you say you still admire the “cute butt” of ex-boyfriend Tony Romo who carelessly dumped you  - but then you discussed intimate comments made about you in a recent interview given by another self-absorbed ex!

I know your intent was to promote your new show, The Price of Beauty, but have some self-respect! Let sleeping dogs lie — especially that dog-of-an-ex, the one formerly known as a talented musician.

Ken & CaCee pray she doesn’t date a loser.

Along with your loss of self-respect, you seem to have misplaced any sense of style you had. (I’m still haunted by the Mom jeans incident).

This is sad, because I know you have a head for fashion, as evidenced by your successful self-titled fashion line, Jessica Simpson.

Jess, you’ve got a lot going for you, yet you sabotage your confidence and happiness at every turn. You’ve let yourself be defined by the paparazzi for your poor romantic choices, not your savvy business decisions.

Sadly, as a society, I know we’ve moved far, far beyond proper etiquette and what is considered decent to discuss in public.

Is it too much to ask that we all – celebrities included – act like ladies and gentleman? I’m afraid so. That is a bête noire I’ll save for another post.

However, once a man - or more accurately, a boy –  blatantly disrespects you in the press – don’t you think it’s time to not dignify such things with a response?

In this case, perhaps the price of beauty is silence. It’s golden.