It’s time for the annual 14/U Street (now often referred to as “mid-city”) festival, so appropriately called the Dog Days of Summer! Get amazing deals from stores like Muleh, Home Rule, RCKNDY, and more! And according to Yelp, there will be DJ training from Words, Beats and Life, a local youth organization on Sunday, Aug 2nd.  DJ DC Concierge… I like the sound of that.

Not only am I super excited about Mervis Diamonds being on Twitter and doing these amazing how-to-buy-diamonds videos, but now they are fulfilling the dreams of women everywhere (well, especially in DC) by mixing them with chocolate! 

RSVP to stop by the store at 17th/K on Wednesday to drink chocolate martinis, dip fruit in a chocolate waterfall, and do it all while gazing at your future rock.  Heavenly!!!

The DC fashion scene is getting a huge boost now that Washington Post is publishing a monthly glossy, FW: Fashion Washington. The launch party was held Monday night at the stunning Georgetown home of Washington Post aristocracy Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn. The room was filled with DC’s fashion elite including fellow bloggers who were given an honorable mention for their role in elevating the scene! Kudos to my girls Morgan (Pandahead), Rachel (Project Beltway), and Svetlana (BrightestYoungThings) on that! Look for the first issue of FW TODAY in upscale boutiques, salons, restaurants and hotels around the DC area or their website – www.fashionwashington.com .  Some of my iPhone captured highlights are below!

Me and first lady of DC, Mrs. Mayor Fenty (pregs)

Ben Bradlee and Walter Pincus put down foreign affairs for some FW

NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell and I talk shop.  Alan Greenspan’s arm on the left.

And if you want to get in on some DC fashion scene do-gooding, then join me for the upcoming Suited for Change fundraiser at Irvine Gallery!

Suit Up! A Gallery Soiree Benefiting Suited for Change
Tuesday, September 23
6:30 pm
Irvine Contemporary Art (1412 14th Street, NW)
Buy tickets online by September 19: www.suitedforchange.org
$25, includes drinks courtesy of Best Cellars, Dupont Circle

Diana asks: “In response to Rob’s question about finding good suit shops for men in DC, what would you suggest for women? I’ve had a hard time finding places that carry nice women’s suits (or otherwise business appropriate attire that don’t look like Hillary Clinton’s suits). Thoughts?”

DC Concierge:  Having myself been a victim of once coming into work and having my colleague say “Wow, you’re wearing a Hillary pantsuit!” I can appreciate the question on an even deeper level.  Although, I do think Hillary rocks a mean pantsuit! 

But down to business (no pun intended)…  We women have it quite a bit cheaper than our men counterparts (although if you work high heels into the equation in price and comfort, we’re equal). Women all around DC swear by Ann Taylor to accommodate DC style conservatism and all shapes and sizes.  The problem?  Everyone is wearing the same thing.  If thats okay with you, it’s a total score.  For a trendier look, try Zara in Georgetown.  Even if you can’t swing the European sizes in their pants/skirts, they are still great for the fitted buttondowns.  My advice there is to buy and return rather than think it over.  They don’t restock like other stores so once a size is gone, it’s gone. 

Other standbys are Benetton, Express and Banana Republic, both of which have outlets if you can make it out to Potomac Mills.  Finally, always check out the discount shops — Filenes and Lohmanns have the designer stuff for a steal.