HAPPY NEW YEAR: See You In 2011!!!



We are putting our pencils down until after the New Year. There will be big changes for us here at The Capitol Fashionista in 2011. We are very excited and look forward to bringing you the most stylish news around. We thank all of our loyal readers for a great 2010 and look forward to gaining new readers. So spread the word. Happy New Year to all of you. Please be safe out there during your celebration.

Fashionably yours,

AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: A Hot Deal @ Banana Republic



These Cairo Deco Earrings are right on time to top off your New Year's Eve outfit. Available at Banana Republic for $31.99.

AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Fab Find @ Madewell



This blouson dress is so perfect to wear with leggings and a fab pair of boots. On sale at Madewell for $49.99 and 30% off that price!

AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: A Hot Deal @ Ruche.com



Snag this lovely faux fur jacket at Ruche for $49.00.

WHAT TO WEAR NEW YEAR'S EVE: 8 Party Dresses To Make The Men All Pause

Here are 8 party dresses to ring in your New Year!

Decadent Designz @ Etsy, $950.00



Haute Hippie @ Nordstrom, $475.00



Vintage Vixen @ Lulu's, $34.00



Limited Edition Ruffle Dress @ Topshop, $350.00



Adam @ Net-a-Porter, $1495.00



Alice & Olivia @ Cusp, $396.00



Gold Deposit Dress @ ModCloth, $97.99



Alexander Wang @ Shopbop.com, $785.00

Rukiya's World:Holiday Frocks

Liana Metallic Lace Dress
Velvet Tiffany's Dress
ASOS
Rachel Gilbert
Marchesa Notte


HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute Gift Idea @ Kirna Zabete



For the Shoe Lover (like me), Lanvin Canvas Snake Wedge, $1120.00

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute Gift Idea @ Need Supply



Fashionably warm and cuddly, Kiss Pom Pom Hat, $29.99

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute Gift Idea @ Gap



For the Fashionista, Lovely Plum Metallic Tote, $49.50

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute Gift Idea @ J.Crew



For that diva, Cashmere Tie V-Neck Sweater.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute Gift Idea @ Rachel Roy



A gift for your hearthrob, Hearthrob Necklace @ Rachel Roy. Caveat: On sale for 30% off.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Last Minute GIft Idea @ Amazon.com



For the fashion bibliophile, Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000

FASHION DEAL OF THE DAY: Patchwork Orange



Grab this at Urban Outfitters for $29.99.

DC FASHION EVENT: Sew ‘N Know Holiday Bazaar is Today!




Sponsored by DMPED New Communities Grant Program

DC STYLE EVENT: BHF Magazine Present The BHF Style Showroom



BHF Magazine presents the BHF Style Showroom. The BHF Style Showroom showcases the work of a variety of "creatives" including apparel and jewelry designers, performance artists, visual artists, etc., that embody the aesthetic of the "Contemporary African Lifestyle" as celebrated in the online pages of their web site and print pages of their recently released, "Unboxed: The African Fashion Index," publication.

Join them on Friday, December 17 at Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD from 5 pm to 9 pm. See you there.

FASHION REPLAY: Ports 1961 Supports Refugees International



Our Marketing and PR Rep, Chauncea was on hand to attend a very special fashion event. Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase and W Magazine were the hosts for a special showing of the Ports 1961 collection.

Hors d' oeuvres, pastries, & champagne were served as folks had a chance to peruse the fabulous Ports 1961 collection in this fashion show with a distinct purpose. Ten percent of all purchases towards Ports 1961 would go to Refugees International.

Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. Refugees International help people return home and rebuild their lives when wars end. They also seek to improve peacekeeping in crisis areas. Refugees International also provide internally displaced people with the same levels of protection and assistance as refugees who have crossed borders. There are 41.2 million refugees and internally displaced people worldwide.

You can visit Refugees International to learn more about this organization and how you can help.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: What A Boy Wants - 9 Fab Gifts for Your Man

Looking for something different for your sweetie pie? Here are 9 goodies that are sure to make him drool and love you forever. You can thank me later!

Mayfair Coat, J. Crew (really truly, Santa can bring me the beautiful model in this picture...)



Mother of Pearl cufflinks, Banana Republic



Acqua di Gio, Giorgio Armani @ Sephora (this is deadly... you will lose your mind after one sniff, ladies.



London Double Old-Fashioned Glasses (set of 4), Williams-Sonoma



Trio Combo Spiked Bowtie, Ashton Michael @ 80's Purple



Navy Attache Case, Valextra @ Barney's New York



Hunting Hat, Grace Hats @ Tobi



Dublin pebble leather boot, Esquivel @ Confederacy



Sweater Hoodie, Gap

WHAT I LEARNED THIS YEAR: A Year Older and A Little Wiser

I celebrated my birthday last Friday. I love my birthday. Hell, I love any birthday. I think it is one of the most important days in one's life. It was the day you were born. I am always at a loss when people say that they don't really care about their birthdays. I don't get it. It was the day you were born, people! But I digress.

With each year, I learn a little more about myself and people in general. What I learned this year:

  1. I learned that people really don't change. They are who they are... period. Folks may try to change habits but they can not change their core being. That's just the way it is. So stop trying to change folks.

  2. Be comfortable with who you are. There may be things about me that I know are definite flaws. But they make up the total me.

  3. Be honest. You have to just be honest with folks. They will either accept you as you are or they won't. Either way, it is okay.

  4. Figure out what it is that you truly want in a mate. It's not about looks. It has to be about what I said before... their core being. Does it match up to what you truly need/want in a mate.

  5. Do what you love. I think that is the most important lesson I learned this year. Even if you can't do it for a living, volunteer your time doing what you love. You will not regret it.

  6. Help others. Strive to do something nice for someone whenever you can. Your soul and your spirit and your karma will thank you.

  7. Fall in love. There is no greater thing in life than love.


So here's to another year of learning and growing. Bring on 2011. I'm ready.

DC HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Goodwill Holiday Trunk Show




Goodwill will have racks and racks of contemporary and vintage fashions while highlighting cocktail dresses for the upcoming holidays.

From Friday, November 26th through Friday, December 10th, Caramel will be accepting your gently used clothing donations for Goodwill.

You will receive 15% off any non-sale Caramel items with your donation. A Stacy London trained stylist, Lisa Tumbarello, will be on hand to help you pick out the perfect dress. During the event expect exclusive discounts offered on select Caramel styles!


Goodwill Holiday Trunk Show

Where: Caramel Boutique, 1603 U St NW Washington, DC
When: December 10, 2010
Time: 5PM - 8PM

DC HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Charm Boutique Is So Charming

The lovely folks at Charm Boutique invited me to come in and gaze over their fabulous jewelry collections including their featured designer, Bounkit (shown on the right). Of course, I was more than happy to oblige them.

There are many a day where the cold weather is a total deterrent to doing anything productive but I was curious about what I had been missing at Charm. This would be my first visit to this Georgetown boutique.

Located at 2910 M St., NW in Georgetown, Charm Boutique did not disappoint. When I first walked into the door, I almost hit the floor. As a design freak, I loved the space. The crisp white walls and the bright white lighting set the tone. The gorgeous cases housed some of the most amazing pieces of jewelry that I have ever seen. Anyone that knows me or if you have run into me at an event, you know that I am always wearing a statement piece of jewelry (oh, and some fab shoes!). So I was overwhelmed but in a good way.

Statement jewelry abound is the best way to describe what I was experiencing. Everywhere I turned there were incredible necklaces and bracelets and drop earrings made with beautiful gemstones and crystals and diamonds and rhinestones. Can I just say that there is definitely something there for everyone. Their prices range from $30.00 to $3,000. You are sure to find something that's a stunner. I promise.

The Bounkit Jewelry Collection also did not disappoint. This collection of baubles are totally a must see and a must own. The range of stones and colors was phenomenal. Even though there was variety, you could totally see a cohesiveness to Bounkit. The majority of their necklaces were shorter in length but were designed with chunkier stones. Even the bracelets and earrings were designed with larger gemstones to ensure that when you wear a piece from Bounkit, you will get attention.

I was having a hard time choosing something. I had promised myself that I could have a few little items for my birthday (which is tomorrow). But that I couldn't go overboard. So I fell madly in love with this set of adorable bangles that I had to have in my possession. When I went to the register to pay, I was greeted with this beautiful black velvet pouch with the Charm Boutique logo stamped in gold (see below). Not only do they have jaw-dropping pieces, but they wrap it up for you with grace and style. Love it.

Their shopping event ends today. Get up there and get to shopping!


My Beautiful Charm Boutique Jewelry Pouch





Other Jewelry Collections













Today's The Last Day To Shop The Charm Boutique Holiday Event