Her album’s title is We Brave Bee Stings and All, but singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen is braving a hell of a lot more these days. On the day of our interview, it’s a sore throat and a faulty phone connection. Tonight, it’s a sold-out show on the Black Cat’s backstage. Every day, it’s the dizzying buzz her album has picked up—NPR, Internet radio stations, and music blogs can’t get enough. Big stuff for someone who was finishing college just two years ago.

Back then, Nguyen was already wowing crowds, sometimes playing her guitar with a toothbrush, always delivering the goods. Cut to the present: Small school venues are out, a national headlining tour is in, and Europe is next. Quite the whirlwind, really. What’s remained unchanged through it all? Nguyen’s knack for greatness with the guitar. And the toothbrush. Read on for our full interview.

The IRS raspberry cocktail.

The numbers are in. Zola—the restaurant in DC’s International Spy Museum—sold 26,000 martini glasses of its trademark beverage last year. The white-cranberry cosmopolitan has become a staple of Zola’s regular crowd—so much so that when Ralph Rosenberg, director of operations for Zola and four other DC eateries, removed the drink—his own invention—from the menu, he received a number of complaints.

“I don’t even like cocktails,” says Rosenberg as he slips behind the bar toting a dish of fresh raspberries. “I’m more of a vodka-and-Sprite kind of guy.”

A New Yorker with 30 years of restaurant experience and a Culinary Institute of America grad, Rosenberg is the mind behind Zola’s “dessert drinks” bar menu. His latest effort: an IRS raspberry cocktail in honor of the April 15 tax deadline.

Sapna Mehta, age—“I turn 30 in six days!”
Practices corporate law at Latham & Watkins (“I heard DC needed more lawyers”)

What are you wearing?
“Vintage boots from Foley + Corinna on the Lower East Side in New York City (I felt like Cinderella trying them on because they actually fit my Oompa-Loompa-size feet!); a Corey Lynn Calter dress from LuvCharlie.com; an old sheer undershirt from a source since forgotten; a vintage necklace from a vendor at one of the first Billion Dollar Babes sample sales in NYC (don’t bother going anymore—not worth it); sunglasses from a cheapo store in Sydney; tights from Topshop, underwear from . . . oh, should I stop?”

How would you describe your style?
“I’d describe my style as kitschy chic—Studio 54 meets Grandma’s closet. I love irony, pairing the luxurious with the trashy, new with old, East with West—but in a convincing, noncontrived way (or so I like to think). I also love me some bling, including ultra-fake and gaudy “diamond” necklaces, old Indian costume jewelry, and vintage clip-ons. Oh, and my big curly hair—probably my best accessory.”

Adam doing his thing behind the bar at Bar Pilar.

It’s 2 PM when bartender Adam Bernbach lets me into Bar Pilar on DC’s 14th Street. Patrons won’t start filling the bar stools and wooden tables until 5, and Bernbach won’t leave until after 3 in the morning. Quiet and humble, he says working at Bar Pilar has allowed him to do what he’s passionate about: creating cocktails.

Bernbach is the force behind Bar Pilar’s Tuesday Cocktail Sessions—evenings that not only allow him to stretch his creative legs but are also becoming a weekly hit with area bartenders and customers alike. Every Tuesday, five new cocktails of Bernbach’s invention are featured, such as the Orange Whip (spiced rum, orange juice, spiced orange syrup, half-and-half, and egg white—shaken) or the Bizzy Lizzy (ancho-chile-infused Gosling’s Gold rum, chocolate mole, cream, and soda water shaken, strained, and topped with soda water). All speciality cocktails are $11, and if you enjoy one, he can make it for you anytime if the ingredients are available.

Alisa Shteynshleyger, 25
Does marketing for Paris Hilton

What are you wearing?
“A Marc Jacobs cardigan and shirt, Tsubi jeans, and Loeffler Randall boots.”

How would you describe your style?
“Eccentric.”

Favorite designers?
“Marni, Loeffler Randall, Chloé, Stella McCartney.”

What do you think about style in Washington? And what do you think about the show tonight?
“I grew up here and now I live in New York. DC has a bad rap for not being fashionable, but fashion here is informed by the city . . . and DC is generally conservative.”

Favorite designer here tonight?
“Tsyndyma! She is a friend of mine, and her clothes are very beautiful and wearable.”

Rachel says:
My favorite thing about her outfit is the sweater. I love that she pairs the bold stripes of the sweater with a shirt that has smaller-scale, pale stripes. It adds a lot of visual interest and playful texture to the look. Her red nails add a punch of unexpected color.

I can almost hear Dan Fedoryka, his brother Alex, Joe Crosby, and Mike Ounallah, members of local band Scythian, collectively trying to catch their breath as they lounge on the steps of DC’s Carnegie Library, taking in one of this winter’s balmier days.

Still ragged from the previous night’s energetic show at Fadó, which had fans lining up outside to see them, the boys have only a short time to spare before they head to Baltimore to hit another venue. But this band seems to thrive on exhaustion.

Known for its impressive fiddling and enthusiastic shows, Scythian has just returned to DC from what the members call their “tundra tour,” in which they traveled by RV to cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Madison, Wisconsin. After Baltimore, the boys hit the road again on their “Dixie tour,” which will take them from North Carolina to Florida.

“You have to play as much as you can and develop a sound and a presence,” Ounallah says.

Who: Alison Cheyne, 20
Public -communication student, American University 

What She's Wearing:  A J.Crew bell-sleeved jacket with a colorful, striped silk lining ("When I wear this coat I usually don't button it because it swings open as I walk and sometimes the lining peeks out"), a polka-dot, silk blouse from Marshall's ("In the clearance section hidden between some Christmas sweaters and horrid grandma blouses"), high-waisted, black skinny pants from H&M, a black scarf from a street market in Florence while studying abroad in Italy last semester, and black suede pumps by Steven by Steve Madden.  The bag is a black and white patent tote by Tory Burch from Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase.

How would you describe your style?  Any style quirks or signatures?  "I feel like my style is quirky, Euro-sophisticate.  There are days when I wake up and need black pants and ballet flats à la Audrey, some where I channel Italia with heavy leather boots and skinny jeans and multiple scarves, but other days I feel the need to pass on pants and wear one of my grandfathers cashmere sweaters, leggings, Minnetonka moccasins, and load up on bracelets.  My signature would be my necklaces and watch.  I think a good, solid watch is essential.  Mine is a two-tone Fendi tank style.  I love the two-tone because I can really have fun with the rest of my jewelry, which is why I always wear two or three necklaces that compliment eachother.  Each has a special meaning to me, which is always a conversation starter if I'm in a terribly awkward social situation."  

Favorite labels and shops? "My favorite labels would have to be J.Crew and Club Monaco for the basics.  Its so cliché, but DVF is right for every occasion.  There's always a few of her dresses I'm coveting.  H&M is great for business attire if you don't want to spend a lot.  Citizens of Humanity and Paige jeans always fit right, and I need to get my hands on the new William Rast styles.  I love the new Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase and Urban Chic and Wink in Georgetown.  I've known Wink to have a great selection of Calypso, Milly, and James Perse tees.  The Mustard Seed in Bethesda is really fun.  And you can't forget Loehmans, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, etc.  Clothes are always more exciting when you really feel like you found them."