After last week’s snoozefest of an ecochallenge, we were wishing and hoping (and thinking and praying) that the new episode of Project Runway would return to our good graces in a big way. We were not disappointed: The show bounced back with flying colors—also with Carmen Miranda-cha-cha-cha! colors—lots of glorious New York scenery, and a blissfully minimal amount of Stella time.

After the most anticlimactic model selection ever—Suede loves Tia! Suede blows everyone kisses with two hands!—our fearless contestants are sent back to the cozy Atlas apartments to await the arrival of our hero Tim Gunn, who will be taking them out for a night on the rainy town. Tim rolls in with a sleek black trench and majorly popped collar (Blayne: “Aren’t you ’licious!”) as well as ponchos and brightly colored Hunter wellies for all. (Seriously, where did those materialize from? Random!) Why, he’s taking them on a double-decker tour-bus ride!

Agnes Mannarelli, 46
Works for Warren Communications News

What she’s wearing: A printed cotton dress from Moo Joo Ken, a necklace from All About Jane, Frye shoes from the recently closed (so sad!) Wild Women Wear Red, and a Hobo International bag from Nana. The cool mother-of-pearl bracelet watch is Fossil.

Friday, August 1: Our favorite Dupont Circle consignment shop, the fabulously well-stocked Secondi, kicks off their summer sale today. Great secondhand finds at even-more-affordable-than-usual prices? We’ll definitely be showing up early.

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3: The lengthening list of Midcity boutiques—that’s 7th through 17th streets, between P and W—is hosting their annual Dog Days of Summer neighborhood sidewalk sale this weekend. We’ve got the following hotspots highlighted on our shopping plan:

• In addition to 75 percent off all spring and summer merchandise, the chic Caramel will hold trunk shows on Saturday from 10am to 7pm for local labels L~Shandi (we love the line’s vintage-inspired dresses) and Even Keel (whose extra-comfy yoga wear is a eco-friendly must). Both brands will offer one-on-one consultations and up to 40 percent off their wares.

We wish we could say that we loved this week’s Project Runway. It had its highlights—letting the models shop for the fabric? Now there’s a true challenge!—but to be honest, our reaction was: snooze. It’s never a good sign when the commercials are more entertaining than the show (we can’t imagine we were the only ones that immediately checked out Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe’s webpage after her hilariously ridiculous “Die” montage. C’mon, fess up!)

Things start off on a fun note. The dramatic heartbeat-like music swells, Heidi rocks some trendy hair braids, models are chosen. Then comes the twist: Not only will the models serve as the clients—oh, we can only hope for a teary meltdown worthy of season one’s wedding dress disaster!—but they were also unleashed in all their willowy, bed-headed glory in Mood Fabrics to shop for the challenge’s eco-friendly fabrics.

After five seasons, we can definitively say this about models: A pretty face and good taste do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. At least three of the models return with coppery brown satin, which Jerrell immediately dubs "Team Ugly Brown Fabric."  For the most part though, everything seemed to be going rather swimmingly in the sewing category and the show shifts its focus to the designers' weird quirks. Suede, of course, talks about Suede. Stella is—as she puts it—still "he-ah", which personally irks us to no end. Blayne is still here too, but he's becoming increasingly endearing with his comic commentary. We nearly die when he tells Stella, "I love your leather face"—not to mention when he compares Heidi, somewhat nonsensically, to Darth Vader. Not to fret, Heidi: Blayne thinks you're "Darthlicious!" 

We've got bargains galore. Get everything from bargains on hair salons to the fall's best sales to free interior design in our summer bargain roundup below. Want even more deals and discounts? Make sure to check out August's issue of Washingtonian magazine, on stands now.

Every Tuesday, we bring you Sidewalk Style, where we chase down stylish folks on the street and get the scoop on their outfits, their fashion sense, and lots more. Today, we’re trying something new—we captured Christina Coleman and her eclectic outfit (and adorable personality!) on video for your viewing pleasure. Check it out, and let us know what you think of the video and her outfit in the comments.

Wednesday, July 23: Raise your bubbly! Muleh hosts a trunk show for local jewelry designer Paula Mendoza from 6-9pm, complete with snacks and champagne. We're seriously in love with the Colombian-born designer's strikingly chic pieces in rich gold—and while you're there, be sure to check out the store's impressively tempting sales racks as well.

When you get home, don't forget to catch Project Runway at 9pm on Bravo! We recapped last week over here and will be back Thursday morning with another play-by-play. Personally, we just can't wait to see why drives Tim Gunn to call out, "Holla at your boy!"

Thursday, July 24: The word of the night is Barney's! The store's Georgetown Co-op outpost is the site of the kick-off for Fashion Fights Poverty's "Dress Responsibly With Style" event, which runs from 6-8pm. Get a peek at Barney's new fall eco-designs while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.