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With summer around the corner, our favorite warm weather neutral takes center stage. By Kate Bennett, Irina Grechko

Click through the gallery to view our picks from the May 2013 issue of Washingtonian.

Posted at 12:30 PM/ET, 05/09/2013 | Permalink | Comments ()
We’ve got the scoop on our soon-to-open neighbor. By Diana Elbasha
Blowout Bar will open this Saturday at 2134 L Street. Photograph by Diana Elbasha.

The problem with getting a blowout in Washington is that if you work downtown, there’s some travel involved—unlike our Virginia, MoCo, and Georgetown neighbors, we don’t have the convenience of a standalone blow-dry salon in our ’hood. That is, until this weekend.

Look out for Blowout Bar, a chic blow-dry concept opening Saturday near Foggy Bottom (just blocks from our office!). In addition to five blowout styles—including Lola (meaning straight with body) and Stella (Hollywood waves)—at a flat rate of $35, the salon will offer updos, conditioning treatments, and house calls.

The girly, blowout-only concept is hardly new to the area. In January, we told you about Reston’s FLOW, and a few months earlier Drybar made its Washington debut—but as far as we know, Blowout Bar is the first of its kind to open downtown.

And it’s already gotten tons of excitement: In its two weeks on Twitter, the salon has already earned 22,000 followers, so our guess is the appointments will fill up super quickly. Luckily, as of today, you can book one online.

Additional opening info has been pretty hush-hush so far, but stay tuned—we’re on top of it.

Blowout Bar. 2134 L St., NW; 202-290-2109. Opens Saturday, March 30.

Posted at 01:30 PM/ET, 03/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ()
Day to night, these watches are perfect for Washington’s busy and stylish male professionals. Plus—two locals with serious collections. By Kate Bennett
Photograph by Jeff Elkins.

Photograph by Jeff Elkins.

Jay Rosenberg

Rosenberg, CEO of Rosenberg Media, matches his watch to his day: a fancy watch for a big business meeting, a plainer option for a casual appointment, diamonds for a special night out. “I learned that to be successful, one needs to look successful,” he says, “so I bit the bullet and fell in love with fine timepieces.” Rosenberg owns about 25 rare and expensive watches, amassed over the past 20 years.

Photographs by Jeff Elkins.

1. Rolex Datejust, $35,000
“My first fine watch,” says Rosenberg, who added pavé diamonds to the links and the bezel. Another Rolex he owns, the Tridor Day-Date, has ten diamonds on the dial and retails for $63,700.

2. Hublot Big Bang, $33,200
Rosenberg bought the Big Bang—a favorite of celebrities and athletes—for its fusion of materials: rose gold, titanium, ceramic, and rubber: “It’s an A-list watch.” He’s also a fan of its enormous size.

3. Chronographe Suisse, $5,000
This vintage pre-World War II model, made of solid gold, is extremely rare and holds sentimental value: “It was given to me by my father before he passed away.”

4. Cartier Roadster, $13,000
The yellow-gold-and-steel construction and the shape remind Rosenberg of iconic Cartier timepieces of the early 20th century: “This is a great choice for the businessman with style and a sense of place.”



Photograph by Jeff Elkins.

Ismail Tekin

A hairstylist for 24 years, nine of those at George at the Four Seasons salon, Tekin works in a profession where personal style is encouraged. Born and raised in Turkey, he says his desire for hip and contemporary watches is a reflection of the American dream: “If you want it, and are willing to work for it, you can make it happen.”

Photographs by Jeff Elkins.


1. Invicta, $1,200
“I was browsing online, and from just one picture I wanted this on my arm,” says Tekin, who, unlike Rosenberg, tends to buy watches on the spur of the moment.

2. Cartier Roadster, $7,400
He bought this classic while in the Cayman Islands after a failed relationship: “Ironically, it will last through the years and be a faithful companion.”

3. Breitling, $4,000
Tekin was drawn to this watch’s bold and sporty feel. “It was my Singapore fling,” he says of the impulsive purchase.

4. TW Steel CEO Collection, $600
Tekin spotted this in Jamaica: “I was relaxed and having fun. This watch says relaxed and fun to me.”

This article appears in the February 2013 issue of The Washingtonian.

Posted at 04:00 PM/ET, 02/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ()
The look of the season is all about making a colorful statement. By Kate Bennett
Photograph by Michael Kraus.

1) Eye Spy
Chanel emerald sunglasses, at Bloomingdale’s (Chevy Chase), $340.

2) Off the Cuff
Kara by Kara Ross Baby Shirt Cuff with hunter-green lizard and malachite, at Julia Farr (5232 44th St., NW; 202-364-3277), $235.

3) Black and Blue
“Royal” necklace by Kate Spade, at Bloomingdale’s (Chevy Chase), $198.

4) Bootie Beauty
See by Chloé cobalt-blue suede booties, at Giutzy.com, $350.

5) Go Green
“Pietra Doro” emerald-green earrings by Tory Burch, at Tory Burch (Tysons Galleria), $195

This article appears in the October 2012 issue of The Washingtonian.

Posted at 11:15 AM/ET, 10/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ()
Great finds from our February issue. By Sarah Zlotnick, Kim Forrest

Photograph by Kip Dawkins, styling by Marcie Blough.

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Posted at 10:46 AM/ET, 01/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ()
It’s October, which means the shelves—and online shopping carts—are chock-full of products that support breast cancer research. Here are our favorite feel-good finds. By Samantha Miller

1. Pink Leather Frame ($120). Beloved family photos will pop in this 5-by-7-inch goatskin frame. Graphic Image will donate 25 percent of net profits to the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.

2. Georgetown Cupcakes ($29). Washington’s favorite cupcakery will donate the full price of each “Susan G. Komen Dozen” to the Suzan G. Komen for the Cure.

3. Paisley Ribbon Tie
($45). Even Dad can show his support with this stylish silk tie. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer awareness programs, education, and research.

4. Lucia Vineyards Lucy Wine
($18). This crisp Rosé has hints of red raspberry, watermelon, and orange blossoms. One dollar from every bottle will be donated to breast cancer research. To order call 800-946-3130.

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Posted at 02:57 PM/ET, 10/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ()
These colorful, patterned handbags will turn some heads this summer By Jill Hudson

Slideshow: 10 Bags for Summer 

See Also:

Bold Shoes

Summer Fashion

7 Great Clutches

Purple Accents

Eye-catching textures and patterns are finding their way onto handbags just in time for summer.

This article appears in the June 2011 issue of The Washingtonian. 

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More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa

Posted at 10:33 AM/ET, 06/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ()
Draw attention with studs, cut-outs, and platform heels. By Jill Hudson

See Also:

Summer Fashion

7 Great Clutches

Purple Accents

Men's Watches

From wild leopard print to notice-me stripes, this season's most interesting shoes feature bright colors and dramatic patterns.

This article appears in the June 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.

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More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa

Posted at 01:51 PM/ET, 06/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ()
Bohemian-style skirts, platform sandals, disco-era silk dresses and jumpsuits, and colorful accessories add up to a nostalgic fashion moment. By Jill Hudson

The 1970s are back—at least on the sales floors of many area stores. Flowy bohemian-style skirts, platform sandals, disco-era silk dresses and jumpsuits, and colorful accessories add up to a nostalgic fashion moment.

The revamped ’70s styles are good news for customers who appreciate the looser fit of wide-leg pants, peasant dresses, and ankle-length skirts, says Nancy Pearlstein, owner of Relish, a Georgetown boutique that features designs straight off the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. “A lot of women can wear these clothes and be sexy in a subtle, more appropriate way than in years past. Let’s face it—more fabric hides flaws, and clothes that have lots of strong color give you a kind of ‘I am woman’ confidence.”

Retailers hope women will be drawn to the color, patterns, soft fabrics, and feminine styling. “The ’70s trend is back probably because it’s a lot of look without a lot of effort,” says Marlene Hu Aldaba of Hu’s Wear and Hu’s Shoes in Georgetown. “It’s not too retro-looking, and woman can feel modern because they stand out from the power-suit types.”

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Posted at 09:44 AM/ET, 04/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ()