Thursday, December 30, 2010

11 Little Black Dresses for 2011

The Little Black Dress of the year... 


Belongs to Harry Potter's Emma Watson, who wore this flirty feathery frock by Spanish designer Rafael Lopez to the November 2010 premiere of 'Deathly Hallows.' 

Other LBDs that top the charts in terms of style, simplicity and elegance?

Well, I'm no Robin Givhan, but if I were then I'd start with Washingtonian (by way of Chicago) Michelle Obama and the TDF (to die for) vintage 1950s Norman Norell cocktail dress she wore to the December 2010 Christmas in Washington event at the White House.
The First Lady in vintage Norell.
Dresses like this are valued at $250,000 and are usually only on display at museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, according to the Vintage Style Files
You can look, but don't touch
this 1955 Norell vintage dress.
It is on display at the Met,
reports the Vintage Style Files.
Another first lady (of Spice, that is) who doesn't disappoint in the LBD category is Victoria Beckham, seen below in this ruffled black mini. The World's Most Glamourous Celebrity, according to a 2010 Max Factor poll, wore the frock to a lunch in the Piccadilly neighborhood of London in May of 2010.

Style Tip: Tan heels with a little black
dress makes the legs look longer.

But no one with multiple children from multiple nations is more stunning than Angelina Jolie in this sequined Armani LBD, which she wore to the premiere of Salt in July of 2010.
Stunning!
Here's how some other celebs are rocking their little black dresses... 
And if you want to know how you can rock a pret-a-porter LBD of your own, then check out the hottest off-the-rack styles at Refinery29.com.

Happy New Year!

Markette
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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Top Five New Year's Resolutions and Yay for City Sports!

TOP FIVE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:




The New Year is fast approaching--OMG is it really going to be 2011? Time has flown by! Now we already told you some cool hot spots of where to ring in this New Year's--But of course after you visit the local bar/restaurant for that last glutenous meal, watch the famous Time Square Ball drop and toast your night away with friends and family, then inevitably the thought of your resolution will enter your conscience. Heck maybe it's already been on your mind this whole month. So what do you think people are going to change about themselves in 2011? According to About.com the Top Five  New Year's Resolutions are...

#5--ENJOY LIFE MORE

#4--QUIT SMOKING

#3--TAME THE BULGE

#2--FIT AND FITNESS

and the #1 New Year's resolution is...

SPEND MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

OK #1 is absolutely on my list. But so is #2 and #3.

And  I am glad that I don't have to look to far to grab some great workout gear to help with both of these on the list, now that City Sports Georgetown is officially up and running. The official  grand opening was a week before Christmas  but now that the New Year is almost here, I'm sure shoppers will be flooding the new store for some fab new fitness clothes (including yours truly!)



US Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts was our first customer! His purchase, a pair of Vibram FiveFinger shoes.
(photos from Facebook.com/citysportsgeorgetown)

"To open a store in the heart of DC, we fell it's paramount to celebrate the people and causes that make the city so vibrant, something key to City Sports' own brand DNA, "said City Sports President and CEO Jeff Connor. "Our goal for the flagship store is to truly become a part of the Georgetown community, and that's reflected in our grand opening activities."

(Side note:) City Sports gave away tons of clothes, discounts, and goodie bags for their grand opening.

Well said Mr. Connor and I think it's paramount to make my New Year's resolution really happen this year with some great workout gear! 


So here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May all your dreams, wishes and resolutions come to fruition! 



That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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New Year's Eve & the Snow Mobile Jump

The New Year's Eve jump that wasn't...
A world record in snow mobile jumping was recently set by a daredevil on the extreme sports scene by the name of Levi Lavellee.
The 28-year-old Winter X games medalist was supposed to showcase his 361-foot jump during the Red Bull "No Limits" New Year's Eve show to be broadcast live from San Diego December 31 on ESPN, but his part of the program was cancelled after he injured himself during a practice jump... though he did manage to set a world record for sledding in the process.

ESPN reports that Lavellee is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, back in DC... if you're searching for a safer, less bone-crushing way to spend New Year's Eve, then check out the following events:

Art & Soul on Capitol Hill: "Countdown to 1/1/11" five-course dinner inspired by the culinary creations of Oprah Winfrey's friend and former personal chef, Art Smith.
(Sent by DC on Heels Facebook fan Danielle Tergis)

NYE 2010 "Date with Destiny" at Teatro on K Street: A dress up affair featuring live entertainment to help party goers ring in the new year.
(Sent by DC on Heels Facebook fan Melissa Rich)

Hassle Free NYE in Georgetown: A round-up of parties and celebrations not already sold out in Georgetown, from L2 Lounge to Old Glory.
(Sent by DC on Heels fan Kat Lucero)

For more New Year's Eve Parties in DC, check out The Club Zone, which provides a list and ranking of all of the top New Year's Eve parties in the city.

xoxo,


Markette
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Monday, December 27, 2010

It's time to tailgate at the Military Bowl

MILITARY BOWL 2010



It's time to enter the historic RFK stadium for this year's Military Bowl. Battling it out this year is  Maryland vs East Carolina  and you won't want to miss it!

   
It's the Terps against the Pirates! 



The Military Bowl's  primary focus is to recognize and pay respect to the dedication and sacrifices made by all those who serve our country, at both U.S. military academies and the U.S. Armed Forces. This event is an opportunity to show your appreciation for those who protect our freedom. Goals for the Military Bowl include boosting the regional economy, putting the nation's capital on the map as a college football destination and raising money for charity.

Sad news that redshirted freshman Dexter McDougie will not be playing in the Terrapins first bowl game since 2008. The No. 3 cornerback will miss the  Military Bowl against East Carolina due to a suffered broken clavicle in a "single scooter accident" on campus Saturday according to the  Washington Post.

Check out  highlights of the Military Bowl below:



Come to the MILITARY BOWL OFFICIAL TAILGATE
WHEN: December 29th
WHAT TIME: From 10:30 a.m--2:30 p.m.
WHERE: D.C. Armory

Tickets are $20.00 at www.militarybowl.org

Live Music by Reagan Years and DJ Chris Styles

and the best part of course...

All-You-Can-Eat Food!
Tastings from Local Restaurants Include:
Nick's Riverside Grill
Tony and Joes
Mussel Bar
J.Paul's
Old Glory
Rocklands
Cafe Saint Ex
Brasserie Beck
The Front Page


See ya'll there. Go Terps!

That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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Friday, December 24, 2010

How to Wax Yourself: A Kardashian Konfidential

So I admit it. I'm a complete fan of chick lit. But the new book, "Kardashian Konfidential" penned by reality TV's highest paid sisters Kourtney, Kim and Khloe takes it to an entirely differently level! You might as well just call it "Keeping Up With The Kardashians: The Picture Book."

While flipping through the photo heavy autobiography (which is a super easy read), there was one page that completely caught me off guard. It was called, "How to Wax Yourself."

I was like, 'OK, so now K.K. is an esthetician?' But then I remembered that episode when Kourtney gave Khloe a Va-J-J waxing and it all seemed to make sense...
 
Um. That's not normal. I totally should have warned you about that"behind the scenes" waxing part. So sorry. Let's try to forget about that and move on. 

While in the book, the Kardashian sisters advise taking a pain reliever about 30 minnutes before and using ice to dull the pain, the following article says cooling the skin tightens up the pores and could make it hurt even worse: How to Guide: Waxing Bikini Area.

Marie Claire magazine also offers the following "DOs" and "DON'Ts" for gals interested in at-home waxing:

1. DO start with the legs if you’ve never given yourself a wax before (more here).

2. DON’T attempt a Brazilian wax by yourself.

3. DO apply tooth numbing cream in the area you plan to wax about half an hour prior.

4. DON’T moisturize right before the wax.

5. DO soak up moisture with baby powder, which will allow the wax to adhere to your hair better.

6. DON’T pull at the hair every which way. Make sure you’re pulling the wax strip against the grain of hair growth.

7. DO exfoliate and moisturize after waxing to smooth skin and to remove any wax residue.

8. DON’T go over the same area more than three times -- you will irritate the skin and increase your odds of ingrown hairs.

Alright ladies. If this hasn't scared you (or scarred you), then it should definitely help you in your hair removal adventures. Happy waxing!

xoxo,

Markette
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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!



DC ON HEELS and TOP RANK VINTAGE are proud to announce the winners of the Holiday Recipe Giveaway contest. There were so many tasty recipes to choose from. This contest  showcased what a multicultural and flavorful city we live in--from Filipino chicken stew to a Peruvian Pisco Sour, the flavor profiles came from all across the map. Winners will command their style in the European military inspired coats pictured below by Top Rank Vintage. 



 Cocktail recipe winners will stay warm and cozy in this winter army hat. 


Lorenzo Sevilla of Washington D.C. will be sporting his new coat thanks to his winning chicken stew recipe.




Ginataang Manok is a chicken stew simmered in coconut milk and spices. Yum! One of the most favorite Filipino ingredients is coconut milk, or known to all the locals as "Gata" or "Ginataan." See we're not only going to be eating and trying out a new recipe, but we're learning all about the Filipino culture and language as well. It's a win win situation. 

Ingredients: 
3-4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips or cubes


1 Tbsp crushed ginger 


1 Tbsp crushed garlic


1 Tbsp fish sauce (patis)


1 Tbsp fresh ginger, julienned

1 small onion, sliced very thin

1 stalk lemongrass, chopped or 1/2 tsp dried

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper


1 can coconut milk


1/2 each red and green bell peppers, sliced into strips

Coarse ground salt.
Method:
1. Wash and pat dry chicken thighs; rub with crushed garlic, crushed ginger and patis. Let stand in refrigerator for about an hour.
2. Heat 1-2 Tbsp of canola oil in a wok or large sautée pan at medium-high heat. Sautée onions and julienned ginger until soft and fragrant. Do not let it get too browned.
3. Add chicken and cook on med-high to high heat until thoroughly done and meat is nicely browned. Add lemongrass and crushed red pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute.
4. Add coconut milk and bell peppers and gently simmer, covered, on low-med heat for about 10 minutes. If you prefer a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered to reduce coconut milk.
5. Salt to taste and serve over steamed rice.


Karima Puche of Burke, Virginia is our women's coat winner. Her fried chicken and onion recipe uses special spices like rosemary, curry and paprika to vamp up her pollo.






Fried Chicken with Onions

Ingredients:-

Cooking Oil
3 medium sized Onions (cooking Onions)
1 Chicken (cut in 8 pieces without skin)
2 Garlic cloves
Spices:- Rosemary, Curry, Paprika & Salt (to taste)
2 cups of cold Water
Tomato paste

Method:-
  • Peel onions, then chop.
  • Cut Chicken pieces into “eatable portions”, remove white colored fat then wash & remove slimy guts.
  • Place pot on fire, pour some Oil. Allow Oil to heat. Add Onions into pot then stir from time to time until golden in color.
  • Add Chicken into pot then stir to mix.
  •  Chop Garlic, add to pot then stir to mix.
  •  Add half a small spoon of Rosemary into pot (by crushing & grinding using hand), half a small spoon of Curry, 1 full table spoon of Paprika & 1 small spoon of Salt (to taste). Stir to mix.
  • Increase fire, add 2 cups of cold Water into pot, stir then cover & wait until boiling point. Reduce fire then cook for 40 minutes.
  • Add 1 spoon of Tomato paste then stir until boiling point
  •  Serve hot. Goes nicely with Rice (optional).          
 COCKTAIL RECIPE WINNERS:

Cheers to Lauren DeSantis of Capital Cooking who shared with us one of her favorite winter cocktail recipes  appropriately titled 7 Swans A Swimming. 






Ingredients:
1 shot 360 Chocolate Vodka
1/2 shot DiSaronno Amaretto
1 shot Bailey's Irish Cream
1 shot cream

Preparation:
Combine all of the liquors in a shaker full of ice. Strain liquor into martini glass.  It's that simple and it's that good! 



Our final winner is Marcella Villanueva of Washington, D.C. who sent us a tasty Peruvian Pisco Sour recipe. 


The pisco sour cocktail, invented in Peru around 1900, uses a pico (Peruvian grape brandy) that has a bit of bite to it---to create the balance in this creamy, flavorful frothy lime flavored drink.  

Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup (2 oz.) pisco
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon pasteurized egg whites
Preparation:

In a blender, whirl 3 ice cubes, pisco, sugar, fresh lime juice, and egg whites. Whirl until you no longer hear the ice cracking against the side of the blender and serve straight up in a martini glass with a dash of aromatic bitters and a wedge of lime. 


Congrats to all of our winners and Happy Holidays from DC on HEELS. 

That's all from DC ON HEELS "Bringing you the best in food, fashion and fun in the metro area."

   Besos xoxoxo Vanessa

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Hair Weave Culture

This week, a landmark decision has been made in Congress to overturn the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military. But for women, the long-existing unspoken rule of not asking and not telling lives strong in the weave, wig and hair extension communities.

Don't act like you don't know what this is ladies!
But for those who don't know, this is an unattached weave.
Everyone from Paris Hilton to Jessica Simpson, who has come clean and admitted her own weave wearing habits, has worn a fake hair piece at some point in their career.
Looks good, doesn't it?
Simpson has been a pioneer in abandoning the unspoken, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in weave culture by coming out with her own line of hair extensions made from real human hair.

(Advertisement)



Attitudinal Real Housewife of Atlanta, Sheree Whitfield, also admits to rockin' a weave. Meanwhile, her co-star Kim Zolciak is a full on wig wearer, which is a less natural look. 

Her look says:
Don't mess with my weave, bee-yatches!
But some mega-celebrities, with thick and luscious locks, have not been so quick to come clean about their alleged weaves:
Is it her hair or is it a weave?
The Queen of Talk has denied rumors that she is wearing a weave, but those in the blogosphere have been skeptical. Whatever the truth is, we still love you Mama Oprah... real or fake... tracks or no tracks. (BTW, for those who don't know (or pretend not to know) what a "track" is, then click here for a multimedia presentation).

But getting back on track, the business of hair weaving is a multi-million dollar industry. Comedian Chris Rock explains in his hair documentary, Good Hair.



OK, so it is clear that African-American women are deep into the weave culture... but what about my blonde sisters? Well, according to the New York Times, the demand for blond weaves is so high, that it is actually becoming a way that poor Russian women can pull themselves out of poverty -- they cut off their healthy blonde locks and then sell them to wealthy Americans in search of gold-toned extensions.

No Joke! This is a Russian hair-weaving factory:
For more about this phenomenon, read:
For Russia’s Poor, Blond Hair Is Snippet of Gold 

But if this is a multi-million dollar industry... maybe even billion dollar industry... then why do women feel the need to not ask and not tell

It could be sheer embarrassment at the fact that one cannot grow her own thick and long, and what is perceived as beautiful hair. It could also have nothing to do with shame and more to do with simply wanting to add thickness to thin hair, length to short hair, or color to uncolor-treated hair. 

For others, wearing a weave is just a style thing. Maybe you want a quick change without the commitment of a hair cut or time it takes to grow your hair naturally. 

Whatever the reason, I am calling for a revolution in the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in weave culture. As an occassional weave wearer myself...

Yes, my friends. It is a weave!
I'm coming out of the closet!
I have found that wearing fake hair gives my real hair a break from all of the heat I normally use in styling tools like curling irons and flat irons, which ultimately damage my hair. 

My real hair is healthy. My real hair is long. But sometimes my real hair needs a break. That's all. 

If you would like to come out of the hair weaving closet and profess the benefits of your own "piece" or "track," then please leave your comments below. (I'm sure they will be appreciated by some girl, somewhere, who is in desperate need of a hair weave).

xoxo,

Markette
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