Girl Scouts and DC Fashion Week Designers

Girl Scouts glam it up with age appropriate makeovers

According to Newsweek magazine, girls' interest in makeup peaks between the ages of 13-17.

That's why Circle of Alexandria Salon and Day Spa provided complimentary makeovers to the Alexandria Girl Scout troop as part of its premier Teen Makeover Event this past weekend. The teens, recognized for their years of community service, received haircuts, makeup applications and styling lessons from the salon’s award winning staff. “This is our way of showing our appreciation for all the work these Girl Scouts have done for their community,” said Circe owner Ellen Vlasak.  “With these make overs we hope the girls will feel as special and beautiful as we all know they are.”

Girl scouts pictured with owner Ellen Vlasak

 Girl scouts post makeup makeover

So if you don't have that older sister on hand to help give you those makeup tips at that age when you a start experimenting with your looks-- then makeovers like this are the perfect solution to get it right. I am having flashbacks and breaking out into hives just thinking about the makeup I used back when I was just an awkward teen, and let me tell you it was not pretty. Think raisin lipliner with shimmering pink...WHAT WAS I THINKING? Best example I can give is Eminem's ex-wife Kim Mathers. 

Yep guilty as charged. I really thought it looked great on me. I wish I would have been given a complimentary makeover and be shown ASAP this look was not ok. 

  

“This is great for teens who are just getting interested in makeup, like my daughter,” said Girl Scout mom Gretchen Schreiber. “I’m glad they’re encouraging natural makeup styles because that’s what’s most flattering when you’re young.”

Ok so from makeup to fashion: If you watched our segment on TBD with Morris Jones you know that we talked about DC FASHION WEEK that wrapped up another successful year of fashion right here in our Nation's Capital. So I leave you with some great photos in case you missed it! 

Menswear Collection: Stella Bonds

Menswear Collection: Andrew Nowell Menswear

(Menswear  Photos by Damion Miller)

International Couture Collections Show

Designer: Heydari

Designer: Donj Moda House

Designer: Glynn Jackson

Designer: Cynthia Elleen

Designer: Michael Van Meele

Designer: Tata

Designer: Tata

Designer: Banshee

Designer: Myroslava

Designer: Red Hue

Designer: Top Rank

Designer: Transparante

Designer: Zander Z

 Ciao Besos xoxoxoxo

Vanessa 

Catch us every Monday on TBD TV!

Vanessa and I had so much fun sitting in as guests on TBD: News Trends...

So much so, that we're going to be chatting live in the studio with host Morris Jones (also known as "MoJo") every Monday evenings at 4:30 and 6:30 on TBD TV (Channel 28).

Be sure to tune in and get all of the latest entertainment news from two girls who know all about food, fashion & fun the D-M-V!

Where can you see us next? 
Vanessa and I are also proud to announce that we have been tapped to be Social Media Ambassadors for the Signature Chef's Auction at the Ritz-Carlton on October 26.

Featuring 20 of the Washington Metro Area's most celebrated chefs, this foodies paradise will feature the culinary delights of Oprah's friend and former chef, Art Smith and his cooking compadre Chef Travis Timberlake of Art & Soul. Baby Love cookbook author Chef Geoff Tracy of Chef Geoffs (love his huevos rancheros, BTW) will also be on hand, along with reality TV competition winner, Chef Rock Harper of Hells Kitchen fame.

So if you happen to be there and see us glued to our BlackBerries during the event, please don't think we're being rude! We're just fulfilling our ambassadorship duties by Tweeting, texting and Facebooking about all of the amazing food provided by D.C.'s very own celebrity chefs!

xoxo,

Markette, on Twitter @dconheels

DC FASHION WEEK: Behind The Scenes and The Red Carpet

DC ON HEELS IS READY FOR SOME FASHION!

About DC Fashion Week: DC Fashion Week is considered one of the fastest growing international fashion week exhibits in the world and is held twice a year in February and September. 

DC Fashion Week now reaches an audience of more than 10 million per fashion week. “DC Fashion Week has opened many doors for models, designers and creative people,” said  Ean Williams,  Executive Director of DC Fashion Week. (Who is also a designer.)  “Fresh from my collection debut European appearance at Fashion Showcase in Belgrade in June, our mission to establish Washington as an international center of fashion is becoming more of a reality than just a vision.”

 


I went behind the scenes last year at the French Embassy where one of the fashion shows took place and spoke with Ean about DC Fashion. Take a peek at my interviews  with all of the models, designers, hair and make-up artists too! So much  goes  into producing such a beautiful seamless fashion show. So take a look at what really goes down, hours before the show!  

 Click HERE

In part 2 of our DC Fashion Week coverage Markette hits the red carpet at the French Embassy and interviews local designers and more.  

Click HERE

Watch us today on TBD live at 4:30 with Morris Jones for our new weekly entertainment segment. We will be talking about DC Fashion Week and lots more!  Let us know what you think we should talk about next week. FACEBOOK us your suggestions! 

Besos xoxoxoxo

Vanessa

FREE MOVIE TICKETS:LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

ADVANCED SCREENING TO LIFE AS WE KNOW IT!

Our friends from Warner Bros. Pictures are giving DC on HEELS fans 80 FREE movie tickets to see the advanced screening of the romantic comedy starring the beautiful Katherine Heigl and her on-screen hottie co-star Josh Duhamel.

WHO: ALL DC ON HEELS FANS

WHAT: LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

WHERE: AMC GEORGETOWN WASHINGTON, DC

WHEN: OCTOBER 4, MONDAY AT 7:30 PM

For your complimentary tickets to a special advance screening of LIFE AS WE KNOW IT in DC on Monday, October 4 log onto www.gofobo.com/rsvp and input the following code: DCHEELLRG6 to download your tickets.

Each person will be allowed to download two tickets to the screening. And as a reminder, screening tickets do not guarantee admittance. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. The movie will be out nationwide in theaters Friday, October 8.

SYNOPSIS:

In the romantic comedy “Life as We Know It,” Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director. After a disastrous first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they’ll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.

“Life as We Know It” is directed by Greg Berlanti (TV’s “Brothers & Sisters” and “Everwood”) from a screenplay by first time feature writers Ian Deitchman & Kristin Rusk Robinson. The film stars Katherine Heigl (“The Ugly Truth,” “27 Dresses”), Josh Duhamel (the “Transformers” films), Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama”), Christina Hendricks (TV’s“Mad Men”), and Hayes MacArthur (“The Game Plan”).

The film is produced by Barry Josephson and Paul Brooks, with Denise Di Novi, Scott Niemeyer, Norm Waitt, Katherine Heigl, Nancy Heigl and Bruce Berman serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Andrew Dunn (“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”), production designer Maher Ahmad (“Zombieland”), editor Jim Page (“Eagle Eye”), costume designer Debra McGuire (“Superbad,” “Knocked Up”) and composer Blake Neely (“The Wedding Date” and TV’s “Everwood”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Gold Circle Films/Josephson Entertainment production, “Life as We Know It.” The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated PG-13 for sexual material, language and some drug content.

Ok so the last time we had free tickets to the advanced screening of the Ben Affleck thriller THE TOWN (now the #1 movie in America) those puppies went fast. So enter in that code above and get your free tickets NOW to go and see LIFE AS WE KNOW IT!!! I can't wait to see how many waffles our friend WIlly Waffle will give this movie.

To see what we're up to next follow us:

Ciao besos xoxoxoxo

Vanessa =)

To find out how you can become a sponsor of DC on HEELS email dconheels@gmail.com

Essence presents "An Evening of Excellence"

Essence magazine celebrates its 40th anniversary year with an Evening of Excellence.

The glossy geared toward women of color hosted its 2nd Annual Evening of Excellence awards gala during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2010 annual conference. The event honors African-American powerhouses in business, philanthropy and the arts.

The star-studded gala was headlined by Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray and Grammy-nominated R&B group, En Vogue (photographed above with Essence's top editor in the center).

(Me and Holly Robinson-Peete)

The eveing's honorees included actress and Celebrity Apprentice alum Holly Robinson-Peete along with her husband, retired NFL quarterback Rodney Peete. They were recognized for their work in raising awareness about autism through the HollyRod Foundation.

I spoke with Holly about her work in autism at the after party, where it became clear to me that her passion to help families affected by the illness runs deep. She spoke to me, not as a famous celebrity, but as a mother with an autistic child who genuinely wants to help other parents and children cope.

Holly told me that she and husband Rodney have plans to open up a camp for autistic children and teens in Los Angeles in the near future. Details to be posted on Hollyrod.org.

(NFL's Warrick Dunn strikes a pose with gala attendee Tracy Scott)

NFL Running Back, Warrick Dunn was also honored for giving away more than $500,000 to help single parents across the nation put down payments on their first homes through the Warrick Dunn Family Foundation.

Dunn, who had to raise his siblings at the age of 18 when his police officer mom was shot and killed on the the job, said he was humbled by the award.

BET co-founder Sheila Johnson and television's Judge Glenda Hatchett were also honored for breaking barriers in entrepreneurship and the field of law, respectively.

And while the honorees shed light on some pretty heavy topics, the Evening of Excellence was more celebratory, than serious...

Lady comediennes: Kym Whitley and Niecy Nash brightened up the red carpet.

6th Housewife of D.C.? I share a laugh with Bravo TV's Paul Wharton.

Mobile Phone Cam: I get the lowdown on En Vogue's sexy stilettos.

En Vogue's Terry Ellis walks the Red Carpet after presenting friend Holly Robinson-Peete with an award.

For 40 years Essence has been to women of color what so many other magazines have not. The magazine, in a sense, has served in the role of the big sister who taught us brown-skinned girls how to do our hair and make-up... the stylish friend who told us how the fall fashions would fit our bodies... that comforting auntie who handed down tried & true recipes... the favorite teacher who showed us how to get our finances in order... the workout partner who inspired us to get in shape... the sister-mother-cousin-auntie-friend who helped us get through life when so many others didn't even have our lives on their radar.

With a circulation of more than 1 million households the world over, Essence has also been the launching pad for many African-American female scribes, including Terry McMillan and the late Bebe Moore Campbell. It is also a place of opportunity for all women, as the magazine has recently hired its first non-black fashion editor, Ellianna Placas, which has sparked some controversy.

I, myself, have written several articles for the mag. When so many other magazines told me, "No," Essence said, "Yes." And, as a result, most of my articles have ended up being cover stories.

It is because of this, and what the magazine has done for so many others, that I am so passionate about it. With out an Essence, would Cosmo have put my story on their cover? Would Marie Claire dare to show me how to do my hair?

And would their be a woman who looked like me reporting from the White House press room if there wasn't Essence magazine's Washington Correspondent Cynthia Gordy? I hope the answer would be a resounding, "Yes!"

But thanks to Essence, I'll never have to wonder.

xoxo,

Markette, on Twitter @dconheels

"Falling" into Fashion

FALL INTO FASHION: WE FELL IN LOVE

Markette, myself and our stilettos were out in full force on Saturday emceeing the "Fall into Fashion Show" at the Grand Plaza of Fairfax corner hosted by Bella Mia Weddings and Events. (photos by Mike Stog )

The event ROCKED. There were so many incredible fall fashions this year. In fact they were so incredible that Markette and I beelined it to one of the stores right after the show, after seeing one of the most fabulous dresses on one of the models.

Gray dress shown on left

The day was gorgeous and after seeing all of the upcoming trends for the fall we made our way to the Pinkberry stand for a well deserved frozen yogurt with delicious toppings.

Over $400 dollars in gift cards were given away and between the live music entertainment and vendor booths on hand representing all different kinds of products and services we couldn't have asked for a better day. We had a blast emceeing the event!

Sue from the W Salon did my gorgeous updo and their booth had so many great products and services on hand.

(Vanessa and Markette pictured with Souny West Owner of W Salon)

Thanks to photographer Mike Stog for capturing all of these moments from the event.

Tammy Kafami (pictured left) and Anita Triggs principal owners of Bella Mia Weddings and Events

Models wore clothing and shoes from Aerosoles, Lucy Active Wear, White House Black Market and Chicos to name a few.

(Jack stole the show!)

See you on the streets! xoxoxo Vanessa