a district move

Hello, fashionable people. I'm checking up on you. Have you updated your Google Reader? I moved! 
District Sparkle has been posting daily from it's new home:

districtsparkle.com

See you on the flip side :)

state of sparkle: from blogger to wordpress

When I started this sweet little blog of mine, Blogger was right up my alley & exactly what I needed to get me on my merry way. Now that District Sparkle is just shy of its first birthday I thought it best for a little upgrade. I've recently made the transition to Wordpress which, I feel, meets my needs more appropriately & gives me the creative freedom that I need to continue blogging. I want to thank everyone for their helpful tips & tricks when it came to the migration & would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about a switcheroo of your own.

The domain here at Blogger has always been districtsparkle.blogspot.com. To continue getting your daily dose of all that sparkles in that nation's capital please update your Google Reader to reflect District Sparkle's new domain on Wordpress:

districtsparkle.com

I'm still working out a few kinks over on Wordpress but posts will continue daily - the sidebar just isn't as fabulous as it should be at the moment :)

Leave any & all comments you have re help with migration here as this post will not transition over to the new domain.

Wordpress hollaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

nyfw loot

Origins Plantscriptions Anti-Aging Facial Cleanser | Dr. Lewinn Hydrabalance Foaming Cleanser | iPhone 4/4s Case | Poppin Slimfit Notebook | Hot Mama Blush | Model Co Lipgloss | Nest Orange Blossom Candle | Essie Nail Sticks | Assorted Twistbands

Cramming an insane number of events into a little more than two days during Fashion Week has its moments & sometimes even a few perks. & today I'm beyond excited to share some of my favorite goodies from New York with you! 

To enter:
Like District Sparkle on Facebook
Follow District Sparkle on Twitter
Leave a comment below telling me about your favorite gem from the giveaway

For extra entries:
Follow District Sparkle on Instagram
Tweet about this giveaway

cheers to the weekend

Top: Target [similar] | Jacket: Tulle | Pants: H&M [insanely amazing & on sale!] [love these trousers] | Boots: Target [loving these] | Bag: Target [similar] | Watch: Michael Kors | Hat: ASOS [super cute pom option] | Bracelets: Stella & Dot, LouLou | Necklaces: Stella & Dot [similar], Maya Brenner | Shades: RayBan | Lips: Maybelline Plum Perfect | Nails: Essie Wicked

After spending a few 12+ hour days in sky high stilettos at New York Fashion Week, I spent the weekend in my favorite pair of comfy ankle boots. I love me some 5 inch heels but walking that walk is brutal after the first day. Mimosa heavy pedicure, here I come. 

the platform

Striped top: H&M | Sequin shell: JCrew | Coat: ASOS [on sale for $36!] | Skirt: Vintage Meeps [almost identical] [similar for under $30] | Tulle skirt: Portobello Muse | Heels: Shoemint | Bag: Zara [loving this one] | Shades: Oakley | Necklace : R.J. Graziano c/o Glam | Lips: Maybelline Plum Perfect

There's something magical about walking up to Lincoln Center for the first time in your life. The swarms of photographers & huddled groups of stiletto clad bloggers became a blur as I climbed the lit stairs to the fashion mecca of the Northeast. I hadn't eaten in hours, the wind was biting & while I'd love to say these shoes are like mittens on my feet...they're not. But all was right in the world once I ascended to that fashion platform & the most metro man with a perfectly coiffed faux-hawk walked by with a "That. Is. Maj." I was home.

Stop by tomorrow for a behind-the-scenes look & more details from #nyfw & #ifbcon.

back in black

Jumpsuit: Zara [similar] [similar tapered leg] | Blazer: Vintage [drooling over this one] | Heels: BCBG [loving these] [more conservative alternative] | Bag: Alexander Wang | Shades: Karen Walker | Lips: Chanel | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: ILYCouture, Stella & Dot, Alex & Ani

Day one of #ifbcon was an absolute success. Panels heard, notes taken, phones charged...& then recharged, lunch missed, blowout done, friends met, drinks had, & meals shared. Tomorrow I add a few #nyfw shows to this equation & I couldn't be more jazzed. On point pieces for my favorite season heading down the runway to killer beats? Don't mind if I do.

Make sure you're following District Sparkle on Twitter & Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at #ifbcon & #nyfw!

concrete jungle

photos by Heidi

Top: Madewell | Jeans: Joe's | Shoes: DVF [similar] | Coat: ASOS [on sale!] | Bag: Zara [crazy for this one] | Lips: Maybelline Plum Perfect | Necklace: Stella & Dot | Gloves: LouLou [love these] | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Ani & Alex

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We're finally in Newww Yooooorrrrrk! Yes, I did sing Empire State Of Mind when I got off the train last night. It was off key & a little too loud but you would have loved it :) 
Suitcases are unpacked, outfits are hung, steamers are ready, & alarms are set for the first #ifbcon of 2013. Who's excited?

For up to the minute coverage of all things #ifbcon & #nyfw make sure to follow District Sparkle on  Twitter & Instagram!

dc hot spots

I've been getting loads upon loads of emails asking for my go-to spots in DC so I'm dishing the dirt on my favorites. My guide to DC goodness will be a permanent fixture here at District Sparkle & can be found in the navigation bar above.

shopping

pretty people vintage (alexandria, va) - hands down best vintage

secondi - some of my best pieces have come from digging thru their racks

buffalo exchange - new to dc & well worth the wait

second affair - my favorite hidden gem
meeps - my favorite neighborhood shop

clothing care

zips

kim's

eateries

darlington house - super yummy menu with a great atmosphere

sette - best italian

acqua al 2 - fine italian

shake shack - favorite burger joint
dean & deluca - georgetown refuel

brunching

southern hospitality - hands down favorite for any meal, any occasion, any time

dgs delicatessen - restaurant style serving delicious deli foods

scion - best bellini bar in town

the front page - buffet. 'nuff said.

lady maintenance

mimosa salon - mani/pedi

bliss - day spa experience

blue mercury - the works

salon cielo - ask for jasmine [hair]

after hours

veritas wine bar - cozy nook for low key nights

russia house - it's exactly what you'd expect from the name; a house full of russians. & vodka.

madhatter - when all you want to do is dance like you're a junior in college

napolean - one step up from napolean with a european edge

weekend

eastern market - my haven for unique jewelry, bags, furniture & gallery wall additions. make a day of it & stay for the food

dupont market - neighborhood market for fresh produce & blooms

Make sure you're following District Sparkle on Twitter & Instagram for the latest at #ifbcon & #nyfw!

let it snow

Top: H&M [similar] | Dress: Ann Taylor [can't get enough of this gem] | Coat: Tulle [similar] [love this yummy coat] | Heels: Nine West via Secondi [love these] | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff [similar] | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelets: JCrew [almost identical] | Shades: RayBan

There's nothing I love more than pattern mixing to liven up DC winters. With a relatively conservative top & a pop of leopard in a thin belt you can take a typical structured black dress from drab to fab!

Not able to make the trek to NYFW & IFBcon this week? Follow my adventures on Twitter & Instagram!

this & that

Three days in Los Angeles is not nearly enough so it's a good thing I'm headed back in just a few months. As much as I enjoyed the change of scenery & the break from this cold, the west coast made me realize just how much of an east coast girl I am. I just wish we had an In&Out chain out here :)

Want more of my west coast adventures? Make sure you're following District Sparkle on Instagram!