By: Cori Sue

Photo credit: BHLDN

Not surprisingly, the gowns are gorgeous. But, let’s be serious, that ain’t happenin’ any time soon. Luckily for BHLDN’s profits and not so much for my Mint.com account, there are plenty of other ways to shop the new line.

The accessories include fabulous head pieces Kate Middleton would be proud to wear, including headbands by Jennifer Behr, who gained fame for designing the headbands of none other than Blair Waldorf.

Photo credit: BHLDN

The shoes are to-die-for. And, they also offer shoe clips to snazz up a plain pair of pumps.

Photo credit: BHLDN

Moonlit Peep toes, $300. Pom pom shoe clips, $25.

Last but not least, the cocktail dresses are lovely, feminine, and unique—you would expect nothing less from Anthropologie’s designers. However, the price tags are a pretty penny, so you’d have to have a fancy pants occasion as a great excuse (I suppose a wedding would do). But, hey, a girl can lust.

Silk georgette, crochetted flowers, rhinestone embellishment, a yellow bow, and a cut-out back – everything about this dress is unique.

Photo credit: BHLDN

Gin Fizz Shift Dress, $450.

Black-and-white polka dots (of course) with a vintage feel by Tracy Reese

Photo credit: BHLDN

Revival Party Dress, $350.

This flowy, gorgeous dress would work best on taller gals. It feels very1920s, like you should bob your hair, sneak off to a speakeasy, and learn to dance the Charleston. (Unfortunately, with that price tag, you probably won’t be able to afford cocktails, le sigh).

Photo credit: BHLDN

Citrine Rose Peplum Dress, $650.

By: Cori Sue

What better reason for a girls’ night out than fashion? On our bitchtastic date, Becca and I shopped our way through Fashion’s Night Out in Georgetown—hanging with the lovely K Street Kate at Intermix and stopping in at Simply Soles to see our friend, Kassie, owner and shoe designer extraordinaire.

Lovely Lillybee Shoes, Designed by Kassie. Photo credit: Simply Soles.

Then, off to Pizzeria Paradiso, the only decent pizza place I’ve found in the city. (This discludes the pizza from an unknown establishment I stuffed in my face very late the following evening. Let’s not talk about that.) Have a good pizza place? Leave it in the comments, please!

Mmm, pizza. Photo credit: Pizza Paradiso

Of course, no girls night out is complete without dessert. We stopped by recently opened Georgetown Scoops to top off our evening. Now, D.C. is laden with cupcakeries and fro-yo places, but, traditional ice cream parlors are lacking. Georgetown Scoops home-made ice cream was noticeably richer than most, and the cookie dough chunks were the largest I’ve ever seen!

Cheers! Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Best friends, shoes, pizza, and ice cream? What more could a girl want! Wishing you a lovely weekend, too, bitches.

Bon Appetit, Bitches! Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

By: Cori Sue

In the cyclical nature of fashion, it is a fact that leopard prints will rise to the top of the fashion foray every few seasons. Every two to three years, fall will arrive and you’ll notice a preponderance of spots in your favorite boutique or department store. This year, the fashion magazines are focusing on leopard accessories – mainly footwear and handbags – and leopard coats.

I’m crazy, you say? I would never lead you astray, dear readers. And, if you dont believe me, some of my very favorite bloggers, The Glamourai, Cupcakes & Cashmere, and D.C.’s own local fashion guru, Capitol Hill Style, also reported on the trend.

Per usual, we bitches love our shoes. In a wise move of foresight, I’ve kept my lovely calf-hair leopard peep-toe pumps in my closet through many seasons and many moves, often to collect dust. Well, I’ve dusted them off (quite literally) because leopard is back (again). If you were not so lucky, here are our footwear faves.

Whether it’s pumps, peep toes, booties, wedges, or ballet flats that you prefer, you can have your leopard however you want it. Tory Burch’s iconic reva ballet flat has also gone spotted. Even the dreaded clog <gasp> has been made-over in leopard courtesy of Coach.

Franco Sarto Platform Pump, $99.95, Nordstrom.

Photo credit: Nordstrom

Chariot, $398, Kate Spade.

Photo credit: Kate Spade

Rock and Republic Angie, $295, Zappos.

Photo credit: Zappos

Tory Burch Sophie Wedge, $325, Nordstrom.

Photo credit: Nordstrom

Evelia Leopard Haircalf, $89. Ralph Lauren.

Photo credit: Ralph Lauren

Leopard Print Reva, $225, Tory Burch.

Photo credit: Tory Burch

If you’d prefer a leopard flat sans-bow or Tory Burch logo, J.Crew ($248) and Kate Spade ($245) have simpler, but equally cute, versions.

By: Cori Sue

Oh, the espadrille, my footwear staple for many years, you have finally returned to me. After a brief (say, 2 year) stint on the out list, the espadrille is in again. (Thank goodness I saved all of mine!) This spring, they’ve jazzed up the espadrille with stripes, flowers, tribal motifs, and even snakeskin. Because, we’re so over boring footwear.

The espadrille: comfy, sexy, springy all in one straw-laden wedge.

Kate Spade Candice, $225, Zappos

Photo credit: Zappos

Kate Spade Blooming, $225, Zappos

Photo credit: Zappos

Franco Sarto Cool, $89, Zappos

Photo credit: Zappos

Franco Sarto Creed, $89, Zappos

Photo credit: Zappos

And, if you’re looking for a safe, trend-free bet, go with MICHAEL Michael Kors Juniper Espadrille ($140, Zappos) in a lovely light gold that will go with everything in your closet.

Photo credit: Zappos

By: Cori Sue

I fell in love with Charleston years ago, on my first visit while in college.  A mere four-hour drive from Chapel Hill, Charleston was the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway– lovely southern charm, beaches, fun bars, delicious seafood restaurants, and, most importantly, great shopping.  So, when I was there this weekend I decided to put together a shopping guide for you, lovely readers, should  you choose to head South to the land of croakies, boat shoes, palmettos, and Lily Pulitzer.

Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Downtown Charleston centers around King and Market Streets.  King Street has all your typical shopping– Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, Anne Taylor, Victoria’s Secret,  BCBG Max Azria, JCrew– along with a few high end options– Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton and BCBG Max Azria.   But, in the days of free-overnight-shipping -is-a-mouse-click-away, I seek not a mall brand but instead a unique boutique where I can pick up something special.

Jewelry

Hand Picked, Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

In the way of boutiques, Charleston, a true southern belle, does shoes and jewelry best.  There are a variety of boutiques that sell all, or mostly, costume jewelry at afforable prices.  Granted, some of it can be kitchy and tacky, but there are plenty of very cute, very affordable baubles to complement, or accent any outfit in your closet.  And, of course, we are in Charleston, so each store has a section dedicated solely to pearls.

Hand Picked, Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

My three favorites are:  Hand Picked, 333 King Street; Vanity Accessory Boutique, 370 King Street; and Willy Jay’s, 300 King Street.  (Willy Jay’s also sells clothing but I strongly suggest you avoidit.  But! Their statement earring selection is wonderful!)

Vanity. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

All three stores have dozens-nay-hundreds of jewels– statement necklaces, bracelets, earrings of all shapes, colors, sizes, and forms.  They also offer great gifts and stocking stuffers that Southern boutiques do so well– hostess napkins, purse hooks, sunglass cases, and such.

Shoes

Bob Ellis Shoes. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

In the way of shoes, Bob Ellis Shoes is a Charleston shopping institution (in business for more than 55 years) and a shoe lover’s dream.  The boutique, located at 332 King Street,  carries men’s and women’s shoes as well as handbags and has a serious selection of the big three— Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo. Their selection is vast– with all types of heel heights, sizes,  styles, and widths (for those with narrow or fat feet)– and they have plenty of cute shoes that we writers/”normal people” can afford.

Shooz. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Down the road, Shooz, 317 King Street, caters more to the twenty-something, trendier shoe shopper.  The precious boutique’s carries predominantly cute heels and flats by Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Sam Edelman, Butter– along with a wide selection of Jack Rogers and cowboy boots (necessities for the Southern collegiate).  Their selection is well thought-out, well laid-out and well-priced.

Clothing

As far as clothing boutiques, Luna is my happy place. A great boutique with a few locations on the Southeast — Charleston, Charlotte, Atlanta, and (yay!) Bethesda– the store is the perfect place to pick up a cocktail dress, sundress, great pair of designer jeans or a new set of gold statement earrings. Brands include– Trina Turk, Milly, Hype, Hudson, William Raste, Paige, and much, much more.  Down the road, Biton, at 275 King Street, is a little daunting with its hard-core metro mannequins in Ed Hardy-esque “going out” attire. Despite this intimidation, upon entering, I was suprised to find a great selection of designer jeans, Missoni dresses, Marc Jacobs bags, and Bond No. 9 perfume. However, everything else in the store was ghastly.

Palm Avenue. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Lastly, no shopping trip would be complete without a trip to Palm Avenue, a Lily Pulitzer signature boutique. Yes, Lily Pulitzer. (When in Rome…)  While most of their prints (such as this one) make many fashionista turn and run in horror (see below), I find a select few of their sundresses, such as this pink shift with gold embroidery, to be  great “brunch dresses.”

Palm Avenue. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

However, I head to Palm Avenue not for the Lily but for the selection of Trina Turk, Calypso, Matty M, and occassionally Milly dresses located near the back of the store.  (I lusted after many). The store is also great for gifts– a dress for my  new baby niece or a pair of brightly colored reading glasses for my aunt in South Florida.

Gifts and Decor

Christophe Chocolatier. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Also in the way of gifts, it’s not a bad idea to bring some chocolates from Christophe Chocolatier, , located at 363 1/2 King Street, home with you to those you left behind.  Owned by a French chocolatier and his wife, Christophe’s artisan chocolates are as lovely as they are delicious.

Christophe Chocolatier. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

Chocolate high heels, Eiffel towers and bunnies give way to truffles and a wide selection of hand-painted chocolates whose bold flavors include Earl Grey Tea, Strawberry Marshmellow, Mango Rum, and many more.We sampled were caramel-sea salt, 72% dark chocolate, coffee, and praline (divine).

Pierre Deux. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris

The loveliest interior decor shop is Pierre Deux, located at 279 King Street.  The store is decidedly “French country” with lots and lots of toile.  I loved the vanities, arm chairs and footed, striped couches. Even if toile couches aren’t your cup of tea, Pierre Deux is a great store just for browsing.

Pierre Deux. Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris