DC On Heels

The most fabulous events, happenings and findings in the Washington Metro area.

Vanessa Camozzi

on September 27, 2010 12:44 PM | Permalink

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 Williams, 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."  

Check out my coverage of all that goes on behind the scenes to pull off such a seamless and incredible runway show.

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

FREE MOVIE TICKETS: LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

Vanessa Camozzi

on September 23, 2010 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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: ADVANCED SCREENING 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"

Markette Smith

on September 20, 2010 10:27 PM | Permalink

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 was sparked some controversy.

I, myself, have written several articles for the mag. When so many other magazines have told me "No," Essence heard 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 other women, 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, like 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

Vanessa Camozzi

on September 20, 2010 2:55 PM | Permalink

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 Stogg)

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 of DC!

xoxoxo Vanessa

Ben Affleck, Blake Lively Sizzle in The Town

Markette Smith

on September 16, 2010 6:20 PM | Permalink

So, we all know that Ben Affleck sizzles on screen...

... but in the gritty Boston-based cops and robbers drama, The Town, audiences find out that Affleck, who directs and stars along side Gossip Girl Blake Lively and John Hamm, sizzles behind the camera, too.

And if you haven't forgiven Affleck for the 2003 box-office bomber Gigli yet, then this might be the movie to change your mind.

At a special advance screening on Tueday night, I joined 60 DC on Heels ticket winners and local movie critics Willie Waffle of DC 50 and Big Daddy Kev of FOX 5 and 106.7 The Fan for a night of Boston-baked suspense and drama.

Big Daddy Kev (photographed above) gives the movie 4 out of 5 BDKs (that means go see it in the movies, as opposed to waiting for it to come out On Demand).

"There are so many positives with this film that they almost cover up the negatives like make-up," says BDK. "Another shock is how great of a director Ben Affleck really is."

Meanwhile, Waffle calls Affleck "the next Clint Eastwood" in his review on DC50tv.com. He gives the movie 3.5 out of 4 Waffles.

I'm no movie critic (just a chick who likes drama-filled flicks), but I'd definitely give this movie a stiletto instead of a flat on the DC on HEELS scale of drama.

What I liked best about the movie was that the Charlestown 'Townie' slang sprinkled throughout the movie, such as:

"I heard you got hit by a bread truck."

'Townie' Code for: I heard you may have come into some money.

and

"I'm puttin' this town in my rearview mirror

'Townie' Code for:I'm leaving this place and I'm never coming back!

xoxo,

Markette

Entourage hits the streets of DC

Vanessa Camozzi

on September 15, 2010 4:09 PM | Permalink

ENTOURAGE HITS DC!

I hope everyone enjoyed the FREE FOOD served up from Sauca's Food Truck today from 11-3pm in Chinatown@ 7th and F St., Northwest D.C. Sauca's food truck was there to dish out some great food and to celebrate the launch of the Five-Day-A-Week broadcast of the hit series "Entourage"airing weeknights at 10pm on DC50, CW in Washington.

WHAT: Playing off the cooking skills of Johnny Drama, the half-brother of young Hollywood mega-star Vincent Chase on the Emmy-Award winning series, ENTOURAGE, a Sâuçá food truck has been transformed into the ultimate ENTOURAGE travelling feast serving up free food for Entourage fans! The truck featured a limited, special menu of ENTOURAGE themed foods, such as "The Dramedy" (Mumbai Butter Chicken), "The Medellin Medi Veggie" (veggie sandwich), and the "Vincent Chaser" (refreshing mint and orange blossom limned).

About Sâuça

The heart of Sâuçá is about enjoying delicious, healthy, global foods in a new and exciting way, where sight, sound, smell, taste and touch are key to the full experience. Experience street food on a new level, inspired by snack vendors in India, railroad station vendors in Europe and the mobile taquierias of South America, and fun, interactive experiences that will change the way you think about food and life!

I have to say that I am a big fan of Entourage. It's a fun and glamourous look into the lives of young rich hollywood celebs, the agents, the drama that ensues, and of course the entourage. Vince is such a hotty, those eyes make me melt!!! Ok here is a brief synopsis if you have never watched!

ENTOURAGE explores the world of Vince, a sexy young movie star whose career is in high gear. To share the fun of the ride and keep him grounded, Vince looks to Eric, Drama and Turtle, his longtime pals from Queens. Together, they experience the highs and lows of life in the fast lane of Hollywood, where the stakes are higher, and the money and temptations greater, than ever before.

Markette and I always love hanging out with these boys!

Ok so maybe it's just a cardboard cutout of the boys--which will suffice for now. In the meantime will stay tuned weeknights on the CW to cat up on all the episodes and hey who knows if they ever decide to swing into DC then will be sure to interview them!

Ciao besos xoxoxo

Vanessa

5 Reasons Why Voting is HOT!

Markette Smith

on September 13, 2010 9:03 PM | Permalink

No. 5: You get to show off your civic duty with a cool, "I Voted" sticker worn by rock stars, like...

Pete Wentz.

No. 4: You can vote however you like!

Rapper T.I. (pictured above at the polls in 2008) is famous for singing those oh-so catchy lyrics, "You can have whatever you like..." And while that philosophy does not work for T.I.'s most recent extracurricular activities... it totally works for having the choice to vote, however you like.

No. 3: Because Vote or Die...

... was a sad, but true reality for many women and minorities who struggled for the right to vote in this country - not even 100 years ago.

No. 2: Because it doesn't matter whether you're a

DONKEY or an ELEPHANT.

No. 1: You're vote counts!

And now... a shameless plug... from yours truly:

Alright! Alright! Go vote already!

xoxo,

Markette

Fall into fashion show and dancing merengue dog!

Vanessa Camozzi

on September 13, 2010 2:23 PM | Permalink

FALL INTO FASHION:

I don't know about you but this onset of cool crisp weather is making me want to literally free fall right into Fall. There is something so incredible about this time of year. And while we are still a week and some change away from the first official day of Autumn (Sept. 23rd.) I can now at least pop into my local Starbucks and grab my daily caffeine fix--pumpkin spice latte w/skim milk.

And ask any woman what else do they love about this time of year and they will say SHOPPING.

Yes!!! It's time to check out all the new fall fashion trends and guess what this Saturday (Sept 18th) from 1-5 pm you can do just that. Markette and I will be emceeing the "Fall into Fashion Show" in the Grand Plaza of Fairfax Corner hosted by Bella Mia Weddings and Events.

The event will feature vendors representing a variety of products and services, live entertainment, fashion from merchants at Fairfax Corner and cupcakes! Cupcakes and fashion...what more could a girl want?

Here is a list of some of the vendors that will be attending. Can't wait to check out all the new trends and designs for the the Fall!

Jewels by Parklane
Isagenix
Kura Designs
Asha Enterprises
Signature Designs by LaNorma
Lia Sophia Jewelry
Distinct Concepts
Miche Bags
Global Exchange
AK Henna Designs
Chez Kevito
W Salon
River Moon Films
3 Little Birds Stitch
Arbonne
and of course Bella Mia!

DANCING MERENGUE DOG

Happy Monday! I leave you with one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. You will not believe this dancing dog. It has over 4 million views alone on Youtube and I can see why.

Ciao besos xoxoxxo

Vanessa

DC Food Contest Winners Announced!

Markette Smith

on September 9, 2010 9:36 PM | Permalink

Last month, DC on Heels and Dining in DC announced the Ultimate Restaurant Week giveaway by offering five lucky readers a chance to win a $75 dining gift certificate.

We asked our readers, "Is Restaurant Week a DEAL or NO DEAL?"

And boy, did you tell us! Your submissions really put DC Restaurant Week to the test.

For the "DEAL or NO DEAL" contest, Dining in DC and DC on Heels readers were asked to take pictures of their meal while dining out for Restaurant Week and to send them along with the price of the meal, and explanation if meal was considered a deal or not.

As specified in the original rules: There were five winners selected to win at $75 dining gift certificate. Three winners were chosen based on their photos and explanation of their dining experience. One winner was chosen at random as a subscriber to Dining in DC. One winner was chosen at random from the DC on Heels Facebook page.

The winners are as follows:

Lisa's Pick: Caitlin Smith

Caitlin is well versed in writing up her dining experiences as a contributing writer to the Capital Cooking Show blog and it showed. For DC Restaurant Week, Caitlin dined at The Blue Duck Tavern for lunch. She said, "the service at the restaurant was fabulous. We were well taken care of and our waiter made us feel right at home."

After stuffing herself with an appetizer and main course, she said she "although everything we ate was delicious, nothing compares to the Apple Pie (see photo on right). I fell in love with first bite and had to stop myself from eating all of it!

Outside the weather was dreary but inside The Blue Duck Tavern everything was warm and inviting. We cannot wait to go back and enjoy another enticing meal. I thought it was a terrific deal!" She and her guest each got a three course lunch for $44.20 (includes tax). You can read her full review with photos on the blog.

Markette's Pick: Becca Clara Love

Becca of Bitches Who Brunch (love that name!) did a bang up job writing up her "DEAL or NO DEAL" review of Chef Geoff's Restaurant Week special. She told us in her submission that it was a DEAL because RW diners could order anything on the menu for appetizer, entree (including the rib eye steak) and dessert... for only $35.10!

Becca also said that Chef Geoff's didn't skimp on the portions, and she had the photos to prove it -- she submitted 14 pics in all.

"From the wedge salad, to the salmon tartare, to the duck - and that's just for apps. For dinner we had lobster, halibut, tuna, and steak. Oh my, it was amazing," she said.

She also said that her party of 6 received superb service during all three courses, which I can imagine for the waiter was a tough job for bunch of "bitches who brunch" ;)

Vanessa's Pick: Angelica Mar

Angelica's visit during restaurant week was to one of DC's best known restaurants - DC Coast and it left her saying it was a "TOTAL DEALIO."

DC Coast is known for it's delectable seafood but on the menu for Angelica's visit were options like fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and fresh corn polenta. Angelica says DC Coast offered many items that were NOT usually on the menu.

Angelica says "Overall, a consistent Rest Week winner - my friends and I will now have to make DC Coast one of our must visits" Read below to get all the details of Angelica's visit.

DC on Heels Facebook Fan Winner: Jamie Gulin, Washington, D.C.

Dining in DC Subscriber Winner: Jess Tunon, Arlington, Va.

WINNERS: Please e-mail dcfoodcontest@gmail.com to claim your $75 dining gift certificate prize!

Congratulations to all of the winners! Thank you for all of your submissions and our restaurant sponsors who donated the gift certificates: Capital Restaurant Concepts, Buddha-Bar DC, Thunder Burger and Bar, Sushi Rock.

xoxo,

Markette (written in collaboration with Vanessa and Lisa)

Food Frenzy with Oprah's Former Chef, Art Smith

Markette Smith

on September 7, 2010 8:54 AM | Permalink

"Because food brings people together..." - Chef Art Smith

(Pictured above: Mini grilled lamb burger)

" ... And no matter where you come from, everyone likes to get together over some simple, down-home cooking," says Chef Art, a world renowned celebrity chef and the former personal chef (for 10 years) to Oprah Winfrey.

And it was a mutual love of food - good, homestyle, delicious and succulent food - that recently brought me together with a new friend at Chef Art's culinary home away-from-home in DC, Art & Soul. And it was there that my new friend and I ordered darn near everything on the menu!

You see, Chef Art is known for his down-home Southern cuisine, which dictates Art & Soul's country chic menu. The savory selection include classics, like Fried Chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes:

(Pictured above: Fried Chicken, buttermilk mashed potatoes, sausage gravy)

And mac n' cheese...

(Pictured above: Macaroni casserole )

Then there's also Chef Art's famous Southern dishes that one usually only finds on their grandmother's kitchen table, like hoe cakes (corn meal pancakes) and Hoppin' John (black eyed peas and rice):

(Pictured above: Spicy shrimp, hoppin' john, micro herb salad, chili-butter sauce)

And then, of course, there was dessert, featuring a miniature sock-it-to-me cake (second from the left):

(Pictured above: Art & Soul Baby Cakes, a favorite of the chef)

OK, so I can imagine what you are thinking right about now: "You ordered all of that in one sitting?!?!" And the answer is YES (and I didn't even get a picture of the cornbread muffins!)

What better way to spend a summer afternoon than indulging in the very cuisine that made Chef Art Smith a culinary super star?

And if one is to have an occasional food frenzy, where pleasing the taste buds trumps worries over waistlines, then shouldn't it be on gourmet American food, rather than junk food or processed concoctions?

As my Southern grandmother Ora Dee (who's made hoecakes for as long as both Chef Art and I have been alive) likes to say, "Sho' nuff!"

xoxo,

Markette

P.S. - To become a sponsor of DC on HEELS, contact: dconheels@gmail.com

DC On Heels

The most fabulous events, happenings and findings in the Washington Metro area.

FREE MOVIE TICKETS: LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

Essence presents "An Evening of Excellence"

"Falling" into Fashion

Ben Affleck, Blake Lively Sizzle in The Town

Entourage hits the streets of DC

5 Reasons Why Voting is HOT!

Fall into fashion show and dancing merengue dog!

DC Food Contest Winners Announced!

Food Frenzy with Oprah's Former Chef, Art Smith

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