Bethesda Actually

Just when we thought spring was in the air with beautiful near fifty-degree weather last weekend, the windchill quickly brought us back to the reality of Bethesda’s harshest winter in years.  That is why many Bethesdans are jetting off to warmer climates for a week-long getaway.  Spring Break provides a perfect opportunity to get a head start on your spring shopping while it’s still chilly.  Essie says nautical is the way to go for resort wear this year.

Inspiration – Chloe Resort 2010 -Style.com

In St. Bart’s: Pair your nautical stripes with distressed denim shorts on your way to the Hotel Isle de France pool or throw on linen pants with nude strappy Louboutins and Ray-Bans for a drink at the Carl Gustav.

Bloomingdales.com - Striped Dolman sleeve top – $58

**Similar styles can be found at Urban Chic and National Jean Company.

No need to kill your feet poolside; remember, they’re on vacay too.  Espadrille flats provide the perfect blend of comfort and style for all your lounging needs.

Anthropologie.com – Beach Umbrella Espadrilles – $68

As for your beach tresses, Essie spotted the perfect vacation braid strolling down the Alexander Wang SS ’10 runway.  Rachel McAdams also sported this look at the 2010 Golden Globes.

With a modern braid, nautical top, distressed white shorts and espadrilles, you’re ready soak up the sun in style.  Just don’t forget to come back home with the perfect souvenir – a golden tan!

Ciao,

Essie

Essie Says is a weekly fashion column written by a local style savant.

It seems as if every Bethesdan is suffering from an extreme case of winter fatigue these days.  It’s that awkward time of year when you have no need for another cashmere sweater, but are still reluctant to splurge on a spring dress that will only languish in your closet during the chilly weeks ahead.  After scouring local boutiques and our favorite internet haunts, Essie says that these three transitional items will brighten up winter wear now while keeping you on trend in the coming season.

Genetic Denim – The Shane/Cigarette in Finn (or in Zinc) -$176

These jeans are dark enough for now but lightweight enough for later:

Now: Tucked into boots paired with long grandfather cardigan.
Later: Paired with espadrilles and James Perse T.

PinkMascara.com – Tolani Oblong Paisley Scarf – $105.00

Flowy and brightly patterned scarves are a year-round essential.

Now: Add a splash of color to your office neutrals by wrapping a floral scarf over a standard shift dress.
Later: Throw it on to dress-up a simple white tank and soft linen pants.

**For similar styles that won’t break the bank, we found super-cute scarves at Lou Lou boutique on Bethesda Lane for $28-38

Norstrom.com – Cara Couture Leather Wrap Bracelet – $28

Wrap bracelets are all the rage after the run-away success of Chan Luu wraparounds.  These wrapped cuffs come in seven color combinations.

Now: Layer colors to add zing to an all black outfit.
Later:  Pair with white pants and a bright blouse for a Memorial Day barbecue.

Everyone have a bright Friday!

Ciao,

Essie

Essie Says is a weekly fashion column written by a local style savant.

The latest blizzard may have blown away, but as Bethesdans return to their usual routines, we will be left to fend for ourselves against snow drifts, murky puddles, and frosty February air.  But who says we have to endure the remains of winter in grump and frump? And with Spring just around the corner, Bethesda Actually has pulled together some stylish pieces that will keep you fashionably warm now and will still prove stylish through the seasonal transition ahead.

Boots

First and foremost is footwear. Bethesda roads are not for the faint-soled, and durable shoes will shield you from the salty roads and ever-expanding puddles.  Let’s start off with a classic: a high pair of Hunter Boots. Popular with fly-fishers and fashionistas alike, these rubber boots will keep you dry in style.

Hunter Boots- Original Gloss Tall Boot – $115

**They come in a variety of colors from traditional black to granite gray to plum purple, all to suit your personal taste and wardrobe color wheels.

We’ve also found a great pair of wellies (for a steal) at the local South Moon Under in Montgomery Mall.

South Moon Under – Dirty Laundry Bucket Rain Boot – $54

**Essie owns a pair and can say that they have kept her feet warm and dry through the slush and snow. These boots can be worn with a pair of distressed denim shorts or a floral dress in the rainy seasons ahead.

Pants

While donning rubber boots, it’s necessary to wear something close-fitting and warm underneath. Wider mouthed shoes should always be balanced with slimmer fit bottoms. Trouser leggings are ideal to tuck into boots, and local boutiques have a wide variety of options available. The two listed below are available at Luna (7232 Woodmont Av., (301)-656-1111) or online at Nordstom.com.

Dylan George Trouser leggings – $196

Citizen for Humanity Trouser leggings – $185

**These leggings’ versatility makes them a worthwhile investment. Wear them with pumps and a boyfriend blazer for a night down the red line, or pair em’ with flats and a nautical Tee for a Saturday stroll along the Crescent Trail.

Coats

Now, there’s no point covering up your beautiful boot/jean combo with an old, battered coat. A full length comforter coat will help you resist the cold while warding off the late-winter style doldrums. And, with post-holiday sales currently in full swing, there’s no reason to break your budget!

Nordstrom – Gallery A-Line Quilted Down Coat – $74 (on sale!)

The North Face – Triple C Down Jacket (via Backcountry.com) – $270 (on sale!)

Nails

Finally, we couldn’t help but notice that quite a few trend-setting Bethesdans have been sporting graphite nail-polish of late. After personally testing a few shades, we have found three polishes that add pizzazz to pale winter-weary skin.

OPI – You Don’t Know Jacques – $8

You Don’t Know Jacques is a rich, dark gray with deep purple undertones.

Sally Hansen – Commander in Chic – $4

Commander in Chic is a long-lasting, subdued grey-mauve.

Chanel – Particuliere – $23

Particuliere is a lighter grey with a tiny touch of lavender.

Now get out there and face the wind and slush in style – see you on the Row!

Ciao,

Essie

Essie Says is a weekly fashion column written by a local style savant.

As we prepare for a second snow blast in less than a week, it is hard to imagine that in a few short months we will be enjoying the 2010 World Cup which is being held from June to July in South Africa. Your soccer loving team here at Bethesda Actually will be writing about the local aspects of the big event later in the year — we will cover everything from the best places in Bethesda to watch the games to shops where you can go and buy a national team soccer shirt so that you can proudly display support for your favorite country.

One of the great things about the soccer World Cup is that it inspires so many kids, as well as the young at heart, to get off the couch and kick around a ball – I have grown up playing soccer and, to this day, one of the highlights of my week is playing soccer with a group of friends on Saturday morning here in Bethesda. During World Cup tournaments it is wonderful to see people of all ages rediscovering their love of the beautiful game.

Of course there are lots of locals who play, coach and watch the game from ages 5 to 50 all year round. Recently I discovered that here in Bethesda we have access to a local coach who was part of a team that made a little bit of history at the 1990 World Cup.

For those of you who can’t quite remember the high points of that tournament, it was the World Cup where Africa finally made its mark on the global stage.Argentina, powered by the amazing Diego Maradona, were the World Cup holders (they had won four years earlier in Mexico) and in the opening match of the 1990 tournament they were playing the soccer minnows of Cameroon.

No one expected Cameroon to do anything other than show up and get swept aside by the World Champions but instead the Indomitable Lions (yes Cameroon’s national side has an AWESOME nickname) won the game and put African soccer on the map. And what does that have to do with Bethesda? Well it turns out that the captain of that Cameroon side, Emile Mbouh, currently coaches youth soccer in the Bethesda area. Emile’s partial bio at Bethesda Soccer Club reads as follows:

Emile Mbouh U12 & U16-Captain of Cameroon’s National Team in ’90 & ’94 World Cup -Played in 4 African Nations Cups and earned 113 Caps for Cameroon -Played Professionally in La Liga in Spain for Valencia, French Ligue 1 for Le Havre-Coached the successful Bethesda Legend

In addition he has got his own coaching program – the Emile Star Soccer Program. We were blown away when we realized Emile lived in the area and will certainly reach out to him and see if we can get his thoughts on local soccer, coaching and the upcoming World Cup.

So, more to follow on Emile and soccer from Bethesda to South Africa!

We hope you enjoyed the first sports feature on Bethesda Actually. In this weekly sports column we will try and cover Bethesda sports from every angle. Please drop us a line at bethesdaactually@gmail.com if there is a story you think we should cover.

Bethesda Sports is a weekly column about all things sport in or relating to the Bethesda area