CarolJoynt.com

Manolo Blahnik Vintage Needlepoint Boots (Come 'n Get 'em)

Pregnancy can put an extra half size on your shoe size. But, you know, they are only shoes. Thus  the limited use of these Manolo Blahnik hand-needlepoint boots, circa 1985-89. Not sure whether I got them at the London mothership or the new New York City annex. But I will sell them if there is a buyer/collector. Quite precious. In excellent condition. What can I say? In a lifetstyle of dozens of pairs of MB's,  I got pregnant. That was more important. If you are interested, please call Inga at 202-337-3072.

Hermes Ties As Art and Alphabet

These letters and numbers are created from Hermes ties. They were designed and created by my son, Spencer Joynt, as part of his creative advertising major. The ties belonged to his father, Howard,  who always wore Hermes ties, and this project, cleverly called "Double Windsor," was a combination of love, homage and purpose. Each image is made from 10 to 20 separate ties. 

An Update on The Q&A Cafe: Taping Today and May 9

We're actually taping an episode of The Q&A Cafe today, but it's in studio and without an audience. It's a spring/summer preview of fashion, food and the arts for DC. I'll let you know the air date asap, but it's likely to be this Friday, April 26. The guests are colleagues from Washingtonian, discussing their beats: Kate Bennett on fashion, Sophie Gilbert on the arts, and Jessica Voelker on food and restaurants. 

Our next Q&A Cafe taping at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown is on Thursday, May 9, when the guest will be Christopher Kennedy Lawford, grandson nephew of JFK, as well as an actor, author, activist, drug addict and alcoholic, who has been in recovery for more than two decades. He has quite a story to tell. 

Seating begins at noon, the fee is $38 covering all costs of lunch, soft beverages, tax, tip and dessert from Georgetown Cupcake. For reservations please call the hotel directly at 202.912.4100 and speak with Esmaralda Prifold or email her directly. 

More Photos From Jason Wu Runway Show at Saks Fifth Avenue

The luncheon Thursday was on behalf of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation but the star of the event was designer Jason Wu, whose clients include First Lady Michelle Obama. I have a full story at washingtonian.com, but shot many more photos than we used. So, here are some of those photos. I was seated at the end of the runway with Saks Fifth Avenue president Ron Frasch, other Saks execs, luncheon sponsor Elise Lefkowitz and her husband, Marc, and ... Jason Wu. All I had to do was lift up my camera and snap.

Me in My Old Gringo's From Allens in Austin (w/ a few others)

Speaker of the House John Boehner, former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, me in my Old Gringo's, and former President Bill Clinton, at an Evening of Remembrance to benefit the Flight 93 Memorial. This photo, which just arrived today, was taken last spring. I'd just returned to DC from a week in Austin -- thus the tan and boots, which both presidents complimented. I'd had myself a good time at marvelous Allens Boots.

One of those only-in-Washington kind of photos. It's a little fuzzy because it is an iPhone photo of the old-school real photo! Seemed like the right thing to post at the end of a week that began with a presidential election. 

Sarah Jessica Parker at The White House in Glittery Vintage

SJP BUTTONS UP HER "OLD" OSCAR DE LA RENTA COAT IN THE EAST ROOM

The stars were out in broad daylight at the White House today. Al Pacino was among a group honored with medals for their contributions to the arts. Sarah Jessica Parker was in the audience. Also, John Lithgow, Chuck Close and others. The full story is at washingtonian.com. PRESIDENT OBAMA ON STAGE. DOWN IN FRONT, AL PACINO ON THE LEFT, MICHELLE OBAMA ON THE RIGHT.

A CLOSE UP OF MRS B AND MRS O

Clint Eastwood in Washington Wednesday Night

BARRY MEYER AND CLINT EASTWOOD AT THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

A glittery night at the Smithsonian Museum of American History on Wednesday evening, where Clint Eastwood was honored for his career and the ribbon was cut on a new movie theater funded by Warner Brothers. Eastwood was accessible and friendly. Here's the Eastwood story on washingtonian.com. We had a good, brief conversation.  

BARRY MEYER OF WARNER BROS., CLINT EASTWOOD AND SEN. PATRICK LEAHY

Also last night, a book party for Simon Doonan. The parties were an interesting contrast, but that's what made the evening fun. Doonan, proudly gay and professionally swish, and "Dr. Harry" himself. Simon welcomed drag queens to his party. Clint welcomed bureaucrats to his. 

SIMON DOONAN ON THE LAP OF AN ADMIRER, AND BRANDISHING HIS BOOK, "GAY MEN DON'T GET FAT"

Jete Society Dance Party; Great Saturday Night Fun

LISA CRAWFORD PROVIDES MODEL PROTOTYPE FOR THE SHOT

It will be in Washingtonian's March issue, but tonight we did a fashion shoot at the Jete Society annual dance party. This was pure fun, and I'm grateful to photographer Kevin Allen for letting me be Grace Coddington. Good friend and super DC stylist Lisa Crawford provided major assitance. All kinds of stylish young partyers were our models. 

Simon Doonan's "Gay Men Don't Get Fat"

If you've ever walked by Barneys New York on Madison Avenue (and who hasn't?) then you know Simon Doonan. For more than two decades he has been the designer of those often outrageous window displays. He also had a clever column in the New York Observer, and now on Slate, and has written a number of books. His latest is "Gay Men Don't Get Fat."

I read the book and also interviewed Doonan and have a report today on Washingtonian. It's got Christmas at the White House and the Salahis! And he's come to town.  Please give it a read: "Gay Men Don't Get Fat."

Here's A Tip: Get To Know DURKL

On Washingtonian.com today I have a piece about Durkl and its founder, Will Sharp. His is a wonderful story of entrepreneurship, having a dream and making it happen, and all here in DC. Click this link for Durkl's story. (And, if you have a young man in the house, start your holiday shopping).

H. Bloom Wants To Get In Your Vase

H.BLOOM FLOWERS AND MATCHING MACAROONS

H. Bloom florists have a clever strategy: seduce with flowers. It works. They've been sending beautiful bouquets of flowers to insiders all over Washington, and today they hosted a VIP luncheon for the most select potential customers. Couldn't have picked a prettier day, that's for sure. Plus, the H. Bloom arrangements looked glorious in the private dining room at The Four Seasons Hotel. Lovely views, lovely light, delicious champagne, steaks and seafood. Sigh.

 AN ASSORTMENT OF H. BLOOM ARRANGEMENTS

H. Bloom co-founder and CEO Bryan Burkhart hosted the luncheon, greeted the guests one at a time, and then talked about his company's unique perspective on flower delivery: his is an online-only service, with a range of choices, which subscribers can send to themselves, their offices, to friends and/or loved ones. They can come arranged in a vase or loose for personal styling. 

H. BLOOM CEO BRYAN BURKHART

It's no surprise, really, that Bryan comes from a techworld background. He brings that kind of entrepreneurial spirit and intensity to the business of flowers. He seemed to have thought through his strategy. Founded in New York City, the company expanded to Washington, Chicago and San Francisco, with plans for further expansion. 

BRYAN BURKHART TELLS THE H. BLOOM STORY TO HIS VIP GUESTS

At the end of the luncheon we were each encouraged to pick a bouquet and bring it home. I chose two dozen long-stemmed red roses wrapped tightly in banana leaves. Lovely. Others chose orchid arrangements, mixed florals, the "classic" with lilies and roses.

Is Washington a flower city? Hmmm. I've never been really sure. I can't imagine not having fresh cut flowers in the home. But I'm one of those people who if down to her last $1.00 would divide it between family, flowers, perfume and food.

Here's what the New York Times said of the service: We sampled two assortments (and after five days both were still healthy): an “arrange your own,” for $31.57 with tax, and a “classic” arrangement, for $38.11. The former came wrapped in brown paper, stems clamped with tiny water-filled tubes, and its blooms — yellow hyacinths, orchids, solidago, aster and a huge aspidistra leaf — were nice enough. The “classic” however, was lovely: roses, white hyacinths, viburnum and heather.

 TABLE ARRANGEMENTS FROM H. BLOOM

The subscription service begins at $29 a month. As a starter, why not sign up with the recipient being your lover, or would be lover? This might do the trick. 

Sinatra and Sartorial Verve, on NYSD Today

 WELL TURNED OUT AT THE SINATRA SOIREE

With a dress theme of "summer ahoy" there was a pronounced fashion verve at the annual Sinatra Soiree, hosted by The Capital Club. Read about it on New York Social Diary here. 

A Wedding(s) Celebration at Hillwood

THE HILLWOOD DINING TABLE, SET FOR A WEDDING LUNCHEON

Hillwood museum opened the vaults and pulled out the extravagant wedding attire worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post and her daughters at a dozen of their marriages. The silks and lace and other memorabilia have been transformed into an exhibition called "Wedding Belles," which opened this weekend, another good reason to visit the museum house on Linnean Avenue. Read about it here.