Whether you accept it or not, the end of summer is here. Tonight The Pink Line Project invites you to the End of Summer White Party at the Phillips Collection, a Caribbean style white party featuring interactive art by Kenny George and Alberto Gaitan and music by BLUEBRAIN. BLUEBRAIN has spent the past few weeks compiling your stories from the snowpocalypse to create a one-of-a-kind multimedia presentation. Check out the Phillips Collection’s website for more information. (more…)

All photos by Brandon Bloch

I rarely venture to Capitol Hill, not that I don’t enjoy the neighborhood. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, I find the area quaint, charming and full of  historic homes that are warranted of envy. Naomi Davis and her husband Josh (and Kingsley) live on Capitol Hill  after relocating to DC from New York. The trio are the focus of Naomi’s blog The Rockstar Diaries, part pleasing photography and part lifestyle blog. Naomi and gang were kind enough to give us northwest-lovers a tour of their dear Capitol Hill and the famed Eastern Market. With Kingsley in tow, we set out to peruse vibrant flower stands, sample goodies and talk to the vendors, some of whom have been in business for 35 years. The friendly nature of market-goers is infectious and our tour was halted for adorable impromptu puppy play dates and conversations with fans of the blog. The sweet smells of ripe peaches and the welcomed slow pace are just a few reasons why Eastern Market is a perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. Naomi answered a few questions about the Rockstar Diaries and her feelings on DC, her new found home.

RSDC: What are the Rockstar Diaries?

The Rockstar Diaries is our own little personal blog where we share bits and pieces of our day to day adventures here in D.C., and the little things we love about life.

RSDC: Why did you start the blog?

I started our blog shortly after we were married in summer of 2007 as a way to keep track of photos and share updates with family and friends about our life in NYC (where we were married and lived before we moved to D.C. last spring.)

RSDC: Describe your blog’s aesthetic and style.

Other people have described our blog in a lot of different ways. I mainly try to make it clean-looking and visually appealing.

RSDC: When you moved from New York to Washington, DC, what sold you on Capitol Hill? What is so special about the neighborhood?

I think we could have ended up in a number of different neighborhoods in the district, but what sold us on Capitol Hill was all the historic charm, the quaint little well-kept row houses and the neighborhood’s overall feel. It’s also incredibly accessible which was important to us.

RSDC: What is your favorite thing about Eastern Market?

The friendly vendors, the atmosphere, the local produce, all the silly attention our dog, Kingsley, gets when we take him there on weekends! Hard to choose just one!

RSDC: What is one thing that is quintessentially DC that you love most?

Living just a few blocks from the Capitol makes it a permanent fixture in our lives.  We can’t believe how beautiful it is and find it difficult to imagine living in DC without seeing it every day.

Recently, the Washington Post Magazine featured some local friends in the design community; Dana Ayanna Greaves of Artistic Aya, the gentlemen of Hugh & Crye and the lovely ladies-turned-designers at Treasury Boutique. All well deserving of the notoriety, and nice to see some off the radar talent getting real recognition.

Check out this video for ArtAya, Dana Ayanna Greaves newest endeavour and be sure to snag some designs from these talented Washingtonians.

All photos by Chris Svetlik.

Last night, The Pink Line Project presented PM@ The TM: Mod Madness at the Textile Museum.  The event fit nicely with the Textile Museum’s current exhibit of textile designs from the 1950s and 1960s, “Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain”. The Mad Men craze is everywhere you turn and Mod Madness further spotlighted the phenom. Event goers dressed in their best interpretation of the period’s pieces, all competing for the title, “best mid-century dressed.”  The whole glamorous-yet-conservative Betty Draper-look was prevalent, as was the fedora. And, of course, there were cocktails–Gin Rickey’s to be exact. The rain held off as guests poured in, gallivanting around the museum’s interiors and the courtyard, enjoying tours led by WE ARE SCIENCE and music by DJ Jahsonic.

Photos by Tracy Clayton

Last night, a Mr. Jason Wu met his maker—sort of. Last night’s Phillips After 5 event was centered around the connection between Robert Ryman’s current exhibit, Variations and Improvisations and fashion designer Jason Wu. Wu, the White House darling, recently named Robert Ryman’s works as inspiration for his fall 2010 collection for TSE. Neiman Marcus provided Jason Wu and TSE pieces worn by models and attendees were welcomed to participate in a Wu/Ryman scavenger hunt with questions like, “Upon graduating from Parson The New School for Design, Jason Wu Interned For…” and “Find Project Beltway’s Rachel Cothran. Ask her who she is wearing.” (more…)

Photo by excalipoor

It appears that the DC staple, Busboys & Poets, has its sights set on the Big Apple. According to a New York based blog  Harlem Condo Life (via UrbanTurf DC), Busboys and Poets plan to open up shop in Harlem, its first venture outside the DC area.

If the news is true, this will be a big first step for DC restaurants. Rarely, if ever, do DC based restaurants make the leap to New York, but all too often DC receives New York transplants. The NY Magazine food blog Grub Street recently posted an article titled, “Is DC the Next Big Food City?” Inside, the blog cited the upcoming (and recent) moves of famed New York establishments like Carmines and Serendipity 3 as indicators of DC’s potential new label as a foodie capitol. With Busboys & Poets move to Harlem, it seems the tables have turned.

So, what do you think? Will Busboys & Poets succeed outside of DC? Does it even make sense for the quintessential DC coffeeshop and restaurant  to set up shop in New York?

Images: courtest of the Phillip’s Collection and New York Magazine.

Needless to say, if you mention the name Jason Wu, Washingtonians swoon. The American fashion designer grew into a household name shortly after becoming the darling of a certain First Lady. Michelle Obama purchased four Jason Wu dresses for the campaign trail and created a frenzy over the now iconic white chiffon one-shouldered frock she wore on  inauguration night. (more…)

Philippa P.B. Hughes of the Pink Line Project is a busy woman, especially this week. The Pink Line Project is behind The Temporium, a design pop-up shop that opens this week in the former R.L. Christian Library also known as the H Street Kiosk. The Temporium will feature some of DC’s best designers including; Derringer Friday, de*nada, Dana Ayanna Greaves , UESAGOODS, Hugh & Crye, Bill Johnson and Kristi Love. Rather than operating within one night, the pop-up shop is extended, stretching into August, blending the line between the temporary and permanent. The opening weekend will feature nightly performances, a chance to meet the designers and of course, the opportunity to shop.

The Temporium stems from the DC Office of Planning’s idea of a temporary urbanism intiative and the Creative DC Action Agenda, working with artists and local creatives to transform urban spaces. The initiative has created a surge in pop-up urbanism and actionomics theory (click here to see our recent coverage of Actionomics).

Interview and additional info after the jump. (more…)

Iconic to entrepreneurs and dreamers alike, Seth Godin, author best selling books such as, Purple Cow and Tribes, will visit DC this coming Thursday. Regarded as a marketing guru, entrepreneur, speaker and idea spreading genius, Mr. Godin’s newest book, Linchpin,focuses on how to be indispensable in the workplace. On July 22nd, Seth Godin will host an all day session at Warner Theatre. The Seth Godin 2010 Roadtrip will comprise of a morning session and an afternoon Q & A where you can quiz the wizard himself.

The event comes with a hefty price tag, and in case you can’t convince your boss to front the cash, rest assure, the Seth Godin crew was kind enough to extend a discount code for ReadysetDC readers. Enter “readysetdc” to receive $50 off of a half day ticket (please note, not valid on a whole day ticket). Purchase your even tickets here.

Mr. Godin recently took time to answer some quick questions in preparation for the DC stop. Interview after the jump. (more…)

The newly founded Worn Magazine is hard at work planning the Fall/Winter 2010 issue. However, in order to actually see a Fall/Winter issue, Worn needs your help. Sunday, June 27, from 4-8pm, Worn Magazine will host the Worn Magazine Summer “Scotch Hop” Fundraiser. The event will be held on the rooftop of Kalorama Lofts and will feature music from DJ Keenan, enough PBR to satisfy your soul and dangerously delicious punch concocted by Lukas Smith of Marvin. Your $10 ticket sets you up with free cocktails and a complimentary magazine. If you already have Worn Magazine, you can pick up a copy for a friend.

On the off chance that you have been living under a rock for the past few months and don’t know what  Worn Magazine is, now is your chance to check it out. The part art photography, part fashion print magazine and blog is the intrepid venture from editor-in-chief, Nicole Aguirre and photographer extraordinaire Joshua Yospyn. Worn’s aim is to bring greater fashion, art and style to the District. Certainly something some DC residents balk at, the magazine is an earnest attempt to broach sartorialist photography and commentary to the often stifled and reserved DC fashion scene.

Come out and support the arts on June 27th.  You can purchase tickets at http://wornmagazine.eventbrite.com

Source: Worn

A quick shout about fellow bloggers Brightest Young Things’ event this weekend, Homo Erectus: The Evolution of Pride. June 4th through the 13th marks the annual Capital Pride Festival in Washington, DC. Capital Pride is organized by Capital Pride Alliance, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to celebrating and supporting the LBGT community here in Washington. This Saturday, June 12th, the Capital Pride Festival will culminate with the annual Capital Pride Parade. Later that evening, the Capital Pride Festival will have a massive send off,  partnering with Brightest Young Things for The Evolution of Pride, the official Pride closing party at the Washington Hilton.

Expecting no less from BYT, anticipate cavemen, dinosaurs and booze galore–cavemen and women costumes are suggested. The event will feature music from; Matt Bailer (Peach Pit), DJ MAJR(Shift), Ca$$idy (Garutachi), DJ RAD (Pink Sock) , Miss LesbanAnnie (Anniething Goes, Hay Hour ShenAnniegans) , DJ TMY (Maison) and Bil Todd (RAW).

Pick up your ticket (s) here.

Once a year, the Phillips Collection opens its doors free of charge for the annual Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend. Now a DC summer staple, the event boasts a 27 year run. Two years ago the Phillips decided to incorporate the relatively new DC Jazz Festival into the mix, combining family festivities, art and jazz. This past weekend, visitors were invited to participate in family workshops, a kiddie instrument petting zoo and listen to performances from local and national jazz musicians including; the Victor Provost Quartet, the DC Jazz Collaborative and the Berklee World Jazz Nonet.

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Photos above by Naz and photos below by Tracy Clayton

In one week the Dandies and Quaintrelles will invite Washington residents to bring out their best interpretation of Seersucker. The first Seersucker Social will be held Saturday, June 12th at 3:30 pm at Hillwood Estate. A summer response to the successful DC Fall Tweed Ride, the Seersucker Social will begin with a leisurely ride through Rock Creek Park and will culminate with a Social on the stunning lawn of Hillwood Estate, the former home of the Post family.

A great group came together to fight some impeding stormy weather and capture these images. We at ReadysetDC were all too eager to lend a helping hand to the DC Dandies working with Sir Eric Channing Brewer on shoot direction, photography and make-up artistry.The shoot featured items from such local  shops as; Treasury and ReVamp, Nana and Polly Sue’s and included an electic group of friends and models including; Matthew Hemerlein, dancer Sebastian Rousseau, stylist Melissa Burgos, the ladies of ReVamp, Scott Permar of Derringer Friday. A special thank you to photographer Naz and behind the scenes photographer Tracy Clayton, Cathy Chung of Treasury for styling and Lynn Rossotti of Hillwood Estate. Be sure to check out a full slideshow of the shoot here.

If you have not already, be sure to register for the Seersucker Ride and Social. And remember, while Seersucker isn’t mandatory; dress accordingly, act accordingly.

In preparations for the Seersucker Social, hosted by the Dandies and Quaintrelles, the vintage boutique Treasury presents Seersucker in the City. Treasury invites you to their 14th Street location this Saturday, June 5th from 1-4pm to partake in libations and a store wide sale (15% off everything but jewelry). Local mixologist Kat Bangs will serve up specialty cocktails courtesy of St-Germain. The ladies at Treasury also invite Seersucker Social riders to submit pictures of their best Treasury duds in action. They will judge the entrees based on best use of vintage and one winner will receive a gift certificate to Treasury.

The Seersucker Social is the Dandies and Quaintrelles seasonally appropriate answer to the fall Tweed Ride. The Seersucker Social will be held June 12th, at 3:30pm at Hillwood Estates. Hugging the edges of Rock Creek Park, Hillwood Estates is the former home of the Post family (yes, that Post family) turned  museum, serving as a nostalgic escape in the heart of DC.

The Seersucker Social calls upon DC residents to dress in their finest Edwardian-meets-modern styles and participate in a leisurely bicycle ride through Rock Creek Park. Post-ride, event goers are invited to a social on the abundant and striking grounds of the museum.

ReadysetDC recently participated in a Seersucker Social photoshoot at Hillwood Estates, look out for behind the scenes photographs later this week and stay tuned for more on the Seersucker Social from ReadysetDC in the coming weeks.

Most importantly, don’t forget to register for the Seersucker Ride and Social on June 12th at 3:30pm.

Beat Generation fanatics located in Washington, D.C. can rejoice at the National Gallery of Art’s latest photography exhibition Beat Memories: Photography of Allen Ginsberg. (more…)