Dear Manolo,

Summer is arriving soon, and I'm eager to get me some new sandals. I want something super-fun and flirty. Please help!
— JILL

MANOLO SAYS, as the old medieval song goes, "Sumer is icumen in, lhude sing cuccu!" which may perhaps be best translated as, "Summer is a coming in, sing the cuckoo crazy loud song," to be traditionally accompanied by the frenzied naked dancings of joy in the nearest meadow. (And to be later followed by the close inspection for hidden Lyme-disease bearing ticks.)

Yes, perhaps the Manolo's interpretation of the 13th-century Middle English lyric is imprecise, but the sentiments expressed in his version are exact, as who could not possibly be filled with joy at the arrival of summer after the long, slushy, dark winter of cold despair? Summer is here! You are happy and must sing, and your toes, which were confined in the stout boots of unloveliness, now wish to run riot in the warm open air.

Wonderfully, this season you can reward your long-suffering toes with the beautiful and festive adornment they deserve, for the bejeweled thong sandals are very much of the moment. Here is the Frey from Betsey Johnson ($235, Zappos.com), the beautiful pink sandal with the fancy embellishment.

Ask the Manolo a question at manolo@shoeblogs.com. Visit the Manolo at shoeblogs.com.

Photo courtesy Zappos.com

WITH THE CURRENT DRIVE to be green and spend less money, thrift-store shopping is now eco-chic. But what if those Gap skinnies or Seven bootcuts don't fit, are out of date, or are just revolting? Don't die of barfness — reconstruct.

Did Levi Strauss have skirts, appliques and raw hems in mind when he invented jeans? Nah, but redoing denim makes sense. Denim "has a distinct American history," says San Francisco designer Scatha G. Allison, author of "Jean Therapy" ($20, Quarry). "It's designed to be worn until it falls apart," meaning blues that've outlived their hipness are ripe for rehab.

Choose jeans that fit you, either from your stash or a thrift store. Make sure the denim is in good shape, with no rips or holes. A sewing machine, scissors and heavy-duty needle and thread are musts, say Allison and fellow jean-revival queen Karen Kormondy of Capitol Hill store Ipso Crafto (733 Eighth St. SE; 202-546-4329). Kormondy also just wrote a DIY book, "Denim Mania" ($20, St. Martin's).

Continue Reading "Make Old Clothes Fab: Jean Modification" »

THERE'S AN OVERWHELMING ARRAY of activities planned for this Saturday's Arlington Neighborhood Day (Arlingtonva.us), from tree planting to a 10K race. For those with a simple urge to splurge (Don't forget: Mother's Day is Sunday!), there's the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market (10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ballstonarts-craftsmarket.blogspot.com).

While the market will run monthly on the second Saturday through October (N. Fairfax and Stuart Streets), this kick-off event will feature a free concert by Exit Clov at noon. Good tunes and eggs 'n' bacon cuff links by independent vendors like Inedible Jewelry? 'Nuff said!

OPRAH WINFREY? Never heard of her! She's pretty unrecognizable these days, isn't she? What with her daytime talk show, prime-time "Big Give" and magazine. Now she has another addendum to her ever-growing resume: store owner. The Queen of All Media recently opened The Oprah Store in Chicago.

There, shoppers can peruse and purchase 900 of the billionaire's favorite things. Stop throwing a hissy fit, Washingtonians: Oprah loves you too! She's graciously launching Theoprahstore.com in June.

IN SHOWTIME'S "The Tudors," everyone from Henry VIII to his doomed gal Anne Boleyn swans around in king-sized necklaces encrusted with gems. Modern jewelry designers are again thinking big and blingy when it comes to chokers and chains.

The return of the statement necklace means styles from Chanel-esque links that swing low to the recycled couture of Brooklyn's Thea Grant, who marries found objects (door knockers, keys) with vintage chains and shoe buckles.

"Wearing these things takes confidence and creativity," says D.C.-based Julie Wolfe, whose romantic, one-of-a-kind necklaces combining antique ribbons and bits of old costume jewelry are sold at Barneys Co-Op.

"How you use a dramatic necklace depends on you," says L.A. designer Candace Ang. "They're a wardrobe staple, like a T-shirt or dress. The more of them you put on, the better you look."

» 1) Like something Madonna wore in her "Like a Virgin" days, Candace Ang's ribbon, chain and Lucite charm baby rocks out with jeans or a black dress. ($256, Candaceang.etsy.com)

» 2) A safari-style jacket goes city-pretty with Wendy Mink's bead-and-chain necklace, which includes some rounds wrapped in basket fiber. ($178, Ginger, 7114 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda; 301-664-9242)

Continue Reading "Make a Strand Entrance: Blingy Chokers & Chains" »

MORE THAN JUST A mouthful, phthalates (THAL-ates) are chemicals used in lipsticks, perfumes, nail polishes and a gazillion other products, from toys to vinyl flooring. Whether the small amounts found in makeup are harmful is up for debate (the FDA says there's insufficient evidence to call them a risk), but phthalates have been linked to breast cancer and other ills. And they're not always listed on labels. Yet phthalate-free lipsticks do exist, so you can pucker up without fearing pesky pollutants.

» 1) Ecco Bella's Vitamin E Lip Smoother ($15, Eccobella.com) combines balm and hue for a colorful duo. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly. Or Joanie and Chachi.

» 2) Dr. Hauschka ($21, Whole Foods) prescribes this little number, which goes on smooth and smells of herbal tea. Butter, oils and five different waxes keep thirsty lips moist.

Continue Reading "Lipsticks Without Icky Chemicals: Worn Free" »

SICK OF THE BLASE offerings at oh-so-ordinary national chains like the Gap and Banana Republic? Kiss those khaki classics goodbye and hit up independent stores in your 'hood. But how can you find them?

Enter Locallectual.com. The Web site, recently launched by Charlottesville denizens Karen Beauford and Jessica Meehan, offers shoppers the opportunity to search online via ZIP code, city or state for a variety of consumer items that are just a hop, skip and a jump away. (Yea!) Some great D.C. finds included a vegan bakery and an organic skin care products store.

BARACK OBAMA and Hillary Clinton keep reminding us that the United States is shedding manufacturing jobs faster than a speeding steam engine.

But what factories and farms have left behind — weathered wooden carts, steely drafting lamps, battered sign letters that might've once spelled out "Allentown Smoldering" — isn't going anywhere. Industrial detritus, with its colorful past and patina-ed present, now does time in lofts, interior design magazines and shops.

This might mean an old metal glove-making mold used as sculpture or an iron window grate morphed into a fire screen. At Penn Quarter's Rocket Bar, a wooden factory machine-mold even frames a mirror behind the beer taps. "It weighs 300 pounds. It's not for the faint of heart," says Jeff Dawson, co-owner of Bedrock Management, which runs the bar. Other Machine Age reminders there: rocket ship art made of vintage vacuum cleaners.

"Part of the appeal is that these are things that weren't originally intended to be used in the home," says Anna Kahoe, co-owner of U Street's Goodwood, which traffics in glass jars from long-shuttered apothecaries and wooden cabinets that held crop seeds decades ago. "They're infused with human energy, since someone once touched them on a daily basis."

Continue Reading "Factory Direction: Industrial Homes" »

TUESDAY'S EARTH DAY meets "Project Runway" in the Beauty is as Beauty Does Fashion Show Sunday. Hosted by the Aveda Institute (713 7th St. NW; 703-535-8254) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., it highlights eco-chic beauty.

A ticket ($25 advance, $30 door) lets you witness a walk-off among local salons to see who made the most creative look based on a wind and water theme. Other happenings include a cocktail hour with live tunes and an art auction. All proceeds benefit the Potomac Conservancy.

WE PUT Summer Soles Fragrant Footings Scented Insoles ($15 for two pairs, Summersoles.com) to the ultimate test — ballet flats, several seasons old, worn exclusively sans socks.

Luckily for anyone within smelling range, they provided a comfortable lining with a hint of mint (or jasmine or lemon, depending on chosen scent). The smaller Fragrant Foot Pads ($11, right) do the same for sandals.