Deacon Does DC | Luxury Travel, Spas, Food, Fashion & More in Washington D.C. and Beyond

Friday's Fancies: Tacori Diamond Trunk Show

2013-04-19T18:22:00.000+01:00

Deacon says ALL PAWS IN THE AIR FOR DIAMONDS! Deacon has been known to accessorize quite well, but his favorite is ~~chewing on his mother's diamonds~~ wearing diamonds. Mervis Diamond Importer is having a huge Tacori Trunk show on April 27th and 28th at all three Mervis Diamond locations. Deacon is a close and personal friend of Mervis, so he hopes everyone will show up and see him! The Tacori weekend promises not only the largest selection in the world of bridal and engagement jewelry by Tacori, but also fashion jewelry sure to please everyone. This will be a huge Tacori trunk show with the entire collection of bridal, diamonds and fashion jewelry on hand at all three locations. Deacon loves a good deal, so the discount Mervis is offering sounds pretty great. Perhaps he will need a new diamond paw-ring! Spend $1,000 and receive $100 in Mervis Diamond Importer gift cards. Spend $,300 and receive $300. Spend $5,000 and receive $500!

Saturday, April 27th from 9 am to 5 pm

Sunday, April 28th from 12 pm to 5 pm

Locations:

1900 Mervis Way, Tysons Corner, VA

1700 K Street NW, Washington, DC (CLOSED SUNDAY)

1775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD

Click here to RSVP!

Say Yum: Repeal Day Party at Urbana, Anyone?

2013-03-25T15:59:00.000Z

The only thing better than a baby bathtub filled with booze is a whole bar filled with it ... and that's just what you'll find at Urbana's Repeal Day bash this Saturday. Snag classic cocktails like Gin Fizzes for $8 all night, and a 25 cent first cocktail for those who come in period attire. Um, as if we needed an excuse to don fringe and feather headpieces.

Groove to '20s music all evening and enjoy a special $33 prix-fixe menu. We'd highly suggest becoming their fan on Facebook too, as you'll learn special codes for even more deals throughout the night.

Other available cocktails will include a Classic Martini with Ketel One or Belvedere vodka, Noilly prat dry vermouth, shaken or stirred, the Chapala with Partida blanco, lillet blanc, orange juice, housemade grenadine, fresh lemon, the Sazerac with Woodford Reserve, Lucid absinthe, peychaud’s and angostura bitters, simple syrup, a Dark and Stormy: Gosling’s Black Seal rum, Ten Cane rum, ginger beer, fresh lemon, the Bensonhurst with Maker’s Mark, Noilly prat dry vermouth, maraschinoand cynar or the Bebbo: with Plymouth gin, honey, fresh lemon, orange juice.

For dinner, choose from an app, entree, and dessert with options including Curried kabocha squash soup with almond coconut foam, crushed almond biscotti and toasted pumpkin seeds, a Roasted Alaskan salmon with beet risotto, oven roasted beets and Clementine beurre blanc and a decadent Chocolate brioche with English toffee bread pudding, bing cherries and cherry chocolate gelato. Yum!

Luxe Life: Bathing Beauties

2013-03-10T20:06:00.000Z

We're jetting off to Cabo in a few weeks and you know what that means -- time for new beachwear! Our sensitive (read: pale) skin will look best with some coverage, but one-pieces no longer have to be just for your mom's wardrobe. Here are some of our top choices for beachwear ... what do you think?

View this collection on Polyvore

Bathing Beauties by deacondoesdc on polyvore.com

Friday's Fancies: Academy Award Chic

2013-02-22T13:17:00.001Z

It's time to get back to linking up for the weekly Friday's Fancies fashion post, friends. Today, we explore a dream look for the Academy Awards. Retro glam was our inspiration here -- including these spectacular vintage treats from 1stdibs.com and a swoon-worthy dress from Lanvin.

Friday's Fancies: Academy Award Dressing by deacondoesdc featuring bare escentuals lipstick

Lanvin
$7,580 - net-a-porter.com

Casadei
$1,495 - harrods.com

Mor asscher cut diamond earrings
jewelry.1stdibs.com

Bracelet
1stdibs.com

Bare escentuals lipstick
bareescentuals.com

Oscars - Curated Search Results | 1stdibs.com | page 1
1stdibs.com

To Do: National Margarita Day (This Friday!)

2013-02-21T01:26:00.000Z

There are holidays and there are HOLIDAYS ... and this is one of the latter. Friday is National Margarita Day (yes, there is such a holiday) and a few of our favorite Tex Mex spots in DC are offering special promos. Do you know what's even better? That $1 of every drink will benefit Food & Friends. One of our favorite cocktails for a great cause? We thought you'd like to know!

Friday's Fancies: Fall Fantastic

2012-10-12T17:53:00.003+01:00

We love fall. The weather is cooler in DC this week and we've been obsessed with the look of fuller, almost 50's style skirts with feminine sweaters on top. Not too prim and proper, but still chic. We loved this skirt, and the Chloe sweater is a great compliment, particularly when paired with a bit more rugged boot. We'd likely wear a simpler cashmere sweater for a Saturday on the town (perhaps for a picnic at an apple orchard?) and we'd definitely wear tights too. Of course, we can't go anywhere without our camera, and this Mulberry camera bag has long been on our wish list.

And who doesn't love this fox brooch? It's too much for the Chloe top, but would be adorable with a simpler sweater. We just couldn't resist. What do you think?

Friday's Fancies: Fall Fashion by deacondoesdc featuring alexander wang

Chloé lace shirt
net-a-porter.com

Alexander wang
tessabit.com

Ankle booties
piperlime.gap.com

Mulberry leather handbag
stylebop.com

Les Néréides brooch
forzieri.com

Also, a fun perk for DDC readers: Click the graphic below to get gratis shipping and free samples on Kate Sommerville, thanks to one of our new partnerships!

Free Deluxe Sample of ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment with Purchase. Use Code: KSGlobal Offer expires 10/15/12. View Deal

KateSommerville.com

Mark Your Calendars: Spa Week Cometh! $50 Treatments are Back, October 15-21

2012-10-08T15:20:00.001+01:00

Calling all spa lovers – spa week is fast approaching. Taking place from October 15 to 21, spas in Washington, DC and around the country will offer three $50 spa treatments as part of a bi-annual event to draw the country’s tired and stressed-out masses into their warm and welcoming retreats.

We’ve long been fans of the concept, which helps make one of our favorite pastimes affordable, often cutting prices by 50% or more off of retail.

As part of a partnership with SpaFinder and Spa Week, we paid a visit to Parma Spa and Wellness Center in Vienna to test out one of the services being offered, an hour-long deep tissue massage.

We’ve long been fans of this intimate spa and wellness center, tucked into a small suite of townhouses across from the Tysons Corner mall. Spa-goers are greeted warmly in the small reception area before being ushered into a well-appointed changing area and bathroom to put on a fluffy spa robe and slippers.

My massage, billed on the website as a 50-minute Ayurvedic Massage with Essential Oils, Choice of Deep Tissue, Reflexology or Aroma Massage (normally $125), began with a warm footbath, where my therapist, Dianna, rinsed and dried my feet in a small copper tub filled with rose petals. As we discussed my areas of concern (my neck and back), she dried my feet and instructed me to lay down on the heated bed.

I wish I could tell you more about what happened during the next hour, but I drifted in and out of sleep as Dianna kneaded muscles that have been causing headaches and tension for weeks. As I turned to my back, she kindly offered a whiff of a minty essential oil to ease my stuffy nose, the result of some unfortunate fall allergies.

Parma specializes in Ayurvedic spa treatments, an ancient Indian method of spa and wellness therapies. One wouldn’t notice much of a difference between the Ayurvedic massage and a standard Swedish or Deep Tissue, only perhaps that the essential oil used felt a bit thicker and more moisturizing. Upstairs, spa-goers enjoy facial treatments and medi-spa appointments. Both facial and one area of IPL (hair removal) treatments are also on the spa week menu.

An hour later, I drifted awake – my treatment had taken an entire hour. A pleasant surprise, indeed. Parma’s spa week massage is a full 60 minute treatment, not the 50 as noted on the website.

For new spa-goers or just those in need of a budget relaxation fix, Spa Week is an excellent time to try out a new spa or just book a day of pampering. Some of our favorites on the list include the aforementioned Parma, Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door (multiple locations), Pamper Me Please travel spa (they come to you!) and the Spa and Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Hurry and book now, however – appointments will fill fast.

Mark Your Calendars: Drybar Georgetown and Bethesda Open For Booking

2012-09-25T14:59:00.001+01:00

We can't contain our excitement any longer. Drybar, the cult favorite blow out bar with locations in New York and California, is finally arriving in DC! The Bethesda and Georgetown locations are taking appointments starting October 19.

What exactly is this magical place, you ask? It's not a salon - they don't do cuts or color, but just blowouts, in styles ranging from the tousled and curly like the "Southern Comfort" and "Mai Tai" and even a sleek straight look called the Manhattan.

For around the price of a pedicure ($40), get a wash and blowout from a styling professional, plus convenient online booking (there's even a free app). We enjoyed one a few weeks ago while traveling and had photo-ready hair for almost 72 hours.

Amazing, right?

Book here.

Friday's Fancies: Road Trippin'

2012-08-24T13:44:00.006+01:00

We're back! What do you think of this fun road trip outfit?

Friday's Fancies: Road Trippin' by deacondoesdc featuring gold earrings

Viktor Rolf ruffle blouse
lagarconne.com

Citizens of Humanity cropped jeans
$285 - jades24.com

Jack rogers shoes
endless.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs straw handbag
$98 - ekseption.es

Pippa Small floral necklace
$2,845 - net-a-porter.com

Gold earrings
$280 - kabiri.co.uk

Friday's Fancies: Gingham Gal

2012-08-10T15:21:00.002+01:00

We love this easy summer look, perfect for a casual Friday at the office. What do you think of the added burst of gingham in the cuff by Tory Burch? We kind of can't get enough ...

Friday's Fancies: Gingham Girl by deacondoesdc featuring shiny dresses

Tory Burch shiny dress
nordstrom.com

Madison Harding high heel
endless.com

Proenza Schouler genuine leather handbag
mytheresa.com

Tory Burch cuff jewelry
toryburch.com

Valentino D-frame acetate sunglasses
net-a-porter.com

Friday's Fancies: Tee Shirt Time

2012-08-03T14:18:00.000+01:00

No, this isn't a Jersey Shore-inspired post. We're all about casual Fridays in the summer and this week's Friday's Fancies theme is a great take on that. We recently bought this great Mercer tee at the Gap ($12.99!!) after spilling coffee all over our silk blouse. We love the neon-ish color, but mostly, we loved that it was light enough to be comfortable in the heat but still sturdy enough to stand up to a day's wear without stretching and looking worn out.

What do you think? Of course, Deacon's always got to be a little bit luxe, so we've paired it with our favorite Citizens Jeans, Dolce Vita flats and a great Ippolita necklace for an added "pop" of color. The Jennifer Meyer rose gold heart earrings add a pop of something extra without interfering with the casual nature of the outfit.

Friday's Fancies: Tee Shirt Time by deacondoesdc featuring a chain necklace

Citizens of humanity
barneys.com

Dolce vita shoes
piperlime.gap.com

Ippolita chain necklace
net-a-porter.com

Jennifer Meyer Jewelry rose gold jewelry
ylang23.com

Mercer V-neck T
gap.com

Pamper Yourself: Toka Salon's Express Blowout and Giveaway

2012-07-25T21:37:00.002+01:00

Deacon's lush locks need all the help they can get, so when Toka Salon and Spa Georgetown invited us to try their Express Blow Out, we couldn't say no!

Toka Salon and Spa Georgetown

FinePoint Digital PR and Toka put on a fabulous Blow Out Blowout, where Deacon was treated like the celebrity dog he thinks he is. The event featured catering by Cafe Milano, delectable desserts by Making Whoopie, and even tasty cocktails to keep even the rowdiest of dogs with a happy buzz.

For $40, in under 20 minutes your hair is looking so sleek and shiny, you could grace the cover of Vogue! Owner of Toka Salon, Nuri Yurt, has styled everyone from First Ladies to celebs (actually IN Vogue). After about ten minutes, my hair was beyond glossy and bouncy, and it stayed that way for three days after the service.

One lucky reader will win a gift certificate to Toka Salon, just comment below why your hair needs the help and we will pick a winner August 1st!

(Deacon Does DC's Hailey Robbins after her blowout and quick style update)

Check out all the action from FinePoint Digital PR's event at Toka Salon and Spa Georgetown!

Be sure to enter for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Toka by commenting on this post! Entries must be in by noon on August 1st.

Friday's Fancies: Wedding Pretty

2012-07-20T00:00:00.000+01:00

Friday's Fancies: Wedding Prep Pretty by deacondoesdc featuring diane von furstenberg dresses

Diane von furstenberg dress
shopbop.com

Diane von Furstenberg strappy sandals
bloomingdales.com

Clutch handbag
modaoperandi.com

Alexis Bittar crystal jewelry
scoopnyc.com

Stud earrings
$275 - kabiri.co.uk

Pencil eyeliner
saksfifthavenue.com

Matte eyeshadow
saksfifthavenue.com

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics foundation
$44 - johnlewis.com

NARS Cosmetics face powder
$37 - asos.com

Christian Dior waterproof mascara
$36 - johnlewis.com

Clinique lip care
bloomingdales.com

Kate Somerville sun care
nordstrom.com

Essie nail care
beauty.com

Greetings, friends! We're off in the Bahamas this week at a wedding, and tonight is the rehearsal dinner. We're sporting this fun look for the dinner at Mesa Grill. We love the orange color (perfect with a tan!) and the flowy feel (great if we have a sunburn and don't want clothes touching our poor skin). We WISH we could have the DVF heels, but alas, they were out of the budget - we have cool sparkly flat Stuart Weitzman sandals instead. Hey, it's Friday's Fancies, we're giving you inspiration!

But what we really love is our new cache of beauty loot. We've been all about finding less expensive versions of our favorite stuff of late, but hate putting things that aren't of good quality on our face. We scored some of these new favorites at a preview for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, which starts today. (Hit it up!!)

Among these new favorites are the Clinique Chubby Stick - amazing for both lips and cheek - it goes on super smooth, doubles as a two-in-one AND is self sharpening. We also can't get enough of the Fllowerbomb perfume - it's feminine but sweet and kind of sexy. Not too much for a Caribbean wedding, and in a small enough bottle that it will fit in our carry on. We hate burning our face but want a tan, so we're all about the Kate Sommerville tan towels, also great for smoothing out extra lines that happen when you're in a bathing suit and then switch up your look the next day. We kept our nails neutral with this great Essie basic, and are now obsessed with bb cream for our face - it has SPF 35 and eliminates us packing moisturizer, primer, foundation, wrinkle cream, and sunscreen in our bags!

What do you think?

We're rocking a twobirds dress for the wedding itself tomorrow - a post on that to come soon!

Travel Tuesday: A Whirlwind Trip to NYC

2012-06-12T16:54:00.000+01:00

Happy #TravelTuesday everyone! We just returned from a whirlwind trip to see our BFF and have a few meetings in NYC. It was a quickie but a fun one, where we got to see some of our favorite spots and explore a few new ones. We took our first walk through Central Park, enjoyed a NYC bagel, got some shopping done in SoHo, and, of course, dined out. We also had a great meeting with the gals at J Public Relations in their super chic pink office with a a great view of the water. How we wish we had that view every day! Anyway, here are a few quick highlights from our trip:

Dinner at Blue Ribbon Sushi - some of the best we've had!

Stays at 6 Columbus, a Thompson Hotel (we got a great rate on Jetsetter.com)

& the new Standard Cooper Square

Drinks at Gemma, in the Bowery Hotel

Great re-stocking of our favorites from Sabon &

New home goods from Canvas Home

A white blazer we've been coveting from the Zara on 5th Ave

In Case You Missed It: Deals for Brides

2012-06-05T02:51:00.003+01:00

Calling all brides-to-be! We did a great roundup of Bridal Deals in Washingtonian Bride & Groom - check them out!

Travel Tuesday: Newport Love

2012-06-05T00:00:00.000+01:00

Wanted to share a few quick images of our recent trip to Newport, Rhode Island. Look for content to come on Gadling.com soon!

Friday's Fancies: Wedding Wear

2012-05-18T00:00:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Lexie and Andrew, two of Deacon's dearest friends. They're getting married today, and we're so excited to be there when they say "I do." We spotted this great dress at CUSP last weekend and can't stop thinking about how much we love it. How do you like the look?

Psst, don't forget to enter our great giveaway - a chance to win Bravo host Andy Cohen's new book, "Most Talkative."

Friday's Fancies: Wedding Wardrobe by deacondoesdc featuring strappy heels

Alice Olivia alice olivia dress
$297 - cusp.com

Prada strappy heels
£520 - flannelsfashion.com

Diane von Furstenberg leather clutch
$476 - boutique1.com

Blue Nile rose gold ring
$525 - bluenile.com

Breil Milano rose gold jewelry
$100 - couture.zappos.com

Stella dot jewelry
$79 - stelladot.com

Deacon Giveaway: Andy Cohen's Tell All Book

2012-05-17T14:10:00.001+01:00

In honor of the Bethesda Row Front Row fashion event we posted about below, we're giving away a copy of Andy Cohen's new book, "Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture."
Entering is simple, and the contest ends May 25. Check below for details!
xoxo,
Deacon

To enter, click here: a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mark Your Calendars: The Front Row at Bethesda Row

2012-05-17T14:03:00.000+01:00

One of our favorite events all year! If you're in Bethesda tomorrow, make sure you enjoy this fabulous fashion show and the chance to meet Andy Cohen, our fave Bravo host.

Friday's Fancies: Date Night DC

2012-04-27T15:34:00.003+01:00

Friday's Fancies: Date Night DC by deacondoesdc featuring a white pearl ring

Diane von Furstenberg evening party dress
$325 - dvf.com

Christian Louboutin patent leather high heels
$595 - neimanmarcus.com

Prada logo bag
$310 - prada.com

Lanvin white pearl ring
$785 - barneys.com

Lanvin pearl clip earrings
$590 - net-a-porter.com

Friday's Fancies: Flower Power

2012-04-06T14:03:00.003+01:00

Pardon the lack of updates, Deacon fans. We've been busy bees in the office. But we're back with this week's Friday's Fancies theme just in time for Easter! Be sure to link up your own posts over Long Distance Loving so we can check them out!

Friday's Fancies: Flower Power by deacondoesdc featuring pearl stud earrings

Moschino Cheap Chic floral dress
$695 - bloomingdales.com

Casadei nude pumps
$485 - stylebop.com

Yves Saint Laurent leather satchel
$1,690 - neimanmarcus.com

Pearl stud earrings
$180 - astleyclarke.com

Philippe Ferrandis tahitian pearl ring
$170 - swarovski-elements.com

Friday's Fancies: Green Love

2012-03-16T14:08:00.002Z

Our favorite color! Here are a few of our favorite pieces from this season:

Friday's Fancies: Green Love by deacondoesdc featuring a pleated dress

Lanvin green evening dress
£1,075 - matchesfashion.com

ISSA London pleated dress
$595 - shopbop.com

Diane von Fürstenberg pleated dress
$270 - shopbop.com

Diane von Fürstenberg v neck dress
$345 - saksfifthavenue.com

Silk dress
$80 - anthropologie.com

(and last year too, just for kicks)

View this collection on Polyvore

St. Patrick's Day Green by deacondoesdc on polyvore.com

Friday's Fancies: Spring Break Chic

2012-03-09T15:01:00.000Z

It's finally Friday! We were on "Spring Break" (sort of) this week, and here's how we'd enjoy our few days of nice weather and freedom - with one of our favorite new shirts, chic flats and a fun bag, paired with comfy boyfriend jeans.

Friday's Fancies: Spring Break Chic by deacondoesdc featuring tom ford sunglasses

Helmut Lang sheer blouse
$320 - lagarconne.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied denim jeans
$215 - calypsostbarth.com

Kate Spade leather sandals
$225 - jildorshoes.com

Kate spade handbag
$298 - katespade.com

Tom ford sunglasses
£309 - farfetch.com

Friday's Fancies: Tangerine Tango

2012-03-02T15:21:00.002Z

Wow, it's been a busy week in Deacon's world, but we'd never miss Friday's Fancies. This week's theme is Tangerine, based on the Pannetone color of the year. We designed our outfit around this amazing dress - we love the combination of tangerine and cool grey to create a sophisticate color palate. We can see wearing this somewhere fun - perhaps Gold Cup?

Friday's Fancies: Tangerine Tango by deacondoesdc featuring flat heels

Collette Dinnigan mini dress
$965 - stylebop.com

Flat heels
$955 - alexandermcqueen.com

Effy Collection diamond earrings
$940 - lordandtaylor.com

HUSAM EL ODEH sterling silver bangle
£455 - brownsfashion.com

Oasis floppy hat
$35 - oasis-stores.com

Friday's Fancies: Oscars Elegance

2012-02-24T10:24:00.001Z

We're jetting off to Vegas today but this week's Friday's Fancies theme is all about the upcoming Oscars! We love this Tadashi gown - its beautiful ruffles would hide a multitude of flaws on the runway, and we love the idea of pairing it with those elegant earrings and striking ring that we'd love to someday wear on our left hand forever and ever.

Friday's Fancies: Oscars Elegance by deacondoesdc featuring diamond jewelry

Tadashi shoji
$440 - bloomingdales.com

Badgley Mischka black wedding shoes
$1,793 - jildorshoes.com

Giuseppe Zanotti clutch bag
$1,975 - giuseppezanottidesign.com

Emerald jewelry
jewelry.1stdibs.com

Diamond jewelry
$2,580 - mdcdiamonds.com

What do you think?