Not only was Simon signing away all evening with a full house of adoring fans, but his supportive husband, Jonathan Adler, was also mingling from start to finish.  The petite powerhouse was an absolute pleasure to meet!

Now that my copy of Gay Men Don’t Get Fat is signed and at my bedside, I am ready to read away.  Jonathan and I spoke briefly at the bar and he assured me the book is hilarious and dirty.  Look forward to an ECC book review in the near future.  In the meantime check out my lovely photo ops with the delightful duo.

See sale styles from more than 20 Old Town and other local boutiques including Diva, Fornash (an ECC favorite), Hysteria, J.McLaughlin (another ECC favorite), Periwinkle, Queen Bee Designs, The Shoe Hive, Treat, Zoe Boutique and so many more.  Want a chance to be one of four of the first to shop the major selection of on sale merchandise!?  Four lucky Facebook fans of the Old Town Boutique District will win early entry!  Seriously, sign up now!

Whether you go early or late, just make sure you take time this weekend to visit the Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale to see your favorite Old Town and other boutiques all in one spot and all on sale at the same time!

When/how did you start designing and how did fashion play a role in your life growing up?

I am a self-taught jewelry designer (I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Visual Technology from George Mason University) and a magpie at heart (I love shiny things!).  Growing up, my parents encouraged me to explore the arts and I have fond memories of making jewelry and creating art with my mother.  I started my business in 2005 as a way to celebrate my heritage and to raise awareness about eco-friendly materials.

What is your style aesthetic?

Melissa Lew jewelry is representative of my Chinese American background – a western, modern take on traditional Chinese art forms.

How would you describe your creative process?

It all starts with research – I am constantly looking for inspiration in the world around me (nature, Chinese gardens and architecture, museums, books) and for new alternative eco-friendly materials.  The world is full of beautiful, earth friendly materials – it’s just a matter of finding them!

Why is it important for you to use green materials to create your jewelry?

Because it is a wonderful way to raise awareness – it’s possible to be chic and green at the same time.  The recycled fine silver I use come from a variety of materials that were doomed to become trash and I turn it into someone else’s treasure.  Bamboo is a beautiful and sustainable plant.  Stainless is 100% recyclable.  I turn these materials into eye catching eco-statements.

Your pieces are simple and modern, but full of meaning.  What inspires your designs?

My designs are inspired by my Chinese heritage, especially the culture’s deep respect and esteem for nature.  My designs are both organic (my silver work) and architectural (especially my Vitality collection which is inspired by Chinese garden windows).

Two of your collections provide proceeds to a special cause.  Why is it important to you to give back?  What makes these two causes important to you?

Giving back to the community gives my work meaning – I love what I do and what better way to share it?

Double Happiness is a line of jewelry designed to help raise the funds for a family’s adoption; families get 50% of all sales from this line.  There are a lot of children, both within the United States and internationally, who need a loving home.  Adoption gives these children at a chance live a happy, successful, and fulfilling life.  Double happiness symbolizes a wish for forever happiness and the jewelry was designed to help families be able to give a child a forever home.  My husband and I are actually about to start the adoption process ourselves!

The Hope jewelry line is inspired by the symbolism of a bird in flight and represents a spirit of hope, beauty, and journey.  It symbolizes the hope for an end to domestic violence.  50% of each sale is donated to Becky’s Fund.  I am proud to partner with Becky’s Fund; I unfortunately lost someone close to domestic violence, so I am especially passionate about this cause.  If you’re interested in finding out more, donating, or volunteering, please check out their website at www.beckysfund.org.

Where can we purchase your designs?

You can purchase my work on my website at http://www.melissalew.com/or at AsiaStore at Asia Society in New York City.  I also participate in local fashion, charity, and arts & craft events in the DC Metro area.  News about upcoming events can be found on my website.

What other creative services do you offer?

I am also an award winning freelance graphic designer (I do provide discounted rates to charities, non-profits, artists, and designers) and a photographer (portraits, products, and events).

Are you working for anything new in 2012?

I am working on new bamboo and stainless steel designs (Chinese zodiac), some new silver designs, and continually looking for new/alternative eco-friendly materials that I can turn into a fabulous line!

Thanks to Melissa for sharing with ECC!  Shop Melissa’s lines to get, give and go green!

To celebrate the release of his sixth book, Gay Men Don’t Get Fat, Simon comes to the W Washington DC’s Altitude Rooftop Ballroom (515 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004) for his only District appearance on his book tour on Wednesday, February 1 (7-9pm).  Meet the man of the hour (books will be available for purchase) while you sip on cocktail specials, win tres chic prizes and take in the breathtaking views that the W Washington DC is so well known for.

Gay Men Don’t Get Fat is a lifestyle guide that shares the secrets of how gay men live their lives so fabulously on a daily basis and how heteros can all learn and benefit from these methods.  Simon’s insights into the gay way of life are not just helpful hints, but supplied with his sense of humor the book becomes a laugh-out-loud pleasure to read.

Don’t miss an evening filled with fashion, fun and fantastic folks!  To attend, RSVP to WHappenings@Brandlinkdcrsvp.com

Here are three pieces from ASOS that join two trends to equal one perfect spring wardrobe: 

This sheer, sporty top ($44.76) can be worn with jeans, over a little black dress or to the beach.

This bright sheath ($50.13) gets graphic with an all-over black print.  The highlighter yellow and abstract design adds an edge to an otherwise classic cut.

This lace look (on sale for $42.97) is made modern with in a hot pink hue.  Wear a black slip to add some sass or white to bring it back to the sweet side.

A trend within a trend creates a show stopper ensemble.  Be bold by bringing together your favorite two or three for a special spring style.

Jon’s clothing and accessories are decorated in thoughtful and silly graphics that are oddly likable and casually cool.  An unexpected, but welcome addition to any laid-back look would be the leather belts ($65) with a print to remember.  The tees available for men, women ($29) and children ($25) fly your freak flag front and center with off-beat designs that make you think and laugh.  Jon also makes other items including dog collars, guitar straps and wallets with the same kind of dynamic decals.

If you are not in the District, you can buy any of Jon’s designs online.  If you live in the DC Metro area, I suggest visiting Eastern Market to see his work first hand and maybe even get a chance to buy from the man himself.  Here are a few of ECC’s picks from Jon’s wonderfully weird designs for women:

Lumberyak (“We make awesome,” is how Jon describes what he does and this shirt is so awesome!)

Breakfast at the Capitol (An appropriate addition to any District resident’s wardrobe)

Being Nickel (This was my first Jon Wye purchase – it is my Maltese dressed as though she were me!)

Happy Airplane Belt (So cute!)

Hand Drawn Paisley (Paisley is going to be big this spring!)

 Koi Belt (Wear this to keep your style and your spirit strong)

These stylish accessories have a special story that you can share whenever you wear.  Try the Heineken Green ($42) or Abita Brown ($30 on sale) oblong earrings that are a style maker and conversation starter.  Add some class to your glass with a gold wrapped necklace ($58) or bracelet ($58).  The affordable line ranges from as low as $30 up to $58.

Yasmin also offers a unique way to purchase YB Green products.  If you are an artist, jeweler or fashion designer who would like to swap styles she is happy to consider trading jewelry for jewelry of equal value items.  And don’t forget you can always purchase the old-fashioned way by ordering online now!

Zooey Deschanel was striking in a Prada black and neon green beaded bodice halter.  The gown was a funky choice for the usually sweet and soft style of the New Girl star.  Her very black hair and blunt bangs added to the edge of this overall look.

Maya Rudolph’s black snakeskin dress seems to be on everyone’s worst dressed list, but ECC loves this simple, scaly print and silhouette. Maya made an understated style statement that is chicer than many of the sparkles and shapes seen throughout the evening.

Sarah Michelle Gellar made Monique’s Lhuillier’s high-end tie-dye dress worked oh so well!  The white and blue layered gown was one-of-a-kind on the red carpet.  The unexpected mix of a laid-back technique usually worn on a tee and the glamour of a gown was the perfect combination.

Tilda Swinton has been called a style icon by many, as well as worst dressed by even more.  Her sky blue mermaid skirt and satin blazer was so unexpected that it was unforgettable.  This is what many and most of Tilda’s red carpet choices do.  Her style makes you stare and think because the looks she brings are not an obvious chic, but the most chic.

Charlize Theron looked amazing in a blush Dior Haute Couture gown.  The plunging neckline and high slit showed off everything while staying so sophisticated.  The tiered fabric and broach at the waist added a sweet touch to the already beautiful design.

There were so many well-dressed stars already on the red carpet and awards season has only just begun. Can’t wait to see what is yet to come in 2012!  See picks of all the stars at People Style Watch.

When selecting your sweater dress you still want to include the necessary cold weather components.  Long sleeves are a must, a turtleneck is ideal and a skirt to the knee or slightly longer helps keep in the heat.  What makes the dress so sultry is the fit of your knit.  Be sure it hugs your curves closely, so you are still showing what you got even while covered up.

The next important step is accessorizing.  You may still need to do a bit of layering on certain days, but not to the same extent if you do it right.  Wear tights to add warmth, but not bulk.  Footwear can also keep you comfortable with knee or thigh-high boots, which brings a whole never level of seduction to your ensemble.  A light scarf or shawl can also help keep you covered in the cold (especially if you opt for a crew or v-neckline).  If you do need another overall layer, try a fitted blazer or even a button-up to go over you’re dress that you can half button, roll the sleeves to 3/4 and synch the waist by tying or with a belt.

To find yourself a sexy sweater dress on sale visit Victoria’s Secret.  Whether a cable, embellished, solid or striped, you will look hot in any style all winter long!

Take Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic gold name necklace, but wear with another necklace that sports your middle or last name.  If you are married, maybe you want to represent your maiden and married name at the same time.  Sport your birthday with one necklace displaying the month and the other the day.  There are a couple of enhancements that can be made to improve on this initial idea.  When it comes to the font of the monogram, keep it classic by staying the same or jazz it up with a different font for each.  The chain can change the look as well.   Wear your links at the same length when layering to keep it cryptic or have do one short and the other long so others can distinguish between the two names, numbers or other.

With earrings, funk it up with your first initial in one ear and your last in the other.  Stick to studs for this trend to make noticeable to everyone you encounter.  People expect earrings to match, so this will make them do a double take (in a good way).  It is exciting to break the norm, but it is always best when you have a specific motive in mind.  To take it to a whole other level, do different colors in each ear!

These innovative ways to wear your individual meanings allows you to revive a very personal trend.  If you already have a monogram anything, you are half way there!  Shop Etsy to find so many monogram accessories to complete this layered look.