HAPPY VALENTINE”S DAY! WE HAVE CHOCOLATE AND CHAMPAGNE TODAY!!

Actress, comedienne, author ALI WENTWORTH is coming to Upstairs on 7th! On Tuesday, March 6th from 6-8 pm come to U7 to meet one of the funniest women of our day and get a signed copy of her new HYSTERICAL book ALI in WONDERLAND! I have already read it and seriously it is laugh out loud funny. A memoir that is a love letter to her mother who is almost as funny as Ali, Ali in Wonderland is filled with stories about her life in Washington, Los Angeles and New York with husband George Stephanopoulos. Dinner will be served and you can purchase the book and have Ali sign it for you. When you are done reading it, give it to your mom for Mother’s Day if you are lucky enough to still have her or better yet, buy her a copy too. She will see herself in it and laugh out loud too! Remember Schmoopie in the iconic Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld? That was Ali.

Please let me know if you are planning on attending the Ali event so that I can make sure there are enough books and food. IF you cannot come but would like Ali to sign a copy for you, let me know and I will make sure that happens. Other exciting details to follow about this event as soon as I can confirm them. My huge thanks to Sissy Yates, our popular jewelry designer, and sister to Ali, for helping to arrange this for us. (Ok, she probably begged, but it worked! We are on the book tour!) See Ali on her daily online five minute show The Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth. It is a great way to take a break and laugh!

Happy Valentines Day

I have a new intern this semester, Ama. She is lovely and unlike the last one did not get fired on her first day. I mean she got me chocolates, how could I let her go?

All the summer bags are in and are quite nice, in colors. I got more of the colorful purse accessories if you missed them the first time and all the Manouk jewelry has arrived!

Don’t forget the Kedem Sasson trunk show on February 28th and 29th with jeweler Annemieke from Amsterdam. It is really going to be the biggest and best show for spring. For those of you who ordered Kedem from the last show it should be in by show time. Our rep Andy for Kedem is the rep for Niche too so he is going to bring pieces from that line also.

THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday for President’s Day and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Ricki

Peter O. Mahler

SO MUCH NEWS!

Let me warn you that this is the first of what I hope will be two emails this week. I am waiting to confirm something I am planning but there is so much that has come into the store the last few days that I could not wait ESPECIALLY since some of it is already selling!

The Peter O. Mahler poplin suit is here in plum or black. It is the best most comfortable cotton and it will take you from spring to fall here. It is a little more conservative but for those of you who need to wear a suit once in awhile it is a great looking one and of course has some interesting pockets, and as usual the quality is excellent. It also has a great vest which will make the pant a little less formal. (Pictured below in khaki which I have as well as gray.)

These great scarves/cloth necklaces came in from Brazil. They are interesting and a little different as well as airport proof which believe me is important if you have tried to walk through the TSA machine with your fab pin necklace from Barbara de Jounge.

More newsprint tees have come in but these are the last of them unless you beg me when these are gone once again. Sun Kim and Comfy will be in next week so as soon as you hear from me come in because you know it goes fast. There are some fabulous inexpensive dresses coming in this shipment. The long skirt is also coming in white, creme, and grape. And lots of cap sleeve tees for summer in black, white, gray and cocoa like last time as well as some other tees. I bought lots of styles and colors.

New bags are here from Sondra Roberts too. And do not forget if you have not done so to put the Kedem Sasson and Annemieke show on your calendar for February 28th and 29th because Andy said there are some amazing dresses in the collection. I will see it in New York when I go to buy fall next week (CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THAT) and so I will take a picture or two! If I remember that is.

How did you like the Superbowl commercials? I thought they were less clever this year but I did like the Doritos, Mr. Quiggly, the here we go dog for Bud, the Clint Eastwood Detroit ad and also the Etrade baby just because that is the cutest little boy ever. Oh and the fat dog going on a diet so he could chase the VW again.

Over the weekend and in between eating deep dish pizza from PI Pizza and gaining a pound, we watched Ides of March on Demand. It was really really good. Very surprised it did not do better at the box office or maybe it did and I was not paying attention. It really shows the dark side of politics so for those of you in that business, hats off to you!

Uptown Magazine came out with its Best Of edition and named U7 the best store in DC along with just one other so that was very nice indeed. Thanks to all of you for shopping here!

Vote for us in the DC City Paper for Best of DC: www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/42032/

If you want to have five minutes in your day to laugh google Ali Wentworth on Daily Shot and watch these hilarious observations about our world right from Ali’s kitchen table. VERY FUNNY!

Ok, stay tuned to your email and keep your fingers crossed that I can have this special event!

Ricki

I have been so busy I have not had a moment to email you all to tell you that I will be OPEN THIS SATURDAY from 12-5. Gallery 555 will be too. Two interesting places to shop and drink champagne in!

So much has come in including new Ray Harris, Zuza Bart sweaters, MANOUK jewelry and Blanque. There are some black tops with a great pair of pants. It also comes in gray and it is a great suit for work. The new handbags for summer are here and there are some in cork, snake, multi colors and brights. Great totes in orange, green or black too. All $100 or less!

Manouk

Slowly but surely the sale pieces are selling but there are still some really nice pieces from Lilith and Crea.

I also got some new colors of the Planet boxy tee in turquoise, salmon and flesh that is very pretty. There are great socks here and some new interesting jewelry from Jet in Amsterdam. Lots to see for spring!

I must say that usually I like winter clothes better as I think the designers put more effort into their designs and the clothes last longer because of their fabrics. But this year spring is very beautiful too so I am excited for you to see everything!

Hope everyone has enjoyed this amazing weather!

See you Saturday!

Ricki

Just kidding.

Before we go on let us gaze at the bracelet that Stacy Kiebler is wearing. Don’t you think that underneath is a little calendar counting down the days from 2 years to when she will no longer be dating George? I am actually starting to feel sorry for these girls.

Ok, let’s begin. Here are my opinions for better or for worse.

Angelina Jolie looked amazing. The red on the dress with the purse and the lips and her favorite accessory Brad Pitt were perfection although I am not that into Brad Pitt. Although I did like him in Moneyball.

Blush was the big trend and I give A plusses to Charlize, Julie Bowen who had the best retro hairdo, Kate Beckinsale, and my total favorite of ALL the dresses, Piper Perabo although I have clue as to who she is.

Also in blush and looking particularly horrible were Jessica Biel, Amanda Peet, and Elle MacPherson. These dresses were so fussy and these women are so gorgeous that it was a shame their stylists could not come up with something better. I think Jessica Biel’s dress was my all show least favorite. Wait, that goes to Meryl Street AGAIN, but I digress.

The tie dyed dress that Sarah Michelle Geller wore was just too weird and Lea Michelle’s dress looked better on Halle Berry at the Oscar’s but then everything looks better on Halle Berry.

I thought that Jessica Alba’s dress was good if you were say, 50, but she is so gorgeous it probably does not matter. I did love the color and it was the same light violet that Octavia Spencer wore. I was so happy she won for the Help that I cried when she quoted MLK about dignity even if you are the help. Which if you think about it, I sort of am.

Some of you LOVED Nicole Kidman’s dress but I didn’t. I think those overly beaded straight dresses look old and too rigid. I like when she wears flowy Dior better. My real question is when will all that botox wear off so her poor forehead can move again?

I loved Madonna’s dress and the scowl on Elton John’s face when she won for best song. I heard they are in a big feud for some reason.

I liked but did not love Natalie Portman’s dress and I know lots of people LOVED Reese Witherspoon’s but all the fishtail dresses that no one can walk in are just not my idea of a great dress. Between the tail and the too high shoes you could fall and kill yourself or at least tear your ACL.

Deep teal blue was a big color and Frida Pinto’s Prada dress was great. It looked almost like brocade but she said it was really lightweight and it was so pretty.

That brings us to Tilda Swinton. What on earth was with her hair? Her outfit was great though and the color excellent. But who saw it? You could not take your eyes off that hat hair!

Another dress I really loved was worn by Missi Pyle who was in The Artist.

Claire Danes also looked fabulous but it wasn’t until they showed the back of her dress when she won that you could see how really amazing her dress was. Beautiful!

WHY WHY WHY does Meryl Streep have to look so bad at these award shows? WHY I ask you? This year instead of looking like she was going to a barbeque, she looked like she was going to a rodeo. And yet, we LOVE LOVE LOVE her for the fact she obviously does not care about fashion. And oh can that woman act. So we forgive her and we pray that she will look better at the Oscars.

We end on a high note because Helen Mirren did not disappoint. Always elegant.

And just when all these young women thought they looked so great. And just when almost all the awards had been given out, out came Jane Fonda at 74 years old looking AMAZING. Ok, ok, she has had a lot of work done, but still, she looks incredible.

Well, that does it for the Golden Globes 2012. See you on the blog after the Oscars.

Feel free to leave your comments!!

I AM OPEN tomorrow because you know, it is retail and holiday or no, stores are open! I will be there from 11-5 instead of till 6 because I thought it would be great to take one hour off. Who says I do not get vacation? You may get into the building by going through the back door of Potbelly or using the security entrance on 12th Street. For those of you who have wanted to bring a friend new to the store, this might be the best day since most people are off.

Lots of things have come in since last week including these fabulous necklaces from Amsterdam. I only have a few left but I did reorder them so if you want one you did not miss out. Also, I got SOCKS in and they are going fast. I have lots of colors and patterns and even socks for your grandchildren or to give as gifts.

Transparente will be in this week and I got lots of Planet as it was a huge success. If you missed the trunk show I kept the best pieces so come in and see everything. I am also getting the rubber purses and accessories that I told you about. They have been shipped so they will be in this week too. I am very very excited for the spring season as it had some really beautful clothes, which is not always the case.

The SALE items are now 50% off so if you have not been in, this week would be a good one to come shopping!

I hope you all saw the article in the NYTimes today about why stars and their stylists choose the dresses they wear. It was very interesting. I will of course give my humble opinions about the Golden Globes, although I have to say I loved it when the stars wore their own clothes and jewelry. It was so much more fun instead of all these borrowed items. Let me know what you think and your picks for best and worst.

Have a fantastic week!

Ricki

I found lots of great socks in NY which should be here tomorrow or the next day. I found MESH socks in lots of colors and they look so great with wedges and all the cool shoes. AND I got these rubber purses and accessories like coin purses, phone and glasses cases that come in every bright color you can imagine. Sissy Yates was with me and she found them! I cannot wait for you to see them. They are REALLY REALLY inexpensive and just fabulous. Manouk looked great as usual and should be here in a few weeks.

Ray Harris is in, there is a little bit of Sun Kim left and the SALE is ON!! Also lots of Dress to Kill came in too.

I hope to see all of you tomorrow or Thursday.

Ricki

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season. Happy New Year to you all. I hope it is a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all of you.

The SALE begins TODAY. Everything is 30%-40% off and there are lots of clothes, jewelry, and handbags to be had. If you are going to need a present in the next few months one of the handbags would make a terrific gift.

Next Wednesday and Thursday, January 11th and 12th, Leslie from PLANET will be here. I got in some great sweaters including my most favorite one they have ever done today, so don’t miss it. Leslie sent the spring samples and she tells me that there are some things she will let you have so it is going to be our usual very fun show. She is a total riot so if you did not get to meet her last time, stop in. Wednesday we will be there until 8 and Thursday until 5. She makes me look comatose. Really.

The SUN KIM is here. Khaki and black are the two colors I ordered this time and I have pants, vests, the long dress, a coat that you can wear as a dress over leggings and a long skirt that she FINALLY made. I have been nagging her for over a year to make one. I have it coming into the store in February in white also. There is a great tee shirt with a newsprint motif that is adorable. I will be wearing mine today because of course I cannot wait to wear it.

Barbara de Jounge has finally sent me some of her fabulous sweaters and I ordered five more because a few people popped their heads into the store last week and bought some. They are fabulous. The beginnings of Dress to Kill is also here and you can see some of the pieces in the picture on the right. She sent some really good pants and some mesh floral tops that will also mix with the black and white pieces from Kedem. There is a method to my madness.

More Ray came into the store today and I forgot to tell you that I bought a few pieces of the German designer Annet Rostel. She has a fabulous dress and some great jackets that will be in the store late February.

Movies we saw over the holidays: We Bought a Zoo: I cried all the way through it and thought it was a lot more touching and sadder than The Descendants, which I loved. I mostly liked that you got to see what real neighborhoods look like in Hawaii. Oh, and I mostly liked George Clooney, too. The daughters in the movie were fabulous. We also saw Young Adult which I liked but did not love. I do think Charlize Theron is so gorgeous it is amazing.

AND NOW THE BIG NEWS! The store has totally been remodeled and I think that it looks great. It is much easier to shop in and it is much brighter, neater and well, come in soon and let me know what you think. I got really comfy chairs for you too Carol!!

Here are some pictures for you to see! (See the Sun Kim in the left corner)

I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a very happy holiday season and a very happy and healthy New Year!

I am forever grateful to all of you who receive this email, shop at U7, or maybe just stop by to make the store a treasure of interesting, successful and smart women.

This coming year, my fifth in business, is going to be the most exciting ever. As I write this, the store is being updated, remodeled, and refurbished to make it more comfortable and give it more space to bring in some of the lines I have been wanting to add to an already eclectic mix. I will reopen on Wednesday, January 4th and since January 7th is the first Saturday of the month, I will be open from 12-5. So stop by to see the new U7 any time that week. Oh, did I forget to mention that fall and winter clothing and accessories, selected jewelry and handbags will be ON SALE??? Save from 20-50%!!

Annemieke Broenink

February 28th and 29th is the Kedem Sasson show and a new jeweler to U7, Annemieke Broenink, all the way from Amsterdam, will also be in the store those days as well. See a picture on the side of her amazing jewelry (?) made of rubber. It is really one of a kind fantastic.

In March we are going to celebrate U7′s 5th birthday and I have lots of surprises up my sleeve so stay tuned.

If you have read down this far, SUN KIM WILL BE IN THE STORE!!!! It will be out on the 4th and I have all the new pieces in the new Khaki color. See, if you stopped reading you are not going to see the big Sun Kim news! Aren’t you glad you kept reading?

Below is a little greeting from Ivy who was not hurt in the taking of this picture. The cutest dog ever.

My best again for the most wonderful year for you and your families and our country.

Most gratefully,

Ricki

The pictures below and on the side are from last week because you did not buy all of it and so you need to come in and get presents! I guess what I am saying is that I am way too lazy and/or busy to take another picture. (Mostly lazy because you all know I am the worst photographer!)

I AM open this Saturday from 12-5 and I will be here tonight until 8 because it is the building party so sneak in because it is a fabulous party!

I will be open all next week until Friday the 23rd when construction will commence!

Ricki

What a gorgeous day it is outside! Perfect for walking or metro-ing over to U7 for some great gifts. Pictured below are just a few that are under $100 and a few under $50! I have lots of handbags under $100 and one for just $45 that is perfect if you are going on a trip. There are some clutches for the young girls in your life that are only $40. There are lots of pieces for traveling that are just $30 and $35 that would make great gifts for your staff or for your stockings.

I will be open until 7 tonight for those of you who want to shop and have champagne although I have a bottle open already and I am sure that it is 5 pm somewhere in the world. Also, if your husbands buy you presents here, come over and let me know what you want them to get you. If you have already put them aside, give them a nudge as people keep going through my “hold section!”

I am open this Saturday from 12-5 and last week so many people came so it was as usual, a party at U7.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for these two FANTASTIC SHOWS:

PLANET January 11th and 12th and yes the fabulous Leslie will be here with the spring line for you to order and lots of instant gratification clothes as well.

KEDEM SASSON AND AND AND get ready for an amazing jeweler from Amsterdam, ANNEMIEKE BROENIK, February 28th and 29th. You are going to LOVE these clothes and this jewelry. Annemieke is sending me some samples so I will let you know when they come in so you can have a little preview.

Jewelry and curling iron cases

Ok, so that is the good news. The bad news is that Claudio Riaz cannot come maybe until the spring or maybe not at all, as he is opening stores every ten minutes and developing some new colors, etc. SO if you are in Chicago, let me know and I will give you his number so you can make sure he is in Barney’s so you can have him make you up OR if you are in any city where there is a Barney’s, just go to the counter and they will do it. They all work for him so they know what they are doing. The makeup is really good but it is the brushes that are beyond fabulous. If I can get him here you know I will, but I do not want to promise and then have to say he won’t be here. I will keep trying to schedule it.

Hope your holiday parties are all going well. Ours was lots of fun and I am sorry if you could not be here, but everyday until the 23rd will be a private little party so stop in whenever you can.

Ricki