Kara Allan is a style consultant who is constantly on the lookout for what works and what doesn’t in the Northern Virginia fashion world.

Recently she went searching in the local malls – Tyson’s, Pentagon City and the Galleria for great style. She found some fabulous looks!

Here is her report:

So what  do you pack when you go to the beach?  I was just there, and my friend Lindley and I were laughing at how different we are.

Lindley, who invited me to her 7 bedroom Bethany Beach house for a week, had one pair of earrings and 3 cool beaded leather wrap bracelets.  I brought a hanging bag of jewelry. And it was heavy.  And I wore most of it.  I had a gold or silver ensemble daily.  Lindley only sometimes put her earrings in.  We have been friends for over 20 years. Nothing has changed.  She can cook. I do accessories.

I have flipped through People magazine enough to know that The Ivy is THE restaurant for celeb citings in LA.  We were delighted to know we could make early dinner reseys during my LA spring break trip with my daughter.   I thought this sidewalk cafe would be a hip, outside eaterie for Taylor, my sister-in-law Sarah, and I for a quick bite after our walk down Wisteria Lane.  Had much debriefing to do.  Not to mention, anything to avoid the drive home during the LA rush 2 hours.

(We know, we know, you’re all used to hearing our own Hillary [from Chicks Picks by Hillary] talk about the newest trends for your home or your personal style; but when she took a trip to the set of Desperate Housewives, we couldn’t resist hearing all about it.  Here now is Part 1 of 3 about this trip)

How Often do you Switch Your Purse? I wonder if you are wed to your bag forever? Kinda like a ball and chain?

I am all for favorites, classics, designer and husband gifts, but is it necessary to be together everyday, everywhere, every time? If you are ever going to switch, I recommend doing it in spring! Now, I am not saying you have to switch everyday, I am just suggesting that you have 1-2, maybe 3, in your rotation. I realize some women will be like, "No, duh Hillary, I switch between 218 bags." And I actually TOTALLY relate to those gals. But that's not who I am writing to. I am here to give an ever-so-gentle nudge to the chronic monogamous purse carriers.

As a jewelry retailer in this area, I find that NoVa modern moms are 75% silver, 25% gold.  Most often this decision is based on wedding jewelry, and therefore we feel we cannot switch??!? (just like the spouse!)   However, I also find that many women say "dabbling in the other side is alluring, except, I have ONLY silver rings, earrings, necklaces. So where to start?"

Have you thought about it?  As much as I would like to say it is one of the best celebrations we have as a couple, that is just not the reality.

My husband, John, is a guy's guy .... which makes this "Holiday" an extremely tough one!  He has tried.  Tried hard ... once he left my roses on a train, another time he locked his keys in a car--along with my gift--, and he has taken me to Mortons (seriously not romantic!); I think I even cried there.  I don't know if this Hallmark Holiday is culturally or innately just too full of pressure for these guys??   

Just because it is ugly outside, doesn't mean we have to take an accessory shortcut!  Try a few of these tips to brighten your day as you walk out!

1) If you are stuck in a stud or hoop rut, (you know, THOSE earrings you put in EVERY morning), try a new pair of EARRINGS, something that can also be worn everyday, something that can be simple or sassy, worn day or night, with jeans or trousers!!!

The White House released the first official portrait of our First Lady, Michelle Obama earlier this week. Always known for her stylish looks and healthy biceps, this Modern Mom marks a new first in the White House. The First Lady without sleeves and killer arms.

Being a relatively well-traveled individual, I have a decent knowledge of the many cultures in the western world. Having said that, I find that the US is generally a conservative nation. For instance, one rarely can see Sex-Shop display windows adorned with the latest in state-of-the-art pleasure gadgets, nor a slew of light narcotics on café menus (Amsterdam). Nor can one witness prostitutes queued up on major Boulevards, as if in some sort of perverted assembly line (Czech Republic).