Washington Wizard: Smash

Smash is the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend shopping hybrid. Sure I like records OK and sometimes my boy wants to look at vintage clothes, but most of the time we're both obsessed with the opposite. Where better to pop in on a Saturday for some leisurely shopping but Smash, which incorporates both. PLUS awesome jewelry. Stay punk 2009.

P.S. SUPER CRUCIAL event on May 23rd at the store: Sam McPheeters Spoken Word. I saw that shit in NYC and it twas hilarious.

Washington Wizard: Valet

Valet isn't a retail business, but we want to celebrate all awesome creative endeavors in our fair city. It's a kickass website/online magazine type thing that puts all women's-interest mags and sites to shame. Valet is concise, informative, funny and best of all, useful. The site treats its readers like adults, not babymen, while still doling out advice and tips. Plus their taste is spot-on for Listopad's aesthetic for men: a bit rugged and traditional, with a dash of European and a commitment to quality. Bonus: their handbook, crucial for men and women.

Shitty Monday News

Readers, it is with a heavy heart that I bring you some terrible news. On Saturday afternoon, after enjoying the colorful and innovate vegetarian buffet at Woodlands in Takoma Park, I received this disturbing text message from Adventures in Unemployment:

Sent: 4/4/2009 3:50 PM
Serratore, Angela
Dude, I am at Beauty Island and they are going out of business!

My heart - no joke - stopped. Could it be? Was my favorite last-minute party accessory and one-dollar nail-polish standby with the oft-butchered name really shutting its doors? I replied immediately.

Sent: 4/4/2008 3:52 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Really???????

I pocketed my phone, hoping that my comrade in blogging (and IRL) was merely experiencing the customary Blues Control-induced hallucination, having been to Comet to see them the night before. But alas:

Sent: 4/4/2009 3:53 PM
Serratore, Angela
April 20! Everything is on major sale - I just got seven pairs of tights for 3 bucks

Sigh. While the prospect of paying 43 cents for a pair of tights is one that gets me considerably stoked, I am a legitimate puddle of sadness knowing that I will no longer have a neighborhood place to buy spray-gold bamboo hoops. The rug is getting pulled out from under us just in time for hippie beach season, a spring-and-summer specific outfit vibe that is like, contingent on gilded earwear. What's a girl to do?! R. I. P., Beauty Island! I am really fucking sad you're closing!

Washington Wizard: Modernicus

In the lovely new semi-regular column "Washington Wizard," Listopad will cover awesome businesses in the city and tri-state area for your pleasure.



We had the best time touring the showroom of Modernicus in Alexandria this past weekend. It's expertly organized and the wares are showcased in a way that suggests actually living situations, refreshingly. There's plenty of room to poke around the couches and chairs, and nothing is behind glass. So if you want to pick up that Danish candle holder and inspect it, go ahead. And don't get me started on the beautiful laboratory porcelain.