BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: YOGASO BOUTIQUE (PHOTOS)

Bethesda entrepreneur Alem Bashir's Yogaso Boutique has been online since 2011. Now it's expanding to brick and mortar at Pike & Rose. Carrying labels like Persnickety and Room Seven, Yogaso also features the Aleme line, designed by Beshir herself.

FRANCESCA'S OPENS AT PIKE & ROSE (PHOTOS)

The first retail has opened at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development in White Flint. Women's apparel boutique Francesca's debuted Saturday on Grand Park Avenue, off of Old Georgetown Road. This is the third Francesca's location in Bethesda, with existing stores at Bethesda Row and Westfield Montgomery Mall.

TRUE RELIGION OPENS AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

Denim fans have a new shopping destination in Bethesda: True Religion opened today at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The new Bethesda location is one of the first in the nation to feature the retailer's redesigned store concept. True Religion CEO David Conn emphasized the store's "more contemporary look and feel" in a statement released today. Digital storefront windows and in-store kiosks reflect that modern approach.

Also new at Montgomery Mall's True Religion: the denim bar has been replaced by a Denim Gallery, which Creative Director Gary Harvey says will "ignite a bold conversation with our customers with a relevant 3-D expression of our brand."

Overall, the company states its goal is to "disrupt the senses," so it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the shopping experience.

SWIMSUIT FASHION SHOW TUESDAY IN BETHESDA

Cesco Osteria's Co2 Lounge will host a swimwear fashion show featuring the latest line from Dar Be Dar on Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and have the opportunity to purchase their favorite swimsuit styles at a pop-up shop boutique following the event. Live music will be provided by Cyrus Reel and DJ Bazza.

You can reserve your space for $20 (+$2.09 fee) online now. Proceeds from the event will benefit Autism Speaks.

Dar Be Dar's founder, Tala Raassi, was born in Maryland but grew up in Tehran. Raassi became an international figure after she was jailed 5 days and whipped for wearing "indecent clothing" - as religious police in Tehran described the miniskirt the 16-year-old Raassi wore to a friend's Sweet 16 party. The resulting worldwide media attention from Marie Claire magazine, Rachel Ray and Elle was a springboard into a fashion career that launched with a Washington, D.C. boutique.

Dar Be Dar has designed swimwear for the Washington Wizards dance team and the Miss Universe pageant.

Co2 Lounge

7401 Woodmont Avenue

SPECS NEW YORK TO OPEN AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Specs New York, a high-end sunglasses retailer, is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The new store will be one of the company's first 3 outside of New York City. Brands carried by the store include Luxottica, Ray Ban, Persol, Oliver Peoples and Independent. Celebrities such as David Beckham, Victor Cruz and members of the Black Eyed Peas have been spotted shopping at Specs in New York. Will DC-area celebrities do the same in Bethesda?

ALLURE BY FASHION QUEEN OPENS AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTOS)

Say goodbye to the moon bounce spot at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It's been replaced in short order by a new formalwear boutique called Allure by Fashion Queen. The boutique offers dresses and gowns for formal occasions ranging from First Communion to quinceñeras to proms to weddings. There is another location of Allure at Montgomery County's other Westfield-operated mall, Wheaton Plaza.

COURAGE. b BOUTIQUE TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY FOR RENOVATIONS AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTO)

COURAGE. b, a women's apparel boutique on Bethesda Lane, will close temporarily for remodeling between September 14 and 25. The shop will reopen on September 26. In the meantime, all summer stock is up to 80% off.

COURAGE. b

7125 Bethesda Lane

240-800-4143

DEFINITION BOUTIQUE TO CLOSE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Definition Boutique will be closing on Bethesda Avenue, and is holding a Closing Sale to liquidate their inventory. Located below the Wisconsin Avenue Starbucks, the boutique has specialized in European labels. Prices during the sale are 30-70% off. However, a final closing date has not been announced yet.

CALYPSO ST. BARTH READY FOR FRIDAY GRAND OPENING AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

The window displays are in place, the merchandise is racked, and Calypso St. Barth is ready to welcome customers at 4810 Bethesda Avenue tomorrow, August 1. Friday's grand opening kicks off a weekend-long celebration at the resort wear boutique's new Bethesda Row location. New arrivals would never imagine this shop was previously a Dunkin' Donuts.

BETHESDA ROW SIDEWALK SALE STARTS TODAY, AND VINO VOLO HAS DEALS FOR YOU (PHOTOS)

Today starts a weekend of food, shopping and entertainment at the annual Bethesda Row Sidewalk Sale. At least one boutique, COURAGE. b, couldn't wait until today. They hosted a Pre-Sidewalk Sale sale at their Bethesda Lane shop last night.

Meanwhile, among the many places to dine or drink in-between fabulous fashion finds is Vino Volo. Don't forget that they are as much a wine shop as a wine bar. During the Sidewalk Sale this weekend, you can save 50% on select wines, and 20% off merchandise.

You can also get a ride from UberDC - If you are joining Uber for the first time, enjoy 2 free rides up to $20 using the code "VinoVolo" this weekend.

Vino Volo has a new summer menu and wine pairings. New items include a refreshingly-cool watermelon and feta salad (pictured), Wine County chicken paté, and lamb meatballs.

Top photos: Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row
Photos from Vino Volo courtesy Jason Morenz

CALYPSO ST. BARTH INSTALLS PERMANENT SIGN AT BETHESDA ROW BOUTIQUE (PHOTOS)

The lighted sign is up at Calypso St. Barth, which is scheduled to open July 31 on Bethesda Avenue. An upscale resortwear boutique, it replaces Dunkin' Donuts, which will reopen this fall over on Elm Street.

CALYPSO ST. BARTH OPENING WEEKEND PLANNED AT BETHESDA ROW

We already heard that Calypso St. Barth is planning to open its new Bethesda Avenue boutique on July 31, and saw some of their pieces in The Front Row at Bethesda Row fashion show. Now, Federal Realty is announcing a weekend-long grand opening celebration event at the brand-new Calypso, on August 1-3. Stay tuned for more details.

LOU LOU BOUTIQUE SAYS, "IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS" IN THIS YEAR'S CHARITY DRIVE AT BETHESDA ROW

lou lou Boutique has launched its annual charity drive, which culminates in "lou lou Day" on Saturday, August 2, with the theme, "It's the little things." The theme refers to its chosen charity for 2014, Dress for Success. That organization provides professional attire and accessories, as well as career development resources, for economically-disadvantaged women. Even small accessories, that contribute to a professional image for job interviews, can make a huge difference in these women's lives - hence the theme, "It's the little things."

Right now, through July 31, you can donate a dollar at lou lou, and receive a pouch of free earring backs. The entire proceeds will go to Dress for Success.

Then, from July 21-August 2, they will host a Little Things Accessory Drive. Donate gently-used accessories at the store, and lou lou will donate an item to Dress for Success for each one you bring in.

Finally, August 2 will be Annual lou lou Day. For every $40 spent, customers will receive a $10 gift certificate. 15% of the day's proceeds will benefit Dress for Success.

Previous lou lou Days have raised over $25K altogether for women’s charities. Past recipients include The Foundation for Women's Cancer, House of Ruth and Bethany House.  This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 for Dress for Success.

Want to help promote lou lou Day, or get friends involved on social media? Use the hashtags #littlethingsDFS and #loulouday.

lou lou

7115 Arlington Road

301-652-0048