Now that you know how to celebrate the Presidential inauguration, you only have one other thing to decide: what to wear. This is one of the biggest weekends in Washington, so you’ve got to strike the right balance between polished and unique. Luckily, area retailers are ready to help, especially those who’ve set up shop at Tysons Galleria (2001 International Drive, McLean, 703-827-7730).

The weather promises to be chilly (we hear weekend lows could dip into the 20s), but the Tysons inaugural fashion forecast is looking pretty hot. Have a look at some of the stylish offerings.

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Black is always ubiquitous, but you can make it your own with a bit of shine. ARAM evening collection by Juan, $685

 

You must carry a great lipstick, your ID, and your cards for evening parties. Tote them in a pretty metallic clutch. Lanvin Swirl Deco Box, available at Neiman Marcus, $2490

 

Every man needs a top-quality tux. Buy one now and wear it for years. Zegna, price upon request

 

Own the dance floor when you step onto it—or at least own a pair of shiny black shoes. Salvatore Ferragamo Andrea Lace Up, available at Neiman Marcus, $560

 

Look lovely at a celebratory brunch when you wear a sheath dress in a flattering tone. Diane von Furstenberg Jori-Cap Sleeve Dress, available at Neiman Marcus, $325

 

When watching the inaugural parade, stay warm—and stylish—with a pair of oak leather gloves. Mulberry Polly Push Lock gloves, price upon request

 

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Barack and Michelle Obama at the 2009 inauguration.

Every four years, Washington welcomes thousands to celebrate the official inaugural ceremonies. This year, you can commemorate the occasion with a party, toast, or view of the parade.

Mingle

The most popular events include the various inaugural balls that occur throughout the weekend and on the evening of the public swearing-in ceremony. Public tickets are no longer available for the two official galas, but you can still buy tickets to other local parties.

The Green Inaugural Ball on January 20 (7 p.m. VIP; 8 p.m. General Admission) at the Newseum commemorates the accomplishments of top leaders over the past four years in the energy, green technology, and environmental industries. VIP tickets include entry to the black-tie event on the “green carpet,” an exclusive cocktail reception on the seventh floor with open bar and hors d’oeuvres, and much more. General admission ($400) and VIP tickets ($1,950) are available at nwf.org.

Another hot-ticket happening that same evening is the second Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball (9 p.m.-2 a.m.), a black-tie charity fest introduced by event chairs Russell Simmons and Zac McDaniels that celebrates the role the hip-hop community has played in the past two presidential elections. Benefiting PHILANTHROPIK, a non-profit organization committed to creating and supporting diversity programs in civil, social, and economic enterprises, the ball will be hosted by emcees La La Anthony and Terrence J, with anticipated guests including Simmons, John Legend, Rosario Dawson, and 2 Chainz. Buy tickets on eventfarm.com, ranging from $500 to $1,000 for individual tickets.

Dine

If you'd rather skip the black-ties, make your reservations now and dine out all weekend long. We like the Dine like a President promotion from Georgetown Business Improvement. Relive past milestone meals by presidents at culinary hotspots like Martin’s Tavern—where JFK proposed to Jackie O—and Bourbon Steak—where President Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated their 20th anniversary. Or find out why Filomena is Bill Clinton’s favorite pasta in DC. Download the whole guide on georgetowndc.com.

Observe

Of course, ticket holders can witness history in the making as President Barack Obama is sworn in for the second time on the steps of the Capitol during the public ceremony on January 21. Non-ticket-holders can observe the event on the National Mall beginning at Fourth Street. Following the ceremonies, you can stand along Pennsylvania Avenue to watch the historic Inaugural Parade. Find visitor information and tips at inaugural.senate.gov. We’ve got three for you: Arrive early (gates to the ceremonies open at 7 a.m., the musical prelude starts at 10 a.m.), dress warmly, and leave your car at home!

At Epic, enjoy upscale barbecue like smoked brisket with pancetta mac and cheese.

Good news for the winter: Smoked foods have moved beyond barbecue and into sophisticated dishes at local eateries. Al Dente Ristorante (3201 New Mexico Ave. NW, 202-244-2223) offers a new smoked-flavor-infused spaghetti carbonara, prettily presented under a dome and made with egg, pecorino cheese, and guanciale. Fiola (601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202-628-2888) is known for hay-smoked foods, and the bar manager even infuses bourbon with smoked potato peels to make a distinctive and delicious Manhattan.

The newly opened Epic Smokehouse (1330 S. Fern St., Arlington, VA, 571-319-4001) in Arlington offers a variety of cocktail and food options, including an applewood-smoked scallop appetizer and beef brisket smoked for about 16 hours. As Epic’s co-owner and executive chef Wayne Halleran explains, “Smoked meats and seafood [in particular] have a distinct flavor profile and aroma, and when you combine them with a fine-dining approach, it gives an added appeal.”

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The twin-turbo, 4-liter V8 produces 520 horsepower, helping the aluminum space frame go from 0 MPH to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds.

Photographs Courtesy Audi

 

The vehicle achieves 15-city MPG and 26-highway MPG.

Photographs Courtesy Audi

 

The cabin is infused with a plethora of carbon fiber including the gear selector, seatbacks, dash, and center console.

Photographs Courtesy Audi

 

With a massive grille that dominates the fascia and front air intakes, the larger 21-inch 5-star bladed rims and matching aluminum optic side view mirrors, and quad exhaust, this is not a typical A8 but an “S” driven by the very best.

Photographs Courtesy Audi

 

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Audi aficionados knew exactly what was expected when the German purveyor of luxury cars announced their new line of “S” performance vehicles including the S6, S7 and S8, which is the company’s four-door breadwinner in terms of power output and performance. But how could that be with the fierce and mighty V10 being supplanted for a smaller, more efficient twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8? It’s called German evolution.

Audi changed degrees with enhancements to their renowned quattro all-wheel drive technology, presented fascinating new products like the Q7, R8, and A7, enriched their interior cabins from an already stellar platform, and introduced magnificent engineering technology to ensure that the driving experience is pleasurable and safe. Now, the 2013 S8 is a new topic of conversation. The twin-turbo, 4-liter V8 produces 520 horsepower, helping the aluminum space frame go from 0 MPH to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds. Mate the powerplant with Audi’s 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual shift mode, and the vehicle achieves 15-city MPG and 26-highway MPG. Cylinder on Demand also aids in this mileage by transitioning eight cylinders to four cylinders when full power is not required. For example, fuel reduction at 55 MPH is 12%.

As for the interior, I felt special to say the least as the 22-way, diamond cross-stitched sport seats massaged me pleasantly. My mocha leather cabin was infused with a plethora of carbon fiber to intensify the level of craftsmanship of this German touring sedan, including the gear selector, seatbacks, dash, and center console. As I gripped the thick 3-spoke leather wheel and ignited the red Start/Stop button, the needles on the gauges rotated, the LCD screen rose from its embedded position, and the acoustic lenses from Bang & Olufsen’s big-ticket, concert-themed sound system emerged out of the dash. LED lights can also brighten up the cabin when needed.

Audi Connect, launched in the “A” cars, uses an array of various multi-media technologies along with Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) for driver convenience. MMI is one of the most advanced telematics systems in the auto industry. When inputting the address in the Google Earth navigation system—which displays from the aforementioned LCD screen—superior visual computing takes over and guidance is enhanced by displaying satellite and 3D images of buildings and places of interest, as well as “Street View.” Online searches also come from Google, just as on your smartphone or laptop, and you receive weather, gas prices, RSS news feeds, and sports scores. Speaking of your smartphone, up to eight devices can connect wirelessly and search the web by way of the S8’s T-Mobile-provided hotspot. The first six months of hotspot ownership are free, with a separate monthly fee charged thereafter.

Once you reach your destination and step out to look back at the vehicle, you know you have properly arrived. With a massive grille that dominates the fascia and front air intakes, the larger 21-inch 5-star bladed rims and matching aluminum optic side view mirrors, and quad exhaust, this is not a typical A8 but an “S” driven by the very best. All you need to justify your $110,000 purchase.

Indulge in dessert-themed treatments at the Sugar House Day Spa & Salon.

We present even more ways that you can keep your resolution to relax.

Nectar Skin Bar
Tired after planning elaborate holiday dinners? No problem. Recover from taxing gatherings at this charming spa located in tony Book Hill. We recommend the Chamomile and Honey Soother facial, which helps create a smoother complexion and recapture inner peace. 1633 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-333-4332

Pure Aesthetica
This spa’s pain-relieving foot soak can relieve the stress caused by long periods of standing or walking. Submerging your tootsies in clay for just 15 minutes can leave them feeling renewed. 2212 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA, 703-664-0184

Sugar House Day Spa & Salon
Immerse yourself in sweets—without the calories—with Organic Chocolate Therapy at Sugar House Day Spa & Salon. The body wrap’s sweet scent awakens your senses and the potion’s caffeine infusion stimulates your skin before it’s rinsed away with a warm Vichy shower. 111 N. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA, 703-549-9940

The Five Gables Inn & Spa
This charming inn offers Aveda spa services, and the Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap is particularly relaxing. When you emerge from your warm cocoon, you’re treated to a scalp and foot massage. 209 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD, 410-745-0100

The Spa at MINT
Unwind after work this month with an express or hot-stone massage at this wellness center. Massage therapists collaborate with physical therapists to design treatments that ease tension and relax overworked muscles. 1724 California St. NW, 202-328-6468; 1001 16th St. NW, 202-638-6468

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa offers treatments sure to satisfy men and women alike.

Resolved to relax this year? Nice idea. Now that stressful holiday gatherings and in-law visits are over, take time to visit these area spas. You’ll start the new year in a very calm place.

Bliss Spa
Try the new fatgirlslim treatment—a detoxifying, circulation-stimulating protocol that involves dry brushing, a firming grapefruit essential-oil rub, seaweed mask, heated wrap, and an application of Bliss’s Love Handler product. W Washington D.C., 515 15th St. NW, 202-661-2416

Dolce Vita Salon & Spa
Settle into this spa’s contemporary surroundings to relax and feel pretty. Dolce Vita offers a wide range of services—from haircutting and styling to manicures, pedicures, scalp massages, and cleansing European facials. 6829 Elm St., McLean, VA, 703-821-8600

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
Guys shouldn’t be shy about walking through the crimson doors of this luxury spa chain. Myriad treatments are designed especially for gentlemen, including a tailored facial that cleanses and hydrates using Art of Shaving products—along with a warm stone treatment to ease neck and shoulder tension. 5225 Wisconsin Ave., 202-362-9890

Linden Spa at The Inn at Perry Cabin
This resort spa on Maryland’s Eastern Shore makes use of homegrown plants and herbs. The blooms of the Linden trees that line the driveway, for instance, are the centerpiece of the Linden Ritual, a signature detoxifying treatment that concludes with a luxurious four-handed massage. 308 Watkins Lane, St. Michaels, MD, 800-454-4088

Lorien Hotel & Spa
This Old Town spa’s signature facial incorporates caviar products to deeply hydrate and tone skin while helping to improve the texture of one’s visage. Try pairing a facial with an aromatherapy massage featuring deliciously scented essential oils for a truly luxurious experience. 1600 King St., Alexandria, VA, 703-894-3434

A sample holiday look: dress, Gig Brasil EXCLUSIVE for INTERMIX; shoes, Monika Chiang; bracelets, Kara Ross.

Need an entire outfit or luxe accessories for a holiday party this weekend? Intermix in Tysons Galleria—the brand’s newest location—is sure to have something stylish.

The new store is smaller than the Georgetown space but is “polished” and contains items selected specifically for our area, CEO and cofounder Khajak Keledjian tells Capitol File. Of the Tysons outpost, Keledjian also notes “one thing we do really well is not the size of [the store], but how edited it is to the specific location.” You’ll easily find popular designers such as Rag and Bone, Mason, Helmut Lang, and Iro.

Stop by or check out this year’s online Holiday Look Book to see what’s in the mix and to get outfit ideas for festive occasions. Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Dr., McLean, 703-506-0914

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Wood-fired bacon, charred onion, and fresh cheese pizza.

 

Range restaurant interior.

 

The chocolate and hand-dipped candy kitchen.

 

Range restaurant exterior.

 

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Bryan Voltaggio wants you to relax and really enjoy some good food. The celebrity chef and restaurateur officially opens Range today—December 18—in Friendship Heights’ Chevy Chase Pavilion—offering a tasty selection of large and small plates, including Chesapeake oysters, locally raised lamb, kimchi linguini with bay scallops, wood roasted carrots and turnips, and freshly baked breads. (Don’t miss the skillet cornbread, served with a delicious bacon marmalade.)

In fact, Voltaggio’s expansive new outpost features seven mini kitchens and seats 297 diners. “You’ll be able to sit down and have all of these different experiences, which will appear on one menu,” says the Frederick, Maryland native. The size evokes a grander atmosphere when compared to Volt, the chef’s flagship location in his quaint hometown to the north, but diners will still feel like they are in a Voltaggio-helmed venue. “I wanted to build something that was really fun, with approachable food,” he explains, noting that the culinary offerings are also seasonally driven.

The menu features responsibly sourced ingredients in the dishes—think delicacies made from the whole animal and not just center-cut steak, though that’s also available to order if you prefer. Adds Voltaggio: “As a chef, when I sit down in a restaurant I want to try everything.” Visit Range and you will, too. Reservations currently available online only at voltrange.com. 5355 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Ste. 201

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Buffalo Exchange, 3279 M St., NW, Georgetown, 202-333-2829

 

Buffalo Exchange, 3279 M St., NW, Georgetown, 202-333-2829

 

Buffalo Exchange, 3279 M St., NW, Georgetown, 202-333-2829

 

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Buffalo Exchange recently opened its second DC-area store in the span of six short months. At over 2,000 square feet, the new Georgetown location offers a wide variety of modern, used, and vintage fashions from high-end designer pieces to everyday wear, providing guests with an array of fabulous choices. What’s more, Buffalo Exchange puts trends first, so that every shopper is up to par with ever-changing styles even though it's vintage pieces they're wearing. Those looking to sell their own gently-used threads at Buffalo Exchange can expect half of the resale price in store credit or 30 percent in cash.

Inside the new store, oversized prints of old black-and-white newspaper ads adorn the ceiling, while mid-century hues deck the walls. The interior décor goes hand-in-hand with the apparel, adding to the fashion chain’s unique mantra, which highlights the importance of appreciating the past; whether it’s clothes or art, Buffalo Exchange wisely and fashionably reuses both.

The cherry on top? The store conveniently opened just in time for holiday shopping. 3279 M St., NW, Georgetown, 202-333-2829