Street Style: Meet Angelika O’Reilly of Eliana Curated
Angelika is one of those women whose energy is simply contagious. You feel lighter after speaking with her. She’s open, honest, and listens just as intently as she speaks. When I first walked into Eliana Curated, the new boutique on King Street, I marveled at the light-filled space and sparkling eye candy, and reminded myself not to hop on the baby blue Vespa displayed (though I was tempted). It's just for show. I think.
Of Eastern European descent, Angelika grew up in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State at the age of 20. That same year, she moved to D.C. for an internship in the White House’s Office of Presidential Correspondence. “I was triaging letters from constituents—like a daughter trying to bring her mother in Poland to the U.S., or veterans looking for help,” she says. “And yes, they were all printed letters. Every single one had to be opened and sent to the appropriate interdepartmental office.”
After her time at the White House, she joined the Corporate Executive Board, advising executives from companies like eBay, GM, and Ford. She traveled frequently and loved visiting headquarters around the country. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, she was laid off with 20% of the workforce. “It was tough, but I’ve always believed things fall apart so better things can come together.”
Her next chapter brought her into tech. She joined the startup Higher Logic in Rosslyn as its seventh employee and stayed over seven years, leading all post-sales customer success functions—onboarding, implementations, renewals. When the company received a $55 million private equity investment and its valuation doubled, it became her first “exit.” She went on to work for three more tech companies, continuing her path as a SaaS leader.
Angelika is a natural tech adopter. These days, ChatGPT has replaced Google in her browser tabs. “I was planning a trip to Boston, and I typed in, ‘Where are the top 10 places I should stay? What’s new and cool to do?’” The trip is tied to the brand’s expansion. Eliana Curated now participates in popup events in Boston’s Seaport District and will return for the holiday market later in the year at Boston Snowport.
Angelika O’Reilly
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Hair by: Drybar National Landing
Shoot location: Eliana Curated, 1003 King Street
The business started as a family project. When her parents moved to Virginia for their first grandchild, Angelika wanted to help them transition and stay engaged. Her idea was to upcycle vintage designer buttons from cardigans and blazers into earrings. Her stepdad, Jefry, learned how to remove the shank, sand down the back, and add posts and earring backs. “Our first test popup was at Courthouse/Clarendon in Arlington in 2021,” she shares.
Eastern Market became their home base. “We sold a couple pairs, then a few more, and kept going back every weekend.” Last year alone, they participated in 180 popups, 100 of which were at the market. “We grew a loyal following, built a brand, and just kept showing up. From John Carlyle Park to McLean, we did events across the DMV.” Though they sell online, she says nothing beats seeing and touching the pieces in person.
Eventually, regular customers started asking for a permanent storefront. Angelika and her family searched across D.C.—Georgetown, the Wharf, Clarendon—but their dream was King Street. When a three-story townhouse at the corner of King and Patrick became available, they jumped on it.
Eliana Curated has since expanded beyond earrings. The boutique now carries waterproof jewelry, a solid gold line, lab-created diamonds, and art prints with what Angelika calls “feminine Parisian energy,” perfect for elevating a bedroom, closet, or living space.
It’s a true family business. Angelika’s mom, Alla, and stepdad, Jefry, helped with every popup. Angelika herself left her tech job last October to go full time, though she had already been managing operations, marketing, and PR since the beginning.
She met her husband, Sean, on Bumble in 2019. “He’s from Ohio. I always say I’m the public Spartan (Michigan State) and he’s the private Spartan (Case Western).” They have two daughters, Julianna and Eloise, born in 2020 and 2023. The boutique’s name, Eliana, combines their names. “Eliana means ‘God has answered all my prayers.’”
The girls are big fans of the brand. “They wear our rings and bracelets and call it ‘Eliana blue.’ I’ll hear Julianna say, ‘We’re a blue family,’” Angelika laughs. Their entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. Sean owns his own boutique investment firm, New Columbia Capital, and the family often talks business at the dinner table. “The girls are absorbing it all without realizing it.”
Entrepreneurship fuels Angelika like nothing else. She started a babysitting club at 13 and a driver’s ed business at 16. “I’ve always loved the art of business operations,” she says. “It gives me so much energy.”
Balance is key. She gets nine hours of sleep a night and credits Sean for letting her sleep in and waking her up with coffee made. Mondays and Tuesdays are her weekends. She picks up and drops off her girls and is clear about her boundaries. “We’re not saving lives—we’re making jewelry. I love what I do, but I make time for rest.”
In August, the family heads to Acadia National Park for hiking and kayaking. “Eventually I’d love to visit the Galápagos or Southern Portugal,” she says. “But for now, I just want to look up and see the ocean. No doom-scrolling.”
As for Old Town? “It’s everything I hoped for. The people are kind and supportive, and there’s a true sense of community. I literally feel like doing handstands and cartwheels, I'm so happy here. If anyone wants to see what it means to shop small and support local, this is the place.”
Eliana Curated is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 am to 7pm, and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Mondays and Tuesdays are typically closed, though Angelika may experiment with Monday hours this fall.
If you haven’t stopped by yet, add 1003 King Street to your list. Until then, check out Angelika’s Street Style:
ABOUT ANGELIKA
Neighborhood: Rosslyn (Arlington, VA)
What is your hometown? Farmington Hills, MI
What would surprise people about you? I was a White House intern!
Favorite book or movie: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Guilty Pleasure: Haagen Dazs chocolate chocolate chip ice cream—I’ll cry if they ever discontinue it, lol.
Latest binge-watch: Paradise – amazing acting, set design, and script.
Bucket list travel destination: Norway to see the Fjords!
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Effortless. Elevated. Intentional.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: A flowy linen dress with sandals and our upcycled vintage designer button earrings.
Favorite trend: Stacking bracelets and necklaces for that elevated look.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Hourglass Mascara
Boots, dress shoes or sneakers? I’m a sandal girl.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Renting a convertible and hitting the vineyards by Shenandoah.
Most fun way to stay active: Weight training + getting my dance on + strolls on the Potomac.
Wellness goal: Lifting my two kids (70 lbs collectively) when they both want to be picked up at the same time. Hashtag mom life, haha.
Proudest wellness achievement: Kickboxing five times a week and seeing those sculpted arms and abs.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Our balcony with 240 degree views of D.C. with the monuments!
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Transitional, a lot of modern and a touch of traditional.
Last item bought for your home: A hide rug that can camouflage any spills from my kids…or for when they do playdough on the rug. Insert face palm.
Favorite way to entertain: Drinks on the balcony during golden hour over the monuments.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? 100% clutter-free, but always a struggle with two kids under five!
Next planned purchase: An Audi convertible sounds super fun to come home to…
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love getting the inside scoop from Alexandria’s most stylish insiders! The tips, tricks, and hidden gems from local small business owners always inspire me. It’s like having a curated guide to living beautifully, right here in our community.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Waterfront Park – the water is so calming to me.
Your go-to shop: Love Pippin Toy Co. for the cutest and most creative children’s gifts.
Best food spot: Fontaine Caffe – I love my chocolate and strawberry crepes.
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: First Night Alexandria/New Year’s Eve – can’t beat the fireworks over the Potomac and all the theater events!
