Get your elbows ready--It's back! DSS set for March 29

Tickets go on sale this Tuesday, Feb. 22, for the biggest, best--and most charitable--sale of the season.  Don't miss out. The District Sample Sale, set for March 29, offers deeply discounted merchandise from over 20 of the region’s best designer boutiques, including Urban Chic, Ginger, Julia Farr, The Shoe Hive, Wink, Caramel, Sherman Pickey and Hysteria, and Baltimore’s Babe, Cupcake and Poppy & Stella. It's a stellar way to knock off a few items off the wish list, have a night out, and give to a local cause. A limited number of VIP tickets ($100) are available that get you through the doors at 5:30 for a loaded goodie bag and a private hour of shopping before the crowds hit. General admission tickets are $40--and for that you also get the ultimate shopping experience with  music, hors d'oeuvres, cupcakes, cocktails and even hair styling and blowouts, courtesy of sponsor One80 Salon. Other sponsors include Bethesda Row, and Vornado/Charles E. Smith. This spring's event moves from Georgetown to 2101 L Street, NW.

The District Sample Sale has raised over $200,000 for its past local women’s (fall) and children’s (spring) chosen charities. This spring's event will benefit the  E.L. Haynes Public Charter School. Founded in 2004, the school’s mission is to ensure high levels of academic achievement for students of every race and socioeconomic status. In 2009, 80% of students scored proficient or advanced in math on the DC-CAS and 66% scored proficient or advanced in reading.

For tickets, a complete list of retailers and more information, please visit www.districtsamplesale.com.

Founders Jayne Sandman, Mary Amons, Barbara Martin, Shannon Haley and Liberty Jones

From inlaws to outlaws

Bloomie's take on spring 2010 is all about unconventional pairings and good girl/bad girl combos. Find feminine ruching and pleats as well as classic designs updated with bad-girl cutouts. Innerwear and outerwear mix and match in sheer, sexy layers by Alberta Ferretti and Jean Paul Gaultier. Say goodbye to slouchy blazers as Chanel edges its classic structured jacket back in, this time with fringed trim. The hottest shoes? Menswear oxfords by Stuart Weitzman and Pour la Victoire and clogs--yes--clogs by Chanel. As far as jewelry goes, find it in jeweled belts. Ladylike wrists are to be adorned with oversized watches and chunky bangles. So there.

Dress at left: Aqua $98.

Color me Crazy

Is it just me or does this leather jacket just shout "TRY SOMETHING NEW"? This butter-soft colorful topper may be a good way to mix it up. Plus, my all-purpose, ever-present black leather jacket is on the fast track to vintage. New Lafayette 148 New York at bloomingdales.com