Urban Chic Coat Drive Starts Dec. 1

Bring a new or used coat to any of Urban Chic's four locations (Bethesda Row, Annapolis, Georgetown, Harbor East) to help The Women's Housing Coalition. The fourth annual coat drive starts tomorrow (Dec. 1) and runs through Dec. 8. Shoppers will receive a discount off Urban Chic merchandise for each coat they donate. Men's, women's and children's coats are all needed. This event is a great way to help others stay warm, declutter a closet and snag a discount on a holiday gift (or a little something for yourself).

How to survive the holidays without exploding

Cyla Weiner and her sister Helen Kestler know a thing or two about the female form--and the next installment in their Bras and Brunch series, "Surviving the Holidays Without Overeating," couldn't be more timely. Janet Zalman of The Zalman Nutrition Group will speak from 10:30 to noon while attendees brunch and sip. If the tips don't work, there's always our friend, shapewear. When Cyla says shapewear is better than ever, we listen. "Goodbye visible panty lines and hello to shapewear rescue," she says.  "There is the popular cami, full body briefer, control panty, girl short, high waist brief, long leg brief, control hosiery, shaper bras, and slips." So there you go. The holiday squeeze. The Bras and Brunch event will be held Sunday, Dec. 5 from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Register at http://sylene.eventbrite.com/.

Don't forget the locals today. Support Small Business Saturday!

Today is the day to try that little indie hardware store, rather than the big-box warehouse style store. Or the friendly neighborhood dress shop rather than another trip to the mall. The economy needs your help, and the best way to help small business is to support it on Small Business Saturday. Shop your locals and help your neighbors and community. Today at National Harbor, the Maris Elaine Gallery is offering 25% off all home furnishings.

Need a hard-to-find Chanel bag? Try Chic to Chic on Black Friday

For the most fabulous handbags-Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and many more, you have to discover Chic to Chic in Gaithersburg. This locally owned consignment shop has top-quality designer clothing, handbags, shoes and fine jewelry--some with the original tags still in place. Try them this Friday--Black Friday of course!

Start Black Friday with mimosas and breakfast!

Don't let dreary crowds get the best of you. You'll shop in style at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie on Friday from 9 - 2. Start the day with a sip and a nibble, a chance to win a $500 beauty gift basket AND $50 gift card for spending $100!

Then cross the street and get beautified at the Ted Gibson Salon/Hela Spa in Chevy Chase. On Black Friday only, the spa is offering half-price facials. Receive a Microderm, Glycolic, or Eminence Facial with a complimentary LED treatment.

Finally, hit the road to Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda where you'll find lots of free parking and fabulous Black Friday specials at South Moon Under. Print out the flyer below and get your deals at any of SMU's 13 locations.

Don't forget to go down a few doors and pop into mother/daughter(s) Belina boutique. They're 50% off sale started Nov. 22. This fab little store offers top of the line fashion for both daughers and their sophisticated moms.

Black Friday Magic happens in our fave boutiques!

Though doors open at 3 am at Kohl's and other big box stores, our little local stores are having wonderful sales too, including our favorite Ginger Boutique in Bethesda (and you have time for a latte before the mayhem, too!). Find incredible early bird discounts from 9 - 10 am and great bargains all the rest of the day on designers such as Joie, Elaine Turner, and Calypso. Also find the perfect dream-wedding gown for 15% (including special orders!!) less on "White Friday" at Chevy Chase Bridal; and fabulous Herman Miller home furnishings at the brand-new Room and Board in D.C. And there's more...

Saturday means a one-day super sale at the fabulous new Julia Farr in Chevy Chase. Get 40% off all apparel--including ADAM, Catherine Malandrino, Rachel Roy, Halston Heritage and jewelry by Kara Ross. A definite not-to-miss.

Andre Agassi at Fink's Jewelers Tysons!

Don't miss this. Seriously???  My tennis god, Andre Agassi, will be at Fink's Jewelers at Tysons Corner for a rare public appearance (at least in these parts) at noon tomorrow to benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, which so far has donated $150 million to educational initiatives. The event is sponsored by Longines.


WHERE: Fink’s Jewelers, Tysons Corner Center, floor two

WHEN: Tuesday, November 16, 12:15-1:15 pm

At 11:30 the store closes and will reopen at 12:15 for attendees to enter for 15-minute increments, 100 at a time,  to hear Agassi speak and to watch him participate in the Smash Court with a student from his school, Agassi Prep.

Attendees are welcome to try their serves at the Smash Court inside the store; each $5 try benefits The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.  Those with the fastest men’s and women’s serves will win a Longines timepiece.  In addition, the first 100 customers will receive a tennis ball signed by Mr. Agassi (with purchase).

All month: Fink’s Jewelers will donate 10% of all Longines sales to The Agassi Foundation through November 30.

Celebrate our Warriors on Veterans Day

Tonight from 6-8 Bethesda's Ginger boutique will host a trunk show of jewelry by Suzanne Somersall in honor of Veteran's Day. All sales benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (both Allis' husband and store owner Gretchen Hitchner's husband are active military). If you're not familiar with Allis' jewelry, you should be. Her depictions of delicate sparkling flowers and elegant coral are just part of one of her fabulous lines of fine jewelry. Plus, a $15 raffle ticket lets you donate directly to Wounded Warriors while entering you in a contest to win a piece of jewelry worth $1,000. Enjoy cupcakes, bubbly and of course, Ginger's new winter lines.

HoHoHo! Christmas comes early when Lanvin arrives at H&M

It's Christmas before Thanksgiving for those lucky enough to live near an H&M store that will have the new Lanvin line Nov. 23. The dresses are edgy, innovative and feminine, all ready for holiday parties. This is LANVIN people! I'm hoping our H&M at White Flint is one of the chosen few... I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The line includes tights, leopard shoes, a zebra coat and fabulous party frocks--for all ages and sizes. Watch creative director  Alber Elbaz's video to see all the looks.