The crowd loves Jill at Ginger

The Crowd (all photos by Mark Silva)

Writer Jill Kargman and Michelle Jaconi

Writer Jill Kargman filled the house last Tuesday at Bethesda's Ginger boutique, as friends and fans gathered to help launch her latest book, Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut, a compilation of nonfiction essays and musings. I went home and read most of the book on the spot--mouth ajar--and feeling like I'd found a soulmate. What? Sometimes you heavily relate to flamboyant gay guys?? ME TOO! (Someone who finally gets Johnny Weir's Balenciaga tree!) You obsess about nail polish colors?? ME TOO! In fact, when I asked her to sign my book, my de facto soulmate pointed to my newly shellacked nails and exclaimed, "Wow! What color is that??!! I'm getting it tomorrow." Plus, and this is big, she had the names "Edward Gorey" and "Tim Burton" on the same page--under "Obsessed." When I was finished studying her impeccably cool outfit (trim lace dress under gray leather jacket, hair in edgy NYC-style bun), I shopped, drank Prosecco and nibbled on goodies from the amazing spread. Well done. Another glamorous event on Bethesda Row. (Photos by Mark Silva)

Poshbrood.com's Elizabeth Thorp and NBC4's Eun Yang

Hostess Stacy Kerr, shopping with her sister, Elizabeth Kerr

swag!

Today's the day...tix on sale for the District Sample Sale

You won't want to miss out. Today's the day to get your ticket to the area's most fashionable sample sale. Over 20 boutiques will be deeply discounting apparel, shoes and accessories at the March 29 event. Go for the $40 general admission or spring for the $100 VIP, which gets you a goodie bag and an extra hour of shopping before the crowds hit. Information and tix available at www.districtsamplesale.com.

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

Lila Castellaneta's spring launch

The ultimate Valentine's Day shoe. Sexy, feminine, hot. Ladylike is in for spring. So you won't want to miss this. Designer Lila Castellaneta is celebrating the launch of her spring 2011 shoe collection on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, from 10-4. Ms. Castellaneta was one of Washingtonian's Best-Dressed women in 2006 and said the best-dressed man in DC was her husband. Sweet. Enjoy informal modeling starting at noon. For more info, call 240.497.5317

Late-night musings: ISO fresh paint

Chocolate Kisses

I love this nail polish. I discovered the sultry 'Chocolate Kisses' at my standby nail salon Sandy Nails on Old Georgetown Road last winter and got hooked. Though it got mixed reviews from more accomplished polish posters, I find it the perfect mix of warm brown with deep red vamp. I actually saw a car that had the perfect shade--I obsessed till I found a match in 'Decadent Diva' (now 'Decadent Dish'?) Tell me folks, what's in for spring? Essie's "Over the Knee" has some potential.  I also love Deborah Lippman's shimmering 'Some Enchanted Evening'. Give me some fresh paint--any great colors/brands out there? And guys, if any of you are reading this, feel free to chime in. I just read about a man who favors Essie's silver metallic 'Loophole' on his toes--at his wife's suggestion.

Decadent Dish

Over the Knee

Some Enchanted Evening

When you really need a wingman....

So you've blown it. You waited. You're now faced with a choice of grocery-store dyed carnations, a plethora of goofy cards that don't quite express what's in your heart at this stage of the relationship, and your idea of a great meal is a burger at the bar in front of a 50-inch flatscreen. Ouch. Well, Redwood may have you covered with a special prix-fixe three course menu for $59 per person featuring couple-pleasing, seasonal choices like sunchoke soup, small lobster sandwiches (those are just the apps, btw), followed by spice-roasted rack of lamb, crispy phyllo cannelloni, wood-grilled filet of beef, miso glazed black cod, etc., etc., plus dessert. Oh, and that also includes a champagne toast, chocolate treats, roses, AND dancing. Oh, and $8 specialty cocktails with names like "Lovers Delight." You're looking really good right now. Click here for menu and more info.

And don't miss these: American Tap Room's special three-course Valentine's Day dinner for $80 per couple and Lebanese Taverna's $49 per couple mezza V-day special. 

Book Launch!

You're invited--celebrate the launch of Kate Betts' new book, Everyday Icon, about everyone's favorite new style icon, Michelle Obama, with cupckaes and bubbly at Saks, Chevy Chase.

All lathered up--in sweet, dark chocolate

Yes, you can do it. Close your eyes and lose yourself in a luscious dark-chocolate facial at The Spa at Equinox Fitness for the ultimate V-Day indulgence.  But wait, they're actually giving it away to one lucky Valentine. Yes, really.  Sign up at Bethesda Row by February 14 to register for a chance to win this hydrating, bittersweet treat. Or just go get one. You're worth it and it totally refutes that annoying saying: "A minute on the lips forever on the hips." Not.

How Sweet It Is

Really? Seriously? And you're still pondering what to get -- or hint at -- for Valentine's Day? Even if you're not so big on V-day, any girl worth her salt (and her sweet) is gonna fall for this. C'mon--shoes and chocolate? This signature sexy confection by Enjou Chocolat comes in ruby red and leopard. Available for  $69.99 at Balducci's in Wildwood Shopping Center. Oh, be still my heart.