Think you’ve got the lowdown on DC style? Washingtonian wants to hear the dirt! We’re giving away two pairs of Shecky’s Girls Night Out tickets to the best insider shopping info you’ve got to offer. Local designer gems, under-the-radar boutiques—let us know what’s worth knowing about in the District! Post your best-kept shopping and style secrets to the comments below, and the winners (announced this Thursday) will shop up-and-coming brands, sample beauty treatments and craft cocktails, and walk away with one of the event’s legendary goodie bags.

The deadline is 10 AM Thursday morning. Make sure to include your email address with your comments so we can notify you if you win.

Shecky’s takes place October 13-15, 5-10 PM, DAR Constitution Hall. Click here for more info.  

Tuesday, October 6
Fashion-Forward Vampires
In anticipation of the November 20 launch of the new Twilight movie, New Moon, Nordstrom is hosting an online sweepstakes for tickets to the Los Angeles premiere. Starting today, visit nordstrom.com/newmoon for a chance to win roundtrip airfare for two, a two-night hotel stay, car transportation, and a styling party hosted by BP—Nordstrom’s juniors line—as well as tickets to the premiere. Starting October 15, you can also peruse the New Moon-themed collection in selected BP departments and online at nordstrom.com. Bloody excellent!

Saturday, October 10
Pretty in Pink
Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month with a special Haute Pink: Fashion for a Cure show at the Shops at Greenspring Station (Falls and Greenspring Valley rds., Lutherville), just outside Baltimore. Fresh boutique, Bijoux Jewels, Magda Fine Fashions, and Mano Swartz will showcase fall trends with a runway show plus late-night shopping and special discounts. The event is free and open to the public, but VIP seating is open on a first-call basis. Call 443-901-0097 to secure a seat. A percentage of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Maryland branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 7 PM.

>>Want to see more photos from our favorite vendors? Check out our Crafty Bastards slideshow.

The weather couldn’t have been better for outdoor shopping on Saturday, so we headed to Adams Morgan for a solid afternoon of perusing the Washington City Paper-sponsored Crafty Bastards Festival. The 150-plus vendors—selling handmade housewares, jewelry, clothing, and more—featured arts and crafts of a new generation. Gone were the stuffy knitted scarves and cheap beaded jewelry, and in their place sat stalls brimming with hip graphic T-shirts, sculptural silver jewelry, and standout graphic design. A break-dance competition was welcome entertainment. Read on for a look at the loot we loved and a list of designers to watch out for.

Thursday, October 1
Botox for a Cause
If you’ve ever wanted to try Botox, now’s your chance. Erwin Gomez Salon & Spa is teaming up with the Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery for the first annual Wrinkle Erase for the Cure. Enjoy Botox for $15 per unit, Juvederm for $450 per syringe, and nonsurgical extras such as chair massage for $1 per minute. A $10 raffle ticket buys you chances to win such goodies as a makeover from Erwin Gomez, an organic spray tan, or a custom corset. The day’s proceeds will be donated to Living Pink, a local breast-cancer-research organization. 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Call 202-785-4187 to RSVP. 2440 M St., NW, Suite 200.

Friday, October 2
For the Men
The U Street, Northwest, boutique Caramel and the urban-cool men’s line Alkemy will host a fall-fashion evening with appetizers from DC Noodles and wine from Best Cellars. All Alkemy clothing will be 20 percent off. E-mail Sarah at contact@caramelfashion.com to RSVP. 6 to 9.

New York’s Fall Fashion Week has come and gone—the last day was September 18—but the range of its runway looks are just beginning to appear in stores. From boxy ’80s-style sweaters and electric-colored leggings to feminine, waist-cinching dresses inspired by the ’40s, the looks are vivified tributes to fashion history. Here’s one Fashion Week look that’s definitely a splurge—and some inexpensive ways to recreate it.

Tuesday, September 24

Minty Fresh
Join designer Jodi Arnold of Mint at Wink as she presents her fall collection and discusses her design inspiration and offers styling techniques. Arnold will be in store on Thursday, but the show continues all weekend. Thursday to Saturday 11 to 7, Sunday noon to 6.

Bling Thing
Enjoy a trunk show from the jewelry designers Slane + Slane at Mystique Jewelers (211 The Strand Waterfront, Alexandria; 703-836-1401). Enjoy the intricate ropes, chains, and semiprecious stones that adorn this celebrity favorite.

Sweet Show
Tonight, enjoy a “cupcake social” at Georgetown’s Fresh (1205 Potomac St., NW; 202-965-7115). Red Velvet cupcakery will provide sweet treats, and there’ll be a showcase of the hottest trends for fall. 6 to 8:30. E-mail freshlemonpie@gmail.com to RSVP.

Shoppers persue the wares at the District Sample Sale.

More than 650 shoppers gathered in Georgetown Wednesday night for the biannual District Sample Sale, where about 20 stores, jewelry designers, and clothing brands discount merchandise by as much as 80 percent and donate a portion of the proceeds to charity.

This year, Rachael’s Women’s Center was the recipient.

The sale drew a larger crowd than last year, despite the $40-to-$200 entry fees. Shoppers lined up in the rain nearly 90 minutes early to get their chance to grab bargains from stores such asUrban Chic, Wink, Hysteria, and Simply Soles as well as nibbles from Georgetown Cupcake, Sweetgreen, and Neyla.

Bargains appeared on par with previous seasons, with many stores offering $25 and $30 racks plus fall merchandise discounted as much as 30 percent.

>> See the full slideshow here