What better way to spend a rainy weekday night than with good friends, free drinks, and more than miniature trunk shows? The Washingtonian headed to DAR Constitution Hall last Wednesday for Shecky’s Girls Night Out , a smorgasbord of boutiques, jewelry designers, and food and beauty products. Read on for how to shop our favorite vendors from the evening.

Stella & Dot. There was so much that we loved from this jewelry designer that’s a favorite of fashion magazines and celebrities. The sweetly pretty pieces are versatile, trendy, and range from delicate outfit enhancers to impossible-to-miss statement makers. We can’t wait to incorporate the Ava Cupchain ($44) and Sofia Pearl Bib ($118) necklaces into our holiday-party wardrobe, and the Paige Chandelier earrings ($69) would be a great way to glamorize weekend wear.

Spa Week runs through October 18, and there are lots of venues and treatments to choose from, so newbie and regular spagoers are probably wondering where they’ll get the best bang for their buck. So we developed a handy guide for the novice (Spa Week 101), a refresher for the occasional spagoer (Spa Week 201), and a suggestions list (Spa Week 301) for the regular. Any way you look at it, you’re sure to find some much-needed relaxation.

SPA WEEK 101

What’s Spa Week?
Twice a year, Spa Week hits cities across the country. For one week—and sometimes longer—spas discount three treatments to $50 each.

How do I participate?
It’s free—you just have to register on SpaWeek.com. You’ll get some e-mail reminders, and it’s fairly simple to opt out at any time.

What spas participate?
The list changes every year, but more than 50 spas in DC, Maryland, and Virginia join each season.

Wednesday, September 16

District Sample Sale
If you haven’t done so already, snag a ticket for the annual District Sample Sale (3336 M St., NW), featuring merchandise at up to 80 percent off from stores such as Wink, Urban Chic, Hysteria, and Ginger. Plus, enjoy an extensive silent auction and free food and drink from local restaurants. Proceeds from the sale benefit Rachael’s Women’s Center. 6:30 to 9; $40.

Lookbook Launch
Kick off the Fashion Fights Poverty event this week with an exclusive Dress Responsibly look-book launch party at L2 Lounge. Inside the book are clothes, accessories, and home decor from designers across the globe who promote responsible principles such as environmental sustainability, equitable employment, and fair trade. The book also includes nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that use fashion and design to promote self-empowered, micro-entrepreneurial projects as vehicles for poverty eradication. 7 to 10 PM. Suggested donation $20. The first 50 donors will receive a copy of the look book.

Thursday, September 17

Red Sprinkle Launch
Join owner Rebecca Margao at the launch party for her new online consignment shop, Red Sprinkle. The Web site is organized so that viewers can peruse by occasion or view the clothing on body sketches to see how potential looks might work with their figure. At the party—at ACKC on DC’s 14th Street, Northwest—enjoy fashion presentations and chocolate treats from 6 to 8. E-mail info@redsprinkle.com to RSVP.

Wednesday, September 9
Yummy, Yummie
Ever wonder how style mavens look so svelte in their party frocks? Here’s the answer: Yummie Tummies. Meet Heather Thompson, creator of these great slimming garments, during a special show-and-tell at Urban Chic in Georgetown. 6 to 9.

Thursday, September 10
Fashion’s Night Out
Tonight in New York City, all fashionistas are taking to the streets in a guerilla marketing campaign to get people back into stores and stimulate the economy. It’s sponsored by the American icons of fashion: Vogue magazine and  its editor, Anna Wintour. To celebrate, all Washington Neiman Marcus stores are throwing a nightlong party. From 6 to 9, hit the Mazza Gallerie location, where you’ll find DJs, giveaways, chef demos, cocktail samples, and tons of great chances to win swag. The event is open to the public, but RSVPs are strongly suggested; call 202-274-3911.

Mid-City Party
Boutiques in DC’s U Street corridor are joining in the hubbub surrounding Fashion’s Night Out by keeping their doors open until 11. Cosponsored by the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, the event allows you to browse shops including Redeem, Muléh, Rue 14, Treasury, Palace 5, Dekka, Stem, Junction, Lettie Gooch, and Caramel.

According to the fashion calendar, fall is just about here, which means it’s time to start looking for the perfect pair of shoes to replace your summer flip-flops.

So that you don’t wander aimlessly in the Valley of Last Season, we’ve compiled a guide to this season’s top shoe trends, Frugal Fashionista style.

Paige Muller, this week’s Frugal Fashionista, brings to the column a wealth of shoe savvy. Muller, a Virginia-based fashionista with self-described “Prada taste on a Payless salary,” is the author of Heels Are a Girl’s Best Friend, a blog on the Web site FantasticToe.com, which is all about shoes. She also writes the style-and-beauty blog Hyper Pink.

We asked Muller to explore some of the season’s hottest shoe trends and to find their Frugal Fashionista-worthy counterparts. Here’s what she came up with:

Linda Daschle is one of the many familiar faces at Violet, Mesut Ozaydin and Jimmy Cehreli’s salon. Photograph by Scott Suchman

Hot Salon

At Violet (1513 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-337-3477), a new salon in Georgetown, don’t be surprised if you see Obama advisers Rahm Emanuel, Desirée Rogers, or Valerie Jarrett getting their dos done or lobbyist Linda Daschle in a chair. Owner/stylists Jimmy Cehreli and Mesut Ozaydin—who once worked at Toka Salon, where they counted Laura, Jenna, and Barbara Bush as clients—opened their place in February. A woman’s cut starts at $100, a man’s at $50.

Cut-Rate Cut

Why do some women from Georgetown—where you can’t toss a hairbrush without hitting a salon—drive to Rockville for a haircut? Because Maryam Sepehrfar has a following—and she’s a bargain. The stylist, who works out of Hair Cuttery in Congressional Plaza (1609 Rockville Pike; 301-881-9546), charges as little as $21 for a shampoo, cut, and blow dry. Hair Cuttery doesn’t take appointments, so people line up to see her—and on weekends can wait an hour or more.

More>> Shop Around Blog | Style | Find a Spa

Monday, July 13
Snag designer clothes by names such as Ports 1961, Elizabeth and James, Matt & Nat, and Dilbar for up to 60 percent off at Sangaree’s summer sale. The merchandise was marked down over the weekend, but the great deals go until it’s all gone. Shop fast for the best selection. 3288 M St., NW; 202-333-4690.

Practice safe skin care with the opening of Swiss brand Alchimie Forever’s new Washington location. Although the line has been based in Washington for some time, the company finally launched a retail location on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, stocking its signature creams, lotions, and potions as well as a small treatment room for the signature facials. 1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-530-3930; alchimie-forever.com.

Friday, July 17
Shop for a cause at Equinox Fitness this weekend during a trunk show and sale to support Sporting Generosity, a company that donates all of its profits to charity. Bring in gently used clothing (athletic or otherwise) to receive 20 percent off your purchase. Today and Saturday. 8065 Leesburg Pike, Vienna; 703-709-6193; sportinggenerosity.com.