Fab online shoe boutique SimplySoles has launched its first brick-and-mortar shop in the up-and-coming area of Columbia Heights.

Mother of two, trained CPA and “tax master” Kassie Rempel launched her online site and catalog business in 2004, but knew that her DC clientele needed a spot to shop.

“Most people open a store first and then create a website. I chose to do just the opposite and make my products available worldwide and establish the SimplySoles brand by exposing it to fashion connoisseurs everywhere. That will always be a goal of ours, but now we get to meet face to face with our customers and engage them in a way we’ve not done before. We are known for our excellent customer service and that will continue to be a top priority in our new location,” says Rempel, who has been named as one of the top five emerging entrepreneurs in Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Awards, recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 2008 Women Who Mean Business, and has been featured on the cover of Fortune Small Business magazine in a story on extreme customer service.

In addition to designers like Tory Burch, Chie Mihara, Delman, Bettye Muller and Lilly Pulitzer, Rempel has started her own shoe line that’s exclusive to SimplySoles. It’s called named lillybee consists of nine styles (including two that are vegan), all of which are are shipped to the customer in a durable, quilted bag named the ShoeShuttle that is designed for transporting shoes and also saving trees in the process by eliminating the need for a shoe box. Best of all, every pair is $195 or less. (Check out the Kristen. Hilary and Gwyneth, above.)

If you can visit the cheerful pink and chandelier-filled store in person, be sure to bring a pair of gently worn closed-toe shoes. Simply Soles will donate them to Suited for Change, a local non-profit that helps women in transition dress for success. You’ll also receive a 10% discount on your next purchase just by making the donation.

SIMPLYSOLES ADDRESS: 1438 Park Road NW, Washington, DC 20010. If you can’t make it in person (the store is only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) … be sure to shop online at www.simplysoles.com

Don’t forget to take advantage of our StoreAdore-exclusive deals, either! Enter “IADOREU” in the promotional code section at checkout to receive your free gift. Gifts are as follows:

Spend $50 or more and receive a SimplySoles Reusable Grocery Bag
Spend $100 or more and receive an Aluminum SimplySoles Water Bottle with Carabineer
Spend $500 or more and receive a pair of SoleSavers.

EXCLUSIVE SALE, DECEMBER 1: On Monday, December 1, at 8 a.m. EST, SimplySoles.com will have a super sale for 24-hours only on in-stock merchandise ordered via the internet. Free shipping on orders of $50
or more and free returns through December 24, 2008. All merchandise will be discounted 40% and quantities are limited.

It’s supposed to be the biggest shopping day of the year, and judging by the percentage of merchandise already on sale at Tysons Corner this weekend, we’re in for a terrific Black Friday. Want to know which boutiques are going to be your best best? Here’s our listing of DC’s best Black Friday deals … some are outright steals!

(Don’t forget: all clothing and almost all accessories in DC proper are tax free from Black Friday through December 6th at midnight!)

HIT THESE STORES EARLY, AS THE DEALS ARE BEST ON FRIDAY

Urban Chic
Early bird gets the best deal. Score 50% off 9 - 10 AM, 40% off from 10 - 1, and 30% off the rest of the weekend. Available at all locations and at their Bethesda Row neighbor Ginger as well.

(The backless TIBI shift, shown, is regularly $285, and could be yours for only $142.50 if you get to Urban Chic before 10!)

Lettie Gooch
10% off your entire purchase, plus complimentary mimosas and gift wrap from 10 am - 2 pm. Draw from the “Turkey Bowl” to win up to 20% off your entire purchase.

Go Mama Go
10% off all day, 20% off before noon if you shop in PJs (FRIDAY ONLY)

SHOP ALL WEEKEND LONG

Little Shoe Box
30% off the whole store.

(These sweet pumps are regularly $420, but yours for only $296 this weekend at Little Shoe Box.)

Harriet Kassman
50% off select sample sizes all weekend long.

Hysteria
30% of all non-sale merchandise, additional 10% off all sale through Sunday.

Wink
In addition to 20% off (which StoreAdore members already save on a regular basis), there’s a Haeli Staar trunk show on Saturday and Sunday.

Sassanova
Up to 40% off all shoes and bags

Sangaree
30% off most merchandise

Terra
Up to 75% off select merchandise

THESE DEALS ARE GOOD FOR FRIDAY ONLY

PULP
10% off all holiday cards

Moojoo Ken
30% off, free gift with purchase. (Save up to 25% off by mentioning StoreAdore all the time!)

(Knitted wire earrings, regularly $80, are only $56 at Moojoo Ken)

Home Rule
10% off all purchases

Caramel
Up to 50% off all day

DEKKA
10% off all day.

As if holiday shopping isn’t stressful enough, friends, relatives, and not-so-welcome neighbors will soon be pouring through the door. It’s about that time to start trading out the bean bag chairs and lava lamps for dining sets and candle sticks. Make your home somewhere your family wants to hang this holiday season. So instead of attempting to throw an old sheet over the recliner, head to Apartment Zero’s Open House Saturday December 6th from 3-6pm for 20 percent off on any purchase. Packed with furniture of all kinds, statement-making lamps and clocks, throws, flatware and home accents, the store will set you on your way to a slick, stylish, and cozy holiday season. Can’t make it December 6th? Don’t beg to have Christmas at your sister’s just yet, Store Adore shoppers save 20% off selecte items throughout the holidays. You also get 10 percent off all linens, bedding and throw pillows. Trust me they’ll come in handy for that guest who really likes to hit the eggnog.

Click here for details.

Click here to browse the exclusively discounted merch.

Store Adore partied with National Jean Company last week in Bethesda, Maryland. Fueled by fresh empanadas and champagne, shoppers stocked up on jeans and cute tops, all at 20 percent off.

If you missed the party, you can still save 20 percent on everything at National Jean Company stores and website. Click here for details.

Monica Barnes, Elizabeth Askew and a friend

Store Adore Co-Founder Cristina Miller and her mother, Rosalia Miller

Rosalia Miller and Jeni Jefferson

Gift bags behind the register

Molly Moore and Zoe Scharff modeling the merch

Jeni Jefferson and David Anderson

Eve Benton, Store Adore Co-Founder Meredith Barnett, and her mother, Rita Braver

Rosalia Miller, Cristina Miller and Ilene National Jean Company

David, Jeni and Cristina

Cristina, Catherine Reynolds, and Meredith

Monica Barnes perusing the denim

Catherine Reynolds and Meredith

Cusp is having its largest sale of the season. Take 40 percent off of clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories from the top contemporary designers stocked by Cusp.

Catering only to women with brands like DVF, Chloé, Catherine Malandrino and Manolo Blahnik, Cusp’s “lost in the fashion jungle” ambiance makes it very simple to spot each week’s latest and greatest. Cusp has earned, and understandably so, a rep for being a trend-setting super-boutique, and now you can save big on the best tags in the business.

The sale starts November 21st at all Cusp boutiques and online, so don’t waste any time scrambling through these racks of decadent designer duds.

Click Here to see all Cusp Locations.

Not that I needed a reason to consume my body weight in my mother’s famous sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving, but I do feel better knowing that I am actually just “carbing up” to get my juices flowing for Black Friday in Alexandria. The Old Town Boutique District is open for business on November 28th, and will be offering the best sales in the best stores around! So eat up at dinner ladies because there is no place for a running-on-empty shopper when the 19 amazing boutiques in Old Town Alexandria open their doors and knock 10 percent off of anything you can get your hands on.

Give in to the holiday spirit at Red Barn Mercantile, where the art of giving has been mastered and perfected. You will find something for everybody here, whether it be an oversized coffee table book (everything from an encyclopedia of bugs to a photographic history of Audrey Hepburn), a potential new sofa, or a set of scented candles. This store was irresistible before, but Black Friday’s 10 percent discount pushes it to a whole new level of drool worthy. I’m going to browse the Red Barn website to get my shopping list together ahead of time. (I’ve already got my eye on this Thomas Paul pillow, above ($96), for my boss—and Store Adore co-Founder—Meredith Barnett’s new blue living room.)

Ti’s the season to… look freakin’ fabulous! And how can you do that without putting your best face forward? Swing by Bellacara for the best bath, body, hair, and make up on the market. If you love Bumble and Bumble, Kiehl’s, and Philosophy, you will love buying them with a break at this Old Town Alexandria boutique!

For all of you Carrie Bradshaw types who plan on hitting this should-be national shopping holiday in some fab footwear, we know where you will be claiming your 10 percent prize. The Shoe Hive is heel heaven! Stocked with the most stylish stilettos, slingbacks, and slip-ons in the Old Town Boutique District, this is one store you will not leave empty handed.

Click here to see more Old Town Alexandria Boutiques featured on Store Adore.

(Pictured: Green and Blue)

Dupont Circle (Washington, DC)

As the meeting point of Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenues (two of the area’s busiest thoroughfares), it is understandable that the biggest deals go down, the best restaurants are born, and the greatest fashion fizzles! The Dupont Circle neighborhood has loads of chic shops jewelry by acclaimed shop I. Gorman will stop any tourist in her tracks! Here, floating circular cases evoke the stunning, meticulously crafted rings; marble-like walls, seemingly lit from within, have the same complex textures as colorful sculpted bracelets; and plank-like tables recall modern necklaces studded with gemstones. This store is so amazing- from stunning decor to merch you have to see to believe- it should be a national landmark. If you are looking for a store that brings a little boutique chic area, stop by Green and Blue. Or take a stroll into the neighborhood’s favorite gift-y store, Propper Topper, to grab a few pick-me-ups (there are cute gifts and accessories scattered throughout) or admire a hat selection that’s both functional (a faux-fur winter trapper for winter) and fanciful (a wide-rimmed ribbon-trimmed bonnet that’s suitable for the Kentucky Derby or lunch at the White House).

View and print our Dupont Circle shopping map.

Join Store Adore and National Jean Company in Bethesda for a Fall Shopping Party.

20% off everything in-store, plus drinks, light bites and raffle prizes worth $1000.

Monday, November 17th, 7-9pm

7301 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Avenue

Rsvp at storeadore.rsvp@gmail.com

To view the full invitation, click on the image below.

Announcing the latest Store Adore deal: Store Adore shoppers save up to 20 percent on select items at Apartment Zero.

Click here to browse 19 items available for a 20 percent discount exclusively to Store Adore shoppers.

Call to order at 202-628-4067 or visit the Washington, DC-based store, where you can also save 10 percent on all bedding, linens and throw pillows.

For DC apartment dwellers with a penchant for top-level decor, Apartment Zero provides the ultimate shopping experience. This bastion of innovative home design is laid out like a real apartment, with impeccably styled dining, living and bedroom areas. Highlighting styles from international designers, the store features furniture of all kinds, statement-making lamps and clocks, throws, flatware and home accents that all blend classical styling with a unique and modern edge. The store also offers interior-decorating services and is home to industrial design exhibitions that spotlight avant-garde and international designers.

We Adore: This vase maker (regularly $35, Store Adore price $28) gives new life to any glass in your cabinet.

We Adore: Mix and match abra cadabra dishes (regularly $16-$26, Store Adore price $13-$21) to legantly arrange nibbles, nuts and sauces.

We Adore:A blow up bowl (regularly $92, Store Adore price $74) makes a stunning (and useful) centerpiece when filled with fruit. It can also be used as a bread basket.

Every year, it happens to some unsuspecting victim…last year, it was cousin Liz. Your parents fell prey the year before.  This time, they’re coming for you: that’s right, the family’s inviting themselves over for the holidays.

Before your holiday hosting turns into a scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you might want to look to Kosmos Design & Ideas for help.

From November 14th through the 16th, the sanctuary for sustainable living is offering 25% off all their sleek Eastern-inspired furniture and accessories, so you can dress up your dwelling in style.

This time, when Uncle Ernie passes halfway through dinner, he won’t be complaining about how the futon frame hurts his back in the morning, and Grandma will finally approve of something.