Dear Friends,

SHOP DC started over a year ago with the mission of bringing you the best local shopping events – from the high brow trunk show to the bargain basement close-out sale. I’ve had a tremendous time discovering unique stores, attending events and sharing my shopping wisdom with you.

About six months ago SHOP DC joined up with WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive with the goal of expanding the reach and coverage of the email. Using the stylish reporters of the entire Post company (online, the paper and Express) we have come up with a fabulous new email product called DC Scout that uses the power of a true journalistic empire to uncover the hippest of what our DC metropolis has to offer. Together we’ll bring you local spas, stores, shopping events and designers. We’ll also review the national scene and tell you what every day products live up to their promises (Bare Escentuals make up) and which ones don’t (Victoria’s Secret butt lifting jeans). We’ll be opinionated. We’ll be daring. And we’ll be completely free of charge.

I’m sure some of you are thinking, “How can anything corporate be cool?” Never fear! I am still running the day to day, picking the stories and keeping it fresh. I promise it won’t be some stale story on Paris Hilton’s fragrance – pushed by some equally stale PR company. Our regular email will be 100% editorial. And when we run ads or sponsored emails, you’ll be able to tell.

I hope you’ll stick with me through this change. DC is only growing more stylish by the minute, and I don’t want you to miss out on any of it.

How to preview and sign up for DC Scout:

If you are already a washingtonpost.com registered user, you will automatically start receiving DC Scout. You can opt-out at any time.

If you are not a registered user, we'll send you a few emails to get you started, but I encourage you to sign up for free today by clicking here and selecting DC Scout on the bottom right of your screen. Show me.

Have something to say? Want to pass on a tip? Contact me at my new home at dcscout@wpni.com