Free Friday: Maca Root for the men

This week's giveaway is a pair of products from The Body Shop, For Men Maca Root Face Wash and For Men Maca Root Shave Cream. The set has a value of more than $25.

The rules for entry are as follows:

• To enter, send an e-mail to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.
• Your e-mail must contain the word MACA in the subject field of the e-mail. Include your name, phone number and mailing address in the text of the email.
• Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.
• E-mails that meet the stated criteria will be entered into a random drawing. One entry per e-mail address, please.
• Only the winner will be contacted. Please do not post your answers and contact information in the comments section on the blog.

CLT makeup artist tapped for Fashion Week

Makeup artist Samantha Smith, owner of Potion beauty boutique at Birkdale, was recently chosen to work her magic at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach.

On July 18, she'll joining the BECCA cosmetics makeup artistry team to beautify runway models during the annual swim wear event, which will be showcasing looks for the 2010 season.

Her fab store in Huntersville carries the equally killer line (I am a serial lover of all things BECCA -- like this and this and this) that is a perfect fit for swimsuits and summer weather.

Free Friday: Fruits & Passion products

This week's giveaway is a collection of products from Fruits & Passion, including Carrot Cream Body Wash, Carrot Nourishing Butter, Foaming Exfoliant and Energizing Leg Gel. The set has a retail value of more than $65.

The rules for entry are as follows:

• To enter, send an e-mail to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.
• Your e-mail must contain the word FRUITS in the subject field of the e-mail. Include your name, phone number and mailing address in the text of the email.
• Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.
• E-mails that meet the stated criteria will be entered into a random drawing. One entry per e-mail address, please.
• Only the winner will be contacted. Please do not post your answers and contact information in the comments section on the blog.

Sales bust out all over Charlotte

There's tons happening on the fashion scene in Charlotte. Get these events on your calendar:

Wine & Heels: Heels.com, the Charlotte-based shoe Website is offering more than 50% off hundreds of designer shoes at their event tonight, June 24, 6-9p. There will be $5 wine specials, too. Wine Loft 2201 South Blvd. RSVP to linda@heels.com.

Carolina Warehouse Sale: More than 20 Charlotte boutiques are participating, offering designer apparel at 75-85 percent off. Read more about the sale in Thursday's Observer or peep the mention on Vogue.com. Public sale starts 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27.

The Villages of Southend Block Party: Retailers in the Villages of Southend are throwing a block party, 5-9p Saturday, June 27. Among those participating: Bead Me, Three Little Birds, Bella Bridesmaid and more.

Sales at Gap Outlet, BR Factory Store: Starting June 30, two stores at Concord Mills will be offering July 4 sales. At Banana Republic Factory store, the entire store will be 40 percent off through July 6. At Gap Outlet, the entire store will be up to 70 percent off through July 9.

Gold Rush Party: Donald Haack Diamonds Fine Gems will host a weekly gold party every Friday in July and August from noon-6p at the store across from SouthPark mall. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served while you can sell your unwanted gold. All transactions are confidential.

Free Friday: True Religion for Women

Up for grabs this week is a bottle of True Religion for Women fragrance. The layered scent has sweet-tart properties, as well as warm woods and skin-like musks with notes of Bergamot, Freesia and Amaryllis, among others. It has a retail value of more than $55.

The rules for entry are as follows:

• To enter, send an e-mail to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.
• Your e-mail must contain the word TRUE RELIGION in the subject field of the e-mail. Include your name, phone number and mailing address in the text of the email.
• Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.
• E-mails that meet the stated criteria will be entered into a random drawing. One entry per e-mail address, please.
• Only the winner will be contacted. Please do not post your answers and contact information in the comments section on the blog.

TFS: I so want to care about this show

The winning look, designed by Haven and Anna.

I really, really want to care and be excited about "The Fashion Show."

But I just can't. Not even after what is probably the best episode of the season so far. I can't get excited about anything, heck, I can't even remember the designers names. How's that for holding my attention.

The best I can do is generalities: There's the Valley-Boy-Fred-Flintstone-Wilma-bun-can't-sew-dude, the whiny, self-important-recent-college-grad; The 80s-throwback-girl-who-can't-sew and Merlin, whom the adorably insightful Tom and Lorenzo refer to as "Chicken Diva."

Yes, James-Paul's partner deserved to go home for the fish-scale dress that would give even the skinniest model some massive junk in the trunk. And yes, 80s-throwback-girl-who-can't-sew and her partner deserved to win for their jacket/shorts combo (here's a tip: culottes haven't been cool since I wore them in third grade).

I've heard nothing but crickets when I post about this show ... is anyone watching besides me? Or have you all taken a break from fashion TV until the August return of "Project Runway?" Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Korto Momolu to visit CLT

"Project Runway" alumna Korto Momolu will be in Charlotte in August.

Grab a pencil and your calendar -- there's mess of stylish events coming up in the Queen City.

• JEWELRY ARTIST Stephanie Albertson will be in-store for a trunk show 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 at Hotham in the Morrison development at Sharon and Colony roads. Albertson's jewelry (below) is handcrafted in 22K yellow gold, diamonds and colored gemstones, and has been featured in Town & Country, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and W. An Elizabeth Showers trunk show will be at Hotham as well. Details: 704.366.3440.
  
• SHOPPING EVENT: Morrison is hosting a Ladies Night Out shopping event 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, which will include discounts, freebies and drinks for women only. Ramona Holloway from 107.9FM The Link will be hosting the event. Details here.
  
  
• "PROJECT RUNWAY" favorite Korto Momolu will be part of Passion Fashion 09, scheduled for Aug. 6 at the Harris Conference Center, 3216 CPCC Harris Campus Dr. Also participating in the fashion show event will be Charlotte designer Tara Davis (Flow by Tara Davis) and Savannah, Ga. designer Cate Lyon of Cate Lyon Studio. VIP tickets are $90 (available until June 20) and include front row seating, a meet-and-greet with designers and other perks. Regular tickets are $45. Event details here or call (877) 298-2220.
  
  
• PRENATAL PEEK-A-BOO: Community Yoga is holding a free educational event 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 11. The event will include information on prenatal yoga, natural childbirth and Hypnobabies classes, doula care and labor and delivery. Mini-makeovers and pregnancy skincare advice is complimentary by makeup artists from Potion Beauty. Free goodies available from Potion Beauty and Wry Baby, maker of hip baby clothes and parenting accessories. RSVPs appreciated at Community Yoga's Facebook page online. Details: 20823 N. Main St., Cornelius; 704-491-4749.
  
  
• Tickets are on sale now for Charlotte NC Fashion Week, scheduled for Sept. 10-12 at the Mint Museum. Barbara McKay has signed on guest emcee. Luis Carlos Machicao of Machiçao Couture, Kimberly Pixton of Pixton Bridal Couture and Shinikki Peterson of Lujeanik Designs are among the designers who will be sharing the runway. Tickets are $35-$180. Click here for details.