Free Friday: Fashion Firing

This week's prize pack includes Benefit Primpcess, David Yurman eau de parfum and The Body Shop Large Colour Palette, and has a retail value of more than $175.

Welcome to the fourth Free Friday. Every Friday through Dec. 19, I'll be giving away free beauty products, accessories and fragrance.

The winner of last week's giveaway is Kiera McMillan. The answer we were looking for is Alexander Wang. Here are the rules for entry:

E-mail your answer to each week's question to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.

Your answer must be in the subject field of the e-mail.

Include your name and phone number in the text of the email.

Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.

Correct answers to the question posed each week 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.

Here is this week's question: Which designer lost his creative director position after showing grunge on the runway in 1993?

Giving beauty thanks

Sure, I'm thankful for my family, friends and our health, but I'm also thankful for Buxom Lips, which gives me the bee-stung look without surgery or the big price tag.

Happy Thanksgiving! In the spirit of the day and holiday season, here are five products I am thankful to have found this year:

Tallulah Glossary in Mouth of the South: The color in the tube is a bit scary in it's brightness, but the gloss is fab alone (SPF 15) or on top of another lip color or pencil. Available at Jeffre Scott Apothecary.

BareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer: I was doubtful that anything could slow or stop the landslide eyeshadow thing I had going on. Until I tried this primer. Fabulous! Available at Potion.

Kiehl's Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser: This gentle, soap-free cleanser washes without drying. There's also no greasy film left behind after rising.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish: Your lips will tingle, and not in a frightening way. And your lips will feel more plump without having to go to platypus surgery extremes.

Too Faced Lash Injection: I had been on a seemingly endless quest for fat eyelashes when I discovered this big mascara. It was love at first swipe -- I can wear everyday or crank up the volume with few more coats for night time.

What products are you thankful for this year?

Christian Siriano in Charlotte

Fierce "Project Runway" season four winner Christian Siriano will be in Charlotte on Dec. 4 at Coplon's in Phillips Place.

As part of his visit to the Queen City, he'll be the guest of honor at a brunch and fashion show to benefit Dress for Success Charlotte. Tickets, $100 each, are limited. Visit the Dress for Success website for more details. A trunk show, open to the public, will be 11:30 a.m- 5 p.m. at the store.

Christian and I spoke by phone recently. Read Thursday's Style section for the full story, but here's an exerpt of our conversation.

How would you characterize your 'Project Runway' experience? "It’s so funny, it was such a long time ago, but it’s still so prominent. (‘Project Runway’) opened every amazing door for me. I skipped five years of the fashion industry. It was a lot of work, but I have no bad things say about it. It made my career."

What has been the biggest change in your life since 'Project Runway'? "Everything and all of the above. My bank account is different! It's fabulous. I moved into a big beautiful loft in Williamsburg that is my studio too."

Free Friday: Beauty 'Influence'

This week's prize pack includes a copy of "Influence" by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Hermes Eau Des Merveilles Glittering Fragrant Powder, Ecotools 5-piece mini-brush set and a Body Shop Sparkle Eye Palette. The prize has an estimated retail value of more than $120.

Welcome to the third Free Friday! Every Friday through Dec. 19, I'll be giving away free beauty products, accessories and fragrance.

The winner of the last week's giveaway is Anna Marshall. The answer we were looking for is Susan Posnick.

Here are the rules for entry:

• E-mail your answer to each week's question to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.


• Your answer must be in the subject field of the e-mail.


• Include your name and phone number in the text of the email.


• Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.


• Correct answers to the question posed each week 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.

Here is this week's question:

Which designer recently won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award?

Shopping the Show

I lingered for some time at The Bag Girl's display, featuring bags and accessories made from vintage (and vintage-inspired) textiles.

I made my first trip in ages to Southern Christmas Show this week. The show runs through Sunday. There were a few things that caught me off guard:

• I arrived at 9:30 a.m., hoping to beat the crowds (doors open at 10 a.m.). The main parking lot was already 1/2 full when I rolled up.


• What economic crisis? The weekday crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder with minutes, and nearly impassable when I left around noon. And, it wasn't just folks browsing -- they were loaded down with bags.


• It was hard to be an anti-excess-of-the-holidays grinch while being bombarded with twinkle lights, festive songs and loads of unique offerings.


• Artisans weren't shy about proudly proclaiming their items were hand-made. Subtle (and not so, sometimes) signs help make shoppers make more informed decisions by questioning where their intended purchases originate.


• Most shoppers looked like festival pros -- cross body bags, rolling carts to hold their purchases, etc.. But I was stunned by the number of people wearing inappropriate clothing. Flip-flops are not good for walking in a tightly packed crowd. Or in November when it's so cold.


• Leave your outerwear in the car, but bring your patience.

Did you go? What is your take on the show?

Helping (our) hands

My favorite spa-like treatment for dry hands involves Old Navy fleece gloves and Curel.

Temps in Charlotte have quickly become mighty frigid for this time of year, and already my hands are taking a beating. I can't seem to put enough lotion on them -- they drink it up and still I have snaggy cuticles and brittle nails.

One way to prevent ashy hands is to wear gloves outdoors constantly.

Here's tip from my mom back home in Michigan, who is a glove-wearing fanatic (and you can tell from her perfectly moisturized hands in the dead of winter): Lotion up your hands right before putting on gloves when you leave in the morning. Make sure to wear your gloves as long as you can, and you'll have a head start on supple hands.

My mom's process works in a similar way to moisturizing your feet with lotion and heavy socks at night, except that it's your hands and you're not sleeping.

Do you have any tips for combating dry skin?

LISTEN UP! I'll be on the Matt & Ramona show at 6 p.m. Wednesday to talk about the five men's must-haves for building a solid wardrobe. Underwear is more important than you think, as are nice shoes. Read more in Thursday's Style section.

Free Friday: Makeup madness

Today's freebie is a copy of Bobbi Brown's new "Makeup Manual" (which is set to hit stores Dec. 1) and Urban Decay's VIP 24/7 Eye Pencil set and Three Piece Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner Set. Retail value of the trio is around $100.

Welcome to the second Free Friday! Every Friday through Dec. 19, I'll be giving away free beauty products, accessories and fragrance.

The winner of the last week's giveaway is Rhea Kelley. The answer we were looking for was Oleg Cassini.

The response to last week's giveaway was overwhelming -- more than 1,000 entries hit our inbox! We're refining the rules for entry a bit. Here they are:

• E-mail your answer to each week's question to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.


• Your answer must be in the subject field of the e-mail.


• Include your name and phone number in the text of the email.


• Entries must be received by 4 p.m. Friday. Entries sent after the deadline will not be considered.


• Correct answers to the question posed each week 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.
  

OK. Here goes with this week's question:

Which famous name in cosmetics, who has an eponymous line (available in Charlotte), was the personal makeup artist of Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay cosmetics?

Fashion and philanthropy

First, some quick housekeeping: the winner of the Nov. 7 Free Friday prize will be revealed tomorrow during the next giveaway.


The work of local designer Luis Carlos Machicao was the featured at the Assistance League of Charlotte's "Savor the Season" fashion show and luncheon recently (above). Proceeds from the event, held at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, benefit the ALC's child-based philanthropic programs.


Designer Zang Toi (above), recently at Coplon's in Phillips Place for a trunk show, shared details of his fundraising efforts for Lance Armstrong's Livestrong campaign. In 2007, he and his Team Toi teammates raised $267,000 for Armstrong's organization.

Shopping deals and gifts

Here's just a few pieces of shopping news to cross my screen recently:

• Petal Boutique (1315 East Blvd.) has launched a retail website. Just like the brick and mortar store, the online shop carries Anlo, BCBG, Christopher Deane, James Jeans, Jbrand, Joe’s Jeans, Juicy Couture (kids and baby), Julie Haus, Mike & Chris, Rebecca Minkoff, Shoshanna and Splendid Littles. Snatch up clothes by Mara Hoffman and Ella Moss, among others from the sale rack online.
  
  
• Harold's, a long time South Charlotte fave, will be closing its doors at Speciality Shops on the Park. Sales will continue until all merchandise is gone. A friend swung by the location earlier this week and said pickings are already slim.
  
  
• Nordstrom and Clinique are offering the "first-ever celebrity-designed" gift with purchase through Nov. 22. The Trina Turk cosmetics bag holds seven small Clinique products, including Lash Doubling Mascara and Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift. Valued at $60, it's free with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more.
  
• With a $500 purchase in select departments at Neiman Marcus through Nov. 22, shoppers will receive a trio of bangles by Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel. Qualifying departments include: women’s apparel, accessories, designer jewelry, handbags, shoes and cosmetics.
  

Free Friday: Jo Malone gift set

Today's freebie is a Jo Malone white jasmine and mint gift set with bath oil, body creme and a candle (approximate retail value $200).

Welcome to the first Free Friday! Every Friday through Dec. 19, I'll be giving away free beauty products, accessories and fragrance.

Here's the deal: E-mail the answer to each week's trivia question to style@charlotteobserver.com. Be sure to include your name and phone number. Entries must be received by 6 p.m. Friday.

Correct answers to the question posed each week 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.

Ready? In the spirit of all this presidential fashion talk, here's today's question:

Who designed Jacqueline Kennedy's gown for the 1961 inaugural ball?

Good luck!

The winner is Narciso Rodriguez

Sure, her husband was just elected the 44th president of the United States, but Michelle Obama shone last night in a black and red Spring 2009 Narciso Rodriguez dress (above).

While I am on the fence about the black bands crossing her midsection (some friends said they thought it was slimming, I thought it was distracting), I am delighted that the new first lady continued her stylish dismissal of the suit as campaign attire for women.

Her progressive, realistic personal style includes wearing J. Crew as proudly as Thakoon. I can't wait to see what she chooses for the inauguration.

Thoughts?

The dress as shown on the runway during Narciso Rodriguez's Spring 2009 show.

Inside the Capitol party

A scene from the Capitol party Saturday night (Jason Miczek photo)

The fabulous and fashionable turned out in droves to fete Laura Vinroot Poole's Capitol boutique Saturday.

Guests were welcomed to the store at Sharon and Colony roads by the sounds of a brass band on the balcony.

Inside, some 200 guests circulated, noshing on refined versions of southern faves -- mini ham biscuits, wee pieces of fried okra and crab cakes. It's hard to say which drink had folks buzzing more: the so-good-you-don't-realize-it's-power Firefly sweet tea vodka cocktail or the Mason jar of plum moonshine that was passed around for everyone to try.

Local notables on hand included former Charlotte mayor (and proud papa of Laura) Richard Vinroot.

Out of town VIP guests included designers Barbara Tfank and Chris Benz and actress Eva Amurri. Designer Erin Fetherston said she was impressed by what she saw on her trip to Hendrick Motorsports earlier in the day. Rodarte sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy discussed the jewelry their artist mother Victoria sells at Barneys and the Halloween inspiration (some five months in the making) for their custom display at the entrance to the store.

Poole, who looked radiant in a cotton-candy-pink Rodarte confection, left little to chance when it came to her duties as ambassador of the South and Southern hospitality. Her out-of-town guests this morning were to receive a wake-up delivery of Bojangles biscuits and Cheerwine.

Here's me (left) and stylist Melissa Lamkin in the courtyard of the store (Jason Miczek photo).