Share a shopping secret?

I’ve stumbled upon a a shopping sweet spot.

It’s the place I go to find items I can’t find at other locations in Charlotte. And, apparently not many people know it’s there, since I can always find what I’m looking for and it’s never crowded.

This isn’t the first time I’ve wanted to blab and to keep a fab secret at the same time. I’ve had an aesthetician and been a regular at a few nail salons that were so beloved I didn’t want to share their information outside my circle of friends.

Have you found yourself in this situation? What do you do?

Free Friday: Final freebie

This week's giveaway is more than $250 worth of Shu Uemura anti-aging products: Smoothing anti-wrinkle emulsion, radiance boosting lotion and lifting anti-wrinkle essence.

Welcome to the last Free Friday. The answer to last week's give away is Betsey Johnson. 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: Who was named the winner of the CW reality show "Stylista" earlier this week?

When you care enough to hit send

My love of the stylish snark dispensed by Daily Candy is no secret. But it has been elevated to a near-obscene level by hilarious DC e-cards available on someecards.com (click on the Daily Candy link in the left-side menu).

Happy holidays!

Scout & Molly's in Charlotte

Inside the new boutique Scout & Molly's at the Morrison development in South Charlotte.

The Morrison development at Colony and Sharon roads has a new boutique in the mix: Scout & Molly's.

The Charlotte location, owned by Megan Tee, is the third Scout & Molly boutique (existing stores are in Chapel Hill and Raleigh).

Among the lines available: Yoana Baraschi, Akiko, Tibi, Linea Pelle and a slew of others.

The well-appointed space is further complimented by the chillest shop dog I've ever met: Marley, Tee's rescue dog.

LISTEN UP! I'll be on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins at 9 a.m. Tuesday to talk green Christmas gifts. Tune in at 90.7 FM or online.

Wry Baby Sample Sale

I had to restrain myself at the Wry Baby sample sale ... I may still go back for more.

Hip baby gear company Wry Baby operates from the second floor of a restored building in downtown Mooresville, in the Lake Norman area.

The super-creative, laugh-out-loud products from Dave and Kelly Sopp have been featured Cookie, Newsweek, People and InStyle, among others. They've got their bibs, T-shirts, books and toys in a a variety of retail outlets, including Barneys New York.

This weekend, they're having their "First Annual Super Funtastic Sample Sale," with toys, accessories and clothes up to 90 percent off. The deals are fab -- I checked out the scene Friday afternoon and walked with a bag full of holiday gifts for wee ones on my list.

Sale details: 10a-5p Saturday; Noon-3p Sunday; 104 N. Broad St. (above Ye Olde Mantel).

Free Friday: Fragrance fun

This week's give away, with a retail value of more than $170, includes a Hanae Mori Magical Moon fragrance set, Yves Saint Laurent Elle fragrance and Shea Terra Organics pink guava pomegranate salt scrub.

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

The winner of last week's give away is Crissy Huffstickler. The answer we were looking for is Thakoon. 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 ends each fashion show by doing a cartwheel on the runway?

Free Friday: Fashion Forward

This week's prize pack includes the Too Faced Mini Starry Eyed Liner Set, Mini Mirror Mirror Gloss Set and The Jewelry Box Pink Diamond Edition as well as a bottle of Stella McCartney Velvet edition eau de parfum. The retail value of the package is more than $160.

Welcome to the fifth 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 Betsy Ewing. The answer we were looking for is Marc Jacobs. 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, favored by Michelle Obama, is designing a line for Target that will be in stores on Dec. 25?

Fierce and fashion around town

Designer Christian Siriano posed for pictures and showed his line at today's (Dec. 4) benefit for Dress for Success Charlotte at Coplon's. The "Project Runway" season 4 winner chatted with the more than 60 attendees of the event and dished on his upcoming shoe and handbag collection at Payless. Read more about the event in next Thursday's Style section.

News and fashion happenings around Charlotte:

• The Michael Kors store at SouthPark mall opened today (Dec. 4), according to a press release. The store, near the Neiman Marcus/Nordstrom wing, is the first Michael Kors store in North Carolina.
• There will be savings of up to 40 percent at the Donald Haack holiday open house, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 4. 4611 Sharon Road. 704-365-4400.
• Jeffre Scott Apothecary is hosting a holiday part at the Piper Glen location, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6. Cocktails, fashion and eclectic beats are on the menu. 6432 Rea Road; 704.544.0750
• Mack and Mack Charlotte will have an open house 1-5 p.m. Dec. 7. Specialty Shops on the Park, 6401 Morrison Blvd. 704-365-3002
• Sample desserts and hot chocolate while shopping at the St. John boutique at SouthPark, 1-5 p.m. Dec. 13. Complimentary Gift Wrapping. RSVP: By Dec. 10, 704.366.4416.
• Through Feb. 15, 2009, visitors to the Mint Museum and Mint Museum of Craft + Design will receive $1 off admission with the donation of a canned or non-perishable food item. The food drive will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
  

Stylish gift-giving

Mid-1980s Madonna hands or ingenious winter wear for electronics obsessives?
You decide.

Frugality and fashion don't have to be mutually exclusive. Sure, it's easy to drop a ton of cash (if you've got it) on the latest bag or a big bauble. But true style shines through when careful consideration meets purposeful intent.

When the Etre Touchy gloves arrived in the office, the techies who sit near me cooed with excitement. The European gloves have a partial 1980s feel -- the index and thumb fingers on each glove are partially fingerless to allow for use with hand-held electronics such as iPods, iPhones and Blackberrys. £14.99 or approximately $23 U.S. dollars, which includes worldwide shipping.

Read Thursday's Style section for eight more gift suggestions that exude style without emptying your pockets.

LISTEN UP! I'll be on the Matt & Ramona show at 6 p.m. Wednesday to talk about holiday gifts. Listen at 107.9 FM or online.