Mother's Day is almost here

Davidson artist Bonnie Boardman's initial necklaces are $59 for gold, $50 for silver. They are available at Monkee's of Lake Norman, 624 Jetton St., Davidson, 704-896-7779 and Poppies, 16926 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville, 704-896-3433.

Don't wait until the last second to honor your mum with a gift -- she may say she doesn't need or want anything, but she does.

Every day, but especially on May 10, she wants to know you are thinking of her. One way to do that is with a piece of personalized jewelry.

Some pieces, like birthstone necklaces and add-a-bead bracelets allow for more subtle forms of personalization. Engraved or stamped accessories announce her familial pride to the world.

Be mindful of one caveat with personalized accessories: Since pieces are customized, plan on having a minimum four-five day wait for items to be completed.

One of my favorite places to find funky, unique gifts is Etsy. That's where I found the SpoonerZ line, which remakes silverware into crazy cool bracelets, pendants and other accessories.

Check out more examples of personalized jewelry in Thursday's Style section.

Non-jewelry options abound, too. Of course, there's gift cards, but how about a copy of Sara Ellington and Stephanie Triplett's "Must Have Mom Manual" or a fab journal from local company Carolina Pad?

Friends in fashionable places

One of my girlfriends recently moved to Atlanta. And she has wasted no time taunting me about the retail therapy available there.

Sure, her email updated me on her new contact information, but she also slipped in the following reminders that we don't have an H&M here.

Animal-print lined shoes? Tables of accessories? Gah! She knows me too well! There might be a trip to ATL to visit in the near future!

Free Friday: Clarins firming products

This week's giveaway is a Clarins firming duo. One product is for your body and the other is for your face: High Definition Body Lift and Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum.

Who doesn't love free stuff? 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 Clarins 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.

Belk adds Assets

Belk announced this week they will start carrying Assets, the lower-priced sibling line of the miraculous Spanx.

For those not in the know or blessed with enough perfection to not need them, Sara Blakely created footless hose nearly nine years ago, called them Spanx and launched a shapewear revolution for women.

The products smooth and shape while keeping comfort paramount. Both lines now include full-leg tights, hose, camis and other specialty shapers.

Denim for dummies

You too can look like Katie Holmes in distressed denim shorts: Get to the Goodwill and grab a pair of scissors, and you'll be all set!

My quest for the perfect T-shirt (that's a whole 'nother post for a different day) recently took me to Old Navy, where I laughed out loud when I saw the table full of distressed, frayed denim shorts.

There were a few reasons for my giggles. One, I lived in cutoffs in the summers of my high school and college days. Longer, cuffed, frayed, you name it, I wore it. I especially liked to pair with an over-sized Polo shirt, you know, to keep it preppy and sharp.

I dabbled in bleaching and tie-dying the denim shorts as well. Not always with a lot of success.

But the reason I didn't get too bent about the dye jobs gone wrong, was that all of my cutoffs started as denim pants, and all came from Salvation Army or Goodwill thrift stores.

There's no reason to buy faux distressed when you can get the real thing for $3 a pair second hand! All you need to make a pair of rescued jeans into cutoffs is a decent pair of scissors and a mirror.

You'll be chic in a minute. And your style will be even sweeter since you saved a bundle.

Free Friday: Crocs Cabana sandals

While they have never been my style, I know Crocs fans are legion. So those diehards will enjoy this week's giveaway: a pair of Crocs Cabana sandals, size 8 in black. They run a little big (fit more like an 8.5 or 9).

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I gave away all kinds of goodies every Friday. It's time to bring it back, with a few minor changes. This time around, there is no trivia question. 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 CROCS 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.

Drew + Grey Gardens = love!

Drew Barrymore as little Edie Bouvier Beale in the new film "Grey Gardens" which debuts Saturday on HBO.

I have only seen the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens" once, but I was stunned into submission, and sat silent and still for the entire 100 minutes. I was riveted by the story of big Edie and little Edie Bouvier Beale, relatives of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy who live in squalor in their 28-room East Hampton estate.

The documentary is full of fear, sadness, bitterness, wildlife in doors and desolation, but it's also full of uncompromising style. Regardless of their surroundings, clothing and accessories were a large part of the lives of the mother-daughter duo.

You can bet I'll be glued to my seat again at 8 p.m. Saturday when "Grey Gardens" a film based on the story of the Beales and that documentary debuts on HBO. The crazy-fabulous Drew Barrymore plays little Edie, Jessica Lange plays her mother, big Edie. Jeanne

Have you seen the documentary? What did you think? Will you watch on Saturday?

Fashion fashion everywhere

Here's a few fashiony events on the horizon:

Girls’ Night Out: The free event, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16 at Belk SouthPark, features catering by The Side Porch as well as music, discounts and giveaways. During event hours, guests receive 20% off purchases of sale- and regular-priced women’s contemporary items, including designer brands such as BCBG, Free People and Karen Kane, with limited exclusions.

My Black is Beautiful: The free, interactive event hits Charlotte on Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Park, 2500 E. Independence Blvd. Among the activities planned are panel discussions led by actress Tasha Smith, from Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married” and “Daddy’s Little Girls,” and a variety of beauty and health activities. "My Black is Beautiful" is a national campaign to ignite and support a conversation by, for and about black women and the way they are reflected in popular culture.

Charlotte Fashion Week model search: Charlotte, NC Fashion Week is back for a second year (Sept. 10-12 at the Mint Museum) and the search is on for a spokes model. The latest round of auditions will be 6-9p Wednesday, April 22 at Phil and Tony's, 2224 Matthews Township Parkway, Matthews; 704-541-3111. Please check website for model requirements (male and female applicants are wanted), bring comp cards and portfolios and be prepared to walk.

Billy Reid Evening Social: All of the smells, sounds, and charm associated with the brand will come alive for this free event, 6-9p Thursday, April 30 at the SouthPark store. Celebrate the designer's Southern roots with bourbon by Woodford Reserve, food from Price's Chicken Coop and live music. Details: 704-365-6311.

Free Friday: Olay anti-aging skincare

This week's giveaway is the Olay Professional Anti-Aging Starter Protocol, a three-part daily skincare program using Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, Eye Restoration Complex and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I gave away all kinds of goodies every Friday. It's time to bring it back, with a few minor changes. This time around, there is no trivia question. 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 OLAY 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.
• 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.

New JLC WearHouse to open April 27

The Junior League WearHouse, which recently announced plans to move the store after 15 years in Elizabeth, will open at the new location in Plaza-Midwood on Monday, April 27.

Started in 1936, the WearHouse sells new overstock and donated used clothing for men, women and children, as well as home decor.

To celebrate the move to 1117 Pecan Ave. (the former Sherwin-Williams building), there will be a grand opening party 4-7 p.m. April 30. In addition, all merchandise will be 20 percent off April 30-May 2.

The store will be open at it's current Fourth Street location until April 23, then close for the move and reopen Monday, April 27 at the new location.

I haven't been inside the new space yet, but those who have tell me it's bright, spacious and there is ample parking.

Spring fever: Accessories

(TODD SUMLIN PHOTO -- CHARLOTTE OBSERVER)

Animal prints, especially reptilian-influenced, are a strong spring trend this year. And, as a bonus, well-placed animal print is timeless.

There is no reason to have to choose between fashion and frugality this spring.

The key is accessories. Handbags, shoes, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, belts, scarves, sunglasses, headbands – the list is seemingly endless. So are the opportunities.

Read more about the flexibility of spring accessories in Thursday's Style section.

Accessories can breathe life into your existing wardrobe. With the switch of a pair of shoes, a belt or handbag, your look can go from rocker chic to ladies who lunch in an instant.

A shift dress can be reborn with the addition of a funky belt. No one knows that better than first lady Michelle Obama, who gave her black, studded Azzedine Alaia belt a workout during a recent trip to Europe.

My faves? Shoes, of course, followed closely by handbags. Quickly picking up steam are scarves, big necklaces and earrings.

What are your favorite accessories?

Free Friday: Flora by Gucci fragrance

This week's giveaway is a bottle of Flora by Gucci eau de toilette. The fragrance has hints of citrus, peony, rose and sandalwood.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I gave away all kinds of goodies every Friday. It's time to bring it back, with a few minor changes. This time around, there is no trivia question. 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 GUCCI 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.
• 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.

"Project Runway" vs. "Fashion Show"

Do you think they'll fight over who gets to play Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum? I'm thinking Kelly and Fern can hang when it comes to dismissive eyerolls and grunting a la Miss Nina.

UPDATE: So, I log off for a sec and find out that "Project Runway" has been given the OK to move to Lifetime. No word on an air date yet.

Bravo today issued a press release announcing "The Fashion Show," which will debut on the cable network at 10 p.m. May 7.

Fifteen designers will compete for $125,000 and a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market on the show. Hosts will be designer Isaac Mizrahi, singer Kelly Rowland and Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion.

Harper's Bazaar is involved, too: the magazine's Special Projects Director Laura Brown will decide the winner of the Mini Challenge every week. Participants will also face an elimination challenge.

Check out the designers here. There are no Charlotteans on the list; Southern designers in mix are from Atlanta and Tennessee.

Will you watch the new show? Will you cry for Nina, Tim Gunn and Mr. Kors? Or are you hoping that Isaac, Kelly and Fern and come up with something more fresh than "Auf wiedersehen."