Free Friday: Vera Wang fragrance

This week's freebie is a 1.7 oz bottle of Vera Wang Look eau de parfum. The bold fragrance has hints of mandarin, greens, Golden Delicious Apple, vanilla, oakmoss and patchouli, among others. The bottle has an estimated retail value of $70.

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 VERA 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.

Office flip-flop faux pas

Charlotte's starchy conservatism lends itself well to the suits, tights and heavy layers of winter. But when the temperatures rise, it seems for some women, common sense gets packed away with the wool coats.

“What ever the temperature, you still have to dress in a professional manner,” says Hal Rubenstein, fashion director at InStyle magazine. “There is a tendency in the summer to slack off, but you have to have sense of pride. If you have to make an excuse for how you are dressed at work, you frankly chose wrong.”

Fashion and business experts, and even hip-hop icon Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons (who weighed in on Twitter recently) share the same piece of advice: Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

• GUIDELINES: Check your office dress code policy. Check your attire against that of your colleagues and adjust.
  
• FIT, FUNCTION, FABRIC: It's distracting if your clothing is too tight or too loose, and you're constantly adjusting. Make sure items are properly fitted and laundered.


• SKIP THE STRAPPY: There is no place for tank tops and spaghetti straps in the office. Bare shoulders are acceptable dependant on the ensemble, like a well-fitted shift dress.


• LAYER: Think of jackets and sweaters as accessories, author Sherrie Mathieson says. They offer coverage on your torso, provide great detail and deflect attention from the upper arms.


• HOSE OR NO HOSE: It's a matter of personal preference unless included in a dress code. If you're going to wear stockings in the summer, Mathieson says, make sure they are as close to your skin tone as possible. Any darker, and it looks fake.


• FOOTWEAR: A heeled sandal is acceptable if there is a back on it, InStyle's Rubenstein says. Shoes that make noise when you walk are a no-no.

Read the full story in Thursday's Style section.

(PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TODD SUMLIN -- OBSERVER)

Would you do jeggings?

Leggings that look like super-skinny jeans? Oh no.

Hills star Whitney Port recently rocked the hipster hybrid with success. The rest of us fashion mortals, notsomuch.

While the allure of super comfy pants is strong, there is something so dangerous and wrong about jeggings. Or is it leans?

Would you wear stretchy lycra leggings that have a fake seam and denim wash?
Photo courtesy of Splash News.

Free Friday: Beautorium gift bag

This week's freebie is a reusable tote from Beautorium, a natural and organic beauty company based in Charlotte. The bag is packed with products including Dr. Hauschka's Daily Body Care Kit, Pangea Organics Ecocentric Lipcare, Cattier Nuage Celeste foaming face cleanser and Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin set. The prize has an estimated retail value of $95. And, you'll be in the company of celebs -- MTV Movie Awards presenters will recieve Beautorium fair-trade bags at the show on May 31 in Los Angeles.

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 BEAUTORIUM 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.

The Fashion Show: Week 3

I am not a fan of the winning look from Panty Christ Andrew. And even less of a fan of the bizarro combative vibe going on between Daniella and Andrew.

Memo to "Fashion Show" designers: Dios mio, just shut it!

I am not a designer, but I am embarrassed for you. You are not doing yourself any favors by spewing your entitled, out-of-touch anti-sewing stance.

In case you've forgotten, YOU are a DESIGNER. If you can't sew, don't want to sew, or think sewing is beneath you, you shouldn't be on this show.

And, while I'm up on the soapbox using the tone of voice I usually save for my toddlers, let me also remind you that no one cares that you don't want to make an "Inspector Gadget" jacket. It's called a challenge for a reason.

What we would like to see is you, oh I don't know, maybe, sew?

Big kudos to the classically chic designer Norma Kamali, who put annoying tattletale Daniella in her place and helping the judges make an example out of Markus, who blamed his lack of sewing skills on Central Saint Martins, where he attended college.

I love the looks of Team Crazy as one contestant called the team. James-Paul's sleeping bag coat was my favorite look of the night.

What was your favorite look?

Vintage jewelry love

If you're looking for one-of-a-kind, locally-made jewelry, be sure to check out the Mavis Beard trunk show at Boris & Natasha, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.

I wrote about Mavis last year, and have been quietly obsessed with her work ever since.

Her pieces have an inventive, vintage aesthetic that is thoroughly modern.

eBay to the rescue

I have these in green patent, but pony hair might be too hard to resist!

I have a bit of a shoe fetish.

I love them all, especially heels.

So to keep my husband happy and allay my wicked non-practicing Catholic tendency to feel guilty, I do a twice a year shoe purge and sell the unworn (not unloved!) on eBay.

When I took this style editor job almost two years ago, I sold every pair of shoes in my closet on eBay and used the money to feed my need for 3+ inch heels, especially in patent.

I just packed off five pairs of shoes -- including an insanely fab pair of Frye mules -- to eBayers all over the country. It was incredibly freeing. So what if I shouldn't have ever bought those mules (they were a full size too small), at least I was making something on them. And more importantly, they were out of my house!

I felt so altruistic. Those buyers got killer deals (those mules retailed for $175 ... I think they sold for $25-ish), and in return, I got more closet space. At least for the moment.

I'm already planning my purchases for end-of-summer sales.

What do you buy and sell on online?

Free Friday: Aveda Sun Care Kit

It's never too soon to start taking care of sun-stressed tresses. Up for grabs this week is an Aveda Sun Care kit (valued at $72) which includes Hair and Body Cleanser, Protective Hair Veil and After-Sun Hair Masque.

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 AVEDA 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.

The Fashion Show: Week 2

I'm into "The Fashion Show" now for real. The claws have come out, the whiny, entitled-no-sewing designers are showing their true colors.

Little Kristin (whom Tom and Lorenzo on Project Rungay called "Strawberry Shortcake") couldn't take Isaac's honesty after one challenge and skipped out.

For the rest of the designers, sewing was an issue again. I am still amazed by how OK these "designers" were with not being able to sew. Like they were too good, too rockstar to sew! That's what the non-fabulous people do.

Johnny R.'s disgusting hubris caught up with him after he sent a dress down the runway that was held together by safety pins (and not on purpose). When judges took him to task for it, he sassed Isaac with: "I didn't know this was going to be America's Next Best Seamstress."

Oh no he didn't!!!!

What's your take on "The Fashion Show"?

Bellinis, Jennifer Garner and 60% off

CELEB-BABY SPOTTING! Serephina Affleck, daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, was spotted recently in Boston using a Bella Tunno Binker. Bella Tunno is a Charlotte-based company, founded by the infinately talented and stylish Michelle Tunno Buelow.

• New markdowns at Capitol start Thursday: spring merchandise will be 60 percent off.
  
• Dillard's SouthPark is having a Swim Day event 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 16, which will feature giveaways, refreshments and music. Details: 704-365-3111.
  
• Potion at Birkdale is welcoming licensed esthetician and makeup artist Stefanie Lee by serving bellinis and dishing out deals on Saturday, May 23. You'll get 15 percent off future skincare appointments booked Saturday. For those of us who love the talented Rhonda Green, don't fear -- she's not going anywhere!
  
• Deadline for applications to the Lotus Look Campaign has been extended to Sunday, May 17. The model search kicks off May 20 at Suite at Epicentre. Prizes include a modeling contract, portfolio photography and more. Details and entry forms available at Lotus on East Boulevard and Civilian at Phillips Place.

Petal Pet Palooza

Petal boutique on East Boulevard is having a Pet Palooza Party, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, to benefit the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Wine and cupcakes will be served 4-7 p.m., and of course, there will be treats for four-legged friends too!

If you donate $10, you'll receive $30 off a purchase of $100 or more.

Details: 704-817-8871

Free Friday: Valentino fragrance

Up for grabs this week is a bag full of goodies: a Neiman Marcus blue tote with fragrance samples (free with the purchase of $75 or more in the fragrance department through Saturday), a full-sized bottle of Valentino Eau de Parfum and two tickets to the Bag Ladies Luncheon Friday, May 15 at the Westin.

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 FRAGRANCE 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.

The Fashion Show: So here we go

OK babies ... did you watch Thursday's premiere of "The Fashion Show" on Bravo? What do you think? Here's my take:

LOVES

• The honesty of Isaac Mizrahi and Kelly Rowland. They can't even wait to leave the work room before busting out in giggles over some of the designs.
• My mid-30s self is getting a much needed crash course in proper suiting. How else could I have possibly known that silk harem pants, a navy bolo jacket and a horribly fitted reversible tube skirt are the essentials that are missing from my closet?
• The presence of a "Top Chef" style digital clock mounted on the wall. Where's Tom Cholicchio?
• "We’re just not buying it," Mizrahi told the first designer kicked off, "Buh bye darling."
  

HATES

• Andrew's excessive cockiness and overconfidence are grating. Anyone who willingly calls themselves "the panty christ" needs to be slapped. Hard.
• The number of contestants calling themselves designers who are lacking in a substancial area for designers: SEWING. You can't understand fabric and fashion until you understand sewing. Simple.
• The breast-centric design of Jonny D.
  

MY PICK TO GO ALL THE WAY: Hands down, it's Vivienne Westwood-inspired James-Paul. Sure, he wears wooden shoes with white tube socks, and his ensemble descriptions smack of pretension, but he's got an edgy, fresh design aesthetic that I dig.

Fashiony deals, events

For Mother's Day (it is Sunday), Dillard’s will be giving away a box of luxe bath salts as a gift with purchase of KN Karen Neuberger products when shoppers spend $50 or more.

Spring is here, and so are sales and style events!

• Coplon's at Phillips Place is having a 25 percent off designer sale right now.
• Starting May 20 at Nordstrom stores and online, save 33% and more on shoes, apparel and handbags from the fabulous brands you love for women and kids. Shop in store and online.
  

A TASTE FOR FASHION: Morrison & 107.9 The Link are hosting weekly fashion shows every Thursday in May. Come out to see fabulous couture, sip on fine wine, and enjoy Morrison restaurants. Admission is free. Proceeds from wine & beer sales will benefit the Western NC Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. May 7: Hosted by Candy from Candy + Potter; May 14: Hosted by Sheri from Bob & Sheri; May 21 and 28: Hosted by Ramona from Matt & Ramona. Morrison is at Sharon and Colony roads in Charlotte.

BREAST CANCER BENEFIT: Wacoal's Fit for the Cure event is back in Charlotte, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Neiman Marcus SouthPark. Fittings are free. For each fitting, Wacoal will donate $2 to Komen for the Cure for breast cancer research and outreach programs. An additional $2 will be donated for each Wacoal bra or shapewear piece purchased.

FOOD DRIVE: Circa Boutique, Coco Fleur, Britches and Boots and Hi Style are hosting a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank May 8-10. There will be food drop-off locations at each store for newly packaged or canned foods. All boutiques will offer up to 75 percent off on merchandise. The Fountains is at the corner of Ardrey Kell and Tom Short roads. 704-845-0433.

MONET FOR MOM: Children can create a special Mother’s Day card in the style of the great Impressionists at the Mint Museum's Family Fun Saturday: Monet for Mom.
Every second Saturday of the month, families are invited to drop by the Mint’s classroom studios to do art activities together and explore the exhibitions on display. On Saturday, May 9, children can paint a postcard in the style of Impressionist artists and write a message for their mother or someone special in their lives. Families with children of all ages are invited to drop in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The event is free for children when accompanied by a paying adult and free for museum members.

SPRING MAKEOVER: Just in time for Mother’s Day, SouthPark hosts a special Spring Makeover event on Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. in Center Court. Shoppers in need of a new look for spring can learn about the season’s latest styles and trends from SouthPark’s hottest cosmetic and skincare stores. Representatives from more than a dozen retailers will be on hand to offer free product samples, make-up tips and register-to-win prizes.

GIRL TALK FUNDRAISER: Delight in fine wine and decadent chocolate at Girl Talk's 3rd Annual Chocolate and Wine Tasting, Thursday, May 14, 5:30 p.m-8:30 p.m. at Morton's, 227 W. Trade Street, uptown Charlotte. All proceeds benefit Girl Talk Foundation, Inc., serving close to 700 young girls each year through self-esteem building programs. $40.

TOMMY BAHAMA PARTY: Take a vacation to the Ballantyne Hotel Gallery Restaurant & Bar on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. with a summer fashion show from Tommy Bahama, live entertainment, Tommy Bahama rum-based cocktails, a themed menu and prizes. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Charlotte Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Armchair fashionistas unite!

Charlotte's own Brooklyn Decker walked the red carpet at the Met's Costume Institute Gala with (and wore an ensemble by) designer Derek Lam. (style.com photo)

I've been trying to forget the dreary Charlotte weather by making my way through Style.com's 145-image slideshow from last night's Costume Institute Gala in New York. My hits? There were many, but I especially liked pregnant Heidi Klum in J. Mendel and model Nadja Auermann in Lanvin.

I was not in love with the Marc Jacobs-for-Louis Vuitton looks of Leighton Meester, Kerry Washington and Madonna. All three looked like they belonged in a twisted harlequin circus, perhaps run by Marilyn Manson. New York magazine's The Cut blog described Madge's look as "a cleaning lady moonlighting as a stripper who washed her Xanax down with one too many margaritas before she changed outfits."

Good times.


What's your take? Who's your fave? Nothing keeps the spirits up on a gloomy day like a little armchair fashion criticism!

Free Friday: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

Up for grabs this week is a tan-riffic set of Estee Lauder products from the Bronze Goddess line. Included: Self-tan lotion for face, self-tanning milk for body and a soft matte bronzer compact. The set has an estimated retail value of more than $80.

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 GODDESS 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.