OMG! "New Moon" gear is here!

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" apparel and jewelry collection will be available online starting Oct. 1 and in Nordstrom stores on Oct. 15. Pictured: "New Moon Eternal Love" fitted boyfriend tee, $32.

Just because I never hopped on the crazy train that is "Twilight" fandom doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good vampire story. I'm more of a "True Blood" girl.

Regardless, I know a rabid niche market when I see one, and so does Nordstrom. The department store is launching an exclusive fashion and jewelry collection inspired by the upcoming film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," which is set to debut on the big screen Nov. 20.

The collection, available online Oct. 1 and in stores Oct. 15, includes fitted screen tees, tanks, hoodies, dresses, jackets, as well necklaces, bracelets earrings and key fobs.

Also, in stores now, is the Luna Twilight beauty collection, which includes lip plumpers, lip stains and color palettes that have been created using characters from the movie, including Bella, Alice, Victoria, and Rosalie.

Luna Twilight Cosmetics Collection (from left): Mortal Glow Blushing Cream, $22. First Light Body Glow, $34. Just Bitten Staining Balm in Pink, $18. Femme Fatale Lip Gloss in Rich Burgundy, $20. ‘Rosalie’ Color Palette, $28. Gleam Metallic Mascara in Reflective Black, $22. In Nordstrom stores and online starting Oct. 1.

It's time to tie one on

My computer-savvy colleague asked me for scarf-tying guidance a few days ago, right on the heels of a question from another about scarf shapes and uses.

That's right accessory-fiends, it's time to bust out your favorite scarves! I am so very excited to see the temps dip enough to make scarves comfortable for wear in the Carolinas.

Here are a few tips if you love the look, but don't feel confidant in your ability to pull it off:

• When it comes to scarf length and size, the longer and bigger the better.
• Decide how you want your scarf to look. Long, rectangular scarves are more versatile than squares. But, squares can be easier to tie.
• The key to wearing knit scarves is the casual vibe -- when they're done right, they look effortlessly messy, which works in your favor as a newbie.
• This is less of an issue in the Carolinas (and even then, not until it gets considerably colder), but be mindful of the thickness of knit scarves. Some nubby, chunky knits don't do well when doubled or bunched around your neck.
• There's only one way to build confidence in your scarf-wearing and tying ability. Using a photo of a celeb or someone who's scarf style you'd like to bite, and practice, practice, practice. Set yourself up in front of a mirror and get busy.

What are your scarf-wearing tips? Tying silk scarves are a whole 'nother issue to tackle on a different day ...

Free Friday: Alice + Olivia bag

This weekend (Sept. 25-26) is the HIP Event at Neiman Marcus. Spend more than $500 on any full-priced women's contemporary sportswear or dress collections and you'll recieve a NM exclusive Alice + Olivia bag full of goodies, including a Marc by Marc Jacobs T-shirt and accessories from See by Chloe and Catherine Malandrino. Or, thanks to the folks at NM SouthPark, you can enter to win one of the Alice + Olivia bags on Free Friday.

• To enter, send an e-mail to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.


• Your e-mail must contain ALICE 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.

Baby: I'm a Star?

Kellen was one of the winners in the Gap 2008 casting call.

Gap recently launched it's fourth annual Casting Call to find the new faces of the Gap Kids and babyGap lines. Click here for full contest details. Deadline for entry is Oct. 22.

The contest is open to babies (children age four and younger) and kids (ages 5-10). Winners will be featured in Gap's store windows. This year, there's a new fan favorite award, based on votes cast here. Four winners (one boy and one girl in each age category) will be decided by popular vote.

Think your darling son or daughter has what it takes to be a superstar? Here are a few kid-specific photo-taking tips from pro photographer Stefano Azario:

Get Close: Zoom in to get as close as possible to your subject’s face so it’s clearly visible. If your subject’s too far away, they’ll get lost against the background.

Show Personality: Memorable photos let your subject’s personality shine through. Avoid stiff smiles and forced poses as they can come across as artificial and generic. Instead, take your time and follow your subject as they relax in or move through an environment that’s comfortable to them. Also, avoid hats – they’re cute but we want to see faces and hair.

Watch the Background: Shoot the photo against a simple background so your subject really stands out. Don’t forget to move anything nearby that might be distracting.

Try Different Angles: Try angling the camera or shooting from different perspectives to make your photos more memorable. It’s also important to photograph kids at their eye level rather than standing over them.

Use Natural Lighting: Sunlight is much more flattering than indoor lighting. Use filtered, natural light to enhance colors and skin tones. Try not to shoot with the sun behind the camera as it will likely make the subject squint and will also cast strong shadows.

Steve Madden coming to Charlotte

You love his shoes, now meet the man behind those fabulous kicks.

Steve Madden, the man behind the genre-crossing shoe line, will be at Belk SouthPark on 2-3:30p Saturday, Sept. 26, along with BET VJ Julissa Bermudez. There will be giveaways, trend talk and free T-shirts, among other goodies. The party will be on the third floor in the ladies shoe department.

This should come as no surprise, but I have adored his shoes since the mid 1990s, when I was a recent college grad and obsessed with a pair of Spice Girls-esque fat-heeled, platform, ruby-red patent loafers. (Cut me some fashion slack -- that was the look then!)

I still have my suede, wooden-heeled platform Maddens I wore on my first trip to Italy ages ago, and I love them just as much as I do the rad slouchy, buckled-laden biker boots I picked up at the Madden store in Charleston a few seasons ago.

Other happenin' events on the horizon:

ALCHIMIE FOREVER EVENT: Ada Polla, founder and creator of Alchimie Forever skincare, will be on hand 11a-4p Thursday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 25 for beauty events at Jeffre Scott Apothecary locations in Piper Glen and Myers Park. Both days, there will be complimentary mini facials and a gift with purchase of more than $75.

WAXMAMA LAUNCH PARTY: Celebrate the launch of the daily e-magazine Waxmama.com with a party at 6p Thursday, Sept. 24, at Therapy Marketplace and Café. The first 50 guests will get a free goodie bag. Entry is free, but guests are asked to add their names to a guest list by emailing their party information to info@waxMAMA.com.

FEVER EXTRAVAGANZA: The hair and fashion show starts at 6p Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Blake Hotel. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and performances by Calvin Richardson and Beverly. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit RAIN. Tickets and details: Fresh Kutts on The Blvd, 204 West Blvd., 704.347.1891.

Get Brief for charity

Round up you friends and mark Oct. 23 on the calendar -- this promises to be quite an event. It's time for Brief! A Fete for Fashion Benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Dreamed up by the fabulous Dan Mauney, the event will feature male models wearing underwear (and other lounge wear) from Diesel, Theory, Hugo Boss, Armani, 2Xist, Calvin Klein and Hanes, among others.

The party starts at 7 p.m., the show begins at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Extravaganza, 1610 N. Tryon St. Tickets go on sale Sept .21 and are $200, $50 and $25. For tickets or more information, click here.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective cystic fibrosis gene. The disease occurs in one of every 3,900 live births and about 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.

Free Friday: T3 Featherweight Dryer

To celebrate its five-year anniversary, T3 has offered up a Featherweight hairdryer, valued at $200.

• To enter, send an e-mail to style@charlotteobserver.com. Entries sent/posted elsewhere will not be considered.
• Your e-mail must contain T3 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.