News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Sorry fashionistas, but Samantha Smith our fashion writer/blogger is on maternity leave.

We'll let you know when she's back. In the meanwhile check our print edition for news on happenings at local shops and trends. We'll even try to offer some freebies.

We thank you for reading The Fashion Plate.

Registration is now open for a unique new fundraiser to raise money for the Women’s Center of Wake County.

Raleigh photographer Elizabeth Galecke and fashion publicist Allison Beale, have teamed up to organize The Walk for Women, where people are invited to take a one-mile stroll through downtown Raleigh in high heels June 6 at 10 a.m.

Late registration starts at 9 a.m. at Marbles Museum courtyard on Hargett Street. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m.

Cost to register before June 5 is $25 and $35 the day of the event.

Register online at www.wcwc.org/WalkForWomen.htm. Or, go to Primp Salon Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. for a registration drive with “The Biggest Loser” celebrity and Raleigh resident Heba Salama.

Estee Lauder calls it lipstick with glossy attitude.

Apparently it has a nice shine, smooth finish and the power to plump and shape.

Almost sounds too good to be true, right?

Cost at department stores is $18.50. And the color I have is a very neutral Nude Almond.

But it's free at The Fashion Plate.

But it's not easy. Well, at least, not anymore. To prepare all of you for my upcoming maternity leave (could be any day now), we're stepping it up for the freebies. The freebies will soon move to the Style section on Monday AND you'll have to answer a question via e-mail to get the goods.

So, to get you all in the mood, the freebie goes to the first person to correctly tell us the year that Estee Lauder founded her company.

Aw, come on, it's not that hard to figure out!

Good luck!

Cat Banjo, the locally owned jewelry and accessories store in Cameron Village, is now selling some of its beaded jewelry (made here in Raleigh) online at Etsy.com.

To the left is one of the pieces on the site, "Oceanic" with glass and freshwater pearl beads, $40.

Check out what else is online at CB's Etsy site at www.catbanjo.etsy.com.

Raleigh jewelry designer Kelly Shatat, who designs under the name Moon and Lola, got a nice boost last week from People magazine (April 20 issue).

The designer's glass pearl necklace was featured as one of the "Get the Look!" pieces on how to copy Michelle Obama's meet-the-Queen outfit from her European trip (page 129). You know, the navy and white Isabel Toledo tank dress?

Shatat's necklace was the topper of the look. As a single strand, the necklace costs $48. But of course, to have just the right Michelle Obama look, it's got to be a double strand of pearls.

You can buy the strand online or at Charlotte's in Raleigh.

InStyle did a nice job picking Michelle Obama's top 10 perfect looks during her first 100 days in the White House. It's hard to pick one favorite, but I have to say that I liked her best in the emerald green Kai Milla dress at the Stevie Wonder event and her Michael Kors black dress in her formal portrait.

See all 10 looks here. Which one is your favorite?

Want a front-row seat to the big show? Jump on it now. Tickets are on sale for Raleigh Fashion Week, which will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center May 14-16.

Ticket prices range from $10 for general admission to the Emerging Artists show May 14 to $100 for a front-row seat to the the big-name designer show Saturday. Designers include internationally known menswear designer Alexander Julian and local swimwear designer Kendall Smith.

Buy tickets here.

Aldo is offering a free pair of flip flops with the purchase of every men's purchase of $70 or more in May, while supplies last.

Don't feel like spending $70? Buy a pair for $15. 

If you missed last night's Art to Wear fashion show at N.C. State, you missed out on an evening of some serious creativity and inspiration. Vansana Nolintha's red and white ball gown, Veronica Tibbitts' plow dress, Amy Quinn's French macaroon and Charlotte Guice's parents bopping down the runway to family favorites from the '70s.

Here are a few ways to see the show or relive a few of your favorite memories.

You can check out our photos from staff photographer Ethan Hyman here.

Art to Wear organizers are selling a DVD of the show here. (There's not a link to the DVD at this point, but stay tuned!)

Also, a reminder than several Cameron Village boutiques will be displaying the collections in store front windows starting May 11.

Just a reminder that you can see what's new for spring fashion tonight at the Walk For Wishes benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The show starts at 6 p.m. in front of the fountain at Vivace restaurant in North Hills.

Look for men and women’s spring fashion from Vermillion and Liles Clothing Studio. Models will be made up by Luxe Apothecary and Von Kekel Salon.

The event is free, although reserved tables start at $150 and seating is limited.

The Spectacle, which is one of the show sponsors, Vermillion and Liles will donate 20 percent of all purchases throughout the weekend of items in the fashion show to Make-A-Wish.