Global shopping

At Philip Dail's new Beleza boutique, it feels like you're shopping on an exotic vacation. Jewelry from Brazil. Scarves from Madagascar. Crocodile handbags -- made from crocs that someone actually ate.

Dail designed it that way. The store at Raleigh's Cameron Village is a mix of jewelry, clothes and accessories such as handbags, totes, belts and scarves, collected from around the world. Dail, a professor at N.C. State University's College of Textiles, picked all of it out himself, hoping to create a boutique packed with fair trade merchandise from other countries.

The store opened in late November in the space that used to be Tasse & Teller. He moved it from a kiosk at Crabtree Valley Mall after he realized he needed more space for mannequins to show off sweaters.

A former student gave him the idea several years ago after writing her professor to tell him about the craft work she saw while in the Peace Corps in Africa. She wanted to help the villagers create a sustainable business from the scarves they made but didn't know what she could do.

Dail promised to help her. Just a few days after he received the shipment of scarves in 2004, they were gone, sold to friends.

Since then, he's been busy collecting more. Sweaters handmade from yarn and fish netting from Brazil. Scarves made from silk cultivated in Madagascar. Jewelry made from melted cattle horn. Sea glass from Puerto Rico made into jewelry. And then there are the farmed crocodile handbags, made after the crocodiles are eaten.

Stay tuned. Dail hopes to turn a section of the store into a haven for apparel and accessories created by students at N.C. State, which is known in the area for its hopeful fashion designers.

Get ready, Trishettes

The arrival of spring fashion means it's time to change makeup colors.

Trish McEvoy, whose line of cosmetics is sold in the Triangle at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, said that this spring the look is bronzy with a touch of pink.

"It's the look as if you've just been to the beach, so it looks like you have a tan with a flush of color," she said.

Don't worry if you're not going to a resort. McEvoy has created a new line of bronzing powders and three new lip colors to give you the resort look. The bronzers themselves have specks of gold in them. The lip colors -- in peach and pink -- have neutral tones with just a hint of color.

Also new for spring: a planner, or makeup case, in a coral quilted case, a big change from the traditional black planners. The company also is releasing new mineral powder foundations that act as a natural sunscreen. McEvoy said they're designed for days where you need a little bit of coverage, but it's too humid out for traditional foundation.

McEvoy's team of national makeup artists will be at Nordstrom at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday to teach the new spring looks and show new products. Book an appointment by calling 806-3700 and asking for the Trish McEvoy counter.

Shopping opportunities

Also new at area stores: Betsey Johnson shoes at Soho Shoes at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and The Streets at Southpoint in Durham, including a pair of red and pink polka dot peep toes with ankle straps and cork heels for $119. And at Fleur, which has stores in Cameron Village in Raleigh and at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, look for the Canadian Pink Tartin label, known for its classic looks with a twist. Both stores have exclusives on the lines.