Catch 22 casts a broad net

A mini-department store of sorts is taking shape on Raleigh's Glenwood South.

Heather Long opened her Catch 22 boutique in October in the space under The Rockford, filling it with an eclectic collection of a little something for everyone.

She has pieces from Jennifer Lopez's youthful Just Sweet collection. There's a selection of denim, including styles by Kasil, Rich & Skinny and Fortune. She has Roar jackets, Ben Sherman shirts and Obey Propaganda T-shirts for men. She also stocks handbags and locally made jewelry, including pieces from Sonya Coulson Rook's Metamorphosis Metals.

And even more locally made pieces are coming when she adds ties from Aaron Patrick Custom Clothier and clothing from Lauren Smith's LLLavender line.

You can also own some of Long's own designs -- cocktail dresses and high-waisted skirts with a distinctive '40s flair that are chic and glamorous without being too scandalous.

"I think you can be sexy without being revealing," she says. "I'm kind of old school that way."

Each piece is made to order in about three weeks, and you can pick the fabric or color to make it your own.

And if all of that isn't enough to differentiate Catch 22 from other boutiques, this certainly will: a soon-to-be installed Smashbox Cosmetics counter. Long used to work for the company when she lived in Los Angeles and loved the products so much she wants to sell them in her boutique.

The result is a store that reaches a cross section of shoppers: hipsters, stylish moms in their 40s, sorority girls, trendy guys.

"There's something here for everyone," she says.

Long, who has a master's degree in business administration from N.C. State University, worked on the concept for about four years before opening. She has decorated it with a mixture of edge and whimsy, decor designed to make you "feel like you are walking into your house."

While the store is a boutique, don't expect traditional boutique pricing. Except for the jeans, the prices are reasonable, with many of the pieces under $100.

Maybe you'll see Samantha there

Just how far will you go for fashion? The right answer could land you two passes to the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

Fiji Water and Time Out New York have teamed up with a contest offering seven fashionistas each a chance to win two insider passes to seven fashion shows during Fashion Week, Feb. 1-8.

All you have to do it go to www.timeoutnewyork.com/fashionweek and answer this question: "How far will you go for fashion?"

Runway shows will include Jill Stuart, Charlotte Ronson, Benjamin Cho, Yigal Azrouel and Edun.

Winners will be picked each week for three weeks.

Stay up for style

A haircut at 3 a.m.? A blow-out at 4 a.m.?

Better bring the coffee and under-eye concealer.

The North Raleigh hair salon Blo is having its annual 24-hour Cut-A-Thon starting at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The owners are asking each person who comes in to donate at least $30 donation to Triangle Family Services, which helps families in crisis.

To encourage people to get out of bed for the event, Blo owners are offering hourly door prizes for rounds of golf, dinners out or haircuts for a year.

Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also schedule an appointment at 484-8600 or go to www.justblo.com.