Pencil This In: Holiday Party at Accents

Now that we here at ShopTalk have helped you find gifts for those those on your nice list and told you about our favorite holiday makeup looks, you’re almost ready for holiday party season. Next on your list? Picking up some inexpensive holiday threads for yourself and learning how to style your hair for said party season. For all this, stop by Accents in West Village on Thursday, between 5 pm and 9 pm, for their Holiday Sip, Shop and Style party. Grab a festive holiday cocktail, shop the store with a 25% off discount, receive style instructions on how to do the perfect braided or bun up do, and be entered to win a blow out from Lure Salon.

Where: Accents
When: Thursday, Dec. 13 from 5 pm to 9 pm

Margaux Anbouba is a ShopTalk Intern.

Pencil This In: Sussie’s Annual Holiday Bash

The holidays are here, which means cooler weather, lots of shopping for those on your nice list, and hopefully a holiday party or two. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a gift, you should add Sussie’s Annual Holiday Bash to your list of places to stop for a few reasons:

1. The clothing includes some of our favorite lines, like Milly, Haute Hippie, Trina Turk.
2. The in-house shoe boutique, El’s Stilettos.
3. Sussie’s owner Rory Boyd just told me that purchases will be tax free all day.
4. Every $50 you spend, you’ll get you an entry into their raffle, where you could win prizes like a handbag, coat, or Sussie’s gift card.

Need another reason to stop by Sussie’s next Thursday? They will be serving up light bites cocktails all day long.

Margaux Anbouba is a ShopTalk intern.

Where to Shop in Dallas This Weekend

Bargains and Bellinis on Lovers: From August 3-4, Elements, Elle, Mine, Hemline, and Lou Lou have banded together for an event you can’t miss. Shop spring and summer styles for 50-75% off, or peruse the sidewalk racks at Elements for designer pieces under the $100 mark.

Piermarini’s Closing Sale: You may have already heard that Piermarini is moving off of Hibernia Street. No need to fret, the boutique will  re-open in Snider Plaza soon enough, but don’t forget to say your goodbyes this weekend with some great steals. Most items are already 40% off, but through this Saturday, shoppers will receive an additional 25% discount, so check out all the amazing pieces before it’s too late!

L. bartlett Beat the Clock Sale: Get ready to watch the clock because L. bartlett is hosting a margarita fueled shop fest this Saturday, August 4. There are major discounts to be had on sale items, and the earlier you get there the better. Come by and get 70% off from 9 am to 12 pm, 60% off until 3 pm, and 50% off until close.

Sunday Funday at y&i Clothing Boutique: Make sure to stop by West Village this Sunday for great deals and colorful cocktails. In addition to a fully stocked mimosa bar, the store is taking 10% off of all full priced merchandise, so there’s plenty to go around.

Don’t forget F.I.G. Finale runs through Saturday.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

You’re Invited: 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas Nomination Kick-Off Party

Well, at least 10 of you are. We start accepting nominations for the 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas 2012 on Monday, June 4. To get in the mood, we’re starting this thing off right: with a swanky fete at the W Hotel. We’ve got five sets of tickets to give away. Highlights of the event include mini makeup touchups by Grand Spa, complimentary cocktails by Patrón and beer by Miller 64, and my favorite, a Boothbooth photo booth. (Oh, and free valet.) Enter HERE to win. Winners will be drawn at random and notified on Monday.

Martinis & Manicures with The M Spaah at Aloft Hotel Downtown Dallas

Martinis and manicures. Is there a more perfect combination? On Thursday, June 7 from 5:00-8:30 pm, Aloft Hotel Downtown Dallas and The M Spaah mobile spa are mixing the two to create the ultimate girls’ night out. Pampered guests will sip on martinis while indulging in mini-manicures. Plus, there are plenty of gifts to win, including a “Martinis & Manicures” event of your very own (exclusively for you and four of your closest friends). If you’re ready for a little rest and relaxation to kick off the weekend, $25 tickets are available for purchase here. Call 469-546-7224 for additional information.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.

RSVP For Our Cocktail Event at DISH

I know. I’m a bit bossy today, telling you what to do, like go to Ashley Pittman’s sample sale and vote for your favorite beauty services in town. This is the last thing I’m recommending you add to your to-do list today (well, until tomorrow): RSVP for DISH’s Battle of the Cocktail on Wednesday, May 16. I’ll be on hand representing one of four cocktails from the new seasonal menu. It’s called the Jasmine Garden. (Ingredients here.) Bloggers Daryn Doolittle from Dallas Tidbits, Kristie Ramirez from Texas Style & Substance, and Steven Lindsey from Gay List Daily have the other three drinks covered. (Frankly, they all sound delicious–the cocktails, that is.) You should go to a) taste test four new drinks, b) vote for ShopTalk’s Jasmine Garden, c) score some free hors d’oeuvres, and d) chill out to live tunes. RSVP to rsvp@dish-dallas.

Join Us For a Jasmine Cocktail at DISH Next Wednesday

My visual interpretation of the Jasmine Garden

A series of four cocktails will be available for taste-testing and voting at Dish next Wednesday, May 16. I will be one of four hosts, each of us “guest bartending,” representing one of the cocktails off the new drink menu. I’ll be showcasing the delightful Jasmin Garden with cucumber, rosemary, berry jam, fresh lemon, St. George Terroir gin, Fruitlab organic jasmine liqueur, and a spritz of Pernod Absinthe served on the rocks with a jasmine flower and lemon wedge. Like a sophisticated garden party in a glass.

Here’s what you need to put on your calendar:
1. Go to DISH next Wednesday, May 16, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
2. Get a token at the door, try the Jasmine Garden, drop your token off at the ShopTalk station to vote for it as your favorite.
3. Enjoy light bites by Chef Garreth Dickey and live music.

Where to Shop in Dallas This Weekend

I thought we’d let you get started early on your weekend shopping.

Heroes & Handbags Tomorrow: This year marks the seventh year for Heroes for Children’s annual handbag auction. Registration is still open so you can still grab a seat at the philanthropic society brunch/designer handbag auction at the Hilton Anatole. A good cause and good bags… life is good. Reserve your spot here.

Shopaholic Alert: Barneys Purple Card: Happening now online and in stores, when you spend $250 at Barneys (perhaps on these shoes?), you’ll receive a $25 gift card. Spend another $250, get another $25 gift card.

Dior at Dillard’s: Head to NorthPark Center’s Dillard’s and make a beeline for the Dior beauty counter on Saturday. From 10 am to 7 pm, beauty and fashion shows will be presented along with Dior beauty makeovers.

How-To at Movida: The affordable Mockingbird Station boutique is showing shoppers how to wear the spring and summer trends. Shop the looks without spending a fortune and take advantage of the in-store makeup, hair, and fashion stylists’ free advice. Plus, your purchase will be 20 percent off.

Bloomingdales, the outlet opens: Everyone keeps shouting, “We’re getting a Bloomies!” Well, yes, sort of. It’s the outlet in Park Lane. I think it will be a wonderful addition to the discount shopping over there, and, as Liz discovered, there’s a $25 for $50 coupon waiting for you to print out on Bloomingdale’s site.

It’s Not Too Late to Attend Fashion’s Living Canvas Tonight

You’ve got four hours to change your mind from going to yoga to attending Fashion’s Living Canvas tonight instead. Reserved seating is sold out but there’s plenty of room for standing and besides, you’ll make up for the missed yoga class that way. The event runs from 7 pm to 11 pm with an after party at Gossip Bar from 9 pm to 11 pm. With sold-out seating, you know it’s going to be a see-and-be-seen story. Don’t miss out. Reserve your spot here to watch models be transformed into works of art, a runway show highlighting the designs of Prashi Shah, Isabel Varela, Jesse Thaxton, Danh Ta, Chelsea Bond, and Becca Jett. More details here. See you tonight.

Our incredibly talented StyleSheet photographers will be on hand, ready to capture the magic of the show and the stylish candid moments of attendees. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a look at their world behind the lens.

The DIFFA Collection Just Got Hauter with Jean Paul Gaultier’s Cut-Out Jacket

Rihanna in the Jean Paul Gaultier cut-out jacket. (photography courtesy of Huffington Post)

Worn by Rihanna, the sexy-as-sin cutout jacket (right) designed by Jean Paul Gaultier has been donated to the lineup of smoking jackets that will be up for silent auction at DIFFA’s 2012 Collection event on Saturday, March 31. If you are looking for a good time, ignore the phone number on the back of the bathroom stall; buy yourself a DIFFA Collection ticket. You won’t be sorry.

See and Be Scene: Fashion’s Living Canvas at the Hilton Anatole

A few fall 2012 looks from Izavel at the recent Pin Show. (photography by Duy Nguyen, courtesy of Izavel)

April’s Fashion’s Living Canvas event at the Hilton Anatole is a horse of the different color. Yes, it’s got the pleasant familiarities of other fashion affairs. You’ll admire the collections of local designers (six in total), enjoy emceeing personalities (on deck: LeeAnne Locken and Steve Kemble), munch on light hors d’oeuvres (courtesy of Hilton’s Media Grill + Bar), and sip on mandatory cocktails (bring cash!). But, as a twist on the usual, you’ll also watch models become art on the runway via live “radical” makeup and hair transformations. Check out clothing from Society Language by Prashi Shah, IZAVEL by Isabel Varela, Melancholic Design by Jesse Thaxton, and Danh Ta, and jewelry from Red-i by Chelsea Bond and Haute in Hong Kong by Becca Jett. Show begins at 8:30 pm and will be followed by a DJ for those who aren’t ready to leave.

Buy Your DIFFA Ticket to Schmooze, Be Philanthropic, and Check Out Couture Smoking Jackets

Geoffrey Henning's Smoking Jacket Sketches for DIFFA 2012 Collection (courtesy of Strauss Marketing)

Last year’s denim jackets were fantastic, but I’m thrilled for this year’s sexy array of smoking jackets. The Smoking Haute DIFFA Collection 2012 will be debuted and up for silent auction on Saturday, March 31. Purchase tickets now for this favorite annual black tie affair which includes cocktails (lots of those), a seated dinner, live auction, runway show (which is quite a spectacle), and backstage celebration. Sure, this fancy ordeal has a fancy price tag, but proceeds benefit North Texas HIV/AIDS charities. Besides, you don’t want to hear everyone talking about how much fun they had at the DIFFA event when you didn’t attend, do you? If you love the menswear-for-ladies look like I do, you’re probably pretty excited to see these tuxedo jackets dolled up, couture style, but until then, I leave you with Geoffrey Henning’s smoking jacket sketches. Sigh.

Win Tickets to Our Exclusive 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas Party

The 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas 2011 (photography by Bode Helm)

Each year, we throw a celebration for the lovely ladies who participated in the 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas contest. All 20 nominees, including the top 10 finalists, show up to mix and mingle with friends, family, fans, and contest supporters. Attendees of this year’s invite-only affair will sip Ultimat Vodka cocktails, nibble on bites from one of the top restaurants in town, chill to tunes from Best of Big D DJ, Willie Trimmer, and enjoy knowing they’re total VIPs (at least for the evening). Every year, we get more requests to attend this swanky fete. (It’s truly a posh little event.) This time, we want to extend the invitation to two lucky ShopTalk readers. Enter HERE to win tickets to join us on Wednesday, December 7, from 6 pm to 8 pm, for cocktails, bites, beats, and a good time. Each winner will get to bring 5 guests. Good luck!

The Bottles, Bling and Blogs Event Tonight Just Got More Delicious

New details just in for the evening’s blogger-hosted, Amanda Sterett jewelry-adorned cocktail fete, and you’re invited!

On top of the running social media reel projected on HD TVs–it’s live Twitter gossip for all to see, which seems appropriate in the Hilton Anatole’s Gossip Bar–there will be free cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and sushi served throughout the party. Taste waygu beef carpaccio on French bread with aioli and micro greens, firecracker shrimp with mango chili sauce, herbed goat cheese with roasted pepper tartlets, and sushi. Lots of sushi. Cocktails will be served up by Deep Eddy vodka and Red Bull’s got live music covered.

Valet is complimentary. Details are here. See you tonight!

Come Sip with ShopTalk at Gossip Bar on Friday

Gossip Bar's chic space. (photography courtesy of Hilton Anatole)

This Friday I’m helping host “Bottles, Bling and Blogs” at the Hilton Anatole’s recently opened Gossip Bar. My partners in crime (aka: co-hosts) for the evening include fellow bloggers Erica Nicole of YSF Magazine, Lisa Petty of DFW Style Daily, and Cynthia Smoot of Oh So Cynthia. RSVP to join in on the social media extravaganza and to check out creations from local jewelry designer, Amanda Sterett (a Best of Big D: Readers’ Choice award winner for 2010 and 2011) while sipping on Deep Eddy sweet tea vodka specials. Charge your iPhones to participate in the 60-inch flatscreen Twitter feed and jam to tunes provided by sponsor Red Bull. And yes, our beloved StyleSheet photographers will be there, scouting for the party’s most stylish to shoot. Friday, November 4 from 8 pm to 10 pm. Let us know you’re coming here. Jump for full details on the event and Dallas’ new bottle service bar.

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