F.I.G. Sample Sale

Tomorrow from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. F.I.G. will hold a tenant sample sale. Thirteen showrooms will be selling fall/winter samples at 50%-70% of retail. Lines include Poleci, Puma, Garfield Marks, Nancy Rose, White + Warren, Prairie New York, Three Dot, Tommy Bahama, Hanky Panky, Melissa Shoes, Sweet Pea, and more. Admission is free!

ZO Skin Health Launch at Nordstrom November 22

Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi will be at Nordstrom NorthPark this Saturday from 10 am-5 pm promoting his new skincare line, ZO Skin Health. So what’s different about ZO, you ask? Well, Dr. Obagi doesn’t believe in moisturizers, because he thinks your skin becomes addicted to them, which causes them to “become lazy and slow down.” (Bad little skin cells.) Instead, his 11-product system uses the highest over-the-counter concentration of retinol–10 to 25 times higher–which attaches the body converts to retinoic acid, thereby stimulating collagen production. Or something like that. For a better explanation of this out-of-the-box thinking, you can visit with Obagi yourself and get your personal consultation. All you need to do is RSVP to 214-231-3900 x. 1417 by TODAY. The cost is $50, which can go toward purchase. Those who show up will receive a travel-size Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 while supplies last.

Meditate Your Stress Away

The economy’s not good. The weather’s making us sick. The holidays are creeping up on us before we’re ready. Do we need any more reasons to get away? And yet, sadly, we cannot take a break. (Not the kind we really want, anyway, which leaves us with a tan and a piña colada buzz.) But what we can do is learn to manage our stress through meditation. Exhale Spa is offering us complimentary meditation classes through the month of November. Every Monday from 1:30 pm to 2 pm, guided sessions will teach us to use acupressure, aromatherapy, and stretching to relieve our stress and worry. Call 214-370-5800 to schedule a reservation. Hotel Palomar. 5300 East Mockingbird Lane. http://www.exhalespa.com/locations/dallas/

Private Botox Party at Regimens November 18

Well, I guess it’s not-so private now that I’ve spilled the beans. But why keep a good thing to yourself? On Tuesday, November 18, from 6-8 pm, Regimens in West Village is shutting its doors to the GP to welcome Eterna Med Spa staff for Botox, massage, and giveaways. Eterna is offering a discount rate of $14/unit of Botox for this night only. You can also expect complimentary chair massages, cocktails, and a 20% discount on all merchandise. Only 20 spots are available, so make your reservation now at 214-520-9740. Regimens will charge your credit card $25 to reserve your spot, but that money will go toward your Tuesday night purchase.

What To Do This Wednesday Night: Candlelight on Henderson

Although you wouldn’t know it by the temperature outside, the holiday season has officially begun. To celebrate, the merchants along Henderson Avenue are opening their doors this Wednesday, November 12, from 6-9 pm, during Candelight on Henderson. Expect food, drinks, music, good company, and–you guessed it–candlelight at the following participating shops: Milton Kent Antiques, La Mariposa, Art is Art, Emeralds to Coconuts, Pandemonium, Again & Again (which you can read about in this month’s issue of D Home), and Gypsy Wagon (which we at D Beauty love). Hope to see you there.

Milliner MacGregor at V.O.D. Tonight

Hats are a must-have accessory this season. If you’re anything like me (I have a rather small head), finding the proper fitting topper can be quite an ordeal. However, there is an answer. Local and talented milliner Cassie MacGregor (whom we profiled in our September issue) will be at V.O.D. tonight from 6 P.M. - 9 P.M. showing her fall line (both men’s and women’s) and to do custom hat fittings. It’s “First Thursday” at Victory Park, so all shops will be open late and drinks will be served. Get out there and grab a cocktail and a fedora!

Biggest Dallas Sample Sale in a Decade

Or so says the Dallas Market Center about their upcoming annual Sample Sale (yes, it’s open to the public) which takes place at the Market Hall tomorrow through Sunday. Admission is free! Scour women’s, men’s and children’s apparel and accessories, furniture, gifts, toys, home decor, gourmet foods, collectibles, rugs, jewelry, fine art, books and more. Special drawings and product giveaways as well as free photos with Santa will be available during the Sample Sale. Great place to get your holiday shopping started! Go here for more details.

Win Tickets to Shecky’s Girls Night Out

Right here, right now, I’m giving away 10 pairs of tickets to Shecky’s Girls Night Out. You know, the fun event with spa services, cocktails, and super fashion sales I told you about in the fall issue of D Beauty. It starts next Thursday, Nov. 13. E-mail me today to enter the drawing. Winners will be notified tomorrow, and tickets will be sent your way. Ready … go!

Check Out This Exhibit: More About Why

Katherine Baronet is an artist, a yogi, and creator of the Pink Alien. We love her so much that we wrote about her line of super-cute yoga/athletic/lounge wear in the spring 2008 D Beauty Awards. But let’s get back to her art. She’s having a show this Friday, November 7, called “More About Why” at Shamrock Studio (4312 1/2 Elm St.), where she’s offering more than 65 5×7 paintings, collage, poetry, and photos celebrating her adventure–and found love–on the Big Island of Hawaii. Each piece is $150, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels in Dallas. Preview is at 6 pm, and the sale begins at 6:30. Hope to see you there.

You’re Invited to a Spa Party!

On November 6 from 6:30-8:30 pm, stop by The New You Aesthetic Medicine med-spa for a spa party. Besides discounts on laser packages and products, other party favors include free product drawings every 30 minutes, complimentary chair massages, and complimentary facial masks from Actifirm. In addition, the guest who brings the most friends will receive two free laser treatments of their choice and two free microdermabrasion treatments. That sounds like my kind of party! I’m especially interested in the Actifirm mask. This local company, which you can read more about in an upcoming issue of D Beauty, has been growing, growing, growing. The New You Aesthetic Medicine is located inside PURE Spa and Salon.

Big News at Central Market

My first Dallas love, Central Market, is rockin’ and rollin’ these days. First, the new sushi bar (replacing the sandwich counter, across from the ice cream counter) is opening tomorrow. Yum-o (props to Rachael Ray). Second, the much-anticipated Cafe at Central Market is opening on Monday. I’ll be heading to the sneak preview tonight, and my tummy is rumbling just thinking about it. Or is that from all the Halloween candy I’ve been downing all day? Eh, whatev. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.

Isaac Mizrahi Is Coming, Isaac Mizrahi Is Coming!

Uh-oh, Talkers. Our Wednesday-night shopping battle just got more interesting. I just realized that Isaac Mizrahi will be in our neck of the woods tomorrow night signing his new book, How To Have Style. Isaac will be at Legacy Books, that fancy new independent bookstore in the Shops at Legacy, at 7 pm. To get an early spot in line, you can pick up tickets at the store as early as 9 o’clock Wednesday morning. You don’t have to have tickets, but it might keep you from getting stuck at the back of the line sweating over whether or not you’ll make it to the front before Mr. Miz has to dash. I’ve loved Issac ever since he had that show on Oxygen where he was always doing weird stuff with celebrities and sharing screen time with his cute dog Harry. And, of course, his collection for Target was fun, too. So what to do on Wednesday night? Too many choices…

Re: Marnie Rocks Wednesday Night

Okay, Raya, we’ve got a Wednesday-night shopping battle on our hands. Are you trying to upstage my Victory for the Cure event or what? Pink champagne and cupcakes? Whatever. My event has Grey Goose and free parking! Raise your hands for free parking!

Marnie Rocks Wednesday Night

We’ve mentioned Marnie Rocks before. If you didn’t go then, get goin’ now for Wednesday’s Girl’s Night Out. Here are a few reasons why. One, Marnie herself will be in town. Two, you can use your Partners Card, which entitles you to 20 percent off in the store. Three, there will be giveaways. Four, fashion bingo, and five, pink champagne and cupcakes. Oh, and most importantly, the jewelry, rain gear, and bags are way cute and wearable every day. Do you seriously need more to persuade you? (Reminder: pink champagne and cupcakes.) 6:30 pm to 8 pm. 8413 Preston Center Plaza Drive. 214-369-1200 or marnierocks.com.

2008 Dallas Fashion Award Winners

The 33rd Annual Dallas Fashion Awards gala was held at the Dallas Market Center Saturday night. Max Azria (of BCBG Max Azria) received this year’s Fashion Excellence Award for his Herve Leger collection (which was relaunched in 2007 and has since been seen on many starlets including Lindsay Lohan, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Kate Bosworth) and Gianna Madrini (Style Editor and Executive Producer of Global Fashion News) was the recipient of the Personal Style Award. Other winners included:
Accessories: Sondra Robert
After 5: Marc Bouwer GLAMIT!
Jewelry: Devn Leigh
Contemporary: Kenzie
Casual contemporary: Taka
Modernwear: Lynn Ritchie
Children’s wear: Florence Eiseman
Bridge/Designer: Zelda

Congrats to all!

Where You Should Be Wednesday Night

On Wednesday from 6-9 pm, shop for a good cause at Victory Park’s Victory for the Cure. During this one-night-only event, the shops along Victory Park Lane will donate 10 percent of their sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. There will also be a silent auction featuring items from the Dallas Stars, with all proceeds benefiting breast cancer research. As an added bonus, shoppers can sip on complimentary Grey Goose cocktails. And, as always in Victory Park, the first two hours of self-parking are free, which is almost better than free booze. Jump for an auction map/guide. (Note: Click on the image to enlarge.)

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Buy Winter Stuff, Help a Good Cause

In collaboration with Martini Park, and to celebrate its newest location at the Shops at Legacy, St. Bernard Sports will kick off a charity event on Thursday, November 13, benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County. Beginning at 7 pm at the Shops at Legacy store, guests can enter a free raffle for prizes that include winter jackets, a child’s ski suit, UGG boots, a snowboard, and a set of skis. After that, the party will move to Martini Park, where the winners of the giveaways will be announced at 8:30 pm. St. Bernard Sports will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from November 13-16 to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Yoga Underground at the Belmont Hotel

Yoga Underground, a Sunday afternoon yoga class offered by Tsada Yoga that changes venue each week (could be the Katy Trail, could be the Cosmic Cafe), is dropping mat at the Belmont Hotel this Sunday (Oct. 19). Show up early for the 3:00 to 4:30 flow, and enjoy the great veiw of downtown from the grassy yard by the pool. All yogis are welcome, and donations are accepted. Don’t forget to give Tsada Yoga instructor Barb Totzke (pictured) your e-mail address, so you can mark your map when the next destination is chosen.

Who La-La-Loves Opera?

Me, me, meee! (Clever lady, no?) Amici’s annual season launch party is coming up. Next Tuesday, Oct. 21,  join other “Lovers & Scoundrels” at 7Senses on Industrial for wine, food, goodie bags, and mingling amongst the Dallas Opera’s Young Professionals Group. There will also be a vocal performance. And no, it’s not by me, me, me. (Zinga!)

RSVP Required: Call 214-443-1019 or e-mail amici@dallasopera.org

Makeup 2.0, by Bobbi Brown

For someone who started wearing makeup her senior year of high school via friend intervention—blush, eyeshadow, and clear mascara were my Christmas presents that year—the Bobbi Brown Über Master Class during Fashion at the Park was a godsend. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a hopeless product junkie now (due to the dearth of cosmetics in my youth, no doubt). But being a late bloomer, as they say, had rendered me practically impotent in the art of makeup application … until Tuesday! There were 12 other students attending the seminar, which was taught by none other than Kimberly Soane, one of Bobbi’s top makeup pros. But in addition to Soane’s direction, each lucky lady had her own makeup artist (hi, Kelcie!) to help choose the perfect foundation/eye shadow/blush and oversee its application. Oh, and all of the makeup artists were personally trained by Bobbi! I sat next to Josi, a local makeup artist and fellow blogger, who gives a great recap here. I already told you about the über-cool lip shade finder I discovered at the hour-long course. But I’ll let you in on another trick. Go light on the powder. In fact, forgo powder all together on your cheeks. It helps attain that youthful, dewey look we all love. For the TV recap, go here. I’m Famous! And I can apply eyeliner, America!

Jada Loveless Trunk Show at Stanley Korshak

You may recall that I wrote about the Sex and the City-worthy clutches by Jada Loveless on this very blog. Well, you can get your own movie star clutch and meet Jada on October 25 and 26 at Stanley Korshak. Here’s another bit of Hollywood news: two of the bags were recently featured on Lipstick Jungle. Speaking of which, does anyone watch that show?

Bras, Panties and Garters - Oh My!

Eveden, a gorgeous UK-based lingerie line, will be having a fit event this Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18 at Neiman Marcus NorthPark staring at 11am. Their fit expert, Freddy Zappe, who has twelve years experience in the lingerie business, will be on hand to help find the size and style that works best for you. (Don’t worry - Freddy is a woman so no man will be trying to tell you how to wear your bra.) The line produces sexy and attractive lingerie for all sizes including full-busted and full-figured. Their Freya line goes up to a J cup, and the Fauve and Fantasie lines go up to a K cup! That’s great news for well-endowed women who are embarassed of utilitarian bras that feel like straight jackets (not that I’d know). The lingerie is of excellent quality and they use only the finest materials. Since this is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this event leads up to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure there’s no better time to give your “girls” the attention they deserve!

Pamper Your Fanny

Exhale Spa’s got it right with this event: “Get Your Rear In Gear.” I love breathing in Child’s Pose, stretching in the Downward Facing Dog, aligning my chakras, and all that jazz, but let’s get to the point. What I really need is a firmer tush to get me through the fall season’s best pants. On Wednesday, October 22, the spa is teaming up with experts from the Blues Jean Bar to provide us with a wealth of knowledge—and goodies. The class will teach techniques for shaping and toning the lower body. The Blues Jean Bar pros will tell us about the latest and greatest trends and styles. The spa will send us off with a gift bag full of Exhale Spa product samples and coupons to the Blues Jean Bar. And the whole thing’s FREE. Enjoy! The BJB trunk show starts at 9 am. The class begins at noon. To register, go to www.exhalespa.com/locations/dallas or call 214-370-5800.

Photos from CFDA Dinner

Douglas Little and Amy Vancleave

Peter Som and John Tesar

Thakoon Panichgul and Stacey Coldwall

Clair Parker and Me

Tabletop at The Mansion

Photos by Steve Foxall, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

A Fashionable Fete: CFDA/Vogue Dinner

Fashion at the Park began on Friday, with a big moment: Roberto Cavalli made a personal appearance at his runway show and the opening bash. While I didn’t attend that (Kristin Hull did and I am sure she will be giving a report), I was lucky enough to be invited to the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)/Vogue Dinner at The Mansion following the show on Saturday night at NorthPark. Guests mingled with some of the fashions top talents including Georgina Chapman and Karen Craig of Marchesa, Peter Som, and Thakoon Panichgul. I was lucky enough to sit at a table with Thakoon and Douglas Little (of D.L. & Co.), who has a tent on display at FATP featuring his gothic goodies (think: black wax-covered mannequins, skull candles, a fountain filled with dark red “Black Dahlia” perfume, and other creative curiosities), which can be found at many local stores including Barneys and The Nasher Store. Little mentioned that he may plant some roots in Dallas due to how well-received he is in the city (he had a hand in the design of new hotspot, PM at The Joule). Thakoon, on the other hand, had his first experience in Dallas and didn’t care for the drive from the airport (who can blame him?), but he did love NorthPark, Mi Cocina, and The Mansion.