Need a Quick Hostess Gift? Try a Thirdman, 3-in-1 Fragrance

New to Dallas Neiman Marcus locations, Thirdman fragrances have hit shelves. This “luxury splash” is being touted as a fragrance to live in. She can wear it. He can wear it. The furniture can wear it. That’s the idea. These home spray/cologne/perfume/linen spritzers come in three deliciously androgynous scents, from Eau Monumentale (bergamote calabria, mimosa grasse, second skin accord) to Eau Moderne (bitter orange, iris pallida millesime, soft woods) to Eau Profunde (mineral citrus, atmospheric amber). Each bottles comes in three sizes (ranging from $75 to $250) with a hand-dipped rubber base for a no-slip grip.

Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: A Good Gift for Scattered Moms and Sloppy Teenagers

I think these massive key chains, dubbed The Big O by local creators Janie Cooke, Caroline Nix, and Jennifer Neuhoff, have life-saving potential. Like, for busy moms who don’t have spare time to spend digging in diaper bags for missing house keys or for Dallas ladies so on-the-go, they could put three personal assistants to use. I happen to think these could be also brilliant for messy teenagers used to digging under piles of clothes to find their things.

My favorite thing about these rings is that they can be hung on doorknobs. (Therefore, eliminating entranceway table clutter.) Find these nifty inventions for $55 a piece at Cabana.

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Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gift for Anyone Who Bathes

I’m not going to gush all over again about LAFCO New York’s new soap line. I’ll let you read that stuff here. But I will give you a quick rundown if the greatness of this soap line. Each bar is: softening, with a unique combo of both almond and coconut oils, comes in two sizes, and is available in 14 of the 36 House & House fragrances, like Daffodil, Marine, and Rosemary Eucalyptus. Buy one for $17 or a set of three for $34. Bar soap lovers and haters, whimsical bath takers, and practical showerers will all love. I promise. At LAFCO New York in Highland Park Village.

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Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: For the Always-Busy, On-the-Go Gal

photography courtesy of Yosi Samra

We all know those types. Likely, we are those types. I don’t know how I was living before I was given a pair of these Yosi Samara fold-up ballet flats by Merge boutique. Countless numbers of celebs sport these year round, but until you own a pair, you can’t know the true bliss they provide. Here’s the scenario: It’s 6 pm; you’re ready to leave work. You’ve been on your feet (in heels) all day. You’ve got one too many bags to carry to the car, and the idea of making it to happy hour and then hitting the grocery store makes your feet throb at the mere thought. Then you realize, you have tiny pair of flats stashed in one of your bags. The music swells! Your heart sings with joy! The evening is now yours again! (It happened to me this week.)

Plus, Yosi Samara makes an absurd number of style and color options (truly, something for everyone), and Merge carries an impressive collection of almost thirty. different. styles. From $60 to $90, you can peruse through prints or solid colors, patent or ostrich, holiday sparkles or everyday matte.

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Shop Curated, Artisan Gifts Under One Roof at the Wigwam Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Shop Noah bags (left), Oh Lazlo planters (right), Rachel Ballard angora baby booties (bottom)

I’m not thrilled with the current sate of Christmas. It’s a commercialized affair, in which people crowd the malls, fueled by Starbucks, to check off their gift lists. Not me. I think the holidays are a brilliant opportunity to pick up truly special things for special people. I’ll be making a stop at Wigwam this weekend. Hosted by Oil & Cotton, beloved home of local art classes, this four-day pop-up shop contains an edited collection of carefully designed artisan wares, including leather handbags, jewelry (like our fav jewels from Olivia k), sculpture, plants, blankets, scarves, and even beer. And, apparently, tamales. Awesome.

What: Wigwam Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Where: 835 W. 7th St. (next to Oil & Cotton)
When: Thursday through Sunday

Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gift for Stylish Nesters

You know the nesting type. They natural born hosts and hostesses with immaculate taste. They look elegant an in apron, serve perfectly poured cocktails, and have living rooms that belong in Elle Decor. (There’s a chance she or he already has an edited collection of books on display.) Well, head to Five & Ten to peruse their library of stylish coffee table books, like The New York Times’ 36 Hours: 125 Weekends in Europe guide of mini getaways and Tim Walker: Story Teller, a collection of a famous fashion photographer’s dazzling pictures.

This is also a perfect gift for aspiring pre-teen fashionistas and Pinterest addicts with multiple home decor boards. All happening at Five & Ten. (Along with all these goodies, too.)

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Dallas Holiday Gift Gift: The Best Gift for Your High-Tech Grandma

Dallas Holiday Gift Guide, Dallas stocking stuffer guide

ShopTalk intern Margaux Anbouba landed a fun find at The Gypsy Wagon, which is no surprise. It’s one of my all-time favorite gift shops. Everything is whimsical and “aw”-inducing.

Enter: these Consuela Slip-In Covers for iPads, Nooks, Kindles, Tablets, and probably even the new Microsoft Surface with those creepy dancing schoolgirls. They’re easy to use and come in granny chic prints for actual grannies, or, anyone into the look. The Gypsy Wagon, $58.

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Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gift for the Stylish Jet Setter

I could find one thousand ways to put these tri-colored, heart-cutout bags from NewbarK to use. What I can’t find is the cash to fork over. (They ring up at $395, $450, and $495 from smallest to largest.) But maybe you can. And if so, you should. NewbarK handbags are the project of sister stylists Maryam and Marjan Malakpour, based in L.A. The line of shoes and bags is simple, sophisticated, and, in this case, totally cute. Naturally, new Number One/Le Jus in Highland Park Village is the only place stocking the line. While you’re there, grab a green juice. It’s under $10.

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Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Gift For Your Obsessive-Compulsive Best Friend

Our annual guide to the best stocking stuffers around town has commenced. Every day we’re sharing with you another local find so awesome you’ll buy two–one to keep, of course.

Answer these questions about your potential gift recipient:
Is he/she obsessed with making lists?
Does sheer joy wash over him/her as she crosses off an item on her list?
Does he/she spend more time making lists than getting things done?

(I have a “friend” like this.)

If you answered yes to any of these, the giftee in question needs one (or all) of these mini to-do list Pocket Notes notebooks. The embossed fabric matchbook pads ring up at only $6 a pop and in come in four motifs: Stuff To Do for organized completing-and-checking-off bliss, Stock Up for shopping lists, Great Ideas for brilliant plans, and Note To Self for miscellaneous musings. Available at Byrd & Bleeker.

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The Best Gift Shops in Dallas: 9 Stores That Make Holiday Shopping a Breeze

When your job is to dissect, explore, and report on one city, you get pretty good at uncovering all the sweet spots. We have a stellar lineup of shop-savvy editors who are especially in the know when it comes to embellishing homes, creating wardrobes, and delighting friends with the perfect gift. Put us to the test this holiday season. Shop this list of our favorite gift stores.

Society
Candles. They’re a common go-to gift. But they can also be uninspired (and sometimes stinky when the candles are cheap) presents. Not so at Society. Local interior designers Pamela Jackson and Jeremi Headrick recently opened their chic Bishop Arts shop and it’s full of great smelling candles, vintage holders, and the like. My favorite is Society’s three proprietary blends which are a steal for only $32 each.
-Todd Johnson, corporate creative director, D Magazine

Little Bean “for kiddos”
This children’s boutique, tucked away on a leafy Junius Heights street, feels like it’s been curated by your hippest mom friend. The shop is blissfully void of any blinking plastic gizmos, stocked instead with unique, artful (read: pretty to look at) goods that are as fun for kiddos as they are for adults. My go-to items for gifting include the clever Seedling craft kits, tissue surprise balls filled with little treasures (my girls go crazy over these), and any of the smart books on offer.
-Joslyn Taylor, executive editor, D Moms

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The Nasher Gift Shop at NorthPark is Back for the Holidays

And that makes me very happy, as it’s always been one of my favorite gift spots. It opened over the weekend on the first level, near Neiman Marcus, and will remain there until January 6. For smart, beautifully designed gifts for art and gadget lovers, the Nasher Store really can’t be topped. A permanent location is still open for business downtown.

In Need of Last Minute Happy Hour Plans? Head to Saks.

Lisa Petty, editor of DFW Style Daily, has rounded up a collection of her favorite Saks Fifth Avenue gifts and stocking stuffers and is presenting them this evening along with wine and festive light bites at the Galleria Dallas. Music will be provided by the The Dallas Chamber Symphony. Such a chic affair! Happening from 6 pm to 8 pm on in Contemporary on the first floor.

Finally. A Look at the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection.

I’ve been looking forward to see the results of the holiday gift collaboration between Neiman Marcus and Target since it was first announced. Although I had reservations about the concept of designer-stamped affordable luxuries, I admire the 24 CFDA designers selected and I seriously love Target. As it turns out, the roundup of presents created by these style gurus is admittedly pretty fun. Much better than my ideas. Fashion designer Jason Wu made ornaments, Brian Atwood stuck to women’s accessories with gloves and sunglasses, Oscar de la Renta made beautiful doggie dishes, and Rodarte made wicked cool wrapping paper. Prices run from $7.99 to $499.99. Check out a few of my favs below.

The entire collection will be available in both Target and Neiman Marcus stores on December 1.

photos courtesy of Target

To see the entire look book, click here.

Gift You’ll Want to Keep For Yourself: 21 Drops Essential Oils at Nest

21 Drops is a line of aromatherapy essential oils with emotions motifs like Invigorate, PMS Relief, even Hangover. Housed in travel-friendly vials with colorful cases, the collection includes a gift-worthy bottle for every occasion. Got a creative friend? Try Inspire. Encouraging a girlfriend to leave her bad boyfriend? How about Willpower? Perhaps a pal lost his pet? Go with Carry On for his heavy heart. The possibilities are infinite, and each magic potion is organic or wild-crafted and concocted with combinations of black pepper, ylang ylang, lavender, grapefruit, and other delicious extracts. Available at Nest for $29 for individuals and $75 for nifty trios. Like 21st Century Survival with De-Stress, Uplift, and Sleep. Waiting for a shopping addiction cure…

Where to Shop for Father’s Day in Dallas

Shopping for dads can be kind of tricky. We’d like to think we’re making your lives a little easier with this quick Dallas Dad’s Day guide full of simple gift ideas.

(clockwise from top left) Paris Texas Apparel Co ties, Hadleigh's slippers, The Gents Place shave, and Moonshine cologne at Stanley Korshak (photography courtesy of vendors)

For the Texas Dad
Where: The Squire Shop
What You’ll Find: Attire for any occasion: suits for work, polos for golf, casuals for chasing kiddos, and outdoor gear for adventurous types.
Our Gift Suggestion: Paris Texas Apparel Company tie made in Texas. Each Texas-made tie comes in a custom tin box, $75.

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