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One Stop Christmas Shop

I have to admit, I usually put off all my holiday shopping until the last minute. Trust me, NorthPark on Christmas Eve is no fun. Think long lines and messy, picked over stores.  But this year things are going to be different. I plan on avoiding the crowds by doing my shopping early at the Chi Omega Christmas Market. Dallas-area Chi Omega alums have hosted this lux shopping event for the past 32 years in support of local charities. Here you’ll find everything from women’s fashion and accessories to home décor, so you’ll be able to find a gift for everyone (and maybe even yourself). General admission starts today and ends Saturday at the Dallas Convention Center. NorthPark, I still love you. I’ll be back after the holidays.

Gotta Get GogoGear!

As you may know, D Magazine recently moved our offices from the Highland Park area to downtown. And many of us are now parking in garages a few blocks away from the office forcing us to re-think our entire morning routine. I, for instance, had to find a way to get my three inch heels, exercise clothes, work documents and various beauty products to and from my car. (Yes, I’ve become one of those people who walks in flats and changes into my sassy shoes once I get to the office. Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.) For a few days I tried an old stand-by, the backpack. But that just didn’t work. Not only did I feel like a sixth grader but it was too casual  and often heavy causing me to awkwardly lean forward as I walked. Are you picturing this? Right. Not pretty. Fortunately, I happened to stumble upon a bag that stole my heart from the moment I saw it. (more…)

Lakewood Home Festival Market this Weekend

Shop over 60 unique vendors showcasing art, jewelry, children’s items, holiday keepsakes, gourmet foods, and more at the Lakewood Market, which is part of the 33rd annual Lakewood Home Festival – hosted by the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA) – that raises funds for Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School.
When: This Saturday (10 A.M. – 5 P.M.) & Sunday (11 A.M. – 5 P.M.)
Where: Lakewood Elementary  (3000 Hillbrook at Sondra)
What: Shop local vendors (such as Yes Ma’am! & APRONanantomy – pictured at left) while you snack and sip goodies from Penne Pomodoro, Paciugo, White Rock Coffee, and Society Bakery.

Trick or Treat Happy Hour and Spa Goodies The Ritz-Carlton Spa

For the first 75 people who reserve a spot, the spa at the Ritz will offer a free happy hour Halloween event, which will include complimentary mini-margaritas, guacamole, gelato, chair massages, make-up consultations, trick-or-treat bags with spa and salon samples, and a 25 percent discount on retail purchases and treatments booked during the evening. We’ve been to these Ritz spa events before, and we’ve told you we love them. They’re worth your while for an hour or two during the week. Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 pm. Ritz-Carlton Spa.

Tomorrow Night: $500 Gift Bag

At least, that’s what they’re saying. Don’t forget the Nicole William’s Girl On Top event at The Limited at NorthPark. If you can’t make Wednesday night’s event, there’s another one on Thursday at The Limited Galleria. If you RSVP, you’ll partake in schmoozing with the other Dallas ladies that have come to participate, free Girl On Top cocktails for three hours, career advice from author of Girl On Top, Nicole Williams, and a 40 percent discount off The Limited’s new business wear. (Yes, yes, and the gift bag.) Both nights run from 6 pm to 9 pm. RSVP here and enter D Magazine in the “How did you hear about GOT?” field. We’ll see you there.

*Update: I was just told gift bags are first-come, first served basis.

New Dallas Shops for Tots

In the current issue of D, I wrote about an adorable vintage-inspired children’s line called Pout and a few other tid-bits on cute things for kids. It seems that this is one category of retailers and fashion unaffected by the recession. Kids stores and clothing lines seem to be popping up everywhere, including two new stores worth mentioning in Dallas. Christine Visneau, designer of clothing line, Baby Bean Vintage Daywear has decided to open up a shop for tots, Little Bean, that’s stocked with cute clothes (including her own line) and unique accessories, gifts, and art from independent designers. Little Bean (pictured at left) is tucked away in East Dallas’ historic Junius Heights neighborhood (5308 Junius St.), where Christine’s sewing machine is on site for made-to-measure requests and spur-of-the-moment creations that you won’t find anywhere else. Also be sure to stop by Mockingbird Station to check out the recently opened (Erykah Badu attended the Grand Opening party last week) Kidrobot. The gallery-store sells limited edition art toys and apparel, many collectibles.

West Village a Welcome Haven for Haven

I finally dropped into Haven’s new digs at the West Village the other day. You remember that store, right? Lovely home furnishings boutique in Victory Park. Such wonderful chic finds. Oh that’s right. You probably don’t remember it because hardly anyone shops at Victory. At least that’s what co-owner Jon Tutolo (pictured left with co-owner John Bassignani) told me. “Some days I wouldn’t see a soul. Now, there’s people walking by my shop. There’s such an energy here at the West Village,” he said. Though the new store is a 1/3 of the size of the original, it’s chocked full of candles, linens, lamps, books, furniture, and gifts galore. Couple Haven with Gardens around the corner and you have two of Dallas’ chicest stores (almost) side by side. That’s some good shopping. Photo by Vanessa Gavalya

Totally Radical Blowout Sale at Dahlgren Duck June 12 & 13

What is Dahlgren Duck, you ask? This local company outfits planes, yahts, and luxury residences with tabletop, linens, and home goods from the best lines in the world. We’re talking Peacock Alley, Riedel, Baccarat, Christophle, Kitchen Aid, and much, much more. They have to clear the warehouse so everything is priced to move. Think Riedel stems for $3 each, Christofle flatware for $11 a piece, Baccarat tumblers for $25, and Peacock Alley three-piece bath linen sets for $20. Times: 8 am-5 pm Friday and 7 am-4 pm Saturday. Better hurry for best selection.

Need Some Father’s Day Gift Ideas?

We’ve got some here (like this Kiehl’s gift set). Do you have some suggestions? We’d love to hear them. So leave some comments and share your Father’s Day finds with your fellow shoppers. We’re still researching, and we’ll add ’em as we find ’em.

Paper Source’s New Bold and Beautiful India Collection

While I usually blog about my true loves, fashion and beauty, I just couldn’t pass up telling you about Paper Source’s new India collection. Lovely hues and exotic designs make wrapping paper, stationery, file folders, candles, rubber stamps, and boxes more fun than ever. Purchase online or at the store at NorthPark.

Jewelry From the UAPO Akola Project

I really admire people who do charity work. The world needs more selfless, giving souls like those involved with the UAPO (Ugandan American Partnership Organization). Their goal is to “join the fight of local Ugandans to help their impoverished neighbors. UAPO seeks to meet the physical, spiritual, and social needs of Ugandans.” So why am I telling you about them? Not only because it’s a worthy cause but also because one of their ways of helping the Ugandans is through the Akola Project, which teaches the many widows of the country (due to AIDS, accidents and tragedies) to make jewelry that is then is sold in America as well as in local villages. The pieces, which are hand-made, can be found locally at Krimson & Klover. I’m wearing a pair of their earrings today (see photo) and it’s nice to know that they are helping people half way around the world.

Pretty Pendant from James Avery

Show some love to Mother Earth this Mother’s Day. James Avery has partnered with Andy Jones, director of the nonprofit Conservation Fund’s Texas operations, to help protect the state’s land and water resources through the sale of a specially designed pendant, the Tree of Promise. The pendant depicts a tree inspired by the majestic Cedar of Lebanon, known throughout history for its beauty, strength and endurance. Now through October 31, 2009, the Texas-based jeweler will donate 50% of the pendant sales to The Conservation Fund. Available in sterling silver and priced at $80, it makes a great gift for mother’s day for all of you last-minute shoppers. Pick one up today at one of their many locations in the Dallas area.

Mother’s Day Idea: Gifts From The Write Selection

The lovely people at The Write Selection have done the work for me and sent some ideas for Mom that are particularly pocketbook-friendly. First up, Gloveables–kind of like those worn my my favorite British cleaning team, Kim and Aggie, from BBC’s How Clean Is Your House–for $17.50. Or, if you’re not deliberately trying to encourage Mom to clean, perhaps you could encourage her to relax with a spa gift set by Sonoma Lavender, complete with spa mittens and booties, neck rolls, back pillows and bath salts, for $40-$50. And, of course, Write Selection has, um, the right selection of stationery and notecards for  mothers who love to write a good thank you note.