Dallas Holiday Gift Guide: An Under-$50 Stocking Stuffer for Pretty Princesses

I could not take bathing in sprinkles, funnel cake, or glittery bath gel seriously anymore. But I know lots of little girls who would practically explode with excitement over taking these festive pink tubes of glittery goo into the tub. Options from Philosophy for the pretty princesses in your life (top to bottom): Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake shampoo & shower gel, $16 ; Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake lip gloss in a sparkling pink, $10; and Holly Berry Bubbly bubble bath, $16. You would barely need to giftwrap these, they’re so precious. Find these flavors (and others) at a Sephora near you.

Check ShopTalk daily for new gift suggestions. See all of our stocking stuffer ideas here.

I Want a Little Play Space. Seriously.

Ze Fwench Cafe.

I’m ticked off. Why the heck didn’t I grow up with these? If I had had a Little Play Space shaped into a French Cafe, I would never have come out. Maybe I would now be a very successful French chef, too. Who knows. These colorful cardboard playhouses, made by Dallas gal Kate Fagelman, are easy to assemble and supposedly pretty sturdy. I’m digging the price tag, marked at just $79. (Shipping is only $10). If you order a 2010 version, which is still ridiculously cute, you’ll only pay $49. What a great gift! Inside, find a chalkboard menu (for daily croissants, s’il vous plaît!) and even shelving. I just bought a two-bedroom place. Maybe I’ll put this in the spare bedroom and invite my friends, I mean, their kids, over for tea in it…

If Your Kids are More Fashionable Than You Are, Send Them to the Galleria’s Fashion Camp

Girls assemble real outfits in groups and explain the inspiration. (photo courtesy of Fashion Camp)

Last year Kristin and I had the pleasure of attending a day of the Galleria’s Fashion Camp. All we could think was that we wished we’d had this Fashion Camp to help us find the path to our current careers. The camp, which runs between August 8 and August 13, is for teens interested in fashion (anything from styling to designing). Kids get the chance to do everything from getting hands on with clothing and assembling creative outfits to hearing lectures from industry experts like professional stylists, models, and magazine editors. On the day we attended, campers were actually given cash to spend so they could journey through the mall, collecting clothing within a budget to make a trendy ensemble. How fun is that? If you’ve got a teen son who dresses like he belongs on the cover of GQ or daughter who can’t get enough of Vogue, have them apply for this camp. The knowledge they’ll gain and the fun they’ll have is invaluable. I know. I was there last year. For the full release, click “continue reading.” Otherwise, get to filling out the app. The deadline to sign up is May 9.

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Miss Texas Has Nothing on Me

That’s just one of the fun slogans on The Traveling Tom tees designed by Texas gal, Jenny Cureton. If you’re a cowgirl boot-wearing, y’all-shoutin’, grits-lovin’ girl, these are for you and your kiddos. (You can also just be a Yankee transplant like me who happens to have a little Texas pride.) Options for ladies include “Texas Love” tees and “Texas Girls Rock” designs. Little ones can rock have a slew of tutu-like pettiskirts in bright colors to wear with “Texas Rose” tanks. Babies have options, too, and I think the wee Texas tops would make adorable baby shower gifts. Jenny’s working on getting these sweet tees into Dallas shops, but for now, buy ‘em online, y’all.

Best of Big D Shopping

Every year D Magazine publishes its Best of Big D issue. Editors collaborate to decide which things in Dallas are so fantastic they must be given an award with our seal of approval. This year, however, we’re opening up voting for readers. We’ve closed the ballots for restaurants, and we’ve finished up the voting for nightlife, but today starts the voting period for best shopping in Dallas. You’ll vote for the best home accessories store, pet store, shoe store, place to shop for designer labels, affordable boutique, etc. You can vote for your favorites every day! If you don’t see your favorite shop, there’s a space to add your nomination. Have at it! Voting ends May 16.

Serious Sidewalk Sale at Merge This Weekend

Last week it snowed. This week temperatures are in the 70s. This is not our favorite symptom of the seasons changing. (Hello allergies and bored-of-wearing-a-sweater-itis.) But there is one side effect we love. Stores must figure out what to do with old inventory to make room for the new. And we, my friends, are reaping the benefits of Merge’s spring cleaning this weekend. Pieces from tops and belts to kids’ clothes will be marked down to $5, $10, and $15. Dresses will be around $30, and jeans $40. Get out of the way, Forever 21. Plus, magically, there will be spring and resort pieces on sale for 30 to 40 percent off. The sale runs this Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28.

Check out our updated listing for Merge.