I spy Olivia k jewelry, our Best of Big D editor's pick winner. (photography courtesy of Clothes Encounters)

Reminder: Clothes Encounters, one of my very favorite shopping opportunities, starts today and ends on Friday. Don’t miss it.

photography courtesy of Clothes Encounters

One of my favorite shopping experiences in the city is seasonal pop-up shop Clothes Encounters, which happens three times a year. Put on by Joanne Levy and Melanie Fogel, the chic, three-day affair takes place inside Joanne’s mod home on Abbott Avenue. And you’re invited. Here’s the rundown I gave last year:

It operates for only three days at a time and delivers a bespoke experience that allows shoppers to browse full collections from hard-to-find brands, choose their favorite pieces, and order them in different colors. (Trunk show style.) Five years and thriving (long before pop-ups were trendy), Clothes Encounters sticks to a modernist aesthetic so expect structured garments in solid colors, drapey details, scultupural accessories in earthy colors, and a splash of local talent.

Still true. Happening next week, Wednesday, February 20, through Friday, February 22, from 10 am to 5 pm at 4444 Abbott Avenue.

I think I need to scope out this hoodie dress (see above).

photography by Aaron Bowen

Luxeliner, the sophisticated shop truck, is open for business today until 1 pm at 3840 Villanova St. Who needs lunch when you can fill up on jewelry instead?

photography courtesy of The Warby Parker Class Trip

The uber cool eyeglass brand is steering its school bus to Dallas next week during its nine-city “Class Trip” tour. Since Dallas hosts neither a retailer nor showroom of trendy Warby Parker eyewear, it’s kind of big deal to get your hands on a few pairs in person. The pimped-out bus, complete with leather sofas, vintage books, and other library-esque decor, will be open for business in Dallas from Thursday, January 10 through Sunday, January 27. The shop on wheels will be making appearances around town. Stay tuned for a full itinerary.

*Update: Dates are January 10-27.

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

photography courtesy of French Connection

Starting today and ending Saturday, May 5, Hemline is hosting an in-store French Connection “pop-up shop.” The latest arrivals include a lemon yellow maxi dress with pleats, lots of flowy silk chiffon, and statement-making cobalt blue. There’s apparently a free gift with French Connection purchase, too.

If you make it over to the Lovers Lane, boutique today, pop in at Lou Lou next door. They’re hosting a jewelry trunk show with the goods of Kristen Richards. Her Living Gemstones line features colorful stones and ornate beading on charm bracelets and dangling earrings. Mother’s Day gifts, perhaps?

Awaiting this little baby in black.

Clothes Encounter’s chic, three-day pop-up shop is how shopping should be: exciting, sophisticated, personalized, and fun. Sure, it can feel a little odd walking into a stranger’s (gorgeous) home to shop, but as soon as you do, you’ll be glad. Business partners Joanne Levy and Melanie Fogel are as nice as they come, and their team makes you feel like you’re shopping among friends. Peruse the racks of butter soft separates (brilliant for traveling), drapey sweaters, and deconstructed dresses. Clothing here is tailored to the slightly older set (no mini skirts or plunging necklines) and young things with a taste for smart wardrobe staples. (I bought a cozy, high-low loungewear dress in black–see right.) Don’t miss the jewelry in the middle. Geometric designs like metal tubes on black cord, stone lariat necklaces, and architectural square bangles are wearable and statement making. Prices seem to stick between $50 (for a tank) and $230 (for dresses, sweaters, etc.). Check out the photos. Ends tomorrow, Friday, February 24, at 5 pm.

DO

- Get there as soon as possible. I arrived at 9:45 this morning, and the shoes/boots selection was already picked over. There are still plenty of the Billy Reid/K-Swiss collabo sneakers left, but, let’s be honest, those have always kind of looked like garbage. The dozens of pairs available back up my point.

DON’T

- Ride your bike. Despite the fact that I had a backpack, I could only buy what I could cram into the sack slung over my shoulders. Also, I didn’t want to look like a child molester wearing a new peacoat, on a bike, on a 80-degree day.

And, yes, I realize I’m probably the only person dumb enough to ride my bike to this sale.

DO

- Go a size down. Reid fashions his shirts wide, and his cuffs even wider. It’s a distressing and slightly emasculating quirk. Case: I’m 5’10″, 170 pounds. I like my shirts slim. I left with a small dress shirt, with the slim fitting.

DO

- Expect to wait. Check-out line took me 20 minutes.

DON’T

- Get all hung up on changing in an open room with dudes everywhere. This is a warehouse sale; there are no changing rooms for men. There are, however, three mirrors that seem to have been stolen from a college dorm room.

DO

- Check out the ties. They’re all $19. They’re a bit slimmer than I wear, but if that’s your thing, go for it.

DON’T

- Wait. Seriously. Go. Whatever you’re doing at work isn’t really that important. You’re a surgeon you say? I don’t believe you.

D Home's Joslyn Taylor is eyeing this beauty, which will be available for order in orange, black, navy, and gray.

Three times a year Joanne Levy and Melanie Fogel of Clothes Encounters open an uber chic pop-up shop inside Joanne’s mod home on 4444 Abbott Avenue. It operates for only three days at a time and delivers a bespoke experience that allows shoppers to browse full collections from hard-t0-find brands, choose their favorite pieces, and order them in different colors. (Trunk show style.) Five years and thriving (long before pop-ups were trendy), Clothes Encounters sticks to a modernist aesthetic so expect structured garments in solid colors, drapey details, scultupural accessories in earthy colors, and a splash of local talent. (We hear Elizabeth Anyaa scarves have previously been on the menu.) Designers may reappear throughout the year, but mostly, the lines rotate each time, so don’t most miss the opportunity to discover a new spring staple no one else will have. Talk about a chic shopping experience.  Best part is, it feels exclusive, but you’re so invited. Starts tomorrow.

Hours:
Wednesday, February 22, 10 am to 5 pm
Thursday, February 23, 10 am to 5 pm
Friday, February 24, 10 am to 5 pm

How about these cuties on a WP staff member? (image from WarbyParker.com)

A Warby Parker pop-up shop is kicking off its two-week stay at Nest tomorrow night, and you’re invited. The eyewear brand, known for its vintage-inspired frames, sells every pair of glasses for $95 a pop with prescription lenses. Nice! Even better, for each pair sold, a pair is donated to non-profits around the world that provide vision care to those in need. The 2010 and 2011 collections will both be available for purchase. Visit the shop from 6 pm to 8 pm for cocktails, light bites, and the opportunity to try on the hip frames, which aren’t found anywhere else in Dallas.