St. John Grand Reopening: Since you will already be in Highland Park Village finding some steals at Tory Burch, drop by this party from 1 pm to 6 pm Saturday to celebrate the store’s new look and enjoy champagne and light bites. (Look at the amazing dress we found there a few of weeks ago!) Plus, get a glimpse of their latest looks.

Tinsley Mortimer Appearance at Neiman Marcus: Don’t miss this party tonight from 6 pm to 8 pm celebrating the socialite, designer, and now author of debut novel Southern Charm. Have fun with your friends eating sweets, sipping cocktails, and perusing Neiman Marcus NorthPark.

Julie Collection Trunk Show: Tooties is a must-shop spot today for the latest looks from this jewelry designer. Check out all of the delicate, pretty designs. But, hurry – today is the only day to browse these pieces.

Joy Cioci Trunk Show: Stanley Korshak is calling your name. Shop this trunk show today and tomorrow and stock up on the biggest trends from Joy Cioci.

Jessica Acklen is a shopping intern.

The store appeals to college gals and young professionals, but a $59 white blazer looks good at every age.

Owned by a couple of Dallas-raised besties, y&i is perfect for upcoming graduation gifts. Most of the goods are priced under $200 (with the exception of a few special pieces). Owners Robin and Robyn (now do you get the y & i?) graduated high school and college together in Texas before heading their separate ways, one to Goldman Sachs and another to an extensive retail career. After a few years and the desire for more flexible lifestyles, the girls combined their finance and clothing backgrounds, and boom, opened up shop in San Fran. Their next stop was Austin (don’t pout about it), followed by the weeks-old West Village location. In it you’ll find pieces edited for young shoppers, like trendy blouses, silk dresses, and flowing maxi dresses that are perfect from office to happy hour, and colorful shorts, sunnies, and bikinis for summer weekends. A selection of lightly padded neon and neutral bandeaus (perfect for wearing under just about anything) ring up at $5 a piece, and the inexpensive jewelry, handbags, and Voluspa candles make wonderful gifts.

Gifty goodies include Love + Toast lotions and potions, beautiful, trendy jewels at even more beautiful prices (like geode earrings for $24), Kris Nations Zodiac sign necklaces, and simple clutches.

y&i's ready for summer with a handful of Bikini Joy swimsuits for $40 and sunglasses all over the store.

St. John pre-fall 2012 lace-sleeve shimmer Milano knit dress

This stunner is part of the pre-fall collection, which will be on display at the St. John boutique’s open house and grand re-opening in Highland Park Village on May 19 from 1 pm to 5 pm. Champagne and light bites are being served all day.

Highly-anticipated California-based y&i clothing boutique will be opening its third location in West Village May 9, 2012. Located acrossfrom Malai Kitchen in the old J’Adore Paris space, y&i shoppers will enjoy a well-edited assortment of fashionable, well-made clothing at an affordable price.

Anchored by its signature green and white stripes, y&i’s new location features abundant windows for natural light and enough personal touches to create a bright, friendly atmosphere where shoppers can feel at home.

y&i owners Robyn Sribhen White and Robin Boesch first met as high schoolers in Dallas and later were roommates at the University of Texas in Austin. Despite post college careers on separate coasts, the friendship endured until their shared love of affordable fashion brought them back together.

After opening stores in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, Robyn and Robin are excited to bring their California-casual style to their hometown. In addition to contemporary brands like Rachel Pally, Free People, Paige Premium Denim, and LA Made, y&i offers a savvy selection of jewelry, shoes and handbags. The store even has its own label of wallet-friendly clothing.

photography by me

I told you last week about Southlake’s new blowout-only Hair Bar. But I haven’t yet told you about The Do in Preston Center. It’s in the old Salon Madrid space, but it’s a completely new interior. Industrial chic with vintage Chicago brick walls, repurposed concrete countertops, and bright pops of color: pink, orange, and purple bottles of Wella haircare and cherry red blowdryers. My color faded since my last dye job over Christmastime, and although I wasn’t satisfied with its lackluster hue, I couldn’t define the color I was looking for. Owner Betty Payne seemed to know exactly how to freshen things up, and her colorist gave me a fresh, espresso tint. Doors were wide open, ladies were gossiping, and coffee, lemonade, and fresh oranges were on tap. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a salon where the vibe was so friendly and unintimidating. “We’re doing something different over here,” Betty says, and you can feel it when you walk in. (She even says dogs are invited to come hang out on the benches in front.) The space is only 1,000 square feet or so, so you get to know your neighbors. Mine included local celebrities Jenna Owens from Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, getting a 70s-inspired ‘do for a party, and legendary Ron Chapman receiving a quick trim. No one flinches when you walk in with waist-length hair, either. Even Betty has Barbie long, blonde locks. (“Teenager hair,” she calls it.) Melissa, one of the salon’s crowning jewels, took my limp hair and gave it some life with easy-to-manage layers and on-trend waves that actually lasted through the following afternoon. Moral of this story: I highly recommend this new spot. Give them a call and experience it for yourself. Grab an orange; you won’t be sorry.

YSL "Ingenue" suede and brass heel. So beautiful it hurts. (photography from YSL's shoe ad campaign)

More shops are on the horizon for NorthPark Center and Highland Park Village. Park Cities can celebrate their new Yves Saint Laurent boutique come later summer/early fall and NorthParkians have Make Up Forever (YES!), Officine Panarei, Kiehl’s, and an unmentionable. Okay, you’ve coaxed it out of me: Crocs. Ugh. (I know I they’re comfortable. Just can’t get on board with them.) Isn’t it going to be an exciting few months? All these shops should have doors open by autumn.

Five and Ten (photography by Micah Nunley)

Photo intern Micah Nunley headed to Forty Five Ten’s new Five and Ten boutique and captured its glory by camera. Enjoy this sneak peek by photos.

Five and Ten (photography by Micah Nunley)

More photos after the jump.

Five and Ten (photography by Micah Nunley)

Five and Ten (photography by Micah Nunley)

Five and Ten (photography by Micah Nunley)

photography courtesy of Highland Park Village

Five and Ten, Forty Five Ten’s new boutique, offers “a little bit of everything,” they say. The shop, open this weekend, includes gift type items from Diptyque, pet accessories from Mungo & Maud, fragrances from Odin, and apparel and accessories from J Brand, Lanvin, Band of Outsiders, The Row, and more. It’s open today. Go shop.

REUSE Jeans in Dallas

From new shopping intern Meagan Paparella:

Most of us are familiar with U.J.S.  (or “Uncomfortable Jeans Syndrome”), where you just can’t wait to get home and get out of those pants that have been irritating you all day. Well, ladies and gents, kiss your suffering goodbye because REUSE Jeans are here to save you. If you haven’t tried on a pair of REUSE Jeans, check out our recent review. I am wearing REUSE Skinny’s right now in a cherry red. They’re so comfy that at the end of the day, I actually have to remind myself not to sleep in them. But don’t take my word for it. Go try them on yourself. REUSE is hosting a VIP grand opening event on Saturday, January 21st from 6 pm to 9 pm to celebrate the opening of the Dallas flagship location. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served in addition to prizes for winning raffle tickets. If you are looking for a little cherry on top, get pumped because country singer Randy Travis will be in attendance along with Reality Steve, The Bachelor spoiler and blogger and Mr. USA, Steve Kuclo. I personally have been dying to buy the new BLUAT low rise Skinny Jeans, but celebrities and cocktails are always fun too. Cheers to that! –Meagan Paparella

The spring collection is made of pastels in skinny legs and bell bottoms.

REUSE Jeans opened two weeks ago at the Shops at Park Lane. When I received the press release for REUSE, it spoke of eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable apparel. I was skeptical. I do not care for the Shops at Park Lane. And, save for Whole Foods, nothing about Park Lane is particularly planet conscious. But I’m past all of this now having visited the store last night. Every Thursday night, REUSE serves champagne so it was the obvious choice of weeknights to go. Four of us girls headed over to check out the shop.

The jeans here are recycled. (Before you crinkle up your nose, we’re not talking about pre-owned jeans.) The material itself is recycled. Scraps of discarded denim are cleaned, broken down back into original cotton, mixed with fresh cotton and spandex (for a stretchy fit), and reworked into new pairs of skinny jeans, low-rise flares, mid-rise bell bottoms, and more. The color selection is extra special. Each season, a collection of hues is released. (The spring 2012 pastels above come in skinnies and flares. The jewel tones from fall, below, are available in skinny legs.)

The fall collection. (photography courtesy of REUSE Jeans)

We were encouraged to try the jeans on to truly experience them. I kept myself busy snapping photos while the rest of my team hit the dressing rooms. (I typically find jeans uncomfortable, and I wasn’t interested in rediscovering my size.) When my three friends kept emerging in different colors, oohing and aahing about their cute butts and comfortable wear, I considered changing my mind. When I found out you have to go down a size in these jeans, I caved. Then I was hooked. My friend without a rear end suddenly had a perky hiney. No one had a muffin top. And most of all, we were comfy. “I could wear these to yoga,” one said. Prices are pleasantly surprising at $95 for women, $125 for men. Your turn to hit the dressing room.

HEAD IN RIGHT NOW AND ALL JEANS ARE BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF.

A sassy treatment room in California. (photography courtesy of The Pretty Kitty)

This California transplant beauty boutique is a Brazilian waxing factory that touts a friendly staff full of the expertiest experts in hair removal and a soft cream wax to “minimize discomfort.” Not interested in the down-there stuff? Pretty Kitty covers, well, uncovers, the whole body. A full Brazilian rings up at $59, while brows, under arms, and upper lips run from just $10 to $20. Got a hairy guy? Bring him in, too. (But beware the hot pink treatment rooms and girly, boudoir vibe.)

The store's collection of vintage designer duds includes jewelry, handbags, hats, and shoes among the apparel.

Sure, there’s drama surrounding Factory Girl co-owner Heather Hayler and her history. But there’s a reason we named her a “Taste Maker” back in 2008. Girl’s got style. I don’t know where the glorious goods in her new vintage shop come from, but they sure are cool.

Jump for more of an inside look.

Heather is a self-professed sunglass junkie. Every pair of frames I saw in the glass case begged me to take them home.

The row of designer clothing includes quality pieces from the late Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Oscar de la Renta, and other heavy hitters.

Love these violet lenses.

These handcrafted Dutzi bags are made from recycled materials and assembled by Mayan men and women supporting their families and communities with this craft.