photography courtesy of Barneys New York

1. Gaia pouch. “All of Paula Minnis’ bags are handmade by women in need in Dallas, using vintage, repurposed, or sustainable materials. I stash my own business cards in this one. Right now I carry three (!) one for D Home, one for D Moms, and a personal card.”
2. Clare Vivier Leopard print wallet clutch. “I am obsessed with LA-based designer Clare Vivier’s clutches. I use them to corral everything from coins to cosmetics. This particular one holds all the business cards I collect.”
3. Gold pill case. “This was a gift from my best friend a few years ago. She owns a vintage shop and always finds the coolest stuff. I use it for my Advil (which makes combatting a headache feel infinitely more glamorous).”
4. Graphic Image notebook. “I am never without a notebook for jotting down ideas and taking notes when I’m interviewing subjects. I also use this one to stash ephemera like pretty postcards, notes from my girlies, and photo strips (I am a photo booth junkie) and taking notes when I’m interviewing subjects.”

5. Tiffany’s Table Manners for Teenagers. “I’m trying to wean myself off my iPhone a bit (my Pinterest and Instagram addictions are fierce), so I’ve been keeping a book on hand for times when I’m waiting in line, and tempted to pull out the phone. I’ve been trying to get my girls to up their game on the manners front of late. This little guide from Tiffany is pretty brilliant.”
6. Graphic Image planner. “I just can’t quit my paper calendar.”
7. Passport/Nasher membership card (“I use my passport as ID and always have my membership cards to the Nasher and DMA so I can run across the street for lunch and when I’m needing a dose of inspiration.”) and tassel key chain (“This was a little DIY project I did after seeing it on my friend Jenny’s blog, Little Green Notebook.“)
8. Barbara Wiggins gold bag. “I got this on a trip to New York last year. I use it for my makeup, and it makes me happy every time I look at it.”
9. Beauty products, clockwise from top: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Rebelle (“I hardly ever have time to go home and change before after work events (plus if I go home, I might not go back out), so I keep a tube of orangy red lipstick on hand for when I need to transition to ‘dressy mode.’”; Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream (“Having dry hands is my personal hell.”); Elizabeth Dehn Face Spray (“A quick spritz of this combats the dry office air + it smells great.”); Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Pink Lust; Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in Caramel Daisy; Nars lip gloss in Metis (“I do a nude lip 99.9% of the time so I can wear lots of black eyeliner without looking crazily overdressed. The Nars/Tom Ford/ Burt’s Bees is my go-to trifecta of nude gloss.”); and Tom’s natural toothpaste
10. Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes. “Grown up baby wipes. I use these to clean my girls’ hands and faces when we’re out and about.”
11. Hail Merry sunflower seeds and apple. “If I don’t eat every 3 hours or so, I get “hangry.” The apple and nuts are my insurance policy.”

My friend and Oklahoma-native Sarah James shared a great list of ways to provide assistance to victims of yesterday’s horrible tornado, and I thought I would be helpful to share here as well.

Per Sarah, here are some ways to help:

• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund – this took me about 10 seconds to complete
• If you prefer to donate to the Red Cross online, click here.
• You can text FOOD to 32333 (the OK Food Bank) to give $10 to help with relief efforts via News 9
• The Salvation Army
• Feed The Children Disaster Relief
• Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
• Disaster Relief of Oklahoma
• World Vision
• If you are looking for a family member, please visit Safe & Well.
• Google Crisis Map
• The Penn South Pet Clinic is collecting displaced animals.
• Annie’s Ruff House in Norman, OK is taking any dogs displaced by the tornadoes in Moore.

If you have any other suggestions, feel free to add it in the comments section.

photography courtesy of retailers

1. NCLA’s “Stephanie’s Galaxy nail wraps. Each package comes with 22 wraps so you can squeeze more than one application out of them. I plan to get these bad boys gelled on to make them last longer.

2. Jennifer Meyer’s mini rose gold star studs at Ylang23. Rose gold is a trend I can groove with. These tiny diamond-studded stars are dainty everyday studs.

3. The Marc Jacobs black and white striped sequin clutch at Forty Five Ten. Trends don’t last forever, but black and white will always be a classic combo.

4. These Miista rose gold and coral sandals from Nicole Kwon. Ever stocking cool things things, Nicole Kwon now has these (rose gold!) Miista sandals on shelves. Or, rather, in these pretty cubes.

5. The “Squirt,” a mini version The Wet Brush. It slides through tangles when your hairs are behaving badly. Good for bed head, convertible head, wet pool head, and wet ocean head. Buy it at Buy Buy Baby near the Galleria or online.

These could put a little pep in your step, no? (photography courtesy of New Balance, carried at Run On)

Yeah, I see you out there, getting your sweat on, panting around the Katy Trail, working on your bikini body. I’m doing it too. (But you’re more likely to find me taking a break with a mimosa on the patio at Company Cafe.) Run On knows you need a new pair of kicks to help you keep up the motivation and keep your, well, run on. That’s why they’re offering one lucky ShopTalk reader a glorious $120 gift card to spend at their new Murphy store. And if you’re going to spend it, why not take it to the grand opening party on June 1, where they’ll be highlighting some “pretty sweet shoes,” hosting venders, and sizing people? But they had us at “pretty sweet shoes.” To redeem this gift card, you’ll need to use it at the Murphy location. If you’re good with that, enter here.

Get Primped at new Pouf:

Handbag Sale at Stanley Korshak: Be the first to shop the newly marked-down spring bags this weekend and find vacation-worthy Nancy Gonzalez totes, Nina Ricci crossbodies, and colorful Anya Hindmarch printed clutches for 30 percent off.

Margaritas and Markdowns: Head over to a few of our favorite Lovers Lane shops (Mine, Elements, Lou Lou, and Hemline) through Saturday for margaritas and sale racks. But don’t miss the new arrivals, like Elements’ printed frocks  by Finders Keepers and Alice McCall and Hemline’s Splendid separates and lacy Dolce Vita numbers.

Walk through NorthPark’s 7 For All Mankind, and it is abundantly clear why Nikki Reed’s jewelry was chosen for the store.  Best known for her part as Rosalie in the Twilight saga, Reed has now added jewelry-designer to her chain of talents.  Launching this week in Dallas, Mattlin Era — Reed’s label — is a great addition for all jewelry lovers.  With a unique look and a price point of less than $100, the collection is sure to be a hit.

Reed agreed to lend her name to the five-piece line just a few months ago, and the day her manager called about the opportunity, she put twelve sketches together in a matter of hours. The Starry Knight necklace and matching earrings are inspired by 7 For All Mankind’s Photo Real jeans, which are embellished with Swarovski crystals. The pieces really compliment the jeans, making the collection even more appropriate for the store.

Reed credits her grandmother, Laurie, as her biggest inspiration, and even used her maiden name to title the collection. The Hollywood-muralist’s aquatic works influenced many of Reed’s pieces. “She’s a very strong, very beautiful, glamorous … very spirited woman,” Reed says.

Reed also looks to her husband, former American Idol contestant Paul McDonald, for inspiration.  Jewelry-making has always been a part of their relationship, stemming from the wedding rings the couple designed themselves through Tacori.  While spending time with her new husband, Reed took a cue from his wardrobe, making denim shirts her signature look.

“I designed…[the Starry Knight] necklace in particular because I have been wearing denim,” she says, fingering the series of spikes around her neck. “It makes you feel a little bit masculine, and I couldn’t find a necklace to go under a denim shirt, so I kind of selfishly designed this piece.” McDonald occasionally wears Reed’s jewelry too, proving the collection to truly be unisex.

Whether it’s the long Humility necklace with a gold honeycomb pendant and matching earrings, the dark silver daggers of the Starry Knight combination, or the tri-metal Story Telling bangle set, Nikki Reed’s Mattlin Era jewelry will stand out in a crowd and complete any look. –Claire Criss

Impressively, Traffic Los Angeles, who hasn’t even opened their women’s shop yet, is already hosting a pop-up shop with merchandise marked down to 40 percent off. It’s happening today. Stop by The Lumen from 1 pm to 9 pm for complimentary sips, light bites, valet, and to shop discounted spring and summer collections from the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith, Iro, Comme des Garçons, Dsquared, Rick Owens, J Brand, and more.

What: Traffic Los Angeles Pop-Up Shop
Where: The Lumen Hotel
When: Today, May 14, 1 pm to 9 pm

Update: Weekend will not open until later this month, and the spa opening has been pushed back to early June.

It’s at swanky new Look Cinemas in Addison, it includes complimentary Patrón and Ultimat Vodka cocktails, and, of course, it’s private. But good news. I can get two of you in. So at the end of the day today, I’m giving away one pair of tickets to tomorrow night’s exclusive movie preview. It starts at 6:30 pm with drinks and the screening begins at 7:30 pm. All you have to do to win is shoot me an email telling me you want to attend. I’ll draw one name at 5 pm.

Where: Look Cinemas
When: Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 pm
To win: email here

photography courtesy of retailers

1. Helmut Newton’s Polaroids at the new Taschen Library at The Joule. I’ll take several of the coffee table books from this sexy little reading room.

2. This Rundholz striped tee from Cicada Collection in Snider Plaza. The ways in which a basic white t-shirt can be utilized are endless.

3. Anything from Stella McCartney’s SS2013 lingerie collection, but especially the Laura Pottering bustier and briefs. Shop the collection in the Highland Park Village boutique.

4. A refill of my beloved Memoire Liquide perfume in Amour with notes of vanilla, Tonka bean, and incense. It’s sweet and smoky and a departure from cliché designer fragrances.

5. This “Highness” beaded cuff sold at Dallas’ BelAir Home. Designer Josefina de Alba models the technique for these pieces after that of the Huichol people in Mexico. Each piece is handcrafted and takes three days to make.

Get more after the jump.

photography courtesy of Eight Skincare

My dry skin brush is one of the most treasured pieces in my bathroom cabinet. It looks a little different than the one I’m giving away today–that is, mine doesn’t look like a hippie’s toilet brush–but it’s truly a miraculous organic tool. The process of dry brushing has been around for centuries, and, some say, it’s detoxifying. But more importantly, it’s a cellulite fighter and it feels good. (Feels even better when someone else is doing the brushing.) Eight Skincare, which specializes in dry brush exfoliation offers a product line to combat lackluster skin. In fact, founder Vicki Weaver-Payne is posting up at local retailer, Stanley Korshak, today (11 am to 4 pm) to offer consultations and free travel gifts with purchase. Eight Skincare encourages a four-step process that includes dry brushing followed by a cream body wash, sugar scrub, and moisturizer in delicious scents including ginger lime, tangerine, and lavender. I can help one lucky reader with the first and fourth steps. I’ve got a ginger lime scented Moisture Treatment and dry brush set to give away. Enter here to win.

If you’ve got time (and/or are a bad daughter and haven’t picked out a Mother’s Day gift yet) head to Korshak for a a little one-on-one with Payne and pick up some delicious smelling presents for you and Mom. Or just you. That’s fine, too.

Eye Pieces Plano: Stop by for the Spring 2013 Trunk Show, from 6 to 10 p.m. this Saturday. You’ll get an exclusive look at the latest eyewear collections, plus live music, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary valet, and a 20 percent discount.

Timo Weiland Trunk Show at Piermarini: Don’t forget to check out this event for a chance to meet the designer and scope out the spring collection.

Discounts at Rich Hippie: Save 20 percent off your entire purchase, through this Saturday.

Personal Skincare Evaluations at Stanley Korshak: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Vicki Weaver-Payne, the founder of Eight Skincare, will be demonstrating the brand’s four-step skincare regimen, which promises to cleanse and moisturize dry skin. Come check out the products and to receive an individual consultation from Vicki herself.

Aftershock London Launch Party: This British-based brand is opening up shop in the Plaza at Preston Center, so drop by tonight, from 6 to 9 p.m., to celebrate. RSVP to bri@planb-pr.com.

Eli Halili Trunk Show at Grange Hall: Our favorite Travis Street boutique is hosting a trunk show for New York-based Eli Halili. The jewelry designer will be making a personal appearance alongside his collection of world travel-inspired rings, bracelets, and earrings crafted with gold and raw gemstones. Happening 10 am to 6 pm through Saturday with personal appearances today and tomorrow.

Jessica Mitzner is a ShopTalk intern.

The womenswear side (photography by Jonathan Zizzo)

Yesterday a magical thing happened: TenOverSix at the Joule opened downtown. The much anticipated boutique is everything as good as I hoped. The clean white space is divided into two parts, women’s apparel and accessories and a “TenOverSix Presents” lifestyle section with home decor, kiddo stuff, beauty, and gifts. A rack of apparel includes Alasdair, Vena Cava, Suno, and Opening Ceremony. The pieces mimic the collection housed in the LA store but with the addition of more cocktail dresses. (They know we Dallas girls love a good fancy party.) Translucent boxes contain jewels for all occasions. Although TenOverSix is now sharing a few lines with V.O.D. (Pamela Love, Iosselliani, and Lizzie Fortunado) and Elements (Aesa), most of the pieces are exclusive to the store. I’m particularly thrilled about the dainty mix-and-match diamond and turquoise studs from Mociun. A departure from the exhausted patent pumps clicking all over town, the edited shoe collection is a welcome addition to our shopping scene. Loeffler Randall printed ankle strap heels, Rachel Comey sandals, and Jenni Kayne flats are a delightful change of scenery. (On Tuesday, co-owner Brady Cunning was wearing these, which set my heart on fire. Alas, they’re not available in the Dallas store at the moment.) The lifestyle side of the store has a color changing rack of sunglasses (such as Thierry Lasry), quirky giftables (like “You’re Cute” gold-embossed business cards), and a slew of natural beauty products like Ilias and Tata Harper. In summary, you need to go check it out. Joslyn and I had the opportunity to sit down with owners Kristen Lee and and Brady Cunningham Tuesday to talk shop and favorite things. Take a look.

On the new store…
Brady: I think we love an element of surprise, something that’s unexpected.
Kristen: Something that’s a little off, or a little interesting
Brady: And both of us really love to be comfortable.
Kristen: And always a little bit of a sense of humor. Most of our lines are really special. All of our designers are independent. We know them all personally, or we know the brand really well. We know where it’s made. It’s all niche brands that we really respect and love.

On what they’re currently excited about…
Kristen: Alasdair is a new line, which we’re carrying here, and we’re crazy about it. Calla is pretty amazing. [Ed note: This Calla crying dog tee might be coming home with me soon.] Nomia, which is out of New York. We just picked that up for next season. That’s amazing. We always do a lot of Electric Feathers and Rachel Comey–we just love her shoes, her handbags, ready-to-wear.

Beauty products that make their routines…
Brady: We’ll probably say the same stuff, because we use our products.
Kristen: Olo Fragrance. I roll that on, like, three or four times a day. I am obsessed with it.
Brady: And you can use it in so many different ways. I put it in my pillows and things. When we first bought the [Olo] line, I was wearing the hair tonic as perfume without knowing it. But it smells so good.
Kristen: We both wear the Ilia lipsticks. I wear Wild Child. And lavender oil is a big thing for me, too, just because it’s calming. Tata Harper has these little roll-ons that are stress relief–they smell amazing. There’s a bedtime one that I use.

Loeffler Randall Dahlia floral print heels and Heddie wooden heel sandals (photography by Jonathan Zizzo)

One their favorite shoes…
Kristen: I have a pair, but they’re not very glamorous. They’re Dieppa Restrepo oxfords, and they’re leopard print. They go with everything, and I wear them all the time.
Brady: I have to say my Loeffler Randall black-and-white woven shoes. They’re my absolute favorite shoes.

On how they get zen…
Kristen: Wine. It used to be yoga for me, but I don’t have time for that anymore.
Brady: We spend so many afternoons together at the end of busy workdays. We get together, have a glass of wine, and just kind of unload. We process what has happened, and we let our babies play.

Sunglasses, travel must-haves, quirky gifts, and kiddo toys (photography by Jonathan Zizzo)

On current reading material…
Kristen: Right now, I’m reading John le Carré. I’m also reading a great book about motherhood and working. It’s called The Conflict. It’s by a feminist writer who is French, Elizabeth Badinter. It makes me feel so much better about being a working mom, which I need.
Brady: I’m reading a great book by Françoise Sagan. It’s so good. I’m also reading a book called Positive Discipline.

Our their favorite tunes…
Brady: The new Phoenix album is basically all that’s played at my house right now. We listen to a lot of old music.
Kristen: I listen to a lot of old country and blues and stuff at my house, like Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Muddy Waters… The one new album I’m listening to is The Alps, because we carry it. It comes on vinyl, and it’s really relaxing.

On their favorite Dallas spots…
Brady: We love Spiral Diner.
Kristen: And Eno’s.
Brady: Oddfellows—that neighborhood’s great. We love the Klyde Warren Park. We’re just blown away by it. You can really feel that things are happening in Dallas. It feels like we’re just coming in at the right time. We went to Collage, a vintage store, yesterday.
Kristen: We bought a bunch of things there. I love the Nasher and DMA. Nasher is amazing.

Neighboring Taschen Library is a coffee book lover’s dream. (photography by Jonathan Zizzo)

photography (before crop and filter) courtesy of style.com

We’ve been having a serious love affair with Piermarini boutique and its mix of talented and harder-to-find designers since it first opened in Uptown. Nowadays days, in its Snider Plaza location, the shop is cooler than ever. For example, pop in this Saturday and you’ll be able to meet designer Timo Weiland and peruse his spring 2013 RTW collection. Minimalistic black and white pieces and feminine, mixed pattern dresses mingle with textured separates like skirts and cropped pants in oversized yellow houndstooth, blouses with sheer panels, and a smattering of fun pencil skirts.

Where: Piermarini
When: Saturday, May 11, 3 pm to 6 pm