Weekend Shopping by Holly

2 words: Black Friday. I say brave it, but go early. Amazing sales everywhere you don’t want to miss…

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Last Chance

Today is the last day to take 40% off on furniture at Nest.

Welcome to Dallas, stellaDallas

New obsession on Lovers Ln. in the old Stephanie Anne space. Vintage furniture, paired with modern pieces, Missoni throws, plush pillows, handmade cards, bold wrapping paper varieties, and more. Stop by and welcome them to the scene. Something tells me you will be obsessed as well.

Sur La Table Holiday Cooking Classes

The classy culinary retailer has announded its holiday-themed cooking classes for November and December. Check out the Dallas round-up here.

The Book Club: French Country Kitchens

Yes, I know. Modern kitchens are all the rage. Everyone’s getting all Bulthaup-ed and Arclinea-ed these days. Begone copper hoods and farmhouse sinks. Farewell bistro chairs and rustic urns. Don’t get me started on roosters. Still, there’s many a Dallas homeowner that loves the French country look. And that’s okay. I also love it (when it’s done well). For those with a passion for the Provencal, you should get a copy of French Country Kitchens: Authentic French Kitchen Design from Simple to Spectacular by Linda Dannenberg. This isn’t that faux French stuff. It’s the real deal: true French kitchens in all their sunny, farmhouse glory captured in beautiful photography. This book has lots of ideas as well as recipes and a directory of sources. Get your copy at Legacy Books in Plano.

Tuesday Trend: American Graffiti

Graffiti has long since been frowned upon…perhaps, until now. Graphic graffiti designs in various shapes and colors can transform any room into one that is ultra-funky, urban, and fresh. CB2’s Graffiti Punch pillow ($39.95) is just the product that will give your room the extra punch it needs. IKEA, normally crazy-cheap, has this not-so-cheap Hedda wool rug ($249). The design is simple, yet striking, and black and white go with everything. Re-Surface’s More-Light Shade ($350) tastefully brings street graffiti indoors, if such a thing is possible. Street-style coming indoors??? What do you think?

Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement to spraypaint underpasses, buildings, etc. with gangster signs. IJS.

Great Photography by Richard Bettinger

Talk about successful moonlighting - Richard Bettinger, a long time sales associate at David Sutherland, has turned a hobby into a great success around the country. His photography is now shown at showrooms around the country, and you better look quickly because they are selling fast. Photography is the new art “it girl”, I think, and this guy has great talent. And you thought he was just another pretty face.

Haroo & Haroo - Bye Bye

Haroo & Haroo in the Dallas Design Center has locked the doors. Or maybe the center has locked the doors, I’m not sure, I know she was trying to get someone to buy her company. I hate to see it go - Mik Yung is so cute and has so much style, and the showroom in it’s early days was always full of surprises. I remember a party she had for Philippe Starck a few years ago that was the true reincarnation of the original Starck Club.

Stephanie Anne’s New/Temporary Digs

I dropped by Highland Park Village on Saturday to check out the new Molto Formaggio shop. We’ll talk more about it in our January/February Best of Everything issue though I have three words for you now: Cheese, glorious cheese! Anyway, after stuffing my mouth with as many free samples as I could get (and that’s a lot, friend) I dropped by Stephanie Anne’s new HPV shop. It’s in the old Fatigues space, and it’s a looker: bright and airy chocked full of wonderfully soft, feminine, traditional pieces for the home that SA does so well. The store manager said the location is probably temporary and only open through January. They’re looking for a bigger space. I say they should keep the HPV store open. The location is great and highly visible from Preston Road (AKA: the Parkies’ Main Street).

Must-Have Monday: Great Gift Idea

I was given a Night Star Amaryllis plant a while back from our friends at North Haven Gardens, and it got me thinking about how this beautiful plant would make for a fabulous hostess gift. It is only $18.99, effortless, and lasts forever. Mine has been in full bloom for over 3 weeks and smells amazing. Best part about an Amaryllis is, you can cut the leaves off of the fully-bloomed plant, store the bulb in a dry, cool area, and save it for next year. Everyone loves a gift that keeps on giving.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

I had to down a cup of coffee before I could even begin to type this blog because there is so much to cover. Here it goes…

First of all, Neiman’s is discounting several of their new home and entertainment pieces (designer frocks, too). Yep, you can save up to 40% off on new stuff.

As you might have seen yesterday on ShopTalk, LFT is closing its doors for good. Here is what owner Ort Varona had to say…”Due primarily to the current state of the economy and a yet to mature trade area, we have reluctantly decided to close our doors. LFT, as it is now known, cannot sustain the high level quality product we provide along with the personalized customer service that our loyal patrons have come to know.  We are deeply saddened to see the doors close after a successful 20 month run. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who made this store a great success” While this is terrible news and LFT will be dearly missed, they will have a closeout sale beginning today at 11. Rumor has it, everything is 55% off. I will be there when the doors open.

As you learned earlier this week, Fusion Home Fashion (Shops at Legacy in Plano) turned 2 this week. In celebration of this milestone, Fusion Home Fashion will be having a customer appreciation sale. Several furniture floor models (sofas, rugs, dining tables, coffee tables, etc) are on sale. If you can hold out until Saturday, you can savor sweet treats and drinks while you peruse the sale.

Nest is really coming through with the sales. I am pretty sure they have had one every weekend for the past month. Thanks Nest! Anyways, Nest is having a Sticks Thanksgiving Promotional. $50 off lazy Susans, heirloom boxes, and serving trays. $150 perpetual calendars, and medium and large mirrors. $250 off (whoa!) urban game tables and buffet tables. This promotion is an email exclusive offer so mention the “email you got.” Don’t forget, furniture is 40% off through November 26.

Finally, The Whimsey Shoppe on Henderson just got in a mother load of new French antiques. Check it out.

No weekend shopping report next week. I think it is safe to assume that everyone will be having their infamous day-after Thanksgiving sale (a.k.a. Black Friday). Happy Shopping and Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving

Home!James reminds us that next week we have to plop that bird on something, so it might as well be a pretty platter like this one that can be had now for 20% off… Home!James also has a huge selection of table linens, all machine washable…and all at 20% off! This might even be pretty enough to use if the bird disintegrates.

Black Tie Dinner

There are so many reasons to attend the Black Tie Dinner on Saturday, November 22 at the Sheraton Dallas. Not only is it great fun (can you say flamboyant?), but you get to meet Kenneth Cole, and all the proceeds go to gay and lesbian support organizations in Dallas. But, here’s the clencher - for the silent auction, Elegant Additions has generously donated perhaps the coolest bathroom you could ever have. The Ayoura tub by has a message table on top, 63 jets, a heated back rest, and chromatherapy. If this doesn’t relax and pamper you, you need drugs.

Splurge vs. Steal: Elegant Tabletop

Target’s new Dinnerware Collection in cream and gold porcelain (left) strikes an uncanny resemblance to Kate Spade’s “Primrose Hill” china collection (right). The price for the two sets, however, is quite distinguishable. For example, a Kate Spade “Primrose Hill” dinner plate is $38 each at Macy’s, whereas a set of 4 dinner plates at Target will only cost you $27.99. Gotta love saving money!

Auction Haus

If you’ve been to Scott + Cooner, you have probably found quite a few things you would can’t live without.  I know my husband thinks he’s in a toy store and wants everything.  Until he sees the prices.  Most of us non-royals can’t get everything there, but be sure and check out Auction Haus at 2150 Irving Blvd, November 21 12-4. I’ve bought quite a few pieces there at incredible savings, and they are open for bids.  I’ll probably see you there.

Happy Belated Birthday

Plano’s hippest home store, Fusion Home Fashion, turned 2 yesterday. Congrats on the major milestone and best of luck!

Tuesday Trend: Hippie Revolution

At least as far as Barneys is concerned. Barneys’ holiday catalog is straight from those peace-loving, bra-burning days of the 1960s. First off, how about Barry Miles Peace: 50 Years of Protest ($29.95) for your coffee table? After all, nothing says happy holidays like pictures of angry mobs and torches. Or, how about this Fazzoletti & Cane bowl by Venini ($2,960)? Pretty groovy huh? This Peace Lovin’ Piggy Bank by Billy Beads is too cute. Too bad it would require saving up 49,500 penies to buy the thing.  Last, but certainly not least, are these awesome “Peace Sign” ($250) and “Make Love Not War” ($295) pillows by Armand Diradourian.

Book Club: Megalomania

Have you noticed how everyone is downsizing, simplifying, and fleeing extravagance as if it’s a biblical plague? Hmmm… think it’s the economy perchance? While I’m all for being thrifty, I still like to celebrate life’s gluttonous moments. That’s why I like Megalomania: Too Much Is Never Enough by art book publisher extraordinaire Assouline. Author and architect Philippe Tretiack tackles the people and places that flaunt their excess with abandon and turns a snarky eye on them. It’s not only over the top fun full of beautiful, compelling photography but also an insightful commentary on human nature warts and all. You can find a copy at Oak Lawn gift shop Nuvo.

Gobble Up Savings at West Elm

The mod mass market retailer is having a Thanksgiving sale: Save up to 50 percent on more than 200 hip pieces like these seasonal leaf serving pieces. Both bowl and platter are only $19.99 each. I’m smelling gift ideas, people.

Is Domino Magazine Going Bye Bye?

Shelter magazines are usually recession proof. But this isn’t any normal recession. Rumor has it that magalog (that’s the bastard offspring of a magazine and catalog) Domino might be on the ropes. This comes on the heels of O at Home signing off. Sigh. I still miss House & Garden.

Katie Award goes to Amanda Tackett for her splendiferous D Home columns

Amanda won “Writer of the Year.” Kudos! You can sample her word-crafting here and here and here.

William Haines Style

I have always been intigued by Billy Haines. He was a celebrated director and movie star who, after opening an antique store in 1930, became the original decorator to the stars. By transforming dark, Spanish interiors into light classic he became the father of what is now known as “Hollywood Regency.” The book about him, “Class Act”, is a must for thousands of mid-century modernists. I’m happy to say that Allan Knight is now carrying the “William Haines” fully licensed collection. That means his designs can’t be knocked-off by every little shop in East LA.  It also means I can go sit in my favorite chair, the chair.  So called, because a lady could sit in it with full ball gown and turn to engage her admirers.  PS - it also works wearing jeans.

Saturday: Architectural Tours

After last week’s AIA Tour, you’ve probably developed an insatiable curiosity about learning more about Dallas architects. Tomorrow is your lucky day - start with Preservation Dallas‘ book signing event of “Great American Suburbs” with Willis Cecil Winters at The Turtle Room, 3525 Turtle Creek Blvd; followed by a tour of Howard Meier’s masterpiece 3525.  (Of course, this lovely house on the cover was torn down earlier this year - does that make anyone else crazy?)  Then, at 2:00 head north to 23 Ash Bluff Lane for a (probably never to be repeated) tour of the Clint Murchison mansion built in the 1930s by Anton Korn, and recently renovated by Wilson Fuqua. This benefits the Dallas Architecture Forum.  So, you started last week with the present and future, this week go to the past and find out about the historical side of our city.

Barneys Private Sale

It’s here! It’s here! For one week only, save up to 40% off regular priced gifts and home items. There’s lots of smart and stylish stuff available including Superdeluxe monogram stationary, John Pomp vases, and coffeetable books galore. Get going and get shopping.

Weekend Shopping by Holly

Boy do we have some hot sales and new arrivals on our hands this week. The weather is going to be fantastic and our economy needs it, so get out there and shop, shop, shop.

First of all, I have two reasons for you to make your way over to Snider Plaza this weekend. At My Table has marked down all dining tables and chairs to 40% off (sale starts Saturday). That is a HUGE discount. If your desire for furniture has still not been fixed, Nest, located right across the plaza, has marked down their furniture by 40% as well. Also, if you don’t feel like hopping in your car and heading to Nest (and you live in the Park Cities), you can call in your order and they will deliver it gift wrapped for you or to you for FREE.

If you please, Crate & Barrel has a Thanksgiving sale worth gobbling up. If you haven’t gotten all of your pieces to set the table with, time is a wastin’ and this sale couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Casa di Lino (4026 Oak Lawn Ave.) just got in these beautiful tassels made of antique jewelry and precious stones. They would make for the perfect enhancement to any chair, lamp, curtain tie-back, and armoire.

Finally, Robb & Stucky Interiors of Plano will host sculptural lamp artist and Texas landscape painter, Elaine Gleason. Come meet her at 2pm and check out her work. RSVP to 972-403-3063.