Feelin’ like  your wardrobe has been looking a “bit tired” while all of your BFF’s are “alive and well”?   Well, grab them and head to” The Clothes Swap”!  My super chic friend, Dora Chu, is putting together this brilliant event that is sure to give your wardrobe that “kick” it’s needing!

For additional information, check out Cheap And Chic by Dora’s Facebook page or her blog.

Starting next week you’ll be able to have breakfast on the weekends at Highland Park Village’s Patrizio’s! Think Frittata del Frattore…Torta Rustica…Pizza Dolce Alla Nutella…Baby Bellini’s and Mimosa’s for just $1.88!  Can’t wait!

Doors open at 8am!  First round of mimosa’s on me!

One of my favorite activities every Memorial Day weekend is going to Artfest! This year Artfest will join CityArts to bring an event that is much more than a juried art show!

There’ll be music, films, fireworks, food, children’s activities, art cars and some of the the nation’s finest artist!  It’s tons of fun!  Grab the family and go!  You’ll only pay $10 for parking and admission is free!  I’ll see you there!

I love a woman that follows her heart!  That’s the first of the many reasons I heart Carley Seale!  The owner of one of Dallas’ most successful and unique boutiques, The Gypsy Wagon, stepped away from her success in the corporate sales world and ran towards a career doing what she loves…and she’s never turned back.  She’s one of my most inspirational friends and I couldn’t wait to hear what her top five favorites things are these days!

“I grew up on a farm outside of Tyler, Texas. My mother and father both were awesome examples of putting family first, working hard, and taught me not to take myself too seriously. My mom also taught me how to shop. We would walk the isles of antique malls, figuring out life as we hunted for the next addition to our collections. The Gypsy Wagon dream came alive after reaching my wit’s end in a fast-paced corporate career. I had been an accountant, a sales rep, and a vice-president. Work experience definitely prepared me for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Oddly enough, financial success is not what drives me. My passion really wasn’t retail, but it was creating an environment that was free of drama, cultivated hopes and dreams, and made people feel good. The retail part just pays the bills.”

Urban vegetable gardens

“We all should grow at least one thing to eat! I am in the early stages of building a veggie garden in our backyard. My neighbor’s tree is blocking the sun for the perfect spot…it’s frustrating.”

Navajo Beaded Hair Clips

“I picked up some at an Indian Trading Post, and now have gotten in contact with the artist who makes them all by hand. I love that the Native American culture honors their craft and traditions. When I wear my beaded clip I feel like an Indian Princess!”

Really long necklaces

“Really really long necklaces that hang to your belly button. I like when you can wear a scarf and the necklace peeks out from underneath.”

(Farrah B necklace shown above…Farrah B and many others found at The Gypsy Wagon)

Shiner Ruby Redbird Summer Beer

“It has hints of grapefruit and truly tastes like Summer! The bottle is so happy. I can’t wait to sit by the lake this summer and drink it.”

Crochet Cacti

“I’m kind of obsessed with crochet cacti. I want a whole collection to put in my kitchen window. Prickly pears, cholla, hedgehog, whatever. The patterns are easy to find, but I need someone to actually make them for me. There is a store on Etsy that sells them called Odds and Ends, but he’s in Australia and they are really pricey. Please, someone make me a crochet cacti garden!”

Oh, wow!  I think I’ll join in that obsession with crocheted cacti!  Adorable!

This week Carley has whipped up some special events!  Today, May 4, from 5 to 7pm, there’ll be a big celebration for the winners of TGW’s recent Makeover-My-Mama contest!  The winners have been notified and they’re ready to be styled by the wagon’s own stylist, Molly McBride.  Come see the big reveal and have some cupcakes and champagne  with Carley and the gang!  Then…this Saturday, May 7 from 10 to 6, Farrah B will be bringing her amazing jewelry made with found objects for a trunk show just in time for Mother’s Day!  Don’t miss a thing at Carly’s cool boutique by “liking” The Gypsy Wagon’s facebook page!

Thank you, Carley, for sharing your fun “list of loves” with us!  You always inspire me and make me happy!  I love your heart and I heart you!  I knit…so maybe I’ll trade you some knitted cacti for a few of those summer brews!  Deal?  XO!

Not long ago I ventured to Grapevine to meet a a few girlfriends for breakfast and a little treasure hunting at Red Shed Antiques for one of their Saturday Spectacular Sales. We all found an armful of goodies, but we agreed that our favorite find of the day was the amazing art of Grace Barzyz.

I loved what Grace sent me when I asked her to share some information about her background…I love it so much so that I want to share this unedited version of her journey into paper artistry.  It’s lovely…

“I was born with a “Gift .“ This “Gift” was the gift of “Creativity”.  Growing up, when asked by my parents what my favorite class was in school , my answer was always “Art”.  At a very young age I was making paper seasonal displays to decorate the bulletin boards in school and I made all the banners that hung in church every Sunday.  My Aunt Flora would always say to me……….you  were meant to create beautiful things.  I loved everything about the process of creating…………this was my calling.”

“It was not until much later in life though  in my early 40’s that I knew I wanted to make this my career.  My love for working with vintage paper as my medium was due to the fact that it was so versatile and also an affordable material.  Trial and error were the teachers of my artistry.  I found  that the more I cultivated my gift, the better I became.  I am very adamant on bringing my “Best” forth in every piece I create.”

“The most rewarding aspect of my work is the feedback from the customers that love my creations.  I want to bring them that one-of-a-kind piece that no one else will have.  At present, my work can only be purchased exclusively at “The Red Shed” Cottage Chic Antiques in Grapevine Texas.  I have fine tuned my creations to compliment the magnificent French Décor that graces the shop.  I cordially invite you to visit us in lovely historical Grapevine or you can visit via the web-site at RedShedOnline.com“

You must see these pieces in person to truly appreciate them!  If you’re in the DFW area, mark your calendar for May 7th!  This is the date for the next sale at the Red Shed.  The girls will have just returned from Paris, so this will be an excellent time to snag some of their fabulous finds and meet Grace in person!

This cake is one of my favorites!  Yes…all paper!  I was thrilled to spot this sweet ring and make it my own.  It’s so much fun and gives me lots of opportunities to tell about Grace’s amazing creations!

Hopefully I’ll see you on May 7th!

I heard a little rumor that Stella McCartney will probably be moving into Highland Park Village in the old Noble Boutique space!  YAY!!

Oh, Stella…how I love you and hope to see you at the opening!

It’s that time again!  Mark your calendars and don’t miss The Flea!!  Don’t you love the cute reminder design from our friend, Chelsea Carpenter, from Southern Fried Paper?

I love a good soft scarf and one of my favorite boutiques in Dallas, Indigo 1745, has one that I’m dying for!

Denise, the owner of Indigo, says it can be used as a bathing suit cover, a blanket for an airplane flight and a multifunction unisex scarf!  I’m sold!