Unlike most women, I do not enjoy spending hours on end in the malls shopping, but I do enjoy being outside! Sometimes I will put off getting the things I really need because I am never in the mood to go to the mall. So, I think I’ve found the solution – outdoor mall shopping! OMG!

On one of my recent “it’s a beautiful day so get out of the house” excursions, I landed at the new Allen shopping centers, The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview. This – I can do!

The Villages are a new shopping development in Allen, Texas that boasts everything from an upscale movie theater and flower shops to Dillard’s, Macy’s and JCPenney department stores. I had a very enjoyable time dipping in and out the familiar and unfamiliar storefronts on a perfect 85 degrees afternoon!

Not only are there many awesome shops, there are also events, including a jazz concert series every second Saturday of the month, a wine walk, family movie night and live local bands every Thursday until July 29.

The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview have a lot more to offer than just shopping. There is the Village Garden and a catch and release fishing area. The Village Beach is complete with sand volleyball courts, horseshoes AND…wait for it…tether ball – my personal childhood favorite!

This place is really cool, and it has a nice vibe. It’s way more than a shopping center, but more like a community!

A few businesses that are already there or will be coming soon are: Whole Foods, Bailey’s Prime Plus, Cyclone Anaya’s, La Duni, Gloria’s, I.O. Metro, and my personal favorite, Target!

Even for someone like me, this is a great place for shopping. And it offers adult or family fun. I recommend you check it out for whatever mood you’re in.

The Village at Allen & The Village at Fairview
www.thevillageshopping.com
US75 at Stacy Rd. (east of the Allen Outlets)

What' Good Dallas? Did you miss me?! I haven't stopped exploring, but have been working on some other exciting things to enhance the Dallas experience.

Now to the good stuff...I don't know about you, but I LOVE a good burger every now and then. This was an unsuspecting dive (as my friend Kevin describes it) on the south side of Dallas. If you know me, you know I'm kinda sadiddy and won't dine just anywhere! But I trust my friend Kevin! :)

So where did we land? Lee Harvey's. I'd never even heard of it, but it really is a little dark joint with red vinyl covered booth seats and wood panel walls. I could still smell the stench of stale Saturday night cigarette smoke.

We ordered our food and went to sit outside on what I called the gravel front yard! It was a fenced in front yard, on a corner lot with what looked like a hundred raggedy picnic tables! Definitely a set up for partying and drinking with no strings attached!

I ordered a cheeseburger and the onion ring/fries mixed! First bite-delicious! It was the best burger I've had in a very long time. Everything was fresh, and you could taste the chargrilled flavor! I ate the whole thing! And I ate all my fried and onion rings! Clean plate award for me--for real!

If you've never been, I'd advise you to check it out. This is NOT a fine dining experience, but rather a place to go for take out or for just hangin' with your peeps (in jeans and a tank top) for a burger and a beer.

Be sure to go on a sunny day, so you don't have to be stuck inside with the smell of old wood and stale smoke. Ambiance-0, Food-10! And did I mention they have 1/2 price burgers on Tuesday? Check it out!

Lee Harvey's
1807 Gould Street
Dallas, TX 75215-2032
(214) 428-1555

Although I have been out of pocket for a week, I still have been checking things out. It has been an interesting couple weeks for me so I'll give you the rundown on where I've been, what I liked...and didn't like.

First, Ft. Worth Arts Festival. beautiful art pieces but...SNORE! On to the next one.

Second, I had a fabulous frozen blueberry mojito at Trece. Thursday is ladies night and ladies can get $2 frozen drinks, and unlimited mini quesadillas.

Lastly, which was the highlight of my week. I went to a place called The Girl's Room. It's advertised as a dance and fitness studio for women, but it was much more than that!

The Girl's Room is actually a sensual dance and pole dancing studio. And let me tell you these ladies rocked the pole! Not only do they promote good health, sensuality and physical fitness, but they also encourage women, through dance, to build a healthy self-image. They are also taught to become more self confident as they become more comfortable with their own bodies.

This is where physical fitness meets the sexy part of the female mind -- very dangerous. After all what man wouldn't want a strong, fit, sensual woman who can also pole dance! As soon a my life calms down, I'll be in that class religiously! Big ups to Amy! I'll see you soon!

www.thegirlsroom.us

I had the most fabulous Saturday -- ever! And...I've decided that Southlake is the new Beverly Hills! Wow!

I'd heard about Southlake, but since it was such a beautiful day I decided to drive out there to see, "whats good?" Apparently, EVERYTHING is ALL good in Southlake Texas! It reminded me of home, but in a beautiful, more sophisiticated way. Green grass, big beautiful trees, rolling hills and families enjoying picnics in the park. And did I mention that almost every home I saw looked like a castle? Um. When I grow up...

But, that wasn't even the highlight of my trip. While there, I visited an exquisite day spa. It's called Elixer Salon and Day Maker...and it certainly did make my day. It's a quaint little spa and salon on a corner inside The Village at Colleyville, which was like a modern, high rent Smurf village. It was a mixed development, shops and residential, with brightly colored stucco buildings and Spanish tile roofs. A place you'd probably never want to leave. There were grassy areas to lounge, boutiques to explore, a park to play and even a chop house to dine.

After my wonderful massage and facial, I took a walk around the corner to Milwaukee Joe's Gourmet Ice Cream. They make a variety of old fashioned hard ice cream. I tried Dr. Pepper, chocolate a l'orange (with Grand Marnier & chocolate covered orange sticks) and Wild Turkey & Pecan pie (brown sugar ice cream)-yum; but I settled on Buttered Pecan...what can I say I'm an ice cream snob.

If you have a free day I'd recommend you spend it just like I did...a long drive, a relaxing mid-day spa and some ice cream! Aaaaaaah...What a great day!

Elixir Salon and Day Maker
www.elixirdaymaker.com

Village at Colleyville
www.villageatcolleyville.com

Well, Dallas just keeps impressing me! I had a beautiful night at The Ritz-Carlton. Although I expected it to be nothing less than the pinnacle of luxurious living and hospitality, it truly exceeded my "expected" expectations. The weather was perfect! A mild 81 degrees and a light wind from the south...aaaah!

The patio bar is a delightful place for a date or a group outing with friends. It is adjacent to the lounge/lobby bar, and is enclosed just off the McKinney side. You'd think with all the traffic on the busy street outside, it would be noisy, but it was minimal and you could actually hear yourself speak.

There's plenty of seating for dining and even a cozy nook around a wood-burning fireplace for the chilly nights; although I think we're done with chilly nights in Dallas for awhile! It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back! I'll invite you, my subscribers, along...

The Ritz-Carlton
2121 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone: (214) 922-0200

This week, I went to a New York salon opening…. Beautiful models, couture designs, Manhattan house music...eeeeeeeeert, scratch that, dammit, I’m still in Dallas! For a moment though I thought I was in a Soho-chic salon with the beautiful people, but alas I am still here. Click, click, click...on to Oz!

Michelle Patrick Salon’s grand re-opening event was a real treat! I didn’t know people this cool and artsy AND stylish existed in J.R. and Sue Ellen’s town. Sorry Dallas, you know I’m still feeling you out!

The atmosphere oozed with energy and creativity. I was swept away by the ultra edgy sophistication of the staff, yet charmed by the warm southern hospitality of the Michelle Patrick Salon team.

Owner, Mattie Michelle has been in business since 2008 introducing what she describes as a new salon concept which combines, “both cutting edge and classic style for multi-textured hair.” This “new” concept certainly works well. I grew up in a salon, and I’ve never seen so many beautiful heads of hair from locs to natural hair to big textured curls to fro’s, to relaxed blunt cuts – whatever your preference, this salon can do it ALL! Not something you see everyday…

The edgy-warm theme continued on in the design of the new location, which includes two cozy, but eclectically remodeled houses with all the salon bells and whistles, hardwood floors, and walls adorned with contemporary art.

Her campaign, “I am my hair,” a dramatic spin on India Arie’s song entitled “I Am Not My Hair” embodies the great lengths women (and men) go through to look good. Mattie believes we are our hair, because it is an investment of our time, money and our overall look.


Mattie’s concept is way ahead of the multi-cultural curve in Dallas. She and the Michelle Patrick Salon team are a class act…professionalism and style all the way! Genius Ms. Mattie Michelle, genius.

4209 Herschel Ave
Dallas, TX 75219
214-909-3030

Hello Dallas!I'm back and feeling pretty good about my explorations this week. I found a great new place to dine right around the corner from where I work. I LOVE crepes, and one of my new favorite places is Crêperie du Château.

It's a quaint little spot right at the corner of Routh St. and McKinney Ave. With all the hustle and bustle of sports bars and dives on McKinney, Crêperie du Château is definitely a serene midday retreat.

I ordered the chicken crepe which was phenomenal! They use what they describe as a "specially prepared wheat recipe" and the wheat flour they use is organic. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and the brown sauce (i don't know what it was) was delicious. If you're really hungry prepare to order something else from the menu however. They have a variety of sandwiches, soups and pastas among other things to choose from, and I'm sure it's all good.

Wait, Wait I'm not done...I had dessert too...

For dessert I made my own creation which was the Chocolate Sundae with strawberries and bananas. The fruit was fresh, and dessert crepes come with a side of ice cream and 4 towers of tasty whipped cream on each corner of a square plate... mmmmmmm.... mouth watering now!

It's economically priced, a great date place or a very good place to go close to downtown to get some peace and quite. They have a jazz brunch the last Sunday of every month and the service was incredible...for which I am a stickler. So, that's What's Good this week Dallas! Check out Crêperie du Château. I'll definitely be stopping in again soon!

http://www.creperie.us