Dallas Shopping Tips by VeronicaG Top 5 Page for this destination

Speciality Shops: KittrellRiffkin Art Glass Speciality Shops Review

If you enjoy visiting art galleries or studios where the unique piece of glass art can be found, you might want to visit KittrellRiffkin Art Glass.

Once on their mailing list, you'll get a heads up on many events featuring the art pieces they carry and the artists who craft them. A favorite of mine is the perfume bottle show, where you will find any number of strange and wonderful creations for your collection or vanity. I thought this translucent vessel with its milky swirls of blues and greens was just beautiful (pic #2)!

If you're watching your budget, feel free to stop by to view some colorful and lovely pieces. Glassware, platters, globes, paper weights, sculptures, pendants, bracelets and earrings are also on hand for admiring. This is the 2009 winner of the People's Choice Award for Best Art Gallery in Dallas.

There are also classes and workshops teaching you how to make stained glass art. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm.

What to pay: moderate to pricey

Address: 5100 Belt Line Rd. #820, Dallas, Tx

Phone: 1-972-239-7957

Theme: Art

Wild Bill's Western Store: Western Wear Galore Speciality Shops Review

We were attracted to the large, custom boot section in Wild Bill's--so many colors and styles! A collection of silver-accented western belts, buckles and western hats caught our eye. Of course, we had to try on the hats!

Manager, Bruce Bean, took his time explaining the proper fit of Western boots--I didn't realize the heel should have some space, while the toe should fit snugly.

Ranch wear, t shirts, jewelry, belt buckles, leather belts and purses and all types of Texas souvenirs are available at Wild Bill's.

UPDATE: Wild Bill's has moved due to the closing of the WAREHOUSE SHOPS, but you can find it in the West End near its old location. The new store is exclusively Wild Bill's with all the Texas sparkle and snap as the previous one.

What to buy: Western wear: boots, buckles, hats!!!!

Address: 603 Munger Street, Suite111,Dallas,Texas

Directions: This shop was located in the West End Marketplace Shops

Phone: 214-954-1050

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.wildbillswestern.com

Gerald Peters Gallery: Dallas Art Exhibit and Gallery

We first discovered Gerald Peters Gallery when we visited their spacious showroom to see the 'Defining the West' exhibit. It featured such artists as Frederic Remington, Ansel Adams and others.

One painting offered a serene scene of a crystalline lake edged by trees in myriad colors of green with a small boat at its center. After catching the attention of someone, we asked the price...it was six figures. Ok, moving along...

We continued our viewing, including paintings of Southwest scenes and other portrayals of the Old West. It was a wonderful collection of traditional pieces, which would certainly make a wise and wonderful investment towards one's future.

Gerald Peters has galleries in New York City (Upper East Side) and Santa Fe at 1011 Paseo de Peralta. Maybe we'll stop by on our next visit to New Mexico.

Hours are Tues.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-5 pm or by appointment.

What to pay: Repeat: it's an investment!

Address: 1019 Dragon St., Dallas, Tx

Phone: 214-969-9410

Theme: Art

Website: http://www.gpgallery.com

Craighead Gallery: Contemporary Art Gallery

For those of you who enjoy art galleries, Dallas has many. My husband and I spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon visiting some of them.

The Craighead-Green Gallery featured a number of contemporary art pieces, as well as sculptures and other media housed in a huge warehouse style building. The large expanse certainly highlighted the art.

When we were there, two of the artists were preparing to secure a massive oil painting to the wall. Most of the pieces we viewed at the gallery were giant-size creations.

DHome Magazine and Dallas' Where Magazine have selected it as one of the top galleries in the city. Kenneth Craighead and Steve Green opened the gallery in 1992 and it has since moved to its location on Dragon Street.

Although there were a couple of vibrantly executed paintings that drew our attention, the prices are definitely scaled to the serious collector. If you are considering art as an investment, come to peruse at Craighead-Green Gallery.

Hours are Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm and Sat. 11am-5 pm

What to pay: It's an investment!

Address: 1011 Dragon St., Dallas, Tx

Phone: 214-855-0779

Theme: Art

Website: http://www.craigheadgreen.com

Dallas Galleria: Super Shopping in Dallas! Dallas Galleria Review

The Dallas Galleria is a multi-level shoppers dream! The bottom level contains restaurants and popular ice skating rink (pics 2-3); the upper two levels offer additional shopping, eateries and a children's play area...get the idea?

You'll find Tiffany, Nordstrom, Tourneau, Bath and Body Works, Saks, Banana Republic, Gap, bebe, Baccarat, Brooks Brothers, Harolds, Versace, Pink, Williams-Sonoma, Cartier, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and many, many others that you'll recognize. An American Girl store has also opened nearby!

Plan to spend the day here--there's plenty to keep you busy. Hours are Mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 12 Noon-6pm. A parking garage is available.

What to buy: Just about anything!

Address: 13350 Dallas Parkway

Directions: North Dallas, off LBJ (I-635 LBJ at Dallas North Tollway)

Theme: Department Store

TEXAS TREASURES: Texas Through and Through...

Texas Treasures is stacked floor to ceiling with all things TEXAS--souvenirs, t-shirts, postcards, spices and chilies, wall art (with a Texas flavor, of course) children's cowboy hats, candies, cookie cutters in the shape of armadillos or longhorns and a whole lot more. I just breathed it all in!

You might even want to buy a box of animal crackers with treats in the shape of boots and stars--I sent three boxes to our grandkids. This shop is located at The Galleria, a large indoor mall.

It was fun to search through this shop to spot souvenir gifts or mementos. I'd recommend a visit to Texas Treasures for that unique Western gift.

What to buy: Unique souvenirs from Texas--yahoo!

What to pay: moderately prices

Directions: Dallas Galleria Mall

Phone: 972-392-0053

Theme: Gifts

Jackson's Home and Garden: Something Special For Your Garden

Jackson's Home and Garden carries everyday and unique items to make your garden or home a special place.

This large store offers lovely flowers and plants, garden arbors and statuary, a variety of fountains, small to gigantic-sized planters, outdoor patio furniture and home accessories (pictures 2 & 3).

I purchased a delicate metal arbor, reduced from around $350 to $79 during their Labor Day sale. We had been pricing them since Spring and could not believe how fortunate we were to stumble across this bargain!

An extensive collection of freestanding classic-style fountains occupy one side of the building. This vast outdoor area holds a few wall mounted fountains, too.

Assorted statuary can be found throughout this space--my favorites are the Greecian-style maidens who appear to be pouring water from a pitcher or holding armfuls of flowers. What can I say, I'm a romantic!

Candles, glassware and ceramics, silk flowers, wall plaques and pictures, lamps, greeting cards and other items for your home were scattered throughout the store. I think it would take a couple visits before one could take in all they have here!

Address: 6950 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, Tx

Phone: 214-350-9200

Theme: Flowers

Uncommon Market: For the Unique in Decor

As we drove along Fairmount Street, we discovered an antique store that carried many unique architectural pieces.

Uncommon Market is an ideal place to find wood shutters, old doors and windows, gingerbread trim, carved corbels, chandeliers, oil paintings, vintage prints, leatherbound books, trunks, antique cast iron urns, furniture and other elements from old buildings.

It was great fun poking around the rooms, discovering what each one had hidden in the corners or behind the doors. This store was packed and yet there is another house next door, which is also part of this business named Facade. We could have browsed for hours.

Uncommon Market sits on a shady, tree lined street with a few art galleries, another unrelated antique shop, a consignment shop and near the upscale St. Germaine European Inn.

Address: 2701 Fairmount St., Dallas, tx

Phone: 214-871-2775

Theme: Antiques

Website: http://www.dfwantiquedealers.com