Friday, November 21, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
More to do in Dallas
R and R:
Relax and unwind at one of these favorites.
• Times Ten Cellars is a casual, winery and wine bar. Private spaces available. 6324 Prospect Ave, Dallas, 214-824-WINE.
• The Library Bar, is quite and comfy, with great music from the piano bar. 3015 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, 214-224-3144.
• Salon Pompeo will get you ready to hit the town while taking time to unwind. (over 30 spa services) 3227 McKinney Ave. Ste. 103, Dallas, 214-979-0440.
• Exhale Spa’s 10,000 square feet of “spadom,” provides skin care and body therapies to mind and body classes, boutique shopping and gift certificates. 5300 East Mockingbird Lane, at the Hotel Palomar, Dallas, 214-370-5800.
R and R:
Relax and unwind at one of these favorites.
• Times Ten Cellars is a casual, winery and wine bar. Private spaces available. 6324 Prospect Ave, Dallas, 214-824-WINE.
• The Library Bar, is quite and comfy, with great music from the piano bar. 3015 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, 214-224-3144.
• Salon Pompeo will get you ready to hit the town while taking time to unwind. (over 30 spa services) 3227 McKinney Ave. Ste. 103, Dallas, 214-979-0440.
• Exhale Spa’s 10,000 square feet of “spadom,” provides skin care and body therapies to mind and body classes, boutique shopping and gift certificates. 5300 East Mockingbird Lane, at the Hotel Palomar, Dallas, 214-370-5800.
My Girlfriend Getaway article, on BIG D, came out on the front page of the Lifestyles section in the Amarillo Globe News today. Newspapers have to keep it brief, so a few of my favorite spots didn't make it into the sidebar sections. Here are the ones that didn't make it. To see the others you'll have to get a copy of the paper since the sidebars of the cool spots don't show up online.
Suit your fancy:
You need lots of time to explore all the art, history, sporting events and such that Dallas has to offer, so pick one, for now.
• The Dallas Museum of Art sits in the largest arts district in the US. Browse its ancient and contemporary collections, visit its restaurants, and its unique shop. 1717 North Harwood, Dallas 75201, 214-922-1200.
• The quaint Mozzarella Company offers shopping, tours, and classes in wine and cheese pairings plus hands-on cheese making, following centuries’ old recipes. 2944 Elm Street, Dallas, 214-741-4072.
• At Swirll Winery, sip and mix your own tasty batch of vino. Personalize your batch’s name and label design, ready in 6 to 8 weeks. Visitors love the urban setting and historic building. 1311 Main Street, Dallas, 214-573-6603.
• Catch a Mavs game at American Airlines Center in Victory Park. (A different experience without our testerone-ladened beaus!) Go early and explore Victory Park, Dallas’ hip urban center. 2401 N. Houston, Dallas.
Suit your fancy:
You need lots of time to explore all the art, history, sporting events and such that Dallas has to offer, so pick one, for now.
• The Dallas Museum of Art sits in the largest arts district in the US. Browse its ancient and contemporary collections, visit its restaurants, and its unique shop. 1717 North Harwood, Dallas 75201, 214-922-1200.
• The quaint Mozzarella Company offers shopping, tours, and classes in wine and cheese pairings plus hands-on cheese making, following centuries’ old recipes. 2944 Elm Street, Dallas, 214-741-4072.
• At Swirll Winery, sip and mix your own tasty batch of vino. Personalize your batch’s name and label design, ready in 6 to 8 weeks. Visitors love the urban setting and historic building. 1311 Main Street, Dallas, 214-573-6603.
• Catch a Mavs game at American Airlines Center in Victory Park. (A different experience without our testerone-ladened beaus!) Go early and explore Victory Park, Dallas’ hip urban center. 2401 N. Houston, Dallas.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Going to Georgia anytime soon? Atlanta has a hip, funky, affordable, fashionable boutique called SAGE that any of us girls will love. You'll love what you see, but even more you'll love that nothing, well almost nothing, is over $100! Try the Midtown location at Brookwood Place, 1745 Peachtree St. N.E., 404-815-0555 or Buckhead Market Place, 37 West Paces Ferry Rd., 404-233-8280. The newest location, in Cumming (410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite130), should be opening this month. If you get there before me let me know what you think. All stores have weekly shipments of skirts, tops, dresses, accessories, etc. You gotta love it!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I spent the day with my girls hiking around the beautiful Sugarite Canyon State Park a couple of weeks ago. The weather was cool, the colors glorious. If you haven't been to the park, you should check it out. It has a ton of history from dinosaurs to coal mining, species after species of birds, all kind of animals, great fishing, and miles of hiking trails.
Canton, Texas - Part II
Where: Canton is located in East Texas, about an hour from Dallas on Flea Market Rd, Canton, TX 75103
What: First Monday started in the 1850’s as a way to trade goods and services and has grown into a world famous mega flea market shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and thousands every month.
When: Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of every month from 8AM till dark– Thursdays and Fridays are the least crowded.
How: Parking lots are scattered around all sides of the Canton First Monday Trade Days grounds. The rates may vary a bit by location but generally not much at all. Parking fees run around $5.00 per vehicle, ask about a weekend pass
More to do: Check out the local lakes, Canton’s boutiques and outlet stores. In August you’ll want to make time for The Van Zandt County Fair and Rodeo and the Annual Bluegrass Festival. Stop by Granny’s Pie Shop, “Crazy ‘bout’ Cookin” for a slice o’ pie (or the whole kit and kaboodle) Friday-Sunday till the pie’s gone.
Amy's Bed & Breakfast, 107 Rolling Hills, Canton, TX, 75103, (903) 567-2718, cell: (512) 922-5689.
Where: Canton is located in East Texas, about an hour from Dallas on Flea Market Rd, Canton, TX 75103
What: First Monday started in the 1850’s as a way to trade goods and services and has grown into a world famous mega flea market shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and thousands every month.
When: Thursday through Sunday prior to the first Monday of every month from 8AM till dark– Thursdays and Fridays are the least crowded.
How: Parking lots are scattered around all sides of the Canton First Monday Trade Days grounds. The rates may vary a bit by location but generally not much at all. Parking fees run around $5.00 per vehicle, ask about a weekend pass
More to do: Check out the local lakes, Canton’s boutiques and outlet stores. In August you’ll want to make time for The Van Zandt County Fair and Rodeo and the Annual Bluegrass Festival. Stop by Granny’s Pie Shop, “Crazy ‘bout’ Cookin” for a slice o’ pie (or the whole kit and kaboodle) Friday-Sunday till the pie’s gone.
Amy's Bed & Breakfast, 107 Rolling Hills, Canton, TX, 75103, (903) 567-2718, cell: (512) 922-5689.
Canton, Texas - Part I
This trip offers East Texas-friendliness, down-home creature comforts, and some of the greatest flea market shopping on the continent. 100 acres. 6,000 vendors.
Most women I know would give anything to shop with their friends instead of their spouses or male counterparts especially at a venue such as a flea market where one can wander, bargain and browse hour after hour. Have you ever watched women shop? We pick up and touch everything, feeling textures and fabrics even if we have no intention of buying the item.
Get it all at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, a girlfriend’s shopping and treasure hunting paradise. You’ll be able to buy everything from home furnishings to vintage clothing, from antique jewelry to produce and everything in between.
First Monday is open year-round, but spring and fall are the most favorable times to visit because the temperatures are most reasonable. Summer in East Texas is hot, but plenty of water will keep you shopping till dusk. You’ll find plenty of good eats at Canton so you won’t starve. When your heels are achin’, take your loot back to one of the cozy bed and breakfasts around the market. I recommend the all-girls’ lodge, Amy’s Bed and Breakfast, just a mile and a half away.
The market is huge so wear your best walking shoes. This is not the place for flip-flops, trust me. Once in the park, look for a free map of the grounds to plan your shopping day. Even if you don’t want to plan your path, you’ll want to be able to get back to your car.
Some vendors take checks or credit cards, but cash works best especially when bargaining (First Monday Strategy Number One: always ask for the vendor’s best price.] Bring a tote bag, rolling tote, or even a wagon for all your finds. Look for rentable wagons and carts in the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave the grounds empty-handed. Since First Monday is said to have anything you can think of you’re bound to find plenty you want, need, or just can’t pass up. It is a shopping mecca after all.
This trip offers East Texas-friendliness, down-home creature comforts, and some of the greatest flea market shopping on the continent. 100 acres. 6,000 vendors.
Most women I know would give anything to shop with their friends instead of their spouses or male counterparts especially at a venue such as a flea market where one can wander, bargain and browse hour after hour. Have you ever watched women shop? We pick up and touch everything, feeling textures and fabrics even if we have no intention of buying the item.
Get it all at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, a girlfriend’s shopping and treasure hunting paradise. You’ll be able to buy everything from home furnishings to vintage clothing, from antique jewelry to produce and everything in between.
First Monday is open year-round, but spring and fall are the most favorable times to visit because the temperatures are most reasonable. Summer in East Texas is hot, but plenty of water will keep you shopping till dusk. You’ll find plenty of good eats at Canton so you won’t starve. When your heels are achin’, take your loot back to one of the cozy bed and breakfasts around the market. I recommend the all-girls’ lodge, Amy’s Bed and Breakfast, just a mile and a half away.
The market is huge so wear your best walking shoes. This is not the place for flip-flops, trust me. Once in the park, look for a free map of the grounds to plan your shopping day. Even if you don’t want to plan your path, you’ll want to be able to get back to your car.
Some vendors take checks or credit cards, but cash works best especially when bargaining (First Monday Strategy Number One: always ask for the vendor’s best price.] Bring a tote bag, rolling tote, or even a wagon for all your finds. Look for rentable wagons and carts in the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave the grounds empty-handed. Since First Monday is said to have anything you can think of you’re bound to find plenty you want, need, or just can’t pass up. It is a shopping mecca after all.
Fall is the perfect time of year for one of my favorite pieces of shopping paradise, First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. My Texas buddies all know about this place and love searching out for the fun, unusual, and bargain goodies. I've even visited First Monday as a vendor selling baseball cards of all things. It's all about the bargaining, no matter which side of the First Monday table you're on. From my experiences, my girlfriends are much better at this than my dear hubby. Girls love a good deal, love bragging about it and showing it off.
Here's a way to recreate the trip:
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hello. I'm Amy Becker Williams, fulltime elementary school teacher and wife, and increasingly, fulltime writer. I've lately been writing up a storm, penning education articles as the Education Expert for www.Tibesti.com, flyfishing articles for Rocky Mountain Game and Fish magazine, and finishing a proposal with my husband Mark (also a teacher and writer) which we contracted with Westcliffe Publishers just last week (the book is Touring Colorado's Wineries -- talk about some great girlfriend getaways.) I've written travel articles for numerous magazines and newspapers, published my images in books and mags and even written two education books.
I love to travel and have been enjoying girlfriend getaways for decades, long before they became trendy or headlining magazines or became a niche market, and I'm sure a lot of you have been doing the same too. There's just something different and special when you go on vacation with your sister or your best friends. Girlfriend getaways are now the hottest niche market in the travel industry and with good reason.
Since I've been traveling the world photographing and researching with Mark over the years, I saw the need for a worldwide guide for we women. Not just British Virgin Islands (which is one of my top places for a girls trip) but also spots like First Monday in Canton, Texas or Crested Butte in Colorado.
In future blogs, I'll be sharing some of the places I love to visit with my female friends and family. Enjoy,
Amy
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