DALLAS BUYING TRIP RECAP

This month we packed our bags and headed to Dallas for the first buying show of 2023. I had been to Dallas Market Center once before buying for Stile, but this was Candice and her husband Bruce’s first time. My fiancé Drew is in the Air Force and currently lives in Texas so we have been to Dallas together a handful of times. I think I have perfected the short Dallas stay over the years, and I was excited to show Candice and Bruce the city! Here’s a look into our recent buying trip to Dallas: 

D A Y  1 : 

We arrived in Dallas on a Monday and had the afternoon and night to spend in the city before the buying show started on Tuesday. One of my favorite places to walk around in Dallas is the Bishop Arts District. It was a bit quiet on a Monday - on weekends restaurants typically have live music as well as outdoor dining. The Bishop Arts District is worth a stop if you are planning an upcoming trip to Dallas. Both sides of North Bishop Ave. feature unique locally owned boutiques and shops. I love to see how other businesses select and merchandise their products. From candle shops, french boutiques, record stores, and collaborative spaces The Bishop Arts District has a little bit of everything! 

Bishop Arts District 

We stumbled upon Paradiso while walking around the Bishop Arts District and decided to stop for lunch. The vibe of the restaurant immediately caught our attention and the food did not disappoint. Candice and I both ordered the shrimp bowl, but the menu featured tons of other options including wood fired pizza and handmade pasta. This is the perfect restaurant for brunch or lunch with girlfriends. 

Paradiso 

We stayed at The Adolphus Hotel and had a great experience. The hotel has been around since 1912 and even hosted Queen Elizabeth on a trip to Dallas in 1991. If it is good enough for the queen it is good enough for us, LOL! The vibe of the hotel is 10/10. From the music and decor in each room to the shoe shiner in the lobby - every aspect of the hotel is thought out and adds to the experience of the guest. We started each morning with coffee from Otto’s by the fireplace before heading to market. It set the tone for the rest of the day and was one of our favorite parts of the trip. 

Adolphus Hotel 

We ended day one with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas - Town Hearth. I discovered this restaurant from blogger Brighton Butler a few years ago and it has become a place for birthday dinners and celebrations since. Candice’s birthday was at the end of the week - so it was only right to start it off with Town Hearth. Bruce was excited to try a Texas steak (which did not disappoint) but the sides were something to write home about. You can’t leave without a taste of the beef carpaccio, brussels sprouts, or cacio e pepe! 

Town Hearth 

D A Y  2 : 

On Tuesday we were back to business as we headed off to Dallas Market Center early in the morning. The Dallas Market Center is truly remarkable - home to five million square feet of showrooms (furniture/lighting, toys, apparel, food, holiday decor, and everything in between!). We attended the Apparel & Accessories Show which ran from Tuesday-Friday. There was so much to take in and we only had two days to accomplish our buy for January and February. We were on a mission (until we weren’t, LOL). The home decor showrooms were just too tempting - we did not come home with any furniture but we did place orders for some new in-store display pieces as well as Christmas trees and garland! Hey - you can only look at clothes for so long…   
At this show apparel brands were mainly showing resortwear and pre-spring. The trends for the season are always more evident during our buying trip to Vegas in February - but here are a few trends appearing to be strong for Spring 2023: 
  • Crochet 
  • Cargos 
  • Menswear Inspired Trousers & Blazers 
  • Eyelet Lace Details

Stay tuned for a full spring trend report post Vegas!

Dallas Market Center 

We wrapped up the day of buying at Neighborhood Services for dinner with Drew. With Drew living in Texas, this was the first time we were able to have dinner all together (usually I am the third wheel with Candice & Bruce!) I would describe this restaurant as a chic local bar and grille. Favorites of the night were the chicken pot pie & the gulf shrimp linguini. Portions were on the smaller side but the food was delicious - the perfect comfort food meal after a long day! Of the restaurants on our trip this is the one I would likely not return to again - not because of the food or service but because it did not stand out as something I couldn’t get back home. If I lived in Dallas, this would be a casual dinner spot on nights I did not feel like cooking! 

Neighborhood Services 

D A Y  3 : 

Day three was entirely focused on closing up the Stile buy for January & February. We woke up and headed to market with our suitcases in tow, bought from 9-5, and then caught an Uber  to the airport to fly back home. It was a quick (but fun!) trip and we found so many great resort and pre-spring pieces for the stores. A few have already arrived & are available to shop now - many more will be added to stilebyperlei.com next week! 
 
Planning a trip to Dallas soon? A few other favorites we missed: 
  • Deep Ellum: The combination of live music, cocktail bars, and Texas cuisine puts Deep Ellum high on the to-do list when planning a trip to Dallas. Stop at Pecan Lodge for great BBQ (as seen on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives) and Dot's for a post-dinner drink!
  • Truck Yard: The perfect spot to spend an afternoon - enjoy live music, rotating food trucks, and cocktails on tap. The only food served consistently at Truck Yard is their cheesesteaks - I am a hard critic and I think they are just as good as Philadelphia's! (Disclaimer: This is the ONLY place I would recommend ordering a cheesesteak in Dallas)
  • Highland Park Village: Feel like you are one of Bravo's Real Housewives of Dallas by spending an afternoon shopping in Highland Park Village. Home to many luxury shops and delicious restaurants! 
  • Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden: Looking for a place to get your steps in? Dallas Arboretum is the best place for a shaded and scenic morning walk. 
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