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Weekend highlights in Dallas

The White Out Party

Tonight, local beer and liquor retailer Sigel’s is throwing a huge mass tasting of the finest clear spirits you can lay your taste buds on. The White Out Party will fill the Dallas Contemporary with more than 20 of the best brands of liquor: Hendrick’s Gin, Ty Ku Sake, Milagro Tequila, and Barsol Pisco are among the labels that will be represented. Snag your tickets here or at the door, and don’t forget to bust out the white attire!

Taste Addison!

As previously previewed, this weekend is the annual food coma-inducing Taste Addison, where dozens of restaurants of all stripes line Addison Circle Park with booths and serve up tasty eats and drinks while live and national music acts play. I went last night and had a blast — the weather, especially once the sun goes down, is gorgeous and forecast to stay that way all weekend, so get out there!

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Aftershock London wows with opening party

By Kyle Spencer

Fashion Correspondent

Pip, pip, cheerio. OK, so my attempt to sound British is pretty lousy, but what was far from lousy was Aftershock London’s opening launch party. It was a night filled with food, fashion and fine festivities — in short, Aftershock London opened its doors with a BANG.

The atmosphere at the Plaza at Preston Center import was vibrant as partiers dressed to the nines in their chicest summer attire gazed at whimsical gowns and bejeweled clutches, while snacking on deviled eggs and finger sandwiches from R+D Kitchen. Beautiful models showed off numerous costume changes throughout the evening, giving partygoers a chance to see Aftershock’s wide variety of women’s ballroom attire.

Ladies, if you’re in the market for a prom dress, I strongly recommend heading to Aftershock. The dresses achieve haute couture style at affordable prices. Fashionistas with a handbag fetish would be wise to check out Aftershock London’s clutch collection. These opera style bags are not only very trendy but versatile. Thanks to its fun, modern styles, I expect Aftershock to become a favorite of the Dallas fashion scene. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see if they have a dress in a size 6.

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Taste Addison fanfare and free tickets!

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to serve as a judge for Taste: The Competition, an event affiliated with Taste Addison, where local restaurants were tasked with creating tasty, portable treats that’d make ideal street food. Of course I’ll judge that!

Fifteen restos were represented, and judges sampled delights ranging from Asian fare to Tex-Mex-inspired specialties. Among my faves were Thai Star’s Mi Kati (below).

And Buffalo Wild Wings’ Deep Fried Bread Pudding Bites made my day as my favorite dish of them all … happily it placed third, with the grand prize winner being Blue Mesa for its Chimayo Market Corn (top), coated in herbs, spices and cheese. Yurrrmm. Edited to add: Sadly, none of the sweet and savories made at Taste: The Competition will be available at Taste Addison OR at the restaurant that created it. Nuts!

But Taste: The Competition was but a precursor to this year’s big Addison food event: Taste Addison. The annual toast to good eats features dozens of area restaurants serving up samples of the best dishes they have to offer. There’s also carnival food for those who’re in a classic fair-food mood.

This year, the event has snagged some considerable talent as musical headliners: Reckless Kelly, The O’s, Blue October and Sister Hazel are among the acts that’ll hit the giant Dos Equis Main Stage smack in the middle of the festival grounds.

Wanna get out there this year? Your Diva’s here to make that happen … I have two tickets to give away to the first person who leaves a delicous comment here or under this story on my Facebook page — simply tell me what culinary specialties you’re most hoping to encounter and savor at Taste Addison. Good luck, chicadees!

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Timo Weiland brings spring style to Piermarini Boutique trunk show

Spring is hitting Dallas with a SPLASH — of color, that is.

Designer Timo Weiland is unveiling his spring and summer 2013 line at the Snider Plaza’s Piermarini Boutique. Nebraska-born Weiland has always been art-inclined, showing an interest in photography, sketching and painting. With his fashions being sold on Style.com and a feature story in Forbes, Weiland is quickly becoming a breakout star in the fashion world.

Rich in chic patterns and bold prints, Timo Weiland’s apparel delves into a nautical and mosaic style for this season’s trendy looks. Black and white colorblocking characterizes the men’s collection, as Weiland uses urban-influenced jackets and sport-styled shorts to rock this seasons runway. The schoolboy trend of matching cardigan with a crisp cotton short is put together flawlessly in Weiland’s men’s line. He even allows pops of brightness in his men’s wear, as bold oranges and blue make cameo appearances throughout.

Women get even more color in the spring/summer collection. Missoni-inspired printed dresses are elegant in their flowing and breezy nature. Weiland mixes up his women’s wear with gothic-infused tailoring and trends.

But seeing is believing: Come join the designer himself for a night filled with food, fashion and fun from 3 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, May 11, at Piermarini Boutique. Get up and personal with Timo and his fierce fashions.

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Weekend highlights in Dallas

Saturday’s Best Derby Day bets

Polo on the Lawn is back for champagne-raising, divot-stomping, Derby-watching good times. Although a polo match will kick off at 4 p.m., the Kentucky Derby will also be available for viewing at the Prestonwood Polo Club. Wear your Derby finery and dust off your best wide-brimmed hat — oh, and bring your picnic or tailgate, if you’re angling for a General Admission ticket ($45); otherwise, enjoy a catered meal in VIP ($150), including wine, AND the signature cocktail by Central 214′s Amber West, the Equestrian!

Meantime, enjoy or participate in a best-dressed, best hat and best picnic/tailgate contests judged by WFAA’s Ron Corning and Dallas style guru Steve Kemble, among others.

Other Derby day fetes:

Asador, inside the Renaissance Hotel, will be mint julep-ing until 8 p.m. The resto will also debut a new cheese and charcuterie board, yum.

Lone Star Park: Watch and wager on the Derby as well as live races happening in Grand Prairie. Their best hat contest has two $500 prizes! What better way to watch the Derby than at a track …

Sissy’s second annual Jockeys & Juleps runs from 3-6 p.m. at the Southern cooking haven on Henderson. Specialty cocktails will include Sissy’s Mint Julep, Kentucky Punch, Presbyterian Bourbon Press and Alabama Sunset for just $7. Special prize for the best-dressed guest!

Best Cinco de Mayo bet

This weekend ALSO marks Cinco de Mayo — talk about a two-day holiday for lushes cocktail enthusiasts! Deep Ellum Brewing Co. is celebrating on Saturday with their Cinco de Quatro event. Yah!

Other Cinco de Mayo fetes:

Och8 Kitchen and Cocktails has dollar margs all weekend. Need I say more?!

Both La Calle Doce and El Ranchito are launching skinny margs for Cinco de Mayo, for 8 bucks. Yay and yum!

Pokey O’s Cookies and Ice Cream launches its Ice Cream Tacos this weekend (above) — what delicious timing. You can even customize and shell, toppings and filling flavors. Viva el taco!