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Galleria dining: Ready for the holidays

Galleria Dallas recently invited me on a fun little jaunt of some of its culinary destinations, in a dine-around meant to showcase festive menus as well as holiday party options.

Our first stop was the Second Floor, the aptly named upper-level bistro-bar inside the Westin Galleria. Turns out they’re just launching a cute-as-heck private party space called Prive (above). Guests can enjoy its sleek, modern decor while dining on bites from Second Floor, such as this nummy Caramelized Apple and Shallot Flatbread with Arugula and Havarti-Dill Cheese the dine-around group got a taste of:

I’d like to deck the halls with that number. If you want to host an event, simply call the hotel for deets at 972-934-9494.

From the warm and comforting blueberry buckle at Grand Lux Cafe to the potent Mambo Taxi at Mi Cocina to the spicy peppered New York strip at The Grill on the Alley, the dining options at the Galleria abound. Which is great when you’re needing a food fix whilst holiday shopping … or after a skate around the grand Christmas tree. Huzzah!

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The Dallas Flea returns

The very popular Dallas Flea is back this Saturday for another go-round at South Side on Lamar. From 9 a.m. to 4, you can discover homegrown wares from mostly local artisans and sellers; nosh on eats from food trucks; and soak in the vibe generated from a live music set.

Notable this session is the Flea’s biggest group yet of mobile vendors, including The Urban Cottage–rehabbed furniture sold from an Airstream.

Entry to the Flea costs just $5, and kids 12 and younger get in free. There’s plenty of free parking to be had nearby, too. So just add this to your calendar, already!

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Where to go for FNO!

The extra-long runway at Galleria Dallas, 2011.

As I proclaimed in my story on pre-Fashion’s Night Out eats over at CraveDFW, you won’t be able to stumble 4 feet in Dallas this Thursday night without running into a party. It’ll be similarly easy to find runway shows and fashion presentations, so here’s my list of parties to seek out for extremely specific, mildly random situations.

Most likely to earn you fashion bragging rights: Tootsies best-dressed guest contest; Firewheel Town Center‘s fashion scavenger hunt

Most likely to get your feet moving … Yes, in those heels: DJ Lucy Wrubel at Forty Five Ten; DJ Jennifer Miller at LAFCO Highland Park Village; DJ Brandon Olds at Galleria Dallas; and DJs Spacebar, Licorice Girl and Blake Ward at NM Northpark.

Most likely to freshen your face: MAC makeup artists at Movida Mockingbird Station; Sephora makeup stops sprinkled throughout the Galleria; beauty stations at Northpark Center.

Most likely to find a Fashionista, capital F: In Northpark’s champagne lounge, sponsored by the org.

Most likely to host partiers wearing fur … all over their body: NM Willow Bend‘s Couture Canines runway show, benefiting the Collin County Humane Society NM Willow Bend.

Best foodie scenes … ’cause your dress contains Spandex!: Raise your pinkie for wine and cheese at Henderson Ave’s Milk & Honey Boutique; lei around The Hawaiiana for Tahitian snackies; nosh on Tex-Mex bites from Mi Cocina and Taco Diner at NM Willow Bend; mix bubbly and cupcakes at Movida; enjoy Paciugo samples at Highland Park Village‘s after-party; nibble hors d’oeuvres and gawk at handbags at Swagg Magazine‘s fete at Brahmin Handbags at Galleria Dallas. Fret not, though — a ton more stores and boutiques will be passing around treats.

Best drinking scenes … ’cause you’re not driving!: Um, pretty much everywhere.

Best sales: 20 percent off the whole stock from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clotheshorse Anonymous; 20 percent off all in-store purchases at Movida Boutique.

Best supremely unique offering: Fresh flower leis at The Hawaiiana; artist Trish Biddle will paint “Fashion’s Night Out” live at Southlake Town Square’s Grand Avenue Plaza; a double whammy of uniqueness at NM Northpark, with cigar rolling and a Scotch tasting in the Level One Men’s Complex, and a kissing booth in Cosmetics; the aforementioned Passport to Fashion scavenger hunt at Firewheel Town Center.

Best spots to pack a bag and passport for. Because they’re kind of far (but I love ya!): Watters Creek, Southlake Town Square, Uptown Village at Cedar Hill, Firewheel Town Center.

Best place to bump into a blogger: Tootsies will feature fashion stations curated by local bloggers; bloggers will judge a style showdown at Stanley Korshak. Brandy from Bites of Style will be all over Southlake Town Square‘s festivities. And, of course, your Diva is hosting Galleria Dallas’ official After Party at Townhouse Kitchen + Bar, with select drinks’ proceeds benefiting North Texas Food Bank.

To learn all the deets on all the parties, check out Fashion Group International‘s exhaustive FNO list.

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Spectacular Saturday

Hear me out when I say this, and disregard the triple-digit heat: Today’s a grrrreat day to be out and about in Dallas. There are three fabulous events percolating right now and into the evening. Shall we explore?

Today is Design District Gallery Day, where 12 art venues are opening their doors free until 9 this evening. Brooklyn Brewery is providing free suds, and there’ll be swag bags for the earliest visitors. Get your art on!

Rolling into the weekend after last night’s kickoff VIP party is The Weekender Dallas, a luxe shopping and pampering event at the W Dallas. You can still buy day passes online here, and the madness continues through Sunday.

Last but certainly not least for this foodie is the Cedars Food Park (above) grand opening party at Heritage Village, starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 10. Bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs, ’cause there’re going to be food trucks galore, including Nammi, Rockstar Bakery, Jack’s Chowhound, and Crazy Fish. Take your pick, then settle down and enjoy the music of The Sickles. I’ll be there, chillin’ (really, broiling) and stuffing my face, after a whirl through Gallery Day. What a way to spend a Saturday …

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And The Weekender winner is …

Thanks to all who entered my giveaway for two VIP passes to The Weekender Dallas here and through Pinterest. After assigning each entrant a number then using the Random Integer Generator to select one, I’m pleased to announce our winner: Zekeiya W.! Congrats, girl — you and a friend are heading to the W Dallas this weekend to enjoy exclusive shopping and pampering experiences meant to tantalize all your senses. I’ll reach out to you ASAP to get your passes in your hands well ahead of the event. Happy weekending!