SHOPPING

So, I'm trying to switch over to household cleaners that are more eco-friendly, but it has been hard. I hate chemicals. I hate germs even more. I"m convinced my Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lavender spray isn't really getting the job done, even though it smells wonderful.

Help me out, readers. What brand of eco-friendly cleaners have you tried, and did they work or not work? Tell me your favorites and where you buy them.

What will those crazy kids at LV think of next to get some attention? You can see more if you want at www.louisvuittonjourneys.com.

This week, I've got a sneak peek at Gap's new Design Editions collection, hitting stores on Tuesday, June 16. Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America hold a competition each year -- the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund -- to find the most promising new designers in the U.S. The winners and finalists get to team with Gap to produce a limited-edition collection. The past two years they've focused on white shirts and this year winner Alexander Wang and finalists Vena Cava and hatmaker Albertus Swanepoel worked exclsively in khaki.

1. We've talked lately about both zip front shift dresses and racer back cuts, so here's both summer trends on one dress. Vena Cava's khaki cotton twill shift dress, with oversized zipper, $88. (Their dresses normally retail for upwards of $500) The dress is printed with a faded, jagged black Aztec illustration on the lower half of the dress, which livens up what would otherwise be a pretty basic dress.

2. Vena Cava also worked their arty magic on a pair of jean-cut khaki pants. The straight cut trousers sit right at the waist and feature side zips at the inside ankle. The waistband is illustrated with inverted triangles and the legs and pockets have these random doodles, which give the khakis some art school flair. $69.50

3. Everyone needs a pair of khaki shorts. Alexander Wang, who shows each season at New York fashion week and is sold at stores such as Barneys New York and VOD in Victory Park, has a pair of cropped, pleated shorts for Gap. The pleats are deep, extending almost to the hem. These are pretty fashion forward, but news flash: pleats are back. These are the kind of shorts that you could dress up with a braided leather belt, pair of wedges and a blazer. $49.50

4. People are wearing a lot more hats these days. And not just overplayed fedoras. Albertus Swanepoel (swan-uh-pole) makes hats for the collections of Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, Carolina Herrera and Peter Som. His collection for Gap includes 5 hats crafted from khaki cotton twill. Here, a wide-brim hat, with tucks on the side. The brim overlaps in the back, which gives it a nice detail and makes it look more expensive than $39.50. (the satin lining helps too) He also designed a basic bucket hat in khaki twill, with grosgrain ribbon trim with tortoise shell buttons, also $39.50. And lined in cute striped silk.

5. Alexander Wang is known for his tough-chic designs, so it's perfect that he reinvented a motorcycle jacket in khaki cotton twill. Lightweight and unlined - the seams are all piped - all the details are here. Asymetrical zipper, epaulets, belted cuffs and snaps on the lapels. $88

Wrap your love for Dad in some Bollywood-worthy paper this Father's Day. Stop by NorthPark Center's Paper Source and check out the crafty store's new India Collection, with ornate wrapping paper featuring elephants and explosions of color and pattern. The line also includes stationery, candles and rubber stamps.

Paper Source
214-696-4400

New York designer and author Bunny Williams was in Dallas Tuesday to launch her new furnishings collection, BeeLine Home, at Mecox. Turns out, she was almost late for her own party after she injured her ankle and then had a flight delay. The design-trooper made it, however, and was shaking hands and posing for photos moments after walking through the front doors.

Williams' fabled career includes 20 years at the prestigious Parish-Hadley Associates before launching her own firm. In 1991, she and her husband, John Rosselli, founded Treillage, a Manhattan boutique carrying furnishings and decorative objects for home and garden.

Mecox is the exclusive local source for Williams' new 30-piece line, which includes lamps, desks, chairs, tables and a sofa.

Go shopping: Mecox, 4532 Cole Ave., 214-580-3800

Photo by Carter Rose: The designer signs her book, Bunny Williams' Point of View at Mecox

If you've ever made a major home repair and fantasied about tearing the whole thing down and starting over, this story is for you.

Contributor Sarah Toler wrote on Saturday about Dave and Kristi Posewitz. The couple loved their Lakewood Heights home, but it was falling apart. They hired modernist husband and wife architecture team Ryan and Melissa Williams of W2 Studio to design a fab new modernist dwelling for the family on the same lot.

Does W2 Studio sound familiar? That's because we named them to our list of 2009 cutting edge Dallas designers in January's FD Luxe.

Top photo: W2's plans for the Posewitz home
Bottom photo by Evans Caglage: Kristi and Dave Posewitz with daughter Matilda

Brown and white striped shopping bags are coming to Dallas in September.
Specialty fashion retailer Henri Bendel is opening at NorthPark Center as it expands outside of New York.
The Fifth Avenue retailer, which is owned by Victoria Secret's parent Limited Brands, is shifting away from apparel and focusing instead on its accessories and gifts.
NorthPark is one of six stores opening this year. Four stores opened last fall in Florida, California and Ohio as part of a test to explore expansion prospects and to study a decision to stop carrying apparel.
Shops sell private label Henri Bendel handbags, small leather goods, candles, luggage and perfume. Gift selection includes Henri Bendel chocolate bars and teas.
At NorthPark, the 2,500-square-foot store will be located between 7 For All Mankind and Lucky Brand near Dillard's.
Like the Manhattan store, merchandise is displayed on brown leather tables with signature striped surfaces and in glass etageres with circular brass drawer pulls engraved with the store's logo. Chandeliers light the space.

Last Thursday we reported that Parker Hawn Vintage, which staff writer Jason Sheeler recently covered in a Shop Talk piece on our Friday Style page, was hosting a summer collection trunk show. Our apologies if we sent you knocking on owner Pam Scrima's shop door -- the event is this Thursday (June 11), from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Hadley & Harriet courtyard (3922 Lemmon Ave.), with drinks, eats and giveaways and guest DJ Mr Rid (formerly of the Starck Club) spinning retro. Make plans to stop by -- Scrima's '60s, '70s and '80s finds are one of a kind.

Bunny Williams' interiors are just like her name - unique, classic and full of character. Same goes for her debut furnishings collection, Beeline Home by Bunny Williams.

Tomorrow, June 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., the renowned designer and author will be in town for a cocktail meet-and-greet at Mecox Gardens, exclusive Dallas source for the new 30-plus-piece line. Each item is a limited edition, numbered with the year it was introduced, conferring instant collectible status. Our advice? Make a beeline fast.

Mecox Gardens, 4532 Cole Ave., 214-580-3800, beelinehome.com

Photo: Investment piece: BeeLine Home's nailhead sofa in olive cotton velvet, $9,430.

Here, a comparison.

This week I've got a great sale for ladies looking for terrific summer dresses. The Miss Sixty store at NorthPark is closing. While that's bad news for my friends that work there, it's great news for fashionably frugal shoppers. Miss Sixty is an Italian label that shows at New York fashion week and it's a fave of Gossip Girl's Blake Lively, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus. Hollywood stars love their bright and sexy designs and I've found five summer dresses - priced $49 to $99 -- that definitely fall into the bright and sexy category. And they're 50 percent off!

1. Cotton voile spaghetti strap dress with a woven raffia detail at the empire waistline. The full dress has deep bubble pockets. $85, regular price $169

2. Viscose op-art jersey dress, with square neckline and 3/4-length flared sleeves, $99, regular $199

3. This spaghetti straped crocheted dress in tones of plums and beige is fully lined in cotton voile, a thin, cotton shirting material. The hem of the lining extends out past the crocheted hem, into knife pleats, which give the dress volume.
$85, regular $169

4. Red cotton jersey tank dress with Grecian draping details, $49, regular price $99

5. Yellow, navy and brown viscose jersey knit dress, with a cotton knit V-neck detail that becomes the shoulder straps. The dress has a slight bubble proportion to it, with a band of cotton jersey at the knees that gives it a little volume.
$99, regular price $199.

Prices are slashed -- some up to 50 percent off -- at West Elm and the store's Web site. Furniture (indoor and out), accessories, bedding ... it's all up for grabs. Snag an ivory vintage bird duvet cover (about $100 for king-size) or something more signature West Elm-ish, like the company's circle cut-out armchairs ($120 each) -- I spotted one in Oak Cliff hat-maker Cassie MacGregor's cheery red-and-white studio above Bolsa, yesterday.

Was browsing at American Apparel the other evening and guess what we spied at the counter...scrunchies...in different colors and prints. Admit it ladies -- YOU ALL HAD ONE (or several) back in the day.

American Apparel is bringing back the 80s in a HUGE way. The acid wash jeans made me laugh at first, but then looked kinda cute when I tried them on so I got them. I even eyed the hyper-color shirts because, well, they're just cool and I like having strangers breathe on me.

But I dare any chick out there to sport one of these scrunchies out in public and not look like Jessie Spano.

They're $6 at American Apparel at Mockingbird Station and NorthPark Centre if you're interested.

Fashion editors are groaning everywhere.

Okay readers, I want to know WHO out there is going to wear these???

You've worked hard this week, so come sip, nosh and shop with us tonight. As we teased to last fall, Gary Riggs Interiors has now opened its second showroom on Preston Road with two full stories - "3,500 up, 3,500 down," according to its namesake owner - of over-the-top furnishings and gifts.

FD Luxe invites you to stop by this evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to see the space, meet Gary and his team, and savor choice nibbles from Oak Lawn's Scardello Artisan Cheese.

Want another reason to stop by? Riggs will be giving away one of his fabulous fabric-covered wall mirrors (I'm hoping the one in the picture above, so cute.)

Here are more details about Riggs' new showroom.

Gary Riggs Interiors, 6925 Preston Road near Lovers, 214-547-7393, garyriggsinteriors.com

Jennifer Cowan, a copywriter from Grapevine has this sale tip: At Off 5th, the Saks Fifth Ave Outlet at Grapevine Mills Mall, there are tons of Betsey Johnson handbags at great prices. Spotted a great bowling-inspired tote for only $110!

Have you seen a sale recently? Share the details and help us test our new tips tool!

Now through Labor Day at St. Bernard Sports, buy five pairs of flip-flops and you'll get the sixth pair free. Not buying five pairs at once -- no biggie. Grab a Frequent Flopper card and track your purchases. Snag the freebie at both local locations: on West Lovers Lane in Dallas and on Bishop Road in Plano.

While you're there, check out this groovy new Havianas style. A hybrid of a flip flop and sandal, it's offered in gold and silver for $30. A dressy flip flop? That's perfect for summer.

Marcos Garcia, an elementary school teacher here in Dallas, reports that there's a good sale over at HickeyFreeman.com. Get ultra luxe sportswear for men and boys with 40 percent off regular priced spring merchandise.

Have you seen a sale recently? Share the details and help us test our new tips tool!

I wrote about Smink's new Dragon Street showroom recently and was wowed by this Michael Miller oversized acrylic-and-fabric on paper collage.

The piece is one of several Smink consigned from Barry Whistler Gallery. I'm calling now to confirm retail pricing, but suspect it will be more than I can splurge on at the moment.

Of course, that would never have stopped Dallas Architecture Forum prez and art adviser Cindy Schwartz, she used to stash art under the bed when she and husband Armond were newlyweds on a budget.

Photo by cwynn

I did some decluttering last weekend and it bordered on life changing. It was freeing to let go of some of the stuff I didn't really want, need or, in some cases, knew I even still had.

Now that I'm into the whole spirit of recycling my stuff, I was intrigued to hear about the ultimate swap meet going on this weekend.

The downtown farmers market (which has long offered more than just fresh produce) is hosting a Community Yard Sale Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring down your "gently used" clothing, household items, toys, etc. and make a few bucks. On the flip-side, shoppers will find plenty of good deals on those same items (and other people's stuff always seems cooler). The sale will be held the first Sunday of every month for the rest of the year.

Folks looking to sell their items should contact Elizabeth Scoggin for an application; she can be reached by phone 214-939-2242 or via e-mail at elizabeth.scoggin@dallasfarmersmarket.org.

Photo by ROBERTO M. SANCHEZ /AL DIA

Here are the details. Well, would you?

Photo by AP Tony Gutierrez: A Cadillac Escalade Hybrid goes through inspection at the GM auto assembly plant in Arlington in Feb.