tucked away in tucker hill.

For a step out of the city lights, take a short trip up to McKinney to enjoy the country charm and darling new homes of Tucker Hill. The Parade of Homes tour takes you through 8 homes in the developing neighborhood. It is an independent tour, so you can go at your own pace (sneak in a nap in each homes dark movie room!) and enjoy all of the interesting decor.

By the 5th house, your feet will probably hurt because each house has multiple stair cases...but save a little energy for the last house on the tour--La Maison d' Ashley. It has great ideas for your home and will inspire you to get creative.

You can purchase tickets for the 'Parade of Homes' at Tom Thumb for $10 or at the door for $12. The parade lasts until June 8th, but there will be open houses throughout the year. Homes that are already sold will not be moved into until August.

www.paradeofhomesdallas.com
www.tuckerhilltx.com

DALLASight Down Low: Grab a cold piece of key lime pie at The Pantry in McKinney Town Square. The Pantry is famous for their delicious variety of pies!

www.thepantryrestaurant.net

breaking stereotypes.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind
when you hear 'Oak Cliff'?

I had a few words that popped in my head --probably similar to yours--but I have changed my mind and am ready to go back.

The Cliff Cafe (right next to the Belmont Hotel) is adorable. The modern atmosphere, attentive staff, unusual art decor, and full bar are just a bite of the fun restaurant.

DALLASight Down Low: The portions are huge, so I recommend splitting the plates ($2 charge for split orders). Also, breakfast is served all day. This would be a great restaurant to bring your computer because there are outlets next to practically every booth.

The atmosphere is very laid back (I noticed quite a few people enjoying the restaurant solo) and right next to the Belmont. The only negative part about Cliff Cafe is that the view is not as amazing as the views from 'barbelmont' (unless you like the look of Family Dollar).

I highly recommend this cafe--the food is great and the modern details are unique. Forget those Oak Cliff stereotypes and try this one out...

www.cliffcafe.com

burger bar on 3.

I blame it on the rain...but today I ended up back at my favorite Dallasight (Northpark, of course). So, to add a unique twist to my usual routine, I decided to try Neiman Marcus' new 'burger bar on 3'.

After wandering the third floor looking for a retro new hotspot, I resorted to asking a salesperson to point me in the right direction. This new restaurant is not a solo act--you have to go into the Zodiac room and turn right. Then you will maybe be overwhelmed with the same reaction I had--"Oh, this is it?".

Seriously. Only 8 seats and 1 booth. I stood and waited for a couple of minutes and never saw a waiter/burger bartender and decided it was not up to the standard my imagination had set (actually, the standard the Neiman's window display set). I expected to find a cute little diner with, well, at least more seating and staff. This place might be cute if you are in the mood for pricey burgers and akward neck turning conversations all in a dark corner of a larger restaurant.

Needless to say, I ended up trying the Zodiac room along with many little old ladies and mother-daughter pairs (mother being 80, daughter being 60). The pop-overs were delicious with the strawberry butter and overall the food was great. I ate the opposite of what I was craving (burgers) but was glad that I did not have to sit in the dark corner of the restaurant.

we're all pink.

I am partial to pink: my room, my clothes, my

phone. I am constantly surrounded--but what I really want to be surrounded by is the art exhibit at the Belmont Hotel.

"We're All Pink" is the name of the exhibit featuring fantastic art by local artist--Jennifer Morgan. The artwork is shown throughout a cute lounge at the Belmont hotel, surrounding a fireplace and full bar.

DALLASight Down Low: I contacted Jennifer Morgan to gain some insight into her life and art:

Like Picasso, a little dachshund named Fiona runs around Jennifer's studio while she works. Jennifer first introduced the 'We're All Pink' collection in late 2005, the artwork had been "haunting her to get out".

The paintings are latex and acrylic on canvas, all with different gloss finishes (matte, semigloss, high gloss). "The mixings of all the different sheens is so beautiful in a real subtle way" says the local artist.

Jennifer was inspired by the writings of Henry Beston...the following link will take you to the specific excerpt that inspired these art pieces.

http://jennifermorgan.net/pink.php

Unlike my love for everything pink, the artwork is colorful and has a deep meaning. Jennifer Morgan is passionate about the connectivity we share with this planet. "Pink is flesh: cut any living thing and it bleeds something. blood. juice. sap. And those are just the things we know about."

The free exhibit lasts until June 2nd, running every day of the week from 9am to 10pm. Jennifer Morgan's art is featured inside the hotel, but sculptures and interesting architecture can be found around the Belmont hotel property.

Don't miss out on the great views that the Belmont has of the Dallas skyline. Grab cocktails at the 'barbelmont' and enjoy this fabulous DALLASight.

www.jennifermorgan.net/wereallpink

http://www.belmontdallas.com/

something sweet.

Cupcakes are not just for birthday parties anymore...why not celebrate being a trendy Dallasite?
Sprinkles cupcakes, originally from Beverly Hills, recently opened in Dallas Preston Center. I suggest going to the adorable store and waiting in line for these treats (get more than one). They have tons of creative flavors made with all natural ingredients. So delicious.

Better yet, go to Williams-Sonoma at Northpark and buy the Sprinkles mix and make it yourself! They only sell four of the many flavors you can try at the actual Sprinkles store: vanilla (my personal favorite), red velvet, lemon, and dark chocolate.

Here is a picture of homemade vanilla Sprinkles cupcakes that I made--they look just like the ones you would buy in the store but have a little extra love in them.

DALLASight Down Low: Apparently, Sprinkles cupcakes also makes wedding cakes (really cupcakes strategically arranged to create a cake shape). Great idea for Dallasites that love this treat as much as I do.

http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/

If you are more of a cookie-monster than a cupcake fanatic, check out Tiff's Treats. It is originally from Austin and just opened in Dallas late 2006. It is located off Ross Ave. downtown but delivers pretty much everywhere. They melt in your mouth--order a dozen and make everyone happy.

DALLASight Down Low: Get great deals by signing up for a coupon newsletter on their website.

http://www.cookiedelivery.com/

keep dallas not weird.

I just spent an amazing four years bleeding burnt orange in Austin, Texas. After graduation, I was more than ready to make the three hour drive back to Dallas-so ready that I made the drive in two and a half.

My college experience was filled with fun activities (do frat parties count?) and interesting encounters. I once had a young homeless guy lecture to me about how I was obviously not a native Austinite and rambled on about how he could easily be accepted to the public Ivy League of the South that I was so proudly a part of. By the end of my four years, I realized that Austin definitely holds up its standard of 'keeping Austin weird'. I was ready to get back to Dallas...keep Dallas not weird.

I decided that I want to venture out on a journey through Dallas to figure out exactly what keeps pulling me back to this city. As a native Dallasite, I have fallen into a routine of a few places I love (all of them within the walls of Northpark Center). Now that I am fresh to the city again, I am going to explore all of the 'Dallasights' and keep you in the loop. What is hot? What is new? What is old but new to me?

This is Dallasights for Dallasites.