Show Me Your Dallas
I've really got to get better about tooting my own horn. So here we go. Toot too, beep beep as they say in disco songs!
Remember the Show Me Your Dallas feature I began a few months back? The point was to connect with these amazing girls I'd met online before moving to Dallas last winter. Each of them were given the opportunity to show me "their" version of this incredible city and play the role of stylish tour guide. Let me tell you, these girls did NOT disappoint!
It became such an affair that the Dallas Morning News got word of my adventures in coolfinding. A few calls, a few emails, an interview and photoshoot later... voila. Front (and back!) page of the Life & Style section on the 4th of July weekend issue of the paper. Full color. How's that for a welcome to town? Since the online article is only available to subscribers, you'll need to download the PDF here.
Why did I do it? There's nothing like exploring a city through the eyes of local experts and fellow design-minded girls. And trust me, the ones I chose were amazing at highlighting amazing hidden resources and fabulous boutiques.
Who was this chic posse? Interior designer extraordinaire Emily Johnston, award-winning designer Elaine Williamson, IBB showroom co-owner and designer Shay Geyer, talented designer Kyle Knight, graphic designer and social media vixen Sandra Evans, local Dallas interior design celebrity Beth Dotolo were first on the schedule.
Honestly, everyone was amazing, gracious and incredibly generous with their time and attention. I couldn't have chosen a better team to go on playdates with. The best part? Loved them all and genuinely feel it was th ebest way to kickstart offline friendships. Dallas is a city of fabulius people, but these girls are all at the top of their game and it shows.
There are still more posts to come, as it takes a while to recreate the whirlwind tours of the city on the blog. But stay tuned, as I have three very talented girls left to feature: The talented and stylish Haley Schultheis of Nonsense & Senibility, product designer Erin of Global Views, and interior designer Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25. We completed our outings ages ago but I've been too caught up with client work to post them. Girls... stay tuned ;)
In the meantime, read all of the adventures here.
Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks go out to features writer Jamie Knodel from the DMN. Jamie, you found my blog, saw the feature as newsworthy and really made this a terrific experience from start to finish. I can't thank you enough, Jamie, for authoring the piece so generously and for spending so much of your company's precious colored ink on me and my girls. I am delighted to call you a new friend as well. Thank you.











Franki,
We love your posts and you are just amazing!
Posted by: Actifirm | August 04, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Franki,
You've done it again! I love reading all of your posts and I'm honored to be included in another one. :)
Posted by: Sandra Evans | August 04, 2011 at 09:09 AM
Yay fantastic!!! And I LOVED seeing a pic of you. :)
Posted by: Andi of My Beautiful Adventures | August 05, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Awww, thank you, Andi!
Posted by: franki durbin | August 05, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Seriously, what a fantastic idea! when you ask people"where should I go, what should I do?", you just don't get the same response as you do from a designer that is always scoping out the latest swanky hot spots!!! Tried my luck with a NY designer blogger, and oh was I impressed! (we should start a "designers travel club" hehe
Posted by: Stacy Naquin | August 12, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Stacy, thats exactly it! These were great little spots from people who have a vested interest in showcasing the citys style. It was (and is) awesome! Happy weekend!
Posted by: franki durbin | August 12, 2011 at 05:44 PM