09/04/2008

How to stage your home to sell fast

NATALIE CAUDILL/Staff Photographer

See how this room cleaned up for sale.

Your stuff may be treasure to you, but it's not to prospective home buyers. If you want to give your home every edge you can when trying to sell, professional stagers can help you decide what to keep and what to store away.

09/05/2008

Choose the best plants for your landscape

DMN file

A 200-year-old live oak thrives in Texas.

Fall's an excellent time to upgrade your landscaping as the cooler weather gives plants time to settle in before the next round of summer heat. H.S. Stevens, former garden columnist for The Dallas Morning News, compiled a helpful list of 135 plants well-suited for North Central Texas growing conditions.

High-quality kitchen counters finish on top

AP

At about $12 to $20 per square foot, laminate countertops are the most affordable but less durable.

For homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens, picking a durable and good-looking countertop is a way to make the room both comfortable and practical.

With Soda-Club, make your own fizzy drinks without the plastic
The ubiquitous two-liter bottle of soda isn't very green. It takes a lot of energy to ship the product to stores, and once the beverage is gone, the disposable plastic bottles end up in landfills. Here's an alternative.

Exotic lily takes root at Dallas Arboretum

JIMMY TURNER/Special to DMN

Victoria amazonica is a tropical water lily native to equatorial Brazil.

The Dallas Arboretum has an exotic new attraction that is armed with flesh-piercing spines and that squeaks like a rubber balloon. But you can't reach it to test its unique characteristics – which is a good thing – because it's in the middle of a pond.

09/03/2008

Fall fashion trends, from favorites to long shots

DAN LECCA/Special to DMN

Winter floral-print dress from Derek Lam Fall 2008.

A look at the latest styles for fall, from fur and feathers to winter florals. Which will work for your wardrobe? A look at the pros, the cons and the odds of success.

09/04/2008

Artist Brian Nadurak's decorates South Side loft with favorite visuals

NATALIE CAUDILL/DMN

After his second divorce, Mr. Nadurak decorated his way.

The painter turned the personal setback of his failed marriage into the chance to redefine his style. Mr. Nadurak thinks of his home as eclectic, but he wants it to be cozy and inviting for guests, especially his 12-year-old son, Mac, who visits frequently. Learn how he did it.
Photos
More Home Tours

Ruellias are Mexican petunia's better-behaved cousins

BILL SCHEICK

Ruellia 'Chi Chi' is a pink-flowered selection of Ruellia brittoniana that while less tall than is typical for the species, can be just as invasive.

While pretty, ruellias will take over your garden if you let them. But there are less-invasive varieties of this delicately-flowered plant available.
Photos

It's never too late to kill fire ants
If you have fire ants, you still have time to use baits to kill them. Acting now has an additional benefit: It may reduce their numbers next spring.

09/03/2008

Tour Cindy and Armond Schwartz's University Park House of Glass

Terri Glanger

Pennsylvania bluestone floors used throughout the house flow right across the patio to the pool.

From the curb, the soaring two-story structure is a windowless fortress of white. But the home's interior is a wide-eyed commune with nature, thanks to vast expanses of glass that wrap a central courtyard and pool.
Photos
More Home Tours

09/04/2008

Mild cleaners best for outdoor furniture
Maybe it's time to give your outdoor furniture an end-of-summer cleaning. Here's how.

Supermodel Kate Moss releases namesake fragrance in the U.S.
At age 34, Kate Moss should be unemployed, given typical modeling standards. But she continues her successful run, appearing in ads for Donna Karan, Longchamp and, now, her own fragrance.

True Romance: Golf helped tee up couple's relationship

KYE R. LEE/Staff Photographer

Tommy Hale won Mary Ann Back's father's approval on the links before the couple's first date.

F!D Luxe is live from New York Fashion Week

Lark & Wolff by Steven Alan is up for grabs at Urban Outfitters

Rachel Zoe's new reality show premieres Tuesday on Bravo
Stylist Rachel Zoe is known as much, or perhaps more, for her glossy Hollywood clients as for her sense of fashion. That's why she's perfect for a new reality show on Bravo. The Rachel Zoe Project, premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m., follows the celebrity dresser as she lives and works in LA, trying to form her name into a brand.

Uptown's Linus boutique offers indie and edgy shoes for fall season through Nov. 1
Kristen Radakovich knows shoes. The aficionada lived in London before Dallas and was inspired by European shoe designs she saw on the streets and in boutiques; at one point, she even attended shoe-making classes.

09/03/2008

Oak Cliff's historic garages part of a striking preservation trend

Historic photo of the sign for Kemp's Garage on Davis Street in Oak Cliff.

Courtesy of David Spence

Anyone driving the stretch of West Davis Street from Kessler Park to the core of the Bishop Arts District has noticed the plethora of old auto garages. The midcentury buildings with their soaring interiors and sturdy shells are part of a striking preservation and gentrification trend.

Is organic food worth the price?
Food costs are rising, and consumers are starting to question whether paying 40 percent to 150 percent more for organic food is worth it.

Molecular breast imaging a new tool to fight breast cancer
A radioactive tracer that "lights up" cancer hiding inside dense breasts showed promise in its first big test against mammograms, revealing more tumors and giving fewer false alarms, doctors reported Wednesday.

Beer Buzz: A Wheat-Doppelbock that's a favorite at The Ginger Man
Robin Cotton, general manager of The Ginger Man suggests this dark beer. " It's a good beer to sip at the bar at The Ginger Man, but it's also good with dark chocolate and caramelized apples," he says.

Violinist Chee-Yun Kim plays (and shops) with the passion of a virtuoso

SAM GRANADO/Special Contributor

Style is more than a distraction for violinist Chee-Yun Kim, it's second only to her deep love of music.

Chee-Yun Kim rarely gets distracted. Not even when she plays her 350-year-old Stradivarius before prominent concert-goers. But the 38-year-old Korea-born virtuoso does remember one off night when she was pulled out of what she calls "the zone" by, of all things, bad shoes.

09/02/2008

Budget steak: Get maximum flavor for minimum money

EVANS CAGLAGE

With gasoline taking a big bite out of consumer budgets, grilled steak may seem too pricey. But that's not necessarily true. Brian Luscher, chef-owner of The Grape, says that value cuts such as flank steak (about $7.99 per pound) can be great on the grill.
Video: How to grill a perfect flank steak.

San Francisco's Slow Food conference puts the emphasis on U.S. agricultural policies
Slow Food Nation, the so-called "Woodstock of food" celebrating American food and the people who produce it, spread across the Bay Area and beyond over the long weekend.

09/03/2008

In Season: Add fresh corn to breakfast menu
Corn is abundant and inexpensive right now. Ideally, you should cook corn the day you buy it for maximum sweetness before the sugars start turning to starch. What to do if you must store it? Our food-geek friends at Cook's Illustrated experimented with several methods, and here's their collective wisdom from Perfect Vegetables (America's Test Kitchen, $30):

Cutter Dan's guacamole salsa has a gentler kick than the red stuff
This Texas-made salsa doesn't look much like the other native salsas on supermarket shelves. Cutter Dan's Premium Select Guacamole Green Salsa, made in Cedar Creek, is deep green rather than fiery red. It's made with roasted green tomatoes and tomatillos and tinged with avocados.

How to save money on kids' lunches
Kids may be worried about homework, teachers and that pesky bully this school year. But parents? They're leery about lunches.

09/02/2008

White-angled sulphur butterfly makes rare appearance in Dallas County

DALE CLARK/Special to DMN

Recent rare sightings of a white angled-sulphur, a large white butterfly that is indigenous to an area ranging from Argentina to South Texas, has local lepidopterists in a lather.

09/01/2008

What are shingles, and why are more people getting them?

LARA SOLT/DMN

Josh Glick got medication for shingles early during his outbreak last year, so even though the shingles slowed him down for a while, he's back to his athletic self.

If you've had chicken pox, you can get shingles, a painful skin condition that gets more common with age. Here are the risk factors, and how to prevent and treat it.

09/02/2008

Posture is key to keeping neck pain in check
Waking up with a stiff neck can be the first sign of a really bad day. And chances are, it's your own fault. Here's how to change your ways and feel better.

09/01/2008

Uncommon but painful problems sometimes linger after baby is born

MONA REEDER/DMN

Attorney Linda Hargrove says exercises made her pregnancy and the postpartum time with her 3-month-old son, Mac, a better experience than a previous pregnancy.

So what do carpal tunnel and broken tailbones have to do with having a baby? Find out about these and other postpartum afflictions.

09/02/2008

Device holds promise for migraine sufferers
The first time inventor Dr. Robert Fischell experienced a migraine symptom known as an aura, he had no clue what was happening.

FDA to examine food allergy warnings on labels
One of the biggest frustrations of life with food allergies is the hodgepodge of warnings that a food might contain wrong ingredients.

Calendar of local fitness events

Health Calendar: Reducing the pain
REDUCING THE PAIN The Arthritis Foundation of North Texas offers ongoing aquatic, exercise and self-improvement programs designed to reduce pain and physician visits, decrease stiffness and increase function. For classes and locations and to be placed on a notification list of upcoming educational forums call 1-800-442-6653. For additional information, see www.arthritis.org.

When to get medical help for back pain
Many of us have had some kind of back pain. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association , back injuries have been the most expensive health-care problem for people ages 30 to 50.

Does frankincense provide osteoarthritis relief?
Might taking the Indian herb Boswellia serrata, or frankincense, thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, relieve the pain of osteoarthritis?

08/30/2008

Bolsa wine market and cafe brings a fresh pour to Oak Cliff

CARTER ROSE/Special Contributor

Hot bites and cold sangria (among other libations) make Bolsa's patio a popular perch for fall nights.

The word "hybrid" is getting a lot of buzz these days. Although it usually refers to fuel-sipping cars, we declare it the perfect label for a World War II-era auto garage on Davis Street that's been reinvented as Oak Cliff's first combination wine bar, market and cafe.

08/29/2008

Hot and cold therapy products can soothe sore muscles and joints
When your back is aching or your arthritis is acting up, the last thing you want to do is pore over the myriad pain-relief products on drugstore shelves. Here are products that offer hot or cold therapy for sore muscles and joints so you can find relief fast.

60 years ago, they were engaged during a Sunday sermon

ASHLEY HENSLEY/ Special to DMN

After Mildred Smith and Fred Schaerdel met, she waited for him to break up with a steady girlfriend before she made inquiries.

Both are 81. Mildred is still tall and glamorous, with a halo of blond hair. And Fred is still tall and handsome in that rugged way that caused her heart to jump when they met on a blind date.

School year's first lesson: Begin with a clean slate
Try not to get wound up in what you heard last year about your teacher -- or what they heard about your kid.

J.C. Penney design director Geoffrey Henning unveils own clothing line

SAM GRANADO/Special Contributor

Designer Geoffrey Henning with models Bentley Hill (left) and Marisol Alfaro in looks from his debut collection.

Geoffrey Henning recently opened his Kessler Woods home to Dallas' fashion and art crowd for the first look at the J.C. Penney designer's small collection of 12 made-to-order looks under the label Geoffrey Henning.

LoudEnough earbuds protect kids' ears
Parents have been telling their children to turn the volume down since "wireless" meant "AM radio," but noise-monitoring has gotten trickier as music has moved into headphones – where sound levels can get dangerously high. With parental concerns in mind, the LoudEnough earbuds from Ultimate Ears have volume-limiting safeguards built into the hardware.

Nasher Sculpture Center celebrating 5 years with tribute collection
Chock full of name brands such as Giacometti, Matisse, Miró, Calder and de Kooning, the Nasher Sculpture Center opened five years ago. Designed by Renzo Piano (quite a label himself), the stunning DMA-adjacent retreat was the dream of the late Patsy and Raymond Nasher, who together amassed a powerhouse collection of modern art and sculpture.

Oscar de la Renta brings his 2008 resort wear to Crystal Charity Ball
The Crystal Charity Ball Fashion Show and Luncheon is one hot ticket. Recent years have brought Giorgio Armani and YSL's Stefano Pilati. This year's headliner flies domestically but brings international panache all the same: Expect an enthusiastic welcome when Oscar De La Renta presents his 2008 resort collection to the sellout crowd Sept. 11 at Neiman Marcus downtown.

How to get another bloom from spent flowers
With fall approaching, annual flowers draw nearer to the end of their blooming lives. But by deadheading spent flowers, you may be able to squeeze some extra blooms from your plants.

Add fire to your yard with ornamental peppers
This holiday weekend, garden retailers will begin rolling out their fall colors, and ornamental peppers will figure almost as large as chrysanthemums.

08/28/2008

Chocolate and cheese star at three new artisanal shops

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Christy Martinez and Michael Perlmeter at Molto Formaggio The Cheese Shop, a new artisanal cheese store in Preston-Royal Shopping Center.

A trio of new foodie must-tries is bringing hard-to-find cheeses and chocolates to the area, and these epicurean indulgences are worth every calorie.

08/29/2008

39 semifinalists named in the Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search

More than 1,000 applications have been narrowed to 38 semifinalists in the Fashion!Dallas/Kim Dawson Model Search. The aspiring models are ages 14 to 24, and their hometowns stretch from McKinney to Lumberton to El Paso. And each of them is hoping this will be his or her big break.

Bonne Bell children's cosmetics accessory bags recalled
About 945,000 Bonne Bell children's cosmetics accessory bags, made in China and imported by Bonne Bell Co., because the metal clasps on the bag's handle contains high levels of lead.

Family silver? A big maybe
Which is it: Is today's younger set too obsessed with iPhones and Ikea, too oriented toward casual entertaining and too opposed to the heavy-duty maintenance involved to have any interest in inheriting the family silver?

Pet-hair removal sheets with a little style
Anyone who owns a pet knows there is a bit of magic involved in de-furring oneself before walking out the door.

08/28/2008

Choose the right caladiums for your home
Caladiums trump other shade-loving annuals when it comes to providing masses of color. They are easy to grow, they aren't bothered by pests or disease, and they grow in any improved soil. Learn which to buy, and how to save the tubers.

The latest in bracelets

SAM GRANADO / Special to DMN

Crystal-spangled enamel cuff, $150, J. Crew

Your outfit won't be the only thing getting noticed with fall's bold arm candy.

Advice: Invitation to child's birthday party sounds a bit manipulative
My boyfriend and I have been living together for three years. He has just received an e-mailed invitation to his daughter's 10th birthday party from his ex-wife. Is it appropriate for him to go to the party without me?

Nastia Liukin will meet fans at J.C. Penney in Plano's Collin Creek Mall on Saturday

SCOTT HALLERAN/Getty Images

Nastia Liukin

We gasped. We cried. Then we rapturously applauded when Nastia Liukin of Parker leapt to Olympic glory in Beijing, winning five gymnastics medals, including the gold for individual all-around. Now here's your chance to meet her.

Restored Victorian home in Corsicana gets profiled in 'This Old House' magazine

NATALIE CAUDILL/DMN

Jim, Sharon and Spencer Wade

Jim and Sharon Wade moved a 100-year-old home roofless and in the rain, then set about a 6-year, detailed restoration that cost twice what they estimated. Learn how they achieved a luxurious look with some cost-saving tricks along the way.
Photos
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What to wear: A wedding guest's cheat sheet
Has a wedding invite ever left you clueless about what to wear? Don't be baffled -- the info you need is likely there. You just have to know how to interpret the invite wording. Here's your cheat sheet for what to wear.

Under $50: Gwen Stefani's new fragrance line, available at Nordstrom
One word came to mind when these miniature spritzers paraded across our desk: kawaii, the Japanese word for super-cute. The doll-faced bottle tops for Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers fragrances are inspired by Ms. Stefani herself; her namesake figure

08/27/2008

7 hot wedding trends for 2008
chocolate brown still the new black? Are brides really planning to wear two dresses? These are some of the many burning questions this year's brides and grooms are asking.

08/26/2008

6 wines under $15 that go well with a spicy gazpacho

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Dali's Andalusian Gazpacho gets its kick from smoky, hot Spanish paprika.

Weary of triple-digit temperatures, the wine panel sought relief in a zesty bowl of cold gazpacho with chilled wines to match. Here's what they found, plus suggestions for finding good wines for spicy dishes.
Recipe: Dali's Andalusian Gazpacho

08/27/2008

New attack ad on TV, but this one targets hot dogs
A new TV commercial shows kids eating hot dogs in a school cafeteria and one little boy's haunting lament: "I was dumbfounded when the doctor told me I have late-stage colon cancer."

Speed cook: How to rush a chicken dinner to the table
Keep a box of frozen breaded chicken breasts on hand, and dinner is about 20 minutes from freezer to table. Add a side dish of spaghetti and cover both with a good jarred pasta sauce, and be prepared to dish up seconds.

Foods vie for best of fried title at State Fair of Texas
Who will be crowned this year’s king or queen of fried fair goodness? Eight items are vying for Monday’s fourth annual Big Tex Choice Awards, when the best new foods of the upcoming State Fair of Texas are judged.

08/26/2008

Dallas chef shares secrets for gourmet meals in a tiny kitchen

G.J. MCCARTHY/DMN

Jennifer Schaertl's experiences inspired her to write Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens. She hopes the as-yet-unpublished cookbook will help launch a cooking show geared for space-challenged home cooks. Here are her tips, plus a recipe for Scallop Ceviche.

08/27/2008

Have fun making frozen pops
These chilly summer treats are easy to make and offer a great excuse to buy a set of inexpensive ice-pop molds. For lighter versions, fat-free half-and-half can be substituted.

Made in Texas: Wild West Taffy creates seaside memories
If you spent childhood summers at the seashore, you'll probably relate to a locally produced candy that evokes memories of lazy days at beach resorts.

In Season: Grapes are ripe and ready
With the wine-grape harvest under way in many growing areas, table grapes also are coming on strong. This includes red and green seedless as well as tiny Champagne grapes and purple Concords in some stores.

Two-Minute Expert: How to keep potato salad and other foods cold
We love this summery tip from the May-June issue of Cook's Illustrated . Use your enameled cast-iron pots – Le Creuset and the like – to serve cold foods. Fill the pot with ice water for 5 minutes or so, then empty and dry. The chilled pot will keep foods such as potato salad and macaroni salad cold longer than glass or plastic would.

Wine of the Week: Lamborghini, Umbria IGT, Trescone 2003
Lamborghini, Umbria IGT, Trescone 2003, $19.99

Employees: 'Hierarchy of hotness' rules at Abercrombie & Fitch

MONA REEDER/DMN

Abercrombie says it ranks employees' attractiveness to uphold its brand. Some sales representatives are chosen to appear in posters, ads and other marketing materials.
Tell us: What do you think of the practice?

08/26/2008

Sears recalls 145,000 coffee makers on fire risk
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says Sears Holdings voluntarily recalled 145,000 Kenmore brand coffee makers because the wiring can overheat and cause fires or burns.

The best way to slim your waistline

EVANS CAGLAGE/DMN

Losing weight around the waistline is a goal for many people, but there are lots of misconceptions out there. Here are some common questions and answers.

08/25/2008

Brides share ideas for cheaper weddings
Couples planning their big days are finding that their budgets - whether hundreds of dollars or tens of thousands - won't stretch as far.
More wedding news

08/26/2008

How to make your picnic earth-friendly
Now's your chance to make summer last with an end-of-season picnic. With the right choices, you can make sure your outdoor celebration is fun, simple and as waste-free as possible.

Study links soft drinks, diabetes risk
People looking for alternatives to sugar-sweetened soft drinks, which have been linked to diabetes, sometimes choose fruit drinks. Is that wise? Find out what one study found.

Kids' fashions: Fun with mismatched prints
Children are going to wear their stripes with dots and their florals with plaids even if they're not following traditional styles. Try this interactive wardrobe to practice mixing patterns.

Dorms go green: Schools focus on saving energy
This interactive graphic shows how dorms are adding new features that save water and energy.

Gardening calculator: Figuring the cost to grow your own food

DMN File/2003

Think you'll save more money by growing your own garden? This calculator can help you compare what it takes to grow your own food with your annual grocery budget.
Planting guide: A list of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers that thrive in the Dallas area

A guide to babyproofing your home
Parents of twins offer advice on keeping baby safe around the house.

08/25/2008

How parents can help kids stay fit during the school year

DMN File/2008

Group activities make recess fun at school, and they can increase the fun at home, too.

Back to school means back to studying. But as we wave goodbye to summer, do you want your child's only exercise to be lugging a heavy backpack? Here are ways to keep kids fit this year.

08/26/2008

Got allergies? Here are alternatives to 5 common food allergens
Here are alternaives for people allergic to peanuts, milk, gluten or other foods.

Getting the gluten out of your diet
Dixie Stanforth, a lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Austin, was diagnosed with celiac disease last year. In addition, she is allergic to casein, a protein found in dairy foods. She soon learned how to navigate grocery stores and restaurant menus to stay symptom-free. Here are her tips for others.

Health Calendar: Free yoga classes, and more

Chemist finding ways to trick killer bacteria
When bacteria start talking, bad things happen.

08/25/2008

California lawmaker's bill bans driving with dogs on lap

Feisty puppy scares off 3 bears in NJ back yard
A 15-pound cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Pawlee scared off a mother bear and her two cubs Sunday morning after they strayed into his owners' back yard.

Cowboy Chow debuts in Deep Ellum
Cowboy Chow is the new restaurant from Jason Boso, the personable young chef behind the nearby Tw