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Best CD Store

Good Records

Good is the obvious, if unsurprising, choice as Dallas' tops in CD purchasing. The selection is employee-tested, buyer-approved, and the help is top-notch. Want to know what an album sounds like? Ask the help; they'll tell you. Maybe even play it over the store's PA too. Can't find something you want? They'll order it for you—maybe even burn you a copy if they have it stored on the computer behind the register. And best of all, there are the in-store performances that offer the best of the local scene and the indie-est of the acts that come through the region. Why? Because Good Records can, that's why. And the fact that its stage is probably the best on Lowest Greenville, well, that helps too.

Best Cheap Divorce

Donna J. Harris, mediator

Divorce generally brings out the worst in people. So it takes a steady, confident hand to steer the parting parties through what might be the treacherous waters of divorce. As a mediator, Donna Harris has one job: To work the parties and their lawyers toward an out-of-court settlement. Harris is a funny, self-deprecating, larger-than-life Texas gal-friend who serves doughnut holes to jittery clients, makes balloon animals for the kids and knows how to gently nudge divorcing couples toward an agreement that in the long run will save them money. In one day she can settle a case that could go on for months in trial. Her tireless energy is a big piece of her success. She won't quit and won't let the couple quit until they can go no more.

Best Cigarettes on the Cheap

Pipe Dream

Don't know how Pipe Dream does it. The head shop—which, yes, offers a fine collection of pipes and other tobacco-smoking products too—doesn't stock the widest selection of cigarettes in town, but man, is their selection inexpensive. We're talking a good dollar under market value, sometimes more. And for brand-name smokes, no less. When you're choking down a pack every day—or even every other day—those extra dollars add up. Consider it your backup health insurance plan; you'll need every one of those precious greenbacks when you're paying for your emphysema treatments down the line.

Best City Within the City

NorthPark Center

In recent months, and certainly since the 2006 expansion of Ray Nasher's white-brick mall, we've discovered there is no such thing as a quick trip to NorthPark. A pit stop in, oh, the Apple store or the Gap turns into a long morning that morphs into an entire day, as suddenly the kiddo discovers the computer in the Dallas Public Library's Bookmarks or the outside garden, which allows for an extended game of tag-and-tackle; then, maybe, the urge to see a movie sets in, but not before grabbing a cup of coffee at the nearby Starbucks; then, of course, there's lunch to be had, either in the food court or Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom or one of the other high-end eateries scattered about the mall; then, a respite in the Bose dark, cool theater-room, where one can digest in surround sound. Then, for the ladies, the day spa—as common in NorthPark as a cop these days. Or, for the men, a shave in the Art of Shaving antique barber's chair, followed by a trip to the day spa, because, really, fella, don't you deserve it? The list of activities is limitless; so too the possibilities of killing a day.

Best Computer Store

Fry's Electronics

We so wanted to give you the name of some little, unknown gem of a computer store, some super-secret place that only the bearded guys in jumpsuits who wear white socks with sandals know about. No such luck. Turns out the unsurprising secret to good hardware and software deals—besides shopping online—is volume, volume, volume, so the big chain store guy wins again. But not just any Fry's location, since the secret to shopping at a computer megalomart is finding one where you can actually get waited on, since most seem to be staffed by leprechauns—if you can catch a sales rep, pot o' service for you! That doesn't seem to be the case at Fry's ginormous Irving location. Not only have we actually been approached repeatedly by living, breathing sales reps—none of them wearing green top hats or smoking pipes—they've even understood us as we stood among their well-stocked aisles of hard drives, motherboards and networking gear and explained that we're "looking for this, um, doohickey that connects to this whatchacallit that we need to set up our WiFi" and then found us just the right part. Customer service—it's magically delicious.

Best Curl Cutter

Jason Hull

Named a "star stylist" in a recent Allure magazine, Jason Hull believes in curly hair. Rather than iron it, burn it or cut it all off, Hull cuts curly hair in ways that enhance the natural waves and coils. He's also good at teaching clients the secrets of air-drying and product application. At last, a hair stylist who's a friend to frizz, which puts him on the cutting edge.

Best Eyebrows

David Sance, Perry Henderson Salon

Eyebrow threading (or epilation) began in the Middle East as a hair-removal method passed down from generation to generation, producing nearly perfect arches quickly and painlessly. (If you've ever seen a Bollywood movie, you know what we're talking about.) The procedure finally made its way to our shores, and now everyone's pretty much heard of it and probably heard how great it is, but no one's sure where to get it done. For the best arch for your buck, put yourself in the trusted hands of David Sance. He can be found a few days a week at the Perry Henderson salon on Oak Lawn and will give you the best-looking eyebrows in the Western Hemisphere. The process takes about five minutes and is more cost-effective, less painful, easier on your skin and more accurate than waxing.

Best Eyelash Guy

Ja'Maal Buster

Jane Fonda, Cicely Tyson, Paula Abdul, Rihanna, Michelle Williams—lovely ladies with lashes out to here. They have Ja'Maal Buster to thank for that. He's the eyelash guru who's an in-demand expert at custom tailoring false lashes and applying them with the skill of a fine artist. From Dallas to Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles, Buster has built a clientele of celebrities and others who count on him to make eyelashes that no one can tell aren't the real thing. He calls it "art for the eyes." If you're headed for a red carpet or just want a few extra lashes for heavy flirting, Buster's the guy to keep your eye on.

Best Fake Hero Hats

The Army Store Inc.

Not that you would ever impersonate a police officer or pull people over and write fake tickets or anything. But it's not against the law to do a little fantasy role-playing, is it? At the Army Store, for $4 to $12 you can find a really cool, battle-grimy blood-red beret that makes you look like a soldier of fortune, or a cloth cap with a stingy little brim on the front and extra-long earflaps. Nothing like dressing up as a North Korean border guard to make the neighbors nervous. You also can be "U.S. Marine Corps—Retired," or a naval officer, but that costs $29.99, and you have to learn how to snap a proper salute. For $10.99 you can don a very chic burgundy boho topper. How very armies of the night.

Best Fancy Teas

The Cultured Cup

We know folks around here prefer their tea heavily sweetened and over ice. And we will never refuse a tall glass of sweet tea on a muggy summer day. But at home, away from judgmental Texas eyes, we love to fill our Bodum tea press with a delicious hot tea—one of our favorites is Thé Rouge au Sahara from Mariage Frères, a rooibos-based herbal blend with mint and rose petals. Yes, we are fancy. And fortunately, The Cultured Cup has a wide selection of Mariage Frères teas to satisfy all our snooty desires. Not sure what kind of tea you like? They are glad to make suggestions, and the tea "bar" offers gotta-have-it-now tasting opportunities. To indulge your sweet tooth, Cultured Cup offers fresh Belgian candies from Leonidas (we love the fruit-shaped "jellies") and drinking chocolate fit for a queen (seriously).

Best Of Dallas®

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