Best Body Jewelry 2012 | Obscurities | Best of Dallas® 2020 | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Dallas | Dallas Observer
Navigation
Support Us
Search

Best Body Jewelry

Obscurities

Yes, you can try to pierce your nose yourself, if you want to end up with an extra nostril. And you can use crappy, nickel-plated jewelry from the mall if you enjoy unsightly rashes, green tinges and possible infections. Or you can do the grown-up thing and get yourself over to Obscurities for the high-quality stuff: implant grade stainless steel, real gold, plus any number of gorgeous glass and wood spirals and plugs. If you're getting pierced there or just buying replacement jewelry, they'll still gladly sit you down in a chair, put on sterile non-latex gloves (don't have those in your disgusting bathroom at home either, do you?) and pop in your shiny new appendage. The jewelry's not cheap, but that's because it's top-notch. Do it right and spare all of us the sight of your crusty, infected lower lip.

Best Tipsy Treasure Hunt

Lula B's East

Whether in Deep Ellum for brunch, lunch, an early dinner or just a round of drinks, Lula B's is always a great place for some primo tipsy treasure hunting. After entering the two-story secondhand store, no matter which way you stumble you'll discover every nook and cranny is filled with amazing out-of-date finds, from old books and vinyl records to vintage apparel and shoes to ornate furniture, jewelry and knickknacks. With more than 75 vendors and thousands of square feet of space, there's bound to be something for every buzzed browser. And better yet, frequent visits unearth new treasures.

Best Secondhand Store

Garland Road Thrift

While it's been frequented by East Dallas hipsters and Lake Highland grandmas for years, Garland Road Thrift has managed to stay out of the thrift-store limelight (which is why we're so hesitant to tell you about it). The enormous florescent-lit warehouse is filled with bargains, and has everything from furniture and electronics to shoes and clothes, puzzles, games, baby items, curtains and glassware you'd find for at least four times as much in antique shops around town. It's a thrifty person's haven, as long as you're willing to dig for the good stuff.

Best Place to Develop Film

BWC

Since 1975, Dallas photographers have had a reliable place to get their film developed, printed, scanned or mounted. BWC covers digital and analog photographers from pros to hobbyists, whether the film the photographer shoots is 35mm, 120mm, 220mm or 4-by-5, or whether the film needs to be processed in C-41, E-6 or traditional black and white chemistry — don't even think about taking that old roll of black and white film to Walmart or a drug store. BWC has long been the go-to place for the photography industry. Where else can you get your photos printed on 4-by-6 or 8-by-10 for Grandma, as well as photos printed on oversized canvases, banners, fancy desk calendars or flip-flops?

Best Women's Clothing Store

Milk & Honey Boutique

This trendy boutique, located on Henderson just a few doors down from The Pearl Cup and chic knickknack shop We Are 1976, exclusively carries women's clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. The store's aesthetic is charming and warm; it has a similar vibe to Anthropologie, but without the corporate feel. The merchandise is fresh and true to current trends without costing a fortune, and discounted treasures can always be found in the shop's bountiful sale section.

Best Place to Buy an Old Camera

Don's Photo Equipment

Need an affordable vintage camera strap to replace the awful stock strap that came with your first D-SLR? Or maybe that old 35mm camera that someone found in the attic needs a lens cap? Still need 35mm film or some photo paper to develop in the darkroom? Don's Photo Equipment started selling new and used photographic equipment to Dallas professionals and hobbyists about 15 years ago, and as the analog industry went digital, the shop has managed to keep its feet firmly planted in both worlds. Accessibly located in the heart of Dallas' Design District near downtown, Don's employees will happily talk shop with you all day even if you never spend a dime (whereas the competitor nearby would rather cut the conversation short and end the transaction). Don's covers all a photographer's basic needs from camera bodies and lenses to studio lighting and darkroom equipment to photo albums and killer vintage camera straps. And Don's buys used photo gear from individuals and estates. So, before tossing that old 35mm camera out, please, take it by Don's.

Best Vintage Clothes

Dolly Python

This 3,800-square-foot warehouse space located on one-way Haskell is home to some of Dallas' most uncommon clothing items. Owner Gretchen Bell opened the space in 2005 and has since hand-selected a large collection of women's and men's clothes ranging from the 1940s through the 1980s. From mid-century prom dresses to Western wear, fur coats, costume jewelry and a massive boot selection, Dolly Python is the best place to go for unusual vintage finds. There are also more than 20 antique dealers who rent out space in the warehouse and sell antique treasures like old cameras, dishware and furniture, so the friend you brought along with you on your shopping excursion should be able to amuse themselves while you try on an enormous stack of sequined '80s sweaters.

Best Gift Bags

World Market

Walk into any drugstore and sure, you'll find a dozen or so gift bags. And while they'll sufficiently wrap whatever it is that needs wrapping, chances are they're overpriced and look downright drab, cliché or otherwise tacky. A quick trip to World Market will open your eyes to a whole new world of gift-wrapping possibilities. The store is heaping with over-the-top and wow!-worthy bags, boxes, wrapping paper, bows and stuffing of all shapes, colors and sizes, and for less than your average drugstore.

Best Butcher

Rudolph's Market

Forget the prepackaged grocery store cuts of meat. The best steaks in town are cut right in front of you by the expert butchers at Rudolph's Market. When you walk in the door, you're likely to see one of the butchers shaving the top layer off of a massive century-old cutting board, where your steak will be carved. The long, refrigerated case that spans the room contains huge cuts of top-quality prime beef, pork and just about anything else that once breathed air and can now be eaten. And if your wallet isn't as thick as that rib-eye, Rudolph's makes its own hot dogs, which are also much better than anything found in a grocery store.

Best Motorcycle Training School

Motorcycle Training Center Texas

Driving a motorcycle is a freeing experience. Connecting with the elements at 60 mph is certainly a thrill. But it also comes with many dangers, the greatest of which is not being seen by other motorists. Motorcycle Training Center Texas, which offers a two-day course held in various locations around the area, does a fantastic job teaching future bikers how to not die on the road. It's divided into two parts: classroom and riding exercises, where basic motorcycle maneuvers are taught. Taking and passing this class exempts students from taking the on-cycle test at the Department of Public Safety. All classes get the same amount of riding time, but weekday classes might have a better student-to-teacher ratio. You can find the best time for you by calling 972-242-0300 or visiting texasmtc.com

Best Of Dallas®

Best Of

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Dallas Observer may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Dallas Observer, LP. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation