IRISH EYES

St. Paddy’s Day may be 16 days away, but you can pretend you’re in Ireland without leaving Dallas this weekend at the North Texas Irish Festival March 3-5 at Fair Park.

The NTIF is the 2nd largest event at Fair Park in Dallas after the State Fair of Texas and one of the largest Irish festivals in the country. (I think Chicago’s may be a bit larger and loonier, when they dye the Chicago River green and drink green beer. I have lived through many a St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago — a wee worse for the wear!)…
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MORE COFFEE

I per$onally prefer Todd at $tarbuck$ (working, of course) whenever he can, but there is a new coffee place on Lovers Lane… Daily Drips or something… let’s check it out and then go back to $tarbuck$!

I THOUGHT YOU ALL WERE PROTESTANTS

What’s with the no-work-ethic? What’s with the sipping coffee in cafes and getting your pores cleaned in the middle of the day? What do you think it is, Fat Tuesday?

RE: SUNSHINE AND LATTES FOR EVERYONE

Sorry, Todd, but I don’t drink coffee. I did get a facial today, though, and they pumped hot, humid air on my face. It was just like being outside on a sweltering Dallas July day–one sure to make the sidewalk coffee drinkers swoon. I’m setting the over/under on the first 90-degree day at April 12. Takers?

SUNSHINE AND LATTES FOR EVERYONE

I just made my daily stop at the Starbucks on Knox Street. (Yes, I know. I’m Starbucks’ whore. Deal with it.) The espresso maker is remodeling and has set up a sidewalk cafe for the next two weeks. They can do everything except Frappucinos. What makes this newsworthy is how wonderful the concept is: a sidewalk espresso stand. Especially on an unseasonably mild and wonderful winter day like today. In Europe, this isn’t notable. But in Dallas — where fresh air is so often replaced by central air conditioning — sipping an espresso al fresco seems so civilized. Everyone should enjoy it. I say go now.

YUMMY SPROUTS

Cheap modern furnishings are hard to find in Dallas. Yes, Collage, Century Modern, and Smink are fine stores. But they ain’t cheap. Pad in Deep Ellum is affordable, but the selection is small. Therefore, I often turn to the web to satisfy my urge for clean lines and sleek form. And our friend over at Mies and Carrots recently turned me on to Sprout Home. Cool stuff, but what I find truly groovy in a far out happening way (thanks, Greg Brady) is SH’s collection of mod garden accessories such as the spring green watering can pictured. Check out the Sprout here.