What's that they say about Cleanliness?...

2020 is certainly turning out to be a different kind of year than we all expected. Who would have predicted that masks, hand sanitizers and not touching anything would be the order of the day?

We have heard your requests and are now offering several options for ways we can all stay safer and as germ-free as possible. These little items make thoughtful gifts…and are handy to keep on hand for yourself too!

We offer three different hand sanitizers! Jao Refresher™ is an instant disinfectant and aromatherapy boost in one. Awarded the Elle Green Star Award, it kills germs and freshens hands with Ethyl Alcohol (less drying) and a blend of antiseptic essential oils: Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Sage. The combination of Chamomile and Calendula with natural cosmetic moisturizers keeps your hands from drying out. Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed - an instant skin cooler, body pick-me-up.

We have featured products from Dallas’ favorite, Niven Morgan for many years. And we love his new Hand Sanitizer!

When you’d like a chuckle with your sanitizer, you’ll want to try the El Arroyo Hand Sanitizer! We love their tacos, books, cards… and sense of humor. One of their signs is printed on each handy bottle. As they say, “Keep your dirty garbage hands clean…”

Stop touching door handles and key pads and use a Touchless Keychain! Just attach to your keychain so you’ll always have it…and go hands free! They’ve been going quickly since we saw them in People Magazine!

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Put the mask on. Take it off. Put it on. Take it off. Drop it in your purse. Leave it in the car. What if you wore it around your neck? We love using our cute glasses chains for our masks…and you will too.

Finally, now is the time to refresh your powder room with disposable hand towels, don’t you think? So many options to fit your style. Come see our selection.

The need to stay germ free is here to stay. So be prepared. And stay well.

Summer Sale!

Twice each year we have one of those Really. Big. Sales. And this is one of those times! Enjoy 50% Off on all Sale merchandise, but you better hurry in for the best selection. We are making room for new merchandise all around the store. So what's on Sale? Decorative items for your home, coffee table books, purses, small gift items, gourmet items, children's clothing and toys...whew!

We are, of course, maintaining the safety standards which are so important now. We monitor the number of customers in the store, we clean common surfaces often, we wear masks, and we ask that you do too. If you prefer to call us and make a purchase over the phone we'll be happy to help that way too.

Our hours are 10:00 - 4:00. Happy Shopping!

Aaaaannnd We're Back!

A little birdie told us that St. Michael's Woman's Exchange will open for 2 Go business on Friday!

It won't be the same as welcoming you into our store in person but we'll be delighted to help you over the phone and to fill your online orders! Just give us a call and we'll take care of the rest. We've been busy restocking and putting out new merchandise all week. We know that Graduation, Mother's Day and Father's Day are coming in spite of our sheltering in place, not to mention birthdays and new baby gifts...

We hope these images pique your interest and get you thinking!

See much more on our website and in our online shop:

https://www.smwexchange.com/shop

As you know, each year the proceeds from our store are distributed in the form of grants to agencies which serve the crisis needs of Dallas’ most vulnerable. This year they need our help more than ever. So lets all remember that when you shop at St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange you truly do Shop Once, Give Twice.

We look forward to welcoming you back!

Ellie LeBlond Sosa signs George and Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story

"To begin with I was in love and I am in love so that's not hard," Barbara Bush told her granddaughter Ellie LeBlond Sosa on her porch in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Sosa had asked her grandmother for the secret to her and President George H.W. Bush's 77-year love affair that withstood World War II separation, a leap of faith into the oil fields of West Texas, the painful loss of a child, a political climb to the highest office, and after the White House, the transition back to a "normal" life.

Join us on Tuesday, March 10

from 3:30 - 5:00

when we welcome

Ellie LeBlond Sosa

to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange.

She will sign copies of

George and Barbara Bush

A Great American Love Story

Through a lifetime's worth of letters and stories, Sosa and co-author Kelly Anne Chase paint the portrait of the enduring relationship of George and Barbara Bush. Sharing intimate interviews with the Bushes and family friends, this is a granddaughter's loving look into the private life of a very public couple.

Virgin River Author signs her books at The Exchange

Welcome to Virgin River, a rugged outpost deep in California’s redwood forests built by men of honor for the women they love. Pull up a chair at Jack’s Bar, catch up on the local gossip, order Preacher’s meatloaf and relax. These people will do anything to help one another, strangers welcome—and you won’t be a stranger for long.

Does this sound familiar? Robyn Carr’s much loved Virgin River series recently debuted on Netflix to wide acclaim! The charming author of over 50 fiction novels joins us at The Exchange on Thursday, February 13 for a book signing.

Come meet this talented author and ask her what it feels like to see her work translated to the screen!

We will also have copies of her most recent release, The Country Guesthouse, available for purchase and signing. Romance is a theme for sure in her work, so we are thrilled to host Robyn Carr on the day before Valentine’s Day. Grab a friend and join us!

A Book Signing AND A Jewelry Show!

What is the hallmark of an interior by Richard Keith Langham? A traditional approach with dashes of whimsy, beautiful tailoring, and an exuberant color palette. Signature touches include custom-painted murals, one-of-a-kind antiques, and couture fabrics-- motifs that are uniquely Langham's but that also echo his early influences from working with design legends Mark Hampton and Keith Irvine. In ABOUT DECORATING: THE REMARKABLE ROOMS OF RICHARD KEITH LANGHAM, Langham charms and inspires with a selection of city and country projects-- waterside estates on Maryland's Eastern Shore and Florida's Jupiter Island, gracious country houses in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, a grand townhouse in New Orleans, and city residences in New York, Washington, D.C., and Memphis. Langham ahs decorated for a glamorous clientele, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Pat Buckley, and Hilary Swank.

Alabama born, Manhattan based Langham has been a force in the decorating world for over 25 years. And we are delighted to welcome this charming and talented designer to The Exchange on Friday, December 13 between 2:00 and 5:00.

Alabama born, Manhattan based Langham has been a force in the decorating world for over 25 years. And we are delighted to welcome this charming and talented designer to The Exchange on Friday, December 13 between 2:00 and 5:00.

And as if that weren’t enough for a spectacular day, we are also hosting a jewelry trunk show featuring the designs of Dallas’ Hazen & Co. This fresh, new collection is one which we know our customers will love! Each piece in the Hazen collection is “made by hand, with love,” right here in Texas.

So join us on Friday, December 13 for a special day at The Exchange!

Our Hazen & Co. Trunk Show lasts all afternoon, from Noon until 5:00. And Richard Keith Langham will be with us from 2:00 - 3:30.

Michael Aram Jewelry Show

Michael Aram, the award-winning American artist known for is beautiful table top creations, gifts and sculpture, turns his talent to a jewelry collection.

We are delighted to bring the beautiful jewelry to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange for our customers to shop the collection in time for holiday gift giving season.

Trained as a painter, sculptor, and art historian, Michael deftly applies his diverse background to the wearable art in his original jewelry collection.

Join us on Thursday, November 14 between 1:00 and 4:00!

Sips and Bites...and Little Sits!

Join us on Thursday, November 7 from 2:00 - 5:00 for a very special shopping event! Muffin Lemak and Susan Palma, the founders of Little Sits, will show their designs, fabric options and monogram selections in The Exchange. Muffin and Susan, interior decorating partners, responded to clients’ requests for beautiful small-sized living room and bedroom chairs to compliment their lovely rooms. Thus, Little Sits was born!

The petite chairs are handcrafted from beechwood in Italy, then painted, monogrammed and upholstered in Dallas using designer fabrics. They also offer an engraved plaque with the child’s (or childrens’) name and birthdate. Come browse the collection and let these experts help design your custom Little Sits dream chair…in time for Christmas delivery!

Give the gift of a family heirloom this year…and join our party on Thursday, November 7

Partners Card Shopping!

St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange is proud to honor The Family Place Partners Card. The Family Place works to provide services and programs to victims of family violence including emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, trained adult & children’s counselors, transitional housing, incest recovery, youth education, job & financial training, childcare & education, legal assistance, and community advocacy.

Use your Partners Card to get a head start on your holiday shopping and enjoy 20% off on your purchase!

As our customers know, the proceeds from our store are distributed in the form of grants to the most vulnerable in our community and beyond. Shop with your Partners Card in The Exchange and lets all do more good together!

So make your list. Check it twice. Grab your Partners Card. And come to The Exchange and shop for good!

https://www.smwexchange.com/shop

A Book Signing and A Jewelry Trunk Show!

Peter Pennoyer is the principal of Peter Pennoyer Architects, his 50-person firm of architects and interior designers. The firm is recognized as a leader in new construction, renovation, and historic preservation for residential, commercial, and institutional commissions across the United States and abroad. Pennoyer is a member of Architectural Digest’s AD100 and the author of 5 books.

Interior designer Katie Ridder's work has been published in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, the New York Times, and Domino. She is regularly included in the "Top" lists of designers by magazines including House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and New York magazine.

Together, the couple authored A House in the Country, the story of their collaboration on their home in Millbrook, New York. The book contains photographs, finely rendered plans, and hand-painted illustrations to tell the home’s story. The design followed Pennoyer’s conviction that historical examples are a springboard for the imagination and offer compelling solutions for new architecture. Although many characteristics of the house are classical, it is also thoroughly contemporary. A passionate gardener, Ridder brought her design talent to the creation of the home's garden, which is prominently featured in the book as well.

This power couple of the design world joins us on Thursday, October 17 to sign their stunning book. Come meet this charming couple between 2:00 - 3:30.

We will also offer another of Pennoyer’s books, Harrie T. Lindeberg and the American Country House.

This architectural tour brings to light the genius and influence of Harrie T. Lindeberg, a leader of the American Country House Era who brought together Scandinavian, European, and American traditions. An impressive client list includes many prominent American families--Du Pont, Havemeyer, Doubleday--for whom he built houses in affluent suburbs and resorts across the country. Today, as his country houses enter their second century, a remarkable number stand as they were originally built, prized by their owners for their livability and their elegant design. Architect Peter Pennoyer and historian Anne Walker bring Lindeberg's work to life in Harrie T. Lindeberg and the American Country House. This survey of Lindeberg's most stunning and influential projects includes more than 200 photographs.

To add to the fun, New York jewelry designer Catherine Canino brings her new collection to The Exchange at the same time. The designer will show new creations, to add to the selection of her work already offered in our store.

Join us on Thursday to meet Catherine Canino, Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer…and get a jump on holiday shopping with some personalized gifts!

Book Signing with Frances Schultz

When the likes of Fannie Flagg, Charlotte Moss and Carolyne Roehm offer such high praise for a book, there isn’t much need to say more! Join us on Friday, October 11 for a fun-filled afternoon with this charming and funny author.

“The Bee Cottage Story by Frances Schultz is a true delight. Every woman in America will love this witty, wise, and wonderful book. Absolutely charming from start to finish.”

—FANNIE FLAGG, author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

“It is a rare bird that shares her failures and her successes and has you laughing hysterically at both. Frances Schultz is that rare, straight-talking Southern belle of a bird.”

—CHARLOTTE MOSS, designer and author of A Visual Life and Garden Inspirations

“I have said for years that in my next life, I want to be funny. Today, after getting to know Frances Schultz, reading her thoughtful and laugh-out-loud blog, and reveling in her marvelous book The Bee Cottage Story, I can amend my comment and say, ‘In my next life, I want to be funny—just like Frances Schultz.’”

—CAROLYNE ROEHM, designer and author of A Passion for Interiors and A Passion for Flowers

Frances Schultz’s new book debuts in November! And so we are taking pre orders for California Cooking and Southern Style, and will have the author personalize one for you when they arrive! Come in and meet Frances Schultz and leave with a signed book! A perfect opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping!

Fine Art Photography Showing

Fine Art Photographer Ken Person trains his eye and his lens on magnificent birds in their natural habitat. His Audubon photography is elegant and simple, perfectly capturing the grace of birds in flight and at rest.

Join us on Thursday, September 12 to meet the talented artist and view his work. Some pieces will be available already framed and others are matted and ready for you to frame as you choose.

Ken is also known for capturing beautiful images of Dallas, which feature the recognizable skyline and well-known landmarks.

We invite you to join us for a fun afternoon viewing Ken Person’s photography. You may even decide that an original photograph would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone special!

Custom Stationery Sale

The best time to order custom stationery, invitations, gift tags or stickers is now, while you can enjoy 30% Off on your order! Stop in the store between August 30 and September 9 to order gifts for clients, neighbors, friends, teachers, coaches...and maybe a little something for yourself.

And That's a Wrap

Mom said not to judge a book by its cover…but is it ok to judge a package by its wrapping?

Well, we think so. When Dallasites want the outside to look as special as the gift on the inside, they trust the expertise of the gift wrappers at St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange. Yes, of course the paper is measured carefully, the corners are angled perfectly and no tape is showing; but more importantly, the paper is just right for your occasion, the bow is spectacular and there is often a favor tied into the bow which makes the presentation oh-so-unique!

We wrap gifts which were purchased in our store, of course; but customers also bring in gifts they purchased elsewhere for us to wrap. Do you need it wrapped right away? No problem! We’ll wrap it while you wait. You prefer to come back tomorrow? That’s also fine!

An order for 100 corporate Christmas gifts all lined up looking like toy soldiers.

Do you need dozens and dozens of corporate gifts wrapped exactly the same way? We do it all the time.

We”ll create the perfect wrap for any occasion or any season. Wedding gift, Baby Gift, Graduation, something frilly, something masculine and a wrap for any holiday!

What about that gift which just won’t fit into a box? Also no problem! We’ll offer you the most beautiful and creative cello wrap, which allows you to present a wrapped gift and shows your creative gift through the wrapping. Here are some recent wraps, to get your creativity going!

Silver for a special wedding gift

Pink and Green on antique Blue and White

Lucky little girl!

Bar Shower perfection

Baby Shower stack!

A simple bow is enough for Dom

One in a Group of Grad Gifts!

Only in Texas

This creative customer purchased the beautiful tequila tasting set from our store, and then brought in the bride and groom's favorite tequila. We then cello- wrapped the whole thing. What a personal, clever gift to celebrate a Mexico wedding!

From classic wrapped boxes to the most irregularly-shaped items…we wrap it all!

Whether you just don’t have time to devote to wrapping your gifts or you don’t have the expertise to create the beautiful gift you want to give…we are here to help. Remember that other thing Mom always said? …Presentation Matters. We concur.

Summer Sale begins Monday, July 15!

Our annual Summer Sale

begins on Monday, July 15!

Enjoy 30% - 50% off on sale merchandise throughout the store. Gifts and Home Decor items…Jewelry…Handbags…Scarves…Candles…Stationery…Napkins…Gourmet Gifts and Specialty Foods…Religious and Inspirational items…Toddler and Children’s Clothing…the list goes on and on. Even merchandise by your favorite designers like Jan Barboglio and Michael Aram is on sale!

Better hurry in for the best selection.

Most of our sale merchandise is in the store but check our website because a few of our sale items are there too!

https://www.smwexchange.com/shop

Funds Distributed to 71 Agencies

May is an important, busy month for many of us. It marks the end of a school year and the beginning of summer. So many activities crowd the calendar that we are often winded when this hectic month comes to a close! At St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange, May is huge for us too — for a different reason!

Each May we distribute our profits from the previous year to agencies which feed the hungry, provide aid to the sick, offer shelter to the homeless and offer comfort and assistance to those on the margins. In other words, the money our store earns goes out into the world to do the important work of serving those in need.

Many of our customers know that our store is run by volunteers but may not know exactly what happens to the money we raise. For the past few months, a committee which carefully reviews grant requests has been diligently working; and now the decisions have been made. We recently delivered 72 checks to this year’s grant recipients.

Some are large, well-known agencies and some are small agencies with which you may be unfamiliar. Most are local while others do their work far from Dallas. For all 72 of them, we are honored to support the life-changing work they do.

For most of us there is likely an issue or agency that is of particular concern — a problem that weighs on our heart more than most. If that is the case for you, the chances are good that the group whose work means the most to you is on the list of agencies we support.

Do you see your favorite on the list? When you shop with us, you support them too! Do come by and make a purchase. Or shop with us online. Let us wrap your packages. And remember that when you shop at St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange, you really are Shopping For Good!

For more about our story and also the current list of our 2019 beneficiaries, click here.

https://www.smwexchange.com/about-us

https://www.smwexchange.com/current-beneficiaries-final

Gray Malin Signs ITALY on Wednesday, May 22!

On Wednesday, May 22 Gray Malin returns to St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange to greet our customers and sign copies of his latest book, ITALY.

We invite you to join us as we welcome Gray back to The Exchange to celebrate his new release. Gray Malin is a fine-art photographer and the New York Times bestselling author of Beaches, Escape and Be Our Guest, all of which are available in our store and on our website. His work hangs in homes across the world and can be found in both private and public collections. Gray is originally from Dallas and lives now in the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles with his family.

In ITALY,  Gray Malin turns his unique eye to the coasts, beaches, and landscapes of Italy. From the sparkling blue waters of the Amalfi Coast to the dramatic coastal scenery of Cinque Terre, Gray Malin: Italy captures and celebrates many of the country’s most famous and beloved destinations. Inspired by Malin’s bestselling photographic series “La Dolce Vita,” Gray Malin: Italy highlights timeless details of the Italian Riviera: happy beachgoers, retro beach umbrellas, luxury motorboats, and of course, the sun-soaked water. Featuring never-before-seen, -published, or -privately-sold images, Gray Malin: Italy beautifully depicts the incomparable scenery and enviable lifestyle that the Italian coastline has to offer.

Texas Pecan Sea Salt Gelato from Paciugo!

And to add to the fun on Wednesday, we are pleased to offer 20% off on all in-stock Gray Malin photographic prints as well as Gray Malin acrylic trays! The sale is for one day only and applies in our store and in our online shop.

You’ll definitely feel the Texas - Italy connection because our friends at Paciugo are providing gelato with a Texas twist. We’ll be serving their famous Texas Pecan Sea Salt Gelato!

So join us on Wednesday, May 22 from 1:30 - 3:30 to meet this enormously talented artist, grab a book or two, shop your favorite Gray Malin merchandise…and enjoy il refresco! Ciao!

Book Signing with Melanie Shankle

Join us on Wednesday, May 15 when the New York Times Bestselling author, and writer for The Big Mama Blog, signs her books at St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange. 2:00 - 3:30.

The charming and disarming Melanie Shankle helps her readers to see and make sense of the divine in the everyday. Her book, Everyday Holy, is your invitation to reexamine your life and find the little pieces that create a beautiful picture of a big God. She will also sign copies of Fearless Faith: 100 Devotions for Girls.

It seems to be a rite of passage for every woman: you wake up one day and think, "Wait. THIS is the life I signed up for?"

Melanie Shankle, is brave enough to say it out loud! And Everyday Holy is your invitation to find the little pieces that create a beautiful picture of a big God.

On any given day, she wonders:

Is Instagram making me crazy, or am I actually supposed to have a perfectly curated cup of coffee on my artfully rumpled throw blanket every morning?

Doubts about my faith are normal, right?

Is eating cookie dough straight from the fridge fine as long as it’s organic?

Could it be that loving my family well is my spiritual gift?

It's a common theme: Am I okay? Is my life significant? And how do we measure significance, anyway? Melanie's hilarious and poignant insight offers you the deep breath of relief that God is working in all the moments, no matter how big or how small. In 100 devotions, Everyday Holy: Finding a Big God in the Little Moments invites you to see your life as God intended: rich with opportunity and significance, even on the overwhelmingly ordinary days.

This funny Texan’s commentary on her work and her process… “Anyway, this is about me trying to live life with some semblance of grace and dignity while finding plenty of time to watch a lot of shows on Netflix, waiting for things to go on sale at Anthropologie and trying every beauty product I hear about because aging is for real.”

So join us on May 15. It promises to be a fun afternoon!

Book Signing with Architect Gil Schaffer

For award-winning architect Gil Schafer, the most successful houses are the ones that celebrate the small moments of life--houses with timeless charm that are imbued with memory and anchored in a distinct sense of place.

Schafer's ability to translate his clients' personal visions of how they want to live into a physical home has established him as one of the most sought-after, highly-regarded architects of our time.

In his new book, A Place to Call Home Schafer follows up his bestselling The Great American House, by pulling the curtain back on his distinctive approach, sharing his process (complete with unexpected, accessible ideas readers can work into their own projects) and taking us on a detailed tour of seven beautifully realized houses in a range of styles located around the country--each in a unique place, and each with a character all its own.

Opening with memories of the childhood homes and experiences that have shaped Schafer's own history, A Place to Call Home gives the reader the sense that for Schafer, architecture is not just a career but a way of life, a calling.

Part II of the book is the story of seven very different houses and the places they inhabit, including a charming cottage completely rebuilt into a casual but gracious house for a young family in Mill Valley, California; a reconstructed historic 1930s Colonial house and gardens set in lush woodlands in Connecticut; a new, Adirondack camp-inspired house for an active family perched on the edge of Lake Placid; an elegant but family-friendly Fifth Avenue apartment with a panoramic view of Central Park; and Schafer's own, newly-renovated and surprisingly modern house located just a few feet from the Atlantic Ocean in coastal Maine. In Schafer's hands, the stories of these houses are irresistibly readable.

“As a residential architect, I believe that my highest achievement is to successfully create places our clients can call home. that word “home” to me, has everything to do with comfort, family and friends —and memories, most of all. Growing up, I learned that if a house is going to feel like home, it has to create opportunities for memories, even in the smallest moments of life. ”

— Gil Schaffer

Join us on Thursday, April 25 between 2:00 and 3:30 to meet this great American talent and have him sign A Place to Call Home.

Create Coveted Invitations

St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange offers an extensive selection of personal stationery - from casual notepads to the most formal wedding invitations - and everything in between.

We know that the invitation sets the tone for the party; so whether you’re planning bridal shower for a special couple or a Mexican Fiesta for no reason at all we’ll create an invitation they’ll remember.

And speaking of weddings, we would be delighted to help you select the perfect wedding invitation! Choose a beautiful, formal engraved or letterpress design. Or pick from any one of our colorful, more casual choices. We also have a great and varied selection of all other wedding papers from shower, luncheon and rehearsal dinner invitations to formal and casual personal stationery for the bride and groom. In addition to our wide range of wedding papers, we carry custom photo albums, wedding books, and guest books, place and table cards, and even the lovely pearl pen for your guest book. Call the store at (214) 521-3862 to make an appointment with our Stationery Manager.

There is no reason to leave the children out! What better way to encourage the writing of thank you notes or letters from camp than with their own monogrammed notecards.

So whether your needs are casual or formal…whether you need 20 or 500…whether it’s a gift or your own supply is running low…stop by The Exchange. We’ve got the Write Stuff.

https://www.smwexchange.com/stationery-1