Big Things are Happening at the Arlington Highlands!

A long-standing shopping and entertainment mecca in the Arlington area, the Arlington Highlands is undergoing changes to make the space even more welcoming. 

Kendra Scott. Pottery Barn Outlet. These are just a few of the exciting retailers who have decided to open up shop at the Arlington Highlands within the past year. Color Me Mine, a fun arts and crafts spot for all ages, is set to open this spring. These retailers join the stores, restaurants and entertainment destinations you've come to know and love at the Highlands, including Old Navy, Gloria's and Studio Movie Grill to name a few. 

The Arlington Highlands gets a glow up!

On April 1, 2025, The Highlands debuted a $30 million renovation (phase I) with a new greenspace located in the strip of shops that leads from I-20 to Studio Movie Grill... And the space is an absolutely welcome addition to this fabulous shopping area. The greenspace includes space to walk and play as well as seated areas to relax with friends and family (covered, of course, to keep the sun or rain off your back!). My sweet gymnast loved cartwheeling all the way down the greenspace on the turf. There are pretty water features dabbled throughout, as well.

Gorgeous new water feature at the Arlington Highlands. 

Now patrons can grab a coffee from Starbucks or a to-go meal from spots such as Chicken Salad Chick or Freebird's and dine outside. Parents and friends can bring a few toys and enjoy some sunshine and chatter while the kids play in the wide-open area. Once the sun sets, the space lights up with 3,500 white lights that give the space a soft glow and make it perfect for hanging out with friends after hours. A powered, canopied stage completes the upgraded area and will be home to exciting concerts in the future! 

Brand new covered seating area at the Arlington Highlands.

Even better, the Highlands will be hosting a series of FREE events open to all starting this spring. The first event to kick off the series is a MOMumental event on May 10. The event celebrates moms just in time for Mother's Day and includes activities such as making flower arrangements, checking out pampering stations, listening to live music and more. These events will continue monthly throughout the year as a way to celebrate the new space and the community that surrounds it. 

Phase II of this project is expected to be finished by the end of 2025 and will feature additional park amenities perfect for families as well as new signage and facility upgrades.

The new signage welcoming guests to the Arlington Highlands.

We love love love the Arlington Highlands and are SO excited for all the new updates to this pretty space. Join us May 10 for the MOM-umental event... Hope to see everyone there!

*Content is sponsored by the Arlington Highlands. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Mother's Day Gifts for Mom: A Local Guide

Looking for a unique gift this Mother's Day?

I did a whole round-up on Zulily of unique gifts- some that don't cost a thing!

But if DIY gifts aren't your thing (I'm right there with you most years!), I've rounded up a few spots to shop for some unique treasures in the Arlington area that will allow you to find a unique gift for the mama in your life this Mother's Day!

Fun Shops to Find Unique Gifts in the Arlington Area

1. Anything Goes- Cute collegiate gifts, funky homewares, pretty jewelry- this Pantego shop has a wide variety of giftable items to choose from. 

2. Gracie Lane- This Cooper Street spot is actually a collection of shops that carry everything from clothes to dishes and candles to baby items. Support a variety of local vendors by shopping here!

3. Hank and Ellie- Hank and Ellie is another Pantego stop that features tons of fresh finds for every momma on your shopping list. Watch their Facebook page for specials and women's shopping nights.

4. Painted Tree Mansfield- Painted Tree is a spot where I've found lots of unique items. I bought a custom hall tree from this store, as well as multiple one-of-a-kind pictures to hang on my wall. I've also bought my fair share of clothing from here. I dare you to go in and NOT find something to buy!

5. Aria Grace Mansfield- Aria Grace is your spot if you've found an adorable shirt/bag/hat/etc. for Mom but want to go the extra mile and make it personal with embroidery or screenprinting! Add Mom's initials to a darling makeup bag or a fun hat for the beach this summer. Aria Grace also has tons of cute tshirts and trinkets in store. 

6. AndiMac Candy Shack- Got a mama with a sweet tooth (like this mama right here!)? Treat her to all kinds of sweet confections and delicious treats from AndiMac Candy Shack in downtown Mansfield. 

Does mom need a spa day? How about a gift card for a massage or other spa services at Sanford Inn & Spa? Or a gift certificate for a date night with her SO at Urban Alchemy for wine or coffee? 

Where are you shopping for treats for mom this Mother's Day?

Best of Arlington: Town Talk Foods

When it comes to shopping, I love a good treasure hunt. 

Sure, I can appreciate walking into a typical grocery store and knowing exactly where each product I need is and grabbing it, paying for it and enjoying it. There is definitely something to be said for simplicity and ease.

But I also love the thrill of finding a good deal and seeing how many unique finds I can haul home and prepare for my family. And how inexpensively I can compile a delicious meal for the dinner table.

This, friends, is where Town Talk comes in to this conversation!

Town Talks Foods has been a Fort Worth staple since 1954. In June, Town Talk came to Arlington, debuting a location by Arlington-based owner Tom Brown, who took over Town Talk in 2013. Arlington's location is at 2320 S. Collins Street, at the intersection of Collins and Arkansas. 

I got to meet with Tom, the owner, this past Monday, and talk to him about opening Town Talk in Arlington. First off, Tom was born and raised in Arlington, and opening a location locally was really a long-term goal realized for him! Hearing him talk about his store was incredible- he's so passionate! 

If you haven't been by yet, you are most certainly missing out!

I admit, I didn't really know what a salvage grocery store was during my first visit. I wandered the aisles, eyeing lots of foods I had never heard of before. Many packages were past their sell-by dates. Some prices were good. Some were really, really good. The store was organized in a similar way to a regular store, but there was no guarantee of what was on the shelves. There was no guarantee that a specific item I needed would be on the shelf at any given time.

What blew my mind, though, about Town Talk, was the fact that they work with plethora of different vendors, purchasing close outs or quick sale items at deeply discounted prices so they can pass the savings on to consumers. Food waste in the US is something you hear about semi-regularly but you (or I, at least) don't necessarily give much thought to. Town Talk is able to snap up a lot of items that might otherwise go to waste and bring them to us. On this last trip I made, I purchased plant-based frozen meals I normally pay $5 for at Sprouts for $2. I purchased Annie's pizza bagels, my girls' favorite, for $2 (they are normally at least $4 at typical grocery stores). I grabbed grapes at two full bags for $1! My $100 haul from Town Talk looks very, very different from my $100 haul from Target or Kroger.

I also learned that Town Talk has a lot of items from restaurants that were not going to be used. While Town Talk can't advertise these items as "excessive fries from XXX," that's exactly what they have bundled in the freezer section, ready for your air fryer or deep fryer. They get meat and sides from a variety of restaurants you probably eat at regularly (because I do!) that weren't sent to stores for this reason or that. So now you can purchase them, at a fraction of the cost, and prepare them at home. Score! 

I've seen some negative chatter on local Facebook groups about food past its best by date and salvage grocery stores, so I discussed this with Tom. I admit, I tend to steer clear of items that are too far past best by dates. I'm fine going back a few months (I have purchased chips that are two months gone and frozen pizzas a month or two out), but I get leery going more than about six months past, especially depending on the nature of the item. If you, like me, get nervous about food past it's Best By date, here is an article that really opened my eyes: Food Expiration Dates. Another bit of info that blew my mind- do you know how much grocery stores pay each month to dump food that can no longer be sold? Y'all... These statistics are nuts. Town Talk alone pays about $4,000 per month to dump food that can no longer be sold. Can you imagine what a monthly bill must be for a mega store such as Walmart or Kroger?

Town Talk is truly a gem of a store that we are lucky to have here in Arlington. Not only is it owned by a local resident, it provides inexpensive food to families from all walks of life. Tom gives tours of the store every Thursday at 10, and he loves what he does. Stop in and visit with him during that regular meet up, or call him up and request a tour any time. He will tell you all about this great store and the suppliers from whom he gets his products. I love hearing from business owners who are passionate about their businesses!

Have you been to Town Talk? I'd love to hear about the steals and deals you've found there in the comments!