Shopping

IN THE MIX
If L.A.'s Fred Segal came to Scottsdale, he'd head straight for The Mix. This Segal-inspired group of shops has a lot more bling than Segal, but the idea's the same: Wander from store to store without realizing you've hit several boutiques, with everything from haute couture to Reef flip-flops. There are several sportswear outposts; we love Amy Inc.'s sweater dresses. But the most creative spot is Garage: A Body Shop for Kids, where we once caught a particularly petite friend (yes, an adult) trying to scrunch herself into the clothes — they're that cute. Paul Frank monkey Ts with rhinestoned crowns for the girls; Beatles grunge for the boys. And a candy bar that's just your size.
The Mix: 7154 E. Stetson Dr., 480-941-5555, www.themixshops.com

BEST OF THE WEST
Wander the streets of Old Town, and you'll be howling like the coyotes in the gift stores, looking for an original souvenir, whether for yourself or to send to Aunt Linda in Queens. Skip the rest and make your way to J. Chew, the best Mexican import shop this side of Nogales. We've found beaded headbands, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) shadowboxes, scorpions encased in plastic, and lollipops — it's all reasonably priced and much of it's even within the bounds of good taste, if you consider the kitsch factor. Then skip across the street to Saba's to kick some butt with the widest selection of cowboy boots in town.
J. Chew: 7320 E. Scottsdale Mall, 480-946-2733
Saba's: 7254 Main St., 480-949-7404, www.sabas.com

JUST BLISSED
In the same way that four-star restaurants serve food on white china plates — letting the colors, textures and tastes of the dish take center stage — Bliss Spa, at the W Scottsdale, clearly puts pampering on a white pedestal. Crisp white walls, plush white leather banquettes and soulful R&B tunes don't distract from the skillful hands of Bliss' body experts, or the intense flavor of complimentary endorphin-inducing Wicked Bakery brownie bites. Look for a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments including our secret addiction, the signature hot milk and almond pedi: a 60-minute foot massage, sloughing and hot milk soak that leaves us weak-kneed. Luckily, if you need some post-massage glitz, it's just a short walk to Glam Lounge, at The Mix Shops, where you can get a "Red Carpet" lash-to-lips makeover. Glam also stocks difficult-to-find beauty lines by Kevin Aucoin, Becca Cosmetics and actor Jack Black's famed Beard Lube.
Bliss Spa: 7277 E. camelback Rd., 480-575-0164, www.blissworld.com
Glam Lounge: 7154 E. Stetson Dr., www.glamlounge.com

SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE
If Scottsdale is the Beverly Hills of Arizona, then Fashion Square is Rodeo Drive. At first glance, the 2 million-square-foot, three-story structure looks like your average mall, with the requisite department stores such as Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. But label-savvy locals know that the main level offers designer boutiques you won't find elsewhere in Arizona, including Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson, and Hugo Boss. Accessory fiends can also worship the holy trinity of Kate Spade, Coach, and Jimmy Choo, tucked in the side wing by Dillard's.

Skip the mall's top level unless you're under 21 or have little ones in tow; with a few exceptions, this is where Fashion Square has banished the kid/teen shops and more pedestrian mall fare.

Scottsdale Fashion Square, Camelback Rd. & Scottsdale Rd., 480-941-2140, www.fashionsquare.com

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Bizarre Bazaar (rhinestone baubles)
7045 E. 3rd Ave.
480-603-1000
www.stevenpaulsalon.com

Cornelis Hollander Designer Jewelry
4151 N. Marshall Way
480-423-5000
www.cornelishollander.com

Vircille
4160 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-946-2333
www.socagallery.com

DRESS TO THRILL

Babette
7051 E. Fifth Ave., 480-947-2450
www.babettesf.com

Celebrity Encore
7121 E. Fifth Ave., Suite 21
480-481-0176
www.celebrityencore.com

Ruby
7144 E. Stetson Dr., Suite 205
480-538-7817
http://themixshops.com

Twist Boutique
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-656-4698
www.shoptwistboutique.com

THE MOD SQUAD

2B MOD
4158 N. Goldwater Blvd.
888-777-1149
www.2bmod.com

Design Within Reach
4821 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 101
480-970-8800
www.dwr.com

ODDS & ENDS

Bicycle Haus (bikes)
7025 E. 5th Ave.
480-994-4287
www.bicyclehaus.com

The Poisoned Pen (books)
4014 N. Goldwater Blvd.
480-947 2974

Pearson Company (plants/pots)
7022 E. Main St.
602-840-6447

Classy-Jazzy Fashion for Divas and Dogs (Fido)
7111 E. 5th Ave.
480-970-1894
stores.classy-jazzy.com

Purrsuasions (Kitty)
7121 E. 5th Ave., Ste. 3
480-481-0775