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.comSCOTTSDALE 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.comDRESS 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