Arizona has a reputation for being, shall we say, behind the times. But that's not without precedent. After all, in terms of statehood, the Copper State was the 48th on the map. That's right. We sneaked in before Hawaii and Alaska hopped on board. It's a fact that Michael Spangenberg, Stephen Polando, and Nicholas Polando accept with pride. So much so that they named their lifestyle brand State Forty Eight, a line of shirts, hoodies, and accessories for men, women, and kids and emblazoned with that name. State pride never looked quite so sharp.

Consider the mattress. As a kid, bed is where you're sent when you're being atrocious. As a teen and young adult, it takes on an, uh, more exciting role. As an grown-ass person, your bed is either your sanctuary or the thing you likely dread replacing because it costs an ungodly, un-bank-accountable sum. Or at least it did until Tuft & Needle came along. Based in Arizona and California, it's a mattress company geared toward folks with an eye for quality and a thrifty sensibility. Tuft & Needle manufactures just one — one — type of foam mattress in all the standard sizes made in the United States. And we have to say, it's incredibly comfortable.

Green is the new black, and flawless skin is the new full-on foundation. Which is why Phoenix locals who love a good pampering are ditching their drugstore buys for the earthy essentials of Flora Apothecary. Founded by former makeup artist Nikki Wrangler, the all-natural line of luxurious skincare caters to men and women who could do without the chemicals in their commercial cosmetics. From body scrubs and facial elixirs to bar soaps and beard oils, all of Wrangler's artisan products are as pleasing to the senses as they are to the skin. That's because Flora Apothecary is all about opting for plant-based products such as avocado oil and mango butter over sinister sulfates and parabens. Although Flora Apothecary doesn't have a brick-and-mortar shop, it makes do with online sales and the shelves of local boutiques such as Frances, Camelback Flowershop, and La Grande Orange.

It seems everywhere you turn these days, people tout the benefits of organic and all-natural foods. Hey, no judgment. We're all for it. So it only makes sense that we also apply the same principles of what we put in our bodies to what we put on our bodies. And that's where Citrine Natural Beauty Bar comes in. The small boutique beauty supply store inside UNION at the Biltmore offers an array of all-natural beauty goods like Ilia lip products, Tata Harper body balms, and Jane Iredale hydration sprays. We're going to warn you right now, though. Once you start using these amazing, luxurious products, you may find it hard to go back to your old standbys — and Citrine doesn't exactly charge drugstore prices. But you're worth it, right?

Nix the naked nail beds and forget your French manicure. Nowadays, nail art is as much about pushing the envelope as the cuticle. Whether you're asking for avant-garde acrylics or Japanese gels, there's one place in town that caters to the cutting-edge manicure. Stash House Phoenix is the premier destination for those who want their digits done in style. The Stash's star technicians, Adreanna Corrales and Jimmy Nguyen, are accustomed to cranking out one-of-a-kind creations with all the fingertip fixings, including stone work signatures, hand-painted prints, nail piercings and tattoos, and gold foil sets that put Cleopatra to shame. With so many possibilities, it's hard to know where to start. Which is why we recommend following the salon's Instagram feed for daily inspiration: @stashhouseaz.  

Whether you're driving cross-country or across town, the Camelback Inn is a fine destination. With wonderful rooms, a lovely ballroom, top-notch dining, and an incredible desert setting, this Marriott is a cut above. Our favorite reason to drive over for a visit is the spa, a longtime favorite. From the fluffy white robes and clean locker room to the gorgeous pool and delicious but healthy menu (don't skip the gazpacho — or the "detox" margarita), this is the place to be even before you've set foot in a treatment room. Splurge on a 90-minute Swedish massage or a signature wrap, a facial, manicure/pedicure — or spend the day and do it all.

Readers Choice: Sanctuary on Camelback

We've found that dogs are man's best friends about 95 percent of the time. That other 5 percent of the time — the time you spend washing your furry friend — dogs are man's worst enemies. Whether your dog hates the water or loves it, chances are you'll be just as soaked as your pet by the time its bath is over. That is, unless you let the professionals at Wag 'N Wash do the scrubbing for you. From the standard bath in one of its specialized single-dog basins (where you can wash your pup) to new haircuts to the dreaded clipping of your dog's nails, you can trust the groomers at Wag 'N Wash with all of it. With an appointment, the staff usually will have your dog in and out in about three hours. And don't forget to grab Fido a little snack from the Wag 'N Wash bakery. These freshly baked treats smell good enough for us humans.

There are certain things you need in a good nursery. You need a friendly staff that not only knows exactly what it's talking about, but one that also will share knowledge in a way that even the most novice gardener can understand. You need a beautiful space that prominently displays the plants and offers suggestions on how you could design your own landscape. And finally (of course), you need an abundance of beautiful, thriving plants for purchase. Whitfill Nursery has all of the above and then some. With over 60 years of experience growing and raising palms, citrus, and other plants in the desert, it's easy to see why this family-owned and -operated nursery has its green thumb permanently pointed up.

Readers Choice: Moon Valley Nursery

Teresa Wilson and her stem-slinging crew at Camelback Flowershop know exactly what they're doing when it comes to positioning peonies and rearranging roses. This team is able to listen to a client's description of what is desired, envision the client's idea, and then translate the vision into a breathtaking and unique floral arrangement. And don't even get us started on how beautiful the actual shop is. After moving to a new location in the fall of 2014, Wilson and her staff have about three times the space to fill with flowers, succulents, and bouquets. Stop in on a Friday afternoon for Fresh Flower Happy Hour, from 4 to 6 p.m., for half-priced vase arrangements and steals on loose-stem flowers.

When you need posies delivered, either locally or nationally, Community Florist is there for you. Its expansive array of roses, flowers, plants, and gifts is available; so is lots of help in choosing the appropriate arrangement for any occasion. Ordering online is a snap, and for those of us who are floral-impaired, the flower-wise folks at this McDowell Road pansy shop are always happy to create a floral masterpiece for you based not on what you don't know about nasturtiums, but on your budget. It's fine with them if you announce, "I want a birthday bouquet for Mom; I have $50 to spend." They'll know what to do. Flowers, corsages, gifts, and funeral arrangements are the order of the day here, as are centerpieces and boutonnieres. We were impressed that when they were having trouble delivering our order on a recent weekday morning, they phoned us with progress reports throughout the day, until the beautiful bouquet was finally conveyed.