Shopping & Services

Does Fluffy need a scrub? Scared to cut her nails? Don't feel like expressing your best friend's anal glands (yeah, we didn't think so)? Then load her in the car and take her over to Wag 'N Wash, where the friendly staff will gladly give her a spray-down and tune-up. The Melrose district dog groomer offers a full-service pet spa as well as a do-it-yourself option. Prices range from about $13 to $36 depending on the size of your pet and the service you want. Hint: A full-grown husky with all that hair will be more than a 20-pound Boston terrier. While you're there, grab some of the fresh-baked doggy treats and a new play toy. Your dog will be in heaven — and smell good, too — when you get home.

One of the Valley's best-kept secrets, the Roastery of Cave Creek was started by Dave Anderson as a small operation that roasted estate-grown organic coffee for some of the best local restaurants. Chances are you've sipped this expertly roasted coffee once or twice without even knowing it. If you have had a cup of joe with your breakfast or brunch at Matt's Big Breakfast, Bertha's Café, or Vovomeena, you have tasted the divine elixir that results from these exceptional coffee beans. There are several single varietals and blends available from ROC2, but they all have in common a great sense of balance, full-bodied flavor, and rich smoothness. These beans can be purchased directly at the roastery or by e-mailing [email protected]. The blend made especially for Bertha's Café can be purchased at the restaurant.

There's something so addictingly romantic about sipping a shot of espresso, cleansing your palate with the accompanying sparkling water, and pondering life's great mysteries while sitting in the open, airy Giant Coffee lounge in Central Phoenix. For local espresso lovers, Giant's Four Barrel Friendo Blendo espresso is a high point in a town of many great coffee joints. Two dollars gets you your shot and the side shot of sparking water, which is an unbeatably cheap pick-me-up. The thick, almost syrup-like consistency of the espresso paired with its tart fruit notes somehow make the perfect companion to Giant's flaky, savory quiche, which has been known to contain bacon, goat cheese, and pecans on certain days. That combo is sure to get you moving, maybe right across the street to the Phoenix Art Museum — now, doesn't that sound like a lovely day?

When Central Phoenix locals want to show off their neighborhood know-how to out-of-town guests, chances are they take them to Lux Central. Stationed in a nondescript building, this hipster hotspot houses a lively interior of mismatched mid-century furniture, typewriter centerpieces, grandma-chic dishware, and a seemingly endless maze of rooms in which to work, study, and socialize. Open from the wee hours and back again, Lux triples as a coffee shop, bar, and restaurant, serving up mason jars of iced lattes, as-you-like-it cocktails, and an ever-changing made-to-order menu. With so much action happening in one place, it's no wonder Lux draws such an around-the-clock assortment of people. From posh professionals and caffeinated study groups to late-night socialites and (don't say we didn't warn you) a fair share of awfully loud religious zealots, Lux Central is a miscellaneous mecca.

Shine started off as a retro trailer coffee shop that cropped up at different farmers markets and events in downtown Phoenix. Since then, it's expanded to include a permanent coffee stand just south of Thomas Road off of Central Avenue. Though the small outdoor shack still serves up some of the best pastries in town, like raspberry peach handpies and orange blossom shortbread, the best part is Shine's brand-new "Living Room" lounge in the neighboring building. It may seem intimidating to walk into a separate building with your wickedly delicious vanilla bean latte in tow, but once inside, you'll find a space that looks like a living room anyone would be happy to call their own, with lovely vintage furniture, great local art and mellow, ambient music — the perfect environment for reading a book or getting a boatload of work done. Plus, unlike most living rooms, there's no TV to distract you.

Pomegranate Café is as much about fresh juices, teas, and gluten-free, organic, local and vegan cuisine as it is about the coffee — maybe more so. But that suits us just fine when we're in South Phoenix, because it's nice to have a cafe to go to when we want a caffeine rush with a side of über-healthy. The kombucha and cleansing juices are definitely a more chakra-friendly option to your classic coffee drinks, but the espresso drinks are nothing to sneer at, either. If you get hungry after your soy latte, the simple, wholesome menu includes vegan burgers, raw tacos, kale salads, gluten-free bowls, and some great granola. Picky eaters with a laundry list of diet restrictions are always welcome at Pomegranate Café, which is good 'cause it's hard to find many other places in the Valley to take them while still satisfying our caffeine needs.

Coffee is best served with a conscience, and at Elevate, you can feel as though you're doing your part every time you buy a cup of java. That's because 10 cents of every cup you buy at Elevate goes toward clean water in Africa. If warm fuzzies aren't your thing and you're just an espresso addict in a rush, you can text in orders, park in the 15-minute reserved parking and get in and out on the quick — an offer you surely won't get waiting in line at Starbucks. Though Elevate's prices seem slightly elevated, with a 16-ounce mocha running nearly $5, the up-charge goes to a good cause. Plus, the pleasantly balanced mocha at Elevate is just slightly sweet and really lets its chocolateliness come through. Pair one of those with any of their tasty crepes that are $3 to $7 and hang out in a comfy, plush chair all day. You'll see why we keep stopping off Happy Valley Road to go there.

Luci's Healthy Marketplace admittedly is much more than just a coffee shop, but it seems as though every cafe is nowadays. Part upscale grocer, part restaurant, part cafe, Luci's offers a lot of scrumptious options for the NoPho crowd. The coffee bar features freshly baked treats from one of our favorite local bakeries, Urban Cookies, giving everyone even more opportunity to try the award-winning sweets. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the décor is the perfect mix of nostalgic retro and modern that you'd look for in a local market. The selection of teas and juices also makes Luci's a great place to bring a crowd of not-so-caffeine-obsessed friends. The cafe even offers gluten-free options for the no-wheat eaters in your life and Sunday night cooking classes for the culinarily curious.

Press Coffee is giving our favorite Tempe coffee roaster a run for its money by roasting its own beans, elevating the standards for craft coffee in the Valley to a new high. The coffee house, which was opened by local newswoman Tram Mai in 2010 in Scottsdale, is a bright, clean, and simple shop, contrasting other local cafes' sometimes cave-like or ultra-kitschy vibes. Press also has two locations in Phoenix (one of which is in Sky Harbor Airport), but we prefer to stop into Press between shopping excursions at the Scottsdale Quarter, giving us that extra push after a long day of spending too much money. Press also is dedicated to teaching Phoenix about coffee roasting, brewing, and tasting through tours and educational events for the aspiring coffee aficionado.

In the world of locally roasted coffee, Cartel Coffee Lab is king, and there's pretty much no dethroning Cartel as it expands its flagship location. Forget about pastries and fancy flavorings, Cartel is all about the coffee, which is so good that other coffee shops in town have no choice but to brew with it as well. Celebrities, hipsters, and coffee snobs all agree, so stop pretending Cartel coffee isn't great, because it is. We don't need perky, obnoxious baristas or a double mocha frappa-whatever with whip, but we will take a beer with our shot of espresso since Cartel's recent expansion means the coffee maker also started brewing beer in-house, giving us pretty much no reason to leave, ever. Cartel coffee in the morning and Cartel beer at night — they can just take our wallet now that we can actually find somewhere to sit in the busy coffee house.

Holy tasty cupcakes, Batman! We love dropping into The Coffee Shop after chowing down on a juicy burger and crispy fries at the neighboring Joe's Farm Grill. The Cupcake Wars-winning bakery is not all cake and frosting, though. Grab a foamy, frothy, and nutty cappuccino, which pairs ideally with the homemade whoopie pies, and you'll see what the buzz is about. The vibe of The Coffee Shop is clean, classic, bright, and, like all of the Agritopia area, sweeps you away to a simpler, slower era. The calming surroundings and the great food and drink make for a must-stop spot to hang out for a few hours and chat with friends. The Coffee Shop also offers tasty breakfast options, like a cravable build-it-yourself breakfast sandwich, which is a quick and tasty option for Gilbert folks on the run.

We usually like our coffee extra-large, extra-hot, and extra-early in the morning. But at Ethiopian Famous Restaurant and Coffee, the coffee comes pretty much in exactly the opposite fashion. The after-dinner coffee ceremony brings traditional Ethiopian practices to the Valley through restaurant owner Abebech Ejersa. For $12, she'll don traditional coffee ceremony garb and take you through the entire cycle of roasting, boiling, and sipping tiny teacups of strong, black coffee — the way it's supposed to be done. Aside from the alluring scent of roasting green coffee beans, you'll experience baskets of Ethiopian bread and popcorn, perfect for snacking while you watch the beans turn rich and brown. You'll have to make a reservation at least an hour in advance, but that just means you have plenty of time to enjoy one of Ejersa's delicious platters of Ethiopian cuisine. The wait will be well worth it.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 16, 2014. It's going to be a weekend heyday for bookworms and literary fanatics who travel from far and wide to see what's been deemed worthy and interesting by the Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association (VNSA).

Members of the local nonprofit spend all year, every year, sorting through thousands of book donations dropped in parking lot bins and carted in by book-recycling programs. The best (around half a million) hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books, and rare items make it to the sales tables at the Arizona State Fairgrounds every year to be snapped up by avid readers at a fraction of the price you'd find on Amazon or big-box bookstores.

This year's 57th annual event was billed as one of the largest book sales in the country and the "Valley's Greatest Treasure Hunt," which all began in the 1950s as the fundraising arm of what's now the Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association, with a logo drawn by local comic hero Bil Keane. The organization since has held an annual book sale to raise money for the community. In its first year, VNSA raised $900, and since, the organization has traded used books for more than $6 million. We can't wait to see what's sifted out of this year's loot.

From the outside, Gilbert Convenient Mart doesn't look like much at all — just your standard corner store, intriguing only in that it doesn't have a steeple, like the 30 or so Mormon churches that surround it. But walk inside and you may be struck with a religious experience. It's not the size of the selection so much as the variety — few other shops in the Valley offer such a well-curated list of bottled craft beers. One-time releases from small breweries, seasonal rarities, and seldom-seen imports often can be found here, and the guys who buy them are great about posting online and letting you know exactly when they're available. If you can't make it right away, let them know and they'll hold some bottles for you, protecting your booze from the plague of beer geeks who may descend upon it. A bottle shop for a lover on a mission, to be sure.

In case you haven't noticed, the industrial trend has taken over. From restaurants and retailers to posh bars and personal spaces, everyone is shifting gears with their décor, opting for a style of mechanical statement pieces and streamlined steel furniture. Unfortunately, like most things trendy, it's hard to stay modern without looking mass-produced. Though it's easy enough find some refurbished replica at retail giants like CB2 and Restoration Hardware, if you want your industrial home to truly stand on its own, your best bet is to go custom. Vintage Industrial offers brand new industrial pieces made to look vintage with the added bonus of being customized. Their motto, "Built by hand to outlast us all," attests to the quality of the company's made-to-order products and grants them such high-end clients as MGM Grand, Four Seasons, and Guy Fieri. Located in a nondescript warehouse in downtown Phoenix, Industrial Vintage is not zoned for a public showroom, and thus visits must be made by appointment only.

Let's face it: Given the state of journalism these days, any reporter worth his or her salt has a plan B. And ours follows our raging thirst, all the way to one of the nine Total Wine megastores in the Valley. After all, we already spend an inordinate amount of our copious free time trolling the aisles, perusing the 8,000 wines, 2,500 beers and 3,000 liquors from all over the world. And though the prices are lower than just about any retail shop, dropping wads of cash on a push-cart full of booze can get habit-forming, not to mention drinking the stuff. Then there are the wine classes, the tastings, the on-tap beer bar, the variety of noshes on sale, and a humidor with a fine selection of cigars. Imagine waking up every day and getting to spend eight hours in such a place. And they pay you. Which is a good thing, because we'd almost work there for free.

Locally run liquor stores are usually known for poor service and a small Bud Light-dominant stock housed in a sketchy, possibly drive-thru atmosphere. However, downtown Tempe's Tops Liquor fights every small liquor store stereotype. It took us years of satisfied drinking to taste-test the regular roster of hundreds of beers at Tops. From stouts to hefes and even mead from all over the world, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll find at least one beer that you like. Best of all, the knowledgeable and friendly staff is always quick with a great recommendation if you can't pick, or you can just meander through the east wall to Taste of Tops to try one out before you buy a pack. We recommend snagging any case of craft brew from their sale section for the best deal. The liquor department is equally well stocked.

After a long day wading the mire of Arizona politics, sometimes a cigar is in order — or, perhaps if we're working a story that calls for a more sleuthing style, a good ol' Sherlock Holmes-style pipe. Which is why, when we want tobacco, we visit Ye Olde Pipe & Tobacco Shoppe. The shop has a huge humidor for those premium cigars we crave, and bundled grab bags for the smokes we can actually afford. There are couches and a smoking area if you feel like hanging out with other aficionados. If you're new to the scene, the staff is knowledgeable, genial, and are typically gumming or puffing a cigar of their own. But if pipes are your calling, they've got starters, estate pipes and handmade Italian Savinelli pipes. If you can't find it at Ye Olde Pipe & Tobacco Shoppe (or if they can't order it for you), then you probably can't smoke it.

Blaze loves glass. Other bong shops lay claim to quality; some can even back it up with what's on the shelves. Blaze is different. Its two locations, in Tempe and Phoenix, carry a shit-ton more varieties of waterpipes, bubblers, and pipes than your run-of-the-mill head shops. And it has better prices, carrying California-made glassware by companies such as Illusion and Sillica. One piece we took home was easily two-thirds the price of similar items we've bought elsewhere, with a thick sturdiness that means it won't break when we're feeling too loose and set it down too hard. The stores don't fix waterpipes anymore, speaking of broken smokin' devices, but they still seem to be friends with talented glassmakers who spin funky shapes and colors. If you must spend $900 on a bong, you need to at least take a look at Blaze's stock. No matter your budget, it's got shelves of hookahs, plastic bongs, and anything else a fashionable toker needs.

book by its cover. In the case of the elegant, simple White Hogan building in Scottsdale, it wouldn't be wild to assume its innards reflect the shell. It wouldn't be incorrect, either. (The typically drool-worthy window displays might tip you off, too.) That's because the building houses Fashion by Robert Black, where you'll find the best selection of vintage clothing the Valley has to offer. With fab jewelry, sunglasses, hats, and wearables that date anywhere from the 1920s to the '80s, there's no way to not find something that's wish-list-worthy — particularly if you have a yen for well-made dresses and/or luxury brands. Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Pucci are just a few of the designers you'll find gracing the racks and mannequins. Feel free to judge them by their cuts and colors — we'll be gawking right there with ya.

In addition to being a serious art form, circus acrobatics has become a trendy way to stay fit, and in downtown Phoenix, this total-body practice is made accessible for both athletes and fitness newbies alike. Class levels start with beginner aerial yoga, practiced in a safe, comfortable hammock to encourage development of basic strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness. To get a feel for flight, introductory series in acrobatics help students get comfortable on performance apparatuses like silks, rope, and trapeze. And, for those who dream of running away to join a traveling circus show — dancing high above the cheering crowd, suspended on a spinning metal hoop — Altitude offers higher-level instruction to fine-tune acrobatic technique and learn daring mid-air drops. Director Nicole Crist has a background in jazz and modern dance and first took to the sky in 2005, studying with top performers in NYC. She returned to Phoenix last year to bring aerial acrobatics to Arizona and teach, collaborate, and choreograph this exciting movement art in her safe, supportive studio.

GROWop is a group effort. The RoRo-adjacent shop's owners, Josh Hahn and Kenny Barrett, work with local designers and makers to stock the plaid-painted bungalow storefront. That means it's a great place to discover up-and-coming Phoenix-area creatives alongside Hahn and Barrett's handpicked vintage pieces, like plaid button-ups, kitschy home décor, and patterned skirts. The pair also works with national brands like Pendleton's The Portland Collection to keep ultra-fresh finds in stock. Between the vintage goodies, local wares, and über-new clothing, there's always something worth toting home.

Bob and Mandy Russell are the father-daughter team behind online luxury fashion exchange Klury. The pair set out to make designer fashions accessible for folks on any kind of budget, and with their online storefront, they succeed in spades. They'll buy items directly from people's closets through an e-mail and mailing system that guarantees quality and label authentication. Phoenix-area fashionables looking to consign items can set up an in-person appointment to have their pieces listed. Buying takes less effort, though, as Klury boasts such stylish stock as Miu Miu purses, Elizabeth & James pumps, and Oliver Peoples sunglasses. So chic. So cheap. Definitely worth freaking out over.

When we hear the term "antiques mall," we expect to be overwhelmed — a wide selection, numerous vendors, and the potential to spend at least an hour browsing. Luckily, Zinnias at Melrose delivers. With roughly 30 vendors, this mall offers an expansive selection of retro, modern, industrial, and the increasingly popular grandma chic. Like an everyday garage sale, this Seventh Avenue warehouse includes aisles of midcentury Pyrex dishware, vintage suitcases, discarded mannequins, commercial signage, and an endless sea of tchotchkes — souvenir cups, porcelain figurines, you name it. Of course, while Zinnia's at Melrose is a great way to save time and money in your antique shopping adventures, a good thrifter should always proceed with a keen eye — because while one man's trash is another man's treasure, it can easily end up the other way around.

Burlesque queen Kitty Victorian is on a quest to transform the mousy wallflowers of the Valley into empowered va-va-voom vixens of stage. And she's doing it one tassel twirl at a time via her Burlesque University. Based out of its studio within the historic Laird Apartment building near Third Avenue and McDowell Road, the school offers a pair of six-week courses of study to instruct women interested in embracing their more sensual side, learning the art of the tease, or joining the ranks of professional dancers. The first, Burlesque 101, sees Victorian teach would-be peelers how to shake their lovely lady lumps, put together a routine, and assemble costuming (among other topics). It all leads up to a graduation performance at the school's ongoing Birthday Suit Burlesque revues. Students can continue their training in Burlesque 201, which tackles the business end of the trade (like learning how to market yourself or applying to festivals) and teaches how to accentuate one's burgeoning talents through various drop-in sessions concerning fan-dancing or pin-up modeling. For those who aren't trying to become the next Dita Von Tease, who are more interested in overcoming shyness or spicing up their relationships, the school also offers fun one-off sessions with subject matter ranging from "How to Strip For Your Lover" to "Confidence for Curvy Girls."

Herbie Hancock's groundbreaking 1983 song "Rockit" was a landmark piece of DJ culture. It introduced the art of record scratching to the masses while inspiring thousands of future wax workers, including local selector Jay "Akshen" Valdez. And its historical and personal impact is why he uses the song as the basis for some of the many lessons that make up the various "Turntableology 101" curriculum he teaches at Cyphers. Akshen, who's been spinning for 28 years, covers the ins and outs of the ones and twos at the Center for Urban Arts via a few different options. On the final Friday of every month, Valdez conducts a two-hour symposium (open to potential platter jocks of any age) that's aimed at introducing them to the art of DJing using a hands-on approach. It features loads of history — including the contributions of Kool Herc and Grand Wizard Theodore, as well as "a lot of nerdy stuff" — and firsthand experience with turntables and mixing gear, and guest appearances by such local club scene veterans as DJ Reflekshin. (Additional less-structured versions focusing solely on kids ages 5 to 12 also are offered separately on various Saturday afternoons.) Teens and adults eager for additional schooling can then enroll in a more comprehensive 12-week program that starts in late fall and emphasizes such vital skills as beat-juggling, cuing, and song-selecting. Valdez already has led at least one prodigy to major success: his son, DJ Yeah, who was recognized in 2004 as the youngest scratcher ever, at age 5. So, if he can teach a hyperactive tyke how to light up the decks, we're sure he can school you — or your kids.

For a girly vintage fix in downtown Phoenix, Andrea Engelsberg's Annie Boomer Vintage fits the feminine bill. Engelsberg cops to loving frills, pleats, lace, and delicate details. But the shop girl's eye for grown-gal style means the shop's stock promises delightful, not babydoll, duds. The bungalow boutique holds fringed flappery dresses and hand-painted wedges, plus kookier finds like a two-piece blue leather motorcycle outfit.

1810 North Scottsdale Road, Tempe 480-947-8245Looking for the perfect pair of broken-in Levi's 501s? How about a nicely distressed denim jacket? Maybe some beautifully frayed high-waist cutoffs, while we're at it? Jot Blue Jean Buyer down on your shops-to-visit list. Now. The small store packs in a whole lot of the everyman's heavy-duty cotton textile. In fact, you'll find a whole wall dedicated to it, a wall covered with more cuts, colors, and styles than you'll find on your best day of Goodwill hunting. Unsure of how to style your rocker-biker item? No thing. You'll find nicely worn band T-shirts, leather jackets, turquoise jewelry, and rugged boots and belts, too.

We were rooting around in the family safe and came across Dad's old Bulova wristwatch. A gorgeous rose gold with a tinted, magnified crystal, it had been Mom's wedding day gift to Dad in 1946 and was inscribed to him with love. It was dead as a doornail, but how could we not send it out for restoration? We braced ourselves: Restoring a nearly 70-year-old watch would not only be costly, we figured, but might also mean dealing with some snotty weirdo who wanted to talk us into buying matching earrings or something else equally annoying.

Boy, were we wrong. A quick Internet search for "vintage watch restoration Phoenix" turned up — huzzah! — a Phoenix-based service called Vintage Watch Restoration, which resulted in one of the best jewelry experiences we've ever had. In the watch-repair business since 2001, owner Bruno Park (a charming, French-speaking fellow from the island of Mauritius) not only came and picked up Dad's watch from our office, but ended up charging us less than his already-low estimate for repair and restoration. (Park also accepts watches through the mail and reportedly does international business as a restorationist.) We wear Dad's watch every day now, and it not only looks great and makes us feel closer to him, but it tells time, too. Now we're scrounging around, looking for other broken watches for Mr. Park to repair.

From Halloween to Easter, it seems we never run out of reasons to play dress-up. But when the seasonal pop-up shops are gone and all you can find online are sexy substitutes, there's one place in town that keeps the role-play rolling. Easley's Fun Shop has been bringing the fun to Phoenix for more than 60 years, starting as a magic store, expanding with gag gifts and novelty items, and ultimately filling its floor space with one of the largest selections of costumes in town. Easley's is a hard-to-miss yellow warehouse wonderland offering costumes for sale and for rent, for kids and adults, for dogs, and, well, you get the picture. Whether you're just looking for the final touches of a wig and makeup or the full get-up to buy or rent, Easley's is the easy answer to all your costume needs.

Let's get real. You're never going to get through your list of Pinterest to-dos. Nobody has the time to stencil cat patterns on her walls, make a lampshade from old dishtowels, and paint intricate patterns on her fingernails. And that's a-okay. Because nobody in town does nail art better than Scottsdale nail bar Terés. Whether you want each nail to resemble a tiny watermelon slice or a reverse glitter fade is more your style, the nail techs at this salon pride themselves on creativity. Heck, they even post their coolest hand creations on Instagram to inspire — and maybe show off a little, too. And don't worry about keeping track of your favorite colors and combos. The salon keeps track of all the manis you've had, from single-tint plain-Jane projects to arty gel works, on a bar tab-style card that ensures you'll never have to worry over remembering the colorful name of your favorite shade.

Ask any beauty parlor frequenter what her upkeep budget is, and it's likely she'll tell you that keeping up appearances can cost a pretty penny. That is, if she's willing to spill her secrets and doesn't give you the old "I just get plenty of rest and drink lots of water" routine. We call B.S. Chances are good that, unless her bank account is bottomless, she knows where to get a smokin' deal on nail treatments and haircuts. Such is the allure of one of the Valley's newest beauty schools, Aveda Institute Phoenix. Sure, the reason you get great deals on treatments like the Yume Japanese Hair Spa Experience (which includes a deep-conditioning hair treatment, scalp massage, and facial starting at $40) is because students are performing them. But they're fully supervised by trained staffers who make sure everything goes as smoothly as you'll feel after one of Aveda's waxing treatments, which cost anywhere from $12 to $45-plus. Also on the menu are gel manis for $25 (including removal of your old gel), makeup lessons for $35, and the divine sounding Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap at $35.

Between Camelback and Mummy mountains is our favorite retreat. The Spa at Camelback Inn is the perfect place to spend a day unwinding solo. It's quiet. It's tucked away. There's no traffic. No TV. No phone. You'll just hear the sounds of flowing water and gentle, gentle music in the background. With the purchase of a one-hour service (which could be a massage, facial, or body treatment), you'll receive a one-day spa pass that grants access to pools, saunas, private cabanas (you can reserve one), and fitness facilities. Our advice? Block out a whole day to spend at the supremely relaxing facilities, and walk the tranquil grounds of its resort once your time's up.

Misty Guerriero is a daring dresser. Pattern, color, texture, and shape are all to be played with. And if you take a trip to her Phoenix storefront, that's all you'll want to do. Guerriero dares her shoppers to push their style boundaries. Try a bold print. Give a powerful silhouette a shot. Put 'em together and you'll have something aligned with her globetrotting fashion sense; she likes to call it gypset style, a movement associated with boldly dressed world roamers (Gypsy plus jet-set equals gypset). If the head-to-toe anything isn't for you, don't fret. Guerriero has an unparalleled eye for color and pattern, and she'll share her tips and tricks for wearing her worldly goods well.

The recently refurbished AAWL is a terrific place to adopt a cat or dog — and we're equally fond of their educational programs. If you have a scout troop, you can arrange for a tour of the exotic animal room (complete with resident hedgehog — they won't let you pet her, but still, cool, huh?) and if you have a free week in the summer, for a fee (warning: it's not the cheapest summer camp in town) Junior can even learn how to be a vet. Well, not quite — but close.

Kids 12 and up will dissect a cow eyeball, give a kitten an examination, watch operations and observe a few things we are too squeamish to describe here, but which are sure to thrill your not-easily-grossed-out kid. Ours emerged ready to apply to medical school. Just try to end the week without adopting (yet another) puppy. We dare you.

Ever seen a yellow anaconda? How about a green anaconda? What about a false water cobra? The water cobra is six feet long, can flatten its neck to look similar to the Indian cobra (the snakes that dance in baskets to flute music), is slightly venomous, and is for sale in Tempe at Reptile Mogul Exotics. Owner Jared Ohsman has 20 years' experience handling reptiles and other animals normally reserved for nightmares and that scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Reptile Mogul Exotics has plenty of pythons, boas, lizards, scorpions, and tarantulas as well as docile reptiles like chameleons, geckos, and turtles for sale. For those of us who enjoy the idea of falling asleep next to an animal that could potentially escape from its cage and attack us, Reptile Mogul Exotics is where we shop to keep on our toes.

While the Melrose Curve is a reputable source of repurposed relics and midcentury marvels, there's one Seventh Avenue store in particular that has people literally lining up out the door. Every Third Thursday through Sunday of each month, Sweet Salvage opens its warehouse (now with A/C) to a swarm of trendy thrifters and antique addicts looking for the good stuff. The store's sweet selection of vintage treasures and industrial gems is always tied together by a monthly theme ("summer loving," "salvage secrets," and "let them eat cake," to name a few) and compiled by a team of experienced dealers, handpicked by Sweet Salvage's chief junk queens, Kim Rawlins and Katie Hibbs. From antique signs and kitchenware to vintage soda crates and card catalogs, Sweet Salvage's diverse selection of distressed goods goes quickly in the height of the industrial home trend, which is why we recommend showing up early to this three-day-only sale or, better yet, purchasing a preview ticket so you can beeline it to your favorite flea market finds in the morning.

Children of the '80s are guaranteed to dig the Arizona Collectors Marketplace. Ditto for anyone who grew up playing with Stretch Armstrong, the Six Million Dollar Man, or the original 12-inch G.I. Joe dolls. That's because toys, games, comic books, and other remnants of the era occupy practically every inch of this 7,000-square-foot bazaar of brightly colored plastic. Childhood memories of watching cartoons show like Thundercats and M.A.S.K. while playing with the respective action figures are certain to surface once you step inside.

More than 15 vendors operate tiny bodegas and closet-size stalls throughout the marketplace, some specifically focused on a particular fandom or franchise. To wit: Grey Rogers' shop G.I. Joe vs. Transformers contains stuff from Hasbro's two biggest product lines, while Game Over Games offers stacks of cartridges for classic consoles (ranging from the Atari 2600 and NES to the Nintendo 64) as well as vintage versions of the systems. Other shops have a bit of everything, like Phoenix Comics and Toys' impressive selection of bagged and boarded back issues, a surfeit of Marvel Universe figures, and even original stills from Star Trek: The Animated Series.

There's also a bit of a museum feel to the marketplace, as multiple floor-to-ceiling glass cases contain such relics as Dukes of Hazzard lunchboxes, Evel Knievel race cars, or Shogun Warriors imported from Japan. Everything's for sale, including the items on the extra tables setup for the twice-weekly swap meet on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings by other local dealers and geeks hawking their wares. Just don't exhaust all of your allowance, okay?

Yeah, that's a coffin inside Cellar Door Vintage. And, yes, there's a skeleton inside it. You could say shopkeepers Jake and Eyndia Ooley have a thing for bizarre buys. It seems to stem from the married couple's shared love of punk and goth rock — The Misfits, in particular. The pair also has a good grip on cool T-shirts of the vintage variety, which probably make up the majority of Cellar Door's stock. Shuffle through the racks and you'll find well-worn shirts adorned with team championship bragging, Disney iconography, and the Coors Light logo. Not only do they look cool, they have pretty punk origin stories.

Walking into Pratt's pet shop for the first time might catch your nostrils off guard. Well, there is no "might" about it — the smell of farm animals is not bad so much as it's foreign to the nose of a suburbanite. But get past that, because this shop is amazing — like a little zoo, but you can take these animals home with you. If you're looking to save money on eggs, Pratt's will sell you a laying hen for $20. A young hen will set you back only $12. But why stop at the chicken? Pratt's is stocked with other feathered and furry animals, including lovebirds, finches, a Blue Fronted Amazon, noisy doves and pigeons, puppies, a goat, gerbils, ferrets, bunnies, and pot-bellied pigs. They also have, by the way, a 10- to 12-foot Burmese python that — should you regret any of your other pet purchases — will gladly feast on small furry or feathered animals. Or you can just pick up some of the high-end and organic food and great pet treats the store sells for way less than you'd pay at the big-box pet stores.

It's not easy being green — especially in Phoenix. Luckily, the garden gurus at Baker Nursery in Arcadia are here to help. For more than 40 years, Baker has been bringing some much-needed TLC to the backyard landscape. Offering a vibrant array of seasoned and desert-suitable plant life, from citrus trees and cacti to herbs and hibiscus, Baker Nursery is as much a pleasure to walk through as its knowledgable staff is to talk to. Knowing that not all of us have the greatest track record with Mother Nature, the staff will set out to find just the right plant to fit your yard, and more importantly your maintenance level. Whether its frostbitten fauna or suffering succulents, Baker Nursery will give you the tools and tips to recover your pathetic-looking plants or, at the very least, replace them with something better.

Stinkweeds more than makes up for what it lacks in size with its music selection and online offerings. The small, independent music store in the Medlock Plaza (on the northwest corner of Camelback and Central Avenue) has been a Valley mainstay for years. In that time, Stinkweeds has stayed true to its indie roots. The store's staff knows its stuff and is always willing to give new music suggestions. Keep your eyes peeled when browsing the racks for special releases and limited-edition vinyl. Don't forget to check the latest upcoming shows on the store's live music board, and make sure to ask for a poster on your way out. Staff always has free album art at the ready.

Strangely enough, that would-be dead-as-the-dodo retail outlet known as the record store is making a comeback. For evidence, look no further than this tiny shop along Scottsdale Road between Indian School and Camelback Road. We dig this outpost of vinyl because of what it's not: a catch-all receptacle for the kind of mass-produced platters you tend to see at most used record stores. (So, for 99-cent copies of gajillion sellers by Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and AC/DC, Meatloaf, and The Boss, you're gonna have to look elsewhere.)

No, John Rose's shop is where you'll find very-good-to-near-mint copies of cool old (and most likely long-forgotten) R&B, country, rockabilly, and exotica acts. There's also a solid selection of garage, punk, and New Wave slabs from the '80s and '90s. Why, just recently, we nabbed a beautifully preserved copy of 1967's Carryin' on with Johnny Cash and June Carter for about $8, a $3 copy of Nick Lowe's The Abominable Showman, and the Amuck compilation of early Phoenix punk for $12. We almost picked up a $15 long-out-of-print copy of the Circle Jerks' debut, Group Sex, to go along with it all, but we gotta eat, too.

Changing Hands isn't just the best bookstore in the Valley. It's one of the best bookstores in the country. That's not just because of the books. And we're not talking about the gift section, although that's awfully nice. It's the people. From founders Gayle Shanks and Bob Sommer down to the clerks at the cash register, we can't help smiling as we reluctantly end our bookstore experience and head off to run our other errands.

The other day, our 10-year-old put it best. "I love Changing Hands so much I want to marry it!" she announced. That had a little to do with the book she'd just purchased and much more to do with the fact that the clerk who sold it to her actually held up the line so she could read a bit of it aloud to him.

That's not going to happen to you on Amazon.

Soon the local book scene will be twice as nice, as Changing Hands (finally!) opens a second location in Central Phoenix. We plan to be the first in line. Right behind the 10-year-old.

When it comes to Midcentury Modern furniture, there's not a shop that does it quite like Modern Manor in the Melrose District. With big-name designer pieces from the likes of Charles and Ray Eames and Arne Jacobsen (and the price points to match), the warehouse-style store offers space-age styles, super-simple mod pieces, and glam Hollywood Regency, too. Its owners have such a knack for decorating that they've started staging on-the-market post-war homes remodeled by Rafterhouse. But more exciting for its shoppers is the recent addition of concrete artisan Brandon Gore's shop Hard Goods, relocated into the room that formerly housed metal lettering — as if we needed another reason to keep our wallets at the ready when browsing the emporium.

Labeling Lawn Gnome Publishing a used bookstore is almost unfair, because it's so much more. The brainchild of Aaron Hopkins-Johnson has hosted poetry readings, lectures series, musical performances, zine fests, and an assortment of other events since it opened its doors in February 2012. Located in a small house in the heart of the Roosevelt district, with brightly colored shelving and wood floors, Lawn Gnome is the quintessential quaint indie bookstore. The selection is smallish, but it's the perfect size for browsing; you might not always find what you came into the store looking for originally, but usually you'll find something better.

Perhaps a trip to the comics shop sounds like a nostalgia-ridden adventure down memory lane. While it can certainly serve that function, Ash Avenue Comics is big on the now. With a solid selection of fresh indie books, notable graphic novels, and big-name serials, too, the Tempe standby eschews an old-timey feel for a selection that'll surprise anyone who's been on a hero hiatus. Not sure where to begin? Consult owner Drew Sully. The shopkeeper is (surprise) an avid comics reader and readily dishes on his favorite ongoing series like Uncanny X-Men or Hellboy in Hell.

Online supply stores and national art supply chains are gobbling up mom-and-pop art shops at an alarming rate. Yeah, it's a sign of the times, but when it comes down to where we like to buy our specialty colored pencils, airbrush paints, newsprint, and printing plates, we'll stick to Arizona Art Supply.

The locally owned and operated supply shop opened in 1951 and was one of the first stores in town dedicated to selling just art supplies. Today, it's one of the last of its kind in Phoenix. The store has expanded to include locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun City, and Tucson, but our favorite location continues to be the massive store in Central Phoenix. It houses a massive collection of everything you'll need for your next creative project, art-school final, or summertime craft. And if you really don't want to leave the comfort of your studio, you can shop for your goods on the Arizona Art Supply website.

Whether you're looking to buy or consign vintage comics, All About Books and Comics is the place for you. This Central Phoenix shop has a great selection of back issues of vintage comics, including Captain America, Thor, Avengers, X-Men, Dr. Strange, Superman, Flash, Mr. Miracle, Spider-Man, and Iron Man. Can't find what you're looking for? A helpful clerk will check the backroom for the issue. Looking for vintage on the cheap? Check the dollar room. Want to play? AAB&C sells action figures, toys, and other superhero collectibles.

Sometimes you need ribbon the length of a few football fields. Sometimes you need the little backs to stick teddy bear eyes onto a handmade doll. Other times you need pounds and pounds of glitter tulle — well, maybe that was just us. Either way, if you need all that jazz and you need it on the cheap, SAS is the only place to go. The prettiest vintage patterns, discarded patches, and the oddest little notions in town can all be found at the Tempe SAS at bargain-bin prices. Although SAS may not have a fabric selection as big as those at the national stores, and the customer service can leave a bit to be desired, we can't help going back time and time again when we're in a pinch to make a quick costume. The price is right and you just never know what you'll find at the bottom of a stack of old fabric scraps and bolts.

No use crying over a dropped stitch. Tempe Yarn & Fiber has your back. For knitters of all levels, this is the place to come not just to buy supplies, but to learn new skills. On any day of the week, knitting groups meet at the store (including one specifically for dudes on Sundays), and the friendly staff is willing to help you tackle your latest knitting dilemma at any time of day. Or, if the issue is too large, they will happily direct you to one of the many classes offered to get you back on track. If you're a knitting pro, you can take it to the next level and learn to make your own yarn: Tempe Yarn & Fiber offers multiple classes on spinning and dyeing as well.

When savvy sprinters and cross-country junkies want the rundown on a great pair of footwear, they jog over to North Phoenix's Runner's Den. This locally owned shop has been a go-to source for running retail in the Valley since 1978 and with very good reason. Being runners themselves, the staff at Runner's Den are fanatical about footwear. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime customer looking to try a new brand, the sales associates at Runner's Den will go out of their way to find the shoes that help strengthen your stride and save you from injury. But be warned, with such careful analysis and enthusiasm for running, you will be asked to run around the building or, at the very least, jog in place at the store. From shoes and sweat-absorbing socks to fitness apparel and various types of electrolyte goo, Runner's Den remains the ultimate destination for die-hard cardio addicts.

One of our favorite things about Landis Cyclery is the staff's inverse proportion of knowledge and conceit. That is, the guys and gals who work at Landis know their cranksets from their derailleurs without the accompanying attitude we've found at other bike shops. Being both street- and dirt-friendly cyclists, we have higher-than-average maintenance and upgrade needs. Real-wheel cassettes, new RockShox forks, general repairs and tuneups, tires and tubes, fresh gloves — those sorts of things. We like to visit all four locations, but love the mid-size stand-alone shop at Southern Avenue and the Superstition Freeway best — mainly because it's been there longer than the freeway. In fact, the company was founded in 1912 and is still owned by members of the Landis family (who aren't related to infamous doping cyclist Floyd Landis). With this level of service and community support — the chain supports a number of local cycling events — we expect Landis to be around for another 100 years.

When Go-Kat-Go giddy-upped and left its Melrose Curve digs, some big changes happened. First, the owners changed the name to Jackalope Trading Post. Second, they set up shop next to downtown's destination dive bar, the Bikini Lounge on Grand Avenue. Here, in their historic home, the good folks of Jackalope Trading Post have fine-tuned the theme of their eclectic hand-me-down goods. Kitschy throwbacks to the Southwest's yesteryears fill the small space and keep shoppers' wandering eyes busy with vintage mechanic patches, antique kitchenware, distressed road maps, and retro resort key tags. Individually, the items at the Jackalope Trading Post are chaos, but collectively, they call upon time and a place that hipsters, roadtrippers, Arizona locals, and Americana lovers can all appreciate.

In its second year as a brick-and-mortar shop on Mill Avenue, Ben Funke and Cory Martinez's Meat Market has further solidified itself as a go-to for hipster-approved vintage finds. That means Garfield engineer caps, teensy men's running shorts, plenty of cheeky T-shirts, and buttons emblazoned with phrases like "God, World's Greatest Father." Of course, it's not all jokery. The shop consistently brings in highly sought-after items like immaculate tooled leather bags, gorgeous dresses, killer cowboy boots, statement jewelry, and fur coats (you'll find faux and real when the weather's cool). And don't let the hipster designation deter you. The owners are mega-friendly and love chatting about their quirky finds.

Looking for something unique but don't have much to spend? Head to downtown Peoria, to an antiques mall with an endless variety of goods at reasonable prices. These stores are packed with dolls, old-fashioned baby cribs, curio cabinets, bronze and Asian art, end tables, antique dishes, rustic furniture, and endless tchotchkes. Home to Home Furniture just opened its door between the two Resale Mall stores and also offers an eclectic mix of wares — a picture frame turned into a serving tray perfect for breakfast in bed, a four-fold Japanese room divider, vintage candy containers. The trio of shops increases your odds of finding exactly what you wanted, even if you didn't know you needed it until you saw it. It's worth a drive from just about anywhere.

Cleo and Clementine are the alter egos of designers Monique Martinez-Sandoval and Jennifer Wood. The two assembled the alliterative monikers as the name of their boutique, where shoppers will discover indie bridal wares and assorted fashionable finds. After having run Etsy storefronts Ouma and Mignonne Handmade, respectively, and gaining popularity in the online realm, the pair combined forces to launch the shop. The brick-and-mortar Melrose outpost hosts wedding dresses, party frocks, bridesmaids' get-ups, retro-style rompers, dainty and daring accessories, and handmade headpieces. It's a must-see for ladies readying to walk down the aisle and gals on the hunt for unique pieces.

For some, good fashion sense comes naturally. For others, it all boils down to knowing where to shop. For both, in Phoenix, the destination is almost always Frances. The local boutique with a flagship location off Central, and now a satellite store in Biltmore Fashion Park's Union, is the go-to spot for creative gift-givers and trendy shoppers, offering an ever-changing selection of local, handmade, and bigger brand-name fashions. Whether you're shopping for your girlfriend, best man, baby, or the home, you can see all around that Frances owner Georganne Bryant prides herself on carefully selected whimsical styles and subtle standout pieces. From delicate statement accessories and hand-printed greeting cards to vintage-inspired fashions and Anthropologie-esque home accents, Frances' collection of highly coveted indie retail is as enviable as its pre-Pinterest displays. Lucky for you, Frances is not stingy with its style and offers seasonal DIY workshops throughout the year to help you re-create the stores' handcrafted cuteness at home.

From Greg Eveloff, the dapper gent behind super-sophisticated gentleman's apparel shop The Clotherie, comes Bonafide Goods. The city's self-proclaimed first-ever micro-haberdashery is less intimidating than it sounds. It's small and carries covetable men's clothing that beautifully blends dandyism with ruggedness. (And, yeah, you'll find a few bow ties.) With an eye toward upscale Americana casual, the shop specializes in such well-made, timeless pieces as shirts, jackets, and ties by Billy Reid, large-face Tsovet Watches, and San Francisco-made Tellason Jeans. Whether your wardrobe needs an Esquire-approved makeover or you want to invest in a few quality pieces, Bonafide has your back.

We may never go to the mall again — at least, not till our kids outgrow Love Child. How about a GapKids dress for $4? Or Abercrombie & Fitch jeans for under $10? On our last visit, a pair of hot pink Vans had an "as is" tag, so we asked the clerk what was wrong with them. It took her minutes to locate the tiny pinprick of ink on the side of the shoe. "That's cool," we said. "We'll take 'em!" We love everything about this store — the location (between Changing Hands Bookstore and a Trader Joe's), the easy-to-browse setup, the selection, and most of all, let's be honest, the price.

Phoenix, we are the only city in the world with a Last Chance location. Yeah, you won't find Nordstrom's final-clearance store anywhere else in the world. And precisely for that reason, it's best to go in there with a plan, whether it involves finding that fits-like-a-glove LBD or a pair of deeply discounted Jeffrey Campbells. Pro tip: Always browse sections that aren't your size. We've heard from, er, friends that Last Chance shoppers often stash stuff they want to come back for in the wrong spot, so they can find it later. (Of course, we would never dream of doing anything like that.) Just goes to show you that your fellow shoppers aren't messing around. Last Chance is serious business.

Tucked on the top floor of Scottsdale Fashion Square is Hub Clothing, a boutique that prides itself on carrying the most cutting-edge denim brands the world has to offer. You'll find Diesel, Nudie, and Acme jeans, desirable baubles by Alexis Bittar and Chan Luu, and Toms shoes. Other brands Hub handles (that just so happen to be celeb faves, too) include Nation LTD and Shakuhachi. There you have it: high-end jeans, hip casual clothes, and one more (really good) reason to hang out at the mall.

Premium leather accessories that Ron Swanson could get behind are the specialty of Phoenix-based brand Bison Made. And before you ask: No, their stuff isn't made of bison. (The razor strops are made of horsehide, though.) The company's wallets, phone cases, and sleeves are handcrafted at its studio inside monOrchid, which you can visit on First Fridays for a behind-the-scenes look at how and where the beautifully designed items are made. The brand's motto is "designed for life," and the folks behind it say that if proper care is taken of a Bison Made piece, there's no reason it shouldn't last a lifetime — or longer. Beyond that, all the materials are sourced in the United States, and no rubber, glue, plastics, or linings are used in Bison Made products. That rules out any "I'm rubber, you're glue" jokes, but we're pretty sure you'll stick with your Bison Made wallet once you make the investment.

Nicole Whittington and James Waldron work in wood. The couple crafts home accessories, postcards, and toys with a playful, colorful bent under the banner Handmade Riot. Most notable (and popular) are their floating honeycomb shelves — though they've expanded their shelving to offer a modular, trapezoidal piece called the Half Nelson. On the sweet side are wooden popsicle-stick coasters in a rainbow of brights and elephant pull toys that are too adorable. Find their homey vendables at MADE, Frances, and GROWop.

Sarah Jessica Parker famously told Vanity Fair, "If you're a nice person and you work hard, you get to go shopping at Barneys. It's the decadent reward." We tend to agree, regardless of our long-harbored assertion that we are total Carries. The Scottsdale Fashion Square department store has a decadent reputation, thanks to stocking high-end designers like Saint Laurent and Givenchy. It's also the only spot we've ever bumped into the horrifically fabulous Simon Doonan, who serves as Barneys' creative ambassador-at-large. (Not to mention that the mall's best parking spots are right next to the store, making all purse purchases totally justifiable.)

Though not every shopping trip comes to as satisfying a conclusion as Kevin Smith's Mallrats, browsing and buying nirvana can be had at Biltmore Fashion Park — no shopping agenda necessary. With a variety of shops that'll entice and entertain, the outdoor center features grassy lawns and floral embellishments between such high-end stores as Escada, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Ralph Lauren. Only ensuring a more lengthy stay is the mall's recent addition: Union. It's a collection of 18 shops, including Smeeks, Citrine Beauty Bar, and Paris Envy, in spaces 500 square feet or less. Once you've sufficiently perused and poked around, refuel with eats from True Food Kitchen or caffeinated goodness at Royal Coffee Bar.

How many shops have been on Roosevelt Street for so many years you've lost count? We can think of only one. We love MADE for so many reasons, we lose track of those, too. Owner Cindy Dach showcases local artists and craftspeople and supplements her inventory with smart books. She hosts workshops and themed exhibitions. Her shop has become the focal point of a neighborhood she and her husband, Greg Esser, pioneered (and we are using that word in all seriousness) and continue to nurture. We love that these days, we don't just go to MADE to shop. No, we make a day of it — getting our hair cut a street over, window shopping the vintage stores up and down Sixth Street, grabbing a pastry at one of the coffeehouses, and struggling with too many restaurant choices when it's time for lunch. And it all began with one little boutique. Thank you, Cindy.

You see just about everything on a big college campus, and Arizona State University is no exception. But Walmart? We thought for sure there was some sort of law or at least a rule banning such crass commercialization on campus — you know, like guns. But no, there it is, on Apache, across from a sub shop in a student housing complex. This is no superstore, just a small outpost. But give Walmart time, and we're sure that's coming, too.

GreenHaüs is one of those places on Roosevelt Row that gets a ton of foot traffic during First Friday. We find ourselves ending up in GreenHaüs' boutique as a way to escape the merry-go-round of art exhibits and — even better — explore the boutique's cluttered shelves for quirky gifts and maybe something for ourselves, too. If you don't have the dough to drop on a local art piece in the shop's gallery, you still can find something to spend your hard-earned money on, like a Bison Made wallet or iPhone cover, Mitsura-designed watch, or one of the numerous vintage finds throughout the small space. Or you can just have fun picking through the selection of comic books. Either way, you're more than likely to spot something you can't live without or that you have to come back for.