Shopping & Services

A dead giveaway you’ve spotted a shirt by Hello Apparel? Well, a lot of them have “hello” in a loopy cursive font emblazoned across the chest. Those T-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts are manufactured in Arizona by Sam Means’ Hello Merch, which works with touring bands to create quality merchandise. But you don’t have to be musically inclined to partake. A sense of humor and an appreciation for design will do just fine. A few of the brand’s non-name-related designs read “I’m so tired” (with a children’s top that counters “I’m not tired”) and “I’m So Broke.” At $24 a pop, you might be the former, but you can’t blame the shirt for the latter.

Cory Martinez takes fashion risks we wouldn’t dare try in our wildest sartorial dreams. Patterned leggings, floor-length hippie dresses, and punky acid-wash jeans are all on the table — and a little scary to the all-black-clad set. And more power to her. The Tempe fashion maven, who runs online boutique Luxie Vintage, inspires us to push the envelope. And browsing her shop via Etsy and eBay (both complete with modeled shots of her handpicked pieces), makes us see how doable it is to incorporate splashes of Luxie’s leopard print palazzo pants and Mexican sundresses into our otherwise monotonous closets. We’ll get there — one daring item at a time.

If loving Anthropologie’s a crime, then lock us up. We’re suckers for its candles, housewares, and impeccably styled boho-chic clothing. Guilty as charged. But what if you had a locally owned and operated alternative? You do. With local artisans contributing goods such as jewelry, succulent planters, and buttons, new and vintage clothing curated by owners Josh Hahn and Kenny Barrett, and handpicked items from select designers and vendors like the Portland Collection and 1820 House candles, there are plenty of reasons to swing by the bungalow boutique. That’s in addition to the fact that we sound just a smidge cooler when we tell people where we scored that fab vintage purse.

Stuck in a fashion rut? Head to Frances. Each time we swing by the CenPho boutique we find something — whether it’s a purse, a pair of teensy stud earrings, or a lovely summer dress — that recharges our style mojo. Which isn’t to say the shop’s full of wacky wares. Instead, the perennial favorite mixes standbys like Toms shoes, against the grain jewelry, and Frye tooled-leather bags with Free People rompers and other of-the-moment items. In addition to women’s styles, the shop houses a second room of menswear, home goods, and things for the kiddos. Swing through and it’ll be near impossible to leave empty-handed.

We want to be the kind of girl who’s perpetually dressed in finds from Pepper. She’s stylish but not trying too hard; put together but not a perfectionist. The Old Town Scottsdale shop specializes in laid-back California cool that looks effortless. Owned by the oh-so appropriately named Cathy Beach, the store brings a decidedly Venice Beach vibe to the Valley, carrying selections from bohemian-chic brands Free People, Alternative Apparel, and Mink Pink. Think Panama hats, sunny yellow maxi dresses, and slouchy floral print harem pants. The shop’s named for Beach’s pup, whom you might spot lounging around the boutique.

Gentlemen, take note. HUB owner Jennifer Mumford has quite the eye for style. And she curates her Central Phoenix boutique with pieces that’ll have you turning heads — in a good way. Mumford seeks out up-and-coming designers from around the globe to feature in the light-filled shop, where you’ll find pieces by WRK, Zanerobe, and Naked and Famous. With a killer denim selection from Diesel, Nudie, and APC and accessories to boot (including Red Wing boots), you’ll be set from head to toe.

Think nothing can get between you and your Levi’s? Check out the Lawless Denim’s setup at CityScape and get back to us. Roman Acevedo’s boutique specializes in creating custom jeans in-house and by hand — and with the help of a brigade of vintage sewing machines. Here’s how it works: You pick your denim — either American or Japanese selvedge. Decide on a style, like high-waist or boot cut. And then select finishes like buttons and thread color. For around $245, you’ll have a pair of jeans made to your specifications and measurements. If you’re not quite ready for custom-made pants (or dropping serious dough), head for the ready-made rack, where you’ll find denim for about half that price.

Simplicity and quality are the first words that come to mind to describe Phoenix-based leather goods purveyor Bison Made. Manufactured by hand in a studio space at Roosevelt Row’s MonOrchid, the iPhone cases, wallets, and straight razors look timeless. And that’s the idea. Meant to last a lifetime and beyond, these meticulously constructed accessories are made with nothing more than leather and stitching. With a limited range of colors in browns and black and a limited number of designs, these pieces boast craftsmanship that puts your duct tape cardholder to proper shame.

When Misty Guerriero-Navon announced plans to move her vintage boutique from downtown Phoenix to Scottsdale, we were a little bummed. But we understood. The upscale boutique, which specializes in high-end fashion from decades past, seemed out of place next to a shuttered CD store and a Greek restaurant. Vintage by Misty’s new home is located in Old Town Scottsdale’s historic Brooks Building, with floor-to-ceiling windows and racks stuffed with the rich colors and eclectic patterns Misty’s best known for carrying. Oh, and designers galore. We’re talking Chanel, Pucci, and Yves Saint Laurent. Beyond the jaw-dropping, wallet-draining couture, you’ll find home goods and budget-friendly picks. And for all those reasons, the new Vintage by Misty is more inviting than ever before.

Charis Elliott and Seth Fainkujen approach jewelry differently than your average bauble-makers. Instead of creating one ring to rule all, the duo specializes in designing and creating bespoke pieces with ethically sourced stones. Named for the Biblical warrior, the company’s intricate pieces of jewelry look not unlike pieces of armor. Hefty rings, angular necklaces, and naturalistic materials combine for a collection that’s a little intimidating but totally covetable. Try the wearable art on for size at the brand’s pop-up shop at Biltmore’s Union.

That designer Tiffe Fermaint recently had a daughter is a style blessing for babies everywhere. Known for her club-ready wearables, Fermaint has shifted her focus to dressing her kid in cool duds. We’re talking onesies bedecked with Morrissey’s face, T-shirts that read “I am the future,” headbands, bandanna bibs, and leggings in such prints as purple lightning, gemstones, galaxies, and black-and-white punk studs. All Baby Teith items are made in Phoenix and in Fermaint’s spectacular style. Because your kids should be as well dressed as you, right? 

It seems we can barely get new clothes home before the kids have outgrown them. Luckily, we found Love Child. The staff is friendly, the prices are super-reasonable, and the selection is amazing and always changing. You can outfit kids for ski season, find just the right dress for the junior high dance, and walk out in a teeny-tiny pair of sparkling Toms. Bring your own piles for resale, and anything Love Child doesn’t take, it will donate to charity so you don’t have to haul the rejects in the back of your car waiting for a Goodwill to come along.

Whether it’s “vintage,” “used,” or “resale,” there are three qualities common to great secondhand clothing stores, all on display here. First is interesting stuff on the racks, thanks to buyers who aren’t just going for labels and trends. You’ll find a range of options, from club festive to period pieces to classics you could wear to court if you had to. Second: deals, like $35 for a pair of new J Brand jeans that retail for $150 and up. And third: conviviality (not to be confused with fake friendliness). Sure, the buyers will reject most of what you bring in to sell, but they won’t be rude about it, and their pickiness is what keeps the selection strong. Bonus: good music to shop to.

You’ve come a long way, Phoenix. Except when it comes to that urban mainstay, the magazine rack. A few spots around town have a decent selection, but, really, this is one of the few Best of Phoenix categories that punts. Unless you find yourself at Bookmans. Technically speaking, Bookmans’ magazine rack isn’t legit: These are not new magazines. They are used, as is the lion’s share of the merchandise at this mini-chain. But on many occasions, we’ve scored the latest issues of The New Yorker or Vogue (at a big discount!), and there are always a few periodicals with titles we don’t recognize, which makes for fun browsing. You’re on notice, Phoenix: We want a giant, legit, indie magazine rack. We just wish someone else did, too, or rather, a whole bunch of someones, because we know how expensive that kind of endeavor is. For now, you’ll find us at Bookmans.

Forgive us for how nerdy this is going to sound, but the employees of this place are like matchmakers. Tell them you want something really gory and, in a few seconds, you’ll be looking at a two-page color illustration of human intestines and other innards strewn across the pages. Sold. (That was Warren Ellis’ No Hero, by the way.) The employees are what make this place great, but that’s not to downplay the selection. All About has wall-to-wall comics, from the newest releases to collectible classics. There’s even a little room in the back with nudie material, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Tucked into a sweet little strip mall at 16th Street and Bethany Home, this charming shop is our idea of old-school bookstore. Open seven days a week, The Bookshop is a great place for collectors of rare books and those of us just looking for our next good read. (We recently snagged one of each: an early hardcover printing of The Bell Jar and a signed copy of Anne Tyler’s Noah’s Compass — both for under 20 bucks!) Affordable prices, monthly deals, and local author events are the order of the day here, and the management is quick to talk up whatever it’s reading at the moment or suggest something that you might like better, based on your own current favorites. You’ll want to come back often, not just because this is such a great place for book lovers, but because The Bookshop features work by a different local artist every month. We’re in love!

We wanted to paper the walls in our mom’s midcentury powder room, and despaired of finding anything avocado-and-orange enough to be considered period-correct. Then we wandered into the Wallpaper and Border Store and our fears vanished. Not only did we find a neat design — garish, geometric, and pre-pasted, too! — but we fell instantly in love with this giant room full of rolls of wallpaper and their matching accents. Paintable papers, flocked and foiled, contemporary and retro — we wanted to take every roll home with us. Rare grasscloth options, complementary borders, and full-wall murals are stacked high at this paper palace, too. The friendly staff is happy to help you figure out a papering approach, and quick to explain the different methods of application. Roll on in — you’ll be thrilled you did.

Unless you’re a teenager with nothing better to do or a pyromaniac with money to burn, heading to the mall can be a chore. But heading to Scottsdale Fashion Square is anything but. With world-class stores at a variety of price points, shoppers can splurge at Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus, go fashion-forward and budget-friendly at Madewell and Zara (yes, we have a Zara!), and daydream at Tiffany and Prada. Add in a trip to Sur La Table and audio indulgences at Bang & Olufsen, and you’re looking at a fairly full day.

There’s just one problem with Design Lab: We want all of it. The Mesa shop stocks everything from delicate apothecary jars and industrial lettering to plush accent pillows and seasonal decorations. With all those odds and ends, it’s the perfect spot to load up on go-to gifts like candles, novelty knickknacks, and picture frames (yes, grab a few journals and maybe a lamp for you, while you’re at it), greeting cards, and twine to wrap it all up with. You’ll be set on birthdays and thank-yous for months to come, and that’s well worth the trek to Mesa.

The Bragg’s Pie Factory building continues upping the artsy ante. Only helping things is the recent relocation of Hazel & Violet from Roosevelt Row. With white and orange walls and industrial furnishings, the letterpress printing shop offers a line of ready-made coasters, greeting cards, and posters, as well as custom services. The new Hazel & Violet has more than two times the square footage of its previous location, and that means more space for more workshops with more participants. Sometimes more really is more.

Don’t be frightened. Curious Nature beautifully blends creepy and cool. The shop deals in oddities. And if taxidermy gives you the heebie-jeebies, then you’re not going to love it. But if you have a flair for the freaky or an appreciation for scientific pursuits, then you’ll likely find entrancing the preserved bugs, bats, and coyote skulls among the frightening, fascinating items stocked. If you’d rather your décor didn’t look you in the eye, the shop also offers mirrors topped with antlers, cement planters, and crystals.

Graphic T-shirts are back in style. And what better way to embrace a trend than by putting your own spin on it? The folks at Brand X specialize in just that. The Mill mainstay offers a variety of shirt styles, colors, fonts, and graphics that’ll help make your dream top a reality. Whether you’re hoping to knock off Madewell’s shirts with laissez-faire French sayings or hype your band, the Tempe crew can help (and help you look awesome).

We can’t be the only ones who start plotting our Halloween costumes come November 1. And we’re sure this makes the good folks at Easley’s very happy. The bright yellow building off McDowell is home to rooms and rooms of costuming goodies from full-on Maleficent and Captain America costumes to glue-on noses and a mind-boggling array of wigs. More elaborate still are its rental costumes, should you decide on being a human-size hot dog but feel unprepared to commit to such a purchase. Of course, Easley’s caters to last-minute dresser-uppers, too, with an array of animal ears and costumes ready by the bag.

Any store can sell you needles in different gauges and yarn in different colors and materials. At Tempe Yarn and Fiber, you get much more than the top-quality merch it sells. You also get the wealth of knowledge and handy advice from the staff of avid knitters and crocheters. Whether you want to learn to spin your own yarn, weave on a loom, knit an easy and basic hat, or fun, little felt creatures for your friends, there are classes for every level in most fiber-based interests. However, the folks that run the place are more than willing to help answer questions to get your project rolling if you have something more specific in mind.

Arizona Art Supply has been a staple in the Phoenix art community since the ’50s, and that’s no accident. Besides their high quality products, it’s their consideration for their community that sets this locally owned art supply destination apart. Not only do they support local artist groups, but they also patrol their social media and Yelp page like hawks, addressing customers’ concerns and ensuring they will look into the issue. We can get on board with that kind of customer service.

Plus all of their employees are either working artists or have a BFA or MFA. No matter what your question, chances are someone working in the store will know what you’re talking about and have an answer. Though the Phoenix location is still our favorite (which may or may not be due to the kids’ section), Arizona Art Supply also has locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun City, and Tucson.

Call us shallow or impossibly snotty — we always judge a book by its cover and a city by its bookstore. Portland has Powell’s, New York’s got The Strand, even Venice Beach has an amazing independent bookstore, Small World Books, right on the main drag between the T-shirt shops and the henna stands. But when it comes to our town, things have been awkward: For many years, the city of Phoenix really didn’t have a bookstore, not a legit indie with new titles and author events. Finally, the day came — in late May, to be exact — and we learned we are not alone in our sentiments, as eager customers flooded the new Changing Hands, housed in a gorgeous space in a development called The Newton in the space formerly occupied by the legendary restaurant Beefeaters. And with that, Phoenix had arrived. Tempe remains lucky as ever — the East Valley outpost of CHB is still running strong and the bookstore will continue to host events all over town.

If you’re ready to translate those stacks of Elle Decor into reality, it’s time to head to Bungalow. The North Scottsdale shop is more than a place to pick up a throw pillow. Yes, you can swing through the 12,000-square-foot showroom to pick and choose items that stand out, like that chalkboard globe, cashmere throws, and a blue glass chandelier inspired by Egyptian antiques. But the store also will pair up shoppers with stylists who will work to meet both taste and budgetary needs. Want a nautically casual living area and a French industrial-esque dining area? Done and done.

Just because Mad Men is ending doesn’t mean your Midcentury Modern obsession has to. And a lovely place to explore said obsession is Red Modern. Note: This ain’t no thrift shop. That’s true when it comes to the furniture emporium’s stock and its according (sometimes eye-popping) prices. Walking through the showroom is like walking through a furniture buff’s wildest fantasy. Mint green Hans Wegner papa bear chairs? Check. Impeccable rosewood credenza? Um, take your pick. How about a signed lithograph from Frank Gehry? Calm down — yes. Before you head over, make a list of what you really, really want. Because it’ll be easier than you imagine to get distracted.

We wanted a vintage Herman Miller/George Nelson slat bench — not a knockoff. Instead of putting it on our Holy Grail list, we just hopped in our car and headed over to Modern on Melrose, a half-acre of interior and exterior commercial space located not in Southern California but here, among all those neat antique stores on Seventh Avenue between Camelback and Indian School roads. And there it was — the perfect slat bench, which we didn’t have to polish or repair because everything in this giant midcentury mall is ready-to-own. Established in 2012, Modern on Melrose quickly has become the best place in town to find a ’60s swag lamp or a gaudy ’70s sofa (avocado green, please!) or a hi-fi that’s been fully restored and now ready to play your 8-tracks. With more than 30 combined years in vintage retail, M.O.M.’s friendly staff knows its stuff and is happy to conspire with you to turn your contemporary home into a mid-century showplace. Don’t forget to nip outside into M.O.M.’s expansive outdoor area, where the store has stashed giant gleaming piles of vintage salvage and upcycled commercial for shabby-chic fans everywhere.

Everyone on your holiday shopping list wants something old for Chanukkah, right? And you’ve only got time to holiday shop on your lunch hour — and a tiny budget, besides. So head to Zinnias, a giant antique dealer mall where you’ll find great mid-century stuff (Hey, look! An Eames chair! A lava lamp! A harlequin paint-by-number kit!), cool Deco items (Is that a portable bar with Bakelite handles? Looky — a penguin ice bucket!), and a whole lot more.

Someone else on your list wears only vintage frocks, you say? No prob, since Zinnias is home to Antique Sugar, a separate and quite large clothing boutique carefully crammed to the rafters with poodle skirts and shark skin suits and 40-year-old pumps in like-new condition. Get shopping!

More than three decades after it opened, Rare Lion remains a superb shop full of fine antiques and exceptional vintage jewelry. Carefully displayed furniture and dinnerware share space with ancient, pristine tapestries and fine art from the late 19th century. Looking for a better bookcase or a set of fine china? This is the place. Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, Rare Lion is a virtual homage to the past’s better furniture makers and craftsmen. The management also offers appraisals of your collectibles, as well as an in-house gemologist who can assess the value of Grandma’s pearl earrings.

A great antique store is a place we can enter, lose track of time, walk around for hours, and totally enjoy. And that’s why we heart Antiques on Central. With 65 dealers and 16,000 square feet, the store’s beautifully organized and varied. Browsing the Native American pottery and French antiques is fun, but a broad array of dishware, furniture, and artworks is among the treasure waiting to be discovered. Our advice is to come in with an open mind and without a super-specific agenda, ignore the little statuettes that your grandma might go for, and see what you find.

Nowadays, one man’s trash is pretty much everyone else’s treasure. But with retro, rustic, and recycled home décor on the rise, flea markets, swap meets, and Saturday morning garage sales simply aren’t enough to satisfy the hungry junk fiend.

Lucky for us, professional pickers Lindsey Holt and Coley Arnold have banded together the best and the brightest treasure hunters in town to create the biannual Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. This Scottsdale showcase of more than a hundred hand-selected vendors features everything from vintage collectibles to handcrafted custom creations. Save the dirty work for the dumpster divers because, thanks to Junk in the Trunk, one-of-a-kind finds aren’t out of reach.

Roll up to Harper’s Nursery and the first thing you may think is, “Wow, this place is small.” But bigger isn’t always better, especially when you’re looking for desert-friendly plants. Harper’s has a solid stock of native Arizona plants, vegetables, succulents, trees, and cacti — not the tropical stuff shipped in from California. The resident gardeners are helpful with watering tips and general landscape care, too. They’re more than happy to give you suggestions on what to plant and where to plant it on your property. Don’t miss Harper’s spring rose sale, during which you can get bulk orders of dozens of different types of desert-friendly rose varieties. Now get out there and plant something.

When we say Phoenix coffee, you say Cartel. Phoenix coffee, Cartel. Seriously, though, you might have your favorite spot to relax or get work done, but this is about the roast. All ambiance arguments aside, there’s a reason that celebrities hit up the roaster when they’re in town. With a strong focus on natural, unwashed beans and bright, acidic flavors, Cartel-roasted coffee is a unique experience, regardless of the bean you choose. You must be made of stone if can resist grabbing a cup after passing by the Tempe Cartel during roasting hours and smelling the intoxicating coffee aroma wafting from the building. Though you can buy the beans and take them home, feel free to let the highly trained barista staff show you how it’s done if you’re not a confident home brewer, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

In the morning, French Grocery makes a perfect coffee stop, complete with locally roasted espresso from Tempe’s Cortez Coffee. And for more filling fare, there’s the weekly menu of cuisine from chef and owner Kevin Lentz. He’s spent most of his adult life living and eating in the Big Easy and wanted to bring some of that city’s flavor to Phoenix. No matter the time of day, we can swing by for one of the restaurant’s macarons, which come in an array of colors and flavors that change each week. And as if that’s not enough, French Grocery provides a well-curated selection of wines, cheese, and other artisan products, including European-style butter, goat milk, and chocolates. We only wished we lived closer to French Grocery — or that this type of neighborhood market and restaurant will start taking off all over town.

Though we’re happy to see farmers markets popping up in just about every Valley neighborhood, we have to admit our favorite Saturday morning stop is still the Old Town Farmers Market. Because as much as we want to eat local and healthy, we don’t have the time — or energy — to make a dozen stops to get the shopping done. The variety of vendors at the Old Town Farmers Market makes this a one-stop shop for market-goers with everything from organic produce to grass-fed beef and local honey. And in most cases, you’ll have your choice between several vendors in each category. It’s true that things slow down during summer, but at least we can still get in and get the basics before the heat really hits. The fact that the market is dog-friendly is a big plus, because we feel guilty about taking our time when we leave our four-legged baby home alone.

When it comes to cocktail classes in Phoenix, Jade Bar has something for everybody. With a weekly rotating course focusing on gin, whiskey, rum, Prohibition-era cocktails, Tiki cocktails, and more, you certainly can pick your poison. Thirty dollars gets you about four cocktails per class, plus a wealth of information ranging from preparation to history. With small class sizes of 10 people, you get plenty of time for individual instruction and Q&A. Given that it’s one of the bars that launched the careers of many of the Valley’s top bartenders, you’re sure to get an education worthy of any pro. Be warned, though, you may want to consider a room at Sanctuary after the class because those cocktails can knock you on your bum.

For the mornings when aspirin seems asinine and drip coffee just doesn’t do the trick, hangover sufferers of Old Town Scottsdale don their sunglasses and head directly to The Drip Room. This Valley vitamin bar brings its customers everything from B12 to botox, flavored oxygen to fillers. Although The Drip delivers IVs for every need, including weight loss, detox, energy, anti-inflammation, and anti-aging, the antidote for alcohol-fueled benders is the Party Drip. This intravenous innovation replenishes the burnt-out party animal with hydrating fluids, vitamins, and wonder drugs to combat the nausea and bloating that prevent you from pushing your luck a second night in a row.

So Wedge and Bottle might not have the largest wine selection in the Valley. It also might lack the insanely low Trader Joe’s prices you’re used to from your wine-buying experience. However, what this Ahwatukee wine, cheese, beer, and more store does have is a knowledgeable, friendly staff who knows a thing or two about pairing wine and cheese and isn’t afraid to sell you on it. Wedge and Bottle also sells gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, which go shockingly well with a glass of wine. If you’re ready to make a commitment to wine and cheese but not ready to make a decision, you also can opt to join Wedge and Bottle’s wine and cheese pairing of the month club. A three-month subscription can be bought in the store or online for $165.

It’s been a wild year or so for Arizona craft liquor lovers, with the first tastes of locally made bourbon, gin, rye, and Durum wheat whiskey coming from Tempe’s Arizona Distilling Co. Not since before Prohibition has anyone even tasted a Valley-made spirit. Turns out, it’s really good — so good that the brand-spankin’-new distillery won high marks in international spirit competitions already. With a heavy infusion of local history, everything from the labels to the ingredients has Arizona ties. Chalk it up to the fact that the distillery crew comprises childhood pals from Tempe, but no matter which way you cut it, local craft liquor is here, and it’s a very good thing. In particular, the Desert Durum Wheat whiskey is an impressive creation of all-local grain, distilling, and aging. Could it be Arizona’s answer to Kentucky bourbon or East Coast rye? Maybe.

BevMo and Total Wine might be able to best Tops’ selection, but when it comes to personalized suggestions from a knowledgeable and friendly staff, those big-box booze chains don’t even come close. If you think that’s not important, try staring at the library-like selection of local and international craft beer and figuring it all out yourself. For the quantity-over-quality crowd, Tops also usually has smokin’ deals on big old boxes of beer. Plus, we don’t know how many times we’ve picked out one bottle of liquor, only for the folks behind the register to replace it with a better and cheaper choice. Now that’s just too cool.

Bud’s Glass Joint brings a unique, artistic dimension to First Fridays, often hosting live glass-blowing competitions and demonstrations for spectators to enjoy. It features many pieces by local artists and even sells locally made incense, among other things. Bud’s modest location has plenty of products on display without becoming an overwhelming, hard-to-shop mess. If it doesn’t have what you’re after, just tell the proprietors and they are usually willing to track it down for you. The staff is courteous, knowledgeable, and welcoming, plus they really know how to throw a 420 party.

This twice-monthly farmers market is an oasis for medical marijuana patients seeking just about any form of MMJ, be it a concentrate, extract, salve, or edible of nearly any kind. And it carries more strain varieties of good old-fashioned buds than you can count. This place is a smorgasbord like no other! There are contests with prizes, designated medicating areas, and a kitchen where a patient can order a medicated smoothie to go with a delicious meal — right after receiving a relaxing massage. What’s more is that patients can speak directly with the cultivators from whom they are purchasing their meds, which can be far more enlightening than second- or third-hand information.

Aunt Effie sets a high bar for “medibles,” cramming a potent dose into a tiny cookie about the size of a quarter. Both affordable and accurately dosed, the buttery and nutty flavor of the cannabis cooked into these treats makes them a far cry from the snickerdoodles your grandma used to make.

Keeping up with the newest craze in methods of self-treating with medical marijuana, Encanto Green Cross stocks MMJ concentrates, which it carefully concocts in its in-house marijuana laboratory by marijuana-mad scientists hell-bent on making the best, safest, and most potent concentrates it can — with plenty of variety to choose from. Luckily, the friendly and knowledgeable staff is well suited to educate even the most inexperienced patient on their arsenal of concentrates, such as wax crumble, budder, shatter, bubble hash, and kief. A little dab’ll do ya!

Bravo to Blue Dream! Time and time again, this strain proves that it is a perfectly blended hybrid that is good for just about anyone, anytime. These buds vary from medium to light in color, tend to have a lot of orange hairs, and are abundant with frosty tricomes. The smell and taste are inherited from its Blueberry daddy, giving Blue Dream almost a baked-goods fragrance with berry undertones. Lower dosages create a light, daytime-friendly effect typical of the sativa side of this hybrid, while higher dosages bring out the indica traits for relaxing and winding down at night.

For patients who want the best of both worlds of head and body high while keeping only one strain on hand, Blue Dream is the weapon of choice.

Durban Poison is a strain that wake-and-bakers may rejoice in. The buds of this plant are dense and a beautiful light green with a few orange hairs, all of which is coated with a nice, frosty sheen. The aroma is spicy, with only a slightly skunky tinge. This pure sativa exhibits traits true to its type and offers an uplifting experience that actually aids most patients who want to remain productive, creative, and energetic while still relieving their pain or anxiety. These qualities make Durban Poison great for social situations, especially since it keeps the patient energized and far more clearheaded than most other strains, allowing for more focus and little to no fatigue. The overall potency is strong enough to make a little go a long way.

On the quest to get the best new-patient perks in the Valley, AZ Natural Selections has taken the lead. Not only does it have a new patient special that rocks (as of this writing, five free pre-rolls that weigh just shy of a gram each with purchase of an eighth), but it also hooks up new patients with a rolling tray, an herb grinder card, enrollment into a loyalty program, and a sweet, discreet carrying tube for meds and a few other surprises to help even the most novice patient get rolling with MMJ. AZ Natural Selections tends to have a good selection of herbs displayed with information to help patients of all experience levels make an informed decision for any purchase. Plus, it gives you an excuse to spend an afternoon in Cave Creek.

In just a year, Altitude Coffee Lab has become known for its roasts, but this cafe is more than that. The low-key interior is homey and relaxed, the perfect spot to spend an afternoon getting work done on the ivy-covered patio. Should you get hungry, Altitude offers full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that include dishes from all over Europe like Spanish frittata, Danish smørrebrod, and more. For aspiring musicians and poets, weekly open mic nights on the high-end shop sound system will present your work well. Should you need liquid courage before you perform, the coffee house also offers beer, wine, and a small selection of spirits. However, you shouldn’t leave without trying the Gibraltar, which mixes espresso and foamed milk at temperatures lower than a cappuccino’s so you can taste the amaretto and raisin notes of Altitude’s espresso blend.

Maybe you’re one of those types who’s not intimidated by REI’s massive selection of gear, weatherproof pants, tents, gadgets, lanterns that can charge your iPhone, and what have you, but if you’re leaning more toward the beginner side of outdoor lifestyle, REI offers killer classes in Leave No Trace ethics, outdoor cooking, how to hike during an Arizona summer, bike maintenance, camp basics, and more — for free. You sign up online and get quality info. It’s a great little plan on the recreation outfitter’s part — after hearing about how exciting the great outdoors can be, it’s hard not to go on a spending spree. You got us, REI.

No matter how many DIY bloggers you follow and YouTube tutorials you watch, sometimes it’s just better to learn a new craft in person. Lucky for Valley floral fanatics, a few local pros are here to help. Wedding planner Katherine Thornhill, stylist Misha West, and florist Teresa Wilson founded Pith and Marrow to make flowers a little less intimidating — and a lot more fun. With classes on making centerpieces and farmers market arrangements, the trio have made floral design an approachable social event. Each class finds students in a new locale, whether it’s Lux or Lola, and working on a new project. Though the price tag’s a bit hefty (usually a couple hundred bucks), each attendee walks away with a fresh arrangement, a few drinks under her belt, and a new skill to brag about.

Nothing brings a room to life quite like fresh flowers. And if we’re springing for a professional arrangement instead of whatever sad potted thing is sitting at Trader Joe’s, then we are headed to Camelback Flowershop. Owned and operated by Teresa Wilson, who’s exactly the kind of impossibly beautiful and personable woman you’d imagine running a flower shop, the shop’s known for its exquisite offerings and artistic presentations. Whether you’re splurging on a bunch of in-season peonies for a bedside table or on the hunt for a dramatic centerpiece for a dinner party, Wilson and her crew of helpful florists can make it happen — and offer same-day delivery.

Bright blue, white, and green tiles greet the eye of Valley Ho visitors who venture to the second-floor VH Spa for Vitality and Health. This downtown Scottsdale retreat offers a variety of state-of-the-art treatments. With whatever facial, massage, or beauty package you choose, access to the steam rooms, fitness center, and spa lounges is complimentary. The Red Flower Hammam Experience ($185), for instance, pairs organic products from quince and lemon blossom with massage work, while the Mesoestetic Stem Cell Facial ($220) combats wrinkles with highly concentrated stem cell extract. Our favorite, though, is the Face Fingers Toes package ($235), which includes a facial, manicure, and pedicure.

If you’re the type of person who treats your dog as you would a spoiled child, this is where you go for grooming, daycare, and boarding. Formerly known as Hillside Unleashed, it was bought by the owners of Villa La Paws, hence the new name. It’s still our favorite under the new owners, and they’ve actually made improvements to the building, including an misting system to keep dogs cool in the outdoor play area. (We told you it’s for spoiled dogs.) Even if you take your pup there just for grooming, you’ll be glad you did — it’s like the difference between a human going to a highly rated salon and Supercuts. We dog spoilers don’t mess around on things like this.

Our pup, he’s very particular. Us? We are, too. A shop we can agree on is Wag N’ Wash in Scottsdale. Whether we’re popping in for a nail trim and a freshly baked liver bite or to hunt for a new fluffy bed and a leash, we never seem to leave empty-handed. A grooming staff is available by appointment, but if you’re more of  DIY fanatic, there’s an area with tubs, soaps, aprons, and anything else you might require to suds up and primp your dog all on your own. Oh, and there’s a section of feline-specific food, toys, and the only litter our very particular cat deems worthy of his paws.

In case you haven’t heard, green is the new black and Tesla is the talk of the town. Ever since Arizona entered the running alongside Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico for the rising company’s future 10 million-square-foot gigafactory, this luxury electric car has been receiving accolades from big-spending auto connoisseurs and cajoling congressmen alike. And though Arizona did not get the proposed $4 billion to $5 billion project (which will employ roughly 6,500 workers in Reno), thanks to our inability to pass a bill allowing Tesla to actually sell its coveted vehicles directly to the consumers (way to go, Legislature), it’s not stopping shoppers at Scottsdale Fashion Square from stopping by the Tesla showroom to ooh and aah and potentially order online. Saving the environment has never been so stylish.

We’ll fess up to a smidgen of bias on this one — Slippery Pig, our favorite bike shop, is right next to one of our favorite hangouts, Lux. But the Pig’s a superstar in its own right — it’s no customer hog, mooching off walk-over traffic from the busy cafe. About 10 years ago, the bike store came into new ownership and stopped selling classic bikes (remember Casey’s Classics?) and started selling the sort that cyclists drool over. Though smaller than some other Valley shops, the interior’s laid out in East Coast, pack-it-in style, complete with repair shop in the back. Specialized brand bikes are in heavy supply, but that’s not a bad thing. We saw numerous mountain bikes priced at more than three grand — and looking like they’re worth every penny. A decent array of fixies, snow bikes, hybrids, and cruisers complements the high-end mountain and road bikes that make up most of the stock. A manager tells us they sometimes take bicycles to sell on consignment, meaning you should keep an eye out for a good deal on a fancy used bike. It also rents bikes and carries a fine selection of bike apparel, gear, and parts. If we weren’t so amped on coffee every time we go in, we’d browse all day.

The first thing you need to do before taking up running is get yourself a good pair of shoes fitted to your running style. At Road Runner Sports, the staff will put you on a treadmill and observe how your feet hit the ground to diagnose whether you overpronate, underpronate, or have a neutral foot strike. Then the fun of picking out shoes begins. Good running shoes can be pricey, so keep an eye out for special deals on “endangered” shoes being replaced with newer models. Plus, if you or someone in your family has a VIP membership, you’ll get an extra 10 percent off and a 90-day trial period to test out your new wheels.

Lots of ink has been spilled about the “vinyl renaissance,” but the truth is, if you’re playing your wax on a cheap all-in-one turntable/stereo combo, you might as well be listening on your laptop speakers. That’s where Arizona Hi-Fi comes in, offering primo turntables, tube-driven amplifiers, headphones, and more. It’s gear for the kind of folks who think of music as an investment, more than just an accessory, and it’s right next to Stinkweeds, where there’s plenty of high-quality titles to try out on your swanky new turntable and speakers.

Everything about Stinkweeds reeks — get it? — of professionalism. The tidy store fits thousands of mostly indie and hard-to-find treasures into a tiny space that packs an astounding number of albums per square foot without feeling particularly crowded. Indie music mags, books, and ‘zines fill the store’s back wall, and T-shirts and vinyl line the store’s walls. CDs take up the bulk of the store, and the racks are filled with everything from ABBA to Xiu Xiu. The store is basically everything you’d expect from owner Kimber Lanning, an icon in the Phoenix music scene. Her hands-on involvement in promoting local businesses and musicians dates back decades.

The best record stores have something beyond albums in their bins. The music playing on the speakers, the posters and albums chosen to decorate the walls, the person behind the counter — when you enter a great record store, the sum is greater than the parts, and it’s immediately apparent. Whatever that impossible-to-define ambiance is, Revolver Records’ downtown Phoenix location has it. You walk in and you know you’re among friends, musical and otherwise. You can flip through the racks and find rarities from musicians you’d forgotten you loved, strike up a conversation with the employees and get a non-judgmental recommendation to help expand your music tastes, or stop by on First Friday to hear a local band or two. Do any of it and you’ll get an idea why Revolver is consistently the best of Phoenix.

Dollar Tree is to dollar stores what Saks Fifth Avenue is to department stores. You won’t find any seconds here; no discontinued crap from full-price shops or expired lunch meat or unidentifiable things tossed randomly into torn-open boxes set on the floor. Dollar Tree is the cleanest, best-organized place in town for inexpensive stuff you’d pay five times as much for elsewhere if dollar stores weren’t a thing. This is a great place to take the kids when they have holiday shopping to do (we hand them 10 bucks and let them go wild) and even better for name-brand soaps and cleaning supplies (we recently bought Glade Solid twofers — for a buck, natch) and storage tubs and baby toys and kitchen supplies and fake Barbies and and and . . . Hey, anybody got a buck we can borrow?

Double Nickels Collective is a one-stop shop for things you had no idea you needed. And that makes the record store/vintage boutique/comic book shop/stereo equipment emporium one of our favorite places to swing by on a mellow weekend afternoon. Not just a destination for browse-happy shoppers, it’s also home to one of the Valley’s most beloved indie music institutions: Ghost of Eastside Records. Stinkweeds, Stereophonic High Fidelity, and some of the Valley’s most avid record collectors also stock shelves at the collective, which is just a few doors down from Yucca Tap Room. Apart from audio selections, shoppers will find Ben Funke’s funky throwback fashion under the Meat Market Vintage banner and book selections from Ash Avenue Comics.

Open less than a year, the spacious Zia on Mill Avenue and Southern — one of four locations in the Phoenix area, including a new one in the East Valley — is our favorite purveyor of new and used games, DVDs, books, magazines, toys, CDs, and vinyl. With thousands of square feet to roam, plus a fine selection of pop culture tchotchkes and bins full of cheap books, it’s the place for one-stop holiday shopping. It’s also a great place to while away the afternoon, flipping through albums you used to like, finding new music you didn’t know you liked, and comparing notes on upcoming shows and releases with the friendly staff.