Interactive Watercolor Maps by Stamen

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: You might recognize the watercolored grid above…

Modern Yarn Decorations (and Adventures in Fabric Stiffener)

Introducing Pin Up Girl, a weekly guide to all things Pinterest. Our resident pinner, Laura Gill, will take a look at some of the best eye candy from around the web, provide a few pointers on how-to crafts, and weigh in on weekly trends and highlight local and national pin fiends…

Is Mercury in Retrograde?

Now, we’re not big believers in signs and superstition, but the abundance of bizarre in our own town (of course) and nationwide had us wondering… What’s up with iPad apps for cats? Huff-able caffeine? The Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts allegedly defacing another artist’s work during…

The Best Butts in Baseball (Spring Training Edition)

As Spring Training continues throughout the Valley and kicks off the regular season, there are plenty of kickass line-ups — all up for the lookin’.In celebration, we’ve created our own fantasy team of players we wouldn’t mind seeing around town and on the field. We sifted through stats, filtered through…

Announcing the 2012 Big Brain Finalists

Without further ado, we’re announcing the finalists for the 2012 Big Brain Awards. The award was created to recognize emerging local creatives, and for the past few weeks we’ve been narrowing the long list of submissions to 15 finalists in five categories. On April 7, from 7 to 11 p.m.,…

Clutch Jewelry’s Tasman Wrap Bracelet

Each week Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: When it comes to spring break accessories, we look for pieces that are casual and more adventurous than our everyday bric-a-brac. That’s why we’re drawn to…

The Snatchel Project: Knit a Uterus for a Congressman in Need

This week, the fight continues between women and their uterus-less congressmen, and if the creatives behind Government Free VJJ have anything to say about abortion and birth control legislation, it’s that congressmen everywhere could use a few uteri of their own. Government Free VJJ is encouraging women (and supportive men)…

iPad Games for Cats … Yeah, That Needed to Happen

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: In the latest example of doomsday’s fast…

Manifesto No. 3

Continuing Manifestos, a collection of 10(ish) life lessons and rules written by local creatives and illustrated by local designers. Up today, lessons learned by local writer Deborah Sussman, illustrated below by Anton Anger: Read Sussman’s manifesto below …..

Downtown’s Third Friday and Art Detour Weekend (March 16, 17 & 18)

Downtown Phoenix’s Third Friday and Art Detour combined make a weekend full of local artwork.  The 24-year-old event, officially organized by Artlink, will take over galleries and studios on Grand Avenue, Roosevelt Row, 16th Street (and a few in between). Here’s a peek at our Field Guide for Art Detour…

We’re Doomed: AeroShot Energy Introduces Huff-able Caffeine

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: To the glee of caffeine addicts and…

An Easy, Customizable Dry-Erase Board

It’s Spring Break in my household. Spring Break means you have all the time in the world to make stuff, lounge around, surf Pinterest, whatever. Or at least that’s what I thought it meant — until I found myself floundering for a project to share with you.Now, I have lots…

What Should I Do For Spring Break? (Flowchart)

From time to time, we’ll provide a visual guide to everyday and extraordinary situations. Welcome to Charted Territory. Oh, Spring Break. The week that comes in the middle of March (and conveniently around St. Patrick’s Day) is a nice break for college students and those of us who live down the street…

Dapper+Dash’s Huckleberry Bow Tie in Chain Gang

Each week Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: Recently launched haberdashery Dapper+Dash specializes in terminally fabulous Brad Goreski’s favorite accessory: the bow tie. In three deliciously dandy styles (named Huckleberry, Churchill, and Dagwood), the…

Madewell Coming Soon to Scottsdale Fashion Square

Squeeze into those skinnies and prep your best Alexa Chung impersonation, ’cause cool chick clotherie Madewell is coming to Scottsdale Fashion Square. Slated to open Tuesday, April 3, the J.Crew subsidiary specializes in casual womenswear staples like high-quality denim and T-shirts, sweaters, and tops in a vibrant array of hues…

Happy Pi Day!

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning:  Here are a few of our favorites: …

Guinness: Prepare for St. Patrick’s Day

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning:  In preparation for the “Friendliest Day of…

Manifesto No. 2

Continuing Manifestos, a collection of 10(ish) life lessons and rules written by local creatives and illustrated by local designers. Up today, lessons learned by interior designer Jill Anderson, illustrated below by John Walters: Read Anderson’s Manifesto below: …