Steve Strauss and His Eclectic Arcadia Abode

Steve Strauss and his Arcadia home can be described using the same adjectives — eclectic and passionate, yet relaxed. The part-owner of Wag N’ Wash (the pet supply and DIY washing station in Phoenix) and percussionist of the long-time local band Azz Izz has lived in the Orange Grove Heights…

First Friday in Phoenix: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

It’s not often that we take a look at the style of artists and art fans around town, but when First Friday in downtown Phoenix rolls around, an entire subculture emerges. Like we’ve said in our Field Guides, First Fridays are more often about people watching and shenanigans than actual…

Scottsdale Fashion Week: In Review

Crowds of fashion-conscious (and not-so-conscious) gathered on the Scottsdale asphalt this weekend to celebrate the leading names in local and national fashion.It was the fifth year of Scottsdale Fashion Week — an event that’s been held in the past at the Scottsdale Waterfront and SouthBridge. This year, the runways, bright…

Not Just Scraps of Paper

“This is kind of goofy,” wrote a coworker when hipping us to Not Just Scraps of Paper. True, but it’s pretty neat, too. The Blogspot forum gives it up to the art of bookmarks. Rather than any ol’ bus ticket or paper scrap (hence, the name), the blog pimps people’s…

LollyPOP Vintage Settles Into Newer, Bigger Space

LollyPOP Vintage in Phoenix opened its brand new doors this weekend after moving out of its home in Retro Ranch for a larger location, just down the street. “I wanted to expand and Retro Ranch didn’t have any more room,” owner Heather Powers explained. The new, larger store opened on…

Downtown’s First Friday (Nov. 5)

Art walks are more often about people watching and shenanigans and less about the actual art. We’re here to guide you through both. Presenting our very own Field Guide — an evolving guide to art walks around town. From time to time, we’ll introduce some of our favorite spots and…

The Paper Studio’s Parking Lot Sale This Saturday

Don’t you love Fall cleaning?The Paper Studio bruised our window-shopping hearts when they moved online, but they’ve announced a treat — a parking lot sale on Saturday that will be full of letterpress goodness including composing sticks, type drawers, metal and wood type and, of course, a ton a paper.Fair…

Community Night Kicks Off Scottsdale Fashion Week

Scottsdale Fashion Week kicked off Thursday night at Scottsdale Fashion Square with a local ode. In an evening deemed “Community Night,” local designers showcased their best work that ranged from sparkly accessories to fashionable clothing made from everything BUT fabric. Many of the small tents were vacant and tables empty…

Shine’s Our (and Your) Pocket Guide to Scottsdale

It’s all about glitz and glam as Scottsdale gears up for its Fashion Week, which runs tonight through Saturday. If you’re headed out for a few shows, or if you’re just looking for some pretty cool things to buy/see/eat/drink, we’ve got you covered.Introducing Shine. You’ll see the glittery pocket on…

Katharine Kidd’s Southern Aesthetic at Scottsdale Fashion Week

Katharine Kidd isn’t like many other national fashion designers. A southern belle and former school teacher, Kidd has always known her true passion fell more along the lines with luxurious fabrics and intricate designs. After relocating from Atlanta to Santa Barbara, Ca., Kidd began developing her signature style, and her…

CityScape: A Semi-Guided Tour of the City’s New Jungle

Downtown’s CityScape is hosting the grand opening of its first phase tonight with a State of Downtown Address from Phil Gordon. The real shenanigans continue through the weekend, as various stores and restaurants host their own opening parties, concerts, and happy hours. The million dollar, two-phase project, at 1 E…

Cut Your Own Bangs (in Three Easy Steps)

Whether you were 5 or 25, you’ve probably been the victim of bushwhacked bangs. “Never, never, never cut your own bangs,” says local all-around stylist and makeup artist, Shauna Thibault, “but if you absolutely have to …” she offers a few suggestions for creating fabulous fringe. 1) Wet it down…

Designer Rebecca Turley and More Local Talent at Scottsdale Fashion Week

Designers spend hours sketching designs, making patterns, and hunched at sewing machines preparing to show their looks to the world. This Thursday night, Valley designers will get their moment in the spotlight to reveal their hard work at Scottsdale Fashion Week’s community runway show. Plucked from the group of local designers…

Election Night 2010: Our Totally Unauthorized Drinking Guide

Yeah yeah, we know. All the best election night watering holes in this town are dust. Ancient history. We miss the Newsroom and Nixon’s, too. There’s plenty to be depressed about, from the state of the city’s bar scene to the state of the nation. But if you’re planning to cry…

El Mac on Upper Playground

Miles MacGregor, aka El Mac, is a local muralist whose rare presence in town can set the art community a buzz. The fairly shy and very modest 30-something’s last hometown stay was just for a week and was (unsuccessfully) kept under wraps by the few who visited his studio. El…

Gabriele Bertaccini’s Italian Style and Custom Suit Addiction

Gabriele Bertaccini loves food and fashion in equal parts — as long as his food doesn’t get on his fashion and his fashion doesn’t interfere with his food. Bertaccini moved to Arizona from Florence, Italy after graduating from culinary school. He says his hometown is where much of his style…

Alessi Toasts its Home at Biltmore Fashion Park

Alessi – the innovator behind the iconic Kettle with a perched bird and the Alessandro Mendini lines of corkscrew people – is now open for business in Biltmore Fashion Park following a move from CityNorth last March. The store smartly postponed its grand opening celebration until the temps returned to the double digits and kicked off the shopping season last night.

Final Destination V

It’s finally October, which means two things: grocery stores will probably start playing Christmas music … and the Valley will finally be taken over by zombies, candy corn and, you guessed it, Haunted Houses. We’re on a mission to scout out the best (and worst) ones and share our experiences…

Valley Vintage with Robert Black

Throw on a circle skirt and grab your pearls — the ladylike fashions of the 1950s will be on display at the inaugural Valley Vintage fashion show at the Hotel Valley Ho tonight. The event will feature styles from vintage fashion connoisseur Robert Black, vintage-inspired swimwear from Monique Fagre, and music by…