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September 5th, 2008
This is a very special issue for us so don't mind if we get a little sentimental. This year has been full of changes and growth. We launched Phoenix Picks; watched our little tots learn to walk and say, “Don’t go pee pee in the panties”; we moved into brand-new houses; we accepted exciting new job promotions, and one of us was even proposed to by the Love Gorilla! My, how time flies when you’re aging gracefully! We’ve enjoyed coming to Phoenix Picks to let loose all our nerdy ramblings, our more than eclectic treasures and finds, and our geeky ya-yas, not to mention our weird obsession for un-mainstream celebs. Our wonderful cast of behind-the-scenes writers and contributors are perhaps the sassiest and snarkiest writers in town. In this issue, we’re shining the spotlight on these gals who do the dirty work to deliver the best indie findings that Phoenix has to offer. We also want to thank you. We’re thrilled by how Phoenix Picks has evolved and how quickly our readership has grown. It’s safe to say we’re more than a little proud—and we want this baby to keep growing! But we can’t do it all by ourselves. We need you. Keep sending us tips on your favorite boutiques, restaurants or music shops! Let us know about some of the fab events that are going on in the Valley! Most importantly, let your friends and family know about Phoenix Picks! We love our readers, and we’re so lucky to bring you something we love. |
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| Phoenix Picks: | |||
| 1 | Spirit in the Sky If I had to guess my spirit animal, it would have to be a squirrel. As much as I wish I could be as graceful and majestic as an eagle, as leggy as a flamingo and as fierce as a mountain lion, my hoarding ways will be the end of me, especially when it comes to my book and record collection. I’m not talking antique hardbound copies of Tolstoy or the Beatles’ “White Album” sealed and unopened; it’s more like Bonnie Tyler (“Total Eclipse of the Heart”) and my Eng 102 copy of “Beowulf.” Nothing spoke more to my hunting/gathering instinct than the basement of the old Changing Hands bookstore. I remember biking to the old Mill Ave. location with the BFF and spending hours in the used poetry section. It was heaven sent. The bookstore has gone through quite an evolution since my old college days; however, revisiting this old friend and combing through its extensive offering of new and used poetry and fiction always leaves me feeling refreshed and optimistic… Perhaps it’s not too late for me to finish that trashy novel I started 12 years ago? (Somlynn) Changing Hands Bookstore |
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| 2 | That's Just My Philosophy, It Keeps Me Hanging On Living with my fiancé has exposed me to all his many, um, quirks, like his delighting farting habit or his penchant for eating peanut butter directly out of the jar. With his finger. However, I’m not entirely perfect as he's helpfully pointed out (much to my chagrin), with quirks of my own such as the shoes strewn about the closet and my ability to wrap myself in all the sheets at night. But the worst thing, he told me, is my addiction to any and all makeup, soaps, shampoos and lotions. At first I was in denial, but a look at our overflowing bathroom said otherwise. Like any addict, I argued it's not my fault—philosophy's sultry and seductive products are my enablers. (I’m like a crackhead in a candy store!) Try as I might, I can't resist the siren call of their “grace” fragrance product line, nor can I stay away from the amazing-smelling 3-in-1 shower gels or their nom-licious lip balms. Guess I'll just have to resort to hiding shampoo in the oven and eye shadow in the freezer (out of sight off my hunky gorilla). (Rebecca) philosophy |
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| 3 | You Are My Candy Girl My family has roots in Scottsdale that reach back to the 1950s. My grandfather trained Arabian horses back when Gainey Ranch was really a ranch (the kind with horses, remember?) and the region was renowned as the Arabian horse capital of the world. My mother rode down Scottsdale Road in the Parada del Sol, and worked at the Sugar Bowl while attending Scottsdale High School. Mom instilled in me a great love and respect for Arabian horses and Sugar Bowl ice cream—two lessons that endure. My favorite Sugar Bowl treat is the Top Hat Sundae, a homemade creampuff filled with vanilla ice cream and smothered in hot fudge. It’s so dang good it is worth the 24-hour fast required to finish it in one sitting. The Sugar Bowl’s iconic pink and white storefront is a landmark from the era of “the West’s most western town.” And if the made-from-scratch menu isn’t enough reason to frequent the Sugar Bowl, the local ownership should be. The shop is still run by the family of Jack Huntress, who opened it back in 1958. (Lindsay) Sugar Bowl |
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| 4 | Boys in the Hood As an ASU student, I learned that there are three things all Sun Devils must experience. 1) You will tread enough miles from your car to campus to equal the Great Wall of China. 2) You must locate the optimum study (napping) spot in Hayden library. And my personal favorite: 3) The hours between classes are best spent sampling the musical goodies at Hoodlum’s Music in the basement of the MU. Beginning Sept. 20 (tentatively), the same guys who could always recommend a great new record and still nurture my Journey habit will be back in action on the street level. After ten years of schooling students on music and pop culture, Hoodlum’s has finally graduated from ASU and is ready to share their doctorate degree’s-worth of music knowledge with the rest of the Valley. At their new Tempe locale, the hoodlums at Hoodlum’s will continue to provide new and used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl. Frequent buyers, aka “Music Junkies,” will still receive 10 percent off purchases. That rocks. (Courtney) |
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| 5 | Monte Luna’s Castle Ahwatukee’s Dolce Luna Gelato café is yummy goodness in every bite, and gelato is my favorite way to cool down on a blisteringly hot Arizona afternoon—aside from an ice cold cocktail. The very smell of the sweet waffle cones is enough to make my stomach rumble with hunger; and the sight of the 30-or-so assorted flavors is sometimes too much to handle: bright orange, lime green, crisp white, deep red, chocolatey brown, bubblegum pink. It’s a sight to behold. Normally I would say “eff it” and order up the four-scoop bowl, but the thought of my muffin top, arse and thighs in a bikini steers me toward the fat-free fruity varieties. My hubby, on the other hand, prefers to indulge in gelato flavors such as birthday cake, cheesecake and Twinkies (oh, to be a man and not care!). In addition to gelato, Dolce Luna is planning to expand their coffee and sandwich menus, add breakfast items and open at 7 am beginning Oct. 1. Mmm, a scoop of vanilla gelato in a morning latte sounds beyond delicious. Don’t you agree? (Jennifer) Dolce Luna Gelato |
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| 6 | A Fashion Fanatic |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Think like a Queen We adore our vintage handbag, but it’s hanging by threads and super glue, requiring us to search for a new lover. After no luck, we were almost hopelessly despondent, but Bestest Cubie Mate (BCM) took us to an out-of-the-way boutique, where we discovered the O-inducing purses by Queen Bee Creations. They’re so amazing (and vegan), we almost bought all of them, but once slapped by BCM we toned it down and settled on one … at least for now. |
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| 2 | For Your Own Little Bug Our little bugaboo has finally reached the age where she tells us what she wants. And it's usually something special (she gets her good taste from her mama, natch.) |
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| 3 | You Can't Have da Mango! We're always happy to feature kick arse girls with amazing talent, but we're especially happy when they're local girls. Melanie from Mesa has set up shop at Etsy.com with her paper-goods store, Paper Mango. From invites to calling cards, each piece is colorful, unique and just adorable. We're especially in heart with her sweet baby announcements (it almost makes our blackened, dusty uterus want to reproduce). Take a gander and help support Valley artists! |
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| 4 | Sporty Spice If it wasn’t by the grace of the eye gods we would still be tooling around town in bottle-cap eyeglasses. Thankfully, when we want to rock our Next Top Model pout, we trade in our geek glasses for a pair of contacts, blow-dry our hair and wear our beloved sunglasses we scored from Sport Eyes in the supermarket or while hiking. We’re really stoked by how our favorite shades from the 80s are making a comeback; we predict next summer everyone will be rocking Vuarnets (‘member those?) so get yours here before the trend hits! |
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| 5 | The End We know all good things must come to an end, but what ever happened to Happily Ever After? Our fairy tale is painfully short on that factor. If we had to put that storybook on the shelf, we’d use these bookends by Netherlander, Pakhuis Oost. Reminiscent of the books of old, and cheerfully decorated in an all-over print, this pair of bird-shaped bookends makes us believe our Once Upon A Time is still yet to come. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | “Why is it only my ass that ever gets invited places?” Ever the drama queen/requisite fagg-hag, we can't get enough of the Great White Way. However, we will happily make do with the sparkly camp that is “A Chorus Line” at ASU Gammage. Every time we watch the movie, we belt, strut and prance right along; hopefully we can remain ass-to-chair in the theatre. What: “A Chorus Line” |
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| 2 | The Produce Aisle We can't say it enough: We love local talent, it makes us all gooey inside. The Lisa Sette Gallery feels the same way with its "Local Produce" exhibit, which features everything from photography to jewelry to sketches, all from Arizona artists. What: "Local Produce" Exhibit |
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| 3 | Moon River Sometimes, we like to put on our best little black dress, pearls and black pumps and purr around the room a lá Holly Golightly. And then the gorilla catches us and we die of shame. Thank goodness for Mondays and "1960's Drinks at 1960's Prices" at Chez Nous Cocktail Lounge, where we can drink martinis and warble "Moon River" to our heart's content. What: 1960s Drinks at 1960s Prices |
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Thanks again for sticking with us through our first year growing pains and helping us flourish; we hope to bring you many more of the very best independent picks that Phoenix has to offer! |
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