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September 19th, 2008
We were in New York during Fashion Week and spied the swarm of models and fashion mavens waiting to be photographed outside the white tents. We won’t deny—we were all eyes, hoping to see the editor of French Vogue and her entourage (no luck). Instead, we were treated to skinny twigs on stilts fiercely rocking the sidewalks with their cigarette-in-mouth poses and street photographers snapping away like kids in a candy store. It was as surreal as this season’s Marc Jacobs spring collection. One thing you learn after spending time in NYC, unless you’re 6’2 and 98 pounds, don’t wear those YSL heels to run errands or catch the subway—you will look ridiculous. The BFF was sure to point that out and keyed us in to a little secret. How can you tell a local from a fashion-obsessed groupie? Locals wear flats. |
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| Phoenix Picks: | |||
| 1 | I Remain… the Duckman It all started with a guy named Ken: sparkling blue eyes, beach-blonde hair and a smile that would give Justin Timberlake a run for his money. Best of all, we could dress him up in any outfit we wanted! Despite his dashing good looks, Ken’s personality was sort of, well, lacking, and eventually we parted ways. But just because we've moved on to guys who don't wear flesh-colored manties, that doesn’t mean we still don’t like to play dress-up. We love spoiling our man with arm-candy enhancing additions to his wardrobe, which so happen to perfectly complement our look. King & Duck |
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| 2 | Who’s Your Mama? No one tells you that when you have children your favorite haunts will be replaced with baby-friendly establishments. The old coffee house where you chain-smoked and wrote poems about unrequited love? The dive bar where you karaoked Rod Stewart songs until you were blue in the face? The sushi restaurant where you were served up your first dozen sake bombers? Suddenly all these places are the setting for old memories, and your local salad bar is the closest thing to Luckily more establishments are becoming kid-friendly, and dining out with the little ones doesn’t mean another date with Chuck E. Cheese. One of our favorite places to take the little miss is Mama Java’s, where we can get a cup of strong coffee, a comfy seat with Nietzsche, and she is free to explore and be the curious tot that she is. This little spot is also a stomping ground for artists and musicians—one night, poets are chanting iambic pentameters; another, folk lovers are foot-stompin’ to the tunes of a traveling band. Stop in on Sunday nights when the aroma of coffee mingles with the local bluegrass scene. The little ones will love it too! Mama Java’s Coffeehouse |
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| 3 | Bustin’ Loose We've got the shopping itch lately and we blame it on the weather—not quite summer and not yet fall. So we feed our fix during this awkward transition by pairing a cardigan and boots with a pair of shorts (our mother is turning in her grave at the very idea!). Recently Francesca, one of our fave spots, opened another affordable boutique, and it’s packed to the gills with fun stuff for every gal. Monogrammed candles, sassy coin purses, jazzy jewelry, flirty dresses, denim, and colorful tops fill the racks and tables; bright, oversized totes and handbags line the walls. And new merch constantly comes in, so we don't have to worry about getting caught in the same halter top as the bimbette at the other side bar. We also swooped up the “I’m saving up for plastic surgery” piggy bank to keep us on track; after all, who doesn't want a perkier set? P.S. Don’t miss the specially priced jewelry in the back—two pairs of earrings for $20, two brooches for $30 and two necklaces for $40—just right for a recessionista’s budget. Francesca’s Collections |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Camera Obscura We minored in photography in college. But those days of processing film, the scent of fixer on our hands and sleeping next to our beat-up old Nikon have definitely become a thing of the past; fallen victim to the convenience of digital photography. It’s nice to see a revival of old photo techniques; especially the use of the pinhole camera. Local photographer Sheila Bocchine dishes up ethereal documentary pinhole photographs from around the Valley and internationally. Pick up a few prints before they’re impossible to get! |
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| 2 | Grandma Chic During our travels, we’ve come to realize that comfort has taken a whole new style definition. In Brooklyn and Seattle, for example, if you’re going to do effortless chic it must include a pair of grandma shoes. All the hipster girls are pairing Worishofers (a classic German comfort shoe) with uber-cute dresses and boho tops. It’s so fug-a-liciously adorable we instantly had to jump on the bandwagon; and we’re so glad we did. Now we can walk for hours without the fear of blisters—plus they complement our ragamuffin editrix wardrobes. |
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| 3 | Hot Like Daisy Buchanan Ever since we read The Great Gatsby in high school, we have wanted to throw a Gatsby-themed party for ourselves—all glitz, champagne and romance. And oh, the costume options! After we stumbled upon these amazing headbands by Ban.Do, we decided this was going to be the year. Handmade with satin ribbons, vintage flowers, tulle and feathers, we are head-over-heels for these perfectly lovely adornments—so much so that we don’t need a party to wear them! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A Foodie Favorite Fresh local produce, culinary delights and unique gifts are just a few of the goodies you’ll find at Vincent’s Camelback Market, which reopens Oct. 4. We’re counting the days, reminiscing about Vincent’s hand-crafted, thin-crust pizzas introduced at last year’s market, and Vincent’s 1964 French Renault Dauphine Smoothie Mobile featuring fresh fruit smoothies, and lobster and foie gras burgers. What: Vincent’s Camelback Market |
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| 2 | See and Be Seen Realizing the sequined dress hanging in our closest has not yet made a public appearance, we’re excited about this—it reminds of us our Hollywood debutante days. W Scottsdale is hosting an upscale charity event benefiting Suns Nite Hoops. Enjoy music by Arrested Development, massages by Bliss Spa, food by Sushi Roku and dessert by the Valley’s hottest restaurants. What: Sweet Dreams charity event |
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| 3 | Enter the Catwalk Market Street’s a catwalk for the “Living in Style” DC Ranch Fall Fashion Show. It features 20 DC Ranch resident models sporting high-end fashions for men and women, including clothing, accessories and shoes from Market Street merchants such as Scarpe, Te Boutique, Ruby, Visions Optique, and L'Hermitage, plus appetizers and cocktail samplings from Market Street restaurants. What: "Living in Style" DC Ranch Fall Fashion Show |
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We don’t know about you but we’re spent! Between all this traveling, little miss’ B-day party and the S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G-ing, we are ready to kick up our heels and take an extended cat-nap this weekend! |
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