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May 15th, 2009
Recently, we took up gardening. Our tomato plants are bearing fruit, our zucchini is in bloom, and we might have a good crop of onions and various herbs this year. We weren’t so lucky with the strawberries and we were definitely hoping for one watermelon plant. We’ve heard the old adage about starting a garden to dig the woes away, especially during these times when being frugal and eco-conscious are a way of life. We have to confess, it has taken a lot of TLC and effort caring for our little seedlings and keeping the cats out of our green paradise (those rats!). But, it’s totally worth it. We had forgotten just how good a warm tomato tastes straight out of an organic garden, free of that waxy glossy film found on most supermarket tomatoes. Are we ready to turn in city life and high-fashion duds for a pair of rubber garden boots and a hoe? We’ve contemplated it at times, but seriously there’s no way we could part with our five-inch heels. |
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| Phoenix Picks: | |||
| 1 | The Princess and the Pea(berry) Exhausted from the pea our prince’s mother slipped underneath our mattress, and busy dodging mirrors in the early morning hours because our eye cream would have to have superpowers in order to remove the dark circles, we began our search for the café au lait that would deliver us from a witch’s memory. Relief came in the form of a market/café called The Kitchen. There was nothing but a smile on our face as we paid for our coffee at the espresso bar, added a couple pumps of agave syrup and cruised the market. The smell of fresh-baked breads and warm sandwiches; a cool case full of ethnic dishes, the perfect sides for a hot afternoon; a worldly variety of cheeses; gelato; homemade pizza dough and miscellaneous odds and ends meant to tempt every tongue into submission. To top if off, we discovered escape from dinners with the witch-in-law by sneaking off to The Kitchen’s wine bar to enjoy wine, appetizers and sweet treats with girlfriends. We want to be there all the time. Correction: We are there all the time. Maybe you should go, too. The Kitchen by Good Eats Grocer |
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| 2 | Zeeba, Queen of the Desert Feeling cold and weary from our recent trip to the rainy Midwest, we looked forward to donning some colorful summery garb. Peering into our closet, we sighed as we realized there was nothing to lift our mood. Bored with unimaginative department-store selections, we headed to Zeeba Boutique, and were immediately smitten with the store’s greeter, Julie, wearing the latest jewel-encrusted barrettes. The lavish store was filled with all sorts of dazzling clothing and accessories, and a wide variety of designers, including Arizona-made Mu jeans and Todd Anthony crystal-adorned handbags. Catering to a wide variety of ages, we felt certain three generations of femme fatales could easily find a new wardrobe ensemble. We immediately felt refreshed and recharged—possibly due the energizing crystals they offer. The goal of Zeeba, which means “the beautiful one” in Farsi, is to empower women, allowing them to harness their inner beauty. Offering everything from Reiki to personalized photo shoots and private fashion shows, this is the place to go to unleash your inner goddess. |
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| 3 | La Dolce Vita Endless hours trapped under fluorescent lights have made us wistful for the by-gone days of hittin’ the road at a moment’s notice. Now that we are playing the role of “responsible, contributing-to-society adults,” it seems hard to believe that we ever had such options! We vaguely recall a time when the words “Vegas? Ready in two hours? No problem!” crossed our lips. Or what about: “Ben Kweller is playing in Tucson tonight? Let’s go!” And the standard practice of blowing off to San Diego with the ladies? All but a sweet, sweet memory. Now that our spontaneous excursions have to be a bit closer to home, we adore places like Postino Wine Café. The much-loved Arcadia wine bar has just opened a sister location in Central Phoenix, only a short stumble from the light rail. Their delicious Panini sandwiches and exotic wine list make us feel like we’re in some far-off locale any day of the week. With $5 glasses of wine from 11 am-5 pm every day, it’s easy to pretend we’re on a Roman holiday! Postino Wine Café Central |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Pretty in Pink Even as grown ladies, we sometimes find ourselves being drawn to frilly, pink, ultra-girly things, from clothing to home décor. So what if our five-year-old niece shares our taste sometimes? We own our girly-ness! Our latest girly find is this necklace from dejarnette, with three layers of pleated pink tulle ruffles on a chunky antique silver chain. Oh-so-delicious. We’re picturing it with a distressed leather biker jacket—you know, just to maintain our street cred. |
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| 2 | Make the Postman Blush One should never underestimate the pick-me-up power of getting a surprise delivery in the mail. An unexpected “Thinking of You” card or little treat from a friend makes our whole day. So naturally, we find the idea of Panty by Post brilliant. Get a monthly subscription of decadent French panties by Blush in the mail—once, six times, or every month for a year—your choice! A great gift for brides-to-be who have everything, including a crock pot already. |
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| 3 | Scent-sational Having a signature scent that reminds people of you (and only you) when they smell it is one of those crucial style rules we follow religiously. But we don’t want our signature scent to be the same as someone else’s—the horror! Enter top perfumer Le Labo—with ten exceptional fragrances, these exclusive scents are formulated by hand, on demand. You pick the perfume and name it (sweet) and they print the label with your scent and name, so it’s totally original. Mission accomplished. |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Open Your Heart We’re all about trying new things, especially if it chases our blues away. Kirtan is the repetition of sacred Sanskrit mantras through call and response chanting. This exercise is a simple practice that centers and calms the mind, and brings rejuvenation to the soul. Yep, just what the naturopath ordered. Join eye candy Michael Kolasa at Urban Yoga as he incorporates traditional and contemporary musical Kirtan styles. What: Michael Kolasa’s Open Heart Kirtan |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Bad Girl A good discount gives us a shopper's high. When we uncovered BadJoan.com’s wealth of indie talent we knew we found treasure. Members get 80% off of everything all the time, but for one week Phoenix Picks readers can get 80% off without a membership. Use the code PHPICKS80 at checkout for 80% off your entire order… it’s good to be bad! What: Phoenix Picks Discount at BadJoan.com |
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| 2 | I Dream of Genie Grab your genie lamp and get ready for a three-hour tour as Canal brings back its “Tuesday Night TV Dinners” served on ceramic TV-dinner style serving platters. They offer classics like chicken pot pie, beef stroganoff and meatloaf (Ma! The meatloaf!) as reruns of “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Gilligan’s Island” and “Happy Days” play on the big screen. What: Canal’s TV Dinner Tuesdays |
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| 3 | Friday Night, Just Got Paid We’re so ready to show off our summertime curves. After all, there has to be some kind of reward to our three-month rexie diet of black coffee, cigarettes and carrots. We think this Friday’s rooftop party at the Clarendon is just the place to make our hipster-cat debut. We’ll see you there! What: Phoenix Friday Nights |
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Welcome summer sweats and swimming pool parties, late-night bicycle rides and saguaros in bloom! We hope you’re well prepared for the next couple months of hibernation from the heat—or making the most out of 120 degrees. It’s kind of sadistic, isn’t it? |
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