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February 1st, 2008
Because of Phoenix Picks, we've recently developed a nasty new habit. During recent water-cooler chats we caught ourself using "we" instead of "I." In fact, you've probably wondered why the Phoenix Picks girls always say “we”? Luckily it's not our schizophrenia acting up, and as much as we love the gorilla-in-the-mist boyfriend we don't share him. So, what's the reason to our madness? First, the Picks staff has multiple writers. Everyone shares the love of independent, local businesses, and a love of shopping dining, drinking and pampering, so the “Picks” in Phoenix Picks is a team effort. Second, and building on that "go team” zeitgeist, we've decided it’s less narcissistic to say “we” than to have “I, I, I” all over the page. And finally we're sure your heads would explode if you had to read “I’m having so much fun being single and carefree,” which would follow “My husband and three kids make my life complete.” So we use “we.” It seems more general, and hopefully it communicates our "team effort." Perhaps it’s not grammatically correct, and thankfully the Shakespeare professor who nearly failed us isn't reading this. Bottom line? We want to entertain you, and we want to suck you into our spider web so you too will be using "we" in the most random places. |
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| 1 | La Petite Artiste Before our fashionista-in-training was born, we decided not to find out the sex. Sure, it drove the mother-in-law crazy (which is always fun), but we were bombarded with a sea of pastel onesies with yellow ducks and frogs at the baby shower. When we finally ventured into the world of newborn baby stuff we realized just how slim the pickins are for hobo-chic soon-to-be-parents. If it wasn't for our best gal pals in NYC, LA and Portland, our little miss would have faced the wrath of a pink frilly sundress. But with a little help from a local boutique called Little Artika, our bambina has now become quite the style maven and coincidently has mastered walking in her momma's 5-inch Louboutins at only 16 months! If you need baby hipness (or a shower gift), get to Little Artika pronto for accessories and clothes, euro-chic strollers, funky baby gadgets and modern baby furniture that was virtually impossible to find in the Valley until Little Artika. Your tot will be high stylin’ and happy enough to eat his steamed organic carrots. Little Artika |
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| 2 | What's Nous, Pussycat? Do you ever feel the need to throw back an Old Fashioned and hit the dance floor to a live cover of "Love and Happiness?" Well, we do—always. That's why we lovey-love-love Chez Nous. It's one of the few haunts of our past where we don't feel a middle-age identity crisis in a pool of freshly turned-21 teeny boppers in hot pink tank tops. This historic Phoenix watering hole has done what few downtown haunts have: 1. Survive more than 40 years amid a fickle downtown bar scene, and 2. Successfully move (quite literally, piece by piece) their time-warp of a neighborhood saloon and its loyal crowd to a new location on Grand Avenue. |
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| 3 | X Marks the Spot Oh, the secrets we uncovered when we snooped and perused the homes of friends and lovers. It's partly the thrill of the hunt, partly our voyeuristic nature, and partly the result of our pre-teen fascination with Nancy Drew. What can we say? We fancied ourselves the neighborhood crime-watch as young girls. Childhood imaginations aside, we were gleefully consumed with inspecting the overstuffed nook-n-crannies at The Trunk Trading Co. We found eco-friendly bags made from recycled bicycle tires by local designer Cherry Bombin', bobbles-turned-glamorous-jewelry made by a handful of local designers and old prom dresses reconstructed into modern day Madonna-esque lacy tiered skirts (from the Like a Virgin era). This trading post has a mix of all things wonderful—a little bit vintage, bargain bin prices, and sassy new Tunisian-esque tunics and dresses for spring. When you're like us, you need a one-stop shop for fabulous that won't break the piggy bank. It’s no mystery why this boutique at the end of the rainbow (er, strip mall … we're in Arizona, after all) will always send us to our happy place. |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | A Purse for the Taking When our sig other’s mom gave us a gift we were a little concerned. Having heard horror stories about zany mother-in-laws we were half expecting to find a beating pig's heart. Luckily we immediately recognized the label of our favorite shoe designer. Awesome! A mother in law who knows and appreciates our taste in overpriced shoes! Instantly, we thought of Kai Alise as a thank you gift for her. This design-your-own-purse studio was created by two clever accessory-obsessed sisters. Design online or throw a DIY house party! Choose from 20 different styles and mix and match fabrics! Genius! |
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| 2 | The Price of Beauty We succumbed to the rigors of waxing long ago, but we have to say—it’s a pretty awful regimen. The legs, the bikini … it’s all painful. We were considering going back to the razor until we discovered No-Scream Cream. This magic lotion numbs you just enough to take the edge off the hair being ripped from your body. We ran out of it before our last wax and noticed a huge difference in our pain threshold. With No-Scream Cream, suffering for beauty is definitely a whole lot easier! |
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| 3 | A Bicycle Built for You It’s been a long time since we rode a bicycle and we’re a little scared. It’s not like our dad is running along behind us anymore, though we’re sure he’d come over if we asked. Our angst is somewhat curbed, however, by the thought of a custom bike from Sweetpea Bicycles. They’re made just for women and built entirely by hand! Yes, patience is required to receive yours, but good things come to those who wait. Especially if your booty needs a custom fit. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Speak Up There's nothing better than walking into our trusty neighborhood boutique and finding that the coveted item we've been eyeballing for months is now on sale. So get yourself to Spoken Boutique now, where one fire-hot sale is brewing. All dresses are 30-50% off, and buy a pair of jeans get the second item for half off. If you haven't stopped by Spoken yet this is a great time for an introduction! You'll be hooked! What: Spoken Boutique Sale |
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| 2 | I'm a Rhinestone Cowgirl What: Frances Vintage 50% off Sale |
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| 3 | Life in a Heart-Shaped Box So you want to get a little creative for lover on Valentine's Day. Thinking perhaps ... maybe ... a heart-shaped bikini wax? Get groomed from head-to-toe with a designer bikini wax—choose from six special designs for only $35. And while you're out and about, don't forget about the box of chocolates for that late-night snack! What: Glam Lounge Febraury Specials |
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| 4 | Swiss Beauty Did someone say free lip waxing, mini hand treatments, chair massage and personalized foundation matching with Swiss Skin Care Company, Physioderime? We sure did ... and it's all happening at the Grand Opening soiree for Zethina Cosmetics and Skin Care. Warning: Hard-to-find beauty treatments galore! You'll def want to bring hubby's credit card for this one! What: Zethina Cosmetic Grand Opening Event |
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Are you keeping all this goodness to yourself? Please tell a friend about Phoenix Picks! |
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