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July 18th, 2008
Like the old saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get... Nighty Night tea. We here at Phoenix Picks have been going through some definite growing pains lately. One of us braved the open air with a one-year-old (never mind that it was a trip to Hawaii), another survived a brutal move—parting ways with her college-era Ikea furniture, the other endured a week with the in-laws, and another is a whacked out, moustache-grooming steroid-popping gal currently fighting Valley Fever. We have no idea how we made this week's deadline. But during one of our sleepless "I'm having a Sylvia Plath" moments, this issue was born. With our creative juices spent and last week's chaos coming to an end we're counting the minutes before our sleepy time tea sets in. We can't wait to dream about sexy bohunks feeding us grapes and fanning us with palm leaves! We hope your dreams will be equally steamy! |
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| Phoenix Picks: | |||
| 1 | Girl, Put Your Records On Our old friend, Whitney, once said, "I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” More beautiful words were never uttered from an 80’s pop star; at least that’s what we believed when we were seven. Fast-forward 20 years and one gray hair later and we’re suddenly confronted with the reality that we are those children. Crap. Where is Whitney when you need her?!? (We won’t go into that.) Seriously, we can barely figure out which side to wear our pony on, much less what we want to be when we grow up. It’s at this point that we turn our stereo up to 11 and drown out the sounds of our uncertainty. Riding the crest of the new and used wave, Revolver Records is a perfect place to find the soundtrack to your quarter-life crisis. Whether you’re looking for Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls” or the new Hold Steady record, you’re sure to find something to distract from that nagging “not sure what to do with my life” feeling. This Melrose-district rekid shop provides a grand selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, VHS and other goodies to jumpstart your rock n’ roll heart. If you’re lucky, you might even discover a new pop artist to whisper sweet nothings into your adult subconscious. Revolver Records |
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| 2 | Everything is Coming up Purple We're getting swamp arse just thinking about how hot Arizona is right now. While last weekend's monsoon showers were beyond heavenly, this week the delightful humidity (combined with 110 degrees) has nearly broken the camel's back. We're thisclose to falling out of love with this state. Of course, just when we're about to pack up and move to some beachside paradise, we're suddenly comforted by those not-so-distant memories of cooler weather (only three more months!). It also helps that new fall gear has been popping up in boutiques across the Valley, and the kick-arse sales on summer's skimpy fare is sending us full-throttle into buyer's remorse. The Purple Skirt and Boulevard 48 boutiques in Chandler are having major blowout sales to make way for the men’s clothes that will be taking over Boulevard 48 in mid-August. So hooray for us! We love the way our thighs look in True Religion jeans and now we can get them, along with 7 for All Mankind and Citizens for Humanity, for only $99. Dry Aged Denim is marked down to $50 a pair; tees and tanks around $29. So many items are marked down that we mos def need to get our bums back before this sale is over. And see? A little retail therapy does work wonders on those sweaty palms. The Purple Skirt and Boulevard 48 |
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| 3 | West Siiiiddde There are times when it’s convenient to live in the West Valley. You know, when we have Coyotes tickets, or when it’s time to pick up a new crossbow at Cabela’s. Other times—like when we commute to work, have a lunch date, and need to shop for anything that can’t be purchased at Target—we have to navigate this crucible we stylishly call “the Valley” all the way over to Scottsdale. Fortunately, more high-fashion boutiques are migrating our way. West Valley fashionista Tanya Spencer has always had a passion for haute couture and realized her dream of opening Una Bella Boutique in Glendale this past May. Una Bella carries prêt-a-porter fashions right off the runways of New York and L.A. fashion weeks. Designs include Yoana Baraschi, Single by Theresa Matthew and Plush Premium Denim (worn by Madonna and the Kardashian sisters). Who wouldn’t want to look like Kim Kardashian in jeans? (Does an ample caboose count?) And while Una Bella fashions are haute couture, they are as wearable for everyday occasions as they are for a night out clubbing in… Scottsdale. Una Bella Boutique |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Lo-Han Dynasty We never understood the Lindsay Lohan hoopla until we caught sight of her 6126 legging collection at Shop Intuition. BTW, 6126 is the birth date of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe—Linds’ inspiration for the collection. Ah, now we totally get it. After all, who would put their stamp of approval on leopard-print ankle gloves unless it was for complete world domination? Give it a month—we predict you’ll see preteen girls hanging at the food court sporting them. Get yours now before your daughter beats you to the chase! |
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| 2 | An Adorable Death Like a sock monkey. Only un-deader. One of our favorite Phoenix gals, Erin, has created the best arts and crafts project known to man: Sock Zombies. Featuring an impossible combination of cute and evil dead, her whimsical creations are sure to make you giggle, especially with the glittery-red puffy paint blood around their mouths. Perfect for displaying in your cubicle or potentially warping a small child for life, Sock Zombies are the perfect, out-of-the-box gift. Who knew this could be so cute? |
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| 3 | Built to Last Our very first boyfriend had a Mustang that we fondly remember spending many, many hours in. We can still conjure the feel of those soft fabric seats as we cruised through town at night. This is why, when we found Kim White Handbags, we fell in love—again. Specializing in bags designed from vintage automotive fabrics, not only are they totally cute, but they’re durable too. Style and function? What more could a girl want? |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Brass Knuckles and Hard Hearts We can’t believe how tough we are. We survived our 20s (aka our “blackout period”), several hardcore heartbreaks and gave birth au naturale (really, no drugs!). There’s pretty much nothing that can break our stride. Unless, of course, we see a 50- to 70-percent off sale at our favorite boutique. Get over to Brass Heart now for smoking hot deals! What: Brass Heart Clearance Sale |
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| 2 | Eye Know Are you an art connoisseur living on a ramen budget? Get thee over to the eye lounge this evening for a silent art auction and score a masterpiece by an up-and-coming starving artist. The cost is $1.00 for each bid, which will benefit the gallery. At bargain-basement bidding reserves you won’t even notice. Just think—more than 100 art pieces for under $100! What: Midsummer Night’s Green at eye lounge |
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| 3 | Rikki Don’t Lose That Number Summers in Arizona just don’t feel complete without a pair of huaraches, a hirsute BF, a drive to the border with the gang, and Steely Dan’s Gaucho playing on repeat. After all, this is what living in the Wild West is all about. Seeing Steely Dan live is like midnight swimming and hearing coyotes howl at the full moon; you don’t want to miss this awesome opportunity. What: Steely Dan in concert |
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So we have a friend who is thinking about opening a shoe store and needs a catchy name. We couldn’t think of anyone better than our dearest readers to help deliver a witty and smart name! Send your ideas to somlynn@phoenixpicks.com … who knows … maybe our friend will send a pair of shoes if she uses your idea. Also extra points (maybe even a goodie bag) if you’re name idea is somehow derived from a ZZ top tune! |
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