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August 1st, 2008 We're never ones to take the straight and easy path. Instead when all is smooth sailing, we suddenly decide to pack up, move, and rid our lives of the excess we've accumulated. Of course, in making this decision our inner pack rat goes insane, concocting every reason for holding on to the knick knacks and the hippie skirts we horded two seasons ago. Luckily the advice of a few confidants affirmed that getting rid of stuff is liberating and exciting (as they would say, "out with the old and in with buying NEW things!"), and the fact that we're moving into a 1,000-square-foot house and cannot keep everything is giving us the mojo to part ways with our things. As the saying goes, "one woman's junk is another woman's treasure." We are saying au revoir to a lot of vintage treasures and a wardrobe that would perfectly "leather and lace" someone heading out to next year's Night of a Thousand Stevies. The only question is… what will we buy to replace all our departed items? P.S. Forward this issue to 5 of your best gal pals (or everyone you know) and CC picks@phoenixpicks.com. If you're one of the first to send, you can win this summer's coveted Ecologie bag (see below) for free! It's lots of good karma rolled into one—save a plastic grocery bag or three and spread the love about Phoenix Picks! |
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| 1 | Bone & Wag It’s official: we are totally in love with our new house, our new neighborhood, and our newfound ability to ride bikes to our favorite bars. The whole moving process was a royal pain and we have yet to locate the toaster, but we're over it. OK, so there may be one individual who isn’t so hyped: our Australian Shepherd, Josephine. Since the move, our little poochie mopes around and has reverted to hiding under the bed. She’ll adjust eventually, but for now, bribery will have to do. One of our favorite ways to distract lil’ Joe is a visit to Wag N' Wash Healthy Pet Center. This family owned shop is a one-stop shop for all of your canine/feline needs. The shiny happy humans who work at the Wag know how to keep your little monkeys happy and healthy with quality pet food and homemade treats. Grooming services are available as well, or you can do the dirty work at their self-serve washing and drying stations. We also suggest throwing in a stylish new collar, because retail therapy is just as effective for animals! Wag N’ Wash Healthy Pet Center |
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| 2 | That's Amoré Dating in college was an adventure. First of all, we were lucky if he had enough gas to come pick us up. We were “wined and dined” with 2-for-1 beers and cold, stale nachos during the local redneck bar's happy hour. Afterward, we were treated to a movie on local cable at his place. The piece de resistance involved him sloppily pawing at us as we dreamed of growing up and going on romantic dates with a man with, y'know, money. Much to our surprise, dates with career men aren't all about roses and horse-drawn carriages either. There are bills to pay and budgets to follow. And while we do go to nice places every now and then, more often than not we find ourselves sitting on the couch, watching "The Real World" reruns. Thank goodness for Venice Ristorante! With its intimate, café-like atmosphere, we can gaze into our lover's eyes and reenact the famous spaghetti scene from "Lady and the Tramp." The food is decadent (but affordable!), and we especially love their 4–7 happy hour with half-price wines and $3 appetizers. Venice Ristorante |
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| 3 | Working It Like Olive Oyl Ripe tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, fragrant basil, balsamic vinaigrette and extra-virgin olive oil… is there anything more refreshing than Caprese salad (and a jumbo glass of wine) on a sizzling summer night? We think not! Now that we’ve discovered the Cucina Olive Oils boutique in Chandler, we are obsessed with stopping in, experimenting, and perfecting the Italian staple. After sampling a dozen or so specialty extra-virgin olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes, we were worried that it would go straight to our backsides; however, our other half said but it's the good kid of fat so we resumed our research. While sampling the goods, we were particularly inspired by the strawberry balsamic vinaigrette/extra-virgin olive oil combo, and envisioned ourselves dressed as June Cleaver, drizzling it over a strawberry spinach salad. Cucina owner Chrissy Guglielmo tells us she combed the world for the 19 different olive oils she found in Italy, Spain, Australia and Tunisia. Stop by and try the cream of the crop—she’ll let you try as many of the olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes as you can stomach! Cucina Olive Oils |
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| 1 | Eco-maniacs We've just stumbled across the perfect eco-friendly accessory to rock our bohemian summer dresses during those Saturday morning trips to Whole Foods. Now we can do our part to save the world and also be the fashion mavens that we are. These stylish totes from Ecologie Bags come in ten different color combinations and hold the equivalent of four plastic grocery bags. Lightweight and colorful, these lovelies totally speak to our conflicting hippie and fashionista sensibilities. |
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| 2 | Iron and Whine One of the hardest parts about being a Vegan is finding shoes that are animal friendly and don't look like grandma's orthopedic clogs. Sure, if we had a million dollars we'd rock Stella McCartney heels every day. Unfortunately that just isn't the case. Luckily, Iron Fist launched a line of Vegan shoes that deliver just what we're looking for—stylish, affordable shoes for those days when we're craving a veggie dog and needing to flaunt our inner gothabilly. (And check out their fab tees for your lettuce-eating counterpart!) |
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| 3 | When Art Dictates Life Our little miss is at the age where she is starting to imitate. Her stuffed toys wear diapers, sit at the dinner table and, of course, since we're in potty training mode, Monkey monk and George "go pee pee in the toilet too." Lama, a lovely online boutique specializing in modern Latin American goodies, delivered just what was missing in our toilet-training audience... a mamina doll! This online gem is chock full of one-of-a-kind treasures and adorable trinkets for everyone. Stock up now before those pre-Christmas shoppers take all the good stuff! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A Slight Embellishing Don't you love it when the bartender at your favorite pub has already poured your drink before you sit down and order? If you're like us, it's these small gestures that reel and hook us in. Embellish home is one those special places that gives us the warm butterflies. Stop in during the month of August, mention Phoenix Picks and spend $25 or more, and Embellish will send you home with a free gift! What: Embellish Loves Phoenix Picks Reader Promo |
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| 2 | Kibble Cook-Off This event is for anyone you know who carts his/her beloved pooch in a dog stroller. Oh My Dog Spa and Boutique has invited private chef Bradford Hart, creator of the all-natural Golden Rule dog food, to lead a canine cooking class, and a Willo Bakery pastry chef will be on hand to demo cookie recipes made especially for Fido. What: Dog Food Cook-Off |
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| 3 | Sheena is A Punk Rocker Perhaps the worst haircut we ever had was when we decided we were tough girls and had holes in our jeans, Sonic Youth tees and our hair covering our eyes like Joey Ramone. It paled in comparison to Ruby Ray and Dawn Wirth’s ’dos—they’re Punk's Premier Photographers. Catch a glimpse of the real punk underground! What: Femmes with Flash Photography Exhibit |
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While you are out and about this summer, don’t forget to check out the places that spark your interest when you are reading the Picks. Please stop into the businesses we mention in Phoenix Picks. Our mission is to support them, and we’re counting on you to help us accomplish that! |
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