Go to the Garden

That Christmas-y feeling can be a little elusive for residents of the Valley of the Sun. If you've been searching for the perfect festive December evening out, look no further than Las Noches de las Luminarias event at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Roam the paths of the garden glowing with thousands of luminaries. Enjoy the musical talents of various valley artists, dine, and don't leave without having a flight from the garden wine shop.

The garden is located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Visit dbg.org for dates, details and other delightfully seasonal events that the garden has to offer.

Weekend Sample: Dine Out with Chefs

What: An evening enjoying the culinary creations of Arizona's best chefs. Chat them up and learn their secrets.

When: This Sunday, October 4th from 4-6:30.

Where: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Atrium

The Cause: Proceeds benefit the arts education and outreach programs of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

{Get Tickets Now.}

weekday beat

{Things to love on Monday}

1. The new Starbucks iPhone App. Finally...

2. The Killers at Dodge Theatre 8:00pm tonight.

3. Happy Hour at Murphey's Law in downtown Chandler 4-7 and 10-12.

t h e t r a i n t r a c k s

There's even more incentive to go green and take the Phoenix Metro Light Rail. Every Friday you can enjoy The Train Tracks, local musicians selected to perform on the train during the commute.

Every quarter, the band that gets the most votes is featured at a Phoenix Art Museum party. The Train Tracks also provides band that continues to gain popularity throughout the year the opportunity to go to the Tempe Music Festival.

bare boTANicals

{Valley of the Sun Worshipers}

If you live in Arizona, you're probably pretty attached to your year-round tan, but getting that tan the same way your grandma did will leave you looking like her much sooner than you thought. Despite what they say at the tanning salon, tanning beds will leave you looking leathery and old before your time as well. They just ask you to pay for it first.

We all know an airbrushed tan is the safest, skin saving option, but you don't want to end up looking like you belong in a green wig on the set of Willy Wonka afterward.

bare boTANicals will save you from all of the above. Their studio is in downtown Scottsdale, but they also offer a mobile service to give you a flawless custom tan from the comfort of your own home. They use all natural ingredients that develop into a perfectly natural glow and are priced to leave you looking like a celebrity, not spending like one.

Phoenix Fashion Week

{p r e t t y e v e n t}

The 5th annual Phoenix Fashion Week is hitting the Hotel Valley Ho for three days.

Who: 7 Diamonds, Stop Staring, Fortune Denim, Local Celebrity and more...

What: 9 free fashion education workshops, over 30 fashion shows, and designer sample sales and market, and a $10,000 emerging designer contest.

When: Thursday, October 1st~ Saturday, October 3rd

Photo Courtesy: phoenixfashionweek.com

Spoon Me

Who isn't loving the fro yo craze? Spoon Me is a new frozen yogurt spot featuring natural, fresh ingredients, and exotic flavors like acai. They have 26 toppings, including fresh berries. Next time you're near the ASU campus, stop in for a lovin' spoonful.

681 E. Apache Blvd
Suite 106
Tempe, AZ 85281
photo courtesy: spoonme.com

When it's too freakin hot to leave the house: Gojane.com

{Shop From Home.}

It's 110 degrees outside and Sarah Walters is predicting showers and dust storms by 4pm. Welcome to Phoenix in July. Reason enough not to go out until the sun goes down.

So if you're in the mood to boost your wardrobe, but not up to braving the blazing valley heat, gojane.com. It's my new favorite place to shop online. The selection will keep you browsing until the high temps give in, and the prices are so low you'll have enough money to pay your SRP bill this summer. Happy shopping.

photo courtesy: gojane.com

Fitness: Express MiE

{Dance your ass off!}

What: Boogie in girls only classes like Yoga Booty Ballet, Pole~ah~Tease, and Bellylicious Belly Dancing. Need some new moves before you hit the clubs in Scottsdale? I Danced All Night is the class for you. Get ready to shimmy and shake your way to a sexy, dance floor worthy bod.

Where: Express MiE Fitness & Beauty in Tempe

The Deal: $15 to drop-in or $99/month for unlimited membership. Check out the website for more deals and packages.

Urban Tea Loft: Not Your Grandma's Tea Party

Who says tea is just for old ladies in funny hats? This delightfully unexpected little joint in historic downtown Chandler is serving up a lot more than an old fashioned cup of tea. They're open until 9pm most nights of the week with live music, distinguished dishes, and teatinis. With a happy hour of teatini specials, $2 off appetizers, $2.50 beers, $2 off wines by the glass and a menu that includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings this place is sure to appeal to more than just tea lovers. But, who knows? One visit and you may be inspired to try their custom tea blending or participate in their Tea 101 course.

Photo Courtesy: urbantealoft.com

Weeknight Warriors

$5 can really take you places tonight. Head to downtown Phoenix and check out the Mark Sexton Band at the Ruby Room. According to the band's bassist Alex Korostinsky, they, "...blended reggae, bossa-nova, funk, pop, jazz and hints of world-beat all together in a musical blender and out came this..." The show is at 9. Get a sneak preview of the jams on the band's Myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/marksextonreno

Ruby Room
717 S. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ. 85004

Phone: 602-258-6900

Francesca's Finds

Photos courtesy: francescascollections.com

If you haven't been to one of Francesca's six valley locations, get to one. Francesca's has all the charm of an exclusive boutique without the price tag. So if you're looking for something unique and adorable, take your $50 to Francesca's instead of Forever this time. The change of pace is just right.