A Sunny Spot for a Rainy Day

The summer showers of an Arizona monsoon season bring moments of respite to the arid desert landscape. But when you live in a city that thrives on sunshine and outdoor activities, you can be at quite a loss for entertainment when the skies open up and inevitably, pour down.

My suggestion? Find an indoor relaxation haven and indulge in a little monsoon 'me-time'.

Sundrops Nail Spot on the corner of Camelback rd. and 40th st. offers spa treatments in a glam setting. The store front showcases a small shopping area filled with beauty brands and boutique chic clothing and accessories.

Choose your new favorite shade from an array of luxury labels like Essie, O.P.I. and Deborah Lipmann, then pile up the fashion mags, sit back and relax.

***CR Hot List: Take a caribbean vacay through polish and pick Essie's 'Turqouise and Caicos' for your mani-pedi.

After you've been scrubbed, buffed and polished, take care of those brows and ask for a quick wax or brow threading. You'll leave looking good and feeling fresh, perfect for that rainy day date.

Sundrops Nail Spot: 3949 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.956. 0822.

Forever Fashion

This weekend is gonna be a scorcher and since hot temps require extra attention to fashion, I suggest light, airy, breathable pieces, suitable for beating the heat.

Here are my picks for weekend wear to keep you cool, courtesy of Forever 21, located within Scottsdale Fashion Square.

bright lights, big city. protect your peepers from the strain of the sun while making a splash with rainbow colored shades.

heat styling is a pain in the summer months, so skip the blow-dry and don a dapper hat for that pool party or backyard bbq.

flowy racer-back tank, jean shorts and moccasin inspired fringe flats make running saturday errands a breeze.

tribal embellishment gives unexpected flair to a simple tank

beat the heat wave in a nautical inspired one-shoulder striped dress. a universally flattering cut with day to night potential.

nothing says summer like an eyelet white mini dress. pretend to be a Lilly Pulitzer girl and pair with pearls, CHANEL sunglasses and a silk scarf.

evenings out can still be a potential hot mess. opt for bright prints in light fabrics paired with simple accessories and a chic ponytail.

happy shopping!

xx

m

New Adventures

My friends, I have returned from a long journey. My trek took me to the unknown and rarely explored community that is West Phoenix, specifically Glendale.

It was an unassuming Vietnamese restaurant called Little Saigon that captured my attention and ultimately, my taste buds.

White picket fence? check. HUGE fish tank with hundreds of little fishies just waiting to be eaten? double check.

a little app: spring roll and dumpling

take everything you like and put it in a soup- my kind of cookin'

the main meal: spicy beef with baby bok choy

Vietnamese culinary protocol, when in doubt, top it off with an egg

***CR Insider: After dinner, head over to sing karaoke across the street. Be warned- Fleetwood mac reigns supreme.

Little Saigon

7016 N 57th Ave

Glendale, AZ 85301-2518
(623) 939-6136

Spa-licious

Triple digit temps, a heat rivaling the '7th circle of hell' as a friend recently put it, allow for some time to cool down and relax.

I recently visited the Centre for Well-Being at the Phoenician for a promotional spa deal. What was supposed to be an hour long massage turned into a 5 hour day-stay which included the complimentary use of their fitness center, sauna, steam room and gorgeous locker room filled with amenities.

Walking in, I was greeted by a friendly perma-smile spa sister who was ready for me to have a relaxing experience. I was given a locker, filled with sandals and a plush robe, then directed to sit in the solarium where fruity infused water dispensers offered refreshment for spa-citizens. 3 glassses of cucumber H2O and 1 Vogue later, I was ready for my massage.

**CR Full Disclosure: did not like my masseuse. She was a talker. No me gusta.

After the massage, I decided to get my $ worth and wallowed in spa central as long as I could. Workout, sauna, shower.

**Best of the best: the amenities- every wash, lotion, spray you need to prep for the rest of your day.

When you're feeling the heat from life, job, relationship or weather- take a break for a cool minute and spend some spa-licious time at the Centre for Well-Being at the Phoenician.

stay cool

M

Fashionable Friday

Meet the man, the myth, the label: Ted Baker

A fictional character conjured by the creator to represent his brand, Ted Baker combines English sartorial sensibility with a fanciful European flair for the unexpected.

Shopping in the new store at Scottsdale Fashion Square is much like entering a magical mid-summer night's dream filled with fashionista formal wear and paisley prints for dapper gents.

Attention to detail is at the forefront of this grand opening. Taking notes from the English countryside, the brand's creative team seamlessly intertwined the rural properties of our desert landscape to ensure a cohesive match between the label and it's new AZ location.

Lush greenery covers the intricate stonework by the registers, while handcrafted, blown-glass chandeliers showcase the mountain-inspired wall treatments.

The perfect excuse to buy a new dress and a new jacket. Wear the white sundress now, then pair it with a luxe tux topper when the weather cools.

If you can't bathe in the ocean, bathe yourself in a blue cocktail dress for drinks at the W

If there was ever a time to have fun in fashion, it's now! Escape reality and the heat with a trip to Teddy B's. You won't be disappointed.