Festivus For The Rest of Us

Jeremy Grey: What do you like better, Christmas or Wedding Season?
[Jeremy raises his hand]
John Beckwith: Mr. Grey?
Jeremy Grey: Yes. The answer would be, um, Wedding Season?

Nope, it's Autumn in AZ folks and it's time for countless festivals with numerous festivities and, you guessed it, a mountain of FUN!

This past weekend was a doozy of a good time. The 6th annual Phoenix Fashion Week kicked off the official end of summer with a fashion filled week at the W in Scottsdale.

Model-ish behavior found new heights in the heels and hearts of those who attended. Executive Director, Brian Hill, is certainly the King of Phoenix Fashionland and is doing his best to bridge the gap between buyers and designers.

Not to be outdone by their Phoenican friends, Scottsdale socialites gathered at SMoCA for their fall opening celebration including Scottsdale Fashion Week's Designer of the Year Runway Show. I'm looking forward to attending the Junior League Sponsored event, Nov. 4-6.

Saturday was an epic day filled with tacos, tequila, then bicycles and beer and then tamales and tequila.... are we beginning to see a pattern??

Taco Fest 2010 rocked my socks- bottom line. There are few things I love more than quality tequila tastings and fish tacos...

if these are your children- you've failed as a mother

But then there was bikes and beer- really good beer and really crazy bikes! Tour de Fat in Tempe proved to be the perfect spot for un-inhibited, sun-drenched, people watching. A bohemian brothel filled with scantily clad 20-30 somethings looking to have nothing but a good time.

2 red-bulls and a disco nap later, I found myself miraculously showered, dressed and ready to be chauffered to the New Times Best of Afare at the Cityscape in downtown Phoenix.

The award winning vendors dished out delicious goodies and served up tasty libations to the tune of a 10 piece orchestra playing the oldies. I almost got my date to dance with me.... almost- but I ended up finding tamales and -shocker- tequila.

It only gets better ladies and gents. So I suggest you rest up and prep for the next 9 months- it's gonna get crazy.

Cupboard Confidential

It hit me. The little sugar monster inside that began slowly whispering it needed a sweet snack but then grew into a loud, full on bitch fest.

Alright, alright- geeze...

Deciding to appease the sugar monster, I went in search of something in my abandoned kitchen. To my utter shock and surprise I found the perfect components for a sweet treat hiding in my freezer!

Whole frozen strawberries, vanilla almond milk, overly ripe bananas and lite cool whip made the list for my last minute recipe.

nectar of the gods

After thawing 5 whole strawberries in a bowl and defrosting them in the microwave for a minute, I tossed them into my blender along with 1 banana and enough almond milk to cover the banana berry goodness.

BBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNDDDDDDDD until smooth.

A low cal, easy dessert that can be found lurking in your grocers freezer section.

Now pour into a perfectly appropriate fancy glass, top with cool whip and enjoy!

The Rachel Berry- in honor of my favorite funny glee girl, lea michelle....

The Chill Factor

Feelin' hot, hot, hot!

(get-to-know-me-side note) the setting: watching a scientific video about volcanoes in 6th grade at my strict religious prep school, the song, the situation: song deemed 'inappropriate' by my teacher due to its passionate beat...)

Volcanic eruptions and lava slides aside, it got me thinking about ways to get out of the heat and do something out of the ordinary... luckily I had the fantastic opportunity to head up to the quaint and remarkably interesting wine destination of Northern AZ.

My first stop was Page Springs Cellars, a picturesque vision of what a wine weekend getaway is all about: idyllic vistas, tasty wine and knowledgeable staff ready and waiting to pour delectable amounts of their finest vintage.

strangers are only friends I haven't met yet~

howdy folks!

***CR Insider: the members only patio area is a must see on the weekend as the place gets packed with locals and tourists alike.

ummmmm.... yes please!

Onto the next! The short trip to Old Town Cottonwood proved delightful and peaceful with winding roads and charming scenery artfully displayed just beyond my car windows.

The Arizona Stronghold tasting room differs from that of Page Springs in its rock 'n roll sensibility and cowboy chic decor.

Tasting their 'site-archives', another term for 'reserve', is a tipsy treat best waited out by lounging on a nearby sumptuous leather couch before the long drive home.

***CR Extra Treats: Stronghold's tasting room showcases local products for purchase, perfect for souvenir shopping

Bea's Beauty Bar

Queen Creek Olive Mill

And if you're feeling like a bit of a joiner- sign up for their new wine club. Membership gives you hand selected bottles of vino from the vigneron masterminds of Eric Glomski and Tim White- pretty effin' awesome if ya ask me.

new friends followed me here... or maybe I followed them?

I've already started planning my next trip back- I'm thinking good people, an RV and a lot of tylenol... don't miss Page Springs' Upcoming Harvest Festival- good tunes and booze?

Count me in!

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (Tasting Room)

Phone: (928) 639-2789

1023 N. Main Street

Cottonwood AZ 86326

Page Springs Cellars

Phone: (928) 639-3004

1500 Page Springs Road

Cornville AZ 86325

A New Twist

I don't know about you, but this little blog of mine is starting to become my reality in a BIG way.... friends- methinks I may be in a rut.

http://artbyvida.com/portfolio.php

Upon realizing this, I began to loathe my desert surroundings and crave new destinations scented with salty air and evoking the coastal calm of a southern beach.

this....

vs.

this.

But seeing as I only have 2 more weeks until my yearly return to the South, I figured I would stop, breathe and take another look at all the possibilities around me in AZ.

Sometimes all you need is a little perspective to shake things up.

I decided to visit an oldie, but a goodie- El Chorro Lodge.

Say what you want about the 'lack of culture' in AZ, but this historical landmark speaks to the patrons of this place and the citizens of this great desert valley.

A school in its infancy, a celeb den as a teen and now, after having a little work done, is graciously all grown up.

Night time is the right time to visit El Chorro. A pristine view and magical misters make their reverse happy hour (thurs.-sat. 9:30-11:30) the perfect place for summer lovin'.

the happy hour burger: sub-par, but hey- they can't all be the kobe beef zinburger...

sugar high. it's not a trip to el chorro without their famous sticky buns.

A classic is forever for a reason. Break your summer rut with a timeless visit to the El Chorro Lodge.

Location:

5550 E. Lincoln Dr.

Paradise Valley, AZ 85253