Arts + Culture

Objets d'Art

Curated coffee table books for every interior and interest Article by Beth Del Ville For the one with wanderlust | Capri Dolce Vita Tour the ancient island of Capri in this bright and gorgeously oversized book. It features more than 270 glittering pages with glamorous photos of life on the sun-soaked island. Written by Cesare Cunaccia, a writer, lecturer, curator and journalist who served as editor at large for Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue, as well as the antiques consultant for...

Home + Design

Desert Gardening for Beginners

An East Valley garden educator shares tips and advice Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Provided by Angela Judd As a Master Gardener, Angela Judd wants everyone interested in cultivating their green thumbs to know one important point. “Gardening in the desert is different, but not impossible,” she says. Judd, an East Valley resident and gardener behind the Growing in the Garden blog, YouTube channel, and social media pages, is devoted to helping teach others to garden and has been...

Home + Design

The Closing Shift

Tidying up before turning in Article by Beth Del Ville If you’ve ever worked in retail or the food industry, you may be familiar with the concept of the closing shift – putting everything back in order at the end of the day and preparing for a smooth morning. This concept is now finding its way into our homes. The closing shift aims to help tidy your home, and your mind, by completing small tasks before bed that can help make a big difference in the morning.   So skip the evening social...

Home + Design

Staircase Chic

Take your home to new heights with a staircase transformation Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by B&A Stairs and Metal Gates, LLC The staircase - sometimes considered a mere connector between levels - has the potential to be so much more than just a working element. By combining thoughtful design with innovative functionality, a staircase can evolve into a dynamic and integral component of your home's living space; a versatile and purposeful centerpiece that adds style and value.   ...

Home + Design

Carefully Curated

East Valley interior designer adds beauty and function to take Ahwatukee home to the finish line Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Agnes Art and Photo As an interior designer and real estate agent, Lisa Ryan Whyte knows firsthand how a carefully curated combination of furniture, artwork, and other decor can help transform a house into a home.   Whyte was asked by clients to apply her design skills and expertise to add artistic interior design touches to a home they recently...

Life + Culture

Loving Ahwatukee Life

Izzy, a morning host on ALT AZ 93.3, finds Ahwatukee to be a peaceful sanctuary Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak As a host on ALT AZ 93.3 in Phoenix, Izzy spends Monday through Friday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. playing a variety of alternative rock, and speaking with listeners who call into the show. But when she’s played the final Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy, No Doubt or other song for the morning and her workday is done, Izzy loves nothing more than...

Home + Design

Bottles in Bloom

A DIY guide to creating a stylish and heartfelt gift Article and Photography by Amy Crist This beautiful arrangement is one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll create this year – all you need is a drawer storage tray, floral foam, champagne and fresh flowers. Choose a mini or pre-made bouquet that matches the champagne bottle or your recipient’s personality. To start building your gift, place the bottle in the tray (either straight or on an angle) and cut the floral foam pieces to fit around...

Beauty

Love Through Inclusivity

23-year old Mateo Wood owns Verbena, The Salon, a thriving local business that gives back to the community Article by Alison Stanton | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Mateo Wood first dreamed of becoming a hairstylist and owning a salon when he was a student at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee. “Looking back, I always knew I wanted to own my own business in some aspect, and I knew it was the perfect fit for me when I entered the beauty industry,” Wood says. While Wood figured it would...

Food + Beverage

Exploring Local Flavors

Construct the perfect meal with friends by sampling multiple restaurants’ cuisines – all in one night! Article by Beth Del Ville | Photography by Stephanie Slezak Enjoy some of the best dining Ahwatukee has to offer by planning a restaurant crawl with friends, where you can experience selections from a few different restaurants in the community in just one night. We’re sharing quick tips and a curated itinerary to get you started, but make it a regular occurrence and try all the restaurants...

Fitness

Hit the Trails

Expert tips on how to get started mountain biking Article by Michelle Talsma Everson | Photography by Stephanie Slezak When you find a sport you love, you hopefully can find a way to stick with it for a lifetime. That’s what Ahwatukee resident Mike Dale has found with mountain biking – a sport he’s participated in for more than 30 years.   As the head coach of the Desert Vista Mountain Bike team, which welcomes local youth to experience the sport, Dale hopes that his enthusiasm for mountain...