Pickleball fever is en fuego, particularly in our corner of the country, where current temps are just right for dinking all day. As the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row (according to Topline Participation’s 2023 report), approximately 8.9 million players in the United States partake in the family-oriented paddle activity, while interest has steadily inclined since its inception in the mid-1960s. The draw is multifaceted — the sport is relatively low-impact, can be played indoors or outdoors, is easy to learn for nearly all ages, and the fun factor is off the charts ..read more

It’s the most comfortable footwear trend to walk the runways for quite a while, and we’re here for it! The ballet flat — and creative iterations of the old-is-new-again look — is a welcome, comfortable and stylish footwear must-have that I personally hope doesn’t fade away soon. Iconic and sophisticated, designers paired the versatile shoe on the runway last year, and recent 2024 shows indicate the look is here to stay for a bit. Adding color, texture and understated charm to an outfit makes the ballet flat an easy fashion choice that portrays next-level fashion status. From leather to weave ..read more

Scottsdale Fashion Square will soon welcome Parisian luxury sister brands SANDRO and Maje to its collection of retailers, adding a French twist to its rich repertoire of accessible luxury brands. Maje boutique’s 1,850-square-foot interior will include ceppo flooring, custom plaster finishes, and lighting, showcasing women’s ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear from the brand. Born in Paris in 1998, the brand embodies a feminine, understated, yet glamorous silhouette, featuring trend-led and classic pieces with a twist. SANDRO’s atmosphere boasts large-format travertine flooring, wood accen ..read more

It’s January, which means our incredible weather is the envy of the country, if not most of North America. Sunny days translate to “everything outdoors” in Arizona, with golf topping the list for many as the ultimate way to spend a day, or every day, experiencing paradise. The sport is nothing short of a big deal — for locals, visitors and businesses. Hitting the links in style is a good thing; but, for some, bad is where it’s at. Bad Birdie golf apparel is best known for disrupting the norm. Coming in swinging with bold, modern looks, the company is ushering in a new generation of players who ..read more

The countdown to the Persian New Year is on. Nowruz, the ancient festival that marks the beginning of the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring, begins Feb. 28 in Scottsdale. The sixth annual event is shaping up to be more spectacular than ever, with well-curated, multi-day activities celebrating community and culture — the spirit that resonates throughout the Valley of the Sun. In 2019, co-founders Lawdan Shojaee and Shideh Doerr began a community-wide effort to bring the history and tradition of the Persian New Year to Arizona. The cultural celebration grew steadily year after year, wit ..read more

The most wonderful time of the year is here — Hanukkah starts tonight, and Christmas is 18 days away. If you haven’t begun making your list and checking it twice, consider this your friendly reminder to get busy. In the spirit of giving, we curated a stellar list of this year’s top toys, sure to make littles squeal with delight. We consulted Kristin Roehmer, the new owner of iconic local toy store, Kidstop Toys & Books in Scottsdale, to get the scoop on the best of the best from infant to tween. Roehmer knows a thing or two about the splendor of a local toy store — she was a frequent custo ..read more

1. You play the title character in Arizona Theatre Company’s new adaptation of “Scrooge! The Musical.” How is this holiday show different from the classic story? It’s interesting how this particular production came to be. Arizona Theatre Company’s artistic director, Matt August, was working with Leslie Bricusse, the composer for the 1970 Albert Finney film “Scrooge!” Leslie wrote an entire catalog of songs he wanted to use for a stage production of the film. This one is different in that you have all the songs that everyone recognizes as well as new songs never heard before that were written b ..read more

Our “Homegrown” series spotlights the stories behind products created in Arizona. Blowing up the event scene since 2019, Alyssa Quigley and Melissa Marquez are the bestie team known for providing sparkle, sizzle and pop to celebrations across the Valley. The self-proclaimed “balloon boss babes” co-own Bubble Hustle, a customizable balloon and décor styling company taking corporate events, birthday parties and a myriad of celebrations to elevated levels across the metro area. Quigley and Marquez knew they were onto something when they began posting their balloon creations for fun on Instagram ..read more

Our “Homegrown” series spotlights the stories behind products created in Arizona. It began in 2019, when a conversation between friends evolved into an idea captured on a cocktail napkin. Since then, it has grown into a company changing the game for skincare. TreCeuticals garners attention in the noisy skincare industry with its medical-grade skincare line that combines elements of nature with science, resulting in rave reviews and an expanding fanbase. Searching for a better approach for skincare, founders Sharon Skaar and Erin Dodd jumped out of retirement to disrupt the overwhelming skincar ..read more

Our “Meet Your Maker” series spotlights the stories behind groundbreaking creators in our community. This installment features Angela Zdrale, the founder of Liv Tall. Standing 6’1”, Liv Tall founder Angela Zdrale has fashion industry experience as impressive as her height. Enjoying all things style since childhood, Zdrale knew a career in fashion and retail was a given. With experience spanning nearly two decades, her work eventually led to management positions for well-known designers, including Kate Spade and Tory Burch. Through the years, Zdrale rode the glamorous waves of the evolving fash ..read more