Or perhaps you stumbled upon the NAHMIAS brand after learning of the young designer’s inspiring story and his will to never give up. Regardless, the NAHMIAS brand and its genesis are the stuff dreams are made of.

Hustling to turn his passion for fashion into his career since adolescence, Nahmias moved from his average American home in Summerland, California, to Los Angeles in his late teens to be “all in,” obtaining his future aspiration. Fast-forward years of barely making ends meet and avoiding nay-sayers to the current day — now serving as the lead creative for Arizona Coyotes merchandise collections, as well as founder and creative director of his men’s luxury brand, NAHMIAS, a favorite among celebrities.  

The Nahmias x Coyotes mix is a natural fit, according to Arizona Coyotes chief brand officer Alex Meruelo Jr. The parallel between the emerging fashion designer and the Coyotes as an NHL team is well-aligned. Clean, modern styles that blend well with any wardrobe are the focus for Nahmias and are true to the NAHMIAS aesthetic the designer is known for. The Nahmias/Coyotes collection appeals to professional athletes, hockey fans and people interested in an elevated, luxe look. 

As founder and creative director of NAHMIAS, Nahmias’ path to success was one of struggle and risk. Nahmias spent years working multiple odd jobs to afford materials and continue creating. The grind included networking, looking for leads, making and distributing samples — searching for creative ways to get in front of stylists and others in the industry. COVID added an extra layer of complication, challenging the designer to push through and stay the course. 

Nahmias’ grit and determination eventually paid off when he attended Paris Fashion Week in 2020. While working on getting his designs in the hands of stylists, meeting designers and being in the middle of the industry action, Justin Bieber was photographed wearing one of his hat designs — aptly named Miracle. Instantly, Nahmias became “one to watch,” and, according to the designer, the rest is history.

The current Doni Nahmias x Arizona Coyotes collection includes a range of designs. “We have collaborated to offer fans limited-edition merchandise, including sweatshirts, sweatpants, a lifestyle jersey, T-shirts and hats,” Nahmias said. “I even designed a new custom skate that matches the apparel line, in partnership with Bauer Hockey.” The designer is also excited to reveal special jerseys for upcoming events. Recognizing the endless potential for partnership, Nahmias views hockey as a canvas for creative expression, with new perspectives to redefine the very essence of style and the sport.

The newest apparel line is available for sale only in-arena at Coyotes home games, with soon-to-be-announced opportunities to buy online at CoyotesShop.com. NAHMIAS ready-to-wear collections can be found in luxury retailers, including Harrods, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and at fashion-forward sites online.  

To learn more, go to commonhype.com/collections/arizona-coyotes-x-doni-nahmias-collection

The post Hot Designer Collab = Cool Looks for the Coyotes appeared first on .

Traditions surrounding the holiday are rich, diverse and involve everything from decorating with red lanterns to honoring gods and lighting firecrackers. Yet, the one element that is an essential part of every family Lunar New Year celebration is food.

There are several layers of symbolism when it comes to “lucky” Lunar New Year dishes. What the food’s name sounds like when said aloud, how it is prepared and how it is served can all infuse a meal with extra meaning.

MEET OUR EXPERT

Paradise Valley resident Dawna Pitts, author of the recently released book, “Entertaining Is My Love Language,” shared tips for hosting a dazzling Lunar New Year celebration. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Pitts has carried her passion for Asian culture throughout her life. In high school, she moved to Sydney, Australia, to study. There, she parlayed her love of cooking to sell lunch sacks to students in her community. She eventually met her husband and, after traveling the world, settled in the U.S. to start a family. Her son Andrew is her pride and joy.

For Pitts, entertaining has been a way to connect with her family and community. She hopes by sharing some of her favorite traditions, you may be inspired to host your own Lunar New Year party.

DECORATE WITH RED 

First and foremost, a Lunar New Year party needs festive decorations. A custom invitation is the perfect place to start. Red symbolizes power, happiness and vitality, so you’ll want to use red in your décor as much as you can. Hanging red paper lanterns with gold accents represents wealth and good fortune and sets the scene perfectly. It’s also a tradition to write your guests messages wishing them luck, good fortune and prosperity. Placing a red silk envelope filled with “lucky money” at each place setting will also bestow good luck on your guests. 

LUCKY FISH

In Chinese, the pronunciation of the word for fish (Yú) resembles the word that means abundance. On Lunar New Year, a steamed fish is traditionally served whole, with the head and tail intact. According to tradition, you’re only supposed to eat the middle part of the fish and leave the head and tail for the next day — the first day of the new year. This signifies the previous year’s surplus flowing into the new year and bringing more fortune. 

DOUGHY DELIGHTS

Resembling coin purses, dumplings are said to bring prosperity and wealth in Asian culture. Their golden shape resembles the gold ingot once used as an ancient Chinese currency. Legend states that the number of dumplings you eat during the Lunar New Year predicts the amount of money you’ll make in the next year (meaning, the more, the better). While pork is the most common filling, you can also opt for chicken, shrimp or vegetables.

SOUP’S ON

For Koreans, an auspicious food for a prosperous New Year is tteokguk — rice cake soup. This brothy soup with rich, soulful flavors is not only a New Year’s tradition but a classic comfort food any time of year. Tteokguk is made with sliced rice cakes, usually in beef broth. The rice cake used is garaetteok, which is unsweetened and shaped like a long cylinder. The garaetteok is cut into thin oval slices. The white oval shape of the rice cakes signifies purity, so the soup represents a way to start the year fresh. 

USE YOUR NOODLE

Longevity Noodles, also called “Long Life Noodles,” symbolize a long and healthy life. Known as channgsou mian, they are long, thin wheat flour noodles cooked in broth, seasoned with soy sauce and served with vegetables. According to tradition, the longer the noodle, the luckier life will be.

SYMBOLIC CITRUS

Oranges, tangerines, kumquats and pomelos are widely used as Lunar New Year food gifts and decorations. They’re also incorporated into countless Asian dishes. The Chinese words for orange and tangerine are similar to words for blessings and wealth. Because of this, these fruits are thought to bring happiness and good luck. They are often incorporated in beautiful tablescapes and desserts because their rich gold hue symbolizes prosperity.

END WITH A BANG

It’s been said that no Lunar New Year celebration is truly complete without fireworks because the mythical beast Nian is terrified of the light and noise. The racket also wakes up a magical dragon who flies across the sky to bring spring rain for crops. Lunar New Year is a magical time full of rich traditions that bring cultures, families and friends together to wish good will, great fortune and generous blessings.

“Saehae bok mani badeusipsio,” said Pitts, wishing you happiness and prosperity in the New Year. 

The post Key to the Good Life: Traditions and Superstitions appeared first on .

Erin Goodnow

Creamy Mexican Chicken Casserole

Erin Goodnow is the owner of Going Ivy, an admissions consulting, tutoring and test prep business. She grew up in Phoenix and loves raising her family here — she and her husband, James, are high school sweethearts and have two busy kids. Work, school, sports and the arts don’t leave a lot of breaks, so taking time for traditions is important.

“This is the perfect make-ahead dinner for Christmas Eve,” Erin said. “My mom would make this before we’d head out to mass, then we’d all eat chips, salsa and guacamole as the casserole went into the oven when we got home.”

After dinner, the family enjoyed a festivity Erin’s parents adopted when they moved to Phoenix from the Midwest in the 1980s. “We’d always do a piñata before going to bed,” she said. “It’s something I looked forward to every year, so I’ve carried it into our family’s holiday traditions.”

Lauren Robson moved to the Valley 37 years ago, when her father was playing Major League Baseball. Today, she lives in Phoenix with her husband, Michael, and their three children. 

After 15 years in the bio-nutraceutical industry, Lauren founded Lauro Sparkling Cactus Water to keep her family healthy and hydrated. In her downtime, she loves to garden and cook with her kids — they love being able to pick veggies for dinner.

Some of Lauren’s fondest memories were spent in the kitchen with family, rolling out cookies and putting mounds of icing on them. It’s in this spirit that she shares her favorite recipe. 

“Make sure you roll them thick and take them out of the oven right as the edge begins to brown,” she said. “You will not be disappointed with this perfectly soft and chewy sugar cookie.”

Lauren Robson

Christmas Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

Lauren Robson moved to the Valley 37 years ago, when her father was playing Major League Baseball. Today, she lives in Phoenix with her husband, Michael, and their three children.

After 15 years in the bio-nutraceutical industry, Lauren founded Lauro Sparkling Cactus Water to keep her family healthy and hydrated. In her downtime, she loves to garden and cook with her kids — they love being able to pick veggies for dinner.

Some of Lauren’s fondest memories were spent in the kitchen with family, rolling out cookies and putting mounds of icing on them. It’s in this spirit that she shares her favorite recipe.

“Make sure you roll them thick and take them out of the oven right as the edge begins to brown,” she said. “You will not be disappointed with this perfectly soft and chewy sugar cookie.”

Laina Freedberg

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Laina, her husband Doug and their three children run in different directions during the school year, so time together during the holidays is precious. They enjoy traveling to new places, but Laina, who was raised in the South, prefers nothing more than a big holiday feast at home.

Laina loves traditional style and collecting vintage items — especially cake plates. “Traditions are important to me because they help build the memories we have together as a family,” she said. “It’s so fun when the kids look forward to something we do once a year. The anticipation of what’s to come is half the fun!”

Sunny Dunlavey

Holiday Savory Breakfast Casserole

Sunny married her college sweetheart and moved to Phoenix from Florida 14 years ago. The director of a prenatal and oncology genetics/genomic testing company stays active hiking with her husband, daughter and two pups.

As a first-generation Korean American, Sunny wasn’t raised with standard Western holiday traditions, like gift-giving or driving to see Christmas lights. But many of her family traditions focused on food. For example, every New Year’s Day, her mother would make tteokguk, a rice cake soup that represents new beginnings and luck in the coming year.

 Thanksgiving is Sunny’s favorite holiday because that was the one day her mom would make a traditional turkey dinner with all the sides.

Speaking of, Chuseok, which is Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Korean culture, a tradition Sunny loves. It has become important to her to create new traditions while maintaining the traditions she holds close.

Kelley Morrison

Holiday Crepes

Kelley and her husband, Chris, are both Arizona natives. Three years ago, Chris founded RETSY, a high-end residential real estate brokerage, and both he and Kelley are extremely involved in the Valley’s real estate market. When Kelley isn’t running their two kids to activities and to design meetings for her clients, she is running marathons — 10 and counting, so far.

Holiday traditions are important to Kelley. “Growing up, Chris’s dad
made crepes every holiday, so Chris continues this time-honored tradition and makes them for us every Christmas morning,” she said. 

Thanks to their daughter’s new hobby, Kelley thinks the tradition will continue. “Avery started to develop a love for baking. She and Chris now make them together,” Kelley said.

and her husband, Chris, are both Arizona natives. Three years ago, Chris founded RETSY, a high-end residential real estate brokerage, and both he and Kelley are extremely involved in the Valley’s real estate market. When Kelley isn’t running their two kids to activities and to design meetings for her clients, she is running marathons — 10 and counting, so far.

Holiday traditions are important to Kelley. “Growing up, Chris’s dad made crepes every holiday, so Chris continues this time-honored tradition and makes them for us every Christmas morning,” she said.

Thanks to their daughter’s new hobby, Kelley thinks the tradition will continue. “Avery started to develop a love for baking. She and Chris now make them together,” Kelley said.         

For these treasured recipes and more, visit frontdoorsmedia.com/holidays.

The post Key to the Good Life: Homemade for the Holidays appeared first on .

First impressions do matter. And with fall’s cooler weather, it’s a good bet you’ll be flinging your front door open more often. Fortunately, Traci Chandler, the owner of Oh, Sugar! Events + Paperie, shared some curb-boosting tips to put your best house forward.

Fall Finesse

A wreath is a timeless way to add style to your home’s exterior without spending much money. This eucalyptus and olive branch wreath can be displayed year-round in a traditional or modern setting. “It’s a snap to update seasonally with festive ribbon,” Chandler said.

Bright Idea

One of the quickest ways to update your porch is to give the front door a big splash of color! Don’t be afraid to get creative with the color selection — just be sure it complements your home’s existing palette. 

Seasonal Switcheroo

There is nothing more festive than planters with greenery flanking your door. Mums are a classic for fall but consider spicing up your selection by adding ornamental cabbage or kale to your pumpkins and gourds.

Two Is Better Than One

The “layered look” isn’t just popular in fall fashion but in front porch design as well. Putting a small rug with color and pattern beneath your doormat is a newer style, but one that seems here to stay. Options for doormats are endless — from cheeky greetings and seasonally inspired sayings to custom monograms and beautifully designed family names. “It’s a chance to show some pizzazz as guests enter your home,” Chandler said.

Add Pep to Your Porch

When space allows, extend your living space by adding comfortable outdoor furniture. Think outdoor sofas with cozy seating, rocking chairs or a swing for those especially beautiful nights. Pillows and textiles with patterns and color are other great ways to add personality.

Best of the Block

Consider hanging architectural elements like antique wood arches, corbels and old window frames on the porch for depth and life. Sweet Salvage, a vintage market in downtown Phoenix, specializes in unique furniture pieces, décor elements, textiles and artwork. Each month, owner Kim Rawlins and her team of designers feature themed vignettes full of fantastic finds. 

Spruce Up Hardware and House Numbers

Replacing old door hardware, doorbells and house numbers is like adding a new piece of jewelry to a classic outfit — you’ll be surprised at how modern your look feels once it’s been refreshed. Sarah Hildebrandt and Martha Merwin, owners of Clyde Hardware Co., have spent over 55 years servicing the Valley’s top contractors and interior designers. “Their curated collection of plumbing fixtures, door hardware and cabinet hardware is second to none,” Chandler said.

Spark Some Smiles

Get in the spirit by decorating your porch for the season. Whether you go big or opt for subtle touches, make it fun and festive. From giant spiders and yard inflatables to DIY light-up ghosts, hay bales, pumpkins and gourds — make it a family affair and create a look that brings you joy. “It’ll become a tradition your family looks forward to every year,” Chandler said.

The post Key to the Good Life: First Impressions appeared first on .

Waves for Days
Vitamin SEA is always a good idea

Gold Chain One-Piece | $275 

Same Los Angeles,

samelosangeles.com

Daydream Sunglasses | $89 

Muse Apparel, Phoenix 

shopatmuse.com

White and Black Linen, Cashmere and Silk Knit T-Shirt | $1,500

Dior, Scottsdale

dior.com

Classic Awning Striped Beach Towel | $49.50 

Pottery Barn, several Valley locations

potterybarn.com

Percival Eau de Parfum, 2.5 oz | $250 

Parfums de Marly 

Nordstrom, Chandler and Scottsdale locations

nordstrom.com

Cooling Cosmetic Bag | $130

Bergy Bag

bergybag.com

Nature Is Calling
Fresh looks for a mountain getaway

Nichols Plaid Wool Thicket Jacket | $2,995

Ralph Lauren, Biltmore Fashion Park

ralphlauren.com

Men’s Armstrong Hiking Boots | $850 

Canada Goose, 

Saks Fifth Avenue, Biltmore Fashion Park

saksfifthavenue.com

Cashmere Throw Blanket | $398

Faherty, 

Faherty.com

Glamping Teakwood and Leather Candle | $26 

Anecdote Candles, 

ancecdotecandles.com

Tiggy Short Utility Playsuit | $695

Zimmermann,

zimmermann.com

Detox Dry Shampoo, 1.4 oz | $14

Drybar, several Valley locations

drybar.com

Bon Voyage
Cruising into vacay mode

UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen | $38

EltaMD Skincare, 

eltamd.com

Fashion Emergency Kit | $90

The Rescue Kit Company, 

therescuekitco.com

Portofino Automatic 34 | $6,500

IWC Schaffhausen, Scottsdale Fashion Square

iwc.com

Paloma Clutch | $1,490

Christian Louboutin, Scottsdale Fashion Square

us.christianlouboutin.com

Alex Perry Greyson Strapless Twisted Velvet Gown | $2,800

Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square

neimanmarcus.com

Longwear Nail Colour, Cruise | $30

Chanel, several Valley locations

chanel.com 

The post Key to the Good Life: Summer Lovin’ appeared first on .

Experiences, tools and products to nourish mind, body and spirit

For the Mind

Ease into it – mindful experiences that soothe

Find Your Flow Wellness Journal / $35 

Papier, papier.com

Sound Bath Meditation Classes 

Group and private sessions; prices vary 

Shanti Sound, Scottsdale
shantisoundaz.com

The Witch Kit / $49

Small ceremonial smudging kit

thewitchkit.com

HOTWORX 24-Hour Infrared Fitness Studio / $59 per month, enrollment pricing varies 

Hotworx, Chandler 

Hotworx.net

For the Body

Body beautiful – move, nourish and be

Camera-Ready Makeup Application / $85

The Sparkle Bar, Scottsdale

thesparklebar.com

French Plum Face Oil / $145

Kindred Black, kindredblack.com

Soleia Leopard Print Wide-Leg Lounge Trousers / $129

Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale

neimanmarcus.com

Dolce & Gabbana Jacquard Bath Robe / $595

Saks Fifth Avenue, Biltmore Fashion Park

saksfifthavenue.com 

For the Spirit

Free in spirit – rich in renewal 

“How to Meet Your Self: The Workbook for Self Discovery” / $23.99

By holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LaPera

howtomeetyourself.com

Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum / $285

Tom Ford, tomford.com

Birthdate Candles / $49.99

Astrology-inspired soy & coconut birthday candle personalized by day

birthdate.co

G.Tox 7-Day Reset Kit / $195

Goop Wellness

goop.com

The post Key to the Good Life: Spring into Self-Care appeared first on .

These holiday picks will certainly delight

Georgette Cape Gown | $265

Ralph Lauren

ralphlauren.com

Mini bucket bag in nubuck leather | $1,890

The Row

therow.com

Dr. Barbara Strum Better B Niacinamide Serum | $145

Saks Fifth Avenue

saksfifthavenue.com

Williams Sonoma advent calendar | $300

Williams Sonoma

williams-sonoma.com

Stainless steel wine tumbler | $27

Kate Spade

katespade.com

Hammered heart bracelet | $69

Muse Apparel, Phoenix

shopatmuse.com

Gentleman’s Favorites 

The perfect additions to a man’s routine

Raymond Weil Diver Tango | $1,050

E.D. Marshall Jewelers, Scottsdale

edmarshalljewelers.com

 

8” chef knife & sheath | $465

Steelport Knife Co.

steelportknife.com

 

 

Gucci Savoy large duffle bag | $2,500

Gucci stores nationwide

gucci.com

 

Faber-Castell’s Hexo pen, Fountain Pen | $42

Penchetta Pen & Knife, Scottsdale

penchetta.com

 

The Driving Loafer in Forest Camo | $185

Rothy’s, Scottsdale Fashion Square

rothys.com

Steam shower spray | $29-$45

Travertine Spa Collection, Whole Foods Market

travertinespa.com

 

 

30-pack supply of single-serve coffee | $59.95

Diner mug, $15

Steeped Coffee

steepedcoffee.com

 

 

Kids Picks

Destined to become daily favorites

Janod Big Cooker Reverso | $279.99

The Gift Shop at Children’s Museum of Phoenix

childrensmuseumofphoenix.org

Cooper Cowboy Doll and Clementine Cowgirl Doll | $48 each

Arcadia Toys by Urbana, Camelback Village Center

shop.urbanashop.com

Hapi tongue drums | $220–$340

Musical Instrument Museum Store

themimstore.org

Kid’s Injusa Two Seater Porsche | $1,100 

Ages 3-6 

Neiman Marcus

neimanmarcus.com

Gifts for the Home & Host

Show your gratitude while giving

Chocolate popcorn gift basket in nutcracker toy soldier tins | $54.99

Bonnie & Pop

bonnieandpop.com

Room surround diffuser | from $105

Jo Malone London, Scottsdale Fashion Square/Biltmore Fashion Park

jomalone.com

Custom confections

Silver Rose Bakery, Phoenix 

silverrosebakery.com

The post Key to the Good Life: Gifts & Glitz appeared first on .

By Zenobia Mertel, Contributing Writer

A world-class cultural haven is living its mission out loud, showcasing an intersection of arts and community in the heart of downtown Mesa. Situated on a 7-acre campus, Mesa Arts Center welcomes more than 450,000 guests a year as the largest comprehensive arts campus in the Southwest. 

Yet there’s more. The Center’s focus on making art accessible, diverse and relevant is where the magic begins.  

Pivoting since pre-pandemic times, Mesa Arts Center’s programming is robust and ever-changing, growing with the community for the past 16 years. Owned and operated by the City of Mesa, the award-winning facility is a piece of art itself, comprised of four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios. But what happens within the walls of the architectural oasis by day/beacon by night is just one facet of this community jewel.

From live theater to educational programs, Mesa Arts Center provides an all-encompassing approach to the arts. “Art is a unique and incredible tool for building healthy communities,” said Cindy Ornstein, executive director of Mesa Arts Center and director of City of Mesa Arts and Culture. “We believe art doesn’t just belong within four walls; we want to be present out in the community, as we make it a point of serving populations that benefit from involvement.” 

Dynamic and evolving, Mesa Arts Center prides itself on its array of offerings on and off-campus. Programs include:

PERFORMING LIVE: Touring engagements/Broadway shows, musical performances, dance and speakers series such as National Geographic and family entertainment. Live performances are currently in full swing and sell out quickly. The Ikeda Theater recently welcomed jazz great Wynton Marsalis, while Emmy and TONY Award-winning Kristin Chenoweth headlines the Center’s signature fundraiser in early March.

MESA CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM: The modern, mindfully designed museum includes 5,500 square feet of exhibit and gallery space showcasing contemporary art by emerging and internationally recognized artists. In an effort to remove barriers to contemporary art, the museum is free to guests. 

ART STUDIOS: Classes for youth and adults include photography, painting, theater, printmaking, glassblowing and more. 

ENGAGEMENT: The vast range of workshops, in-school and mobile programming offered underscores the Center’s commitment to serving all populations. You may catch a glimpse of MABEL (mobile art-based engagement lab) on the streets of metro Phoenix as the custom, art-on-wheels trailer makes its way to community spaces, providing free art-related activities to the public. 

Mesa Arts Center recognizes the importance of providing outlets for the aging population as well as caregivers. Virtual classes on creative aging benefit those with age-related diseases, creating connection and purpose. Meanwhile, Project Lit for young and emerging adults features classes focusing on poetry, hip hop and emotional learning to promote literacy.

Organizations in the Valley and beyond recognize the valuable outreach work of the Center. In January, The Boeing Company granted $75,000 to Mesa Arts Center supporting its Arts In Service program benefiting veterans, service members and their spouses. Through studio arts experiences, veterans can find support working toward wellness and through feelings of fear and isolation. 

EVENTS: Rounding out the Center’s programming, myriad events take place throughout the Center’s outdoor spaces during spring and fall. Free lunchtime concert series bring the community together among outdoor gardens, sunken courtyards and meandering paths.

Consistent with the forward-thinking spirit of Mesa Arts Center is the highly anticipated presence of Arizona State University, a half-block away. Currently under construction and slated to open this year is this new collaborative space for ASU students, featuring the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts academic programs. The high-tech, entrepreneurial and collaborative-focused educational space will add a new dimension to this dynamic gem in the Southeast Valley.

To learn more about Mesa Arts Center and its offerings, go to mesaartscenter.com. 

The post Art Out Loud: Mesa Arts Center Lives, Breathes and Grows in All Forms appeared first on .

Wondrous is the best word to describe the peaceful, well-manicured and extensive landscape of Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Wallace Desert Garden. Located 60 miles east of Phoenix on Route 60, BTA offers visitors an unmatched experience in an exceptional setting. 

The arboretum was founded in 1924 by William Boyce Thompson, a mining magnate who recognized the importance of plants to our environment and personal health. BTA encompasses 343 acres and features nearly 5 miles of hiking trails. The gardens are the oldest and largest botanical gardens in metro Phoenix, and the nonprofit offers tours, classes, birding and special events throughout the year.

Driving east through the Tonto National Forest, you will enjoy the striking, unspoiled Sonoran Desert and its rolling fields of saguaro, cholla, ocotillo, palo verde, prickly pear and much more. The arboretum and gardens are perfectly situated along Queen Creek and Silver King Wash and sit in the shadow of Magma Ridge.

The latest addition to BTA is the Wallace Desert Garden, named for Henry Browne Wallace. Opened in 2020, it surrounds Queen Creek and occupies 13 acres, with more than 5,000 plantings. Particularly impressive are the diversity of the garden and how well-marked the trails are with signage for every plant species. Directional signage is excellent, and the route is wheelchair accessible. Just a few of the plant varieties you will encounter are Moroccan mound, agave, aloe, juniper, myrtle and creosote bushes. A large rose garden, recently pruned, will bring more color and fragrance to the area in the coming months. The Wallace Desert Garden includes several loops and trails, observation lookouts, a grotto and impeccably maintained plantings.

Along the plentiful trails are seating areas to rest and contemplate the peaceful environment and fabulous mountains surrounding the area. One guest remarked, “Every time I come here, there are more trails!” BTA has trails for every skill level. Included among them is High Trail, offering a more rigorous hike up and around the gardens, with even wider vistas to enjoy. On the Curandero Trail, we learned that many desert plants are used for today’s medicines, including creosote, which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

The staff we encountered were welcoming, dedicated and seemed to enjoy working in support of the BTA’s mission: to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife and ecosystems through education, research and conservation. One staff member said, “There’s just something about the natural setting here!” Because the gardens and trails are so spread out, everyone can feel a sense of serenity.

Among the many trails, BTA also boasts a hummingbird and butterfly garden, picnic areas, yoga garden, Australian deserts pavilion, heritage rose garden, the renovated Smith Interpretive Center, and two meticulous display greenhouses. One of the greenhouses was first constructed in 1926, and the surrounding original building complements the new displays in the greenhouses.

The reception area includes a gift shop selling cold drinks, books, collectible rocks, rugs, jewelry and souvenirs. Outside, you can peruse hundreds of desert plants also for sale. The friendly staff is happy to provide dining options nearby, as BTA does not currently offer food.

Three miles east of BTA sits historic Superior. Founded in 1882, Superior has a rich legacy from its mining days and is surrounded by the natural beauty of Picketpost Mountain and Apache Leap. Our choice for lunch was Porter’s Café with outstanding casual dining, two patios with great vistas, plus the pleasant surprise of live lunchtime and weekend entertainment.

Boyce Thompson offers a unique Arizona experience that is well worth the pleasant drive. If it’s your first visit, you’ll “rejoice” at having discovered something truly exceptional.

Visit btarboretum.org to learn more. 

The post Rejoice! Boyce! Visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum appeared first on .

Time to celebrate the season of love

Featuring items and services from:

• VH Spa for Vitality + Health at Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale
• Gucci, Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Monica Mauro
• Saint Laurent, Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Joan Dominique, Phoenix
• Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Saks Fifth Avenue, Biltmore Fashion Park
• Bang & Olufsen, Scottsdale Fashion Square
• Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• Museum Store at Phoenix Art Museum
• Alo Yoga, Scottsdale Fashion Square

The post Key to the Good Life: Oh! Mon Amour appeared first on .