From leather to weave, designers are pumping out a myriad of options to wear into a few seasons. We rounded up our favorites to catapult your shoe game, along with tips on how to wear the comfy, stylish trend.

Dior D-Joy Ballet Flat, $890
Red satin featuring a square toe and white CD resin pearl make the shoe a showstopper. Removable grosgrain straps and soft, foldable heels make this shoe easy to travel with and add to any look. Pair with a maxi dress or skirt, trouser or capri.
dior.com

Theory Ballet Pump in Tortoiseshell Print Leather, $375
The tortoiseshell print and modern block heel make this a versatile option to wear for a formal work look like a shift dress and tights or casually, paired with flowy wide-leg pants.

theory.com

Sam Edelman May Ballet Flat, $140
A nod to the popular mesh ballet shoe look, The May flat has a pointed toe and basketweave construction, perfect for warmer temps. Offered in a variety of colors, we love the washed new blue to take us into the summer as an easy option to add to a casual romper or short set.

samedelman.com

J.Crew Zoe Cap Toe Ballet Flat, $89.50
Smooth leather and contrasting cap toe detail make this ballet flat an easy one to take from day to night. This style features a bit more coverage than a typical ballet flat and is currently on sale, making the shoe a great option for testing the trend if you’re still on the fence.

jcrew.com

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SANDRO’s atmosphere boasts large-format travertine flooring, wood accents and contemporary art. The boutique will span 1,600 square feet, offering women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear. Wearable and modern styles are both refined and offbeat, complementing its sister brand.

^{SANDRO Spring/Summer 2024}

“We are thrilled to be opening Sandro and Maje right in the heart of Scottsdale,” said Laura Yetman, VP of retail & business development for SMCP North America. “We have had our eye on Scottsdale Fashion Square for quite some time and finally found the perfect spaces to introduce Parisian chic to the Southwest. On a personal note, having grown up in Phoenix, I remember how enchanted I was my first time walking into Scottsdale Fashion Square. All these years later, I’m just as impressed with the upscale shopping destination. It truly delivers the perfect blend of sophistication, luxury and desert charm.”

Catching my eye in Maje’s collection of ready-to-wear items: tweed blazer and skirt sets, herringbone patterns and sequin-embroidered options. SANDRO’s collection of T-shirts, jackets and jeans and accessories top my spring/summer wish list. Prices for most items from both brands are less than $1,000, positioning the contemporary pair between the high-end and mass market.

Maje and SANDRO are set to open at Scottsdale Fashion Square at the end of March. For more behind this Frontdoor, visit fashionsquare.com

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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, with 2024 promising its most dynamic mix. The three days of Persian activities will culminate on Sat., March 2, at the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Desert Dreams, a Persian fashion show produced by Masha Page, will kick off the celebration on Feb. 28 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Vibrant colors and intricate designs will light up the runway, featuring the diversity of Persian culture. Local designers, artisans and fashion students from ASU will showcase their talents, fostering relationships and supporting collaboration during the cocktail-style event.

On Feb. 29, the celebration continues at Stagebrush Theater in Scottsdale with the musical performance, “Voices Unveiled.” The three-part original musical composition by Ehsan Matoori, inspired by Persian traditional music, features folk with fusion elements by Persian vocalists Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris.

Food, fun and culture will round out the festivities on Sat., March 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Live entertainment will take place throughout the day on the main stage.

A percentage of ticket sales from the three-day festival will support student-run nonprofit Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research.

Ticket pricing and details on the three-day cultural extravaganza can be found at Persian New Year Festival. Happy Nowruz!

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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 love the game as much as living life to its fullest.

With a fresh approach on the greens and with business, Bad Birdie most recently joined forces with local, Tempe-based Four Peaks Brewing, Arizona’s number-one craft brewery. The collaboration includes a limited-edition apparel collection and a new beer, aptly named, Bad Birdie Juicy Golden Ale. The focus for both companies is a new spin on a classically seasoned game and alcoholic beverage, inviting welcomed energy with fun and trendy apparel, golf accessories and a new flavor to enjoy on and off the course.

The golf apparel’s new line includes Bad Birdie’s signature polos, graphic tees, hoodies, hats, and accessories, with prices starting at $35. The collection features designs incorporating the classic Bad Birdie print, built in collaboration with Four Peaks. The nod-to-Arizona artwork on the clothing and accessories matches the new beer can, celebrating innovation and creatively providing unexpected flair.

With the WM Phoenix Open soon taking center stage in Scottsdale, Bad Birdie will showcase leftover inventory from the collab as well as an exclusive 16^th Hole Collection. Community-minded from inception, Bad Birdie’s charity outreach includes input from innovative organizations on a mission to make the world a better place. In addition, the company recently launched the Bad Birdie High School Golf Program to support and empower schools across the country.

The Bad Birdie and Four Peaks Brewery limited edition retail and accessories capsule is exclusively available at Bad Birdie and through the company’s app. Bad Birdie Juicy Golden Ale is available at the Four Peaks pub in Tempe and in select retailers throughout Arizona.

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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 customer at the well-known mom-and-pop small business for a decade-plus before purchasing the company earlier this year. For parents and kids across the Valley, Roehmer is symbolically the gift that keeps on giving as Kidstop was set to close its doors at the end of 2022. Keeping spirits bright for years to come, enjoy a few of Roehmer’s top holiday picks available online and in-store at Kidstop now.

For more behind this Frontdoor, visit kidstoptoys.com

Whirly Squigz, $24.99

For ages 9 months and up, Whirly Squigz is a trio of bright, mesmerizing spinners that suction to any flat surface, inviting kids to touch, spin, hold, chew and explore to their heart’s content. Made of colorful, high-quality silicone, the spinners are safe for teething and stick to any smooth, flat, nonporous surface, such as a bathtub wall, tabletop, window and more. Lighting up all the senses, Whirly Squigz comes in multiple colors and is small enough to hold.

SmartMax My First People, $24.99 – $44.99

An all-time favorite for toddlers, SmartMax magnetized construction toys foster creativity while helping to develop language, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Kids use their imaginations to combine shapes while mixing and matching characters and more. Kidstop carries nine sets that can be combined or used individually.

Doinkit Darts, $34.99

Better than a dart board, Doinkit Darts is a magnetic dart board that makes hitting a bull’s eye a family-fun affair. Six durable, lightweight darts made from high-quality neodymium rare earth magnets help darts fly efficiently, making games fun and safe for ages 6 to adult.

Iscream Corey Paige Hearts Weekender Bag, $44.99

Send your littles to sleepovers in style with a Corey Paige Weekender Bag. Designed by young New York-based artist Corey Paige, the creations are functional and stylish, perfect for day trips or a weekend at grandma’s. Bright designs and creative compartments keep items safe and organized, while adjustable shoulder straps make the mid-size bag perfect for young children and tweens.

Virtual Reality Dinosaurs!, $59.99

Dinosaurs come alive in this 80-page virtual reality book and kit, providing the ultimate experience for all dinosaur lovers. Fun facts, animated videos, roller coaster rides and more provide an interactive world filled with details about dinosaurs. Suggested for ages 8 and up, the virtual experience includes VR goggles and hours of entertainment.

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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 before he passed several years ago. This show is the first mounting of this new adaptation.

2. This is your second leading role in a holiday classic as you played the Grinch in “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at Madison Square Garden in New York City. What appeals to you about these roles in particular?

Scrooge and Grinch are curmudgeons and sour characters, and some of the most fun to play as an actor because you get to go to that mean side of your personality. What I love about their stories is they start as a Scrooge or Grinch but are transformed through kindness and the power of the season to become these wonderful, outstanding beings. It’s a fun, wonderful thing to play as an actor because you get to go through your whole range of emotions and psyche and come out at the end of the show feeling like you’ve just gone through a wonderful adventure.

3. We will most likely encounter an Ebenezer Scrooge in our lifetimes. What advice do you have for how to best interact with such “complex” characters?

I know it sounds simplistic and a bit corny, but I always go back to my mother. When I was a kid, she would say in her Southern drawl, “Now, Shuler, I don’t care what they do to you or how they act. I want you to always answer and treat people with kindness.”

Ebenezer Scrooge can’t comprehend when people are nice to him, and I think that’s a valuable lesson to flood people with kindness because there is no negative response when you’re genuinely being kind to somebody. This is a great message for this time of year and, in general, for people to remember. You may not agree with someone or think they are not behaving, but you have the power to be kind and show compassion to them.

4. What is one of your favorite childhood holiday memories?

My mother was a ballet director, and my dad was an all-American football player, so I grew up in a house with sports and arts. “The Nutcracker” was the biggest production of the year for my mom’s ballet company in Marietta, Georgia. People came to the show in droves because it’s a traditional Christmas production. This became a huge part of my holiday.

5. When did your involvement in the performing arts begin?

My first experience on stage was playing yet another Christmas villain in “The Nutcracker.” I played the role of Fritz, the brother who breaks the nutcracker by throwing it on the floor. Even as a 6-year-old, I liked playing the bad guy on the stage. This was my first taste of the power of live theater.

As a performer on stage, I remember feeling like I was in some sort of magical world where you could see the spotlights in your face and you’re looking out at all this light, yet there’s also darkness. You can’t see the audience but can sense them. You have the feeling of being in a space where there are all these living beings you don’t see, but we’re experiencing something together.

6. You have an award named after you. Will you tell readers about this honor?

I am the namesake of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Award. The Shuler Award is the regional recognition for The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards). This is our 16^th year, and I go back no matter what I’m doing to host the show. Kids from all over come to this world-class venue. When they step on stage for the first time, they have a little twinkle in their eye — like the Tennessee Williams “click” — and you know you’ve got theater lovers for life. It’s a moment they’ll never forget, whether or not they end up becoming a performer. There’s not a lot in society that gives you a chance to come together, no matter your background or what you’re feeling that day, sit together in a space, and go on a journey.

7. It’s clear you love the arts and demonstrate this by leveraging your talents with two arts organizations — as the City Springs Theatre Company’s artistic director and founding advisory board member at The Manhattan School of Music for its new musical theater program. Why do you think art is important to a community?

Theatre is unique because you can come from any part of society into a theater, be part of a live audience that goes on a journey together for two hours and come out with a connection and something to talk about that is not combative. There’s something gratifying about coming out and locking eyes with someone you don’t know and discussing, even if it’s for a couple of minutes, what you just saw. These moments are rare because of the speed at which we live, but so important for us as human beings to stay connected.

8. This is a great time of year to be in Arizona. Do you have any special plans, other than performing, while you are in town?

I’m a big outdoors guy and would love to see everything I can in terms of geography. The desert is not something that’s part of the Georgia environment. I came to the Grand Canyon when I was a kid and saw that part of the state and am so excited about being here and experiencing the Valley!

9. You’ve had many impressive roles alongside well-known actors such as Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale and Patrick Stewart. Are there upcoming roles you are excited about?

To be the kind of actor I want to be, my favorite role is the one I’m doing. Scrooge is such a wonderful opportunity as an actor to explore different sides of yourself. You may think, “I’m not a Scrooge.” But there are elements to Scrooge that everyone can relate to. It’s important for us to know that we’re not as far away as we think from the people we sometimes fear.

It’s hard to line up work too far in the future as an actor, but as an artistic director, I’ve got the ability to help develop shows for a theater’s entire season. I look forward to being on that side of the table. I’ve started directing more, which is another element I enjoy.

10. Your career has taken you throughout the country and across the globe. What location ranks at the top of your list?

There are two places at the top of my list. I lived in Prague for three months filming “Van Helsing.” It was extraordinarily beautiful, especially the buildings that were hundreds of years old and fortunately not impacted during World War II. There’s something to be said about being in a place and walking the same streets as many generations that came before me.

I also spent three months working in Japan. I brought my family, and we were able to experience the culture and community of people who were so welcoming and gracious. The respect for theater by the Japanese community was phenomenal! It was such an eye-opening experience to know what theater meant to a society on the other side of the world.

“Scrooge! The Musical” runs Dec. 9 – 30 at Tempe Center for the Arts. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit atc.org.

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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. Their DMs quickly blew up, as did their entrepreneurial spirit, transforming their side hustle into a full-time business. “We came up with Bubble Hustle when we made our first balloon garland for our own baby shower,” said Quigley and Marquez. “We continued creating balloon designs for kids and friends’ parties, charging almost nothing. Our husbands encouraged us to turn our talent into business and we’ve been hustling ever since!”

Growing up together in El Paso, the pair brings big Texas energy to every project. Getting to know the client while infusing creativity and flair is their specialty. While balloon displays are the core of the company’s offerings, the co-owners motto is “If you can dream it, we can create it.” Customization is where it’s at for Quigley and Marquez — backdrops matching an event theme, colors, accessories — almost anything goes as Bubble Hustle is known for cultivating vision and professionally executing for each client.

The team draws inspiration from lifestyle trends and is currently loving a muted moment — neutral, creamy-colored balloons in varying sizes are on-trend and a current favorite look. Quigley and Marquez recognize how fortunate they are to work in a happy space and have experienced some “pinch me” moments throughout the years. Celebrity party consultant Mindy Weiss hired Bubble Hustle for a baby shower, and the pair have worked with one of the Jonas Brothers for two years in a row. With a steady stream of business and event season in full swing, the co-owners are continually thinking of the future, with hopes to franchise across the U.S.

Offering many celebration options, the company’s website and social media serve as a current look-book. A full-service experience may include a customized backdrop, balloons tied into a theme, install, delivery and takedown for an estimated $1,200. Add-ons, collaborations with vendors and balloon garland classes are also available — working with clients to make any event POP is the co-owners’ passion.

‘Tis the busy season. The company is currently booking one to two months ahead. For inspiration, pricing and more, pop over to bubblehustle.com.

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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 skincare industry with simple, uncompromising, gender-neutral products for all skin types.

The juxtaposition of simplicity and skincare piqued our interest at Frontdoors as the crowded industry space seems anything but. Bombarded by products for anti-aging, minimizing, maximizing, tightening, plumping, hydrating, firming — on and on, the notion of uncomplicated luxury skin products caught our discerning eyes.

I asked the founders what differentiates TreCeuticals from others. “Our combination of retinol, hydroxy acids and antioxidants with CBD is what makes our line a game-changer,” said Sharon Skaar, TreCeuticals co-founder. “CBD is included in nearly all TreCeuticals products. The calming and soothing effects of CBD allows us to formulate our active ingredients at medical grade levels without the harsh side effects.”

The simplicity of the company’s three core products includes cleanser, facial pads and a moisturizer. “Give us 30 days and we’ll give you your glow back,” said TreCeuticals co-founder Erin Dodd. “Men and women alike tell us their skin is clearer, texture has improved, fine lines have diminished — they feel and look better overall. There’s no need to complicate things. Simple, yet effective skincare is the goal.”

Research and advancement of formulas are on-going for the full array of products in the TreCeuticals lineup. Most recently, the company debuted a haircare line developed to heal stressed hair. Growth factors in the “More Hair Please!” collection include a daily serum that promotes improved hair density, elasticity and strength, while the shampoo and conditioner combo boost body and thickness. The products are suitable for men and women, and Skaar and Dodd are encouraged by preliminary client feedback.

Sold primarily online since 2019, the founders launched TreCeuticals in the Valley — where they currently live and work. The co-owners favor a direct link to consumers through their website as well as the development of the company’s Brand Advocate Program, providing work opportunities for brand ambassadors. Charitable outreach is integral to the TreCeutical mission, as a portion of the company’s monthly sales benefits nonprofits, including Fresh Start, Susan G. Komen and various disaster relief funds.

Products vary in price from $18 to $118, are vegan and cruelty-free, made in the USA, gender-neutral, and made for all skin types and tones. Homegrown, women-centric and giving back to the community, TreCeuticals is a TRE-fecta to follow.

For more behind this Frontdoor, visit treceuticals.com.

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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 fashion industry while quietly creating her own designs, dreaming about serving at the helm of her own label.

Fast-forward to the challenging years of the pandemic when opportunity unexpectedly presented itself and Zdrale was laid off from her position with a local luxury retailer. With the support of her family, Zdrale decided the time was “now” and went all-in on launching Liv Tall, a fashion line for women 5’9” and above, size 2-18.

Immediately getting to work, the designer’s focus was centering every aspect of her new brand around the company’s core values, including manufacturing in the U.S.A. to ensure fair and ethical practices and control processes and designs; sustainability from procurement and batch size to material selection; and supporting nonprofits like Threaded Together to help elevate the industry she loves.

Simultaneously, Zdrale connected with FABRIC, a local nonprofit that provides apparel entrepreneurs with resources and access to no-minimum and on-demand manufacturing, allowing Zdrale to build her brand. “FABRIC taught me the ins and outs of how to take my designs from conception to production,” Zdrale said. “The organization was instrumental in supporting my vision for Liv Tall.” Soon after, Liv Tall produced its first collection, comprised of six pieces and the brand’s stand-out piece, the versatile Liv Wrap, a silk chiffon swimsuit coverup that doubles as a duster.

As a small-business owner, Zdrale is continuously creating and building. She is the business, running all aspects, from development, design, marketing and more. As a mom of a future tall girl and the namesake for her brand name, Zdrale is proud to provide stylish, current, well-made fashion options for women like her and, eventually, her daughter, Olive. “I include Olive in decisions with color and print choices. I want her to see me working hard for what our family has and what it means to make a dream a reality,” Zdrale said.

Reality for the designer involves reflecting on valuable lessons from her industry experience. Understanding who her core customer is and having a strong identity are paramount for success, according to Zdrale. “Being a designer is an art form — creating a wearable piece of art,” she said.

Zdrale draws inspiration from other tall women, her core customers. She enjoys being a problem-solver for women of height and listens to her customers’ needs, providing options that she was once challenged to find in ready-to-wear clothing. Her brand’s best sellers include Liv Tall’s bodysuits, pants (with varying lengths), stylish jackets and sweatsuits — all suitable for long torsos.

Continuing to create for her core client is what living the dream looks like for Zdrale, while keeping an eye on the future. The designer currently has denim on her mind, along with ideas for evolving into a lifestyle brand. Catch this stylish maker and learn more about her collections at Junk in the Trunk – Spring 2024 or online at livtall.com.

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This year’s event will feature six renowned authors: Adriana Trigiani, Grace Lin, Sheila Johnson, Susan Casey, Bonnie Garmus and David Baldacci. We have the exclusive on what books they’re currently reading and recommending.

Adriana Trigiani, author of “The House of Love”

Recommends: “The Wager” by David Grann

David is a brilliant historian who writes page-turners that I can’t put down. This novel takes place on the high seas. There’s mystery, murder and a mutiny. The survivors have differing accounts of what happened aboard this British man-of-war in the 1700s. Spectacular work!  

Grace Lin, author of “Chinese Menu”

Recommends: “Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch” by Julie Abe

I’ve been reading “Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch” with my daughter’s book club and it is so much fun! In the spirit of my favorite Miyazaki films, it is about an apprentice witch who, with only a drop of magic in her blood, wants to prove she has what it takes to officially become a witch. And, of course, there is more — including an ominous “Culling” that threatens all. Filled with magical details, adventure and heart, the book is a delight and I have a group of 5^th graders who will attest to it as well.

Sheila Johnson, author of “Walk Through Fire”

Recommends: “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig

Like it or not, we’ve become a nation unwilling to grasp even basic things like objectivity, nuance and human frailty in our heroes (and therefore, we’ve become almost cultish in our devotion to them). That’s why, now, I relish human flaws. That’s also why I’m reading Jonathan Eig’s new bio of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with delight. It humanizes my childhood hero in a way that’s as enlightening as it is honest. And it reminds me, a Chicago girl who grew up around plenty of flawed Black men, that no one’s born an icon — not even King. Such a distinction, like so many things worth having, is a matter of choice. And achieving it always relies on overcoming one’s flaws, however deep, and achieving great things despite them.

Susan Casey, author of “The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean”

Recommends: “Time Is a Mother” by Ocean Vuong

I haven’t run into anything Vuong has written that hasn’t been extraordinary and this book of poetry is no exception. Plumbing the depth and experience of grief, he carefully reveals the loss of a loved one, a culture, an experience, with simplicity and justice.

Bonnie Garmus, author of “Lessons in Chemistry”

Recommends: “American Mermaid” by Julia Langbein

Langbein is a standup comedian with a PhD in art history, and that combination of hilarity and brilliance is infused throughout her book. “American Mermaid” is a sharp, funny, and utterly original story that I can’t put down.

David Baldacci, author of “Simply Lies”

Recommends: “The Half Has Never Been Told” by Edward E. Baptist

I read this book while writing a courtroom drama set in 1968. It is a powerful story that brings a fresh angle and unique perspective to the role slaves played in making America an economic superpower, a seismic shift in this country’s global trajectory that enriched many, except the African Americans who were the single biggest contributor to this creation of wealth. For anyone interested in learning a part of American history that is never taught in schools in this country, this book is an excellent place to start.

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