Bringin Sexy Back

One of my biggest dreams in life is to own my own boutique. I've always wanted a store of my own. Since I spend a bulk of my time shopping, and since everywhere I go, people either ask for tips or ideas, or ask where I bought something or how I happened to style a particular piece I have on, I figure it'd help make my style accessible to consumers. I also know I'd feel a deep sense of satisfaction serving my community and the fashion community by carrying chic labels and styles at different price points. Anyway, this is my vision, my dream. I love fashion in a way most don't...I love the aesthetics, the stories behind the designers and the labels and how they brought their ideas to life, the craftsmanship and the timeline and hands that touched the clothes to bring them to the racks...THOSE are reasons to love fashion. As if you needed any more? And one day, I aspire to be one of those hip boutique owning hotties running around in my heels, a cute skirt and having people walk in and ask, "Can I get the skirt you have on in a size 4?" That would make one of my dreams come true.

That being said, I'm quite the picky bitch when it comes to boutiques, merchandising, selection, and most importantly, customer service. If I walk in and get snubbed, I am going to tell you and your chic boutique where to go and also, where I'd like to shove my stiletto. I will also take my Am Ex and my pride someplace where it will be appreciated.

How happy was I to walk into Elan boutique at the Mix Shops on Stetson Drive in Scottsdale only to find the sweetest, most personable staff, in addition to the owner herself, running around grabbing all the new dresses she just got in to show me. She wasn't sittting behind the counter pretending to both ignore me and organize receipts; instead, she was having an in-depth conversation with me about shopping, labels, and the new things she's bought for herself lately.

Elan carries sexy chic clothing in a wide range of price points. There are jersey knit dresses that are cut in a sexy V to show your gorgeous tans, ladies; and there's plenty of jewelry to choose from to accessorize your ensemble. The store's merchandise caters to the type of woman who likes to look luxe, fashion forward, chic, but also sensual. If Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives was a real person, this is the type of store where she would spend boatloads of Carlos' cash. While the store may seem a little small, Elan is neat, clean, organized, and very well stocked with styles reflective of the owner's taste, which I think is the most important quality to look for in a boutique. If you're an eternal Abercrombie girl, why would you carry clothing that looks much more glam? You're a representation of your business, honey.

And Elan Boutique? You are representing, for all the hottest ladies out there. Get it, girls. :)

LC's Got a Thing for AJ's

AJ’s is one of my favorite stores, hands down. If you ever happen to be running about town with me, chances are, I will treat you to a drink from AJ’s boulangerie, because they have the best crushed ice around. Usually I do it because I will always find a reason to treat myself to a large iced tea. But AJ’s has a lot more to offer than just drinks. And here, my top reasons for loving AJ's:

1. Again, drinks with crushed ice always hit the spot, especially on a hot summer day.
2. AJ’s has the best selection of flowers, and you can usually arrange them yourself if you’re as creative and picky as I am about your flower arrangements. They have all types of flowers and an impressive array of vases and other accessories.
3. AJ’s carries a lot of vegan and organic products and fruits, veggies, etc. that many other locations don’t have. In fact, when I first read the book “Skinny Bitch,” I was able to find every product on my grocery list in the store.
4. AJ’s carries Sharon’s Organic Raspberry Sorbet, one of THE best tasting sorbets on the market, for sure.
5. AJ’s has an AMAZING selection of wines, it’s like a mini-Napa in there, and there’s a whole aisle of imported beer, as well.
6. They have THE most amazing selection of sweets, it is a diabetic’s worst nightmare, but any chic with a sweet tooth can get her fix on at the boulangerie.
7. The greeting cards there are adorable: they carry Papyrus, a great line.

Now do you see why I make everybody stop with me at AJ’s? Check it out for yourself today.

Diamond in the Rough

Quite some time ago, a friend and I were emailing back and forth during the work day and I remember, plain as day, telling him how I’m not exactly a “small town girl” even though I grew up in a small town, and moved back to work in small towns in Arizona. I remember him emailing me back immediately and saying “Just remember, you’ll always be a small town girl at heart, and that’s special, don’t forget that, it’s part of who you are.” I had to smile, because he’s a small town guy, too, and just because, he understood.

That being said, small towns often get a bad rep for being ill-equipped in the shopping department. I have to say, when I started teaching in Globe, Arizona, I was not thrilled at the fact that my students referred to Walmart as the Globe Mall. It made me shudder in agony, actually. As a self-proclaimed world class shopper, this is one of my joys in life, after all. However, if you really get to know your surroundings, sometimes there is a diamond in the rough, even in the smallest of towns.

The last week of school, I made 3 of my seniors, all of them my teaching assistants, venture into a small boutique in downtown Globe, Arizona with me. It had intrigued me since I first saw it from the coffee shop one day, but I had never actually gone inside. Once I did, I’ll admit, I was impressed.

The selection was impeccable: every type of setting you can imagine, custom made jewelry, accessories, and imported stones; the displays were clean, immaculate, glowing. There were various price points so that even the most frugal consumer can afford to take something home with them. I fell in love with a beautiful ring that had a canary yellow diamond in the center surrounded by tiny diamonds. It was very bling-esque and very LC. I admit to lusting after pretty silver necklaces that had your initial in the center and were very reminiscent of a collection from Tiffany’s.

The owners are very cordial and polite; they are helpful and willing to go the extra mile for their clientele. They were helping a veteran when I first entered the store and treated him with so much respect and consideration that I was blown away by their friendly demeanor and the happy environment of the store. While the store itself somehow smells like Scottsdale Fashion Square (which I was quick to point out to the owner) (and that is, by the way, a smell I would love to bottle and throw around my own home, if I could, but it is impossible) it is nestled right in the heart of downtown Globe, a stone’s throw away from the local museum (one of them) and banks, restaurants, and government buildings.

If you’re passing through, on your way up to the White Mountains (Pinetop is a popular destination for Valley residents this time of year) it’s worth a stop, and definitely worth spending in this great jewelry store.

Just like my friend said, I’ll always be a small town girl at heart, and just like me, Jewels by Jess is a priceless gem waiting to be discovered. ;) Happy shopping, dolls.

Take US 60 East, to Cedar Street. Go up one block, until you reach the railroad track. Hang a right, and you will see a peach colored building, home of “Jewels by Jess.” And while you’re there, cross the street and eat at Joe’s Broad Street Grill Restaurant, the food is VERY reasonably priced and delicious (hint: for all you skinny chicks or wannabe skinny chicks out there, try Joe’s Greek Salad with grilled chicken and ask for the dressing on the side. It is healthy and absolutely to die for.) (For all the rest of you, anything on the menu is delish.)

Service with a Smile

I just have to write a quick note to say that when I get great customer service, I remember it forever. I worked at Nordstrom in college and I will eternally remember the “tire” story that I heard my very first day on the job: a lady took tires back to Nordstrom, Nordies doesn’t sell tires, but they gave her the money back for the tires, anyway, to appease her, and she became a lifelong customer.

I’m a big fan of MAC cosmetics, and if you’ve read my blog, you know I mention MAC products quite often. But one of the things I love most is that when I walk into the MAC store at Scottsdale Fashion Square, the makeup artists are always so cordial, polite, and helpful. The same goes for the MAC counter at Dillards at San Tan Mall, especially Jenny, who is one of the most genuinely kindhearted people you’ll ever meet and who I used to work with when I worked as a makeup artist in college. She not only has a ton of product knowledge and experience, she’s funny and personable and makes your shopping experience top-notch.

You always remember kindness and thoughtfulness. And if you can carry out a bag with the perfect shade of eye shadow, that’s even better.

If You Seek Amy

One of my favorite movies is Pretty Woman, and most people who know me well enough know this, because I watch it at least once or twice a month, and I’ve done this ever since I was a little girl. How could you not love Vivian, the leading character? I don’t know a single person who didn’t feel a little sympathy for her when she attempts to shop on Rodeo Drive, only to be ignored and even shunned by the sales girls in one of the ritzy boutiques she steps into.

I am all about first impressions, so when I go out shopping, I always select a cute ensemble to wear. My hair is always done, my makeup is impeccable and my jewelry is always on. I wear tasteful sunglasses as I go from boutique to boutique and carry a designer bag on my shoulder. My shoes always complete the look.

My girlfriends say I look like Mexican Barbie. :)

I could somehow rationalize being ignored or neglected if I stepped into a boutique dressed like Julia Roberts was in Pretty Woman, but I am not a prostitute, nor have I ever dressed like one. (And even in that scenario, it’s still rude to treat someone that way, regardless of their attire.) But when I walked into Amy, Inc. in Scottsdale last week, I couldn’t help but walk out feeling a little like Vivian as she walked down Rodeo Drive, completely crestfallen.

The boutique is located on Stetson Drive in Scottsdale, at the Mix Shops, along the Scottsdale Waterfront. It is rather small, but carries a cute selection of various labels, including one of my new favorites, Elizabeth and James. While I was there, I wanted to purchase a cute pair of Havaianas flip flops that were bedecked in studs, which gave them an edgy vibe. For all you Hills fans, Audrina was wearing these in last week’s issue of Life and Style Magazine. I ended up leaving the store without a shopping bag in hand because while I was in there, neither one of the sales girls acknowledged me, greeted me, and neither of them asked if I needed any help. They completely ignored me, as though I was a phantom shopper. In addition, one of the girls was on the phone making plans with someone for that evening. In this tough economy, I’m just as selective as the next girl about where I spend my money. And the bottom line is, I won’t spend my money somewhere where the customer service isn’t top notch, no matter how adorable the boutique is or who shops there.

Someday I plan to walk back into the boutique after having spent plenty of cash at Moody Blues or Estilo, where I’m always treated like shopping royalty, and just like Vivian did in the movie, I’ll pop in and say, “Remember me? From the other day? You wouldn’t wait on me? You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Big. HUGE.”

This pretty woman can boost the economy somewhere where she’s treated right. If you seek Amy, I hope you get the service and attention you deserve.

Livin La Viva Glam

MAC Pro Class

How much do I absolutely LOVE hitting up the MAC counter? I’ve been a MAC fanatic since the very first time I walked by the counters in California and saw the chic black packaging and my love grew as I worked as a makeup artist in Nordstrom during college. Everytime I think that I know just about everything there is to know about the brand and the product, my friendly MAC makeup artist shows me a brand new product that I learn to love, or April comes home with a new eyeshadow and even if it’s similar to one I already own, I want the same one she has, “just because.”

So when one of my favorite MAC girls invited me to take the MAC Pro Class in Chandler this past month, I was ready and willing to sign up for it, because even though I think I’m just genius when it comes to beauty products and skin care, there’s always more to learn, and as a teacher, I believe in being a lifelong learner, even if it has to do with lipliner and bronzer.

As I entered the class, I was a little overwhelmed at how many women were in the class. They were all fellow makeup junkies, and the women at the front of the room, dressed in black, had impossibly perfect makeup and complexions, which of course made me at once envious, and curious to find out how to simulate the look.

I soon discovered I was in the presence of makeup greatness. The makeup artist was none other than the artist who does makeup for Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and has worked for MAC for years. She was so funny and personable, it made it completely okay that she is in her late 30’s and still looks like she’s starting college.

If ever there was a class to take, it would be this one, ladies. There were even trannies who were picking up new techniques and tips, and you know the cross dressers are usually the last to admit they need help in the cosmetic department. I learned how to apply my moisturizer, and how to blend foundations better, and most importantly, I discovered a new product that has totally made my face look unbelievably gorgeous, even after I emerge from my two and a half hour Saturday morning gym sessions. It is called Fix +, and it is a spray that puts soothing botanicals and moisturizing water into your skin, hydrating it and giving you a dewy finish that makes you look younger and fresher than ever before.

Beauty is only skin deep, but it’s also something that makes you feel radiant and glowing, and when you feel good on the outside, you feel better on the inside, and the world can use a few more smiling faces. Preferably with gorgeous new lipstick and a touch of blush, of course.

An Urbayne Legend

Urbayn

AJ’s Fine Foods in Ahwautukee, at Casa Paloma, is one of my favorite places to shop. I have a thing for the fruit and yogurt parfaits that they make there, since they have fresh fruit and honey in each cup of heaven. I also love the crushed ice in the iced tea. This is often one of my weekend traditions, and has been for many, many years. And even though I now live much further from Ahwautukee than I used to, I still venture into the foothills to do my shopping and to visit AJ’s on occasion.

So it’s no wonder that when I walked into AJ’s a few weekends ago, and looked to my right, I was pleasantly surprised to notice a boutique that I really hadn’t paid much attention to before. It was called Urbayn, and, well, you know me…if it’s new, and it can be shopped, I’m totally there.

When I walked in, I was immediately drawn to the merchandising. It is organized, shelves filled with lovely little gifts, most of them resembling presents you could imagine gifting to your best girlfriends or your favorite coworkers. There are custom made martini glasses, with adorable expressions and catchy quotes. There are bottle openers with cute sayings and inscriptions, and darling stationary. Urbayn is the type of boutique you dream of having a sister or best friend open, so that you could spend countless hours going through all the boxes of goodies she gets from her shopping trips in the LA market.

If you are searching for the perfect present to include in a stocking at Christmas time, or the right stationary to send letters to your friends in other countries, or even a cute outfit for your puppy, Urbayn is the place to be.

I found these cute conversation tins from a company called "Always a Girl's Girl" (if you're not close to Urbayne, visit their website at: www.alwaysagirlsgirl.com to order or find retailers near you) and thought they were just darling.

The one flaw in the shop…and you know I’ll tell it like it is, my friends…is the unfriendly staff. When I walked in, the man working there neglected to say hello or greet me, and I was the only one in the store. As I perused the store, he didn’t ask if I needed help finding anything or even how my day was. In an economy like our present one, treating customers like gold is not only a principle we should all live by, it’s a necessity.

Even still, Urbayn is a place to check out, if anything, so you can pick up a cute martini or wine glass, take it home, and toast to good friends, good health, and by God…toast to shopping.