Salt of the Desert

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Recently, a few very sweet friends told me they missed my blog posts (I will say alcohol was involved…), but I thought well, what the heck—I’ll just try again!

And I’m excited to brag about this fun Tucson company, Agave Pantry, which curates the best seasoning salts that make awesome gifts for your fave chef friends. Agave Pantry make a Chef’s Set ( with rosemary salt, piquant salt and cardamom salt) and also a Baker’s Set (cardamom rose salt, lavender salt and Sonoran desert salt). The company also makes delicious cookies, caramels and cakes, which I haven’t tried yet, but the pictures look amazing.

I’ve sent the salt sets to a few friends and the very best part is that they come with the cutest little clay spoon to get the spices out of the jar. Brilliant! Also, the packaging is very stylish and its nice to support a local T-town company!

The Wedding Sketcher

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Earlier this month, I had a cool opportunity to sketch guests at an elegant wedding at the Arizona Biltmore. It was such an honor and one of my favorite memories of late! While we were kind of in the dark and had to use our iPhone lights to see, my super-talented daughter and I had an incredible time illustrating the guests and then quietly handing the drawings out in gold-lined envelopes! We had so much fun!

Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie

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So it was really awesome to hear at my last hair appointment that I have horrible split ends! There was actual concern in her voice too, so, yay, that was not amazing.

But, on the bright side, I ordered both of Jennifer Aniston’s new hair products from her line, LolaVie. She just launched two – Perfecting Leave-In and Glossing Detangler. I have mostly been using the latter and am truly loving it! I’m no scientist, but it does feel like my hair is doing better with it, it smells luxurious and honestly, I look forward to washing my hair now just so I get to use her products afterward. I have been to the drugstores here countless times and it’s pretty hard to find products that compare to these two. And this is just an honest first-person review. Not getting paid to recommend them–lol, like a Tucson blog would be a difference maker! But hey, if you want to shake your own routine up, give it a shot!

Tis the Season to Embellish

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If you have not been to La Plaza Shoppes lately, you need to check out the expanded new location of Embellish! Now, next to Desert Artisans Gallery and two doors over from Posh Boutique (which if you love designer resale, you should be checking out daily), is the new Embellish store and it’s the best place to buy luxe presents and hostess gifts right now! I’ve been to a few Santa gift exchanges of late with many a beautiful Embellish gift among the mix and high on the steal list.

Owner Dawn Scully is brilliant in choosing all of her offerings, including some of the best candles, jewelry and holiday decor in all of T-town. Also, with her expanded digs, there are numerous additions like designer-inspired bath sets and jewelry plates, and an entire room of culinary and home goods. Plus, you’ll always get an amazing smile and a welcome every time you come in. Last minute holiday gifts needed? You need to visit Embellish.

Shearling Booties at Costco!

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If you can navigate the million-plus people going to Costco each day this month, these shearling boots are a huge find! As much as I Iove Uggs, the price is a bit high for the amount of time they are worn here–mainly the three days of winter that Tucson has. I mean, I will look for them on discount at Nordstrom Rack always, but these little booties are $29.99 and would make a great gift for a bestie or relative. They are available in camel and black but they are running out though, so go survive the crowds if you like them!

Antsy Nancy – Your New Favorite Place

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My friend Heidi Yribar has officially opened her new venture, Antsy Nancy, at River Center today! The former mining exec, beauty queen and author–literally she is a bad ass– is hosting an Open House from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, so stop by if you are in the River and Craycroft neighborhood. Antsy Nancy, antsy-nancy.com, will be offering how-to skills classes and parties with all of the materials and know-how so you walk out of each class with a finished product–no stress! From charcuterie boards to hair bows to holiday decorating, this will seriously be a treasure for Tucson. Stop by if you can or check out her website!

Prada, Chloe, Burberry Scents at Tuesday Morning

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Tucked between the Halloween decorations and the creep of Christmas accessories peeking out from the corner aisle was a welcome find today at Tuesday Morning–three shelves of luxe fragrance bundles that included Prada Candy, Chloe, Coach, Burberry, Giorgio Armani and more. Clearly, as the Christmas aisle indicates, it’s not too early to be thinking of stocking stuffers!

Also, the discount store has really decadent candle selections right now. Happy Friday!

Hem & Her – A Tucson Tailor to Know

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For any of you who haven’t heard of Hem & Her, you NEED TO! I only learned about this incredible Tucson tailor this past Spring, when the winning purchase of a beautiful Cotillion dress on Poshmark ended up being a bit of a fiasco to get the right length. Procrastinator that I am, I waited until the last minute and then panicked that I had to get this dress fixed so my teen didn’t trip through the event.

So, I called Hem & Her, 4004 N Stone Ave, (520-887-4739) after the advice of another mom who raved about the business. The man who answered, the tailor’s husband Marvin, said, “Not to worry!” and told me how his incredible wife, expert seamstress Joyce Feickert, stayed up all night once fixing a wedding dress that the bride’s pit bull had destroyed before the big event. I was sold. When we walked in, she quickly ushered us back to her studio and was able to meticulously trim through every layer of tulle, and then she offered to use a beautiful thread that would finish it off.

IT WAS AMAZING. Literally, she is a genius. Now, the price was high, but worth it. (also, when you wait to the last minute, nothing ever good happens cost-wise! You’d think I would know that) For any of you beautiful moms getting your girls ready for Cotillion and Assisteens this school year, I highly recommend Hem & Her!

It’s in a house. You’re not wrong when you see it. Just look for the sign!

Game, Set, Match

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Retailers have remembered our demand for comfy and cute during the pandemic by flooding the stores with tons of loungy, matching short sets this summer that are perfect for post-pool, post-beach relaxation. The T-town choices are everywhere, from Target to TJ Maxx. Online options, on Steinmart.com (yep, it’s still alive online) and boutiques such as Red Dress Boutique are even more stylish. Definitely a trend to stock up on!