You may have seen the wrap outside the new store just across from Michael Kors at Scottsdale Fashion Square.  ILORI, the upscale sunglass boutique, opens this weekend offering limited edition and exclusive sunglass styles for men and women. The designer list and the celebrities seen in them are most impressive. From iconic brands including Lanvin, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Thakoon, and a select list of emerging sunglass designers, this eyewear boutique coins itself as “More than sunglasses, ILORI is treasure brought to light.”

I’m excited to try on sunglasses that may cost more than my first mortgage.  I’m also excited that my friend and fashion guru, Jeffrey Evans, is the Boutique Manager. Jeffrey called me to tell me about the opening and the company he is excited to work for.  In just two years, the ILORI concept has grown to open its 21st store here in Scottsdale. The boutique has been featured in every magazine from the Wall Street Journal to InStyle. To read more about ILORI and to see their current lookbook, www.iloristyle.com.

Here are some of the current sunglasses from the iloristyle.com…

Lanvin, an ILORI exclusive $1500

Badgley Mischka Limited Edition "Perry" $575

Chanel Denim Wrapped $290

0 comments permalink |  9:00 AM |  7.20.2009 | 

14747 N. Northsight Blvd. #106, Scottsdale, 480-905-9300, www.scottsdalejc.com

Fashion Phoenix’s Top 10 Reasons to Visit Scottsdale Jean Company…

10. You’re emotionally ready to part from the infamous “mom jeans” (congratulations!)

9. You’re daring enough to try the latest 80′s inspired ripped jean trend by Current Elliot.

8. You need to pick up your favorite Kiehl’s product without hassling with the mall.

7. You want to try all the denim labels that your favorite celebrities are wearing in hopes your booty looks as cute as Jessica Biel’s.

6. You’re a budding supermodel and need extra long inseams.

5. You want the advice of a trained fit-specialist on which styles and brands look best on your bottom.

4. You can corral your kids in the children’s play area while you and your husband take turns trying on the latest True Religion jeans.

3. You shopped their awesome online boutique only to find you need 2 more pairs of the same jeans IMMEDIATELY!

2. Your man has got to get his hands on the new Robert Graham shirt, “The Koeppel” named for SJC’s owner Steven Koeppel, before everyone else does (how awesome is that?!)

And the number one reason why we love Scottsdale Jean Company…

1. It’s more than just jeans!

William Rast Jupiter Savoy $249, scottsdalejc.com

If you’re looking for the most flattering, best fitting pair of jeans the only place to shop is Scottsdale Jean Company. Many would agree, their selection is the best in the Valley, offering favorite brands for men and women like Hudson, True Religion and William Rast in styles ranging from classic to the uber-trendy. Owner Steven Koeppel says, “It rare not for us to be able to fit someone.”

Scottsdale Jean Company opened in November 2005. Koeppel envisioned a destination store, that would offer the best brands and selection of denim to compliment Scottsdale’s casual style. Though selection is key to SJC’s success, so are the trained “Fit Specialist” available to help shoppers find the best fit based on key elements like body type, age and personal tastes. So what is one the biggest denim mistakes people make? According to Koeppel, wearing jeans that are too short! Jeans should be grazing the floor!

Men's selection of Robert Graham designer shirts $100-$300

Anama Modal Dip Dye Dress $58

Though denim takes center stage at SJC, you also find the latest summer dresses from Anama, Hale Bob and Red Haute and cute tee’s and tanks. And the collectible, hand-made Robert Graham designer shirts for men, including the newest “Koeppel” style, created and named by the brand for Steven! It’s fabulous!

The "Koeppel" by Robert Graham $198

If you can’t stop in, check out their online boutique or add them as a friend on Facebook. Their website is updated daily with new styles, brands and sale items. There’s even an online fit specialist available for live chat to help you find the perfect fit virtually. And their Facebook page will keep you up-to-date on events, new styles and fun promotions.

Scottsdale Jean Company is also located at 824 W. Northern Ave. #1800, Peoria, (623) 877-4200.

0 comments permalink |  6:00 AM |  6.19.2009 | 

Scottsdale boutique, Glam Lounge – A Beauty Apothecary & Spa, is a beauty paradise in a warm, relaxing setting.

Glam Lounge is the beauty brainchild of owner, Diane Aiello.  Diane says she grew her obsession with fashion magazines into a glamourous career as a “beauty insider” working as a makeup artist and fashion stylist for magazines including People and Marie Claire and Beauty Editor for one of the Valley’s most prestigious lifestyle magazines. With 25 years experience in the beauty biz, Diane has tested, tried, experimented and used a million different products (me jealous!). Glam Lounge is a careful selection of the owner’s favorite beauty brands including Kevin Aucoin cosmetics, Becca Cosmetics, Healing Anthropology, Sonya Dakar “The Hollywood Fairyskin Mother” Skin Care, Coola Sunscreen and more solution-oriented products perfect for the desert climate. Being an enthusiastic beauty product junky myself, you can imagine my giddy-ness when I poked around the store and discovered these brands and more that I’ve never heard of, read about or gotten my hands on! 

Sonya Dakar UltraLuxe Nourishing Oil Wash - My new favorite product!!!

Beyond the quality products offered, Glam Lounge is a beauty paradise offering the latest skin care, waxing, and makeup services for the glam gal and even the glam guy.  During our visit, Diane treated me to a “Skin Prescription” session. The 30 minute Q&A, designed by Diane herself, was the most comprehensive skin analysis I’ve ever experienced.  I lovingly describe it here as a “complexion counseling”.  She asked many, many questions, I complained about my skin experiences / she listened to my woes,  she examined my skin closely, scored my results and created a detailed action plan of what to use, what to avoid, a daily routine, recommended treatments and products, lists of ingredients to focus on and to avoid to help me put my best face forward everyday.

Styling by Diane Aiello

With Diane’s experience, expertise and effortless style, opening a beauty boutique like Glam Lounge was only natural, maybe even inevitable. But underneath the glam resume and exterior is a woman who describes her career as “a gift” and shares a love of Bonne Bell Lip Smacker in Dr. Pepper with yours truly!

 A quick Q & A with Ms. Glam…

1. If you could only take one beauty product to a deserted island, what would you take?  Coola Organic Sunscreen (glamourous, yet practical)

2. What do you love about styling? Everything…I love taking elements and putting a story together. And I love everything about really beautiful clothes.

3. My makeup seems to melt off easily, what do you suggest?  Wait 10 minutes after applying moisturizer to apply your makeup. (this has helped me!)

Glam Lounge is located at 7137 E. Stetson Drive in Scottsdale, 480-945-1760, www.glamlounge.net or www.dianeaiello.com. Keep up with Diane and Glam Lounge on Facebook or on her blog, glamloungebeauty.blogspot.com.  And meet Diane’s sass-mouthed alter-ego, Ms. Glam at glamfam.blogspot.com, a cheeky account of life in the beauty biz!!

0 comments permalink |  10:58 PM |  6.12.2009 | 

166 W. Main Street, Mesa, 480-733-5558, www.blissfullivingstudio.com

Blissful Living Studio in Mesa is an inspirational place empowering your creativity through fashion and art classes. Check the Blissful Living Blog for class schedules including vintage beading, dress making, jewelry making and more in the most adorable setting on Main Street in Mesa. Here’s a couple of classes for this weekend…

Frugal Fashionista Friday's

On Saturday.  Call for space availability…

0 comments permalink |  9:00 AM |  6.5.2009 |