The Heavy Pedal Releases Spring 2013 Collection

What are the guys over at cycling-blog-turned-fashion-brand The Heavy Pedal up to these days? The Phoenix-based brand released their spring 2013 collection last week, and now it’s gearing up for new ventures this summer. The clothing company has gained notoriety (and fans — almost 15,000 on Facebook) by issuing no…

Dialect Maps Reveal How Americans Really Talk

Ah, ‘Merica. Land of the free, home of the brave, and the place where proper dialects go their separate ways. Let’s face it, in a country this big, it was bound to happen. Nevertheless, it jars us when someone from the East Coast asks for a “car-a-mel” or when we…

Urban Restoration Opens in Phoenix’s Coronado District

Listen up, vintage-loving Phoenicians, there’s a new kid on the block. Urban Restoration is now open in the heart of the Coronado District. At 2237 North 7th Street, it’s downtown Phoenix’s newest go-to spot for vintage and upcycled goods. See also: Ten Favorite Places to Window Shop in Metro Phoenix…

Hard Goods to Reopen Inside Modern Manor in Phoenix’s Melrose District

After announcing the imminent closure of home décor emporium Hard Goods’ storefront on Central Avenue, owner and concrete artisan Brandon Gore shared that, instead of shuttering, the shop will relocate to an outpost inside Midcentury furniture store Modern Manor. Gore says he was approached by the Melrose District mainstay shortly…

Arizona Model Madison Brown Is a Guess Girl Model Search Finalist

Guess who. Arizona-based model Madison Brown is one of 25 finalists currently in the running to be clothing label Guess’ next official Guess Girl. The fashionable (and implicitly racy) title has been held famously by such celebs as Drew Barrymore, Claudia Schiffer, and Anna Nicole Smith. And it seems like…

Printing Napkins with Cindy Iverson of Letterpress Central in Chandler

Forget decorations and placecards, and bring some handmade creativity on your next party or gathering with unique letterpress napkins. Cindy Iverson of Letterpress Central in Chandler shows us how to spell out words, personalize table settings, and incorporate images onto ordinary napkins as an easy way to add some character…

Google Glass Won’t Let You Look at Porn

So it turns out Google Glass has potential for more than just floating images of flight times, snapshots, and calendar schedules. The wearable computer with a head-mounted display, which is still in the developmental stages at Google, almost received it’s first porn app by MiKandi on Monday. An adult app…

Alexsandro Palombo’s “SMURFASHION” Makes Marc Jacobs Blue

If your love of high fashion runs only as deep as your childhood nostalgia for The Smurfs, well congratulations. This edition of Morning Buzz was created just for you. Alexsandro Palombo calls himself “the father of Fashion Satire.” The artist and designer is also the creator of the popular blog,…

West Elm Scottsdale to Host Etsy Pop-Up Shop June 1

Scottsdale Quarter’s West Elm is sure to be popping Saturday, June 1. That’s when the modern home goods store will play host to a gaggle of Arizona-based Etsy shops offering art, crafts, and other handmade wares. See also: Top 5 Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Weekend Tiffe Fermaint…

5 Things We Learned at Phoenix Comicon 2013

If some of your geek friends have been a bit sluggish or down in the dumps the past couple days, it’s only to be expected since they’re probably suffering from a bout of post-Phoenix Comicon funk or still recovering from the event this past weekend. They’ll probably recover from the…

13 Favorite Phoenix Comicon 2013 Costumes

Simply put, there were two types of people who came to Phoenix Comicon this past weekend: those who wore a costume and those who didn’t. The attendees who got into the spirit of the event and donned apparel were inspired by any number of comic books, cartoons, TV shows, video…

Safwat Saleem’s Emergency Unicorn Tote Bag

Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: Because some days all you really need is the mystical handiness of a one-horned horse at your disposal, Safwat Saleem presents his emergency unicorn tote bag. The artist…

Phoenix Comicon 2013 in 26 Animated GIFs

Describing Phoenix Comicon 2013 as busy would be a major understatement. As is the case with each and every version of the annual geek free-for-all, it was a vast hive of activity spread across the entirety of the Phoenix Convention Center, as well as adjacent venues and hotels. We attempted…