Farah Dress from kt jean

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: We caught up with Katie Walker of kt jean last week when one of her designs appeared on The Martha Stewart Show’s Etsy-centric episode. And since then, well,…

Jonah Lehrer on Creativity

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning:Jonah Lehrer finds beauty in the intersection…

Phoenix Etsy Shop kt jean Featured on Martha Stewart

Sometimes Etsy gets us down. After all, it only takes a few clicks to fall into a bottomless pit of hopeless handmade ugliness. But every once in a while, Etsy browsing results in an unearthed gem. Such serendipity was responsible for local fashion designer Katie Walker’s label kt jean (interchangeably…

All Balls Don’t Bounce. Thanks A Lot, Pinterest.

Pin Up Girl is a weekly guide to all things Pinterest. Our resident pinner, Laura Gill, will take a look at some of the best eye candy from around the web, provide a few pointers on how-to crafts, and weigh in on weekly trends and highlight local and national pin fiends. This…

Altuzarra for J. Crew: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We’d argue that J. Crew has cornered the market for All-American outfitting. And that being said, it’s only fitting that the wearable brand would work with up-and-coming designers. Hence the shop’s latest endeavor with the three finalists from the annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, which rewards emerging designers with monetary…

Orla Kiely Willow Tote at Frances

Every Wednesday 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: There’s no beating around the gorgeously manicured bush, we are Orla Kiely fangirls. The Irish designer’s bedding will be available stateside at Bed, Bath & Beyond…

An Illustrated Guide to Light Rail-Riding Etiquette

Before moving back to Jan Brewer’s “hell hole” about three years ago, I lived in Boston. During my years there I rode the T regularly and picked up on some of the customary rules for mass-transit riders. Yeah, Phoenix’s measly scrap of a light rail is no T (also known…

Manifesto No. 5

Continuing Manifestos, a collection of 10(ish) life lessons and rules written by local creatives and illustrated by local designers. Up today, lessons learned by local writer Kim Porter, illustrated below by Peter Storch: Read Porter’s manifesto below …..

Printing with Freezer Paper Stencils

Pin Up Girl is a weekly guide to all things Pinterest. Our resident pinner, Laura Gill, will take a look at some of the best eye candy from around the web, provide a few pointers on how-to crafts, and weigh in on weekly trends and highlight local and national pin fiends. Using…

Five Things You Should Never Buy Through Bargain Websites

We all enjoy getting good bargains wherever we can, and with the success of Groupon, Living Social, and all the countless other online deal sites, they’re not too hard to find. Where we eat, shop, and even vacation is becoming increasingly dictated by what we find on coupon sites. But…

Chocolate Leather Clutch at Rocket Resale

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: For those in search of the perfect festival bag, stop looking. No seriously. We already found the perfect clutch that’s stylish, slightly worn, and will totally fit a…

Manifesto No. 4

Continuing Manifestos, a collection of 10(ish) life lessons and rules written by local creatives and illustrated by local designers. Up today, lessons learned by local writer James E. Garcia, illustrated below by Casebeer: Read Garcia’s manifesto below …..

Craft Your Own Vertical Pallet Garden

Pin Up Girl is a weekly guide to all things Pinterest. Our resident pinner, Laura Gill, will take a look at some of the best eye candy from around the web, provide a few pointers on how-to crafts, and weigh in on weekly trends and highlight local and national pin fiends. As…

Spotted: El Mac on the Cover of Juxtapoz

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: During a visit to Tudela, Spain in 2011,…

Vintage Harley T-Shirt at Antique Sugar

Each week 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: We can already hear the sorority sisters crying, “Wahh. It’s getting haaawt. Time to squeeze into those tiny terry cloth shorts with ‘CALL ME!’ emblazoned on…