2020 Gift Guide- Arizona

HELLO, FRIENDS

As we near the end of the calendar year, the season of gift giving is upon us. To many, this can bring unwanted stress emotionally and financially. Our goal for this mindful gift-guide is to help you enjoy the gift-giving process and minimize the stress that is associated with it by having these ideas at your fingertips.

What do we mean by mindful gift giving?

When we give gifts mindfully, we give from the heart. We think about what is meaningful to the receiver of the gift.

How do we want them to feel? Giftgiving is really an act of love! A true and thoughtful gesture that shows your special someone what they mean to you and how much you care about them.

But wait!

Gifts come in many forms and sometimes a heartfelt note means so much more, so share your favorite memory, a funny story or picture. No matter what you share, just make it personal!

Enjoy perusing our top favorite gifts from small local shops- we are thankful for them all and for you!

Happy mindful gift-giving!

Shanan & Aliesha

DESERT RAIN

If you’ve ever been outside after a monsoon, you know there’s a distinct smell of the desert after rain. You can now get this this unique and nostalgic smell in your shower! Simply wet the bundle when you first start your shower and then let the steam and moisture carry the scent.

Phoenix General PHXGEN, “the new general store”, showcases a collection of clothing and lifestyle gifts inspired by our modern, desert city. Gifts from Phoenix General are hand-picked, high-quality, ethical and sustainable, while reflecting the fresh and functional artistry found in our desert metropolis.

Shop PHXGEN at www.phxgeneral.com

@phxgeneral

GREEN THUMB

Who doesn’t need all of the plants?!

Shop local pottery and the freshest greenhouse goodies at Pueblo.

Pueblo What started as a small market booth in Downtown Phoenix quickly expanded to a historic butterfly bow-truss warehouse in the Grande Avenue commercial district, just a few blocks West of its initial origin. With its space designed to mimic a modern home, Pueblo focuses on high-quality, common and unusual houseplants.

Explore their jungle at www.pueblo.life @pueblo.life

A PURPOSEFUL PINT

A good drink can act as “an avenue for powerful conversations and positive changes.” Owner Megan Greenwood invites patrons to come share their story and drink great while feeling welcome doing so. With six beers on tap + new beer cocktails, you’re bound to find a pint you love!

Want to support local while staying in?

Swing by to grab a gift card or shop their apparel online!

Greenwood Brewing In an industry dominated by men, Greenwood Brewing is a womanowned brewing company that believes in the power of the purposeful pint.

The goal is to create approachable craft beers to allow women to feel welcome in the industry.

Drink up at www.greenwoodbrews.com @greenwoodbrewing

DISCOVER THE DESERT

Torn straight from Paige Poppe’s 2014 sketchbook, this pouch reflects the artist’s signature watercolor style and brings art into your everyday life! Its available in two different sizes and features the vibrant print on both sides.

@paigepoppe

Paige Poppe After leaving her native state of Arizona for college, Paige returned home and saw the desert through a whole new lens. The landscape she had once taken for granted was now an inspiration. Her work is carried in 30+ retail shops throughout the US and, like us, she has studios in Arizona and Minnesota!

Order online at www.paigepoppe.com

ALIESHA’S FAVORITE

URBAN CHARM

This plate has no real owner It's journey never ends It travels on a spontaneous path To neighbors....family...friends.

It carries love from home to home With treats for all to share Just a little pick me up Hello, thinking of you, I care!

Please enjoy what's on this plate, Then fill it up once more And pass it on to someone new That's what the Giving Plate is for!

urbAna When you need something wonderful and memorable for your home, their home, or any home, urbAna is your destination.

This sophisticated boutique is a “celebrations store”, dedicated to helping you elevate and savor the cherished occasions of your life.

Be inspired at www.urbanashop.com @urbanaphoenix

LOST & FOUND

Play Santa to everyone on your list by shopping for each of their unique styles.

From furniture to lighting to wall décor and home accessories, there’s a world of inspiration inside Found’s doors.

Found As a locally owned and operated business, Found has delivered an eclectic mix of home furnishings, accessories and style to the Valley for over 21 years.

Discover something new at www.founddesign.co

@onlyhuman

KIND IS COOL

Shirts, stickers, hats, masks and more. Only Human has everyone on your shopping list covered! Their killer new space downtown, which happens to be across the street from our Phoenix worklab, showcases their core values, trendy apparel and team full of good humans.

And the best part? You get to shop for a cause. Every month Only Human releases a new line of apparel, with 10% of each purchase benefiting a new non-profit partner!

Only Human Established in 2016, Only Human is a community organization fueled by kindness and social entrepreneurship.

They believe in the power of humans coming together to help move us all forward in the ways that truly matter.

Join the movement at www.onlyhumanco.com

LATHER. RINSE. REPEAT

These soaps are a must have. Not only are they absolutely gorgeous, but they have a scent and ingredient for every person on your list. The newest holiday scents include Evergreen Berry, Sugar Plum and Twisted Peppermint. And these puppies fly off the shelves, so we highly recommend marking your calendar to find Bethany’s booth at upcoming markets to claim yours!

Lather Bath Bar What started as a sudsy side hustle has become a full-blown business for Bethany Shaver of Queen Creek. Since starting her online business in 2018, Lather Bath Bar has gained over 20,000 followers on Instagram, leading to quick sell-outs after releasing new suds.

Shop her soaps at Made With Love Market in Gilbert or order online at www.latherbathbar.com @latherbathbar

I AM WOMAN @thesageaubrey

You, and all the women you know, deserve this shirt. Why? Because we’re in this together. Remember, when you see another woman wearing this tee, she is approachable and ready to connect. Go say hi!

Sage Aubrey As a female-run company, Sage Aubrey serves to provide luxury handbags with premium designs at an attainable price amidst a culture that makes their shoppers feel respected, rewarded and iconic.

Shop the iconic collection at www.sageaubrey.com

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

Is your mouth watering yet? Loved by chefs, home cooks, and food enthusiasts, Desert Provisions sources the best of what the Sonoran Desert has to offer, making their products perfect for gifting or everyday use!

@desertprovisions

Desert Provisions Born in Tucson, Desert Provisions is a purveyor of salt, spices and specialty foods. Harvesting all-natural chile powders from Hatch, New Mexico and salt from the Sea of Cortez is a celebration of the unique aspects that are distinct to our region.

Tease your tastebuds at www.desertprovisions.com

FIND YOUR TRIBE

Creative Kind is a place for people to gather, connect over creativity, and make or discover something beautiful.

Their one-of-a-kind craft workshops and abundance of curated goods from small businesses and local makers make them a local Tucson gem.

Check out their unique inventory (both online and in-store) or gift your favorite creative with a workshop experience!

Creative Kind After leaving a corporate job for freelance work, Theresa Delaney developed Creative Kind upon realizing how difficult it is to make new friends as an adult. What started as a single craft workshop blossomed into wildly popular pop-ups and ultimately, a brick & mortar store.

Create more at www.creativekindshop.com @creativekindshop

WOODWORK IT

Ornaments, signage, stickers coasters and more – Citizen Home Décor has you covered when it comes to handmade wooden décor.

Scott Goodson’s unmistakable pieces can be found at boutiques and markets around the Valley. Shopping for friends and family across the country? Make their holiday with Goodson’s popular home state ornaments!

Citizen Home Decor Created by Scott Goodson, Citizen Home Decor merges Arizona pride with handmade woodwork.

Shop CHD at www.citizenhomedecor.com @citizenhd

ALIESHA’S FAVORITE

FA LA LA LA FLORAL

If modern-industrial and flowershopgreenhouse had a lovechild, Camelback Flowershop would be her.

They offer all of our favorite gifts, from minimalist-designed German watering cans (brass, enamel and copper), to LA based luxury candles, to handcrafted garden shears, a variety of letter pressed greeting cards and local treats: freshly baked cookies, mole glazed pecans, caramels to-die-for, and the best dark chocolate on the planet.

Camelback Flowershop Camelback Flowershop specializes in freshly cut flowers, floral design and same day flower delivery in the Phoenix area.

Find your fave florals at www.camelbackflowershop.com @camelbackflowershop

LOVING LOCAL @whyilovewhereilive

It’s no secret – we love where we live!

Want to shout it from the rooftops? Why I Love Where You Live has you covered. Their mantra is to encourage people to find and celebrate the beauty where we live through gratitude and appreciation and their products preach just that. What could be better?

Why I Love Where I Live What started as a gratitude Instagram account now exists to encourage people to love where they live, celebrate the beauty where they live, and invest in local community.

Explore more at www.whyilovewhereilive.com

SWEET GREETINGS

Named “Best Bakery� by the Phoenix New Times, Ruze Cake House is a must for all-things sweets. In addition to their iconic cactus and Arizona shaped cookies, Ruze carries gorgeous macarons, cupcakes, donuts and more. Treat your friends and family to some delectable desserts this holiday season!

@ruzecakehouse

Ruze Cake House This mother/daughter collaborative effort is best known for its fresh and innovative designs and commitment to smaller-batch/higher-quality cakes and desserts.

Make your sweet selection at www.ruzecakehouse.com

SHANAN’S FAVORITE

BOHO SLEIGH BELLS

This is going to be your most chic gift yet, hands down! Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

THELIFESTYLEDCO’s gift boards and books are personalized to each person on your nice list. Pick your board or book, build your gift set from their handcurated gift selection, and their team will adorn it with a complimentary ribbon, gift tag and vintage inspired bell.

THELIFESTYLEDCO Created by Kristen Forgione, THELIFESTYLEDCO specializes in a minimal + modern aesthetic that Kristen calls “Organic Desert Living.” LCo has led the west coast design market for the past seven years, with clients nationwide, a design studio, two brick + mortar retail shops and a team of desert loving designers.

Shop chic at www.thelifestyledco.com @thelifestyledco

BLOOM IN DARKNESS

No matter how hard life can get, a bold pop of color and a beautiful statement piece can be just what you need to take on the day! Crafted in Tucson, Lauren Valenzuela’s fun and whimsical pieces are the perfect present this holiday. Just like the Night Blooming Cereaus Cactus in their logo, even you can bloom in darkness!

@sigfusdesigns

Sigfús Founded in 2018, Sigfús Designs is a little bit desert, a little bit retro, and a whole lot rock and roll.

Grow your collection at www.sigfusdesigns.com

FOR THE TINY HUMANS

We’re just going to say it…you’re going to be jealous of the baby that ends up with this ‘minkey lovey’. It’s that simple!

Made with Spoonflower fabric that is hand designed by individual artists, these handmade baby/lap quilts are modern without sacrificing comfort..

Casa De Lolo ‘loveys’ are made with love to be loved! Add a matching burp cloth, teether, or pacifier clip for the perfect gift.

@casadelolodesigns

Casa De Lolo Created by Jennifer Isbell, Casa De Lolo Designs specializes in Heirloom quality baby and lap quilts.

Shop all-things beautiful baby at www.thelifestyledco.com

@elbegoods

EL BE-AUTIFUL

Do you ever walk into a store and never want to leave? El Be is that place for us! Their beautifully curated selection of art, apparel, décor and more will leave you eternally stalking their Instagram.

El Be Goods El Be Goods brings sustainable, ethical and outstanding goods to Downtown Tucson. Opened in 2018 by sisters Laura Stupar and Kristen Repp, El Be features “slow fashion, sustainability, fair wage, ethically traded, women-owned and women-run businesses.”

Continue the obsession at www.shopelbe.com

@lisacongdon

@houseofhatters

HATTY HOLIDAYS

At their Tucson studio, House of Hatters take all the materials from their artisans and create handcrafted hatbands, hand stitch stones and feathers, cut and shape all their leather, and finish each hat with true international style. Your hat also features an inner drawstring, and when secured with the tie of a knot, allows you to custom fit your hat to your ideal size.

These handcrafted and hand numbered hats are available in limited quantities.

House of Hatters This Tucson hattery has a vision of sharing their passion for handcrafted goods, culture and a great fit with its customers for years to come.

Top the holidays off at www.houseofhatters.com

THE BEES KNEES

Did you know that incorporating local honey into your diet can help mitigate allergies to pollen in your region?

Sweeten up someone’s holiday with a jar of Absolutely Delightful Arizona Honey or choose from their other options like beeswax candles, honeycomb, or bee pollen!

Absolutely Delightful Arizona Honey Absolutely Delightful is a family run business specializing in local raw honey. They work with local beekeepers to provide the Valley with the best honey Arizona has to offer.

Join the buzz at www.adazhoney.com @adazhoney

MAST-ERFUL CRAFT @ilovemast

Looking for distinct, creative and timeless pieces? The ladies of MAST, located in Tucson, are responsible for the creation a variety of beautiful works that are made by hand, made to last and made with love.

MAST Mellow, Sofie and Tasha are the heart of MAST and they make all of their pieces by hand in Tucson. MAST honors the belief that investing in your community and knowing where something comes from makes each piece more valuable.

Explore their collection at www.ilovemast.com

WRAP IT UP

To help save on cost, energy and resources, consider a more earthfriendly alternative to wrapping your gifts this holiday season. Search around your home, scope out your design library for scraps or head to your local thrift store to help find the following items: Fabric Ribbons & Twine Paper bags Ornaments Scarves Tea or kitchen towels Decorative brooches Vintage cards Old maps Jars and cookie tins Add a heartfelt note and a sprig of balsam and you’ll have a unique, beautifully handcrafted and eco-friendly gift to give!

DO MORE GOOD

The holidays can be overwhelmingespecially in 2020! If you are looking for local non-profits and charities to send more love to, or to honor a special friend or family, here’s our list of local favorites.

Lighthouse for Hope Lighthouse provides support for families that are fighting pediatric cancer. Their goal is to alleviate some families’ financial stress by providing assistance for day-to-day expenses. www.lighthouseforhope.org Free Arts Free Arts uses the healing powers of the arts to help abused and homeless children build resiliency and learn to trust and heal. www.freeartsaz.org UMOM New Day Centers UMOM aims to prevent and end homelessness with innovative strategies and housing solutions that meet the unique needs of each family and individual. www.umom.org

Heidi’s Village Heidi’s Village exists to foster a community where animals are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.

They work with existing animal welfare organizations in Maricopa country to provide a safe haven for animals. www.heidisvillage.org COPE Community Services Inc. In Tucson, COPE offers comprehensive programs, specialty services, resources, and support to address general mental health and substance abuse issues, serious mental illness, physical healthcare and welfare concerns. www.copecommunityservices.org Ben’s Bells As one of Tucson’s most notable charitable campaigns, Ben’s Bells works to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life. www.bensbells.org

OH, HEY At Atmosphere, Shanan Koplan is motivated by workplace insights and data-driven analytics to help her clients drive decisions in her Workplace Consultant, Strategic Alliances role. She works closely with A&D and real estate teams to make the furniture process more convenient, maximizing the creation of meaningful spaces. Shanan is a Florida native, moved from Dallas to Arizona in 2019 and is recently married!

As an Architectural & Design Manager for Steelcase, Aliesha Nichter finds passion in assisting designers and architects find the perfect solutions for their projects. When she’s not cooking up awesome office plans, Aliesha spends time with her husband, daughter and son at their home in Mesa!