Phoenix things to do: May 7-9

FRIDAY

Cynthia Rowley’s mobile store @ Scottsdale Fashion Square
Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is parking her new mobile store at Scottsdale Fashion Square from Friday, May 7 – Friday, May 14.  Her Shop on Wheels is a shipping truck converted into a  Cynthia Rowley store, with hardwood floors, a fitting room, printed-fabric wall coverings and Lucite fixtures. It carries the entire range of items in the Cynthia Rowley collection—clothing, shoes, bags, eyewear, jewelry,

Scottsdale Fashion Square
Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Friday Night Lights 4th season premiere on NBC
The most attractive football playing small town high-school ever is back on TV.
One of my former show obsessions starts it’s 4th Season on regular TV (Direct TV owners have already seen it). If you’re new to FNL, catch up with the season 3 plot lines and…check out one of the major reasons to watch, Riggins.

NBC – Channel 12
7 p.m.

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SATURDAY

Butter Toast Grand Opening @ Butter Toast
Join Butter Toast and Merry May Handmade’s grand opening celebration at their cute new location off Roosevelt in Downtown Phoenix. There will be live music, crafts and a D.I.Y. table. I  also have it on good authority it could include booze.

Butter Toast
908 N. 6th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
12 – 8 p.m.

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Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave  — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
Win cds from White Stripes, Gorillaz, The Morning Benders, Serena Maneesh & Love is All or tickets to upcoming concerts by The Morning Benders, The Ruby Suns, Xiu Xiu and You Say Party! We Say Die! All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!

Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ
85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5

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SUNDAY

Mrs. Miniver @ Phoenix Art Museum
Another event from the “In the Mood” series; This 1943 film about a woman dealing with the horrors of war won multiple Oscars. Take your mom and make a day of it.

Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
1 p.m.

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Mother’s Day!
Do something nice for or with your mommy.

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CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK

MattyC eats 2 Double Downs
As a part of his Fund-a-stache moustache money-raising, Matty C videos himself eating 2 Double Down sandwiches, one with a donut bun.

The Glamourai
There are a lot of style blogs out there, many of different people, in similar outfits.
This one seems different.

Butter Toast has moved!

Ever since I discovered Butter Toast, it’s been one of my favorite destinations for affordable vintage. Their store was tiny, but always filled with a great selection of reasonably-priced tops, dresses, accessories and menswear.

The other day a friend showed off her new bag, “Look what I got at the new Butter Toast!”

New Butter Toast?!!!

Butter Toast has moved from Paisley Town to a larger space closer to  Central Phoenix, on 6th Street south of Roosevelt; Prime First Friday real-estate. They’re sharing the new digs with Merry May Handmade, combining affordable vintage with crafting gear — embroidery thread, patterns, etc. There’s even a sewing maching smack-dab in the middle of the store.

Check out the new shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursdays – Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Butter Toast & Merry May Handmade
908 N. 6th Street (South of Roosevelt)
Phoenix, AZ 85004

A day in Phoenix: Indie Shopper

10 a.m. Get up and throw something on. Wear something easy to get in and out of  (a dress and flip-flops?) , you’re going to be trying on clothes.

11 a.m. Head to Central and Camelback to Frances Vintage for a great accessories and gift selections. Some things you’ll find:  Cool, arty dresses and tops, vintage picks, handmade accessories, and eclectic home items.

Next door, stop into Stinkweeds, one of the best local music stores in town. Listen to the newest indie albums or peruse their flyers for upcoming shows and events.

One door down: Red Hot Robot. Get inspired by their collection of vinyl toys, books and other Japanese-inspired accessories.

Next up, get a mid-morning pick-me-up at Smeeks, the cute candy shop at the end of the row.

12:30 p.m. Head a mile or so down Central to Pane Bianco, of Bianco’s Pizzaria fame, for a delicious sandwich and a Bubble Up.

If you’re a sweetie person (like me), stop next door at Lux for a baked treat. My suggestion: Anything with chocolate and/or peanut butter.

1:30 p.m. A block or so down the road, check out Vintage Fashion, Inc.  for an amazing mix of designer vintage ranging from barely-affordable to not-so-much. Walk a few steps to Central Consignment next door for a brand names at discount prices.

2:00 p.m. More vintage. Head a few miles west to Hollywood Regency and peruse their selection of retro classic clothing for men and women.

Across the street: Retro Ranch for a funky collection of well-priced vintage fashions, furniture and home decor.

3:30 p.m. Stop off at Grand Ave. – home of vintage shop, Butter Toast.

Grab an iced tea next door at Paisley Violin and sit on the patio (October-May) or inside (June-Sept) and think about your purchases.

4:30 p.m. Downtown is a little sparse, but you can still check out some locally made items at
Bunky Boutique and Made.

Happy hour – You’ve been living la vida retro all day, stay in that mood with a martini from Durant’s. All it takes is one.

6:30 p.m. Take the 20-minute trip to Scottsdale. Work up an appetite trolling Scottsdale Fashion Square, home of some great high and low-end shopping.

For big spenders: Barney’s, Neiman Marcus, and Kate Spade.
For the spend-thrifts: Forever21, Charolette Russe and coming soon — H&M.

8 p.m. Depending on the damage you’ve incurred throughout your day, you might choose a less expensive dining option, like the home-style fare at Orange Table, or splurge a little at new (and much talked about) FnB for some gourmet fare.

Phoenix things to do: June 12-14

FRIDAY
Handsome Furs @ Chyro Arts
Watch this Canadian indie band with one of the members of Wolf Parade at a new, and hopefully air conditioned venue I’ve never heard of.

Handsome Furs
Chyro Arts
1330 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Scottsdale Rd. south of McDowell)
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
8 p.m.
$13

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Paisley Town Block Party
The Paisley Violin enclave is hosting a weekend-long event that includesa petting zoo, performances, glass blowing, a fashion show (which I’ve heard starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday) and lots of food.

Paisley Town
1028 NW Grand Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
Saturday, 10 a.m. – midnight
Sunday, brunch 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., events 12 – 6 p.m.

SUNDAY
Peter Murphy @ Marquee
Who knew that this ’80s alt-rocker was still touring? I probably won’t be going, seeing my husband has placed a ban on all Marquee performances (since he was asked to remove his shoes before a Vampire Weekend show), but I’m betting the former Bauhaus-er knows how to put on a performance.

Marquee
730 N. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
6:30 p.m.
Ticket are $23 in advance, $25 at the door.

And for your listening pleasure:
My favorite Miniature Tigers song, The Wolf, which I found on my friend’s site, SoMuchSilence.com

Butter-y goodness

What’s Cracking Good — Paisley Town

I recently read about Butter Toast in a friend’s blog, so on a recent downtown trip I decided to check out the vintage shop for myself.

The small store occupies a tiny house which is a part of The Paisley Violin “enclave.” I’d passed the Paisley tons of times before, but never stopped off at their new location. It’s worth a look.

A hair studio, a couple of shops (including Butter Toast), a gallery, and restaurant/cafe The Paisley Violin all surround a cute little patio and a water feature. Had I known about this in cooler weather, I surely would have visited for an ice tea and a chat.

Anyway, back to Butter Toast. The store is tiny, only one room, but it’s filled with a great selection of reasonably priced dresses, tops, skirts, and a rack of menswear.

I left with a dress for $22 and a western-style shirt for my husband (or me if it doesn’t fit him).

Check out the store (address below) or check out their Etsy store online.

Paisley Town
1030 NW Grand Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 258-3458