Image via AllPosters

For Titanic fanatics, there is now a better way to mark the 100^th anniversary of the ship’s sinking than with Titanic 3D. If wearing those thick glasses for three hours isn’t your style, we’re thinking a destination cruise – of sorts – will be. Sound like a strange vacation, especially after the Costa Concordia disaster? We agree, but someone had to do it: For up to $14k, UK-based Miles Morgan Travel is marking the occasion with three Titanic-dedicated cruises in April. From serving food that was also served on the ship to opportunities for period dressing, the cruises will also have daily lectures surrounding the life and history of the Titanic and themed entertainment from the era. Both the 100^th Memorial Cruise – which departs from Southampton April 8 and already has a waitlist – and the Anniversary Cruise, which departs from New York April 10, will follow the doomed ship’s itinerary and give a memorial service at the exact time and location of the ship’s sinking. If it all sounds a little over-the-top, the Titanic Mini Cruise, which departs on April 3, is a 5-night voyage that will stop in both Liverpool and Belfast to commemorate the ship’s “engine room heroes” without the slightly-eerie and subzero mid-ocean memorial service.

For more info, click here.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with this weekend’s cocktail, the Amore Smooch. Courtesy of Sassi Italian Restaurant in Scottsdale, this lovely beverage is shaken into a martini glass, surrounded with ice and lightly adorned with fresh red rose petals. Head up to Sassi for a romantic evening or stay at home with your sweetheart and whip up something special….we believe this might be our most romantic recipe yet.

Ingredients:
1 oz of Godiva White liqueur
1 oz of Svedka Cherry Vodka
1 oz of Crème de Cacao

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients in a martini shaker. Strain into a stemless martini glass (bottom of the glass filled with crushed ice and 2 fresh rose petals). Garnish with three Svedka Cherry infused cherries, half dipped in chocolate.

Sassi Italian Restaurant | 10455 East Pinnacle Peak Parkway | Scottsdale, AZ |85255

We just received anonymous pictures from a loyal reader of the Dallas-based restaurant Del Frisco’s renovating the space at the Esplanade where Houston’s bailed. Del Frisco’s is scraping the old interiors to the bone, just like you will be scraping a plate of their 24 oz Prime Porterhouse Steak with Cauliflower & Brie Au Gratin soon. No word on when they’ll be “frisking” Phoenix at the “Do Right & Fear No Man” steakhouse or why they call it that, but sounds exciting, right?!

Speaking of the Esplanade where the DLT office is, any takers for the McCormick & Schmick’s space yet? If you’ve got the inside Scoop, let us know by emailing editor@scoopfactory.com. Quality insider tips pay in virtual high-fives and your name as “Staff” on the byline.

We’re clapping furiously for the local foundation, Act One (part of the ON Media Publications family), for hosting 300 high school students January 25 for the Arizona Opera’s Community Night showing of Madama Butterfly. 300 kids sponsored by Act One joined over 2,000 high school students from Valley Title 1 schools, a Federal designation for underserved school populations, who would otherwise not be able to afford the student rate and travel expenses of such life-enriching events. ON Media’s publishers Russ and Linda ‘Mac’ Perlich started the Act One foundation to allow such students access to experiential arts learning. Foundation sponsorships underwrite the costs of school buses, performance tickets and distribution of study guides and other supplementary materials for pre- and post performance in-classroom instruction. The first year, Act One scheduled over 17 events for close to 7,000 K-12 students.

If you would like to participate or for more information, contact Colin Columna, Director of Act One at ccolumna@act1az.org.

Tired of driving downtown (or even farther) to find fresh, locally-grown and handcrafted products? Thankfully, for those of you on the Westside, the long weekend drives end this Sunday, when The Peoria Farmers’ Market will kick off at the newly renovated Osuna Park in Peoria. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. January 29 till June 24, the Market will feature local growers, organic produce, artisan bread, baked goods and other handcrafted food specialties from local establishments such as Circle Key Ranch, Seacat Gardens, Crooked Sky Farms, Dr. Hummus, The Tamale Store and more. Other local foods will include goat, lamb, eggs, cheese and honey, and throughout the season, shoppers can participate in cooking demonstrations by local chefs, gardening tips and canning lessons. Adjacent to the Farmers’ Market, the city will start The Peoria Sunday Arts in the Park this Sunday, as well. Scheduled to continue till June 24, Arts in the Park will feature local artists and craftsmen who will display a variety of one-of-a-kind goods.

In addition, the first 100 customers to stop by the Chipotle booth during the Peoria Farmers Market grand opening will receive a Chipotle Farmers’ Market Bag made from recycled billboards as well as a Buy-One-Get-One-FREE Burrito Card.

Osuna Park | 10510 N. 83rd Avenue | Peoria, AZ | 85345

Wake up and smell the salsa! At least, you’ll be able to on today, January 27, when Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill will offer a new brunch menu. Featuring sweet and spicy items like Huevos Divorciados and a Sweet Shrimp Omelet with Andouille Veracruz to classic breakfast staples like biscuits and gravy and stuffed French toast, the restaurant’s new menu fits nicely with their $4 weekend fun bar, where patrons can build their own breakfast cocktails.

For Valley Z’Tejas locations, click here.

Craving a good media fix? We’ve got your back. It’s time to round up the best in Valley media blogs and present them to you in a quick, easy to read fashion for the girl/guy on the go just waiting for a great activity to plop on your screen with little to no effort. It’s a good deal. Read on to get the hometown low down.

Ahh, the bolo tie. This blazing symbol of the Southwest can usually be found square on the neck of a man someone could call “Grandpa” or proudly on display amidst the finely crafted turquoise in many galleries littering the streets of Old Town Scottsdale. Well, now you can see it on display at a real museum for its artistic value. Yep, that’s right, The Heard Museum’s exhibition entitled “Native American Bolo Ties: Vintage and Contemporary” has set up shop until November 4 and it’s something everyone should check out. Thank Jackalope Ranch for bringing this to our attention, our necks are itching with excitement.

Looks like downtown is just bursting with culture as usual thanks to all the info provided by the Downtown Phoenix Journal. If you don’t have plans this Sunday, take the family into the heart of Phoenix to experience the Phoenix Art Museum’s 4th Annual Walkabout. It’s an event to celebrate world culture and it’s the same cost of regular museum admission. Get down with some African Drums, listen to the soothing sounds of Japanese flutes and even get some history of Arizona by listening to Frank Lloyd Wright mini tours. Great even to to enrich your life and cha-cha-cha your way out of the Superbowl waiting blues.

If you haven’t checked out America’s Taco Shop’s two Valley locations (Phoenix and Tempe), now is the time. With rave reviews from locals all around, the classic taco joint has some pretty amazing specials and a weekend-only ceviche that “is worth planning your lunch around” according to CenPho. And, if the “Coming Soon” signs are still correct, one will be opening up in Scottsdale on 1st St. and Goldwater right next to Arcadia Farm. Now, if only we knew when “soon” was….

images via CenPho and Downtown Phoenix Journal

It’s that time again for the greatest show on grass. Sure we’re excited about the 16th hole, but the Waste Management Phoenix Open offers much more than cheering for our hometown hero Phil Mickelson from Monday, January 30 – February 5. For a guide to all official daytime golf events, click here.

For those 21-and older swing into the Coors Light Birds Nest, just across from the Open’s grounds. This after-tournament tent party opens at 3:30 p.m. each day February 1 – 4 with multiple bars and a giant stage for acts that include The Goo Goo Dolls and Will.i.am this year. Admission is $25 – $35, and $120 for VIP. For tickets and more info, click here.

Here’s what’s rockin’ the Birds Nest:

Wednesday, February 1: Slightly Stoopid will kick off the four days of concerts, entertaining fans with their reggae rock fusion. Local band Elvis Before Noon and DJ Ronnie G will also perform. Show begins at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 2: The Goo Goo Dolls will slide into the Birds Nest to perform some of your favorites like it was 1998 again. DJ Ronnie G and Kelly James will also perform beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, February 3: Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas will be spinning records. Check out his DJ skills before his electro-dance album drops later this year. Also performing, The Chadwicks, Kelly James and yep, DJ Ronnie G beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 4: What PGA Tour wouldn’t be complete without an 80s cover band? Flashback Heart Attack, from southern California, performs with Champagne Tap, Smasht and DJ Ronnie G beginning at 6:00 p.m.

New to this year, with crowds reaching the thousands, cell phones are permitted. No more hiding that Droid in your sock! And speaking of socks, check out our Tee Time: A Gentlemen’s Guide To Dressing at The Open.

Image via WM Phoenix Open

We wish we could go “Here,” there and everywhere with the gorgeous Agyness Deyn in the new indie film “HERE,” directed by Lucas Guadagnino for The Luxury Collection hotels. The 15-minute flick features The Phoenician Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. Well, you’re here to win to go there!

One lucky random winner will win a pair of 80-minute spa treatments from the menu offered at The Centre for Well-Being at the Scottsdale resort, valid February 1, 2012 – February 1, 2013 (except holidays). Watch the video and answer the question, “What is the color of Agyness’s dress when she first enters The Phoenician in the film?” Email your answer to max@scoopfactory.com and one lucky, random winner will be selected for the pair of treatments. Your answer must be submitted by Monday, January 30th at 12:00 noon to win.

Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with Estee Lauder’s Cyber Eyes, a brilliant look created with Pure Color Intense Eye Color and Eyeshadows. The Intense Eye Color comes in a thick, easy-to-apply crayon for vivid, long-lasting eye color and the eyeshadows, which are created with limited-edition shades Cyber Green, Cyber Silver, Cyber Teal, Cyber Copper, Cyber Lilac and Cyber Pink, create a burst of no-fade, high chromatic color.

Prep your close-up with Estee Lauder Matte Face Primer, a soft cream that smooths fine lines and readies your skin for makeup application. Excited yet? Head to Neiman Marcus in Scottsdale from January 25 to February 5 to see how these products work for you and receive a stylish, limited-edition tote and other beauty gifts with your purchase of $70 or more.

Scottsdale-based Remix Watches, the LED lighted watch that’s like a personal wrist disco, was a celebrity favorite this past week at the Sundance Film Festival 2012. Celebrities including Paris Hilton, LMFAO’s Red Foo, KayCee Stroh of “High School Musical” and Jason Mraz rocked the brightly colored watches in Park City. Remix founder, Ryan Town reports, “We outfitted the party rock crew with RemixWatches for their weekend at Sundance. Red Foo said he wanted to REMIX a ‘Batman-inspired’ watch and sport that yellow and black.” Oh wait, what about us? We’re sportin’ our bright pink watch everyday to the DLT office! Wanna join the A list, Remix fist pumping crowd with us? Click here to shop online.

Are you worried about this upcoming holiday of love? Well fear no more because renowned Phoenix dating coach Joann Cohen’s new Dud to Stud and Drab to Fab programs have exactly what you need. These intensive 14-day programs help singles learn to become more date-able by sprucing up their image. Sign up now because V-Day is right around the corner.

Accommodating Phoenix single men and women, this makeover campaign of love is designed to help singles by turning them into the best versions of themselves.  Through the use of her “Dream Team,” made up of an image consultant, photographers, matchmakers, and stylists, Cohen’s program virtually transforms the client. »READ MORE

Tangerine and shades of bright orange are popping up for Spring / Summer 2012. The Hermes Spring Summer 2012 runway show with new designer Christophe Lemaire featured a hot orange pocket-sized bag against copper and lighter shades of the primary color. We found this Crossbody Structured bag at Forever 21 for just $19.80. But if you’ve got it, flaunt it for the Hermes.

Hermes image via Trend Hunter

Prada Wicker Wedges at the Chandler My Sister's Closet

Set your alarms and grab your most comfortable shopping shoes for the spring styles unveiling at all 12 My Sister’s Closet locations and Well Suited locations Saturday, January 28 at 8:00 a.m. Both My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited will open their doors to more than 80,000 “Out with the Cold, In with the New“ consigned designer and premium clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Each store sell a unique blend of consigned items at 60 – 90 percent below retail value. Online shopping begins at 8:15 am. Founded 20 years ago,  Eco-Chic Consignments, Inc. has since grown into a $16+ million business with 12 locations in some of the nicest neighborhoods of Arizona and California. Lines form early so grab your cuppa and get there quick.

For locations, click here.

The sun is shining, birds are chirping and Phoenix is all abuzz with the Waste Management Phoenix Open rapidly approaching. So what does this mean for locals besides bad traffic? We’ll tell you. It means every little frat boy (young and old) and club hopping fist pumper will be emerging in daylight hours to drink excessively and set up a$$hole camp at the 16th hole. Gentlemen, don’t be these guys. You are better. You don’t wear argyle socks or graphic tees. Here are a few tips to dressing up that classic t-shirt and making people stop and stare….for the right reasons.

<—Sorry Ricky Fowler. You are clearly dressed like an undesirable.

»READ MORE

Ballet Arizona and Desert Botanical Garden present the Arizona premiere of MOMIX: Botanica, January 27 and January 28 at the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix.

Botanica, like other MOMIX creations, creates a magical and ethereal world that is appropriate for the whole family. MOMIX dancer-illusionists conjure a world of surrealistic images using light, shadow, props, humor and the human body. Beautiful and enthralling, Botanica features an eclectic score ranging from birdsongs to Vivaldi. It follows the rhythms of the seasons, the changing shape of life on Earth and the passing of a day. The performance is enhanced by spectacular costumes, projections and giant puppetry designed by Michael Curry, acclaimed production designer for Cirque du Soleil, Disney and the Metropolitan Opera.

Ticket info and more after the jump: »READ MORE

Be mine, Be mine, o’ Valentine of luxury and design.  Take a peek at our special guide to a Valentine’s Day filled with love and design.

Do you ever wish you could match culinary skills with the likes of Bobby Flay, Emeril or Chef Jose Garces? Well now you can start training and maybe one day go head to head in Kitchen Stadium to take the title, “Iron Chef.” Or at least just impress your friends at home.

The Saguaro is introducing Cook Like an Iron Chef - a series of cooking classes taught by executive chef Pete Balodimas, taking place at the Old Town Whiskey restaurant. He’ll teach you the recipes, tricks and techniques of The Saguaro’s very own Iron Chef Jose Garces.

The first class, held on January 29, will focus on pickling – right in time for all the Super Bowl parties.

At $30 per class, register quick because each class only seats 20 people. For registration click here.

The Saguaro Hotel | 4000 North Drinkwater Blvd | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 

Image via FoodNetwork

If the concept of eating locally and buying fresh produce from the desert sounds foreign to you, Friday’s Panel Discussion at Changing Hands Bookstore might clear up some confusion. At 7:00 p.m. January 27, Edible Phoenix Magazine will moderate an interactive panel with Cooking the Wild Southwest author Carolyn Niethammer and Southwest Comfort Food author Marilyn Noble. Along with a tasting of Southwestern foods and a book signing, the authors will discuss how to shop smart at the farmer’s market, how to find locally-produced grassfed meats and how to utilize desert vegetation in your own kitchen.

Changing Hands Bookstore | 6428 S McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ | 85283

Nathan’s back, our resident womanizing snarkster, with some solid advice for the singletons this month. Check out this Rule of Nathan #48 and don’t miss his column next month for more of his musings.

Rule of Nathan #48: Never date or try to date a stripper. By never, I mean almost never, and by stripper I mean stripper you meet at the strip club. Strippers aren’t strippers outside of work any more than Hugh Laurie is a doctor, Nathan Fillion is a space cowboy, Nickelback are musicians or Lou Diamond Phillips is Richie Valens. OK, scratch that last one. LDP is totally La Bamba. So, you know, if you meet her because she sits next to you in your law school class, go for it.

In that vein, coffee shops are the new strip clubs and baristas are the new strippers. Bear with me on this one. When your barista smiled at you and she “was totally flirting, man,” remember she has a tip jar. Her job is to be nice to you and make you coffee. I get it. My dream woman would be nice to me and make me coffee too, but remember that’s the baristas job. »READ MORE