As we say goodbye to winter weather, whose closet doesn’t need a little Spring cleaning? However, in these economic, blah, blah, blah … Couture fashion, off-the-rack prices, need we say more?

The first rule of upscale resale seems to be having a catchy name, which is probably why you never heard of Fournier’s Petite Armoire. Quickly renamed Poor Little Rich Girl, this small shop in North central Phoenix and now Arcadia has built a loyal following by bringing consignment shopping out of the Stone Age.

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Take a break from the blindingly bright colors of Spring and get ready to transition into Summer with luscious lavenders and crisp China blues, accented with brushed-gold bracelets and vintage African bead necklaces.

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

As you read, disgraced Dior designer, John Galliano is jet-setting from Paris to the fashion capital of Wikenburg, AZ. Yes, the famously flamboyant clothier is heading to The Meadows rehab facility following a drunken anti-Semitic tirade that got him fired from his posh gig as head designer for the billion-dollar fashion house. According to the NY Times, this sumptuous (and super secretive) facility has also treated Elton John and Donatella Versace in recent years.

“Set in the high Sonoran Desert fifty miles northwest of Phoenix … the clear dry desert air has miraculous healing powers that makes people well,” says the center’s website. (Which seems a bit of a stretch considering how crazy our local politicians are.)

But more important, what should this fashion icon do in his spare time here in fabulous Wickenberg?

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As you read, disgraced Dior designer, John Galliano is jet-setting from Paris to the fashion capital of Wikenburg, AZ. Yes, the famously flamboyant clothier is heading to The Meadows rehab facility following a drunken anti-Semitic tirade that got him fired from his posh gig as head designer for the billion-dollar fashion house. According to the NY Times, this sumptuous (and super secretive) facility has also treated Elton John and Donatella Versace in recent years.

“Set in the high Sonoran Desert fifty miles northwest of Phoenix … the clear dry desert air has miraculous healing powers that makes people well,” says the center’s website. (Which seems a bit of a stretch considering how crazy our local politicians are.)

But more important, what should this fashion icon do in his spare time here in fabulous Wickenberg?

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Everybody loves a rebel, right? Someone who breaks the rules and just doesn’t give a damn. So why do people keep looking at us funny when we wear jorts over our jeggings? And who says denim diapers are just for dapper little toddlers?

But seriously, there are fashion rules for a reason, people. Which is why the Valley’s most stylish residents will all be flocking to Neiman Marcus at Scottsdale Fashion Square this Thursday as they host their annual Fashion Rules extravaganza. Featuring exclusive trunk shows by Kara Ross and Manolo Blahnik, as well as a personal appearance by famed jewelry designer, Donald Huber, this official kickoff for the Spring fashion season will offer something for everyone.

No really.

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Those list lovers at Forbes magazine just ranked the 25 Best Shopping Cities in America. Not surprisingly, Texas tops the list with Houston and Dallas taking the top two spots, respectively, and three other cities in the top 25. In fact, Texas is home to nearly one-quarter of the total retail space available at the nation’s top 525 major shopping centers.

That said, the real shocker is not that Phoenix finished in the top 10, but that NYC was ranked #22. How could that be? (Hint: having an s-ton of Walmart’s is somehow considered a postive?!)

Image via AlHikesAZ’s Flickr

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Wounded US Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, Tweeted out a B-Day message to her hubby yesterday. The message, which was typed out by a staffer, read, “Happy Birthday @ShuttleCDRKelly & @StationCDRKelly! Thanks for the cake @houstonhospital“ and included a pic of the cake at left.

Giffords husband, Mark Kelly is a NASA astronaut who recently left Giffords’ rehab center in Houston, with her blessing, to resume training for his upcoming flight piloting the Space Shuttle. As for the other Kelly mentioned in the Tweet, it’s Mark Kelly’s twin brother and fellow astronaut, Scott Kelly.

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For decades, hipsters and big-city transplants complained that the Valley was just a sea of suburbs and cookie cutter stripmalls. And they were right. But as Greater Phoenix grows, the lowly stripmall has become the surprising forefront of the Valley’s urban awakening.

Home to pedestrian-friendly hot pockets where you can shop, dine, sip and maybe even pretend like you’re in a tiki hut in French Polynesia. Recently, we spotted another burgeoning hot spot named the Mercury Building and located at 3508 N. 7th St., in Phoenix.

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It looks like there’s a storm brewing on the horizon. But we’re not talking about the rainy weekend forecast. We’re talking about a certain obnoxious, spray tan-loving diva named Snooki Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, who will be flexing his way across the Valley on Saturday. Yes, Sorrentino, whom we’re still convinced is at least 45, will be here shilling his signature Devotion Vodka, infused with something called casein, aka a milk protein used in workout supplements. So, um, gross. Get your G.T.L. on from 3-5 pm at Total Wine at Desert Ridge in North Phoenix, or at Axis-Radius in Scottsdale at 11 pm.

PS Do you know how hard we had to search to find a pic of Mikey with his shirt on? You’re welcome!

Strut Bridal Salon is a stylish new boutique in central Phoenix featuring a wide variety of designer gowns, including styles from Eden Bridal, Allure and Justin Alexander. Even better, unlike the stereotypical Scottsdale boutique, Strut specializes in dresses sized 12 and up.

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Sounds like Frankie needs to relax. TMZ is reporting that Arcadia resident (and every local PR person’s fav ‘celebrity guest’) Frankie Muniz was involved in a disturbing altercation with his gal pal. Phoenix PD were called to the former ”Malcolm in the Middle” star’s $2.65M estate after an argument with his longtime girlfriend/PR pro, Elycia Turnbow (who’s never been afraid to bask in Muniz’s reflected glow) turned physical. Reportedly, Muniz ”grabbed a gun and held it to his head, possibly with the intent of committing suicide.”

Image via TMZ

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Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. While most Arizonans are not exactly pleased that our state is home to the infamous polygamist commune of Colorado City, one former resident is taking advantage of America’s obsession with plural marriage by offering bus tours into the heart of fundamentalist Mormon country.

Grab the kids, creepy details ahead.

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So what do you do with an open pit copper mine once you’ve scrapped out all the precious metals? Well, if you’re the town of Bisbee, AZ you could build this wild underground skyscraper.

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For years, we’ve been hearing about a tiny cafe with an outsized reputation. A little mom and pop shop with a top-notch bill of fare and a charmingly cozy vibe. And for years we’ve made excuses for not going there. But this weekend we finally dropped by Bertha’s Cafe at 32nd St. and Indian School, and now we are OBSESSED!

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Although this latest arctic blast has ensured sweater season will last a little longer, summer is always just around the corner here in the Valley of the Sun. Which means you’re running out of time to ditch those extra lbs you’ve been lugging around since Thanksgiving. But what if you don’t want to workout at one of those shiny new fitness palaces, where everybody looks like they spent more time picking out a perky outfit than actually breaking a sweat? Sounds like you need you need to get primal. »READ MORE

Hair styles may come and go, but the salon experience is pretty much set in stone. Check in, sit down, consult, shampoo, snip, chat, blowdry, style, and maybe sip a glass of vino if you’re lucky. Lately, however, there’s been a bit of shake-up in the staid salon world, as several revolutionary new style shops are reinventing the whole hair experience. Some are all about getting in and out toot sweet, no scissors required. Others combine snipping and styling with shopping, dining and drinking.

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Two of the Valley’s most infamous residents are both in the news today. First, the new mayor of Maricopa, Bristol Palin is seriously considering taking up a local radio station on its job offer. Meanwhile, Rocker and Reality TV star, Bret Michaels is recovering from a hole in his heart. And that’s not some cheesy plot song lyric or twist from his VH1 show, he literally had heart surgery.

Images via USA Today & People

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Sad news. Famed fitness guru, Jack LaLanne passed away yesterday at the age of 96 from respiratory failure due to pneumonia. Best known for being incredibly fit and hawking juicers on TV, LaLanne is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elaine. Yup, Elaine Lalanne.

However, there’s so much more to this odd old man, who could also rock a pantsuit like nobody’s business. More mind-blowing facts about this is muscle-bound maestro after the jump.

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This, my friends, is a baby dolphin. Also known as the second cutest thing on earth. What could possibly be cuter? Click read more to find out.

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Who needs sleep anyways? Starting tomorrow, Starbucks will be rolling out its own version of the Big Gulp in 14 states, including AZ. Named the Trenta, at 31 oz. it’s seven ounces larger than the Venti cup.

In other words, that smelly-looking hipster guy who’s always quietly sketching in his notepad (and practically begging people to ask if he’s an artist), might never have to leave Starbucks again.

[Yahoo]

Scoop Factory must be on a sugar high, because they’re sharing this exclusive offer to an invite-only Sprinkles Cupcake tasting event here in Scottsdale:

Oh my goodness, Scoopers. Have we got a fun one for you today. We hope you’ve already thrown in the towel on that silly New Year’s diet, because this tasty morsel is too sweet to pass up.

Tonight, Sprinkles Cupcakes is doing something that they’ve never done before. And we’ve got an exclusive invite just for our readers. Yes, on January 11, Sprinkles in Downtown Scottsdale is inviting loyal customers (that’s you) to visit their store from 7 – 9 pm (after they close for the day) for a FREE sneak peek tasting of their latest flavor.

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Here’s an odd little nugget that’s come to light following the terrible tragedy in Tucson. Turns out that wounded US Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, is related to actress Gwyneth Paltrow. According to ET, Giffords and Paltrow are cousins, but the two have never met. The actress released a statement to ET on the tragedy, saying, “Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting congresswoman Giffords, my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as well as the other victims of this horrible act of senseless violence.”

Meanwhile, “One Tree Hill” actress, Sophia Bush, has also been personally touched by the tragedy, as she’s a cousin to the nine-year-old victim, Christina Taylor Green.

We’re not gonna lie, this one’s a little lady-centric. But with Valentine’s Day just a month away, you gentlemen might want to take note as well. Besides, how often do you get to mention Oprah and the Queen of England’s undergarments in the same story?

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Who says the US legal system is broken? Not anyone’s who’s watched an episode of Divorce Court, that’s for sure. Judge Lynn Toler can wind down three awful marriages before the first commercial break. Plus, we just learned that not only is Judge Toller a Valley resident, but she’s hosting a couple of events in Tempe later this month, including a book signing and an interactive presentation at the Arizona Historical Museum. Full details after the jump, but no word if they will be BYOG (Bring Your Own Gavel).

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Baby, it’s cold outside! So bundle up with this collection of everyday objects wrapped in sweaters. Enjoy a full slideshow of be-sweatered bliss after the jump.

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