If our nation’s still climbing obesity rates are any indication, Americans love their food just as much as they love their independence. In other words, it’s practically your patriotic duty to stuff yourself silly this Fourth of July. That said, nothing lights up a backyard BBQ like this awesome (and surprisingly simple) Red, White and Blue Potato Salad whipped up by chef Brian Feirstein of Scottsdale’s Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Even Uncle Sam would agree, store-bought sides are for commies. Recipe after the jump. »READ MORE

If your home furnishing tastes haven’t quite caught up yet with your sartorial genius, check out these fabulously printed plates from Italy-based home decor company Fornasetti.

Like a finely tuned Ferrari or impeccably-tailored Prada suit, these glossy dining ware fixtures featuring a doughy eyed girl will make even the most lowly of foods look like a million bucks. Look for Fornasetti plates and their entire line of kitschy homewares at Barneys New York and if you just happen to be in Italy, their Milan flagship.

Driving down east Camelback Road in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, it’s hard to ignore the countless rows of cookie-cutter McMansions towering over the single-story ranch homes and white-trunked citrus trees that once defined the area. While the neighborhood’s storied past has given way to newer development, the Shemer Art Center and Museum at Camelback and Arcadia Dr. stands out as a true architectural gem with its white washed stucco walls and terra cotta shingles. »READ MORE

DLT ‘s fixation with sugary, belt-busting confections continues. This time we have our eyes set on the famed German-sounding baked good: the Bundt cake. Ice cream and sheet cakes, take note. You’ve met your match. »READ MORE

Forget the cramped, rickety ‘treehouse’ perched precariously in the backyard of your childhood home. Sure, it might have been an impressive feat of engineering for you and pops, but it’s got nothing on these wildly-inventive treehouses of P.Diddy proportions.

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As far as laws in general go, some are weirder, more archaic and less sensical than others. Heck, AZ knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight for such things. And just last Sunday, after the repeal of the state’s last remaining blue law, eager morning drinkers could start buying alcohol at 6 am. But this law of mad cow disease proportions beats them all. Almost.

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They say it’s always better to go out with a bang, and it seems like Marc Jacobs is helping guys all over do just that.

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Here at DLT, we know all too well the stresses of being a high-powered triathlete. I mean, surfing the Web, pounding out stories, clicking publish—it’s pretty exhausting. All kidding aside, training for a triathlon is a heck of a way to get in shape. Enter the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain‘s three-day Triathlon Prep Program, headed by a team of award-winning Olympians, it’s perfect for those looking to mix up their body-aching workouts with a little spa-pampering bliss.

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Pool? Check. Swimsuit? Check. Endless supply of incredibly strong violet and gin cocktails? Triple check. As these dog days melt away into sub-80 degree fall temps, our beloved summer is sadly coming to a close, and we’re ready to celebrate the end of another blistering, record breaking season with an all-out bash. We’ve got this summer’s hottest gadgets that’ll make your party one to be remembered, even after all those drinks. Slideshow after the jump.

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Downtown Phoenix is giving surbanites yet another reason to visit the city’s ever-expanding core, and no, we’re not talking about the opening of Nobuo at Heritage Square. »READ MORE

Ever wonder why so many people order their steaks medium rare, or why some foods take longer to cook even when they’re set to the same 300 degree temp? Well, neither did we, until we saw this book. But for those who must know every foodie fact out there, Cooking for Geeks has got you covered. »READ MORE

As the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa‘s resident senior pastry chef and former assistant to Hell’s Kitchen tough guy chef Gordon Ramsay, Kaushik Chowdhury (pictured at far left) headed Team USA at the recent World Pastry Team Championship on July 6 and took home a well-earned bronze victory. Recently, we sat down with Chowdhury as he spoke about his passion for pastries, the value in repetitive practice and why it’s critical to keep chocolate at the right temperature. (Pretty pics after the jump.) »READ MORE

Pardon our never-ending food posts, but we just really, really like to eat. Especially when to-die-for food and non-wallet busting prices are in the equation. Yes, Wildfish Seafood Grille, the haute cuisine restaurant at the swanky Scottsdale Waterfront, is offfering a three-course, summer prix fixe menu at smoking price of $25 per person. »READ MORE

While the endless triple digit heat has smoldered our fashion sense to little more than shorts, tanks and flips flops, those looking to go back in time, say 45 years, for a little style rehab need look no further.

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While we could have designated this fine example of taxidermic beauty as ‘Today’s Object of Desire,’ we weren’t too sure how many of you would be clamoring to own a squirrel-ensconced beer bottle. But for those of you who must have the best drinkable rodent art money can buy, then check out The End of History Beer, a 55% alcohol beverage that you’ll most likely regret imbibing as soon as you realize you maxed out your black American Express and ended up on somebody else’s couch, naked. »READ MORE

In this age of Facebook and Twitter, no one is safe from a good old fashioned public shaming. Even Pei Wei, everyone’s favorite salted, greasy mess casual Asian eatery, which felt the wrath of semi-anonymous mob justice when it’s birthday promo deal went down in flames yesterday. See the soy sauce hit the fan after the jump.

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Mark your calendars, Valley food connoisseurs. October may seem like a long time away, but the weather gods permitting, those blissful mid-80s days will be here before you know it. And what a better time to mark the eventual end of yet another record-breaking summer than with the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts‘ 5th Annual Dine Out with the Chefs food and music festival?

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Get a jump-start on next weekend by booking the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort’s special summer blowout rate of $69 per suite/per night when you book 7 days in advance. »READ MORE

Although Hollywood’s so-called summer blockbuster season has been a bit of a bust this year, we guarantee you’ll enjoy your movie going experience this weekend. That’s because on Sunday, July 25, AMC Theatres is offering any size popcorn and fountain drinks for only one dollar.

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Look, we don’t really do politics at DLT. (Unless a local politician, say, imitates the ShamWow guy or goes all Postal on the shooting range.) But when we read about a recent attempted break-in at the Phoenix headquarters of the state’s Republican Party, we couldn’t help but smirk at the spokesman’s comments regarding the ill-fated robbery. In case you were too busy cooling off Friday’s scorching temps, check out the recap after the jump. »READ MORE

If visiting Arizona’s first H&M for its bargain-priced, designer knockoff inspired gear isn’t reason enough to trek all the way to the newly erected, Kierland Commons rival Scottsdale Quarter, then Oakville Grocery‘s special 10 percent discount will give you reason number two.

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Oh Phoenix. You’ve grown up so much in the past few years. Literally. Now that we’ve transformed from an overgrown cow-town into a mini LA the nation’s fifth largest city, we’re all for grand revitalization visions such as the Valley Metro Light Rail. But when we heard that you’re attempting to rebrand Papago Park, one of the city’s more well known urban escapes, and turn it into a spinoff of San Diego’s famed Balboa Park, we cried afoul.  »READ MORE

If you haven’t already knocked back one too many pints of Ben & Jerry’s in honor of National Ice Cream Month, drop by FireSky Resort & Spa tomorrow afternoon for a delicious ice cream social. Even better, your insatiable sweet tooth will be helping support a great Valley-based charity.

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The hills are alive with the sound of music! Make that Sedona’s iconic rusty Red Rocks to be exact. After taking a year off, the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Fall Festival is coming back for 2010 with an expanded list of jazz, blues and R&B crooners.

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