Every month, Style Jaunt founder and editor Katarina Kovacevic breaks down the best places for Valley residents to vacation.

I take any chance I get to skip town. Exploring new destinations or finding fresh angles on longtime favorite travel spots is a major thrill. But, sometimes it’s fun to vacation in your hometown. When you live in the Valley of the Sun, this opportunity presents itself on a regular basis.

Case in point: The Saguaro in Scottsdale. The first hotel from Joie de Vivre (Ace Hotels) outside of California, The Saguaro is a welcome gem on the local hotel scene.

When I first saw The Saguaro’s bright splashes of color taking over the whitewashed building, I was scared. I am a major fan of vibrant design but too often this can edge more on the side of kitsch. »READ MORE

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, you’re in luck. From cocktail carousels to Four Peaks Brewery’s first Kilt Fest to Missoni mayhem at My Sister’s Closet that may rival the Target experience, our town is chock full of happenings this weekend. Clear your calendar of anything boring and check out our round-up below.

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Scottsdale’s new establishment The Saguaro Hotel may be Arizona’s freshest and most vibrant place for a weekend respite. More destination than staycation, the hotel, which was designed by New York-based architectures Stamberg Aferiat, is a vivid tribute to the colorful sights and animated settings of the Southwest, with a color palette of tangerine, buttery yellow, magenta and bright, rich green. If the atmosphere and welcoming spa isn’t enough to bring you out, however, perhaps the restaurants will – most notably, modern Mexican eatery Distrito, the sibling of Iron Chef’s Jose Garces’ celebrated Philadelphia dig of the same name.

Stemming from the hotel’s southwestern shades, the delicious interior design of Distrito is energetic and contemporary, based upon the brilliant, spirited hues of Mexican culture. Designer Jun Aizaki, who hailed from Brooklyn, New York’s Crème Design Collective, was inspired by the landscapes of the region and created the restaurant’s interior to feel both traditional and fresh. A colorful skull feature by the lobby entrance, for example, is celebratory of Mexico’s Day of the Dead; a backlit resin bar counter with butterfly embeds, a mosaic felt ball feature wall resembling bright gumballs and a woven flat elastic screen wall at the banquettes are novel, modern and invigorating. Clothespin chandeliers and table tops sprinkled with pink and gold glitter add a further funky edge to the restaurant’s style. Guests can order Hamachi tacos fresh off the skillet, a variety of Barbacoa, margaritas from over 100 varieties of tequila at the margarita bar and the tortilla and guacamole station, where tortillas are made-to-order on a quilted stainless steel food-vendor-style post, are authentically delicious by chef’s design.

Distrito at The Saguaro | 4000 Drinkwater Boulevard | Scottsdale, AZ | 480-970-4444

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

As if you needed another reason to head to Scottsdale’s Old Town Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, you can add “educational” to the list. From now until March 3, join the Market, local chefs and local food producers for “Savoring the Season,” an Edible Education Series from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday. Beginning January 14 with a class taught by Chef Stephanie Green about the goodness of greens, classes include tidbits, tastes and demonstrations from some of Arizona’s top chefs and favorite farms. There are 25 slots available per class on a first come, first served basis. The series is free, although donations will be accepted for the Fallow Fund, an emergency farm relief fund coordinated by Arizona Community Farmers’ Markets.

Follow the jump to check out the roster of participating chefs and producers:

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The 25th season of Sunday A’Fair concerts comes back to Scottsdale Jan. 15 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The free outdoor concerts will be kicked off with acts such as The Samba Project and local music legend Walt Richardson and his band Walt Richardson and the Peaceful Warriors.

The four month long event features free outdoor concerts by the Valley’s top musicians along with fine arts and crafts, fun activities for children and families. Highlights for the Sunday A’Fair concerts will consist of music from all around the country and world, a film festival, AZ Rocks! Arizona’s Centennial Celebration, salsa dance numbers, and guided tours of sculptures in the park. Food, snacks, cocktails, beer and wine will be available, but unfortunately not for free.

Located at 7380 E. Second St., Sunday A’Fair will be hosted every Sunday until April 15.

We love a pun-filled store name, especially when the store in question caters to what some would call an “elderly clientele”… and the specific reason for the pun is to replace a morally questionable word only adds points. For these reasons and more, we were eager to check out the Scottsdale knitting mecca behind Knit Happens to see what all the fuss is about. With a large, open area and an endless selection of yarns and crocheting materials, Knit Happens is a one-stop shop for the experienced pro on the go. Plus, it’s super swanky (some would even say chic) turning all of your preconceived notions of G-Ma’s rocking in a circle upside down.

Knit one, pearl two still not sounding like your thing? Think about all of the money you’ll save while making monogrammed sweaters for your loved ones come the holidays just like Mrs. Weasley. Don’t have the patience to self-teach, but love the idea of colored yarn balls littering your home? Don’t stick a needle in your eye, Knit Happens offers classes for beginners (two four-hour sessions for just $40) or much more evolved sessions like how to make baby socks or Tunisian pillows (two sessions for $5o). The classes fill up quickly, so book your spot for winter sessions or just set up a private lesson to get real down with your inner crafting-queen. It won’t instantly turn you into a crazy cat lady, but it will have all your friends clamoring for an on-trend poncho or sweet leg warmers for festival season (Coachella, anyone?) and costume appropriate holidays.

Knit Happens | 8100 E. Indian School Road, Suite 105 | Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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

While we we’re sad to see the Tiki-tastic Drift Lounge close in Scottsdale, we have to admit this new party pool looks pretty cool. Check out this new pic from Spanish Fly, the new Mexican Beach Resort coming to Old Town (only without the whole resort part).

Click here to learn more, and until then, keep your shirt on.