via MTV

Time to celebrate spring fashion…Fall 2012 style (hey, admit it: we all love when new stuff rolls around). Fashion Group International, Arizona Chapter will have a Fall 2012 Trend Report in the Park from 6 to 8:45 p.m. April 26 at Biltmore Fashion Park and Saks Fifth Avenue. Join FGI from 6 to 7 p.m. for a pre-party at Saks featuring refreshments, networking, a chance to win raffle prizes and the latest in beauty trends in the Cosmetics department. Susan L. Berman, President & CEO of Fresh Start, will also be present to speak about the organization. Stick around as from 7:50 to 8:45 p.m. FGI will present the Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear Trend Report and artist and designer Silvia Bours will speak about her gorgeous one-of-a-kind designs, trends and her success with Phoenix Fashion Week.

Cost is $40 for FGI Members and $50 for non-members. Seating will be provided for those who RSVP. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

GIVE BACK: Help underprivileged women reinvent their look by bringing a gently-used, interview appropriate item from your closet to donate to the Fresh Start Self Esteem Room.

Saks Fifth Avenue | 2502 East Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ | 85016

Biltmore Fashion Park is getting UNION-ized: beginning in November 2012, Phoenix’s retail “crown- jewel” will add a diverse mix of local and independent retail in a new shopping experience called UNION. Planned for the east end of the shopping center between Stingray Sushi and Seasons 52, the 7200-square-foot platform for independent businesses will be a modern yet traditional shopping experience; the center will be in a contemporary, industrial atmosphere mixed with the warmth of various woods and romantic chandeliers. The space will be designed by architectural firm Plus/Minus Studio and will provide each retailer with two-to-five-hundred square feet of space with sliding doors and glass panels that allow for growth and change with the retailer’s needs. UNION is an opportunity to bring small, independent entrepreneurs and artists to Biltmore, replicating the unique retail mix historically found at Biltmore Fashion Park.

“This exciting new concept will give 11-13 shops and eateries an easy entry into an established marketplace while embracing the community and enhancing the retail mix of Biltmore Fashion Park,” said Mary Boyd-Williams, Senior Manager of Leasing for Macerich.

Biltmore Fashion Park has also partnered with a well-established local business owner and talented artistic designer, Lew Gallo, to help define the space and cultivate the essence of UNION.

“When I was an independent retailer, I always wanted to have my shop nestled among other like-minded merchants and still be able to benefit from a high-profile shopping center like Biltmore Fashion Park and that’s what UNION is,” said Gallo.

Biltmore Fashion Park | 2502 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ | 85016

While the scent of orange blossoms, the perfect temperatures and gorgeous desert flora make this to be the Valley’s most beautiful time of year, we have yet another reason to declare spring our favorite season. Beginning March 2, Biltmore Fashion Park will once again feature Movies in the Park at 7:30 p.m. on the Center Lawn every Friday evening, and we’re soo there. Slated for nine weeks, the event showcases unedited, classic American films for free. What’s even more awesome? Surrounding eateries Black Chile Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Christopher’s + Crush Lounge, The Cheesecake Factory, Seasons 52, Paradise Bakery, True Food Kitchen and Zinburger will have dinner specials ranging from $8 to $20, and attendees can enjoy the red carpet experience by valet parking on the south side of the Park between Black Chile Mexican Grill and Zinburger at $6 per vehicle.

Follow the jump to see the movie schedule for this spring and don’t forget to arrive early for a good spot!

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Fresh Start Women’s Foundation is not only one of Arizona’s largest non-profit organizations but continues to be one of our city’s most influential charitable institutions. The organization, which aids in the empowerment and success of women from all walks of life through engagement, educational programs, mentorship, counseling, job training and placement, serves around 30,000 women and their families a year and is quickly attaining national recognition – as evident by their partnership with Ralph Lauren, who will give a runway show featuring looks from Spring 2012 for the 2012 Fresh Start Fashion Gala at the Biltmore. Recently, we sat down with Fresh Start’s new CEO Susan Berman to discuss the Gala and the foundation’s extensive, highly-impactful presence in the Valley.

DLT: Describe for us the mission of Fresh Start:
Susan Berman: Fresh Start was created to address women’s issues and to help empower, encourage and educate women. We started the resource center – which is entering its 10^th year of operations – to bring together resources under one roof. We want to empower women to help empower themselves. We look at her as a holistic individual, [helping her with] career enhancement, development, self-esteem issues, women’s dress and professional wear, legal issues, financial issues, action planning and development. We have a very rigorous and robust mentoring program. We look at different educational opportunities and funding and we have opportunities to provide scholarships to different women. »READ MORE

In celebration of the Super Bowl this Sunday, Zinburger at the Biltmore Fashion Park has created both a special Giants Burger and Patriots Burger, serving now through February 5.

In honor of this New York, New England rivalry, Zinburger adds fuel to the flame with two new delicious burgers. The Patriot Burger is a certified Angus beef patty topped with Irish cheddar cheese, Guinness braised mushrooms and smoked the bacon. The Giants burger is also certified Angus beef topped with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, sliced corned beef and 1,000 Island dressing.

At $11 each, no matter what team you’re rooting for, you won’t want to miss out on some great food. For more information click here.

Zinburger | 2502 East Camelback Road | Phoenix, AZ 85016

Get ready for a flurry of freebies because Scoop Factory’s annual Scoopstakes is back, December 5 – December 16, presented this year by Biltmore Fashion Park! What’s a Scoopstakes, you ask? It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our subscribers for being so darned awesome. But wait, what’s a Scoop Factory? It’s our FREE daily magazine that delivers the latest in local dining, style, design news, as well as insider tips and exclusive events. You can’t win if you don’t Scoop, so sign up today here!

For 10 full days from Monday, December 5 – Friday, December 16, we’ll be giving away AMAZING prize packages to top local restaurants, boutiques, salons, resorts and more. Want your chance to win? Simply sign up for our FREE email publication at www.scoopfactory.com, and we’ll deliver daily Scoops of how to win right to your email inbox. Prize packs and conditions of entry will vary in each Scoop, but one thing is for sure, if you don’t Scoop you can’t win. And if your friends are signed up, they can’t win and share with you! Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies we’re throwin’ your way, but shhhh … you didn’t hear it from us! »READ MORE

Beginning October 7, the Biltmore Fashion Park returns with its free Movies in the Park series. Grab your blankets and head for the Center Lawn every Friday for a classic American Film. Showtimes starts at 7:30 p.m. This year’s films include:

Oct. 7          Rainman
Oct. 14        Guys and Dolls
Oct. 21        Raising Arizona – honoring AZ Centennial
Oct. 28       Beetlejuice
Nov. 4         Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Nov. 11        Say Anything
Nov. 18       Annie
Nov. 25       No Movie
Dec. 2          Christmas Vacation
Dec. 9          It’s a Wonderful Life

Biltmore Fashion Park Center Lawn | Northeast corner of 24^th Street & Camelback Road

Biltmore Fashion Park’s latest summer dining series is in full swing. For the month of July, six participating restaurants of Dining After Dark are offering hot dinner deals. Guests of Black Chile Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, The Capital Grille, The Cheesecake Factory,Christopher’s & Crush Lounge and True Food Kitchen can enjoy two entrees, two alcoholic beverages and one dessert for just $50 per dining duo. The deal is on at 8pm daily so hit the Biltmore Fashion Park’s luxury retail shops before chowing down. For more information visit shopbiltmore.com or call 602.955.1963.

Back in July, our office-mates at Scoop Factory broke the news about big changes coming to Phoenix’s The Wrigley Mansion and its on-site Geordie’s Restaurant. Now those details have finally been, um, finalized. Read on to get all the delicious deets, including how the widow of a reclusive Valley millionaire hired her new boyfriend’s ex-wife to run the joint. Confused yet?

According to the Arizona Republic, Geordie’s will close for a wall-to-wall revamp this summer, led by new CEO, Paola Embry. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Embry runs Crush, a stylish wine bar inside the nearby Biltmore Fashion Park. Plus, Embry is also the co-owner of Crush’s fine-dining sister space, Christopher’s, which is named after famed local chef, Christopher Gross, who used to be married to Embry. »READ MORE

Men and women of Arizona (OK, mostly women), Red Door Spa has opened a new (and improved) location inside the Biltmore Fashion Park. Well, actually it just moved across the courtyard from its previous location, which was somewhat hidden and tucked away from the street.

Featuring six treatment rooms, three manicure stations, three pedicure thrones, a make-up station, and a full-service hair salon, this striking space has opened just in time to celebrate Red Door Spa’s 100th anniversary. Before and after their treatments, guests can also enjoy a spacious locker room, tranquil relaxation lounge and a spa café, while the spa’s retail boutique will carry premium Elizabeth Arden skincare products and cosmetics, as well as hair care and body care products.

Check out a full slideshow of this sleek, new 5,000-square-foot stress-busting sanctuary after the jump.

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While there’s a lot to love about living in the Valley of the Sun (aka the world’s largest suburb), sometimes we find ourselves missing that certain big-city vibe. You know, catching a free concert in a subway station, or beaching the SUV and actually walking to lunch. So when our toes get to tapping “New York, New York,” we know it’s time to head down into the dank bowels beneath the streets of Phoenix.

OK, so it’s actually really beautiful and light-filled, but the Camelback Pedestrian Underpass is easily the Valley’s most faux-urban hotspot.

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First off, apologies are in order for not telling you lovely readers about this sooner, but good news is good even if it is a little late, right? If we were on-the-ball, we would have informed you roughly three weeks ago that *drumroll, please* Movies in the Park is back at the Biltmore Fashion Park with an all-new line-up of classic films that will turn sitting in the grass into worthwhile activity.

Grab a blanket, a pic-a-nic basket chalked full of french bread and cheese and maybe even a date before heading on over to Center Lawn for a 7:30 show time. You can even take advantage of these handy To-Go Dining Deals at Biltmore favorite dining spots including True Food Kitchen and Christopher’s.

Get the full cinema calendar after the jump.

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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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Maybe we are feeling a bit guilty for only endorsing local booksellers in last week’s Love of Reading post as news broke that Borders Books declared bankruptcy this morning. This means they will close the doors of at least 200 stores nationwide, four of them here in Greater Phoenix, including the Scottsdale Fashion Square and Biltmore locations.

Such sad news for Valley bibliophiles and magazine junkies who will now have to scour the already rare and near-mythical Valley newsstand (or the very sanitary lobbies of dentists’ and doctors’ offices) to read local publications such as Phoenix Magazine, Arizona Foothills, Desert Living Magazine and, um, Scottsdale Health? »READ MORE

Everyone knows the importance of eating well. It makes a monumental difference in your health, wellness and overall happiness which is why we have dedicated our lives Friday morning the tireless pursuit of food blog investigative reporting. It’s a rough job sorting through delicious recipe and restaurant reviews, but someone’s gotta do it. And we, well, we do it for you. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings on our favorite food blogs. »READ MORE

Say it with us, TGI Weekend Guide! As usual, there’s going to be a frantic amount of fêting going on over the next 48 hours, so let’s get right to it. Have you been wondering why there are all these pasty folks walking around wearing colorful college clothing? (No? Well, play along anyway.) That’s because the eyes of the nation are focused on the Valley as we host the College Football national championship game on Monday evening. Which is why thousands of green-clad Oregon Ducks fans and navy blue- and orange-dressed Auburn Tigers fans, have all descended upon our fair city.

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The Auburn Burger

The Oregon Burger

In case you’ve been stuck under a rock (which is not so funny after watching 127 Hours), the College Football national championship will be decided right here in the Valley on Monday evening. However, a much tastier throw-down is being held inside the Biltmore Fashion Park.

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Have you ever been to a Willams-Sonoma store during the holidays? It’s K-razy! Mostly because that’s the time of the year this gourmet foodie shop rolls out their delicious peppermint bark. It can be total mayhem if you attempt to shop around while the staff hands out generous samples of the signature holiday treat as customers clammer and fall over each other just to snag a free bite. No, we’re not kidding.

Before you head down to the Biltmore, Scottsdale or Chandler locations to grab a batch of your own, you should be aware that it isn’t unusual for the peppermint bark to be completely sold out, seeing as it is always one of Willams-Sonoma’s “Top 20 Favorite Gifts”.

Want to avoid the fuss? Thanks to our expert friends at the DIY Network, we’ve got the recipe to create this holiday snack in the comfort of your own home, without paying $46 a box. Get the fab Recipe after the jump!

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Dine out on Thursday, November 10, at the Biltmore Fashion Park and help the Arizona Humane Society land those caauuuuteee little doggies in a good home. »READ MORE

Alessi, the famed Italian design factory renowned for its innovative (and pricey) kitchen-wear, table-wear and modern home decor, jet-setted into the Biltmore Fashion Park earlier this year. However, in true fashionably-late style, the store is finally getting around to hosting its Grand Opening Celebration this October 28. Drop by between 6-9 pm and meet the great-grandson of the company’s founder, Matteo Alessi for a signing event, refreshments, and tasty bites.

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

One local jewelry store went all out this Labor Day, giving away some $1 million in free jewelry to five lucky customers. OK, so it was a heist, with the masked suspects forcing their way past the door around 3 am on Monday in “smash and grab” robbery.

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Cancel your plans, you’ve got a hot date tonight with Fashion’s Night Out. Dress to impress and head over to Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons or Biltmore Fashion Park for this one-night-only event overflowing with style, fashion shows, makeovers, steep discounts, Champagne and entertainment held in honor of New York’s Fashion Week. A shopaholics guide to participating stores and must-stop shops after the jump! »READ MORE

One local jewelry store went all out this Labor Day, giving away some $1 million in free jewelry to five lucky customers. OK, so it was a heist, with the masked suspects forcing their way past the door around 3 am on Monday in “smash and grab” robbery.

»READ MORE

Did you know that two of the Valley’s top malls are hosting Great Denim Days, which rewards shoppers by donating money directly to local schools?

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Goodbye, stale 80s-style buildings! Hello, shiny-new era of retail entertainment! Your celebratory Biltmore plans after the jump.

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