If you aren’t doing yoga yet then you need to get with the times. The W Scottsdale invites Valley yoga newbies and veterans to join in on yoga sessions during Free Flow, the complimentary yoga series. Every Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., the series starts April 18 and goes through May 30.

Collaborating with Lululemon Athletica AZ, the series will feature vinyasa flow and power yoga from the Valley’s top yogis. Taking place on the W Scottsdale’s WET pool deck, once your done sweating and stretching, you can enjoy an an extended happy hour from 7:30-9:30 p.m. that will be offering $3 beers, $5 well drinks, $5 select wines and half-off select food items.

Still looking for New Year’s Eve activities? Well, Sushi Roku at the W Scottsdale will be rolling sake barrels and coming up with delicious courses for a NYE party you’ll never forget. The night will be complete with a full a la carte menu, special menus, and even some deals.

In the dining room, everyone who makes reservations will have a maximum of two hours. In those two hours you can enjoy sake, wine, and champagne. The dining hall will decked out with balloons and decorations.

Upstairs on the patio, you can enjoy Roku’s premier seating and watch the huge W Ball Drop. Guests who sit on the patio will also receive party favors.

To make reservations call 480.970.2121

Looking for an excuse to relax? Now is the time to dive into summer savings by booking a staycation in your own backyard, or by traveling merely one state north or west to enjoy the experience of the some of the finest resorts. When you book your next vacation by June 15, 2012 – you’ll receive hotel and resort savings up to 40% off. Indulge poolside at world class hotels and resorts from The Phoenician Resort & Spa, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, W Scottsdale and more across Arizona, Las Vegas and Palm Springs. The offer ends soon, so mark your calendars for a welcome retreat.

Visit summerhoteldeals.com. Offer ends June 15, 2012.

Free-flow your way into a Zen-full state of mind as you unwind during a vinyasa and power yoga session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday in April through May 24 at the W Scottsdale. Beginning today, the eight-week series is in collaboration with lululemon athletica and will provide a relaxing mid-week getaway, complete with enlightening music and extended happy hour specials in Shade Lounge from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The menu will include $3 beers, $5 well drinks, $5 select wines and half-off select food items. Cost is free and the sessions are open to the public; please bring your own mat.

W Scottsdale, WET Pool Deck | 7277 East Camelback Road | Scottsdale AZ 85251

For more information, click here or call 602.405.0099.

Have a ball at Fashion-A-Ball at 9:00 p.m. March 30 the W hotel in Scottsdale. Mingle with top pro-baseball players to celebrate the end of spring training and witness firsthand the marvelously outrageous haute couture spring collection of Furne One of Dubai, favorite designer of wildly stylish stars like Katy Perry, Shakira, Heidi Klum, Niki Minaj and Jennifer Lopez. The W WET pool deck with be-decked with a custom runway over the pool and Maggie McCracken, star of VH1’s Baseball Wives of Scottsdale and wife of former Diamondbacks player Quinton McCracken will emcee the evening alongside few of her friends and cast members from the reality series. To finish off the glamorous evening, Kelley James will perform live in the Living Room and DJ Knick Knack will be spinnin’ hits for a night of dancing on the WET deck.

Guests will also have the chance to bid on several pieces of signed memorabilia at the Silent Auction table, benefiting McCracken’s charity Miracles Do Happen and the March of Dimes Arizona Chapter.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the fashion show, call 602.405.0099 or click here.

Sushi Roku’s new happy hour has an impressive lineup – all for an equally impressive price. The W Scottsdale’s authentically delicious Japanese eatery is now serving starters like fresh Albacore Sashimi, Kobe Beef Sliders, and Crispy Mahi Mahi tacos along with funky libations like the Fuji Apple Martini, Fresh Fruit Mojito, or Plum Wine on a new $5-or-less happy hour menu from 4 to 6:30 p.m. daily. Craving expertly crafted Japanese cuisine without the hefty cost? Sushi Roku is our newest daily hangout.

Sushi Roku | 7277 East Camelback Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85251

We’re still at least several weeks away from the AZ ski season, but snowboarders can get amped up at the premiere of the visually-stunning film The Art Of Flight. The film spans the two-year quest of snowboarder Travis Rice, along with some of the best snowboarders in the world, as they travel the globe to stretch the limits of what’s possible on a snowboard.

The W Scottsdale will be hosting the outdoor premiere on Tuesday, November 8. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the film at 8:00 p.m. In addition to the film, there will be raffles for items including Travis Rice Signature Model Lib Tech Snowboards, Quiksilver Outerwear, SnowBowl day passes, and a trip for two to the Red Bull Thre3Style National Finals in Las Vegas.

Tickets are $25 and available for purchase here and at any Ski Pro location. Ages 18 and over only.

Check out the trailer below and prepare to be in awe. Footage of us on the bunny slope did not make the cut.

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

Get your party pants on, Arizona, because MLB All-Star Week is up to bat. While all the big names in baseball work on their batting averages for the super-game, you can work on where to go see the heavy hitters in action with our All-Star Round-Up.

Official Events

Start the weekend off with the MLB All-Star FanFest at Phoenix Convention Center. The event goes from the 8th until the 12th, but you can get your tickets now $5 off the regular price. Meet your favorite players and mingle with thousands of fans at this family friendly event.

Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Chase Field featuring the Legends and Celebrity Soft Ball Game and the XM All-Star Futures game. This is a great way to check out baseball’s biggest names playing with some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.

State Farm Home Run Derby at Chase Field. Another long standing tradition for the All-Star weekend and now it’s just a light rail ride away.

MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field is quite literally the main event. Don’t miss history happening in your own backyard. And if you can’t afford to go to the game, head to downtown Phoenix and check out one of the many surrounding sports bars to get a pice of the action. It all starts at 8 pm.

Check out our picks on where to eat and what to do when the sun goes down after the jump. »READ MORE

Get your party pants on, Arizona, because MLB All-Star Week is up to bat. While all the big names in baseball work on their batting averages for the super-game, you can work on where to go see the heavy hitters in action with our All-Star Round-Up.

Official Events

Start the weekend off with the MLB All-Star FanFest at Phoenix Convention Center. The event goes from the 8th until the 12th, but you can get your tickets now $5 off the regular price. Meet your favorite players and mingle with thousands of fans at this family friendly event.

Taco Bell All-Star Sunday at Chase Field featuring the Legends and Celebrity Soft Ball Game and the XM All-Star Futures game. This is a great way to check out baseball’s biggest names playing with some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.

State Farm Home Run Derby at Chase Field. Another long standing tradition for the All-Star weekend and now it’s just a light rail ride away.

MLB All-Star Game at Chase Field is quite literally the main event. Don’t miss history happening in your own backyard. And if you can’t afford to go to the game, head to downtown Phoenix and check out one of the many surrounding sports bars to get a pice of the action. It all starts at 8 pm.

Check out our picks on where to eat and what to do when the sun goes down after the jump.  »READ MORE

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

There is no need to venture far if your trying to relax, resort style. We all know Scottsdale is the ultimate party scene whether your looking for a night-life destination or a raging day-time pool party. We’ve got a list of this season’s hot spots that are sure to attract the most chiseled socialites out there and get this summer into full-swing. Find out where after the jump! »READ MORE

There is no need to venture far if your trying to relax, resort style. We all know Scottsdale is the ultimate party scene whether your looking for a night-life destination or a raging day-time pool party. We’ve got a list of this season’s hot spots that are sure to attract the most chiseled socialites out there and get this summer into full-swing. Find out where after the jump! »READ MORE

Here’s a tip to all you aspiring Yoga teachers. Generally, being told to “relax” is not exactly a calming or helpful suggestion, especially when you’re all cool and collected and we’re shaking and sweating through some impossible position. That said, there are two words that give us an instant sense of Zen: Free Yoga.

Clear your calendars Thursday nights starting this April 7, because the W Scottsdale is rolling out a free eight-week Yoga series hosting on the poolside WET deck. And since this is the W, you know there’s going to be some scenester sipping involved.

»READ MORE

Sophisticated suits and snazzy sneakers, what more could a stylish man want? Watch as Scottsdale’s own High Point Shoes and Button Co. Suits (a cool bespoke clothing company) strut their latest down the catwalk at the W Scottsdale tonight for the Ultimat Experience.

And, as if the word “fashion show” isn’t enough to get men across the Valley to jump in their cars and screech over to a trendy cocktail party, these local companies will also be giving away prizes to one lucky sneaker and suit enthusiast in the form of a made-to-measure Button Co. Suit and a $500 High Point Shoes shopping spree.

Check out a gallery of the goods after the jump. »READ MORE

Girls get gussied up, everyone drinks (a lot)* and the anticipation is running high. Now, what to do? With every restaurant, resort and nightclub throwing some sort of New Year’s shindig, the night holds high expectations. But if not done right, you can fall into the trap of Amateur Night a New Year’s Eve gone wrong. To save you from the horrible fate of a rotten 2011, here are our top picks for the most glamorous night of the year. Now you’ll have more time to memorize the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne. Full details after the jump!

»READ MORE

Hope you’re ready to put some happy in your holidays because today we’re dishing out not one, but two grand prize packages. Why don’t you try this one on for size: A cut, color, style, facial and waxing service from Inizio Salon courtesy of Spa Fit AZ + 1 pair of tickets to every show in Ballet Arizona’s 2010-2011 season + a $150 gift certificate to the sumptuous J&G Steakhouse. And speaking of the posh penthouse that is J&G, click here to read a tasty Q&A with the French-born chef who’s putting a Continental twist on the classic American chophouse.

Then again, maybe you’d prefer what’s behind door #2: A 1 night stay at the W Scottsdale on New Year’s Eve + a $100 gift certificate to the W’s sleek, stylish Sushi Roku + a timepiece of choice from Swisstek Watches Brillier luxury line. Now that’s some good gifting. First, however, we’ve got a little Weekend Guiding to get to.

»READ MORE

Get ready for a flurry of freebies because Scoop Factory’s annual Scoopstakes is back and bigger than ever! What’s a Scoopstakes, you ask? It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our 17,000-plus 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.

More important, Scoop Factory dishes out freaking amazing freebies and subscriber-only prize packages, all year-round. And for 10 full days this December, we’ll be giving away AMAZING prize packages top local restaurants, boutiques, salons and resorts. (Think: 1 pair of tickets to every show in Ballet Arizona’s 2010-2011 season + A cut, color, style, facial and waxing service from Inizio Salon courtesy of Spa Fit AZ.)

Want to win? Simply sign up for our FREE email publication at www.scoopfactory.com, and we’ll deliver daily Scoops right to your email inbox. Conditions of entry will vary, but one thing is for sure, if you’re not signed up you can’t win. Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies we’re throwin’ your way, but shhhh … you didn’t hear it from us!

»READ MORE

Scoop Factory is still dishing up daily freebies, like this fab Neiman Marcus prize package. (Sadly, the walk-in gingerbread house is not included):

Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Neiman Marcus’ “The Christmas Book” is an ode to seriously-over-the-top gift giving. Are you looking for a $1.5M pool sculpture designed by famed blown-glass artist, Dale Chihuly? Or maybe a customizable cupcake car tricked out with your favorite toppings (it’s just as silly as it sounds). Or why not spoil the little ones with your basic walk-in Edible Gingerbread Playhouse (pictured), a $15,000 munchable manor handcrafted of 381 lbs. of gourmet gingerbread and 517 lbs. of royal icing by those crazed confectioners at Dylan’s Candy Bar? For realsies!

»READ MORE

Scoop up this amazing offer from Scoop Factory:

For decades, Cave Creek was everybody’s fav place to kick back, cowboy up and knock back a few cold ones. Unlike neighboring (and super chichi) Carefree, Cave Creek has always been a jeans and T-shirt sort of place. A charming little tourist trap where you can shop for tchotchkes at The Town Dump (seriously), and then jump into the rodeo ring and ride a live bull (seriously crazy). But times they are a’changing in Cave Creek (RIP Satisfied Frog), and it all has to do with a certain goateed chef with a five-star pedigree and a passion for farm-fresh ingredients.

»READ MORE

Sign up today, because it’s the final week of the Scoop Factory Scoopstakes:

Happy Monday, ya’ll. Which is something we could only say while in the middle of our Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. Today, we’ve got something for both the foodies and the shopaholics out there. Which, as far as we can tell, describes every single Scoop reader, so please to enjoy.

»READ MORE

Scoop Factory‘s wrapping up week one on its Scoopstakes with an engine-revving good time.

It’s crazy how time flies when you’re having fun. Yes, we’ve come to the end of the first week of the Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. But fear not, because we’ve got a whole ‘nother week of amazing freebies coming up, including not one, but two separate Grand Prize packages. However, before we get to today’s giveaway, we’ve got some Weekend Guiding to take care of first.

»READ MORE

Scoop Factory continues to throw around the freebies with reckless abandon:

Here at Scoop Factory, we always walk on the sunny side of the street. Which is why we’re happy to report that the Valley’s most recent real estate crash is officially over. Finito. Dunzo. TTFN. Sure, the so-called experts might use fancy figures (and actual facts) to say otherwise, but we have indisputable proof. Real estate developers are back in the party throwing business. We’re talking the sort of lavish, over-the-top shindigs that make us want to party like it’s 2005.

»READ MORE

Scoop Factory‘s going old-timey with today’s giveaway, and the freebies will just keep coming fast and furious through next Friday:

This one’s for you, gentlemen. (Well sort of, because we’ve got an equally indulgent treat just for the ladies. See below.) But let’s focus on the guys for a minute. Not boys mind you, but men. Manly men. The sort of man who always dresses to the nines, drinks his scotch straight up and gets his hair cut at an old fashioned barber shop. Who doesn’t want to be that guy?

»READ MORE

Want to win freaking awesome freebies? Sign up for Scoop Factory and you’ll start receiving free prize offers like this one:

A few weeks back, we reported that the US Airways Center recently wrapped up a much-needed culinary makeover. Now, our office-mates at Desert Living Today are reporting that one famed local chef will be doing the same thing for the super-corporate eateries inside Sky Harbor Airport.

»READ MORE

Still haven’t signed up for our free daily email magazine, Scoop Factory? Better hurry because you’re missing out on a flurry of freebies:

Today’s the day. Yes, all this week and the next, we’ll be giving away one awesome prize package per day as part of our Second Annual Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. It will all culminate one week from Friday when we’ll hand out our Grand Prize package, including a one-night stay at W Scottsdale on New Year’s Eve + a $100 Sushi Roku gift certificate + a timepiece of choice from Swisstek Watches Brillier luxury line. However, today we’re starting you off with a tasty teaser: A $250 gift certificate towards a Chef’s Table dinner at Michael DeMaria’s Heirloom Restaurant.
»READ MORE

Get ready for a flurry of freebies because Scoop Factory’s annual Scoopstakes is back and bigger than ever! What’s a Scoopstakes, you ask? It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our 17,000-plus 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.

More important, Scoop Factory dishes out freaking amazing freebies and subscriber-only prize packages, all year-round. And for 10 full days this December, we’ll be giving away AMAZING prize packages top local restaurants, boutiques, salons and resorts. (Think: 1 pair of tickets to every show in Ballet Arizona’s 2010-2011 season + A cut, color, style, facial and waxing service from Inizio Salon courtesy of Spa Fit AZ.)

Want to win? Simply sign up for our FREE email publication at www.scoopfactory.com, and we’ll deliver daily Scoops right to your email inbox. Conditions of entry will vary, but one thing is for sure, if you’re not signed up you can’t win. Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies we’re throwin’ your way, but shhhh … you didn’t hear it from us!

»READ MORE