By Cassaundra Brooks

Let’s tackle that unruly or bland backyard and transform it into a lively, user-friendly place for you and your family—or the next family who’ll reward your efforts by meeting or exceeding your asking price! Creating a luxury yard that maximizes space and functionality and maintains balance doesn’t always require a huge budget—just knowledge of the needs and general interests of families. You’d be surprised at the versatility your yard possesses. With a little planning and work, it could be that extra room for your house that you’ve always wanted!

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Before shot

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A spa is a luxurious, space-efficient way to relax with family or friends year-round. The six-seater Gulf Coast Spa LX 8000 (approximately $10,200) fits well into the average-sized backyard. The Better Homes and Gardens Westhaven canopy ($148 at WalMart) provides the much-needed shade and protection from the hot Arizona sun.

The bistro table with chairs benefits from the canopy’s shade ($100), and are well-positioned for viewing children playing in the pool or chatting with your spa-loving companions. A synthetic lawn is a great way to get the look of grass and conserve water during the blistering heat of the Arizona summer ($8 per square foot at Echelon).

This custom-made pool by DreamScapes Custom Pools and Spas fits this smaller yard like a glove and is suitable for a relaxing dip, a splashfest with your kids, swimming laps, or entertaining a small group of friends. Its streamlined rectangular shape maximizes available space. It’s gas-heated, uses an in-floor cleaning system and saltwater chlorination, and sports a pebble-sheen interior and hand-painted tiles from Italy. This size pool starts in the high $20,000s; the tiles cost anywhere from $16 to $20 apiece. A basketball sleeve and volleyball sleeves make even better use of the space and make for fun athletic activities regardless of season.

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These wok-pot fountains are aesthetically pleasing and ecologically conservative as they circulate the water already in use. The columns are made with real stacked stone. The fountain and columns run about $1,100 each. They are available through DreamScapes. River rocks add the final touch.

Rather than spending a fortune and a headache on planting full-grown trees to create a natural privacy screen from the two-storey neighbors, invest in the baby version, like these Italian Cypress trees from Home Depot.

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A combo of faux Saltillo tile and acrylic lace was custom created by DreamScapes to match the existing patio. These river rocks, available at Home Depot, are relatively inexpensive and not only provide an aesthetic finishing touch but solve the problem of cracks between the newly laid and existing patios.

SHOT 5
A Baja step is ideal for small children and for enjoying the refreshing water without submerging oneself under water. The umbrellas, available at JC Penny, are a solid investment at $170 each, providing shade and protecting your skin from the sun.

A convenient way to find fitting furniture is to check out amazon.com, which is where these Strathwood chaise lounges ($189.99 each) and Strathwood Talbot hardwood double sun lounger ($540) were located. The eggshell Strathwood Talbot double sun lounger cushion is $280; the single chaise lounge cushions by Delahey are from WalMart ($49.99 each). Striped chaise lounge towel covers are $25 apiece, protecting the cushions from fading and providing useful pockets for storing sunscreen and poolside snacks. Fun, striped cushions from Kohl’s complete the look and the comfort.

What backyard would be complete without a barbecue? This three-burner gas grill by Uniflame is a complete yet compact necessity for entertaining friends and family with a proper backyard barbecue feast. $399 at WalMart

SHOT 6
This fun, attractive putting green, ideal for all members of the family, utilizes the “dead” space at the side of the house. A custom putting green from Echelon runs $11 per square foot.

Echelon Synthetic Lawns and Putting Greens: (602) 615-0328 or echelongreens.com

DreamScapes Custom Pools and Spas: (623) 587-7665 or dreamscapecustompools.com

Home Depot: homedepot.com

WalMart: walmart.com

Kohls: kohls.com

Gulf Coast Spas: gulfcoastspas.com

JC Penny: jcpenny.com

By Diane Maier

Living your best life begins by designing an environment in your home that is conducive to creating happiness, success, and joy. Harmony, energy, and intention each play a role in creating a home that is a true reflection of the life that you want to create. When you “live by design,” you set the stage to bring abundance into every part of your life. Living your best life always begins at home.

The space you surround yourself with has a huge impact on your life. If you are feeling unmotivated or restless, it could be from negative energy that is lingering in your home. You may be holding onto items that you simply don’t care about any longer. Your surroundings should nurture and feed your senses, always.

Clearing the clutter will help you create harmonious spaces that work for the way that you and your family want to live. Start by carving out a space that will be uniquely your own—a place to retreat to when you are feeling stressed or tired. Your retreat could be a luxurious tub dressed with candles and thirsty towels. It could be a cushioned seat by the fireplace on a chilly day or a poolside table to enjoy your coffee while listening to morning bird songs. When you design a space that reflects your needs and intentions, you create an environment that will nurture your creativity and energy. All things become possible.

Here are five ways to design your life, one room at a time:

- Visualize a setting that you enjoy visiting, one that has a special ambience and is a place in which you feel completely comfortable and at home. Is it a lake house? A festive holiday setting? A room in a friend’s home where everyone loves to linger? The elements that are clearest in your mind will help you create your own design.

- Too often, we wait for company to visit to make the spaces in our home special. Don’t wait for visitors to put the good towels out in the guest bath or the flowers in the spare room. It’s your home. Enjoy it every day.

- Tackle your home one room at a time. Your master bath should be a sanctuary, the guest room a retreat, and the spare bathroom always ready for company. It’s your life. Take time to develop it.

- Pay special attention to your bedroom. The view from the bed is much more important than the view from the doorway. Does the sun come in and wake you each morning? Does your mattress need to be upgraded? Your bedroom should be comfortable and conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. It is where each day begins.

- Everyone who lives in your home should have a space in which he or she feels comfortable. A tall man and a short woman are not going to be comfortable on the same piece of furniture. Look at your life and what it needs, rather than decorating to mimic what others are doing.

Good design doesn’t just happen by accident. Your home should be a reflection of who you are and the way that you want to live. Make yourself the center of your universe, and your house will feel like a home.

By Andrew Z

I was really surprised when I read the results of a poll asking women about their marriage proposals. The results indicated that around 80 percent felt that theirs were not memorable and, even though they were very happy to be engaged, the event itself was not exciting. In an effort to help change this, here are six different familiar but classic proposal ideas with a twist. You don’t necessarily need to follow them verbatim, but rather use them to stimulate your own creativity. Whatever you decide to do, personalize it and make it memorable in a loving way. Be considerate in your plans and be careful not to embarrass anyone. And the final and most important suggestion: Be prepared with a nice diamond engagement ring.

Dinner Dates:
1. Prepare a nice candlelight dinner for the two of you, with her favorite foods. Bring her a glass of champagne with the engagement ring not at the bottom of the glass, but tied to the stem with a ribbon.

2. Take her to dinner at a nice Chinese restaurant. When dinner is over, give her a fortune cookie that has a message prepared in advance by you. The message could read, “Diamonds are in your near future,” or “Will you marry me?” Of course, the next step is to hand her the ring. Special-message fortune cookies can be ordered online if the restaurant cannot prepare them.

Sweet Nothin’s for Sports:
1. Take her to a high school or college basketball game. Forget the message on the marquee; instead, in advance, arrange with the school and sports announcer to call the two of you to center court for a special announcement, perhaps calling your seat numbers as “winners” of a “great prize.”) Offer a donation to the team in return. Once on center court, get down on one knee and take your best shot! A variation to the school sports proposal is to buy an ad in the program booklet, if the school has one, and include your proposal in it. Hand it to her and wait for her reaction.

2. Watching a game from home? Place the ring box at the bottom of her Cracker Jacks box. Pull the little prize out of your box and then ask her what prize is inside.

Romancing the Reader:
1. Buy a book by one of her favorite romance authors. With a razor blade, neatly cut out a pocket through the center of the pages—just like they do in spy movies to create a secret hiding place for valuables. Place the ring in this secret pocket. Make sure that there are a few uncut pages above the ring pocket. When the two of you are alone in a quiet place, give her the book and ask her to read a couple pages. If there is a great line or paragraph about love in the beginning, highlight it. Once she turns the page to the ring…well, you know the rest of this love story.

2. For your beloved bookworm, take her to the library or her favorite bookstore. Ask her to find a specific book for you while you “look” for something else. Prearrange to have the ring or ring box in the book’s place, perhaps along with a special card or note with her name and “Will you marry me?” When she’s gaping at the “book,” rejoin her and write the happy ending!

If you are still unsure or a little uncomfortable about these suggestions, show these ideas to a female friend and get her opinion. If she’s anything like the 80 percent that responded to the poll I mentioned, she’ll be nodding a firm yes to the idea.

It’s time to get off the fence and start setting the stage for a moment that she will never want to forget. Get your thoughts together and put this event in motion. Good luck!

By Ma Picard

Water fountains in private homes have become increasingly popular in recent years. Modern technology has introduced fountains in every price range, making them affordable for any interested homeowner.

With an endless array of styles of indoor and outdoor decorative water fountains, there is a style to match every home décor. Both indoor and outdoor fountains are produced as stand-alones, tabletop models, or wall-mounted decorations. Compact fountains provide beautiful accents without taking up much space. Conversely, larger, more elaborate fountains may incorporate statues, decorative rocks, or plant life into the design and serve more as a focal point rather than an integrated decoration.

Fountains are made from many different materials. Homeowners can choose from metal, wood, stone, glass, and acrylic, or any combination of these materials. Caution should be taken when deciding on the size, style, and material composition of a fountain. Fountains should enhance a home, not overwhelm it. Designs are extremely varied: extravagant stone fountains and wall-length waterfalls complement a large home, while they would look foolish in a humble neighborhood yard or a modestly decorated living room. A fountain of pottery pieces may be at home in or near a stucco house, and a typical frame dwelling could be enhanced by the addition of a modest fountain incorporating plants and flowers.

Indoor fountains are intended to blend with the room, not overwhelm its inhabitants. A large indoor conservatory would be enhanced by a multitiered stand-alone fountain, whereas a small study would best be served by a compact tabletop fountain.

There are many aesthetic benefits to installing a water fountain at your house. Outdoor water fountains enhance a home by projecting an image of extravagance or creating a themed atmosphere. These may be designed, for example, to imitate a tropical facade or to replicate a favorite vacation location. And for the environmentally conscious, some outdoor fountains are solar-powered. Studies have shown that indoor fountains cleanse the air naturally, providing a healthier living environment. For the waste-conscious—and that should be all of us—most fountains have pumps that continuously circulate the water. In our dry climate, the supply may need to be replenished every so often.

While some homeowners choose to install water fountains as status symbols, most choose fountains for the relaxing atmosphere they provide—many find the sound of flowing water soothing and moving water gently hypnotic. Living rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms are the most common settings for fountains, as these are the rooms that are used the most and therefore provide optimal opportunity for enjoying the fountain. Placing a fountain in the bedroom may calm and relax a person so that he or she can drift peacefully off to sleep. Fountains also produce “white noise,” which helps to mask distracting sounds and encourage a sounder rest.

The fountain you decide on depends on the size and style of your home, as well as the size of your bank account. Small, simple tabletop fountains can be found for as little as $19.99, while extravagant outdoor fountains incorporating granite sculptures might set back a homeowner more than $5,000.
Installing a water fountain is a great way to enhance a home. With numerous sizes, styles, and materials to choose from, the perfect fountain can be found for any location, regardless of budget.

By Crystal Carson

Photography
Fiona Garden for NOBASURA.com
Makeup and Hair
Caitlin Callahan for NOBASURA.com
Stylist and Producer
Crystal Carson for Mode Models
Models
Danielle Kremeniuk for triskotalent.com
Woody for richardsmodels.com

We all love to feel beautiful. Nothing makes you glow more than a romantic night with the one you love. This season, wrap yourself in the sexy fabrics and sparkling details, perfect for every special occasion.

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Danielle
Lotus kimono robe/$2,795
Cranberry body sugar/frillylilly.ca/$28
Grapefruit bubble bath/frillylilly.ca/$20

SHOT 2
Danielle
Gold Bouquet baby doll/D&G/$285
Floral Mary Jane pump/Prada shoe/$885
Silver crystal-encrusted heel/Roger Vivian/$1,495
Black Whisper satin blouse (Bettina)/Una Bella Boutique/$455
Black jersey gown with cascade (Miranda)/Una Bella Boutique/$890
Gold dot jersey cocktail dress (Blaire)/Una Bella Boutique/$720
Silk cotton voile pebble-print gown (Samira)/Una Bella Boutique/$980

SHOT 3
Woody
Pajamas/Burberry/$275

SHOT 4
Danielle
Silk cotton voile pebble-printed gown (Samira)/Una Bella Boutique/$980
Diamond necklace/Tiffany’s/$21,500
Diamond drop earrings/Tiffany’s/$7,150

Woody
Martini pinstripe suit/Dolce & Gabanna/$2,195
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295

SHOT 5
Danielle
Satin and crystal anklet sandal/Manolo blanik/$1,250
Black sequinned cocktail dress (Madison) /Una Bella Boutique/$1,200

Woody
Tuxedo/Armani/$2,050
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295
Black patent leather shoe/Salvatore Feragamo/$520

COVER SHOT
Danielle
Gold dot jersey cocktail dress (Blaire)/Una Bella Boutique/$720 CAD
Shoes: model’s own

Woody
Martini pinstripe suit pant/Dolce & Gabanna/$2,195
Wool vest/Paul Smith/$229
Twill white dress shirt/Armani/$295

By Caroline Gutierrez

The Valley may not be home to Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive, but our residents step out in style every day wearing creations from both local and international designers. Turn back any collar and you’ll see a label that you may have hanging in your own closet, or one you’ve never heard of. Regardless, Valley women know how to dress and stay fashionably cool in the rising heat.

Misty Lee
Dress: Croll Blue
Jewelry: Local designer Carol Lee

Jerin Harvey
Dress: Wet Seal
Shoes: Bandolino

Melayna Lokosky
Dress: James Perse for Heidi Boutique
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Jewelry: Ethan Arpell
Bag: Chanel
Sunglasses: Chrome Hearts

Vicky Namihas
Pants: Nordstrom
Top: Old Navy
Shoes: Banana Republic
Bag: Nordstrom

New Flooring Is the Bottom Line for Home Value

By Tara Knudson

Few things affect the aesthetics and market value of your home like the quality and choice of flooring. Making smart choices is so important, whether you have kids, pets, or neither; whether you plan to live in your home or flip it; or whether you’ve got a little condo or a sprawling rancher.

Stone, tile, and hardwood are three popular choices for savvy homeowners, and for good reason. If you’re picking flooring for a new building, you want durability and lasting value, and you want a beautiful backdrop for your furnishings and your life. Stone and tile are excellent choices for areas that get dirty feet traipsing over them all the time, or that may be subject to spills and leaks—bathrooms, entryways, basements, and kitchens. Wood is a great choice for almost any room in the house, and especially adds richness to living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

All three are beneficially hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and available in a broad range of stylish options. They’re also durable, sometimes lasting four or five times as long as their counterparts in carpet, vinyl, and laminate. In addition to being healthy, beautiful, and long-lasting, natural stone, wood, or tile floors come in numerous planet-friendly offerings. You can choose sustainable-harvested hardwood and stone, handmade natural tiles, and tiles made from 100 percent recycled materials. You might pay a little more up front for the quality, but the pleasure of living on such stylish, valuable surfaces and the higher price your house will most likely get at resale time will numb your checkbook pain.

If you already have hardwood, stone, or tile floors but they’ve become cracked, broken, and worn, replacing them is strongly advised. Loose, broken tiles can cause trips and falls, and only tile and stone in good condition can keep moisture from getting at the subfloor. Moisture can potentially cause rotting, molding, and structural damage (and bigger repair bills down the road). If hardwood hasn’t been well cared for and must be replaced, you’ll have an opportunity to find extremely durable and planet-friendly planks to install. Replacing old floors also gives you the chance to add underfloor heating, another big selling plus and a pure delight underfoot. If you decide to put your home on the market, you’ll have difficulty getting your home’s worth if potential buyers realize they must spend thousands of dollars to update or redo the floors. As a seller, you would be more justified in asking for a higher price than you would have been if you hadn’t upgraded the flooring, and many real estate agents would agree that you could possibly get upwards of twice the cost of the flooring in your return.

If your flooring is in good condition but shows some wear or minor damage, you might be able to refinish the surface or repair just a small section, and thus gain all the benefits of a new look. Hardwood can be sanded, stained, and finished as long as it isn’t deeply decayed. Tile may be repaired if you can find appropriately matching replacement tiles, and removing and replacing the grout can make tile-work look completely fresh. Stone is very durable, and rarely needs to be repaired, but if necessary, even a small section of stone can be replaced by a skilled craftsperson.

Whether you’re building a new home, or repairing or replacing flooring you already own, tile, hardwood, or stone finishes will elevate the beauty, livability, and market value of your home and will always be safe, smart choices.

By Andrew Z

A modern “Gold Rush” is happening as you read this, but this time around, the gold isn’t in them thar hills, and it just might be right in your own house. The title of this article may be tongue-in-cheek, but there is no kidding about the treasure that might be at the bottom of your jewelry box or in the back of a drawer. I’m talking about that which is referred to in the trade as “old gold” or “scrap gold.” This is typically jewelry that is either broken (not worth fixing), out of style, single earrings, or just plain ugly. You know the stuff—but what to do with it? Well, a booming gold market (as well as platinum and silver) may hold the answer to that question.

Many of my friends, family, and customers have been bringing in their old gold and platinum jewelry for me to evaluate and then turn into cash for them in the form of a check or store credit for new jewelry. The last time that I remember this type of opportunity was around 1980 when the gold market was around $800 per ounce. Over the past couple of months, the gold market has been back and forth over the $1,000 per ounce mark! (As I am writing this in early April, it is around $900, plus or minus a few dollars).

If you are thinking of getting together your old gold treasures, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

1. Gold jewelry is typically not 100 percent gold content, because other metals were blended or alloyed with gold to make it more durable and workable, and also to bring the cost down. A few simple formulas to figure the gold content are as follows:

Pure gold = 24k
18k = 18/24 = 75 percent pure gold
14k = 14/24 = 58.3 percent pure gold
10k = 10/24 = 41.67 percent pure gold

2. The value of the gold content varies directly with the gold market’s ups and downs.

3. The gold content within your old jewelry must be extracted and refined back to pure, useable gold. This is an expensive process and is figured in during the payment for your scrap.

4. Not all is as it appears. Just because there is a stamped gold mark, say 14k, doesn’t mean that it is real. Counterfeits and low-karat impostors exist, but this is mostly with pieces purchased from unreliable and questionable sources.

Before you bring in any old gold, make up two bag lots: one with broken and unusable pieces, and another with good workable jewelry where the only thing wrong with it is that you no longer like it. The second bag may have items with a value higher than scrap. Also, diamonds and gems can usually be removed or added to the value.

Happy Mining!

By Andrew Z

We’ve all heard the old sayings “Where did all the years go?” and “Life is too short!” You’ve probably even used them yourself—I know that I have. These are comments of regret that may sound corny and overused, but they stick around because the truth rings through them. I’m very fortunate to be in a business that allows me a special opportunity to share many of life’s important moments with my friends and clients. Every day, somebody is celebrating a personal event or milestone, such as a new baby, an anniversary, an engagement, or a “Just because I love you.” I get the pleasure and privilege of helping them select or create a tangible symbol of their love, commitment, and joy. Try this: Just ask anyone about a nice piece of jewelry they’re wearing, and I’ll bet that nine times out of ten, their face lights up with a huge smile and they start to tell you a story about a special anniversary, or a significant birthday, or a special evening with a special someone!

The economy will always have cyclical ups and downs, and good financial times will always return. However, if you don’t stop and celebrate life, you may be the one saying, “Where did all the years go?” Don’t let special moments pass you by.

Another one of those shopworn sayings that I like is “It’s the thought that counts.” A large budget isn’t always necessary to give a thoughtful gift of jewelry. The Pandora brand charm and bead bracelet with a few meaningful, well-chosen charms is one lovely example. The charms start at under $20, and additional ones can be added. The bracelet is suitable for women and girls of any age. You could always keep a few charms or beads handy as a reward to your daughter for a job well done, or as a little token of affection to be added to your wife’s bracelet. Let your children give one to Mom. All the women in the family can share in the fun of giving and receiving, and having a similar piece of jewelry to compare and talk about.

My last little platitude: “Life is good; let’s enjoy every moment.”

By Theresa Willbye

Temperatures are heating up all across the country, and this spring’s 2008 collections are hotter than any of them. This year, there seems to be something for everyone. From vibrant, electric statements to laidback bohemian chic, fashion staples are available to all, regardless of age and body shape.

Fashion as art takes form with hand-painted flowers and designs embellished on garments. Tribal, tropical, and floral prints accentuate outfits. Palette choice is a key to this season. According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2008, top season colors include Golden Olive, Spring Crocus, Rococo Red, Pink Mist, Croissant, Freesia, Cantaloupe, Daiquiri Green, Snorkel Blue, and Silver Gray.

Stylish fabrics of silk, chiffon, and lace adorn top models as they maneuver gracefully down the catwalk. Denim has taken a shift from the traditional dark blue, and style icons will now sport shades of light-wash denim.

Dresses are a strong feature in all the 2008 collections. More figure-enhancing shapes are replacing the mock dress, which has graced our closets throughout previous seasons. Think Grecian goddess, as maxi dresses and skirts hit the runway hard, enveloping sensuality and feminism. The spring maxi is more close-cut than the 2007 version. Many designers are employing tiering, allowing them to add extra dimensions to their style, and dresses also favor one-shoulder or halter-neck styles. Shorts are another popular choice this spring. They are shorter than usual, and the most fashionable trend is wide and loose with a smart, casual feel.

The fashion-savvy businesswoman can avail herself of the new in-style sharp tailored lines designed for the work environment. The new asymmetrical cuts are in the new black: silver gray. Pencil skirts make a refreshing comeback, ending either slightly above or below the knee. Trousers wave goodbye to the low hip-hugging style as highlighted in previous seasons and say hello to high waists, low crotches, and wide legs. Shirts make dramatic statement with high or ruffled necklines.

Feet will slip into changes, too. The wedge sandal is the trendiest footwear of the season. Like the previous flat styles, the wedge heel offers great comfort and support, making it a must-have for the extra height and glamour we have been waiting for.

Keeping with current trends, no outfit is complete without the use of accessories. Belts are thin, and worn to accentuate the narrowest part of your waistline. You will still see plenty of oversize tote bags in bright, daring colors, but the clutch bag is making a comeback on the runway. Silk scarves, gypsy hair bands, and hats are all used to adorn the head. Jewelry remains large and chunky, in various colors.

The spring 2008 trends are the most diverse seen in a long time. This season, everyone will be able take their favorite catwalk look to their local high streets.