Happy Shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Here are some helpful websites to plan your holiday shopping deal hunting…Have a memorable Thanksgiving!  Enjoy, Becky

Black Friday: http://bfads.net/  and  http://www.blackfriday.info/

Cyber Monday: http://www.cybermonday.com/

My favorites:

www.woot.com – 1 great deal per day

www.newegg.com – for all things electronic (I like to put price alerts on items)

www.amazon.com – great gift buying guides/ideas

Gifts that Give Back:  This is a great article by CCN & Oprah with links to all the charitable sites that have great gift giving ideas that help a good cause!

Liberty Market in Gilbert, AZ

Liberty Market, located at 230 N. Gilbert Rd in historic downtown Gilbert, is the new restaurant by Joe Johnson (Joe’s Farm & Grill, Joe’s BBQ).  I’ve eaten here 3 times since it opened in Nov. 2008.  I’m writing this post in November 2008 – so yes, I’ve been here 3 times in it’s opening month!  Liberty Market has a hip, Italian vibe to it.  I personally love paninis so each time I go I’m trying a different “pressed sandwhich”.  My favorite so far has been the Arizona Sky for $7.50.  You can find their website and menu here. Also, when you go – check out ALL the bathrooms.  Seriously, open every door…the bathrooms alone deserve a blog post! – Becky

 

Italia Panini and the Sloppy Joe (extra sloppy).

Outside patio at Liberty Market

Liberty Market in downtown Gilbert

Gilbert Family Halloween Carnival

Date and Time : Saturday, October 25th, 2008 from 5-9pm
Location: Freestone Park Softball Complex, 1045 E. Juniper Rd. 
Price: $3 for ages 4 through adults, free for ages 3 and under
Activity Ticket Packages: $5 for 5 tickets; $10 for 15 tickets; $15 for 25 tickets; $25 for 50 tickets.

Children of all ages will enjoy this night of safe and friendly Halloween fun as they visit Frankenstein’s Fishing Hole, play Ghost Bingo, decorate pumpkins and take part in a costume parade.  The event will also have a variety of games, inflatable bounces and slides, a food and beverage court, vendor booths and entertainment stages.  Special guest entertainers Jonnie and Brookie will be performing on the main stage at 7pm. 

Advance admission and activity tickets may be purchased beginning Monday, October 13 through Friday, October 24at Freestone Recreation Center, McQueen Park Activity Center, Gilbert Community Center and the Community Services Department main office. 

Arizona Restaurant Week!

Join the Valley’s tastiest event — the first-ever Arizona Restaurant Week! Arizona Restaurant Week – gives you the chance to try out all the fancy restaurants at bargain prices!

September 20 – 26th

3 Course Menus – $29 / Person, $58 / Couple

Phoenix joins several other culinary destinations throughout the country to offer an annual, 7-day promotion at dozens of restaurants throughout the Valley.

Arizona Restaurant Week makes its debut this year Sept. 20 – 26, 2008. This annual event will offer you the chance to partake in Arizona’s finest fare for seven days at a special price. Some of the Valley’s best restaurants will participate in the event, showcasing some of Arizona’s most celebrated chefs. Each will offer a three-course menu of signature dishes at the value price of $29 per person or $58 per couple, excluding drinks, tax and tip.

Learn more at www.arizonarestaurantweek.com

East Valley 4th of July Events

From www.azcentral.com

East Valley

CBS5 July Fourth Tempe Town Lake Festival: 4-11 p.m. July 4. Seven hours of live music, inflatable village for all ages, and fireworks. Tempe Town Lake, Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue, Tempe. $6; age 12 and younger are free. 480-350-8625. www.tempe4th.com. |

Hot Dog Theme Day: 1-3 p.m. July 4. Get a free hot dog to celebrate Independence Day. Kiwanis Park Wave Pool, 6111 S. All-America Way, Tempe. $6; $3 for age 2-12. 480-350-5740. www.tempe.gov/kiwanis. |

Mesa’s Fourth of July Celebration: 6 p.m. July 4. Entertainment and kiddie rides ending with fireworks at 9 p.m. Also offers food and drink for purchase. No bags, backpacks, coolers, fanny-packs or alcoholic beverages. Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa. $5 for parking and admission; $1 for admission if not parking on campus. 480-461-7000. www.mc.maricopa.edu. |

Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular: 4 p.m. July 4. In addition to fireworks at 9:30 p.m., the event features live music, a kids carnival and a bike parade. Activities include a 35-foot waterslide, 24-foot rock-climbing wall, a dunk tank and water games. Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. Free. 480-782-2735. www.chandleraz.gov. |

Be a Tourist in Your City

If you plan on pinching pennies and experiencing a “staycation” rather than a vacation this year, here is the official visitor guide of our greater-Phoenix area. Click on the link below or the picture to flip through the pages of this helpful guidebook. Play tourist around here and post a comment about your favorite things to do and see in the Valley of the Sun.

OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE TO PHOENIX ARIZONA

My Favorite things to do & see around the valley…

1 – Fountain Hills, AZ: Go have lunch, drive around, enjoy the amazing views. 30 min drive from Gilbert. 15 min drive from Scottsdale.

2 – Tempe Marketplace: Window shop, see a movie, eat out. I’m not much of a shopper – but I won’t pass up an invite to hang out here.

3 – Downtown: A day of museums, antique/vintage shops, 2 hour wait for a *worth it* seat at Pizzeria Bianco.

Before my career in Real Estate, I was a Concierge for a 4 diamond resort.  So, if I can be of service to you with dining recommendations, resort recommendations, or general city information – please don’t hesitate to ask.

Your Arizona Native REALTOR,

Becky Wyatt, 480-383-9209.

Tickets Now on Sale for Summer Spa Event!

Click Here for UPDATED info for the 2009 Summer Spa Series.

This blog has moved to www.ArizonaHomeTalk.com

It’s baaack! With temperatures on the rise and not a cloud in sight, the third-annual Summer Spaaah Series is breezing back into town to cool off the Valley with a dose of fun and charity. We’re tickled pink to announce that this highly anticipated event series is making its rounds at eight Valley spa destinations starting on May 25!

The series will kick off Memorial Day weekend with a special Summer Spaaah Soirée at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, where guests will be immersed in the Spa Avania experience. Attendees will be invited to change into plush spa robes, take in a 30-minute spa treatment, attend a yoga class, sample treatments in the “sweet suites,” indulge in freshly prepared spa cuisine, raise their glasses with a closing tea martini toast and leave with a bag filled with goodies. This women-only experience is for guests 17 and older and is a rare opportunity to experience the spa for only $40.

The seven events that follow are $25 and include mini spa treatments, fitness classes, beauty demos, boutique discounts, raffles, refreshments, goodie bags and a chance to tour the hottest spa destinations Arizona has to offer. Each event has been carefully planned to highlight the essence and unique features of each destination. The 2008 events take place every other Sunday at the following locations:

• May 25: Summer Spaaah Soirée event at Spa Avania at the Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale
• June 8: Party by the Pool event at the The Spa at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, Phoenix
• June 22: Day of Beauty event at Dolce Salon & Spa of Arrowhead, Peoria
• July 6: Indulge Your Spirit event Aji Spa at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Chandler
• July 20: Be Well event at the Golden Door Spa at the Boulders Resort, Carefree
• Aug 3: Glamor-ama event at Dolce Salon & Spa at the Borgata, Scottsdale
• Aug 17: Explore Your Inner Energy event at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts & Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, Tempe
• Aug 31: Get Moving, Fit & Fun event at The Spa at Gainey Village Health Club, Scottsdale

A generous portion of funds raised through these events go to support Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, a Phoenix-based organization that empowers women in need. For details and tickets, visit www.SummerSpaAZ.com. See ya this summer!

Windsor Square Historic Home & Garden Tour

The Windsor Square Neighborhood is hosting a self-guided tour of unique, historic homes in central Phoenix on Sunday, April 6, 2008.  The event showcases 12 homes and gardens that anyone with an interest in history, architecture, gardening or decorating will appreciate.  There will also be food, arts & crafts and music provided by street vendors in the neighborhood.  The event is held from 11am-4pm on Sunday and children under 12 are free.  Tickets for the event are $12, with 20% going to a charitable cause.

Windsor Square Historic Home and Garden Tour is located at the Northeast corner of Central and Camelback, behind AJ’s Fine Foods. Vehicles may enter the neighborhood off Central Avenue at Medlock Drive or off Camelback Road at 2nd or 6th streets.  

About Windsor Square District – The 260-home Historic District, bordered by Central Avenue and Seventh Street, Pasadena Avenue and Oregon Avenue, was considered the first suburb of Phoenix. Started in 1929, the curvy development with charming homes was created during a time where the population of Phoenix was 70,000 people and the trolley line ended at Thomas Road.
-from www.windsorsquarephoenix.org

 

TO VIEW SOME PICTURES I TOOK AT THE HOME TOUR ENJOY THE “VINTAGE SLIDE SHOW” I MADE BELOW. 

(The photos don’t do this tour justice – I didn’t even get a chance to take photos of the interior and garden masterpieces we saw! – too busy gawking!)

Coronado Historic Home Tour

On Sunday, March 30th, 2008 the Coronado Historic District in Phoenix will be hosting a neighborhood festival and home tour.  This is a self-guided tour of a dozen or so homes that showcase history, architecture, design, gardens and decorating style.  Plus, it is simply a nice event to enjoy a warm day in a charming part of downtown Phoenix.  There will be a trolley circulating on the route as well, or you may choose to walk. Tickets are $15 on the day of event or $13 if purchased on the website prior to Sunday. Homes are open from 10am-5pm (ticket sales stop at 4pm).

There will also be a festival with music, food, and other vendors.  Visit the historic neighborhood’s website at http://www.gcna.info/hometour/default.htm to get more information.  Pick up your wrist-band ticket at Coronado Park at the intersection of 12th Street and Palm.  See you there!

Coronado Park
1717 N. 12th St.
Phoenix, 85006

My Favorite Christmas Light Neighborhood

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED & MOVED TO http://www.arizonahometalk.com/?p=308

Becky’s Favorite Neighborhood: Circle G Ranches in Gilbert, AZ.

Directions: From crossroads Baseline & Lindsay. South on Lindsay, West on San Pedro just after Houston.

Circle G Ranches is a charming neighborhood of about 25 luxury homes built 20 years ago. These elegant homes all participate in decorating for the holidays. Some homes even have their lights set to music on a radio station you can tune into from your car.

For a map of all the best Christmas lights around the Valley visit This Holiday Light Map provided by azcentral.com