Northern Arizona LUXURY Living-Holiday 2021

Giving Back to the Community & Making the World a Better Place

PLASMA FIBROBLAST VS. SURGERY

A

FAMILY COMPANY, THREE GENERATIONS STRONG Grounded By Our Values.

Make your

Great Room Even Greater FOR ENTERTAINING

Many of today’s high-end homes have a great room incorporating the functions for the living room and family room and often the dining room and game room. These typically also link to an openconcept kitchen and outdoor space. This kind of space might seem ideally configured for entertaining, as well as family life, but there are some elements you need to solidify to imbue it with the casual elegance required to make your

occasions comfortable yet memorable.

The size and ceiling height of most great rooms can render them intimidating and impersonal if you don’t do the work to bring them down to scale. But go too far the other direction and party guests feel as if they’re intruding on your private life.

It’s a tricky balance, and you may need to move some things around prior to a party, but it can be done.

YOUR GUESTS

First, think about the kinds of parties you expect to be having, at least over the next few years. Toddlers, teens, twentysomethings or fiftysomethings all are different animals when it comes to keeping them engaged and occupied, and this will probably affect the décor, materials or floor coverings.

LIGHTING

This can make or break a room. Be sure you have adequate lighting, but put all of those fixtures on dimmers so you have control over getting lighting levels exactly right. Provide a diversity of levels and moods across the room. Recessed lighting, wall sconces and chandeliers can all play a role in building interest in the room.

SUBDIVIDE

Breaking a great room down into smaller, more functional areas through placement of seating, tables and other partitions is usually a necessity whatever you’re going to use it for. If entertaining is one of its primary functions, envision different conversation places where people can mingle while sitting, standing, eating, playing games or whatever else they might be doing, delineating them with appropriate wall art and other accents.

TRAFFIC FLOW

It goes without saying none of your furniture should impede traffic flow from one part of the room to another, but also make sure the corridors are wide enough for your guests to travel without infringing on anybody else’s activities.

HOME ELECTRONICS

Do keep your screen mounted on the wall so it can be relatively inconspicuous, but leave it on if there’s a live event you want to include in the party or to entertain the kids with video games or programs. If you don’t want the screen to be any sort of distraction, invest in a cabinet or wall mount that can hide it entirely.

As for the audio, a powerful home theater system to cover the entire room may be less ideal than two smaller ones for each end of the great room to please different audiences, but make sure you keep a strong grip on the controls so they don’t begin to compete with each other.

Maybe you’ve put off really investing in your home office because you weren’t certain how long you might need it. Or you could be moving to a new home, ideally one you’re having built to meet your needs and wants. Either way, there’s no better time to rethink that space with an eye to your own comfort and tastes. A home office is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury today, but that doesn’t mean we can’t furnish it like one with a high-quality desk and ergonomic chair, attractive yet functional storage, additional seating for family or business visitors and an aesthetic that’s calming but invigorates you when you need it to.

LOCATION

The environment should be whatever it takes to boost your productivity, which usually means a quiet corner insulated from the clatter and chatter from the kitchen and living room. But you can get creative if you need to — if you really never use the formal living room, it’s fair game! If you’re not able to secure a separate room, at least find a secluded corner or create one with a room divider.

DESIGN

If you’re remodeling or building fresh, bring as much natural light in as you can, and try to incorporate some access to the yard so you can take outdoor breaks as often as possible. Include as much room as you can for clients or collaborators to sit if you’re expecting to invite them over. If not, you may want to keep it on the smaller side to avoid it becoming another family hangout. Choose a theme and color scheme you’ll want to spend some time in, whether that means wood paneling, Old World class, minimalism or maximalism.

DESK

Consider how large a work surface you’ll need — a little extra adds to a spacious feel, but too much of it is just inviting clutter. The classic executive desk makes it easy to keep everything at your fingertips, which is a form of luxury. But movement throughout the day is also important, so you might look at a standing or adjustable desk to keep you on your feet. A doublesided desk is ideal if you’re expecting to do a lot of collaborative work.

STORAGE

We’re all aspiring, or should be, to the paperless office without huge file cabinets, but there will always be some paper, as in: always be some paper we will need or want to hold onto. Select a couple of storage options that blend with your décor, and don’t just keep buying more of them — set a cap on the space you’ll hand over to paperwork.

ART

This may be the place you’ve been looking for to put your modern art collection or the best of your own photos taken over the years. Try to find room for a little bit of sculpture and pottery as well if you have favorite pieces. Try to keep your art cohesive in style or color, but don’t be afraid to play around the edges to include pieces that inspire you to be creative and resourceful.

Luxury

Kitchen Design

BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

When designing a high-end kitchen the quality and opulence of the materials establish up front that this isn’t an ordinary kitchen. Still it has some “ordinary space” functions to accomplish.

Appliances need to function for food preparation and storage; counters and islands should provide adequate space for chopping, mixing, brewing coffee and all the other jobs that don’t fit on the stove or in the oven. But most of all, they should invite everybody in the immediate vicinity to drop in and help make a salad, have a glass of water or wine, catch up with

whoever’s cooking and find their place in spectacular, yet comfortable, surroundings.

This lovely kitchen inside an estate home uses windows to bring in that irreplaceable natural light and a view of the well-tended landscaping outside. The aquatic blues surrounding the white highlights within this traditionally styled home extend the airy feeling coming in from the windows, while the massive granite island states this is a room where everyone can get in on the action, whether it involves cooking or socializing. It also has enough room for

seating around it to double as a family breakfast or lunch spot. Ample drawer space throughout the kitchen reduces the need for hanging cabinets, opening up the room while making supplies more accessible for the family and anyone else coming in to help. The calming color scheme is beautiful on its own and even more so when set off with a vase of vibrant flowers. Two sinks, tasteful placement of the microwave and a top-of-theline refrigerator with a reach-in compartment for fresh produce (not shown) complete the inviting mood of this splendid kitchen.

Home bathrooms are undergoing a renaissance as they merge with the spa aesthetic, growing in size and amenities. Showers are getting bigger and so are bathtubs. Homeowners are expanding master bathrooms by knocking down walls to adjacent unused bedrooms to devote several hundred square feet to self-care. There are many ways to make your bathroom feel more like a room of rest, whether or not you have space to expand it to fit its new role:

LIGHTING

What may seem like a small change could actually make a huge difference to your bathroom’s atmosphere. Install a dimmer for the lights. Having options between “Hello, wake up and see every imperfection on your face!” and pitch black will make it much easier to relax in the tub or while you’re dressing up or winding down for the day. Suspending a chandelier that sends calming white light in all directions could be part of this process or a later upgrade.

MIRRORS

Flat mirrors extending across a wall are losing favor as designers and homeowners gravitate toward the beauty and variety of framed mirrors that come in limitless shapes and styles. Gold frames give your face and the whole room an enhanced glow, especially useful for all those all-too-common windowless bathrooms. Natural wood frames add a touch of the outdoors that often isn’t found in bathrooms.

STORAGE

Consolidate your storage in elegant cabinets and drawers under the sinks and counters, next to the toilet and anywhere else you can fit then in.

Woven baskets are ideal for containing your supplies while adding more organic materials to ground your space. Medicine cabinets seem to be staging a comeback as we maximize our storage space; replacing wallmounted versions with recessed ones will open up the room a little bit more.

TEXTILES

This is where it’s nearly impossible to go over the top. Think spongy, thick towels hung up on the towel rods or installing a rack or shelves to accommodate extra towels. Lay down fluffy rugs in front of the shower, bath, sinks and other key spots on the floor to keep your feet warm and protected. Shower curtains are being shoved aside by glass and plastic doors, but if you still use them have fun choosing some luxe fabrics.

AROMAS

Scented candles and essential oil diffusers aren’t just there to cover up other odors; they give you emotional and physical healing as they calm your olfactory nerves, relieve headaches and have many other impacts on the body. Aromatic soaps, fresh herbs and potpourri can all add to the atmosphere.

FURNITURE

If the only seating you have is on the toilet, bring in an ottoman, bench, whatever can fit to provide a more appealing alternative. Think big if you have even more space — a beautiful antique dresser can solve any storage issues you have, a vanity or dressing table makes self-care so much easier. For the ultimate in luxury, bring in a massage table!

End of the Year Checklist

FROM A FINANCIAL ADVISOR:

by Steve Schott, Financial Advisor, Schott Financial Management

t’s hard to believe we are fast approaching the end of 2021. As a financial advisor, I like to remind my clients of a few items to be aware of as the year ends.

• RMD, otherwise known as Required Minimum Distribution, are distributions taken from a qualified account, such as an IRA. During COVID and under the CARES Act, RMD requirements were waived. For 2021, however, clients will be expected to take them starting on April 1st after the year you turn age 72. You can pay up to a 50% penalty to the government if you don’t take one, so make sure you schedule an appointment with your financial advisor today.

• Consider taking a tax loss on any stock position held in a nonqualified account (TOD or Individual accounts) that you’ve held for at least one year.

• Make sure to keep your December 31st, Annual or End-OfThe-Year statement.

• Look for tax statements, such as a 1099 or K-1’s

starting in mid-February. You will need these statements to give to your accountant. Finally, meet with your financial advisor to do an end-of-the-year performance review. This way you can make changes or adjustments to your portfolio for 2022. If you don’t have a financial advisor, Schott Financial Management offers free consultations. Call our office today to schedule an appointment: 928-776-1031.

Adding a home theater is as complicated as it sounds — you’re adding a theater to your home, a building that likely has an open floor plan to at least some degree. Most of our shared spaces allow unimpeded flow from one area to another, whether it’s in one great room or some sort of modified flow.

Home theaters also are shared spaces, but ideally are closed off from the rest of the house and the world to reproduce the movie-theatergoing experience of being shut away from reality with a giant screen for a couple of hours.

You need to have a separate room to really pull it off, one that’s accessible for everyone but insulated from “things,” such as: from such things as noises, smells or clutter from other parts of the house.

Sealing a room like this off takes some work but can pay off in the end with an at-home cinematic experience that can’t be outdone by any “real” theater out there! These are the basics:

• If you have a basement, use it for this. It’s isolated from the rest of the house and has minimal natural light that needs to be controlled.

• If not, you will need a room with a solid door, and depending on where it is in relation to the rest of your home you might need to consider soundproofing it, either with another layer of drywall or a special soundproofing material using specialized materials to block the noise. If there are windows you’ll need to find blackout curtains to keep uncontrolled light from spilling in.

• After getting rid of “light pollution” lighting, you’ll need to put it your own lighting system that is bright yet dimmable, with a combination of recessed lights for task lighting, sconces as accents and safety lights for during the show.

• You’ll be going against conventional interior design wisdom in this room. You don’t want a light neutral for the walls — black or dark gray are the best choices, matte surfaces only. Instead of maximizing light through reflective surfaces you’ll want to keep them in the back of the room, if at all.

• Decide whether you’ll want to use a flat-screen TV or projector. Projectors come out on top for producing the largest, most immersive images of 100 inches or more with good quality, but prices for OLED TVs that are 75 or more inches are now competitive with high-end projectors and screens. They deliver a higher-quality image that isn’t significantly degraded by ambient light managing to seep in.

• The audio can make or break your home theater. Its depth, more than the volume, is what truly cuts the viewer’s connection with everything else going on in the world and inside their heads. Home theater systems have at least five speakers and a subwoofer, known as a “5.1” system, with “7.1” becoming the standard for larger rooms and comparable to the digital systems found in new or updated multiplexes.

• Go for tiered seating if you think you might need it. It’ll cut way down on conflict within the audience. The type of seating is up to you. You could go for the traditional theater look or try sofas, lounges, loveseats, beanbags, wing chairs — whatever you, your family and guests will find most comfortable.

GameLuxury Rooms

FUN FOR EVERYONE

AIf you really want to make your home a spectacular place for your family and friends, one of the most fun ways to do it is to have a spacious game room.

It can be its own enclosed room or complete a large living room, home theater or patio, or even be the secondary (or primary) use for your dining room with a convertible table and some creativity.

It should have at least one table but can also have a putting green, basketball hoop, bowling lane or other unexpected flourishes. It can include huge screens to watch sports and play video games or none at all for a lowertech, focused atmosphere.

In short, you can do just about anything with a game room, depending on the age and preferences of those who will be using it:

FAMILY FRIENDLY

If the game room is primarily a kid and family space you can install a slide or swing or set aside a corner for them if they’re sharing it with you and your friends. Having a multigenerational space could affect decisions like whether you want to include a bar.

FURNISHINGS

A full-size billiards table is the traditional anchor for an adult game room, but they’re bulky and hard to maintain so if you don’t have a need for one that just leaves more room for a large, comfortable board/card game table, foosball, air hockey, table tennis, old-school arcade video games, even musical instruments or a craft table.

DÉCOR

To amp up the luxury, use darker colors and soften the walls with wall treatments like drapery — which can also cover up things like a water heater or laundry room that might be just off the room in question.

LIGHTING

You need to have good lighting directly over your playing surfaces, but it can be softer around the rest of the room. This can create a casino-like effect in the space, which may be exactly what you’re looking for.

STORAGE

You’ll want to keep all your games organized and readily accessible in cabinets or on shelves and bookcases so they can be pulled out and unfurled at a moment’s notice before the mood passes.

Wine

CELLARS & ROOMS KEEP IT COOL

Maybe it’s been your long-term goal or maybe it just sort of happened, but you’ve become a wine collector.

You’ve amassed enough bottles for yourself and your guests that two or three racks isn’t going to work anymore, and with what you’re investing the storage conditions are becoming more of an issue.

Wine and whiskey cellars and closets may not seem like they’d be the easiest add-on to your home, but there are plenty of ways to accommodate your burgeoning hobby.

The first step is to figure out how big your collection is now and could get in the future. Many wine enthusiasts encourage going for twice as much capacity as you need right now because of the addictiveness of the hobby, but consider your own turnover and level of self-control, too.

One hundred bottles or fewer can be handled by a single or double under-thecounter refrigerator. Going bigger? The rule of thumb is 25 square feet per 500 bottles in a separate room. Many manufacturers sell properly refrigerated wine coolers (also called wine cellars) that can hold 500 bottles or more, though their space-saving designs can make it difficult to find the right bottle for every occasion in a flash.

It’s easiest when you do have a basement, one that can be sealed off from sunlight and kept at a constant 55 degrees-ish. You’re also more likely to be able to have a “passive” cellar that isn’t independently cooled.

Cooling an above-ground space will add a little to your energy bills, but there are specialized wine cellar coolers for every kind of space from those installed just below the ceiling in small spaces to ducted coolers installed some distance away from a larger room, protecting the bottles from vibrations that can also derail the proper aging process. Other considerations:

• The 55-degree rule generally works for cooling all your wine together, but many varietals and producers have their own very specific recommendations. You can buy several single-zone coolers to accommodate each of these or a dual-zone one for grouping reds and whites, which can’t be done in a single room or cellar.

• Finding room for a separate wine tasting area, either inside or near a wine room or cellar, brings an extra touch of luxury to the experience. Ideally, you’ll be able to accommodate at least four people, with a small refrigerator on hand for cheese, fruit and other delectables.

• If you’ve got the room and the whimsy, you can build a hideaway cellar accessed by a portal concealed by a painting, bookcase, rug, kitchen island — use your imagination!

Luxurious Resorts

MAKE WINTER LIVING EASY

Five-star resorts are fabulous any time of the year — but there’s something especially alluring about them in the snow and ice of winter. This is when their high levels of service and extravagantly cozy furnishings make existence in the coldest months easy enough for us to enjoy outdoor frolics you’d never get the chance to experience in the summer: skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling or simply walking and shopping in the snow, or looking out the window to enjoy winter’s serene beauty.

MIDWAY, UTAH — ZERMATT UTAH HOTEL AND RESORT

This town near Park City showcases all the wonders of wintertime with horsedrawn sleds, snowmobiling, the original of six annual ice castle displays built from icicles by professional artists across North America, plus year-round swimming and scuba diving in the 90-degree waters of Homestead Crater. The Zermatt, named after an alpine Swiss resort, is just steps away from the crater and has a full-service spa, steakhouse and pub, as well as convenient access to several ski resorts. www.zermattresort.com

RATON, NEW MEXICO — VERMEJO, A TED TURNER RESERVE

This 550,000-acre ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains has been compared to a private national park experience. It’s brimming with onsite adventures including ice fishing, guided and self-guided hiking, mountain biking, shooting and archery, horseback riding, guided bison and wildlife tours and several family-friendly activities. Its spa has rejuvenating wellness programs and deep therapeutic experiences, and guests are served three gourmet, locally sourced meals per day. www.tedturnerreserves.com/vermejo

NEW YORK CITY — THE PIERRE

The city that never sleeps takes huge advantage of that fact during the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, softening into a winter gloryland of holiday lights, ice skating and snowy walks in Central Park, not to mention the stellar museums, shows and other year-round attractions.

After New Year’s many of its top luxury hotels offer tempting winter specials, including the landmark Pierre on 5th Avenue, overlooking

Central Park and the city. www.tajhotels.com/en-in/ taj/the-pierre-new-york

COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK — THE OTESAGA

If you think about the “boys of summer” all year long and also crave a serene winter getaway in the northeast, there’s no better choice than the historic Otesaga, hosting guests since 1909 in the upstate New York town that became the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The baseball mecca is open year-round and is located in a “Village” district of shopping and nightlife, a short walk away from the resort. Of course there’s a restaurant and spa, and

nearby winter sports abound. www.otesaga.comthe-pierre-new-york

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC — FAIRMONT LE CHATEAU FRONTENAC

Experience a sublimely cozy French winter without having to fly overseas, and stay in this luxury landmark that is a tourist stop in its own right. Its 611 hotel rooms on 18 floors still offer plenty of privacy as you wallow in the posh linens and furniture, gaze at the St. Lawrence River, enjoy an afternoon tea and explore the Old Quebec district, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site as the only existing walled city north of Mexico. www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec

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Jewelry Trends

As 2021 comes to a close, jewelry trends are leaning toward the nostalgically bold, brassy and cheerful, even drawing inspiration from the beads and charms of the friendship bracelets from our youth. If you’ve grown up to the point of preferring the quality and value of fine jewelry, don’t despair — there are many other trends that mesh perfectly with pure metals and dazzling gems that hold onto their beauty for decades so you can enjoy them and gift then down the family line or perhaps resell them.

CHUNKY GOLD CHAINS

Delicate strands have been stylish for several years, but now we’re looking for major links that cater to our thing for bling, whether they’re extravagant choker necklaces or layered over our necks, or even our waist like a belt.

PEARLS

There’s nothing old-fashioned about these classic beads, whether they stand on their own, in line with a string of differently-sized compatriots or mounted in a modern design that creates an elegant new dynamic.

FOR FUN (AND POTENTIAL PROFIT)

PENDANTS

One way to get those slimmer, shimmery gold necklaces back into rotation is to add a pendant to make it pop. It doesn’t need to be big, but does need to add a little personality, whether it’s one of your initials, a stylized coin, a spiritual symbol or a dazzling gem or diamond.

STATEMENT EARRINGS

Your ears are your canvas as you add danglers and cuffs to make them stand out from the crowd. Hoops, fringe, mesh, florals, beads, diamonds, pearls and gems are all fair game to become part of your language.

STATEMENT RINGS

Just like the chunky gold chains and the statement earrings, glitzy, knobby rings are showing up everywhere again, either solo or stacked. Bigger is usually better, but a slimmer circle studded with diamonds will do the job just fine.

If the financial appreciation of your jewelry is at least as important to you as aesthetic appreciation, be prepared to do some research to verify if the piece you’re interested in is 100% gold, platinum or silver, that any diamonds and gemstones are of high quality and consider other factors that could affect its value.

For an Enchanting Vacation, Luxury Resort STAY AT

With all the vacation rental options now available to travelers, luxury resorts face more competition than ever for well-off travelers.

However, high-end hotels and resorts not only have a history of providing superlative service and amenities to their guests, they are meeting the challenges they face with ever more points of interest, activities, facilities and attention to detail.

Sedona’s Enchantment Resort, featured on our inaugural issue’s cover, is emblematic of how this trend is being carried out in Northern Arizona. It has opened an activity and adventure center to augment its magical setting in Boynton Canyon, recently refreshed suites and casitas and delivers an array of dining and spa experiences. There’s also exclusive golf course access.

The advantages of staying at any luxury resort are immense, and they are growing with increased customization and attention to detail:

FIRST-RATE CUSTOMER SERVICE

Luxury resort staff are trained to provide the pinnacle of hospitality through quick response and anticipating guests’ needs, leaving them feeling pampered and worry-free. Enchantment Resort’s workforce includes housekeeping and culinary professionals, 18 expert trail guides, youth activity leaders for its Camp Coyote program and masseuses and other spa professionals.

LUXURIOUS ROOMS

Resort rooms are renowned for their quality of their mattresses and linens, as well as the thoroughness of their housekeeping staff. Their décor is often inspired by the surrounding environment and depending on size, can be furnished with plush lounges, spacious desks and tables and bathrooms with freestanding tubs, steam showers and panoramic views.

DINING

Led by Executive Chef Laurent Elmerich, Enchantment’s culinary team delivers the flavors of the Southwest region with locally sourced ingredients. The resort offers two contemporary dining concepts, Che Ah Chi and Tii Gavo.

SECURITY

Resorts are often built in secluded locations and generally have 24-hour onsite security from personnel as well as surveillance cameras, safe deposit boxes and/or in-room safes, key cards, high-quality smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers.

AMENITIES

These can include anything from a pool to a spa to golf to activity centers and more. Enchantment Resort’s pool is spectacular and its spa first-rate. Guests have exclusive access to the 7 Canyons golf club minutes away. Its 4,000-square-foot Trail House serves as a gathering point for guests embarking on guided hiking or mountain biking excursions, a bike shop and an indepth interpretive center to Boynton Canyon and the Sedona area’s 400-mile network of trails. All its guests have ride-in, ride-out access to these trails.

EXTRAS

The things you don’t find at every resort, which makes them even more special when you do. Enchantment’s goodies include complimentary three-hour excursions in luxury Volvos, more than 100 outdoor activities per week, family adventure packages, art classes for adults, tennis and pickleball courts, stunning meeting and event spaces, vortex lectures and guided prayer arrow experiences.

Velvet &Embroidery

Fashionable Updates MAKE FOR

by Michelle Beck, Owner, Purple Clover Boutique

With the cooler temperatures and thoughts turning to the upcoming holiday season, now is the perfect time to update your wardrobe with the latest trends.

THINK VELVET

This luxurious fabric no longer is reserved only for formal occasions. A touch of velvet can elevate the simplest item of clothing into something truly special. The key to wearing this fabric is to combine it with denim or other casual separates that you already have in your closet. A velvet jacket or blazer with a dark wash or black jean is appropriate for both daytime and evening events. This season we have seen slightly oversized velvet and plaid shirts paired with leggings and tall boots for a fabulous casual and chic look.

APPRECIATE EMBROIDERY

This season embroidery is everywhere in the luxury fashion world. It is an ancient craftsmanship technique that allows decorating fabric using a needle to apply thread or yarn. Patterns can be very simple or elaborate depending on the item of clothing. Embroidery is especially popular on denim. Besides denim, we’re seeing embroidery on dresses and jackets. Whether a piece has been machine embroidered or created by hand into a one-of-a-kind work of art, this timeless technique is making its presence known by many designers. There is no need to travel down to the Valley to incorporate these trends into your closet. Stop into your local boutiques and see what we have to offer.

Of all the winter pastimes, none are better paired with luxury than skiing. A cozy lodge on or near a hill with impossibly soft beds coupled with an indulgent spa to work out all the kinks formed during a raucous day of skiing and sliding in magnifique!

STEIN ERIKSEN LODGE — PARK CITY, UTAH

This European-inspired lodge is mere steps (or glides) away from worldfamous skiing at Deer Valley and has a private movie theater, wine cellar with 19,000 bottles to choose from, a familyoriented game room/restaurant and four just-installed Alpenglobes to provide private, climate-controlled dining with 360-degree views of the breathtaking surroundings. The spa has a full menu of massage, facial and other treatments along with a cardio/weights fitness center and indoor hot and cold pools. www.steinlodge.com

LITTLE NELL HOTEL — ASPEN, COLORADO

Named after the mine it was built over, this has been Aspen’s standard-bearer since it opened in 1989 and set a new level of expectations in this already famous resort. It’s the only five-star hotel with ski-in skiout access to the slopes, and its lavish suites and premium bedrooms lend a posh refuge after those long, invigorating days on the slopes. There are two restaurants, three bars and a special pet menu to nourish everyone in your family, plus a fitness center and spa to warm yourself up and down. www.thelittlenell.com

FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES, WHISTLER — WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Whistler-Blackcomb area is two hours north of Vancouver and was home of the 2010 Olympics, so its winter sports facilities are second to none, although it’s a year-round mountain sports hotspot.

The Four Seasons brings generous dollops of European refinement to its comfortable, intimate accommodations, the perfect retreat after a day of winter delights. Services include a ski concierge, the Sidecut steakhouse and a spa where your initial scrub will be with Canadian maple syrup and brown sugar. www.fourseasons.com/whistler

W VERBIER — VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

The latest and greatest entry in the heart of the Swiss Alps’ largest region, the W has ski-in/out access to the resorts of the Les 4 Vallées region and is moments away from the Medran 1 Gondola, which is set to reopen at twice its former capacity this winter. Downhill skiing, heli-skiing and off-piste sojourns are plentiful. Wind down in the AWAY spa or the WET year-round indoor/outdoor pool, or bust a move at the W Off Piste apres-ski outdoor nightclub. www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/gvawh-w-verbier

AMAN LE MELEZIN — COURCHEVEL 1850, FRANCE

France’s alps have their own worldrenowned luxury ski wonderland in Les Trois Vallées, and Courchevel is probably the most exclusive town and shopping area within that region. Aman le Melezin offers an exceptional ski experience with all the traditions of the French châteaux and an unbeatable location along the Bellecote pieste. Its rooms and suites feature calming, Asian-influenced design and some have outdoor hot tubs, while its Nama restaurant is renowned for its Japanese cuisine. www.man.com/resorts/aman-le-melezin

Brave the Cold

WITH THESE WINTER ESSENTIALS

Northern Arizona is attracting new residents from all over the state and nation, particularly from places that have a different interpretation of “cold” and a more abstract understanding of “snow,” as in the pretty white stuff seen on distant peaks that they may drive a couple hours to see once a year.

Southern Arizonans and Californians come here wanting to experience all four seasons, or at least know they exist. But this year’s crop of newbies has likely already seen at least one cold snap able to trigger panic buying of coats and thermal underwear to stave off the cold.

For those of you still working on assembling the perfect winter wardrobe, here are a few should-haves:

COATS

The puffer coat jumped to the top of the fashion pile a few years ago, and it’ll be more than good enough for most days. Parkas are waterproof, hooded and many are lined with fleece or faux fur, perfect for heavy snow days. A long wool coat can be both casual and classy, and “performance” jackets are engineered for the active winter lifestyle.

THE KNIT HAT

Whether it’s a beanie, pom hat, beret, bucket hat or another shape, you’ll want at least a couple of these to protect your head, which loses heat faster than any other part of your body. For a slightly different and comfier look you can try a snood, which extends over your neck.

GLOVES/MITTENS

So it only seems like your fingers lose their heat more than any other part of your body. Mittens are better for warmth than gloves, but there’s no way you can use your phone with them, so try a pair of “glittens” with the flip-top over the fingerless gloves. Keep one pair in reserve for dressier occasions.

BOOTS

These are fashionable in any climate, but in cooler, wetter climes you’ll need to consider factors like traction, flexibility and stability, which is a tight balancing act. Waterproof booties and heels can work for warmer days, but make sure you have at least one pair with some serious traction for snow or rain.

Wash your Car LIKE A PRO

by Chasen Gibbel, Prescott Pro Wash and Detail

I’d like to discuss the two-bucket car wash method versus the multi microfiber towel way of washing your vehicle. Both methods offer a much safer alternative to a single-bucket sponge or automatic car washes.

I’ll start by explaining the two-bucket method because it has become the new standard for the home hand-wash.

This process requires two 5-gallon buckets, one containing fresh water and the other with your favorite pH- balanced car wash soap. Each bucket also should have a grit guard on the bottom, which is a plastic grill that reduces dirt and sediment from mixing around during each dunk of your car wash sponge.

After each pass of a panel with your car wash mitt, instead of rinsing it back into the soap bucket, you’ll instead first rinse it out in the fresh water bucket. This allows the dirt collected from your car to be mostly rinsed off before dunking it back into your soap bucket to reload for the next panel of your car.

With this process you significantly reduce the chance of scratching and degrading your car’s clear coat by rinsing off your car wash mitt before its

applied back to the vehicle. Most paint jobs swirling scratches are caused by washes where the sponge had stuck-on dirt and was continually wiped around the vehicle, lightly scratching the paint with each pass.

This is why most vehicle experts warn against these drivethru washes, as the tendrils are often saturated in as much dirt as soap and only accelerate wear of your vehicle’s paint.

The next process is often the preferred method of highend detailers, the multi micro fiber towel method. The result of this method is the same as the two-bucket, in which we’re

minimizing the chance to wipe the vehicle down with a contaminated sponge or mitt. In this case, we’re eliminating that possibility altogether. Using just one bucket with soap and water mixture, you’ll pre-soak five or more microfiber towels, depending on the size of your vehicle. Instead of dunking a towel that’s just wiped down dirt off your car’s paint back into the soap bucket, you’ll instead place it aside and grab a new soaked towel for the next panel. This ensures the safest way to wash your vehicle without introducing swirls and scratching into your car’s paint job.

Shower WITH ELEGANCE YOUR PARTY

What’s the point of having a tasteful, spacious, well-appointed home tucked into the loveliness of Northern Arizona if you can’t share it with friends?

Well, there are plenty of other points, but why not gift those you like and love with an elegant soiree in your beautiful abode from time to time? It’s one of the most effective ways to draw people together, and adding a layer of refinement and sophistication will make the occasion especially memorable. It also gives you the chance to indulge your own fantasies of being a chef, event planner and/or matchmaker. There’s a myriad of things to consider when you’re preparing to hold a formal dinner party. These are the basic questions.

INSIDE OR OUT?

Most formal dinner parties are held indoors, in part because the weather is one huge variable you won’t have to work around, especially in the winter. Outdoor entertaining is enjoyed by nearly everyone in warmer months but creates a more casual vibe unless you go to great lengths to undo your guests’ expectations.

HOW MANY?

Four to six people is the minimum for what can be considered a dinner party and is a good number for your first, especially if you and your family are preparing all the food. If you’re content with focusing on the main dish and bringing in the rest of the food you can think about expanding that to 10 or more, and more still for a catered event, if you have the space and tableware to accommodate everyone. Inviting an even number of guests works best, and more than eight warrants splitting them into two or more tables for ease of conversation. Once you finalize the guest list, mail paper invitations about two weeks ahead to establish a tone of formality and a dress code, if you choose.

FOOD AND DRINK?

Don’t get too adventurous with the menu unless you know most of your guests would enjoy it. They will always appreciate you knowing about any dietary restrictions they have ahead of time. Stick to dishes you’ve already had success with, and try to provide at least one vegan dish aside from the salad. Use the same conservative approach if it’s being catered. Most guests will be expecting wine and/ or cocktails, but make nonalcoholic options just as easily available. And don’t rely on guests bringing bottles as gifts to supply the night’s libations!

THE TABLE(S)

White or off-white tablecloths are the best for understated beauty and for displaying everything on top of it. Base your place settings off of examples for formal parties, though you can use a little creativity as long as you include any utensil or wine glass anyone might possibly need. Use your prettiest plates and cloth napkins (be sure to have a few extra of these on hand). Fresh, seasonal florals should be on display, either in one large vase or try a few lower ones, to keep them below eye level. Use enough candles as you can safely manage to create a warm, all-inclusive bubble over the evening. Other aspects to plan ahead include:

• Seating arrangements

• Music

• Lighting

• Bathroom accessibility and supplies

• Keeping drama to a minimum

Simple Cocktails8

TO KNOW & LOVE

If you’ve been dreaming of creating great cocktails for yourself and your friends, here’s a primer on a few of the basics that will get you through most small parties. And if you have someone else mix your drinks, it’s a good idea to have some basic cocktail recipe knowledge at hand so you know what you’re ordering and how it should be done.

DAIQUIRI

• 2 oz light rum

• 1 oz plus 1 tsp fresh lime juice

• .5 oz simple syrup (a 1:1 mixture of granulated sugar and water, boiled or left on counter until sugar dissolves. Also sold in liquor departments.)

Shake vigorously with ice, then strain into cocktail glass.

MANHATTAN

• 2 oz rye whiskey

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into chilled martini glass or cocktail coupe.

MARGARITA

• 2 oz silver tequila

• 1 oz Cointreau

• 1 oz lime juice

• Salt for the rim

This recipe includes fresh juice, so it should be shaken. Serve over ice in a glass with a salted rim.

MARTINI

• 3 oz gin or vodka

• .5 oz dry vermouth

• Lemon peel or olive

Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into chilled martini glass. Squeeze oil from lemon peel into the glass or garnish with olive.

NEGRONI

• 1 oz gin

• 1 oz Campari

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

Stir with ice.

MOJITO

• 3 mint leaves

• 2 oz white rum

• .75 oz lime juice

• .5 oz simple syrup

Muddle mint into a shaker tin, then add ice and all other ingredients. Shake to chill and strain into a highball glass with ice. Top with club soda if desired and garnish with mint.

OLD FASHIONED

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 sugar cube or 1 tsp sugar

• Orange twist garnish

Put sugar in glass. Cover it with dashes of bitters. Add whiskey and stir until sugar dissolves. Add ice, stir again, and serve.

WHISKEY SOUR

• 2 oz whiskey

• 1 oz lemon juice

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 egg white (optional)

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake without ice, especially if you’re using egg white. Then add ice and shake again. Strain over ice in a rocks glass.

Tanks Can Floatation

RELIEVE PAIN & ANXIETY

Sensory deprivation tanks, aka float or floatation tanks, float pods or isolation tanks, are found at several Northern Arizona “float centers” and in some high-end homes across the country.

They are usually built for one person and are filled with a solution of water with Epsom salt, which keeps the client buoyant in the water as they float on their back. The float tank is placed in a darkened room isolated from noise and vibration, and the water is heated to match the user’s body temperature.

The client lies back, either wearing a swimsuit or in the nude, in what many compare to a womblike state. It simulates a “zero gravity” environment and allows every muscle in the body to relax while inducing a meditative state, making the user more aware

of sensations inside their bodies. Most sessions in a spa last 60 minutes. Users can lift the top open at any time during the session if they’re experiencing high anxiety or claustrophobia.

Float tanks have been in commercial use since the 1970s, but have grown in popularity in the last 10 years as users seek pain relief and temporary reduction of stress, anxiety and depression.

PAIN

Professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts report relief of soreness after workouts or while injured after a float session, while those with chronic conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain, bursitis, tendinitis and

psychosomatic pain also have benefited from the experience. The zero-gravity environment eliminates stress on joints and muscles, while the Epsom salt may reduce swelling and supply more magnesium to the body.

RELAXATION

The conditions inside the tank help to suppress your sympathetic nervous system, the source of the “fight or flight” response. This puts many users in a calm mental state enhanced by the release of endorphins and other “feel-good” hormones. Users who are anxious or depressed report feeling happier and more optimistic during and after a session. It can be especially helpful for those who are highly anxious and have not been able to find relief through other methods.

CREATIVITY

Multiple smaller studies have reported users experiencing a boost in creative thinking after a session in a flotation tank, likely a result of floating in a relaxed state without distractions.

HEIGHTENED SENSES

Floating can lead to higher awareness of the user’s heart and circulation, breathing and other bodily processes, and some report improvements in vision, hearing, touch and other senses. This is why some researchers and spas don’t use the term “sensory deprivation tank.”

SLEEP

Flotation tanks have been found to help those with insomnia, both with quality of sleep and the time spent sleeping.

PRODUCTS

Beauty and relaxation products are the heart and soul of any day spa, so look for only the bestquality lotions and potions that have worked for you, your skin and your hair — moisturizers, facial and hair masks, eye creams or masks, salt scrubs, body wraps and more. Also, find a minimalistic, attractive organizer you can keep an arm’s reach away.

Float tanks are safe to use for most people but aren’t recommended for those with unhealed wounds or skin irritation, contagious diseases, kidney disease or low blood pressure. Some experience hallucinations inside the tanks, which may or may not be pleasant, especially those with a higher tendency toward hallucination.

COSMETIC

Benefits P Platelet Therapy HAS HEALTH &

latelet-rich plasma therapy is gaining prominence in the medical and cosmetic medicine fields for treating tendon injuries, pain and inflammation, as well as hair loss and skin aging.

It is performed by a provider who draws a small amount of blood from the patient’s arm (usually less than 2 ounces) and places the fluid into a centrifugal machine. The spinning sorts the fluid’s contents into several substances, one of which contains plasma, the liquid component of blood, and platelets.

Platelets are cells that secrete molecules known as “protein growth factors” that encourage blood clots, healing and cell growth, and are concentrated in the plasma at a higher-than-normal level.

This byproduct, called platelet-rich plasma or PRP, is then injected back into the patient in the area that’s being treated. This could be near a torn tendon, an injured rotator cuff, under the scalp to stimulate hair growth or under the skin around the cheeks, jaw and other areas that might have wrinkles or sagging skin. The platelets then break down and release the growth factors believed to promote healing and cell growth that leads to recovery.

Some research has found medical injections are effective in speeding up the healing of injured tissue, knee pain and rotator cuff injuries. Some doctors use PRP to treat people suffering from arthritis. Large, long-range studies have been difficult to conduct or verify due to lack of standardization in the field.

In cosmetic procedures the plateletrich plasma often is injected either by itself or with other facial fillers to stimulate collagen production around hair follicles and under the epidermis. It can also be applied to the skin with laser resurfacing.

With hair growth, treatment has brought positive results for patients with alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), though this can require several sessions and may need to be repeated to maintain the results.

Facial injections under the skin can help plump the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, the appearance of deep tear troughs and smile lines.

Platelet-rich plasma injections are safe for most people, but should not be performed for patients with low platelet counts, anemia, cancer or active infections.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN

Botox & Dysport?

by Aymee Wilson RN, BSN, Owner & Founder, Wilson Aesthetics

We can fight signs of aging with different kinds of procedures such as Botox and Dysport treatments!

WHAT IS BOTOX?

In 1989, Botox injection was approved by the FDA for the treatment of blepharospasm and other eye muscle problems. In 2002, the FDA permitted the use of Botox for treating moderateto-severe frown lines underneath the eyebrows; in 2013 it allowed Botox to treat wrinkles around the corners of the eyes (crows feet).

Research published July 30, 2020 in Scientific Reports discovered that people who received Botox injections — at six different sites, not just in the forehead — reported depression significantly less often than patients undergoing different treatments for the same conditions.

WHAT IS DYSPORT?

Dysport works the same as Botox. It paralyzes certain muscles in the forehead so they can’t move, which prevents wrinkles from forming and softens existing lines. The FDA also approved Dysport to treat moderate-to-severe glabellar lines between the eyebrows.

According to a clinical study conducted by Dysport Real-world Evaluation and Measured satisfaction (DREAM) 2020, patients were highly satisfied with the twice-annual treatment of Dysport. Nearly all patients (95%) reported being highly satisfied or satisfied, and 97% said the treatment appeared natural at 12 months.

BOTOX AND DYSPORT:

HOW ARE THEY ALIKE?

Since 2002, the FDA has approved Botox for cosmetic use. Dysport entered the U.S. market in 2009 but was used in Europe as an alternative to Botox for more than a decade.

1. Safety

Both are considered safe for most patients. A full medical history is discussed prior to treatment.

2. Convenience

Both treatments are extremely convenient, quick and comfortable. All work is done at your doctor’s office.

3. Efficacy

In a study, Dysport was discovered to be over 80% successful in treating temporary wrinkles. Same with Botox treatment; it was found out in a 2016 clinical study that Botox is effective, simple and safe for the reduction of forehead wrinkles.

BOTOX AND DYSPORT: HOW THEY DIFFER?

1. Use

Both Botox and Dysport can be used to treat various types of wrinkles, including crows feet, forehead wrinkles, TMJ pain, dimpled chin and many additional areas. Differences between the two can be found in the results.

2. Results

Effects of Dysport can be seen a couple of days after treatment. Results may last between three to four months, while in Botox treatment, you may see the effects within a week and the result may last up to three months as well.

Chemical Peels REVEAL

ARIZONA

Natural Oils

A SIMPLY PERFECT

Lotions aren’t the only option for moisturizing your parched Arizona skin. Natural oils for skin have much to recommend them as a moisturizer — “natural” means no synthetic ingredients or preservatives, for one thing. Oils are better at moisture retention and repairing the skin’s moisture barrier, deliver easily absorbed nutrients and guard against free radicals and environmental stressors. If you’re considering making the switch to these natural wonders, here are some you might consider:

ARGAN OIL

This ancient oil from Morocco is a great all-around performer that moisturizes your skin (on all parts of the body), hair, scalp and nails. Its high antioxidant, fatty acid and vitamin E levels make it perfect for protection against sun damage. Argan oil’s hairrejuvenating abilities are legendary; adding elasticity and shine, taming frizz and neutralizing hair damage.

COCONUT OIL

Although its tendency to clog pores can be an issue for those with oily skin, this oil excels at locking in hydration as well as taming itching and redness from eczema, dermatitis and similar conditions. It also reduces inflammation from sun damage and offers some protection from ultraviolet rays, albeit not enough to replace your sunscreen.

GRAPESEED OIL

Its dietary profile also is a list of what makes it great for skin: lots of betacarotene, vitamins C, D and E and essential fatty acids. These particular acids — palmitic, linoleic and stearic — excel at reducing wrinkles and shrinking and fading scars. It leads to smooth and supple skin and its antimicrobial qualities have made it a top choice for anti-acne treatment.

MARULA OIL

Beyond its moisturizing capabilities, marula is an excellent emollient sealing microscopic cracks in your skin without the comedogenic properties of coconut oil. It has plenty of fatty acids that soften and nourish the skin, with a profile that closely resembles our skin’s naturally occurring oils. Its anti-aging work on fine lines and wrinkles is commendable, and its oleic acid content is masterful at regulating oil production.

PUMPKIN SEED OIL

Splendid for this season and every other! Omegas 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 await to promote skin elasticity for a bouncy, vibrant effect. It also jumpstarts skin cell regeneration enough to boost collagen fade stretch marks and other blemishes. It also has high levels of zinc and vitamin E, which accelerate wound healing, fight acne and improve skin tone. It’s also able to speed up hair growth while boosting its shine and overall health.

ROSEHIP OIL

One of our most valuable players for any skin type, which makes it especially important for those with sensitive skin. This oil has high essential fatty acid content to aid regeneration and repair. It hydrates, promotes such anti-aging qualities as elasticity, brightens and evens out the skin, builds collagen — basically anything you could ask for from a natural oil you’re putting on your skin.

SANDALWOOD OIL

A go-to acne remedy for generations, sandalwood oil’s benefits extend to anti-aging by smoothing wrinkles and tightening skin that’s begun to sag, It’s soothing and restorative for those with eczema and psoriasis and helps to even skin tone after hyperpigmentation. It can also be found in powdered form and is found in many soaps and floral waters.

A CRUISE, Facial Cupping

NOT A BRUISE

Anyone familiar with cupping therapy, but not with facial cupping, could be forgiven for not thinking this sounds like a good idea.

But fewer people are making that mistake as facial cupping becomes more widely available, both in spas and with at-home DIY kits. It is the same basic idea as cupping as it’s done on the back or other areas of the body, using heated glass or silicone cups to draw blood flow to a specific part of the body. Perhaps best known for producing very round, visible bruises on the body, cupping is believed to detox the body and alleviate neck and back pain, skin conditions, asthma, hypertension and other conditions.

These bruises occur because the cups are left to rest in one place for several minutes to create extra suction, while with facial cupping smaller cups are kept in constant motion, which feels like a facial massage. They’re designed to gently lift the skin from deeper layers of collagen, increasing blood flow and refreshing the skin without bruising.

That’s not to say facial bruising can’t happen, and there’s a greater risk of it when you’re doing it for yourself or having an untrained friend do it for you.

So, do read all instructions.

Since both types of cupping are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, most facial cupping practitioners are acupuncturists and may recommend pairing it with acupuncture or other treatments, though many will perform cupping by itself.

Many clients report positive results in as little as one session, due to improved circulation of blood and oxygen, increased collagen production and muscle relaxation, including:

• Brighter, plumper skin

• Reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars

• More definition and toning around the chin, cheekbones, jawline, neck and chest

• Decreased puffiness

• Improved absorption of products and nutrients

Facial cupping is not recommended for broken or inflamed skin, including breakouts, rashes and sores. In most cases, the treatment is safe and can have visible, if temporary, results. Some experts recommend waiting at least 72 hours between treatments, while others say it’s better to wait seven days.

Years off SkinSmooth WITH

TEXTURING TECHNIQUES

Skin resurfacing and rejuvenation techniques can treat numerous symptoms of skin aging, some of which aren’t easily managed by other means.

Dynamic and static wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, dull and sagging skin all can be dramatically improved with skin resurfacing and rejuvenating procedures, usually performed in a dermatologist’s office. They all involve what are essentially intense exfoliation processes; removing the uppermost layers of skin so you can start over with a new, undamaged complexion. Imperfections will be erased or muted over the course of one or a series of sessions and your skin will be more absorbent for every product you use for its protection. Here’s a look at the most wellknown and effective treatments:

LASER RESURFACING

Laser instruments administer short, powerful bursts of light on problematic areas of your face with issues like sunspots, redness, fine lines and wrinkles, eliminating the top layer and inducing extra collagen production for younger-looking skin. There are several types of this treatment, which can accomplish different goals, and recovery time is affected by the amount of skin that’s been treated.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)

Beams of light are delivered in wavelengths from across the spectrum to destroy damaged cells and improve a multitude of pigmentation issues including sunspots and other hyperpigmentations, age spots, spider veins and pore appearance. This method is easily customized through the use of different wavelengths for different symptoms on the same patient.

MICRONEEDLING

Here the skin is resurfaced through the use of a roller lined with tiny needles to induce microscopic, controlled injuries to your skin to kickstart the regeneration process. The needles can be used to target large pores, rough skin, acne scars and fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth. Home microneedling devices are available but are usually much more blunt and don’t penetrate the skin for a more comfortable but less effective treatment.

MICRODERMABRASION

These treatments use either a pen-like device or a stream of crystals to create abrasions on the skin for an exfoliating effect, with the dead skin removed to reveal newer skin underneath. Microdermabrasion is used to treat light scarring or pigmentation, acne and blackheads and can improve wrinkles, stretch marks and large pores. Again there are home versions available, which may not produce the same results as when performed in the office.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a four season hub of activity where an eclectic mix of small town charm and endless outdoor adventure beckons.

It is the highest point on the entirety of Route 66. It's also the place where Pluto was discoverd, and astronauts trained before first visiting the moon.

Drop your bags off at Little America, a prime location close to great restaurants, hiking, skiing and only 90 minutes away from the Grand Canyon.

Targeting your luxury consumers in NORTHERN ARIZONA

HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE Tell aStory

With two impending holidays revolving, in part, around traditional feasts, it’s time to start thinking about how you can glow up your table décor and place settings to match the festive nature of the occasion.

Whether you’re hosting those in your household or adding extended family, friends and “orphans” to the guest list, you can strive to elevate everyone out of their daily lives to a place where enchantment reigns.

With a little imagination and judicious use of glitz you can levitate your dining room table into the hub of a truly memorable gathering.

THANKSGIVING

• Use pops of muted fall colors in vases with seasonal chrysanthemums, dried flowers or leaves (try mixing in some bud vases), creating puddles of small, multicolored pumpkins or gourds and add some pine branches and maybe even some minicactuses for that local touch.

WITH YOUR

• Create interest at every place setting. You can save the gifts for Christmastime, but try finding individualized Thanksgiving-themed napkin rings, elegant place cards, gold or copper-rimmed glassware or an elegant flameless candle.

• It’s easier to play with a moody, luxurious atmosphere at Thanksgiving than Christmas, so you can take advantage using velvety black, dark blue or dark green tablecloths to let your finest china and flatware shine on their own while leaving an air of mystery in the room.

• For larger parties for either holiday, combine different sets of silverware and/or plates if you don’t have enough of one to serve everyone. A surprisingly eclectic look can be unified through seasonal colors and décor.

CHRISTMAS

• Go all in on your winter wonderland show with a blanket of faux snow for your tablecloth or runner — though it may be better-received if it’s not actually snowing that day. Nestle pine branches with cones across the center and accessorize with some of your favorite holiday sledding, skating and skiing figurines, plus snow globes for the kids to play with.

• If you prefer a less on-the-snowman’snose theme you can always go with vibrant red, jaunty plaid or natureinspired green. If your table is made of natural wood and you’re going for a rustic look you can go with just a runner and use appropriately simple and nature-inspired décor.

• Fresh flowers are always a cheerful and hope-giving element to have on the Christmas table, but how to do it without blocking guests’ views of each other across the table? Use a tall vase as the centerpiece and let the florals float above the fray.

• This is the time to incorporate gifts into table settings — they can be small, wrapped trinkets, ornaments, candies, place card holders, candles, nostalgic toys, whatever seems appropriate for your audience. There are many additional ways to add charm and interest to each table setting, like playful napkin origami or laying plates inside a wreath (another gift idea!).

• Fill vases and bowls with glass ornaments accented with gold to add airy elegance to your setting, then let your guests each choose one to take home, especially if you haven’t set another gift by their plate.

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & RESTORATION SERVICES

Protect, restore, resurface your floors and much more!

Concrete & Resurface Coating:

Can Bring the Cozy Colors & Fabrics TO ANY ROOM

As Northern Arizona’s weather cools off and the holidays appear on the horizon, we crave the warmth and intimacy of cozy rooms. They welcome us, sustain us and bring families and friends together to celebrate and reconnect. Some spaces may not be designed or expected to have that kind of sweetness; they may seem too large and open, too modern or outdated, too formal or industrial. But they’re yours, and you don’t want to be anywhere else. Here are some approaches you can take to infuse any room with a homey atmosphere.

USE DEEP (BUT NOT DARK) COLORS

Rich browns, warm grays, vibrant reds and chill blues on walls, rugs and furniture have the opposite effect of whites and neutrals — they shrink a room. Think about using vivid but soft shades of purple, green or gold for accent walls, furniture or accessories.

LAYER

ON THE LUXURY

Use lots of pillows and throws with fabrics that embrace. Cashmere, rich quilts, fleece, faux furs, linens and very soft wools put cocooning and relaxing on everybody’s mind. And don’t forget rugs for tile or concrete floors!

USE A SOFT TOUCH FOR LIVING ROOMS

Keep chairs and sofas overstuffed or at least comfortable, upholstered with chenille or cotton weaves. It’s hard to go wrong with velvet, and natural leather is perfect for recliners. Find an oversized ottoman that can double as your coffee table — isn’t that really what we use it for anyway?

SLEEP IN SERENITY

For bedrooms, pick up some oversized, upholstered headboards or see if a canopy bed will

provide the sheltered, restful ambiance that will help you get your seven to eight hours in every night. Use layers of comforters and sheets so they can be added or removed as needed.

MAKE YOUR KITCHEN MAGNETIC

Make sure the island or table has comfortable seating. Make your coffee/tea brewing station distinct and accessible, use wooden and wicker accessories to enhance a natural look, and calibrate the lighting to set the ambiance while still being functional.

Follow your Senses IN HOME DECORATING

by Linda Hughes, Owner, SugarPine & Lantana Design Studio

My favorite time of year, fall and winter, brings with it the fragrances of baked goods, the beautiful warm colors of falling leaves and snowy scenes, and the gathering of friends and family.

Just as you have incorporated outdoor areas as extended living spaces during the warm weather, you should bring the outdoors into your warm living areas during colder months.

Follow your senses and consider:

TOUCH

Bowls of found objects such as pinecones, branches placed in oversized baskets, antler sheds, unique natural found objects used as centerpieces.

SMELL

Fall and winter florals from your favorite florist, gourds, twigs, winter bulbs, potted pine twinkling trees.

SOUND

The sound of melodies from the past, a fire in the fireplace, the sound of laughter among kindred spirits.

TASTE

Gourmet treats from a local mercantile, Yavapai County farm-fresh goods baking in your oven, locally crafted spirits and mixers of Arizona origin.

SIGHT

Oversized wall art, textured pillows, permanent botanicals in unique vessels, scented candles, serving dishes accented by pewter foliage, floor rugs that bring in the colors of nature.

Your entry is the most important way to create a lasting memory for your guests when entertaining for

the holidays — try large lanterns with lifelike flickering candles, an outdoor entry rug, beautiful exterior lighting, seasonal florals. Or try one-of-a-kind décor; an antique goat cart filled with gourds, dried florals and a hay bale was a client favorite and easily transformed into a gift cart under the Christmas tree. There’s magic to rotating art throughout the year. Even if it only means changing it up twice fall/winter and spring/summer, the variety it brings to your décor allows for a refreshed look.

Permanent botanicals come in amazing likenesses of the real thing and are a simple way to bring in the colors and changing landscape of the outdoors.

Carefully selected higher-quality goods can be more costly but will always remain classic. When shopping remember that what speaks to you, has meaning to you and brings you joy is your new classic piece. Never feel reluctant to ask a designer for help.

Luxury living to me is defined by my hometown of Prescott, the friendly residents, the hardworking small business owners who contribute to our well-being, and the overall sense that we as a community are right where we belong.

Try Summery Colors Winter at Home TO LIGHT UP

It may be winter, but there’s no law that says we have to decorate our homes with traditionally wintry palettes of icy blues and whites, muted neutrals or holiday reds and greens that’ll be outdated by New Year’s Eve. Instead, you can be ahead of the curve and douse your décor with summery shades. Here are just a few to consider:

YELLOW

The color of summer and one of Pantone’s colors of the year, this relentlessly optimistic tone catches the mind along with the eye and inspires you to think outside of any boxes you find yourself in. Yellows get noticed wherever you put them. An unexpected lemony or golden hue on a rug elevates the entire room, while limiting it to artwork and accessories gives the eye a place to rest as it scans a neutral-hued room. When used judiciously, an accent wall or portion of one in a folksy dandelion shade can be a rousing success.

GREEN

Already growing in popularity along with the ever-increasing emphasis on sustainable living, greens from dark to light signify life and nature, bringing them ever deeper into your living space. Luxurious emerald hues bring depth to any room and can be introduced via a couple of lamp bases or slathered across a velvety chaise lounge. Mints and sages bring a lighter touch and amplify a room’s space and light. Consider being daring with lime green.

BLUE

It’s the color of the sky, the lake and has an echo of beachy and nautical themes blowing in from the coast. It brings tranquility.

A cerulean blue sofa can be the perfect airy contrast to a neutral-themed living room to keep things light and spacious. Turquoise accents convey a warmth and connection to our Southwest heritage, while sky blue ceilings can be a dramatic and effective touch in rooms opening out to the back or front yard.

ENJOY THE CURRENT ISSUE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME WITH AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

your HomeWarm

MWITH A LUXURIOUS FIREPLACE

aybe you’ve been in your home for a few years and have been longing for a toasty hearth at its heart. Or you already have one and love it so much you want another in the bedroom or another room. Fireplaces rarely are a necessity these days, which may be why they add a layer of opulence and a statement that you’re going the extra mile to make your abode memorable for all who live in or enter it. In almost all cases it is possible to add a fireplace to an existing home; most of the options fall into one of three categories:

DIRECT-VENT GAS FIREPLACE

These can be installed on any exterior wall, venting directly out the back. They are probably today’s most popular choice because of their ease of use and effective heating, though they lack the sights and sounds of the homiest wood-burning hearths.

WOOD-BURNING

MASONRY FIREPLACE

This is what most people tend to visualize with a brick or stone façade and firebox and chimney, as well as a mantel. Any home with 11 to 14 inches clearance for a chimney to the roof can have one. It requires considerably more upkeep but provides the full sensory and package many families are seeking. Many don’t heat as efficiently as gas models since much of the energy escapes through the chimney.

ZERO-CLEARANCE (PREFABRICATED) FIREPLACE

These are usually the most inexpensive option, and lower-quality models can look tacky or incongruous with the rest of the room. Because their enclosures stay cool, they can go virtually anywhere in the house and come in wood, gas or pelletburning models or electric versions. Most of these can be framed with either traditional or modern designs, depending on your existing aesthetic or the one you’re aspiring to.

MARBLE

Slabs of this particularly rich and versatile stone are used for a sleek yet traditional look and are the most popular material for fireplaces today, especially in the upscale market.

STONE

Fieldstone hearths are constructed from different sizes and shapes of stone, as might be gathered from one or more fields, while ledgestone versions stack narrower strips of stone for what’s considered a more contemporary look.

BRICK

This is probably the most traditional style and can really pull together a home that’s already steeped in influences of centuries past (beginning with the 20th). Often works best paired with a wooden, rather than masonry, mantel.

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Dr. Karissa Walton is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) who specializes in treating chronic pain and neurological conditions. Dr. Rebecca Chatfield is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) specializing in women’s health and mental health .

Modern Light Fixtures

BRING FUTURE FORWARD

Bringing the right amount of light to a room can be tricky, but today’s LED bulbs, high-tech controls and intriguing styles make it much easier to accomplish — and a lot more fun!

Many of today’s looks draw from the space age of the 1960s, but the sleek styling combined with high-tech touches bring them solidly into 2021’s realm. Others are rooted firmly in the present, as rods and box lamps with LEDs suspended from the ceiling or wired into the wall.

What brings modern light fixtures together is their efficient use of today’s lighting technology with intriguing shapes or patterns to illuminate your home for productivity and ambience.

SPUTNIK OR GLASS BURST STYLES

Inspired by the space race and fascination with the stars, these updated chandeliers feature spheres of light at the end of black or gold rods to recreate the spark of innovation and burst of new technology to make satellites and space travel a reality. They set an exciting tone for the room that can be translated through many types of interior design.

LED LIGHT RODS

These can be found as a single stylish rod suspended over a kitchen for task lighting or mounted on the ceiling in bunches to bring a futuristic vibe to a living room or game room. Their versatility makes them easy to customize to your taste and tasks.

PENDANT SHADES AND LANTERNS

The ideal marriage of form and function, these put task lighting on task to also fill the room with a warm glow that invites family and guests to gather and gab. These look great hung alone or in sets of two or three.

WALL SCONCES

These don’t have to be frilled and scalloped to be installed in a home to provide additional task or accent lighting. Think clean lines and colors other than gold, and you’ve got a thoroughly modern light source.

RECESSED LIGHTING

These are not showy fixtures for the most part but sunken into the ceiling so as not to take up airspace and make the room feel smaller. This increasingly popular style has several variations, including ones that push the bulb up into the ceiling (baffle trim), flush with or slightly below the ceiling (open trim) and in housings which can be angled to change the light’s direction (eyeball trim).

FLUSH MOUNTS

When you crave the drama of a chandelier overhead but just don’t have the ceiling height for it, you can always go with a flush mount lamp with modern angles. If you’re tired of the flush-mount dome lights in your home you can always swap them out for an artsy statement piece.

FLOOR, TABLE AND DESK LAMPS

Don’t forget about these workhorses of the lighting world. Plugging and playing gives you more freedom to play with styles and shapes.

Sedona, Arizona

From hiking and fine dining to art galleries to wineries, resorts and spas, Sedona has so much to do for even the most discerning visitors. You’ve heard about the natural beauty and energy vortexes of Sedona. Now is the time to experience everything firsthand.

Seeing the iconic red rocks of Sedona will simply take your breath away. Take the road less traveled and explore Sedona's Secret 7 — sites and attractions with beauty equal to their frequently visited counterparts.

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IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET GOING TO CRASH?

“The likelihood of us having a foreclosure crisis again is about zero percent.”

-Ivy Zelman, Founder of Zelman & Associates z

“There are marked differences in today’s run up in prices compared to 2005, which was a bubble fueled by risky loans and lenient underwriting. Today, loans with high risk features are absent and mortgage underwriting is prudent.”

-Dr. Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist CoreLogic

“These outsized increases have raised concerns that a home price bubble is emerging. However, conditions today are quite different than the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record low interest rates.”

-State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE HIGH END MARKET?

With the mass exodus out of certain states, buyers are coming into our market with lots of cash! COVID has changed the viewpoint on where buyers want to live. They no longer need to be in the big metropolitan city, and are searching for smaller, more community centered towns across the country. This is why markets like Idaho, Arizona, Tennessee, Texas, and the Carolinas are the hottest markets in the United States.

Here in Prescott, the MILLION DOLLAR plus price point is UP 260% from this time last year. In 2021 alone, there has been almost more sales above $3 Million Dollars than the previous 5 years combined. There is extremely high demand in every price range, but the supply levels are low across the country. Experts are saying that this real estate run can continue for another 5-10 years based on supply and demand. If you would like a more in depth look into the high end market, feel free to contact us today.

SERVING NORTHERN ARIZONA

Coming to you in 2022!