VOL. 6, NO. 5
LIFES T YLE • WELLNESS • DESIGN
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VOL. 6, NO. 5
CONTENTS Power & Influence
Leaders Teach Others to Shine
Manage the Risk in your Life
Experts More than Ever
20
to Verde Valley Wine Country
LIFEST YLE To Be your Best, Cherish your Time Chef Rochelle Daniel Opens a French Bistro, Bakery and Speakeasy Visit the Cream of Europe's Museum Crop Tips on Travel Photography with your Smartphone Enrich your Life Through Practicing Seasonal Rituals An Indulgence to Consider: your Pillow Produce your Own Bottle of Happiness Through Winemaking
6
We Need Human
16
30 34
D.A.Ranch Celebrates Tours
Help yourself Live Longer, Healthier Buy into Strength Training to Boost your Health Span Word to the Wise: Treat for your Skin Age
38
to Lead to your Well-being
Count on Happiness
Say Goodbye to
40
One-Size-Fits-All Medicine
42
Why the Outdoors is, Well, Great
Northern A Z Luxur y L iving VOL. 6, NO. 5
24
WELLNESS
36
44
22
There are Sound Reasons
Smartest Luxury Splurges Stand Test of Time Be the Tourist who Knows the Barista
Make your Home your Legacy
52
Bridges Styles, Environments
56 58 60
28
DESIGN
48
54
26
Peaceful in Pine: Home
Zone your Cooling to Save Energy Craftsmanship's Value Soars in the Digital Age Old-Fashioned Rooms Make Much-Needed Comeback Luxuriate at Home in your Bathroom/Spa Help your Guests Gather
64 68 70 72
74 76 78
Healthy Skin for a Happy Life Medical + Cosmetic + Surgical Dermatology
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Soon!
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Shelly Crossman, FNP-BC, DCNP
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www.dermatologybyshelly.com 1598 Susan A. Williams Way, Ste. E Chino Valley, Arizona 86323
Fine Furniture and Mattresses Made in the USA, Home Decor and Outdoor Furniture.
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928-277-8267
www.amishfurniturepv.com
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT HEARTLAND RANCH www.heartlandranchaz.org
Hold court.
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TIME True Luxury
M
IS THE
any of the ultra-wealthy learned somewhere
along the way the importance of carving out time from the rush of the business world. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are great readers — even book buddies. Richard Branson makes time for his workout routine. Arianna Huffington praises the power of a good night’s sleep. At home, the host or hostess shows a quiet respect for his or her guests’ time by welcoming them, directing them to food stations by creating zones and managing flow. All to heighten the guests' experience. See how. This leads into studies that show being more social, among other things, leads to happiness and happiness leads to well-being. There’s a science to it, and we give you a peek into it.
nazluxuryliving.com PUBLISHER
Barbara Krause
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Laurie Fisher
SALES & MARKETING Laurie Fisher, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
PRODUCTION & DESIGN Michele Rodriguez, Creative Director Shannon Price, Digital Media Specialist
EDITORIAL Julie Turetzky, Editorial Director Christia Gibbons, Senior Editor Blake Herzog, Staff Writer Vickie Austin, Staff Writer
ACCOUNTING Nadine Seitz
OPERATIONS
Terry Scheib, Delivery Manager Colin McDonald, Delivery Manager Flagstaff Gabrielle Luciano, Administrative Assistant & Distribution Associate
COMMENTS & IDEAS
editor@nazluxuryliving.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
nazluxuryliving.com/subscribe
Our September/October issue is filled with splurges that certainly can contribute to happiness. The Icelandic eiderdown pillow, king-sized and covered in silk, goes for $14,388. Perhaps get a DNA test
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
sales@nazluxuryliving.com | 928.350.8006 122 N. Cortez St., Ste. 109 | Prescott, AZ 86301
CORPORATE OFFICE
400 Broad St. | Lake Geneva, WI 53147
as a precision medicine assessment. Or visit the Sámi Museum Siida north of the Arctic Circle. However you’re spending time, our tips on taking the best photos with your smartphone will bring back good memories. Use your time well. Read on,
Laurie
Associate Publisher
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Northern A Z Luxur y L iving VOL. 6, NO. 5
Subscribe Now! Northern AZ Luxury Living is a publication of Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. Gary E. Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher/CEO. Editorial content is provided by affiliates, community members and local organizations. ©2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be republished, reproduced or reprinted without the prior express written consent of the publisher. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions of any advertisement beyond the actual cost of the advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or damages from the use of information contained herein. Submitted articles do not reflect the opinions of the publisher or management. Information contained within submitted articles has not been verified and readers are responsible for forming their own opinions.
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Locally Owned & Operated
Advertiser Index Allan's Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Amish Home Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Black Arrow Jewelry & Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Coldwell Banker Northland - Peter Fife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Crystal Creek Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dermatology & Skin Care by Shelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DeYoung European Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Festival of Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Findlay Toyota Prescott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
Curated Collections
Haley Construction Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 High Desert Tint & Security Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Joe's Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 MasterTech Financial Advisors, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MCK Woodworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Mended and Whole Counseling LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 NewLight Blinds & Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Patriot Pest & Termite Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 84 Prescott Flooring Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 S&M Electric, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
northernazluxuryliving northernazluxurylivingmagazine
Southwest Building Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Hormone Zone Prescott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Yavapai Block Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
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Northern A Z Luxur y L iving VOL. 6, NO. 5
Email laurie@ntmediagroup.com Visit www.nazluxuryliving.com
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Creating Beauty & Delivering Happiness Allan’s Flowers has been providing beautiful flowers of exceptional quality in creative arrangements since 1914. We pride ourselves on carrying on that tradition here in Prescott and beyond.
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Leaders SHINE F E AT U R E
TEACH OTHERS TO
by Vickie Austin
A
t some point in the arc of a leader’s life, he or she starts to think about the legacy they want to leave behind. In the corporate world, this might look like someone who was able to set a clear vision that inspired and empowered employees to do their best work. In government or nonprofit work, leaders who leave a legacy may do so with encouraging words or phrases that last. Forbes lists these principles of leaders who are intent on building a legacy beyond their time at the helm: VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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F E AT U R E
• Believe in human capital. Staying people-focused is key to a leader’s credibility. • Keep your people engaged. They want to be able to contribute their own ideas and resources, but they can’t do that if they’re checked out. • Set the bar high. Be an example of excellence that you want to model for others. • Be crystal clear about the outcomes expected. • Inspire through uncertainty. Use mistakes or unexpected events to demonstrate strength and agility. • Give feedback. We all want to get better. Make your feedback quick, useful and as close to the observation as possible.
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FROM THE LEADERSHIP PERCH If we were to ask people who they admire as a leader, the answers could range from political figures to coaches and teachers. The principles are the same: give people room to grow and develop and help them discover the best in themselves. From the leader’s perspective, they want to invest in people who will become successors over time to the company, industry or profession they share. That’s where mentoring comes in. Bringing up a new generation of leaders takes the investment of current leaders who can spend time offering insights to those on their way up the ladder. A formal mentoring program, designed to help someone grow professionally and personally, requires a commitment from both to meet, talk and learn from each other. Mentoring isn’t just giving advice: it’s offering a safe place to ask questions, make mistakes and learn.
WHO’S YOUR MOST ADMIRED LEADER? From the days of the late Jack Welch, the scion of General Electric, to current business leaders like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, leaders come in all shapes and sizes. One leader who carried her business leadership beyond her time as CEO of PepsiCo was Indra Nooyi. An Indian-born American business executive, Nooyi was chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. She continued her role as a leader in various pursuits related to environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Others point to Steve Jobs as a leader who left a legacy. He’s famous for his phrase, “Let’s go put a dent in the universe.” His company was and still is known for its impeccable design, and he left a legacy to fulfill.
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F E AT U R E
MANAGE in your Life THE RISK
B
ig corporations have a name for it: “risk management.” There’s value in thinking ahead and although it may seem dark to think of the worst-case scenario, planning for the future is just a smart thing to do. IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH… They say if you have your health, you have everything. The older we get, the truer that feels, especially if there are any health issues plaguing us along the way. Prevention includes finding and seeing a doctor, dentist and any other medical specialist you need to stay healthy. If something seems amiss, check it out. Early detection saves lives. When it comes to our homes, we need to have the same risk management approach. Proper insurance coverage is a must. Protect your assets by filming your belongings and storing that information in a file on the cloud. In the event of disaster, you’ll have a clear inventory of your treasures, and you’ll be able to file your claim accordingly. Make sure you have both fire and flood protection if it’s available. Home maintenance is another “hidden value” of prevention. Keeping your home safe and up to code is a sound investment. Even if it’s your forever home, updating the interior, landscaping and roof maintenance are investments worth making. If there’s a faucet that needs to be replaced, or a wall that needs to be repaired, the sooner the better.
ASSETS MINUS LIABILITIES Your balance sheet may include vehicles, so it’s a good idea to keep those vehicles in top shape. Make those oil changes right on time. Keep your tires inflated at their recommended pressure. Keep your car clean and shiny and invest in detailing if you have kiddos who spill on a regular basis in the back seat. This isn’t just because it will increase your resale value. You deserve to enjoy a clean, beautiful car. Then take a look at your finances. Do you have everything in place that you need? Start with an emergency fund. You can build it up slowly but be consistent, contributing what you can to prepare for that proverbial rainy day. Make it an automatic withdrawal and do your best to keep your hands off that money so that if and when an unexpected expense hits, you aren’t blind-sided. Pay off debt so you aren’t a slave to your creditors. Again, slow but sure wins the race. If you’re still working, take advantage of that matching contribution to your 401(k) or 403(b). Set up your own retirement accounts in addition to anything provided by an employer. If you’re selfemployed, there are options for making contributions, too. Consult a financial planner, and if you are interested in a fee-only planner, contact the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), www.napfa.org. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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F E AT U R E
T
e Ne e d WHUMAN
EXPERTS MORE THAN EVER
he drumbeat has begun and it looks like it may be us against the machines as artificial intelligence (AI) begins to encroach on jobs, publishing, even the arts. That’s why the human touch matters now more than ever, whether it’s in design or caring for a patient at their bedside. WHAT AI CAN’T DO There are now robotic arms that can perform surgery, so there’s a lot that AI can do. However, if you’ve been to a busy hospital lately, you’ll see it’s still a very high-touch business. Nurses, doctors, therapists, aides and the environmental services staff all bring their expertise to the patients, whether it’s a direct contribution or whether they are behind the scenes. Some people are comfortable choosing their own investments; however, many people turn to the knowledge and expertise of their financial planners to build their futures. These are relationships built on trust. Accounting software may be slick enough to help with taxes, but an accountant sitting across from you will ask questions you may never have thought to answer on a spreadsheet. Attorneys, too, are at risk of artificial intelligence taking over portions
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of their jobs, but when it comes to fighting for a client in court, that’s still an “in real life” phenomenon. EXPERTISE BY NICHE White collar professions aren’t the only ones who are under the seige of AI. There’s a raging debate in the art world, including literature and the visual arts, about whether AI-produced products can be considered “art.” Craftspeople continue to produce and their human touch is what gives their craft cachet. The gifts of our imaginations continue to be expressed in every
form — dance, painting, sculpture, textiles, woodworking. To lose that human touch would be to lose the soul of their work. Designers and builders bring their knowledge and expertise to create homes and offices of value and beauty, buildings that reflect the purpose of the owner. Gardens are designed, public parks are constructed, and in towns where public art is rampant, walls are covered with murals that include cultural touchstones. The more AI infiltrates our lives, the more we need the human signature.
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F E AT U R E
D.A.RANCH CELEBR ATES TOURS TO VERDE VALLEY
T
Wine Country submitted by D.A.Ranch
here is a particular magic that happens when someone else handles the map. The wine tastes a little better when no one is calculating the drive back. At D.A.Ranch, set along Oak Creek in the Page Springs wine corridor of the Verde Valley AVA, that ease has become part of the experience thanks to a network of local tour companies that bring guests directly into Arizona wine country. From Sedona-based guides to Phoenix, Scottsdale and Prescott transportation groups, these partners help visitors turn a tasting room stop into a fuller, more relaxed day among the vines. D.A.RANCH WORKS WITH A NUMBER OF PARTNERS, INCLUDING: • Bliss Wine Tours: Serving Sedonato-Verde Valley wine experiences. www.blissarizona.com
Photo courtesy of D.A.Ranch
• Elevated Sedona Wine Tours: Focused on Sedona and the Verde Valley. www.elevatedsedonawinetours.com • OP Treks: Serving Sedona, the Verde Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and other Northern Arizona destinations. www.optreks.org • Sedona Tours and Transportation: Serving Sedona and the Verde Valley. www.sedonatoursandtransportation.com • Sedona Vineyard Tours: Serving Sedona, the Verde Valley and Scottsdale. sedonavineyardtours.com
• Starlite Tours: Serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, Sedona, the Verde Valley, Jerome, Cottonwood and surrounding areas. www.starlite.tours • Wine Tours of Sedona: Offers private wine tours throughout the Verde Valley Wine Trail. www.winetoursofsedona.com • Winebelly Vineyard Tours: Serving Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood and the Verde Valley. winebellytours.com • Blasian Limousine & Transportation: Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, the Verde Valley, Sedona and other Arizona destinations. www.blasianllc.com For guests, the benefit is simple: more wine country, less guesswork. A tour can turn a stop at D.A.Ranch into a full Verde Valley itinerary, with guides helping visitors experience multiple wineries while keeping the day smooth, safe and unrushed. For those who want to go deeper once they arrive, D.A.Ranch also offers its own vineyard walking tour experience, giving guests a closer look at the historic property, estate vineyards and the process behind Arizona winemaking. Visit daranch.com to learn more.
VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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F E AT U R E
Smartest
LUXURY SPLURGES
A
STAND TEST OF TIME
life of luxury doesn’t just mean you’re spending a lot of money on your purchases, but that your purchases make your life easier, more comfortable and better all around. Smart splurges upgrade your life by helping you look, feel, perform or relax better. These are the kind of indulgences that could truly be splurge-worthy. MATTRESSES AND BEDS You’ll spend about one-third of your life in bed, and getting quality sleep sets you up for success in the other two-thirds, so plowing some of your money into buying an out-of-this-world one makes complete sense. Proving the value being put on sleep these days, Hästens, the luxury Swedish mattress and bed maker, now sells its Grand Vividus for a cool $1 million. QUALITY OUTERWEAR Coats and boots constructed from sturdy materials like leather, nylon, wool or waxed cotton will keep you high and dry for years, even decades, while developing an attractive patina that adds even more to their value. Premium brands like Arc’teryx for coats and Red Wing Heritage for boots will serve their wearers well.
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Northern A Z Luxur y L iving VOL. 6, NO. 5
FREQUENTLY USED KITCHEN EQUIPMENT When you cook meals at home more days than not you are entitled to pay a premium for tools built to work with precision and dependability over time. Whether it’s a stand mixer that scrapes all sides of the bowl or an outdoor brick pizza oven you can also use for bread and roasted meat, any equipment that makes your food prep easier could be worth the investment. FITNESS OR HOBBY SUPPLIES This depends on whether these would boost your dedication to the activity. If wearable tech reading your heart rate, VO2 max estimates, sleep cycles and more builds your interest, go for it! Same with a next-wave mountain bike, guitar, game console or sewing machine. EXPERIENCES > THINGS All the above categories are in fact “things,” but research shows as many as 75% of people prioritize spending their money on experiences over material purchases. Research suggests people’s anticipation, enjoyment and recall of experiences adds up to more enjoyment.
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Northern A Z Luxur y L iving VOL. 6, NO. 5
F E AT U R E
BE THE
TOURIST
Barista
WHO KNOWS THE
W
by Vickie Austin
e’ve come a long way from that old song refrain, “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium,” reflecting the chaotic journey of American tourists going frantically from country to country in a 1960s musical. For the more discerning traveler, enjoying the sights doesn’t involve multiple train trips and daily packing. The upper crust are picking a place where they want to not just visit but actually live, staying longer and looking for authentic local experiences. They’re looking for depth and quality versus a smattering of tourist stops that may entertain but often exhaust the traveler. TO MARKET, TO MARKET Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to “shop” for a spot that intrigues you. Reserve that Irish cottage for a 10-day visit, then spend time getting to know the little town you selected. This doesn’t mean you can’t venture out to see the sights. Rather, being in the same place allows for some familiarity. Whether you’re in Ireland or Italy, you get to know the barista at the local café, and the owners of that quaint pub may begin to welcome you by name. You’ll get to nest in one place, making meals if that’s your choice or wandering down to a restaurant to enjoy the local cuisine. Doing your own shopping at the market can be an experience in and of
itself. You can wander through rows of canned goods, glass jars and condiments you didn’t know existed. The fresh produce may astonish you. Stores just for cheese or exclusively for wine from nearby wineries proliferate, lined up on narrow streets. Get to know the hours and the rhythm of your town: do shops close at a certain time of the day, only to reopen later and stay open long into the evening? By not flitting on to the next country, and the next, you get a full experience of the town. REST & RELAXATION If there are nearby museums or relics to visit, by all means do so. Just know that you have a home base and that allows you time for rest and relaxation. You aren’t there to put another notch on your belt of destinations worldwide. Or maybe you are, but you get to do it in slow motion, giving you time to breathe. You can absorb the beauty of the landscape while taking your coffee on a balcony you’re calling home for the next two weeks. This may seem like an indulgence for only the affluent, but the same could be done on a budget without straying too far. Whether you choose to book a hotel in the middle of Mexico City or reserve a cabin in the woods, far away from the madding crowd, your visit may not include sightseeing. Just being is your only priority. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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LIFEST YLE
TO BE YOUR BEST,
Cherish YOUR TIME by Vickie Austin
W
hen we picture the wealthiest people in the world, our image may be of someone hunched over a desk, buried in meetings or making visits to the plant, or maybe all three. The “tyranny of the urgent” often consumes us, and as soon as we take a job working for “the Man,” our sense of boundaries starts to shift. But like the ultra-wealthy, you, too, have control over your time. You just have to claim it.
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LIFEST YLE HABITS MAKE WEALTH Our good friend Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and long seen as a wizard in the investment world, swears by the habit of reading. He is known to have said, “The best investment you can make in yourself is to read good books.” Buffett reads newspapers, reports and books and lets others read social media. Exerting control over our time with social media is one way to get a bigger return on investment of the hours we waste catching up on people and events that won’t move us closer to our goals. It’s no surprise that Buffett and Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, are book buddies. Gates is said to read 50 books a year, although he may read more now that he’s
Sedona, AZ
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turned the day-to-day operations over to others. Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and talk show host who gained fame and wealth as a keen interviewer of people, swears by journaling and meditation. For the antsy, meditation may seem like too big a stretch, but spending time in some serene state, whether it’s prayer or meditation or looking at the clouds go by, seems to pay off. MOVE IT OR LOSE IT Keeping our bodies strong and vital is a key to longevity and wealth as well. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin (airlines, records, you name it), gives credit to his workout routine. Like Branson, those who carve time out of their busy schedules for selfcare will see dividends. If you’re running a company or building
an empire, you can’t accomplish anything or become wealthy if you run out of gas. Spending time in the gym, walking in nature, playing a friendly tennis match with a buddy, all put gas back in that tank. Original blogger and author, columnist and founder of Thrive Global Arianna Huffington wrote a whole book about the value of sleep. She realized she’d been working too long and too hard when she passed out from exhaustion and sustained a head injury. Her book The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time is a wake-up call to those who think grinding it out will result in wealth. Take back your calendar and do things that fit your “best and highest use.” Leverage your skills to build your wealth and outsource the rest.
Stars S E P T E M B E R 1 8 & 1 9, 2 0 2 6 Hendri x Audit or ium - Mi le Hi gh Mi d d le Sc h o o l
Ti ckets, V ot es & S ponsorships at
D A N C I N G F O R T H E S TA R S . N E T
LRG & Pompette Combo Spread
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LIFEST YLE
CHEF
Photo courtesy of Poppette and Little Rich Girl
T
Rochelle Daniel OPENS A FRENCH BISTRO, BAKERY AND SPEAKEASY
wo-time James Beard Award semifinalist Rochelle Daniel is expanding her Flagstaff restaurant portfolio with two new restaurants on Leroux Street in historic downtown: Pompette, a French bistro and bakery, and Little Rich Girl (LRG), an underground speakeasy-style cocktail bar located beneath Atria and Pompette. The openings mark a significant expansion for Daniel, the chef and owner of Atria. With Pompette and LRG opening steps away, Leroux Street becomes home to three distinct restaurants under her ownership. POMPETTE: FRENCH BISTRO AND BAKERY Pompette brings the warmth and conviviality of a classic French bistro to the high desert. The bakery opens each morning with fresh pastries and artisan breads from Pastry Chef Alicia Motter, available through a grab-and-go counter. Full-service lunch and dinner follow, with a menu of French-inspired classics — among them steak frites, mussels, tuna tartare, coq au vin and meats prepared on a custom open-fire hearth. The space reflects the spirit of the menu: custom-tiled floors, rich wood tones and playful floral touches, striking a balance between elegance and ease. LITTLE RICH GIRL (LRG): UNDERGROUND SPEAKEASY COCKTAIL BAR Downstairs, LRG occupies a building that has stood for more than a century in a city with a documented history of underground drinking, secret tunnels and Prohibition-era
contraband. The bar was conceived as a natural extension of that history, intimate, unhurried and serious about its craft. The cocktail program is led by Beverage Director Michael Hopper, named Top Mixologist/Bartender by the 2025 Foodist Awards, the highest culinary honor in Arizona. Hopper and Daniel are the only culinary duo in the state to each hold a Foodist Award. The food menu resists easy categorization: caviar service and foie gras pâté share space with a signature Smashburger, a cinnamon roll iced tableside and a hot fudge sundae. There is also the Glizzy, a dirty hot dog with all the things, and Tots and Shots, a pairing of tater tots topped with caviar and Parmesan and a shot of chilled vodka. “This community showed up for Atria from the very beginning, and that support is a big part of why I keep building here,” Daniel says. An Arizona native, Daniel opened Atria in 2021. She holds two James Beard Foundation semifinalist nominations, for Best Chef: Southwest in 2026 and Emerging Chef in 2022; was inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame as Best Upcoming Chef in 2017; and earned the Foodist Award for Top Chef in 2023. She’s had recent appearances on CBS’s America’s Culinary Cup and as a finalist on Food Network’s Chopped Grill Masters. Pompette serves pastries, bread and grab-and-go 8 to 11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner 5 to 10 p.m. daily. Little Rich Girl opens Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. until midnight or later. Visit PompetteFlagstaff. com and LittleRichGirl.com. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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LIFEST YLE
VISIT THE CREAM OF
Europe’s Museum Crop he grand sweep of European history and culture means its museums are among the most lauded and visited in the world, like the Louvre and the Vatican Museums. Yet the museum scene is always evolving as institutions expand their collections and revamp their presentations. Nobody knows this better than the European Museum Forum, which bestows the annual European Museum of the Year Award. If possible, you should make time for at least one of the three most recent winners in your next European adventure. DEN GAMLE BY (AARHUS, DENMARK) Its name translates to “the old town,” and the 2026 winner is a vast open-air and underground museum, with 75 historic buildings that provide an immersive education about the area’s urban development with the help of period reenactors. Four re-created neighborhoods display streetscapes inspired by 1864, 1927, 1974 and the 2000s (the latter incorporates a Blockbuster store). You can see, taste, buy and experience the history there and in other displays on the grounds, including one on how a house was relocated to the site.
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THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM (MANCHESTER, ENGLAND) Located at the heart of the neogothic buildings at the core of the University of Manchester, this massive natural and human history museum has amassed more than 4 million artifacts and fossils, starting with an Asian elephant skeleton and a huge Japanese incense burner in the welcome area. Twelve galleries house permanent exhibits focused on everything from minerals to archaeology to the importance of belonging for humans. The Vivarium showcases a collection of live reptiles and amphibians,
among them many critically endangered species. SÁMI MUSEUM SIIDA (INARI, FINLAND) Built for the true adventurer, this museum is north of the Arctic Circle and is a deep dive into the lives and culture of the Sámi (previously known as Laplanders), Europe’s only recognized indigenous people. The main exhibit links Sámi culture and the harsh northern climate they live within. The open-air portion has almost 50 structures depicting how they have lived here across their almost 10,000-year history.
Photo courtesy of Sani Museum
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by Blake Herzog
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LIFEST YLE
on TipsTRAVEL
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE
M
by Vickie Austin
y first job in communications included producing publications, which also meant taking photos for the company newsletter. A novice at photography, I trotted off to the nearest community college to take my one and only photography class, just enough to get by. It was there I learned about a concept that has served me throughout the years: watch out for “merging.” Classic example: I have a photo of me at the exact moment I first saw the Eiffel Tower! Unfortunately, the photographer hadn’t heard of merging, so in the photo it appears that I have a French lamppost seemingly growing out of my head. THINK LIKE A MOVIE DIRECTOR Another tip I learned that serves me to this day is the idea of taking three different shots of the same thing: first from far away (an establishing shot), then a medium shot that focuses on your target and ultimately a close-up. There’s also the “rule of thirds,” a design concept that can be enabled by your smartphone if you’re using that to take photos — and why wouldn’t you? Depending on the generation of your phone, some cameras are as good or better than traditional cameras (although professionals still carry the fancy gear). The rule of thirds puts the object of your photo on one of the lines to the left or right of center, giving a satisfying balance to the shot.
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS Assuming you aren’t lugging around tons of equipment, use your phone technology to enhance your travel photos. Is your shot better as a portrait? Can you zoom in with your phone to get details of that owl in the tree? Or maybe you want a panorama shot of the Grand Canyon or the group with whom you’re traveling. Your phone can do all of those things and more. Technology also allows you to soften the look of a photo, change its colors, blur or sharpen an image and crop, crop, crop. That was another thing I learned in that photography class: the original image is just the beginning. Use cropping to zoom in on the focus you want to convey in your photos, whether it’s people or nature. You can even jazz your photos up with filters and colors that make images pop. AIM FOR THE GOLDEN HOUR If you’re doing outdoor travel photography, aim for those hours when the sun is rising or setting, that “golden hour” when the sunlight hits the mountains or a sunset softens the face of your model who’s gazing out at the sea. Set up a vignette that will convey all you want to convey, capturing the magic of your travels. Try to avoid taking photos at noon in direct sunlight that may cause glare or squinting.
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LIFEST YLE
E nri ch
YOUR LIFE THROUGH PRACTICING
Seasonal Rituals
M
by Blake Herzog
ost of us spend most of our lives indoors, up to 90% of our time. That percentage likely is a bit lower in Northern Arizona, where we embrace the endless natural beauty and the vibes of each of the four seasons, which draw many residents and visitors from more monotonous climates. You can deepen your connection to our invigorating environment through seasonal rituals, food, decor and more. Adding a dash of sumptuousness will dial up the luxury in your life as well as honor the seasons as they march through our lives. FALL Autumn has some of the most established seasonal activities on the calendar with pumpkin patches, community festivals and leaf peeping. You can choose to participate in these rituals or take inspiration from others to invent your own. Many begin by layering warmer wraps and throws in their living rooms and dens, preparing their homes and the people inside of them for chillier temperatures. Inject richness with perennial favorites like velvet pillows, cashmere throws, vintage fur wraps and wool, or try crafting alternatives like vases stuffed with greenery and some fall color. WINTER Christmas and Hanukkah are among the most celebrated winter festivals, both occurring around the time of the winter solstice and carrying forward elements from ancient observations of that event. Soyal is observed by the Hopi tribe during the winter solstice to welcome
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the sun back with ceremonies depicting katsinam (kachinas) bringing the sun back from the San Francisco Peaks. On or near the equinox you could give some golden gifts like jewelry or shimmery socks and shoes to celebrate the returning light, or buy a katsina doll to display. SPRING The spring equinox arrives near the end of March and like its autumn counterpart marks a day where daylight and nighttime are about equal everywhere on Earth. It’s a moment of balance that leads into a season of renewal. Many cultures observe their new year at this time. We can take a cue from the Persian festival of Nowruz by placing at least seven objects connected to your plans and hopes for the year on a table for inspiration — a souvenir or brochure for travel, a blueprint or elevation for your next home, etc. SUMMER The long days of summer begin to wane after the summer solstice, a reminder to take advantage of whatever time is left for summer travel and adventure. Consider traveling to see firsthand the festivals held around the world to mark the season. Stonehenge’s solstice shadows is a true bucket-list item, while Midsomar in Sweden is celebrated with bonfires and dancing around giant maypoles. Inti Raymu in the Peruvian Andes involves a procession for the Sun King and his wife through Cuzco before they scale a mile-high mountain. Your options for yearly festival travel demand investigation!
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LIFEST YLE
AN
Indulgence
your Pillow
TO CONSIDER:
W
e spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping. When and where we sleep has an impact on our quality of life and believe it or not, so do our pillows. HISTORY OF THE PILLOW You may have seen Egyptian headrests that were used in ancient times, supporting the neck and preserving elaborate hairstyles but made of hard stone or ceramics. These were predated by stone headrests as far back as 7,000 B.C. in Mesopotamia, used to keep bugs and pests off people sleeping on the ground. The pillow as we know it emerged as a soft, stuffed fabric in 500 B.C. from the Greeks and the Romans. By the Middle Ages, pillows were thought to be an indulgence and royalty forbade them. The Industrial Revolution with its wealth of textile production brought the pillow back in style, and it’s been with us ever since. WHEN MONEY IS NO OBJECT Are you looking for a high-end pillow to take you off to dreamland? Just for you, there is the Icelandic eiderdown pillow, king-sized and covered in silk, for a mere $14,388. Eiderdown pillows can be found for less ($10,000 to around $5,000) if you’re watching your budget. Do they earn their reputation? You be the judge.
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For those who want quality without breaking the bank, there are plenty of options. So many choices! Are you a side sleeper? A back sleeper? Do you have any problems with your neck? Maybe you’re looking for a body pillow to take the pressure off your hip or back. Or maybe you’re just looking for a good night’s sleep and the chance to wake up without a stiff neck. Latex, down, down alternative for the allergy-prone, memory foam and microfiber fill as well as buckwheat all are options for a high-end pillow. Experiment with what works for you. Soft, medium and firm are available depending on what you’re looking for. The only way you’ll know what works is to try them out (although the one that’s $14K might not be returnable). We’d be remiss if we didn’t include decorative pillows that can range from reasonably priced to designer-level indulgence. Pillows can add significantly to a remodel or room makeover.
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LIFEST YLE
PRODUCE YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF
Happiness through Winemaking
A
by Blake Herzog
couple of issues back we shared some tips about growing a vineyard in your backyard. Now it’s time for the rest of the story: making wine from those grapes. Winemaking as a hobby is truly suited for a life of luxury, but it also has practical benefits; an organic product fine-tuned to your palate that can end up saving money after the initial startup costs. It does require patience and a scientific understanding of the process, but can yield a seriously sweet result. Here’s what you need to get started. THE EQUIPMENT You can take much of the guesswork out by ordering a winemaking kit, which will include essentials like primary and secondary fermenters, airlocks, a hydrometer, racking cane, tubing, brushes, bottles and more. Some even ship with fresh grapes or grape must (the juice, skins and seeds produced by crushing grapes), either frozen or fresh and ready to use. Those seeking more control over the source and the process can assemble these items on their own easily by visiting local shops or ordering online. Start asking around in winemaking forums for ideas, which can be your entry into the active community that’s grown around this hobby. THE FRUIT Many home winemakers use fruits like apples, berries and cherries, but they lack the ideal balance of sugars, acids and tannins found in wine grapes that make them such naturals for the role. Since some readers may already have their own vineyards, we’ll stick with the elegance of grapes.
If you aren’t growing your own you might be able to procure some grapes from vineyards in the Verde Valley or elsewhere during harvest or “crush” season, which generally runs from August through October in the Northern Hemisphere. Frozen grapes or must can be purchased throughout the year from many growers, including some of the finest from Europe and the West Coast. THE YEAST You have a choice to make here. Some winemakers prefer to rely on the “wild” yeast found on grape skins and the environment surrounding the vineyard. This yields a more unique flavor drawn from terroir rather than a commercially produced compound. The drawback is a much less predictable process that may start and stop and ultimately go nowhere. It’s important to choose a yeast intended specifically for wine fermentation because more typical yeast strains will leave a bread-like taste behind. It’s debatable how much influence wine yeast has on the ultimate taste, but it does impact fermentation speed, alcohol level and other crucial factors. It’s also been credited with steering texture, mouthfeel and aroma. THE SCIENCE Winemaking requires a deep understanding of chemistry and enough control of it to prevent faults like oxidation and volatile acidity. Its mastery inspires a deep confidence within yourself and others and feeds a lavish life.
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LIFEST YLE
W ineries
VINEYARDS
WINE E XPERIENCES IN NORTHERN A Z
Alcantara Vineyards & Winery
3445 S. Grapevine Way Camp Verde, AZ 86322 928.649.8463 www.alcantaravineyard.com
Arizona Stronghold Vineyards & Tasting Room 1023 N. Main St. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.639.2789 www.azstronghold.com
Back Alley Wine Bar
156 S. Montezuma St. (in back alley) Prescott, AZ 86303 928.706.1059 www.backalleywine.com
Caduceus Cellars
Creekside 45
Caduceus Cellars The Ventura Room
DA Vines Vineyard Tasting Room & Bistro
Cellar 433
D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards
158 Main St. Jerome, AZ 86331 928.639.9463 www.caduceus.org
760 Verde Heights Dr. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.639.9463 www.caduceusvscventuraroom.com
909 N. Main St., Ste. A Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.852.4002 www.cellar433.com
Cabal Cellars
Chateau Tumbleweed Winery & Tasting Room
1151 W. AZ-89A Clarkdale, AZ 86324 928.634.0443 www.chateautumbleweed.com
Clear Creek Vineyard & Winery 4053 E. AZ-260 Camp Verde, AZ 86322 602.859.7418 www.clearcreekwineryaz.com
Cove Mesa Vineyard Tasting Room 1210 S. Western Dr. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.301.9909 www.covemesa.com
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1900 Dancing Apache Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.247.6868 www.daranch.com
7000 AZ-179, A-100 Sedona, AZ 86336 928.284.2134 www.decantertastingroom.com
1341 W. AZ-89A Clarkdale, AZ 86324 928.634.0301 www.bodegapierce.com
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705 N. Main St., Ste. A Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.634.6710 www.davinesvineyard.com
Decanter Tasting Room
Bodega Pierce Winery & Tasting Room
417 Hull Ave. 412 Main St. Jerome, AZ 86331 480.483.5051 www.cabalcellars.com
124 S. Granite St., No. D Prescott, AZ 86303 928.848.6140 www.creekside45.com
LIFEST YLE
Del Rio Springs Vineyard
974 N. Grandview Paulden, AZ 86334 928.554.5479 www.delriospringsvineyard.com
Four Eight Wineworks
816 N. Main St. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.649.2007 www.four8wineworks.com
Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery
1565 N. Page Springs Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.649.2681 www.javelinaleapwinery.com
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria
770 N. Verde Heights Dr. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.639.1001 www.merkinvineyards.org
Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery
1555 N. Page Springs Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.660.6395 www.oakcreekvineyards.net
Oeno Wine Lounge
22 E. Birch Ave., Ste. 1 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928.266.0330 www.oenoflg.com
Page Springs Cellars
1500 N. Page Springs Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.639.3004 www.pagespringscellars.com
Passion Cellars
301 Main St. Jerome, AZ 86331 480.483.5051 www.passioncellars.com
Rafter Eleven
2985 Centre Ct., Ste. B Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928.227.2050 www.raftereleven.com
Rubrix Wines
1040 N. Main St. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.649.8733 www.rubrixwines.com
Salt Mine Wine
536 W. Salt Mine Rd. Camp Verde, AZ 86322 928.910.2075 www.saltminewine.com
Vino Di Sedona
2575 W. AZ-89A Sedona, AZ 86336 928.554.4682 www.vinodisedona.com
Southwest Wine Center Yavapai College
601 Black Hills Dr. Clarkdale, AZ 86324 928.634.6566 www.southwestwinecenter.com
VINO Wine Bar
Prescott Pines Inn 901 White Spar Rd. Prescott, AZ 86303 928.710.0063 www.vinowine.bar
Tantrum Wines
918 N. Main St., Ste. C Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.634.2266 www.tantrumwines.com
Vino Zona
369 Main St. Jerome, AZ 86331
The Art of Wine
101 N. AZ-89A, Ste. B9 Sedona, AZ 86336 928.203.9463 www.artofwinesedona.com
336 AZ-179, Ste. A207 Sedona, AZ 86336 www.vinozona.love
The Betsy Wine Bar
Winery 1912
211 N. Granite St. Presscott, AZ 86301 928.515.4093 www.thebetsy.co
Sinagua Plaza 320 N. AZ-89A, Ste. 3 Sedona, AZ 86336 928.282.0715 www.winery1912.com
The Eureka Room
1012 N. Main St. Cottonwood, AZ 86326 928.852.7394 www.theeurekaroomaz.com
Winey Cats Wine & Beer Garden
2515 N. Road 1 E. Chino Valley, AZ 86323 928.636.2003 www.wineycats.com
The Original Jerome Winery
114 Jerome Ave. Jerome, AZ 86331 928.639.9593 www.theoriginaljeromewinery.com
Up The Creek Bistro Wine Bar 1975 N. Page Springs Rd. Cornville, AZ 86325 928.634.9954 www.upthecreekaz.com
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H el p yourself
WELLNESS
LIVE LONGER, HEALTHIER by Vickie Austin
A
ll the money in the world can’t buy the luxury of longevity. Living long and well is a combination of wise choices, genetics and luck. To increase the odds, we learned a few things from HelpGuide.org, an independent nonprofit that runs a leading mental health website, for tips on aging well.
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WELLNESS FIRST THINGS FIRST Let’s get some myths and misconceptions out of the way. Aging doesn’t mean an automatic decline in health or guaranteed disabilities. True, aging can bring an onset of health issues related to “wear and tear” like osteoarthritis. But living a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, good nutrition and managing stress contributes to quality of life and longevity. Memory loss isn’t inevitable. As we age, we can still pick up new skills, learn new things and continue to exercise our brains to stay engaged with the world. KEYS TO HEALTHY AGING The first aging well tip they give us is “learn to cope with change.” The survival of the fittest isn’t just for Darwin and the animals. We stay relevant by continuing to learn and adapt. Woe unto those who
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say it isn’t like the good old days when times were simpler, and no one was on their phone while walking into traffic. These are the good old days! Savor them and keep up on the latest. Next, with tip No. 2, HelpGuide advises us to “find meaning and joy.” This along with tip No. 3, “stay connected,” implies that our greatest satisfaction can come from being with others. Or maybe you find meaning and joy by being out in nature or by going to the opera or a sports event. Staying connected with those you love can combine nicely with finding meaning and joy, even if it’s in selfless endeavors like volunteering at a soup kitchen. Wherever you find meaning, that’s where you need to look. “Get active and boost vitality” is tip No. 4, a given. That means, move your body. Get up and walk. Join a gym (Silver Sneakers programs for seniors abound) and take a class
with barbells and weights. Our bones need resistance exercise to stay strong, and staying strong means staying independent. Nothing like a Zumba class to get your endorphins pumping. Tip No. 5 is “keep your mind sharp.” Games, puzzles, reading, book clubs and studying new languages help keep your mind sharp. Travel is another way to keep learning: research and launch a trip to somewhere new as a way to rearrange your neural networks, another way to stay young. TIES THAT BIND Our families and friends are the ties that bind us to the present and the future. Invest in those relationships and create history and rituals. Share stories and document events through photos and journals for generations to come.
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WELLNESS
Buy into
STRENGTH
W
Training
TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH SPAN by Blake Herzog
e’ve never stopped searching for the fountain of youth. Strength training doesn’t quite live up to the name, but when practiced consistently it can extend our independence and mobility well into our 80s and beyond while keeping chronic illness and injuries at bay. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute on Aging reports that 30% of Americans older than 70 have trouble with walking, getting out of a chair or climbing stairs. This is largely due to sarcopenia, the gradual loss of muscular strength that begins somewhere around age 30 and accelerates once we reach 65 or 70. Some of that decline will be inevitable, but resistance training in the form of weightlifting and weight-bearing movement continues to build strength as we grow older. It’s a defense against sarcopenia, as well as osteoporosis, heart disease and other conditions that rob us of our independence as we age. The more weight our muscles contract against to lift or move ATP, the more quickly we deplete our stores of this molecule that carries most energy to cells. The process of refilling them also takes place during exercise and triggers a positive chain reaction. A complex series of chemical responses affects multiple body systems and temporarily changes our muscle tissue’s DNA in a way that improves our metabolism and breaks down glucose and glycogen. This can happen during just one to three minutes of recovery time. BUILDING STRENGTH EFFECTIVELY Research supported by the NIH reports a combination of walking and resistance
training is the optimal way for older adults to maintain and build strength. Participants wore ankle weights or carried dumbbells while walking in exercise groups that provided social support and accountability, encouraging them to maintain the habit. Overweight and obese older adults are at greater risk of frailty because it takes more muscle mass to support their weight, but sarcopenia makes it extremely difficult for them to build more. Studies have concluded that combining weight training with better nutrition and aerobic exercise produces better results than regimens that didn’t include weights. Aerobic training also is necessary to maintain fitness and overall health. Keep in mind the general recommendation of getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week and at least two sessions of strength training; consult your healthcare provider about whether more strength training is a good idea for you. TIPS FOR BUILDING MUSCLE • Don’t play the comparison game with anybody, no matter their or your age. • Move mindfully — Low muscle strength and bone density contribute to falls, so tai chi, yoga and other meditative disciplines help you focus on your movement and reduce your risk. • Make it fun! — Keep active doing things you enjoy, so they won’t be a chore. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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WELLNESS
Word to the Wise: TREAT FOR YOUR
Skin Age
M
aybe you sailed through your 20s, ignoring the need for sunscreen and giving little thought to your skin. Now, in your 30s and beyond, it’s time to take care of this organ that will carry your body into your golden years. From the Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, here are some things to expect as you march through the decades. FLIRTY 30S Uh oh. What’s that — a fine line? The beginning of a neck waddle? This is when the ravages of time start to insist we take skin care seriously. Collagen production slows down and the turnover of our skin cells starts to decrease. If you worshipped the sun, it’s going to start to show. Recommendations: continue to use sunscreen, up your hydration game and exfoliate regularly. HORMONAL 40S Hormones begin to change in our 40s with thinner skin and a loss of skin firmness due to a decrease in collagen. Hyperpigmentation and age spots might occur. Daily sunscreen is nonnegotiable at this stage of the game, and to strengthen your skin barrier, look for moisturizers that are ceramide-based.
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Antioxidants are your superpower when fighting those free radicals, so pile on the blueberries and take vitamin C and E to keep your skin healthy and bright. NIFTY 50S Oil production is lessening, causing increased dryness, and the decrease of collagen and elastin may show up as droopy skin. Your skin may bruise more easily, and those fine lines may turn into official wrinkles. The answer? “Hydration, hydration, hydration,” the center advises, adding that thick, nourishing creams should contain hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Time for very gentle cleansing and continued use of antioxidants and SPF to head off any further damage. SEXY 60S AND BEYOND We may be older, but we still got it. However, our skin may not be as cooperative as our blithe spirits. Skin at this age is significantly thinner and more fragile. Age spots and discoloration may show up, and due to years of exposure to the sun, skin cancer risks increase. Moisturizing consistently and checking in with your dermatologist for annual skin exams are a must.
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WELLNESS
Count on Happiness TO LEAD TO YOUR
Well-Being
D
by Vickie Austin
r. Laurie Santos is the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology at Yale University and the host of The Happiness Lab podcast. She teaches the Science of Happiness, the most popular class in the history of Yale, and a class that’s now available to all via drlauriesantos.com/science-well-being. Her research and that of her colleagues provides a clear pathway to satisfaction and well-being. AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE While it may sound corny, gratitude is a gateway to being happy and staying happy. In an interview on Life Kit on National Public Radio, Santos shared the results of research done by Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at University of California Davis. In a study, Emmons gave one set of folks a couple of weeks to write down what they were grateful for, then had another group write down what he called burdens, things that annoy us. Those with the gratitude list demonstrated significant improvements in well-being over just a few weeks. The folks who “griped” didn’t change. On Santos’ podcast The Happiness Lab, Emmons says, “We know from studies that gratitude helps us recover from loss and trauma. It helps us deal with the slow drip of everyday stress. … Gratitude is absolutely essential. It’s part of our psychological immune system.” THE EXPERTS AGREE In Psychology Today, the experts agree. A 2023 review of the literature by Dunigan
Folk and Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia found after analyzing 48 papers encompassing 65 individual studies that the data “provide(s) strong evidence for the immediate benefits of expressing gratitude in American samples.” Their work also revealed that being more social is important to happiness. They posit that it’s difficult to be happy if you are disliked and lonely. Three preregistered experiments provided compelling support for the idea that “behaving in a more sociable manner may boost positive feelings.” FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT Actions of happiness such as smiling can elicit feelings of happiness. There’s some controversy to this theory, but Folk and Dunn reported two sets of large, crosscultural studies that provided evidence that “exhibiting a natural smile reliably induces immediate mood benefits.” Injecting novelty into one’s life is another way to boost happiness. Four studies reviewed by Folk and Dunn found that taking a novel approach to familiar experiences can increase happiness. We tend to become inured to things that once brought us pleasure, something called “hedonic adaptation,” so mixing it up with something new jolts us back into happiness mode. Happiness also can come from subtracting elements of life that strain or bother us. Stopping behaviors like yearning for future technologies can enhance our satisfaction and allow us to focus on the present, according to three studies and two by the authors. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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WELLNESS
S ay G oo dbye to
ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL
MEDICINE
R
by Blake Herzog
ecommendations for the treatment of diseases and disorders don’t come out of thin air; these clinical practice guidelines are arrived at by a committee of experts on the condition under review, which drills down into the scientific evidence supporting proposed interventions until a consensus emerges on the best approach to treating the illness. These guidelines often don’t take into account how differently people may respond to the same medication, diet or other prescribed action, depending on their genetic makeup, lifestyle or other factors. The vanguard of medical science is striving to close that gap for patients.
PRECISION (A.K.A. PERSONALIZED) MEDICINE Precision medicine is a term that evolved from personalized medicine because in most cases treatments are being customized to genetic subgroups, rather than to individuals. Treatments are tailored to how patients with certain gene variants do or don’t respond to specific treatments and what lifestyle and environmental factors may be at hand. Still in its early development, precision medicine is currently most frequently used in oncology, cancer immunotherapy, pharmacogenomics (prescribing drugs based on the patient’s genetic makeup) and treating rare diseases. These have led to revolutionary treatments being found for diseases that used to stump physicians and researchers alike. The goal is to expand this approach to all areas of healthcare to improve outcomes for everyone, and many higher-end medical practices already
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offer genetic testing for predictive and clinical purposes. They can also use wearable technology and other patient feedback to provide the kind of monitoring that can identify issues earlier, when treatment is more effective. PERSONALIZED NUTRITION This is a more specific application of precision medicine that uses DNA testing, blood markers for glucose and cholesterol and gut microbiome analysis to get a complete picture of how your body digests different kinds of food. More research is needed to determine how effective it really is, but some of the early data is encouraging. The usual dietary advice of eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while reducing sugar, salt and processed foods holds true across populations but factors including genetics, sleeping patterns, timing of meals and physical activity can substantially affect how individuals’ blood responds to glucose and triglycerides, for example. Registered dieticians or nutritionists work with results from lab tests and information from patients about their diet and lifestyle to craft an individualized dietary plan aiming to prevent or even treat disease. Research and trials are examining whether this method can help treat people with Type 2 diabetes. The testing and analysis that makes this level of medical treatment possible can be pricey and may not be covered by insurance, so for now it’s most available through practices catering to higher-income clients able to foot the bill and invest the time needed to work with healthcare providers as a team.
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WELLNESS
THERE ARE SOUND REASONS
WhyWell, the Outdoors is, Great
S
imply being outside in natural open space has been widely documented to benefit humans in numerous ways, even before taking physical activity into account. This is largely due to the impact it has on our brain. Morning light regulates your body clock. Bright natural light in the first hour or two after waking suppresses melatonin and resets your circadian rhythm, which is the single biggest lever for falling asleep easily that same night. Darkness matters as much as light. Truly dark skies let melatonin rise unimpeded at night, which is part of why stargazing somewhere like Flagstaff — the world’s first International Dark Sky City, later joined by Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Camp Verde, Cottonwood and others — can genuinely help recalibrate sleep. Movement outdoors boosts mood chemistry. Aerobic activity like hiking, walking and cycling raises BDNF (a protein that supports mood and memory), along with modest increases in endorphins and endocannabinoids. Doing that same movement outside compounds the effect versus a gym, likely from the combination of light, fresh air and varied terrain. Nature quiets the anxious brain. There’s a well-studied idea called “soft fascination.” Landscapes like canyons, forests and open sky hold your attention effortlessly, unlike screens or work tasks that demand focus. That effortless attention gives the brain’s default-mode network (the part tied to rumination and anxious looping) a chance to quiet down. Awe has its own effect. Vast landscapes like canyons, mountains and wide-open sky tend to trigger what researchers call “awe,” which is associated with reduced
self-focus and increased feelings of connection and well-being. This is a big part of why places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks and Prescott’s Granite Dells feel disproportionately restorative compared to smaller, tamer nature. WE DON’T HAVE TO ‘ROUGH IT’ Northern Arizona has plenty of aweinspiring open space to go around; that’s why many if not most of us choose to live here or visit. Outdoor adventuring seems almost by definition to require us to leave behind the luxuries of civilization in order to connect with nature, but these are just a couple of the great options for those who won’t forgo those entirely. • Backland Luxury Nature Resort — Tucked into the forest a half-hour southeast of Williams, this 160acre property has 10 suites ideal for romantic couple getaways as well as raucous family vacations. Includes floor-to-ceiling windows, bathrooms with showers, heating and air conditioning, king beds, luxury linens and daily housekeeping. www.travelbackland.com • Guided private hikes in Sedona — Several firms offer these at all hours of the day, but sunrise and sunset tours are especially popular. Following an educated guide is an excellent way to go so you’re not checking a map (less directed attention, more soft fascination). See www.sedona.net/hikes for a list of some of the many tour companies to choose from. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR
LEGACY by Vickie Austin
DESIGN
O
ne homebuilding company recommends you start designing a legacy home with this question in mind: What story will this home tell decades from now? LOOK INTO THE FUTURE We have a hard enough time projecting our futures when it comes to career choices or our investment portfolios. But with a homebuilding project, you can peer into the future and see what will last, leaving a legacy for your family if that is your intention. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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DESIGN
First, designers recommend you start by looking at the function of your home and how it might adapt across different stages of life. If you’re building a young family, you’ll want to make room for all the changes that happen from birth to empty nesting. Maybe you want to accommodate senior parents or grandparents who will need access but also privacy, or perhaps you and your soulmate want to age in place. Whatever the time of your life, think ahead to what you’ll need. Ignore the trends, they tend to vanish and then you’re left with blue and gold shag carpeting. For aesthetic choices that will stand the test of time, cleave to the classics. Choose quality wood and natural stone that will increase in beauty and value over the years. One builder recommends metal roofing, fiber cement cladding
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and weather-resistant windows. Begin with neutral palettes that can hold up as you roll out the styles you enjoy, changing when you’re so inclined. DETAILS COUNT Every detail counts when it comes to designing a home that lasts. Whether your taste runs to minimalism or you’re a collector, the small things can make a difference. Pick items made with quality, durable materials. That porcelain tub, the heavy beams above the doors, the wrought iron fence you scored at a recent auction all reflect your heart and your spirit. Avoid plastic or materials that won’t last under the punishing Arizona sun. When it comes to furniture, give yourself a wide berth. Reward yourself with that Biedermeier
chair you’ve lusted after for so long — items that will only gain value in the years ahead. Thanks to the rollover of a generation, large antiques that were built to last are available at shockingly low prices. Collections of tiles, whether they’re from England or Mexico, can be embedded into your fireplace hearth. Better yet, let family members choose a tile they love so when they visit, they can always remember they’re a part of your home. Some heirlooms are inherited and others created in the present with an eye to the future. Whatever design you land on, think of your home as a generational inheritance that will reflect your tastes and the history of your family and home. Align your home with the environment, from front door to gardens.
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DESIGN
Peaceful in Pine:
Home Bridges STYLES, ENVIRONMENTS
Photo courtesy of Kim Dee Designs
N
submitted by Kim Dee Designs
estled among the pines in Pine, the newbuild home, for which we titled the project Peaceful in Pine, was designed as more than a mountain cabin. It was envisioned as a retreat where our clients could slow down, reconnect, and escape the pace and heat of everyday life in Phoenix. From our earliest conversations, one design challenge became our greatest source of inspiration. The home's architecture is distinctly modern, defined by its steel structure, clean lines, expansive glass and a striking linear presence. At the same time, our clients were drawn to very different aesthetics. One gravitated toward modern minimalism, while the other loved the warmth and character of transitional cottage interiors. We viewed this as an opportunity to create something uniquely their own. Our goal became finding harmony between those two perspectives. Every sourcing decision was made with that balance in mind. We selected natural materials to soften the home's architectural edges, incorporating wide-plank wood flooring, warm wood ceilings, layered textures and earthy finishes that bring a sense of comfort to the contemporary structure. A palette of warm neutrals, muted greens and natural tans was intentionally chosen to echo the surrounding landscape. We sourced materials and furnishings that felt timeless rather than trend-driven, layering natural textures with carefully selected vintage pieces to give the home warmth, authenticity and a sense of the clients’ personality.
Throughout the home, we paired bold moments with softer, handcrafted elements. One of our favorite examples is the first-floor bathroom, where a graphic mosaic tile introduces a distinctly modern statement, while Roman clay walls provide warmth, movement, and an organic quality that tempers the bold pattern. These thoughtful juxtapositions appear throughout the home, creating interiors that feel elevated without sacrificing comfort. One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was maximizing every square foot. While the cabin includes two bedrooms, the upstairs loft became an opportunity to create a multifunctional space. The loft is designed to adapt to the family's changing needs and it serves as a home office, reading lounge, guest bedroom, and additional storage area without ever feeling over-designed. The home's relationship with the surrounding landscape ultimately became the defining feature of the design. Expansive, two-story windows wrap the structure, filling the interiors with natural light and scenic views of the surrounding pines. A dramatic two-story living room anchors the home, where a floor-to-ceiling fireplace creates a sculptural focal point while balancing the warmth of the surrounding wood finishes. Large sliding Nano doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, allowing the back patio to become a natural extension of the living space and reinforcing the home's connection to nature.
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DESIGN
ZONE YOUR
L
Cooling
TO SAVE ENERGY
ike good children in Victorian novels, home cooling systems should be seen and not heard. Nor should your system compete with your home’s architecture. Staying cool, calm and collected in a luxury home involves both the eye and the ear. WHEN YOU’RE ‘IN THE ZONE’ We aren’t talking about working out at the gym — these zones are the areas in your home where you spend most of your time. Large homes are built with zoned systems that heat or cool only certain areas of the house when they are in use. This saves energy and makes more sense for the homeowner, even if their pockets are deep. According to Segal & Morel, a third generation building company based in New Jersey, modern technology has moved traditional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) forward, resulting in more efficiency as well as being environmentally friendly. The builders estimate that more than 50% of total energy use in a home is from the HVAC system, whichever season we’re in. Most new homes feature forced air, and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) can exchange indoor air
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for fresh air from the outside while retaining the energy in the expelled air. JUST PART OF THE PICTURE The HVAC system you choose is only as good as the overall quality of your home’s construction. Premium insulation is one of the important factors in home construction, and insulated windows can protect against both heat and cold from the outside. The ductwork for top-of-the-line homes is typically seamless and can be installed in the ceiling. This preserves the architectural integrity of the room, whether there’s crown molding or decoration.
Smart thermostats work with zoned controls to manage rooms independently. This helps create a balance of comfort throughout the home. Larger houses may have several thermostats, allowing for preset temperatures that work automatically when parts of the home aren’t lived in for various amounts of time. There also are benefits that enhance air quality, reducing allergens and supporting a healthier living environment. Some areas of the house may need their own temperature controls. Wine rooms and cellars, as well as home gyms or an indoor pool, need to maintain certain humidity and temperature controls.
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Craftsmanship’s Value Digital Age
DESIGN
SOARS IN THE
W
by Blake Herzog
e’re living in a time when startups and corporate giants are inventing new ways of manufacturing everything from semiconductors to spaceships with as little human labor as possible. Automation is coming for our assembly lines, which are already calibrated to generate identical products lacking any individual stamps or signatures from the people who put their time and brawn into them. So, what holds the most value today, monetarily and otherwise? It’s the craftsmanship and inimitable charm of human-made objects, either handmade (without the use of tools) or hand-crafted (made with some tools or small machines, such as a saw or a sewing machine). The qualities borne by these wares that lead to them being so prized above mass-produced things are numerous, but here are a few: QUALITY AND DURABILITY These items are usually created by artists or artisans who prioritize selecting sturdy, dependable materials for whatever they make; if they’re going to put so much of their blood and sweat into a product, they want to make sure it endures. Purchasing one of them is an investment in its use by yourself, your heirs and possibly through its resale. PERSONAL TOUCH Owning something created one at a time by a human being captures a moment in time. The maker’s skills, the raw materials used, the light coming through the window will never be exactly the same, and they all influence the final product.
What you have will not be replicated. This is the exclusivity that drives value, especially in the world of luxury. ATTENTION TO DETAIL Related to the above are the small details someone fully engaged with their work will add to their piece. That extra row of stitching on the dress and the tiny figure etched onto the surface of a table are signatures of a craftsperson. They can also channel their skill into customizing their object to your specifications, whether it’s for sizing, design or accessibility. SUSTAINABILITY Handmade and handcrafted items are produced on a smaller, more environmentally friendly scale and typically with sustainable, biodegradable materials that won’t add to the global crisis of waste and its disposal. They’re less likely to be made of toxic ingredients and have a much smaller carbon footprint than mass-producing entities. EMOTIONAL CONNECTION Purchasing a product from an artisan or artist is a transaction that brings you more than a one-of-a-kind, expertly constructed possession that will last well beyond this season or the next. You buy into the producer’s story and become part of it, as will anyone you choose to gift it to. The traditions that fueled the quality of what these craftspeople produce is key to the power of the work and what makes it a hallmark of luxury and longevity.
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DESIGN
Old-Fashioned
T
MAKE MUCH-NEEDED COMEBACK
oday’s luxury homes are finding space for single-purpose rooms common in 19th and early 20th-century residences that were edged aside by the open-concept revolution. Working from home and multigenerational living have driven the need for privacy and separation of tasks. These rooms are again providing elegant solutions to the ageold conundrum of balancing family togetherness with the need to relax and recharge. LIBRARIES When a reading nook carved out of a living room doesn’t provide enough room for your books and seclusion from screens and other distractions, it’s time to establish your home library. Built-in shelves, plush yet supportive seating, fine-tuned lighting and minimized technology are some of the fundamentals for a
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reading-centric space you’ll want to use again and again. SCULLERIES In pre-electric times, these were side rooms where servants did the grunt work of cooking, boiling water for various uses and washing laundry away from the family and their guests. Now they’re more focused on food preparation and partially or totally closed off from a more visible kitchen area to conceal the dirtier and smellier aspects. They often include dishwashers, sinks, ovens and extra counter space. DINING ROOMS Formal dining rooms were about to be written off as antiquated when homeowners began to ask for them back. A dedicated space for eating elevates both family meals and
Rooms
social gatherings to occasions that warrant your full attention and engagement, oriented toward the people you’re with instead of the TV, kitchen appliances and other irritations that can emerge from a great room that tries to be everything to everybody. DRESSING ROOMS Dressing rooms are essentially your favorite walk-in closet on steroids and a coveted space in high-end homes. They store your clothes in the most elegant and easily accessible manner and can incorporate safes for valuable accessories. Vanities, mirrors and calibrated lighting make getting ready a dream, and you can add a coffee stand to wake up, a dry bar to unwind, and, if you aren’t trying to escape them, screens for your edification and entertainment.
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DESIGN
Luxuriate at Home
I
IN YOUR BATHROOM/SPA
f Tucson’s Canyon Ranch isn’t on your agenda this fall, think about bringing five-star indulgence to your home by building a spa-like bathroom that brings the resort to you. BRING NATURE INDOORS What distinguishes a luxury bathroom, one that would make those with 24K taste happy? Think nature: stone, water, light and a splash of green plants. What was once just a way to get clean has become a respite from a hard day’s work, a shower that is nearly as big as a closet. Wet rooms are all the rage with top-notch designers. House Beautiful magazine describes a wet room as “a splash zone for your bathroom, an area where the shower and/or bathtub are placed… where the water can stay separate from your sink and toilet.” Carisha Swanson, the magazine’s director of special projects, says “The style can be quite luxurious as if you have your own at-home spa.” If the warmth of stone seems like an oxymoron, it is. Adding natural stone to your bathroom “spa” brings a visual and tactile approach to the décor that elevates the room. The wide range of natural stone for your spa bathroom includes marble, granite and quartzite, a stone that’s highly resistant to water. This, of course, makes it ideal for doublewide standing showers, walls and floors. One designer suggests putting in two nozzles if there is enough space. A stone soaking tub is just the right touch for bringing the spa to your home.
Choosing the right type of stone for your tub, complemented by some rustic tile or monochromatic walls, gives your bathroom the elegance of a resort. Add a stool close by for your towel, a bathtub caddy for your book and maybe a glass of wine, and you’ll be transported without ever having to leave home. TAKE IT OUTDOORS What can be more luxurious than an outdoor shower, designed to protect your privacy while giving you a justcame-in-from-the-beach rinse? Outdoor showers are perfect in Arizona weather where the temperatures allow us to spend so much time out in the sun. With an appropriately modest hedge or climbing vine, you can rinse off the day and begin your evening with a soft wind and the last rays of the sun. Back inside, use soft lighting with dimmable sconces, strip lighting or candles (real or battery-operated for safety) to create a warm glow. Recessed lighting helps to set the stage for a relaxed experience. Finish off with fixtures of matte black, brushed brass or champagne gold to complete the elegance of your bathroom retreat. Other experts recommend focusing on a calm color palette, quality fixtures like a soaking tub, natural materials and minimal clutter to bring that spa-like essence to your home bathroom. Heated flooring is another addition that can transform a regular bathroom into a spa getaway. VOL. 6, NO. 5 Northern A Z Luxur y L iving
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DESIGN
Help your
Guests Gather
M
by Vickie Austin
y friend Lesley taught me that being a hostess is both a gift and a talent. Somehow she managed to entertain our cocktail club on a semi-monthly basis in spite of the size of her little condo. She never apologized that we were squeezed together, and if you asked us we would probably say we loved it. She knew a thing or two about throwing a party that every host and hostess can learn from: she knew how to use space. CREATING THE ZONE People tend to congregate in the kitchen at parties and holidays, don’t they? That’s often where the action is. The cook may not always appreciate a devoted crowd but somehow, we tend to end up in clumps around the hors d’oeuvres table. That’s the first zone: hors d’oeuvres. A bar cart and a bartender are always a welcome addition so people can get served and then find a corner or nook to chat. In a home, your “nook” may be a big conversation pit in the middle of a great room. Or maybe your kitchen has an island where all the goodies are laid out as dinner is simmering on the stove or baking in the oven. Lay out the napkins and those cute little forks you inherited from your aunt Esther. Don’t let the keepsakes stay in the drawer. She would want you to use them. GO WITH THE FLOW Another secret to good hosting is having a pattern or flow to the event. If it’s a family party, everyone may already know where to sit, but if it’s friends over for a holiday celebration, you may want to lay out an imaginary map.
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How and where will guests be greeted? Will you need to take coats (weatherdependent)? Where do you want them to go first? It’s customary to offer your guest a drink upon arrival. Be sensitive to whether someone is drinking alcohol or not, and remember you don’t need to know why. Direct them to the food station(s) and by way of a hand-off, introduce them to someone new. ESSENCE OF WELCOME How do you want your home to smell as guests arrive? Depending on the holiday, you can fill the air with pumpkin spice or cinnamon pinecones. Scented candles give off a fresh hint of peach or mint julep. Just as with your grace around alcohol, eliminate any scents that might cause irritation or allergies among your guests. And if you have cats (like Lesley), you may need to round ‘em up for the few hours you’re entertaining. Furniture can be rearranged and chairs added to create new conversation circles so people can get to know each other. I learned from my friend that hosting is mostly about love.
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OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP WHEN IT COMES T O C A R I N G F O R YO U R T R E E S ’ H E A LT H Our ISA-certified arborists believe in the importance of tree health care and long-term stewardship. Our pest management approach is centered a r o u n d b o t h e f f e c t i v e t r e a t m e n t a n d t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o f t r e e v i t a l i t y.
Yo u r Peace of Mind is in Our Hands
P R O T E C T Y O U R F A M I L Y, Y O U R H O M E A N D Y O U R B U S I N E S S
Tree Care Services
P e s t C o n t r o l • D i s e a s e Tr e a t m e n t • F e r t i l i z a t i o n s Residential • Commercial S C H E D U L E YO U R I N S P E C T I O N T O DAY !
928.443.1566
2 2 2 5 C I R R U S D R I V E , P R E S C O T T, A Z 8 6 3 0 1
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Locally Owned & Operated