Helpful Shopping Insights for Summer

Whether it’s a gift for a graduate, a present for Dad and Grandpa or a cool, new frock, The Village at Arrowhead Shopping Center, 20050 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale is the place to turn to for fun, summer shopping. Two stores are highlighted as premier shopping destinations this summer.



Pretty Please offers the latest styles and trends for women with quality brand names such as Sky, Rubicon, Bobi, and La Made. The Glendale store, known for great fashion at great prices, offers a variety of amazing tops, casual to dressy dresses, a great selection of maxi dresses for all occasions and wonderful jewelry.



Francesca’s Collection offers unique graduation and Father’s Day gifts that run the gamut from a humorous Wine Monkey Caddy or Stache Straws to sentimental picture frames and mugs. For lady shoppers there is a plethora of clothing, jewelry and handbags. Especially popular items this season are flowing summer dresses in refreshing colors such as mint and tangerine, as well as flirty, floral jewelry.

“Shopping at The Village at Arrowhead can be a refreshing experience, even in the summertime” said Mary Walker, president of Power Promotions and event coordinator for upscale shopping center. “During the summer the crowds are smaller, there are more sales, and our misting system, fountains and beautiful landscaping provides a visual oasis in the urban Glendale desert.”



In addition to Pretty Please and Francesa’s Collection the Village at Arrowhead offers specialty shops that provide the ultimate shopping experience with distinctive fashion, home furnishings, restaurants and personal services in one of one of the most architecturally unique and aesthetically pleasing shopping centers around.

For more information call Francesca’s Collection call 623-376-2555 or for Pretty Please at 623-561-2135.

Keep Hope Alive - Guest Post by Cameron Von St. James

This week I'm running a guest post from Cameron Von St. James. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. And for those of you who are interested in more information about caregiving, I would like to recommend this valuable website www.LifePathSolutions.biz.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE

I will never forget the day that my wife was diagnosed with cancer. From the very moment that the words "malignant pleural mesothelioma" escaped our doctor's lips, I knew my life would be forever changed. That day, November 21, 2005, was the day that I became a caregiver for a cancer patient. To say I was unprepared for the job is an understatement. Three months before her diagnosis, we became proud first-time parents to our daughter Lily. While we had envisioned the next few months as a joyful time in which we prepared for Lily’s first Christmas, instead our world took a dark turn, and we began a difficult fight for Heather’s life.


The emotional implications of caring for someone with cancer are unimaginable. Before we had ever left the doctor’s office, we were urged to visit a specialist to discuss treatment options. We were offered three choices: a great regional hospital that did not have a mesothelioma program, a local university hospital and a mesothelioma specialist in Boston. I looked at my beautiful wife and it was clear that she was terrified and completely in shock, and I knew she needed help. She looked at me, her eyes desperate and pleading. Without a moment of hesitation, I made the decision that we would visit Boston and seek help from the specialist we had been told about.


The next two months were a blur. The diagnosis interrupted our daily routine. My wife and I had both been working full time before she was diagnosed. After, however, she was unable to work and I was only able to work part time while caring for her, taking her to doctor’s appointments and constantly making travel and childcare arrangements. The list of things to do seemed never ending. My worries that we would spend all of our money and lose all of our possessions while fighting her cancer were overpowered only by the bone-chilling fear that my wife could die. On several occasions, I felt myself near a meltdown but I kept telling myself that I had to be strong for Heather. In the end, my determination to be strong for my wife always outweighed my fear.


Caring for someone with cancer is difficult and it was only the generous love and support from friends, family and complete strangers that made our journey bearable. We can never express our gratitude enough to those who helped us through this difficult time. If I can offer anything to fellow caregivers of cancer patients, I urge you to accept help when it is offered. It leaves you with less to worry over and reminds you that people care about you. Don’t mistake accepting help as a sign of weakness; it is actually a sign of great strength!


After months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Heather successfully beat the disease and became cancer free, despite the grim odds we were given initially. This experience reminded me how precious time is, which is why I returned to school as a full time student studying Information Technology two years after Heather’s mesothelioma diagnosis. After learning to manage stress and properly handle my time while fighting cancer with my wife, I was able to apply those skills learned through hardship to my studies. As a result, I graduated at the top of my class and was designated as class speaker. Before my wife’s diagnosis, I would have never guessed that I would be living my dream. I have learned that we should never give up hope that we can become more than we ever imagined. If you or a loved one are currently fighting cancer, don’t give up. There is always hope, as along as you continue to fight for the ones you love.

Below is a link that should be helpful.
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/cameron/

Heart Strings

Through the years men and women have honored their mothers with songs, flowers, gifts and jewelry.
Yvonne de Villiers had a different idea. She founded a company, Luna Guitars.
Yvonne’s mother, Cuban-born Hilda Williers, a professional electric bass player, performed regularly in the 1960s during a time when female bass players were rare. Yvonne watched with pride as her pioneering mom performed with a popular rock group.



Yvonne loved music, but her true gift was in the visual arts realm as an accomplished stained-glass artist. She embarked on a mission to use guitars (and later other instruments) as a canvas to design instruments that would look as beautiful as they sound. Now Luna instruments are a favorite of men, women and children of various sizes and abilities.



Is Hilda proud of her daughter? You bet. The feisty octogenarian is 88 years old and still going strong with 17 music students in her studio. No doubt she is also pleased that Yvonne has incorporated a key value that not only she taught her daughter, but nearly all mothers try to emphasize to their children as well, to share.



This includes the company’s community involvement encouraging Luna players to share their music as a force for inspiration and healing in their communities, as well as providing musicians the opportunity to offer their thoughts and music on the company’s website. Please check out a sample or two at http://www.lunaguitars.com/artists.php
Also in the spirit of sharing, Luna offers numerous contests throughout the year for individuals to win a free instrument. You can check out the current contest by going to the company’s website http://www.lunaguitars.com/moonflowercontest/about.php. The entry deadline is May 13.
More information about Luna Guitars instruments, the company’s unique story, as well as the family of individuals who play Luna instruments is available at www.lunaguitars.com or call 1-866-857-1647.

ABOUT LUNA GUITARS

Luna Guitars creates instruments that are uniquely tailored to better fit a player’s body, hands, musical style, personal taste and artistic sensibility. Yvonne de Villiers, founder and lead designer for Luna, uses her skill as an award-winning, architectural stained glass artist to create stunning designs and inspirational messages to further enhance the player’s musical experience.

MISSION

Luna’s mission is to craft fine stringed instruments with artistic sensibility that are comfortable, affordable and inspire people of all ages and walks of life on their musical journey.

POST SCRIPT

I recently acquired a beautiful Luna guitar. I loved playing when I was younger, but sadly gave it up. Watch for future blogs about reactivating past passions. And to all you musicians out there, be sure to check out Luna Guitars. Rock on.