miagordon89

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Why you need to visit Phoenix’s growing craft brewery scene

With the warmer weather finally here, I am sure that patio beers are on your mind. When I visited Phoenix, Arizona I was surprised to find out that their craft brewery scene was as hot as the weather.  In fact, at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival in Denver (basically the oscars of beer) four Phoenix breweries took home awards.

In the last year or so, the city has seen a run of craft beer bars, new breweries, and new local brews popping up all over the area. The total craft breweries in Phoenix surpasses 50, and so I just had to check some of them out for myself.

I joined forces with Arizona Brewery Tours. I really loved working with AZ brewery tours because they offer private brewery tours that fit your particular taste buds and beer preferences.

Stop #1: Helton Brewing Company

Our first stop of the night lead us to Helton Brewing Company, a cozy newly renovated brewery located in an old tire warehouse. The spot includes a beautiful outdoor beer garden, games, live music, and of course an endless drink menu. I loved that the fact the owner of the brewery created most of the furniture inside by hand and really cares about the product he produces. My personal favourite drink was the IPA, a perfect balance between citrus, floral, and fruit. Enjoy it with their delicious shrimp watermelon salad.

Stop #2: Mother Brunch

Next up was Mother Brunch. A fun family run brewery with a chalk list filled with their hand crafted beers. Julie and her husband William are serious beer nerds, and that shows clearly in their delicious drinks. What I really loved about this spot was the combination of delicious drinks and comfort food. The contemporary pub food has a unique twist. You must try the jalapeño infused mac and cheese. You will be licking your plate clean.

Stop #3: North Mountain Brewery

The last stop on the trip was North Mountain Brewery. This place is like a real life Cheers, the set where everyone knows your name. NMB celebrates the history and art of the Arizona desert culture. The decoration of this cozy microbrewery celebrates the history of brewing, and how the creation of beer has brought societies together. The goal here was to create a community feel, and they hit the nail on the head.

I was blown away by the quality of the breweries in Phoenix. Each one had its own personality and speciality that made each one unique. I wish I had more time to explore and discover the amazing breweries spread throughout the town.

My Mary Kay Skin Care Favourites

I have been using Mary Kay makeup products for quite some time now and have shared some of the products that I love from the line on my blog before. From vibrant lipsticks to beautiful eye shadows, Mary Kay helps get my ready for both on air and everyday. Today though, I wanted to share a different side of Mary Kay, their skin care products. 

I have started to include quite a few Mary Kay skin products into my daily routine and I have noticed such a difference in my skin’s health and overall appearance. Wth a very busy schedule, that includes lots of travel it is sometimes hard to keep my routine consistent and my skin taken care of. However, these products are quick and easy to use. They also keep my skin moisturized, clean, and clear. Mary Kay’s skin care has become a habit for me both at home and on the road. I wanted to share with you some of their products that I absolutely love using.

My Mary Kay Favourites 

Timewise Replenishing Serum + C

This is my absolutely favourite skin product right now. I use it everyday, twice a day. The

antioxidant rich formula combined with high levels of vitamin c help keep existing collagen from breaking down. The rich botanicals also keep skin lifted and firm. Another aspect of this product that I love is that the pump bottle keeps air out, meaning the formula stays fresh. It is also clinically test for skin irritancy and allergy as well as dermatologist tested.

$65

Timewise Vitamin C Activating Squares

Use this with the Timewise Replenishing Serum for amazing results. In just a few weeks, my skin looked radiant, toned, and refreshed. The activating squares combined with the serum helps deliver put vitamin c to your skin. You mix the square with water and when it dissolves in your hand, you rub it on your face. It really leaves my skin refreshed and rejuvenated

$30

ClearProof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask

I use this mask twice a week all over my face and neck. I leave it on for about 20 minutes and feel it cool all over. It really gives my skin a deep cleanse. the charcoal acts like a magnet to unclog my pores and absorb any excess oil. The mask is made with rosemary and peppermint and not only leaves your skin clean but awakens your senses.

$26

Mary Kay Indulge Soothing Eye Cream

I use this eye cream twice daily and I absolutely love how it has helped the sensitive skin around my eye. It calms, cools and refreshes my eyes after a long day of work. The cream contains botanical extracts, like green tea and cucumber extract which help increase skin moisture by 130% percent. The team is also fragrance free and hypoallergenic making it perfect for sensitive skin.

$22

Satin Lips Shea Suger Scrub

Get ready to pucker up after using this sugar scrub on your lips daily. It exfoliates, soften, smooths, and polishes lips. The scrub uses natural crystals combined with shea butter. The white tea and citrus flavours will also leave your lips shiny and fresh.

$16

Foundation Primer SPF 15

As an on air reporter, I need to make sure my makeup goes the distance and so I use the Mary Kay Foundation Primer, which also has SPF in it (what a bonus). Besides helping extend your makeups life and add a layer of sun protection it also helps diminish the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It provides a flawless finish time after time and helps me make sure I am game ready.

$22

Mary Kay Satin Body Revitalizing Shea Scrub

I know this isn’t technically skin care, but the satin body revitalizing shea scrub has really helped with how dry my skin gets in the winter months. The scrub is made with shea butter and sunflower oil. It is gentle enough to use daily, but exfoliates dry skin immediately. You will be left feeling moisturized and calm thanks to the scents of white than and citrus.

$22

 

These are just a few of my favourite products on top of the makeup that I love to use on a daily basis. I hope these products can help you as much as they helped me.

xo

Mia

Why Phoenix is the best spot for your next girls trip

I had always known the beauty of Arizona. From the stunning landscapes, the depths of the grand canyon, the colours of Horseshoe Bend, but I had always thought of Phoenix as a place where my parents would go for spa days and tee-off times. I was wrong. On a recent trip with some friends to Phoenix, I realized there is so much more to this city. Mixed in-between the desert sands and mountain range, is a bustling nightlife, craft breweries, and adventure that this is the perfect spot for your next girls weekend.

Sure, usually my ladies weekends are a trip away to Vegas or New Orleans. Yet in 48 hours with two close friends, we discovered all that Phoenix has to offer with the help of Visit Phoenix.

The stay

There are so many adorable boutique hotels in the heart of Phoenix, but during this trip we decided to stay a little outside of the hustle. We decided to check into Civana, located in the adorable town of Carefree and trust me the name says it all. This brand new wellness resort is a place of total R&R.

From the moment you walk inside the doors, you know this is a special place. Friendly staff, beautiful mountain views, and a stunning salt water pool surrounded by natural vegetation. It was truly beautiful.

The resort  believes in healing through movement. Civana offers complimentary daily programs including yoga, juice making classes, and local hiking, which I sure took full advantage of. It really has unique activities to fit whatever journey you are hoping for.

There are also plenty of other amenities on site that ensure a relaxing and rejuvenating stay. From their world class spa, to farm to table fine class dining this is spot is the perfect combination of luxury and wellness.

You can find out more about this beautiful resort on their website; https://www.civanacarefree.com/

 

What to do

trying to fit everything Phoenix has to offer into 48 hours was a whirlwind, but we honestly got to see and discover so many unique activities. Here are so of my top things to do with your girlfriends in Phoenix.

1) Enjoy some local brews

What I didn’t know about Phoenix is that it has over 50 craft breweries. We joined forced with Arizona Brewery Tours to discover some of the best spots in town to grab a cold one. What I loved about AZ Brew Tours, is they can organize private tours that fit your beer preferences, and they also provide a party bus from stop to stop.

The three stops we visited during the trip included the rustic “Beer Garage” at Helton Brewery, the open kitchen at Mother Brunch, and the funky North Mountain Brewery. I will have more on the specific breweries in an upcoming blog, but in the meantime you can find out more about Arizona Brewery Tours here;

2) Take a cactus selfie at the Gardens

Sure, Phoenix is filled with wonderful hiking trails, but where can you find and learn about all of the plants in one spot? the Desert Botanical Garden. They really create a world class experience through their exhibits, giving each guest the chance to discover and learn about the desert life. Have a chance to meet one of the gardeners and ask questions about the flowers and vegetation, get up close and personal with some flutter friends at the butterfly sanctuary, and take in the local art. This place is definitely a must see.

3) Tea time with a twist

Visit the Camby hotel for a modern twist on Tea Time, in what we like to call a Tipsy Tea Party. Sip on classic teas like English Breakfast or Earl Grey infused with spirt and sparkling wine. The teas were delicious and refreshing. The drinks are also served with some favourite tea time snacks and a surprise sweet treats to finish off the night. It is the perfect afternoon treat for you and your girlfriends.

4) Take to the Skies

Ever wanted to know what it feels like to fly? What Phoenix looks like from a birds point of view? For as long as I can remember a hot air balloon ride had been on top of my bucket list, and I had heard Phoenix was the perfect place to make that dream come true. We woke up bright and early and joined Hot Air Expeditions for an high flying adventure. The views of the desert, mountains, and lakes was spectacular. We landed our balloon in the middle of the desert and had breakfast, complete with mimosas to cap off an incredible day.

5) Relax and unwind at the spa

Alright, there are plenty of adventures in Phoenix, but it is important to find some time to relax and unwind also. Phoenix has some of the best spas in the world, why not take full advantage. We stayed local and got a spa service at Civana. I enjoyed an amazing double exfoliating facial. It was the perfect way to finish the trip.

I learned something new about Phoenix on this trip. That beyond the beautiful exterior landscapes, there is a whole city filled with life waiting to be explored. For outdoor lovers to cocktail connoisseurs, there is something for everyone I will definitely be planning plenty of girls trips here in the future.

Happy traveling my friends,

xo

Mia

Here are a few more snaps from Phoenix

48 Hours in Phoenix, Arizona: Vlog part 1

“great things never come from comfort zones”

April has been one of the busiest months of my life with work. Three home games for the Saskatchewan Rush, meant plenty of travel back and forth to Saskatoon. During our one bye week, all I wanted to do was sleep in my own bed until noon each day, but what would be the fun in that.

Instead an opportunity came up to hit the road yet again, but this time to Phoenix,  Arizona. What I knew about Phoenix was that it is desert terrain, it is hot, and it has great golf courses.

What I didn’t know about Phoenix was it has such a unique nightlife. It has an incredible craft brewery scene, a beautiful botanical garden, and is one of the best places in the world to fly a hot air balloon.

Guess what? On this trip I discovered it all. I will be sharing this trip with you through blogs and videos. My first vlog from the trip discovers the wellness resort, Civana Carefree that I had a chance to stay at, the beautiful hikes in the area, and a local brewery tour with Arizona Brewery Tours . 

Also don’t forget to subscribe to my youtube page so you don’t miss any of my future vlogs and travel tips!

xo

Mia