occasions! by design

Whether you are newly engaged and need assistance getting your bridal registry started or only need to add a few last minute items to your registry, we are here to help! Saving frazzled brides and grooms from bridal registry overloads and meltdowns is what we do best.

To help out, we have come up with a bridal checklist, with our top five dining room and kitchen essentials for the bride and groom to be.

1-Serving Platters, Trays and Bowls

Every couple needs at least one of each of the following–a large serving platter, tray and bowl. For those couples who plan on doing some serious entertaining, two of each might be necessary–think one formal, one casual.

Beatriz Ball Soho Platter, $115

Vietri Quadri Platter, $110

2-Bar-Necessities

Barware necessities include carafes, decanters, 8-12 wine glasses and any other barware items you need. This can include highball glasses, champagne flutes, brandy snifters, etc.

Waterford, Modavi Oakville Carafe, $98

3-Dining Must-haves

What would your new serving bowl be without servers or tongs? Or what happens if you literally don’t have any salt to pass? These are just a few must-have items that you need for your dining table and kitchen. Stop in and see us or check out our website for others.

Alessi, Programma Salad Set, $82

4-Capturing Memories

Once the smoke has cleared, and you are settling into married life you want to make sure that your lovely wedding photos are displayed properly–from cutting the cake, to walks down the aisle and even the candid shots in between, beautiful frames are a must for your bridal registry.

Tizo Frames, prices vary.

5-Sexy Gadgets

Sexy Gadgets are just that–fabulous kitchen gadgets that you are going to need once your marriage gets ‘cooking’. Some of our sexy gadgets include a mincing-machine garlic press for the cook, egg pillows and colorful kitchen timers–all are perfect gifts for the kitchen pro or chef in the making.

Egg Pillows, $14.50/set of four

Garlic Press, $26.50

Alessi, Michael Graves Timer, $38

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At Occasions! we can never have too many Marcia Sednek dresses, and whenever Marcia sends us more of her delightful, found-object fashions we revel in delving through the box to find our new favorites! Almost as if paying homage, we have her newest dresses hanging from their “clothesline”, on display among the others–just waiting to find the right home.

What makes Marcia’s found-object dresses so unique is the combination of familiar and forgotten–Marcia has truly mastered transforming vintage, found and neglected objects into intricate metal fashions. Almost as if tricking your eyes, you are forced to take a closer look and re-interpret the assemblage of items, ‘stitched’ together to create her lovely wardrobes.

These intricate and detailed mini-wardrobes and even life-size gowns make perfect gifts, and with our gift registry you can add any of Marcia’s dresses or dolls to your wish list. Or see what wonderful items your friends and family have registered for and surprise them by fulfilling their wish.

Sednek Assorted Mini-Dresses, starting at $37.50

Sednek Life-size Shift, 18 x 40", $995

Sednek Child's Linotype Dress, 17 x 23", $395

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We are proud to say that our newest collection of artisan jewelry, Zavida Gemstones makes giving back a cinch! After traveling the world, co-founders, Lee Gelb and Shelley Milano, decided to combine their love of gemstones, jewelry and helping people less fortunate, to create “fashion conscious” jewelry.

Their mission is to build partnerships that promote profit-sharing, by working directly with struggling artisan groups worldwide and by cutting out the “middle man.”  Zavida gives back 25% of all profits collected to the artisan groups–meaning everyone from the artist to the laborer at quarry, will see profits, which help these regions continue to build and grow.

You can peruse and purchase Zavida Gemstones in our store or directly from our website, www.occasionsofscottsdale.com. To learn more about Zavida Gemstones give us a visit.

Natural Wood Bangle with Turquoise $384

Turquoise Drop Earrings $44

Lemon Quartz Necklace $769

Sterling Silver filigree Hoop Earrings $140

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The Summer Spectacular ArtWalk is going to be a scorcher–we don’t just mean the weather either. At Occasions! we are going to kick off the evening with a trunk show for the award-winning jewelry artist, Laurette O’Neil. Known for creating ‘wearable sculpture,’ her designs combine three decades of experience. During the trunk show we will also have ice-cold refreshments to keep you hydrated while enjoying all of the excitement of the Summer Spectacular at Occasions! and on Main Street.

For more information regarding the Laurette O’Neil trunk show or Summer Spectacular please call or email, (480) 423-0506 or service@occasionsofscottsdale.com.

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Vintage is the name of the game in Aunt Addie’s Attic, whether you need to replace a china plate from your grandma’s passed-down wedding china or another vintage item, you are sure to find many wonderful heirlooms in Aunt Addie’s Attic, our new web product line. In addition to vintage and antique treasures, we also feature contemporary items, including jewelry, serving platters and dishes, as well as, a wonderful collection of  serving and tableware for your entertainment needs, including Wainwright, Vera Wang, Villeroy & Boch and Royal Doulton, among others. Find Aunt Addie’s Attic on our website www.occasionsofscottsdale.com and let the fun begin.

The benefit of looking through our attic is that you don’t have to worry about the dust!

Antique Nippon Hand-painted Vase

Lilly Barrack Ring

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This week at Occasions! by Design, we have received a wonderful new grouping from Alessi, whose bold and contemporary designs are perfect for gift giving and make practical, yet stylish additions to your own kitchen. The new Alessi group includes a wide range of products designed by Michael Graves, including timers that are stylistically modern and in primary colors; priced at only $38 they make a great gift for any kitchen guru. From A di Alessi we have the OrienTales collection, designed by Stefano Giovannoni in collaboration with the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. This unique assortment includes the Banana Milk Bowl and Orange Fruit Sugar Bowl, their bright and almost cartoonish chic makes it is almost impossible to distinguish that they are made from bone china. In addition to these great items we also have stainless steel salad tongs, ice tongs and more products designed by Michael Graves.

A di Alessi Banana Milk Bowl, $30

A di Alessi Orange Sugar Bowl, $30

Salad Set, $82

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Occasionsofscottsdale.com would like to introduce you to our online gift registry or gift wish list and new Registry Valet App. With our registry you are able to show everyone exactly the gift you would like for an upcoming birthday, engagement, wedding, shower, anniversary, housewarming or other type of gift-giving occasion.

Each registry is managed by you, giving you full control to add or remove items as well as adjust quantities. There are other useful features, such as, the tracking of gift items, e-mail forwarding of registries to family and friends, and an easy search option for finding your specific registry quickly.

Available for Apple and Android devices

We’ve also recently launched the registry valet Mobile App for Apple and Android powered tablets and smartphones. The app allows you to manage registries and wish lists straight from your mobile device. Since the app runs online there is nothing to download or install. It allows your friends and family easy access on the go to your registry or wish list.

Make the process of giving gifts to you or your friends a gratifying, non-frustrating, experience. For help launching or maintaining your registry, call Christina, 800.482.2532, or e-mail christina@occasionsofscottsdale.com.

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Still looking for a unique gift for your special Dad? Occasions! by design has recently added to their already wonderful selection of men’s gifts, making your pick a lot easier.  There is something for every type of Dad:

The TravelerDad

If your Dad travels on business or for pleasure, you might want to consider the new Stainless Steel Wallet by Stewart/Stand. The unique, sleek, slim-profile wallet protects your RFID chipped credit cards from unwanted eavesdropping. It is elegant, durable, and  designed to keep their shape.

The SartorialDad

For the sharp dressed Dads with a flair for style, the Flatlinks by Stewart/Stand might be just the right gift. Sleek and elegant, the Flatlinks by Stewart/Stand are designed to put in and take out of a French cuff shirt, while maintaining a simple, efficient design. They are the perfect addition to any outfit.

The Non-TraditionalDad

The Dad that dares to be different and unusual will gravitate toward our great line of Watchcraft Watches by artist Milieres. These limited edition watches have an organic feel to them, made up of several types of metals— steel, copper, brass, they are etched with various curvilinear and simplistic designs.

Watchraft Watch $290

The BarDad

There is a comprehensive collection of wine gadgets including a rapid cooling carafe, a wine saver with a built in vacuum indicator, gorgeous wine stoppers, and a nifty wine master corkscrew and foil-cutter guaranteed to easily remove the cork effortlessly.

Vacu Vin Bar Accessories

The CookingDad

The Dad who loves cooking will find the special cooking utensils/devices we have on hand and an inspiration for his next culinary masterpiece.   From Denmark, the SCANPAN pots and skillet selection is amazing; they are not only highly functional, but are beautifully crafted.  The company guarantees the ceramic titanium cookware with a life warranty.  And of course, on a lighter note, there is a cool melon and pineapple slicer, the cheese grater with a convenient detachable cheese reservoir, and the always useful garlic press easy to use with a unique scrape lever.

Cheese Grater $16.50

Slice and Catch $16.50

For all those type of Dads out there, Occasions! by design has that perfect gift, come in and let our experienced consultants help you with your selection.  Make Father’s Day gift giving an easy and delightful experience.

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The definition of “Zero Gravity” is “the condition in which the apparent effect of gravity is zero, as in the case of a body in free fall or in orbit. “Albuquerque artist Fred G. Yost is making reference to the meaning of  “Zero Gravity” in his painting process which is free of any pull or stroke of the material.

In the “Zero Gravity” work, amorphous shapes seem to disintegrate onto the white background surface, creating images that are strongly reminiscent of an abstracted natural environment.

These “Zero-Gravity” works are only produced during the summertime due to the introduction of the solar affect in the artist’s process. The hot afternoon Albuquerque sun is critical to the quick drying of the oil paint; Yost does not want the colors to mix, rather he requires the individual colors to form their own unique shape. Yost prepares a palette of colors either by mixing oil paint from a tube with varnish, or acrylic colors with water. Additives such as mineral oil, acetone, detergent, etc. are used to modify both the physical and chemical properties of the paint. The color is applied gently with gravity playing a minimal role, allowing the images to evolve on their own. Each applied color evolves into its proper arrangement of the fluid properties. This evolution continues, but gradually slows, until it is arrested by the hardening or drying process.

Fred Yost "Near the Mountains of Mandelbrot" Enamel on Board, $350

Fred Yost "Eruption of the Isle of York" Enamel on Board, $350

Fred Yost "At the Heights of Henon" Enamel on Board, $350

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