occasions! by design

Whether you are throwing an intimate gathering for friends or are having a family reunion, we have everything you need to stock your bar at Occasions!

For fabulous and chic get-togethers, impress your guests with a Michael Aram Waterford woodgrain decanter and ice bucket; sure to knock their socks off–or maybe their Manolo’s!

Michael Aram, Waterford Woodgrain Decanter $355

Michael Aram, Waterford Woodgrain Ice Bucket $230

If you plan to take your party outdoors, VacuVin’s cooling carafes, champagne and wine coolers keep all of your favorite spirits perfectly chilled, because in the sweltering heat warm drinks just won’t cut it.

Cooling Carafe, $45

Stainless Steel Champagne Cooler, $55

Stainless Steel Wine Cooler, $42

As far as bar glasses go, we have everything! If you are channeling Mad Men our Iittala Ultima Thule 1960‘s inspired highball’s and old fashioned glasses are perfect. For the man or woman of mystery, we have Waterford martini glasses and shakers, not to mention Reed & Barton wine glasses and carafes for sommelier.

Iittala Ultima Thule Highball, set of 2/$55

Yamazaki Martini Shaker, $52.95

Reed & Barton, Marielle, prices vary

For more barware necessities check our website www.occasionsofscottsdale.com.

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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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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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Robert Wells approaches painting like a musical conductor.  Listening to classical music in his Santa Fe Studio, Wells captures the essence of the music on canvas.

“These paintings are not intended to be illustrations of music.”  Rather the music causes a certain mood, which Wells transfers to his paintings.  His paintings are of abstract, translucent forms that create spatial planes and slowly emerge and dissipate back into their surroundings.

Robert Wells wants his viewer to respond the painting in their own way, not necessarily identifying the link to music, but establishing their connection to each work.

"Magica" Oil on Linen 40 x 32" $3000

"Primavera" Oil on Canvas 32 x 39.5" $3000

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MONTHLY FEATURE

We are pleased to welcome Lilly Fenichel to our Gallery. Lilly is recognized as one of the most important female painters in the early San Francisco Abstract Expressionist Movement. Her recent work resonates with a combination of signature lyrical style and innovation.

DRB:  What inspires your painting?

LF:  I am a non-objective painter, and my paintings have been inspired by my whole life experience. When I paint, I am not trying to replicate a “thing”, rather, my goal is to translate my emotional response to the piece itself, informed by my life knowledge.

DRB:  How did you develop your particular style?

LF:  I was very fortunate to have been raised in Europe and had access to great art within the galleries and museums. I went to art school in California and I was privileged to study with several exceptional painters, including Hassel Smith, Elmer Bischoff, David Park, and Edward Park who influenced my painting style.

DRB:  Tell me about your recent poured oil paintings.

LF:  These images are purely non-objective, the series began with my finding a new surface, a synthetic paper made mostly from polypropylene film. I had never seen such a white non-porous paper, I became excited with the possibilities of the materials and how I could push it to its fullest potential.

DRB:  You have recent published catalog about your paintings entitled “Just You Just Me”. How did it come about and is it available?

LF:  The catalog was introduced in 2005 to mark the opening of an exhibition (Just You Just Me) of this new series of paintings. It is available on a limited basis through Amazon.com. Occasions by design! has a copy on hand.

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Artist Addie Draper transcends us with her sublime expressionist landscape paintings. Inspired by rural New Mexico, her oil paintings not only capture the fantastic colors but her brushstrokes capture the feeling of space and serenity found only in the rural countryside.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the Albuquerque bosque and panoramic sunsets, Addie ceases to run low on inspiration! Living in a straw bale house on 40 acres in rural New Mexico, helps her to find her “being-ness” in the world and the ability to create breathtaking landscapes that we at Occasions! by design are ecstatic to display!

Whether you are an expressionist enthusiast or just an art lover, Addie’s pieces are a must see!

Addie Draper 'Fall Grove' Oil on Canvas 18 x 18" $645

Addie Draper 'Path in the Bosque' Oil on Canvas 24 x 18" $645

Addie Draper 'Fall Morning' Oil on Canvas 24 x 36" $1575

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In addition to our already sizable jewelry collection at Occasions! we have just added a fabulous new collection by local jewelry artist Christy Burson. Christy’s designs are delicate, lightweight and perfectly priced at $26-250 making them great gifts for friends, family and even yourself!

Christy works with sterling silver and Precious Metal Clay, which is a clay rich with microscopic particles of recycled silver, that when dried and fired produces jewelry that is 99.9% silver. Considered ‘pure silver’ PMC has a slightly aged or vintage appearance. From charms to beaded necklaces and bracelets, Christy’s jewelry looks great mixed and matched or on their own!

Christy’s jewelry collection is available in our store and on our website www.occasionsofscottsdale.com.

Christy Burson PMC Pearl Charm $56

Christy Burson Earrings with Drill Holes $68

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