May: By Jessy McCulloch Fuchsia Spa: Admit it: When you watch TV shows or movies with women relaxing regularly together in their local day spa, you get a little jealous. How cool would it be to have a place like that to go unwind? Thanks to Lisa Vukonich and Erin Owens, cofounders of Fuchsia Spa, a sanctuary such as this exists, and you do not have to be an upper-crust socialite to be able to afford it. “We’re really the first to market with an affordable luxury concept,” Vukonich said. “And we have a very different look and feel to us. It’s kind of a fun, quirky and really non-pretentious sort of environment.” With treatment rooms decorated anywhere from chocolate brown to hot pink to celery green, and with fun, “girly” movies playing, it is no wonder women just hang out after their treatments are done. The spa even offers customized play lists on iPods, so you choose how to relax. And you can get must-have products in beauty and makeup, among other things, in the retail area. As a member, you pay $59 a month for one spa service, which includes numerous options. Just to name a few: “We do facials, massages, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, body scrubs… all as part of a monthly spa due,” Vukonich said. And, starting May 1, they’re offering a brand new way to pamper yourself: with a hot stone massage. “We’ve had so many clients waiting for it, but it’s coming out just in time for Mother’s Day and I know we’ve already got pre-bookings. People are just waiting for it to come out. I can’t wait to get it,” Vukonich laughed. Since the hot stone massage is a specialty massage, there will be an additional $25 charge. But through Mother’s Day, the surcharge is only $15. “The best way to describe it is it’s one of those massages that just makes your muscles feel like they’re melting,” Vukonich said. Fuchsia’s unique approach has been getting big notice lately: It’s just been picked up by Rachel Ray’s magazine and was mentioned in the May issue as one of the best places to go in Arizona to get an affordable spa treatment. And in the Arizona Republic’s “Arizona Best,” the spa has made it to the final ten for Best Day Spa and Massage Studio. They will find out in May if they win. You can find more information (including their great special for first timers) about Fuchsia Spa at www.fuchsiaspa.com or by calling 480-813-7465. Or, stop in and have a spa tour. Fuchsia is at 1854 S. Val Vista Dr. in Mesa. Treat your mom, your friend or yourself, and get the pampering you deserve. By Nikki Evensen Little Blue Choo Choo: Starting with a grandchild’s love for Thomas the Train, Little Blue Choo Choo has grown into a wonderland of unique and imaginative toys. Peggy Burgess, owner and grandma of 10, wanted her specialty toy store to have everything her little ones desired, and now your child can share in the happiness as well. Burgess opened her first store in Scottsdale in 2005 and expanded into Dana Park late last year. Since its grand opening in November 2007, Little Blue Choo Choo has set high standards of providing every customer not just with a toy that a child will love, but a toy that will last a lifetime. Coming from places all over the world, such as Germany or Australia, these toys are made for quality, not quantity, which makes them even more special. “We have such unique toys, all with great quality,” says Brandy Lindstrom, store manager and mom. “You’ll get more than your money’s worth.” Education is equally important to imagination at Little Blue Choo Choo. Along with stuffed animals and Radio Flyers, there are endless puzzles, magnetic construction sets and developmental toddler toys to keep kids’ brains growing while they are having a good time. The store has Thomas the Train sets, games and accessories; BRIO Garden toys, to give children the opportunity to help with outside gardening; Adora dolls; Webkinz pets; Plan Toys; and many more. Every toy found at Little Blue Choo Choo will be a unique discovery difficult to find at the average toy store. Over the summer, Little Blue Choo Choo will also invite kids to participate in a weekly arts and crafts day. Whether painting, sculpting or building, the weekly event is sure to be fun, exciting and beneficial to kids’ growing development. Little Blue Choo Choo is located in Mesa at 1652 S. Val Vista Road. For more information about the store’s unique selection of toys, or about the summer arts and crafts day, call Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., or Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 480-926-0772. Although there is a much wider selection in-store, you also can shop online at www.littlebluechoochoo.com.

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