Tomorrow I’m getting on an afternoon flight. Just me and my two little girlies.
BOS to PHX.
I don’t love flying with the kids, especially alone. So wish me luck.
Don’t feel sorry for me though. Each time I get a dirty look from a fellow airline passenger, as I schlep 3 diaper bags, 2 car seats (and a partridge in a pear tree) down the minuscule aisle, I’ll shake it off and dream of what I’ll be eating in Arizona for three square meals a day (not kidding):
Cafe Rio Chicken Salad.
And each time Claire lets out an ear-piercing shriek or when Grace drops her water bottle on the floor during take off (and it has to be passed back up from about 18 rows back), I’ll close my eyes, say to myself “Serenity now” and start dreaming.
About this.
Ever been? It’s called Last Chance and I want to be buried here.
Have you ever return a perfectly unused (or used – shame on you) pair of designer jeans or Miu Miu flats to Nordstrom? Well, all of them, from all the Nordstroms in the country, are shipped to Phoenix and put up for sale at Last Chance.
T-shirts are $2.97.
Skirts $4.97
Designer jeans are between $7.97 and $29.97
Shoes from $12.99 to $29.99
The place is a mad house and a total wreck within 5 minutes of opening. Here is the sign they post everywhere – rules that say no pushing, running, reaching over people to grab merch, or stealing from other shopper’s carts.
It’s not for everyone, but to me, it’s heaven on earth. I always bring an extra suitcase just for my Last Chance harvest!
Some of the other highlights of the trip will surely include
Lots of family pictures. I’m planning a photoshoot of my grandparents, whom I love more than just about anyone or anything.
Plenty of thrifting and antiquing.
Lots of movies. And in a theater to boot! (a luxury to those with babies)
Watching the girls’ excitement as they get to do new things – play with doggies and go swimming.
Early morning runs with my mom.
Best-ab-workout-of-your-life-and-my-cheeks-will-never-be-the-same-again laugh sessions. My family is hilarious.
Lots of decorating. I think I am helping about 5 different people decorate while I’m in town. I’m really excited about this one!
Arts and crafts. My mom is like the original Martha. She is so amazing and crafty. I want to recreate this wreath with her that I saw on Eddie Ross’ blog.
We’re going to be gone for almost a whole month. It’s a long time, I know. We had flight vouchers and there were a lot of black-out dates. But it’s going to be great to spend so much time with loved ones.
Anyway, the point of this post is to let you guys know that I may not be posting here as often as I would like during our vacation. Please keep checking back though, because I will try. And I will still be accepting design advice requests, so email me if you have a project in mind for over the holidays or after.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Jenny
Oh, this post is just so mean. Could you have mentioned everything else but Last Chance? Is it sad that one of the top dreams for my life is to go to this store? Our friends here keep trying to sell us on moving to AZ after med school and I always say, it only takes two words to convince me: Last Chance. I think those are the exact two words that keep Clarke from considering Arizona :)
Wow, that is the greatest wreat ever. I have a few vintage glass-bulb ornaments on chenille stems that I inherited from my grandmother — I’d love to get my hands on more. Those bright, candy colors combined with the crackly, almost mercury-glass finish is just perfect.
Have a wonderful Christmas! I almost got choked up when I saw the cacti and Cafe Rio…oh Arizona, how I miss you! Have a great trip!
I would love to hit up Last Chance with you. I have a friend visiting from the East Coast and a trip to Last Chance is in our plans. Last Chance. Nate needs some running shoes and I could always use some more shoes too… and shirts and the kids need shoes (as if they don’t have enough from Last Chance)
oh, so fun jenny! i am happy for you. we’ll be in snowflake too for two whole weeks and i can’t wait, have a wonderful vacation, maybe we’ll run into each other, ya know, at ed’s or something? its not hard to do in snowflake.
(i work right by cafe rio and it’s usually a weekly lunch for me, sad but true.)
oh also-
i’ve been to last chance once… ONCE! can you believe? (and it was long ago, when i was looking for some doc martens.) i neeeeeeed to go. where is it? and whats the “magic day” to go?
Have fun, be safe. Hope you find some great finds. Don’t forget to let us know what you do find!
Jenny,
I’m boarding some planes heading to the same destination tomorrow! Let us PLEASE meet up! We have a layover in Houston, maybe I can grab Anna and pull her on the plane with me- didn’t realize she was so interested! We can meet at Last Chance (without kids), Cafe Rio or somewhere more kid friendly and let Asher Ivy Claire and Grace get reaquainted!
Hooray! Have so much fun. I’ll be thinking about you on your flight tomorrow. In fact, I’ll be praying for you. I have to make up for that mean comment I made the other day about not wanting to fly by myself. That was terrible. Sorry again. I’m sure it will be better than expected.
that’s where I live! I work just by last chance! Don’t you love it? And Cafe Rio salads are amazing! We really were meant to be blog friends :]
I love your blog and I can't believe you're from Phoenix. I am too! And I adore Last Chance. I was home for Christmas and waited in line for the "Pig Run," as my husband calls the screaming women who squeal through the gates in the morning.
Cafe Rio and LGO . . . miss both. And warm winters. We live in Chicago now.
Im new(er) To Phoenix. Any tips on decorating stores? I am looking for wallpaper, etc. But all I can find are the big box stores!
I really enjoy your blog. Regular reader!
Melissa B.
Ha! I just saw this post for the first time and I live dangerously close to Last Chance. It is like adventure-sport-dare-devil shopping at its most adrenaline-filled form. My mother also brings extra luggage and ends up shipping some home whenever she comes out to visit. I have to place restrictions on my shopping when I go otherwise that shop is sooooo dangerous.