Style + Beauty

The Colors That Reveal You

Discover your most confident self through personalized color analysis close to home Article by Michaela Hetherington | Photography by Jojo McNeil What if the secret to feeling more confident in what you wear was not a bigger closet, but a better understanding of yourself? For Makinzie Swenson, a Mesa resident and owner of a House of Colour franchise, style is not about following trends or changing who you are. It is about discovering what already makes you shine. House of Colour is a global...

Travel

Where Style Meets Serenity

Just two hours from Northeast Mesa, Amara Resort and Spa offers a sophisticated fall escape among Sedona’s iconic red rocks. Article and Photography by Style is not only found in what we wear or the spaces we create. It is reflected in the places we choose to experience, the moments we make time for, and the way we slow down enough to appreciate them. As the temperatures begin to cool, Sedona becomes one of Arizona’s most captivating destinations. The crisp autumn air, golden foliage, and...

Shopping

Oval vs. Elongated Radiant Diamonds: Which Engagement Ring Shape Is Right for You?

Choosing an engagement ring begins with one of the most important decisions you'll make: selecting the perfect diamond shape.While dozens of beautiful cuts are available, two have risen to the top of nearly every bride's wish list in 2026—the oval diamond and the elongated radiant diamond.Both appear larger than many traditional cuts. Both create incredible finger coverage. Both deliver timeless elegance with a modern twist.Yet despite these similarities, they possess completely different...

Shopping

Bezel Engagement Rings: Why Minimalist Luxury Is One of 2026's Biggest Bridal Trends

For years, prong-set engagement rings have been the traditional choice for showcasing a beautiful diamond. But as modern couples increasingly seek jewelry that blends elegance with everyday wearability, one style has quietly become one of the fastest-growing engagement ring trends of 2026—the bezel engagement ring.Clean, sophisticated, and effortlessly contemporary, bezel settings offer a fresh take on classic engagement ring design. They highlight the beauty of the center diamond while...

Shopping

Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds: The Elegant Bridal Trend Defining 2026

Engagement ring trends may come and go, but every so often a diamond shape emerges that feels destined to become a classic. In 2026, that diamond is the elongated cushion cut.Combining the soft, romantic corners of a traditional cushion cut with the graceful proportions of an elongated silhouette, this shape has quickly become one of the most sought-after choices among couples looking for something timeless, elegant, and distinctive.At Christopher Fine Diamonds in Chandler, Arizona, elongated...

Shopping

Toi et Moi Engagement Rings: The Romantic Ring Trend That Continues to Captivate Couples

Some engagement rings are admired for their brilliance.Others are remembered for the story they tell.Few designs combine both quite like the Toi et Moi engagement ring. French for "You and Me," this iconic style features two center stones sitting side by side, symbolizing two individuals coming together to create one shared future.Although the design dates back centuries, it has experienced an incredible resurgence in recent years and remains one of the most sought-after custom engagement ring...

Shopping

East-West Engagement Rings: The Modern Bridal Trend Turning Tradition on Its Side

A simple change in direction is giving classic engagement rings an entirely new personality.For decades, engagement rings have followed a familiar formula: an elongated diamond positioned vertically along the finger. Today, however, couples are embracing a fresh perspective. One of the fastest-growing bridal trends of 2026 is the east-west engagement ring, a modern interpretation of a timeless classic that combines elegance with individuality.Rather than placing the diamond in the traditional...

Shopping

Hidden Halo Engagement Rings: The Luxury Detail Everyone Notices

Some of the most beautiful engagement ring details aren't immediately obvious.While oversized halos once dominated bridal jewelry, today's couples are embracing a more refined approach to sparkle. One of the fastest-growing engagement ring trends of 2026 is the hidden halo—a subtle design element that enhances a diamond's brilliance without changing the clean, timeless appearance of a classic solitaire.It's elegant without being flashy, luxurious without feeling overdone, and has become one of...

Life + Culture

A Downtown Treasure

Beyond Words Bookstore is a shop the whole family can enjoy Article by Ashleigh Underwood Follow me to Downtown Mesa where we explore an adorable alleyway—The Greenbelt Shops. At the end of the alleyway, tucked to the right is the coziest bookstore just waiting for you to open the door—Beyond Words Bookshop. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you first walk in, whether that’s really feel of the A/C hitting your face after stepping in from the Arizona sun is up to you, but it’s like that...

Entertainment

Book Recommendations from Kelly

The Owner of Beyond Words gives recommendations for your next great read. Article and Photography by Beyond Words Bookshop,  owned by Kelly Boggs, is a bookstore for the whole family. Each shelf is thoughtfully stocked with books that are uplifting, real, filled with hope—stories that make you think. She hosts numerous events including a weekly storytime for littles along with author events, highlighting local authors. She carefully curates her shelves but also loves to order books that her...