A Sunday Affair

There is always somewhere good to be in Arizona at any time of the year, despite the soaring temperatures in the summer.  It's a state with it's own climate control.  A couple of hours north or a couple of hours south, we've got it all covered, just find your comfort zone.  At this time of year, you want to be right here, Scottsdale and Phoenix, the places to be, weather included.  With so much going on, from music festivals to rodeos, art shows to championship golf tournaments and everything in between.  It's alive with life, the State's own entertainment capital.

Between January 15th and April 2nd, hosted by the ​Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, there are a series of free concerts on selected Sundays featuring top musicians from Arizona.  The concerts take place in the Scottsdale Civic Center Park adjacent to the Performing Arts building located in Old Town Scottsdale.  It's a beautiful location tucked away from the hubbub, encapsulated amid buildings old and new, housing some very good restaurants and other small businesses. The quaint park has well established shady trees, flower gardens, a lake with it's obligatory duck families, some modern concept architecture, bridges and waterfalls, and scenic pathways to meander and enjoy the beauty.   

Starting at noon and finishing at 4 pm, each concert showcases two or more artists or bands ranging in culture and genre.  There are stalls around the perimeter selling arts and crafts from local artisans, food, wine, fun activities for the kids, and art tours. Concert goers take their blankets, dogs, picnic baskets and set up camp in the large grassy knoll.  They kick back, listen to the music, and enjoy the weather and a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The park itself holds a myriad of eclectic art and design

This is what I wore!

It was the first time out for the kimono this year!

These sandals are amazing dupes for the Valentino Rockstud sandals.

My outfit was based upon us going out for lunch - not a picnic in the park! Otherwise, I would have worn something more casual.  

The kimono was last years from Anthropologie.  I found some similar ones linked below, of which I particularly like the one with the​ fringing.  So bohemian and fun.  The best thing about the longer length kimonos for us midlife girls is they are ideal for wearing with shorts in the summer.  If you're out and about town, a kimono makes you feel less vulnerable but is still light and airy enough to keep you cool and feel as though you're wearing nothing.

These skinny  ​AG jeans  are probably my favorite jeans ever.  So comfortable, they never feel as though they need to be hitched up, and they are cute to boot!  I wore a simple black spaghetti strap ​​​camisole and these lovely Karl Lagerfield  studded sandals that are still available.  They are the perfect dupe to the $1000 Valentino Rockstud sandals.  In fact I would go so far to say they're even better, because the block heel has a very slight flare which is so stylish. The exact same ones I'm wearing are linked below, and in case you're wondering they are walk all day comfy!

For accessories, keeping it kind of bohemian, I went with the Lariat  Baublebar choker.   The Tom Ford sunnies are my forever go to favorite (in case you haven't noticed!), they just seem to work with everything.
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​We did indeed go for lunch rather than picnic on this occasion.  AZ88 is a hip iconic restaurant that borders the park, has a large outdoor patio,  serves great food, award winning cocktails and changes up the eclectic decor regularly.  I had the salad nicoise, and it was delicious.

So if you're in the vicinity and looking to have an affair this Sunday,  take yourself over to Old Town Scottsdale and enjoy this wonderful event.  Whether you plan to picnic or savor a leisurely lunch at one of the many interesting restaurants in Old Town, it will doubtless be an affair to remember. 
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Thank you for reading
Karen xox