The

Undeniable

Ruth

®

…and the Ruth shall set you free!

  • Independents Week 2014 – Who’s In?

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    Ruth Carter

    I’m excited for Independents Week next week (6/29 – 7/6) and I hope you are too. This is the week where you’re encouraged to spending your money locally. When you spend locally, more of your money stays in the community compared to when you shop at big box stores – a lot more. I participated last year and had an awesome time shopping at some of my favorite businesses in the valley and trying out some new ones too.

    Independents Week is also Golden Coupon week. Members of Local First Arizona will be offering 20% discounts when you shop with a Golden Coupon. (See their site for details and limitations.) Over 260 businesses all over the state are participating. It’s a great reason to try a new place in your neighborhood.

    Golden Coupon 2014

    These are some of the places in metro Phoenix that I’m excited to see are participating. I’m sticking to Phoenix area places because, well, I live here.

    • Arizona Fun Services – where my partner-in-crime and I got our root suits
    • Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange
    • Brand X Custom T-shirts – makes all my custom t-shirts and running shirts
    • Changing Hands Bookstore
    • Nobel Beast – great pet supply shop
    • Practical Art on Central – I’ve never been here but it looks interesting
    • Phoenix Art Museum
    • Write Ons – where I get all my greeting cards
    • Zia Records

    If you’re looking for a new place to eat, there are awesome restaurants that are accepting the Golden Coupon, including:

    • Duck and Decanter
    • Fez
    • Scramble
    • Sun Up Brewing
    • The Dhaba
    • The Refuge

    Some of you might be asking, “How does being a minimalist comport with Independents Week?” To me, being a minimalist means I try to only buy things that add value to my life. I still need to buy things. I think Independents Week is a great reason to pop into places you wouldn’t ordinarily visit to get to know them. (It’s important to me to spend my money locally when I can.) These places might have things that would add value to my life – now or in the future. There’s no pressure to buy anything this week, but if I do, I get a nice discount.

    If you do participate in the Local First Independents Week Golden Coupon program, you’re eligible to enter to win a staycation in Flagstaff. Why am I telling you that? Shop with the Golden Coupon but don’t enter the contest. You’ll be hurting my chances of winning.

    Happy Independents Week! Who’s in?

  • Preventing Skin Cancer with Vanity

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    Ruth Carter

    These are my friends - real photo from my medicine cabinet
    These are my friends – real photo from my medicine cabinet

    I had an appointment with my doctor a few weeks ago – nothing serious, just my annual exam and blood work. He took one look at my pasty pale skin and remarked that we didn’t need to have the discussion about the importance of sunblock.

    He went on to share how when he talks to patients who aren’t as diligent about protecting themselves from the sun, he doesn’t tell them about the dangers of skin cancer. He said he tells them that the sun in aging them prematurely and making them look older than their true age.

    Life lesson: Vanity works.

    (BTW: I firmly believe that sunblock and moisturizer are why I can still pass as 22.)

  • Getting Out of Dodge with Rosie

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    Ruth Carter

    I won a night at the Sedona Rouge during Independents Week last year. The gift certificate expired in July 2014 so I had to use-it-or-lose-it. They’re a dog-friendly hotel so I booked a room for Rosie and I during mid-week last week to get away from the heat for a few hours.

    Sedona Rouge
    Sedona Rouge – Sedona, AZ

    At first I was thinking, “Why am I doing this? We’re not even going to be gone for 24 hours. There’s so much I could be getting done if I just stay here instead of packing up the pup and me, driving 2 hours to Sedona, just to drive back the next day.” I’m so glad I ignore this voice in my head. We had an awesome time and it provided a much needed break from the daily grind.

    The staff was so nice to Rosie and me. Rosie is an experienced traveler and I packed her box of bowls, food, and toys plus her bedding. Her stuff took up a lot more room in the trunk than my overnight bag and backpack. I thought it was very sweet when we got to our room and saw that the staff had put out dog bowls and a bed for Rosie.

    Dog Bed and Bowls
    Sorry About the Poor Quality

    I could tell they’re used to having canine guests that are smaller than Miss Rosie and evidenced by the size of the dog bed. But that didn’t stop her from using it.

    Rosie on the Dog Bed Nex t to her Real Bed
    Rosie on the Dog Bed Next to her Regular Bed

    Rosie and I had a great time at the Sedona Rouge. We took a self-guided tour through the Column Garden and the pool area. All the guests who saw her gushed over her. I spent most of this trip reading Jason SurfrApp‘s book, Creativity for Sale. It’s hard to make reading a priority at home. I found a comfortable seat in the courtyard, looped Rosie leash through one of the legs of the chair, and enjoyed Jason’s book while a gentle breeze blew through my hair. It’s a really good book – my brain is buzzing with ideas about my future professional endeavors. I really wish I didn’t need sleep or work/life balance so I could spend more time working on them.

    Rosie in the Column Garden
    Rosie in the Column Garden

    In the evening, I trooped to the pool area to do some writing before taking a soak in the hot tub. I do a 2-day personal/professional retreat every December, and this trip gave me a chance to check in on how things are going so far this year. Rosie snuggled up in the chaise next to mine.  She was so cute but it was too dark to get a picture so we had to recreate the shot the next morning.

    Poolside Rosie
    Poolside Rosie

    We spent less than 24 hours in Sedona. The next morning we got up early, got a walk for her, a run for me, and breakfast for both of us before heading back to Phoenix. Even though it was a short trip, it was a good reminder of how important it is to occasionally get away to reflect and recharge.

    I really enjoyed my time up north. I’ve been thinking about my next book and this trip made me consider the possibility of taking a month away just to write instead of working writing into my daily routine as I’ve done with my other books . . . definitely something to think about.