I am honored to have such gracious contributors share their talents and favorite places to eat, shop and experience ‘their best of local’ Arizona.


Carrie Hensley

Carrie Hensley’s is Lily’s yogi inspiration. Her own personal life experiences has led her on a lifelong quest for healing, self-discovery and truth.
Carrie is a genuine example of authenticity and resiliency of spirit. I am honored to have her contribution here integrating yoga postures (asanas), breath awareness (pranayama), Vipassana meditation, self-discovery, and humor.
In 2005 Carrie co-opened Inside The Bungalow yoga studio and cafe with her Mamma Betty and has created an exceptional community space where friends meet, couples wed and students of yoga find inspiration along their path. Want to know more about Carrie ?
Visit her pages at www.InsideTheBungalow.com and www.CarrieHensley.com.

Alex Evjen

Alexandra Evjen, is founder of AVE Styles. She started her styling business to help men and women feel confident in their appearance, and to make the sometimes overwhelming world of fashion simple.
Aside from guest blogging here and making sure that Lily is kept fashionably in the know, you will find her regularly styling photo shoots, digging through closets, reading every fashion magazine she can get her hands on, frequenting coffee shops and enjoying the company of friends and family.
If you think that your wardrobe could use a facelift, you’re tired of wearing black for family portraits or you can’t figure out what to wear to an event, please visit her site at www.AveStyles.com or shoot Alex an email! alexandra@avestyles.com (photo credit to Melissa Jill Photography)

Tracy Perkins

Tracy started Strawberry Hedgehog when as a vegan college student she was having difficulty finding, let alone affording, quality vegan body products.
I know quality in products and experience are important to LocalLily readers and am fortunate to have Tracy contribute monthly about where to purchase and how to create organic seasonal body products on our own.
Her personal hydration mists are a year round essential as is the beach babe salt hair spray while no outdoor adventure is equipped without the natural bug repellent.
Tracy’s amazing handmade soaps are truly an affordable luxury and available for purchase online at www.StrawberryHedgehog.com as well as at your neighborhood Whole Foods Market.

Andrea Merican

Andrea Merican is an Arizona native with an innate passion for the arts and culture that bloom right in our own backyard. Born in Phoenix she grew up drawing as a small child and has continued to create stunning works with a focus in oil paintings that inspire.
When Andrea isn’t busy working on a canvas, exploring the Valley’s art galleries, or chatting up other Arizona artists you may find her riding her bike around downtown Scottsdale and blogging here about it all.
To see Andrea’s work and learn more visit www.AndreaMerican.com

Nathan Simpson

Nathan Simpson is an under-employed, overstimulated, car-free quasi-hipster who shares a downtown Phoenix bachelor pad with his loyal canine companion, Buckley Minster. He quits smoking several times a year, is an extremely social drinker, and can be found arguing random, 80s trivia at any number of downtown establishments. He does crossword puzzles in pen, is the current record holder for the suicide wing challenge at the Sugar Shack in Scottsdale and can be found typing out his diatribes at any place in the city center that has free wi-fi, cheap but good coffee, and attractive baristas.