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On The Blog
This is where the stories begin. EatLoveTravelPlay™ isn’t just about places on a map — it’s about the people, flavors, and adventures that bring them to life. From small business owners pouring their hearts into every detail, to luxe stays that inspire a little wanderlust, to the hidden corners you never knew you needed — you’ll find it all here. Think of this space as your travel companion, foodie guide, and storyteller rolled into one.
We eat with heart, love with intention, travel with curiosity, and play with joy—inviting our readers to experience the world, one story at a time.
All Posts
Eatlovetravelplay | Scent Somm Wishlist — Ep. 1 Elevated Marshmallow Perfumes + Cocktail Pairings
Marshmallow, but make it polished. Episode one of Scent Somm pairs fluffy gourmand fragrances with cocktails, cafés, and Phoenix hotspots.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
4 days ago4 min read
Escape to Casia Inn: The Perfect Sonoma Girls’ Getaway
Every now and then, the calendar demands you carve out time for the kind of getaway that feeds the soul, fills the wine glasses, and guarantees laughter echoing into the night. For me, that’s where Casia Inn in Sonoma comes in—the boutique little haven that feels like it was designed with a girls’ trip in mind. Why Casia Inn is Made for Moments Like This Tucked right in the heart of California wine country, Casia Inn is effortlessly charming. Think cozy-yet-chic rooms with to
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Mar 32 min read
Small Batches, Big Welcome
How to skip the aisles and serve stories—one loaf, jar, and pour at a time. The best holiday tables begin at sunrise, not in an aisle. Across the Valley, the most memorable holiday spreads don’t come from a fluorescent grocery run. They start at a baker’s rack, a farmers market, a tiny kitchen perfumed with butter and good intentions. Food here is stirred, laminated, fermented, smoked, and bottled by people whose names you learn as they slide something warm across the counter
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Mar 33 min read
Spirit of the Desert: Your EatLoveTravelPlay™ Guide to Arizona Cocktail Weekend 2026
Experience Arizona Cocktail Weekend 2026 in downtown Phoenix with our ELTP guide to signature events, top bars, tips, and where to find all the cocktail magic.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Feb 125 min read
Sniff This, Sip That Episode 4: JusBox Carioca Heart + Caduceus Cellars Hilltop PetNat
Carioca Heart by JusBox meets Caduceus Hilltop PetNat for a desert night pairing with music in its DNA, plus Velvet Slippers and a Verde Val
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Feb 32 min read
2026 Valentine’s + Galentine’s in Phoenix: February Love Lists
Your 2026 guide to Valentine’s and Galentine’s in Phoenix and Scottsdale—chef dinners, prix fixe menus, brunches, and wine-forward nights, plus Merkin in Cottonwood and Atria in Flagstaff.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 295 min read
Sniff This, Sip That Vol. 3: Akro Bake Pecorino Wine Pairing at Virtù Honest Craft
I wore Akro Bake to Virtù Honest Craft and paired it with Pecorino. Here’s why this lemon pastry gourmand and crisp Italian white wine work together, plus a Vermentino option to try at home.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 274 min read
Self-Care on Auto-Pilot: Are Memberships the Secret to Your Glow?
Tired of putting yourself last? This EatLoveTravelPlay™ guide breaks down how self-care memberships work, what to look for, and Arizona medspa spots, from Gilbert to Scottsdale, where you can turn glow into a monthly habit.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 236 min read
Sniff This, Sip That Vol. 2: Durant’s Black Walnut Old Fashioned + Lattafa Khamrah Qahwa
Durant’s vintage steakhouse vibe meets a Black Walnut Old Fashioned and Lattafa Khamrah Qahwa—boozy, spicy warmth for cooler Arizona nights. Includes a home Old Fashioned riff (coconut sugar syrup + black walnut bitters) and Ella on vinyl.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 185 min read
From Milk to Magic: A Parmigiano Reggiano Tour Near Modena
There are food experiences in Italy that feel like a lovely meal, and then there are the ones that quietly rewire how you taste everything after. Caseificio Bio Reggiani is the second kind.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 143 min read
Sniff This, Sip That Vol. 1: Xerjoff Casamorati Lira + The Nightcapper
Episode one pairs Lira, my lemon kissed gateway scent, with The Nightcapper vibes at Heritage Kitchen and Cocktails.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 104 min read
Welcome to Sniff This, Sip That
I’ll be your Scent Somm, but let me say this up front: I’m not a fragrance pro. I’m firmly Team Consumer. I won’t be rating atomizers or dissecting performance like a lab report. What I will do is translate scent into something we already know how to savor, the way notes and mood line up with a cocktail, a spirit, or a glass of wine, and the kind of place you’d want to wear it.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Jan 72 min read
2025 Holiday Guide: Your EatLoveTravelPlay™ Guide to Celebrate December in the Desert
December in the Desert is your EatLoveTravelPlay™ guide to ending the year with sparkles and joy. From family-friendly adventures and twinkle-lit festivities to seasonal sips, Christmas Day dinners, and New Year’s celebrations, this guide gathers the very best of Arizona’s holiday magic. Explore where to eat, sip, play, and savor every moment of the season.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Nov 19, 202520 min read
Ambiente Sedona: The Luxury of Escape, Wrapped in Nature
Where red rocks glow, stars shimmer, and every window feels like art. Ambiente isn’t just a stay—it’s a soul reset.
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Nov 11, 20255 min read
Best Southern Thai in Phoenix: LeDu Thai’s New 7th Street Home Serving Southern Thai Soul
LeDu Thai on 7th Street delivers Southern Thai dishes, balanced cocktails, and hospitality that feels like home. See why it ranks among the
Krista Carpenter-Beasley
Nov 10, 20253 min read
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