Best New Florist
Florals in Phoenix
An art historian by trade, Angelica Gulinson turns to desert landscapes for inspiration when crafting her stunning but understated floral arrangements. Guided by sustainability, she incorporates local flowers when possible, uses no floral foam and purchases vases from secondhand shops. Gulinson designs arrangements for all occasions, from baby showers to birthdays.
@floralsinphx
Best Alternative Florist
Petal n’ Metal
Florist Nick Salazar’s appearance suggests he spends his weekends in the middle of a mosh pit. Instead, you can find him arranging freesias, sunflowers and peonies and selling his fresh bouquets at Monsoon Market, Steep Tea Company and SPCE Coffee. The composition, textures and colors of his arrangements are inspired by the ecology of the Sonoran Desert – and a dash of heavy metal.
petalnmetal.com
Kindest Veterinary Team
CARE Animal Surgery Center
From writing your pet’s name on little welcome chalkboards outside each exam room to sending hourly text updates while your four-legged loved one is in surgery, the staff at CARE goes out of its way to let you know your best friend is in the best hands possible.
6677 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, 623-328-9007, caresurgerycenter.com
Best Meal Delivery Service
Eat Clean Phx
Ryan and Brittany Powell will deliver fresh, organic, made-from-scratch meals to your home or office. The menu changes weekly and you can choose from the likes of blueberry protein pancakes, firecracker beef, chicken pizza and sweet pork tacos. They don’t require a subscription or contract and will deliver Valleywide.
602-284-2091, eatcleanphx.com
Best Literary Medicine
Poetry Pharmacy
Dr. Rosemarie Dombrowski has a Ph.D. in English, not an M.D., but she’s using poetry to make people feel better. The “poetry pharmacy” concept is popping up all over, but we can’t imagine anyone prescribes spirit-lifting verse more capably than the poet laureate of Phoenix, who curates the program at Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix. Not feeling so hot? No worries, the doctor is in.
revisionaryarts.org/poetry-pharmacy
Best Turf Cleaning
Kiwi Turf Cleaners
You’ve made the switch to turf to conserve water. Now what? You gotta keep it clean – especially if you have pets. Gilbert brothers-in-law Ryan Moore and James Patterson started their turf-cleaning company after needing help themselves. They’re a full-service turf operation, offering everything from reblooming and magnetic sweeping to power-washing and restoration.
kiwiturfcleaners.com
Best AC Company
REEis Air Conditioning
Air-conditioning is its bailiwick – it offers 24/7 emergency AC repair – but this family-owned company specializes in the whole HVAC experience: installation, replacement, sealing (ducts and home), sunscreens, lighting retrofits and air-quality devices, for residential and commercial clients. When summer tests your AC unit, you’ll want these folks in your phone contacts.
3525 E. Corona Ave., Phoenix, 480-573-8139, reeis.com
Best Custom Party Props
Sweet Life Creations
This one-stop party shop creates customized decorations for baby showers, graduations, birthdays and everything in between. Whether you’re in need of balloon arches, banners, desserts or themed décor, owner Karina Sanchez is in the business of creating backdrops for all the moments that make life sweet.
@sweetlifecreationsphx
Best Wood
Berry Bros. Firewood Co.
You’ve probably passed it a million times – we had. We’d even smelled the delicious scents of a variety of different woods wafting over Washington Street as we drove by. Then a friend tipped us off – fill your firepit here. The staff has great advice on long- and slow-burning wood. Just make sure it’s not a no-fire day in Maricopa County.
5317 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-244-000, bbfw.com
